Seen This Man? There Was a Woman Too...

This is the photo-fit of the suspect who abducted 5 year-old Nini (Sharlinie Mohd Nashar).

If you see him, please call RakanCop at 03-21159999 or call her parents: Suraya Ahmad at 016-2709096 or Mohd Nashar at 016-2583450.

I'm just hoping that people don't make crank calls. As you know, not everyone is good and thoughtul and considerate and kind....


UPDATE:
A commenter drew my attention to a report in the Star and pointed out that this man may not figure in the abduction. Still...I think we cannot rule out anything.

According to the Star, Nini's 8 year-old sister, Sharliena said that a woman had taken Nini and led her to a black car.
Sharliena, who was with Nini when she went missing at 11am on Wednesday, told the press how she saw a woman bribing “Nini” with sweets.

The rest of the story:
After much persuasion by the press prior to the press conference, she described the woman as having shoulder-length hair and wearing “high heels.”
“Dia bagi Nini gula-gula. Dia suruh Nini masuk kereta kat tepi jalan (She gave Nini sweets and asked her to enter the car by the roadside).
“Nini jerit sikit. Dia tarik Nini masuk kereta hitam. (Nini screamed a bit. She pulled Nini into the black car),” she said.
Asked if she knew who the woman was, she replied, “Tak kenal (Don't know).”

5,000 Posters Up and a RM5,000 Reward For Info on Missing Nini

Five year-old Sharlinie Mohd Nashar is still out there somewhere with her captors. Strangers to the little girl. Evil people. But let's pray they are not and that they will find it in their heart to release her safely to her family in Petaling Jaya.

Because Nini is asthmatic.

According to her 28 year-old mother, Suraya Ahmad, Nini needs medication three times a day.

Meanwhile, efforts are underway to find her using posters to be put up in various places in Petaling Jaya.
Some 5,000 poster will be put up.
And, accoding to Bernama, Deputy Tourism Minister Donald Lim Siang Chai who launched the poster campaign yesterday (Thursday), has offered RM5,000 in reward to individuals who could provide information that would lead to her being found safe.

"I hope that with this reward, members of the public will come forward with information so that Nini will be reunited with her family," he told the Press.

Nini who was abducted at a playground near her home in Taman Medan in PJS at about 11am on Wednesday.

Here's Bernama's report about her ashtma.

Suraya said:"Nini has asthma since she was small and we have been taking her to the clinic for treatment... but there are times when her condition become worse and we have to take her to the University of Malaya Medical Centre."

She was met at a joint news conference by Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan and Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil on the matter yesterday (Thursday).

Sharlinie's Father Mohd Nashar Mat Hussain, 29, said he received numerous text messages about his daughter.

"The latest message, about 10am, said that my daughter was at a bus stop in Butterworth, Pulau Pinang," he said.

I pray that Nini is still alive, and safe.

Remember, folks, that 8 year-old Arwah Nurin Jazlin Jazimin whom the nation had failed, was killed by person/persons still at large.

Do take care of your kids. I know it is so terrible that we have to constantly be doing that when in fact, it should be alright that they can be let loose near our own home, in our own neighbourhood.

I know that nowhere is really crime-free, even in the safest of neighbourhoods, but to have that tangible sense that everywhere (including your own home -- remember Preshena) is a dangerous place, is so disheartening, worrying. So awful to be so paranoid.
What a way to live our lives!

ALERT: CHILD MISSING IN PETALING JAYA

Look out for this little girl.


NAME: SHARLINIE MOHD NASHAR / SHE ANSWERS TO THE NAME "NINI"
AGE: 5
HEIGHT: 3 FT 2 INCHES
DESCRIPTION: SLIGHT BUILD, ROUND FACE, TANNED COMPLEXION
LAST SEEN WEARING STRIPED LIGHT BLUE-WHITE SLEEVELESS TOP, LIGHT BLUE SHORT SKIRT AND PINK SLIPPERS, AROUND 11AM AT PLAYGROUND NEAR HER HOUSE IN TAMAN DATO HARUN, PJS AREA.

IF YOU SEE A CHILD FITTING THIS DESCRIPTION (PARTICULARLY IN VERY SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES) PLEASE CALL RAKANCOP AT 03-21159999, SURAYA (016-2709096) OR MOHD NASHAR (016-2583450)

Little Nini disappeared on the eve of Muharram yesterday while playing about 200 metres from her house.
This happened less than 48 hours after 6 year-old Nur Fateha Zaidi was abducted by a man on a motorcycle in neighbouring Desa Sepakat.

Nur Fateha was found in Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur, three hours after she was abducted by the man at the Seri Manja Flats, after he could not persuade her to follow him to look for his cat.
Another version was that he wanted to take her "to see some cats and birds".

(The location where Nur Fateha was found is where 8 year-old Nurin Jazlin Jazimin disappeared last Aug 2o.)

Let's hope and pray that Nini is returned safely to her family.

We know what her parents, Mohd Nashar Mat Hussein, 29 and Suraya Ahmad, 28 are going through.

According to Press reports, police are not ruling out the possibility that the “Kampung Baru molester” – the man responsible for the cruel killing of Nurin– could have abducted Nini.

Read how she went missing here and here.

Selamat Menyambut Maal Hijrah!

We also call it Awal Muharram.

Tomorrow is the start of the year 1429 in the Muslim calendar. Muharam coincides with Prophet Muhammad's (SAW) journey from Mecca to Medina which was on the first of Muharram in 622AD.

It is a blessed day!

PEACE!

The English Language, Patriotism and.....Bloggers

Well, I can't help it. Sometimes I forget she's royalty and I think that's fine with her, and with me.

When you're in the company of Raja Zarith Sofia you think you'd be talking about all that glitters and glitzy stuff? About that RM20,000 LV bag or that to-die-for Prada bag?
Fat hopes. Of course, this is not to infer that she has no opinion about these, er, classy stuff. She does.
However, more often than not, she'll take you on about the affairs of the world and the plight of the poor. Now, that would be after she tells you about what's happening in her "home" state of Johor such as the horrible floods that made scores of people homeless.
(The quotation marks needed because she is from Kuala Kangsar, Perak. Johor being the state of her husband, Johor's Tengku Mahkota.)
And no...she does not speak to impress anyone.
You know that it is from the heart.

The last we talked which was yesterday at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in Bangi, we touched on Malaysian politicians. Another time before this, we talked (in the presence of Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf who is founder of ASMA or the American Sufi Muslim Association and also Imam of New York's Masjid Al-Farah as well as author "What's Right With Islam"), about Islam, global perception of Islam and extremism.

And she was right at home giving her two cents worth.

Yesterday, Raja Zarith gave a public lecture on "Going Global:The Use of The English Language in 21st Century Malaysia" at UKM, Bangi.
The lecture was organised by the university's faculty oif Language Studies and Linguistics of which she is Royal Fellow.
She holds an MA (Oxon) in Chinese Studies.

In her speech, she said that learning English had nothing to do with glorifying our British colonial past.
"It has nothing to do with us being less nationalistic or patriotic."

Raja Zarith Sofia also said that we do not have to fear the English language. Studying the language won't change us from being Malaysian to being pseudo-English or pseudo-American.

Offerring herself as an example, she said she is a product of both the Malaysian and Englsih school systems.

"I didn't dye my hair blonde, I haven't started using blue or green contact lenses. I wear my baju kurung with a great sense of pride".

Bernama has the story here.

But what Bernama did not include was her take on blogs and bloggers with regards to the use of the English language in this century.

She acknowledges Malaysian bloggers and their reach - far and wide -- using English as their tool to communicate.
"As most of us are aware, for good or bad, we too have many bloggers -- ranging from ex-journalists who write about political and social issues, usually courting what is controversial, to the young housewife who tells us about her daily life, her children and,during Ramadhan, what she had cooked for the breaking of fast, as well as for "sahur", complete with colourful photos.
"It remains undeniable that blogging cannot be dismissed easily as just a new fad or a new trend of rumours and allegations".
Quoting Thomas L Friedman, she said a new blog is created every seven seconds.

"Technorati says there are more than 24 million blogs already and the number is growing at about 70,000 a day, doubling every five months -- from Iraqi bloggers who give their own take on news from the front, to bloggers who follow and critique golf-ourse architecture, to poker bloggers, investment bloggers, to just plain you and me bloggers."

"Writing as Malaysians for a mainly Malaysian audience or readership, why should Malaysian bloggers bother to write in English?" she asks.

And asserts: "Perhaps the reason to write in English is to get a wider readership. The borderless internet world that we are part of means that we can no longer afford to be the proverbial Malay katak bawah tempurung or the ignorant little frog hidden beneath the coconut shell. We have to try and be bigger frogs who are no longer ignorant and who are merely satisfied with that little world beneath the boring coconut shell. We can still argue and discuss local issues but let's be more daring and confident, and take our place in the global, blogal world."

Well.....indeed. Indeed. MarinaM, Rocky, Shar101 and I were there.
I don't know about them but I did fidget in my seat.

And that's Raja Zarith Sofia. Not your ordinary princess.

(Raja Zarith has a column "Mind Over Matter" in The Sunday Star. She used to be columnist - "On Common Ground" - for The Sunday Mail.)

Tuesdays With Bapak

Tokoh Bapak - January 8 2008

This Saturday, Bapak will receive the Tokoh Wartawan Dunia Melayu 2008.
I'm always amazed at how titles (of awards) are coined.
Whatever will they think of next?

The award was conceived and is presented by the Former Berita Harian Journalists' Association (Persatuan Bekas Wartawan Berita Harian Malaysia).

For Bapak, it is a gesture of appreciation by his "boys and girls". some of whom had worked with him those early years in Berita Harian when he was helming the fledgling (but rapidly growing) Malay newspaper.

For Bapak, receiving awards and titles, especially at this stage in his life, is unimportant. Not that he never appreciated those given to him. It's just that titles and awards are not something he craved for. But those that were bestowed on him, he graciously accepted. Of course. That is our "adat".

The award from the association --being given to him now -- is an exception because it is by people who had worked with him and who have known him for a very long time.

That means they were intimate with Bapak's eccentricities and idiosyncracies which had assumed legendary proportion over the years. Of course, only to be softened in old age.

For having endured Bapak's temperament all those years, his boys and girls should be awarded, don't you think?

I have often told this story about why I had chosen to work as a journalist at the NST.
I could honestly say: "It was personal". In a big way it was.

I could have chosen another better-paying profession given the truth that journalism (then) did not pay as well as, say advertising or PR. But really, there was no choice for me. Rather, it was a natural choice. Besides, I did not want it any other way.

The world of newspapers (and the Straits Times was the world of newspapers back then) had become familiar to me by the time I reached maturity and was ready to make a career choice.

As a little girl in the 60s, I (and Kak Eda) would accompany Mak as she drove our Opel to Pudu Road to fetch Bapak from work, usually about 9 or 10pm.
Then called the StraitsTimes, it was housed in quite an imposing building along Pudu Road near the Chinese Maternity Hospital.

Mak would take the federal highway (then just two-laned) and through Jalan Lornie (I think) and on to Foch Avenue in KL town before reaching Pudu.

It was a pretty long ride because I remember (sometimes) falling asleep throughout the trip to Pudu.

Bapak would take us to his office on weekends, usually before our visits to the Federal Book Store (in Brickfields, I think) to buy our story books.

I remember insisting on having something to eat at the canteen everytime he took us to his office.
No matter how full I was, I would ask for my favourite noodle dish --hailam mee.

The journalists -- reporters and subs -- became familiar faces to me over the years. In my teens, I'd be serving them coffee or whatever, whenever they came over our house to hold discussions with Bapak, or during Hari Raya.

I know I liked going to the Straits Times in Pudu and later, at Jalan Riong, because the office "never sleeps".
There were always people at work, anytime of the day and night. The office was never ever dark. There was life 24/7. I remember thinking I would never have to worry about working late, alone.

Journalists would understand Bapak's passion and love for journalism, for the newspaper world. It was his world.

Bapak has expressed his appreciation in being given the Tokoh Wartawan Dunia Melayu 2008.
But Bapak will not be able to receive the award at Armada Hotel in Petaling Jaya as he is too frail to be there.

A daughter will accept the award on his behalf.

But really, if you ask him why he cannot be there, he'll tell you that it is because the event will be held in a no-smoking room.

"Aku nak rokok susah..." But don't you believe him!

UPDATE:

Actually, Bapak is one of 8 individuals to be named Tokoh Wartawan Dunia Melayu 2008. The association named 2 from Malaysia, 2 from Singapore, 2 from Brunei and 2 from Indonesia.
The other Malaysian recipient is Mazlan Nordin.

One Year Already...

and I had not realised I had gone this far.....so to speak. And this long (an exaggeration, of course).

But, well, it has been exactly a year since I first started 3540 Jalan Sudin.
I was reminded (of this) by Ahirudin Attan (Rocky's Bru) who left a "happy first anniversary" wish in the comment box of my earlier posting ("Oh Dear, Radzi).

I still remember the night of January 7, 2007 at the now-closed-down Austin Chase at Bangsar Shopping Centre, KL. when Rocky cajoled me to resume blogging.
He was, I think a little disappointed that I had not been taking his suggestion seriously.
I blamed it on plain and simple inertia.
Rocky helped me get started on my very first blog some time in June 2006, about three months after I quit NST.
My first blog was called "Seri Mendahiling" but it went dead, in the same way my brain went "dead" after just one little posting.

Ok...to cut the story short -- 3540 Jalan Sudin was born on Jan 7 2007. And there was no looking or turning back.

Now, don't get me started on the friends I have made through blogging!

So....here I am. Staying right here.
Thank you, my friends, for visiting me....and connecting.

Oh dear, Radzi....

It's no secret that Umno secretary-general Radzi Sheikh Ahmad wants Shahidan Kassim to be replaced as Perlis MB as he is no longer effective in bringing progress to the state. He has overstayed. Besides, Radzi says that Shahidan is the cause of serious factionalism in Perlis Umno.

Radzi who is also Home Minister, is himself a son of Perlis. So he can talk. But he holds no post in the State Umno.

Shahidan who has been MB since 1995, is a little hurt by Radzi's remarks and criticisms but is not bothered (by them). He thinks Radzi should take care of the Umno headquarters and all that, and let him take care of the state. Shahidan has got a lot of things to say about Radzi too.

That's politics. And in teeny weeny state of Perlis.

But all that aside, NST journalist Farrah Naz Karim, had a brief Q&A with Radzi about his very public feud with his fellow state-mate (in the New Sunday Times today).
Radzi has no intention of becoming the next Perlis MB. Of course.
In the interview, he names (Natural Resources and Environment Minister) Azmi Khalid as the (right) man for the job.

Why?
Now, this is what irks me -- his remarks as to why he thinks Azmi is so.

Here's an excerpt of Farrah's interview:

F: It is obvious that you feel that Shahidan should be out. Who would you want to be the replacement?

R: (Datuk Seri) Azmi Khalid. He's got a young wife.

F: What has that got to do with anything?

R: She can promote Perlis well.

Hmmm. What can I, or do I, make of that statement?
Is he serious? If he was, he should have explained further.
Yeah, I wish he'd explain why he thinks so.
I am tempted to take the statement at face value which means that it is an inane statement.
Or, am I supposed to read deeper into that? More inane, maybe.

"She can promote Perlis well" because she is.... young?
So, pray tell us -- how being a young wife -- and in this case, Azmi's "young" wife* -- can help in promoting the state well.

Because I'd like to know. I'd like to learn.

That statement is as fatuous and tired as any sexist remark.

(The "young" wife is 43 year-old former TV3 personality Normala Shamsuddin. Azmi, 66, married her in August 2005. His first wife, Yasmin Abdullah died that same year in March after a two year battle with cancer.)

Leadership and Morality

NST writer Aniza Damis interviewed Mohd Tap Salleh, president of Integrity Insitute of Malaysia for his views on what constitutes morality in our leaders and what rights we, as citizens of the country, have over them. This is, of course, in the wake of the resignation from public and political office, of Chua Soi Lek after he admitted to be the man in a sex DVD..

Mohd Tap says that leaders must lead because the citizens have surrendered their rights to the government and leadership to manage and regulate what citizens should and shouldn't do.
Therefore, people who are in leadership must be exemplary in their code of conduct and their moral standards.
They must be seen to be not only white, but whiter than white, he said.
When you occupy that position, you have to satisfy the people's trust in you and you have to have certain ethical and moral standards which you cannot compromise.

People do have the right to expect a lot from you, as a leader. And there is no difference between private morality and public morality.
In essence, if you have chosen to take that office (of public trust), there are established standards of morality you have to unequivocally uphold and maintain.

What Chua did (to resign) was expected of him. It was not extraordinary. But many people think it was so fantastic (of him). Not really. He had no choice in the matter.
Some people thought it was such a big deal perhaps because, in the past, there were leaders who had compromised their public office by acts of corruption but took a very long time to resign, or never at all. So, in that scenario, what Chua did seemed so magnanimous.

Indeed, Mohd Tap said that the public has the right to condemn any act of corruption, transgression or misdemeanour on the part of their leaders because we have surrendered some portion of our rights to them.
So, we expect exemplary behaviour from them.
Society has the right to judge (its leaders).
There is no such thing as "I am doing this in my private capacity".

Hey, we are only human. And human beings are not infallible, But when you, as a leader, made a mistake or erred and therefore tarnishes the public office and service you represent, you have to answer to that and be accountable.

Yep....you cannot have your cake and eat it at the same time.
And sorry, all you politicians or civil servants (who are at the service of the public), when you are caught with your pants or skirts down, you cannot turn around and slap that "holier-than-thou so don't judge me" line on others.

It is an issue of ethical leadership by example -- something we all have to believe in but many have chosen to forget!

Here's the full interview.
I'd certainly recommend this to be read by our leaders. Seriously.

"People Were Suspicious of Me": Chua

Chua Soi Lek who resigned from his government and party posts after admitting that he was the guy in a sex DVD, believes that he was done in by his political foes.
He was Health Minister, MCA vice-president and Labis Member of Parliament.
Chua believes that "a lot" of people became suspicious of what they saw as his over-the-top commitment to his ministerial duties.
He told an unscheduled media conference at the Health Ministry where he was packing up his personal belongings, that his "biggest mistake ever since coming to KL is to fulfil my duties as the Health Minister and as MCA vice-president".
He said his visits to health facilites, including hospitals across the country and meeting with MCA grassroots members gave rise to speculations that he had a political agenda, making him a target for people to bring him down politically.
Chua believes that "a lot of people" were very suspicious of his movements, "accusing" him of being ambitious.
This also gave rise to speculations in the Press that he was mounting a challenge against the MCA top leadership.

"The press helped to kill me, to be honest...so the truth is that the pen is mightier than the sword," he said.

Who are his political foes?
"People who are suspicious of me are the people who will gain from being suspicious of me.

He said the video-taping of his tryst in the hotel room with his "personal friend" was not due to business rivalry because he is not a businessman.

"It has nothing to do with business because I am not involved in business...it has nothing to do with money because nobody has asked me for money...so the rest I leave it to the people.

"Who are my enemies, I really don't know. But I am a politician and politicians will have enemies and supporters, this nobody can deny.

"But as I have already said I am not going to pursue this (taping and circulation of the DVD) because it will never end. I don't even know who did it."

Chua Soi Lek Resigns...

Here's the Bernama story:

MCA Vice-President Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek has resigned as Health Minister, and from all party posts as well as MP for Labis, with immediate effect.

Full story here.

I was at the Lake Club in KL having coffee (apres le dejeuner) with Rocky when we met a couple of media friends.

I told them that they are having a field day with ready page one stories, in reference to Chua Soi Lek and the sex video scandal.
They smiled knowingly.
One of those things about newspaperism. Making "great" stories from other people's pain, misery and misfortune. To be fair -- other people's joy, happiness and fortune too.

Before I could say anything, my friend said: "He has resigned."

"What? Ahead of the presidential meeting?", I asked.

"Yes...he's calling for a media conference in a while to announce his decision. The MCA emergency meeting is at 5pm," my friend replied.

I don't know whether to be surprised by Chua's turnaround. In a way, I kind of expected him to do that.

Rocky wondered aloud at this change in Chua's decision.

"Oh...well....another page one, huh?" I remarked.

If you ask me, I think it is the right decision. Besides it will save the MCA leadership further problem and complication with regards to his position in the party. Saves the party further embarrassment. Also, saves the Prime Minister the problem of having to announce his sacking from his Cabinet post. Because, frankly, I don't see the PM having a choice in this.

I wish Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek all the best. I know this is a real fix-up job to really do him in. Political intrigue. Not exclusive to the MCA, let me tell you.
I think he knows who is/are behind all this.
And Dr Chua -- have a word with the hotel management!

Chua Soi Lek - What Happens Now?

MCA leaders meet today to discuss the position of Dr Chua Soi Lek who is a party vice-president. He is also Health Minister.
Dr Chua is the man in the Batu Pahat sex video. He admitted so. And the woman in
question is his personal friend.
He has apologised to everyone -- his wife and family, the Prime Minister, his colleagues in the party and Cabinet, his supporters and, of course, Malaysians.
His wife, Wong Sek Hin, in a statement, said that the family "has accepted his regret and apology".
I'm not sure if that means she has forgiven him.
Dr Chua, who is also Johor MCA chairman said yesterday that he had met with MCA president Ong Ka Ting and the PM who is Umno president and Barisan Nasional chairman.
Dr Chua said that he will not resign from his positions in the party and government.
The MCA convenes an emergency presidential meeting today to discuss this very important matter.
So, we'll see later what the outcome is.
Will the party ask for his resignation because his careless act has tarnished the party and the government he represents?
You know, being rumoured to be having an affair is quite different from being caught in the act for all and sundry to see, even if it was not you who recorded the sex act.

Or will the party forgive, and forget. Let bygones be bygones. After all, his wife and family has accepted his apology and regret.

More importantly, what action will the PM take? Remove Chua from the Cabinet, or retain him?
Is he taking the cue from the MCA?

Chua's sexual escapades aside, I'd like to say that if I were him, I'd want to know who was/were behind the video-taping of the sex romp in the Batu Pahat hotel?
I'd also take the hotel to task. I'd want to know if the hotel is part of the whole scheme or if its employees were involved.
I smell a rat. I know he does too.

Well...what a beginning to a new year!
This is the first time a Cabinet Minister in Malaysia has ever appeared or been caught in a sex video.

And oh, before I forget -- Happy 61st Birthday, Dr Chua!

Tuesdays With Bapak

Another New Year -- January 1 2008

Bapak was lying in his bed watching TV3's new year's eve concert. Jamal Abdillah was on.
Mak Cik was with him.

As I walked towards the bed, he looked up. He smiled. His cheeks seemed less hollow now.

"Dari mana?", he asked.

"Tak ada dari mana-mana. Dari living room nak nonton TV dengan Bapak," I replied, making myself comfortable at one end of his bed, beside Mak Cik.

Earlier, Terry, my brother-in-law (Azah's husband) emerged from Bapak's room sounding very upbeat, saying that Bapak was sharp and alert.

He had a great conversation with Bapak whose memory of the past was clear and lucid. And Bapak was singing a song, presumably his favourite "Semalam di Malaya". Terry was not sure, though.

We always like it when Bapak is sharp and alert, clear and lucid. Occasions such as this mean a lot to us because we know that age has long caught up with Bapak. ,

There are times, when he is clear and lucid, sharp and alert, I'd just ask him about his past experiences. I'd also ask him about his beliefs and views. I want to see if he still remains firm in his belief with regards to journalism, political (including his ISA detention) and socio-political matters.
I think he has mellowed a bit. Old age,I think has softened him.

Just the other day when Hindraf's Uthayakumar was detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA), I asked him whether he thought the ISA should have been invoked against the man.

"No. They can detain him But not under the ISA," he said.

"They think he is a threat to national security," I said.

"Yah kah?....Even so," he replied.

"Do you consider yourself a threat to national security when you were detained under the ISA back then?", I asked.

"No.oo...", he replied, his cheeks hollowed for some minutes as his "no" remained prolonged.

"You were wrongly detained. For five years you were incarcerated. You think the government owes you an apology?" I asked.

"I don't know. I have never asked for one," he said, a little bit amused by all these questions.

I have never hidden the fact that I believe the ISA has largely been abused by politicians in power against people they deem are a threat to their positions, not to the country. Or misused by the authorities as a convenient piece of legislation to act against people they deem as trouble makers.

Bapak thought so too.

At least old age has not not changed his views on that.

So I asked Bapak if he liked Jamal Abdillah who seems to be still very popular and has that oomph as a singer.

"Boleh-lah...", he said, not exactly impressed.

"Lagi bagus Sharifah Aini." Oh Bapak!

So...here's a happy new year from Bapak. And we are so happy he is still with us.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

May 2008 be a better year for everyone!

A new beginning. Or a continuation of a good thing.

Whatever it is -- make the new year a better and blessed one.

Peace, Always.

Benazir's 19 year-old Son Takes Over....

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, predictably, affirms the Bhutto dynasty in Pakistan when he took over as the Pakistan's People's Party ceremonial leader, in accordance with his slain mother's last wishes.
The PPP also named Benazir Bhutto's widowed husband, Asif Zardari, as the executor of its day-to-day affairs.
This means that the elder Zardari is expected to run the party until his son completes his university studies at Oxford.

Bilawal, a history student at te British university, has two younger sisters.

"The party's long struggle for democracy will continue with renewed vigor," he said, in a light British-accented English.

"My mother always said democracy is the best revenge."

Benazir. a former Prime Minister of Pakistan, was assassinated on Thursday as she was waving to the crowd during a rally in Rawalpindi.

Meanwhile, Pakistani officials say the country's parliamentary elections will most likely be delayed by several weeks.

A senior government official and an official from Pakistan's Election Commission said Monday there will most likely be a delay of at least four weeks following unrest that swept the country following Bhutto's assassination.

A final decision on the matter will be made during a meeting of the Election Commission Tuesday.

Frankly, what can Bilawal's ascension to the throne do to make things better for the party and for Pakistan?
Well, I suppose that's the way the cookie crumbles in Pakistan.
Good luck, Pakistan.
And a Happy, Better and Peaceful New Year!

Benazir Bhutto 1953 -2007

May she rest in Peace.
May there be peace in Pakistan!

"The former Pakistani Prime Minister who was daughter of an executed president and prime minister, was killed in a gun and suicide bombing attack Thursday in Rawalpindi.

The 54-year-old was a fixture in Pakistani politics and was twice elected prime minister, becoming the Muslim world's first female prime minister. She returned to Pakistan two months ago to run in the upcoming elections. She had lived in self-imposed exile since 1999 when she fled corruption charges."

I met (as in a fleeting greeting in 1989) Bhutto when she was Pakistani Prime Minister attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) which KL hosted that year.

I was in the NST team. The conference was held at PWTC and security was very high. I was not the only journalist who managed to nod our heads when she past by en route to the hall. There were others but not many who were there "at the right time and right place" when she and her delegation made their entrance to the hall.

I think some of the journalists were quite awed by her "presence".

I am remembering a book I read years ago in Singapore. Hardcover "Benazir Bhutto: Daughter of the East".

When I was in Pakistan in 2005 for a working visit, I met many Pakistanis -- students and intellectuals, young and old.
They all had one hope -- a better, far better Pakistan.

Al-Fatihah.

Apologies...

My sincere apologies for not posting a segment of Tuesdays With Bapak this week.
To aMiR -- I'd like to assure you that nothing untoward happened.
It had been an exceptionally busy week, really. Work and play.

Thank you. And once again, my sincere apologies.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYBODY!

PEACE and GOD BLESS!

Ladies, Be Careful & Stay Alert...

I am used to going home late. Or rather -- early. In the wee hours of the morning.
When I was at the NST, the news editors would take turns to do late OC (officer-in-charge) duty. I don't know whether the shifts have changed. But when I was there, the late duty was 4pm to midnight. You did not usually get to go home at midnight, though. This, that and the other and you'd only be able to leave just before 1am. Sometimes later.

Of course, these days, it's not work that keeps me back late. Usually it's dinner or khenduri at Bapak's or any of my sibling's home that's to be blamed. Or some celebration with friends.
So, I am very used to being on the road in the wee small hours.

This morning was one of those times.
Yesterday, Dino Herrerra decided to invite a few friends to the Commonwealth Club at Damansara Heights for drinks to celebrate Rocky's birthday (which happened to fall on Hari Raya Aidil Adha).
He told us to be at the club by 8.30pm.
I managed to be be there about 9pm. Stephen and his wife, Anna and birthday boy Rocky were already there. Then, Bernard and Tony came.

They played pool and snooker. Had a bit of makan. Chat and chat. And it was already midnight.
By the time we got to leave it was almost 1am.
Bernard and Tony who always go for a good supper suggested we head for Penang Nasi Kandar in Taman Tun Dr Ismail for nasi lemak.
Now, if it was anywhere else, I'd take a rain check but it was in my neighbourhood. So, no problem.

I was the last to reach there. But something happened on my way to supper.

In all those early morning drives home, I had never experienced any trouble. I am always alert and very careful.
My antennas are up. I always check out any vehicle near me. Always exercise caution at traffic lights. Have got my cellphone ready, just in case. I know where the nearest police station is....

At about 1am, I was at the Pizza Hut traffic lights at the entrance of TTDI.
Mine was the only car there but I did notice a lone motorcyclist behind my car.
In fact, I noticed the motorcyclist when I passed the Bukit Kiara Muslim cemetery. But I did not suspect anything.

I turned into the road infront of Penang Nasi Kandar and drove not too slowly, keeping to the left and then turned on the left-turn signal light. Just before turning, I noticed the motorcyclist who was at first behind on the left and then on my right.
He overtook me, came close and kept giving a thumbs-up sign for which I had no idea what it was. He passed me but when I turned a sharp left into the lane to get to the restaurant, he U-turned from where he was and followed me.
I had no idea why.
I was alone, he must have thought.
What he did not know was that Rocky, Bernard, Tony, Stephen and Anna were waiting for me.
As I past them, I wound down my window and told them that the guy behind me was following me.
And as I turned into an available parking bay, the motorcyclist went past me and stopped his motorbike in front. By then, Rocky and Stephen were already making their way towards me, and him

I think the guy must have been shocked to see a 6-footer (Rocky) and a ....er er okay-lah macho-looking Stephen going straight to him.

I got out and asked him why he was following me. Anyway...he had to deal with Rocky and Stephen who asked him the same.
He said I was not driving properly.
That was impossible. I was driving okay. I was not speeding. I was not mabuk or anything like that. (Coke lights surely could not have dulled my senses). In fact, my senses were sharp.
Well.... he was wrong. Very wrong.
He told Rocky and Stephen it was not their business and his "problem" was with me because I was the one who was driving.
I said okay, talk to me but what was the problem. I was driving okay. I did not knock into him or his machine and he did not knock into my car.
So what was the problem.
Rocky told him that if there was nothing else, he should leave.
He was ranting away...So, Stephen broke into Tamil. The ranting continued.
It was pretty heated. In a bit, a younger man on motorcycle appeared.
Apparently, he was the other guy's son.
Stephen spoke to the younger man, also in Tamil. Rocky spoke ..in English and Malay.

Some heated 10 minutes later, the "son" apologised. So did he.

We all sat for supper. I had teh tarik kurang manis. Pinched a bit of Rocky's roti canai.
Tony and Bernard were tucking into nasi lemak and sop kambing. Tony had sotong and fried chicken to go with his nasi lemak. Bernard also had three "telor tiga-suku masak" . Stephen had a tiga-suku masak boiled egg. Anna was enjoying the sop kambing.

Back to the earlier episode with that motorcyclist.
I told the guys I was not at all afraid. Not because they were all there. But I was very prepared.

That guy was following me. He thought I was heading straight. As he was overtaking me, he did not see my left-hand signal. So he had to turn back when I turned into the lane.

If I had no supper plans and was heading home, would he have followed me?
Could it have been worse?
Well, I know that I'd speed off and head for the police station near my house.

Rocky said a relative of his was extorted by a group of men some time ago. A motorcyclist fell in front of her car as she was driving.
Although she did not knock him down, she stopped to ask how he was. Then, a few men appeared and suggested quite threateningly that she pay him.
She had her grandchildren in the car and feared for their safety as well.
She had no time to think about anything else. She had RM200 on her and gave it to the guy.
That's extortion.

I don't want to impute motive but, could it have been worse for me if I had gone straight home?
I know one thing, I won't be taking chances.,

SALAM AIDIL ADHA!

Tomorrow December 20 is Eid-ul-Adha or Hari Raya Aidil Adha.
It is also known as Hari Raya Qurban.

The Qurban is a ritual performed after the completion of the Haj.
This is to remember Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his elder son, Ismail when Allah commanded him to do so as a test of his commitment to his faith. At the last moment, Allah replaced a ram in place of Ismail.

Eid-ul-Adha is different from Eid-ul-Fitr or Hari Raya Aidilfitri (Hari Raya Puasa), which falls on the first of Syawal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar.
Aidilfitri marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting.
It is a day of victory for Muslims for having successfully completed the fast.

Here is wishing everyone a HAPPY AIDIL-ADHA!

PEACE, brothers and sisters!