Kemalangan yang pelik! (A strange accident!)

Lihat gambar di atas... Sebuah kereta mewah BMW 3 series terperesok di dalam sebuah longkang yang agak sempit siang tadi... Perhatikan dengan teliti. Lebar longkang ini sebenarnya tidak cukup untuk menampung ketinggian kereta, lalu bagaimana kereta ini boleh terperesok sebegitu rupa? Kenapa tidak tersangkut di tepi tebing longkang?

Look at the picture above. A BMW 3 series luxury car stuck inside a rather narrow drain sometime during the day... Look carefully. Actually, the width of the drain is not enough to accomodate the height of the car, so how did the car got stuck in such a way? Why not stuck beside the drain?
Lebih pelik lagi, longkang ini terletak bersebelahan jalan kecil di sebuah kawasan perumahan di Ampang... Jalan besar iaitu Jalan Ampang terletak di sebalik penghadang dan para pemerhati serta hadirin di dalam gambar.

More curious, the drain is situated beside a small road at a housing estate in Ampang... The main road which is Jalan Ampang is actually behind the barriers and the witnesses along with those present as seen in the picture.
Daripada segi logik akal, mungkin kita senang menerima kemalangan ini jika longkang itu terletak terus bersebelahan jalan besar tanpa penghadang... Atau penghadang itu telah dilanggar sehingga pecah menyebabkan kereta masuk ke dalam longkang kerana kereta telah dipandu laju lalu hilang kawalan.

From a logical point of view, maybe it is easy to accept this accident if the drain is situated immediately next to the main road with no barrier in-between... Or the barrier has been hit until broken causing the car to plunge into the drain because the car was driven fast and then went out of control.

Ini boleh dikira perkara biasa di jalan-jalan besar di mana ramai orang sering memandu laju. Bagaimanakah perkara ini boleh terjadi di sebuah jalan kecil yang saya tahu ada banyak bump? Jalan di mana orang selalunya memandu di bawah kelajuan 30km/h?
This can be considered common at the main roads where many often drive fast. How can such a thing happen at a small road which I know have many bumps? A road where people often drive below the speed of 30 km/h?

Kemalangan yang agak pelik ini menyebabkan ramai orang berhenti untuk memerhati dalam keadaan terpinga-pinga. Memang ramai yang hairan bagaimana kereta sebesar ini boleh masuk betul-betul muat ke dalam sebuah longkang yang tidak sebesar mana pun...
This rather strange accident made many people stop to have a look while being dumb-founded. Many where perplexed how can such a big car plunge and then fit nicely inside a drain which is not that big...
Keadaan ini menyebabkan saya terasa patut mengambil beberapa gambar sebagai rekod. Malah saya terasa wajib menceritakannya di dalam ketiga-tiga blogspot saya sebelum dapat menyambung apa- apa penulisan lain!
The incident made me feel obliged to take pictures for record. In fact I feel I must tell the story in all my three blogspots before I can continue with any sort of other writing!
Itupun belum cukup rupanya... Saya ingat apa yang diceritakan di atas sudah cukup pelik. Rupanya, ada lagi satu fakta kejadian yang jauh lebih pelik!
It turns out, that is not enough... I thought what is told above is already strange enough. Actually, there is one more fact of incident which is far more curious!
Saya diberitahu, kereta ini datang daripada arah bertentangan sebelum mengalami kemalangan lalu terperesok di dalam longkang. Kalau dari arah bertentangan, bukankah bahagian belakang kereta yang patut kelihatan daripada tempat saya sedang berdiri lalu mengambil gambar ini? Kenapa pula kelihatan bahagian hadapan kereta?
I was told, the car came from the opposite direction before having the accident and got stuck inside the drain. If it was from the opposite direction, shouldn't it be the back part of the car which should be visible from where I was standing to take the picture? Why am I looking at the front part of the car instead?
Menurut seorang hadirin, kereta itu telah berpusing sekurang-kurangnya sekali pusing sebelum terperesok dalam kedudukan yang dilihat ini. Ait? Berpusing lepas itu dapat pula masuk cukup-cukup ke dalam parit yang agak sempit ini? Aduh... Pening memikirkan bagaimana kejadian ini berlaku!
According to one of those present, the car made at least one spin before getting stuck in the position seen here. Ait? Making a spin and then falling just enough to fit inside the rather narrow drain? Ouch... It gives headache thinking about how this incident happened!

Lihat lagi, daripada sudut yang lain pula. Pelik bukan kedudukan kereta ini?
Apapun, saya diberitahu pemandunya selamat, mungkin luka-luka sedikit walaupun dia dikatakan memandu agak laju ketika mengambil selekoh di taman perumahan sehingga terjadinya kemalangan ini.
Look again, from a different angle. Strange isn't it the position of the car?
Whatever, I was told the driver is safe, maybe suffering some minor cuts and bruises although he (or she?) was said to have driven rather fast when taking a corner at the housing estate until the accident happened.
Yang pasti, tidak terdapat apa-apa kesan darah kelihatan seperti yang sering berlaku dalam pengalaman ngeri yang menyebabkan maut atau mereka yang terlibat cedera parah. Cermin tingkap di sisi bahagian pemandu yang terbuka tanpa ada kesan cermin pecah menunjukkan, sekurang-kurang pemandu dapat keluar menyelamatkan diri dalam keadaan yang agak selesa.
What is sure, there was no hint of blood seen as often the case in fatal accidents which caused death or those involved to suffer badly. The side-mirror at the driver's side which was opened without any thrace of the mirror being smashed shows that at least the driver managed to escape rather comfortably.
Bayangkan jika cermin itu tertutup dan pemandu terperangkap di dalamnya. Bagaimanakah agaknya keadaan?
Bayangkan pula kalau cermin tidak dapat dibuka dan kemalangan ini berlaku ketika hujan lebat yang sering menyebabkan banjir kilat. Silap-silap ada yang nahas!
Imagine if the side-mirror was closed and the the driver trapped inside? What would it be like?
Imagine now if the mirror can't be opened and the accident happened during heavy rain which often cause flash flood. For all we know, there would be fatality!

Kereta ditarik keluar menggunakan lori pick-up... Seperti biasa, rakyat Malaysia agak 'prihatin' apabila berlaku apa-apa kemalangan jalanraya. Ramai yang sedia menyumbangkan 'kepakaran' dengan duduk atau diri memerhati sambil ternganga... Atau sibuk mengemukakan 'teori' bagaimanakah sesuatu kemalangan itu boleh berlaku, hehe!
The car being pulled out using a pick-up lorry... As usual, Malaysians are rather 'conscious' whenever there's a road accident. Many are ready to contribute 'expertise' by sitting or standing looking on wide-mouthed... Or busy forwarding 'theories' on how an accident can happen, haha!

Apapun, Alhamdulillah, kereta BMW 3 series ini berjaya dibawa keluar. Sekarang bolehlah saya menyambung penulisan lain ya... Teruskan membaca!

Whatever, thank God, the BMW 3 series was succesfully brought out. Now, I can continue with other writings ya... Keep on reading!

Nyamannya Janda Baik! (So refreshing Janda Baik!)

Pemandangan Sungai Chemperoh yang berjeram daripada sebuah warung makan di tepian jalan. Sungai ini merupakan salah sebuah daripada beberapa buah sungai yang menghiasi kawasan perkampungan di Janda Baik, Bentong, Pahang.

View of the river of Chemperoh and its ravines from a foodstall besides the road. The river is one among many going through the village area of Janda Baik, Bentong, Pahang.
Tidak jauh dari sini, terletak sebuah surau yang sering menjadi tempat persinggahan ramai pengikut Tabligh serta mereka yang mahu beruzlah, beribadat seraya menjauhkan diri daripada hiruk-pikuk keduniaan masyarakat luar. Surau ini juga merupakan salah sebuah "rumah penginapan" saya apabila berada di Janda Baik.
Not far from here is a surau (small praying hall) often frequented by Tabligh followers ( a group of staunch Muslims who try to emulate closely the way of living of the Prophet and his companions) and those who want to meditate, worshipping in peace away from the madness of the outside crowd. The surau is also one of my place of lodging when in Janda Baik.

"Katakanlah: inginkah aku kabarkan kepadamu apa yang lebih baik dari yang demikian itu, untuk orang-orang yang bertaqwa kepada Allah, pada sisi Tuhan mereka ada syurga yang mengalir dibawahnya sungai-sungai, mereka kekal di dalamnya. Dan mereka dikarunia isteri-isteri yang disucikan serta keridhaan Allah, dan Allah Maha Melihat akan hamba-hambanya."

- Ayat 15, Surah Ali Imran

Say, "Let me inform you of a much better deal: for those who lead a righteous life, reserved at their Lord, are gardens with flowing streams, and pure spouses, and joy in God's blessings." God is Seer of His worshipers.

- Verse 15 from the Chapter of Ali Imran in the Quran

Assalamualaikum para pembaca sekalian. Hari ini, saya tergerak untuk berkongsi beberapa gambar yang diambil di sekitar Kampung Janda Baik, daerah Bentong, Pahang... Ketika berehat di sana minggu lepas. Adapun kawasan perkampungan yang nyaman ini terletak di kawasan lembah di celah Banjaran Titiwangsa, pada ketinggian 1,400 kaki daripada aras laut.

Peace be upon you dear readers. Today, I am moved to share some pictures taken in and around Kampung (the village of) Janda Baik, in the district of Bentong, Pahang... While taking a rest there last week. This refreshing village area is situated on a valley in Banjaran Titiwangsa (the main mountain range in Peninsular Malaysia), at a height of 1,400 feet above sea level.
Untuk pengetahuan, ia adalah satu-satunya kawasan tanah tinggi di Malaysia yang telah diwartakan sebagai Tanah Rezab Melayu. Kawasan tanah tinggi lain nampaknya telah dikuasai atau dimiliki bangsa lain. Lihat pada Genting Highlands yang terletak tidak jauh daripada sini sebagai contoh...

For information, it is the one and only highland in Malaysia that is gazetted as a Malay Reserve Land (meaning only Malays can own the land). The other highland areas seemed to be controlled or owned by other races. Look at Genting Highlands (where exist the only legal casino in Malaysia) which is situated not far from here for example...
Gambar-gambar ini disertakan menurut satu turutan peristiwa dan perjalanan. Sila lihat dengan teliti dan ikutilah rentak bercerita yang keluar secara spontan. Insyaallah, di sebalik ini, akan ada satu bentuk penyampaian ilmu yang tersirat secara batin untuk semua... Silakan!

These pictures are given according to a sequence of events and travelling. Please look carefully and follow the pace of story-telling which came spontaneously . God willing, behind all this, there will be some sort of transmission of subtle esotoric knowledge for all... Go on!

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Cerita bergambar ini dimulakan dengan gambar yang diambil sebaik sahaja turun daripada bas Kuala Lumpur-Bentong-Raub. Untuk masuk ke Janda Baik, seseorang itu perlu turun di pekan Bukit Tinggi yang terletak di tepian lebuhraya.
This pictorial tale is started with a picture taken immediately after embarking off the Kuala-Lumpur-Bentong-Raub bus. To reach Janda Baik, one must stop at the small township of Bukit Tinggi situated beside the highway.
Kelihatan dalam gambar adalah pusat peranginan Selesa Hill Homes di belakang. Di hadapan pula adalah rumah pangsa yang kebanyakannya didiami orang luar yang bekerja di sekitar Janda Baik dan Bukit Tinggi.
Inside the picture is the Selesa Hill Homes resort at the back. In front are the flats mostly dwelt by outsiders working in and around Janda Baik and Bukit Tinggi.

Ini pula lorong pejalan kaki yang perlu dilalui daripada perhentian bas untuk ke pekan Bukit Tinggi. Perhentian bas untuk menghala ke Kuala Lumpur terletak betul-betul bersebelahan pekan sedangkan perhentian menghala ke Bentong dan Raub di mana saya turun terletak hampir setengah kilometer jauhnya!
This is the walking path that must be taken from the bus-stop to the small town of Bukit Tinggi. The bus-stop heading towards Kuala Lumpur is situated right next to the town while the stop for those heading to Bentong and Raub where I embarked is situated almost half a kilometre further away!


Terowong bawah tanah menyeberangi lebuhraya untuk sampai ke pekan Bukit Tinggi.
The underground tunnel crossing the highway to get to the small town of Bukit Tinggi.

Keluar sahaja daripada terowong, kelihatan pula pasar lambak yang diadakan hari Selasa
The minute I got out of the tunnel, there looms a pasar lambak (the local variety market) held on Tuesday

Inilah dia pekan Bukit Tinggi. Asalnya, ia merupakan salah sebuah perkampungan baru untuk mengumpulkan warga Malaysia keturunan Cina, diterbitkan tahun 1960an untuk menangani masalah komunis ketika itu.
So this is the small town of Bukit Tinggi. Originally, it was a new village area for assembling Malaysia citizens of Chinese origin, created in the 1960s to combat the problem of Communist insurgency rampant then.
Warga di sini banyak berniaga dan menanam sayur-sayuran termasuk di sekitar kawasan Genting Sempah di mana terdapat tanaman halia gred satu untuk eksport ke luar negara. Ada juga warga Bukit Tinggi yang mengambil malah menanam sayur di Janda Baik yang merupakan Tanah Rezab Melayu lalu membawanya ke pasar borong di Selayang, Kuala Lumpur.
Most locals here do business and grow vegetables including around the area of Genting Sempah (near the underground highway tunnel cutting through the mountains) where first grade ginger are grown for export overseas. There are Bukit Tinggi locals who take, even grow vegetables in Janda Baik which is a Malay Reserve Land and send it to the retail wet market in Selayang, Kuala Lumpur.

Pemandangan di pasar lambak Bukit Tinggi. Perkataan "pasar lambak" adalah perkataan yang biasa digunakan di daerah kelahiran saya, Muar, Johor. Di Kuala Lumpur pula, pasar sebegini selalu dipanggil sebagai pasar malam.
The view at the pasar lambak in Bukit Tinggi. The word "pasar lambak" is normally used in Muar, Johor where I was born. In Kuala Lumpur, markets such as this are called pasar malam (literally translated as "night market")
Oleh kerana gambar ini diambil waktu petang, terasa janggal pula memanggilnya sebagai pasar malam. Maka biarlah saya gunakan perkataan pasar lambak ya...
Since this picture is taken in the afternoon, it didn't feel right to call it as pasar malam. So let me just use the words pasar lambak ya...


Ini pula gambar yang diambil keesokan harinya, daripada rumah Puan Ainon, pemilik syarikat PTS, sebuah syarikat penerbitan buku yang sekarang merupakan salah sebuah syarikat tempatan terbesar dalam bidang itu. Ada masanya, saya bertandang di rumah ini untuk menumpang line wi-fi Internet. Malangnya line wi-fi di rumah ini sedang menghadapi masalah sehingga Puan Ainon dan suaminya terpaksa turun ke Kuala Lumpur untuk menyambung kerja. This picture is taken the following day, from the house of Puan Ainon, the owner of PTS, a book publishing company which now features as one of the biggest local outfit in the field. At times, I would drop at the house to use the Internet wi-fi line. Too bad, there is a problem with the line, forcing Puan Ainon and her husband to go down to Kuala Lumpur to continue their work.


Ini pula gambar sebuah rumah, diambil daripada perkarangan rumah Puan Ainon. Untuk makluman, di sekitar Janda Baik ini terdapat banyak lagi rumah-rumah besar lagi mewah milik para hartawan juga orang-orang berkuasa yang menjadikan kampung ini tempat bersantai hujung minggu.
This is the picture of a house, taken from the lawn at Puan Ainon's home. For information, in and around Janda Baik, there are many more big and luxurious houses owned by the rich, also the powerful who make this village as their weekend hide-away place.

Ini pula gambar sebuah pohon yang tumbuh di tengah sungai berdekatan balairaya serta masjid Kampung Janda Baik. Lupa pula nama sungai ini tetapi kawasan ini dikenali sebagai Pulau Santap.
This is a picture of a tree which grows in the middle of the river next to the village hall and mosque of Janda Baik. Forgot the name of the river but the area is known as Pulau Santap.
Menurut ceritanya, ia dipanggil Pulau Santap kerana pernah menjadi kawasan kegemaran tempat keluarga diraja Pahang berehat dan makan-makan terutama semasa zaman pemerintahan Sultan Abu Bakar, ayahanda kepada Sultan Pahang sekarang.
According to local tale, it is called Pulau Santap as it was the favourite area for the Pahang royal family to rest and have meals especially during the reigns of Sultan Abu Bakar, father to the current Sultan of Pahang.

Sungai yang sama dilihat daripada sudut lain. Kalau tak salah saya, di belakang batu-batu besar itu pernah wujud timbunan pasir yang menjadi sebuah pulau kecil lalu dijadikan tempat keluarga diraja Pahang dahulu berehat dan makan-makan... Sebab itu dipanggil Pulau Santap!
The same river seen from a different angle. If I'm not mistaken, behind the big rocks there used to exist a pile of sand making up a small island which became the place for the Pahang royal family of old to rest and have meals... That is why it is called Pulau Santap (literally, "the island for having royal meals)!



Ini pula padang yang terletak berhadapan sekolah rendah Janda Baik. Di sinilah tempat anak-anak kampung bermain bola waktu petang.
This is the playing field in front of Janda Baik primary school. This is where the local village youngs play football in the afternoon.



Ini pula gambar yang diambil ketika berjalan kaki kembali daripada Pulau Santap untuk ke Sungai Chemperoh. Kelihatan di latar-belakang adalah Gunung Nuang setinggi sekitar 5,000 kaki daripada paras laut, gunung tertinggi di negeri Selangor.
This picture is taken while walking back from Pulau Santap to the river of Chemperoh. In the background is Mount Nuang at around 5,000 feet above sea level, the highest mountain in the state of Selangor.
Puncak gunung ini terletak di sempadan Selangor, Pahang. Tidak jauh daripada puncak pula terletak sempadan Negeri Sembilan iaitu di Kenaboi.
The summit is situated at the borders of Selangor and Pahang. Not far from the summit is the border of Negeri Sembilan, that is in Kenaboi.
Saya pernah memanjat gunung ini seorang diri lalu sesat lebih 19 jam. Ceritanya ada dinukilkan dalam buku pertama saya, "Berpetualang ke Aceh: Mencari Diri dan Erti" atau BKA I.
I've climbed the mountain alone and got lost for over 19 hours. The story is told in my first book "Berpetualang ke Aceh: Mencari Diri dan Erti" (literally, "The trip to Aceh: In search of self and meaning) or BKA I.

Inilah dia "pekan" Janda Baik... Ada sebuah kedai yang merupakan mini-market serta 2-3 buah kedai makan, juga perhentian bas untuk perkhidmatan Janda Baik ke Bentong.
So this is the "town" of Janda Baik... There is a shop which is the local mini-market with 2-3 small restaurants, also a bus-stop for the Janda Baik to Bentong service.
Kawasan ini juga dikenali sebagai Simpang Tiga... Satu simpang ke Sungai Chemperoh dan kawasan seterusnya, satu simpang ke Bukit Tinggi terus ke Bentong juga ke Kuala Lumpur dan satu simpang ke Pulau Santap di mana jalannya berpusing jauh sebelum bersambung kembali dengan jalan ke Bukit Tinggi.
This area is also known as Simpang Tiga (T-Junction)... One junction to the Chemperoh river and the area further on, a junction to Bukit Tinggi and on to Bentong also to Kuala Lumpur and a junction to Pulau Santap where the road winds far before connecting back to the route to Bukit Tinggi.
Kalau mahu ke Kuala Lumpur, boleh naik bas dari sini sampai ke Bukit Tinggi, 10 kilometer jauhnya. Kemudian tunggulah bas Raub-Bentong-Kuala Lumpur yang berkhidmat setengah jam sekali.
If you want to go to Kuala Lumpur, you can take the bus from here to Bukit Tinggi, 10 kilometers away. Then wait for the Raub-Bentong-Kuala Lumpur bus which appears every half an hour.
Masalahnya, perkhidmatan bas Janda-Baik ke Bentong cuma ada 3 kali sehari. Maka itu saya lebih senang hitchike menumpang motor, kereta malah lori sayur untuk keluar masuk Janda Baik.
The problem is, the Janda-Baik to Bentong service is held only 3 times a day. So I prefer to hitchike the bikes, cars. even lorries carrying vegetables to get in and out of Janda Baik.

Gambar ini diambil ketika berjalan kaki daripada Simpang Tiga ke Sungai Chemperoh.
Mula-mula, saya ternampak seekor anak lembu berlari-lari sambil berbunyi seperti mencari ibu. Tidak lama kemudian, kelihatan pula tiga ekor lembu ini...
This picture is taken while walking from Simpang Tiga to Sungai Chemperoh. At first, I saw a calf running around making sounds as if looking for the mum. Then I saw these three cows...


Ini pula gambar bahagian Sungai Chemperoh yang menghiasi laman rumah ayah angkat saya, penulis buku politik S.H. Alattas. Untuk makluman, saya pernah menumpang di rumah ini selama lebih 2 tahun. Dalam tempoh itu, rumah ini dijadikan "markas" untuk saya berehat sebelum mengembara ke merata tempat.
This is a picture of a section of the Chemperoh river running beside the lawns of my adopted father's home, the political writer S.H. Alattas' house. For information, I used to lodge at this place for over 2 years. During the time, the house was the "headquarters" for me to rest before travelling all over.



Suasana di sebuah warung makan bersebelahan Sungai Chemperoh. Gambar sungai yang diambil daripada warung inilah yang dijadikan gambar pertama penghias artikel kali ini.
The scene at a food-stall besides the Chemperoh river. A picture of the river taken from this food-stall is the one that made the first picture to grace this article.

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Hmm... Rasanya cukuplah bercerita buat masa ini ya... Sambil bersantai melihat gambar pemandangan yang nyaman, harap-harap jiwa kita semakin cergas untuk melihat kebesaran Ilahi yang tersurat dan tersirat juga pengajaran di sebalik semua ini, insyaallah, wassalam! :]
Hmm... Methinks, enough story-telling for the day ya... While relaxing and looking at these refreshing pictures, hopefully we become more enlighten to see God's greatness apparent or hidden along with the lessons to be learned behind all this, God willing, so long! :]

Banjir (flood in) Kuala Lumpur 2007... Apakah ada yang tersirat? (Is there a hidden meaning behind it?)

Gambar kawasan mengambil wuduk di Masjid Jamek Kuala Lumpur. Perhatikan lumpur yang mengganggu perjalanan...

Picture of the area for taking wuduk (ablution). Note the mud in the way...

Assalamualaikum para pembaca sekalian. Siang tadi saya telah pergi ke beberapa tempat sekitar Kuala Lumpur terutama di pusat bandaraya untuk menyelesaikan beberapa perkara berkaitan buku "Berpetualang ke Aceh: Membela Syiar yang Asal". Dalam perjalanan, saya dapat melihat bagaimana banjir yang melanda beberapa bahagian kotaraya akibat hujan lebat tak henti lebih 3 jam malam semalam telah mengakibatkan banyak kerosakan barangan terutama di kedai-kedai. Kesan lumpur yang masih tinggal juga sangat nyata di merata tempat malah ada yang meninggalkan bau busuk seperti bau longkang atau tandas yang sudah lama tidak dibersihkan.

Peace be upon you readers. Today, I went to several places in and around Kuala Lumpur especially the city centre to settle a few things regarding the book "Berpetualang ke Aceh: Membela Syiar yang Asal" (literally translated as "The trip to Aceh: Advocating the true faith"). During travel, I witnessed how the flood that ravaged some parts of the metropolis due to the heavy non-stop rain for more than 3 hours last night had destroyed so many goods especially at the shops. The mud left was also very apparent at many places, in fact some left such a bad smell like that of drains or toilet that has not been washed for long.
Pada mulanya, saya tidak mahu mengendahkan kesan peninggalan banjir ini kerana sibuk memikirkan hal-hal berkaitan buku di samping membuat catatan apa yang patut di dalam komputer laptop yang sering dibawa bersama untuk ke mana-mana. Tetapi apabila melihat kesan lumpur dan kotoran di Masjid Jamek Kuala Lumpur ketika hendak menunaikan solat Asar, saya rasa terpanggil untuk mengambil beberapa gambar lalu mencoretkan kisah berserta tafsiran yang tiba-tiba muncul dalam kalbu akan kejadian ini.
At first, I didn't want to take notice of the flood's aftermath as I was busy figuring out things related to my book while making updates of what is necessary using the laptop computer that is often brought along everywhere. But upon seeing the amount of mud and dirt at Masjid Jamek (main mosque) of Kuala Lumpur while on the way to perform the Asar (late afternoon) prayers, came the urge to take some pictures and then write a story alongside the interpretation of events that came suddenly.

Jemaah terpaksa bersolat di serambi masjid, bukan di dalam ruang utama akibat kekotoran yang ditinggalkan banjir semalam...
The congregation was forced to pray at the mosque's verandah area, not inside the main hall because of all the dirt left by the flood overnight...

Perhatikan gambar di atas di mana para jemaah terpaksa menunaikan solat di serambi masjid. Ketika melihat lumpur dan kotoran yang dibawa air sekeliling kawasan masjid, tiba-tiba hati ini terbetik... Apakah ada makna yang tersirat di sebalik peristiwa ini? Kebetulan banjir malam semalam berlaku sehari selepas berlangsungnya perkahwinan Perdana Menteri ke 5 Malaysia, Pak Lah dengan seorang janda berdarah kacukan Jeanne Abdullah yang pernah menjadi adik ipar kepada mendiang isteri Pak Lah iaitu Datin Endon. Apakah semua ini ada kena-mengena?
Look at the picture above where the congregation was forced to perform the prayers at the mosque's verandah. While looking at the mud and dirt brought by the flood at the mosque's compound, suddenly there emerged a question upon the heart... Is there any hidden meaning behind all these? Coincidently the flood yesterday happened a day after there occurs the marriage of Malaysia's 5th Prime Minister Pak Lah (as Abdullah Badawi is fondly known) to a widow of mixed parentage Jeanne Abdullah who was the sister-in-law to Pak Lah's late wife, Datin Endon. Is there a relationship between all these?
Sebagai seorang Islam, walaupun saya bukan tergolong dalam golongan mereka yang warak ataupun alim, saya rasa sudah patut Pak Lah memilih seorang isteri yang memakai tudung. Ini kerana Pak Lah sedang membawa imej seorang pemimpin warak yang sepatutnya mengenengahkan kelebihan serta kesyumulan Islam dan dia berasal daripada keturunan para ulamak - Datuknya Haji Abdullah Fahim adalah bekas mufti Pulau Pinang dan dikira sebagai seorang ulamak besar. Jika allahyarham Datin Endon tidak mahu memakai tudung, harap-harap isteri baru ini nanti lebih rela untuk menurut syariat Islam, Insyaallah!
As a Muslim, although I don't belong among the pious and knowledgable ones, I feel it is high time Pak Lah choose a wife who wears the head-scarf. This is because Pak Lah is carrying the image of a pious leader who should forward the advantages and purity of Islam and he hails from a lineage of religious scholars - His grandfather Haji Abdullah Fahim was the mufti (head of religious matters) of Pulau Pinang and is considered as a very reputable religious scholar. If the late Datin Endon don't want to wear the headscarf, hopefully the new wife is more willing to follow the prescriptions of Islam, God willing!
Dalam hal pemakaian tudung ini, mungkin ada yang berkata itu hak masing-masing... Lebih baik tak pakai tudung daripada memakainya semata-mata untuk memenuhi kehendak orang lain. Dalam hal ini, saya rasa lebih elok memakai tudung untuk memenuhi kehendak orang walaupun akan dituduh tidak ikhlas. Mungkin kita sendiri tidak bersedia untuk menutup aurat tetapi Tuhan tetap akan mengambil kira niat baik seorang isteri yang sanggup mengenepikan kepentingan diri sendiri lalu sanggup memakai tudung demi menjaga nama baik suaminya dan keluarga lebih-lebih lagi apabila sang suami itu dikaitkan dengan para alim ulamak dan pejuang Islam.
Regarding the wearing of headscarf, perhaps some would argue that it is a matter of individual rights... It is better not to wear the headscarf than to wear it just in order to please other people. In this matter, I feel it is better to wear the headscarf to please people eventhough one will be accused of not being sincere. Maybe one is not ready to cover the aurat (body parts that should not be exposed according to Islamic prescriptions) but God will surely take account of the good intention of a wife who wears the headscarf in order to safeguard the good name of the husband and family especially when the husband is being related to religious scholars and those who fight for Islam.

Masjid Jamek Kuala Lumpur dilihat daripada hadapan. Dalam gambar ini, lumpur dan kotoran yang dibawa banjir semalam tidak terserlah... Cuba pergi lebih dekat. Nescaya terlihatlah kekotoran yang mengaburi kesucian...
The Masjid Jamek (main mosque) of Kuala Lumpur as seen from the front. The mud and dirt brought by the flood last night was not apparent in the picture... Try going closer. For sure you'll notice the dirt that stains the purity...

OK... Berbalik pada apa yang tersirat. Apakah banjir yang membawa kotoran dan lumpur ke serata Kuala Lumpur itu ada kaitan dengan perkahwinan Pak Lah? Saya tak tahu. Yang saya tahu, hati ini berkata tentu ada makna kenapa semua ini berlaku... Ada makna yang menyebabkan jemaah masjid terpaksa bersolat di serambi, bukannya di dalam ruang utama masjid yang bukan tempat sebarangan - Kedudukannya di pertemuan Sungai Gombak dan Sungai Klang adalah tempat bermulanya asal-usul bandaraya Kuala Lumpur itu sendiri!
OK... Back to the hidden meaning behind things. Is there any relationship between the flood that carries dirt and mud all over Kuala Lumpur to Pak Lah's marriage? I don't know. What I do know, my heart keeps saying that there must be a meaning behind all these happenings... A meaning that forced the mosque's congregation to pray at the verandah, not inside the main hall of the mosque which is not just any ordinary place - Its position at the meeting of the Gombak and Klang rivers is the starting point of the origins of the city of Kuala Lumpur itself!
Seperti yang ramai tahu, pada zaman pentadbiran Pak Lah inilah berlaku banyak kes yang sebelum ini tidak pernah terserlah di Malaysia... Sekumpulan pemimpin bukan Melayu berani mencabar Artikel 11 Perlembagaan lalu menyentuh hak warga Malaysia untuk beragama. Si Lina Joy mencabar mahkamah agar orang Islam dibenarkan murtad melalui proses undang-undang. Selain itu, rasanya ramai tahu bagaimana syarikat-syarikat penting Malaysia sekarang telah mendapat "suntikan dana" daripada negara jiran. Melihat kesan banjir yang berlaku di sekeliling bandaraya terutama di masjid, hati saya berkata... Ini membawa makna yang tidak baik.
As many know, it is during the time of Pak Lah's administration that so many cases happens such that never took stage in Malaysia... A group of non-Malay leaders dared to question Article 11 of the Constitution touching on a Malaysian citizen's right to religion... Lina Joy (which took the limelights because of the gravity of the case) challenged the courts so that a Muslim may be allowed to leave the religion and convert using the process of law. Besides that, I'm sure many knew how the main companies in Malaysia have received "injections of cash" from a neighbouring country. Looking at the flood's aftermath all around the city especially at he mosque, my heart says... This means something is not right.
Adapun dalam ilmu firasat dan tafsir mimpi, air selalunya dikaitkan dengan duit dan rezeki. Maka mimpi di mana kita melihat air yang banyak seperti melihat sungai, laut malah banjir dikatakan adalah tanda kita bakal mendapat duit dan rezeki melimpah. Bagaimana pula kalau air itu membawa kotoran sehingga orang terpaksa keluar daripada masjid lalu bersolat di serambi? Apakah maknanya ini?
As it is, in the art of divination and interpreting dreams, water is often related to money and wealth. So, a dream where we see a lot of water like looking at a river, the sea, even a flood is said to be a sign that we will receive money and overflowing wealth. What if the water brings so much dirt that people are forced to get out of the mosque and pray at the verandah? What is the meaning of this?
Dalam pada itu, saya terfikir... Dari satu segi, "suntikan dana" yang datang dalam bentuk pembelian syarikat-syarikat utama di Malaysia oleh pihak tertentu di negara jiran boleh dikira sebagai kedatangan rezeki yang melimpah ruah sehingga berjaya menaikkan paras Bursa Saham Kuala Lumpur ke tahap tertinggi melebihi 1,300 mata. Betul, ia bagus untuk perniagaan tetapi apakah ia bagus untuk masyarakat marhain terutama bangsa Melayu Islam yang merupakan tunjang kewujudan negara ini?
At the same time, a thought occured... From one point of view, the "injection of cash" which came in the form of purchase of Malaysia's main companies (such as through buying of shares) by certain parties from a neighbouring country can be considered as the advent of overflowing wealth which managed to push up the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange to its highest gain above 1,300 points. Of course, it is good for business but is it really good for the man on the street especially the Malay Muslims who form the backbone of the country's existence?
Lihat pada Pasar Seni atau Central Market di mana menurut ceritanya, sewa ruang perniagaan telah dinaikkan daripada RM600 sebulan menjadi RM2,000 sebulan setelah ia diambil alih sebuah syarikat milik negara jiran. Perhatikan, di manakah letaknya para peniaga Melayu yang dahulunya menjadi sebahagian daripada identiti Pasar Seni... Di manakah kedudukan mereka sekarang? Rasanya seperti melukut di tepi gantang!
Look at Pasar Seni (literally translated as "market for arts") or Central Market where the rent for space reputedly has been raised from RM600 a month to RM2,000 a month after it was taken over by a company owned by a neighbouring country. Look, what happened to the Malay traders who used to form a part of the identity of Pasar Seni... Where are they now? Methinks, they've become like those sitting beside bags of rice but with no chance of having a taste of rice!
Hmm... Cukuplah luahan rasa yang timbul tadi. Sila lihat gambar-gambar di bawah untuk mendapat gambaran akan kesan banjir malam tadi yang berlaku sehari selepas berlangsungnya perkahwinan Pak Lah.
Hmm... Enough of letting out steam. Do look at the snapshots below to have a picture of last night's flood aftermath which happened a day after Pah Lah got married.

Gambar di hadapan restoran McDonald berhampiran masjid jamek. Perhatikan longgokan sampah dan barangan yang rosak akibat banjir. Ketika ini, sekitar jam 5 petang, kawasan itu juga sedang mengalami black-out.
Picture in front of the Mc Donald outlet beside the main mosque. Look at the piles of rubbish and goods damaged by the flood. At the time, it was around 5 in the afternoon, the area was having a blackout.

Jalan Melaka yang masih ada kesan lumpur, sebelah stesyen LRT Masjid Jamek.
Jalan Melaka with some parts still immersed in mud, just beside the LRT (Light Railway Transit) of Masjid Jamek.




Kesan peninggalan banjir di kawasan Masjid India. Banyak barang perniagaan terutama kain baju yang rosak akibat banjir yang naik tidak kurang 2 kaki tinggi. Kelihatan dalam gambar ini satu jualan lelong yang diadakan di mana tudung wanita yang biasanya berharga RM10 sebuah dilelong dengan harga RM3 sebuah.
The flood aftermath around the area of Masjid India. Plenty of goods especially clothings where damaged becaused of the flood which went up not less than 2 feet deep. Visible in the picture is a sale where women's headscarf which normally cost RM10 each is being sold at RM3 a piece.
Di sebelah kedai ini (tiada dalam gambar) adalah jualan lelong kain buatan India. Kain yang biasanya berharga RM80 sepasang dijual pada harga RM20 sepasang, semuanya akibat barangan ini telah dicemari banjir maka perlu dibasuh balik oleh para pembeli.
Next to this shop (not visible in picture) is a sale for Indian-made silk. The silk normally cost RM80 a piece but now is being sold at RM20 each, all because it was spoiled by the flood and must be washed and cleaned by prospective buyers.

Kesesakan lalu-lintas di Lebuh Ampang akibat kerja-kerja membersihkan sampah-sarap tinggalan banjir.
The traffic jam at Lebuh Ampang caused by works to clean rubbish left by the flood.

Perhatikan bagaimana jalan ini terpaksa dihalang buat sementara supaya sampah-sarap dapat dipunggah lalu dibawa pergi.
Look, how the road is temporarily blocked so that the rubbish can be carried away.

Ini pula kotoran dan lumpur yang tinggal di sebuah lorong bersebelahan Lebuh Ampang. Bangunan tinggi di latar-belakang itu adalah bangunan Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur!
This is the dirt and mud left at a lane beside Lebuh Ampang. The tall building in the backgroud is the Kuala Lumpur City Hall building!

BKA II sudah keluar! (BKA II already out!)

Perhatikan gambar poster di atas. Lihat apa yang dikatakan...

"Berpetualang ke Aceh"

"Membongkar sejarah Melayu yang hilang serta rahsia kemunculan panji-panji hitam! Kenapa kebangkitan akan muncul daripada Timur?"

"Siri novel unik kisah pengembaraan mengenali asal-usul diri, menyusuri 1200 tahun kaitan bumi Serambi Mekah dengan Nusantara, dunia Islam, makna Melayu dan perjuangan akhir zaman"

"Dapatkannya sekarang!"

Agak-agak, faham tak apa yang ingin diwar-warkan?

Look at the picture of the poster above. See what is being said...

"Berpetualang ke Aceh" (literally translated as the trip to Aceh)
"Uncovering the lost Malay history and the secret behind the coming of the black banner! (said by the Prophet Muhammad SAW will appear from the East during the end times to signify the reestablishment of pure Islam). Why the uprising will come from the East?"

"A unique novel series on travel and adventure to find one's roots. going through 1200 years (of history) connecting the Verandah of Mekah (another name for Aceh) to the Nusantara (the Malay archipelago), the Islamic world, the meaning of Malay and the struggle during the end times"

"Get it now!"

So guess, can you get what is being publised here?

Baiklah, biar saya membuat pengakuan. Sebenarnya saya belum ada mood untuk menambah apa-apa maklumat baru di blogspot ini kerana di sini, saya telah meletakkan satu standard di mana setiap artikel mesti ditulis dalam dua bahasa iaitu Bahasa Malaysia dan Bahasa Inggeris. Maka saya perlu betul-betul bersedia untuk menulis sebelum menambah apa-apa maklumat. Tetapi apabila melihat bahawa blogspot ini tidak dikemas-kini lebih 2 minggu dan salah satu artikel terdahulu menyatakan bahawa buku BKA II akan muncul sedangkan ia sudah pun berada di pasaran, saya rasa wajib pula untuk membuat penulisan ini.

OK, let me confess. Actually I still haven't got the mood to add any new information in this blogspot as here, I had set a standard where each article must be written in two languanges, that is Malay and English. So I have to be really ready to write before adding any new information. But after realising that this blogspot have not been updated for more than 2 weeks and one of the previous article mentioned that the book BKA II (the second volume of the Malay novel series "Berpetualang ke Aceh") will appear when it is already in the market, I feel obliged to make this writing.

Hmm... Cukuplah ya... Saya rasa pembaca mesti faham apa yang ingin diluahkan di sini. Setakat memberitahu buku baru saya sudah keluar dan carilah ia di pasaran. Selamat membaca! :]

Hmm... Enough ya... I think dear readers should be able to understand what is being said here. Just to inform that my new book is already out and so find it in the market. Happy reading! :]

Siapakah Datuk Matsita? (Who is Datuk Matsita?)

Terperosok di satu sudut di belakang Jalan Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur, bersebelahan sebuah kawasan letak kereta, terdapat sebuah bangunan kecil yang menimbulkan tanda-tanya. Bangunan itu adalah sebuah tokong Cina di bawah rimbunan sebuah pohon jejawi, satu pemandangan yang agak biasa di Malaysia. Apa yang luar biasa adalah papan-tanda di tokong yang menyebut "Datuk Matsita"... Ait??? Timbul tanda-tanya besar apabila pertama kali melihat tempat ini sebulan lalu. Nama "Datuk Matsita" bunyinya macam nama Melayu. Kenapa pula dijadikan nama tokong Cina?

Somewhere in a corner behind Chow Kit Road, Kuala Lumpur, next to a parking lot, lies a small building which invites questions. The building is a small Chinese temple under a jejawi tree (a jungle tree with lots of roots and foliage), quite a normal sight in Malaysia. What is out of the ordinary is the sign-board at the temple bearing the name "Datuk Matsita"... Ait?? Came a big question mark when I first saw this a month ago. The name "Datuk Matsita" sounds Malay. Why is a Chinese temple named after it?

Sebelum meneruskan cerita, biar dibuat sedikit penerangan mengenai gambar di atas. Adapun gambar ini adalah gambar tokong tersebut. Petang tadi, saya tergerak untuk singgah di sana lalu mengambil 3 keping gambar. Malangnya, perkataan "Datuk Matsita" yang terpapar pada papan-tanda di tokong itu (lihat bahagian yang kelihatan berkilat) tidak melekat di dalam kamera digital murah saya. Saya cuba bermain dengan komposisi warna serta cahaya dan kontras melalui program Photoshop untuk cuba menimbulkan perkataan itu tetapi tidak berjaya. Sebaliknya apa yang terhasil adalah gambar di atas yang mungkin ada sedikit nilai seni pula!

Before the story is continued, let there be some explanation for the picture above. Well, it is a picture of the temple mentioned. This afternoon, I feel like making a stop there and took 3 pictures. Too bad, the words "Datuk Matsita" on the sign-board (look at the shiny area) did not make it in my cheap digital camera. I tried playing with the colour composition, light and contrast using the Photoshop program in an attempt to bring-up the words but it didn't work. Instead, the result was the picture above which might have some art value!

Teringat sebuah gambar yang saling tak tumpah rupanya seperti seorang pahlawan atau Raja Melayu di sebuah tokong Cina di Teluk Intan, Perak. Memang rupa-paras yang kelihatan nampak seperti seorang pembesar yang memakai baju Melayu, siap duduk bersila lagi! Tidak jauh daripada tokong tersebut, terdapat sebuah tokong lebih kecil dengan gambar tiga orang tua, ada yang mukanya seperti orang Cina, ada pula seakan-akan orang Melayu. Kebetulan ada seorang nyonya Cina sedang menjemur kain di rumah sebelah. Saya pun bertanya gambar siapakah yang dipaparkan ini. Jawabnya mudah: "Saya pun tak tahu tapi orang kata ini gambar latok Melayu!"

This reminds of a picture that look no less like a warrior or a Malay king at a Chinese temple in Teluk Intan, Perak. For sure, the figure looks like an important official clad in Malay traditional clothings, sitting in a half-lotus postion ( a common sitting position for a Malay)! Not far from the temple, there was a smaller temple with pictures of three old men, with face looking like a Chinese, another almost like a Malay. It happened that there was a nyonya (an old Chinese lady) laying some clothes under the sun at the house next-door. So I asked whose pictures were these? Came the simple answer: "I don't know but people say these are pictures of Datuk Melayu (elderly important Malay officials of old)!"

Semasa bertandang di Sabak Bernam, Selangor, saya diberitahu bahawa terdapat kuil besar di situ di mana terdapat gambar dan patung yang terang-terang menyerupai rupa-paras seorang pembesar Melayu. "Memang orang Cina di sana kata, patung itu patung seorang Melayu, patung seorang raja. Katanya, orang itu banyak keramat dan penjaga kawasan itu!" seorang Melayu memberitahu.

While visiting Sabak Bernam, Selangor, I was told there is a big temple there where there was pictures and statues which clearly look like that of a Malay official of olden days. "So the Chinese there says, it is the statue of a Malay, the statue of a king. They say this man (the Malay) has many miracles and is the guardian of the area!" one Malay says.

Patung di tokong "Datuk Matsita" di belakang Jalan Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur ini lebih menyerupai orang Cina. Apakah "Datuk Matsita" itu orang Cina? Entah le... Sebab perkataan "Datuk" itu sendiri selalunya diberi kepada orang Melayu yang ada pengaruh. Tapi itu dahulu... Sekarang ramai orang bangsa lain dapat gelaran "Datuk" daripada Raja-raja Melayu. Tapi ada ke mana-mana Datuk Cina sekarang yang telah diangkat jadi dewa atau patung sembahan selepas meninggal dunia? Rasanya tidak... Rasanya yang dibuat tokong ini cuma watak-watak daripada zaman dahulu... Watak-watak yang dikira amat berpengaruh, ada keramat atau kuasa sekurang-kurang ke atas sesuatu wilayah.

The statue at the temple of "Datuk Matsita" behind Chow Kit Road, Kuala Lumpur looks more like a Chinese. So is "Datuk Matsita" a Chinese man? Who knows... As the word "Datuk" itself is usually given to a Malay with substantial influence. But that is in the olden times... Now, there are many from other races who got the title "Datuk" from the Malay royalty. But is there any Chinese Datuk of nowadays who have been elevated to become minor gods or venerated figures worthy of worship after they pass away? Don't think so... Me thinks, those who are worshipped at temples are those from days bygone... That of figures with much influence, with miracles or power at least over a certain province.

Jadi siapakah "Datuk Matsita" ini? Tiba-tiba teringat pula nama Matsushita... Tapi itu adalah nama sebuah syarikat eletrik Jepun. Bagaimana pula dengan nama ustazah terkenal yang telah menjadi seorang ahli politik Malaysia iaitu Datuk Dr Siti Mashitah? Apakah ada kena-mengena? Hehe! Gurau aje... Hmm... Mungkin majalah Mastika patut membuat penyiasatan, siapakah "Datuk Matsita" yang dimaksudkan?

So who is this "Datuk Matsita"? Suddenly one is reminded of the name Matsushita... But that is the name of a Japanese eletrical company. What about the ustazah (female religious teacher) who became a Malaysian politician that is Datuk Dr Siti Mashitah? Is there any connection? Hehe! Just kidding... Hmm... Maybe the Mastika magazine (a famous Malaysian monthly touching on mysterious things including ghosts and spirits) should investigate, who is "Datuk Matsita" as mentioned?

Akan muncul tidak lama lagi! "Berpetualang ke Aceh: Membela Syiar yang Asal" (BKA II). Coming soon, "The trip to Aceh: Advocating the original faith"

Subhanallah! Setelah lebih 11 hari membiarkan blogspot-blogspot saya senyap tanpa penambahan apa-apa cerita ataupun berita baru, baru timbul gerak untuk berbuat sesuatu. Maka biarlah "kesenyapan" ini dipecahkan dengan berita gembira daripada pihak saya... Sukacita dimaklumkan bahawa buku "Berpetualang ke Aceh: Membela Syiar yang Asal" atau BKA II sudah masuk ke kilang percetakan dan jika tidak ada aral melintang, akan siap untuk dibaca 18 Mei ini. Bilakah ia akan masuk ke kedai-kedai berdekatan? Saya pun tidak dapat memastikan ini kerana proses pengedaran masih dalam perbincangan. Yang penting, bukunya siap dan sedia untuk menemui para pembaca sekalian dalam masa terdekat.
Praise be to God! After more than 11 days leaving my blogspots quiet without any additonal story or news, recently came the urge to do something about this. So let me break the ice by presenting a good news… That I’m very glad to inform the book “Berpetualang ke Aceh: Membela Syiar yang Asal” (literally translated as “The trip to Aceh: Advocating the original faith”) or BKA II is already in printing and if there is no problem, should be ready for readers by May 18th. So when will it arrive at your nearest bookshop? I myself can’t say this for sure as distribution is still within negotiation. What’s important, the book should be ready to meet dear readers soon enough.
Adapun posting ini adalah posting ke 89 dalam blogspot ini. Ingat tak, saya pernah menyebut dalam posting lepas di “Catatan Si Merah Silu” bahawa blogspot ini (pada masa itu le...) telah memiliki 88 posting, blogspot berbahasa Inggeris "Berpetualang ke Aceh" ada 44 sementara blogspot Inggeris campur Melayu "Seni Lama Melayu (Malay Olden Art) ada 22? Saya merasakan nombor-nombor itu cantik, lalu kesemua blogspot ini dibiarkan tanpa apa-apa penambahan baru. Sekarang, biar saya kemas-kinikan kesemuanya dengan berita tentang bakal kemunculan buku BKA II.
Anyway, this posting is the 89th in this blogspot. Remember, I mentioned in the last posting at “Catatan Si Merah Silu” (that is if you care to look) that the blogspot (at that time k…) already have 88 postings, the English blogspot “Berpetualang ke Aceh” have 44 and the English plus Malay blogspot “Seni Lama Melayu (Malay Older Art) 22? I thought the numbers look nice, so that is why I left the blogspots without any updates. Now, let me furnish all three with the news on the coming of the book BKA II.
Oh... Sesuatu yang saya rasa menarik tentang proses penulisan buku ini hingga siap... Sejak buku "Berpetualang ke Aceh: Mencari Diri dan Erti" atau BKA I keluar di pasaran Jun 2006, macam-macam cabaran dan dugaan berlaku yang menyebabkan proses penulisan BKA II terasa sangat berat. Ada masanya saya terasa hampir jadi gila kerana gangguan semangat serta kesihatan yang terpaksa ditempuhi… Nasib baik ada pihak yang sudi memberikan sokongan moral dan kerjasama sehingga ia mampu disiapkan juga.
Oh… Something I felt interesting about the writing process of this book until it is completed… Since the book “Berpetualang ke Aceh: Mencari Diri dan Erti” (literally translated as “The trip to Aceh”: Searching for self and meaning” or BKA I reached the market in June 2006, all sorts of obstacles and tests came my way making the writing process of BKA II felt so heavy. At times, I felt like going mad because of the spiritual and health disturbances I had to face… Luckily there are those who’s willing to give the moral support and cooperation needed to make it possible to complete the book at all.
Proses terakhir dalam penulisan BKA II adalah untuk menyediakan pantun yang akan diletak pada kulit belakang buku. Bayangkan, ketika BKA I dibuat, pantun di kulit belakangnya adalah salah satu bahagian yang paling awal siap. Segalanya muncul dalam ilham yang memerlukan masa tidak sampai 15 minit, ketika pertama kali bermain-main dengan program Adobe Photoshop untuk membuat rekabentuk kulit buku tersebut, ketika pertengahan tahun 2004 begitu.Tetapi untuk BKA II, saya perlu menunggu hampir setahun untuk mendapat ilham yang sesuai, itupun setelah segala proses penulisan yang lain siap.
The last process in writing BKA II is to provide the poetry for the back cover of the book. Imagine, when BKA I was made, the poetry at its back was one of the sections that was the first to be completed. Everything appeared in an inspired moment that took less than 15 minutes, during the first time I played with the Adobe Photoshop programme to create the lay-out for the book cover, sometime in the middle of 2004. But for BKA II, I had to wait almost a year before getting the right inspiration, even then after the writing process for the rest is completed. I had to go out at night and have coffee at a stall in Ampang, Kuala Lumpur with a piece of paper and a pen in hand. Thank God, the next day the book BKA II is ready to go for printing!
Maka di sini, biar saya kongsi pantun tersebut... Semoga saudara dan saudari akan mendapati buku BKAII ini amat bermanfaat, Insyaallah!

Adam, Idris, Nuh dan Salih,
Zaman berzaman siang dan malam,
Membawa risalah selagi boleh,
Intipatinya sama, Tauhid dan Islam.

Ibrahim, Ismail, Ishaq dan Ya’aqub,
Zaman pertengahan keluarga Nubuwwah,
Di Surah Baqarah firman termaktub,
Inilah keturunan pemimpin yang amanah.

Yusuf, Musa, Daud dan Sulaiman,
Nabi Bani Israel termasuk Zakaria,
Sampai ke Isa berubahlah zaman,
Peralihan risalah ke Khatamul Anbiya.

Muhammad Mustapha penghulu Nabi,
Sempurnakan risalah untuk sekalian beramal,
Ahlul Bait dan raja menabur bakti,
Di Nusantara ini membela syiar yang asal

So here, let me share the poetry mentioned… May you dear readers find the book BKA II of much benefit, God willing! Here goes a rather loose English translation though I can’t guarantee it ryhmes like the original in Malay. For you information, the names mentioned in the poetry are the names of the prophets as mentioned in Arabic and Malay…

Adam, Idris, Nuh and Salih,
Ages and ages, night and day,
Conveying the message as best as they can,
The gist is the same, Tauhid (oneness) and Islam (submission and peace)

Ibrahim, Ismail, Ishaq and Ya’aqub,
The middle period of the family of Prophets,
In the verse of Baqarah (in the holy Quran), it is mentioned,
This is the linage of thrustworthy leaders.

Yusuf, Musa, Daud and Sulaiman,
The prophets of Israel including Zakaria,
Came to Isa so the time changes all,
The message shifted to the Seal of the Prophets.

Muhammad Mustapha the head of all Messengers,
Perfecting the message for the benefit of all,
The Ahlul Bait (the Prophet’s family) and kings doing their bit,
In Nusantara (South East Asia) advocating the original faith.

Bertandang ke makam diraja Langgar, Kedah (A visit to the royal mausoleum at Langgar, Kedah)

Assalamualaikum para pembaca sekalian. Sudah hampir sebulan saya tidak membuat apa-apa posting baru dalam mana-mana blog kelolaan saya, mungkin kerana malas atau tiada apa-apa gerak? Untuk pengetahuan, beberapa hari kebelakangan ini saya banyak berjalan tetapi bukan seperti dahulu di mana saya selalu menaiki bas dan membuat hitch-hike iaitu menumpang kenderaan orang yang ditahan di tepian jalan, kali ini saya mengembara lebih selesa dengan menaiki kereta bersama ahli keluarga.
Greetings dear readers. It's been almost a month since I made any new posting in any of my blogs, maybe because of laziness or there's just simply no move? For information, these recent few days, I've been busy travelling but unlike before when I often take the bus and hitch-hike any vehicle on the way, this time I travelled in comfort by car with family members.
Minggu lepas saya tergerak untuk kembali ke kampung ibu di Muar kemudian pergi menghadiri majlis perkahwinan sepupu di Johor Bahru... Sempat singgah di Batu Pahat untuk menziarahi saudara-mara di sana sebelum kembali berehat beberapa hari di Muar. Setelah itu saya "terpanggil" untuk pergi ke Pulau Besar di Melaka dan keesokannya ada kenalan menawarkan diri untuk membawa berjalan ke beberapa tempat menarik di Melaka termasuk Perigi Hang Tuah, Masjid lama Duyung, Masjid Kampung Hulu dan makam Sheikh Shamsuddin Pasai di Kampung Ketek.
Last week, I was moved to return to my mom's kampung (village) in Muar then attend a cousin's wedding function in Johor Bahru... Stopped at Batu Pahat to visit the relatives there before returning to Muar and rest for a few days. After that, I was "called" to go to Pulau Besar in Melaka and the next day, a new friend offered to take to some interesting places in Melaka including Hang Tuah's well, the old mosque of Duyung, Kampung Hulu Mosque and the tomb of Sheikh Shamsuddin Pasai at Kampung Ketek.
Adapun saya baru sahaja 2 hari kembali daripada Pantai Timur. Pada penghujung minggu lepas, saya telah pergi ke Kuantan untuk menghadiri majlis perkahwinan sepupu yang sama (majlis pihak lelaki pula) dan merancang untuk ke Janda Baik, Bentong selepas itu. Tetapi sepupu saya pula mengajak menemani dia dan isteri pergi melawat rumah kakaknya di Kertih, Terengganu. Tanpa dirancang, 2 hari kemudian sampai pula ke Kuala Terengganu.
Just to inform, I've just returned 2 days ago from the East Coast. Last weekend, I went to Kuantan to attend the same cousin's wedding function (for the groom side) and planned to stop at Janda Baik afterwards. But my cousin asked me to accompany him and the wife to visit his sister's place in Kertih, Terengganu. Without any prior planning, 2 days later we arrived at Kuala Terengganu.
Kalau ikutkan, sepupu ini mahu saya mengikutinya berjalan sampai ke Kelantan pula. Dalam pada itu, dia ada rancangan untuk membawa isterinya berbulan-madu ke Pulau Redang. Kalau begitu, apakah saya perlu menunggu di KT atau turut ke pulau itu sekali? Saya pula yang jadi serba salah kerana seorang kawan memerlukan saya kembali ke Kuala Lumpur pada hari Khamis pula.
The cousin actually wanted me to follow him up to Kelantan. At the same time, he plans to bring his wife for honeymoon at Pulau (island of) Redang. If that is the case, should I wait in KT or hop on to the island too? I was in a quandary as a friend wanted me to return to Kuala Lumpur by Thursday.
Akhirnya hari Rabu malam Khamis saya pun membuat keputusan mengambil bas jam 10 malam untuk kembali ke KL. Biarlah sepupu itu pandai-pandai belajar menangani hidup perkahwinan dengan sendiri. Takkan semuanya perlu ditunjukkan ya tidak?
So on Wednesday at night, I decided to take the 10 o'clock bus back to KL. Let the cousin learn how to tackle married life on his own. Is it right to show him all that he needs to know?
Apapun, baru hari ini saya tergerak untuk menambah sesuatu di dalam blogspot saya, setelah melihat signal wi-fi Internet yang ditumpang daripada jiran sebelah ternyata terang tanpa gangguan. Gerak hati inipun menyuruh supaya meletakkan beberapa gambar yang diambil di Kedah, ketika perjalanan ke Utara yang dilakukan 2 bulan lalu...
Whatever, it's only today that I feel the urge to add something to my blogspots, after finding out that the next door neighbour's Internet wi-fi signal with I often hitch on is crystal clear without interference. So my insticts told me to put some pictures taken in Kedah, while on a trip to the North made 2 months ago...
Hmm... Banyak sebenarnya gambar yang saya ada, menunggu masa sahaja untuk dikongsi bersama. Buat masa ini biarlah dikongsi beberapa gambar yang diambil sekitar makam diraja Kedah di Langgar, Alor Setar ya...
Hmm... Actually I've got lots of pictures, just waiting the right time to share. For the moment, let's just share some pictures taken in and around the Kedah royal mausoleum at Langgar, Alor Setar ya...
Oh... Mungkin ada yang tertanya-tanya, kenapa posting kali ini ada tanda persoalan pada penghujung tajuknya? Jawab saya, sebab sebelum memulakan penulisan ini, saya pun tak tahu gambar mana hendak diletak. Setelah menulis separuh jalan, barulah timbul gerak untuk meletakkan gambar-gambar berkenaan makam diraja Kedah di Langgar.
Oh... Perhaps some would ask, why the question at the end of the title of this posting? My answer, because before this writing was started, I had no idea which picture to put. Only after writing half-way then came the gut feeling to put the pictures related to the Kedah royal mausoleum in Langgar.
Lagi satu, semasa di Langgar lah saya mengalami perasaan deja vu paling lama sepanjang ingatan dalam hidup ini... Dalam perjalanan masuk daripada jalan besar ke makam, saya dapat merasakan apa yang berlaku dan pemandangan yang terlihat adalah sama dengan satu mimpi yang pernah berlaku lebih 10 tahun lalu... Sama kesemuanya dalam tempoh 15 minit, tidak ada lebih, tidak ada kurang! Pelik bukan?
One more thing, it was in Langgar that I had the longest sense of deja vu as far as I can remember in my life... While walking from the main road entering towards the mausoleum, I can feel that whatever happened there and the surrounding view were the same as that seen in a dream more than 10 years ago... Exactly the same for a period of 15 minutes, no less, no more! Weird isn't it?
OK... Tanpa membuang masa, tataplah gambar-gambar di bawah... Silakan!
OK... Without wasting more time, have a look at the pictures below... Come!

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Beberapa rumah tradisional Melayu di Langgar
Some traditional Malay houses in Langgar









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Lorong masuk ke kawasan makam diraja Kedah
The road leading to the Kedah royal mausoleum


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Makam diraja dilihat daripada luar
The royal mausoleum seen from outside

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Masjid lama berdekatan makam diraja. Gerak hati saya menyuruh solat Zuhur dan jamak Asar di masjid ini dan berehat sebentar sebelum ke makam.
The old mosque nearby the royal mausoleum. My gut feelings told me to do the Zuhur and Asar prayers (combined under one period as allowed in Islam for long distance travellers) and rest a little before going to the mausoleum

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Papan maklumat (sebenarnya batu) mengenai makam diraja Langgar di dalam kawasan kompleks permakaman. Kawasan ini terbuka kepada pelawat waktu siang.
The information board (or stone?) on the Langgar royal mausoluem within the mausoluem complex. This area is open to visitors during the day.

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Pintu gerbang bagi kawasan dalam kompleks yang mengandungi makam. Mengikut ceritanya, pintu itu cuma dibuka kepada pelawat pada Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Aidil Adha dan Hari Keputeraan Sultan Kedah. Selain itu, cuma kerabat diraja terdekat dan mereka yang diperkenankan sahaja boleh masuk ke dalam.
The main gate for the area within the complex which contains the royal tombs. According to locals, the gate is only opened to visitors during the festive celebrations of Aidilfitri, Aidil Adha and the Sultan of Kedah's birthday. Beside that, only close members of the royal family and those granted audiance can enter.
Alhamdulillah, dengan kuasa Allah, kunci pintu gerbang sudah terbuka ketika saya sampai sedangkan di sekeliling tidak kelihatan walau pun seorang manusia kecuali saya sahaja!
Thank God, with Allah's permission, the lock for the main gate was already opened by the time I arrived although I can't see a single person anywhere around except myself!

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Gambar-gambar makam para Sultan dan kerabat diraja Kedah. Saya pernah diberitahu bahawa ini kawasan larangan... Kalau tiada izin boleh ketulahan dan gambar yang diambil tidak akan melekat di dalam kamera.
Pictures of tombs of some Sultans (Kings of Kedah) and royal family members. I was told that this is a restricted area... Without permission, one can suffer ketulahan (some sort of royal curse) while pictures taken would not lodge inside the camera.
Apapun, saya sajikan di sini untuk renungan para pembaca sekalian. Di dalam kawasan ini terdapat banyak makam yang ditanda dengan batu nesan Aceh... Mungkin sebab itu saya boleh masuk ke dalam tanpa sebarang halangan? :]
Whatever, I put these here for readers to reflect on. Inside, there's many tombs marked by Aceh-type gravestones... Perhaps that is why I can enter without any obstruction? :]