Mushlim's House - Desa Paku

I had a chance to catch up with my friend Mush in Malacca yesterday. We spent two pleasant hours together and had a lot to talk about. The last time I visited his house with the lush tropical garden must have been six years ago. It is still lush and fascinating though rather overgrown. I had been privileged to see the house and its garden when it was first created in 1985 and had watched how Mush lovingly turned it into a tropical paradise and along the way made it a heliconia haven; he had one of the largest variety of heliconias in the world ! He is still today an active member of the international heliconia society having hosted some members from around the world to lunch a few weeks back. The place had also been visited by countless dignitaries international and local. It was also the set for the entire Rahim Razali film ABANG 92 which starred Deanna Yusof.

These days Mush is more spiritual and does not tend to the garden with the same energy he did before. He told me he had in fact given the property away and upon his demise the property will automatically belong to his beneficiary according to the Muslim 'hibah' tradition.

Mush gave me five young trees and palms for my new house when I left. It was indeed good and warm to see him again. God bless and keep you Mush.

The little boy from Angkor Wat

After a tour of Angkor Wat in Cambodia recently, I was browsing at a nearby souvenir/food market when I came across a really cute and handsome little boy happily playing with his sister. I stopped to observe and interact and took some photos of them. Nearby their mother was calling out, "One dollar, one dollar, only one dollar sir!"

So I scooped up the little boy and said to her, "Okay, I'll take him for one dollar!"

That's when she reacted, " No, he one million dollar sir!" She was obviously offering her souvenirs for one dollar!

What a miss! Such a beautiful and happy little thing. I hope he grows up fortunate and successful (maybe as fortunate as Maddox Jolie-Pitt, Angelina and Brad's adopted Cambodian son). It was obvious that he was much loved by the sister, and mother of course.

"You are a lucky man..." and U-Wei's HANYUT

Today I had over an hour of interesting and stimulating conversation with U-wei Haji Shaari, the famous film director (Perempuan, Isteri dan Jalang, Jogho, Kaki Bakar etc) the only Malaysian film director whose movies, two of them, had been screened at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival.

Some weeks back U-wei gave me the honour of previewing his latest film HANYUT (adrift), based on Joseph's Conrad novel 'Almayer's Folly' on dvd. And what a film it was, so beautifully crafted and with an international cast and crew and an epic feel. Beautiful Sofia Jane was so engagingly menacing in her rather mad role!
U-wei  said the film was still not completed though he had already spent RM11 million on it! He still needed some RM5 million to complete it, including a specially written music score by an international (Japanese) composer. And I thought the film was already good!  I am really honoured to be one of the rare people to whom he showed his 'unfinished' film.   

We talked about many things, mainly the Malaysian art scene and of our art collections. He said something which I thought was very nice and significant, which in fact never occurred to me. He said that I was 'a lucky man', in response to me saying that I was no longer tied down or obsessed with my art collection and other material things, that I was no longer worried,  or afraid to loose anything or worried or upset if my things got damaged or accidentally lost. Yes in fact it was so liberating to feel that way without me realising it. Thank you for making me realise it U-wei.

Reminds me again of the lyrics in Kris Kristofferson's 'Me and Bobby McGee' - freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose!

I look forward to U-wei 'finished' HANYUT, which he told me he planned to submit to Cannes! Anyone wants to foot the RM5 million?      

Deepavali Open House in Sungai Patani

What an overwhelming turnout of over 10.000 people at our agency's Deepavali Open House in Sungai Patani. Indeed 1Malaysia at it's best!

I combined the occasion with two night's most pleasant stay at the Golden Sands at Batu Ferringhi in Penang. While East Malaysia was bracing for rain and floods and the upper northern part of West had just had it awful share of rain and flood, Penang was all sunny and HUMID!

Lots of western tourists and surprisingly Arabs too when one thought the invasin from the Middle East would have ended by October. All well for our tourism industry! The hotel was full that we were reminded ever so politely to check out on time!!! Must return again and spend a more leisurely time there. Penang is so traffic-infested these days!

The enchanting Malaysian East Coast

Just back from a week's most pleasant holiday in the Malaysian East Coast with my loyal travelling companion HP. Set off with no agenda and hotel bookings and made three stops, first at the pleasant Impiana beach hotel in Chendor, then onwards to Kuala Trengganu staying two nights at the Pantai Primula. I always liked Kuala Trengganu and it has developed so well and pretty and there are lots of eating places serving food freshly cooked upon order and so cheap too. Visited the majestic State Museum on a very rainy afternoon and went into countless batik shops, as well as stalls at the scenic Pasar Payang. Left Kuala Trengganu with some 35 pieces of batik sarong (a most under-appreciated piece of craft in Malaysia), 20 0f which will be shipped to Switzerland! Kuala Trengganu seemed such a safe place and though people did not seem friendly at first, would always warm up if you chat them up.

We had a sneak at the rustically opulent Tanjung Jara Beach Resort where I had stayed twice before (before it became so horrendously expensive today). Must take up Dato Yeoh's invitation for a weekend stay sometime!

Our last stop at the Hyatt Kuantan (I always liked the place since my first stay there in 1976 and it has expanded and improved into a fine total holiday complex it is today). Arrived on Thursday afternoon to a relatively empty hotel and the next day it was full house with the Deepavali long-weekend holiday makers' arrival. Stayed two nights and had a most pleasant and relaxed time. Weather was mild throughout and just as well it was downright downcast on the day of my departure. Can't imagine all that flood in the West coast....

Drove from Kuantan to Temerloh by the old country road (which by the way had better road surface than the present highways!). Passed through some of the most beautiful, pristine and lush tropical greens to the soothing accompaniment of of beautiful music by Rossini and Donizetti from my car cd player. Heavenly divine!

At a small village near Lanchang stopped to visit my dear cucu Kuca. She is so adorable at just over a year and it was a nice and warm feeling watching her run around the garden wearing that cute pair of squeaking shoes and the sweet pretty dress I bought her in Shanghai. And when she smiles for her atok....

Back to the office grind tomorrow....

Here's a video I made from photos of this trip.
See video : http://youtu.be/thXhnLtwGWk

Wan Zaharah Ahmad in memory

Wan Zaharah binti Ahmad passed away last night and was buried at the Kota Damansara Muslim cemetery after Zohor prayer today. She underwent four surgeries over a period of one month and succumbed to the last one. During my last visit in her hospital she was in a state of panic as one of her surgical wounds had apparently burst and she kept asking me to get the doctor to attend to her and that I should not leave until the doctor came. Alas it was the last time I was to see her alive.

Wan was a relative by virtue of of her being married to my cousin Wan Talib. But more than that she was a dear friend, someone who had always been caring, supportive and very kind and generous to me. She was a warm, generous, happy person - always with a friendly smile and laughter and a positive outlook. Wan was an exceptionally good cook and cake-maker and with her husband had built a very successful and lucrative cake-making cottage industry supplying good quality cakes to a wide range of clients, from royalties, to five-star hotels and a huge stable of regular clients. She has now left a legacy of that and it is left to be seen whether the family can maintain that legacy.

I remember the glittering wedding of Wan Zaharah and Wan Talib (which the MC dubbed the Wan and Wan event) in Klang way back in 1975 when my uncle, Wan Talib's father was serving as grand chamberlain to the late Almarhum Sultan Selangor. Wan Zaharah was thereafter 'groomed' by her mother-in-law in the finer aspects of domestic matters which I believed made her the great cook she was till her expiry.

I introduced Wan's cakes and other food to many of my friends and colleaques, many of whom remained her loyal clients till today and who would take her cakes to as far as the US and Japan. We shall all miss her delicious fare and her ever smiling welcome.

Wan came to visit me in Switzerland in Summer of 2008 and together with my brother Wes and sister in law Anis who were visiting me as well we travelled around Switzerland and went as far as Florence, Rome and Venice in Italy. Wan loved to shop and was generously buying presents for her family everywhere we went. She bought so much that she had to leave some behind when she left onwards for England. She taught my cook Hafiz to make her famous nasi dagang, having brought the cooking utensils all the way from KL. The four of us really had a wonderful time in Switzerland and I remember the the pleasant, cheerful and warm conversations we would have everyday at mealtimes. Wan never ever missed her prayers throughout her stay in Switzerland.

Wan Talib gave me the honour to sprinkle the last petals of flowers a pour the last drops of rose water over her grave today. I will not forget the sight of their son Yus clinging to the tombstone reciting a prayer while tears streamed down his cheeks.

Wan Zaharah was a truly wonderful human being, an devoted wife, a loving mother, a good relative and a most dear and loyal friend to many. I will always pray that Allah SWT will bestow upon her all His blessings and place her among the chosen and blessed people, amin.

Bali Revisited

My lovely accommodation! Sheer luxury. Just spent four pleasant days in Bali. It's my fourth visit since 1979 and Bali has changed and grown a lot. Sadly all the wealth do not go down to the people of this charming island who still have to struggle a lot to make a living. And things are not exactly cheap in Bali!

Stayed in a beautiful resort in Kuta and made day a tour of Sanur and Ubud. The 'macet' (traffic jam) was bad in many parts with more vehicles plying the narrow streets which could never be widened for eternity! I was happy to visit Bali again but there was nothing there that excited me anymore. I went around looking for batiks but they were all very expensive and the majority were machine printed. The few traditional hand-drawn ones that I came across were so expensive that I could buy a return economy air ticket to Europe with the price! I did buy two overpriced wax printed shirts though just for the heck! Maybe Bali was not a place to buy batiks.

I came back a day ahead of schedule due to the demands of work back home. But I will always remember the kindness and gentle hospitality of the Balinese people. Now that's something Malaysians cal learn or emulate!

The Original 1Malaysia

Johore Bahru 1966 - Hoong Po (still in JB), Roem (all over the world, now finally back in KL), Willie (Canberra, Australia since 1969), Ranthir (UK, now Melbourne) - still best friends today and forever. Nothing new about 1Malaysia!

Shanghai sojourn

I recently spent six days in Shanghai, flying there on the 2nd day of Raya. I visited the Malaysian Pavilion at the World Expo (I won't comment about it except that everything else asides, we do get lots and lots of visitors, and perpetual long queues just to get inside the pavilion).It rained the first three days I was there and getting to and from the Expo was quite a hassle that I was just not bothered to visit many pavilions. Was glad I had a privileged tour of the Chinese Pavilion though. That was something else!

A day's outing to the heritage town of Zhouzhang with its ancient canals was most pleasant. Then onwards to Suzhou with its many lovely gardens.Shanghai was very impressive - clean and orderly despite the overwhelming crowd (17 millions inhabitants) but the haze of polluted air crowning the city and miles to the next cities around it was just too much. And upon my return home I finally succumbed to the exposure to the millions of people at the Expo and am now down with flu and cold! What misery!

Of Merdeka celebration, 1957 Hati Malaya and Shumi/Ami

Early this morning I attended the Merdeka celebration (celebrating the 53rd anniversary of Malaysia's independence from Britain) at Stadium Putra. Wow, what a lavish and colourful (and very loud) display of national pride. I couldn't help but get choked a little during the pledging led by a robust young Malaysian man, accompanied by representatives from various sectors of the population. Then on I had no problem waving the Malaysian flag which was supplied to us.
Yes indeed, Malaysians have a lot to be grateful for and proud of. And this coming from a very critical but steadfastly loyal Malaysian who had spent over a third of his life abroad, having seen and lived in many and visited countless countries around the world. Malaysia has its weaknesses and setbacks, but the positives really outweigh them all. I have been back in Malaysia only seven months and though the first few were difficult period of adjustments, I am now very settled into life in my own country again and WHAT A GREAT COUNTRY WE LIVE IN! We have built a peaceful and prosperous nation in merely 53 years when others take ages to achieve perhaps half what we have today. So, wake up Malaysians and be grateful you are born in a Malaysian and live in this country, the envy of many (otherwise why do we have 3 million foreign workers and millions of tourists annually!). I once asked a European who had lived here over 25 years what made her want to stay on here and she said that it was so easy to live here, we have everything and you can always easily get things done, one way or another. And the food, the food, the food lah! There you have it (Malaysia boleh ma!) On Sunday night, I finally got to watch the movie 1957 HATI MALAYA on TV2, advertisements and all! It was a moderate expose' of how we got our independence, and the story of our two national heroes, Onn Jaafar and Tunku Abdul Rahman. Let's face it, we are no Hollywood, and for what little budget they had, the movie was good, one of Shuhaimi Baba's best! Congratulations Ami, and for the awards and accolades too.

Shuhaimi Baba and I were classmates in Dr Vijaya Samarawickrama's 'Theatre Practice' course at the English Department of University Malaya way back in the 70s. We also took part in some drama productions under the baton of Joy Zinoman and Othman Hafsham. Those were really fun days, yeah! The media and others refer to her as Shumi but she's still Ami to me. Upon graduation we both joined RTM as assistant producers, me briefly and she for a longer period. I remember one day being yelled at by Ami (to please bloody make up my mind) from across her table when I announced I was not sure if working for RTM was something I wanted!

Well, I went to pursue another career (no regrets whatsoever!) and Ami went on to become a famous and respected movie director. I did bump into her from time to time.

A few weeks ago I attended a meeting in my new capacity, and she was also present, sitting opposite me on the other side of the table. I had not seen her in years and she looked good and with a youthful radiance. We exchanged news across the table (no yelling this time, haha!). I look forward to her next movie.

Meanwhile, MERDEKA! MERDEKA! MERDEKA!

Thank God for being a Malaysian!

Salam Ramadhan

Assalammulaikum! Already five days into Ramadhan and I finally get to spend my weekend at home for a change after two consecutive weekends travelling. Quite blissful actually to just be home and not do much except reading and sleeping in between pottering in the garden and empytying and hanging up the washing - how deliciously mundane.

The first two days of fasting I could not find any Ramadhan bazaars (which is really absurd) coming back from work and ended up the first day buying cold lunch food from the traditional Indian-Muslim restaurant and on the second, pies and cakes from Secret Recipe! Quite pathetic really in terms of berbuka fare but how much could I eat anyway! The fourth night an abundance of food at my dear brother-in-law Long's house and last night even more food at brother Wes's house. He had a full house with his four children and their children and this lone uncle and it was such a merry, boisterous feel-good occasion plus the congregational Maghrib (where he recited a most beautiful and touching doa at the end of the prayer), Isyak and later terawikh prayers. What a truly happy and united family, bless them.

And bless everyone too, happy Ramadhan! May His multiple blessings be upon us.
See video : http://youtu.be/iQ3cqvlauLQ

Of stress, black tie, Fini and Penang!

What a day! I thought I was really work stressed-out. But at six pm my young charge called and said he was so stressed-out with his work he wished he could run to me for assurance! See how when you think you have it so bad, someone else have it worse!

A long, slow traffic crawl to the Swiss residence for their National Day reception and I stayed like 20 minutes and I left after gulping down some raw salads and apple juice. Sorry Urs, I prefer a quieter dinner with you some time!

At home, I spent some time searching for my black bow ties for tomorrow night's black tie dinner (why can't we just wear batik lah!). Called up Din and he agreed to loan me his, thank God for that. Now I can rest my mind with a a bit of blogging.

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My Swiss friend from Zurich, Marion, with daughter Fini who are here for their annual visit for summer vacation came to my office and we had lunch at the cafe. They wanted everything on the buffet table and loved everything. Fini didn't like the tapai ubi though! She had blossomed into one amazing beauty and would I am sure sweep the crown at any beauty pageant and give a very tough competition with Scarlett Johannson. Her father is Balinese and with Marion's chiseled features, gave her a distinct exotic beauty.

They brought me six bars of my favourite Swiss chocolates - yummy!

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Over the weekend I had a very pleasant one day stay in Penang. Haven't been there like in ten years and upon entering my hotel room in Batu Ferringhi with the stunning view I realised just how long it had been since I saw the sea. Must have been last in Eastbourne, England on new year's day this year.

Despite its rapid development, Penang still had plenty of charm. I love the shady drive along the majestic tree-lined roads passing many magnificent old mansions and buildings. The older town centre were charmingly quaint and I found some beautiful traditional block-printed batiks and walked away with five shirts!!

The next day a short visit to Sungai Pattani where I had lunch in an old-fashioned colonial club. Lovely fish curry! Then onwards to Alor Star where I checked into a rather non-descript Holiday Villa. Did not have much chance to see the town and by six pm I was on the road again to Kangar for an official function. It was a very loud affair (why does everything have to be so deafening load in Malaysia?) that gave my heart palpitations despite stuffing my ears with tissue papers. I left after two hours and made my way back to Alor Star to catch the early morning flight back to KL.

It was my very first vist to Alor Star and Kangar and may probably be my last too.

Coming weekend to Kuching. Alas not my favourite town either!

Family Day, and no more weekends

I joined my staff for a family day at a water park. It was a shady morning and they were enjoying themselves when I finally left after 2 and half hours. It was just too humid for me! Hardly two months into my new job I got to meet family members of my staff. I used to have 13 staff in Switzerland, and now it's 149! So far they have been very responsive and welcoming. I had warned them that my working style would be something they might not be used to, so it would be a question of adjustment and accommodation from both sides. Let's see how it works, so far so good.

I don't seem to have any more weekend to myself these days, always occupied with work engagement or otherwise. Last Saturday along trip to a village in Pahang to launch a restoration project of an ancient surau (small mosque) followed by one of the best lunch I've had in a long time, of simple kampung food (with patin fish fresh from the river no less, sambal tumis ikan bilis and petai from the jungle and the best durian I have had though I am really no fan of durian).

Then a short trip to an elephant reserve where I was appalled to see that all visitors including busloads of foreign visitors made to take off their shoes just to get passes to enter the sanctuary at the ticket/information centre. What on earth for, imposing such inconvenience, we were not entering a house for heaven's sake. I found it totally stupid and unnecessary to impose such a rule!

After that a long drive back to Putrajaya for "Floria" the annual flower show where our outfit had a stand too. It was to run for ten days, and I wondered how the flowers were going to last!

The next day I attended my good friend's first granddaughter 'cukur jambul' ceremony (when a baby's hair/head is completely shaved - God knows why, I can never understand it!) followed by lunch. My dear friend HP who was visiting me from JB joined us and it was sweet and in a way touching to see a Chinese sitting on the floor among the rest of us while we were performing the marhaban and tahlil (spiritual recitations and prayers), but he said he was least uncomfortable about it. Late afternoon I had to launch an exhibition in a gallery in Ampang. On the way home a stop at the pasar malam to get my week's supply of fresh fruits, and my Sunday was gone!

Yesterday four events in a day, a wedding luncheon reception near my house, a birthday lunch at Cafe Lui in Ulu Langat, a cultural launch at Batu Caves (I asked my deputy to attend, no way I could squeeze that in) and an award dinner ceremony at a hotel in KL, you see some really glamourous, dolled-up people there! I left before dessert! I must be getting old as I found it all so tedious!

Home at last now and I have a good rest of the afternoon and evening to myself! Thank God.

A house with a view, the old and the new

My Sunday morning Plumeria

I woke up rather late today having gone to bed late too watching a soppy Ida Nerina telemovie. She was really good next to a rather stiff and deadpan Eman Manan - and the story had an unconvincing ending. And not a single female cast wore a tudung!!

Anyway it had been weeks or months since I watched tv, and when I switched it on last night caught myself with minister Ng Yen Yen at the Contemporary Malaysian Art and Tourism launch yesterday in the news. Gosh my hair has turned even more silvery (as opposed to grey, hehe)!

Breakfast of the most delicious naturally-ripened mangoes from my Putrajaya house (bless the previous tenant who planted the trees and my brother Wes who lovingly tended to the fruits) and wonderful pure Nespresso coffee (eat your heart out George Clooney!). The coffee can only be made with its own special machine and coffee pellets and both are not yet available in Malaysia. It's big thing in Europe these days with Nespresso coffee 'boutiques' sprouting everywhere, and Mr Clooney giving his most dazzling smile as its spokesperson. I was presented with the machine by Nestle's Vice-Chairman who is a huge fan of Malaysia, before I left Switzerland. And for a long time it had been lying in my kitchen as I was simply too lazy to read the instruction how to work it (and endlessly waiting for Nina and Ayob to teach me how). It was a month ago when dear Hoong Po visited from JB and figured out the whole thing for me. God knows how long before my stock of 400 pellets will run out and then I'll have to order them from overseas.

Since working I had hardly ventured into my garden, and especially since I will be moving out anyway, and Ayu had kept it immaculately tidy. I took a peak today before breakfast and lo, my crimson frangipani (I prefer the Hawaiian name PLUMERIA)had bloomed beautifully again. When I moved back into the house five months ago, all that was left of the once blossoming tree I planted some 7 years back was a dead-looking stump overwhelmed by zealous bamboo ferns. I tended it back and now the beautiful results.

While admiring the plumeria I heard loud banging and I looked down below at the two houses being renovated for endless months now - one is putting up a swimming pool and the other another floor blocking all views from my two guests rooms and saw a worker banging away with a hammer. A sharp rebuke that it was Sunday got him walking away head down! Thank God I no longer have to put up with the noise during week days since working again, except Saturday. And thank God I am moving house anyway, and you can be sure I will dig up my plumeria tree and plant it in my new house.

Have a nice Sunday all, God bless.

Kuca