Roslan Hamid's Blog, page 157
November 18, 2014
Giving an impromptu talk at Universitas Komputer Indonesia
***
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.
***
AFTER attending 'solat Jumaat' (Friday prayers) at Masjid Baiturrahman in Jalan Dipatiukur, Bandung, Indonesia on 24th October, 'alhamdulillah' (all praise and thanks be to Allah SWT) I was one lucky guy when the 'khatib' (person who reads the sermon) himself met me, perhaps he 'could sense' that I was a foreigner.
He introduced himself as Anton, a 'dosen' (lecturer) at Universitas Komputer Indonesia which is a walking distance away from the masjid. Later on I found out that he is Dr Anton Minardi who teaches International Relations and Communication in Universitas Komputer and Universitas Pasundan in Bandung.
In the masjid after exchanging information about ourselves; I told Anton that I was very impressed with his 'khutbah' where he openly criticized the newly installed administration of President Joko Widowo (Jokowi) and 'going further' by saying that "Islam and democracy do not fit" - Islamic political parties had failed to govern successfully any country; for example 'Ikhwanul Muslimin (Islamic Brotherhood) had failed in Egypt while Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) too failed in their bid to take power in Algeria even though they had won the election.
As a solution, Dr Anton in his 'khutbah' said Muslims must look back at how Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. successful transformed 'jahilyah' (barbarian) Arabs into refined people in all aspects of life and with their love for life in the Hereafter compared with pleasures and treasures of life unable them to rule three quarter of the world.
During our discussion at the masjid, Dr Anton once again stressed that the establishment of Islamic political parties that took part in elections as a part of democracy process is not a way out to Muslims problems but he was opened to ideas after I told him I was a member of PAS (an Islamic party in Malaysia) and it fact is a writer of its publication, Harakah.
Dr Anton showed interest in me and asked me to follow him to his room in Universitas Komputer. I thought we would further discussed the issue in his room, but he surprised and caught me off guard when he guided me to a lecture room where some 40 students were waiting in the chairs.
After addressing and explaining some points to his class of International Relations, Dr Anton turned to me, introduced me to his students and said: "Alhamdulillah' we are very lucky today to have a veteran journalist from Malaysia to give us some insight about the political situation in his country; especially regarding the Islamic party. We would also would like to hear from him on international issues pertaining to Muslims worldwide especially regarding contemporary subjects such as on Islamic State (IS) or Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS)."
'Subhanallah' (Glory be to God) I was speechless, my throat dried; nevertheless I managed to calm myself and kept on repeating this word in my head: "come on LanH, you could do it, there's nothing to be afraid of."
As I pulled 'for a brave face' in front of the students, my mind 'raced' back to some of my latest article in the English Section of Harakah. Ohh, 'alhamdulillah', it helped me, and I did feel that my confidence was building up in me as I talked that PAS is not a political party but also a 'da'wah' movement; and at the moment it is trying hard to portray the beauty of Islam to 'non-Muslims'.
I talked that Islam is for all; its is not only a religion for Muslims. I mentioned that in the Qur'an there are 'ayahs' (verses of the Holy Qur'an) which begins with 'ya ayyuhannas' which means 'Oh people' and 'ayahs' beginning with 'ya ayyuhal lazina amanu' that means 'Oh people who believe'. This proved that the Qur'an is sent by Allah SWT for all of mankind, not only for the people during the time of the Prophet and only for Muslims.
Islam is a religion of 'Rahmatan Lil 'Alamin' (blessing to all mankind); in 'Ayah' 107 of Surah al-Anbiya, Allah SWT notes: "We have not sent thee, O Muhammad, but as a mercy to mankind," I said.
Regarding issues pertaining to Muslims worldwide I mentioned that the world community were very concerned about apartheid in South Africa that brought to the end of that 'barbaric way of life' after a multi-race elections was held for the first time in 1994 that spearheaded Nelson Mandela from African National Congress (ANC) into power but the world especially super powers showed no commitment in solving the Palestinians issue.
"In my opinion this is the last apartheid; Palestinian lands should be returned to their rightful owners and Israel should be check by the world community; they must be punished heavily for their brutality in invading and striking Palestinians lands such as in Gaza and the West Bank," I told the students.
I too mentioned that Muslims were not alert and ready to assist fellow Muslims internationally stating for example after the fall of Soviet Union and the independence of of several Islamic republics in Central Asia such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan in 1991, they were left to be influenced by the Americans, Koreans and China who set up large business identities such as in oil and gas related industries.
Regarding the IS or ISIS issue, my talk was based to the points that I had raised in my previous article in Harakah entitled 'IS - Two sides of a coin'. I mentioned to the students that it was better for us not to take sides as we have no idea what was going in that part of the world.
"Well, all the reports regarding IS or ISIL that we received were filled in by the foreign press, are we going to belief blindly at anything they write and report?" I asked them.
I reminded the students to study 'Ayah' 6 of Surah 46 or Al-Hujurat (Room) which reads: "O you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one with information, investigate; lest you harm a people out of ignorance and become, over what you have done, regretful."
I end my talk by mentioning to the boys and girls a story on how particular was one of our 'imans' regarding facts - Imam Shafie who was on the back of a donkey when asked by a stranger how many legs do the animals have, stepped down and do the counting and only after that said: "It has four legs!" - ES
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.
***
AFTER attending 'solat Jumaat' (Friday prayers) at Masjid Baiturrahman in Jalan Dipatiukur, Bandung, Indonesia on 24th October, 'alhamdulillah' (all praise and thanks be to Allah SWT) I was one lucky guy when the 'khatib' (person who reads the sermon) himself met me, perhaps he 'could sense' that I was a foreigner.
He introduced himself as Anton, a 'dosen' (lecturer) at Universitas Komputer Indonesia which is a walking distance away from the masjid. Later on I found out that he is Dr Anton Minardi who teaches International Relations and Communication in Universitas Komputer and Universitas Pasundan in Bandung.
In the masjid after exchanging information about ourselves; I told Anton that I was very impressed with his 'khutbah' where he openly criticized the newly installed administration of President Joko Widowo (Jokowi) and 'going further' by saying that "Islam and democracy do not fit" - Islamic political parties had failed to govern successfully any country; for example 'Ikhwanul Muslimin (Islamic Brotherhood) had failed in Egypt while Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) too failed in their bid to take power in Algeria even though they had won the election.
As a solution, Dr Anton in his 'khutbah' said Muslims must look back at how Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. successful transformed 'jahilyah' (barbarian) Arabs into refined people in all aspects of life and with their love for life in the Hereafter compared with pleasures and treasures of life unable them to rule three quarter of the world.
During our discussion at the masjid, Dr Anton once again stressed that the establishment of Islamic political parties that took part in elections as a part of democracy process is not a way out to Muslims problems but he was opened to ideas after I told him I was a member of PAS (an Islamic party in Malaysia) and it fact is a writer of its publication, Harakah.
Dr Anton showed interest in me and asked me to follow him to his room in Universitas Komputer. I thought we would further discussed the issue in his room, but he surprised and caught me off guard when he guided me to a lecture room where some 40 students were waiting in the chairs.
After addressing and explaining some points to his class of International Relations, Dr Anton turned to me, introduced me to his students and said: "Alhamdulillah' we are very lucky today to have a veteran journalist from Malaysia to give us some insight about the political situation in his country; especially regarding the Islamic party. We would also would like to hear from him on international issues pertaining to Muslims worldwide especially regarding contemporary subjects such as on Islamic State (IS) or Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS)."
'Subhanallah' (Glory be to God) I was speechless, my throat dried; nevertheless I managed to calm myself and kept on repeating this word in my head: "come on LanH, you could do it, there's nothing to be afraid of."
As I pulled 'for a brave face' in front of the students, my mind 'raced' back to some of my latest article in the English Section of Harakah. Ohh, 'alhamdulillah', it helped me, and I did feel that my confidence was building up in me as I talked that PAS is not a political party but also a 'da'wah' movement; and at the moment it is trying hard to portray the beauty of Islam to 'non-Muslims'.
I talked that Islam is for all; its is not only a religion for Muslims. I mentioned that in the Qur'an there are 'ayahs' (verses of the Holy Qur'an) which begins with 'ya ayyuhannas' which means 'Oh people' and 'ayahs' beginning with 'ya ayyuhal lazina amanu' that means 'Oh people who believe'. This proved that the Qur'an is sent by Allah SWT for all of mankind, not only for the people during the time of the Prophet and only for Muslims.
Islam is a religion of 'Rahmatan Lil 'Alamin' (blessing to all mankind); in 'Ayah' 107 of Surah al-Anbiya, Allah SWT notes: "We have not sent thee, O Muhammad, but as a mercy to mankind," I said.
Regarding issues pertaining to Muslims worldwide I mentioned that the world community were very concerned about apartheid in South Africa that brought to the end of that 'barbaric way of life' after a multi-race elections was held for the first time in 1994 that spearheaded Nelson Mandela from African National Congress (ANC) into power but the world especially super powers showed no commitment in solving the Palestinians issue.
"In my opinion this is the last apartheid; Palestinian lands should be returned to their rightful owners and Israel should be check by the world community; they must be punished heavily for their brutality in invading and striking Palestinians lands such as in Gaza and the West Bank," I told the students.
I too mentioned that Muslims were not alert and ready to assist fellow Muslims internationally stating for example after the fall of Soviet Union and the independence of of several Islamic republics in Central Asia such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan in 1991, they were left to be influenced by the Americans, Koreans and China who set up large business identities such as in oil and gas related industries.
Regarding the IS or ISIS issue, my talk was based to the points that I had raised in my previous article in Harakah entitled 'IS - Two sides of a coin'. I mentioned to the students that it was better for us not to take sides as we have no idea what was going in that part of the world.
"Well, all the reports regarding IS or ISIL that we received were filled in by the foreign press, are we going to belief blindly at anything they write and report?" I asked them.
I reminded the students to study 'Ayah' 6 of Surah 46 or Al-Hujurat (Room) which reads: "O you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one with information, investigate; lest you harm a people out of ignorance and become, over what you have done, regretful."
I end my talk by mentioning to the boys and girls a story on how particular was one of our 'imans' regarding facts - Imam Shafie who was on the back of a donkey when asked by a stranger how many legs do the animals have, stepped down and do the counting and only after that said: "It has four legs!" - ES
November 16, 2014
Meriahnya Bandung dengan orang Malaysia...
Dengan nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.
Renungan
"Wahai orang yang beriman, kenapa kamu memperkatakan barang yang tidak kamu amalkan." (Maksud ayat 2 Surah Al-Shaf)
PEMERGIAN saya ke Jakarta dan Bandung tempoh hari lalu adalah atas ajakan dan tajaan seseorang. Awalnya tidaklah saya ketahui tujuan ahli kumpulannya; setibanya di sana barulah saya ketahui bahawa mereka sebenarnya gila ber'shopping'. Mereka leka 'shopping' dan 'shopping' - kata orang putih, 'shop till you drop'.
Ya, mungkin itulah tujuan utama kumpulan demi kumpulan 'parivisata' (pelancong) Malaysia yang begitu ramai ke Bandung sama ada melalui melalui penerbangan terus ke Lapangan Terbang (Bandara) Husein Sastranegara di kota itu atau melalui lebuh raya sejauh 120 kilometer menghala ke timur selepas mendarat di Bandara Soekarno-Hatta di Jakarta.
Selepas tahu 'kegilaan' mereka ber'shopping', tidaklah saya kerap mengikuti rombongan itu kecualilah ketika mengunjungi Taman Visata Tangkuban Prahu. Ketika duduk-duduk di sebuah bangku bersama isteri betul-betul menghadap 'Kawah Ratu' di kemuncak gunung berapi itu, seorang lelaki Sunda, penjual barangan cenderamata yang menggantung barangan jualan di tubuhnya, merapati kami (ahh, potong 'stim' pulak budak ni, fikir saya) dan 'membuka kisah sedih pribumi orang kebanyakan Indonesia' walaupun kami tidak membeli apa-apa daripadanya. Sungguh ramai penjual, mungkin menyamai jumlah pelancong!
"Ya, pak dan ibu, kami sangat suka sekali dengan orang Melayu-Malaysia. Orangnya berbudi bahasa, berlainan sekali dengan pelancong orang putih malah orang Asia lain yang bengis dan kasar menghalau kami yang mencari makan," katanya sedih ketika kami memfokuskan mata melihat dasar Kawah Ratu yang berasap-asap.
Dia terus bercerita dan bercerita - daripada mitos Tangkuban Prahu iaitu kisah Sangkuriang yang jatuh cinta dengan ibunya sendiri, Dayang Sumbi yang cantik jelita. Untuk menggagalkan 'cinta terlarang' itu Sangkuriang diminta membuat sebuah perahu besar; akhirnya Yang Maha Kuasa menelangkupkan perahu itu yang kononnya membentuk Gunung Tangkuban Prahu - kepada nasibnya sekarang.
"Presiden Indonesia sudah bertukar tangan, tapi nasib kami masih macam ini. Semua penjual (cenderamata) di sini bukan menjual barangan sendiri sebaliknya kami ambil daripada pihak tertentu. Kami hanya dibayar komisen saja atas setiap barangan terjual. Hanya penjual ada kartu ini saja boleh berjualan," katanya sambil menunjukkan kad nama lusuh yang tergantung di lehernya.
"Rakyat biasa Indonesia sangat susah," katanya. "Untuk dapat makan pun susah, apatah lagi mahu sekolahkan anak-anak." Lelaki Sunda itu mendakwa persekolahan di Indonesia adalah berbayar demikian juga kos rawatan perubatan yang begitu tinggi.
Namun penjaja itu menjelaskan etniknya bermaruah tinggi. Mengemis-ngemis tiada dalam kamus kehidupan orang Sunda yang dakwanya 100 peratus Muslim. Biar susah bagaimanapun, mereka akan keluar mencari rezeki. Dia sendiri berjalan berpuluh-puluh kilometer dari desanya ke Bandung dan Tangkuban Perahu demi mencari sesuap dua nasi.
Dia juga bercerita betapa ramai orang Sunda sudah ke Malaysia, mencari rezeki, Ditanya kenapa dia tak pergi; katanya kos pembiayaannya tersangat tinggi, dia tidak mampu membayarnya.
Ya, berdasarkan perbualan dengan lelaki Sunda itu tahulah saya 'betapa pentingnya sumbangan' orang Malaysia kepada perkembangan ekonomi di Bandung. Ya, ramai daripada pengunjung dari Malaysia 'bagaikan orang gila' menghamburkan jutaan rupiah mereka (selepas ditukar daripada ringgit) di premis jualan seperti kain, barangan kulit dan aneka barangan seperti di Pasar Baru Trade Centre.
Bagaimana saya tidak mengatakan orang Malaysia ramai di Bandung - di hotel saya berselisih bahu dengan orang Malaysia, demikian juga di tempat beli belah malah di puncak Gunung Tangkuban Prahu! Malah suatu pagi ketika bersarapan di hotel, saya berpeluang 'berceloteh' dengan seorang 'makcik' berusia lebih 70 tahun yang duduk di sebelah saya. Ya, Bandung dikunjungi beramai-ramai oleh orang Malaysia, tidak kira muda atau tua. Selain membeli belah, apa agaknya mereka buru di kota ini yang mereka turut membantu 'ekonominya' pak pengusaha hotel, pengusaha visata dan kedai-kedai?
Berdasarkan perkembangan ini, saya beritahu teman-teman baru Indonesia saya termasuk seorang 'dosen' (pensyarah) universiti, bahawa sebenarnya hubungan orang Indonesia-Malaysia adalah tersangat erat, mereka saling perlu memerlukan. Hal ini berlainan daripada 'kerja gampang' sesetengah pihak yang mahu mengeruhkan hubungan kedua-dua negara seperti 'projek ganyang' Malaysia.
Perihal hubungan baik Malaysia-Indonesia misalnya mahu terus dimantapkan oleh pihak berkuasa Malaysia seperti dilakukan Duta Besar Malaysia, Zaharin Mohamed Hashim (pembaca ingatlah balik siapa tokoh ini) yang menganjurkan Malaysia Day pada 25 Oktober lalu. Acara yang diadakan di Sekolah Islam Terpadu Fajar Hidayah, Kota Wisata, Cibubur, Jakarta itu, bertujuan antara lain mempererat persahabatan, kerja sama serta mempromosi nilai-nilai dan warisan kedua-dua negara.
Ya, Malaysia-Indonesia adalah negara serumpun dengan rakyat kedua-dua negara saling memanfaatkan antara satu sama lain. Nama Bandung memberi inspirasi kepada rakyat Malaysia mencipta masakan seperti mi atau sirap Bandung, tetapi maaflah pak, mi Bandung tiada di Bandung!
Renungan
"Wahai orang yang beriman, kenapa kamu memperkatakan barang yang tidak kamu amalkan." (Maksud ayat 2 Surah Al-Shaf)
PEMERGIAN saya ke Jakarta dan Bandung tempoh hari lalu adalah atas ajakan dan tajaan seseorang. Awalnya tidaklah saya ketahui tujuan ahli kumpulannya; setibanya di sana barulah saya ketahui bahawa mereka sebenarnya gila ber'shopping'. Mereka leka 'shopping' dan 'shopping' - kata orang putih, 'shop till you drop'.
Ya, mungkin itulah tujuan utama kumpulan demi kumpulan 'parivisata' (pelancong) Malaysia yang begitu ramai ke Bandung sama ada melalui melalui penerbangan terus ke Lapangan Terbang (Bandara) Husein Sastranegara di kota itu atau melalui lebuh raya sejauh 120 kilometer menghala ke timur selepas mendarat di Bandara Soekarno-Hatta di Jakarta.
Selepas tahu 'kegilaan' mereka ber'shopping', tidaklah saya kerap mengikuti rombongan itu kecualilah ketika mengunjungi Taman Visata Tangkuban Prahu. Ketika duduk-duduk di sebuah bangku bersama isteri betul-betul menghadap 'Kawah Ratu' di kemuncak gunung berapi itu, seorang lelaki Sunda, penjual barangan cenderamata yang menggantung barangan jualan di tubuhnya, merapati kami (ahh, potong 'stim' pulak budak ni, fikir saya) dan 'membuka kisah sedih pribumi orang kebanyakan Indonesia' walaupun kami tidak membeli apa-apa daripadanya. Sungguh ramai penjual, mungkin menyamai jumlah pelancong!
"Ya, pak dan ibu, kami sangat suka sekali dengan orang Melayu-Malaysia. Orangnya berbudi bahasa, berlainan sekali dengan pelancong orang putih malah orang Asia lain yang bengis dan kasar menghalau kami yang mencari makan," katanya sedih ketika kami memfokuskan mata melihat dasar Kawah Ratu yang berasap-asap.
Dia terus bercerita dan bercerita - daripada mitos Tangkuban Prahu iaitu kisah Sangkuriang yang jatuh cinta dengan ibunya sendiri, Dayang Sumbi yang cantik jelita. Untuk menggagalkan 'cinta terlarang' itu Sangkuriang diminta membuat sebuah perahu besar; akhirnya Yang Maha Kuasa menelangkupkan perahu itu yang kononnya membentuk Gunung Tangkuban Prahu - kepada nasibnya sekarang.
"Presiden Indonesia sudah bertukar tangan, tapi nasib kami masih macam ini. Semua penjual (cenderamata) di sini bukan menjual barangan sendiri sebaliknya kami ambil daripada pihak tertentu. Kami hanya dibayar komisen saja atas setiap barangan terjual. Hanya penjual ada kartu ini saja boleh berjualan," katanya sambil menunjukkan kad nama lusuh yang tergantung di lehernya.
"Rakyat biasa Indonesia sangat susah," katanya. "Untuk dapat makan pun susah, apatah lagi mahu sekolahkan anak-anak." Lelaki Sunda itu mendakwa persekolahan di Indonesia adalah berbayar demikian juga kos rawatan perubatan yang begitu tinggi.
Namun penjaja itu menjelaskan etniknya bermaruah tinggi. Mengemis-ngemis tiada dalam kamus kehidupan orang Sunda yang dakwanya 100 peratus Muslim. Biar susah bagaimanapun, mereka akan keluar mencari rezeki. Dia sendiri berjalan berpuluh-puluh kilometer dari desanya ke Bandung dan Tangkuban Perahu demi mencari sesuap dua nasi.
Dia juga bercerita betapa ramai orang Sunda sudah ke Malaysia, mencari rezeki, Ditanya kenapa dia tak pergi; katanya kos pembiayaannya tersangat tinggi, dia tidak mampu membayarnya.
Ya, berdasarkan perbualan dengan lelaki Sunda itu tahulah saya 'betapa pentingnya sumbangan' orang Malaysia kepada perkembangan ekonomi di Bandung. Ya, ramai daripada pengunjung dari Malaysia 'bagaikan orang gila' menghamburkan jutaan rupiah mereka (selepas ditukar daripada ringgit) di premis jualan seperti kain, barangan kulit dan aneka barangan seperti di Pasar Baru Trade Centre.
Bagaimana saya tidak mengatakan orang Malaysia ramai di Bandung - di hotel saya berselisih bahu dengan orang Malaysia, demikian juga di tempat beli belah malah di puncak Gunung Tangkuban Prahu! Malah suatu pagi ketika bersarapan di hotel, saya berpeluang 'berceloteh' dengan seorang 'makcik' berusia lebih 70 tahun yang duduk di sebelah saya. Ya, Bandung dikunjungi beramai-ramai oleh orang Malaysia, tidak kira muda atau tua. Selain membeli belah, apa agaknya mereka buru di kota ini yang mereka turut membantu 'ekonominya' pak pengusaha hotel, pengusaha visata dan kedai-kedai?
Berdasarkan perkembangan ini, saya beritahu teman-teman baru Indonesia saya termasuk seorang 'dosen' (pensyarah) universiti, bahawa sebenarnya hubungan orang Indonesia-Malaysia adalah tersangat erat, mereka saling perlu memerlukan. Hal ini berlainan daripada 'kerja gampang' sesetengah pihak yang mahu mengeruhkan hubungan kedua-dua negara seperti 'projek ganyang' Malaysia.
Perihal hubungan baik Malaysia-Indonesia misalnya mahu terus dimantapkan oleh pihak berkuasa Malaysia seperti dilakukan Duta Besar Malaysia, Zaharin Mohamed Hashim (pembaca ingatlah balik siapa tokoh ini) yang menganjurkan Malaysia Day pada 25 Oktober lalu. Acara yang diadakan di Sekolah Islam Terpadu Fajar Hidayah, Kota Wisata, Cibubur, Jakarta itu, bertujuan antara lain mempererat persahabatan, kerja sama serta mempromosi nilai-nilai dan warisan kedua-dua negara.
Ya, Malaysia-Indonesia adalah negara serumpun dengan rakyat kedua-dua negara saling memanfaatkan antara satu sama lain. Nama Bandung memberi inspirasi kepada rakyat Malaysia mencipta masakan seperti mi atau sirap Bandung, tetapi maaflah pak, mi Bandung tiada di Bandung!
November 13, 2014
The creative and industrious Indonesian...
***In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful; blessings and peace be upon Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.ReflectionThe 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.***
DURING a trip to Jakarta and Bandung recently, I noticed 'this magic word' on a 'pariwisata' (tourist) bus - 'Manusia wajib ihtiar (in Malay it is spelled 'ikhtiar' which means men must make an effort or endeavour). Yes, everybody must work hard and look for ways out of their problems and shortcomings; what more to those who have set targets and aims in their lives.
That 'magic word' reminded me that in Islam, it is stated that all must be worked for; there is no such thing as a 'short cut' to success in the world, what more in the Hereafter. Remember that knowledge is the gateway to success whether in this world or the Hereafter. It was asked "Oh Messenger of Allah: Who is the most excellent of men? The Messenger of Allah said, 'The believer who strives hard in the way of Allah with his person and property."
Whoso is able and fit and does not work for himself or for others, God is not gracious to him. To his companions, the Prophet s.a.w. said “it is better for any of you to take your rope and bring a bundle of wood upon your back and sell it, in which case God guards your honour, then to beg of people, whether they give or not; if they do not give, your reputation suffers, and you return disappointed; and if they give, it is worse than that; for it makes you be under obligation.”
The Qur'an says: "Scatter over the earth and seek Allah's bounty. Aren't we Allah's vicegerents on earth? (62;10)
Well, back to our Jakarta and Bandung story, Indonesia is a very vast country in the Malay archipelago with more than 18,000 islands; its population is estimated at 250 million. Out of the 18,000 islands, only about 8,000 have been named, with about 900 of those permanently inhabited.
Java where Jakarta and Bandung are situated is the most densely populated; around 58 percent of Indonesia’s population live on this island , making it the most populous island in the world.
Two main groups of people on this island are Javanese and the Sundanese; and it is very interesting to note how creative and industrious these ethnic groups of people are in coping with the ever challenging life.
According to some newly found friends I met during the journey, 100 percent of the Sundanese are Muslims and a very high percentage of the Javanese are Muslims. Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim-majority country, estimated at about 86 percent of the population.
The two cities which I visited (Jakarta and Bandung) are among the most populous with the former having a population estimated at about 10 million while the later about 2 million.
Based on this background, as an outsider I 'could sense' the people of Jakarta and Bandung have to make use everything that is available and within their reach to sustain their lives. Thus they are very creative and industrious in making end products from 'raw materials' around them.
The first thing that came across my mind to talk about their creativity was about food - they simply could produce 'nice dishes or culinary greats’ from easily available materials such as rice, flour and vegetables. At one 'warung' (stall), its owner, Pak Rom asked me to try 'kupat tahu' (pressed rice, bean sprouts, and tofu with soy). And there was the simple 'nasi timbel' (rice wrapped in banana leaf).
And of course 'tempe' is very popular in this part of the world. Tempe is regarded as a Javanese invention, a local adaptation of soy-based food fermentation and production. At restaurants and shops, they displayed baskets with 'krupuk' (keropok) and once my wife lost interest in buying this 'krupuk' and another type of snack after she was told they were made from the skin of buffaloes and 'belut' or 'linang' (eel).
There too were many stalls selling satay; other than the normal 'sate ayam' (chicken), 'sate kambing' (mutton); some stalls could surprise you as they displayed signboards written with the word, 'sate kerinci' (rabbit) and 'sate biawak' (monitor lizard)! Ooh, that 'surely' put me off in trying any of the satay!
Travelling from the city of Bandung to Gunung Tangkuban Prahu, one could witness how industrious the Indonesians were in making the most out of the available raw materials. Bamboo and rattans were used to make buildings such as stalls and once in a while one would come across furniture shops which made fine rattan chairs and other finished products.
At the entrance of the road to the mountain, some 'industrious' Indonesians were waiting patiently to sell off their 'goods' to you. One fella with a few boxes of masks would come up to you and say: "'Bapak' (Sir), you better buy this mask. The air around the crater of Tangkuban Prahu is high with sulfur. This mask is very cheap here, up there the price is double or triple..."
Reluctantly you buy one, and some for your loved ones; but...'surprise, surprise' there's only a very thin smell of sulfur and after you get used to the surroundings, you do not need any mask - I noticed almost 100 percent of the people there did not put on their masks!
Lastly, I would like to mention about 'kopi luwak' (civet coffee) which is claimed to be the most expensive coffee in the world. I went to the Sawarga Production Site & Cafe Kopi Luwak in Tangkuban Prahu, at first not to taste its coffee but to learn about the process in producing it.
'Kopi luwak' refers to the seeds of coffee berries once they have been eaten and defecated by the Asian palm civet (paradoxurushermaphroditus). The history of 'kopi luwak' speaks volumes about the creativity and industrious people of Indonesia. It is said that in colonial times, the Dutchmen did not allow local farmers to consume the coffee harvested in 'their' plantations so, they collected the beans found on the floor (the civet pooh) and finally realized that the coffee made with them tasted better than the normal one.
The owner of Sawarga Kopi Luwak, Sujud Pribadi himself explained about the 'clean process' of producing the coffee. The process may improve coffee through two mechanisms, selection and digestion. Selection occurs if the civets choose to eat coffee berries containing better beans.
Digestive mechanisms may improve the flavor profile of the coffee beans that have been eaten. The civet eats the berries for the beans' fleshy pulp, then in the digestive tract, fermentation occurs. The civet's Protease enzymes seep into the beans, making shorter peptides and more free amino acids. Passing through a civet's intestines the beans are then defecated with other fecal matter and collected.
The traditional method of collecting feces from wild civets has given way to intensive farming methods in which civets in battery cage systems are force fed the coffee beans. This method of production has raised ethical concerns about the treatment of civets due to 'horrific conditions' including isolation, poor diet, small cages and a high mortality rate.
Sujud claimed that his coffee was from 'wild luwak' and he displayed this slogan at his premise: "No more exploitation! No more given coffee fruits in cage but let them free in the jungle." He also claimed that 'Majelis Agama Islam Indonesia' (The Indonesian Religious Council) had given the status of 'halal' to 'kopi luwak'.
Before coming to the 'kopi luwak' site, I had known about the 'Majelis' approval, therefore I tried a cup of the coffee. It cost me 30,000 rupiah (about RM10). The coffee was thick and tasted bitter; perhaps it was the first and last time I would have 'kopi luwak'.
But from the many notes scribbled on the walls of Sujud’s premises; others had different views about 'kopi luwak' which has been called the most expensive coffee in the world with retail prices reaching US$700 per kilogram. Among others, the notes read:
"Wonderful discovery! Never thought we'll find such a charming place in Bandung with the best guide showing us the whole process in the making of 'kopi luwak' in respecting the animal's welfare. Love the aroma, love the coffee and love the hospitality." - George, Singapore
"Thanks for explaining the process of 'kopi luwak'. One more thing off my bucket list! Great taste of unique experience." - Gill, Scotland
DURING a trip to Jakarta and Bandung recently, I noticed 'this magic word' on a 'pariwisata' (tourist) bus - 'Manusia wajib ihtiar (in Malay it is spelled 'ikhtiar' which means men must make an effort or endeavour). Yes, everybody must work hard and look for ways out of their problems and shortcomings; what more to those who have set targets and aims in their lives.
That 'magic word' reminded me that in Islam, it is stated that all must be worked for; there is no such thing as a 'short cut' to success in the world, what more in the Hereafter. Remember that knowledge is the gateway to success whether in this world or the Hereafter. It was asked "Oh Messenger of Allah: Who is the most excellent of men? The Messenger of Allah said, 'The believer who strives hard in the way of Allah with his person and property."
Whoso is able and fit and does not work for himself or for others, God is not gracious to him. To his companions, the Prophet s.a.w. said “it is better for any of you to take your rope and bring a bundle of wood upon your back and sell it, in which case God guards your honour, then to beg of people, whether they give or not; if they do not give, your reputation suffers, and you return disappointed; and if they give, it is worse than that; for it makes you be under obligation.”
The Qur'an says: "Scatter over the earth and seek Allah's bounty. Aren't we Allah's vicegerents on earth? (62;10)
Well, back to our Jakarta and Bandung story, Indonesia is a very vast country in the Malay archipelago with more than 18,000 islands; its population is estimated at 250 million. Out of the 18,000 islands, only about 8,000 have been named, with about 900 of those permanently inhabited.
Java where Jakarta and Bandung are situated is the most densely populated; around 58 percent of Indonesia’s population live on this island , making it the most populous island in the world.
Two main groups of people on this island are Javanese and the Sundanese; and it is very interesting to note how creative and industrious these ethnic groups of people are in coping with the ever challenging life.
According to some newly found friends I met during the journey, 100 percent of the Sundanese are Muslims and a very high percentage of the Javanese are Muslims. Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim-majority country, estimated at about 86 percent of the population.
The two cities which I visited (Jakarta and Bandung) are among the most populous with the former having a population estimated at about 10 million while the later about 2 million.
Based on this background, as an outsider I 'could sense' the people of Jakarta and Bandung have to make use everything that is available and within their reach to sustain their lives. Thus they are very creative and industrious in making end products from 'raw materials' around them.
The first thing that came across my mind to talk about their creativity was about food - they simply could produce 'nice dishes or culinary greats’ from easily available materials such as rice, flour and vegetables. At one 'warung' (stall), its owner, Pak Rom asked me to try 'kupat tahu' (pressed rice, bean sprouts, and tofu with soy). And there was the simple 'nasi timbel' (rice wrapped in banana leaf).
And of course 'tempe' is very popular in this part of the world. Tempe is regarded as a Javanese invention, a local adaptation of soy-based food fermentation and production. At restaurants and shops, they displayed baskets with 'krupuk' (keropok) and once my wife lost interest in buying this 'krupuk' and another type of snack after she was told they were made from the skin of buffaloes and 'belut' or 'linang' (eel).
There too were many stalls selling satay; other than the normal 'sate ayam' (chicken), 'sate kambing' (mutton); some stalls could surprise you as they displayed signboards written with the word, 'sate kerinci' (rabbit) and 'sate biawak' (monitor lizard)! Ooh, that 'surely' put me off in trying any of the satay!
Travelling from the city of Bandung to Gunung Tangkuban Prahu, one could witness how industrious the Indonesians were in making the most out of the available raw materials. Bamboo and rattans were used to make buildings such as stalls and once in a while one would come across furniture shops which made fine rattan chairs and other finished products.
At the entrance of the road to the mountain, some 'industrious' Indonesians were waiting patiently to sell off their 'goods' to you. One fella with a few boxes of masks would come up to you and say: "'Bapak' (Sir), you better buy this mask. The air around the crater of Tangkuban Prahu is high with sulfur. This mask is very cheap here, up there the price is double or triple..."
Reluctantly you buy one, and some for your loved ones; but...'surprise, surprise' there's only a very thin smell of sulfur and after you get used to the surroundings, you do not need any mask - I noticed almost 100 percent of the people there did not put on their masks!
Lastly, I would like to mention about 'kopi luwak' (civet coffee) which is claimed to be the most expensive coffee in the world. I went to the Sawarga Production Site & Cafe Kopi Luwak in Tangkuban Prahu, at first not to taste its coffee but to learn about the process in producing it.
'Kopi luwak' refers to the seeds of coffee berries once they have been eaten and defecated by the Asian palm civet (paradoxurushermaphroditus). The history of 'kopi luwak' speaks volumes about the creativity and industrious people of Indonesia. It is said that in colonial times, the Dutchmen did not allow local farmers to consume the coffee harvested in 'their' plantations so, they collected the beans found on the floor (the civet pooh) and finally realized that the coffee made with them tasted better than the normal one.
The owner of Sawarga Kopi Luwak, Sujud Pribadi himself explained about the 'clean process' of producing the coffee. The process may improve coffee through two mechanisms, selection and digestion. Selection occurs if the civets choose to eat coffee berries containing better beans.
Digestive mechanisms may improve the flavor profile of the coffee beans that have been eaten. The civet eats the berries for the beans' fleshy pulp, then in the digestive tract, fermentation occurs. The civet's Protease enzymes seep into the beans, making shorter peptides and more free amino acids. Passing through a civet's intestines the beans are then defecated with other fecal matter and collected.
The traditional method of collecting feces from wild civets has given way to intensive farming methods in which civets in battery cage systems are force fed the coffee beans. This method of production has raised ethical concerns about the treatment of civets due to 'horrific conditions' including isolation, poor diet, small cages and a high mortality rate.
Sujud claimed that his coffee was from 'wild luwak' and he displayed this slogan at his premise: "No more exploitation! No more given coffee fruits in cage but let them free in the jungle." He also claimed that 'Majelis Agama Islam Indonesia' (The Indonesian Religious Council) had given the status of 'halal' to 'kopi luwak'.
Before coming to the 'kopi luwak' site, I had known about the 'Majelis' approval, therefore I tried a cup of the coffee. It cost me 30,000 rupiah (about RM10). The coffee was thick and tasted bitter; perhaps it was the first and last time I would have 'kopi luwak'.
But from the many notes scribbled on the walls of Sujud’s premises; others had different views about 'kopi luwak' which has been called the most expensive coffee in the world with retail prices reaching US$700 per kilogram. Among others, the notes read:
"Wonderful discovery! Never thought we'll find such a charming place in Bandung with the best guide showing us the whole process in the making of 'kopi luwak' in respecting the animal's welfare. Love the aroma, love the coffee and love the hospitality." - George, Singapore
"Thanks for explaining the process of 'kopi luwak'. One more thing off my bucket list! Great taste of unique experience." - Gill, Scotland
November 10, 2014
Tiada erti pemimpin berubah jika rakyat terus susah
DENGAN nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.
Renungan
"Orang-orang mukmin, hatinya menjadi tenteram dengan mengingat Allah. Ingatlah hanya dengan mengingati Allah hati menjadi tenteram." (Maksud Ayat 28 Surah Ar-Ra'ad)
Pertukaran pucuk pimpinan di Indonesia menyaksikan regu Joko Widowo (Jokowi)- Jusuf Kalla (JK) mengambil alih kuasa daripada pasangan Presiden Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) - Boediono yang telah berkuasa selama 10 tahun.
Di Indonesia, selepas tumbangnya rejim Suharto berikutan kebangkitan rakyat pada 1998, kebebasan bersuara termasuklah media massa dan di rapat-rapat umum amat jelas sekali. Rakyat bebas mengkritik pemerintah dan pemimpin dan berdasarkan perkembangan mutakhir yang menyaksikan Jokowi-JK berada di puncak kuasa, media massa begitu keras mengingatkan pemimpin bahawa tidak guna pemimpin saja berubah tetapi nasib rakyat tetap sama - tidak berubah, miskin di dalam sebuah negara yang mewah sumber alamnya.
Akhbar 'Pikiran Rakyat' tanggal 23 Oktober, misalnya, dalam sebuah artikel utamanya mengingatkan: "Para pemimpin yang baru terpilih...jangan hanya 'bisa' membuat program kerja baru, tapi 'bisa' melaksanakannya." Rakyat sudah muak dengan janji-janji, mereka mahu menikmati hasil daripada program dan projek kerajaan tetapi hal itu tidak berlaku - kehidupan mereka masih sama seperti dulu sekalipun pemimpin sudah acap kali berubah.
Sekalipun Presiden kali ini (Jokowi) digambarkan sebagai 'sangat mesra rakyat' malah sebuah majalah heboh bercerita si tukang kayu akhirnya menjadi Presiden, rakyat bawahan Indonesia nampaknya tidaklah gembira sangat malah mengingatkan bahawa "kebanyakan pemimpin tetap sama, belum dapat kuasa banyaklah janji dan pameran kebaikannya tetapi selepas itu janji tinggal janji..." Ya, tiada sebab untuk rakyat gembira kerana harga minyak di Indonesia telah dinaikkan malah dilaporkan tarif listrik (elektrik) juga akan dinaikkan tidak lama lagi.
Ada satu lawak di Indonesia, bahawa harga minyak, barangan dan tarif tidak dinaikkan; perkataan yang mereka gunakan adalah 'harganya berubah'. Ini mungkin menyamai tindakan pihak berkuasa Malaysia yang menggunakan istilah 'rasionalisasi subsidi' bagi mengabui mata rakyat. Ada satu berita 'menggembirakan' bagi pelancong (parivisata) iaitu tiket untuk ke Gunung Tangkuban Prahu di Bandung 'berubah harga' daripada 75,000 rupiah kepada 300,000 rupiah mulai 1 November 2014!
Bagi kita, negara wujud kerana adanya pemimpin dan rakyat. Negara tidak mungkin wujud jika ada kerajaan tetapi tiada rakyat, dan begitu sebaliknya jika ada rakyat tetapi tiada kerajaan. Jadi wajiblah pemerintah 'menyantuni' (berbuat baik) kepada rakyat, malangnya yang kerap digembar-gemburkan bahawa rakyat hendaklah taat kepada pemimpin.
Semua orang atau pihak mempunyai pandangan mereka mengenai pemimpin, tetapi kata mutlak atau pemutusnya adalah apa yang ditentukan oleh Allah SWT melalui kitab dan rasul-Nya, Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. Berhubung soal pemimpin ini ada hadis bermaksud: "Setiap daripada kamu adalah pemimpin dan setiap daripada kamu bertanggungjawab ke atas sesiapa yang dipimpinnya maka seseorang ketua adalah pemimpin dan dia bertanggungjawab terhadap rakyatnya."
Pemimpin yang adil dijanjikan oleh Allah SWT dengan balasan yang baik, mendapat naungan Allah SWT pada hari Pembalasan nanti. Imam Al-Bukhari telah meriwayatkan daripada Abu Hurairah r.a. bahawa Rasulullah s.a.w. bersabda yang bermaksud bahawa salah satu golongan yang mendapat naungan Allah SWT pada hari akhirat nanti ialah pemerintah yang adil
Ya, pemimpin yang adil itulah yang didambakan oleh seluruh rakyat. Dia dijanjikan naungan Allah SWT di akhirat nanti; di dunia ini dia menaungi seluruh rakyatnya, bukan kelompok tertentu atau orang yang menyokong atau mengundinya saja. Namun hal inilah yang memerangkap ramai pemimpin, ia tidak berkecuali kepada Presiden Jokowi yang dibidas media massa kerana 'diperlukan' memberi ruang kepada tokoh tertentu sebagai 'rasa terhutang budi', misalnya beliau melantik Puan Maharani, Ketua Bidang Politik PDI-P sebagai menteri penyelaras pembangunan manusia dan kebudayaan sedangkan kemampuan dan cara hidupnya diragui!
Renungan
"Orang-orang mukmin, hatinya menjadi tenteram dengan mengingat Allah. Ingatlah hanya dengan mengingati Allah hati menjadi tenteram." (Maksud Ayat 28 Surah Ar-Ra'ad)
Pertukaran pucuk pimpinan di Indonesia menyaksikan regu Joko Widowo (Jokowi)- Jusuf Kalla (JK) mengambil alih kuasa daripada pasangan Presiden Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) - Boediono yang telah berkuasa selama 10 tahun.
Di Indonesia, selepas tumbangnya rejim Suharto berikutan kebangkitan rakyat pada 1998, kebebasan bersuara termasuklah media massa dan di rapat-rapat umum amat jelas sekali. Rakyat bebas mengkritik pemerintah dan pemimpin dan berdasarkan perkembangan mutakhir yang menyaksikan Jokowi-JK berada di puncak kuasa, media massa begitu keras mengingatkan pemimpin bahawa tidak guna pemimpin saja berubah tetapi nasib rakyat tetap sama - tidak berubah, miskin di dalam sebuah negara yang mewah sumber alamnya.
Akhbar 'Pikiran Rakyat' tanggal 23 Oktober, misalnya, dalam sebuah artikel utamanya mengingatkan: "Para pemimpin yang baru terpilih...jangan hanya 'bisa' membuat program kerja baru, tapi 'bisa' melaksanakannya." Rakyat sudah muak dengan janji-janji, mereka mahu menikmati hasil daripada program dan projek kerajaan tetapi hal itu tidak berlaku - kehidupan mereka masih sama seperti dulu sekalipun pemimpin sudah acap kali berubah.
Sekalipun Presiden kali ini (Jokowi) digambarkan sebagai 'sangat mesra rakyat' malah sebuah majalah heboh bercerita si tukang kayu akhirnya menjadi Presiden, rakyat bawahan Indonesia nampaknya tidaklah gembira sangat malah mengingatkan bahawa "kebanyakan pemimpin tetap sama, belum dapat kuasa banyaklah janji dan pameran kebaikannya tetapi selepas itu janji tinggal janji..." Ya, tiada sebab untuk rakyat gembira kerana harga minyak di Indonesia telah dinaikkan malah dilaporkan tarif listrik (elektrik) juga akan dinaikkan tidak lama lagi.
Ada satu lawak di Indonesia, bahawa harga minyak, barangan dan tarif tidak dinaikkan; perkataan yang mereka gunakan adalah 'harganya berubah'. Ini mungkin menyamai tindakan pihak berkuasa Malaysia yang menggunakan istilah 'rasionalisasi subsidi' bagi mengabui mata rakyat. Ada satu berita 'menggembirakan' bagi pelancong (parivisata) iaitu tiket untuk ke Gunung Tangkuban Prahu di Bandung 'berubah harga' daripada 75,000 rupiah kepada 300,000 rupiah mulai 1 November 2014!
Bagi kita, negara wujud kerana adanya pemimpin dan rakyat. Negara tidak mungkin wujud jika ada kerajaan tetapi tiada rakyat, dan begitu sebaliknya jika ada rakyat tetapi tiada kerajaan. Jadi wajiblah pemerintah 'menyantuni' (berbuat baik) kepada rakyat, malangnya yang kerap digembar-gemburkan bahawa rakyat hendaklah taat kepada pemimpin.
Semua orang atau pihak mempunyai pandangan mereka mengenai pemimpin, tetapi kata mutlak atau pemutusnya adalah apa yang ditentukan oleh Allah SWT melalui kitab dan rasul-Nya, Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. Berhubung soal pemimpin ini ada hadis bermaksud: "Setiap daripada kamu adalah pemimpin dan setiap daripada kamu bertanggungjawab ke atas sesiapa yang dipimpinnya maka seseorang ketua adalah pemimpin dan dia bertanggungjawab terhadap rakyatnya."
Pemimpin yang adil dijanjikan oleh Allah SWT dengan balasan yang baik, mendapat naungan Allah SWT pada hari Pembalasan nanti. Imam Al-Bukhari telah meriwayatkan daripada Abu Hurairah r.a. bahawa Rasulullah s.a.w. bersabda yang bermaksud bahawa salah satu golongan yang mendapat naungan Allah SWT pada hari akhirat nanti ialah pemerintah yang adil
Ya, pemimpin yang adil itulah yang didambakan oleh seluruh rakyat. Dia dijanjikan naungan Allah SWT di akhirat nanti; di dunia ini dia menaungi seluruh rakyatnya, bukan kelompok tertentu atau orang yang menyokong atau mengundinya saja. Namun hal inilah yang memerangkap ramai pemimpin, ia tidak berkecuali kepada Presiden Jokowi yang dibidas media massa kerana 'diperlukan' memberi ruang kepada tokoh tertentu sebagai 'rasa terhutang budi', misalnya beliau melantik Puan Maharani, Ketua Bidang Politik PDI-P sebagai menteri penyelaras pembangunan manusia dan kebudayaan sedangkan kemampuan dan cara hidupnya diragui!
November 6, 2014
Jangan 'bisa' buat program tapi 'bisa' laksanakannya...
DENGAN nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan mulia Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.
Renungan
"Apabila kamu musafir di bumi ini, maka tidak merupakan dosa atas kamu mengqasar solat jika kamu takut akan fitnah orang-orang kafir." (Maksud ayat 101 Surah An-Nisa')
JAKARTA, malah hampir seluruh pulau Jawa panas membahang. Musim kemarau melanda bahagian Indonesia ini. Menurut imam sebuah 'musholla' (surau) di Bandung yang baru penulis kenali, Pak Rom, tiada hujan lebat di kawasannya sejak Aidilfitri lalu. Subhanallah, sudah tiga bulan. Sawah bendang sudah gersang, bukan saja manusia menderita, binatang pun kegelisahan malah mati.
Sedekah air - solusi darurat kekeringan - demikian ditulis pada sebuah iklan besar akhbar Republika (Khamis, 23 Oktober) merayu orang ramai membantu 'rawan pangan' (mangsa kemarau). Wakil Gabenor Gorontalo, salah sebuah kawasan dilanda 'paceklik' (kemarau), dipetik sebagai berkata: "Pemerintah harus segera berbuat untuk meminimalkan dampak kekeringan, karena yang kena dampak adalah rakyat."
Iklan itu yang memetik hadis bermaksud: "Saad bin Ubadah r.a. bertanya kepada Rasulullah s.a.w., 'wahai Rasulullah sedekah apa paling utama yang mana Rasulullah s.a.w. menjawab, 'memberi air' (sahih Abu Daud), organisasi sukarela ACT (Aksi Cepat Tanggap) dengan slogan 'Alirkan Bahagia' itu menyatakan: "Hampir 2 juta liter air bersih telah bahagiakan lebih dari 50,000 jiwa yang menderita akibat kekeringan di pelosok Indonesia.
"Posko darurat ACT di 20 provinsi terus mengirim suplai (supply) air bersih guna memenuhi kebutuhan hidup saudara sebangsa. Terima kasih atas kedermawanan anda. Bersama, kita alirkan bahagia melepas duka dahaga mereka."
Ya, ketika bencana kemarau melanda pulau Jawa, kuasa 'kepresidenan' Indonesia berpindah tangan daripada Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) kepada 'si tukang kayu' Joko Widowo (Jokowi) dan timbalannya (disebut wakil Presiden), Jusuf Kalla (JK).
'Tim' (pasukan) Jokowi-JK membawa harapan kepada jutaan rakyat Indonesia. Namun benarkah begitu? Akhbar Indonesia malah di mimbar masjid pun, keras sekali kritikan mereka kepada presiden dan 'tim'nya. "Para pemimpin yang baru terpilih...jangan hanya bisa membuat program kerja baru...tapi bisa melaksanakannya," demikian 'laung' sebuah tulisan dalam akhbar Pikiran Rakyat pada 23 Oktober.
Jokowi yang memilih 34 kementerian untuk menjalankan pemerintahan lima tahun ke depan dengan melantik 18 menteri profesional dan 16 profesional parti, juga diingatkan dengan nasihat keras: "Kami butuh pemimpin jujur berpengalaman."
Sebuah kartun di ruangan Opini, Kompas tanggal 23 Oktober, menggambarkan Jokowi sedang memegang cangkul sedangkan Jusuf menolak kereta sorong dengan perkataan besar; BEKERJA, BEKERJA, BEKERJA. Ya Jokowi-JK bekerja keraslah untuk kemakmuran dan masa depan Indonesia yang kini dilanda pelbagai masalah domestik seperti kemarau panjang di pulau Jawa dan antarabangsa seperti tenaga kerja yang bertebaran di seluruh pelosok dunia termasuk di Malaysia.
Apapun belum 'tempoh berbulan madunya bermula' Jokowi telah merencanakan pelbagai program baharu yang 'menggembarkan' sesetengah pihak di Indonesia; satu daripadanya 'tol laut'. Ini adalah sesuatu yang baharu sehingga pihak berkenaan 'melaung': "Konsep tol laut perlu diperjelas sehingga bisa segera diambil perencanaan pembangunan" dan "yang dimaksudkan tol laut itu apa?"
Ada pihak 'menginterpretasikan' tol laut sebagai projek mega perbaikan jalur transportasi laut; menghubungkan satu pulau dengan pulau lain dengan memperbanyak jumlah armada kapal dan perbaikan pelabuhan "yang bagi tujuan itu membutuhkan anggaran diperkirakan sebagai Rp 2,000 trilion!
Ya, bagi sesetengah pihak 'sungguh dahsyat' projek Jokowi itu; tetapi bagi rakyat 'biasa' Indonesia yang ditemui berkata, "ya daripada dulu sampai sekarang, pemimpin bisa menjanjikan program, banyak projek dijanjikan tetapi bagaimana pelaksanaannya?" Ya mereka mahu melihat hasilnya (iaitu perubahan kehidupan kepada yang lebih baik) dan inilah 'dibutuhkan' jutaan rakyat 'biasa' Indonesia.
Berbual dengan orang kebanyakan Indonesia, mereka menceritakan hal yang sama 'dari dulu sampai sekarang' - "pemimpin berubah tetapi rakyat tetap susah.
Tetapi bukankah Jokowi itu seorang yang 'merakyat' (prihatin atau ambil tahu masalah orang kebanyakan misalnya ketika beliau berkhidmat sebagai Datuk Bandar Solo)? Jawab seorang; "Merakyat, merakyat juga...kita kena tunggu untuk lihat hasilnya."
Seorang lagi berkata; "Ya pemimpin memang begitu. Belum jadi pemimpin pandai berjanji, sudah jadi pemimpin dia sudah ke mana..."
Malah seorang khatib dalam khutbah Jumaatnya keras berkata; "memang Jokowi itu seorang Muslim, tetapi 'tim'nya dipenuhi Muslim liberal, Muslim sosialis malah Muslim komunis...demikianlah betapa 'keras' dan 'bebas' arena sosial di Indonesia termasuk media massa dan pada perjumpaan ramai mengkritik kepimpinan negara termasuk Presiden sendiri!
November 3, 2014
'Islam is for all'...
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.
***
ALHAMDULILLAH (all praise and thanks be to Allah) last Sunday; October 18th I met an old friend who is now one of Melaka PAS leaders during our children's school function and we took the opportunity to change news and ideas about the latest development pertaining Pakatan Rakyat especially relations between PAS and DAP.
"Well, PAS-DAP relations at state level is very good; for example during Eid Adha celebration recently, DAP leaders donated RM1,000 to finance activities during our 'korban' (sacrificing of animals) functions," said the old friend cheerfully. But he admitted PAS-DAP had to buck up especially among their grass roots members and supporters as some are inclined to believe 'negative reports' filled by local mass media, both by the Malay and Chinese press.
The results of the 13th general elections in Melaka speak volumes about the importance of all parties in Pakatan Rakyat especially PAS and DAP to tighten their already good relation.
As I live in the Kota Melaka constituency while my wife is from Bukit Katil, in this article I would 'touch' on results and events in this area especially on the Bukit Baru and Duyong state seat which both parties (PAS and DAP) won by a very slim majority respectively.
PAS create history after it won the Bukit Baru state seat. It is it's first 'anak sulung' (first child); oh Allah SWT bless us with 'more' or 'many,many children' in the future! During the the 13th general election held on 5th May, PAS candidate, Dr Mohd Khalid Kassim won the Bukit Baru state seat by defeating Karim Yaakob of BN with a very slim majority of 48 votes. Dr Khalid gathered 9,292 votes compared to Karim's 9,244.
Melaka PAS leaders admitted that Chinese votes contributed to the party's success in winning the Bukit Baru seat and the Parliamentary seat of Bukit Katil by PKR. Dr Khalid won convincingly in Chinese dominated areas such as Bukit Baru Dalam (a majority of 697 votes) but lost in traditional Malay kampungs such as Kampung Bukit Katil and Bukit Pulau.
In DUN Duyong, where the Chinese comprised 50 percent of the voters, Malays 45 percent and Indian 4 percent, it was believed that DAP candidate Goh Leong San managed to wrest the seat from the incumbent MCA strongman, Gan Tian Loo, with the help of Malay/Muslim voters. He won by only 205 votes!
The old friend whom I met said by looking at the election results of DUN Bukit Baru and Duyong, one would have a conclusion that PAS and DAP badly need each other but he pointed up that PAS does not open its arms in politics only but it is also a movement to introduce the fine aspects of Islam including to non-Muslims.
He said that it is good sign and development when more and more Chinese especially DAP members and supporters are interested in knowing more about Islam. "For example, it surprised me when DAP state leaders donated RM1,000 for us to be used during our work sacrificing animals during Aidiladha."
He said although sometimes they had to face problems pertaining to relations between the two parties, they were solved quickly as both leaders met quite often.
"Here I am glad to announce that we would hold a 'jamuan perpaduan' (unity get together for lunch or dinner) by the end of this month (October)," he said. Once again my friend stressed that the Chinese should be opened up to see the beauty of Islam. "Yes PAS is for all, but let the Chinese and other non-Muslims know that Islam is also for all."
Talking about 'Islam is for all' I was lucky as this subject was discussed by an 'ustaz' (religious teacher) in his 'kuliah subuh' (morning lesson) at a masjid near my house on Sunday, October 19 - a day after I met the old friend.
The 'ustaz' said in the Quran (the holy book for Muslims), there are ayahs (verses of the Holy Qur'an) which begin with ‘ya ayyuhannas’ which means ‘Oh people’ and ayahs begin with ‘ya ayyuhal lazina amanu’ yang means ‘Oh people who believe’.
There are a little over 90 ayahs in the Qur’an that begin with ‘ya ayyuhal lazina amanu’. Allah sent the Qur’an for all of mankind, not just for the people during the time of the Prophet peace be upon him (pbuh, s.a.w.) and only for Muslims.
The phrase ‘ya ayyuhannas which occurs 20 times in the holy Qur’an, has a general and collective meaning that envelops all human beings of any race, tribe, or colour. Example of an ayah beginning with ‘ya ayyuhannas’ is Ayah 21 of Surah Al-Baqarah (The Cow) with the meaning: “O’ mankind! Worship your Lord Who created you, and those before you, so that you may guard yourselves (against evil).”
And example of an ayah beginning with ‘ya ayyuhal lazina amanu’ is Ayah 183 of Surah Al-Baqarah with the meaning: “O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, even as it was prescribed for those before you that ye may ward off (evil).”
God, out of His abundant Love and Mercy for mankind, has not left us in darkness to discover the right path by trial and error alone. Coupled with our intellectual capability to reason, God bestowed upon us Divine Guidance that outlines the Criterion for truth and the knowledge and reality of our existence in this world and Hereafter.
From the beginning of mankind God sent Exemplers of Prophets to convey His revelation and to invite all mankind to the path of true peace and obedience in one true God. This is Islam. This message was conveyed to all nations and tribes in this world throughout successive generations through more than 124,000 prophets with Muhammad s.a.w. as the final Messenger – all inviting mankind to the same path. - The Light of Revelation (Islamic Outreach-ABIM)
Thus Islam is for all, but nobody can be forced to be a Muslim. Harun Yahya in his book ‘Learning from the Qur’an', quoted many ayahs regarding this matter, an example, Qur’an, 2:256 with the meaning; “There is no compulsion where the religion is concerned. Right guidance has become clearly distinct from error. Anyone who rejects false gods and believes in Allah has grasped the Firmest Handhold, which will never give way. Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.”
Also notice that in performing the five pillars of Islam (Rukun Islam) such ‘solat’ (praying) and ‘puasa’ (fasting), it is stated that the first ‘syarat’ (requirement) for a person to perform the ‘ibadat’ (acts of devotion to Allah SWT) is that he or she must be a Muslim.
Why must the first ‘syarat’ for a person to do the ‘ibadat’ he or she must be a Muslim. Why must it be Muslim; isn’t the religion of Islam is for Muslim?
As a conclusion this ‘agama’ (religion) of Islam is not only for Muslims, it is an universal religion for all. Yes Islam is for all, only Muslims were required to perform the special ‘ibadat’ such as ‘solat’ and ‘puasa’. For the non-Muslims, they were not required to perform this special ‘ibadat’.
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.
***
ALHAMDULILLAH (all praise and thanks be to Allah) last Sunday; October 18th I met an old friend who is now one of Melaka PAS leaders during our children's school function and we took the opportunity to change news and ideas about the latest development pertaining Pakatan Rakyat especially relations between PAS and DAP.
"Well, PAS-DAP relations at state level is very good; for example during Eid Adha celebration recently, DAP leaders donated RM1,000 to finance activities during our 'korban' (sacrificing of animals) functions," said the old friend cheerfully. But he admitted PAS-DAP had to buck up especially among their grass roots members and supporters as some are inclined to believe 'negative reports' filled by local mass media, both by the Malay and Chinese press.
The results of the 13th general elections in Melaka speak volumes about the importance of all parties in Pakatan Rakyat especially PAS and DAP to tighten their already good relation.
As I live in the Kota Melaka constituency while my wife is from Bukit Katil, in this article I would 'touch' on results and events in this area especially on the Bukit Baru and Duyong state seat which both parties (PAS and DAP) won by a very slim majority respectively.
PAS create history after it won the Bukit Baru state seat. It is it's first 'anak sulung' (first child); oh Allah SWT bless us with 'more' or 'many,many children' in the future! During the the 13th general election held on 5th May, PAS candidate, Dr Mohd Khalid Kassim won the Bukit Baru state seat by defeating Karim Yaakob of BN with a very slim majority of 48 votes. Dr Khalid gathered 9,292 votes compared to Karim's 9,244.
Melaka PAS leaders admitted that Chinese votes contributed to the party's success in winning the Bukit Baru seat and the Parliamentary seat of Bukit Katil by PKR. Dr Khalid won convincingly in Chinese dominated areas such as Bukit Baru Dalam (a majority of 697 votes) but lost in traditional Malay kampungs such as Kampung Bukit Katil and Bukit Pulau.
In DUN Duyong, where the Chinese comprised 50 percent of the voters, Malays 45 percent and Indian 4 percent, it was believed that DAP candidate Goh Leong San managed to wrest the seat from the incumbent MCA strongman, Gan Tian Loo, with the help of Malay/Muslim voters. He won by only 205 votes!
The old friend whom I met said by looking at the election results of DUN Bukit Baru and Duyong, one would have a conclusion that PAS and DAP badly need each other but he pointed up that PAS does not open its arms in politics only but it is also a movement to introduce the fine aspects of Islam including to non-Muslims.
He said that it is good sign and development when more and more Chinese especially DAP members and supporters are interested in knowing more about Islam. "For example, it surprised me when DAP state leaders donated RM1,000 for us to be used during our work sacrificing animals during Aidiladha."
He said although sometimes they had to face problems pertaining to relations between the two parties, they were solved quickly as both leaders met quite often.
"Here I am glad to announce that we would hold a 'jamuan perpaduan' (unity get together for lunch or dinner) by the end of this month (October)," he said. Once again my friend stressed that the Chinese should be opened up to see the beauty of Islam. "Yes PAS is for all, but let the Chinese and other non-Muslims know that Islam is also for all."
Talking about 'Islam is for all' I was lucky as this subject was discussed by an 'ustaz' (religious teacher) in his 'kuliah subuh' (morning lesson) at a masjid near my house on Sunday, October 19 - a day after I met the old friend.
The 'ustaz' said in the Quran (the holy book for Muslims), there are ayahs (verses of the Holy Qur'an) which begin with ‘ya ayyuhannas’ which means ‘Oh people’ and ayahs begin with ‘ya ayyuhal lazina amanu’ yang means ‘Oh people who believe’.
There are a little over 90 ayahs in the Qur’an that begin with ‘ya ayyuhal lazina amanu’. Allah sent the Qur’an for all of mankind, not just for the people during the time of the Prophet peace be upon him (pbuh, s.a.w.) and only for Muslims.
The phrase ‘ya ayyuhannas which occurs 20 times in the holy Qur’an, has a general and collective meaning that envelops all human beings of any race, tribe, or colour. Example of an ayah beginning with ‘ya ayyuhannas’ is Ayah 21 of Surah Al-Baqarah (The Cow) with the meaning: “O’ mankind! Worship your Lord Who created you, and those before you, so that you may guard yourselves (against evil).”
And example of an ayah beginning with ‘ya ayyuhal lazina amanu’ is Ayah 183 of Surah Al-Baqarah with the meaning: “O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, even as it was prescribed for those before you that ye may ward off (evil).”
God, out of His abundant Love and Mercy for mankind, has not left us in darkness to discover the right path by trial and error alone. Coupled with our intellectual capability to reason, God bestowed upon us Divine Guidance that outlines the Criterion for truth and the knowledge and reality of our existence in this world and Hereafter.
From the beginning of mankind God sent Exemplers of Prophets to convey His revelation and to invite all mankind to the path of true peace and obedience in one true God. This is Islam. This message was conveyed to all nations and tribes in this world throughout successive generations through more than 124,000 prophets with Muhammad s.a.w. as the final Messenger – all inviting mankind to the same path. - The Light of Revelation (Islamic Outreach-ABIM)
Thus Islam is for all, but nobody can be forced to be a Muslim. Harun Yahya in his book ‘Learning from the Qur’an', quoted many ayahs regarding this matter, an example, Qur’an, 2:256 with the meaning; “There is no compulsion where the religion is concerned. Right guidance has become clearly distinct from error. Anyone who rejects false gods and believes in Allah has grasped the Firmest Handhold, which will never give way. Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.”
Also notice that in performing the five pillars of Islam (Rukun Islam) such ‘solat’ (praying) and ‘puasa’ (fasting), it is stated that the first ‘syarat’ (requirement) for a person to perform the ‘ibadat’ (acts of devotion to Allah SWT) is that he or she must be a Muslim.
Why must the first ‘syarat’ for a person to do the ‘ibadat’ he or she must be a Muslim. Why must it be Muslim; isn’t the religion of Islam is for Muslim?
As a conclusion this ‘agama’ (religion) of Islam is not only for Muslims, it is an universal religion for all. Yes Islam is for all, only Muslims were required to perform the special ‘ibadat’ such as ‘solat’ and ‘puasa’. For the non-Muslims, they were not required to perform this special ‘ibadat’.
October 31, 2014
Soal barakah; antara 'bijak sini' dan 'bijak sana'...
Dengan nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.
Renungan
"Wahai orang yang beriman, kenapa kamu memperkatakan barang yang tidak kamu amalkan." (Maksud ayat 2 Surah Al-Shaf)
PEMERGIAN saya ke Jakarta seterusnya ke Bandung baru-baru ini adalah yang pertama dengan pesawat Penerbangan Malaysia (MAS) sejak kapal terbang MAS MH370 'hilang tanpa ketahuan' dan MH17 terhempas di Ukraine selepas ditembak, dipercayai oleh gerila pemisah.
Oh, MAS 'kau seperti MAS yang dulu'. Tidak berubah. Nampaknya menepati slogan sebuah parti tua - dulu, kini dan selama-lamanya. Mungkin pengalaman saya ini dapat dijadikan sandaran mengapa saya kata MAS tidak ingin berubah - harap-harap dan didoakan tidaklah begitu untuk selama-lamanya. Inysa-Allah akan lembut juga hati 'pemiliknya' suatu hari nanti. Yalah, ramai samseng dan penjahat jahilah Makkah termasuk Hindun yang melapah hati Sayidina Hamzah pun boleh berubah, inikan pula MAS...
Subhanallah, sempena kedatangan tahun baharu Hijrah 1436 untuk lebih tepat lagi tanggal 1 Muharam 1436, berlaku peristiwa di depan mata yang membuatkan hati saya benci dengan kau, MAS...Ya, kata ulama kalau kita melihat maksiat, menyatakan kebencian di hati adalah selemah-lemah iman...
Dalam salah satu penerbangan, saya duduk bersebelahan dengan seorang lelaki yang fikir orang Cina Malaysia. Saya menegurnya, dia menjawab dalam bahasa Melayu yang fasih. Ya, hebat orang Cina Malaysia ini, fikir saya. Namun selepas melanjutkan perbualan, ternyata penumpang di sisi saya bukan orang Cina tetapi Jepun. Dia bekas wartawan dan kini tinggal di Tokyo. Dia berusia 66 tahun dan sudah pencen tetapi selalu berulang alik Jakarta-Kuala Lumpur-Tokyo.
Selepas setengah jam penerbangan, pramugara dan pramugari mula mengedarkan hidangan makanan. "Chicken...or..." tanya seorang pramugara yang saya hampir pasti seorang Islam. Lelaki Jepun di sebelah saya dengan pantas menjawab: "Chicken". Saya yang mendengarnya, tersenyum. "Aku pun mahu 'chicken'," bisik hatiku. "Tentu sedap dan 'nyam,nyam' apabila menikmati 'grilled chicken' (ayam panggang) di awan biru ini..."
"Your drink sir?" tanya sang pramugara kepada si lelaki Jepun. Dia menjawab; "Tiger Beer." Ya, 'chicken' dan 'Tiger Beer' sudah ada di petak makanannya yang kecil. Subhanallah, terkena juga saya kali ini. Kena duduk 'semeja' (di sisi) seorang penogok bir sedangkan melalui kelas pengajian di masjid, sang ustaz ketika membicarakan bab minuman haram, 'berapi-berapi' mulutnya menyatakan duduk semeja dengan peminum arak pun tak boleh, takut-takut kena bahana daripada Allah SWT. Takut saya dengan murka Allah, apatah lagi ketika itu saya berada dalam pesawat yang Allah SWT boleh 'hempaskan' bila-bila saja...
Daripada rasa 'syok' nak ratah 'chicken', terasa kembang pula tekak saya. Tetapi dah lapar nak buat bagaimana; saya kunyahlah juga 'chicken' itu perlahan-lahan. Si Jepun cepat pula makannya. Mana tak cepat, sekali dua suap 'chicken' 'ditolaknya' dengan birnya. Akhirnya selesailah 'chicken' dan birnya. Dia mengambil pencungkil gigi.
Tekak saya bertambah kembang apabila si Jepun mencungkil-cungkil giginya. Bersahaja lagaknya. Sesekali dia 'menyembur keluar' sisa yang tersangkut di giginya. Aduhhh, tertutuplah selera saya...
Berceloteh mengenai MAS, si Jepun dalam perbualan dengan saya sebelum makan, mendedahkan antara sebab dia 'naik' MAS. Katanya, tambang MAS murah...Dia dengan tersenyum memberitahu ramai orang asing takut naik MAS; dia merujuk kepada tragedi pesawat MH17 dan MH370. Tetapi dia tidak takut, sebab katanya ajal di tangan Tuhan; bila-bila dan di mana saja boleh mati. Hebat juga si Jepun ini. Jadi dapatlah dia naik kapal terbang dengan tambang murah!
Si Jepun otaknya 'bergeliga'. MAS juga 'bijak'. Tetapi mungkin 'bijak di sini', 'kurang bijak di sana (menyediakan diri untuk bekalan akhirat)'. Ya, ia masih sediakan arak. Bukankah arak itu haram? Malah 'budak kecik' pun tahu arak itu haram. Bukan saja meminumnya haram, menyediakan, menghidangkannya juga adalah haram.
Ada tujuh golongan dilaknat Allah SWT berhubung arak ini. MAS tak takut ke? Tak ambil iktibar ke kejadian pesawat MH17 dan MH370 tu? Dulu kata dah insaf, di TV pada setiap hari 'sekejap sekejap' disiarkan bacaan al-Fatihah untuk mengingatkan bahawa Allah Taala itulah Yang Maha Berkuasa tetapi apakah erti semua itu jika hukum-hakam-Nya dipermain-mainkan termasuk dalam pesawat MAS. Takut benar saya dengan permainan 'orang bijak sini' ini.
Apabila menegur MAS dengan araknya, izinkan saya melanjutkan teguran itu berkaitan dengan pakaian pramugari pula. Ya, pramugarinya masih macam dulu juga; berbaju kebaya dengan kain ketatnya kata seorang ustaz 'kejap halal kejap haram' (kain belah yang kaki si pemakai kejap terbuka dan tertutup). Pramugari tetap tidak ada yang bertudung, namun ada 'ground crew' yang sudah memakai tudung namun masih berkain belah. Atas tertutup bawah terbuka...apa cerita ni?
Di sebalik 'semua kekalutan' ini, MAS muncul dengan imej 'menyejukkan mata' ketika menghantar dan membawa pulang 'pak haji' dan 'mak haji' dalam pesawatnya. Semua pramugarinya bertudung litup dan tidak akan, malah tidak mungkin si pramugara dan pramugara apabila bertanya "your drink sir (mak aji atau pak aji)" akan menerima jawapan "Tiger Beer"! Sempena tahun baharu Hijrah; MAS tak nak berhijrah ke?
Renungan
"Wahai orang yang beriman, kenapa kamu memperkatakan barang yang tidak kamu amalkan." (Maksud ayat 2 Surah Al-Shaf)
PEMERGIAN saya ke Jakarta seterusnya ke Bandung baru-baru ini adalah yang pertama dengan pesawat Penerbangan Malaysia (MAS) sejak kapal terbang MAS MH370 'hilang tanpa ketahuan' dan MH17 terhempas di Ukraine selepas ditembak, dipercayai oleh gerila pemisah.
Oh, MAS 'kau seperti MAS yang dulu'. Tidak berubah. Nampaknya menepati slogan sebuah parti tua - dulu, kini dan selama-lamanya. Mungkin pengalaman saya ini dapat dijadikan sandaran mengapa saya kata MAS tidak ingin berubah - harap-harap dan didoakan tidaklah begitu untuk selama-lamanya. Inysa-Allah akan lembut juga hati 'pemiliknya' suatu hari nanti. Yalah, ramai samseng dan penjahat jahilah Makkah termasuk Hindun yang melapah hati Sayidina Hamzah pun boleh berubah, inikan pula MAS...
Subhanallah, sempena kedatangan tahun baharu Hijrah 1436 untuk lebih tepat lagi tanggal 1 Muharam 1436, berlaku peristiwa di depan mata yang membuatkan hati saya benci dengan kau, MAS...Ya, kata ulama kalau kita melihat maksiat, menyatakan kebencian di hati adalah selemah-lemah iman...
Dalam salah satu penerbangan, saya duduk bersebelahan dengan seorang lelaki yang fikir orang Cina Malaysia. Saya menegurnya, dia menjawab dalam bahasa Melayu yang fasih. Ya, hebat orang Cina Malaysia ini, fikir saya. Namun selepas melanjutkan perbualan, ternyata penumpang di sisi saya bukan orang Cina tetapi Jepun. Dia bekas wartawan dan kini tinggal di Tokyo. Dia berusia 66 tahun dan sudah pencen tetapi selalu berulang alik Jakarta-Kuala Lumpur-Tokyo.
Selepas setengah jam penerbangan, pramugara dan pramugari mula mengedarkan hidangan makanan. "Chicken...or..." tanya seorang pramugara yang saya hampir pasti seorang Islam. Lelaki Jepun di sebelah saya dengan pantas menjawab: "Chicken". Saya yang mendengarnya, tersenyum. "Aku pun mahu 'chicken'," bisik hatiku. "Tentu sedap dan 'nyam,nyam' apabila menikmati 'grilled chicken' (ayam panggang) di awan biru ini..."
"Your drink sir?" tanya sang pramugara kepada si lelaki Jepun. Dia menjawab; "Tiger Beer." Ya, 'chicken' dan 'Tiger Beer' sudah ada di petak makanannya yang kecil. Subhanallah, terkena juga saya kali ini. Kena duduk 'semeja' (di sisi) seorang penogok bir sedangkan melalui kelas pengajian di masjid, sang ustaz ketika membicarakan bab minuman haram, 'berapi-berapi' mulutnya menyatakan duduk semeja dengan peminum arak pun tak boleh, takut-takut kena bahana daripada Allah SWT. Takut saya dengan murka Allah, apatah lagi ketika itu saya berada dalam pesawat yang Allah SWT boleh 'hempaskan' bila-bila saja...
Daripada rasa 'syok' nak ratah 'chicken', terasa kembang pula tekak saya. Tetapi dah lapar nak buat bagaimana; saya kunyahlah juga 'chicken' itu perlahan-lahan. Si Jepun cepat pula makannya. Mana tak cepat, sekali dua suap 'chicken' 'ditolaknya' dengan birnya. Akhirnya selesailah 'chicken' dan birnya. Dia mengambil pencungkil gigi.
Tekak saya bertambah kembang apabila si Jepun mencungkil-cungkil giginya. Bersahaja lagaknya. Sesekali dia 'menyembur keluar' sisa yang tersangkut di giginya. Aduhhh, tertutuplah selera saya...
Berceloteh mengenai MAS, si Jepun dalam perbualan dengan saya sebelum makan, mendedahkan antara sebab dia 'naik' MAS. Katanya, tambang MAS murah...Dia dengan tersenyum memberitahu ramai orang asing takut naik MAS; dia merujuk kepada tragedi pesawat MH17 dan MH370. Tetapi dia tidak takut, sebab katanya ajal di tangan Tuhan; bila-bila dan di mana saja boleh mati. Hebat juga si Jepun ini. Jadi dapatlah dia naik kapal terbang dengan tambang murah!
Si Jepun otaknya 'bergeliga'. MAS juga 'bijak'. Tetapi mungkin 'bijak di sini', 'kurang bijak di sana (menyediakan diri untuk bekalan akhirat)'. Ya, ia masih sediakan arak. Bukankah arak itu haram? Malah 'budak kecik' pun tahu arak itu haram. Bukan saja meminumnya haram, menyediakan, menghidangkannya juga adalah haram.
Ada tujuh golongan dilaknat Allah SWT berhubung arak ini. MAS tak takut ke? Tak ambil iktibar ke kejadian pesawat MH17 dan MH370 tu? Dulu kata dah insaf, di TV pada setiap hari 'sekejap sekejap' disiarkan bacaan al-Fatihah untuk mengingatkan bahawa Allah Taala itulah Yang Maha Berkuasa tetapi apakah erti semua itu jika hukum-hakam-Nya dipermain-mainkan termasuk dalam pesawat MAS. Takut benar saya dengan permainan 'orang bijak sini' ini.
Apabila menegur MAS dengan araknya, izinkan saya melanjutkan teguran itu berkaitan dengan pakaian pramugari pula. Ya, pramugarinya masih macam dulu juga; berbaju kebaya dengan kain ketatnya kata seorang ustaz 'kejap halal kejap haram' (kain belah yang kaki si pemakai kejap terbuka dan tertutup). Pramugari tetap tidak ada yang bertudung, namun ada 'ground crew' yang sudah memakai tudung namun masih berkain belah. Atas tertutup bawah terbuka...apa cerita ni?
Di sebalik 'semua kekalutan' ini, MAS muncul dengan imej 'menyejukkan mata' ketika menghantar dan membawa pulang 'pak haji' dan 'mak haji' dalam pesawatnya. Semua pramugarinya bertudung litup dan tidak akan, malah tidak mungkin si pramugara dan pramugara apabila bertanya "your drink sir (mak aji atau pak aji)" akan menerima jawapan "Tiger Beer"! Sempena tahun baharu Hijrah; MAS tak nak berhijrah ke?
October 29, 2014
'Only once in a while, I crave for...cendol'
**
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)
***
WHEN one listens to the radio, once in a while one would have the opportunity to hear the song 'Teringin' (Craving for) by one of our top local singers, Shima. The lyrics begin with: 'Sesekali kurasa teringin...(Once in a while I crave or have a desire for...).
Well, talking about the subject of craving or having a desire for...I have 'this little secret' to share with readers. It is about my wife's craving to have 'a bowl of nice cendol' once in a while.
I too share 'my wife's desire' and because of that, we have traveled far and near to taste cendol including the famous one such as Bakar'scendol in Kuala Selangor and Pak Dawi's cendol near Seremban.
Of the many cendol outlets, my wife and I give the highest mark to a simple 'warung cendol pulut (glutinous rice)' a few kilometers from the town of Bagan Serai on the main road from Kamunting, Taiping, Perak.
Readers might ask why I am writing about cendol in this blog.
Before that, let us refresh our minds about 'this traditional and delicious dessert. The basic ingredients for cendol are coconut milk, green starched jelly noodles (from rice flour) with pandan flavouring and palm sugar. Sometimes there are additional topping options such as grated or shredded ice, red beans, 'pulut', grass jelly and cream corn.
Oh, when added with ice cubes or shredded ice, it will give you a nice, fresh and cold pleasure (slurp) and when you are enjoying it, the Malays have this word to describe it: 'mak mentua lalu pun tak perasan' (you would not notice the presence of your mother-in-law even)!
Well, dear readers I brought this 'cendol story' to counter a suggestion by one of our ministers that traders should emulate the owner of'Cendol Bakar' in reducing the price of his cendol by 20 sen after the government raised the prices of petrol and diesel also by 20 sen a liter.
To our dear minister, please have sympathy on the people; please do understand their needs. For 'ages' people have known that human beings’ basic needs are food, clothing and shelter; and of course cendoldoes not fit in the list of foods that are taken every day.
Nobody takes cendol everyday; and in my wife's case, she only craves to have it once in a while - perhaps once in a month. Cendol is not a necessity and "we would not die if we do not have cendol!"
Thus by using the cendol as an example for other traders to reduce prices of their goods is really in bad taste and totally out of context. Dear minister, the 'rakyat' do not eat cendol everyday, but they need to have rice at least two times daily; they need fish, vegetables (they too do not eat 'kangkung everyday by the way), cooking oil, flour, sugar, onions, chilies and so on.
The prices of almost all necessities have soared to a very high level and has sent shivers upon the 'rakyat'; even the humble 'ikan cencaru' and 'kembong' which are labeled as the poor man's food are about RM12 per kilogram. The irony of it is when the people are suffering this 'barang naik' (price hikes) syndrome; some leaders keep on telling the people to spend on necessary items only and one minister even had the cheek to 'talk about cendol' which only some people 'sesekali teringin' (only on occasions crave for) it! And of course 'cendol is not a necessity'.
Please do not talk rubbish; everyone including those in power should make sacrifices during these hard times. Perhaps this true story from a book entitled 'Wahai Islamku' written by Ali Muhammad Baktsir in Arabic and translated into Malay and published by Pustaka Nasional in Singapore, can enlighten our leaders. I have had this book in my collection since my younger years and perhaps during these hard times, it is beneficial to browse through its contents.
'Wahai Islamku' is about an Egyptian Sultan, Malikul Muzafar Quthaz who in the 13th century managed to ward off the Mongol hordes from devastating Muslim lands. Before that Hulago Khan, the grandson of Genghiz Khan and his army in 1258 AD had captured and destroyed Baghdad, the capital of the Abbasid Empire.
Regarding the reign of Quthaz, Wikipedia, notes that Saif ad-Din Qutuz (Quthaz), also spelled Kutuz or Koetoez, (Arabic: سيف الدين قطز; epithet: al-Malik al-Muzaffar Saif ad-Din Qutuz (Arabic: الملك المظفر سيف الدين قطز) (November 2 (1254) - October 24, 1260) was the third of the Mamluk Sultans of Egypt in the Turkic line from 1259 until his death in 1260. It was under his leadership that the Mamluks achieved success against the Mongols in the key Battle of Ain Jalut. Qutuz was assassinated by a fellow Mamluk leader, Baibars, on the triumphant return journey to Cairo. Although Qutuz's reign was short, he is one of the most popular Mamluk sultans in the Islamic world and holds one of the highest positions in Islamic history.
After the invasion of Hulago and his armies, Baghdad, the magnificent city of knowledge and civilization was turned into barren land. The fall of Baghdad signaled that other Muslim kingdoms were about to succumb to the advancing Mongol hordes. After capturing more lands in the West, the Mongols then were waiting for the right moment to strike Egypt.
The people of Egypt and its Sultan, Quthaz, a former slave, were terrified when they heard the news. But the Sultan managed to call on his emirs, governors, ministers, judges and scholars for an emergency meeting.
During their discussion, the Sultan asked them whether it was proper for the government to collect monies and properties of the people to finance the war. Everyone was tight lipped.
Everyone was silent until a scholar by the name of Sheikh Abdus Salam said: "That action must begin with the king, emirs, governors, ministers and the rich."
The sheikh knew that 'his moment' had come. After all everyone would have to face death, only time would tell. He was ready to die for raising that suggestion but to his surprise the king accepted it and immediately the army was readied.
Not only that, the king and his beloved wife, Jalinar (Jihad) went to war. They were at the front lines and the saddest moment came when the queen was injured in the war and died in the arms of her husband. Before she closed her eyes forever, she asked the king to go on fighting to save Muslims and their lands from the Mongols.
The queen's sacrifice made the king and Muslim armies more determined to crush the invading armies. They succeeded in saving not only the Mamluk (Slave) Kingdom of Egypt but the rest of the Muslim world.
Regarding this, Wikipedia notes: "After the fall of Khawarezm, Baghdad and Syria, Egypt was the last citadel of Islam in the Middle East, and the existence of crusade beach-heads along the coast of the Levant were forming a serious menace to the Islamic World. Therefore the future of Islam and of the Christian west as well depended on the outcome of that battle which was fought between two of the most powerful fighters of the Middle Ages, the Mamluks and the Mongols accompanied by some Christian crusaders. Baibars, who was known to be a swift commander, led the vanguard and succeeded in his maneuver and lured the Mongol army to Ain Jalut where the Egyptian army led by Qutuz waited.
"The Egyptians at first failed to counter the Mongol attack and were scattered after the left flank of their army suffered severe damage but Qutuz stood firm, he threw his helmet to the air and shouted "O Islam" and advanced towards the damaged side followed by his own unit. The Mongols were pushed back and fled to a vicinity of Bisan followed by Qutuz's forces but they managed to gather and returned to the battlefield making a successful counterattack. Qutuz cried loudly three times "O Islam! O God grant your servant Qutuz victory against the Mongols." The Mongols with their Christian and Muslim allies were totally defeated by Qutuz' army and fled to Syria where they became prey for the local population."
So to our religious figures and ministers, please emulate Sheikh Abdus Salam, while our top guns, please follow the steps of Sultan Malikul Muzafar Quthaz, and to their wives please follow the example shown by Jalinar!
And please 'do not talk about cendol' during these hard times. My wife and I do not 'teringin' (wish for) to have it at this moment!
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)
***
WHEN one listens to the radio, once in a while one would have the opportunity to hear the song 'Teringin' (Craving for) by one of our top local singers, Shima. The lyrics begin with: 'Sesekali kurasa teringin...(Once in a while I crave or have a desire for...).
Well, talking about the subject of craving or having a desire for...I have 'this little secret' to share with readers. It is about my wife's craving to have 'a bowl of nice cendol' once in a while.
I too share 'my wife's desire' and because of that, we have traveled far and near to taste cendol including the famous one such as Bakar'scendol in Kuala Selangor and Pak Dawi's cendol near Seremban.
Of the many cendol outlets, my wife and I give the highest mark to a simple 'warung cendol pulut (glutinous rice)' a few kilometers from the town of Bagan Serai on the main road from Kamunting, Taiping, Perak.
Readers might ask why I am writing about cendol in this blog.
Before that, let us refresh our minds about 'this traditional and delicious dessert. The basic ingredients for cendol are coconut milk, green starched jelly noodles (from rice flour) with pandan flavouring and palm sugar. Sometimes there are additional topping options such as grated or shredded ice, red beans, 'pulut', grass jelly and cream corn.
Oh, when added with ice cubes or shredded ice, it will give you a nice, fresh and cold pleasure (slurp) and when you are enjoying it, the Malays have this word to describe it: 'mak mentua lalu pun tak perasan' (you would not notice the presence of your mother-in-law even)!
Well, dear readers I brought this 'cendol story' to counter a suggestion by one of our ministers that traders should emulate the owner of'Cendol Bakar' in reducing the price of his cendol by 20 sen after the government raised the prices of petrol and diesel also by 20 sen a liter.
To our dear minister, please have sympathy on the people; please do understand their needs. For 'ages' people have known that human beings’ basic needs are food, clothing and shelter; and of course cendoldoes not fit in the list of foods that are taken every day.
Nobody takes cendol everyday; and in my wife's case, she only craves to have it once in a while - perhaps once in a month. Cendol is not a necessity and "we would not die if we do not have cendol!"
Thus by using the cendol as an example for other traders to reduce prices of their goods is really in bad taste and totally out of context. Dear minister, the 'rakyat' do not eat cendol everyday, but they need to have rice at least two times daily; they need fish, vegetables (they too do not eat 'kangkung everyday by the way), cooking oil, flour, sugar, onions, chilies and so on.
The prices of almost all necessities have soared to a very high level and has sent shivers upon the 'rakyat'; even the humble 'ikan cencaru' and 'kembong' which are labeled as the poor man's food are about RM12 per kilogram. The irony of it is when the people are suffering this 'barang naik' (price hikes) syndrome; some leaders keep on telling the people to spend on necessary items only and one minister even had the cheek to 'talk about cendol' which only some people 'sesekali teringin' (only on occasions crave for) it! And of course 'cendol is not a necessity'.
Please do not talk rubbish; everyone including those in power should make sacrifices during these hard times. Perhaps this true story from a book entitled 'Wahai Islamku' written by Ali Muhammad Baktsir in Arabic and translated into Malay and published by Pustaka Nasional in Singapore, can enlighten our leaders. I have had this book in my collection since my younger years and perhaps during these hard times, it is beneficial to browse through its contents.
'Wahai Islamku' is about an Egyptian Sultan, Malikul Muzafar Quthaz who in the 13th century managed to ward off the Mongol hordes from devastating Muslim lands. Before that Hulago Khan, the grandson of Genghiz Khan and his army in 1258 AD had captured and destroyed Baghdad, the capital of the Abbasid Empire.
Regarding the reign of Quthaz, Wikipedia, notes that Saif ad-Din Qutuz (Quthaz), also spelled Kutuz or Koetoez, (Arabic: سيف الدين قطز; epithet: al-Malik al-Muzaffar Saif ad-Din Qutuz (Arabic: الملك المظفر سيف الدين قطز) (November 2 (1254) - October 24, 1260) was the third of the Mamluk Sultans of Egypt in the Turkic line from 1259 until his death in 1260. It was under his leadership that the Mamluks achieved success against the Mongols in the key Battle of Ain Jalut. Qutuz was assassinated by a fellow Mamluk leader, Baibars, on the triumphant return journey to Cairo. Although Qutuz's reign was short, he is one of the most popular Mamluk sultans in the Islamic world and holds one of the highest positions in Islamic history.
After the invasion of Hulago and his armies, Baghdad, the magnificent city of knowledge and civilization was turned into barren land. The fall of Baghdad signaled that other Muslim kingdoms were about to succumb to the advancing Mongol hordes. After capturing more lands in the West, the Mongols then were waiting for the right moment to strike Egypt.
The people of Egypt and its Sultan, Quthaz, a former slave, were terrified when they heard the news. But the Sultan managed to call on his emirs, governors, ministers, judges and scholars for an emergency meeting.
During their discussion, the Sultan asked them whether it was proper for the government to collect monies and properties of the people to finance the war. Everyone was tight lipped.
Everyone was silent until a scholar by the name of Sheikh Abdus Salam said: "That action must begin with the king, emirs, governors, ministers and the rich."
The sheikh knew that 'his moment' had come. After all everyone would have to face death, only time would tell. He was ready to die for raising that suggestion but to his surprise the king accepted it and immediately the army was readied.
Not only that, the king and his beloved wife, Jalinar (Jihad) went to war. They were at the front lines and the saddest moment came when the queen was injured in the war and died in the arms of her husband. Before she closed her eyes forever, she asked the king to go on fighting to save Muslims and their lands from the Mongols.
The queen's sacrifice made the king and Muslim armies more determined to crush the invading armies. They succeeded in saving not only the Mamluk (Slave) Kingdom of Egypt but the rest of the Muslim world.
Regarding this, Wikipedia notes: "After the fall of Khawarezm, Baghdad and Syria, Egypt was the last citadel of Islam in the Middle East, and the existence of crusade beach-heads along the coast of the Levant were forming a serious menace to the Islamic World. Therefore the future of Islam and of the Christian west as well depended on the outcome of that battle which was fought between two of the most powerful fighters of the Middle Ages, the Mamluks and the Mongols accompanied by some Christian crusaders. Baibars, who was known to be a swift commander, led the vanguard and succeeded in his maneuver and lured the Mongol army to Ain Jalut where the Egyptian army led by Qutuz waited.
"The Egyptians at first failed to counter the Mongol attack and were scattered after the left flank of their army suffered severe damage but Qutuz stood firm, he threw his helmet to the air and shouted "O Islam" and advanced towards the damaged side followed by his own unit. The Mongols were pushed back and fled to a vicinity of Bisan followed by Qutuz's forces but they managed to gather and returned to the battlefield making a successful counterattack. Qutuz cried loudly three times "O Islam! O God grant your servant Qutuz victory against the Mongols." The Mongols with their Christian and Muslim allies were totally defeated by Qutuz' army and fled to Syria where they became prey for the local population."
So to our religious figures and ministers, please emulate Sheikh Abdus Salam, while our top guns, please follow the steps of Sultan Malikul Muzafar Quthaz, and to their wives please follow the example shown by Jalinar!
And please 'do not talk about cendol' during these hard times. My wife and I do not 'teringin' (wish for) to have it at this moment!
October 27, 2014
Tahun baharu Hijrah: Berusaha mendapat keredaan Illahi
DENGAN nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan mulia Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.
Renungan
"Apabila kamu musafir di bumi ini, maka tidak merupakan dosa atas kamu mengqasar solat jika kamu takut akan fitnah orang-orang kafir." (Maksud ayat 101 Surah An-Nisa')
DIUCAPKAN selamat menyambut tahun baharu Hijrah 1436 semoga kita terus diberkati Allah SWT sekalipun kehidupan manusia bertambah buruk dari sehari ke sehari. Ya, zaman Nabi s.a.w. adalah yang terbaik selepas itu zaman sahabat, tabiin dan tabik tabiin sehingga ke zaman kita hari ini, nilai kemanusiaan semakin lama semakin merosot.
Mungkin kita di era internet kini berada di antara zaman kejahatan paling teruk sama ada di peringkat antarabangsa dan dalam negara. Kita berhadapan dengan jenayah dan maksiat yang semakin menjadi-jadi, pelbagai masalah kehidupan seperti di bidang politik, ekonomi, sosial hatta rumah tangga yang membuatkan kita cemas dan tertanya-tanya apakah kejahatan yang dilakukan manusia sudah terlalu melampaui batas sehingga Allah SWT menghukum kita dengan kejadian alam yang dahsyat; antaranya tsunami manakala manusia saling bunuh membunuh dalam perang dan sengketa yang tiada kesudahan. Di negara kita, kemalangan jalan raya sudah menjadi terlalu dahsyat seolah-olah tidak dapat dibendung lagi. Selain tahun baharu Hijrah, kita juga di ambang untuk menyambut tahun baharu 2015 Masihi. Memasuki tahun baharu Masihi selalunya dikaitkan dengan majlis keramaian yang acaranya dipenuhi pesta-pestaan termasuklah konsert, pergaulan bebas lelaki perempuan dan mengambil minuman keras. Majlis ini tidak terbatas kepada orang bukan Islam tetapi juga orang Islam di negara kita yang acap kali didakwa sebagai negara Islam paling dinamik di dunia.
Adalah menjadi kebiasaan kepada rakyat, malah disuburkan oleh pemimpin untuk berhimpun beramai-ramai pada malam tahun baharu di lokasi strategik seperti Dataran Merdeka, Bukit Bintang dan lapangan terbuka di negeri-negeri, menunggu detik 12.00 tengah malam bagi menandakan permulaan tahun baharu.
Sambil menunggu, biasanya orang ramai dihidangkan dengan persembahan artis. Di majlis seperti inilah berlaku pergaulan bebas lelaki perempuan dan daripadanya membawa kepada pelbagai kemungkaran seperti menogok minuman keras, melakukan mukadimah zina seterusnya berzina, meragut, mencuri malah sampai membunuh sekalipun.
Di negara kita, adalah begitu mudah mendapatkan minuman keras. Ia dijual secara terbuka termasuk di kedai mesra 24 jam. Sekali pun ditandai dengan perkataan kecil bahawa arak adalah haram kepada orang Islam dan penjualannya ditegah ke atas individu yang berusia kurang 18 tahun, penjualannya begitu berleluasa, anak-anak muda begitu bangga menogok air syaitan itu. Buktinya, selepas tamatnya perhimpunan ramai itu, akan ditemui bekas tin minuman keras, malahan di tepi-tepi pantai penemuan bekas tin minuman keras adalah biasa, menunjukkan betapa hebatnya anak-anak muda berpesta sakan.
Bagi kita perkembangan ini ada kaitan dengan gelagat sesetengah pemimpin yang cenderung kepada kegiatan merugikan yang membuka ruang-ruang maksiat. Contohnya pada malam tahun baru, pemimpin turut menyertai rakyat melakukan ‘countdown’ (mengira terbalik...3,2,1) dan balik hingga awal pagi. Pepatah Melayu ada menyebut, bapa borek anak rintik, bagaimana acuan begitulah kuihnya dan apa yang disemai itulah yang dituai. Jika pemimpin sebagai penyemai, menanam benih lalang, maka akan suburlah anak lalang di negara kita ini.
Ya, pemimpin masih ingatkah kita akan tragedi MH370 dan MH17; sebagai negara Islam contoh, kita terasa malu apabila maksiat berlaku secara nyata. Lihatlah, kedai-kedai judi tumbuh bagaikan cendawan, manakala premis menjual arak dibuat secara terbuka manakala iklannya berleluasa pula. Malah dalam kapal terbang pun dihidangkan arak!
Satu lagi perkara memualkan adalah eksploitasi wanita secara terang-terangan yang mendapat dukungan pihak berkuasa. Ambil contoh penggunaan gadis-gadis litar yang berpakaian seperti tidak cukup kain di pesta perlumbaan seperti F1. Tidak cukup dengan syarikat minyak antarabangsa yang mempamerkan gadis seksi, Petronas yang menjadi kebanggaan kita pun tidak kurang hebatnya. Kita mahu bertanya pemimpin termasuk peneraju Petronas ada apa kaitan antara lumba kereta dengan gadis seksi? Apakah kehadiran gadis seksi akan membolehkan kereta atau motosikal dipecut lebih laju?
Kita nyatakan perkara ini kerana kita cinta dan sayangkan negara ini termasuk masyarakatnya. Kita tidak mahu Allah SWT turunkan bala kepada kita angkara maksiat yang semakin berleluasa termasuk yang disuburkan oleh sang penguasa. Sesungguhnya kemusnahan bumi Aceh akibat tsunami sewajarnya menginsafkan kita bahawa Allah SWT boleh pada bila-bila masa saja menghukum kita.
Sekarang pun, bagi orang yang ada fikiran, mereka sudah merasakan bahana akibat daripada keterlanjuran kita menyuburkan maksiat. Tidak sedarkah kita bahawa kehidupan kita kini tidak seaman dulu walaupun pemimpin kerap menguar-uarkan negara kita paling aman dan makmur di dunia. Pembunuhan, perampokan, kejadian ragut, rogol dan aneka maksiat semakin berleluasa, seolah-olah tidak dapat dibendung lagi sedangan kehidupan rakyat semakin tertekan termasuk selepas kenaikan harga bahan bakar!
October 26, 2014
Kreativiti orang Jakarta hadapi kemelut hidup...
Dengan nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.
Renungan
"...Sesungguhnya masjid yang didirikan atas dasar takwa (Masjid Quba'), sejak hari pertama adalah lebih patut kamu solat di dalamnya. Di dalam masjid itu ada orag-orang yang ingin membersihkan diri. Dan sesungguhnya Allah menyukai orang-orang yang bersih." (Maksud Ayat 108 Surah At-Taubah)
INSYA-ALLAH ketika pembaca membaca celoteh ini saya sudah berada di Jakarta, Indonesia. Alhamdulillah, ada 'orang nak sponsor' jadi saya pergilah - ini adalah kali ketiga saya ke Jakarta.
Nostalgia kali pertama ke Jakarta pada 1996 menyemarakkan saya untuk menulis mengenai kreativiti penduduknya mencari rezeki, mungkin dapat menyuntik semangat pembaca yang menghadapi kemelut hidup akibat kenaikan harga barangan selepas kenaikan harga bahan bakar apatah lagi dengan pelaksanaan cukai barangan dan perkhidmatan (GST) awal tahun depan.
Ya, kalau pembaca 'nak cuba' apa salahnya...Pada kunjungan kali pertama ke Jakarta saya ada menaiki kenderaan awam terutama bas bagi menyelami nadi penduduk kota yang kata sesetengah pihak berjumlah 12 juta pada waktu siang tetapi berkurangan menjadi 10 juta pada sebelah malam! Alasannya dua juta orang tidak tinggal di Jakarta tetapi masuk ke kota itu setiap hari untuk bekerja di firma swasta dan kerajaan dan ada pula mencari rezeki dengan cara amat kreatif sekali.
Suatu ketika saya yang mendiami Hotel Hilton, Jakarta, mahu ke pusat membeli belah Sarina. Pusat niaga terkenal kota Jakarta ini dinamakan sempena nama pengasuh presiden pertama Indonesia, Sukarno ketika beliau kecil. Ya, Sarina adalah srikandi yang namanya diabadikan dalam sejarah moden Indonesia.
Saya menunggu bas di sebuah perhentian di jalan besar depan Hotel Hilton. Saya perhatikan setiap kali bas berhenti, konduktornya menjerit laluan bas - Sarina, Monas, Tanah Abang dan Ancol - adalah antara destinasi dilaungkan. Apabila ada konduktor melaungkan Sarina, saya pun menaiki bas itu.
Saya cari tempat duduk dan membatukan diri. Kata orang, untuk tidak menimbulkan syak bahawa kita orang luar, cara terbaik ialah mendiamkan diri. Jangan banyak buka mulut.
Apabila konduktornya menghampiri, saya hulurkan wang kertas 5,000 rupiah. Saya tidak tuturkan apa-apa. Dia kemudian memulangkan wang baki. Saya kira. Ada 4,000 rupiah. Saya tidak tahu tambang itu betul atau tidak. Yang pasti konduktor itu tidak menyerahkan sebarang tiket atau resit kepada saya. Tetapi penumpang lain pun tak diberikan tiket. Mungkin di Jakarta tiket bas tidak diperlukan, fikir saya.
Apabila tiba di sebuah perhentian lain, naik seorang budak lelaki berusia dalam lingkungan 10 tahun. Dia bersongkok dan memegang sebuah kotak aluminium. Dia tidak mencari tempat duduk seperti orang lain tetapi memegang palang besi di depan penumpang.
Ligat otak saya membuat andaian apa yang hendak dibuat budak ini. Apabila bas bergerak, dia pun memulakan tugasnya. "Assalamualaikum wbk...bapak-bapak dan ibu-ibu sekalian..."
Rupa-rupanya dia menyampaikan ceramah agama. Hebat sekali pidatonya. Dia mengingatkan kepentingan orang Islam menderma dan ancaman kepada orang yang kedekut, yang hanya mementingkan diri sendiri.
Selepas menutup ceramahnya dengan doa, dia mendapatkan seorang demi seorang penumpang sambil mengunjukkan kotak dermanya. Kebanyakan orang tidak mengendahkannya, ada pula menggelengkan kepala. Namun ada yang mencampakkan 'sesen dua', jadi dapat juga sedikit wang.
Tiba di sebuah perhentian lain, budak itu turun dan naik pula beberapa orang termasuk seorang pemuda dengan gitar kapuk bersilang di bahunya. Dia tidak duduk, sebaliknya menyandarkan dirinya di sisi sebuah kerusi penumpang. Apa pulak halnya kali ini, fikir saya.
Sama seperti budak tadi, pemuda itu memulakan aksinya dengan memberi ucapan selamat ketemu kepada penumpang bas. Kemudian dia pun mula memetik gitarnya dan mengalunkan lagu. Sayu sekali lagunya, kena dengan suaranya yang serak-serak basah. Lagunya kisah malang seorang penganggur dan seniman jalanan.
Selesai dia menyanyi, tiada tepukan kedengaran. Mungkin orang Jakarta sudah 'lali' dengan adegan seperti ini. Namun pemuda itu bergerak dari sebuah kerusi ke sebuah kerusi penumpang dengan 'muka seposen' seolah-olah merayu mereka mencampakkan 'sesen dua' ke dalam topinya. Kebanyakan penumpang tidak mempedulikannya, namun ada juga 'insan baik hati' - jadi dapat juga dia 'sedikit rezeki'.
Demikianlah kota Jakarta 'yang keras' mengajar penghuninya melakukan apa saja demi kesinambungan hidup. Adalah biasa untuk melihat kanak-kanak menjual akhbar (koran) di persimpangan jalan berlampu trafik malah ada yang mengangkat tangan di tepi jalan, bersedia menjadi penumpang bagi mereka yang memandu 'solo' kerana menjadi peraturan di sesetengah kawasan Jakarta kereta 'wajib penuh' sebelum dibenarkan masuk.
Subhanallah,'penderitaan' telah mengajar orang Jakarta (dan Indonesia) 'mencari jalan keluar', apakah 'orang Malaysia' sedia mencontohi mereka apabila 'zaman susah' mulai dirasai rakyat berikutan kenaikan harga bahan bakar?
Renungan
"...Sesungguhnya masjid yang didirikan atas dasar takwa (Masjid Quba'), sejak hari pertama adalah lebih patut kamu solat di dalamnya. Di dalam masjid itu ada orag-orang yang ingin membersihkan diri. Dan sesungguhnya Allah menyukai orang-orang yang bersih." (Maksud Ayat 108 Surah At-Taubah)
INSYA-ALLAH ketika pembaca membaca celoteh ini saya sudah berada di Jakarta, Indonesia. Alhamdulillah, ada 'orang nak sponsor' jadi saya pergilah - ini adalah kali ketiga saya ke Jakarta.
Nostalgia kali pertama ke Jakarta pada 1996 menyemarakkan saya untuk menulis mengenai kreativiti penduduknya mencari rezeki, mungkin dapat menyuntik semangat pembaca yang menghadapi kemelut hidup akibat kenaikan harga barangan selepas kenaikan harga bahan bakar apatah lagi dengan pelaksanaan cukai barangan dan perkhidmatan (GST) awal tahun depan.
Ya, kalau pembaca 'nak cuba' apa salahnya...Pada kunjungan kali pertama ke Jakarta saya ada menaiki kenderaan awam terutama bas bagi menyelami nadi penduduk kota yang kata sesetengah pihak berjumlah 12 juta pada waktu siang tetapi berkurangan menjadi 10 juta pada sebelah malam! Alasannya dua juta orang tidak tinggal di Jakarta tetapi masuk ke kota itu setiap hari untuk bekerja di firma swasta dan kerajaan dan ada pula mencari rezeki dengan cara amat kreatif sekali.
Suatu ketika saya yang mendiami Hotel Hilton, Jakarta, mahu ke pusat membeli belah Sarina. Pusat niaga terkenal kota Jakarta ini dinamakan sempena nama pengasuh presiden pertama Indonesia, Sukarno ketika beliau kecil. Ya, Sarina adalah srikandi yang namanya diabadikan dalam sejarah moden Indonesia.
Saya menunggu bas di sebuah perhentian di jalan besar depan Hotel Hilton. Saya perhatikan setiap kali bas berhenti, konduktornya menjerit laluan bas - Sarina, Monas, Tanah Abang dan Ancol - adalah antara destinasi dilaungkan. Apabila ada konduktor melaungkan Sarina, saya pun menaiki bas itu.
Saya cari tempat duduk dan membatukan diri. Kata orang, untuk tidak menimbulkan syak bahawa kita orang luar, cara terbaik ialah mendiamkan diri. Jangan banyak buka mulut.
Apabila konduktornya menghampiri, saya hulurkan wang kertas 5,000 rupiah. Saya tidak tuturkan apa-apa. Dia kemudian memulangkan wang baki. Saya kira. Ada 4,000 rupiah. Saya tidak tahu tambang itu betul atau tidak. Yang pasti konduktor itu tidak menyerahkan sebarang tiket atau resit kepada saya. Tetapi penumpang lain pun tak diberikan tiket. Mungkin di Jakarta tiket bas tidak diperlukan, fikir saya.
Apabila tiba di sebuah perhentian lain, naik seorang budak lelaki berusia dalam lingkungan 10 tahun. Dia bersongkok dan memegang sebuah kotak aluminium. Dia tidak mencari tempat duduk seperti orang lain tetapi memegang palang besi di depan penumpang.
Ligat otak saya membuat andaian apa yang hendak dibuat budak ini. Apabila bas bergerak, dia pun memulakan tugasnya. "Assalamualaikum wbk...bapak-bapak dan ibu-ibu sekalian..."
Rupa-rupanya dia menyampaikan ceramah agama. Hebat sekali pidatonya. Dia mengingatkan kepentingan orang Islam menderma dan ancaman kepada orang yang kedekut, yang hanya mementingkan diri sendiri.
Selepas menutup ceramahnya dengan doa, dia mendapatkan seorang demi seorang penumpang sambil mengunjukkan kotak dermanya. Kebanyakan orang tidak mengendahkannya, ada pula menggelengkan kepala. Namun ada yang mencampakkan 'sesen dua', jadi dapat juga sedikit wang.
Tiba di sebuah perhentian lain, budak itu turun dan naik pula beberapa orang termasuk seorang pemuda dengan gitar kapuk bersilang di bahunya. Dia tidak duduk, sebaliknya menyandarkan dirinya di sisi sebuah kerusi penumpang. Apa pulak halnya kali ini, fikir saya.
Sama seperti budak tadi, pemuda itu memulakan aksinya dengan memberi ucapan selamat ketemu kepada penumpang bas. Kemudian dia pun mula memetik gitarnya dan mengalunkan lagu. Sayu sekali lagunya, kena dengan suaranya yang serak-serak basah. Lagunya kisah malang seorang penganggur dan seniman jalanan.
Selesai dia menyanyi, tiada tepukan kedengaran. Mungkin orang Jakarta sudah 'lali' dengan adegan seperti ini. Namun pemuda itu bergerak dari sebuah kerusi ke sebuah kerusi penumpang dengan 'muka seposen' seolah-olah merayu mereka mencampakkan 'sesen dua' ke dalam topinya. Kebanyakan penumpang tidak mempedulikannya, namun ada juga 'insan baik hati' - jadi dapat juga dia 'sedikit rezeki'.
Demikianlah kota Jakarta 'yang keras' mengajar penghuninya melakukan apa saja demi kesinambungan hidup. Adalah biasa untuk melihat kanak-kanak menjual akhbar (koran) di persimpangan jalan berlampu trafik malah ada yang mengangkat tangan di tepi jalan, bersedia menjadi penumpang bagi mereka yang memandu 'solo' kerana menjadi peraturan di sesetengah kawasan Jakarta kereta 'wajib penuh' sebelum dibenarkan masuk.
Subhanallah,'penderitaan' telah mengajar orang Jakarta (dan Indonesia) 'mencari jalan keluar', apakah 'orang Malaysia' sedia mencontohi mereka apabila 'zaman susah' mulai dirasai rakyat berikutan kenaikan harga bahan bakar?
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