The Show Has To Go On

I feel nauseous reading the papers nowadays about how Pak Lah is now doing an about turn. Initially he banged away at the Terengganu Palace for appointing a Menteri Besar unconstitutionally; now he is seeking an audience with the King, who is also the Sultan of Terengganu, and says that there is nothing that cannot be solved diplomatically.

PUKE BIG TIME!

Anyway, back in January, I was supposed to go for a medical screening to determine both my fasting blood sugar, and the effects of the Enalapril Maleate (ACE Inhibitor) on my kidneys. The latter is for controlling my hypertension. There was no drive then for me to do so, I had no reason to want to be any better than I was then. I have been refused supply of my ACEI because I do not have any renal function test result. To do so today would still mean getting the results next week some time when my supply runs out by Saturday afternoon. Come Monday, I have to get back underwater to work.

As uncontrolled hypertension is bad for diving, I have no choice now but to not worry at all and take the necessary measures when I am underwater so my blood pressure does not elevate any higher than 140/80. With medication it is at 110/70.

I am going to do my work no matter what. The show is NOT going to stop just over a few tablets. I have a contract to fulfil and I am fulfilling it come what may.

Selamat Menyambut Hari Ulangtahun Ke 201 PDRM

IPD Batu Pahat - courtesy of Batu Pahat Dot Org
Batu Pahat Police District Headquarters – courtesy of www.batupahat.org. Did I not pass here the other day?

I was drawing something or was making paper boats. We were waiting for my father to come home from Bukit Aman so we could leave for a break in Fraser’s Hills (well, my father could have wanted to go there for a meeting or something). Then the news came. My father’s predecessor, Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Hashim, was gunned down near Bukit Mahkamah by communist terrorists while on his way to Bukit Aman from Jalan Kia Peng. It was 7th June 1974. A day later the Royal Malaysian Police became a big part of my life. Every function held at the house was about the police force, everywhere we went there were escorts, hari raya or chinese new year or deepavali celebrations were with either ministers or members of the police force. Once, after an attack on the Police Field Force’s complex at Jalan Pekeliling (then Pekeliling flats), I remember going back home in a V-150 Commando Armoured Personnel Carrier from the Briged Tengah PPH. My friends thought it was so cool. If only they knew how hot and noisy it was in there.

Cadillac Cage V-150 Commando APC

I was first and foremost close to the Guards and Escorts branch of the police because they provided security at our residence, and still know most of them although most have been transferred on promotion to other police stations doing general duties or traffic. When I was still in college, I was close to the Marine Police (since 1971) and the Police Field Force, in particular the 20th Battalion (Senoi Praaq).

Senoi Praaq

Over the years I cemented relationships with the VAT 69 commando unit, the Unit Tindakan Khas (UTK), Unit Udara (Air Wing) and even attended Criminal Investigations course at the Criminal Investigations School at the Police Depot in Jalan Semarak (before the school was integrated as part of the Police College in Cheras).

The police has been in bad light for several years, but over the last general elections, it has proven itself to act independently. This is important as the loyalty of the police should be towards the King and Country, as it is for members of the Armed Forces. I hope the initial good intention of joining the police will be remembered by each and every member of its rank and file so they can continue to protect and serve the rakyat without fear or favour.

I pray that God would guide them in executing their duties, and may He protect them when they leave their families behind to protect us.

My Quarrel Partner

Nisaa

As I lie on my tummy typing this (yes, I can actually lie on my tummy), my little monster Nisaa is sitting on my back reading one of my books on politics.

She is my quarrel partner. We would start our quarrels early in the morning, or at least when both are already awake. I’ll usually start off by saying, “Hi, Nisaa bulat” and she would reply “Hi, Ayah kambing” and things like that.

Sometimes when I am asleep in the room, she would wake me up, push the ASTRO remote control into my face and say, “Ayah, nak six one one.” Once she has gotten her channel, then she would turn up the volume, then leave the room.

Earlier this evening, as I was lying on my tummy resting, she asked me if I was okay. I told her I was tired. She said, “Kesian, ayah. Ayah letih,” then proceeded to lift my t-shirt then rubbed my back with her half-chewed Mentos.

I hope I can have an early nap tonight. I hope she’ll sleep early too.

Down South – Part 2

It is 6.05am and I haven’t slept. So I am not going to write much; I shall write some captions for the photos taken.

Rain rain rain
It rained all the way

An exit approaching
An exit approaching

What da f***!
I wonder if they have managed to sell anything at all

Pee Stop
Pee Stop

JB traffic
JB Traffic

Stuolang Laut looking at Singapore
Power station in Singapore as seen from Stulang Laut

I was there because of this
My reason for being in Stulang Laut

The gang
Zaide
The gang
The gang
The food
The gang and the food

Down South – Part 1

I’m on this very important trip down south. Right now I am taking a break inside Batu Pahat’s Carrefour after sampling what Batu Pahat is famous for (besides Hotel Katarina and its CCTV rooms). I am logging in from the Old Town White Coffee inside Carrefour itself.

There are three wifi providers here. Besides Old Town, Hamid Corner and KFC have wifi too.

Strangely, only I seem to be using a lappie anywhere in this whole complex.

A Century Of Rainy Days

Today is the 100th day. And it rained like hell. As it is the 100th day, it would be my last day of mourning, and from tomorrow I should stay happy (I hope).

Coincidentally, a year ago today, Gee and I left for Perhentian for one of my best dive trips. We had Katakpink, Rj Ena, Nafi and some of the other guys joining us on this trip.

Gee and I at the Bentong Petronas

I just want to be happy after this. I just want to have some kind of hope in life. I just want to have someone to look forward to being with, to wake up with, and to look at before I fall asleep. I just want someone whom to me would mean everything, and vice-versa.

100 Days

When the Soviet Air Force shot down a Korean Airlines Boeing 747 back in 1983, the Soviet authorities downplayed the tragedy knowing that in 90 days, the human mind would forget. And despite the late President Ronald Reagan’s attempts to get the UN Security Council to hit out at the Soviets, after 90 days no one really cared and the tragedy never made it to the frontpage of the dailies anymore.

I passed by Hutan Melintang yesterday on my way to Sitiawan, and it invoked certain painful memory. As I sped towards Lekir, I calculated mentally and it had been 98 days or exactly 14 weeks since that painful episode. On my way back, I made it a point to stop at Hutan Melintang by visiting a distant relative. I looked at the road leading to the jetty, and although my heart did not sink as it would have, there was still that gut-wrenching pain somewhat.

Tomorrow, it would be 100 days since then; and any traditional Javanese woman who had given birth on that fateful day would be cleansing herself in preparation for her first intercourse with the husband after a 3 months and 10 days confinement.

It is time for me to move on…hopefully.

My Song For You

Driving isn’t the same anymore. That pretty face of Hannah Yeoh no longer decorates the sides of the roads in Subang Jaya now that she is a state assemblywoman for Subang Jaya. The DAP, Gerakan and PKR posters, banners etc have all disappeared, only the ones put up by the MCA and UMNO are still there. I guess they’ll do it at the 11th hour of the 14-day period…as usual leaving things until late. Someone once equate procrastination to masturbating – because you feel nice about it until you’ve f***ed yourself.

I feel like going to a karaoke joint but Forlorn Soldier’s not around. He’s gone overseas as usual. Last night an old song played in my head…a very sad song. I’ve sung this song before and back in mid December I sang this song…it just broke my heart. Even as I type this, while listening to the song, I feel so melancholic and tears well in my eyes.

Anyway, here it is, Hasnol’s Laguku Untuk Mu (My Song For You):

Kehadiran membawa seribu erti
Terasa bagaikan suatu mimpi
Indah mahligai yang kita bina
Impian kini terlaksana sudah

Tiada ku terlintas akan terjadi
Kita kan terpisah jua akhirnya
Sejenak ku terfikir segala
Oh keindahan bersamamu

( 1 )
Kembalilah kasih kepada diriku
Hidupku sepi tanpa kehadiranmu
Dengar rayuanku jeritan batinku
Masih dahagakan kemesraanmu
Hanya kau yang ku cinta tiada kedua
Usah biar ku menderita

Setelah kau pergi tiada kembali
Pilunya tak dapat ku menggambarkan
Abadi kasihku yang amat suci
Biarku yang dalam kegelapan

Dengarlah dendangan laguku untukmu
Suara hati lambang suci murni
Berat saatku dilamun rindu
Setelah lama dikau pergi oh…
Kasihku… oh…

The One I Wanted To Vote For

Maimun Yusuf a.k.a Tok Mun

I would have voted for her – Maimun Yusuf a.k.a Tok Mun. This 89-year old lady raised her own money to fight a cause she believes in. In the picture above, she is seen proudly holding the flag of Terengganu and the only paper qualification she has is a participating certificate of civil society conference by state government long time ago. It means you don’t have to be from the Keneddy family to participate in democracy.

Tok Mun's house

See the way she lives. That is her house up there. Had she become the PM, people like Ibrahim Ali, Tengku Adnan Mansor, Samy Vellu, and myself included would have been a lot slimmer because she goes around on her bicycle only, thus nullifying the Opposition’s (depending which state you live in now) claims that it can bring down toll rates, fuel prices, and better healthcare facilities. With a lifestyle like hers, who needs fuel, toll and medicine? At 89 years of age, she is a living proof.

Tok Mun campaigning

She goes campaigning herself, there was hardly anyone to help her.

Tok Mun campaigning

Her election poster:

Her election poster

Sadly, although she managed to garner the support from over 600 voters, she has lost her deposit of RM10K. She spent a further RM4K in making posters, banners and flyers for herself, and for campaigning.

If you think this gutsy old lady deserves your support financially to get her back on her feet, you can visit her website.

Seriously, I admire this old lady for her courage, and her beliefs.

Condolence

It’s 1.55am.

40 minutes ago I received an SMS from Hazyr informing me that her grandfather had passed away.

Condolence to the family. Be strong. He’s in a better place now and doesn’t suffer anymore.

al-Fathihah.