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 DayOn 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!
The Dilemma of 'Look Young'
Looking Young Can be Damaging!
Meet With 2 Colonels and 7 Majors
UNAMID and UNMIS - United Mission In Sudan
The Colonels!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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
I Nearly Joined The Army As A Military Lawyer
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.
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?
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?
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
