In 1994, nearly 23 years ago, I (Khairul Hisham Hassan) graduated from The University of Sheffield in the UK with a Bachelor of Laws degree or LLB. And one of my core subjects was International Law.
Hence, together with my 3 Jakarta friends who come from Indonesian legal background and who graduated 15 years ago from Fakultas Hukum of Universitas Trisakti in Jakarta, I have set-up an international consulting firm in Jakarta which provides 'Consultancy on Doing Business in Jakarta' comprehensive services. Currently, most of our clients are Malaysian companies and factories which set-up their PT PMA branch company or Representative Office in Jakarta. These companies were referred to us by Matrade in Jakarta which is part of the Embassy of Malaysia in Jakarta. Having said that, at the end of the day it is purely and entirely up to those Malaysian investors to select or appoint any consulting firm or legal advisor of their own choice for their "Doing Business in Jakarta" matters.


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Sahabat-sahabat saya sekalian, tolong benarkan saya berkongsi dengan anda semua sedikit rasa gembira dan sedikit rasa bangga saya (Khairul Hisham Hassan) atas kurniaan anugerah darjah bangsawan "Raden Tumenggung" oleh Sultan Pakubuwono XIII dari Keraton (Istana) Surakarta, Jawa Tengah seperti dalam photo di atas. Sebenarnya selepas Indonesia merdeka, Sultan Keraton (Istana) Jogkakarta dan Keraton Surakarta hanya berperanan sebagai "Gabenor" di Jawa Tengah sahaja. Tapi Perlembagaan Indonesia tidak menghalang pihak Istana ini memberi anugerah darjah kebesaran kepada sesiapa yang Baginda Sultan mahu. Penyanyi Rossa juga ada menerima Darjah Kebangsawanan dari Sultan yang sama i.e Sri Sultan Pakubowono XIII pada 26 Jun 2011. (http://www.cumicumi.com/news/read/20596/rossa-senang-bergelar-bangsawan). Syukur kepada Allah atas anugerah ini.


Tapi yang penting ialah saya tidak pernah meminta-minta, tidak pernah melobi dan tidak pernah membayar kepada pihak Istana Surakarta untuk mendapat gelaran bangsawan ini. Sri Sultan Pakubuwono XIII berkenan menganugerahkan, maka saya terima sajalah anugerah bangsawan ini dengan rasa sangat berterimakasih kepada Sri Sultan dan rasa syukur kepada Allah yang takdirkan semua ini. Anda mahu lihat Mohor Diraja Tulisan Jawa Lama? Sila klik dan besarkan photo di atas. Kemudian sila anda lihat disebelah atas kanan foto. Anda mahu tahu siapa itu "Sultan Pakubuwono XIII"? Sila anda lihat: http://id.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kasunanan_Surakarta dan juga http://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/pakubuwana_XIII serta anda lihat http://www.karatonsurakarta.com/.



Saya beritahu isteri saya, di Malaysia kita ini biasa-biasa saja tapi Alhamdulillah di Pulau Jawa nama kita berdua secara rasmi ada di dalam "Senarai Bangsawan Istana Surakarta". Nenek-moyang saya yang ratusan tahun dulu datang dari Jawa Tengah pasti bangga dan gembira dengan gelaran bangsawan Keraton Jawa ini. Saya sering berkata kepada diri sendiri seandainya orang mengetahui siapa sebenarnya nenek-moyang atau leluhur saya, maka pasti mereka tidak merasa aneh kenapa saya bisa mendapat gelaran bangsawan Tanah Jawa ini. Hmmm... Namun semua ini tidak penting sehabuk pun bagi saya kerana akhirnya nanti saya akan berbaring di dalam liang lahad kubur seorang diri, tanpa gelaran "Raden Tumenggung" atau gelaran apa pun. Yang penting adalan amalan soleh saya. Period. Full stop.




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January 2015 photo of my 2nd DAUGHTER (Not my wife) i.e Intan Nur Qistina Khairul Hisham (Left) with my 4th kid, Mehmed Al Fateh Khairul Hisham (Right). Intan Nur Qistina is 20 years old now. She is now studying at University of Malaya (UM) after completing her SPM at an Islamic boarding school in Kelantan while Mehmed Al Fateh in this photo was 4 months old newborn son. Now Mehmed Al Fateh is a two years old active 'young man'





THIS IS MY LIFE PRINCIPLE
(KHAIRUL HISHAM HASSAN)
(A 47 YEARS OLD REAL MUSLIM FUNDAMENTALIST)
(i.e PROGRESSIVE, HONEST, HARDWORKING AND ROMANTIC MUSLIM)


As a Muslim I believe that the day will DEFINITELY come when my helpless dead body or jenazah finally will be carried away to the grave. As a Muslim I also believe that the day will DEFINITELY come when I will be in my Liang Lahad alone, dealing with Malaikat Munkar & Nakir. And that will be the day when anything else does not matter anymore except my good deeds, my amalan and my amal jariah that I have done when I am still alive. At the end of the day it does not matter anymore whether or not while we are living on this Planet Earth we have a big business empire or a beautiful wife or a big house or a big car or a high position in a big company etc. Does not matter anymore, my friend. Does not matter.




As a Muslim, I solemnly believe that: "The only true measure of my success in life is as to how far I have obeyed Allah's commandments, according to the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad S.A.W". Ukuran kejayaan SEBENAR seseorang manusia itu ialah sejauh mana dia dapat taat perintah Allah, berpandukan kepada sunnah Nabi Muhammad S.A.W. Justeru itu,
kalau seseorang itu kaya-raya atau berpangkat besar atau berwajah cantik atau berumah besar atau berkereta mewah atau bergelar 'Datuk', 'Datuk Seri', 'Tan Sri' tapi dia lalai solat, tidak berakhlak Islam dan tidak amalkan apa yang Islam suruh, maka di mata saya orang seperti ini bukanlah orang yang berjaya. Saya langsung tidak hormat orang seperti ini. Orang seperti ini tidak ada nilai di sisi Allah dan juga tidak ada nilai sehabuk pun di mata saya. Apakah saya kagum dengan kekayaan dan kedudukan orang seperti ini? Jauh sekali. Am I scared of this type of rich and 'powerful' people? Never. Insya-Allah I am not scared of any human-being in this world. Not even for a nanosecond. In my eyes, he or she is nothing. Yes, nothing. Period. Tetapi saya sangat hormat, sangat kagum, sangat kasih dan agak gementar apabila berhadapan dengan orang yang sebenar-benarnya 'Orang Yang Berjaya' iaitu orang yang menjaga solatnya, membaca Al Quran setiap hari, berdisplin Solat Tahajud setiap malam, berakhlak Islam dan tidak pongoh, pemurah dan tidak kedekut-pahit serta cuba mengamalkan keseluruhan ajaran Islam dalam kehidupannya.




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On 28 January 2017 my age will be 47 years old. By the way, my eldest daughter is now 22 years old. She is currently studying at International Islamic University (UIA) Malaysia. My second daughter is 20 years old and she is now studying at University of Malaya. And my third child is a 13 years old son. He is now studying to be a hafiz at Pondok Moden Saadah Addaarain. Alhamdulillah after a gap of 10 years, my wife who was 44 years old at that time delivered our fourth child on 24 September 2014 (Photo Above). Well...I do not call myself 'The Descendant of Majapahit Palace Warrior' for nothing, right...? :-) Syukur Alhamdulillah my wife has a smooth and safe delivery. Actually I have told my wife that if our newborn child is a baby girl I will name her 'Intan Nur Iriana'. The meaning of Iriana in Greek is 'peace'. Iriana is also the name of the wife of new Indonesian President Joko Widodo. However, it is our destiny to have another son, not daughter. Hence, I name my newborn son 'Mehmed Al Fateh Bin Khairul Hisham'. Sultan Mehmed Al Fateh is the Muslim Chalip whom at the age of 21 conquered Constantinople which is the modern-day Istanbul. He also brought Islam to Bosnia, Albania and Southern Europe. It is said that Sultan Mehmed Al Fateh has never failed to perform Solat Tahajjud every single night throughout his life from the age of puberty (akil baligh) until the day he died on 3rd of May 1481. It is my wish and also my wife's wish that our son, Mehmed Al Fateh Khairul Hisham will be a brave and pious Muslim like Sultan Mehmed Al Fateh and will never fail to perform Solat Tahajjud each and every night. Amin Ya Allah.



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These are my two beloved daughters: (Left) Intan Nur Farhana Khairul Hisham. She is my 22 years old eldest child. She is the one who is now studying at International Islamic University (UIA) Malaysia. (Right) Intan Nur Qistina Khairul Hisham. She is my 20 years old second daughter. She is now studying at University of Malaya (UM). Yes, both are my lovely princesses! Or shall I say my Javanese and Kelantanese princesses because I am a Javanese warrior and their mother is a Kelantanese lady! I have 4 kids. Apart from two daughters, I also have two sons. Their name are Mahathir Khatami Khairul Hisham who is now 13 years old who is now studying to be a hafiz at Pondok Moden Saadah Addaarain and Mehmed Al Fateh Khairul Hisham who was born 15 months ago on 23 September 2014.




Kepada Teman-Teman Sekalian Di Mana Jua Pun Anda Berada: Saya Ucapkan Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri Dan Salam Lebaran Minal Aidin Wal Faizin. Saya (Khairul Hisham Bin Hassan) Adalah Seorang Manusia Yang Banyak Kelemahan. Maka Sempena Hari Raya Aidil Fitri Yang Mulia Ini Saya Memohon Agar Anda Bisa Memaafkan Saya Jika Selama Ini Ada Bicara Saya Yang Menyalakan Api Kemarahan Anda, Jika Ada Perbuatan Saya Yang Menimbulkan Kebencian Anda, Jika Ada Tulisan Saya Yang Menyinggung Perasaan Anda, Jika Ada Akhlak Saya Yang Berbau Keangkuhan Dan Jika Ada Jenaka Saya Yang Berlebihan. Sesungguhnya Suatu Hari Nanti Pasti Akan Tiba Jua Saatnya Saya Akan Bersendirian Di Dalam Liang Lahad. Dan Semoga Pada Hari Apabila Jenazah Saya Diturunkan Ke Liang Lahad Itu, Tiadalah Dosa Sesama Manusia Di Antara Saya Dan Anda. Amen..
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The above photo was taken by my wife near our rented house when both of us lived in Sheffield, north of England 24 years ago. I publish this photo here in my blog just to share my sweet memory with my dear blog readers only. Not to show-off whatsoever. That time I was doing my law degree at The University of Sheffield. It's Winter 1993. Being newly married I just wanted to impress my wife with some steps of my Pencak Silat during the snowfall. Maybe, just maybe, I was the first Malaysian man to perform Pencak Silat (an Indonesian and Malaysian martial art) during heavy snowfall in Sheffield. Well...I do not think Hang Jebat or Hang Tuah dares to perform Pencak Silat during -5 degree Celsius snowfall just by wearing their thin Baju Melayu. Yes, no doubt that Hang Jebat was a brave and hot-tempered man. Yes, he was also the only Malay who was not afraid to tell the cruel Sultan of Malacca more than 500 years ago: "Wahai Sultan Yang Zalim, don't make me angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry". But I am sure this -5 Celsius degree snowfall will melt whatever spirit left in this great 'Incredible Hulk of Ancient Malacca Kingdom' who loved to run amok here and run amok there.


And...what about Gusti Adipati Handaya Ningrat? (For your information,
Gusti Adipati Handaya Ningrat was a Majapahit Palace Warrior who failed to assassinate Hang Tuah. He was also a hot-tempered Majapahit Prince with a significant high blood pressure problem who could not accept any slightest criticism on his style of leadership. His sister by the name of 'Gusti Putri Retno Dumillah' eventually became the legendary 'Puteri Gunung Ledang'. Legend has it that even after 500 years, Gusti Putri Retno Dumillah is still residing at Gunung Ledang in Malaysia although the Malaysian Immigration Department has never granted her any Expatriate Visa, Permanent Residency or even Spouse Visa). I guess Gusti Adipati Handaya Ningrat would easily win 'Mr Bean Of The Year Award' if he did perform his Pencak Silat here in Sheffield just by wearing his traditional shirtless Majapahit warrior's costume. But one thing for sure..., no matter how sakti this Gusti Adipati Handaya Ningrat was, the -5 degree Celsius temperature would make him shivering non-stop to the extent that the English people would think this shirtless Majapahit Palace Warrior was high on drugs or narkoba while performing his Javanese Pencak Silat!











Who's that guy in the above photo snapped by my wife during Winter 1993 when we lived in Sheffield? Is he Dicky Zulkarnaen The Indonesian Famous Actor? Wrong. Is he Si Pitung Macan Betawi? Nope. He is just 'Si Khairul Kucing Malaysia'! A blast from the past. Look at the background of the photo. Oh! I love living in England. For me, the Victorian style houses in England make it so picturesque. It's a romantic place to live especially in the northern part of England like Sheffield which is near the lake districts. That Winter 1993 was the most memorable winter because I just married in that year. So that Winter 1993 was the first Winter that I had a halal companion sleeping next to me, as husband and wife during long cold night. My wife said I was her 'Natural Winter Heater' that kept her warm and comfortable throughout very cold -5 degree Celsius Winter night.


Sekadar menggamit secebis kenangan lalu saja nih. Hmmm...selagi dinamakan manusia, kita nggak akan bisa melupakan kenangan lalu.
Pasti nggak akan bisa. Nggak seperti komputer yang kapan-kapan saja bisa di delete memory dalam CPU. Maka, apabila kenangan lalu tiba-tiba datang menjelma dan mampir di Inbox pikiran kita, tanpa kita minta, tanpa kita undang, tanpa kemahuan kita, sama ada kenangan itu kenangan yang manis ataupun kenangan yang amat menyedihkan dan sadis, sebagai seorang Muslim mari kita redha dengan Qada dan Qadar yang Allah telah tentukan untuk kita.
Seperti kata teman saya dari Surabaya yang ganteng, Bapak Firman Hadi Sukma Pratama (Pakar Kuasa Pikiran Bawah Sadar dan Founder Wahana Sejati): "Iya, nikmati ajalah..."


JUST MY SPECIAL NOTE: Mari kita tenang-tenang aja karena sebagaimana Allah bisa menjadikan apa pun untuk hal-hal yang sudah pun berlaku, maka sesungguhnya Allah juga bisa mentakdirkan apa pun untuk hal-hal yang akan datang walaupun kelihatannya mustahil untuk berlaku jika menurut logika akal. Bukankah dalam Surah Al Maidah Ayat 40, Allah berfirman: "Dan Allah Maha Kuasa atas segala sesuatu".










PHOTO: THESE BAMBOO TREES FORM A MIND-SOOTHING PANORAMIC VIEW AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE PONDOK PESANTREN AT DESA KERTARAHAYU. I SPEND EVERY WEEKEND AT THIS PONDOK PESANTREN; LEARNING TAFSIR AL QURAN, CONDUCTING MY FREE ENGLISH CLASS TO 'SANTRI & SANTRIWATI' AND MAKING A CONTINUOUS EFFORT TO BE A HAFIZ AL QURAN BEFORE I DIE. AMEN YA ALLAH...


No doubt I love every single minute running my own consultancy business from Monday to Friday at my Jakarta office located not far from the Embassy of Malaysia. BUT for me, the most beautiful thing about living in Jakarta is being able to spend my time every weekend at a Pondok Pesantren Tahfiz Al Quran at Desa Kertarahayu in Kecamatan Setu. This Islamic traditional learning place is located at a panoramic remote village which is a two-hour drive from Jakarta. This is my Paradise. This is my 'Heaven on Earth'. The Pondok Pesantren is located in the middle of a green aromatic ginger and sesame farm, surrounded by paddy fields and green hills. During my weekend stay at this Pondok Pesantren, I diligently learn in-depth about Tajwid and Tafsir Al Quran directly from a charismatic ulama by the name of Pak Kiyai Sarno who is very religious and very well-versed in Ilmu Fiqih, Tafsir Al Quran and Ilmu Hadith. Every single of his explanation is substantiated by the relevant verses in Al Quran and Hadith Sahih.










PHOTO: THREE BEAUTIFUL MUSLIMAH AND HAFIZAH OF PONDOK PESANTREN AT DESA KERTARAHAYU WHO WON THE “MUSABAQAH TAHFIZ AL QURAN SE-JABODETABEK" RECENTLY. THEY ARE ISTIQOMAH IRSYADIAH (LEFT) AND AMATULLAH ASSAATIRAH (YOUNGEST DAUGHTER OF PAK KIYAI SARNO)


Pak Kiyai Sarno is a Hafiz who has memorized 30 Juz of Al Quran and could recite the Al Quran verses from memory. His wife (Ibu Rachmah Julaeha) is also a Hafizah. And the 3 sons of Pak Kiyai Sarno are Hafiz Al Quran too. They are Mas Salahuddin, Mas Muhammad Al Fateh and Mas Mujahid. By the way, Mas Salahuddin and Mas Muhammad Al Fateh are now studying at Al Azhar in Egypt while Mas Mujahid is assisting Pak Kiyai Sarno to run his Pondok Pesantren. But Pak Kiyai Sarno plans to send Mas Mujahid to further his study in Sudan in 3 years time. Pak Kiyai Sarno's 10 years old beautiful youngest daughter (Amatullah Assaatirah) so far has managed to memorize 10 Juz of Al Quran.


Actually this is not so much about how many verses, chapters or Juz of Al Quran that a Muslim has managed to memorize. Having said that, it is indeed a proven fact that in order to succesfully memorize all 6,666 verses or 30 Juz of Al Quran, a Hafiz needs to observe his behaviour, akhlak and ibadah strictly based on Islamic rules and regulations. They must also lower their gaze. It is extremely unlikely that a person can eventually be a Hafiz or Hafizah if he or she is not humble. And for a Hafiz or Hafizah, patience is definitely a virtue. They also need to ensure that they do not use their mouth to talk bad about others or insult other human-beings or cause hatred among human-beings. These underlying principles which actually have shaped a Hafiz or Hafizah's behaviour or akhlak to be a very well behaved human-being or 'manusia berakhlak mulia' that makes our Planet Earth a better place to live. Since they have to put in practice in their daily life all the life principles outlined in the Al Quran verses that they have memorized, they ultimately become 'Al Quran Bergerak' or 'The Moving Al Quran'
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PHOTO: THIS IS THE VILLAGE ROAD OUTSIDE THE PERIMETER WALL OF THE PONDOK PESANTREN. FOR ME, THIS IS THE ROAD TO MY 'HEAVEN ON EARTH'. FRIDAY EVENING IS MY BEST MOMENT OF THE WEEK BECAUSE EVERY FRIDAY EVENING I WILL TRAVEL TO DESA KERTARAHAYU TO SPEND MY WEEKEND AT THE PONDOK PESANTREN.
FROM MY OFFICE, IT TAKES ABOUT 2 OR 3 HOURS TO REACH THERE. I CAN'T DESCRIBE TO YOU THE NATURAL SENSE OF HAPPINESS IN MY HEART WHEN I SEE THE ENTRANCE GATE OF THE PONDOK PESANTREN, THE PADDY-FIELDS NEARBY AND ALSO THE VERY MOMENT I SEE HIJAB-CLAD MUSLIMAH STROLLING AROUND THE PONDOK PESANTREN AREA. AND USUALLY 10 TO 15 MINUTES AFTER I HAVE ARRIVED AT THE PONDOK, THE MUSLIMAH OR HAFIZAH WILL SERVE ME DELICIOUS INDONESIAN VILLAGE DISHES. OH DEAR! I LOVE THE 'SUASANA AL QURAN' AT THIS PONDOK. I LOVE THE HEAVENLY BEHAVIOUR OF THE PEOPLE AT THIS PONDOK. I LOVE THE VILLAGE FOOD SERVED TO ME AT THIS PONDOK. WHAT CAN I SAY...I SIMPLY FALL IN LOVE WITH THIS PONDOK PESANTREN!


The truth is I am a 47 years old man. So, I asked Pak Kiyai Sarno whether it is too old for me to start memorizing all 30 Juz of Al Quran, slowly but surely, during my weekend stay at this Pondok Pesantren and Insya-Allah eventually become a Hafiz Al Quran. Pak Kiyai Sarno answered that no, it is not too old because he has seen a 50 years old man successfully memorizing the whole 30 Juz of Al Quran and became a Hafiz at that later stage of his life. This true story really inspires me. Yes, Monday to Friday I am an International Law Consultant who run my own consultancy business at the heart of Jakarta City Centre but that does not stop me to start learning to become a Hafiz Al Quran during my weekend rendezvous at this Pondok Pesantren. I told Pak Kiyai Sarno that no matter how challenging it will be and no matter how long it will take to become a Hafiz Al Quran, I will persevere and I will istiqomah because I want to die not just as a businessman. In fact I want to die as a Hafiz Al Quran. Yes, I do. This is despite the fact that I come from British law education background and not from Islamic studies background. Indeed this is my new personal ambition. Amen Ya Allah... By the way, to read the 12 benefits and prerogatives of being a Hafiz Al Quran please scroll your mouse to the bottom left of my blog. Each prerogative is supported by the relevant Hadith and verses from Al Quran.










PHOTO: THE MUSLIMAH AND HAFIZAH OF PONDOK PESANTREN ARE IN THE MIDST OF PERFORMING MURAJA’AH OF THE VERSES OF AL QURAN. THESE KIND-HEARTED MUSLIMAHS ARE BEAUTIFUL, SOFT-SPOKEN, POLITE, RELIGIOUS, OBEDIENT AND NO DOUBT THEY ARE SMART


Each time I am at this Pondok Pesantren, the Muslimahs ('Hafizah' or future 'Hafizah') who are learning Islam at this Pondok Pesantren would happily serve and cook for me very delicious Indonesian village dishes for my breakfast, lunch and dinner. These kind-hearted Muslimahs are beautiful, very soft-spoken, very polite, religious, obedient and no doubt they are very smart (what can I say, they memorize 30 chapters of Al Quran). These virgins have the discipline of performing Solat Tahajjud and Solat-Solat Malam every night. For me, it is an honour and a privilege to conduct my free English Class to them every Saturday and Sunday during my weekend rendezvous at this Pondok Pesantren, learning Tajwid and Tafsir Al Quran from their Guru (Pak Kiyai Sarno). And I must confess that by looking at their mind-soothing face alone is enough to make the work stress of my consultancy business in the heart of Jakarta City Centre from Monday to Friday simply gone with the wind. Oh dear...no kidding. And I am very sure this such a soft-spoken Pondok Pesantren lady can definitely make even an extremely violent man like Mike Tyson or Incredible Hulk purrs like a kitten. Yes, you hear me right, purrs like a kitten...


JUST MY SPECIAL NOTE: The purpose I disclose that I am now conducting free English class during my weekend stay at Pondok Pesantren is NOT to show-off or menunjuk-nunjuk. On the other hand, my ONLY purpose is I hope by sharing this story I can inspire all my other friends wherever they are, who have certain skills and specialization to infaq (donate) their skills for the benefit of others by giving their free services or free class during their weekend or free time. Pak Kiyai Sarno has taught me that infaq does not necessarily in the form of money or tangible assets only. Well...besides spending our weekend at Wet World, Taman Negara, Zoo Negara, Pantai Seri Tujuh, Genting Highland, shopping mall, restaurant or other entertainment centre, wouldn't it good if we can also do something and infaq our skills for the benefit of other human-beings during our weekend, right? Wrong? Of course 'right' lah, right...










PHOTO: IN FRONT OF THE 'KAMAR TAMU' ALLOCATED BY PAK KIYAI SARNO FOR ME AND MY KELANTANESE WIFE TO PUT UP DURING MY WEEKEND STAY AT THE PONDOK PESANTREN


Pak Kiyai Sarno has also allocated a comfortable Guest Room for me and my Kelantanese wife to put up during our weekend stay. What a romantic night at this Pondok Pesantren with extremely mind-soothing night breeze blowing from the nearby mountain and paddy fields. I always have a 'feel-good' feeling whenever I am at this Pondok Pesantren. It reminds me of the same feeling during the honeymoon time with my wife when we were newly married 20 years ago in 1993. At that time both of us were nothing but just a 23 and 22 years old young innocent couple who married at such a young age to get Keredhaan Allah. And what a feeling to have my bath here using very clean natural mountain ground water from the well. Oh Mammamia! Mammamia!


JUST KIDDING: But please do not have any slightest imagination of a gagah-perkasa man like me having a romantic private bath or bermandi-manda with a beautiful virgin Muslimah or Hafizah during my weekend rendezvous here. Sheesh...Tak elok tu.











PHOTO: THIS PONDOK PESANTREN IS LOCATED IN THE MIDDLE OF A GREEN SESAME FARM, SURROUNDED BY GREEN PADDY-FIELDS AND GREEN MOUNTAIN. INDEED IT’S MY GREEN PARADISE!



Furthermore, I can't find any word in any dictionary ever published on this Planet Earth to describe my happiness performing Solat Tahajjud and Solat-Solat Malam together with these 'santri-santri' each night when I am staying at this Pondok Pesantren. And what a satisfaction to conduct free English lesson class for them
every weekend at this Pondok Pesantren. The unique thing about this Pondok Pesantren is apart from Islamic studies, this Pondok Pesantren also teaches 'modern' subjects such as English Language, Mathematics and Computer Skills because for their school-age 'santri' they also sit for Indonesian Ujian Nasional which is similar to SPM Exams in Malaysia or O-Level Exams in the UK.










PHOTO: PADDY-FIELDS AROUND THE PONDOK PESANTREN MAKE THE VIEW HERE VERY PICTURESQUE ESPECIALLY DURING SUNRISE AND SUNSET. INDEED THIS IS MY ‘HEAVEN ON EARTH’



Perhaps it's worth mentioning that it's my dream and also my wife's dream to spend most of our post-retirement time later
in a Pondok Pesantren like this which is located in a beautiful Indonesian village surrounded by green hills. We also plan to contribute something to the Pondok Pesantren in term of our skills. I plan to continue teaching these 'anak-anak Pondok Pesantren' English Language and my wife can teach them Computer Skills. By spending our time at Pondok Pesantren, my wife and I plan to learn more about Tafsir Al Quran from the Pak Kiyai. It's also our dream to have the discipline to perform Solat-Solat Malam and Solat Tahajud each and every night together, as a husband and wife, at the Pondok Pesantren. And during day time we will enjoy doing some farming over here. No doubt, it is Heaven on Earth in whatever way both of us see it. Indeed it is.










PHOTO: THIS IS THE ACCOMMODATION BUILDING FOR THE MUSLIMAH AND HAFIZAH OF THIS PONDOK PESANTREN. THE SECOND AND THIRD FLOOR ARE STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION. PRAISE TO ALLAH, ALHAMDULLILAH I HAVE MANAGED TO GET MANY OF MY MALAYSAN FRIENDS TO TRANSFER MONEY TO THE PONDOK PESANTREN AS THEIR ‘INFAQ AMAL JARIYAH’. PAK KIYAI SARNO HAS TAUGHT ME THAT IN SURAH AL BAQARAH (VERSE 261) ALLAH HAS PROMISED THAT FOR EVERY 1 THING YOU INFAQ, ALLAH WILL MULTIPLY IT AND GIVE YOU BACK 700 TIMES. INDEED. ALLAH WILL NEVER BREACH HIS PROMISE. NEVER. NEVER. EVER.










PHOTO: THIS IS THE PONDOK PESANTREN MOSQUE WHICH IS USED AS THE CENTRE OF ACTIVITIES. I CONDUCT MY ENGLISH CLASS DURING MY WEEKEND HERE INSIDE THIS MOSQUE. AND EVERY SATURDAY NIGHT I HAPPILY WATCH ISLAMIC FILM INSIDE THIS MOSQUE BY USING PROJECTOR AND PORTABLE WHITE SCREEN TOGETHER WITH ALL THE HAFIZ AND HAFIZAH. WHO SAYS IN ISLAM WE CANNOT 'MENONTON WAYANG'? OF COURSE WE CAN. BUT WE MUST OBSERVE THE SYARIAH GUIDELINES. NO PROBLEM AT ALL. I CAN SEE THEY ENJOY 'NOBAR' AND THEIR WEEKLY MOVIE WATCHING SESSION...











PHOTO: I WISH M.NASIR, THE LEGENDARY MALAYSIAN SONG COMPOSER IS HERE WITH ME, SPENDING TIME UNDER A TREE NEAR THE PADDY-FIELDS AROUND THE PONDOK PESANTREN. THIS SCENIC VIEW MAY STIMULATE M.NASIR’S CREATIVE MIND TO COMPOSE MANY NEW ROMANTIC SONGS! OH I LOVE ROMANTIC SONGS COMPOSED BY M.NASIR SUCH AS 'KEPADAMU KEKASIH' AND 'SUATU MASA'. DO YOU REMEMBER THESE BEAUTIFUL LYRICS?: “BAGAIMANAKAN KU MULA, DAN APAKAH KATA-KATA, YANG INDAH UNTUK DIABADIKAN, TIAP WAJAH BERKISAH, TIAP MADAH BERERTI, MANAKAH ILHAMKU…, CAHAYA DI MATAMU, SENYUM DI BIBIRMU, MENGUKIR SERIBU TANDA PERTANYAAN, MUNGKINKAH KAU JUA DALAM KERINDUAN, DI SAAT BEGINI AKU MERINDUKAN…” (WELL...GEMUK-GEMUK SAYA PUN ADA PERASAAN JUGA..., SIAPA BILANG ORANG GEMUK NGGAK DIBENARKAN ADA PERASAAN 'JIWANG' YA...? NGGAK SALAH KOK..., APATAH LAGI PERASAAN 'JIWANG' ITU HANYA TERHADAP ISTERI SENDIRI. GITU...) BY THE WAY, SINCE M.NASIR ALREADY COMPOSED 'KERONCONG UNTUK ANA' SONG, PERHAPS IT’S A GOOD IDEA IF HERE AT PONDOK PESANTREN HE CAN COMPOSE 'KERONCONG UNTUK ANTA'. I CAN BE THE PENYANYI LATAR











PHOTO: THE PONDOK PESANTREN IS SURROUNDED BY PADDY-FIELDS ON ONE SIDE AND THIS JUNGLE GREENERY ON THE OTHER SIDE. BEING HERE IS LIKE SPENDING TIME IN OUR TAMAN NEGARA BACK IN MALAYSIA. DURING NIGHT TIME ALL SORTS OF MUSICAL VOICE OF INSECTS AND BIRDS CAN BE HEARD COMING FROM THIS JUNGLE. BUT I HAVE NEVER HEARD THE SOUND OF TIGER OR LION ROARING. THAT’S GOOD NEWS BECAUSE COMPARED TO 20 YEARS AGO; I CAN’T RUN THAT FAST ANYMORE. FURTHERMORE, I MUST CONFESS THAT I AM A MAN WITH 3 MONTHS 'PREGNANT' TUMMY. THANKS TO INDONESIAN DELICIOUS FOOD SUCH AS ES TELER, BEBEK KALEYO, PECAL LELE LELA, AYAM BAKAR MAS MONO, AYAM BAKAR WONG SOLO, CHICKEN STORY, SOTO GEBREK, PISANG BAKAR, AYAM KALASAN, MARTABAK BANGKA, KONRO DAENG TATA, AYAM GORENG MBOK BEREK, GADO-GADO BOPLO, SOTO BETAWI, SOTO MAKASAR, SATE SENAYAN, RAWON SETAN, TAHU PETIS KEDUNGDORO, BEBEK SONGKEM, SEMANGGI DEMPO, NASI KRAWU BU RIDA AND MANY MORE. IT SEEMS THAT UNLESS AND UNTIL I CONSUME 'ALPHA LIPID SLIM DIET 2', I WILL BE FOREVER PREGNANT....

















Mari Kita Tetap Rendah Diri Meskipun
Punya Wajah Cantik,
Karena Wajah Terakhir Kita Adalah Wajah Jenazah Pucat Pasi

Mari Kita Tetap Rendah Diri Meskipun Punya Rumah Besar,
Karena Rumah Terakhir Kita Adalah Liang Lahad


Mari Kita Tetap Rendah Diri Meskipun Punya Busana Mahal,
Karena Busana Terakhir Kita Adalah Kain Kafan


Mari Kita Tetap Rendah Diri Meskipun Punya Kulit Mulus Dan Kinclong,
Karena Kulit Terakhir Kita Adalah Tanah Kuburan


Mari Kita Tetap Rendah Diri Meskipun Punya Mobil Mewah,
Karena Kendaraan Terakhir Kita Adalah Keranda Mayat


Mari Kita Tetap Rendah Diri Meskipun Punya Minyak Wangi Bergengsi,
Karena Wangian Terakhir Kita Adalah Kapur Barus









"Ya Allah...Jika Dengan Terus Hidup, Saya Khairul Hisham Bin Hassan Akan Dapat Terus Beribadat Untuk Menambahkan Pahala Dan Akan Dapat Terus Berbuat Amalan Kebaikan Serta Akan Dapat Terus Memberi Manafaat Kepada Orang Lain, Maka Saya Mohon Tolonglah Panjangkan Umur Saya Ya Allah..."

"Tetapi Ya Allah...Jika Dengan Terus Hidup, Saya Khairul Hisham Bin Hassan Akan Hanya Menambah Berbuat Dosa Dan Akan Hanya Menyakiti Hati Orang Lain Serta Akan Hanya Memberi Mudarat Kepada Orang Lain, Maka Saya Mohon Tolonglah Matikan Saya Secepat Yang Mungkin Jika Mati Itu Lebih Baik Bagi Saya. Dan Matikanlah Saya Dalam Husnul Khotimah..."





Friday, June 12, 2009

Met 2 Colonels & 7 Majors In Sudan


Thank God Its Friday! (TGIF)


"TGIF" In Kuala Lumpur refers to the world famous TGIF Restaurant. Over here 'TGIF' for me simply means "Thank God It's Friday". Friday is a public holiday here in Khartoum. But for banks, government departments and some companies that do services related to government departments the weekly rest day are Friday and Saturday.

You will see a lot of Sudanese wear their clean white Jalabiah (long robe) and Emamah (turban) on Friday. In Sudan, I was told when large white headdress are worn, they generally are meant to connote a high social status. So my innocent guess is in Sudan the larger the turban, the higher is the social status of the people who are wearing it. Maybe I am right. Maybe I am wrong

Daytime Like United Nations Negotiators, Nightime Like Great Ulamaks

They look gorgeous in their traditional Jalabiah and Emamah. Take for example, my Sudanese partners (Mr Abdul Jalil Abujjoud and Mr Mohammed Abujjoud). During normal working hours they dress extremely smart in their western executive dressing; a long sleeve shirt nicely tuck-in their long branded pants. They very much look like Sudanese negotiators ready to argue with the American diplomats in the United Nation General Assembly.

But when come to after office hours or on Fridays, you barely recognize this Mr Abdul Jalil if not because of his trade-mark Denzel Washington smile. They look splendid in their clean white Jalabiah (long robe) and Emamah (Turban) attire, as if they have just finished attending the PAS Dewan Ulamak (Council of Islamic Scholars) muktamar or grand meeting. Their way of wearing Emamah is also unique. It is not like a typical Saudi or a die-hard PAS supporter way of putting their turban. It is their Sudanese turban way.

Friday Morning, A Quiet Day

On Friday morning, it is a little bit quiet here in my area (Balabil Station). This means less car horn. What a peaceful day! No Bukit Nenas Convent School brass band team 'performing' on the road. Maybe because it is a weekly rest day. Or maybe during Thursday night ("Malam Jumaat") the Sudanese men follow the sunnah and 'perform' extra-hard. So they are just damn tired to go on the streets on Friday morning. Friday morning in Khartoum is like Sunday morning in Manchester when there is no much traffic on the road.

Definitely no horn. What is so big deal about pressing car horn. As far as they are concerned, pressing horn is still okay because it is not sinful to press horn, but being 'horny' (lustful) which is not okay. If you ask Osama, or Nik Aziz, or Ayatollah Khamenei or even Pope Benedict, they are all against you being 'horny'. Nothing in the scriptures say against pressing car horn. I guess that's why Sudanese drivers happily pressing their horns even if they see just an innocent ant or 'semut' struggling to cross the road.

I Lost My Calories, Or The Camel Lost His Calories?

Okay, enough rumbling about 'horn' in Khartoum. Last Friday accidentally I met a Malaysian in a grocery shop nearby my house not far from this Balabil Station. I came to know later that his name is Major Zalani. It was roughly 7:30am in a Friday morning. I went to a nearby grocery shop to buy slices of cake, biscuit and mineral water.

The cruel fact is when you travel to a lot of different places, there is no way you can reduce your calories. The food that you can find in different parts of the world throughout your journey is simply full of temptation. That's what has happened to me all this while when I travelled to different places. Like here in Khartoum, every early morning I will normally go to the nearby shop to buy a slices of cake and within minutes my hand is like a Komatsu Excavator that quietly transfer the slices of cake into one portion of my huge tummy. Reducing weight? Not for me. Unless if I travel worldwide riding on a camel or walking like Marco Polo, then perhaps I may loose a lot of calories. Wait a second. The truth is I don't think I will loose any calories even if I travel everywhere riding on a camel. Most probably the poor camel that will loose calories, carrying a 105kg man like me on his back!


At Last, Met A Malaysian In Khartoum!

Back to Major Zalani. That time when I was paying my grocery at the cashier register, out of sudden I saw a man that looks like an 'oriental-man' not very far from me. Initially I thought he maybe a Vietnamese, Cambodian or even a Burmese. No offence to Major Zalani but this was what my brain naively thought when seeing him for the first nano -second.

This Major Zalani is indeed a very friendly man because upon seeing me, he walked straight to me and ask: "Are you a Malaysian?". In my heart I said: "What do you think? Do I look like a Zimbabwean to you?". Automatically as I replied: "Of Course" I saw the word 'Bentong" or something like 'Kelab Golf Bentong' on his t-shirt. 'Bentong' huh? It's surely in Malaysia. There is no Bentong town in London or Paris. So, I was very happy to meet another Malaysian in Khartoum.

We then talked for a couple of minutes. He instantaneously asked me to follow him to a nearby house where a person by the name of Lt Colonel Azman is staying. He said he was in Khartoum en route from El Fasher where he was based to Kuala Lumpur for his two weeks holiday. We just met for 3 minutes but the natural friendliness of Major Zalani has made it possible fo both of us, Malaysians far away from home, walking together on the street of Khartoum like old friends. He brought me to Colonel Azman's house.

The Dilemma of 'Look Young'

If you see Major Zalani, he looks young and I must say he is not that very tall. Thus, I never expected he is a 'Major' in the army. Talking about 'look young' in appearance, I still remember back in 2007 when I stopped-by at a small restaurant in Rembau (of course Rembau in Malaysia, there is no Rembau in Africa), the restaurant waitress, a young lady (maybe 19 or 20 years old) asked me: "Nak order apa, Adik?" ("What would you like to order, Adik?"). In Malay language 'Adik' means 'Little brother or younger brother'. Upon hearing she called me 'Adik' I protested in my heart by saying: "You call me 'Adik'? Excuse me, I have a grown-up-14 years old-tall and beautiful daughter, you know?" You should not call me 'Adik', should you?" For goodness sake, this 'Adik' if you dare to marry can give you 5 children in straight 5 consecutive years of marriage or maybe 10 children in 5 years if every year we can get twins."

Furthermore that time was a school holiday. In Malaysia during school holidays, that was the time when there are a lot of weddings been held and also a lot of circumcision ceremony for the Muslim young boys conducted in various places. Unlike the Arabs who circumcise their baby boys when they are still infants, in Malaysia the circumcision normally takes place when the boys are 9 to 12 years old. So the moment that young lady called me 'Adik', I felt as if I was just been circumcised like those 12 years old boys.

However upon meeting this Major Zalani now I understand that for certain reasons, we maybe look younger in the eyes of others. Although Major Zalani is a very nice, friendly and handsome military officer, I initially never thought he is a 'Major' in the army due to his 'look young' face.

Looking Young Can be Damaging!

In the international consultancy industry, looking young is actually a disadvantage. That's why nowadays I always make sure that I have my moustache all the time. To look matured. I will not shave my moustache or in my own words 'sending my moustache to the laundry'. If by having my moustache I still look young to be an international business consultant, I maybe will groom my beard like Osama bin Ladin's style of beard. If that fails too, I will buy some 'Zendagi Beard Oil' made in Pasir Mas, Kelantan to groom a rather thick and sexy beard like that famous Karam Singh Walia! Not bad to be 'Khairul Singh Walia'.

Meet With 2 Colonels and 7 Majors

After less than 5 minutes walking with Major Zalani, we reached a house where a Malaysian military officer by the name of 'Lt Colonel Azman' is staying. Colonel Azman is from The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF). He is based in Khartoum for a year. The moment I entered his house I saw many Malaysian military officers. To be exact there were actually 2 Colonels, 7 Majors (including Major Zalani), 1 Captain and 1 Warrant Officer (PW1) sitting and talking at the guest area of the house . They were Lt Colonel Azman, Colonel Adam, Major Rashid, Major Zulkifli, Major Ismail, Major Amirul, Major Ramli, Major Misnon, Captain Hisham and PW1 Suhaimi. Majority of them were in fact from El Fasher, Darfur waiting for their Qatar Airways flight to Kuala Lumpur for a two-weeks holiday.

UNAMID and UNMIS - United Mission In Sudan

They told me most of them are based in El Fasher, Darfur but Colonel Azman is based in Khartoum. Some of them are in Sudan under the banner of 'UNAMID'. UNAMID basically means 'The African Union - United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur'. It is a joint African Union and United Nations peacekeeping mission in Darfur. UNAMID was established in 2007 to bring stability to the war-torn Darfur region of Sudan while peace talks on a final settlement continue.

But others like Major Rashid, Major Zulkifli and Major Ismail are under 'UNMIS' which literally means 'United Nation Mission In Sudan'. This UNMIS was established by the United Nation Security Council. The UNMIS tasks are to support the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

Negaraku!

Seeing all these Malaysian military officers was the happiest moment for me at that time because they were the first group of Malaysians that I met and talked after spending 8 days in Khartoum. They were all very friendly. I know that. By staring at each of their eyes, I already know they were sincere in welcoming me to their place.

Never in my life I was surrounded by 10 military officers in one time.That particular moment I sensed my spirit of patriotism in my Javanese-blood exploded like a volcano in my heart upon seeing these smart, energetic, handsome, brilliant Malaysian military officers. If I have my way, surely I wanted to command them to stand up and loudly sing 'Negaraku' to express my patriotism. But I am just a civilian who did not dare to command 2 Colonels, 7 majors, 1 Captain and 1 PW1 to sing!

The Colonels!

In Malaysia and Manchester the only Colonel that I used to see was Colonel Sanders, the KFC's mascot. But that Colonel only smiles. He never talks to anybody. If he ever talks, surely the 'Keliwon' (TV series that produce ghost stories) drama producer would love to put it in one of its episode,

The way I see it, Lt Colonel Azman is by far the most romantic-looking Colonel I have ever met. No, you are wrong. I am not a gay. But I would like to give credit where credit is due. I came to know Colonel Azman is just one year older than me but he is already a Lt Colonel. Surely, he must be a very good and brilliant military officer. The moment you started a conversation with him, you can sense that he is indeed a smart person. He also told me that he used to be in the same batch with Allahyarham Faizal, a RMAF pilot whose aircraft crashed not very far from Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM). Allahyarham Faizal was actually studying in the same batch with me in MRSM. But he was formerly of MRSM Terendak together with my partner, Huzaini Hussin, while I am a former MRSM Muar student, batch 1983 and my other partner, Nafisah Wahab was a student in MRSM Jasin. We are all formerly MRSM students, studying in the same batch.

What about Colonel Adam? I am not sure if he is a Lt Colonel or a full Colonel. I must say that you can 'smell' the aura of a Colonel the moment you start talking to this Colonel Adam. In my eyes, he is a humble man. For your information, when I entered the house he was initially not in the guest area. Later when he saw me, he was the one who holding out his hand for a hand shake with me. He just say 'Adam' to introduce himself. Major Zalani was the one who told me that this man is Colonel Adam.

From his face you will instantaneously know that Colonel Adam is the oldest among them. Later he told me his age is 49 years old. The way he stared at me and the way he bend over his body when talking to me reminded me of Samuel L. Jackson who acted as Colonel Terry Childers in the 'Rules of Engagement' film. This movie is about a military lawyer defending an officer on trial for ordering his troops to fire on civilians after they stormed a U.S. embassy in a third world country. Maybe Colonel Adam's skin is much fairer than Samuel L. Jackson, but what I can say is his demeanor and commanding eye-contact is 93% looks very much the same like Colonel Terry Childers (Samuel L. Jackson) in that movie. The way he expressed his words and the way he talked to me, I know he is a no-nonsense Colonel in the Malaysian army. Was I scared that time? Nope. Not at all. Yes he is a Colonel, but I am a 'Marketing-Commando' who can beat and 'kill' him with my words and sales-closing techniques!


Malaysia, The Only ASEAN Country Where The Generals Stay Out From Politics

By the way, look around us. Malaysia is the only country in the region where all the Generals are 'good boys' and always staying out from local politics. As we all know, Thailand, the Generals will always have their way. Remember when General Sonthi Boonyaratglin overthrew Thaksin in September 2006? In Indonesia, the current President is General Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Philipines used to have General Fidel Ramos as their President. Myanmar is all Generals at the helm of power. Even Singaporean PM Lee Hsien Loong was actually the youngest Brigadier General in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) history. He joined SAF in 1971 and only retired in 1984 when he entered politics. So my friend, in fact Singapore is now managed by a former General, albeit a Brigadier General. What about Vietnam and Combodia?. You are actually insulting Hun Sen if there is any slightest doubt in your mind whether he is from military background or not. He even lost an eye to US bombing as a Liutenant in the Khmer Rouge army and until today he has a glass eye implanted.

Only in Malaysia, the Generals are the 'goodie-goodie' type. When these Malaysian Generals finally retire, many directorship and chairmanship positions in the public listed companies or government-linked companies are there ready for them. With such a good position and a nice life and nice retirement packages, who needs to initiate a coup d'état in Malaysia, right?

I Nearly Joined The Army As A Military Lawyer

Don't get me wrong. As a person who comes from legal education background, I also believe in democracy. I do not believe in military dictatorship system. I still remember clearly in July 1994, just two weeks after I graduated from The University of Sheffield, I visited the Malaysian Army Stall at the Career Fair, held in conjunction with the Convocation Fair of Malaya University (UM). I nearly joined the army as a Military Lawyer. That time my waist-line was only 29 inches, not like now which is 45 inches waist-line. But perhaps it was not my destiny to join the army. That time, for reasons only known to herself, my wife was really against my intention to join the army.

Actually since I was in my primary school I always wanted to join the army as a military officer. I watched almost all the films related to army and combat. You name the film, I surely have watched it .The film like 'A Few Good Men' also inspired me to be a military lawyer. Tom Cruise brilliantly played the role of Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee who defends marine accused of murder in that movie.

Will I support Any Coup D'état In Malaysia?

Wow!..Wow!..Wow!, Well..Well..Well. 2 Colonels, 7 Majors, 1 captain and 1 PW1 inside a room. I said to myself, now would't it a good thing if we can ever discuss with all these military officers about a coup d'état in Malaysia?

Don't worry. Najib cannot arrest me under ISA as long as I am outside Malaysia. No Malaysian ISA (Internal Securty Act) here to arrest me. No ISA! Only maybe ISA Al-Halim, or ISA Al-Gozuli in Sudan.

Anyhow wasn't the former President of Sudan, Jaafar Nimeiri who died recently on 30 May 2009 was just a 'Colonel' when he and his nine fellow young military officers swept aside a Sudanese civilian government on 25 May 1969? So all together including him were 10 military officers who initiated the coup d'état in Sudan. What a coincidence that I met these 10 Malaysian military officers (2 Colonels, 7 Majors, 1 Captain) in a house in Sudan!

Even in Libya, Colonel Gaddafi was just a 'Captain' when he overthrew King Idris on September 1, 1969. After accepting a ceremonial promotion from 'Captain' to the rank of 'Colonel', he has remained at this rank since then.

It was also the case in Egypt, when Colonel Gamal Abdel Nasser deposed President Mohamed Naguib. Gamal Abdel Nasser remained a Colonel after seizing power in 1954.

In most recent case, on 14 May 1987, Sitiveni Rabuka (not Siti Nurhaliza, okay) was also just a 'Colonel' when he took over the civilian power in Fiji.

What's my point here rumbling, ranting. mumbling like a broken record about the history of coup d'état in some countries? My point is you do not need to be a General to initiate a coup. Just a Colonel will do. But seeing the faces of Lt Colonel Azman, Colonel Adam and all the Majors, I know they are all a bunch of loyal soldiers to the government of the day in Malaysia. I do not think these group of people will want to do a military coup in Malaysia. In fact the Al Maunah case remains a precedent case whereby an armed struggle against the Yang Di-Pertuan Agung (as a symbol of the government of the day) is punishable by death and considered as an act of treason.



Manohara Odelia Pinot

I must say that these military officers who are now serving in Sudan under the UNAMID and UNMIS banner really made me proud to be a Malaysian. These brave and brilliant soldiers have surely proved that they are worth every single Ringgit of taxpayer's money paying their salary in Malaysia. What about our flamboyant prince and politicians in Malaysia. Is it worth our tax money to pay them all the salary and perks which they are now enjoying?

Let's look at the most recent case involving our Tengku Temenggong Kelantan and his wife. I am very disturbed to read in the internet the embarrassing story of Manohara Odelia Pinot and our Tengku Temenggong Muhammad Fakhry from Kelantan palace.

The essence of the case is very simple. Manohara Odelia Pinot announced to the whole world that she was treated like a sex slave after her marriage last year to Tengku Fakhry, whose father is the Sultan of Kelantan. She escaped the prince's guards at a Singapore hotel and returned to her family in Indonesia with tales of abuse, rape and torture at the hands of the 31-year-old prince. But of course Tengku Temenggong has denied abusing his estranged teenage US-Indonesian model wife and he even threatened to launch legal action against her for making false allegations.

Who To Believe? Manohara Odelia Pinot or Tengku Temenggong?

Well..I cannot say for sure who are actually telling the truth. So I reserve my comment, at least for now. But as a Malaysian who used to work and live in Jakarta back in 1998, let me share with you my general opinion about the so-called 'socialite' like Manohara.

I am very reluctant to swallow everything narrated by Manohara, a well-known socialite in Jakarta and her mother, Daisy Lajarina who herself was on Interpol 'Red Notice' for the past one year. Mrs Fajarina was reportedly a suspect in a case of an Indonesian maid locked up in her house when she was in France last year. There are many ladies like Manohara Odelia Pinot not only in Jakarta but also in the whole world who are waiting to struck the 'lottery of their life' by being a 'princess' or consort of their respective prince charming.

Withdrawal of Support By Fellow Indonesians

I read in various newspapers including the Indonesian newspapers (via the internet), that an Indonesian NGO women activist (Ratna Sarumpaet) who previously offered her assistant to Manohara has also withdrawn her support because of the issue related to the real existence of evidence of sexual torture and abuse purportedly suffered by Manohara as a direct result from Tengku Temenggong's awkward sexual demands.

Another prominent Indonesian public figure that has withdrawn his support is OC Kaligis, a well-known lawyer in Jakarta. When I was working in Jakarta in 1998, I used to deal with OC Kaligis's law firm pertaining to certain legal matters of the company that employed me (but only with his senior staff, not with OC Kaligis directly). So I know the fact that people like OC Kaligis, Hotma Sitompoel and Adnan Buyung Nasution are all big names in the Indonesian legal fraternity.

So when OC Kaligis who initially offered his legal services to Manohara later also withdrew from representing her, citing difficulty of getting cooperation to gather evidences, my initial belief in the story of Manohara sexual torture has greatly diminished.

The Doctor's Claim. Can we just swallow it?

What about a forensic doctor by the name of Dr Mun'im Idries who told AFP news agency that there are slash wounds on many parts of Manohara's body, especially on her chest which he claimed some are still fresh?

Well..Let me put my response this way. Even if I really want, I myself can 'make' a Sudanese doctor to announce to the world that there are many slashes and wounds all over my body as a result of endless torture by a Sudanese lady. It maybe difficult to find that kind of doctor but it is still possible to get just one doctor who can make that claim, especialy if I have a lot of money and if I can guarantee the doctor that there will be a very high possibility he will not be subjected to any vigorous verification by any third party on his claim.

My point here is how credible is this doctor who made that claim on behalf of Manohara and her mother? Will this doctor be subjected to any cross-examinations by Tengku Temenggong's lawyer in a court of law? My experience living in Jakarta shows that you can buy almost everything in Jakarta when you have 'Dollars' in your hands. With all due respect to all my Indonesian friends, it is indeed a reality in Jakarta's life. I do not mean to insult the dignity of all the Indonesians by making this general statement. Of course there are still many good people in Jakarta. Thus, there surely have many more reliable doctors in Jakarta. But unless any third party doctor (not an Indonesian or a Malaysian doctor) who can validate the claim by this Dr Mun'im Idries, the claim of torture and abuse remains just a claim.

In a way, OC Kalingis and Ratna Sarumpaet's withdrawal of support shows that not all Indonesians are emotional and blindly supported their fellow citizens without solid evidence.

Do You Know What Substance You Injected Your Wife?

Having said that, I do not in any way try to say that Tengku Temenggong absolutely did not commit this heinous act of barbarism. Maybe he did. Who knows. Maybe he really cut Manohara's chest with a razor as claimed by Manohara. Maybe it is true that he injected Manohara with 'unidentified substance' before having sexual intercourse with her, also as claimed by Manohara. I do not mean to talk dirty here, but to all the Indonesians ladies I would like to say that we, the Malaysian men will definitely know fully well what kind of substance that we injected our wives during making love. For us, (normal Malaysian men) there is no such thing as 'unidentified substance'. Not like in your Manohara's case.

It's All About The Way of Making Love

If you really study very carefully all the news related to Manohara's saga, it seems that all her accusations against her husband, the Tengku Temenggong related to his treatments towards her during their private time as a husband and wife. In other words, most of the accusations related to the way they were making love. Isn't it disgusting?

If it is proven true that Tengku Temenggong engaged in such an inhumane act, this kind of behaviour is definitely not condoned by any average Malaysian men who are generally very romantic and loving.

Human, Not Cats and Dogs, Has Become More Daring In The Art of Making Love

But nowadays we never know. Human has become very complicated in fulfilling their sexual desire. Even the famous David Cardine, the star of 1970s TV series "Kung Fu" found hanging in a Bangkok hotel room last week. The Thai police have said they suspect Carradine died from a sex act that went wrong after his body was discovered on June 4 hanging from a wardrobe rail in a Bangkok hotel room, naked and with ropes attached to his neck and penis. You see! human are becoming very daring and strange.

I do not think animals dare to do this kind of act. I solemnly believe cats and dogs maintaining their very same way same when comes to making love, right from the Gengis Khan time until the present day. They never practice any sadism in their sexual intercourse. But please do not make any assumption that I know about this 'cats and dogs' thing because I keep on observing how these cats and dogs making love!

Leave Bigfoot Alone!

That's why in certain aspects, animals are sometimes better than certain group of human being. Those who know me surely can recall three years ago I strongly objected to the mission of so-called 'Bigfoot researchers' to capture Bigfoot that was said still roaming our Endau-Rompin jungle.

For me, leave that Mr Bigfoot alone. If they really exist, they have done nothing wrong to us, the human being.

Anyhow, have you ever read in any newspaper about any news regarding any Bigfoot was captured for raping our lady on Jalan Haji Taib? Have you ever watched any news in our television regarding any Bigfoot as a snatch-thief, riding on a motorcycle on broad daylight in Malaysia, snatching lady's handbag? No! Only human-being did that. With that I rest my case.


Jumpa lagi, Ma'as salaama, Permisi, Khoda Hafez, Pamitan, Bye for now. See you in my next posting...
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BEAUTIFUL SONG DEDICATED TO MY BELOVED WIFE
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