About Raining in Sudan, MRSM Muar & Silat Kuntau Tekpi

(Photo: Dark Cloud in Khartoum-Raining)

Opportunity To See Very Rare Raining Day As If You Were Seeing Lailatul Qadar Miracle!

Two days ago, Friday 17th of July was a rather special day in my Arkawit area in Khartoum because for the first time it was raining here. I was told since January this year 2009 this was the first time it was raining in Khartoum. Rain is so rare in Sudan that my friend, a Malaysian diplomat during his phone conversation with me said one of the Malaysians residing here even called his parents in Malaysia to tell them about the rain and how fortunate he was to see this raining day as if he was fortunate enough to see the magic of Lailatul Qadar. Lailatul Qadar is an auspicious night occurs normally in one of the last 10 days of Ramadhan night. We, the Muslim solemnly believe in Allah's promise that performing religious deeds (ibadah) during this night is better than total 1000 months of 'ibadah'. Normally we heard mysterious story about many strange things happen during this night of Lailatul Qadar.

For this week I would like to share with you my story regarding other fellow Malaysians that I met here in Khartoum, namely the United Nations officer, the Malaysian students and Petronas executives and engineers working in Sudan.

Before that, let me write something related to various matters that maybe interesting for you to read too.

(Photo: Aiwa Brand of Electrical Product)

Why the Sudanese Says "Aiwa, Aiwa" And Not "Toshiba, Toshiba". Is It Because They Love Japanese Aiwa Brand of Electrical Products?

Even though some Sudanese can speak English reasonably well, the common communication language in Sudan is still Arabic. Thus, in handling enquiries from the Sudanese regarding my company 3 services: Consultancy on "Doing Business in Malaysia", "Malaysia My Second Home" and "Malaysian Higher Education" I rely on my staff, Badreldin to make the accurate translation from Arabic to English and from English back to Arabic.

One thing for sure, over here the most frequent Arabic word that I heard been used by the Sudanese on daily basis is "Aiwa, Aiwa" which means "Yes, Yes". "Aiwa" is more a colloquial Arabic word used by the Sudanese Arab. If I am not mistaken, the rest of the Arab countries normally use "Na'am" to say "Yes".

So when you walk passing by a group of Sudanese talking in a shopping complex or bus station, it is ""Aiwa, Aiwa" here, "Aiwa, Aiwa" there, in fact everywhere is "Aiwa, Aiwa".

Too bad for Sony or Toshiba. No matter how aggressive their advertisement effort are, their competitor Aiwa Corporation also from Japan is still perceived as a very popular brand in Sudan, or is it?

We can hear almost in every conversation the word "Aiwa, Aiwa" surely comes out from the mouth of a Sudanese. Even the mute person will use the sign language to say "Aiwa, Aiwa"!

In a day perhaps at least 40 million times this "Aiwa, Aiwa' word being uttered because Sudan got 40 million population. It is impossible that a Sudanese says '"Aiwa" only once per day. So the total number of times this word "Aiwa" is said everyday by the Sudanese should be more than 40 millions time! I must say as a matter of fact a crawling baby also knows how to say "Aiwa, Aiwa". Its so easy to say "Aiwa"

So far I have never heard any Sudanese says 'Toshiba, Toshiba" here and "Toshiba, Toshiba" there, to denote they agree with what you are saying. I am willing to run 7 times circling around Khartoum International Airport (do a 'Tawaf'), with only wearing my Crocodile brand underwear if anybody can prove to me that they have heard Sudanese uttering the words "Toshiba, Toshiba, Toshiba" in their daily conversation to show their agreement with what you have been saying, instead of the normal "Aiwa, Aiwa".

The fact is they will forever say "Aiwa, Aiwa" because "Aiwa" simply means "Yes" in their dialect!

(Photo: Malay Muslim Praying. Do They Understand What They Recite?)

How The Malay Muslim Can Enjoy The Beauty of Praying If They Do Not Understand Arabic?

My other partner (Mr Mohamed Abujjoud) used to tell me that he felt strange to know a Muslim like me do not understand Arabic well. He maybe right. It is time for the Malay Muslim to learn and understand Arabic at least the basic Arabic.

If not, forever the Muslim Malay will not fully understand what they are saying in their 5 times daily prayer. Without knowing Arabic well, they will read Al Quran like a parrot. If the Malay Muslim do not understand the Arabic language well, so how can they ensure the fundamental thing in Islam like five time a day prayers can be done wholeheartedly and with passion?

(Photo: Learning Mandarin Language)

I Used To Have "E-Biz Language Centre" in Yong Peng

In Malaysia, the Malay, the Chinese and the Indian have been living together for more than 50 years. However it is actually a missed opportunity that these 3 ethnics do not take the chance of learning each other language very seriously.

There is no real effort from the Malay community to learn Mandarin. If any initiative to learn Mandarin in school been proposed I am sure the so-called Malay nationalists will oppose it in the name of Malay nationalism. What a waste of chance to enhance our multi-language skills, just because of narrow-mindedness of certain political leaders.

I remember last time I used to introduce a Mandarin course in my other company "E-Biz Language Centre" in Yong Peng, a small town not very far from Batu Pahat, Johor. The fact is very clear, besides English and Malay it is no harm for the Malays to learn Mandarin because knowing how to communicate reasonably well in Mandarin language will given them advantage when they do business with the Chinese not only in Malaysia but all over the world

I managed to get a part time Mandarin language teacher to teach Mandarin to my clients that registered to learn Mandarin at my small language centre . At that time, she actually taught Mandarin at one of the government secondary school during the school hour time.

Unfortunately my effort stopped half way. If not, I believe my crusade to make a lot of Malays understand Mandarin language has surely by now bear the fruits.

I have done my best to encourage the Malays in my area in Yong Peng that time to learn Mandarin. Even the qualified Mandarin language graduate that I took as my part time Mandarin teacher was not only a very good Mandarin language teacher, but also she was young, highly educated, experienced, attractive, charming and definitely sexy too.

I can bet if Zhang Ziyi, the mainland China actress came to my language centre that time, she will also be impressed to see my part time Mandarin teacher appearance. I did not simply take any Chinese auntie or worst any 'expired' uncle as my Mandarin language teacher. Yet it still failed to generate interest among the Malays to learn Mandarin. What can I say...you can bring a horse to the river but you cannot force that horse to drink, especially if that horse has chosen to be a damn stubborn horse!

(Photo: MRSM Logo)

My Sweet MRSM Muar Time

For the benefits of my non-Malaysian blog readers, let make explain to them that the word "MRSM" is the Malay acronym for "Mara Junior Science College" and Mara is a government agency responsible to ensure the development of the Malays, the majority ethnic group in Malaysia. MRSM is a full boarding school that used to have student admission from secondary level Form 1 until Form 5.

Normally in order to get admission into MRSM, the students must get a good result during their primary school final examinations and also must pass the MRSM special admission examinations. So, by right those who have managed to get admission to MRSM should be students who excelled in their primary school level.

In my earlier blog posting I mentioned that my 2 other Malaysian partners for my Pro-Versatile Group Worldwide are Huzaini Binti Hussein, a former MRSM Terendak student and Nafisah Binti Wahab, a former MRSM Jasin student. Both are chartered accountants and this partnership is unique because I come from different background from them. I come from legal background, having graduated with a law degree from The University of Sheffield. I myself was a MRSM Muar student. We are all in the same age and come from the same "Batch 83" in our respective MRSM.

(Photo: Dr Sheikh Muszaphar, First Malaysian Astronaut)

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar or Syarifah Muszaphariah?

Even though other prominent boarding school like Malay College Kuala Kangsar (MCKK) has produced far more prominent public figures, I think former MRSM students nowadays gradually take over the limelight from time to time.

The so-called Malaysian first astronaut Datuk Sheikh Muszaphar was also my junior two years in MRSM Muar. That time when I was in Form 3, he was just admitted to MRSM Muar in Form 1.

In MRSM Muar that time he was so 'beautiful' (yes, "beautiful" is the appropriate word, not "handsome") to the extend if we put a "tudung" or Muslim woman's veil on him, he will immediately change to "Syarifah Muszaphariah" rather than Sheikh Muszaphar!

I bet nobody in MRSM Muar would expect that one day one time this beautiful Sheikh Muszaphar will be the first Malaysian astronaut that has managed to pass many physical and endurance tests.

What If There Is "MRSM Khartoum"?

We are very proud with the fact that three of us, the partners, come from MRSM background although from three different MRSM located at three different places.

In fact I am sure if there exists "MRSM Khartoum" I will choose a former MRSM Khartoum student as our partner.

Unfortunately we do not have any MRSM Khartoum over here. So we do not mind to have Sudanese partners like Mr Abdul Jalil Abujjoud, Mr Mohammad Abujjoud and Mr Mutasim Osman, who are all very experienced businessmen, older than us. Since there is no "MRSM Khartoum" here maybe during their secondary school time they went to "Sekolah Menengah Seri Khartoum"!

(Photo: No Smoking Poster)

Those Caught Smoking During MRSM TIme Should Smoke Two Cigarettes At One Time Now to Celebrate Their Freedom!

During my MRSM Muar time I was appointed as the Head Prefect in 1987. The Head Prefect position in a boarding school like MRSM Muar is like the Inspector General of Police of the school. Of course as the "Inspector General of Police" of MRSM Muar I was hated by students who committed disciplinary cases. That's why whenever I met the students that I used to report their name for various disciplinary problems, I would ask for their forgiveness for my "sin" reporting them to the Discipline Teacher. They just laughed at my jokes.

It is ironic that some of the students whom last time I caught smoking in the dormitory are now non smokers! I thought the ultimate freedom now that enable them to do whatever they want to do outside MRSM life, they maybe want to smoke cigarettes as many as possible now since they were not allowed to do that during their MRSM time. I even expect them to smoke two cigarettes at one time in order to express their sense of freedom whenever I met them again. No! I was wrong. Even some of them do not smoke at all.

(Photo: The 'Sinful' Jeans)

In MRSM Muar, It Is A Sin To Wear Jeans (Not Owning or Rearing 'Jin')

On the hindsight, I admit now that some of the MRSM discipline rules that as the Head Prefect I used to enforce it, by hook or by crook, were indeed ridiculous though.

Do you know that MRSM students are not allowed to wear jeans as their pants or trousers during their time in MRSM including after the official school hours and in the dormitory. It is considered as a big sin to wear jeans in MRSM.

You did not need to have a nude lady by the name of "Billy Jean" (remember Michael Jackson song?) hiding inside your cupboard, because just by having a pair of jeans nicely hidden in your cupboard would enough to make a Gestapo Head like me gone mad and straight ran as fast as "Forrest Gump" to Cikgu Atan Lazi, the MRSM Muar Discipline Teacher to make a report!

Excuse me...I am not talking about the student rearing or owning a "Jin" (genie or ghost) here, for goodness sake just an innocent piece of blue jeans only!

I would agree if the students receive appropriate punishment for owning or rearing any kind of 'Jin' (genie or ghost) but blue jeans? That's ridiculous, right? Yet...I was the Head of Gestapo a.k.a Head Prefect that enforced that ridiculous rule in MRSM Muar in 1987.

I think now there are many ex-MRSM students become public figures in Malaysia.

For example, MIA former President, Mr Nik Mohd Hasyudeen Yusoff used to be a MRSM Kota Bharu student (his MIA Presidency ended on 15th of July recently, that's why I used the word 'former'). I was also told that Datuk Seri Shazzalli Ramly, Celcom CEO was also a MRSM student but I am not sure from which particular MRSM.

If I am not mistaken, so was Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir, Deputy International Trade Minister. In addition, another blogger who has also got XXL-size body similar like me, Zakhir Mohamed a.k.a "bigdogdotcom" was my 3 years senior in MRSM Muar.

In fact, Engku Emran (Suria FM CEO) who 'defeated' Hans Isaac to win the heart of our Malaysian actress and ex-Miss Malaysia beauty queen, Erra Fazira, also did his A-Level course in MRSM Kuala Lumpur, Taman Shamelin Perkasa.


(Photo: The Real "Mr Malaysia")

How Do You Feel To Be Called "Mr Malaysia"

Normally you will be called "Miss Malaysia" after you won a national beauty competition like our beauty queen Erra Fazira who has won national beauty competition more than 10 years ago. She was Miss Malaysia/World in 1992 and she was also the 3rd runner up for Miss South East Asia for the 1992/1993 session.

On the other hand, "Mr Malaysia" is for a Malaysian man who has won the body building Malaysian national competition. Talking about "Mr Malaysia" I want to share with you my story related to this "Mr Malaysia" title.

All this while each time I bumped into my landlord who stayed on the top floor of my apartment building he would definitely say to me: "Hello Malaysia! How are you? Is everything alright". He is a very friendly and caring landlord. Sometimes from a distance he would call me: "Hello Malaysia!" "Malaysia! Malaysia!". Unbelievable but it's true that he called me "Malaysia".

You see...He called me "Malaysia". Thank God he did not call me "Malaysia Anak Sylvester" like certain name of an "Orang Asli" (Aborigines) in Malaysia. I think he called me "Malaysia" because it's difficult for him to remember a Malaysian name like mine. No Sudanese has got "Khairul" as his name.

And quite a couple of times when I asked his workers' assistance to have a look at the room air conditioner in my room who sometimes was not functioning, his workers called me "Mr Malaysia". That's even smashing. Yeah! I am "Mr Malaysia" but I do not recall how many times I have won Malaysian body building championship.

Wow! The moment I was called "Mr Malaysia" immediately I tried to hold my breath for a few minutes to ensure my big tummy looks flat a little bit even though for a few minutes only, so that it does not look so huge. I nearly lost my breath doing that 'show-off' act.

For me, it was an honour to be called "Mr Malaysia" even though in reality I can never win any "Mr Malaysia" in whatever category you want me to participate either in heavyweight or featherweight category. But I guess maybe, just maybe, only in "Bantal"weight (not bantamweight) category I may win! (Note: "Bantal" is the Malay word for "pillow")


(Photo: Mr Azmi. The Man From United Nations. See the Similarity of His Face With The Late Actor A.Rahim Below Photo)

The Malaysian From United Nations

Three weeks ago I met another Malaysian that loves to work and live overseas. His name is Mr Azmi (for protocol reason, I unable to state his full name here) who is now working for one of the agency under United Nations (UN). I was introduced to him at Laziz Restaurant by one the Malaysian diplomat from the Embassy of Malaysia in Khartoum. Mr Azmi is now based in Southern Sudan.

Southern Sudan is unique in the sense that it is governed by GOSS (Government of Southern Sudan) which is predominantly Negro Christians as compared to the Northern Sudan which majority of the people are Muslim of Northern African Arab descent. Under the terms of the deal with the central government of Republic of Sudan in 2005, the south has been given a large degree of autonomy and the chance to vote for full independence in 2011. Juba is its capital city.

(Photo: The Official Crest of Government of Southern Sudan)

Southern Sudan President is Salva Kiir, Any Relationship With Khir Toyo?

By the way, Southern Sudan has its own President by the name of President Salva Kiir. Initially when I heard the word "Kiir" immediately I thought of "Khir Toyo" the former Menteri Besar (Chief Minister) of the state of Selangor in Malaysia. I was surprised because the pronunciation of the President's name is similar to Khir Toyo.

Do you know that Tun Daim Zainudin after he was not re-appointed as the Finance Minister has gone to Ghana and other African countries to set up his own bank? His International Commercial Bank (ICB) even won ‘Bank of the Year in Guinea 2004’, while his bank in Ghana is a member of the ‘Ghana Club 100’, which gives recognition to successful organizations based on growth and profitability.

So I was wondering after loosing power in Selangor in March 2009 General Election, Khir Toyo perhaps followed the footstep of Tun Daim and migrated to Sudan and change his name. If he in fact migrated to Africa, it seems that Khir Toyo has to undergo another facial treatment to look very much like an African. Last time only God knows what he has done to his face that changed tremendously from a pure Javanese face to much more modern face like his face now.


(Photo: Khir Toyo Before and After Tempe Treatment?)

United Nations Vehicles are Everywhere in Sudan

Mr Azmi actually just arrived from Malaysia for a three weeks holiday because his wife and his children are living in Kuala Lumpur. He only goes back to Malaysia occasionally maybe every 3 or 6 months. So from Khartoum he will take a United Nations (UN) flight to Juba. Over here you can see UN planes parked on the tarmac of Khartoum International Airport, UN four-wheel drive vehicles on the streets of Khartoum and UN buildings can be seen in many parts of Khartoum. Thus it is not a strange thing that upon seeing your rather different face, some Khartoum people may think you are working with UN.


(Photo: Actor, The Late Allahyarham A.Rahim With His Silat Kuntau Tekpi Uniform and Selendang Award)

What is Seni Silat Kuntau Tekpi?

Mr Azmi is a Perak boy. At first when I saw him, I realized that his face very much resembling our Malay actor the late Allahyarham A.Rahim. A.Rahim used to learn the same brand of seni silat like me when I was doing my A level in Kuala Lumpur (Note: "Seni Silat" is the Malay martial arts or self defence technique).

The silat group that I myself brought to MRSM Cheras during my A-Level time was Seni Silat Kuntau Tekpi. This seni silat originally from Kedah and was founded by Panglima Taib, a warrior in Kedah Palace very long time ago (around year 1556). It is believed that Seni Silat Kuntau Tekpi was first taught to the Sultan of Kedah.
.
You see...a Majapahit Palace descendant like me tried to broaden my horizon by learning a Malay-based Seni Silat Kuntau Tekpi. Seni Silat Kuntau Tekpi uses 'Tekpi' (below photo) which is known as the “King of All Weapons”.

In 1989 almost everybody in MRSM Cheras A-Level Centre knew that I was the one who brought this Seni Silat Kuntau Tekpi to MRSM Cheras (Masya Allah.Tabaraka Allah). I drafted the constitution for the MRSM Cheras Seni Silat Kuntau Tekpi Association, in order for the management of MRSM Cheras to approve my proposal to set-up this association in MRSM Cheras.


(Photo: Seni Silat Kuntau Tekpi Logo)

How do I know about Seni Silat Kuntau Tekpi?

I actually read one of the brochures about this Seni Silat Kuntau Tekpi. Since the name was very strange and in the brochure the writer claim that this silat's body movement will not go beyond the area of a Muslim prayer-mat in order to nail down and 'lock' the attacker, I really tried to trace the address printed inside the brochures.

The address brought me to a house in Kampung Klang Gate. Over there I met Mr Fandi Salleh Ghani (the son of Allahyarham Salleh Ghani, the famous Malay film director). He in turn brought me to see Mr Baharuddin Abdul Aziz who was famously called 'Uncle Bob'. Uncle Bob was at that time one of the leaders of Seni Silat Kuntau Tekpi for the Selangor and Kuala Lumpur area.

"Special Branch" Bukit Aman versus "Normal Branch"

Uncle Bob was working in Bukit Aman that time (Headquarters of Malaysian Royal Police). He told me that Seni Silat Kuntau Tekpi was actively being practiced by many members of the Malaysian Police Special Branch Unit. When we mention the words 'Special Branch' it definitely carries weight. When you said you were working in 'Special Branch' at least you will be given some attention from the person that you are talking to. The word 'Special' is there, not for nothing. If not, better call that unit just 'Normal Branch'.

Let's say you are standing in the middle of a busy restaurant and you yell: "Hello, attention please...I come from 'Normal Branch' of police and I need to get your cooperation to show me all your Identity Card". I think nobody would really take you seriously especially when you emphasize on the word 'Normal' when you said it. But the moment you scream you are from 'Special Branch' I can guarantee you that you will get the appropriate attention that you deserved!

The best part of this Silat Kuntau Tekpi was that time the graduation or the final spiritual testing night was held at Gunung Ledang (Mount Ophir). Gunung Ledang is one of the most peaceful, serene, spiritually clean and romantic mountain in the world. This is Gunung Ledang. I would not care to mention it if the graduation or final test was held at Arena All Stars Genting Highlands or Sunway Lagoon. For goodness sake, it was held at the peak of Gunung Ledang! Fuh! It sounds like we were in Hang Tuah era!

The rest was history. I was the first president and founder of the Association of Seni Silat Kuntau Tekpi in MRSM Cheras (Masya Allah.Tabaraka Allah). As the president of the association I managed to get some fund under co-curriculum activity allocation to build a village-style Silat 'Gelanggang' (training place). With that allocation money we build the floor of the 'Gelanggang' with tons of white sand and we bought canvas plastic to be used as the four corners wall of the 'Gelanggang'. So sweet to practice seni silat directly under the shining light of the moon and the twinkling of thousands stars during the bright night sky.


(Photo: Shah Rukh Khan, Bollywood Star Wearing a Songkok, a Malay Headgear)

I Used To Wear 'Songkok' All The Time Except While Taking My Bath

Most of the students in MRSM Cheras that time knew me because of this Seni Silat Kuntau Tekpi Association. My appearance was similar to Dicky Zulkarnain, the famous Indonesian movie star who played a leading role in "Si Pitung Macan Betawi" (Si Pitung the Tiger of Jakarta) film, because all the time I wore 'songkok' (the traditional Malay headgear like the above photo), except when I was sleeping and when I was taking my bath.

Please...I can't take my bath and at the same time having my 'songkok' on my head and wearing nothing else except my Crocodile brand underwear. It would be weird, wouldn't it? Even the mental hospital veteran will be very reluctant to take his bath by wearing his underwear only and at the same time having a songkok on his head!

(Photo: A Javanese Girl Demonstrating Javanese Silat Martial Art)

I Belong To Majapahit Silat Style!

However, even though the self defence techniques and the locking techniques of this Seni Silat Kuntau Tekpi was indeed superb and one of the best among all types of silat, I found out later the hands and body movement or shall I say the 'silat dance' is not tuned to my blood, a Majapahit Palace descendant.

For people who are long enough in the silat world will understand what I am trying to say here. The Malay-based silat body movement is entirely different from the Javanese-based silat hand, body and even neck and head movement. I found out that a Majapahit Palace descendant blood like me do not belong to this Malay-based silat. I have to go back to where I belong which is the Majapahit Javanese silat!

(Photo: A beautiful Cambodian Lady)

The Baby Turned Blue Because The Cambodian Mum Unable To Breastfeed Him Anymore

Back to the story of my meeting with Mr Azmi, the United Nations officer. At Laziz Restaurant he shared with me his experience working in different parts of the world. He used to work in countries such as Combodia and Timor Leste. There were so many good and bad things that he has experienced throughout his duty as a UN officer.

He told me that in Cambodia for instance he used to meet a poor woman on the roadside begging for help while carrying a baby on her arm. He found out that the baby was already turned blue even though he saw the woman try to massage the baby with her hands to make the baby 'warm'. That poor Cambodian women explained to him that she has got nothing else left to feed the baby. Even the milk from her breast has stopped flowing making her not possible to breastfeed her baby. Mr Azmi gave her some money to buy food but it was too late because by that time the baby's soul has already left this life full of misery on Planet Earth to live happily in heaven, leaving his kind mother to grieve alone on the streets of Cambodia.

He said the more he saw many deplorable conditions in different parts of the world, the more he tend to value the luxury of living in Malaysia, a paradise on earth!


(Photo: Belacan, the Malay Prawn Shrimp Paste)

Well...If Almost Everyday You Eat 'Durian' It Will Taste Like 'Belacan'

At the time when he narrrated his various stories regarding his experience working in many parts of the world under the UN banner, he looked very serious and sad but the moment I asked him whether he just came back from Malaysia to see his wife and children after more than 3 months been separated, out of sudden his face turned jovial and sweet like rainbow and sunshine.

Well...I also travelled a lot and I always left my wife at home too, so I can understand this man's bombastic, fantastic and smashing feeling meeting his wife again. All of you are not cute innocent kindergarten kids. So allow me to explain this way. You know...when you have not eaten durian for 3 months and out of sudden you have been given the chance to eat it, only God knows how to describe the sweetnesss, the joy, the juicy, the romanticness of eating the durian!

But if almost everyday you are eating durian, I can assure you even the best durian grade D4, D7 or even grade D9000 also will make you feel tasteless as if you are eating belacan, instead of the delicious durian! How do I know? I know..lah.
(Note: "Durian" is the Malaysian King of Fruits and "Belacan" is prawn shrimp paste)



(Photo: UN Plane)

Different Mission, Same Character

In term of age, Mr Azmi is only 2 years senior than me (he is 41 and I am 39 years old) but in term of life experience in dealing with people living in crisis areas he is clearly very much my senior that I can learn a lot from him. Again, his humility and his natural friendliness no doubt makes him suit well with this United Nations job. I was told that perhaps after this he will be working in Switzerland, but still under the banner of United Nations.

Mr Azmi also told me that if I consider the situation in Khartoum already bad compared to Malaysia (in term of hot weather, frequent electricity disruption, expensive daily consumer goods) then the situation in Darfur and Juba is even worse.

The similarity between Mr Azmi and I is we love to go to different parts of the world on the quest of our career. He has gone to Cambodia, Timor Leste, Afghanistan, now Sudan and then Switzerland in the course of his employment, while I have been to Jakarta, China, Iran, UK, now Sudan and my next destination maybe Karachi, even though officially I am based in the United Kingdom.

He has gone around the world to work under the United Nations banner but I will go around the world to train my local partner of my branch office to promote 3 different services: "Doing Business in Malaysia", "Malaysia My Second Home Programme' and "Malaysian Higher Education". Different mission but both of us carry the good name of Malaysia, our country that we love dearly.


(Photo: Petronas Complex in Khartoum)

The Stylish and Cash-Rich Petronas Engineers in Sudan

Last Wednesday night, 15th July 2009 the nice and friendly Malaysian diplomat that I described in great length in my July 11 blog-posting, have brought me to attend a Thanks Giving ("Majlis Kesyukuran") ceremony hosted by a Pattani Malay businessman who just married to a Malaysian lady from Subang, Selangor. This established but down-to-earth Malay businessman name is Mr Bukhari. He invited more than 50 Malaysians currently residing in Khartoum to his apartment for this "Majlis Kesyukuran". This group of Malaysians consist of Petronas staffs working in Khartoum, Malaysian students in Sudan and Malaysian Embassy staffs.

This was the first time I met my fellow Malaysians in a large group. There were many different Malaysian food and dishes prepared by Mr Bukhari's newlywed wife. We were really spoilt for choice. It has been quite a long time I have not eaten rice here in Khartoum because I really do not have time to cook myself. Normally I just eat "Shaworma" (bread with meat inside). That night there was no electricity supply in Khartoum. So this "Majlis Kesyukuran" was really romantic in the sense that we use a kind of light resembling candle to light-up the guest area of the house.

During the occasion, I met and talked to many Malaysians. Most of them were very junior in term of age compared to me because majority of them are Malaysians students and Petronas staffs. I was told that there are no less than 300 Malaysians currently working under various Petronas group of companies in Sudan.

Most of them are living in 'Petronas Complex'. These bright and intellectual looking Petronas engineers really make our country proud. When our country just got our independence 52 years ago I think nobody at that time could visualize that one day one time a lot of Malaysian expatriates would work all over the world to share and render their skills and expertise in other developing countries like these bright and smart Petronas Malaysian engineers working in Sudan.

Petronas which was founded in 1974 is the only Malaysian company that listed in "Fortune 100" companies in the world. In fact, Fortune ranks Petronas as the 95th largest company in the world in 2008. In term of profitability, Fortune also ranks Petronas as the 8th most profitable company in the world. What about in Asia? Fortune ranks Petronas as the most profitable company in Asia.

With its revenue total up to USD75.5 billion in 2009, you will feel 'something' when meeting these Petronas engineers. Working with such a gigantic company like Petronas, this group of Malaysian expatriates in Sudan are surely enjoying a lucrative salary and benefits package.

(Photo: Highly Motivated Javanese Warrior in Action)

My Motivational Positive Self-Talk

For a small businessman like me, (but with a huge ambition to set up my branch in every corner of the world for those 3 services: "Doing Business in Malaysia", "Malaysia My Second Home" and "Malaysia Higher Education"), I tried to motivate myself in my heart not to be "psychologically intimidated" by this cash-rich and well-paid Petronas engineers.

I whispered to myself: "Even though I am a small businessman, unlike those Petronas expatriates who have got a high fixed salary, my own company business income can be limitless, depend upon how much sales that my business can generate".

I also kept myself in high spirit by saying to my heart again: "No matter how high the position that this particular Petronas engineer is now having in Petronas, he cannot pass his good job position in Petronas to be inherited by his children, unlike me (and my other partners) who can pass this business entity to be inherited by our children for generations to go"

But of course I kept this kind of "motivational positive self-talk" to myself only. This is for my own self motivation only. It will be deeply offending if I tell them about this undisputed facts.

Furthermore, the Petronas engineers that I met were all a bunch of friendly Malaysians who did not show that, they by virtue of their employment with Petronas, were much better than the other Malaysians living in Khartoum. They are indeed a group of highly educated professionals who are also humble with an admirable degree of good manners.

I Should Promote "Malaysia My Home" Programme To a Malaysian Student Who Had Been Living in Sudan for a Long Time And Forget Malaysia is His Home!

As for the students, there are curently 23 Malaysian students studying in Sudan. Most of them studying in International University of Africa (IUA) in Khartoum. The International University of Africa is more or less having the similar concept with our home grown International Islamic Universisty (UIA or IIU) in Malaysia. Students in International University of Africa come from more than 50 countries all over the world including Malaysia.

After I explained to them that I am here in Khartoum to assist my local Sudanese partner to set up our North African first branch in Sudan and we are promoting 3 services: "Doing Business in Malaysia", "Malaysia My Second Home'' and 'Malaysia Higher Education", one of them jokingly told me that I need to help him to promote to his fellow Malaysian friend the "Malaysia My Home" programme (not "My Second Home", just "My Home" without the word "Second").

I asked him: "Why? By the way he is indeed a Malaysian" So this man told me that his friend (a Malaysian student who had been living in Sudan for quite a long time) obviously forget that Malaysia is his home! And I should promote "Malaysia My Home" to entice his friend to go back to Malaysia!

Shortly after the Thanks Giving ceremony ended, the Malaysian diplomat who brought me to Mr Bukhari's house suggested that a group of 8 male students, himself and I walked to this Malaysian students' house nearby. So we decided to walk. It's quite far actually. It took more than 20 minutes to walk in the middle of the night in Khartoum to reach the students' house. We passed-by many houses and many small shops. As a matter of fact, we also passed-by somebody who slept outside the shop, on his portable bed. This is how safe Khartoum is..

(Photo: University Mosque In International University of Africa, Khartoum)

I Salute Malaysian Students in Khartoum. Why?

Upon reaching the students' house, that Malaysian diplomat and I decided to have a casual talk with the students inside the house. During that discussion I came to know that almost all of the Malaysian students in Sudan are funded by their own parents to study in Khartoum. None of them received any kind of financial assistance from the government of Malaysia

I must say to you when I saw the face of each one of the Malaysian students that night I felt a kind of solace and peace in my heart. Their faces were so innocent and calm. I can't describe to you what I mean by 'innocent and calm face' but we can feel it when we see it, unlike when I see faces such as Nazri Aziz the cabinet minister's face, or Zambry Kadir, the fake Perak MB's face.

One of them told me that normally their parents take care only for their air ticket expenses. As for the daily expenses and the university tuition fees they will source the fund themselves by working part time as a cook or by using their own word, working part time as a 'Bibik' in the house of Petronas expatriate who does not have time to cook Malaysian dishes but have plenty of money to pay this student to cook for them.

Some of the students also work part-time teaching Arabic language to the children of Petronas engineers or executives who are working in Sudan. It was a poignant moment for me upon listening attentively to their story about their hardwork to finance their own study in Khartoum.

To this Malaysian students in Sudan, let me put on record that I salute you. I really do. You are the symbol of a courageous group of Malaysian teenage students who manage to live on your own. You are indeed much better than those group of Malay students in Malaysia who forever expected to be spoon-fed all the time.

As my token of respect towards this group of Malaysian students in Sudan I have decided to put their association official newsletter name in the list of newspapers from all over the world that you can read in my blog. Just go to the topical heading "Read Newspapers From All Over The World" in my blog. You can read their newsletter by double-clicking the newspaper title "Sudan-PMMS Mahasiswa Malaysia"

Below are a list of my writing that were published under the 'Comments' column in "Malaysia Today" or "Malaysian Insider" portals that I have decided not to publish as the main writing in my own blog because it is very political in nature.

I believe some of my blog readers are avid supporters of UMNO and BN party. Thus, as my way to show my personal respect to them I would like to highlight and caution them upfront that a lot my writing reproduced below is very much against many policies subscribed by the existing Malaysia federal government.

I am not a PAS member (yet). Neither am I a PKR or DAP member. But I have my own opinion on every issue happening in Malaysia now. However my opinion may offend the feeling of some of my blog readers who are now supporting the federal government of Malaysia. For that, I apologize to you on the manner my opinion is expressed but I will never apologize to anybody, not even to the Supreme King of Malaysia for having my own personal opinion on the matter or issue that I discussed below. Happy Reading!


(Photo: A Catholic Priest)

MY COMMENT ON AL ISLAM MAGAZINE JOURNALIST SEARCHING FOR MUSLIM TEENAGERS INSIDE A CHURCH
(Posted as a Comment in Malaysia Today Portal 15th July 2009)

As a practicing Muslim, I love my religion very dearly. Hence, when we love something with all our heart, naturally my heart is broken everytime I heard any effort to convert my fellow Muslim to any other religion.

Having said that, however I must say that it is extremely embarrassing for me to read that my other fellow Muslims (whether a journalist or the Islamic religious Department staffs) have to go to the extend searching and exploring every corner inside a Christian church like a Nazi officer searching for the Jews, just to ensure no Muslim 'remaja' (teenager) convert to Christianity.

Is my religion that not 'saleable' or good at all that people have to be forced to remain in Islam?

Instead of searching for any teenager in a Christian church, can't all this so-called Islamic religious departments see the moment they step out from their comfortable air-conditioning office there are a lot of Muslim remaja or teenagers are indeed longing for their help, their attention, their love, their Muslim brotherhood. They do not need to search who are among the Muslim teenagers are dying for their help, their attention, their love or their Muslim brotherhood. They are everywhere!

I still remember when I was doing my law degree in the UK, every morning the very moment my neighbour, a Catholic priest saw my face, the first thing he would say was:

"HOW ARE YOU TODAY MY SON? ARE YOU ALRIGHT? IS THERE ANYTHING THAT I CAN HELP YOU TODAY?"

My question is very simple how many Imam, Ulamak or Islamic leaders have expressly manisfested their love and their utmost Muslim brotherhood value by asking more or less the same question like my neighbour's Catholic priest asked me EACH time he saw my face?

Because if they really do, I believe they do not have to put themselves to that low acting like a Nazi officer searching for a Jews in a Jewish synagogue! And the teenager will remain in Islam without any force. I love my religion!


(Photo: Islamic Party of Malaysia PAS Flag)

MY COMMENT ON PAS PARTY SLIM MAJORITY IN MANEK URAI BY ELECTION
(Posted as a Comment in Malaysia Today Portal 15th July 2009)

Alhamdulillah. Praise to the Lord.

I thank God that Islamic Party has won the Manek Urai By-Election.

Whether a person has died because of cancer, or car accident or fighting on the street, or drown at Irama Beach Bachok, he is still considered as a dead man, no matter what is the cause of his death.

So no matter whether you won with a majority of 65 votes or 650 votes or even 6.5 votes, a win is still a win. It does not mean if you won with majority of 65,000 votes you will have a seat or chair made from gold in Parliament or those who won with 65 votes majority you will get a chair or seat made from old forest wood!

I am of the opinion, there is no such thing as government money, all are taxpayers' money. The rakyat or the people is the "Shareholders" because they pay tax that later been used for development etc, while the government of the day is just the 'Manager' only. So how come the "Manager" (government) can threaten the "Shareholder" (the voters or people) that unless they vote for the federal government of the day (BN), they will not get a new bridge. It was fundamentally very wrong for Muhyiddin Yassin to promise that Manek Urai voters will only get the new bridge if BN wins this by-election.

The present governmemt cabinet ministers are mere 'Managers' selected by the Malaysian voters to manage the taxpayers' money. If the voters do not like this "Managers", they will kick out this 'Managers' in the General Election". The ownership of the money still remains in the hand of the taxpayers or the citizens of Malaysia. At no time this taxpayers money belong to the government ministers ("Managers")!

In the same breath, I would like to REPRIMAND all the Pakatan Rakyat leaders that I can tolerate people who are very stupid but I certainly cannot tolerate with certain PR leaders who are very PROUD of their stupidity with many conflicting provocative statements among themselves. My high blood pressure 'went upstairs to 88th floor' each time I read silly comments and squabbles among the PAS, DAP and PKR leaders! Wake up PR leaders if you want to be our alternative government!


(Photo: United Malay National Organization UMNO Flag)

MY COMMENT ON THE EFFECT OF THE RESULT IN MANEK-URAI BY ELECTION
(Posted as a Comment in Malaysia Today Portal 16th July 2009)

Even though I am not a Kelantanese, having married to a Kelantanese for 16 years and quite closed to my wife's Kelantanese's village locals, I tend to know the Kelantanese people general pattern of thinking and the way they do things.

If UMNO think this Manek Urai 'victory' in reducing the majority just to a mere 65 votes is the ultimate reference point that the voters are coming back to them, they have made a mistake that is so basic and will be proven fatal to their fate coming next coming General election.

However, I do not mind that UMNO made this mistake because I do not want Malaysian taxpayers money continuously been used as a ransom by this group of just mere "Managers" (Goverment Ministers) against us and to intimidate us, the ultimate "Shareholders" (taxpayers of the country).

Whenever there is a by-election, this mere "Managers' without slightest of shame try to offer or bribe their own "Shareholders' who are the real owner of this taxpayers money, by saying unless they vote for BN, they will not get money for certain infrastrucure projects in their area.

How dare this "Managers" threaten the "Shareholders", whom by virtue of paying tax are the real owner of the money!

PAS supporters in Kelantan are definitely not the same demographically like PAS supporters in West Coast states like Johor Melaka etc. Over here in Kelantan I also came to know there are some Muslim PAS supporters who even do not pray 5 times a day.

Believe it or not a 'gedebeh' street fighter who in front of me swallowed a lizard alive also among the die-hard PAS supporters in Kelantan. However, I must confess and I cannot deny the fact that the majority of PAS supporters in Kelantan are indeed very religious and very knowledgeable about Islam.

My point here is traditionally in a certain village in Kelantan the numbers of die-hard UMNO supporters and die-hard PAS supporters in a village are normally more or less the same. For me, it is very surprising to know that with so many ulamak in Kelantan and so many religious school, yet there are people who still support UMNO party in Kelantan.

For UMNO supporters in Kelantan they will claim that there is no point to support PAS, whose members are also as bad as them in their daily islamic practice and manners (akhlak). Their degree of stubborness or their dedication to go against PAS will increase the moment they know this particular PAS members who never really practice Islam and as bad as them in term of the manners (akhlak) of Islam trying to riducule UMNO's struggle for Islam.

This is not the same when we see majority of PAS members in the west coast, say Johor for example is very much different in term of their Islamic daily practice commitment, manners (akhlak), and also their clean and honest appearance as compared to typical UMNO members in a village in Johor.

You can immediately tell whether this man supports UMNO or PAS in a village in Johor just by seeing how they carry themselves. It is not difficult to judge the book by looking at its cover in Johor, unlike in the case of Susan Boyle, the Scottish singer.

There are so many factors that made PAS has only managed to get 65 votes majority in Manek Urai by election. It is more towards internal unproductive squabbling within PAS itself. With the big nonsense about unity talk with UMNO, people shockingly find out the unspeakable possiblity that PAS has no clear direction about with whom they want to cooperate to form the next alternative governmeent in Malaysia. In short, it is PAS own doing that contributed to this reduction of majority.

In Johor, I can confidently say the answer will be absolutely in the negative if I throw out this following question: "Show me ANY PAS Divison Head that has been enriching himself by virtue of having his position as the PAS Division Head"

But if you want me to show which UMNO leaders at various levels in Johor who have not benefitted from any single thing from government projects ot tenders no matter how small it is, whether directly or indirectly, I think even Pak Pandir can answer it faster than "Jamal Malik" character in "Slumdog Millionaire" movie!


(Photo: The Dead Body of Teoh Beng Hock)

MY COMMENT ON THE LATE TEOH BENG HOCK MYSTERIOUS DEATH
(Posted as a Comment in Malaysia Today Portal 17th July 2009)

This is too much. Way too much. I do not know whether this MACC interrogators simply do not have got brain or they really desperate to show other people that inside their head is actually empty, really empty without the physical complete structure of a human brain.

How do you know that in each every people's head there is a human being anatomy which all of us call brain? Yes, B-R-A-I-N? For anything that is hidden or cannot be seen, the possibility is it maybe exist and it maybe not.

So I guess these so-called MACC investigators surely so hard-up and desperate to show to the other Malaysian citizens that indeed there is no brain inside their head. For if they have, surely they will not act worse than Nazi interrogators grilling this poor young man from 5pm on Wednesday till 3.45am on Thursday morning.

Whether there is a provision under the law that a witness (not a suspect) to be grilled or interrogated for such a long period is another issue which I do not have the appetite to talk about it now.

BUT my question to MACC interrogators are:

Are you going to do the same by interrogating mercilessly if that young man was Khairy Jamaluddin whom even UMNO Disciplinary Board has found him guilty of money politics?

Why have you not interrogated Ali Rustam with the same degree of intensity that this 'witness' Teoh has to endure, again whom UMNO Disciplinary Board has found him guilty of money politics?

To all MACC interrogators let me remind you that your salary that you feed your children at home all this while are paid by using Malaysian taxpayers' money and this include the late Teoh's tax money! So why on earth your actions show that you have behaved like a political slave to your political masters in UMNO? I am not saying that Teoh definitely has not committed any corrupt practice at all. That is a separate topic or issue. What I am questioning is the MACC interrogation procedures and the very clear double standard treatment practiced by MACC.

My heart goes out with the late Teoh's family and his fiancee. I cannot imagine if this had happened to me. But if it had, I am positively sure my young son and daughters will not rest even for a second until and unless my death is vindicated through whatever legal means necessary.

Nobody really understand why today in my office I cried silently but my tears visibly flowed from my eyes after seeing the above photo which shows the Late Teoh's body sprawled in a pool of blood on the roof of the building with a forensic police checking his body and upon reading the background story of his death.

Yes, indeed I as a Muslim, cannot accept seeing my other fellow Malaysian brother and human-being died like that. It is simply too much for me. To the late Teoh's family and fiancee, you are not alone. I silently cry with you too. Really.


(Photo: Malaysia Anti Corruption Commission MACC Crest)

MY CRITICISM ON MALAYSIA ANTI CORRUPTION COMMISSION (MACC) INTERROGATION PROCEDURES
(Posted as a Comment in Malaysia Today Portal 18th July 2009)

Reading all the news about the manner the late Teoh has to undergo a long merciless interrogation process really made a reasonably patient man like me feel very angry to the extend that my blood pressure 'went upstairs to the 88th floor' again on this beautiful but sad Saturday morning.

Many mainstream newspapers report today tried to look intelligent and rationale when everybody else who have analysized the sequence of actions committed by MACC since its inception (even prior to that as BPR) will throw up or vommit with MACC very clear selective prosecution and double standard practice.

Okay. Alright. You got the point when you said that nobody really saw who has killed or murdered Teoh Beng Hock (except the murderer and Teo himself) because not even a lawyer was allowed to accompany the late Teoh during the entire interrogation. I know we cannot accuse people of committing a crime just based on common sense only without hard evidence.

Even though there are so many common sense arguments that pointed out it is not possible for Teoh to commit suicide or preferred to remain in the MACC building after the interrogation ended, especially knowing fully well that he has to register his marriage on that day or the day after that which in turn could made a lot people close to him wanted him to be back as soon as possible, we leave that 'common sense-common sense' arguments aside for a while.

However what I am VERY sure and questioning is the undeniable fact that Teoh was interrogated continuously from from 5pm on Wednesday till 3.45am on Thursday morning. He was allowed to take a break only at 6am. The biggest nonsense part is he has to undergo this long torturous interrogation process, even though he has never been regarded as a suspect by MACC, only a witness.

I honestly never know that a government officers like MACC interrogators were so hard working that they were willing to continuously working practically overnight. Surely these interrogators also were willing not to sleep overnight just to grill Teoh continuously without any mercy. Unfortunately, that double-standard-super-duper efficiency and hardworking attitude of MACC interrogators ONLY and ONLY can be seen whenever the person interrogated comes from opposition really makes me want to vommit the second time in 7 minutes.

The next thing that I am VERY sure is the answer to my next question will be in the negative. My next question, which is the same question that I wrote in my earlier comment is: "Are you going to do the same by interrogating mercilessly if that young man was Khairy Jamaluddin whom even UMNO Disciplinary Board has found him guilty of money politics?" Are you? Just answer "Yes" or "No".

This is the question that are lingering in the mind of any other average Malaysians like me.

The whole world knew the verdict of UMNO Disciplinary Board regarding Khairy money politics case in UMNO election recently. I wish to see Khairy to be grilled in the same manner with the late Teoh, in the name of justice and fairness. I have nothing personal against Khairy Jamaluddin (KJ). In fact sometimes I also call myself "KJ" (albeit referring to the different acronym: "Khairul Jawa"). I do not think this political slaves MACC officers dare to treat Khairy Jamaluddin the same manner they have treated the late Teoh. This political slaves simply do not have the balls to do that when facing UMNO political leaders.

In Malaysia everybody should be treated equally, but it seems that that principle or maxim remains a beautiful principle only to be read in the law book or constitution.

What made me angry is this very crystally clear selective prosecution continuously been practiced without any slightest shame. Anything against the opposition such as Ronnie and Teoh case and also Khalid Ibrahim cow and car case, MACC will run as fast as Forest Gump to investigate the matter. But when come to UMNO political leaders case like Khairy, Ali Rustam and PKFZ fiasco they are damn slow, even a baby elephant who just born 7 minutes ago can walk faster than them

I have also got my own VERY SURE answer to this question but let me just ask MACC officers again this very simple question: "Why have you not interrogated Ali Rustam, whom UMNO Disciplinary Board has also found him guilty of money politics in UMNO recent election with the same degree of intensity that this 'witness' Teoh has to endure?

Are you willing to grill Ali Rustam for 12 long hours like this brainless MACC officers did to the late Teoh Beng Hock?" If not, why? Why when come to Teoh who is just a 30 years old man and so novice in politics with practically no connection with anybody in the Federal government all of you MACC officers acted very brave, very 'patriotic' and very fierce. Why?

I actually do not need to ask anybody in order to get all the answers to the above questions. Let's give our 'answer' come next General Election!

MY COMMENT ON INSENSITIVE 'SENYUM KAMBING' UTUSAN MALAYSIA CARTOON
(Posted as a comment in Malaysia Today 18th July 2009)

My comment here related to the sarcastic and insensitive "Senyum Kambing" cartoon published yesterday in Utusan Malaysia with its wording "Jatuh, Lompat atau Ditolak" which clearly insinuating the late Teoh either jumped, fell or was pushed to his death, which practically put him to be blamed and not the MACC at all.

As a Malay and a Muslim I always tell people that I can tolerate even the most stupid people who does not know how to behave according to the circumstances, but I cannot tolerate with people like Utusan Malaysia who is very PROUD of their STUPIDITY.

At this moment of time when each of the family member of the late Teoh is in deep sadness and at the time when no word in dictionary can describe the extreme sorrow suffered by his fiancee who by right went to register theIr marriage yesterday, this heartless Utusan Malaysia brought shame to all the Malays who are well known for their politeness and good manners, by show-casing this "Senyum Kambing" with the most sarcastic words "jatuh, lompat atau ditolak" which all the three words denote that the late Teoh is the one that 100% at fault.

It's very clear that this people in Utusan Malaysia do not subscribe to even the basic decency as a human-being. The least they can do is to keep quiet but they choose to be hated by putting this kind of dialog of 'Senyum kambing' in the front page of Utusan Malaysia.

Again as a Muslim and a Malay, if I have my way, I myself want to go to each house to meet the occupants who have already bought this Utusan Malaysia edition and explain to them that the real Muslim will not have such a disrespect towards other family in grievances.

I also wish I can go to each each newspaper vendor and use all my savings to buy whatever balance of unsold Utusan Malaysia left and then drive to the nearest Indah Water pond to dump all these edition of Utusan Malaysia so that nobody else can buy and read such a heartless comment through this 'Senyum Kambing' which in fact can seed hatred towards the Malay itself. This is the least as a human-being that I wish I could do to show that not all Muslim and Malays are so heartless like this Utusan Malaysia!


(Photo: Draconian Malaysian Internal Security Act)

MY COMMENT ON THE ABOLITION OF MALAYSIAN INTERNAL SECURITY ACT OR ISA
(Posted as a Comment in Malaysia Today Portal 19th July 2009)

Any right thinking and objective man in Malaysia will surely support that our Malaysian ISA should be abolished, or at the very least must undergo a major overhaul so that its implementation will reflect the basic rights of a human being that need to be brought to a court of law if he is suspected of breaking any law of the land.

The existing form of ISA and its implementation is no longer geared towards fulfilling the original intention or objective of this piece of old legislation. Since a very long time ago I already knew that ISA original objective is to curb the subversive movement such as communist terrorist activities in our country who last time was tying to destabilise the peace of our country that time. Even though I have not done a complete and thorough research about this ISA, we do not need to be a rocket-scientist to know that there clearly something very wrong about this ISA.

For me, if you believe the person has indeed committed the crime that he has been accused to commit, then bring him to the open court and charged him with whatever charge provided by the provision of the law of the land. If he is guilty then by all means he deserved all the punishment in whatever form provided under the law including detention or imprisonment. But if he was found not guilty then you need to release him without any slightest delay, by all means necessary.

However until today there are still some people inside Kamunting ISA Detention Camp that have been held for a long time without being charged and without knowing the definite time when he will be allowed to live as a free man again. This is really cruel and injustice. I am not saying all of them are not guilty.

But after so long time locking them in the detention camp, would't the police have got so much time to collect the necessary evidence to prosecute him and get the full conviction in any court of laws . I thought this government interrogation officers are very efficient in interrogation skills and love the interrogation process, so much so they are willing to grill any accused or witness continuously without thinking so much about "office hour-office hour" factor?

My question is until how long that these ISA detainee will be held inside Kamuntying ISA DEtention Camp without being charged? Even a rapist and a thief who are now in Sungai Buluh know the time he will be set free. If they were sentenced to 8 years in jail, they will know after that period they will have the opportunity to be a free man again. What about a murderer who was found guilty and sentenced to be hanged to death? Well...at least he also knew when will be the end of his journey to this life.

So ISA detainee is the worst kind of detainee. They neither know when will they be set free again nor for how long more they have to stay inside there. All at the whimp and fancy of the Home Minister.

Malaysians are not stupid. They have got eyes to see, ears to listen and brain to analyze. Based on many ISA arrest operations that have been made all this while, it was clear that ISA was always used by the government to silence its critics and as a trump-card to stay in power by locking their opponents at the whimp and fancy of the Home Minister.

At least all animals in the zoo know that there is no way that they will be released to live in the jungle again but ISA detainees always have some kind of hope that they may or not have a chance to be released again. This uncertainty and hope that torture a human-being more.

Even animals in the zoo can make love with their spouse because every zoo in the world will ensure that in the animal cell there must be a male and a female companion but this ISA detainee who has never been charged in an open court and who has never be found guilty also has got no idea when they will have the opportunity to be a free man again to taste this basic needs of having an opposite companion. Everything at the mercy of our powerful Minister of Home Affair

I am very sure if gorillas in the zoo can ever talk to me, they will also tell me that this ISA is really inhuman even though all of us are human!

Obviously his party political interest has clouded the judgment of our Minister of Human Affairs to see this and made his way of thinking even worse than my friend the gorillas in the zoo because the gorillas also reported to me that they all laughed like hell each time they heard our Home Minister claimed the arrest under ISA is made in the best interest of our country's security!

Jumpa Lagi, Ma'as salaama, Salam, Permisi, Khoda Hafez, Pamitan, Bye For Now..