Critical Issues Facing the Nation - Concern of a Senior Citizen

 

                                                     Who will save Malaysia?

  The IMDB Episode with its many ramifications is of much concern to me as a citizen, relying on the monthly pension and a little savings as the primary sources of income. The many questions relating to the leakage of the sovereign fund of the country, 1MDB, to the account of Malaysian Official No 1, involving billions, have not received satisfactory responses.  Funds from Tabung Haji and KWAP were said to have been invested in this questionable ventures. In the efforts to quash the allegations, the related government institutions such as the Attorney General Office, Band Negara, PDRM, SRM and PAC have been weakened with termination and transfers of senior officials.  Corruption is pervasive in the country and the millions stashed in the homes of two senior officials of the Water Works Department in Sabah (see newspaper cutting) was another high profile case of corruption and the latest report has listed Malaysia as the most corrupted country in the world, a shameful testimony to the pervasive abuses.  These leakages have their consequences. As Shanmugam in his write-up in Viewpoint column in the Star, the illegal money also called black money are not kept in the bank nor are they in circulation, thus contributing money going out of the system and weakening the currency.  Corruption and leakages in Government also contribute to lack of confidence in the country, inducing many to put their savings in foreign countries in more stable and strong currencies.
  Mariam Mokhtar, in her article 'Who will save Malaysia?'  in FMT News (see website link) provided a long list of challenges facing the country - poor governance, disrespectful to rule of law, confrontations between pro and anti-government groups , racial and religious intolerance, declining standards of education, increasing crime rates (murders, gang wars etc), abuses of the environment with bauxite mining in Pahang, illegal deforestation widespread in many parts of the country and pollution of rivers which are the sources of water supply, power abuse and hounding of individuals involve in human rights.  In addition to her list, are the existence of illegal businesses from gambling dens, massage parlours, prostitution dens; the million of illegal immigrants that found their way to the country and the security situation arising from the increasing activities of militant extreme religious groups.
  The question as to who can overcome these challenges.  No doubt about it - we the peoples and citizens of the country.  Let us do in our small way, work towards getting a more enlightened leadership that display the courage to fight corruption, have high integrity and commitment to see a Malaysian nation that each one of us is proud of.

Posted on 12 October, 2016 
      

Wedding Reception for my son, Rosmin and Nur Bertha

1. Introduction. Rosmin and Nur Bertha Jane were married with the 'akad nikah' ceremony followed by a reception held at the Pacific Sutera Hotel, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah on January 2, 2016.  The reception in Kuala Lumpur was held on Saturday April 2, 2016 from 12.00 noon to 4.00 pm at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club, attended by more than 500 made up of Rosmin's friends in the music and entertainment industries, family members and friends.  I was glad also to have three friends from New Zealand, Chief Matuetera Clendon, Robert Willoughby and Sam Noon, who were attending the MIHAS exhibition in Kuala Lumpur. 

2. The Menu

                                                       BUFFET HIDANGAN UTARA

PEMBUKA SELERA

Rojak Mamak

Papadom

Kerabu Ayam, Kerabu Mangga

Rojak Buahan

Selada Timun Dan Nenas

Ulam Ulam Kampung

Sambal Belacan, Sambal Tomato, Sambal Goreng

Acar Buah

SUP

Sup Kambing Berempah

Roti Banggali

HIDANGAN UTAMA

Ayam Goreng Mami

Kari Kepala Ikan

Daging Masak Hitam

Sotong Goreng Kunyit

Sayur Campur dengan Sos Tiram

Nasi Hujan Panas

Kambing Bakar

SAJIAN MANISAN

Aneka Kuih-muih, Perbagai Kek mini

Puding Roti, Buah- buahan

Gerai 1

Cendol Pulut

Gerai II

Murtabak Ayam

MINUMAN PILIHAN

Kopi Kampung, Teh, Sirap

Tambahan Menu

3 Kambing Bakar

Members of the Reception Committee

The Usherrettes

Delivering my welcoming speech

 

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Chief Matuetera Clendon conveying his best wishes to the newly-wed

Photographic sessions

3. Programme of the Reception. 

            12.00 noon -  Arrival of guests.  The guests will be ushered to the Reception Hall

                                  Photo Booth Session 

                                  Instrumental music presented by Acoustic Band

               1.00 noon - 

Emcee – Haiza to announce the arrival of the bride and bridegroom

Pengantin memasuki dewan bersama pengiring dengan diiringi nyanyian live oleh Stacy - Lagu My Valentine

Kata Aluan dari Emcee 

Bacaan Doa oleh Imam Muda Najdi

Emcee menjemput Bapa Pengantin Lelaki, Dato’ Dr. 

      Hashim Bin Abdul Wahab memberi ucapan

Ucapan daripada Bapa Pengantin Lelaki

Majlis Merenjis – Ibu Bapa Pengantin Lelaki, Pengantin 

            Perempuan dan 2 pasang tetamu jemputan

   Diiringi Lagu Direnjis Renjis Dipilis oleh Acoustic 

   Band

Emcee menjemput Makan Beradap Pengantin

Dirining Lagu Instrumental Cinta Sesungguh – 

                           Sabhi Saddi

Emcee menjemput Artis membuat persembahan

Persembahan Artis Jemputan 

• Akim & The Majestic- Mewangi

• Farahdiya – Bertakhta di Hati

• Ayrina  Acoustic Band Uda dan Dara  -

How do I Live without You by Trisha Yearwood

• Ezad & Haiza – Dua Insan 

• Nabila  - Cemburu

• Jimmy Palikat feat. One Nation Emcee – Anak Kampung

Video Playback – Resepsi di Kota Kinabalu

Emcee menjemput Pengantin ke Upacara Memotong Kek

Diiringi nyanyian dari Sabhi Saddi – 

                   Cinta Sesungguhnya 

Upacara Memotong Kek

Emcee menjemput Pengantin memberi ucapan

Ucapan Intro Pengantin

Nyanyian dari Pengantin Lelaki – 

   Lagu I Just Want To Say I Love You dengan diiringi 

      Acoustic Band (4 baris )

Ucapan Pengantin

Emcee menjemput gadis yang masih single untuk Lontaran Bunga oleh Pengantin Perempuan.

Emcee menjemput tetamu bagi Sessi Fotografi Bersama Pengantin

• Saudara Pengantin Perempuan

• Saudara Pengantin Lelaki

• Rakan-rakan Industri  

• Para Artis dan penulis lagu

• Rakan Media

• Rakan Telco

• Ex- BMG  

• AIM Team

• Staff Nova Music

• Kawan Pengantin Perempuan

• Kawan Pengantin Lelaki 

• Jawatankuasa Walimatusurus Rosmin & Nur Bertha

Majlis Bersurai

 Posted on September 21, 2016

Visit to Cameron Highland and Trekking to the summit of Mt Berembun

 First agenda on the trip - the Executive Committee Meeting at the MARDI Agrotech Park

1. Introduction. The trip to Cameron Highland from August 27 to 28, 2016 was organised for three main considerations: to have the monthly Executive Committee meeting of the Alumni Association of MARDI, to visit the Association's strawberry project and finally, as part of the healthy program of its members, to climb one of the summits of the mountain around Cameron Highland.  Seven of the members of the Committee were able to participate whilst four extended their apologies. We departed at 8.15 am on Saturday August 27,  in a van provided by MARDI and were in Tanah Rata at around 1.00 noon. 

2. Committee Meeting and Visit to the Strawberry Farm. The Committee meeting covered the usual items of the Agenda. With the adoption of the minutes,  reports from the Secretary, the Treasurer and the various bureau - Economic and Entrepreneural Activities, Sports& Recreation, Religious and Spiritual, Communications were then tabled and discussed.  It was followed by the visit to the strawberry farm.  The farm extending an area of two-and-half acres are rented from MARDI and have been grown with strawberry utilising the fertigation system. It is being managed by AlMashoor Sdn Bhd whose Chairman is a member of the Committee.  The Committee was happy with the progress of development of the farm and discussed a few challenges encountered in its implementation. The delegation was treated to a steamboat dinner at the Passadena Hotel, Brinchang, hosted by the Chairman of AlMashoor, Dato' Syed Rahman.         

Second agenda on the trip - visiting the strawberry farm of the Association

The strawberry farm on fertigation system

The new strawberry area being prepared for planting

The steamboat dinner

3. Trekking to the Summit of Gunung Berembun (GB). On the second day (Sunday Aug. 28) of our visit to the Highland, the three members (Ezanee, Dagang and I) who have indicated interest to go trekking were up early.  We were informed during the Committee meeting earlier that the original plan to trek to Gunung Irau was not possible as we cannot get the permit to climb from the Forest Department.  The trek up G. Irau, we were informed, takes a total time of three hours to get to the summit and three hours to get down.  G. Berembun was said to be a relatively easier peak to climb and that the return time to get to its summit is half that of climbing G. Irau.  We had no option except to trek G. Berembun.  The starting point was at the compound of the Forestry Department at Tanah Rata.  As soon as the three young guides (Khairi - leader, Shafiq and Nordin) joined us at 8.30 am we started our climb.  Initially it was an easy low slope trek but subsequently the first challenging hill was the obstacle. I knew I needed a walking stick to assist in the climb which I managed to get and Shafiq assisted in trimming it.   Nordin led the pack followed by Ezanee.  In front of me was Shafiq and Khairi was the  sweeper. Both Dagang and Ezanee were fast and able to keep the pace of Nordin, who I was informed, was the fastest guide among the three of them. Before long, both Dagang and Ezanee, were way ahead and did not respond to our voice call. After having managed to get over the steep hill, it was followed by a steep downhill trek and finally reaching the resting point at around 10.00 am where I caught up with my colleagues. After 15 minutes rest we were on our way to the summit.  It was a difficult and testing climb. Shafiq was assisting me in the climb, showing the easier path to take. Khairi was uplifting my spirit and saying that this was a real mental test. I told him that, as far as I am concerned,  I am strong mentally. If anything it is my physical, my body whether it could withstand this physical endurance.  I was glad to reach the summit at around 12.00 noon where Nordin has already prepared Milo drink for the trekkers.  Soon after we were joined by two German trekkers who were on holiday in Malaysia.  Both are teachers on summer holiday and were specially impressed with the hospitality of the Malaysian people, but however, did not like the traffic jams in Kuala Lumpur. Shafiq who appeared to be well-informed on the various treks around Cameron Highland, said that there are16 peaks that adventurers can trek and the most popular is G. Irau.  The other popular peaks are Brinchang, Jaga and Berembun.  The flora of Berembun has a number of herbal species good for diabetes. He indicated that G. Irau is relatively easier to trek and more popular among adventurers.  On the morning that we were trekking GH there were 3 other groups of trekkers (foreigner) we met whereas the number that were climbing G. Irau were many times more.  

   The downhill trek was very challenging and for considerable distance I had to be assisted by both Khairi and Shafiq.  It appeared to be no end in sight.  At last we passed through the strawberry farm and ended the challenge in MARDI Agrotechnology Park at 3.00 pm.  In my assessment this climb is more challenging and difficult compared to trekking up Mt. Kinabla at 4013 m asl.

   After a quick refreshing bath and late meal, we departed at 5.00 pm from Tanah Rata and reaching home 11.00 pm after going through two very bad traffic jams on the way.           

            Third agenda of the trip - trekking up Gunung Berembun: Office of the Forestry Dept was the                                                       starting point of the Climb

The signage showing direction to the summit

The trekking with Dagang and Shafiq

It was cool in the morning and the jacket was still worn

Khairi with the label identifying the 'berangan' tree

The old fallen logs on your way

The rich flora seen along the trek

As the morning warmed up the jacket and hat ended in Shafiq's bag

The obstacles along the trek

At last reaching the summit - with Dagang (in orange) and Ezanee

With the guides, Shafiq next to me and Nordin on the extreme right

The other peaks around C. Highland as viewed from G. Berembun

Photo with the German couple at the summit

The start of the challenging downhill

b

The diverse flora seen along the trek

4. Concluding Remarks.  It is an exhilarating experience to get away for a short period from home.  Glad to see the strawberry project of the Association is progressing well.  Most of all the success of getting to the summit of G. Berembun definitely gives a great feeling of physical achievement and inspires me to pursue the trekking of other summits in the near future. Next in the pipeline is going up for my 16th climb up Mt Kinabalu scheduled for early 2017.  Hashim boleh!

Posted on Hari Kemerdekaan 31st August, 2016