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This blogspot is a medium to share my thoughts and adventures apart from promoting my books. Below are the books which have been written or authored and published by myself.


"Berpetualang ke Aceh: Mencari Diri dan Erti".

ISBN 983-42031-0-1, Jun 2006


"Berpetualang ke Aceh: Membela Syiar yang Asal"

ISBN 983-42031-1-x, May 2007


"Berpetualang ke Aceh: Sirih Pulang ke Gagang?"

ISBN 978-983-42031-2-2, November 2007


It is interesting to note that while these books were written in Malay it has gained enough attention to merit being part of the collections of the American Library of Congress and National Library of Australia. Look here and here.


While the first three books were published by my own company, the fourth titled "Rumah Azan" was published in April 2009 by a company called Karnadya with the help of the Malaysian national literary body Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka. It features beautiful pictures along with stories behind selected mosques which could be related to the history of Islam and the Malays alongside the formation of the Malaysian nation. Look at the article A collaboration of old collegemates - the book "Rumah Azan".


My fifth book "Ahlul Bait (Family) of Rasulullah SAW and Malay Sultanates", an English translation and adaptation of the Malay book "Ahlul Bait (Keluarga) Rasulullah SAW dan Kesultanan Melayu" authored by Hj Muzaffar Mohamad and Tun Suzana Othman was published early 2010. Look here... My 5th book is out! Ahlul Bait (Family) of Rasulullah SAW and the Malay Sultanates... . For more information check out my Malay blogspot CATATAN SI MERAH SILU.



Like my fourth book "Rumah Azan", the sixth book "Kereta Api Menuju Destinasi" is also a coffee-table book which is published by the company Karnadya with the cooperation of Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (the main Malay literary body in Malaysia). Coming out January 2011 it features pictures and stories on the adventure travelling by train to all of Peninsular Malaysia along with the interesting places which could be reached this way.


My seventh book "Jejak keluarga Yakin : Satu sketsa sejarah" in turn is a coffee-table book which is written, editted, designed and has pictures taken by me. Coming out of the factory October 2011, this book which combines family history with history of places such as Singapura, Johor, Batu Pahat, Muar and in fact the history of the island of Java and England has been reviewed with me interviewed live in the program Selamat Pagi Malaysia at RTM1. Look at the article Siaran langsung ulasan buku "Jejak keluarga Yakin : Satu sketsa sejarah" dan temu ramah di Selamat Pagi Malaysia. Some selected contents have been featured in Sneak peek "Jejak keluarga Yakin : Satu sketsa sejarah".


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The "Berpetualang ke Aceh" series of novels could be obtained in e-book form. Enter http://www.e-sentral.com/, click general novel and go to page 4. You can also type the word "Aceh" at the search box. Or click straight Book 1, Book 2 and Book 3.


Thursday, August 09, 2007

The Dutch Fort in Pulau (island of) Pangkor, Perak...

Somewhere on the south-east coast of Pulau Pangkor lies a certain historical monument... The sign-board says it clearly... Kota Belanda or the Dutch Fort...


My dear friend Diamond Archer who likes to pose... Here is a view of the fort from the above sign-board...


I on the other hand prefer this kind of pose... That's me trying to 'stab' the Dutch. Why? Let me continue with the story...


The official story said the Dutch Fort was built sometime ago because the Dutch who came to the Malay Archipelago then were interested in trade especially of tin ore. So this particular fort was built for them to store tin ore... Or is that just it?

Another signboard describing the history of the Dutch Fort further...


It says the fort was built in 1670 AD. Then it was attacked by the Malays who were not happy with the way the Dutch get their tin ore.

The fort was rebuilt in 1743 and was guarded by 60 soldiers, at least that's what it said. Then it was abandoned since 1748 (or was it 1749? Sorry. I can't read the whole writing clearly)...

Whatever, just consider this. Why were the Malays not happy with the Dutch? Is it just about trading or were there other causes? One thing's for sure, history has proved the Dutch who came then were colonialists bent on conquering the Malay lands and taking advantage of the people. In order to do that, they have resorted to every dirty means possible including lying, slandering the locals and making them fight against each other... Go figure!


The fort seen from a different angle. Right down from where I was standing was the remains of an old dungeon. Is that where they kept the tin ore hah?


Another view of the fort. Sorry if I sound like I hated the Dutch, In truth, I hate all colonialists as they have subverted my people and changed the history so much as to make the Malays so lost until now. Enough story-telling. Time for rest. Cheers!



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