Roslan Hamid's Blog, page 154

Jealously brings about to own destruction...'

In the name of God, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate; blessing and peace be upon Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.

Reflections

"I have only created Jinns and Men, that they may serve Me." (Zariyat 51:56)
IN my previous article (Harakah 26-29 Jan 2015) I mentioned that some of us, I included, have negative traits and the tendency to do 'improper and unprofitable deeds' that would 'jeopardize' our lives in the Hereafter. One negative trait discussed was greedy; 'subhanallah' (all praise only  to Allah SWT) we are greedy to almost all worldly pleasures such as money, property food and even 'women'.
In this second article based on the main topic 'Carrying a fridge up an icy mountain', I would like to 'enlighten' readers to another negative trait that is jealous, spiteful or envious or in Malay it is simply 'dengki'. 
What's 'dengki'? It is a common negative trait in human beings. A jealous person or group of people always envy others who are happy, comfortable and have be. When he or they find something good and attractive with others, he or they wish that they lost the thing. 
Generally such a jealous person or group is neither capable of snatching away the good thing from the other person or group nor harm him or they in any way. But the fact is that, harmful things befall on the jealous person or groups himself or themselves.
Since this is a political paper, let me inform readers about an incident several years ago (before the 13th general election in 2013) when an Islamic kindergarten run by PAS (Pasti) named Pasti Jaya Insan in Bukit Katil, some ten kilometres from Melaka was demolished; thanks to Melaka’s state leaders, the majority of them from Umno, for their ‘kindness’ and ‘far sighted views’.
It was not only the Pasti was history but also PAS operations room since it was housed inside the same building. Those in power gave the reason for demolishing the Pasti was that a new road needed to be built, connecting busy Jalan Bukit Katil to a nearby housing estate that is Taman Merak Emas.
Only recently the road which was about a kilometer long and built at a very slow phase was opened to the public. Construction and work was still going on, perhaps the last stage was  placing traffic lights at the intersection of the new road and Jalan Bukit Katil.
As I travel frequently along Jalan Bukit Katil, one morning I tried the new road. Not a vehicle was to be seen. It was empty. Upon reaching Taman Merak Emas, I went further and after passing Taman Merak I realized the road leads to an intersection near the Masjid Sayidina Ali with roads leading to Ayer Keroh and back to Bukit Katil.
Well, in my opinion, the new road built on the 'ashes' of Pasti Jaya Insan 'was of not importance at all'. In was nearer for residents living in Taman Merak Emas dan Taman Merak to exit at the intersection at Masjid Sayidina Ali if they wish to travel to Melaka or Ayer Keroh; perhaps only a few people would like to use the new road to go to Kampung Bukit Katil.
Regarding 'the goals' of those in power wanting to build the road personally I have nothing to say, but recently I had the oppourtunity to talk to a veteran PAS leader who had 'big shares' in building the premises of the Pasti dan PAS operations room. He was the backbone of the PAS project; he toiled and sweat and then 'taste the sweetness' of his struggle only to see 'his work' crumbled to ashes when the authorities tried to show 'who is the boss'!
The Umno-BN led state government used force to acquire the land by banking on ‘Akta Pengambilan Tanah 1960’ (Appropriation Land Act 1960). The 'veteran leader' said after a long struggle, they finally gave in and were paid a compensation of more than RM800,000.
He said they have to choice but to accept the compensation but would never forget the demolition of the Pasti building as an unjust and cruel actions of the Barisan Nasional (BN) government upon the people especially children as their place of learning were torn down. 
He claimed that the original site for the new road planned by the authorities did not run through the Pasti grounds but interference by top state Umno leaders victimized the PAS kindergarten just to satisfy their thirst for power. It was an act of cruelty to their political rivals with the misuse of government machinery in getting their dirty agenda fulfilled.
"Now even the new road was opened to the public, it was deserted; this proved that it was purposely built just to satisfy the 'wicked desires' of those in power. They were jealous of our activities; the Pasti was triving; they could not stand to see more and more people giving support to PAS including its educational programme. Thus they made excuse for the demolishing of the Pasti building," said the veteran leader.
He claimed nowadays PAS activities are more often held and lively; "We have set up a new Pasti, support from the public are very encouraging, the number of pupils became double-fold compared when we were at the premise that was demolished."
The veteran leader said PAS in his area had built a new 'markas' (operation centre) just off the new road. "It was a blessing in disguise, with access to the new road we could organize our activities in full swing, thanks to the 'kind' and 'far sighted views of such leaders'."
For record, in the last general election, Melaka Umno-BN top leader and Chief Minister, Mohd Ali Rustam was 'slayed' in the 'battle' of Bukit Katil. In this Parliamentary seat of 99,438 voters, Mohd Ali who only managed to secure 40,720 votes was 'humbled' by state PKR Chairman, Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin who pulled 46,167 votes. 
In in 'this political battle' of May 2013, Shamsul had Mohd Ali 'faced-down'! And the Bukit Katil 'boy' (he was born and raised here) who was feeling the pain; screamed aloud, among others accusing the Chinese (they comprise about 43 percent of the voters) of betraying BN and being ungrateful to 'all the good things' he had 'fed' and done to them.
Even in Bukit Baru state seat which is under the Parliamentary of Bukit Katil, PAS candidate, Dr Khalid Kassim created history to become the first PAS 'YB' in Melaka. In the state constituency, he defeated Karim Yaakob of BN with a very slim majority of 48 votes. He secured 9,292 votes compared to Karim's 9,244 votes. 
Those leaders concerned should settle down and do some 'muhasabah' (soul searching). Perhaps the 'rakyat' including children of the PAS run pre-school prayed and made du'a (supplication) that those involved would be punished by the Almighty. 
Du’a of those being oppressed would not be rejected by The Almighty for the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) had said to Mua’ad Ibn Jabal; “Beware of the supplication of the unjustly treated, because there is no shelter or veil between it (the supplication of the one who is suffering injustice) and Allah.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
The new road from Jalan Bukit Katil (near Masjid Bukit Katil) to Taman Merak Emas is now open to the public with traffic lights at the junction has been set up; but one 'sad scenario' remained, it is almost deserted at all times. So what's the purpose of building the road?

Dari UKM ke Harakah (1): 'Teori Pembohongan Media'...

***********DENGAN nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.
Renungan
"Sesungguhnya solat itu adalah fardu yang ditentukan waktunya atas orang-orang beriman." (Maksud Ayat 103 Surah An-Nisa')
************
AMAT jarang wartawan menjadi subjek berita. Ya, mereka melaporkan aneka kejadian atau peristiwa membabitkan orang lain, bukan diri sendiri. Namun mutakhir ini, nama saya dipalitkan dalam laporan sesetengah pihak; ada daripada membuatkan saya tergamam lantas tergerak 'hati dan tangan ini' untuk mencoret atau mencelotehkan 'pengalaman kewartawanan' saya sejak saya bergelar siswa Sarjana Sastera (Komunikasi) Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) pada tahun 1999 membawa saya menyertai Harakah pada tahun sama.
Ada sejumlah komentar di alam maya yang mengerakkan saya untuk mencoretkan sesuatu. Misalnya, sebuah portal berita melaporkan 'Tiga pengarang Harakah hilang kerja bakal sertai Utusan' yang antara lain memuatkan "Cerita berkaitan tiga pengarang Harakah yang diberhentikan baru-baru ini oleh Setiausaha Agung PAS, Dato' Mustafa Ali dilaporkan kian hangat diperkata orang ramai, khususnya di kalangan pemerhati politik dan pengamal media.
"Khabar angin mengenai isu berkenaan bertiup kencang hingga ke utara mengenai terdapat ura-ura yang mengatakan ketiga-tiga orang kuat Harakah itu berkemungkinan akan menyertai akhbar pro-Umno, Utusan Malaysia.
Menurut sumber yang menjelaskan khabar angin itu, bekas pengarang Harakah tersebut, Tarmizi Md Jam, Pengarang Rencana, Roslan Hamid (LanH), dan Ketua Pengarang Ahmad Lutfi Othman dikatakan telah bertemu wakil Utusan bagi membincangkan soal tersebut."
Ada banyak perkara tidak benar dalam laporan ini. Bagi diri saya, fitnah ini sudah keterlaluan dan perlu dijelaskan. Saya tidak pernah bertemu dengan sesiapa yang didakwa sebagai wakil Utusan; malah tiada siapa pun daripada pihak berkenaan yang pernah menghubungi saya ataupun saya menghubungi mereka.
Bagi pembaca yang belum mengenali diri kerdil dan daif ini, ada sedikit sebanyak maklumat dalam blog Lanh14.blogspot.com. Juga ada dicoretkan sedikit sebanyak pengalaman dalam buku 'Dilema Seorang Wartawan Islam' terbitan sendiri yang kemudian dikemaskinikan oleh penerbit Kemilau Publika yang memberi tajuk baru 'Travelog Wartawan Islam'.
Apa yang ingin diceloteh dalam ruangan ini adalah lanjutan kisah yang dipaparkan dalam buku berkenaan. Pada tahun 1998, penulis dengan berat hati meninggalkan sebuah akhbar harian terkemuka tanah air kerana tidak menyetujui sejumlah perkara berkaitan dasar penerbitan seperti menyiarkan keputusan empat nombor ekor dan gambar-gambar artis yang kurang senonoh dan bagi penulis 'tiada jalan kembali' namun siapakah diri ini untuk meneka perkembangan pada hari-hari mendatang. Ya, hanya Allah Yang Maha Mengetahui...Dia yang berkuasa membolak-balikkan hati manusia.
Pada Mei 1999, penulis 'masuk' UKM. Zaman itu panas dengan Reformasi Rakyat. Siswa siswi juga dilanda angin panas. Sungguhpun cengkaman sang penguasa ke atas pelajar amat keras, ia tidak menghalang sejumlah siswa siswi 'bereksprerientasi', sebagai contoh ketika pembentangan kertas kerja mereka meluahkan apa yang terbuku di dada.
Seorang rakan penulis memberitahu, seorang teman sekuliahnya pernah mengemukakan 'Teori Pembohongan Media' dalam satu pembentangan kertas kerja bagi satu subjek peringkat sarjana. Sudah tentu teori itu tiada dalam buku-buku komunikasi. Apabila pensyarah bertanya sumber teori itu, si pelajar terkial-kial berkata dia menciptanya sendiri, disebabkan dia tidak dapat lagi mempercayai sebahagian besar daripada apa yang dipaparkan media!
Nah, 'selepas 15 tahun kejadian itu' bolehkah dipercayai portal berita yang mendakwa saya akan 'masuk' Utusan? Nampaknya pembohongan demi pembohongan akan terus dilakukan termasuk dalam dunia media. 
Ada juga coretan dalam blog dan aplikasi lain dalam internet membuat saya rasa terharu dan berazam untuk terus menulis di akhbar Harakah.
Antara lain (TANPA DIEDIT PAPARANNYA) ;*** Bismillahirrahmanirrahim...Alhamdulillah...
sejak sekolah menengah, saya amat menyintai tulisan2 tuan LanH..
nampak jer ayah beli harakah, trus saya cakap:
'ayah, kita nak yg bahasa inggeris nyer.'
ayah pon cakap: 'satla, ayah nk baca sat.. satg amik la..'
sabar dok sebelah ayah, tunggu ayah baca yg bm2 tu jap..
ayah passing je harakah kt kita terus kita selak2 englishsection n amik bawak lari masuk bilik..
semata2 nk baca tulisan tuan LanH..
sebab byk kesedaran timbul bila baca tulisan2 tuan LanH..
alhamdulillah..:
semalam, ayah beli harakah..
dan hobi diteruskan..
sangat teruja bila ada blog tuan LanH..
lepas ni boleh baca semua tulisan2 beliau..
semoga ALLAH sentiasa limpahi rahmat kepadnya.. aameen..

alhamdulillah...

ayah, terima kasih sayang sbb belikan harakah..: - 
*** Penulis juga begitu tertarik membaca tulisan bersantai yang disumbangkan LanH, sama ada dalam Edisi Melayu mahupun Inggeris.Beliau mengutarakan, kadang-kadang isu-isu kecil yang nampak remeh berdasarkan pengalaman hidupnya. Tetapi sebenarnya besar kerana beliau bijak mengolahnya.Bahasa Inggerisnya begitu hebat dan 'powerful'. - MOHD SHAHID TALIB
*** Maaf cakap saudara LanH. Berhubung artikel bahasa Inggeris saudara, nampaknya saudara berfikir dalam bahasa Melayu tetapi kemudian menulisnya dalam bahasa Inggeris. Walaupun tulisannya 'simple' banyak kelemahannya. Harap saudara dapat belajar menulis dengan menggunakan bahasa Inggeris 'standard'. Rujuklah British Council dan ikutilah BBC, CNN dan sebagainya. - MAT UTARA

Fikir-fikirkan kandungan artikel lama ini...

Dengan nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. Renungan "Dan jika kamu menghitung nikmat Allah, tidaklah dapat kamu menghitungnya." (Ibrahim:34)Renung-renunglah artikel lama saya ini yang ditulis sebelum blog ini 'lahir' pada 2008. Anak sungai lagi berubah...inikan pula hati dan pendirian orang...
Pengamal media perlu tahu, patuhi hukum hakam agama [26/09/2006]BARU-BARU ini seorang rakan memberitahu ada sebuah akhbar dwi-mingguan yang dikatakan pro bekas Perdana Menteri, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad kini berada di pasaran. Apabila singgah di sebuah gerai akhbar dan majalah, saya pun terlihat akhbar yang dimaksudkan, lantas membelinya. Harganya RM2.00.Nama akhbar dwi-bahasa itu tidak payahlah dinyatakan. Nanti tak pasal-pasal berinya 'free publicity'. Bagi keluaran 15 September lalu, ada gambar bekas Perdana Menteri itu di muka depan.Apa yang menarik perhatian saya ialah nota kecil di muka dua yang memuatkan petikan bekas Menteri Besar Selangor, Tan Sri Muhammad Muhd Taib (kini Ketua Penerangan Umno) mengenai Dr Mahathir pada 25 Jun 2002.Muhammad dipetik sebagai berkata: "Saya berpendapat 22 juta rakyat Malaysia kehilangan pemimpin yang luar biasa, kita payah nak cari seorang pemimpin seperti ini walaupun 100 tahun lagi."Sekarang apa sudah jadi? Selepas Mahathir tidak lagi berkuasa, ramai pula yang 'berpaling tadah'. Saya teringat kisah seorang editor akhbar harian berpengaruh yang memuji Mahathir dengan sajaknya yang antara lain menyatakan - 'ooh Mahathir, bagaimanakah nasib bangsaku, Melayu, selepas ketiadaanmu'.Bukan pemimpin dan wartawan saja mengungkapkan ketakjuban kepada Mahathir. Mereka dalam bidang lain pun sama. Misalnya, suara NUTP, melalui buletin Guru Malaysia keluaran Februari 2003, mengungkapkan tajuk besar di muka depan - 'Hanya Mu Mahathir' dengan tajuk kecil, 'Dapat Menjamin Masa Depan Anak-Anak Malaysia'.Sekarang Mahathir 'sudah terbang', pemujinya giat 'buat temberang lain'. Mereka pun tidak cium lagi tangan Mahathir di 'airport' sebaik saja Mahathir pulang ke tanah air. Wartawan pemuji Mahathir juga 'sudah melayang'. Digantikan oleh wartawan pemuji Abdullah Ahmad Badawi pula.Di sinilah saya melihat semua orang, lebih-lebih lagi golongan profesional seperti wartawan dan penulis perlu ada jati diri. Tahu dan amal hal ehwal agama. Tahu halal haram.Disebabkan profesion saya adalah wartawan, saya akan menulis isu berkaitan berdasarkan skop kerjaya saya.Tanggal 3 Mei setiap tahun wartawan menyambut Hari Kebebasan Akhbar Sedunia. Di negara kita, wartawan menyambutnya dengan mengadakan pelbagai forum, seminar dan pertemuan.Sekalipun pertubuhan media sedunia, 'Freedom House' tidak lama dulu meletakkan Malaysia pada kedudukan 154 daripada 193 negara dalam indeks kebebasan media, ia adalah daripada perspektif Barat yang mungkin tidak sesuai dijadikan kayu pengukur bagi 'Malaysia sebagai sebuah negara Islam'.Di rantau Asia Pasifik, indeks kebebasan media Malaysia dilaporkan pada kedudukan 32 daripada 39 negara - baik sedikit daripada tujuh negara lain iaitu Afghanistan, Brunei, China, Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar dan Korea Utara.Badan pemantau antarabangsa, Reporters Without Borders (RWS) atau Wartawan Tanpa Sempadan yang beribu pejabat di Paris, Perancis dalam laporan tahunan 2003, pula meletakkan Malaysia di tempat ke-104 daripada 166 negara, yakni lebih rendah daripada Thailand (tempat ke-82) tetapi lebih tinggi daripada Indonesia (tempat ke-110) atau Filipina di tempat ke-118.Kedudukan itu lebih baik berbanding 2002 yang menyaksikan Malaysia di tempat ke-110 di kalangan 139 negara, jauh lebih rendah daripada Indonesia (tempat ke-57), Thailand (tempat ke-65) dan Filipina.Sekalipun kita menyokong usaha untuk meleraikan kekangan terhadap media kerana wujudnya pelbagai sekatan seperti Akta Rahsia Rasmi (OSA) dan Akta Mesin Cetak dan Penerbitan 1984, kita berpendapat media di Malaysia seolah-olah sudah terlupa tanggungjawab sosialnya.Apa dimaksudkan dengan tanggungjawab sosial ini adalah dalam memenuhi keperluan untuk mendidik rakyat terutama generasi muda dalam konteks 'sebuah negara Islam' yang dilaung-laungkan itu.Di sinilah terletaknya kekesalan kita yang amat sangat. Pada ketika kebebasan media Malaysia berada pada tahap terendah mengikut piawai antarabangsa, pada waktu yang sama juga sesetengah media negara menyemaikan budaya negatif yang menyumbang kepada kerosakan anak bangsa.Dunia media massa Malaysia hari ini terlalu mementingkan laba sehingga mengabaikan tanggungjawabnya sebagai pembina masa depan generasi muda.Daripada media elektronik sehingga media cetak, semuanya berlumba-lumba mendapatkan pelanggan sebanyak mungkin seterusnya mengaut keuntungan berlipat ganda. Kisah artis dan selebriti dibongkar habis. Malahan ada yang menyiarkan kisah artis kahwin secara langsung dan berhari-hari pula. Bayangkan sebuah stesen TV menyiarkan secara langsung majlis perkahwinan seorang artis selama 3-4 jam dan beberapa hari pula!.Seorang kartunis Zunar, secara sindiran tajam, melakarkan jika pertunangan, pernikahan dan majlis kahwin artis disiarkan secara langsung, nanti ada pula siaran langsung artis beranak.Kisah selebriti bertunang dan putus tunang juga menjadi fokus utama, seolah-olah itulah kehebatan masyarakat Melayu yang agaknya suka berkhayal, beromantis, tunjuk hebat dan berangan-angan macam Mat Jenin atau Pak Kaduk yang menang sabung tetapi kampung halaman tergadai.Bagi media cetak pula, daripada akhbar nasional (arus perdana) sehingga akhbar dan majalah picisan, kebanyakannya menyiar gambar dan cerita murahan yang diharap dapat 'menggoda' pembaca.Bayangkan dengan hanya dua akhbar mingguan nasional berbahasa Melayu, kedua-duanya bersaing hebat untuk menyiarkan gambar-gambar artis separuh bogel untuk tatapan seisi keluarga pada hujung minggu. Artis-artis terbabit orang Islam manakala negara ini pula sudah diisytiharkan sebagai negara Islam, malah negara Islam contoh pula!Akhbar-akhbar nasional ini juga berbangga menyiarkan keputusan judi (empat nombor ekor) sedangkan pada ruangan lain disiarkan pula segmen agama yang kadang-kadang terdapat rencana yang membicarakan kebinasaan terhadap orang yang bersubahat melakukan maksiat itu.Majalah-majalah separuh lucah semakin banyak memenuhi gerai-gerai terbuka. Tiada halangan untuk budak-budak sekolah mendapatkannya. Bagi majalah wanita dan hiburan pula, adalah menjadi kebiasaan untuk mereka menggunakan gambar penghias muka depan yang menggoda.Selain majalah separuh lucah, akhbar dan majalah berbahasa Melayu juga sarat dengan kisah berunsur tahyul dan misteri. Kunjungilah gerai-gerai akhbar, kita akan berpeluang menatap akhbar dan majalah dengan tajuk muka depan seperti 'Misteri Kubur Berasap' atau 'Pasangan Zina Melekat'.Bagi pengamal media elektronik seperti TV, selain rancangan yang semakin 'daring', disiarkan juga iklan yang mungkin boleh membuatkan 'datuk nenek' kita pengsan.Misalnya, sedang kita sekeluarga menikmati sebuah drama Melayu jam 12.30 tengah hari, tiba-tiba disiarkan sebuah iklan krim membesar dan menegangkan payu dara. Maka terkeluarlah istilah seperti 'menonjol' yang membuatkan kita tersipu-sipu di depan anak-anak.Berhubung hal inilah, kita tertanya-tanya di mana letaknya fungsi kementerian-kementerian yang bersangkutan terutama KDN dalam merealisasikan kehidupan yang syumul di 'sebuah negara Islam'. Apakah 'negara Islam' yang diuarkan-uarkan itu hanya sebagai penyedap mulut saja sedangkan realitinya jauh panggang dari api?Apabila maksiat menjadi-jadi kita hilang punca. Kes penderaan, rogol, bunuh tidak dapat dibendung menyebabkan masyarakat menyalahkan satu sama lain.Pemimpin mencadangkan itu dan ini, tetapi ternyata semuanya menemui jalan buntu. Berhubung hal ini kita lihat betapa penyakit yang menimpa masyarakat tidak dirawat dan diberikan ubat yang betul. Jika kaki kiri yang busuk akibat penyakit kencing manis, mengapa pula dipotong kaki kanan. Jika mahu mengubati sesuatu penyakit, carilah puncanya.Demikian juga penyakit masyarakat yang melanda kita. Kaedah rawatan perlu ditangani daripada akar umbi. Di sinilah kita berpendapat pengamal media amat penting peranan mereka.Jika pengamal media tahu dan patuh kepada hukum-hakam agama manakala kerajaan bersedia menjalankan pentadbiran dan undang-undang berdasarkan al-Quran (bukankah 'negara ini sebuah negara Islam!'), kita optimis masyarakat kita dapat diselamatkan.26/09/2006

'Sayang Sarawak sungainya sempit'...(Bahagian 6, Akhir)

***********DENGAN nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.
Renungan
"Sesungguhnya solat itu adalah fardu yang ditentukan waktunya atas orang-orang beriman." (Maksud Ayat 103 Surah An-Nisa')
************
"ADENAN perkembangan politik paling menarik di Sarawak" - demikian tajuk utama sebuah rencana khas Utusan Borneo, pada Sabtu, 20 Disember 2014 dalam sorotan 2014-nya. 
Ya, pelantikan Tan Sri Adenan Satem sebagai Ketua Menteri Sarawak pada Mac 2014 bagi menggantikan Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud yang telah memegang jawatan itu selama 32 tahun dianggap sebagai perkembangan politik paling menarik negeri terbesar di Malaysia itu.
Jika 'orang Sarawak' melihat penggantian Taib oleh Adenan sebagai 'sesuatu perkembangan politik paling menarik', hampir pasti rakyat Malaysia juga sedemikian; mereka berharap sinar baharu akan bergermelapan di bumi Kenyalang selepas 'disinonimkan' dengan Taib Mahmud selama lebih tiga dekad.
Perubahan menjanjikan lebih banyak kebaikan untuk Sarawak dan warganya dan baru-baru ini kita dapat menyaksikan kunjungan mesra Presiden PAS, Dato' Seri Tuan Guru Abdul Hadi Awang ke atas Adenan. Insya-Allah akan ada arus perubahan kebaikan termasuk dalam bidang dakwah dirangka untuk rakyat Sarawak bukan sahaja untuk kesejahteraan dunia tetapi juga akhirat.
Sarawak, tanah bertuah kaya sumber alam yang keluasannya 124,450 kilometer persegi iaitu hampir sama luas dengan Semenanjung atau England malah lebih besar daripada Korea Utara tetapi dengan jumlah penduduk hanya 2.5 juta, adalah medan berpotensi untuk melakar kejayaan fizikal dan spiritual.
Adenan sejak awal berkuasa sudah menonjolkan usahanya untuk meraih faedah untuk rakyat Sarawak iaitu mendapatkan lebih banyak royalti bagi minyak dan gas dan pada 6 Mei 2014 semua anggota Dun Sarawak menyokong Rang Undang-Undang Penambahan Royalti daripada lima peratus ketika ini kepada 20 peratus.
Dilaporkan usaha bagi mendapatkan penambahan royalti ini menjadi buah mulut rakyat Sarawak sehingga ada berfikir ke depan dengan membandingkan pencapaian pembangunan negeri ini dengan negeri-negeri lain di Semenanjung. Terkesan juga mereka dengan 'situasi sebuah negeri yang kaya raya dengan rakyat terutama nun di pedalaman miskin-miskin belaka'.
Ya, 'Sayang Sarawak sungainya sempit...' hanyalah antara seni kata sebuah lagu tetapi hakikatnya rakyat Sarawak berjiwa besar, mereka mahu melihat negeri mereka lebih maju atau setidak-tidak setara dengan negeri-negeri di Semenanjung. Kemajuan bukan bermaksud membabitkan negeri saja tetapi juga kehidupan rakyat tidak kiralah mereka yang tinggal di kota seperti Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu dan Miri atau jauh di pedalaman seperti Belaga, Long Banga dan Sungai Asap.
Kemajuan juga bukan hanya bermaksud dari segi fizikalnya tetapi juga spiritualnya. Sebagai contoh, bumi Sarawak kaya dengan hasil alam, misalnya balak (pada tahun 2013 eksport balak dan produknya bernilai RM7,057,890,230) manakala royalti daripada hasil hutan adalah RM544,805,073; tetapi rakyat kebanyakan 'terkebil-kebil saja' kerana kehidupan mereka tetap sama menepati satu ungkapan terkenal 'dulu, kini dan selama-lamanya' sedangkan perubahan di sekeliling mereka 'dahsyat sekali'. Di kota-kota, bangunan besar dan hebat termasuk masjid pun sungguh gah tetapi 'rakyat tak berdaya' semakin lama semakin hanyut dalam arus pembangunan.
Hal ini membawa maksud ada 'penyamun tarbus' di mana-mana dalam 'membaham' hasil negeri. Berhubung hal ini Adenan muncul sebagai ketua eksekutif negeri pertama di Malaysia yang menandatangani ikrar intergriti dalam memerangi rasuah. Usaha ini adalah sebahagian langkah untuk memarbatkan negeri dan rakyat dari segi spiritualnya. Tidak guna negeri kaya raya tetapi ada ramai 'penyarmun tarbus' bermaharajalela. Ini termasuklah golongan yang bermuka-muka, hidup bagaikan gunting dalam lipatan atau dalam bahasa orang sekarang 'cakap tak serupa bikin'.
Adenan memberi penekanan terhadap usaha memperkemaskan penguatkuasaan undang-undang negeri bagi mengekang pembalakan haram, yang dakwanya jika dibiarkan, boleh memusnahkan sumber hutan Sarawak akibat rasuah. 
Kita yakin dengan komitmen Adenan dan berharap dan berdoa 'penyamun tarbus' yang 'meragut' hasil negeri daripada serendah-rendah kedudukan sehinggalah 'yang menongkat langit dan tinggal dalam istana'  diheret ke muka pengadilan. Jika ini dapat dilakukan, insya-Allah, Sarawak Bumi Kenyalang akan muncul sebagai 'negeri yang baik dan mendapat pengampunan dan perlindungan Allah SWT'.

'Carrying a fridge up an icy mountain'...

In the name of God, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate; blessing and peace be upon Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.

Reflections

"I have only created Jinns and Men, that they may serve Me." (Zariyat 51:56)
Years ago when I was an undergraduate at a local university, one of our lecturers introduced to us 'creative thinking'. I remembered one topic he asked us to write was based on the saying 'carrying a refrigerator up an icy mountain'. 
Now upon reaching 53 years of age next month (February) and after following perhaps thousands of talks and 'tazkirah' (lessons) mainly at masjids, offices and over radio and TV, 'Subhanallah (Glory be to Allah SWT) slowly but surely I had learned to 'feel, experience and witness' the truth in the wise man's saying.
'Alhamdulillah' (All praise is due to Allah SWT), this time in discussing the above subject, I am equipped with information, explaination and argument from the many 'tazkirah' of 'ustazs' (religious teachers) that I had followed over the years. 
'Insya-Allah' (Allah SWT willing) lessons by the 'ustazs' were based on the the Qur'an and the 'hadith' therefore hopefully this article would be a more matured and meaningful 'muzakarah' (discussion) under the subject 'carrying a refrigerator up an icy mountain' compared to what I had written during my 'green and secular' university years. During those years, I wrote mainly based on my 'little knowledge and experience' and 'crude mind'.
Well, my dear brothers and sisters, let us have a quick look at the Qur'an in describing the state of human beings based on Surah Al-'Asr (The Declining Day). It says with the meaning: "By the declining day; Lo! Man is in a state of loss; Save those who believe and do good works, and exhort one another to truth and exhort one another to endurance."
'Subhanallah', everyone is in the state of loss except those with the four traits mentioned in 'Surah Al-'Asr. All our deeds and actions were of no benefit; only lately I realized that everything we do must in line with Allah's orders and to be able to do that we must follow what the Qur'an and Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. had showed and set to us (hadiths). 
Alas, as a 'layman' with many handicaps (for example as I have no knowledge of Arabic); it is not proper for me to refer directly to the Qur'an and hadiths for an interpretation, but to have audience with learned people such as 'ustazs' who would give explaination from the Qur'an and hadiths. Alhamdulillah, this time around my arguments is based on lessons by the many 'ustazs' and 'ustazahs' (female religious teachers) I had followed.
Before we continue, let us look at the general meaning of the phrase 'carrying a refrigerator up an icy mountain'. It simply means that many of us in our daily lives do improper or in a harsh language 'stupid things' - what's the point in burdening ourselves with doing things or chasing things we actually do not need. Do we need a fridge on top of an icy mountain?
Perhaps some readers might laugh off at some of the 'improper' things that I would write, but again it is up to you dear readers to think and decide about it. For the practising Muslims, they pray at least five times daily; one phrase they read during prayers is 'Inna solati, wanusuki, wamahyaya, wamamati, Lillahirabbil ‘alamin (My prayer and my sacrifice and my life and my death are all for Allah, the Lord of the worlds).
Well, what's the purpose we are sent into this world? In 'ayah' 56 Surah of Surah l-dhāriyāt (The Wind that Scatter) Allah SWT says: "And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me."
Our journey in this world is to please Allah SWT before 'we met' Him in the Hereafter; therefore should we burdened ourselves carrying 'unnecessary items' just like a person carrying a refrigerator on his back up an icy mountain!
Let us look at some of 'the burden' we carry in life in our way 'to meet' Allah SWT. One negative trait that is part of many of us is greedy; we are greedy for almost everything, from power, position, properties, monies and so on.  
During his Isra' and Mi'raj journey accompanied by Angel Jibril, Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. saw a man who had gathered a stack of wood which he could not carry, yet he was adding more wood to it. He asked: "What is this, O Jibril?" He replied: "This is a man from your community who gets people's trusts when he cannot fulfill them, yet he insists on carrying them."
There are many negative traits in us but in this article let us discuss about greedy. We are greedy of things which actually we do not need in this world what's more in the Hereafter. Let me illustrate by giving a very simple example.
In upbringing our family we need a house to shelter us from shine and rain but many people are not satisfied with a house, they try to have two, three, four, five and so on. Then there are others who do not own one or two cars for their family but they have three, four, five and so. The same could be said with other worldly pleasures.
There is a hadith on greed; Anas bin Malik reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “If the son of Adam had a valley full of gold, he would like to have two valleys for nothing fills his mouth except dust. Allah will forgive whoever repents to Him.” (Sahih Bukhari 6075, Sahih Muslim 1048)
In their jest to have all those worldly possession they are willing to do all sort of things including 'haram' (forbidden) ways. Some would forget the fact why Allah SWT sent them into this world. In fulfilling their busy schedules they have no time for Allah SWT such as performing their 'solat' (saying their prayers) and even for their own families. Some would work and work and 'nauzubillah' (Allah forbids) perhaps would only realize their folly when their were inside their graves!
Actually the basic needs of human are only food, clothing and shelter but almost all of us prefer more. Perhaps a house or a car for a family is enough but we love to have more. Many of us do not realize that 'these worldly possession' are actually a burden in our journey 'to meet' Allah SWT in the Hereafter.
Take an example, if we bring lots of luggage at the airport we would be checked thoroughly by the customs officers and that would take time even if 'they were clean' compared with a person with nothing to declare, he would 'breeze off' easily. Yes, owning a lot of properties 'would slow' our journey in the Hereafter what's more if they are possessed by 'haram' means.
We came 'with nothing' into this world (the state at which we were born) and would be back (die) carrying nothing. During our funeral, three things would follow us - our worldly possession including positions and ranks, our relatives and our good deeds - the first two would 'go back', only the last one would be of benefit to us when we are alone inside our graves. So, do we need to carry a refrigerator up an icy mountain?

'If you feel no shame, then do as you wish'...

***
In the name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate; blessings and peace be upon Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.

Reflection
"Anyone who obeys the Messenger has obeyed God..." (Nisaa 4:80)
***


SATURDAY 12th Rabiulawal 1436H (3th January 2015) was the anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam - s.a.w.) birthday. Malaysian Muslims were busy celebrating the big day in rememberence of the Prophet s.a.w., but what a shock we had about a week later - a video of several 'tudung' clad Muslims girls who groped and were being kissed by members of a K-POP group became viral in the internet.
At first I was shocked and disgusted. Later on, a sad feeling gripped deep inside my heart; 'Subhanallah' (All praise only to Allah SWT) what actually had befall to the 'ummah' (Muslims); a few of the new generation (generation Y?)  of Muslims seemed had plunged themselves deep into the ravine of destruction; loosing their 'malu' trait (modesty) or in Arabic 'haya'.
Modesty is part of 'iman' (belief). On the authority of Abu Masud, Uqba ibn Amr al-Ansari al-Badri (Radhiallahu anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allah s.a.w. said: “Among the words people obtained from the first prophecy are: If you feel no shame, then do as you wish.” (This hadith was related by al-Bukhari)
Well, are 'some of our Muslim girls' fast loosing their 'malu'?  Or on a bigger scale, Muslims of our 'kampung' and 'taman' (village and housing estate), our state, country or even the world?
To 'refresh' ourselves on what really took place at the event, I rewrite this 'confession' from the internet.  Among others the writer wrote: "I was there, I saw what happened. I know what happened. I remembered clearly what happened. I recorded what happened.
"The guy asked million times if it's okay to re-act the scene. The girl answered with no doubt. The girl groped him first. The girl went 20 km/h to 140 km/h in groping him. Then it happened. He kissed her shawl, she pulled him closer to her body. The Chinese MC was shocked and told her to stop, she went to be so close and held the guy tight.
"What can he do when the girl gave in. If a Muslim herself forgets what's 'halal' (permissible) and 'haram' (forbidden, unlawful or sinful) why would a non-Muslim be to be blame? Well, any guy would do the same, I suppose..."
Yes, dear brothers and sisters, all Muslims actions are governed by the principles of ‘halal’and 'haram’.  
Since we are still in spirit of celebrating Prophet Muhammad's s.a.w. birthday, let's us tackle this issue by browsing back at the life of the greatest man in the history as being acknowledged by scholars including Western writers. 
Michael H Hart in his book ‘The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History’ ranked the Prophet first, while Lamartine/Histoire de la Turquie/Paris 1854 asked; “If greatness of purpose, smallness of means, and astounding results are the criteria of human genius, who could dare to compare any great man in modern history with Muhammad?”
Hard’s The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History, has sold more than 500,000 copies and been translated into 15 languages. What mainly surprised readers in this book was the first person on Hart's list (Hart, 1992). Hart decided to choose Muhammad over Jesus or Moses. Hart attributes this to the fact that Muhammad was "supremely successful" in both the religious and secular realms.
Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. was clearly a man who we should follow if we want to be successful in this world and in the Hereafter. In the Qur'an, Allah says: "Anyone who obeys the Messenger has obeyed God..." (Nisaa 4:80)
As Muslim we should not only remember Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. on his birthday but keep thinking about him at all times. In doing so, ‘insya-Allah’ (God willing) all our actions would be in line with his teachings. Then our lives would be guarded; our actions would be based on the five sections of ‘hukum shara’ (law of fiqh or religious law), that are ‘waajib’ (obligatory), ‘sunnah’ (optional), ‘harus’ or ‘mubah’ (probable), ‘makruh’ (improper) and ‘haram’.
It is ‘wajib’ to perform our five daily obligatory prayers (subuh, zuhur, asar, maghrib and isyak) so perform our best while doing it; it is ‘haram’ to shake hands with those of the opposite sex who are not our ‘muhram’ (those who are closely related to us such as our father, mother and siblings), then just leave it. And taking this in consideration, then of course it is 'HARAM' for  'tudung' clad Muslim girls (or even by those who are not donning the 'tudung') to  embrace or being kissed by male members of the K-POP group!
The question is why 'our girls' had guts to do 'those haram things'? Perhaps their knowledge on Islam was poor, their 'iman' (faith) loose, they easily gave up to their 'nafs' (desire) because there were 'maksiat' (forbidden activities) in the open everywhere and they failed to see good examples portrayed by leaders and even their parents!
Mother and father, please note that many of us do not or fail to 'dakwah' our children. The father thinks that he should be a good Muslim but forget about his wife and children. He should ‘dakwah’ not only himself but his dependents for Allah SWT says: "Believers! Save yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is Men and Stones, over which are angels stern (and) severe as wardens, who flinch not (from executing) the commands they receive from Allah, but do (precisely) what they are commanded." (Qur’an 66:6)
As parents, we are the 'first teacher' for our children. The question is how is our children's 'iman' (believe); clearly from 'the K-POP' incident, the 'iman' of some of our young generation is questionable. 'Malu' (modesty) is part of 'iman' and if a few of our girls portrayed that they were 'tidak tahu malu' (had no modesty), then we have to check it ourselves fast.
As parents are we too  'tidak tahu malu'? The same question should be forwarded to our leaders - are they too 'tidak tahu malu' when they do all sorts of 'haram' things in the open such as the wife of a top leader embracing a male badminton top player and and a Bollywood star. Yes, if you feel no shame, then do as you wish.
Shaking hands involving the opposite sex is rampant in the ruling party functions. If we were to observe closely the moment when a leader arrived at a function, he would be greeted with handshakes by men and women.
The leader seemed not to have a sense of guilty when shaking and pressing his hand to the hands of other people’s wives (bini orang) or daughters (anak dara orang). It is sinful but the people of that party just ignore it. Women too, were seen pressing or pushing their way to shake hands with the top leaders.
Based on ‘this sinful’ phenomenon, I am afraid we are not thinking about Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. at all times, we are only good at remembering him when celebrating his birthday. Imagine what the Prophet would say, if he were to witness our deeds of not following his teachings and yet during Maulidur Rasul processions some of us are shouting our lungs in praising him.
Yes, we were not following the Prophets s.a.w. way of life and this time around we were 'heavily penalized' in the form of our young 'tudung' clad girls' embracing members of a K-POP group. Perhaps 'this sin' too 'had connection' with the devastating great flood that hit our country recently!
At the same time please be beware, perhaps next time 'our girls' would be embracing Hollywood and Bollywood stars; an excellent example had already been portrayed by the wife of one of our leaders. All these 'sins' were 'sungguh memalukan' (put a great shame to us as Muslims).

'Sayang Sarawak sungainya sempit'...(5)

***********DENGAN nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.
Renungan
"Sesungguhnya solat itu adalah fardu yang ditentukan waktunya atas orang-orang beriman." (Maksud Ayat 103 Surah An-Nisa')
************
KEMASUKAN Islam 'secara rasmi' di Sarawak pada abad ke-15 berkait rapat dengan perkembangan Islam di Brunei Darussalam. Namun terdapat catatan menyatakan ada penduduk Sarawak sudah Islam lebih awal.
Pada zaman kegemilangan Kesultanan Brunei, Sarawak adalah sebahagian tanah jajahannya. Namun ada peristiwa bersejarah pada pertengahan abad ke-19 (1841) menyebabkan sebahagian Sarawak (Kuching dan kawasan sekitarnya) telah diserahkan kepada James Brooke (Rajah Putih). Beliau dan keturunannya telah meluaskan kekuasaan dari Kuala Samarahan (1846) sehinggalah ke Limbang pada 1890.
Selepas Perang Dunia Kedua, keluarga Brooke telah menyerahkan Sarawak kepada kerajaan Inggeris yang telah mencorakkan pemerintahan di negeri itu yang sebahagian besarnya kekal ke hari ini, namun bumi Kenyalang ini telah melahirkan ramai 'wira rakyat' seperti Rosli Dhoby.
Islam tidak mengalami perkembangan di bawah pemerintahan British sekalipun telah ditubuhkan Majlis Islam dan Adat Istiadat Melayu Sarawak pada 1954, dan hari ini selepas 50 tahun merdeka dalam Malaysia, umat Islam di pulau Borneo mengharapkan usaha dakwah dapat dipertingkatkan terutama di kawasan ceruk rantau di pedalaman.
Berceloteh dengan seorang rakan yang baru pulang berdakwah dengan kawan-kawannya selama 40 hari di sebuah kawasan pedalaman di sana, mengharu dan menginsafkan bahawa lebih banyak usaha perlu dilakukan untuk 'memahatkan' Islam di bumi bertuah itu. 
Mungkin satu kampung sudah diislamkan, tetapi penduduk terus dengan amalan lama dan ada kemungkinan besar untuk kembali kepada kepercayaan sebelumnya jika tidak 'dipahatkan' ilmu dan amalan Islam.
Katanya, 'takazah' (keperluan agama) adalah amat mendesak. Penduduk yang telah diislamkan (saudara kita) hauskan ilmu dan bimbingan manakala yang belum Islam menunjukkan minat sangat mendalam untuk mengetahui tentang Islam.
"Namun kedua-dua hal ini gagal ditangani umat Islam secara baik. Memang betul, ramai yang sudah diislamkan, tetapi kurang sekali usaha 'follow up' (susulan). Penduduk sudah diislamkan, tetapi terbiar tanpa bimbingan (usaha dakwah) supaya mereka terus istiqamah dalam Islam seterusnya mengamalkan perintah dan larangan agama.
"Saya saksikan sendiri bagaimana seorang ustaz dari kota datang untuk mengetuai solat Jumaat termasuk membaca khutbah di sebuah masjid tetapi selepas itu dia tergesa-gesa pulang sedangkan penduduk mahukan ustaz mengajar dan membimbing mereka.
"Selama seminggu penduduk terbiar dari segi agamanya, minggu depan seorang ustaz lagi akan datang untuk mengetuai solat Jumaat, selepas itu dia pun berangkat pergi, jadi siapa yang hendak mengajar agama kepada penduduk-penduduk di kawasan pedalaman itu?" tanyanya.
Pendakwah itu bimbang 'saudara kita' akan kembali kepada kepercayaan asal kerana banyak faktor memungkinkannya. "Misalnya dalam sesebuah keluarga ada seorang dua yang memeluk Islam, yang lain masih mengekalkan cara hidup lama; lambat laun dikhuatiri 'saudara kita' akan kembali kepada kepercayaan dan cara hidup lama kerana mereka tidak ada bimbingan dalam beragama," katanya.
Beliau mendakwa sepanjang berdakwah ada ditemui seorang bapa mengahwinikan anak gadisnya yang sudah Islam dengan pemuda bukan Islam. Si bapa tidak tahu itu satu kesalahan, lebih malang lagi tiada ustaz 'hadir' untuk membetulkan keadaan itu.
Mengenai dakwah kepada penduduk bukan Islam, si pendakwah berkata kebanyakan penduduk di rantau ini 'lembut-lembut belaka' - mereka 'banyak tersenyum' dan diam saja 'ketika didakwah'. 
"Ramai tertarik kepada Islam, kami pernah menghadiri majlis kenduri berkhatan bagi 'saudara baru'...begitu terharu kami melihatkan selain kanak-kanak ada pemuda berusia 18 'siap sedia untuk dikhatankan' demikian juga orang 'veteran'," katanya.
Berdasarkan kunjungan dakwahnya yang menarik minat penduduk tempatan, beliau mengharapkan lebih ramai kumpulan dakwah dapat ke Sarawak dan Sabah. 
Namun beliau mengingatkan bahawa 'kawasan dakwah' adalah begitu luas jadi masa diperlukan lama; tidak mungkin untuk melakukan kerja dakwah dalam tempoh sehari dua kerana perjalanan ke sana saja untuk memakan tempoh berhari-hari. 
"Umat Islam mesti melakukan korban untuk menegakkan Islam; kepayahan tidak sewajarnya dijadikan alasan untuk tidak berdakwah," katanya yang berazam untuk kembali berdakwah kepada penduduk di pulau Borneo.
"Kawasan sasaran dakwah adalah jauh-jauh belaka; banyak kesukaran perlu ditempoh tetapi inilah pengorbanan kita untuk Islam," katanya yang sudah biasa meninggalkan anak isteri dan kampung halaman bagi tempoh yang lama.

The 'best noodles' in the world?

***
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful; blessings and peace be upon Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.

***
Reflection

The Declining Day (Al-'Asr)

1. By the declining day,2. Lo! Man is in a state of loss,3. Save those who believe and do good works, and exhort one another to truth and exhort one another to endurance.

***

YEARS ago as a young father, I was fond of bringing my family especially my young boys 'to sample' food at various eateries. One day, while quietly eating his 'mi goreng kicap' (noodles fried deep in ketchup sauce) at a 'gerai' (stall), my five year old child cried out that his 'mi' was 'paling sedap' (the best) noodles in the world.
I was not surprise at his 'outburst' - the boy was too green, the Malay old folks would say 'baru nak hidup' (just beginning to live) or 'baru setahun jagung' (still a greenhorn). Perhaps he has not tasted the many types of noodles available at the many eateries around us such as stalls and restaurants with unique names such as 'Mi Kari' (Curry Noodles), 'Mi Goreng Mamak' (Fried Noodles Mamak Style) and 'Mi Sop Gear Box' (Noodles in hot soup with oxen ligaments).
These are a few names of 'mi', there are also 'mi siam (beehoon)', 'laksa' and the likes of it. Lately I had tried 'Mi Kolok' of the Sarawak fame and during our outing at eateries, 'I was sure' my wife would 90 percent ask for her 'mi kung-fu'. And as for me, my favourite is 'Mi Bandung'!
Well, as human beings we are the 'masters' in our chosen worldly matters including in the culinary world for example as 'mi expert'. We are free to cook whatever dish we wish but of course as Muslims, our cooking and food must in line with the requirements in Islam such as what is 'halal' (permissible) or 'haram' (forbidden).
Regarding this matter, a 'hadith' narrated by Anas noted that the Prophet (peace be upon him, s.a.w.) passed by some people who were busy with pollination and said: “If they would not do this, then it would still come out right.” 
The date crop that resulted was of a very poor quality. Then he passed by them and asked: “What is with your date palms?” 
They said: “You had told us such-and-such…” He said: “You know best the affairs of your worldly life.”
Well, we decide for our worldly affairs. Recently I received this 'warm' and 'promising' e-mail from a reader who after that had sent me a book regarding the nostalgia of living in Muar. One of the many things the writer noted about Muar was on food and he did mentioned about 'Mi Bandung' (my favourite) which is the signature of the town which is also known as Bandar Maharani.
The name 'Mi Bandung' make me curious to know why it is called so. I had been to Bandung, but 'sadly' the people there said 'there is no such thing as 'Mi Bandung'. Alhamdulillah (Praise be only to Allah SWT), in this book, I have the answer... 
'Salam' (Greetings to) LanH,
I have always enjoyed reading your articles in Harakah. Have you ever thought of publishing it so that more will be able to read it as not many people I know do not subscribe to Harakah. I recently published a book, 'Pages from my Past' written by Kamaruddin Abdullah. It is a compilation of articles about Muar in the 50s and 60s. If you are interested we could discuss this further. If you could let me have your address I will send you a copy of the book published by Kalsom Taib Publishing. - Kalsom Taib
Regarding 'Mi Bandung', Kamaruddin in his book 'Pages from my Past' among others wrote: "'Otak-otak' (fish paste) and 'Mi Bandung' need no introduction. Some may ask whether 'Mi Bandung' originated from Bandung. No, it is not. 'Mi Bandung' has its origin right in Muar Town. Why it is called 'Mi Bandung' then?
"Let me tell you the story, which was told to me by close older friend Mohammed Mahmood. Nobody in Muar Town of my time knew Mohammed Mahmood, but mention the name of Awang Kitang to them and they will immediately remember the most notorious and playful Muarian the town had ever produced. Yes, Mohammed Mahmood is Atan Kitang and this is his story:
"A year after our country gained its independence, our Prime Minister the late Tunku wanted to foster closer relationships with our neighbours Indonesia and Singapore. One of the activities proposed was the exchange of cultural shows among the three countries. I remember attending one of the shows at Rex Cinema. The Indonesian troupe consisted of the legendary Bing Selamat and Titiek Puspa. The Singaporean too presented their talented artists. Our late legendary Tan Sri P Ramlee was just beginning to shine and was not included.
"Across the road where the Grand Paradise stood was a small row of shophouses fronting Jalan Sisi........Among these traders, there was a man we called Pak Ma'il and his assistant Taib Tenuk. They both served the best Malay noodles that has no specific name. It was simply called 'mi kuah'. Muarians flock to this small restaurant to enjoy this specially-cook noodle dish day and night.
"In 1959.......................there was another cultural show performed by troupes of the three countries..............At the end of the show, the troupes sang their own country's song; the Malayan sang 'Rasa Sayang', the Singaporeans 'Geylang Si Paku Gelang' and the Indonesians 'Ole Ole Bandung'
"After the show, it was time to fill their stomachs and the only suitable place was Pak Mail's little restaurant.............When they reach Pak Ma'il's restaurant, they all ordered that special noodle with no name...........When it was served, they tucked in and the Indonesian like it so much.
"One of them asked Pak Ma'il the name of the dish and he replied that the dish had no specific name, just noodles mixed with the 'kuah' of pasted shrimps and bits and pieces of other ingredients, such as sliced meat, cuttlefish  and vegetables. He said to just call the dish 'mi kuah'.
"The Indonesian then suggested the name 'Mi Bandung' because they were singing 'Ole Ole Bandung' when their meal arrived. Everyone laughed and agreed that the lovely dish be named 'Mi Bandung'. So it was, and from then on the dish cooked by Pak Ma'il and his assistant Taib Tenuk became known as 'Mi Bandung Muar'.
"Later Pak Ma'il and his assistant taught some others to cook this dish and eventually many restaurants began to serve 'Mi Bandung'. So the next time you pass Muar Town, TRY IT and remember this story...
Recently my wife and I drove to Muar from Melaka which was a half an hour drive, 'to accept' the writer's 'challenge'. Someone told us that  one of the Muar's best 'Mi Bandung' is 'Mee Bandung Central' which is situated just in front of the gate of Sekolah Menengah Sains Muar in Tanjung Agas.
We failed to locate the outlet but as we were about to head the famous Muar Bridge, we came across two restaurants in a row of shophouses which has a large signboard which read 'Mee Bandung Muar' and 'Mee Udang Banjir - Mee Bandung'.
At first we try our luck at 'Mee Bandung Muar' but had to move on as this restaurant is 'full house' - not a chair spared for us to sit. At 'Mee Udang Banjir - Mee Bandung' we managed to squeeze ourselves at a small table  - my wife ordering 'Mee Udang Banjir' while I 'as usual my favourite 'Mee Bandung'.
My wife complained that her 'Mee Udang Banjir' was salty but for me, my 'Mee Bandung' was 'excellent'. But both of us agreed that the noodles in the dish was too little - taking several spoons bite from the plate, it was finished. Well, both dish costs RM6.50 each; it was quiet expensive but who needed to complain because nowadays raw items such as prawns and eggs are very, very expensive.
A kilogramme of a medium size prawn could go up to RM30.00 while a small crate of 30 eggs is more than RM12.00! 

'Sayang Sarawak sungainya sempit'...(Bahagian Keempat)

****************DENGAN nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.

Renungan

Daripada Aisyah r.a., berkata: "Saya mendengar Rasulullah s.a.w. bersabda: 'Semua manusia dikumpulkan tanpa memakai alas kaki, telanjang dan belum dikhatan.' Aisyah bertanya; 'Apakah antara lelaki dan perempuan akan saling melihat antara satu dengan yang lain?' Rasulullah s.a.w. bersabda: 'Urusan pada hari itu lebih dahsyat daripada mementingkan hal-hal seperti itu.'" (HR. Bukhari dan Muslim)

*************
PAGI-PAGI lagi terminal feri Sibu sudah sesak dengan orang ramai. Ini kerana hari itu (Sabtu, 20 Disember 2014), ramai perantau seperti pelajar institusi pengajian tinggi (ITP) memanfaatkan cuti panjang hujung tahun termasuk Krismas untuk balik ke kampung masing-masing.
Krismas disambut meriah di Sarawak; Dataran Sibu sudah dihias indah, pagi itu seorang pegawai tinggi polis negeri merasmikan kempen keselamatan ketika orang ramai berpusu-pusu di jalan raya dan juga memenuhi feri yang kebanyakannya memudik Batang Rejang menuju destinasi seperti Song, Kapit dan Belaga.
Di tengah-tengah kesesakan orang ramai di terminal feri, saya menyelinap menyampaikan risalah dakwah bertajuk 'It all began with Read - A Jewish computer programmer accepts Islam'. Sekejap saja 20-30 risalah sudah habis, orang ramai menerimanya 'seadanya' tetapi seorang gadis Iban berusia 19 tahun yang memberitahu dia sedang menuntut di sebuah IPT di Kuching menunjukkan minat mendalam.
Rebecca yang dalam perjalanan ke Song untuk 'pulang berhari raya' di sebuah rumah panjang, tertarik untuk mengetahui hal ehwal berkaitan agama Islam. Dia yang mendakwa bertolak dengan bas ekspres dari Kuching jam 10.00 malam sebelumnya dan tiba di terminal feri Sibu jam 5.00 pagi semakin tertarik apabila saya menyatakan ada persamaan antara Islam dan Kristian; kedua-duanya agama langit (Samawi) namun Islam meletakkan Nabi Isa a.s. sebagai nabi dan rasul dan tidak sebagaimana yang dipercayai penganut Kristian.
Islam sebagai agama fitrah terus berkembang di Sarawak hatta di kalangan orang Iban yang majoriti besarnya beragama Kristian. Orang Iban adalah kaum terbesar di Sarawak, merangkumi 29 peratus daripada 2.5 juta penduduknya. Kunjungan saya ke Sarawak menemukan saya dengan seorang 'saudara kita' di kalangan orang Iban, Siti.........Abdullah, (nama penuhnya dirahsiakan demi keselamatan dirinya), yang berasal dari sebuah rumah panjang di Sri Aman.
Bercakap mengenai pengislamannya, Siti hampir menitiskan air mata. Cahaya Islam memasuki hatinya lapan tahun lalu selepas dia meragui kepercayaan dalam agama Kristian yang membawa perceraian dengan suaminya. Hanya dia dan seorang lelaki berusia 12 tahun memeluk Islam, sedangkan semua anggota keluarganya termasuk seorang anak lelaki berusia 17 tahun kekal dalam agama Kristian.
Sebagai seorang 'saudara kita', Siti meluahkan 'rasa hatinya yang lama terbuku' kerana dirinya begitu tertekan selepas memeluk Islam. Beliau mendakwa kesempatan untuk 'mendekatkan diri kepada Islam' tidak begitu terbuka di Sarawak.
"Jika di Semenanjung ada PERKIM, di sini kita ada 'Harakah Islamiah' (HIKMAH), namun ia kurang berkesan dalam usaha mendidik saudara kita," dakwa Siti. "Saya hauskan ilmu agama, tetapi saya tidak tahu mahu rujuk siapa atau pihak mana. Saya dibuang saudara-mara termasuk ibu bapa, jadi kepada siapa dan di mana saya boleh mengadu?"
"Saudara kita terabai dari segi kebajikannya dan lebih malang lagi orang Melayu tidak ramai yang berani menolong saudara kita; ya orang Melayu kurang sekali membantu apatah lagi berdakwah kepada kaum lain termasuk Iban," dakwanya.
Sepanjang berada di Sarawak, sedikit sebanyak dapat saya menyelami rasa hati seorang insan di kalangan saudara kita seperti Siti. Di kebanyakan tempat yang saya kunjungi hanya siaran TV1 dan TV2 saja yang boleh diikuti; kedua-dua rangkaian ini terlalu banyak propaganda dan hiburan yang membuatkan 'hati kita sesak kerana seakan-akan berada dalam tahun-tahun 1960-an dan 1970-an.' 
Ketika saya bermalam di Sri Aman, tertengok saya rancangan nyanyian yang menampilkan Ramlah Ram...Subhanallah, sudah terlalu jauh dibuainya dengan nostalgia...jadi saya berpendapat warga luar bandar termasuk di Sarawak sudah banyak didendangkan dengan kisah-kisah lama menyebabkan sesetengahnya 'tertidur dibuai mimpi'.
Menatap akhbar-akhbar berbahasa Melayu Sarawak apatah lagi yang berbahasa Inggeris hampir tiada ruangan agama. Apa yang banyak dipaparkan adalah ruangan hiburan dan majlis keraian rakyat seperti sambutan Krismas. Ada juga diperuntukkan muka surat laporan dalam bahasa Iban, persoalannya adakah ruang untuk berdakwah kepada kaum ini?
Menjalankan usaha dakwah di kawasan pedalaman Sarawak adalah satu cabaran besar, tidak ramai di kalangan orang Islam yang sanggup meredah hutan, menyeberangi sungai dan duduk berhari-hari malah berminggu-minggu bersama kumpulan sasaran termasuk di rumah panjang.
Seorang imam sebuah masjid besar di sebuah pekan besar di Sarawak menyimpulkan hal ini dalam ungkapan yang amat pedas: "Ya sebahagian pendakwah (pegawai agama) yang digajikan kerajaan yang datang dari Kuching hanya sanggup mengajar agama jika mereka disediakan bilik hotel yang hebat dan pengangkutan yang baik...jika tidak, mereka pun tidak sudi ke kawasan pedalaman ini!"
Ya, sebahagian besar masjid di Sarawak terutama di Kuching adalah besar-besar belaka, tetapi agak sepi. Di dinding Masjid Negeri ada tertulis ayat al-Quran (ayat 103, Surah 4, An-Nisa') yang membawa maksud: "Sesungguhnya solat itu adalah fardu yang ditentukan waktunya atas orang-orang beriman" tetapi ketika saya solat zuhur pada suatu hari, jemaah yang ada tak sampai sebaris (hanya kira-kira 20 orang) walaupun masjid itu saya anggarkan boleh memuatkan 20,000 jemaah!

A touching story of a long forgotten friend...

***
In the name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate; blessings and peace be upon Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.

Reflection
"Anyone who obeys the Messenger has obeyed God..." (Nisaa 4:80)
***
ON December 24th 2014 'an old friend', Prof Dr Safiah Osman passed to me her latest book - Stories of Love and Compassion - which she said was just two days out from its printing house;  Success Printing and Packaging Sdn Bhd.
It was a compilation of 32 short stories of several writers with Dr Safiah as the 'anchorwoman'  wrote nine pieces. The other writers were Hajar Alias, Laila Hassan, Kamaruddin Abd Kadir, Firoza Burhan, Khairiah Ahmad, Kalsom Taib, Putri Zanina, Rohani Ramly, Zawiyah Baba, Rohana Zubir, Zuraidah Omar, Yasmin Gan Abdullah, Noorshin Ng Abdullah, Azleen Osman Rani, Sulaiman Osman and the late Kamariah Osman, Rafiah Bahar Rasip, Rodziah Ahmad Tajuddin and Nur Aini Mad Yaman.
The book was published by Muslim Aid  Asia Sdn Bhd of Muslim Aid Asia which was founded in 2004 to provide a platform and a focus for Malaysians to join hands with fellow Malaysian and the world community at large in tackling the persistent and recurring problems of local and global poverty and suffering as a result of natural disasters (floods, earthquakes, etc) and human disasters (endemic poverty, civil  strife, wars, etc).
In 2008, Muslim Aid Asia was officially registered as a foundation to serve these goals, and now is known as 'Yayasan Kemanusiaan Muslim Aid Malaysia' (YKMAM) or Muslim Aid Malaysia Humanitarian Foundation (Muslim Aid). Readers could get this book at it premise; 8-1-2, Menara Mutiara Bangsar, Jalan Liku 59100 Kuala Lumpur (telephone 03-22881996 and websitewww.muslimaid.org.my). It is also available at leading bookstores.
Dr Safiah in the preface of the book noted that there is a story in all of us waiting to be told. "Every story is unique, conveying its particular message, meaning of purpose. A story may be inspiring, thought-provoking, spiritual enlightening or just plain nurturing and very often we want to share it with others...The all-important message in this book is that we need to love and fear Allah SWT and we need to turn to Him not only in times of adversity, sadness and grief but also in times of joy and happiness."
Reading the first story by Dr Safiah herself - A Magnificent Gift of Kindness - 'pierced deep inside my heart'; it was about Dr Safiah's warm relationship with a fellow pilgrimage in Makkah who had been diagnosed with advanced cancer.
Dr Safiah found out that this woman who was travelling alone to perform the hajj was actually 'fully sponsored' by a generous man who would like to remain anonymous. Regarding 'their relationship' after after hajj, Dr Safiah wrote: "My heart will always be pierced with regret because I visited her only once and that was when she had already been hospitalized...I was deeply saddened by the young woman's passing..."
Taking time to read on; I was 'stung' while reading ''Learning all about love and compassion' by Putri Zanina. It was a story about my friend, a long forgotten friend who was a colleague in Berita Harian. He was my successor as Foreign Editor when I resigned from the media house in 1998.
Among others Zanina wrote: "It was 6pm and already dark when we left Heathrow Airport for the New Straits Times apartment in the centre of London. It was 1995 and I was travelling with my four children, aged between five and fourteen, who were on their first long-haul trip overseas. After the twelve-hour overnight flight, we were all exhausted. Adding to the strain was hauling luggage for five people.
"As we sat in the taxi cruising into the city all I could think about was getting a good night's sleep. But as soon we arrived at my company's apartment near the Queensbay area, we realized how famished we were. I was unfamiliar with the area and our apartment was located in a quiet, secluded spot. No shops were within sight. I felt daze, made worse by jetlag, but I had four hungry kids to feed.
"As I was thinking of where to take the children for dinner, there was a knock on the door. Opening it, I saw a man smiling and then giving me his 'salam'. He introduced himself as Karim Sulaiman from the apartment upstairs. The name rang a bell. He was a Berita Harian journalist and the newspaper correspondent in London. He explained that he had heard our taxi arrive and had been told by his New Straits Times colleague that I was making a visit and he thought he would welcome us. "Would you like to have dinner at my apartment? My wife has just finished cooking,' he said. What a relief to receive his invitation. I gladly accepted it and no word could describe how grateful I felt.
"My children and I trooped upstairs. The forlorn feeling we had earlier dissipated as we entered Karim's home. Not only his lovely wife Siti Hawa Mohd Ariff warmly welcome us, but the shrieks and laughter of his two children also added to our joy. We felt immediately at home. Although we were strangers, Karim and his wife embraced us with the kind of sincerity that could only come from compassionate hearts. And the piping hot chicken rice and soup that Siti Hawa served us was the best I had even eaten!
"A simple meal, a simple gesture twenty years ago, but I still remember it until today. Although I have traveled to many places in the world over the years, the experience in Karim's house remains one of the best moments of being away from home. I have often wondered why it stayed in my memory. Perhaps it was because it showed that you can offer kindness even by simple means..."
Karim Sulaiman was one year my senior in Berita Harian. I began working at the daily in 1986 while Karim in 1985. I remembered the last time I talked to him was when he took the position of Foreign Editor and ha asked me for advises regarding work. That was our 'last contact'. It was more 15 years ago.
Ending her story on Karim, Putri Zanina wrote: "When love is spread regardless of creed and colour of skin, it is a powerful tool to spread goodwill. Karim's goodwill remained forever and I felt profound sadness when he passed away in February 2014. Aged only 53, he succumbed to a rare skin disease, 'scleromyxedema', which he had been suffering..."
My heart will always be pierced with regret because I had never visited Karim since I left Berita Harian in 1998. Perhaps I had 'merajuk' (take things too hard). It was my mistake. And for 'Allahyarham' (the late) Karim, well, dear readers, let us say our prayers (du'a) for him...'Al-Fatihah'. May Allah SWT be pleased with him. - ES