Roslan Hamid's Blog, page 193
January 19, 2012
The old buses fiasco victimizes the 'rakyat'
***
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.
***
ONE hot afternoon when I was driving along Lebuh AMJ (Alor Gajah-Melaka Tengah-Jasin) from my house in Semabok to fetch my mother who was waiting at the Melaka Hospital in Bukit Palah, I was caught in a massive traffic jam.
After inching my way, I saw thick black smoke rising to the sky from the road about 500 meters from my position.
I guessed there must have been an accident and some vehicles were on fire. Sirens of ambulances and fire brigades were heard.
As I was in the rush, I steered my car out of the traffic jam to a nearby alternative road to Ujung Pasir and Air Leleh and then back to Lebuh AMJ to the hospital. Seconds after entering the alternative road, I heard a loud explosion; the fire must be at its height, I thought.
Later that afternoon I visited the scene; there I saw the frame of a burnt bus. I was told that there was no road accident; only a stage bus owned by Town Bus Services Sdn Bhd on its way from Ujung Pasir to Melaka Sentral via Lebuh AMJ had caught fire and burst into flames.
Luckily all 10 passengers and the driver of bus managed to get out of the bus in time. An eye witness said that a passerby saw the back of the bus was on fire so he alerted the driver and passengers. The driver stopped the bus on the roadside and all passengers scrambled out for their dear lives.
That ill fated bus was one of about 120 stage buses in Melaka that were old and dirty. The buses were in that condition because their operators and owners were in deep financial difficulties. Come 1st February, some 10 stage bus operators in the state had threatened to halt their services in protest over the state government's failure to solve the concessionaires' woes. Their action would strand some 30,000 commuters in the state.
Realizing the difficulties that had to be faced by the Melaka 'ordinary rakyat' including my own relatives and friends, I talked over the phone to Melaka Omnibus Operators Association president, Razaki Endun who said the concessionaires decided to halt their buses after no financial lifeline was rendered as pledged by the state government.
Razali was is also Deputy President of Pan Malaysian Bus Operators Association (PMBOA), said the impending strike was aimed at forcing the state government to pay compensation to the ailing bus operators as promised a few times before. He said the bus operators had waited for the monetary assistance until the end of last year but sadly there was no response from the Melaka government headed by Chief Minister, Mohd Ali Rustam.
In another twist of the issue, Ali Rustam was quoted by newsmen as saying the state government would pay compensation amounted to RM7.2 million to the 10 bus concessionaires and their workers when they ceased operations on 1st February. He said as a premier measure, he would direct state government agencies to provide the assistance while waiting allocations from the federal government.
"Payment of the compensation would dig out some RM14 million from the state government, but we have no choice," Ali Rustam was also quoted saying.
The state government would take over the operations of stage buses in the state as soon as possible.
Nowadays, the Melaka State government investment arm, Panorama Cultural & Tourism Sdn Bhd (PMCT) runs a fleet of Panorama buses servicing Melaka city and the surrounding areas. It was reported recently that the state government had spent some RM2.35 million in purchasing 10 new 40-seater coaches from Scomi Engineering & Logistics Sdn Bhd for its Panorama bus service in a move to upgrade Melaka's public transportation system.
Meanwhile, regarding the spat between the state government and Melaka bus operators, the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) chairman, Syed Hamid Albar has urged Melaka Omnibus Operators Association to meet the state government to resolve its financial woes. He said the problem could be settled if the group discussed the matter so that an agreement could be reached although he agreed there was a need to review the public transport system in the state.
In my conversation with Razali, he stressed that meeting with the state authorities would be meaningless as they had met before, the fact was that the state government had no allocations to assist in the financial woes of the bus operators.
They themselves tried to fork out money from its municipal councils such as the Melaka Historical City Council (MBMB), the Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council (MPHTJ) and Alor Gajah Municipal Council (MPAG). The authorities hoped to raise RM5.4 million from these state government agencies to assist the bus operators.
"It was only an idea, nothing has been put on the ground," said Razali who also lambasted the state government for failing to secure a RM36 million loan from the federal government to pay for the bus operators as it had promised more than two years ago in upgrading public transportation in the state.
After several consultations, the Melaka Omnibus Operators Association decided that 31st December 2011 was the last date for the state government to honour its promise in giving assistance to local bus companies, stressing that the money was urgent as operations by local bus companies in Melaka are in dire situation as they are facing acute financial problems.
He said while waiting for the state's assistance, operators were facing more trouble as the authorities such as the Road Transport Department (RTD) had compounded several of the old buses because they are not roadworthy. Perhaps, the incident involving a Town Bus Services Sdn Bhd which burst into flames at Lebuh AMJ was a clear indication how un-roadworthy are some of the stage buses in Melaka.
When asked to comment on the government allocation of some RM400 million to help the bus operators as a short term measures to help keep buses services, particularly on unprofitable routes in rural areas afloat, Razali claimed for the first phase it was only for bus operators in Pahang, Negeri Sembilan and Selangor.
He said urgent assistance should be given to bus operators throughout the country including in Sabah and Sarawak where bus services were not profitable.
Meanwhile various groups want the Melaka government to be serious in providing good and economical transportation system for the 'rakyat' since it could spent lavishly on uneconomically project such as the monorail system for tourists at a cost of RM15 million and upgrading the Batu Berendam International Airport which since had become a 'white elephant' at a cost of RM131 million.
Recently the state government bought an old submarine at a cost of RM7 million; turning it into a museum in Kelebang; in 2007 it had bought two old double-decker London buses with each costing RM200,000 but both buses are now in the museum!
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.
***
ONE hot afternoon when I was driving along Lebuh AMJ (Alor Gajah-Melaka Tengah-Jasin) from my house in Semabok to fetch my mother who was waiting at the Melaka Hospital in Bukit Palah, I was caught in a massive traffic jam.
After inching my way, I saw thick black smoke rising to the sky from the road about 500 meters from my position.
I guessed there must have been an accident and some vehicles were on fire. Sirens of ambulances and fire brigades were heard.
As I was in the rush, I steered my car out of the traffic jam to a nearby alternative road to Ujung Pasir and Air Leleh and then back to Lebuh AMJ to the hospital. Seconds after entering the alternative road, I heard a loud explosion; the fire must be at its height, I thought.
Later that afternoon I visited the scene; there I saw the frame of a burnt bus. I was told that there was no road accident; only a stage bus owned by Town Bus Services Sdn Bhd on its way from Ujung Pasir to Melaka Sentral via Lebuh AMJ had caught fire and burst into flames.
Luckily all 10 passengers and the driver of bus managed to get out of the bus in time. An eye witness said that a passerby saw the back of the bus was on fire so he alerted the driver and passengers. The driver stopped the bus on the roadside and all passengers scrambled out for their dear lives.
That ill fated bus was one of about 120 stage buses in Melaka that were old and dirty. The buses were in that condition because their operators and owners were in deep financial difficulties. Come 1st February, some 10 stage bus operators in the state had threatened to halt their services in protest over the state government's failure to solve the concessionaires' woes. Their action would strand some 30,000 commuters in the state.
Realizing the difficulties that had to be faced by the Melaka 'ordinary rakyat' including my own relatives and friends, I talked over the phone to Melaka Omnibus Operators Association president, Razaki Endun who said the concessionaires decided to halt their buses after no financial lifeline was rendered as pledged by the state government.
Razali was is also Deputy President of Pan Malaysian Bus Operators Association (PMBOA), said the impending strike was aimed at forcing the state government to pay compensation to the ailing bus operators as promised a few times before. He said the bus operators had waited for the monetary assistance until the end of last year but sadly there was no response from the Melaka government headed by Chief Minister, Mohd Ali Rustam.
In another twist of the issue, Ali Rustam was quoted by newsmen as saying the state government would pay compensation amounted to RM7.2 million to the 10 bus concessionaires and their workers when they ceased operations on 1st February. He said as a premier measure, he would direct state government agencies to provide the assistance while waiting allocations from the federal government.
"Payment of the compensation would dig out some RM14 million from the state government, but we have no choice," Ali Rustam was also quoted saying.
The state government would take over the operations of stage buses in the state as soon as possible.
Nowadays, the Melaka State government investment arm, Panorama Cultural & Tourism Sdn Bhd (PMCT) runs a fleet of Panorama buses servicing Melaka city and the surrounding areas. It was reported recently that the state government had spent some RM2.35 million in purchasing 10 new 40-seater coaches from Scomi Engineering & Logistics Sdn Bhd for its Panorama bus service in a move to upgrade Melaka's public transportation system.
Meanwhile, regarding the spat between the state government and Melaka bus operators, the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) chairman, Syed Hamid Albar has urged Melaka Omnibus Operators Association to meet the state government to resolve its financial woes. He said the problem could be settled if the group discussed the matter so that an agreement could be reached although he agreed there was a need to review the public transport system in the state.
In my conversation with Razali, he stressed that meeting with the state authorities would be meaningless as they had met before, the fact was that the state government had no allocations to assist in the financial woes of the bus operators.
They themselves tried to fork out money from its municipal councils such as the Melaka Historical City Council (MBMB), the Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council (MPHTJ) and Alor Gajah Municipal Council (MPAG). The authorities hoped to raise RM5.4 million from these state government agencies to assist the bus operators.
"It was only an idea, nothing has been put on the ground," said Razali who also lambasted the state government for failing to secure a RM36 million loan from the federal government to pay for the bus operators as it had promised more than two years ago in upgrading public transportation in the state.
After several consultations, the Melaka Omnibus Operators Association decided that 31st December 2011 was the last date for the state government to honour its promise in giving assistance to local bus companies, stressing that the money was urgent as operations by local bus companies in Melaka are in dire situation as they are facing acute financial problems.
He said while waiting for the state's assistance, operators were facing more trouble as the authorities such as the Road Transport Department (RTD) had compounded several of the old buses because they are not roadworthy. Perhaps, the incident involving a Town Bus Services Sdn Bhd which burst into flames at Lebuh AMJ was a clear indication how un-roadworthy are some of the stage buses in Melaka.
When asked to comment on the government allocation of some RM400 million to help the bus operators as a short term measures to help keep buses services, particularly on unprofitable routes in rural areas afloat, Razali claimed for the first phase it was only for bus operators in Pahang, Negeri Sembilan and Selangor.
He said urgent assistance should be given to bus operators throughout the country including in Sabah and Sarawak where bus services were not profitable.
Meanwhile various groups want the Melaka government to be serious in providing good and economical transportation system for the 'rakyat' since it could spent lavishly on uneconomically project such as the monorail system for tourists at a cost of RM15 million and upgrading the Batu Berendam International Airport which since had become a 'white elephant' at a cost of RM131 million.
Recently the state government bought an old submarine at a cost of RM7 million; turning it into a museum in Kelebang; in 2007 it had bought two old double-decker London buses with each costing RM200,000 but both buses are now in the museum!
January 12, 2012
Pakatan kuasai Melaka, tetapi bagaimana nasib PAS?
***************
Dengan nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.
Renungan
Nabi s.a.w. bertanya Abu Musa al Asy'ari r.a.; "Mahukah aku tunjukkan kepada kamu (simpanan) harta khazanah daripada harta-harta khazanah di syurga?" Abu Musa menjawab: "Sudah tentu Ya Rasulullah." Lalu Rasulullah s.a.w. berkata: (zikir) "La Haula Wala Quwwata Illa Billah" yang bermaksud "Tiada daya dan tiada kekuatan melainkan Allah Ta'ala." (HR. Imam Bukhari dan Muslim)
*******************
TULISAN saya dalam ruangan ini dengan tajuk 'PAS perlu pasukan boleh menang di Melaka' mendapat reaksi sedikit panas di kalangan pemimpin, ahli PAS dan pembaca. Sumber memberitahu saya, ia turut dibincangkan dalam satu mesyuarat kepimpinan negeri baru-baru ini.
Seorang sahabat pula memberitahu saya, berdasarkan perubahan sokongan (swing) yang sungguh ketara di kalangan pengundi bukan Melayu (Islam), Pakatan Rakyat diyakini akan membuat kejutan seterusnya memenangi kepimpinan negeri Hang Tuah pada pilihan raya umum akan datang.
Beliau berkata hal itu sejajar dengan pandangan mengejutkan Pengerusi Zentrum, Dr Hassan Hasbullah bahawa negeri dengan 28 kerusi Dun ini akan jatuh ke tangan Pakatan Rakyat yang menggabungkan PAS, KeADILan dan DAP.
Bagaimanapun, sahabat itu mengingatkan pihak yang akan mencatatkan kejayaan gemilang adalah DAP yang berkemungkinan besar akan menang tujuh daripada lapan kerusi yang ditandinginya (sekarang ini DAP ada lima kerusi; pada 2008 dulu cuma kalah di Duyong, Bemban dan Kelebang dengan majoriti kecil), KeADILan memenangi beberapa kerusi daripada tujuh kerusi yang diperuntukkan kepadanya manakala nasib PAS yang bertanding di 13 kerusi (yang terbanyak) terus menjadi tanda tanya.
Jika PAS masih terkial-kial untuk mendapatkan 'anak sulungnya', bolehkah ia menjadi pihak dominan dalam Pakatan Rakyat? Berdasarkan perubahan terlalu perlahan orang Melayu Melaka yang masih dibuai mimpi 'kisah Hang Tuahnya', dikhuatiri PAS yang bakal bertanding menentang Umno di kawasan dominan Melayu, tidak akan ke mana-mana. Inilah satu persoalan yang sangat merisaukan sahabat saya itu.
Berdasarkan prestasi PAS yang kurang memberangsangkan di kawasan majoriti pengundi Melayu yang tinggi seperti Tanjung Bidara (lebih 90 peratus) tetapi agak baik di Dun yang bersifat bercampur-campur seperti Durian Tunggal (Melayu 67 peratus), pada pilihan raya umum lalu (2008), apakah pendekatan yang boleh diambil PAS?
Mungkin pandangan pembaca ini sedikit sebanyak boleh dijadikan sandaran: "Saya amat tertarik dengan coleteh saudara LanH mengenai PAS perlu pasukan boleh menang di Melaka. Biarlah saya memperkenalkan diri dahulu.
"Saya bukanlah orang jati Melaka; saya dan suami merantau ke Melaka kerana urusan kerja suami saya dan sudah menetap selama tujuh tahun di sini.
Pada pendapat saya sepanjang tinggal lama di sini memang mengundang macam-macam perasaan terhadap orang Melayu di sini,kadang-kadang nak ketawa pun ada,nak marah pun ada,kesian pun ada.
Pada saya orang-orang PAS di sini kurang bergaul berbanding orang-orang Umno; saya dan suami selalu duduk di kedai makan hanya nak tengok gelagat orang-orang Umno ni,pada pemerhatian saya, mereka ni memang peramah jika di banding dengan orang-orang PAS.
Dari situ bagi saya orang-orang Melaka menilai yang PAS ini bukan pilihan yang bagus untuk disertai,satu lagi corak pemikiran orang-orang Melaka ini daripada yang tua hingga yang muda sama,iaitu Umno boleh bagi mereka macam-macam .
Dan selalu mereka berpandangan kalau PAS memerintah, budaya Melayu akan lenyap kerana hukum hudud. Mereka juga fikir, kalau Pakatan Rakyat memerintah Melaka, orang-orang Cina besar kepala. Ini satu lagi isu yang saya rasa perlu diambil kira, orang Melaka ni terlalu bangga jadi Melayu daripada menjadi seorang Islam.
Daripada cara mereka yang saya kenal, boleh kutuk Islam mereka tapi jangan kutuk ke-Melayuan mereka boleh mengundang amarah yang teruk.
Daripada apa yang saya luahkan sebenarnya banyak lagi kelemahan PAS di Melaka ini; bagi saya orang PAS perlu ubah cara bermesra dengan orang tempatan daripada memandang sinis mereka ini.
Pernah seorang kawan saya meluahkan perasaan dia pada saya,dia berkata orang-orang PAS ini anggap kalau bukan PAS dah terpesong,saya tidak salahkan dia cuma terkilan dengan tanggapan dia mengenai PAS. Saya harap pandangan saya dapat disampaikan kepada ahli-ahli PAS Melaka untuk lebih bagus pada masa-masa akan datang." - Yang Benar, Perantau di Melaka
Dengan nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.
Renungan
Nabi s.a.w. bertanya Abu Musa al Asy'ari r.a.; "Mahukah aku tunjukkan kepada kamu (simpanan) harta khazanah daripada harta-harta khazanah di syurga?" Abu Musa menjawab: "Sudah tentu Ya Rasulullah." Lalu Rasulullah s.a.w. berkata: (zikir) "La Haula Wala Quwwata Illa Billah" yang bermaksud "Tiada daya dan tiada kekuatan melainkan Allah Ta'ala." (HR. Imam Bukhari dan Muslim)
*******************
TULISAN saya dalam ruangan ini dengan tajuk 'PAS perlu pasukan boleh menang di Melaka' mendapat reaksi sedikit panas di kalangan pemimpin, ahli PAS dan pembaca. Sumber memberitahu saya, ia turut dibincangkan dalam satu mesyuarat kepimpinan negeri baru-baru ini.
Seorang sahabat pula memberitahu saya, berdasarkan perubahan sokongan (swing) yang sungguh ketara di kalangan pengundi bukan Melayu (Islam), Pakatan Rakyat diyakini akan membuat kejutan seterusnya memenangi kepimpinan negeri Hang Tuah pada pilihan raya umum akan datang.
Beliau berkata hal itu sejajar dengan pandangan mengejutkan Pengerusi Zentrum, Dr Hassan Hasbullah bahawa negeri dengan 28 kerusi Dun ini akan jatuh ke tangan Pakatan Rakyat yang menggabungkan PAS, KeADILan dan DAP.
Bagaimanapun, sahabat itu mengingatkan pihak yang akan mencatatkan kejayaan gemilang adalah DAP yang berkemungkinan besar akan menang tujuh daripada lapan kerusi yang ditandinginya (sekarang ini DAP ada lima kerusi; pada 2008 dulu cuma kalah di Duyong, Bemban dan Kelebang dengan majoriti kecil), KeADILan memenangi beberapa kerusi daripada tujuh kerusi yang diperuntukkan kepadanya manakala nasib PAS yang bertanding di 13 kerusi (yang terbanyak) terus menjadi tanda tanya.
Jika PAS masih terkial-kial untuk mendapatkan 'anak sulungnya', bolehkah ia menjadi pihak dominan dalam Pakatan Rakyat? Berdasarkan perubahan terlalu perlahan orang Melayu Melaka yang masih dibuai mimpi 'kisah Hang Tuahnya', dikhuatiri PAS yang bakal bertanding menentang Umno di kawasan dominan Melayu, tidak akan ke mana-mana. Inilah satu persoalan yang sangat merisaukan sahabat saya itu.
Berdasarkan prestasi PAS yang kurang memberangsangkan di kawasan majoriti pengundi Melayu yang tinggi seperti Tanjung Bidara (lebih 90 peratus) tetapi agak baik di Dun yang bersifat bercampur-campur seperti Durian Tunggal (Melayu 67 peratus), pada pilihan raya umum lalu (2008), apakah pendekatan yang boleh diambil PAS?
Mungkin pandangan pembaca ini sedikit sebanyak boleh dijadikan sandaran: "Saya amat tertarik dengan coleteh saudara LanH mengenai PAS perlu pasukan boleh menang di Melaka. Biarlah saya memperkenalkan diri dahulu.
"Saya bukanlah orang jati Melaka; saya dan suami merantau ke Melaka kerana urusan kerja suami saya dan sudah menetap selama tujuh tahun di sini.
Pada pendapat saya sepanjang tinggal lama di sini memang mengundang macam-macam perasaan terhadap orang Melayu di sini,kadang-kadang nak ketawa pun ada,nak marah pun ada,kesian pun ada.
Pada saya orang-orang PAS di sini kurang bergaul berbanding orang-orang Umno; saya dan suami selalu duduk di kedai makan hanya nak tengok gelagat orang-orang Umno ni,pada pemerhatian saya, mereka ni memang peramah jika di banding dengan orang-orang PAS.
Dari situ bagi saya orang-orang Melaka menilai yang PAS ini bukan pilihan yang bagus untuk disertai,satu lagi corak pemikiran orang-orang Melaka ini daripada yang tua hingga yang muda sama,iaitu Umno boleh bagi mereka macam-macam .
Dan selalu mereka berpandangan kalau PAS memerintah, budaya Melayu akan lenyap kerana hukum hudud. Mereka juga fikir, kalau Pakatan Rakyat memerintah Melaka, orang-orang Cina besar kepala. Ini satu lagi isu yang saya rasa perlu diambil kira, orang Melaka ni terlalu bangga jadi Melayu daripada menjadi seorang Islam.
Daripada cara mereka yang saya kenal, boleh kutuk Islam mereka tapi jangan kutuk ke-Melayuan mereka boleh mengundang amarah yang teruk.
Daripada apa yang saya luahkan sebenarnya banyak lagi kelemahan PAS di Melaka ini; bagi saya orang PAS perlu ubah cara bermesra dengan orang tempatan daripada memandang sinis mereka ini.
Pernah seorang kawan saya meluahkan perasaan dia pada saya,dia berkata orang-orang PAS ini anggap kalau bukan PAS dah terpesong,saya tidak salahkan dia cuma terkilan dengan tanggapan dia mengenai PAS. Saya harap pandangan saya dapat disampaikan kepada ahli-ahli PAS Melaka untuk lebih bagus pada masa-masa akan datang." - Yang Benar, Perantau di Melaka
January 10, 2012
The art of sharing
***
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful; blessings and peace be upon Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.
Reflection
"We did not create heaven and earth and everything in between them as a game. If We had desired to have some amusement, We would have derived it from Our Presense, but We do not do that." (Qur'an, 21:16-17)
***
RECENTLY I found this information about my blog in the internet. It read: " Lanh14.blogspot.com is ranked #25,795,418 in the world according to the three-month Alexa traffic rankings."
Ooh, what a feeling! I felt proud of the achievement (imagine Lanh14 is included in a world ranking!) but it quickly diminished as I realized that the credit was a temporary one – one's life and fate is just like the movement of the wheel – at one time it was at top and another time at the bottom.
But by having that blog, I was pleased for being able to share my little experience and knowledge with readers. Sharing is a great experience; it was not only on knowledge but almost anything; the Prophet Ibrahim a.s. (Abraham) was known to have never taken food alone in his whole life – he was said to travel hours just to seek a partner to share his food.
One day, he found the right man and began eating without looking at his partner (It is not proper to stare at a person when he is eating). When he had finished, he looked up and was very surprised as the man had not touched the food. Prophet Ibrahim asked the man who he was; he replied that he was a 'malaikat' (angel) sent by Allah SWT just to accompany the Prophet while he was eating. This story was narrated by an 'ustaz' (religious teacher) during a 'tazkirah' (religiou lesson) in a masjid near my home a few days ago and took this opportunity to share it with readers.
Recently while reading a letter to the editor's section of a religious magazine, I pondered after reading the sender's wish to have all issues of the magazine bounded and stock at her house for reference. I thought it was a good idea as I had done it many-many years ago, but after 'my hair and beard had gone white' (become older-lah), I realize it would be more beneficial if these reading materials be read by others compared to storing them at home.
If you are a good reader, over the years; you would find out that your reading materials have taken almost all the space at your home or you had to move to other places or you had to face disaster such as flood, so before that situation occurs, why not contribute the books and magazines to those who needed them badly such as children's homes and libraries and reading rooms in the kampung? Believe me, if you do not take good care of your stored reading materials, one day you would be frustrated after finding out they have been destroyed by termites and other insects!
So share your books and magazines with others. If you do it sincerely in the name of Allah SWT, you would not only be rewarded handsomely in this world but also in the Hereafter. His rewards in this world should not only be measured by material wealth but in other forms such as health, tranquility, free time and having a harmonious family.
If you don't know the place to distribute your good reading materials, just leave them on public places where people would easily reached for them such as in buses and trains.
Other than sharing books and magazines, scholars also suggested to us these following activities:
* Buy a translation of The Qur'an and present it to a non-Muslim friend.
* Visit a Muslim welfare organization to find out how you can help in their activities.
* Get permission from an orphanage to let an orphan spend a weekend with you.
* Get to know someone who has converted to Islam, and help to strengthen his/her faith.
* Read bedtime stories to your young children – in your reading, include stories that highlight Islamic values and stories from the lives of Prophet (pbuh) and great Muslim men and women.
* If you know of a public lecture on Islam, tell others about it and try to attend it.
* If you have a good idea that will help the ummah, mention it to those that you think will take it to the next level.
* Be upfront with others when you have to perform your Islamic duties by saying, for example, "Excuse me for a few minutes, I need to pray to my Creator."
* Write a letter of appreciation and encouragement to a Muslim brother or sister who is doing a lot to help the ummah.
* Gather your family members for a 15-minutes Islam course every month to explain basic concepts of Islam. For example, one session could be devoted to explaining the difference between zakat and sadaqah.
* Invite one Muslim family in your neighbourhood to your home for a meal as a way to strengthen your bonds of Islamic brotherhood and sisterhood.
* Keep donation box in your home and encourage your family members to put their donation into it. At the end of the year, use the money to buy something useful for a poor family.
* Invite one non-Muslim family in your neighbourhood for a meal and use the opportunity to find out what aspects of Islam that they don't understand. If you are unable to explain, find out from others and convey the explanation to them.
Among the greatest of Allah's blessing to us that ought to be shared with others is knowledge. And what's more knowledge of the Qur'an because Uthman r.a. relates that the Holy Prophet (pbuh) said: "That the best of you is the one who learns the Qur;an and teaches it to others."
Pursuing knowledge is like a welfare work, being conceptualized about 'ibadah', one could pursuit knowledge easily. There are different ways to pursuit knowledge; going to school, reading, listening, inquiring and communicating. (Islam is Simple – JAKIM)
A leaned person should practices what he himself preaches, and spread (share) his or her knowledge to other people. This kind of scholar will be holding a higher rank in front of Allah SWT and in social community as well.
The Qur'an says: "Allah will exalt those who believe among you, and those who have knowledge, to high ranks." (58:11)
No matter what kinds of knowledge are there, all for the benefits of this world and Hereafter, every Muslim should study and try to be a kind-hearted believer, and get success in this world and Hereafter.
So acquire knowledge because it enables its possessors to distinguish right from wrong; its lights the way to heaven; it is our friend in the desert, our society in solitude, our companion when friendless; it guides us to happiness; it sustains us in misery; it is an ornament amongst friends, and an armour against enemies.
One hadith said: "Who wants to get successful in this world, then he must have knowledge; who wants to get successful in the Hereafter, then he must have knowledge; who wants to be successful in this world and Hereafter, then he must have knowledge." (Bukhary and Muslim)
Another hadith said: "Seeking knowledge is incumbent upon every Muslim, male and female." (Bukhary and Muslim). Then after having knowledge, why not share it with others!
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful; blessings and peace be upon Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.
Reflection
"We did not create heaven and earth and everything in between them as a game. If We had desired to have some amusement, We would have derived it from Our Presense, but We do not do that." (Qur'an, 21:16-17)
***
RECENTLY I found this information about my blog in the internet. It read: " Lanh14.blogspot.com is ranked #25,795,418 in the world according to the three-month Alexa traffic rankings."
Ooh, what a feeling! I felt proud of the achievement (imagine Lanh14 is included in a world ranking!) but it quickly diminished as I realized that the credit was a temporary one – one's life and fate is just like the movement of the wheel – at one time it was at top and another time at the bottom.
But by having that blog, I was pleased for being able to share my little experience and knowledge with readers. Sharing is a great experience; it was not only on knowledge but almost anything; the Prophet Ibrahim a.s. (Abraham) was known to have never taken food alone in his whole life – he was said to travel hours just to seek a partner to share his food.
One day, he found the right man and began eating without looking at his partner (It is not proper to stare at a person when he is eating). When he had finished, he looked up and was very surprised as the man had not touched the food. Prophet Ibrahim asked the man who he was; he replied that he was a 'malaikat' (angel) sent by Allah SWT just to accompany the Prophet while he was eating. This story was narrated by an 'ustaz' (religious teacher) during a 'tazkirah' (religiou lesson) in a masjid near my home a few days ago and took this opportunity to share it with readers.
Recently while reading a letter to the editor's section of a religious magazine, I pondered after reading the sender's wish to have all issues of the magazine bounded and stock at her house for reference. I thought it was a good idea as I had done it many-many years ago, but after 'my hair and beard had gone white' (become older-lah), I realize it would be more beneficial if these reading materials be read by others compared to storing them at home.
If you are a good reader, over the years; you would find out that your reading materials have taken almost all the space at your home or you had to move to other places or you had to face disaster such as flood, so before that situation occurs, why not contribute the books and magazines to those who needed them badly such as children's homes and libraries and reading rooms in the kampung? Believe me, if you do not take good care of your stored reading materials, one day you would be frustrated after finding out they have been destroyed by termites and other insects!
So share your books and magazines with others. If you do it sincerely in the name of Allah SWT, you would not only be rewarded handsomely in this world but also in the Hereafter. His rewards in this world should not only be measured by material wealth but in other forms such as health, tranquility, free time and having a harmonious family.
If you don't know the place to distribute your good reading materials, just leave them on public places where people would easily reached for them such as in buses and trains.
Other than sharing books and magazines, scholars also suggested to us these following activities:
* Buy a translation of The Qur'an and present it to a non-Muslim friend.
* Visit a Muslim welfare organization to find out how you can help in their activities.
* Get permission from an orphanage to let an orphan spend a weekend with you.
* Get to know someone who has converted to Islam, and help to strengthen his/her faith.
* Read bedtime stories to your young children – in your reading, include stories that highlight Islamic values and stories from the lives of Prophet (pbuh) and great Muslim men and women.
* If you know of a public lecture on Islam, tell others about it and try to attend it.
* If you have a good idea that will help the ummah, mention it to those that you think will take it to the next level.
* Be upfront with others when you have to perform your Islamic duties by saying, for example, "Excuse me for a few minutes, I need to pray to my Creator."
* Write a letter of appreciation and encouragement to a Muslim brother or sister who is doing a lot to help the ummah.
* Gather your family members for a 15-minutes Islam course every month to explain basic concepts of Islam. For example, one session could be devoted to explaining the difference between zakat and sadaqah.
* Invite one Muslim family in your neighbourhood to your home for a meal as a way to strengthen your bonds of Islamic brotherhood and sisterhood.
* Keep donation box in your home and encourage your family members to put their donation into it. At the end of the year, use the money to buy something useful for a poor family.
* Invite one non-Muslim family in your neighbourhood for a meal and use the opportunity to find out what aspects of Islam that they don't understand. If you are unable to explain, find out from others and convey the explanation to them.
Among the greatest of Allah's blessing to us that ought to be shared with others is knowledge. And what's more knowledge of the Qur'an because Uthman r.a. relates that the Holy Prophet (pbuh) said: "That the best of you is the one who learns the Qur;an and teaches it to others."
Pursuing knowledge is like a welfare work, being conceptualized about 'ibadah', one could pursuit knowledge easily. There are different ways to pursuit knowledge; going to school, reading, listening, inquiring and communicating. (Islam is Simple – JAKIM)
A leaned person should practices what he himself preaches, and spread (share) his or her knowledge to other people. This kind of scholar will be holding a higher rank in front of Allah SWT and in social community as well.
The Qur'an says: "Allah will exalt those who believe among you, and those who have knowledge, to high ranks." (58:11)
No matter what kinds of knowledge are there, all for the benefits of this world and Hereafter, every Muslim should study and try to be a kind-hearted believer, and get success in this world and Hereafter.
So acquire knowledge because it enables its possessors to distinguish right from wrong; its lights the way to heaven; it is our friend in the desert, our society in solitude, our companion when friendless; it guides us to happiness; it sustains us in misery; it is an ornament amongst friends, and an armour against enemies.
One hadith said: "Who wants to get successful in this world, then he must have knowledge; who wants to get successful in the Hereafter, then he must have knowledge; who wants to be successful in this world and Hereafter, then he must have knowledge." (Bukhary and Muslim)
Another hadith said: "Seeking knowledge is incumbent upon every Muslim, male and female." (Bukhary and Muslim). Then after having knowledge, why not share it with others!
January 9, 2012
Haji, hajah perlu jaga penghormatan
************
Dengan nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.
Renungan
"Sesiapa yang membaca 'Astaghfirullah al Lazi La Ilaha' illa Hual Hayyul Qayyum Wa Atubu Ilahi' (Aku meminta keampunan daripada Allah Taala yang tiada Tuhan melainkan-Nya, yang hidup lagi berdiri dengan sendiri-Nya, dan aku meminta taubat kepada-Nya), diampunkan dosanya walaupun dianya lari dari medan perang." (HR. Imam Abu Daud, Tarmizi dan Al-Hakim)
***************
KINI hampir semua jemaah haji sudah kembali ke tanah air. Diucapkan tahniah kepada mereka, didoakan agar semuanya mendapat haji mabrur yang balasannya tiada lain kecuali syurga seperti disabdakan Rasulullah s.a.w dalam sebuah hadisnya.
Haji sebagai salah satu Rukun Islam bolehlah diibaratkan sebuah madrasah bagi melahirkan insan lebih baik daripada semalam tetapi apa disaksikan ada juga insan bergelar haji tetapi amalan dan sikapnya lebih buruk daripada sebelum mengerjakan haji. Ada pula yang statik, peranganinya sama saja - dulu, kini dan dibimbangi buat selamanya - sehingga dia dijemput Allah SWT ke alam barzakh.
Salah satu karakter orang bergelar haji paling menarik saya saksikan (filemlah) adalah Haji Bakhil melalui filem Labu Labi. Tak tahulah saya sama ada dia mendapat 'title' haji kerana sudah menunaikan haji atau saja-saja dipanggil haji. Punyalah kedekut orang ini, orang gajinya (Labu dan Labi) tidak diberikan ganjaran sewajarnya.
Di dalam buku 'Teman Anda Ke Tanah Suci' karya Dato' Mohd Saleh Awang (Misbaha) terbitan Times Books International, ada dinyatakan kelebihan orang yang telah mengerjakan haji, antaranya dia adalah utusan Allah.
Misbaha menulis: "Jemaah haji adalah utusan Allah sebagaimana tersebut dalam hadis daripada Abu Hurairah yang bermaksud: 'Orang yang mengerjakan haji dan orang yang mengerjakan umrah adalah utusan Allah. Jika mereka berdoa, nescaya Allah menerima doa mereka dan jika mereka memohon ampun, maka Allah akan mengampuni mereka."
Sebelum meneruskan muzakarah mengenai insan bergelar haji dan hajah ini, terlebih dahulu penulis yang sudah menunaikan haji memohon maaf; bukanlah tujuan penulis mendedahkan keburukan mana-mana pihak, lebih-lebih lagi penulis sendiri banyak jeleknya, tetapi untuk sama-sama merenung, bermuhasabah diri, memikirkan yang terbaik untuk hari muka.
Berdasarkan pengamatan penulis, ramai sahabat-sahabat bertukar baik atau menjadi lebih baik selepas bergelar haji. Alhamdulillah kerana jika dulu tidak kerap ke masjid, selepas bergelar haji hampir setiap waktu berjemaah di masjid.
Malahan kelas pengajian di masjid yang diadakan pada setiap malam antara solat maghrib dan isyak sentiasa diikuti. Tidak cukup dengan itu, insan bergelar pak haji ini sanggup berpindah daripada satu masjid ke masjid lain yang berdekatan semata-mata bagi menambah ilmu dalam mencari keredaan Illahi.
Mak hajah pun tidak ketinggalan menyertai pak haji; jika ada kelas pengajian di masjid, dia pun turut serta. Adalah menjadi pemandangan biasa, mak hajah membonceng motosikal pak haji ke masjid untuk solat berjemaah, biasanya waktu maghrib dan selepas itu mengikuti pengajian sebelum masuk waktu isyak.
Jika dulu bertudung tiga segi atau disimpul di kepala atau di bawah dagu, alhamdulillah selepas kembali dari Makkah sudah memakai tudung labuh, dipadankan pula dengan abaya labuh, mungkin yang dibeli ketika di Tanah Suci dulu.
Namun ada pak haji dan mak aji (hajah) yang perangainya tidak berubah. Seorang sahabat lama yang sudah bergelar haji memberitahu, kelemahannya yang masih belum dapat diatasi ialah 'pantang melihat perempuan berdahi licin'.
Dia yang sudah mempunyai dua isteri, berkata apabila terpandang perempuan cantik, mulalah dia tidak keruan. Dia akan berusaha berkenalan seterusnya menambat hati perempuan berkenaan.
"Perkara ini, saya kalah. Mudah-mudahan Tuhan ampunkan saya," katanya yang mengaku pada penulis dulu masa muda-muda dia pernah berzina.
"Saya sudah bertaubat termasuk pergi Makkah, tetapi pasal bab perempuan ini, saya angkat tangan. Mungkin ini balasan Tuhan kepada saya, perangai buruk ini masih ada," rintihnya.
Penulis juga diberitahu seorang lagi sahabat bahawa kawannya yang sudah bergelar haji, juga masih dengan perangai lamanya yang tidak tahan melihat perempuan cantik.
Dia yang juga sudah beristeri dua, masih ada waktu untuk mengorat sedangkan anaknya sudah berderet dan dia sendiri hampir bermenantu seterusnya mendapat cucu.
Kisah hajah pula tidak banyak penulis ketahui. Apa yang terzahir depan penulis atau dalam akhbar dan majalah ada hajah yang pakaiannya 'lebih teruk' berbanding dulu.
Seorang hajah yang penulis kenali, dulunya kerap berbaju kurung longgar bertudung tetapi sejak akhir-akhir ini selepas berkahwin sekali lagi selepas kematian suaminya, mula berpakaian kebaya dan kadang-kadang mengenakan celana ketat. Entahlah, dia sudah buang tabiatkah atau menyesuaikan dirinya yang berkahwin lelaki muda.
Ada isteri pemimpin yang sudah hajah pun terus mendedahkan kepala dan rambut. Artis yang sudah bergelar hajah juga turut buat perangai. Ada yang kejap bertudung kejap tidak, ada yang menenggekkan kain di kepada dan ada menggelek (goyang gerudi) keterlaluan di pentas sedangkan dia bergelar hajah. Ada artis yang sudah bergelar hajah, sanggup mempamerkan aset tubuh mereka dalam akhbar, majalah dan rancangan televisyen, apa sudah jadi ini?
Adalah wajar bagi insan bergelar haji dan hajah menjaga imej mereka. Nama atau gelaran yang diberikan kepada mereka (haji atau hajah) perlulah dijunjung tinggi. Penghormatan masyarakat sejak sekian lama kepada pak haji/bang haji dan mak aji/kak hajah, usahlah digadaikan.
Malangnya, pada hari ini, semakin ramai insan bergelar haji dan hajah tidak mempedulikan harga diri mereka dan penghormatan yang diberikan. Inilah yang perlu kita bimbangkan; kita tidak mahu semakin ramai Haji Bakhil, Haji Penyamun Tarbus, Haji Kaki Rokok dan Hajah Seksi, Hajah 20 Persen, Hajah Tudung Sekerat, Hajah Tudung Senget, dan Hajah Tak Bertudung mewarnai kehidupan kita!
Dengan nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.
Renungan
"Sesiapa yang membaca 'Astaghfirullah al Lazi La Ilaha' illa Hual Hayyul Qayyum Wa Atubu Ilahi' (Aku meminta keampunan daripada Allah Taala yang tiada Tuhan melainkan-Nya, yang hidup lagi berdiri dengan sendiri-Nya, dan aku meminta taubat kepada-Nya), diampunkan dosanya walaupun dianya lari dari medan perang." (HR. Imam Abu Daud, Tarmizi dan Al-Hakim)
***************
KINI hampir semua jemaah haji sudah kembali ke tanah air. Diucapkan tahniah kepada mereka, didoakan agar semuanya mendapat haji mabrur yang balasannya tiada lain kecuali syurga seperti disabdakan Rasulullah s.a.w dalam sebuah hadisnya.
Haji sebagai salah satu Rukun Islam bolehlah diibaratkan sebuah madrasah bagi melahirkan insan lebih baik daripada semalam tetapi apa disaksikan ada juga insan bergelar haji tetapi amalan dan sikapnya lebih buruk daripada sebelum mengerjakan haji. Ada pula yang statik, peranganinya sama saja - dulu, kini dan dibimbangi buat selamanya - sehingga dia dijemput Allah SWT ke alam barzakh.
Salah satu karakter orang bergelar haji paling menarik saya saksikan (filemlah) adalah Haji Bakhil melalui filem Labu Labi. Tak tahulah saya sama ada dia mendapat 'title' haji kerana sudah menunaikan haji atau saja-saja dipanggil haji. Punyalah kedekut orang ini, orang gajinya (Labu dan Labi) tidak diberikan ganjaran sewajarnya.
Di dalam buku 'Teman Anda Ke Tanah Suci' karya Dato' Mohd Saleh Awang (Misbaha) terbitan Times Books International, ada dinyatakan kelebihan orang yang telah mengerjakan haji, antaranya dia adalah utusan Allah.
Misbaha menulis: "Jemaah haji adalah utusan Allah sebagaimana tersebut dalam hadis daripada Abu Hurairah yang bermaksud: 'Orang yang mengerjakan haji dan orang yang mengerjakan umrah adalah utusan Allah. Jika mereka berdoa, nescaya Allah menerima doa mereka dan jika mereka memohon ampun, maka Allah akan mengampuni mereka."
Sebelum meneruskan muzakarah mengenai insan bergelar haji dan hajah ini, terlebih dahulu penulis yang sudah menunaikan haji memohon maaf; bukanlah tujuan penulis mendedahkan keburukan mana-mana pihak, lebih-lebih lagi penulis sendiri banyak jeleknya, tetapi untuk sama-sama merenung, bermuhasabah diri, memikirkan yang terbaik untuk hari muka.
Berdasarkan pengamatan penulis, ramai sahabat-sahabat bertukar baik atau menjadi lebih baik selepas bergelar haji. Alhamdulillah kerana jika dulu tidak kerap ke masjid, selepas bergelar haji hampir setiap waktu berjemaah di masjid.
Malahan kelas pengajian di masjid yang diadakan pada setiap malam antara solat maghrib dan isyak sentiasa diikuti. Tidak cukup dengan itu, insan bergelar pak haji ini sanggup berpindah daripada satu masjid ke masjid lain yang berdekatan semata-mata bagi menambah ilmu dalam mencari keredaan Illahi.
Mak hajah pun tidak ketinggalan menyertai pak haji; jika ada kelas pengajian di masjid, dia pun turut serta. Adalah menjadi pemandangan biasa, mak hajah membonceng motosikal pak haji ke masjid untuk solat berjemaah, biasanya waktu maghrib dan selepas itu mengikuti pengajian sebelum masuk waktu isyak.
Jika dulu bertudung tiga segi atau disimpul di kepala atau di bawah dagu, alhamdulillah selepas kembali dari Makkah sudah memakai tudung labuh, dipadankan pula dengan abaya labuh, mungkin yang dibeli ketika di Tanah Suci dulu.
Namun ada pak haji dan mak aji (hajah) yang perangainya tidak berubah. Seorang sahabat lama yang sudah bergelar haji memberitahu, kelemahannya yang masih belum dapat diatasi ialah 'pantang melihat perempuan berdahi licin'.
Dia yang sudah mempunyai dua isteri, berkata apabila terpandang perempuan cantik, mulalah dia tidak keruan. Dia akan berusaha berkenalan seterusnya menambat hati perempuan berkenaan.
"Perkara ini, saya kalah. Mudah-mudahan Tuhan ampunkan saya," katanya yang mengaku pada penulis dulu masa muda-muda dia pernah berzina.
"Saya sudah bertaubat termasuk pergi Makkah, tetapi pasal bab perempuan ini, saya angkat tangan. Mungkin ini balasan Tuhan kepada saya, perangai buruk ini masih ada," rintihnya.
Penulis juga diberitahu seorang lagi sahabat bahawa kawannya yang sudah bergelar haji, juga masih dengan perangai lamanya yang tidak tahan melihat perempuan cantik.
Dia yang juga sudah beristeri dua, masih ada waktu untuk mengorat sedangkan anaknya sudah berderet dan dia sendiri hampir bermenantu seterusnya mendapat cucu.
Kisah hajah pula tidak banyak penulis ketahui. Apa yang terzahir depan penulis atau dalam akhbar dan majalah ada hajah yang pakaiannya 'lebih teruk' berbanding dulu.
Seorang hajah yang penulis kenali, dulunya kerap berbaju kurung longgar bertudung tetapi sejak akhir-akhir ini selepas berkahwin sekali lagi selepas kematian suaminya, mula berpakaian kebaya dan kadang-kadang mengenakan celana ketat. Entahlah, dia sudah buang tabiatkah atau menyesuaikan dirinya yang berkahwin lelaki muda.
Ada isteri pemimpin yang sudah hajah pun terus mendedahkan kepala dan rambut. Artis yang sudah bergelar hajah juga turut buat perangai. Ada yang kejap bertudung kejap tidak, ada yang menenggekkan kain di kepada dan ada menggelek (goyang gerudi) keterlaluan di pentas sedangkan dia bergelar hajah. Ada artis yang sudah bergelar hajah, sanggup mempamerkan aset tubuh mereka dalam akhbar, majalah dan rancangan televisyen, apa sudah jadi ini?
Adalah wajar bagi insan bergelar haji dan hajah menjaga imej mereka. Nama atau gelaran yang diberikan kepada mereka (haji atau hajah) perlulah dijunjung tinggi. Penghormatan masyarakat sejak sekian lama kepada pak haji/bang haji dan mak aji/kak hajah, usahlah digadaikan.
Malangnya, pada hari ini, semakin ramai insan bergelar haji dan hajah tidak mempedulikan harga diri mereka dan penghormatan yang diberikan. Inilah yang perlu kita bimbangkan; kita tidak mahu semakin ramai Haji Bakhil, Haji Penyamun Tarbus, Haji Kaki Rokok dan Hajah Seksi, Hajah 20 Persen, Hajah Tudung Sekerat, Hajah Tudung Senget, dan Hajah Tak Bertudung mewarnai kehidupan kita!
January 7, 2012
Barakahkah perolehan rakyat, negara?
*******************
DENGAN nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.
Renungan
Sesungguhnya manusia diciptakan bersikap keluh kesah lagi bongkak. Apabila dia ditimpa kesusahan dia berkeluh kesah. Dan apabila dia mendapat kebaikan dia bongkak, kecuali orang yang mengerjakan solat. Yang mereka itu tetap mengerjakan solatnya." (Surah al-Ma'arij, ayat 19-23)
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Kata orang, tahun baru semuanya baru; terkejut besar kita apabila barangan keperluan dapur melambung mendadak Januari ini. Misalnya, harga ikan meningkat tinggi sehingga ikan yang suatu ketika dulu digelar lauk orang miskin seperti selar mencecah RM19 sekilogram manakala kembung sehingga RM17 sekilogram, malahan ikan cencaru pun sudah meningkat sehingga RM10 sekilogram.
Malahan ada pengguna mengadu barangan keperluan seperti minyak masak hilang daripada pasaran. Mungkinkah minyak masak dengan harga RM2.50 sekilogram itu mula disorokkan dalam usaha peniaga menaikkan harganya? Mungkinkah gula dan tepung juga akan 'hilang' daripada pasaran?
Adakah kenaikan harga barangan keperluan ini mempunyai kaitan dengan peningkatan gaji kakitangan kerajaan termasuk pemberian bonus Disember lalu dan juga pemberian RM500 Bantuan Rakyat 1-Malaysia (BR1M) yang dikhabarkan diagihkan Januari ini? Dengan andaian wang di tangan orang ramai agak 'lebat', maka peniaga mengambil kesempatan untuk menaikkan harga barangan keperluan terutama jenis penggunaan harian seperti ikan, ayam dan daging.
Memang benar pendapatan rakyat mungkin bertambah sedikit tetapi apakah berbaloi dengan kenaikan harga barangan keperluan yang terpaksa mereka tanggung? Apa yang berlaku sekarang, orang lebih gemar melihat kepada keadaan fizikal (mata kasar), misalnya peningkatan dalam perolehan tetapi tersangat jarang orang melihat dari segi kebarakahan pendapatan dan kehidupan mereka.
Dalam mengurus rumah tangga, orang tua-tua selalu berpesan, biar gaji (pendapatan) kecil tetapi hidup penuh keberkatan (barakah). Keluarga yang ketuanya bergaji kecil tetapi hidup barakah, hidupnya sentiasa mencukupi, tidak mengeluh-ngeluh malah dapat membantu orang lain pula.
Orang yang mempunyai keberkatan hidup akan sentiasa sayang menyayangi sesama insan. Jika dia orang kaya dia adalah orang kaya disayangi jiran tetangga sekalipun si jiran orang miskin kerana dia sering bersedekah dan membantu mereka, malah tidak sombong pula.
Jika dia orang miskin, dia reda dengan kemiskinannya dan mempunyai harga diri menyebabkan dia tidak suka meminta-minta. Dia pun tidak sombong malah sedia mengorbankan tenaganya sebab dia sedar dia kekurangan dari segi harta benda.
Selalunya apabila bercakap mengenai keberkatan, kita selalu memperkatakan tentang diri seseorang atau keluarganya. Jarang benar kita menyoroti erti barakah membabitkan kelompok lebih besar seperti masyarakat dan negara.
Jika negara kita mempunyai pendapatan dan kemasukan pelaburan berbilion-bilion ringgit (seperti sering dihebohkan pemimpin negara) ertinya negara kita adalah negara kaya sama seperti sebuah keluarga yang kaya, kita boleh membuat penilaian sama ada negara kita ini penuh barakah atau tidak. Jika negara sendiri pengeluar minyak, tetapi petrol perlu dibeli dengan harga mahal oleh rakyat, apakah erti semua itu?
Sama seperti sebuah keluarga yang hidup penuh keberkatan jika ahlinya dapat hidup dalam keadaan mencukupi (tidak berhutang ke sana sini), adakah negara kita juga dapat hidup dalam keadaan yang serba mencukupi? Kenapa pula negara kita sibuk berhutang ke sana ke sini? Jika sebuah keluarga dikatakan hidup penuh keberkatan jika ia dapat memuaskan hati semua anggotanya dari segi pemberian nafkah dan keperluan hidup, adakah negara dapat memuaskan majoriti rakyat dari segi nilai penghidupan mereka?
Mengapa akhir-akhir ini rakyat semakin keras keluhan mereka, barangan keperluan semakin meningkat, harga minyak naik berterusan naik, kadar tol turut meningkat manakala kos perubatan tersangat tinggi?
Berdasarkan gejala keruntuhan akhlak yang semakin teruk di kalangan masyarakat sekarang ini manakala jenayah seperti bunuh, rogol, ragut dan rasuah semakin berleluasa; maksiat seperti perzinaan dan buang anak makin parah manakala kemalangan jalan raya menjadi-jadi, di mana sebenar kedudukan negara kita, penuh keberkatan atau penuh kebatilan? Ini belum diambil kira kedudukan negeri-negeri yang dilaporkan muflis sana, muflis sini.
Oleh itu, marilah sama-sama kita jawab persoalan ini dengan jujur dan kemudian bertindak segera untuk membetulkan keadaan.
DENGAN nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.
Renungan
Sesungguhnya manusia diciptakan bersikap keluh kesah lagi bongkak. Apabila dia ditimpa kesusahan dia berkeluh kesah. Dan apabila dia mendapat kebaikan dia bongkak, kecuali orang yang mengerjakan solat. Yang mereka itu tetap mengerjakan solatnya." (Surah al-Ma'arij, ayat 19-23)
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Kata orang, tahun baru semuanya baru; terkejut besar kita apabila barangan keperluan dapur melambung mendadak Januari ini. Misalnya, harga ikan meningkat tinggi sehingga ikan yang suatu ketika dulu digelar lauk orang miskin seperti selar mencecah RM19 sekilogram manakala kembung sehingga RM17 sekilogram, malahan ikan cencaru pun sudah meningkat sehingga RM10 sekilogram.
Malahan ada pengguna mengadu barangan keperluan seperti minyak masak hilang daripada pasaran. Mungkinkah minyak masak dengan harga RM2.50 sekilogram itu mula disorokkan dalam usaha peniaga menaikkan harganya? Mungkinkah gula dan tepung juga akan 'hilang' daripada pasaran?
Adakah kenaikan harga barangan keperluan ini mempunyai kaitan dengan peningkatan gaji kakitangan kerajaan termasuk pemberian bonus Disember lalu dan juga pemberian RM500 Bantuan Rakyat 1-Malaysia (BR1M) yang dikhabarkan diagihkan Januari ini? Dengan andaian wang di tangan orang ramai agak 'lebat', maka peniaga mengambil kesempatan untuk menaikkan harga barangan keperluan terutama jenis penggunaan harian seperti ikan, ayam dan daging.
Memang benar pendapatan rakyat mungkin bertambah sedikit tetapi apakah berbaloi dengan kenaikan harga barangan keperluan yang terpaksa mereka tanggung? Apa yang berlaku sekarang, orang lebih gemar melihat kepada keadaan fizikal (mata kasar), misalnya peningkatan dalam perolehan tetapi tersangat jarang orang melihat dari segi kebarakahan pendapatan dan kehidupan mereka.
Dalam mengurus rumah tangga, orang tua-tua selalu berpesan, biar gaji (pendapatan) kecil tetapi hidup penuh keberkatan (barakah). Keluarga yang ketuanya bergaji kecil tetapi hidup barakah, hidupnya sentiasa mencukupi, tidak mengeluh-ngeluh malah dapat membantu orang lain pula.
Orang yang mempunyai keberkatan hidup akan sentiasa sayang menyayangi sesama insan. Jika dia orang kaya dia adalah orang kaya disayangi jiran tetangga sekalipun si jiran orang miskin kerana dia sering bersedekah dan membantu mereka, malah tidak sombong pula.
Jika dia orang miskin, dia reda dengan kemiskinannya dan mempunyai harga diri menyebabkan dia tidak suka meminta-minta. Dia pun tidak sombong malah sedia mengorbankan tenaganya sebab dia sedar dia kekurangan dari segi harta benda.
Selalunya apabila bercakap mengenai keberkatan, kita selalu memperkatakan tentang diri seseorang atau keluarganya. Jarang benar kita menyoroti erti barakah membabitkan kelompok lebih besar seperti masyarakat dan negara.
Jika negara kita mempunyai pendapatan dan kemasukan pelaburan berbilion-bilion ringgit (seperti sering dihebohkan pemimpin negara) ertinya negara kita adalah negara kaya sama seperti sebuah keluarga yang kaya, kita boleh membuat penilaian sama ada negara kita ini penuh barakah atau tidak. Jika negara sendiri pengeluar minyak, tetapi petrol perlu dibeli dengan harga mahal oleh rakyat, apakah erti semua itu?
Sama seperti sebuah keluarga yang hidup penuh keberkatan jika ahlinya dapat hidup dalam keadaan mencukupi (tidak berhutang ke sana sini), adakah negara kita juga dapat hidup dalam keadaan yang serba mencukupi? Kenapa pula negara kita sibuk berhutang ke sana ke sini? Jika sebuah keluarga dikatakan hidup penuh keberkatan jika ia dapat memuaskan hati semua anggotanya dari segi pemberian nafkah dan keperluan hidup, adakah negara dapat memuaskan majoriti rakyat dari segi nilai penghidupan mereka?
Mengapa akhir-akhir ini rakyat semakin keras keluhan mereka, barangan keperluan semakin meningkat, harga minyak naik berterusan naik, kadar tol turut meningkat manakala kos perubatan tersangat tinggi?
Berdasarkan gejala keruntuhan akhlak yang semakin teruk di kalangan masyarakat sekarang ini manakala jenayah seperti bunuh, rogol, ragut dan rasuah semakin berleluasa; maksiat seperti perzinaan dan buang anak makin parah manakala kemalangan jalan raya menjadi-jadi, di mana sebenar kedudukan negara kita, penuh keberkatan atau penuh kebatilan? Ini belum diambil kira kedudukan negeri-negeri yang dilaporkan muflis sana, muflis sini.
Oleh itu, marilah sama-sama kita jawab persoalan ini dengan jujur dan kemudian bertindak segera untuk membetulkan keadaan.
January 5, 2012
PAS perlu pasukan boleh menang di Melaka
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Dengan nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.
Renungan
"Hai orang-orang yang beriman, jika datang kepadamu orang fasik membawa suatu berita, maka periksalah dengan teliti, agar kamu tidak menimpakan suatu musibah kepada suatu kaum tanpa mengetahui keadaannya yang menyebabkan kamu menyesal atas perbuatanmu itu." (Maksud Ayat 6 Surah Al-Hujurat, 49)
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KESEMPATAN bercuti, antara lain saya manfaatkan untuk mendengar pandangan dan keluhan ahli PAS peringkat bawahan mengenai peluang PAS dan rakan Pakatan Rakyatnya di negeri bersejarah yang penduduknya terus berbangga dengan legasi Hang Tuah.
Ketika duduk-duduk di beranda sebuah masjid, seorang pemuda (pekerja) yang sedang menyiapkan bangunan tambahan masjid itu menyapa saya; "Abang percaya Hang Tuah ada tak?" Dengan segera saya jawab: "Percaya atau tidak kewujudan Hang Tuah tak penting, yang penting percaya dan yakin kepada Allah. Jom pi solat."
Pemuda itu terpinga-pinga, mungkin ajakan itu agak asing baginya. Biasanya buruh (bukan semua) begitu kuat bekerja termasuk mengangkat batu, tetapi apabila masuk waktu solat, mereka menjadi lemah untuk mengangkat wuduk seterusnya solat.
Demikianlah, saya cuba gambarkan bahawa orang PAS Melaka perlu yakinkan orang Melayu Melaka untuk mengundi parti Islam pada pilihan raya umum akan datang, sekali gus menolak mitos hanya Umno saja yang mampu memerintah seperti kejapnya keyakinan mereka akan wujudnya Hang Tuah.
Pada pilihan raya bagi Dun Melaka yang mempunyai 28 anggota, biasanya PAS diperuntukkan 13 kerusi, DAP lapan dan bakinya kepada KeADILan. Pada pilihan raya lalu (Mac 2008) PAS dan KeADILan tidak mendapat apa-apa (kosong) manakala DAP menang lima kerusi.
Masa semakin singkat, PAS gagal mendapat anak sulung termasuklah peluang keemasan ketika pilihan raya kecil Dun Merlimau Mac tahun lalu (2010). Berdasarkan perkembangan ini, bagaimana gambaran masa depan PAS pada pilihan raya ke-13 yang berada terlalu hampir ini?
Seorang bekas pemimpin PAS pernah meminta saya mengutarakan nasihatnya sebelum PAS Melaka memasuki gelanggang pada pilihan raya berikutnya.
Beliau sedih kerana dakwanya pemimpin dan ahli PAS Melaka ada puak-puak tertentu. Hal ini tentu tidak baik untuk masa depan parti apatah lagi bagi menghadapi jentera Umno-BN yang memperkuda segala kemudahan awam. Menurut beliau segala kekuatan perlu digembleng bagi menghadapi fitnah dan tomahan Umno-BN di samping memenangi hati rakyat Melaka terutama orang Melayu yang dilihat mahu terus hidup seadanya dulu, kini dan selamanya.
Katanya, keputusan pilihan raya kecil Dun Merlimau sewajarnya jadi kayu pengukur bahawa hakikatnya PAS Melaka tetap gagal mendapat tempat di hati pengundi, terutama orang Melayu. Berdasarkan ketidak-mampuan PAS menerbos minda orang Melayu inilah, pemimpin PAS perlu jitu; bersatu dalam satu saf kuat bagi memenangi hati mereka di samping menangkis hujanan dan lambakan kemewahan dan janji manis oleh pemimpin Umno-BN negeri.
Berkenaan hal ini, seorang bekas pemimpin Pemuda PAS Kawasan, menasihatkan setiap Kawasan; daripada Yang Dipertuanya kepada seluruh ahli berpadu tenaga; melupakan sengketa dan amalan berpuak-puak untuk berjuang sepenuh tenaga bagi mendapatkan kemenangan.
Dan kepada yang tidak terpilih atau rasa diri mereka disisihkan, usahlah merajuk!
Katanya, walaupun ada Yang Dipertua menang dengan hanya satu undi pada pemilihan lalu, pasukannya yang akan diketengahkan pada pilihan raya nanti perlu disokong dan bantu sepenuhnya; jangan ada amalan pulau memulau atau enggan bekerja disebabkan calon dipilih bukan pilihan mereka.
Beliau juga mengingatkan bagi PAS negeri Melaka yang masih gagal melahirkan anak sulung; mereka bukan hanya perlu mengetengahkan calon boleh menang tetapi juga pasukan boleh menang kerana orang Melayu Melaka yang tetap setia dengan semangat Hang Tuahnya; tetap mahu melihat seorang Melayu berada di puncak persada kuasa…Ketua Menterilah!
Dengan nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.
Renungan
"Hai orang-orang yang beriman, jika datang kepadamu orang fasik membawa suatu berita, maka periksalah dengan teliti, agar kamu tidak menimpakan suatu musibah kepada suatu kaum tanpa mengetahui keadaannya yang menyebabkan kamu menyesal atas perbuatanmu itu." (Maksud Ayat 6 Surah Al-Hujurat, 49)
***************
KESEMPATAN bercuti, antara lain saya manfaatkan untuk mendengar pandangan dan keluhan ahli PAS peringkat bawahan mengenai peluang PAS dan rakan Pakatan Rakyatnya di negeri bersejarah yang penduduknya terus berbangga dengan legasi Hang Tuah.
Ketika duduk-duduk di beranda sebuah masjid, seorang pemuda (pekerja) yang sedang menyiapkan bangunan tambahan masjid itu menyapa saya; "Abang percaya Hang Tuah ada tak?" Dengan segera saya jawab: "Percaya atau tidak kewujudan Hang Tuah tak penting, yang penting percaya dan yakin kepada Allah. Jom pi solat."
Pemuda itu terpinga-pinga, mungkin ajakan itu agak asing baginya. Biasanya buruh (bukan semua) begitu kuat bekerja termasuk mengangkat batu, tetapi apabila masuk waktu solat, mereka menjadi lemah untuk mengangkat wuduk seterusnya solat.
Demikianlah, saya cuba gambarkan bahawa orang PAS Melaka perlu yakinkan orang Melayu Melaka untuk mengundi parti Islam pada pilihan raya umum akan datang, sekali gus menolak mitos hanya Umno saja yang mampu memerintah seperti kejapnya keyakinan mereka akan wujudnya Hang Tuah.
Pada pilihan raya bagi Dun Melaka yang mempunyai 28 anggota, biasanya PAS diperuntukkan 13 kerusi, DAP lapan dan bakinya kepada KeADILan. Pada pilihan raya lalu (Mac 2008) PAS dan KeADILan tidak mendapat apa-apa (kosong) manakala DAP menang lima kerusi.
Masa semakin singkat, PAS gagal mendapat anak sulung termasuklah peluang keemasan ketika pilihan raya kecil Dun Merlimau Mac tahun lalu (2010). Berdasarkan perkembangan ini, bagaimana gambaran masa depan PAS pada pilihan raya ke-13 yang berada terlalu hampir ini?
Seorang bekas pemimpin PAS pernah meminta saya mengutarakan nasihatnya sebelum PAS Melaka memasuki gelanggang pada pilihan raya berikutnya.
Beliau sedih kerana dakwanya pemimpin dan ahli PAS Melaka ada puak-puak tertentu. Hal ini tentu tidak baik untuk masa depan parti apatah lagi bagi menghadapi jentera Umno-BN yang memperkuda segala kemudahan awam. Menurut beliau segala kekuatan perlu digembleng bagi menghadapi fitnah dan tomahan Umno-BN di samping memenangi hati rakyat Melaka terutama orang Melayu yang dilihat mahu terus hidup seadanya dulu, kini dan selamanya.
Katanya, keputusan pilihan raya kecil Dun Merlimau sewajarnya jadi kayu pengukur bahawa hakikatnya PAS Melaka tetap gagal mendapat tempat di hati pengundi, terutama orang Melayu. Berdasarkan ketidak-mampuan PAS menerbos minda orang Melayu inilah, pemimpin PAS perlu jitu; bersatu dalam satu saf kuat bagi memenangi hati mereka di samping menangkis hujanan dan lambakan kemewahan dan janji manis oleh pemimpin Umno-BN negeri.
Berkenaan hal ini, seorang bekas pemimpin Pemuda PAS Kawasan, menasihatkan setiap Kawasan; daripada Yang Dipertuanya kepada seluruh ahli berpadu tenaga; melupakan sengketa dan amalan berpuak-puak untuk berjuang sepenuh tenaga bagi mendapatkan kemenangan.
Dan kepada yang tidak terpilih atau rasa diri mereka disisihkan, usahlah merajuk!
Katanya, walaupun ada Yang Dipertua menang dengan hanya satu undi pada pemilihan lalu, pasukannya yang akan diketengahkan pada pilihan raya nanti perlu disokong dan bantu sepenuhnya; jangan ada amalan pulau memulau atau enggan bekerja disebabkan calon dipilih bukan pilihan mereka.
Beliau juga mengingatkan bagi PAS negeri Melaka yang masih gagal melahirkan anak sulung; mereka bukan hanya perlu mengetengahkan calon boleh menang tetapi juga pasukan boleh menang kerana orang Melayu Melaka yang tetap setia dengan semangat Hang Tuahnya; tetap mahu melihat seorang Melayu berada di puncak persada kuasa…Ketua Menterilah!
January 3, 2012
My lost world
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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)
*************
DURING the one week break from work which I took recently, I took my family to travel to all the 12 states in Peninsular Malaysia including the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur – from Melaka to Perlis, and then to Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Johor and back to Melaka.
In Kedah, I fulfilled my wife wish to visit her alma mater; Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Jitra (SMKJ) which she told me was situated in the middle of Jitra town.
In the car, on the way to the school, she was very exited; she could not recognize the road there since Jitra has changed a lot, she remembers the road to her school was flanked by paddy fields but during the visit she could see none. Instead alongside the trunk road were rows and rows of shop lots and commercial entities.
Yes people and their surroundings change; she was in that school in late 1970s when her army father was posted at the Kem Tok Jelai, on the outskirt of Jitra town. I thought how strange; in the 70s, I was at the Malay College Kuala Kangsar; we were totally strangers, yet about 10 years later we met each other; fell in love and got married. This demonstrates the greatness of Allah SWT; His mercifulness and kindness.
After spending a lot of time searching our way, finally we found the school. Well, on all sides of the school are full of commercial activities; so I could not blame my wife for not recognizing the road to her alma mater.
On the journey she kept on saying that the road to her former school was marked with rubber estates and paddy fields. I reminded her do not expect the same scene because it was more than 30 years ago. Well, people change, including their physical side; what more their surroundings!
I was happy to please my wife; but I was sorry for her because she had lost her 'precious world'. Yes that 'world' has gone forever; time has killed it; scholars had advised us that we have only three situation; yesterday, today and tomorrow.
Yesterday is very far away, there was no return; tomorrow is uncertain, we have only today as our capital to do our best for our life in this world and Hereafter.
If my wife has lost 'her world' as her story was 'a yesterday one', once we reached our home with is situated next to my parent's house in Melaka, I realise that I too have lost 'my world'. I have this description about my family's house some 40 years ago.
Our house in Kampung Semabok is surrounded by paddy fields. I loved the scene and the smell of mud when the paddy fields were ploughed by men using a tractor. I saw birds such as 'wak-wak' or 'ruak' (white-breasted water-hen) and 'pucung' (a kind of heron) running or flying away for their lives; and when I went into the fields, I could easily catch fish which were dizzy or pick up dead fish.
When the fields were cleared of grass including 'menerung' (a kind of weed, cyperus malaccensis) and then turned into 'a green lawn' when the paddy was growing; I knew the time was right for me to get busy with my favourite hobby – fishing.
The fishes caught in the paddy fields by using bamboo rods which its ends tied with strings and fish-hook with 'cacing' (earthworms) as baits were 'haruan' (snake head fish), 'keli' (cat fish) and 'betuk or 'puyu' (climbing-perch).
To catch the 'haruan' more effectively was by using the 'tajur' (large fishing rod and hook) and by using live small frogs (kodok) as it bait but I seldom used this method because it was hard to find the small frogs. At times I thought it was a brutal act because you had the pierce the frog to the hook and then let it swim in the water before it died.
To catch small fish as the 'sepat' (trichogaster trichopterus) and 'pelaga' or 'ikan laga-laga' (fighting fish; this fish is not for consumption but for display purposes only) I used my father's 'pongkes' (flat open basket). My father used this 'pongkes' to do his gardening but when he was not around I used it to scoop up fish; one day when he found out I had been using his 'pongkes', he got really angry and chased me out of the fields!
After spending much time it the fields; when I was in Standard Five (about 11 years old), I thought I had 'mastered' the art of catching fish in the 'sawah' (fields). To catch the 'pelaga', I need not use the 'pongkes' anymore. I only have to find the fish's 'buih' (foam or bubbles) among the weeds near the 'batas' (bund) and then carefully scooped the water around the 'buih' with my hands. Normally I could catch a pair of male and female fighting fish. The male is bright in colour and is very aggressive. I put the fish in bottles and played with it day and night!
To catch the 'haruan', I used the 'tajur' method, but I did it my way. I used live 'sepat' fish which I hooked at near its fins; by using this method the fish would not die fast. I submerged my small bamboo rods in the water so that other 'fish crazy people' would not find it. I put scores of 'tajur' in the fields with marks on the bund so that I could find them easily. One late afternoon when I did my rounds I caught about ten 'haruans'. It was enough for me and my family to have a feast of 'haruan masak lemak daun kesum'(haruan cooked in deep coconut milk with a kind of herbaceous plant). To me, the best part of 'ikan haruan' meat was from its cheek.
By using the 'tajur' method; believe me I did not only catch 'haruan' but a few 'pucung'as well! In the fields, there are areas where the water level is not the same; the water gushed down forming a small waterfall. At this site, I put my 'tajur' with the 'ikan sepat' bait.
One day when I did my usual rounds, I found a 'pucung' trying to run away with its mouth attached to the 'tajur'. It was easy to me to catch it and that night I had a good dinner of fried 'pucung'. I slaughtered and cleaned the 'pucung' myself and my mother forced me to cook it!
'Pucung' and 'wak-wak' like to explore the 'waterfall' where fish swam and struggled to go the lower fields. I would spy on them from behind a coconut tree. Quietly with a stick in my hand, I would move nearer to them and then aim and hurl the stick at the bird. Of course about 90 percent of my 'shots' would be off target; only once in a while I had a great feast of 'daging burung pucung' and 'wak-wak'. To me the best part of meat from the 'pucung' was from its breast. You know, 'pucung' stands with its 'proud breast' in the air!
The paddy fields was my world but it ended abruptly when I was 'snatched' to go to the Malay College when I was barely not even 13 years old. I had lost my world but today when I look around my house; 'that world' is gone forever as the paddy fields are no more around; instead on it stand commercial buildings including petrol stations.
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)
*************
DURING the one week break from work which I took recently, I took my family to travel to all the 12 states in Peninsular Malaysia including the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur – from Melaka to Perlis, and then to Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Johor and back to Melaka.
In Kedah, I fulfilled my wife wish to visit her alma mater; Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Jitra (SMKJ) which she told me was situated in the middle of Jitra town.
In the car, on the way to the school, she was very exited; she could not recognize the road there since Jitra has changed a lot, she remembers the road to her school was flanked by paddy fields but during the visit she could see none. Instead alongside the trunk road were rows and rows of shop lots and commercial entities.
Yes people and their surroundings change; she was in that school in late 1970s when her army father was posted at the Kem Tok Jelai, on the outskirt of Jitra town. I thought how strange; in the 70s, I was at the Malay College Kuala Kangsar; we were totally strangers, yet about 10 years later we met each other; fell in love and got married. This demonstrates the greatness of Allah SWT; His mercifulness and kindness.
After spending a lot of time searching our way, finally we found the school. Well, on all sides of the school are full of commercial activities; so I could not blame my wife for not recognizing the road to her alma mater.
On the journey she kept on saying that the road to her former school was marked with rubber estates and paddy fields. I reminded her do not expect the same scene because it was more than 30 years ago. Well, people change, including their physical side; what more their surroundings!
I was happy to please my wife; but I was sorry for her because she had lost her 'precious world'. Yes that 'world' has gone forever; time has killed it; scholars had advised us that we have only three situation; yesterday, today and tomorrow.
Yesterday is very far away, there was no return; tomorrow is uncertain, we have only today as our capital to do our best for our life in this world and Hereafter.
If my wife has lost 'her world' as her story was 'a yesterday one', once we reached our home with is situated next to my parent's house in Melaka, I realise that I too have lost 'my world'. I have this description about my family's house some 40 years ago.
Our house in Kampung Semabok is surrounded by paddy fields. I loved the scene and the smell of mud when the paddy fields were ploughed by men using a tractor. I saw birds such as 'wak-wak' or 'ruak' (white-breasted water-hen) and 'pucung' (a kind of heron) running or flying away for their lives; and when I went into the fields, I could easily catch fish which were dizzy or pick up dead fish.
When the fields were cleared of grass including 'menerung' (a kind of weed, cyperus malaccensis) and then turned into 'a green lawn' when the paddy was growing; I knew the time was right for me to get busy with my favourite hobby – fishing.
The fishes caught in the paddy fields by using bamboo rods which its ends tied with strings and fish-hook with 'cacing' (earthworms) as baits were 'haruan' (snake head fish), 'keli' (cat fish) and 'betuk or 'puyu' (climbing-perch).
To catch the 'haruan' more effectively was by using the 'tajur' (large fishing rod and hook) and by using live small frogs (kodok) as it bait but I seldom used this method because it was hard to find the small frogs. At times I thought it was a brutal act because you had the pierce the frog to the hook and then let it swim in the water before it died.
To catch small fish as the 'sepat' (trichogaster trichopterus) and 'pelaga' or 'ikan laga-laga' (fighting fish; this fish is not for consumption but for display purposes only) I used my father's 'pongkes' (flat open basket). My father used this 'pongkes' to do his gardening but when he was not around I used it to scoop up fish; one day when he found out I had been using his 'pongkes', he got really angry and chased me out of the fields!
After spending much time it the fields; when I was in Standard Five (about 11 years old), I thought I had 'mastered' the art of catching fish in the 'sawah' (fields). To catch the 'pelaga', I need not use the 'pongkes' anymore. I only have to find the fish's 'buih' (foam or bubbles) among the weeds near the 'batas' (bund) and then carefully scooped the water around the 'buih' with my hands. Normally I could catch a pair of male and female fighting fish. The male is bright in colour and is very aggressive. I put the fish in bottles and played with it day and night!
To catch the 'haruan', I used the 'tajur' method, but I did it my way. I used live 'sepat' fish which I hooked at near its fins; by using this method the fish would not die fast. I submerged my small bamboo rods in the water so that other 'fish crazy people' would not find it. I put scores of 'tajur' in the fields with marks on the bund so that I could find them easily. One late afternoon when I did my rounds I caught about ten 'haruans'. It was enough for me and my family to have a feast of 'haruan masak lemak daun kesum'(haruan cooked in deep coconut milk with a kind of herbaceous plant). To me, the best part of 'ikan haruan' meat was from its cheek.
By using the 'tajur' method; believe me I did not only catch 'haruan' but a few 'pucung'as well! In the fields, there are areas where the water level is not the same; the water gushed down forming a small waterfall. At this site, I put my 'tajur' with the 'ikan sepat' bait.
One day when I did my usual rounds, I found a 'pucung' trying to run away with its mouth attached to the 'tajur'. It was easy to me to catch it and that night I had a good dinner of fried 'pucung'. I slaughtered and cleaned the 'pucung' myself and my mother forced me to cook it!
'Pucung' and 'wak-wak' like to explore the 'waterfall' where fish swam and struggled to go the lower fields. I would spy on them from behind a coconut tree. Quietly with a stick in my hand, I would move nearer to them and then aim and hurl the stick at the bird. Of course about 90 percent of my 'shots' would be off target; only once in a while I had a great feast of 'daging burung pucung' and 'wak-wak'. To me the best part of meat from the 'pucung' was from its breast. You know, 'pucung' stands with its 'proud breast' in the air!
The paddy fields was my world but it ended abruptly when I was 'snatched' to go to the Malay College when I was barely not even 13 years old. I had lost my world but today when I look around my house; 'that world' is gone forever as the paddy fields are no more around; instead on it stand commercial buildings including petrol stations.
December 31, 2011
Pemimpin datang dan pergi tetapi perjuangan berterusan
***
Dengan nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.
Renungan
"Dan jika kamu menghitung nikmat Allah, tidaklah dapat kamu menghitungnya." (Ibrahim:34)
***
PEMIMPIN boleh datang dan pergi dan ada kalanya tergelincir dan tersasar, tetapi perjuangan untuk hidup bersandarkan al-Quran dan hadis tetap akan diteruskan sehingga kiamat.
Hanya pegangan kepada al-Quran dan sunnah saja yang dapat menyelamatkan seseorang, bukannya menjadikan tokoh tertentu dan ternama sebagai sandaran perjuangan.
Jika pun seseorang itu mahu dijadikan contoh, hanya insan yang hidupnya berpandukan al-Quran dan sunnah saja boleh diikuti.
Inilah pesan seorang ustaz dalam tazkirah yang diikuti penulis. Kata ustaz itu, selagi kita berpegang kepada al-Quran dan sunnah, kita tidak akan sesat selama-lamanya.
Semua perjuangan berdasarkan isme dan sanjungan kepada tokoh akan punah akhirnya. Lihatlah akan isme komunis yang diamalkan oleh empayar paling hebat dalam era moden, Soviet Union, akhir tumbang menyembah bumi selepas 70 tahun berkuasa.
Tokoh-tokoh pujaan dunia daripada Firaun pada zaman purba kepada Stalin, Churchill, Kennedy, Nixon, Mubarak, Zein el-Ebiden, dan Saddam semuanya hancur. Demikian juga pemimpin dari rantau Asia seperti Marcos, Suharto dan terkini Kim Jong il.
Insan yang bergantung kepada tokoh ternama untuk mencari kepentingan peribadi akan dimalukan sendiri oleh 'masa'.
Dalam perjuangan umat dan pergerakan Islam, kemenangan yang hendak dicapai bukan hanya di peringkat tempatan dan nasional tetapi juga untuk kepentingan ummah secara global dan yang terpenting, di akhirat sana.
Di sinilah terletak cabaran besar kepada umat dan pergerakan Islam termasuk PAS sedangkan parti lawan hanya berseronok-seronok untuk menang di peringkat tempatan dan nasional.
Jadi antara cabaran pergerakan Islam ialah tanggungjawabnya terhadap Islam manakala tuntutan ke atasnya bukan setakat melaksanakan tuntutan agama bersifat individu tetapi jemaah dan perjuangannya bersifat global. Musuh bukan bersifat tempatan saja tetapi bersifat global.
Berdasarkan Tragedi 11 September 2001, ternyata cabaran umat dan pergerakan Islam semakin mencabar. Konspirasi untuk memburuk dan menjatuhkan Islam semakin menjadi-jadi malahan apa saja bentuk keganasan dengan segera dirujuk kepada orang Islam.
Maka tidak hairan timbulnya istilah-istilah menjijikkan media massa Barat malah diterima pakai media milik orang Islam sendiri seperti 'militan Islam' 'pengganas Islam', 'terroris Islam', 'pengebom Islam' dan 'pelampau Islam'.
Dalam keadaan dunia kini seolah-olah di bawah telunjuk kuasa unipolar Amerika Syarikat, cabaran umat dan pergerakan Islam untuk menegakkan hukum-hakam Allah dan hidup berpandukan al-Quran dan sunnah menjadi semakin sukar.
Kini di seluruh dunia timbul gerakan dan cengkaman kuasa untuk menafikan hak orang Islam. Misalnya di Eropah termasuk di Perancis, hak wanita Islam untuk bertudung dinafikan manakala masyarakat Islam mengalami diskriminasi dan menerima pelbagai ugutan.
Sebaliknya dengan pelbagai helah seperti istilah 'dunia tanpa sempadan', segala yang jijik berpunca daripada cara hidup songsang Barat seperti filem lucah dan kegilaan kepada maksiat seperti arak, zina dan judi dilambakkan di negara Dunia Ketiga khususnya di negara Islam.
Jika ada kumpulan atau negara yang cuba hidup berlainan daripada budaya popular Barat, mereka akan dihancurkan. Inilah yang dialami oleh Taliban yang berkuasa di Afghanistan.
Kesimpulannya, pemimpin akan datang dan pergi tetapi perjuangan untuk menegakkan penghidupan berpandukan al-Quran dan sunnah akan tetap berlangsung.
Bagi individu Muslim, perjuangan itu sepanjang hayat manakala bagi umat dan jemaah Islam, ia akan berterusan sehingga hari kiamat!
Dengan nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.
Renungan
"Dan jika kamu menghitung nikmat Allah, tidaklah dapat kamu menghitungnya." (Ibrahim:34)
***
PEMIMPIN boleh datang dan pergi dan ada kalanya tergelincir dan tersasar, tetapi perjuangan untuk hidup bersandarkan al-Quran dan hadis tetap akan diteruskan sehingga kiamat.
Hanya pegangan kepada al-Quran dan sunnah saja yang dapat menyelamatkan seseorang, bukannya menjadikan tokoh tertentu dan ternama sebagai sandaran perjuangan.
Jika pun seseorang itu mahu dijadikan contoh, hanya insan yang hidupnya berpandukan al-Quran dan sunnah saja boleh diikuti.
Inilah pesan seorang ustaz dalam tazkirah yang diikuti penulis. Kata ustaz itu, selagi kita berpegang kepada al-Quran dan sunnah, kita tidak akan sesat selama-lamanya.
Semua perjuangan berdasarkan isme dan sanjungan kepada tokoh akan punah akhirnya. Lihatlah akan isme komunis yang diamalkan oleh empayar paling hebat dalam era moden, Soviet Union, akhir tumbang menyembah bumi selepas 70 tahun berkuasa.
Tokoh-tokoh pujaan dunia daripada Firaun pada zaman purba kepada Stalin, Churchill, Kennedy, Nixon, Mubarak, Zein el-Ebiden, dan Saddam semuanya hancur. Demikian juga pemimpin dari rantau Asia seperti Marcos, Suharto dan terkini Kim Jong il.
Insan yang bergantung kepada tokoh ternama untuk mencari kepentingan peribadi akan dimalukan sendiri oleh 'masa'.
Dalam perjuangan umat dan pergerakan Islam, kemenangan yang hendak dicapai bukan hanya di peringkat tempatan dan nasional tetapi juga untuk kepentingan ummah secara global dan yang terpenting, di akhirat sana.
Di sinilah terletak cabaran besar kepada umat dan pergerakan Islam termasuk PAS sedangkan parti lawan hanya berseronok-seronok untuk menang di peringkat tempatan dan nasional.
Jadi antara cabaran pergerakan Islam ialah tanggungjawabnya terhadap Islam manakala tuntutan ke atasnya bukan setakat melaksanakan tuntutan agama bersifat individu tetapi jemaah dan perjuangannya bersifat global. Musuh bukan bersifat tempatan saja tetapi bersifat global.
Berdasarkan Tragedi 11 September 2001, ternyata cabaran umat dan pergerakan Islam semakin mencabar. Konspirasi untuk memburuk dan menjatuhkan Islam semakin menjadi-jadi malahan apa saja bentuk keganasan dengan segera dirujuk kepada orang Islam.
Maka tidak hairan timbulnya istilah-istilah menjijikkan media massa Barat malah diterima pakai media milik orang Islam sendiri seperti 'militan Islam' 'pengganas Islam', 'terroris Islam', 'pengebom Islam' dan 'pelampau Islam'.
Dalam keadaan dunia kini seolah-olah di bawah telunjuk kuasa unipolar Amerika Syarikat, cabaran umat dan pergerakan Islam untuk menegakkan hukum-hakam Allah dan hidup berpandukan al-Quran dan sunnah menjadi semakin sukar.
Kini di seluruh dunia timbul gerakan dan cengkaman kuasa untuk menafikan hak orang Islam. Misalnya di Eropah termasuk di Perancis, hak wanita Islam untuk bertudung dinafikan manakala masyarakat Islam mengalami diskriminasi dan menerima pelbagai ugutan.
Sebaliknya dengan pelbagai helah seperti istilah 'dunia tanpa sempadan', segala yang jijik berpunca daripada cara hidup songsang Barat seperti filem lucah dan kegilaan kepada maksiat seperti arak, zina dan judi dilambakkan di negara Dunia Ketiga khususnya di negara Islam.
Jika ada kumpulan atau negara yang cuba hidup berlainan daripada budaya popular Barat, mereka akan dihancurkan. Inilah yang dialami oleh Taliban yang berkuasa di Afghanistan.
Kesimpulannya, pemimpin akan datang dan pergi tetapi perjuangan untuk menegakkan penghidupan berpandukan al-Quran dan sunnah akan tetap berlangsung.
Bagi individu Muslim, perjuangan itu sepanjang hayat manakala bagi umat dan jemaah Islam, ia akan berterusan sehingga hari kiamat!
December 28, 2011
A quick dash 'thru' Pakatan states
***
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)
*************
INTICIPATING the 13th general election that is just around the corner, the writer made a quick dash through the four Pakatan Rakyat administrated states (Selangor, Pulau Pinang, Kedah and Kelantan) from 17th to 21 December to hear grouses and comments by man on the street.
From my hometown in Melaka, I took the North South Highway heading north on Saturday morning and stopped at Masjid UPM (situated in Selangor) to perform the 'zuhur' and 'asar' jamak (combined) prayers. On the grounds of Masjid UPM, I saw two groups of people gathered around two would be 'pengantin perempuan' (brides) that would be 'nikah' (solemnized in marriage) in the masjid.
Late that afternoon, the writer attended a wedding reception of a friend's son at a masjid in Ampang (also in Selangor). Some non-Malays were seen attending the 'majlis', so it was a harmonious one.
That scene was lovely; and as at the 'masjid' people were going and doing their routine chores in the state; everything is apparently in place and not going through a 'terrible condition' as described by a few Selangor delegates in the recently concluded Umno General Assembly. One speaker said she was "terseksa" (facing torture) under the Pakatan Rakyat administration.
Regarding the eagerness of Umno leaders to capture Selangor, my friend Ramli Adam who is involved in the media industry and lives in Klang, told me that "UBAN " (Umno-Barisan Nasional) would 'throw everything' they have the administration of the state is back into the hands of Umno.
As an example he said, Datuk Habibah Mohd Yusof, the Tanjung Karang Wanita Umno Chief, said they would face the "do the die battle." She belittled the Selangor Pakatan Rakyat with this poem, entitled 'Selangor Kini':
"Pakatan rakyat makin terdesak,
DAP pula sentiasa mengasak,
Otak MB dah makin rosak,
Keputusan dibuat,
Betul ke tidak?
Rakyat Selangor sudah masak,
Lakonan mereka,
Semakin nampak,
Ke mana-mana orang,
Dah mula berborak,
Menyokong PR parti,
Yang haprak".
(Pakaran Rakyat is under pressure
The DAP always aggressive
The MB's brain has degenerated
Decisions made
Are they correct?
The people of Selangor are conscious
Their act is obvious
Whence people are now talking
Supporting the PR,
A useless party)
After Selangor, I continued my journey to the northern states. The North South highway was 'merry' during this school holiday. I stopped a few times at the RR for some quick naps; and before the 'azan subuh' (dawn call for prayers) I was already in a masjid in Pendang, Kedah.
The calmness and sereneness of the morning while driving on the Pendang-Alor Setar road with paddy fields on each side of it, lit up inspiration in me. Alor Setar traffic was busy as usual that morning; people doing their usual chores.
From Alor Setar, I took the trunk road to Kangar and then to Arau before heading back to the Kedah state capital via Jitra. During the journey, I stopped to have a rest at Dataran Rindu Alam, near Kangar.
The tourist spot with a cave to explore has excellent facilities such as two 'surau' (for men and women) but they are in dire condition; such as the ablution area which is dirty. I too stopped at a restaurant named Anjung Keli; the food served there especially the fried 'keli' (catfish) was excellent. In Kedah I had a stop at some areas and spent the night in Kota Kuala Muda.
In Kedah, the locals told me, the Pakatan Rakyat government did a good job; the majority of people had nothing to complain. They said there was no big issue in Kedah; the opposition had to resort to making a mountain out of a mole hill for example making an issue out of a surau that had to be shifted in an urban area of Alor Setar.
After Kedah, I left for Pulau Pinang; entering the island by using the ferry. Then I drove along the expressway to Bukit Jambul where I stayed at level 22 of a hotel. The view of Pulau Pinang from my hotel room was lovely; high rise buildings dominated the area.
While driving along its highways and roads, I noticed Pulau Pinang roads were without plots or pots and vases of expensive flowers on road shoulders or dividers as seen in other cities and towns. In some areas, the grass had grown too long; perhaps the authorities were trying to cut the cost of operations. Overall Pulau Pinang (Georgetown) is a clean city.
While having lunch at a Malay restaurant in Bukit Jambul, I saw a group of about 10 Indian youth entering and having food in it. Then while driving along a back road, I saw tens of people lining to buy food at a 'mamak' (Kayu) restaurant. So things are going as usual in this Pakatan Rakyat controlled state.
After Pulau Pinang, I travelled along the 'Jambatan Pulau Pinang' and then moved to the Kulim highway, then was on the road to Grik, Perak. I drove along the East West Highway; it was smooth all the way and in four hours I reached Jeli, a small town in another Pakatan Rakyat (PAS) administered state (Kelantan).
I moved on to Tanah Merah and then took the alternative road to Kota Bharu via Pasir Mas. For the night, I stayed at a homestay near Wakaf Che Yeh. The homestay was near a surau, after prayers I had the opportunity to talk to a few 'jemaah' (congregators).
One 'jemaah' told me that for the coming general election, the chances of Pakatan Rakyat and Barisan Nasional winning the election was 50-50; but another one predicted Pakatan (PAS) would still have the edge if PAS spiritual leader, Tok Guru Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat led his party in the election.
This 'jemaah' surprised me when he said, some PAS state leaders are liabilities and they should be removed or not chosen as candidates in the coming election.
He said as a local, he knew their 'games', hence it was better for them to give up their position before they were told to do so by party leaders.
He warned some Umno candidates would make inroads in the coming elections; PAS had to work extra hard to maintain their status quo.
From Wakaf Che Yeh, I drove to Kota Bharu in the morning of 21st December. The Kuala Kerai-Kota Bharu road was chocked with traffic; it took me almost an hour to reach the city centre.
Business runs as usual in Kota Bharu but surprisingly the markets and shopping areas are not crowded with people as experienced during school holidays; perhaps outsiders had been warned about the probability Kelantan would hit by the flood during this period.
From Kota Bharu, I drove to Pasir Putih and then passed the Kelantan-Terengganu border; thus ended my quick dash thru the Pakatan Rakyat states. In my opinion, these states would be still under the Rakyat administration after the 13th general election, but beware because UBAN would be up to its tricks to wrestle it at any costs!
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)
*************
INTICIPATING the 13th general election that is just around the corner, the writer made a quick dash through the four Pakatan Rakyat administrated states (Selangor, Pulau Pinang, Kedah and Kelantan) from 17th to 21 December to hear grouses and comments by man on the street.
From my hometown in Melaka, I took the North South Highway heading north on Saturday morning and stopped at Masjid UPM (situated in Selangor) to perform the 'zuhur' and 'asar' jamak (combined) prayers. On the grounds of Masjid UPM, I saw two groups of people gathered around two would be 'pengantin perempuan' (brides) that would be 'nikah' (solemnized in marriage) in the masjid.
Late that afternoon, the writer attended a wedding reception of a friend's son at a masjid in Ampang (also in Selangor). Some non-Malays were seen attending the 'majlis', so it was a harmonious one.
That scene was lovely; and as at the 'masjid' people were going and doing their routine chores in the state; everything is apparently in place and not going through a 'terrible condition' as described by a few Selangor delegates in the recently concluded Umno General Assembly. One speaker said she was "terseksa" (facing torture) under the Pakatan Rakyat administration.
Regarding the eagerness of Umno leaders to capture Selangor, my friend Ramli Adam who is involved in the media industry and lives in Klang, told me that "UBAN " (Umno-Barisan Nasional) would 'throw everything' they have the administration of the state is back into the hands of Umno.
As an example he said, Datuk Habibah Mohd Yusof, the Tanjung Karang Wanita Umno Chief, said they would face the "do the die battle." She belittled the Selangor Pakatan Rakyat with this poem, entitled 'Selangor Kini':
"Pakatan rakyat makin terdesak,
DAP pula sentiasa mengasak,
Otak MB dah makin rosak,
Keputusan dibuat,
Betul ke tidak?
Rakyat Selangor sudah masak,
Lakonan mereka,
Semakin nampak,
Ke mana-mana orang,
Dah mula berborak,
Menyokong PR parti,
Yang haprak".
(Pakaran Rakyat is under pressure
The DAP always aggressive
The MB's brain has degenerated
Decisions made
Are they correct?
The people of Selangor are conscious
Their act is obvious
Whence people are now talking
Supporting the PR,
A useless party)
After Selangor, I continued my journey to the northern states. The North South highway was 'merry' during this school holiday. I stopped a few times at the RR for some quick naps; and before the 'azan subuh' (dawn call for prayers) I was already in a masjid in Pendang, Kedah.
The calmness and sereneness of the morning while driving on the Pendang-Alor Setar road with paddy fields on each side of it, lit up inspiration in me. Alor Setar traffic was busy as usual that morning; people doing their usual chores.
From Alor Setar, I took the trunk road to Kangar and then to Arau before heading back to the Kedah state capital via Jitra. During the journey, I stopped to have a rest at Dataran Rindu Alam, near Kangar.
The tourist spot with a cave to explore has excellent facilities such as two 'surau' (for men and women) but they are in dire condition; such as the ablution area which is dirty. I too stopped at a restaurant named Anjung Keli; the food served there especially the fried 'keli' (catfish) was excellent. In Kedah I had a stop at some areas and spent the night in Kota Kuala Muda.
In Kedah, the locals told me, the Pakatan Rakyat government did a good job; the majority of people had nothing to complain. They said there was no big issue in Kedah; the opposition had to resort to making a mountain out of a mole hill for example making an issue out of a surau that had to be shifted in an urban area of Alor Setar.
After Kedah, I left for Pulau Pinang; entering the island by using the ferry. Then I drove along the expressway to Bukit Jambul where I stayed at level 22 of a hotel. The view of Pulau Pinang from my hotel room was lovely; high rise buildings dominated the area.
While driving along its highways and roads, I noticed Pulau Pinang roads were without plots or pots and vases of expensive flowers on road shoulders or dividers as seen in other cities and towns. In some areas, the grass had grown too long; perhaps the authorities were trying to cut the cost of operations. Overall Pulau Pinang (Georgetown) is a clean city.
While having lunch at a Malay restaurant in Bukit Jambul, I saw a group of about 10 Indian youth entering and having food in it. Then while driving along a back road, I saw tens of people lining to buy food at a 'mamak' (Kayu) restaurant. So things are going as usual in this Pakatan Rakyat controlled state.
After Pulau Pinang, I travelled along the 'Jambatan Pulau Pinang' and then moved to the Kulim highway, then was on the road to Grik, Perak. I drove along the East West Highway; it was smooth all the way and in four hours I reached Jeli, a small town in another Pakatan Rakyat (PAS) administered state (Kelantan).
I moved on to Tanah Merah and then took the alternative road to Kota Bharu via Pasir Mas. For the night, I stayed at a homestay near Wakaf Che Yeh. The homestay was near a surau, after prayers I had the opportunity to talk to a few 'jemaah' (congregators).
One 'jemaah' told me that for the coming general election, the chances of Pakatan Rakyat and Barisan Nasional winning the election was 50-50; but another one predicted Pakatan (PAS) would still have the edge if PAS spiritual leader, Tok Guru Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat led his party in the election.
This 'jemaah' surprised me when he said, some PAS state leaders are liabilities and they should be removed or not chosen as candidates in the coming election.
He said as a local, he knew their 'games', hence it was better for them to give up their position before they were told to do so by party leaders.
He warned some Umno candidates would make inroads in the coming elections; PAS had to work extra hard to maintain their status quo.
From Wakaf Che Yeh, I drove to Kota Bharu in the morning of 21st December. The Kuala Kerai-Kota Bharu road was chocked with traffic; it took me almost an hour to reach the city centre.
Business runs as usual in Kota Bharu but surprisingly the markets and shopping areas are not crowded with people as experienced during school holidays; perhaps outsiders had been warned about the probability Kelantan would hit by the flood during this period.
From Kota Bharu, I drove to Pasir Putih and then passed the Kelantan-Terengganu border; thus ended my quick dash thru the Pakatan Rakyat states. In my opinion, these states would be still under the Rakyat administration after the 13th general election, but beware because UBAN would be up to its tricks to wrestle it at any costs!
December 26, 2011
Bus fares: Which is the 'fairest' of them 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.
***
ONLY recently did I discover that express bus fares vary from one company to another although the route the companies take is the same.
For instance for the Kuala Lumpur-Melaka route that I often use, the highest fare is that of Transnasional at RM12.50 while the cheapest is offered by Delima Ekspres at only RM9.00.
Between the highest and lowest; the Mayang Sari fare is at RM10, Metro charges RM9.20 and KK-KL is RM12.20. I have not tried Jebat and a few other bus companies, so I did not know their fares. I too did not know whether this activity (competing to have the lowest fare) is legal or not.
From my experience traveling almost daily on the Melaka-Kuala Lumpur-Melaka route, express buses are only full during weekends and public holidays; on weekdays they are 'dry' of passengers especially in the middle of the month until the end of the month when the public's spending power is at its lowest.
A few days ago, on the morning journey from Melaka to Alor Gajah I was the only passenger in the bus; luckily at that small town it picked up three more passengers; so there was only the four of us during the one hour journey from Alor Gajah to Terminal Bersepadu Selatan, Integrated Southern Terminal (TBS) in Bandar Tasik Selatan. Imagine there were only five souls (including the driver) in the whole big bus!
Once I asked a bus driver why the fares varied; to which he answered bus companies are now fighting to get passengers and this meant survival of the firm they were working with. When I asked him if his company was making a big profit; he shook his head and said: "If the owner concentrates only on running the buses, his business would have folded up a long time ago. Luckily, this company also runs other businesses."
If express bus operators are 'shaky' in the businesses; what could be said about stage bus operators? Reports from all over the country note that several bus companies especially serving in rural areas resolve their woes by cutting services; angering the man on the street.
Last month, thousands of commuters in Seremban were stranded when a consortium stopped serving a dozen routes, mostly in the outskirts.
Kampung folks have been complaining that buses that ply their route were not turning up as usual and it was normal for them to wait for two or three hours for the bus. Bus commuters who are depended to the bus service to their workplace time after time are frustrated; their woes were not treated with respect by the authorities concerned.
If leaders could boast in spending billions and billions of ringgit to upgrade the public transportation system in the city including setting up a new MRT line, what about the needs of the poor rakyat living in rural areas such as on the Jasin (Melaka) and Tangkak (Johor) road.
Recently a commuter has this to say: "We hope the authorities would help us. On 29th June, MOS bus for route Tangkak-Jasin from 8.45 am to 11.15 am, failed to picked up passengers. We, workers who depended on that bus service had to confront with our employer regarding this matter. Why do not inform earlier? Why create trouble for commuters?"
Recently a news report said that Cityliner which is owned by Konsortium Transnasional had stopped 21 of its 25 routes in Kuala Selangor, including villages around Klang, Banting and Shah Alam. Areas affected include Pandamaran, Kampung Delek and Taman Seri Sentosa. About 60,000 to 80,000 passengers were disrupted; they had to find other means of transportation.
Those at helm of the company said revenue from fares could not sustain stage buses as costs had gone up, but fares had not increased in tandem. To overcome this serious situation which affect the poor rakyat, the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) is scrambling to get bus service operators such as 'bas sekolah' (school buses) and 'bas kilang' (factory buses) to service the routes left vacant. About 3,000 buses are needed 'to fill in the gap' left by Cityliner in Selangor.
SPAD chairman, Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar, in blaming the fiasco in Selangor to the state government refusal in assisting Cityliner in their economic woes, claimed his side would not stand in the way of any initiative that would benefit the public.
Tan Sri, why only blame the Selangor state government; the bus service in other states such as Negeri Sembilan and Pahang was also affected, they were in dire situation; so why not look at a broader scope because bus operators throughout the country are facing difficulties at this hard time.
Regarding the woes of bus operators of not being able to sustain businesses what's more obtaining profit, I talked over the phone with Deputy President of Pan Malaysian Bus Operators Association (PMBOA), Razali Endun who admitted it is not only 'a Selangor problem' but were faced by almost all of its members all over the country.
He said his side is working out for a solution including pressing SPAD to provide aid to bus operators based on a pay of RM1-per-kilometre formula but response from the government was not very encouraging. A meeting with Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najb Razak scheduled in October was also postponed.
PMBOA President, Datuk Mohamad Ashfar Ali in a local daily was reported saying: "We have been asking for help for more than a year now, but there has not been much response. The Melaka government has bought up all stage bus operators in the state, but the federal government is slow in responding."
Razali who is also President of Melaka Bus Operators, clarified that the Melaka government had only suggested that a fund of RM5.4 million (the money forked out from the municipal council in the state) to assist the bus operators in the state.
"It was only an idea, nothing had already been put on ground," said Razali. He also said the state government failed to secure a RM36 million loan from the federal government to 'pay' for the bus operators as it had promised more than two years ago in upgrading public transportation in the state.
Nevertheless Razali urged the state government to honour it promise in giving assistance to local bus companies, saying the money was urgent as operations by local bus companies in Melaka are in a dire situation as they are facing acute financial problem.
He said while waiting for the state's assistance, operators were facing more trouble as the authorities such as the Road Transport Department (RTD) had compounded several of the old buses because they are not roadworthy.
Razali said he too had no idea how to renew permits for his buses next year as almost all of them are in dire condition. "Permits can only be renewed if the buses that are more than 15 years are replaced by new ones or upgraded," he said.
About 10 local bus operators that are facing financial problems are in dire straits and could cease operations, including in 2,000 employees being laid off, Razali said.
Thus he hope the state government would come to the rescue by honoring its pledge in helping local bus operators, if not they would cease operations, resulting in difficulties for thousands of commuters who depended on public transport.
So, to SPAD and Tan Sri Syed Hamid, don't just look at the public woes in Selangor; but please act fast in other states too especially in Negeri Sembilan and Pahang where thousands of commuters are stranded when the buses they wait for, fail to turn up!
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.
***
ONLY recently did I discover that express bus fares vary from one company to another although the route the companies take is the same.
For instance for the Kuala Lumpur-Melaka route that I often use, the highest fare is that of Transnasional at RM12.50 while the cheapest is offered by Delima Ekspres at only RM9.00.
Between the highest and lowest; the Mayang Sari fare is at RM10, Metro charges RM9.20 and KK-KL is RM12.20. I have not tried Jebat and a few other bus companies, so I did not know their fares. I too did not know whether this activity (competing to have the lowest fare) is legal or not.
From my experience traveling almost daily on the Melaka-Kuala Lumpur-Melaka route, express buses are only full during weekends and public holidays; on weekdays they are 'dry' of passengers especially in the middle of the month until the end of the month when the public's spending power is at its lowest.
A few days ago, on the morning journey from Melaka to Alor Gajah I was the only passenger in the bus; luckily at that small town it picked up three more passengers; so there was only the four of us during the one hour journey from Alor Gajah to Terminal Bersepadu Selatan, Integrated Southern Terminal (TBS) in Bandar Tasik Selatan. Imagine there were only five souls (including the driver) in the whole big bus!
Once I asked a bus driver why the fares varied; to which he answered bus companies are now fighting to get passengers and this meant survival of the firm they were working with. When I asked him if his company was making a big profit; he shook his head and said: "If the owner concentrates only on running the buses, his business would have folded up a long time ago. Luckily, this company also runs other businesses."
If express bus operators are 'shaky' in the businesses; what could be said about stage bus operators? Reports from all over the country note that several bus companies especially serving in rural areas resolve their woes by cutting services; angering the man on the street.
Last month, thousands of commuters in Seremban were stranded when a consortium stopped serving a dozen routes, mostly in the outskirts.
Kampung folks have been complaining that buses that ply their route were not turning up as usual and it was normal for them to wait for two or three hours for the bus. Bus commuters who are depended to the bus service to their workplace time after time are frustrated; their woes were not treated with respect by the authorities concerned.
If leaders could boast in spending billions and billions of ringgit to upgrade the public transportation system in the city including setting up a new MRT line, what about the needs of the poor rakyat living in rural areas such as on the Jasin (Melaka) and Tangkak (Johor) road.
Recently a commuter has this to say: "We hope the authorities would help us. On 29th June, MOS bus for route Tangkak-Jasin from 8.45 am to 11.15 am, failed to picked up passengers. We, workers who depended on that bus service had to confront with our employer regarding this matter. Why do not inform earlier? Why create trouble for commuters?"
Recently a news report said that Cityliner which is owned by Konsortium Transnasional had stopped 21 of its 25 routes in Kuala Selangor, including villages around Klang, Banting and Shah Alam. Areas affected include Pandamaran, Kampung Delek and Taman Seri Sentosa. About 60,000 to 80,000 passengers were disrupted; they had to find other means of transportation.
Those at helm of the company said revenue from fares could not sustain stage buses as costs had gone up, but fares had not increased in tandem. To overcome this serious situation which affect the poor rakyat, the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) is scrambling to get bus service operators such as 'bas sekolah' (school buses) and 'bas kilang' (factory buses) to service the routes left vacant. About 3,000 buses are needed 'to fill in the gap' left by Cityliner in Selangor.
SPAD chairman, Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar, in blaming the fiasco in Selangor to the state government refusal in assisting Cityliner in their economic woes, claimed his side would not stand in the way of any initiative that would benefit the public.
Tan Sri, why only blame the Selangor state government; the bus service in other states such as Negeri Sembilan and Pahang was also affected, they were in dire situation; so why not look at a broader scope because bus operators throughout the country are facing difficulties at this hard time.
Regarding the woes of bus operators of not being able to sustain businesses what's more obtaining profit, I talked over the phone with Deputy President of Pan Malaysian Bus Operators Association (PMBOA), Razali Endun who admitted it is not only 'a Selangor problem' but were faced by almost all of its members all over the country.
He said his side is working out for a solution including pressing SPAD to provide aid to bus operators based on a pay of RM1-per-kilometre formula but response from the government was not very encouraging. A meeting with Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najb Razak scheduled in October was also postponed.
PMBOA President, Datuk Mohamad Ashfar Ali in a local daily was reported saying: "We have been asking for help for more than a year now, but there has not been much response. The Melaka government has bought up all stage bus operators in the state, but the federal government is slow in responding."
Razali who is also President of Melaka Bus Operators, clarified that the Melaka government had only suggested that a fund of RM5.4 million (the money forked out from the municipal council in the state) to assist the bus operators in the state.
"It was only an idea, nothing had already been put on ground," said Razali. He also said the state government failed to secure a RM36 million loan from the federal government to 'pay' for the bus operators as it had promised more than two years ago in upgrading public transportation in the state.
Nevertheless Razali urged the state government to honour it promise in giving assistance to local bus companies, saying the money was urgent as operations by local bus companies in Melaka are in a dire situation as they are facing acute financial problem.
He said while waiting for the state's assistance, operators were facing more trouble as the authorities such as the Road Transport Department (RTD) had compounded several of the old buses because they are not roadworthy.
Razali said he too had no idea how to renew permits for his buses next year as almost all of them are in dire condition. "Permits can only be renewed if the buses that are more than 15 years are replaced by new ones or upgraded," he said.
About 10 local bus operators that are facing financial problems are in dire straits and could cease operations, including in 2,000 employees being laid off, Razali said.
Thus he hope the state government would come to the rescue by honoring its pledge in helping local bus operators, if not they would cease operations, resulting in difficulties for thousands of commuters who depended on public transport.
So, to SPAD and Tan Sri Syed Hamid, don't just look at the public woes in Selangor; but please act fast in other states too especially in Negeri Sembilan and Pahang where thousands of commuters are stranded when the buses they wait for, fail to turn up!
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