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Wednesday, 21 October 2009

Kenapalah Gamaknya?

Aku tak tahulah tapi dah beberapa kali dah bebudak sekolah tahfiz datang berjumpa aku nak jual barang untuk pembiayaan atau minta sumbangan untuk pembelajaran mereka, termasuk yang terbaru ni. Apsal kalau nak jadi tokoh agama ni nampaknya kena mengalami kehidupan dhaif, perlu mengemis ke sana sini macam sami2 agama lain. Tak boleh ke jadi macam aku pernah tengok dalam sinetron Indon seorang ulama yang berkelana sebenarnya hartawan yang membawa derma ke pelusuk daerah bagi pihak yayasan dakwahnya, sedangkan orang kampung mensyakinya sebagai orang miskin yang sanggup mencuri untuk pembiayaan hidup. Apsal tak leh jadi macam Saidina Abu Bakar atau Saidina Umar yang jadi contoh hartawan Islam untuk menjadi tokoh Islam? Hakikatnya dari pandangan mata kasar aku kebanyakan bebudak ni bukannya terdiri dari golongan kurang kemampuan, bahkan aku rasa keluarga mereka sebenarnya mampu nak membantu sebanyak mana pun. Kalau tidakpun baitulmal-baitulmal kat negara ni yang dilaporkan melimpah ruah harta wakaf sepatutnya boleh membantu jika diminta memberi bantuan, jadi kenapa tidak meminta bantuan daripada pihak yang sepatutnya?

Bukan apa dari pengamatan aku juga bebudak sekolah tahfiz anjuran NGO yang berwibawa macam Perkim yang ada sebuah kat kejiranan aku tak ada dan tak perlu pun membuat kerja mengemis ni. Depa rilek aja mengalami kehidupan sebagai bebudak sekolah asrama, cuma perlu belajar dan menghafal apa yang sepatutnya dan lepas tu boleh beriadah dan menjalankan ibadah yang sepatutnya mereka jalankan. Dan pengamatan aku juga menunjukkan bebudak yang mengemis ini biasanya datang dari sekolah agama/tahfiz/pondok swasta yang sebenarnya dikerah untuk dipergunakan sebagai jurujual percuma barangan pihak swasta itu, tak kisahlah kopi kuat ke, vcd agama ke apakebendanya pun. Jadi bila gamaknya mereka tu nak mentelaah untuk menjadi seorang tokoh agama, sedangkan waktu2 terluang seperti waktu petang/cuti mereka keluar berkeliaran di pusat-pusat awam, R&R lebuhraya maupun zoo negara.

Bila agaknya pihak berwajib nak menyiasat dan membendung gejala ini sedangkan aku masih ingat tak berapa lama dulu ada kejadian kemalangan jalanraya di mana dua tiga bebudak ini maut dalam perjalanan pulang dari tugasan luaran ini sedangkan ibubapa mereka tak tau menahu pun anak-anak mereka kena lakukan tugasan ini. Jadi kecohlah sekejap mak bapak bebudak sekolah itu minta pihak berwajib siasat kenapa anak-anak mereka dipergunakan tanpa kebenaran mereka, tapi seperti biasa senyap aja tanpa konklusi maupun resolusi. Yang pasti kegiatan ini masih berleluasa, dan aku pun menulis dalam bahasa melayu ni pun fasal malu tak mau masyarakat antarabangsa terhidu benda mengaibkan ini, dan napak gayanya sampai kesudahlah masalah ini tidak dapat diatasi. Bagi aku senang aja, bebudak ni aku tak layan pun walaupun sedih melihat kehampaan mereka sebagai cara pembedungan aku tersendiri, aku cuma derma terus kepada organisasi yang datang ke surau atau masjid, fasal aku pasti yang ini telah diperiksa dahulu keperluan mereka dan bukan untuk menjadi habuan mereka yang rakus dan tak malu menggunakan agama untuk kepentingan sendiri.

Saturday, 17 October 2009

Remembering Raya Pasts!

As today is the last weekend for the Hari Raya Open House season and also Diwali for our Indian friends, I guess its time for me to comment a bit on what is written in this article reminiscing on how we celebrated Hari Raya in the past. I guess this is more poignant for me as I have just lost my uncle and godfather who acted as my surrogate father for my absentee parents in Ipoh who usually helped us get prepared for the festivals before they returned home for the holidays.





One practise that seems to be dying out is the lighting of oil lamps or Panjut in Malay that usually starts on Malam Tujuh Likur, or the the 27th Ramadhan night, that is usually associated with Lailatul Qadr night in Malay society. Back in Ipoh, I remember going around Kampong Manjoi where the villagers had an ongoing tradition of "panjut wars" where they famously had different neighbourhoods coming together to come up with oil lamp displays made of bamboo, wood and of course oil lamps that can rival any Christmas light display with the twinkling commercial crap. It was a great sight to behold the villagers creative arches of twinkling lights like fireflies flickering in the night that came from oil lamps, with an ethereal glow from the smoke. I am not sure if this practise continues as after a few years our family ourselves gave up on this practise as it is actually quite difficult nowadays to purchase the needed kerosen to light up the lamps.



Another practise that I feel has become a memory is the exchange of cookie platters between the households in the neighbourhood, regardless of race that was practised not only during Hari Raya but in all the major festivals. It was great to receive the trays of peanut cookies, Menglembu ground nuts, murukku and Ladhoo during Chinese New and Diwali, but the greatest anticipation was when the cookie platter either in tiffin, trays or plastic containers were returned and was opened. The minimum you could expect is some sugar as it was considered impolite to return an empty container, but your eyes twinkled when the neighbour with the favoured cookies returned it fully ladened with the same as you could now indulge,that you could not do during the house visit as politeness dictates. But then I guess this practise has now evolved where instead of exchanging such cookie trays, you now brought them to the office to be offered at your desk or the pantry for your colleagues to partake in.

There are other practises that include open houses as it was done then where the house was thrown open to visitors at any time instead of an appointed day nowadays that I would like to write about, but god willing let those be the written when the next Hari Raya comes around.

Saturday, 26 September 2009

Beef Rendang Heritage

It has been awhile since I blogged but basically I have been distracted by another internet application but I'll blog about that later. Nonetheless after reading this article in The Star, I just had to comment on it so that I can save some of the recipes for posterity. These are some of the recipes from the article that I like that I would like to feature here;


Kerutub Daging (Kelantan)

Peculiar to Kelantan and also its neighbour, Terengganu, this is a dish that is prepared in most homes for Hari Raya. With fork-tender meat that has been cooked in a special blend of spices, the kerutub is especially good with nasi minyak and other rice dishes, and even plain white rice.







1kg beef, chicken or lamb (washed and cut as desired)
200g shallots (finely sliced)
150g rempah kerutub
50g dried chillies – blended

Slice finely:

2 cloves garlic
2.5cm ginger
1.5cm galangal (lengkuas)
5 stalks lemongrass (serai)

Spices - cinnamon stick, star anise and cardamon

Kerisik (toasted coconut) from ½ coconut

300ml coconut cream
2 cups water
1 cup cooking oil
1 tbsp palm sugar
Salt to taste

In a wok, heat the cooking oil, then fry the ingredients that have been finely sliced with the spices. When the ingredients are a little crisp, add the rempah kerutub and a little water. When the oil rises to the surface, add the meat and cook for a while.

Add the remaining water and let the dish simmer until the meat is tender. Add the coconut cream, palm sugar, salt and kerisik and cook until it is a little dry and the oil rises again.

Opor Daging (Pahang)

Opor Daging (otherwise just Opor) is a traditional dish from the royal town of Pekan in Pahang. It has its origins in the Riau Islands and was traditionally made using buffalo meat, which gives the cooked dish a dark colour. The meat, when cooked, has a rich red tint.

It is usually served at weddings and major functions and the most authentic version is still served at the Sultan Abu Bakar Palace in Pekan. The spices are easily available in Pahang and though there are many different producers, the ones made in Pekan are the best.

1kg beef
40g opor spices
80g pounded fried grated coconut
200ml coconut milk
40g garlic
120g onion
40g lemongrass
40g galangal
40g ginger
20g dried chillies
2 pieces cardamom
3cm cinnamon
2 pieces star anise
2 pieces dry tamarind
80ml palm sugar
1 cup cooking oil
1 cup water
Salt to taste

Cut the beef into chunky pieces. Blend the ginger, lemongrass, onion, garlic, dry chilli and galangal.

Heat the oil and fry the blended ingredients, opor spices, cinnamon, cardamom and star anise until golden brown. Add water and coconut milk and stir well.

Add the beef, pounded fried grated coconut, palm sugar, salt and seasoning, chicken stock and dried tamarind. Stir occasionally for about 15 minutes and simmer until the meat is cooked through.

Rendang Tok

Rendang Tok is a very dark, dry beef rendang famous throughout Perak. It has the most extensive list of ingredients and is believed to be created by royal cooks who had the means to acquire spices normally out of the reach of the general populace. Indian influences can be seen in the addition of spices used in curries. One of the unique characteristics of Rendang Tok is that it contains shards of dry-fried coconut flesh. This gives it an extra lemak taste. You must take your time to enjoy this rendang and not cast aside the floss-like stuff sticking to the beef. Instead, roll it on the tongue and feel it melting in the mouth, leaving behind a taste of galangal, lemongrass, gula Melaka and … dark chocolate! Perak also has a simpler rendang dish, the Rendang Pedas, which is similar to Rendang Johor – minus the belacan.

50g cumin
50g coriander seeds
40g fennel seeds

Spice paste

150g shallots
100g galangal, sliced
30g ginger, sliced
30g fresh turmeric root, sliced
40g dried red chillies, seeded and soaked
40g garlic
100ml oil
5cm cinnamon stick
4 star anise
10 cloves
30g black peppercorns, crushed
1kg beef, cut into cubes
1 litre thick coconut milk
3 stalks lemongrass, crushed
1 tsp sugar or to taste
2 tsp salt or to taste
250g freshly grated coconut, dry roasted and pounded to make kerisik
200g coconut shavings, dry-roasted until lightly browned
2 turmeric leaves, roughly torn

In a dry wok or pan, fry the coriander seeds, fennel seeds and cumin separately until aromatic. Grind all the seeds together until powdery. Set aside.

Blend the spice paste ingredients finely.

Heat the oil in a wok over low heat. Fry the cinnamon, star anise and cloves until fragrant. Add the spice paste, peppercorns and the ground coriander seeds, fennel seeds and cumin. Cook, stirring, until fragrant – about five to 10 minutes.

Add the beef, coconut milk and crushed lemongrass. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until gravy is thick and beef is tender. Season to taste with sugar and salt. Add the kerisik, toasted coconut shavings and turmeric leaves. Lower heat and cook, stirring continuously, until rendang is dry and oil appears.

Rendang Paru
This is a typical dish in Padang, Indonesia, that is usually eaten during Ramadan. Although the recipe may not be elaborate, bear in mind that it takes quite a long time to cook so make sure you have enough time for this. The dish goes really well with white rice. Squirt some lime juice for an extra zing.

Ingredient A

600g paru (lungs) boiled
100g liver, boiled and grated
1500ml coconut cream from two and a half coconuts
2 lemongrass (only the white section), crushed
2 turmeric leaves
4 kaffir lime leaves, shredded
3 asam jawa
2 salam leaves
2cm ginger

Ingredient B

10 dried red chillies
4 red chillies
5 red onions
2 salam leaves
2 cloves garlic
6cm lengkuas
2cm ginger
3½ tbsp salt
2 tbsp red sugar

Boil the paru in 1 litre of water. Add in 2 salam leaves and 2cm ginger until they are cooked. Put aside.

Boil the coconut cream, Ingredient B, 2 turmeric leaves, 4 kaffir lime leaves and 3 asam jawa until they are fully boiled. Add in the paru mix and put the fire on low. Leave to cook until half dry then add in the liver. Stir until it is completely dry. This recipe is for seven portions.
Nonetheless I wondered why only beef based rendangs were featured. What happened to the chicken rendangs that I am sure are also prepared differently in each state, as I am sure that Perak's chicken rendang and Negeri Sembilan Green Rendang are definitely different from eah other. That I guess will be a topic for a later posting.

Wednesday, 9 September 2009

Practise Makes Perfect!


It is good to have maritime warfare exercise with foreign armed forces and during the week before Merdeka the Royal Malaysian Navy and the Royal Australian Navy conducted a combined maritime warfare exercise in the Malacca Straits called MASTEX 7/2009 . Malaysian navy ships KD Lekiu, KD Laksamana Hang Nadim and KD Mutiara joins their Australian counterparts Adelaide Class Frigate HMAS Darwin and Replenishment ship HMAS Success for the week long exercises. According the Joint Press Release by FOC RMN,this exercise is conducted annually and in this year it will start at Lumut Naval Base, for the Harbour Phase and the Closing Phase will be conducted in Port Klang. Last year it was held in the waters off Darwin Australia with the Adelaide Class Frigate HMAS Melbourne with an embarked Seahawk helicopter and Armidale Class Patrol Boat HMAS Maryborough, alongside Royal Malaysian Navy ship KD Jebat with a Super Lynx helicopter.

The bilateral exercise will provide the opportunity for both maritime powers to improve their interoperability and mutual understanding in common aspects of naval warfare. HMAS Darwin will also demonstrate the Royal Australian Navy's damage control and fire-fighting lessons learnt from recent work-ups and operational deployments. It is hoped by jointly practising maritime security exercises and anti-surface, anti-air and anti-submarine warfare techniques, the Navies of Malaysia and Australia will improve their effectiveness for any common taskings in the future.

Saturday, 5 September 2009

A good week for our military

This has been a good week for our military as we received the last of our SU-30 MKM's to complete our first MRCA squadron, the arrival of our first submarine KD Tunku Abdul Rahman in Malaysian waters that was royally welcomed by our Agong and finally a report that says the contract for our CSAR Helicopter EC725 Cougar will finally be signed during the LIMA show this December. This is in addition to additional submarine purchase to be made under the 13th or 14th Malaysian Plan.

Even though the Defence Minister has said that his ministry is asking for a smaller allocation from the next national budget, it shows that capital purchases for Malaysian Defence will not be neglected. In fact there are rumours that the MIG-29N replacement aircraft purchase will be announced during the LIMA show, that will be break the mould in the type of aircraft and the numbers purchase. Befitting the fact that our new Armed Forces Chief is now from the RMAF isn't it?

Wednesday, 12 August 2009

Kasturi Class SLEP Contracted

Credit : Huskers of Cari Forum

Further to my earlier post, I am glad that the SLEP for the Kasturi class frigates are finally contracted, especially since KD Kasturi has been stripped in readiness for the SLEP to commence. Hopefully after the modernisation, the Kasturis will finally revert to her true role as a frigate rather than a corvette as some currently classify the class.

August 12, 2009 18:40 PM

Boustead Unit Gets RM 703.823 Million Contract From Defence Ministry


KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 12 (Bernama) -- Boustead Holdings Bhd has been awarded a contract worth RM703.823 million from the Defence Ministry to undertake the Service Life Extension Programme of Kasturi Class Corvettes.

The contract, received by its subsidiary Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd, is for an implementation period of 53 months, it said in a filing to Bursa Malaysia here today.

Boustead Holdings said the contract will not have a material effect on earnings for the financial year ending December 31, 2009, but will contribute positively to the future earnings of the group.

-- BERNAMA

Monday, 27 July 2009

Second Phase Sea Trials For Tun Razak


Recently, only news on KD Tun Abdul Rahman has dominated the local news. According to this Spanish news release, The second Malaysian Scorpene Submarine, Tun Razak, has now been returned to the water after being dry-docked for two months. It is expected that she will continue with her second phase of sea trials early next month that will continue until early October. The official handing over ceremony of the submarine to the Royal Malaysian Navy is reportedly planned for the end of October.

Navantia began sea trials in waters off Cartagena of the second Scorpene submarine that the consortium formed by the French company DCNS and NAVANTIA is building for the Royal Malaysian Navy, and which had been christened ‘Tun Razak’.

The aim of this sortie was to commence checks on the operation of the different equipment that has been installed on the submarine. This first phase of trials will last until the end of April.

After a subsequent period of approximately 3 months during which the submarine will be in dry dock for routine maintenance work, the second phase of sea trials will be performed until October 25 of this year, the date scheduled for delivery of the Tun Razak to the Royal Malaysian Navy
Based on the earlier report above, it seems that the second Scorpene progress is going well and is on schedule. In this case it may be possible Tun Razak will taste the salty waters of our nation before the end of the year instead of March 2010 as initially expected. Looks like this year seems to be a busy year of inducting new assets to the fleet for the navy, with the commissioning of two Kedah class patrol vessels and the submarines.