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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.


Sunday, January 03, 2021

Reliving memories of Kluang town

 Continuing from Latest visit to Sekolah Menengah Sains Johor, Kluang.


From the school we took a back road towards Kluang town.


Then we turned to another road which I often took when growing up in Kluang.








While the town has expanded to more than thrice its original size the old town part practically stays the same as remembered since I studied here more than 30 years ago.





Kluang town sure holds plenty of memories for this 50 year old man.





For it was here I had so many trials and tribulations making formative years leading to the man that today I am...




















Latest visit to Sekolah Menengah Sains Johor, Kluang

 Continuing from A quick visit to Gunung Lambak.


From the mountain which is to the west of Kluang town we headed east to get to my old school and alma mater.



Welcome to Sekolah Menengah Sains Johor or Johor Science Secondary School. Established in the 1970s it was among the earliest science school in Malaysia.






My I was there in 1983 till 1986 it was the smallest full boarding school in terms of land area.














After some time the area was expanded to more than twice its old size.







A quick visit to Gunung Lambak

Peace be upon you all. And a happy new year of 2021 although it is already the 3rd day of the new year now. Just before the end of 2020 me and family made a trip to the south. There are some stories to be shared beginning with this.

 
Our story actually started on Monday night 22nd December when we drove more than 370 km to Kempas in Johor Bahru. After spending 2 nights at my sister's house and a brief tour of the city we headed back northwards by driving to Kluang on Wednesday afternoon 24th December. Soon we could see the mountain called Gunung Lambak. It is a major landmark for the town of Kluang.






Having spent my teenage years at a full boarding school in Kluang the mountain featured prominently in my memories. So I decided to have a quick visit by going to its foot. There are some recreational facilities there.









The path going up the 500 metre or so high mountain. I've climbed up to the summit at least thrice.








I wish I had the time and energy for another climb.





At this point of time suffice that I could have a look just 100 metres up the climbing path...