Kenduri Kahwin

Suib .. busy as ever !!

By noon I was already there at Kafeteria Kolej Multimedia, Jalan Semarak. There were not many people around and one could be mistaken for being at the wrong place. The only assurance that you were at the right spot - at a wedding reception - was songs blurting out from the PA system - even though they were not songs meant for kenduri kahwin!. Anyway, by the time I entered the kafeteria, I could see Suib - inside the hall - making sure that everything was in placed, perhaps. I was glad that Suib recognised me - after all these years! We were together in form 6th. After that we did see each other - rather accidentally - at Central Market 5 years ago!. Since there were not many people around, Suib managed to spend more time chatting with me.

Slowly but surely, the crowd swelled in numbers - mostly from Suib's side. Rahim Othman came much later - just about the time I wanted to leave. I accompanied Rahim for a while and by quarter to one, Rahim and I left for Friday prayer.

I was sure that after Friday prayer, more friends from Batch 73 will be there. InsyaAllah.

Wedding Reception

A happy father he was yesterday .. Yyuri Muji

Hasan and Ibrahim were there ... gracing the occassion


Idros was there as well..


Idros, me and Yyuri.,


.. with Idros, Suldin and Mutalib.

Attended 2 wedding receptions yesterday - held by Yyuri Muji and Mutalib Hassan. By the time my wife and I arrived at Dewan Tan Sri Mahfoz Khalid, Kementerian Kerja Raya, Kuala Lumpur where Yyuri's daughter wedding reception was held, Idros and his daughter and 2 sons were already there. We were later joined by Hasan Said, Ibrahim Husin, Suldin Kimin, Yusof Bakar and Mohd Nor Hassan. I was made to understand that Aminuddin AH Karim and wife was there very much earlier. It was raining heavily when my wife and I left for Section 7 Shah Alam to attend to Mutalib's invitation.

Traffic was heavy and slow along Federal Highway and by the time I reached Dewan Mawar, Section 7, Shah Alam, it was already 3 o'clock. I was later joined by Suldin and wife, Wan Hussin and much later by Idros and family. Md Ali Osman, Che Chop Mohamad, Razali Awang and Omar Suhaimi already left before we arrived. It was almost 4 oclock by the time we left Dewan Mawar. Next week there will be another reception - by Suib Ismail. InsyaAllah. Till then..

Wedding Reception

Just came back from Shah Alam having attended Nari's wedding reception together with Rostam. By the time we arrived at Dewan Melati, Section 7, Shah Alam where the reception was held, we were told by the groom's father that Aminuddin AHK (Dr.) and wife, and Lookeman as well as Ismail Ibrahim already left. Me and Rostam waited for a while for the rest to come (hoping) and we had only Omar Suhaimi and spouse joining us for the wedding feast. We were later joined by Md Ali Osman and wife together with their son and daughter. Towards the end Idros and family came. We were about to leave when we heard Nari's giving instruction/direction to Rashid. We had to leave as the time was already past 3 oclock.

Nari looked happy and busy the whole afternoon - as expected. Next week, there shall be another reception and another one the next after. First by Yyuri and to be followed by Shoib. When told about the reception, Md Ali seemed to have lost touch or rather forgetten about Shoib. Well, during our time in Tiger Lane, there were only two Shoibs -one was 'Shoib' the dobbyman and the other one was our very own Shoib, one of the three members from the famous Sungei Petani trio - we had arwah Radhi Majid and Sakaff Abdul Manaf and of course Shoib Ismail. And the three of them were even being placed inthe same hostel - 'Green House!'. Hoping to see more of us (Batch 73) at Yyuri's and Shoib's. InsyaAllah.

I have not seen both of them (Yyuri and Shoib) for a very very long time. I happened to see Yyuri once in 1990 when we attending a seminar in housing at DBKL. Accidentally met Shoib at the Central Market. 4 years ago .Thus, truly looking forward for the occassion.

Take 5

Rostam sent this through my email. Just love sharing them with the rest., enjoy!

BEWARE OF OLDER MEN, THEY ONLY GET WISER

A woman decides to have a facelift for her 50th birthday. She spends $15,000 and feels pretty good about the results. On her way home, she stops at a newsstand to buy a newspaper.
Before leaving, she says to the clerk, 'I hope you don't mind my asking, but how old do you think I am 'About 32,' is the reply.'
'Nope! I'm exactly 50,' the woman says happily.
A little while later she goes into McDonald's and asks the counter girl the very same question.
The girl replies, 'I'd guess about 29.'
The woman replies with a big smile, 'Nope, I'm 50.'
Now she's feeling really good about herself. She stops in a drug store on her way down the street. She goes up to the counter to get some mints and asks the clerk this burning question.
The clerk responds, 'Oh, I'd say 30.'
Again she proudly responds, 'I'm 50, but thank you!'
While waiting for the bus to go home, she asks an old man waiting next to her the same question.
He replies, ' Lady, I'm 78 and my eyesight is going. Although, when I was young there was a sure-fire way to tell how old a woman was.
It sounds very forward, but it requires you to let me put my hands under your bra. Then, and only then can I tell you EXACTLY how old you are.'
They wait in silence on the empty street until her curiosity gets the best of her. She finally blurts out, 'What the hell, go ahead.'
He slips both of his hands under her blouse and begins to feel around very slowly and carefully. He bounces and weighs each breast and he gently pinches each nipple.
He pushes her breasts together and rubs them against each other.
After a couple of minutes of this, she says, 'Okay, okay....How old am I?'
He completes one last squeeze of her breasts, removes his hands, and says, 'Madam, you are 50.'
Stunned and amazed, the woman says, 'That was incredible, how could you tell?'
The old man says, 'Promise you won't get mad?'
'I promise I won't' she says.
'I was behind you at McDonalds.'

Al-kisah

Almaklum, maka diperkenan Allah SWT akan kemenangan pertandingan sepakbola akhir dinamakan Piala Malaysia (baca betul-betul .., Piala Malaysia , bukan Piala 1Malaysia) kepada Negeri Sembilan (dahulunya 10 negeri kesemuanya dan terpaksa ditolak satu atas keluarnya Naning) keatas Kelantan, negeri lahirnya Che Siti Wan Kembang. Akan keputusannya, telah dicakap-cakapkan orang seluruh alam semenanjung sampai Sabah dan Sarawak, disumbat dan dimasukkan bola kedalam gol adapun tiga berbalas satunya jua.

Alkisah dijadikan iktibar dan dibuatkanlah postmortem akan 'tiada dapat menjulangnya Piala tersebut' oleh pengurusannya pasokan Che Siti Wan Kembang. Arakian diberitakan bahawa 'tiada dapat menjulangnya Piala tersebut' adalah disebabkan kesalahan strategi serta kegagalan untuk mendengar sesuatu berita dengan teliti dan tidak secara membuta tulinya jua.

Al-kisah diceritakan orang sayugia telah diarahkan oleh mereka yang terlibat dalam pengurusan pasokan Che Siti Nurhaliza Yang Tembam, oops.., silap pasokan Che Siti Wan Kembang supaya mencari ide untuk mengalahkan pasokan Negeri Sepuloh tertolak Satunya itu.

Maka telah diadakan sepuloh kali tolak satu sesi 'braintorming' (yang lazimnya selepas 'storm' kesemuanya tiada 'brain' lagi itu) maka mendapat idelah mereka-mereka itu, cara bagaimana hendak mengalahkan Negeri Sepuloh ditolak Satu dalam pertandingan akhir Piala Malaysia (bukan Piala 1Malaysia). Bersepakat dan bersetujulah kesemua yang hadir wei untuk menghantar sepai-sepai kegerai Tomyam yang gemar dan galak dikunjungi oleh pemain-pemain sepakbola Negeri Sepuloh ditolak Satu.

Bayaklah laporan yang dihantar kepada HQ di KB, mahupun secara email, sms dan telepon bimbit dan telepon biasa. Kesemua laporan dikaji dan diperhalusi dan dibentangkan untuk diperbincangan. Sah dan sahih berdasarkan laporan bahawa Negeri Sepuloh ditolak Satu akan memakai taktik 'sorang-sorang'. Wow!!

Maka dikerah otak dan tenaga juga tulang empatnya kerat oleh jurulatih dan juruletih Negeri Che Siti Wan Kembang bagaimana hendak counter tektik 'man-to-man marking' yang akan diemploy oleh Negeri Sepuloh ditolak Satu nanti. Maka berlatih dan bertambah letihlah pemain-pemain negeri Che Siti Wan Kembang, berusaha sunggoh-sunggoh, untuk memenangi Piala Malaysia (baca betul-betul., bukan Piala 1Malaysia).

Maka dihari yang dinantikan, bermulalah pertandingan. Berdentumlah stadium dengan pukulan kompang dan mercun yang didentumkan. Berkibarlah bendera masing-masing, bersepailah air botol mineral, hiruk dan pikuk serta bertambahlah bingar dan panasnya keadaan di dalam Stadium Bukit Jalil.

Setelah permainan dimulakan, lama kelamaan, ajaiblah dan hairanlah serta bingunglah pihak pengurusan apatah lagi juruletih dan pemaian negeri Che Siti Wan Kembang, bahawa tektik yang dibawa oleh Negeri Sepuloh ditolak Satu bukanlah 'sorang-sorang' (one-to-one atau man-to-man marking) seperti yang dijangkakan tetapi Negeri Sepuloh ditolak Satu menggunakan taktik sorang! sorang! (serang!... serang!!).

Al-kisahnya.. maka tersumbatlah bola kedalam gawang gol tiga kali berbalas satunya jua.

The Mayonnaise Jar

Would like to share this article - sent by Rahim Ahmadi - via email. Many thanks to Rahim for sharing ...



When things in your life seem, almost too much to handle,
When 24 Hours in a day is not enough,
Remember the mayonnaise jar and 2 cups of coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class
And had some items in front of him.
When the class began, wordlessly,
He picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar
and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.

He then asked the students, if the jar was full.
They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured
them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly.
The pebbles rolled into the open Areas between the golf balls.

He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar.
Of course, the sand filled up everything else.
He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.'

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table
and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively
filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

'Now,' said the professor, as the laughter subsided,
'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.
The golf balls are the important things - family,
children, health, Friends, and Favorite passions –
Things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, Your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, house, and car.

The sand is everything else --The small stuff.

'If you put the sand into the jar first,' He continued,
'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.
The same goes for life.

If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff,
You will never have room for the things that are important to you.

So...

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.
Play With your children.
Take time to get medical checkups.
Take your partner out to dinner.

There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.

'Take care of the golf balls first --
The things that really matter.
Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.'

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.

The professor smiled..
'I'm glad you asked'.

It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem,
there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.'

Please share this with other "Golf Balls"
I just did.......

Gathering 2

Just received these photos from Linggam - shots taken during the dinner held in Holiday Inn Glenmarie and 2 others from Dataran putrajaya.

Get Together

Linggam was in KL last weekend. He arrived on Sat 24th and departed home on Sat 31st. Through out his 7 days 'holiday', he stayed with his daughter in Putrajaya and as expected a few of us took the opportunity to visit and say hallo to him. A dinner was held by Dato' Awe Adek at the Holiday Inn Glennmarie on the 27th and I was told that there were quite a number who attended the function. I had to miss the dinner and regretted for not attending. Linggam told me that he had such a great time. Even Linggam's daughter told me that she was so happy to see her father was in such a company!.

Prior to that function, I had met Linggam and took him for a makan in Bangi. And on Friday nite, a day before Linggam departed for home, Rashid, Nari and Ahmad Abu Khair took the opportunity to visit Linggam. Linggam was at Dataran Putrajaya with his daughter and son-in-law, busily taking photographs, when we called him. So the meeting was done underneath those neon lights and 'dibawah kibaran bendera!'. I could tell and see that he was very very happy to see Rashid, Nari and A A Khair again. Rashid had contacted Nari and A A Khair and planned the surprise visit. And how Linggam love and appreciated the occassion. He has not seen Rashid, Nari and A A Khair - in person - for almost 37 years!!.

We adjourned to a nearby Mamak restaurant for the 'regular teh tarik session but had to go without Linggam. He insisted of staying and site visiting with his daughter and son-in-law. They were supposed to go to Dataran Merdeka that nite!.

Anyway, we stayed at the Mamak restaurant until wee hours - 130 am - before calling it a day. Linggam promised me that he will send those photographs that were taken by his son-in-law. I am still waiting for them. Meanwhile.., just make do with the ones that I have!!

Ancient Chinese Proverbs - Revisited

Man with hand in pocket feel cocky all day!.

Man who stand on toilet high on pot!.

It is good for girl to meet boy in park, but better for boy to park 'meat' in girl!

Man who drop watch in toilet have shitty time!

Man who finger girl having period get caught red handed!

Man who go to bed with itchy butt wake up wiyh smelly finger!!

Man who buy drowned cat must pay for wet pussy!

Virgin like balloon!.. one prick all gone!

Man who wants pretty nurse, must be patient!!

He who lives in glass house.., must dress in basement!!

Passionate kiss, like spider web, lead to undoing of fly!

Better to be pissed off than pissed on!

He who walk through airport door sideways., always going to Bangkok!

Boy who go to sleep with stiff problem wake up with solution in hand!

Couple on 7-day honeymoon make 'hole' week!

Girl who sit on jockey's lap gets hot tip

Girl who sits on Judge's lap gets honorable discharge

Man who leap off cliff jump to conclusion

Man with tight trousers is pressing his luck!!

Man who puts dick in peanut butter jar is fucking nuts!!!

Announcement

Jumpa di sana!!

Take 5

I evaluate buildings like I do women. There are buildings I won't mind for a one-night stand and never return to again, and then there are buildings I'd like to marry. The mistress-type buildings are the superficial ones you like to keep on the side, if you have the money. But my favourite are the old, comfortable government houses in Bukit Tunku. Reminds me of my mother.

- Unidentified doctor, forty-something, quoted in a local men's magazine on structures he likes.

One For The 'Dirty' Road!

A couple goes to an agricultural show way out in the countryside on a fine Sunday afternoon, and watch the auctioning off of bulls.

The guy selling the bulls announces the first bull to be auctioned off:
"A fine specimen, this bull reproduced 60 times last year."
The wife nudges her husband in the ribs & comments,
"See! That was more than 5 times a month!"

The second bull is to be sold:
"Another fine specimen, this wonder reproduced 120 times last year."
Again the wife bugs her husband, "Hey, that`s some 10 times a month. What do you say to that?!"
Her husband is getting really annoyed with this comparison.

The third bull is up for sale:
"And this extraordinary specimen reproduced 365 times last year!"
The wife slaps her husband on the arm and yells,
"That`s once a day, every day of the year! How about YOU?"
The husband was pretty irritated by now & yells back,
"Sure, once a day!....... But ask the auctioneer if they were all with the same cow!!!"

Tokonang Den ( 11 )

Rostam and I arrived early for that function. We were at the school (STAR) attending the handing aid ceremony under Yayasan Tun Hamdan and were at the corridor in front of the staff room, when a group of VIPs passed by. I did not notice anything peculiar until I heard someone mentioning that Dato Mohd Khalid Abdul Halim was around. But I could not figure out which one was him. Even when the procession entered the school hall, I still could not figure out which one was Dato Khalid until the ceremony was over. Someone pointed that Dato Khalid was the one dressed in a blue Indonesian batik. I had a big gasp! I was not the only one though!. Even Dato Awang Adek and Rostam could not recognise him the first time around.

I remember he used to walk around the school compound in wellington boots, with his walking stick and smoking his pipes. Vestis virum facit. At times he looked stylist and elegant. Most of the time he looked 'arrogant'. Enough to make us (students) frightened and scared - by sheer looking at him, by sheer hearing his foot steps, and by his mere presence.

How could one forget - during one session of the school assembly, - when he openly made the remark and statement to those (students) who were 'behaving' like gangsters that he himself was a gangster from 'Aloq Setaq'! His husky, commanding and firm voice, enough to ensure that his words and commands would be obeyed.

Every terms, those with red marks in their report cards, would have had sleepless nights, worrying for the next day to come. HM Khalid would go round to every classes with his cane and would canned us according to the number of red marks that one has. Yes sir ..., Thank you sir!!.

HM Khalid was very stern and strict on discipline. I remembered one particular incident, during school hours - we were in the classroom then - when suddenly we heard a big and loud bang coming from the lower six classroom downstairs. Someone was caught playing a guitar in the classroom - during the normal school hours. And to HM Khalid, that was a big NO. He smashed the guitar into pieces.

What about the incident when 4 students were caught truant? The whole school then witnessed the infamous public canning by him - on the open space between the school and the industrial arts block. Nobody dared to say anything. No one dared to interfere! Not even Pak Lau or Ustaz Mohammad.

Remember the incident at the dining hall? How he came to the dining hall and karate chop a student - to ensure that discipline was being observed? I was seated among the front rows at the time and witnessed the whole 'event'. That guy was taken immediately to the hospital - suspected broken his nose!. And I went to prep with empty stomach that night for I totally lost my appetite after witnessing that incident.

But his love for sports especially rugby was second to none. He must have been very proud to have witnessed during his reign as the HM the school rugby team became the first winner and won the coveted Mori Trophy!. How he cherished and enjoyed the moment when we paraded the trophy to the dining hall on the bullock cart?!

But HM Khalid (Dato') that I met that day was different. Soft spoken and he looked like a guy who could not even lift a finger on anybody let alone hurting them. That day, we reminisced the 'good ol' days'. He even told us a story about a student while waiting outside his room, was so scared that by the time he came out, that boy already wet himself. Ipse dixit!

HM Khalid has long retired and is currently residing in Ipoh and he can be reached at No. 32 Jalan Lasam, 30350 IPOH. House phone no: 05-2546870.

(From Left to Right): Jabbar (Batch 73), Rostam (Batch 73), Midzor Hilal (Batch 69) and HM Khalid (68 till 70)

(From Left to Right): Rostam, Wan Husin (Batch 73), Midzor, HM Khalid and an unknown old boy.

Majlis Berbuka Puasa Batch '73

The date : 15 September 2009. The Venue: Clubhouse, Tropicana Golf and Country Resort. The Event: 'Majlis Berbuka Puasa', Batch '73.

Me and Rostam almost missed the function. I least expected the traffic jam to be that massive. Terrible. I left Putrajaya around 5pm. Knowing that I was already half an hour late and had to rush to Sunway to meet Rostam. As agreed, we were supposed to go together to Tropicana in Rostam's car. But the traffic jam at Sunway toll plaza was unbelievable!! Damned!. Got stranded almost half hour and was a bit worried. By the time I got to Rostam's place, the time was already 6 pm. I could tell and see that Rostam was not OK and was upset - we might missed the breaking of fast at Tropicana. Not to be subdued, I tried to think positive, telling Rostam that we'll be OK and we will be there on time. Surprisingly the traffic after Sunway bridge was moving, slowly but surely. And by the time we reached Tropicana the time was 6.40 pm.

Tropicana was already jammed and crowded with cars. There seemed to be cars every where, We were directed by the parking personnels to drive and park inside the multi level parking block. However, despite going round the 3 levels parking block twice, we failed to find any parking space. Well, there were spaces available but coming in in a big machine - a land cruiser - the choice was limited. When we were told to go out and park the car decided to try Lillian Too 's good luck charm technique and presto! (coincidence perhaps), a parking personnel directed us to park at a parking space meant for the Club committee member!.

Dato Awang Adek, Razali, Lookeman, Dr. Halim, Rahim, Aziz, Hasan, Dato Azlan were already there. The rest were - Wan Husin, Sakaf, Yunus, Ibrahim, Dato Idris, Wan Zain, Md Nor, Dr. Khalim, Omar Suhaimi, Rostam, Syed Hamzah, Halim, Shauki, Razali, and Md Ali. How we wished that others could attend as well. Majority of them had commitments that made it impossible to attend, and some were too far away to make the trip. It would be more fund if Ajoi, Mad Bakar or Saiful was around. Even the presence of guys like Mat Dollah, Omar Dollah or Mat Saleh or even Che Chop Mohamad (where about is he actually?).

The food was aplentiful, the place was grand, and the atmosphere and occassion was splendid and terrific. Everyone was busy acknowledging one another - catching up on the lost times. When Halim told us that that day was his birthday. We tried to get him a birthday cake but alas the club ran out of cakes that night. So instead we had the resident singer accompanied by the resident band, to lead everyone singing the birthday song. By 1015 the event was over.

Perhaps the point raised by Dato Idris was worth pondering - we should gather and meet beyond the fasting month - and by that we may escape the traffic jam!!

Azlan, Awang Adek and Hasan

Rostam, Wan Husin, Syed Hamzah, Shauki and Rahim


Syed Hamzah

Shauki and Khalim


Md Ali, Hasan and Halim

Aziz, Jabbar, Azlan and Awang Adek

Omar Suhaimi, Ibrahim, Md Nor, Wan Zain and Razali

Sakaff, Roslan, Idris and Lookeman

Note:

Apologies to Yunus. There is no photo of you being posted since the one that I took was so blurr that I decided not to have it posted on the blog.

Yayasan Tun Hamdan

It was on Sunday Sept 13 and around 1 pm - as schedulled - when Rostam came over and fetched me from the house. We then drove up to Taman Greenwood to pick up Anoair Jalil, a pre-arrangement that Rostam had made prior to the trip to Ipoh. From Taman Greenwood we then proceeded to Taman Bolton to pick up the consignment - the dates - that was pre-booked by Anoair, to be brought along to Ipoh. We were on the way for the much anticipated 'Majlis Penyampaian Bantuan Kewangan Yayasan Tun Hamdan'. STAR was to play host for this meaningful event.

The journey to Ipoh was a pleasant one -not many traffic on the road - understanable since it was Sunday and majority of us, Malaysians reserving the journey till the next weekend - for the Hari Raya journey - back to kampong!. Since we didnot stop at the R&R (fasting ma!), we arrived in Ipoh as planned and went straight to Tiger Lane. Anoair insisted of going straight to Hotel STAR (what a name, what a place it was!), from where he was supposed to hand over those dates to the waiting group, for the dates to be repackaged and to be distributed later during the ceremony itself.

When Anoair insisted upon us to go to Hotel STAR, we thought that he meant the students' hostel. No, we guessed it wrongly!. In fact he did mean Hotel STAR!. Yes, the school do have its own hotel known as Hotel STAR, located just opposite to the old industrial arts block. The hotel though has only one room - one large fully-aircond-room - with a double decker bed and a huge bathroom/toilet. Anoair preferred to stay there, easy for him to get things organise for the event on Monday.

We went to Hotel Sri Malaysia to break fast with Fathil Sharif and wife. Stayed there until 8.45 pm before we rushed off to Medan Gopeng, looking for some cenderahati for Toh Puan. Then it was len chee kang's time. A must for Rostam!. As before, Ah Seng was there to serve us and his len chee kang still the same as before!

We left Hotel Seri Malaysia at 10 o'clock the next day and by Rostam's standard it was rather early!!. Since we were early, we had the chance to mingle with some of the invited guests. Among the dignitaries who were there were - Tan Sri Alimuddin, the DG of Education and former Headmaster of STAR himself, En. Adinan Maning - the GM cum MD of Bank Simpanan Nasional , Dato Pajri (old boy and the organiser), Perak CPO Deputy Comm Datuk Zulkifli Abdullah (junior from Green House), former HM, Mohd. Khalid Khalim (Dato') was there and so did Pak Lau and Tan Teng Leong. Fellow STAROBAns who attended were Syed Nazri, Midzor Hilal, Raja Ramli, Mohamad Taib (Batch 72) just to name a few. Wan Husin and Md Ali also came. So did Ahmad Hamdan (junior and Partner of Hisham Sobri - legal firm). And there were others whom I didnot recognised but the gestures and acknowledgements enough to denote and convet the feelings that most of us were there for the simple reason - to honour a great person - the late Tun Hamdan Sheikh Tahir.

It was a simple ceremony and but it was rather an emotional one for me especially when singing the national anthem and the school song. Well, I had sung it before but to sing the songs again inside the school hall after all those years, brought back all the memories.., 'suka duka' in STAR - joining at the school the tender age of 13 years ., aah those years!

After the doa, reciting of the Qoran and speeches by Dato Tajri (as the organiser), by HM Guffuri (as the host), by Tan Sri Alimuddin (DG, Min of Education) and eventually by our own Dato Dr Awang Adek Husin (as the Pengerusi fo YTH), came the handing over ceremony. There were 32 recepients - 10 students each from STAR and Sek Men Kebangsaan Iskandar Shah, Parit and 13 students from Sek Men Keb Clifford, Kuala Kangsar. Apart from STAR, the late Tun had served the 2 schools thus their inclusion for the bantuan kewangan ceremony. It was specially witnessed by Toh Puan Hajah Siti Zainab.

What an ocassion to honour a person who had devoted his life towards the betterment of the education system especially to help rural and needy students. I guessed the whole afternoon was best described and summed up by the poetry by Usman Awang ..,

Jika hari ini seorang Perdana Menteri berkuasa

Jika hari ini seorang Raja menaiki takhta

Jika hari ini seorang Presiden sebuah negara

Jika hari ini seorang ulama yang mulia

Jika hari ini seorang peguam menang bicara

Jika hari ini seorang penulis terkemuka

Jika hari ini siapa sahaja menjadi dewasa;

Sejarahnya dimulakan oleh seorang guru biasa

Dengan lembut sabarnya mengajar tulis-baca.

An excerpt from Usman Awang ... Guru O Guru (1979)

Majlis Berbuka Puasa STAROBA

Attended Majlis Berbuka Puasa STAROBA at Dewan Al-Malek Faizal, IIUM Centre For Foundation Studies, PJ last night. Almost missed out attending the iftar though. By the time I called it a day at the office yesterday, the time was already 6.15 pm. After breaking fast and maghrib prayer with family at home, I decided to proceed with my earlier plan and rushed off to PJ for the iftar.

The 2 Rahims - Rahim Othman and Rahim Ahmadi were there, so did Omar Suhaimi, Aziz Harun and of course, Rostam! Met others as well - Dato' Ishak 'Sohor', Dato' Hood Siraj, Syed Nazri, Anuair Jalil, Hj. Ahmad Tauzan, Chot, Mohammad Bahadon, Green Housemates - Kamal, Lan Sulaiman and Hamid, Hamdan (junior - principal partner of law firm - Hisham Sobri & Kadir. Also met Sokhini and Bakhtiar., just to name a few. Quite an attendance - about 130 people - old boys including family members were there to grace the event.

After solat terawih, a tazkirah cum motivation talk was given by STAROBA's very own sahibul samahah - Azlan Abdullah. Together with Omar Suhaimi, Rahim Othman, Hamid (junior), and Rostam, we stayed until almost 11.00 listening to and being serenade by Azlan Abdullah's - telling about 'his story' and his 'Beranang' days!!

Mohammad Bahadon took the opportunity to invite friends and family to his son's wedding day. Invitation card as appended.

One For The Road

Rules and Regulation of Play
1. Time of play: Anytime
2. Lady golfer is discouraged from playing with the gentleman’s balls and club before the game begins.
3. Gentleman is advise to stay away from hole under repair. However, if he wish to play the hole, he may proceed at his own risk.
4. Lady golfer can squat, sit and stand while putting. However, lying still is highly recommended.
5. Hole-in-one is discouraged at the beginning of the game as this will lead to damages of hole or club.
6. It is recommended that gentleman golfers insure their club as damages might occur during play.
7. Golfers must be in proper attire before starting game.
Ladies/Gentleman : Birthday suits

8. Kelab Golf Di Sana-sini is not responsible for any loss of balls and damaged clubs.
9. Gentleman golfer is required to check whether the hole is ready for parting by dipping middle finger into the hole.
10. Please corporate with Kelab Di Sana-sini. Lady golfer is encouraged to trim grass on the green while the gentleman must keep his club clean at all times.
11. Frequency of playing:

Age

15 to 30 : Once in the morning and once in the evening
31 to 40 : Twice a week
41 to 50 : Once a week
51 to 60 : Once a month
60 and above : Forget it ... He is crazy (still believe he can 'fly'!)

........ Crazy 1Golfer

Pengumuman

Calling All Batch '73

Majlis Berbuka Puasa

Tuesday, 15th September 2009

at TROPICANA GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB

Host: YB Dato Dr Awang Adek

Please confirm attendance

via sms to Omar Suhaimi

Handphone #012-2061714

not later than 7th Sep 09

Pengumuman

Majlis Berbuka Puasa STAROBA
akan diadakan pada hari Khamis, 10hb September, 2009
di Dewan Al Malek Faisal, Pusat Matrikulasi, UIA, di Seksyen 17 Petaling Jaya.

Semua ahli dijemput hadir.
Majlis bermula jam 7:00 petang.

Tokonang Den 10

'Cepak la! Guano mu! Nak ambek gambar ni. Oghe tok sei ready gi, dio dah siap pakai uniform!. Aziz Ha! Hang pun sama Awe jugak. Cepat le!!

That was the scene then one Sunday morning, sometime in 1970, at Green House just before the usual Sunday morning inspection. As usual, week-in week-out, every Sunday except during the school term holidays, as hostelites, dutifully and reluctantly perhaps to some, we cleaned up the hostels - the bathrooms, toilets (the one that majority of us would dread of doing), its compound and drain. By the time Mr. Sarjit Singh the warden came around to inspect, everything would have been in-placed, in tip-top condition, well at least to us!. One hardly seen Mr. Sarjit Singh smile those days. He was very disciplined and you could feel the seriousness in the manner he stared at you, the way he walked and the way he did the inspection. To have met him during the last Old Boys Weekend 2009 and chit-chatting with him, I realised that Sarjit Singh was actually a very nice person. He was merely putting up his 'act' and 'show' then just to ensure that we, as students especially Greenians, would respect him!

Everyone of us from Batch 73 in Green House were there in the picture except for the trio from Sungai Petani - Sakaf Manaf, Shoib Ismail and Radhi Majid (Arwah). Rahim Ahmad Di and Halim Shamsuddin (Dr.) were also absent. Pi mana pun tak tau!. All in all, there were 19 of us, original members of Batch 73, in Green House.

Of course, the best part on Sunday and after the inspection, for those who had extra money, was the Sunday outing. One option would be then - to most of us - going for the movies, be it cheap matinees or new shows. The favourite and most frequenting place was the Grand cinema! We were crazy on Hindustani movies then, weren't we? There were no Amitabh Bachchan or Shahrukh Khan nor Kajol or Aishwarya Rai then!. But ... yes, we were crazy like hell for Rajesh Khanna, Shashi Kapoor and Dev Anand. Even more for actresses like Sharmila Tagore, Mumtaz, Babita (Awe's favourite) and Aisha Parekh (Wan Husin's favourite - I love to hear him pronouncing the name!!). Just to name a few those were the film 'stars' - better known and more closer to our hearts then than P. Ramlee or Sarimah!. We went to see and spent our pocket money on movies like Sanggam, Meera Naam Joker, Hati Mere Sathi, Yaadon Kibarat and Raja Saab - movies that made us cry - a lot I would say - enough to make us forget our folks back home. Along the way some of us even lucky enough to befriend people like the late M Shariff of the Zurah - another character who was a Hindustani maniac!.

Kyaa tum jaanate ho? Halim Shamsuddin was one, so crazy about Hindustan and Hindustani songs then - he even bought a record player and plenty of Hindustani albums!. From the dormitory - after prep, during his free time especially on weekends - one would be able to hear Hindustani songs being played - to the full volume ... Mere man ki ganga, aur tere man ki jamuna ka, Bol Radha bol, sangam hoga ke nahin..!. Could not imangine then if we have had Kuch Kuch Hota Hai!

Of course not all were crazy and fanatic about Hindustani movies or songs. People like Mutalib and Bustamam had other interests, I was sure. Even our own Shoib was into something else! I wonder what Mat Saleh or Mad Bakar and even Rostam were doing then, on Sundays that is .., sleeping or what?

----------------------------

'Sesungguhnya adalah sunat dan mendapat pahala jika seseorang itu berbuka puasa dengan buah kurma tetapi seseungguhnya akan datanglah azab dan seksanya jika seseorang itu tertelan biji kurma ketika berbuka....'

Selamat Berbuka Puasa!

One For The Road!

From: Got These From The Internet
EANTAUTJK, Penang

Selamat Berpuasa

Marhaban Ya Ramadhan
Wahai orang-orang yang beriman! Kamu diwajibkan berpuasa sebagaimana diwajibkan atas orang-orang yang dahulu daripada kamu, supaya kamu bertaqwa. (Al-Baqarah;183)

Guys,

Selamat menjalankan ibadah puasa!!

Tokonang Den (9)

cont .....

As it turned out, Linggam was the sole candidate from Borneo to have joined us - Batch 73. Of course we had Ahmad Sharbi from Sarawak who joined us later, when we were in Form One, though he left very much earlier than expected, but Linggam was the one and only student from Sabah/Sarawak to have joined us in 1968. He could claimed that he was Sabah's best student from that Special Entrance Examination, and enabled him to study in STAR. It was a rather funny and peculiar arrangement though judging by the fact that there were more than one candidates coming from Sabah and Sarawak from previous batches and the one after, but not during our year (1967). My only guessed then was the passing marks for the Entrance Exam in 1967 was slightly higher than previous years, thus few qualified from Sabah.

Most of us also remembered Linggam as the guy who chided and made fun of Halim Daud. He caught most of us dumbfounded and guessing when he poised and asked us who was Milah?! Of course he was teasing Halim Daud, and Milah was the reverse of Halim's!.

But without the slightest doubt Linggam's prowess and strength was in sport - especially in the game of rugby. Linggam, however, was equally good in athletics especially in the throwing events - the discuss, shot putt and javelin. Familiar remarks on Linggam then - just name the target and Linggam will hit the mark!. Someone jokingly mentioned that he had a headstart in these throwing events for he had an early training back home in Sabah!! Even in the sprinting events, he sprinted and ran as if he was chasing a wild buffalo on the loose!

Reverting back to rugby, I was not sure whether Linggam captained the Perak U-16 combined school rugby team or not but together with Kutik, Che Chop Mohamad, Omar Suhaimi and Solahuddind (Batch 72) as well as Rusli Idrus and Nordin (Batch 74), they represented the school. Omar Suhaimi however had to withdraw from the squad after he broke his collarbone! A case of pure hard luck. Anyway, until today, I could not recalled the coaching and training sessions that both Mr. J A David and Mr. Robert Crayton have had with the team!. Probably due to very few schools taking part in the tournerment (the 'Linggam's factor!) there were not many sessions been organised! One think for sure though, STAR rugby was at its best, at its pinnacle and enjoyed tremendous and 'hugh' success when Mr. Hugh Whylam was in-charged. Mr. Whylam, a British Voluntary Service Officer (VSO), had such a great command and respect from the players, understanding of the game, and was very committed as a rugby teacher/coach. In fact he even even he coached the school football team.

However, despite the success shown by the likes of Kutik, Omar, Che Chop, they together with a few others from Batch 73 had to forgo their interests in the game and forget about rugby when they were in Form Five, when the organiser/authority decided to revert and switch back the game to the old system - Under 15 instead of under 16 and Under 18 instead of Under 20. It was the main reason why most of us in Batch 73 had to 'hang our boots' much earlier than expected!.

Top picture: Players representing Perak Rugger U-16 Combined School Team

Picture curtesy of Omar Suhaimi
______________

That photograph above reminded me of the fact that, during our lower forms, we actually wore shorts to class (from Remove Class until Form Three). Those with hairy legs had to endure the torment of having to wear short pants and to display their hairy legs!! Some who were smart enough would resorted to long socks (Kamarulzaman Othman was one of them). The rest would have to make do with whatever God has meant them to be! There was this guy from Green House (I forgot his name.. gosh!), 2 years our senior, having such hairy legs that wearing shorts was not the best alternative that we could asked him to do. We were not that particular and that 'islamic' then. We were not really concerned about 'aurat' then, were we? People like Mad Bakar or Saiful even Halim Daud or Azlan were lovely and nice to look at wearing shorts but definitely not others, not Linggam!. How impatiently we waited for the Lower Certificate Examination to be over, so that come Form Four, we could be wearing long pants!

Very unfortunate indeed, Linggam had to leave us after 1971. It was only three years ago when I took the opportunity and courage to contact Lingam - after all those long disappearing, silent, and 'hibernating' years. Now, whenever he made his business trip to Kuala Lumpur, we made it a point to meet - either in Kuala Lumpur or in Putrajaya. Linggam is happily married and is blessed with 5 children - three of them already married.

Picture: Linggam with his family members during his son wedding occassion

End of part 9.

One For The 'Dirty' Road!

From: Got These From The Internet

EANTAUTJK, Penang

Tokonang Den ( 8 )

Whenever I think of Linggam Sibi, I would always remember the incident that happened during our first week in school. We were totally 'alien' to each other then, still shy and very reserved - typical of kampong boys, perhaps. Anyway, on that 'fateful' day, I was seated obediently at the back of the class - Remove Class B - when the name Linggam Sibi was called out by En. Yang Razali. The very next moment, for reason best known to both of them, En. Yang Razali tried to pinch Linggam by the tummy (very typical Tan Teng Leong's style). Linggam reacted by opening up his 'silat' moves!. He totally misunderstood En. Yang's intention and had reacted as what was expected of a 'Bajau warrior' under seiged!. Nobody dared to laugh then nor ask Linggam what was all the huha about.

How can we forget his unique and stylist baju Melayu - green in color, 'wet-looked' somemore and with that 'blink-blink" features (could have easily won over AC Mizal's or Aznil Hj. Nawawi's admiration!). He really looked like a pahlawan Bajau wearing that shirt. And to tell the truth, I was a scared and worried 13-year old kid, looking at him the first time around. Linggam was big and he had that 'fierce' and 'ready-2-pow-U' looked at that time. Serious! Dead and very serious looking Linggam indeed!. Obviously, his 'serious-look' and his 'maturity' landed him the captaincy of the school rugby team.

That picture above was the school Under - 16 rugby team. Majority of the players were from Batch 73 though we still have Solahuddin (Batch 72), Rusli, Adli (Arwah), Anuar Musa (Tan Sri) and Nordin (all of them from Batch 74). Seated were of course Linggam and Kutik. Can you imagine Mr. J. A David coaching us rugby?!.

If I am not mistaken, ours was the first time ever when the inter-Remove class game of rugby was introduced. It was the brainchild of Mr. Kok Kee Chye, who wanted the school to constantly produce rugby players - good, 'star' quality players, I would say. My first reaction then when Shafri Man (Dato) and Alias Shaarani came over to the class and told us about the game and the match, was anything but excited. Rugby? Never heard of this game before! What the heck was these guys talking about!?

The team was selected and trained under Shafri and Alias. I can't remember who was in-charged of Remove Class A though. But one thing for sure, having Linggam in the same team as you are, was not only a blessing in disguise but it was as if you have struck a lottery! We escaped the endure of having to tackle him. Linggam at the time was bigger than the rest of us. And since 'size does matter'.., at least in rugby, it was really a plus point for us in Remove Class B. Of course, Remove Class A team was not to be belittled. They had Kutik but having Linggam was something extra!. Of course, there were other prominent and potential rugby players in the making as well then - Radhi Majid (HM Khalid called him 'the Black Panther!'), Hassan Said (Prof Dato'), Ismail Ibrahim, Omar Suhaimi, Mat Nor, Ismail Don , Yuri, Tomo, Rahim, Che Chop, Lan Chik, Khairuddin (Wak) and even Wan Manshol!. What can I say of Wak Khairuddin? He may not be a handsome guy then, but on the field, as a scrumhalf, Wak flew like a butterfly!

Ipoh rugby then (probably Perak as well) witnessed the arrival of Linggam in manner that has never been before!. Linggam took the world of rugby in Perak by storm. He was the Jonah Lomu of yesteryear. He would ran amok on the field. Running from one end of the field to another. He terrorised the opposing team so much so that as team mates you could not helped but felt lucky that you played along side him and not the opposite. I was sure that those guys who had been tackled by Linggam or tried to tackle Linggam would have rather 'di timpa balak' instead. Deo gratias! In almost every game that we played, the scores were all above the centuries! Thanks to Linggam!

Linggam was also a school cadet band member and played the bass drum. The softie and romantic side of Linggam!. And guess what, the teacher who was in-charge of the school cadet band then was none other - En. Yang Razali!!

... to be continued