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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.


Saturday, January 12, 2008

A quaint look at the town of Pontian

Yep... That's what the title says. This article is practically a continuation of the Malay article Mencari Muzium Bugis di Pontian... (looking for the Bugis museum in Pontian) made in the blogspot CATATAN SI MERAH SILU just now...


This is a picture taken from the cheap hotel where I lodged at in Pontian some 3 weeks ago. I felt like looking out the window and thought this a rather interesting angle and look at things....


A look at rooftop level heading towards the east shows Gunung (mount) Pulai in the backdrop. At 2,000 feet-plus high, it is the only prominent peak within the proximity of the city of Johor Bahru.

Notice the many high aerials in the picture? In some parts of the state of Johor such high aerials are common so that users can catch television channels from the neighbouring state of Singapore, even further Indonesia if you're lucky!


Part of the town of Pontian just outside the cheap hotel where I stayed for the night...


One thing I noticed. The drains here tends to overflow when there's high tide... After all the town is close to the seaside...


The main road of Pontian facing north...


The taxi-stand seen from in front of the bus-stand...


The seaside stalls where I had brunch. Notice the island in the backdrop? It is called Pulau Pisang, literally translated as the Banana Island. Perhaps there is a Banana Republic there?


The seaside or rather, the straits-side... After all, this town is located besides the Straits of Melaka...


And this is part of the seaside (or straits-side) when there's high tide. The people around say this patch of water is a favourite among those who likes fishing... Hmm...


But the real fishermen would rather go out there in the open. After all they say, Pontian is mainly populated by Malays of the Bugis stock... The Bugis are known as fierce and brave warriors very comfortable with the sea. That's all ya... Cheers! :]