Kuala Selangor Nature Park - Looking at what's available including the wildlife

Continued from the article Kuala Selangor Nature Park - Sizing up the paths...

As we went along the straight path, a sort of funny looking animal came into view. This picture was actually taken with the zoom going on 5x as I was worried that it would be scared if I came any nearer.

Nevertheless, I tried to walk slowly towards it telling my wife to keep very quite. This picture is also taken using 5 x zoom. Now I could see that the animal is beaver. If I remember correctly this is the first time I ever saw one out of captivity.

As I walked nearer, the animal began to notice. I stood still pretending to be a log or something before making the move to get nearer again. The animal went on with its business loitering around the area perhaps looking for something. I took the opportunity to move closer hoping to catch a good picture of the animal without having to use zoom. It didn't work. The beaver got scared and ran away.

Then I noticed the hill of Bukit Melawati to the left of the path.

I zoomed in to get a closer picture...

I looked back to the right. This is where the beaver scooted off...

Next in front is this observation tower...

Then there's this gazebo facing the lake.

As we walked on, the mangrove swamp to our right looks inviting.

We arrived at this point where we could see the main buildings on top of Bukit Melawati properly aligned. This made me realised, I've seen the point where I was standing to take this picture from the hill, particularly beside the moon observation building at the centre of this picture. Look at the article Bukit Melawati by 'train'...

Oh, there were also a number of cranes standing around the lake including on top of trees as could be seen in this picture. Sorry, this is as close I could get with the 5x zoom...

Then we went further along the path...

Next we saw this concrete elevated walk which could lead to the sea. To be continued...

Isra' and mikhraj, the night journey of Prophet Muhammad SAW

Just a picture I came across after making a Google Image Search using the keywords "Stairway to Heaven".

This is another article translated from http://www.shiar-islam.com/.

ISRA' AND MIKHRAJ, THE NIGHT JOURNEY

By Ustaz Syed Hasan Alatas
Rearranged by: Al-Azharii Al-Siddiq Hj. Kamuri, BTN, JPM
http://www.shiar-islam.com/

English translation by Radzi Sapiee

“Most glorified is Allah who moved his servant (Prophet Muhammad saw ) in one night from Masjidil Haram to Masjidil Aqsa, whose surroundings we have blessed in order to show our signs. Verily He is Most Hearing and Most Observing” (verse 1, surah al-Isra’)

Allah swt. has moved (isra’) Prophet Muhammad saw from Masjidil Haram in Mecca far away to Masjid Al-Aqsa in Palestine in a very short time. At the time it is common for people to walk from place to place or ride horses, camels and such. Normally it would take 40 days to get from Mecca to Palestine. But with the power of Allah swt. the long journey was shortened to just under an hour.

For the people then, it is impossible to cover such distance in such a short time and thus their minds could not accept it. Used to riding horses, donkeys and camels, for them there is no way this could be done. Thus unbelievers such as Abu Jahal and his followers used the incident to accuse the prophet as being a liar. However the notion of travelling from Mecca and Palestine in just an hour is not impossible today with the advances of such vehicles like fast trains, jets and airplane.

The people during the time of the prophet could not imagine such a possibilty. Only the faithfuls don’t question the validity of Prophet Muhammad saw.’s experience despite their lack of understanding. For they accept it as an example of Allah swt’s power considering it as miracles like that bestowed on earlier prophets and messengers. For example Prophet Jesus a.s. was born without a father. No, he has no father not because he was born out of wedlock as is the common case today especially in Western countries. In fact his mother was never sexually touched by a man and this is an impossibiltiy in medical science.

Prophet Jesus a.s. was able to talk when he was still a baby. When he was an adult, he could heal the sick. In fact he is known for bringing the dead back to life! Although there is no way we could explain this scientifically, believers are thought to have faith in the matter accepting its occurence without the need for any explanation.

Such is the case with Prophet Moses a.s. who was given a special wooden staff by Allah swt. The staff could transfrom into a large serpent who then swallows all the snakes conjured by the magicians of the Pharaoh. Prophet Moses a.s. also opened up the Red Sea to let his followers ran through to escape the pursuit of the Pharaoh’s army. There are more examples of the powers Allah swt given to the prophets and messengers and these are called mukjizat. If similar things happen to other pious servants of His then it is called karamah, the plain Arabic word for miracles.

In the night journey which became known as the Isra’ and Mikhraj. Prophet Muhammad saw. was shown examples and parables which is beneficial to mankind The night journey actually comprised of two parts. In the Isra’, Allah moved the prophet from Mecca to Palestine. This is followed by the Mikhraj where the prophet was taken to ascend the seven heavens and beyond to meet God!

The prophet was shown an old man who never stops to add burden on his back although he is not capable of carrying it. This is actually a parable of the man who wants to do all sorts of jobs despite the fact that he could not even do one to perfection. By right, he should have just taken one job at a time and complete it to satisfaction, not become greedy or simply want to show off to become popular.

Rasulullah saw. was also shown a man who likes to eat smelly contaminated food although there is clean and good food besides him. This is a parable for the man who likes to fornicate leaving his wife unattended. In fact he likes to pick up prostitutes and eventually would suffer from diseases like AIDS, syphlis and other venereal diseases until the family institution is destroyed.

The biggest fruit from the event of Isra’ and Mikhraj is receiving Allah swt.’s command to conduct the obligatory five-times a day Solat or prayer. Other obligatory rituals of worship such as fasting during the holy month of Ramadhan, paying the zakat (yearly tithe or alms), doing the pilgrimage to Mecca or the hajj and such are commanded through Allah swt’s revelations on earth. On the other hand, Solat is directly commanded by Allah swt from a station high above the seven heavens.

This shows the special status of Solat. Thus there is no reason for us to leave it behind. If we are sick and thus unable to stand up then we could do it by sitting down. If we could not sit, we are still given the relaxation of doing it while lying down. If even this we can’t do, then we are allowed to do the Solat through body signals.

Now, we must do the Wudhuk or abolution, a ritual of washing certain body parts first before we could do the Solat. If there is no water, or we have a sickness where we can’t touch water or unable to reach it, we could resort to the alternative ritual of Tayammum, using bits of dust from any clean surface to be wiped against certain body parts as a replacement for Wudhuk. In short Solat must be conducted regardless of our condition, regardless of where we are at any given moment. It is a serious obligation that could not be dispensed with unless we don’t have a sound mind, lost consciousness or have fainted, gone mad or such.

It should be added that we must clean ourselves from all forms of filth before doing the Wudhuk (or Tayammum in its place). Then we should clean the place where we put our heads in prostration and once that is done we could start the Solat, giving full concentration physically, mentally and spiritually only to Allah swt. God willing, with regular Solats, we can educate ourselves to become clean and disciplined. We will also get good health body and mind making us useful human beings.

Kuala Selangor Nature Park - Sizing up the paths...

Yesterday, me and wife visited the Kuala Selangor Nature Park through its entrance behind the hill Bukit Melawati.

Previously, we have only visited a building containing some aquariums besides the entrance once and having now arrived here unplanned, why not have a walk inside the nature park?

There are these interesting trees in the courtyard. One look like a giant mosquito sucking blood from the other. Another look at it and I thought it could well be monsters doing ballet albeit in a funny way...


OK. The signboard implies we are now entering the main part of the park.

But first we have to walk quite a distance...

Walk we did while enjoying the sights which include banyan trees like this one on the right.

Then we saw a bridge ahead...

This is followed by a junction. Time to choose, left or right...

We could have gone straight too to an observation tower but the area is a dead end. We decided to turn right and walked on...

Along the way we saw this steel building which looks like an uncompleted aviary.

Then the path started bending anti-clockwise...

Looks like we still have a long way to go...

Some 300 metres metre or so a body of water came into view...

It turns out to be a quite long lake...

Look closely and you could see a few cranes around, I mean the birds, not machines...

Then we arrived at another junction.

The right looks out of question.

So we turned left and went on. To be continued...

The victory of Aidil Fitri

Here is the next article translated from http://www.shiar-islam.com/ . While it is still almost four month before the next Aidil Fitri is celebrated, I was merely following the order of the original Malay articles available in the website. Thus let me present this article of which the original Malay version was uploaded on 29th Ramadhan 1428 (11th October 2007)

THE VICTORY OF AIDIL FITRI

Oleh Al-Ustaz Syed Hasan Alatas
http://www.shiar-islam.com/

English translation by Radzi Sapiee

Aidil Fitri is a day of victory for the Muslims as it is a sign they have succeeded in fasting for a whole month in the month of Ramadhan. For a month we are trained physically and spiritually to be pious and devoted, to follow all of Allah’s commands while distancing ourselves from what is forbidden. For God judge us according to our piety and that would the measure of our success in the hereafter.

For a whole month during daytime we have to stand hunger and thirst, while those who are married have to also restrain themselves from their sexual needs. Every Muslim must also stop themselves from saying, hearing and looking at things which could incur Allah’s wrath. Instead they are encouraged to offer superegoratory prayers, recite the zikir or remembrance of God, read and study the Quran and try to implement what is taught in their lives. Ramadhan is also a good time to feed the poor and help other Muslims to fight in the way Allah, following the examples of the prophets and the messengers just like what is done by missionaries and full-time preachers. For their effort to show people and light the way to the true path, the path that Allah is pleased with, which resulted in the Muslims being able stay true to religion, able to do the obligatory fast according to the rules prescribed.

We celebrate Aidil Fitri starting nightfall on the first day of the month of Syawwal with recitals of the takbir (Allahu akbar), formula of tauhid (la ilaha illa Allah) and tahmid (alhamdu lil allah) with loud clear voices to exclaim the greatness of Allah s.w.t., His unique oneness and praise Him for all the blessing He has given us. Allah said in the “Quran: “…….and you should extol the greatness of Allah for the guidance bestowed upon you, so you’ll be gratefull.” (Q.S. Al-Baqarah : 185)

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Lailaha illallahu, Allahu Akbar,Allahu Akbar, wa lillahilhamd. Allah who is most great, there is none that deserves worship but Allah, and to Allah is directed all praises.

Al-Imam Al-Syafiee reminded us, the night of Aidil Fitri is among the nights when our wishes in prayers is easily granted. Thus let us pray to Allah in full concentration and ask Him to accept our fast despite our weaknesses and whatever is lacking. Ask Him so that the fast and anything good we do becomes our provision in the hereafter.

Let us celebrate this day of victory by offering congratulations and praying for the well-being of each other. Do not forget to ask forgiveness for whatever mistakes we could have comitted against other Muslims. It is easier for people to forgive on this holy day. Verily humankind is weak and tends to be oblivious of their mistakes. So take the opportunity to ask for forgiveness, also to forgive and forget.

Our silaturrahim or ties of brotherhood is strenghten by visiting our families and kith and kins, our neighbours, friends and other Muslims. This will result in them returning our visits and so on. Thus let us all do this with much happiness and love. Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar walillahil hamd.

May the obligatory fast we do over the month of Ramadhan brings us rewards such as good health pyhsically, mentally and spiritually. For the fast when properly done could shape our characters and turn us into excellent human beings, pious and devoted to Allah s.w.t., patient, disciplined, thoughtful and gratefull while cleansing us from impurities and sins. May it also increase our intelligence as we face the trials and tribulations of this temporal world in preparation for the hereafter.

May we belong to the victorious people who have properly fast over the month of Ramadhan. To those who have succeeded, we like to offer our congratulations for the victory they have gained due to the blessing of following the commandments of Allah and His messenger for the whole month of Ramadhan al-mubarak.

Lastly to all Muslims men and women wherever you are, let me say: ”Happy Aidil Fitri celebration. And may you forgive me physically and spiritually too”.

Never say I? So the Satan advised...

Suddenly I feel like lifting these passages from the Internet, written by the famous Sufi sage Fariduddin Attar who lived in the 12th century.

God Speaks to Moses


One day God spoke to Moses and said:

'Visit Satan, question him, use your head.

'So Moses descended to Hell's burning halls;

Satan saw him coming, a smile did he install

On his fiery face.

Moses proudly asked him

For advice, waiting for Satan's crafty whim;

Satan spoke through his coal-black teeth:

'Remember this rule which sense bequeaths

Never say "I" so that you become like me.

'So long as you live for yourself you'll be

A drum booming pride a cymbal of infidelity.

Vanity, resentment, envy and anger shall be cemented

Into your inner state; you shall be like a demented

Dog with lolling tongue, infected with indolence of sin.

You shall become your own tracked prisoner within.

Slander brings destruction

A picture of Tengkera mosque in Melaka at night taken about a month ago just for decoration.

OK. Here is another article I've just translated from the original version in http://www.shiar-islam.com/ . Guess I was wrong in thinking that all the articles there are less than two pages of A4 paper long. This one takes almost 4 pages. But I've promised myself to translate the articles in order as presented on the website, otherwise I could alway jump to the shorter articles as recommended by the original writer himself. So here it is...

SLANDER BRINGS DESTRUCTION

by Al-Ustaz Syed Hasan Alatas

http://www.shiar-islam.com/

English translation by Radzi Sapiee

To “slander” is to report something which is untrue for the purpose of tarnishing a person’s good name while giving the “slanderer”, the person who makes the slander means to satisfy or reach a certain ambition. Such action is forbidden by Allah S.W.T. and the person who slandered will be punished dearly in the hereafter.

Allah S.W.T. said in the Quran: “Surely those who slanders the believing men and women, and then they fail to repent, for them will be the suffering of jahannam (hell) and for them a torment very painful”. (Q.S. al-Buruj: 10)

Allah S.W.T. also said: “O you who believe, avoid being suspicious, for most suspicions are sinful. And don’t you spy on others and try to find faults or the shame of people, nor shall you backbite one another. Do you like eating the flesh of your dead brother? Of course you abhor this. Thus be pious to Allah, for Allah is the Redeemer and Most Merciful.” (Q.S. al-Hujurat: 12)

Regarding the waging of war against those who declare war on the Muslims, Allah said: “You may fight them until there is no more slander and religion is only for Allah. If they refrain (from fighting you again), then there should be no more hostility, except to those who transgress.” (Q.S. al-Baqarah: 193)

Slandering is even worse than killing (innocent human beings). Allah S.W.T. said: “To slander leads to a bigger sin than murder.” (Q.S. al-Baqarah: 217)

The cause and effect from a slander could lead to huge destruction. Not only the name of the person being slandered is tarnished, it could lead to the genocide of a whole race or the fall of a whole nation.

The history of Islam is a clear proof where the three main caliphs of Islam became victims of slander. Caliph Umar ibnu Khattab R.A., Caliph Khalifah Othman bin Affan R.A. and Caliph Ali bin Abi Thalib R.A. were all murdered because of slander. So was the case with a number of the descendants of Prophet Muhammad S.A.W. who were mercilessly killed by power-crazed humans.

Allah S.W.T. said in the Quran: “O you who believe, if a fasiq (wicked or those of questionable faith) person brings you any news, you shall first investigate (to know the truth), lest you commit injustice towards some people with something they don’t desire, out of your ignorance, then become sorry and remorseful for what you have done.” (Q.S. al-Hujurat: 6)

We can find many verses of the Quran talking about the subject and condeming slander. Please refer to the following verses in the holy book: 2:191, 2:193, 2:217, 3:7, 4:91, 5:41, 6:23, 7:155, 8:25, 8:28, 8:39, 8:73, 9:47, 9:49, 17:60, 21:35, 21: 111, 22:53, 24:63, 25:20, 29:10, 35:14, 37:63, 39:49, 54:27, 60:5, 64:15, 74:31.

Muslims must emulate the attitude adopted by the prophet and his companions in facing the enemies of Islam and dealing among themselves.

Allah S.W.T. said: “Muhammad Rasulallah (messenger of Allah) and those with him are harsh and stern against the disbelievers, but kind and compassionate amongst themselves.” (Q.S. al-Fath: 29).

Allah S.W.T. reminded the Muslims: “O believers! No man shall humiliate another man, for it could be that the one humiliated is better than the one who humiliates. No woman shall humiliate another woman, for it could be (also) that the one humiliated is better than the one who humiliates. Don’t any of you declare out in the open another person’s weakness. And don’t call out names (bad ones). The worse of names is being called a fasik (person of questionable belief) after having believed. Whoever fails to repent then he is a transgressor.” (Q.S. al-Hujurat: 11)

Allah S.W.T. also made this reminder: “Verily the Muslims are brothers, so keep the peace between your two (disputing) brothers and be pious to Allah so you will receive bounties.” (Q.S. al-Hujurat: 10)

Abi Ayyub related that Rasulallah S.A.W. said this: “O Abi Ayyub, do you want me to tell you of a charity which is most favoured by Allah and His messenger? Abi Ayyub answered, yes I do o Rasulallah. Thus Rasulallah S.A.W. said: “Make peace among men who are enemies and those who are angry at each other”” (H.R.al-Tabrani)

Allah S.W.T. reminded us: “Do not be like those who are divided and disputed, despite the clear proofs given to them. For they have incurred a terrible retribution.” (Q.S. Ali-‘Imran: 105)
He also said: “Verily those who divide themselves into factions separated from others, then you do not belong among them even a bit.” (Q.S. al-An’am: 159)

Allah S.W.T. further said: “Hold fast all of you to the rope of Allah, do not be divided. Remember Allah’s blessings upon you when (in the dark times) you used to be enemies and Allah reconciled your hearts. Thus by His grace, you became brethren. You were at the brink of the pit of hellfire, and He saved you from it. Thus Allah makes His revelations clear for you, so that you may be guided.” (Q.S. Ali-‘Imran: 103)

Guided by the revelations from high above, our master the prophet S.A.W. managed to unify all the Muslims from all sort of race and tribes. Blessed with this unification, the Muslims became the best of humankind in every field and became prime examples for all. So was the case with the companions. They followed the Quran and examples set by the prophet and managed to spread Islam all over the world.

If we care to study the history of the rise of Islam and its people under the leadership of the prophet and his companions, that we would know that Islam always call for mankind to unify as one. This is very clear in our prayers where we worship the one and only God, Allah S.W.T and prayed towards the same one direction, that is towards the Ka’bah in Mecca. We hold on to the same holy book al-Quranul Karim while following the Sunnah or examples of the prophet. Mankind is reminded that they all came from the same father, that is Prophet Adam A.S.. We are asked to get to know each other and forbidden from making fun of other faiths. There are more pointers given by Allah S.W.T. to unify mankind especially Muslims. All these are given so we could exist in peace and live together with lots of love.

If we want to solve whatever dispute that arises by following the guidance gave by the Quran and Sunnah of the prophet, God willing there will be peace and security for every men especially Muslims. We should avoid making slanders, backbite, stop making all sort of complains and refrain ourselves from the tendency of breaking up into small rival group and other bad inclinations. Instead we should try to get close to Allah S.W.T. by following all His commandments and leave all that is forbidden.

As normal human beings, for sure we have weaknesses and have made many mistakes. Thus it is better for us to improve ourselves while asking forgiveness for our mistakes and weaknesses. It is not too late to ask for guidance from Allah S.W.T. Leave behind the tendency to find out other people’s faults. Don’t be like what is said in this Malay proverb: “An ant across the sea you manage to see but an elephant right in front of your eyes and you are blind to it.”

There is no real perfection in this temporal world. Nevertheless we are encouraged to enjoin what is good and forbid what is wrong. Callmankind to the way of Allah S.W.T. using wisdom and good examples. If we have to dispute anything, then do it in a much better way. Stop all kinds of slander. Work together in all matters of common interest and leave behind any action which could cause chaos, actions which could benefit others but bring ruin to us and our children. Don’t be like what is said in a Malay proverb: “You win all the cheers but lost your home and village.”

History has shown that when we fight among ourselves, others just wait to take advantage. Prophet Muhammad S.A.W. has managed to bring the Ummah, the community to embrace brotherhood and unity until the Muslims became examples of excellence. A small number of Muslims were able to defeat a huge number of enemies and the became the best of humankind. We believe and have faith the glorious days of Islam would soon again become a reality, as long as we are willing to return back to the guidance of al-Quran and Sunnah of the prophet.

Throw away the bad and take what is clear for the sake of our prosperity and the safety of our children. Allah S.W.T. reminded us: “By the time of Asr (the afternoon going to evening) veryly all mankind is at loss, except for those with (true) faith and lead a righteous life, always exhorting one another to uphold the truth, and exhort one another to be steadfast.” (Q.S. al-Asr 1-3)

May Allah gives us all knowledge and guidance. Amen.

Respect for mothers

Peace be upon you all. Recently I was asked to voluntarily translate a number of religious articles in Malay into English for a website. The thing is I'm also in the midst of translating a Malay book comprising of 500 pages A4 paper worth of text (some 150,000 words) to English and promised to complete it by July. As it is, I've only done slightly more than 200 pages so far and I'm scheduled to head for an overseas trip mid June. So I actually have almost 300 pages to go in slightly less than three weeks!

The person asked me a few times. After thinking hard about it, I decided to start. I had a look at all the articles available in the website and I thought, hey... why not? Although there are a number of them, the articles are at most 2 pages of A4 paper long. In the name of Allah I can do this an article at a time in-between other works. And to make it worthwhile my time besides making it easy for the person to gain the translation in the event if I can't e-mail it to him, why not publish it here too?

Oh by the way, I still can't e-mail the first article I managed to translate today as there could be something wrong with the address given. Then I just can't contact him by phone. So let us start. Here's the first article...

RESPECT FOR MOTHERS

By Ustaz Syed Hasan Alatas
http://www.shiar-islam.com/

English translation by Radzi Sapiee

Allah (swt) says in the Quran:"We make it obligatory for humankind to be good towards both their parents, (especially since) the mother had bore him in weakness with the load getting heavier (from early pregnancy till birth and breastfeeding). And the weaning is in a period of two years, (so) be thankful to Me (Allah) and to both your parents, and to Me you shall indeed return."

(Q.S.Luqman:14)

A man asked Rasulallah (saw), who is most deserving of respect. The Prophet (saw) answered: Your mother! The man asked again, then who is next, the Prophet (saw) answered: Your mother! The man went on asking, then who is next? The Prophet (saw) answered your mother! Then who is next? The Prophet (saw) answered: Then your father!

(Hadis related by at-Tirmizi)

Such is the high status and honour of mothers in Islam.One cannot deny the huge responsibility shouldered by a mother for her family especially her children. Imagine all the troubles a mother has to go through when bearing a child, from month to month until the baby is born. Imagine her pain when giving birth, and when the baby is born she looks after him and at the same time she also has to take care of all her other children. Imagine, with lots of love she has to wake up everytime the child cries and comfort him regardless of the hour and her own problems. Lots of time is spent nursing, taking care of, educating and protecting a child from infancy until he grew up.

There is no way we can pay back for all the tiring moments she has to go through. There is no price for the love she has towards her children. Every night the mother is disturbed from her sleep by her sweet baby. Such is the sacrifies a mother makes.

A mother is willing to do anything and lost everything for her beloved children without expecting any return. She is willing to suffer and loose sleep to give milk, or to make sure her child does not fall ill or get bitten by mosquitoes. A mother always prayed for her children to be well, healthy and grew up to be useful human beings.What big sin is in store for the rebel child who refuses to listen to his mother, what huge offence made by those who does not want to return a mother’s favour especially when she is sick or very old. Such is the situation nowadays that we often heard the elders say: “A mother is willing to take care, nurse and raise ten children but there is no guarantee ten children is willing to take care of one mother”

Thus we should return the good favour of our mothers by at least showing her respect. Honour our mothers and take care of their well-being especially in their old days when they need us the most.

The new mangrove walk at Tanjung Ketapang, Muar

Last weekend I returned to my native town of Muar, Johor. While visiting the recreational area of Tanjung Ketapang at the southern tip of the Muar river mouth, I came across this...

This is the new mangrove walk made from concrete to replace a wooden one 100 metres to the left which have long been destroyed by the elements. The last time I returned to Muar half a year ago, there were only a few piles of sand here. Now this walk looked rather complete.

So I decided to take a walk...

There's even a nice concrete hut around...

This mangrove swamp area is famous for its high population of roaming wild monkeys. You could see more during feeding time...

The swamp itself is something to look at. A walk like this provides many interesting angles as you can go deep inside the mangrove swamp...

I like this view as we head towards the sea...

There, another look at the same view...

Then let's go towards the end...

For the first time ever in my almost 39 years of life, about half of it growing up in Muar, I saw the waters around from this part of the area. For the record, this is the straits of Melaka just outside the Muar river. I've never ever been this far across the swamp before... thanks to the new walk which extends far beyond the old wooden walk.

And here's a view looking inland. Good night! :]

Remembering the "A" Level college days. The "scandal" with Ann, my dear sweet Ann...

I don't know what picture to be used for this article, so I made a Google image search using the keywords "Scandals Bukit Bintang" and found this.


Continuing from Remembering the "A" Level college days. My dear sweet Ann... And so I ran up the girls' dormitory at the "A" Level college because I was tired of waiting for Ann to come down. As it turned out, Ann was just about to finish preparing for our next outing. However the other girls inside the room panicked, especially a certain girl which seemed to have a certain bone against me since some time following an argument we had.

The girl started screaming out her lungs. I stayed cool and just asked Ann to move fast. Then I heard someone coming from behind. From the top of the staircase, I could see that it was the college guards.

I had no choice except to enter the girls room and exit from the back staircase. Suffice to say I managed to outrun the guards and safely got into the car waiting in front outside, the car containing my mates ready for our next outing to the discos.

Now, I couldn't remember how we managed to fetch Ann through all the confusion. But soon enough she was safely with me and we headed for Bukit Bintang, the destination being me and my mates' favourite disco Scandals at the back of KL Plaza.

Hmm... actually I'm getting tired of writing but have to finish the story anyway. So let me rush you all through it ya. Forgive me if there's any hole in the story.

As usual in the disco, I immediately headed for the dance floor. Normally this would be the start of my proper seducing ritual for whoever girl that was with me at the moment but with Ann, I felt a certain warmth which I couldn't remember experiencing with any other girl before. This feeling became more pronounced as the floor shifted mood to slow dance music. That's when we started hugging closely and I thought to myself, hey... I could get used to this. I remember telling my buddy Nash about it the following morning. His answer was something like this (I forgot the actual words) : "This could be the start of a beautiful relationship".

He was right. I began to get very close to Ann and started to forget other girls. What more, the following few weeks, we had to work together to correct a certain perception the authorities were trying to force on us.

You see, that night, after I ran out of the girls dorm, the guards came up looking for me at my room 51C. That's when they caught my room-mates in the midst of conducting our then much-vaunted radio broadcast (have a look at the article Remembering the "A" Level college days. The radio station at 51C ). I was only hauled up for questioning the following day (or was it the next few days?). While I did make the mistake of going inside the girls dorm, the college authorites were trying to book me for having an illicit affair with Ann. What?

It seemed that was the main thing on their mind. Maybe because I was considered one of the bad apples there? Maybe. As it is, I had already been booked in the students' court at least three time for some offences including refusing to attend classes for prolonged periods. Since I had the tendency to rebel and cause trouble, they surmised that after I entered the girls dorm, I took Ann somewhere and did something to her. In other words, some thought we slept together somewhere and that is definitely a big offence in college and a much bigger offence in Islam.

What actually happened was we were at Scandals until 4 am or so. Then I can't remember if we went to any other disco but we and the guys did have an early morning breakfast, I think it was in Bangsar or so. Then we hanged out somewhere, maybe at a public park waiting for daylight to appear as that is when we can sneak back into our dorms without raising suspicion. But we can't tell the authorities that we were at the discos as this itself was a big offence.

Suffice to say we managed to wriggle our way out of a bigger punishment after being subjected to the students' court... with the help of Ann's sister and her boyfriend who suggested that we stick to the story that we spent the night at their family place, and they were ready to testify for us. Still I had to pay a hefty fine, if not mistaken about RM250. What happened actually made me closer to Ann and for a while I actually felt really happy sticking to one girl.

We had a happy relationship that actually lasted for more than 3 months. Why, once I even visited her home in Johor and met her mum! But being the ungrateful person that I was, I soon started missing attention from other girls. This lead to our break up and it was only many years later did I realised what a big mistake I have made. That's it ya... :]

Remembering the "A" Level college days. My dear sweet Ann...

Time to continue the remembering process...

Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur...

Towards the end of the article Remembering the "A" Level college days. The radio station at 51C I said this:

While the radio station started illegally only to die out naturally after it was legalised following a visit to our room from a college lecturer, what I do remember was the whole activity was actually stopped when the college guards came rushing into 51C... looking for me after I ran through a girls' dorm...

OK. A weekend was coming and me and the guys were planning our activities ahead. This time we're going to see a movie at the Cathay theatre in Jalan Bukit Bintang. I do remember it was at Bukit Bintang but whether it was a Cathay I'm just hazarding a guess. After all the theatre has been closed since more than 10 years ago when multi-plex cinemas inside shopping complexes began to take over the place of single-screen establishments.

Anyway the plan was to catch a movie and I couldn't remember the title. It was to be played early night-time giving us enough time to head back to the college to refresh for the next activity the very same night, dancing our way at the discos of course. I already have a date lined up for the weekend, a girl which I often like to taunt whose antics I've grown quite fond of. Let's call her Pah. If I remember correctly, she was studying to be a lawyer. I often hanged out at her class during night time just to play around and jest with her and the other beautiful girls. Ah... if I remember correctly, my first girlfriend during the "A" Level days, Az (refer to Remembering the "A" Level college days. Start of the disco fun and girls... ) was also in the same class.

Soon the much awaited weekend night came. Me and the guys were ready to go when Pah declined saying she can't make it. She didn't say why, it seems she just refused to go. Later I learned she declined last minute because I had told the guys I have never been refused by any girl. Hmm...

Never mind, I was confident enough of my own self to get a date in time. Even if I don't get one for the movies, I am sure I could charm one from the disco floors at least to spend the night with. But time was running short and if I remember correctly I've already bought a ticket for a date. I didn't want it wasted. As I was walking around college, I bumped into another beautiful college-mate and decided to ask her out.

Let's call her Ann, sweet dear Ann. Again I suddenly remembered she was gearing to study law. Oh, God... now while writing these very words do I realise that the majority of girls I went out during college days were actually law students! While I'm very much a hard science student. Does that say anything or what?

Anyway, I can't remember what was actually said to Ann. Perhaps having a ticket already bought for the movies with no date in sight yet helped. Perhaps. Never mind that. Ann said yes and in no time she was ready to go for the movies. So there we where, I think a car or two full of guys and girls heading for Bukit Bintang to enjoy the night.

I can't remember all that has happened but I do remember this. After a while sitting in the theatre, I felt some sort of warmth and began to press my body close to Ann's. No, it was not sexual, honest. Although since secondary school days I have developed the sort of skills (apart from an appetite) for using the slightest of touch to practically melt the girls into my arms, that was not foremost in my mind when with Ann.

Yes, the devilish part of me would like to do so. After all wasn't she another girl ripe for conquest? But the innocence that is Ann's face (and the way she carried herself) managed to put the darker side of me away at least at arm's length. Instead I'm afraid, in a funny way I was beginning to fall for her.

When it comes to looks Ann do have it. After all she looked almost exactly like the Malay movie actress of mixed parentage Susan Lancaster which was quite famous in the late 1980s to the early 1990s, so that should say enough.

OK. Let me get this straight. I think by then my relationship with my girlfriend from secondary school, Z was officially over. Refer again to Remembering the "A" Level college days. Start of the disco fun and girls... As for Az, we simply drifted away. OK, I took off for God knows greener pasture or what. Then again, what greener pasture? I don't think I ever went steady again with anyone after Z or the short stint with Az and to be honest, despite the fact that I could still get a different date everyday and sometimes a few in a day, I was beginning to feel lonely at heart.

Ann's always smiling face with her sweet innocence managed to knock a part of my heart which I probably have long left unattended. But I'm already getting ahead of the story. We finished watching the movie feeling quite happy, at least that's what I felt. So I asked her to join me going to the discos later and she again said yes.

We returned to college to freshen up. Ann went up to the girls dorm and me back to the guys'. Soon enough me and the guys were ready but Ann was nowhere to be seen. What gives?

We had a car waiting outside the girls dorm. At the same time we have to make sure the college guard's can't see us as no one is supposed to be out of the dorms after 10pm if I remember correctly. Unless you have written permission to spend the weekend outside. We waited... 5 minutes, 10 minutes. It felt like almost an hour before I lost patience. I didn't know what I was thinking, I decided to run up and enter the girls dorm.

Hmm... I think I should continue this story another time. Adios! :]

Reunion of SMSJ (Johor Science School) batch SPM 1987 in Melaka

These are pictures I took at a recent reunion cum family day of my old school mates from the Johor Science School in Keluang, better known as Sekolah Menengah Sains Johor or SMSJ. We first entered the school in 1982 but are generally known as the batch SPM 1987 students because that was the year we took the all-important SPM examinations for secondary school students which would determined our course later in life, at least as to what universities would we qualify for. Although I was kicked out of the school in 1986 for discplinary problems, I still took the exam in another school in 1987. In 1987, I made a brief visit to SMSJ and that was the last time I saw almost all of my schoolmates ( a few would later study at the same college, a few I met later while studying in England).

Whatever, in general it's been 22 years since I last saw the lot of them. The recent reunion held on Friday 1st of May at a resort in Melaka was an eye-opener. It was my first reunion with them since leaving school and the second mass reunion for the whole group since they conducted one back at the school in 2004 or 2005 or so. I must say a lot of thoughts and memories raced through my mind during the reunion lasting well into the night and on to the next day and beyond. One can't help being nostalgic upon the memories of growing up together starting at the tender age of 12 in a boarding school were we got ragged, beaten up by seniors and such but yet still cerish everything as the bitter-sweet trails and tribulations that make us tick. Good night! :]