Feelings and Experiences

Yes Let's Fight For This

2011-08-08T09:53:00.003+08:00

I am a product of Methodist English School and I totally agree with this Sunday Star Editorial and enjoins the fight for our future.

Sunday August 7, 2011

Let’s fight to keep Malaysia moderate

On The Beat
By Wong Chun Wai

We must strive to be progressive enough to appreciate that it is good to learn the religions of fellow Malaysians.

IT is unprecedented. The operation by the Selangor state religious department (Jais) on the Damansara Utama Methodist Church on Wednesday is shameful and a blot on our history.

The church has claimed that they were having a goodwill dinner with a non-governmental organisation while the state exco member in charge of religious affairs, Datuk Hasan Ali, has backed Jais, claiming that they had evidence of proselytisation among Muslims.

His statement came just hours after his boss, Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, had expressed regret and asked for a report from Jais.

Instead of passing the buck and being defensive, Khalid asked for a dialogue and admitted that Jais came under the state government and that they reported to the Selangor Islamic Council headed by PAS’ Hasan.

The operation was conducted by Jais, with police personnel present, after it purportedly received complaints that Muslims were present at the event.

We can expect the church and the Muslims present to maintain that there was no attempt to convert anyone while Jais would stick to its stand to justify its intrusion into the church.

Although the manner of the intrusion is not clear, the fact remains that Jais officials entered the premises without a search warrant. Furthermore, any place of worship is holy ground and such lack of respect and sensitivity does not augur well for the nation. It smacks of over-zealousness.

The Jais officials could have exercised restraint by waiting for the function to be over and then politely informing the church pastor of the complaint and the need for them to interview the Muslim guests present. No one, I believe, was going to run away.

We need to be more open-minded. Many of us attended Catholic missionary schools but never became Christians.

Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud has openly admitted that he studied Bible Knowledge during his school days, his family donated money to churches and, more recently, he even opened a church.

Our Royal Couple attended the church wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in April, as did many other Muslim heads of states and governments, mostly from the Commonwealth.

Our Prime Ministers have visited churches, sometimes entering the premises but not going inside the sanctuary, and they showed their respect for Malaysia’s pluralism by their presence.

A day after the operation, AIDS activist Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir tweeted that she has given talks about HIV/AIDS in churches and members have had no problem listening to her.

There seems to be this suspicion, whether imagined or otherwise, that there is an attempt by churches to convert Muslims.

Church leaders are fully aware that while the Federal Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, there is also a clause which clearly states that there should be no attempt to propagate to Muslims. If any church refuses to respect this law, then it should be prepared to face the legal consequences.

At the same time, we must strive to be progressive enough to appreciate that it is good to learn the religions of fellow Malaysians. We can argue about the superiority of one’s religion but it is good to be religious and God-fearing regardless of one’s belief.

If Malaysians claim to be so religiously sensitive themselves, upholding and defending their religions so passionately, we wouldn’t have to grapple with corruption, racism, hypocrisy and discrimination because no religion tolerates such immoral practices.

We also need to be more realistic. I have served in a Christian-run soup kitchen in Kuala Lumpur and seen that those in need include Muslims, many of whom are homeless, destitute, drug addicts and HIV-positive or have full-blown AIDS. They are looking for a place to clean themselves so they can maintain their dignity. And they look forward to a plate of hot curry and rice served by volunteers who welcome them. They enjoy having the volunteers listen to them, never mind that sometimes the helpers can’t do much.

The soup kitchen is a weekly event that lasts about an hour. Yes, there is a prayer, which Christians do before any meal, but the needy Muslims do not join in. They just wait for the food to be served and to be in good company where they are treated with respect.

Going by the logic – or illogic – of Hasan the PAS hardliner, will these poor Muslims have to be turned away by the soup kitchen helpers for fear that they would be accused of proselytisation?

Does it mean the St Nicholas Home for the Blind in Penang will have to reject Muslim students because it is Christian-based?

I studied Malay literature and Islamic History in Form Six and went on to enrol in the Malay Letters Department of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia where Islamic Civilisation was a compulsory subject. Some non-Muslim students grumbled about this requirement, citing subtle conversion, but I took it in stride and felt proud as I got to understand and appreciate Islam better. I didn’t convert.

Mosques, temples and churches are an integral part of Malaysia. We proudly promote them in our tourist brochures, so why are some people so fearful of these places of worship?

We know many Malaysian Muslims visit Rome and pop over to the Vatican when they do so, but they don’t become Christians.

Let’s fight to keep Malaysia moderate.

So CanThese Be Displayed In The RMAF Museum?

2011-07-28T10:50:00.001+08:00

A Malaysian military modeler forumer is letting go of his RMAF 1/48 scale aircraft collection as a set. These things rarely go to the market in museum quality state. I wonder if some wealthy scion of society can buy up the set and donate it to an appropriate museum as a showcase of our Armed Forces history.

Some sample photos :

So who is the louts now?

2011-07-11T10:05:00.002+08:00

For those suddenly who has turned yellow, answer me these same questions that the police asked of the rioters! ''apakah 8 tuntutan yang dikemukakan BERSIH?' and ''Dah habis baca dan faham ke AKTA PILIHAN RAYA 1958 sebelum keluar behimpun tadi?". Ever thought why when the Royal Audience was granted the so-called demands was not handed over by your angelic leaders and why ignoring the Royal Decree not to rally makes you yellows the thugs and degil kepalas of the story? Think about it and then we can talk!

And joining a riot and not expecting to be gassed and sprayed really brings your level of intelligence to your kneecaps to me. Frankly.

This old man of the street displays far more intelligence than all you 'intelligent' people summed up together.

He quotes from JFK but do you know what he is quoting and what it means.

Without Fear Or Favour.

Your Friend who dares tell you the truth of the story.

That Was Quick!

2011-04-14T08:14:00.002+08:00

Keep it up!. At least it shows someone with a heart is watching! Now keep looking for Tamilarasi and ensure she continues studying.

Happy ending for pupils without birth certificates

SEREMBAN: Eight pupils who were abruptly barred from SJKT Ladang Linsum in February for not having birth certificates are to resume classes today.
Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong and Cabinet Committee on the Indian Community in the Prime Minister's Department consultant Datuk N. Siva Subramaniam stepped in to resolve the issue yesterday, following a report in The Star which highlighted the pupils' plight.

Dr Wee said the ministry had issued a circular in March 2009 clarifying that as long as one parent was a citizen, children without birth certificates could attend school.

Expressing regret over the episode, Siva Subramaniam said he met officials from the school and the state education department yesterday and it was decided that the pupils would be allowed to return to school.

End of plight: Siva Subramaniam (centre) and Mogan (third from left) giving an assurance to the seven pupils that they would be allowed to return to school. – UU BAN/ The Star

He explained that under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, even if the parents were non-Malaysians, the child should be allowed to attend school after filling up the necessary documents.

He said there were many children without proper documentation in the country but all had the right to be in school.

“We managed to register some 14,000 people without proper documents in the recent MyDaftar campaign. Under Phase Two of the programme, we will extend this to schools nationwide,” Siva Subramaniam said, adding that several thousand children were said to be in the same predicament.

The eight are siblings L. Nisha, 10, Pavitra, nine, and Teeban, eight, orphaned cousins S. Meganathan, 11, and Mahaletchumy, seven, another orphan C. Jayasutha 12, K. Tamilarasi, nine, and G. Arvind, eight.

K. Tamilarasi could not be located after she was stopped from attending school.

The school had barred the pupils from attending classes after being told by the state Education Department that headmasters who allowed such pupils in their schools would be fined RM1,000 for each student.

MIC Information chief Datuk V.S. Mogan said parents with such children should get letters from their respective village heads, community leaders or elected representatives to clarify their status.

Meanwhile, eight-year-old orphan K. Jeganathan was also wearing a big smile yesterday.

He can now attend classes at the SJKT Lobak after being turned away on the first day of school last year because his parents did not register his birth.

Jeganathan and his seven-year-old brother Nagulan were issued a letter by the National Registration Department confirming their birth certificates were being processed to enable them to go to school.

You Didn't Get The Memo Eh?

2011-04-12T17:14:00.002+08:00

Didn't the Negeri Sembilan State Education Director get the memo to not be an obstacle to the citizens but to help them instead. It is this sort of cold hearted and dumb actions that negates the Government's efforts to lead the people to achieve a higher level of living. Make sure this guy's KPI reflects his bull-headedness okay.

Tuesday April 12, 2011

Future looks bleak for eight pupils

SEREMBAN: A sign at the entrance to SJKT Ladang Linsum near here reads: “At this gate, we begin our journey to excellence”.
But 12-year-old C. Jayasutha, who is due to sit for her UPSR exam in five months, will beg to differ.

The orphan and seven other pupils face a bleak future as they have been abruptly stopped from attending classes since Feb 24 for not having birth certificates.

This despite the fact that their parents are all citizens.

Locked out: (from left) Mahaletchumy, Jayasutha, Meganathan, Nisha, Pavitra and Teeban at SJKT Ladang Linsum near Seremban Monday.

“I am only an average pupil and I need to attend school to be able to do well in the UPSR. I cannot afford tuition,'' she said in between sobs outside the school.

Approached by The Star, headmistress A. Gracy said the action was due to a directive from the state Education Department that school heads who allowed such pupils in their schools would be fined RM1,000 for each pupil, which must be paid out of their own pockets.

The other pupils who have been forced to stop school are siblings L. Nisha, 10, Pavitra, nine, and Teeban, eight, orphaned cousins S. Meganathan, 11, and Mahaletchumy, seven, and K. Tamilarasi, nine, and G. Arvind, eight.

B. Muniammah, 50, who has been taking care of Jayasutha since she was two and who is also Meganathan's and Mahaletchumy's grandmother, said the school notified her of the matter just after Chinese New Year.

“Meganathan and Mahaletchumy were both born at Kuala Lumpur Hospital and their parents died when they were young.

“Jayasutha's parents have also passed away and all I have are hospital cards of their mothers going for their pre-natal check-ups,” she said.

R. Mageswary, 34, the mother of the three siblings, said she submitted applications for her children's birth certificates early last month but there was no news yet.

Malaysian Public Service Society president Andrew Raju said the pupils should not be penalised for their parents' oversight.

“I have submitted their applications to the National Registration Department and we don't know how long it is going to take before they are given their birth certificates.

“Whichever way you look at it, the children are the ones who are going to pay the price for this,” he said.

State Education director Abdul Halim Abdul Razak could not be reached for comment.

How Chauvinistic!

2011-03-25T21:04:00.003+08:00

A friend just told me that a speaker in a course he attended contended that the majority of Malays cannot be successful because they cannot understand commitment as the word supposedly does not exist in the Malay language, so by not knowing commitment means someone is on a doomed road towards failure as if commitment is THE key ingredient to success.

With a simple check you may only find the Malay translation is the naturalised komited seeming to confirm such a Malay word does not exist. I can assure you it does, and as I responded being "komited sungguh" in my pursuit of my wife 'wink' meant that I was doubly committed to achieving success.

So is this a subtle put down by a prejudiced and bigoted speaker on a whole race? You decide.

Prelude To Earth Hour!

2011-03-24T23:29:00.003+08:00

Shouldn't all mobile electronics be switched off too during Earth Hour if you fully commit to to the spirit of it. Where do you think those devices get their juice or power from?

So Stop Testing Already!

2011-03-17T15:08:00.001+08:00

Well the matter is decided. So stop testing already. Respect our sensitivities similarly as you want us to respect yours!

The Star Online > Nation
Published: Thursday March 17, 2011 MYT 10:00:00 AM
Updated: Thursday March 17, 2011 MYT 2:27:47 PM

Non-Muslim's bid to challenge Syarie lawyer ruling quashed

BY M. MAGESWARI

KUALA LUMPUR: In a test case, a non-Muslim counsel has failed in her bid to challenge the requirement that a Syarie lawyer in Kuala Lumpur must be a Muslim.

High Court judge Justice Rohana Yusuf dismissed the application by Victoria Jayaseelee Martin, 49 to challenge the ruling, Thursday.

Justice Rohana also dismissed a preliminary objection by the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council against Victoria's judicial review application.

Victoria was granted leave on May 14 last year to get the High Court to hear her case to compel the council to admit her as a Syarie lawyer.

In her affidavit, Victoria said she applied to be admitted as a Syarie lawyer in Kuala Lumpur in February 2006 but was rejected.

Hendak Pergi Berotan, Jangan Takut Onaknya!

2011-03-15T10:39:00.003+08:00

This is a good comment on the state of command of the English Language by our young people, especially since I have received comments that it would be better to blog in Malay since I tend to blog in English. Quite reminiscent of similar comments made by so called nationalist students when I speak more English than Malay when studying, to which I responded the same that I wish to participate in the international arena, and whether you like it or not, Malay is no longer the lingua france. Take the peribahasa in the title to your heart will you.

Sunday March 13, 2011
A handicap we must overcome

On The Beat
Wong Chun Wai

There’s no two ways about it – universities have to give importance to English if they want to produce employable graduates.

IT’S preposterous, really. Most Malaysians must be horrified upon reading that some Universiti Malaya students are angry with the Higher Education Ministry’s call for universities to give importance to English to enhance their graduates’ employment prospects.

The call is timely and certainly appropriate but students at the Academy of Malay Studies (AMS) are regarding it as a move to sideline Bahasa Malaysia. The students have submitted a memorandum to the university’s vice-chancellor, Prof Datuk Dr Ghauth Jasmon, demanding an apology.

The controversy began when Dr Ghauth told a gathering of 2,000 students that the ministry wanted all public universities to improve their students’ skills in English to increase their graduate employability rate.

He delivered the message because the AMS students had the lowest graduate employability rate in comparison to all other faculties six months after they completed their studies.

He made the call based on statistics provided by the ministry out of concern. But rather than accept the fact, the students have instead demanded that Dr Ghauth state his stand on the national language. Some individuals have even left nasty comments on YouTube, calling him biadap (recalcitrant) and khianat (traitor) for delivering the message.

But the good professor is sticking to his guns: he is prepared to clarify the matter with the unhappy students but he will not apologise to them.

Good for him. The demand is unreasonable. In fact, the students should be appreciative of the call by the ministry as it tells them what most employers already know – that the standard of English among many of our graduates is so poor it has become an alarming situation.

Many employers have adopted a pessimistic approach, accepting the situation as beyond repair because many school leavers and graduates are unable to construct a decent sentence in English. Many have no grounding in English grammar and are unable to even tell the difference between present and past tenses.

It is not just school leavers and graduates who are in this situation, as poor command of English can also be detected among university lecturers and teachers through their conversations and written work.

In fact, one deputy minister’s English is so bad, his writing has been circulated on the Internet as an example to show how bad the situation is.

He purportedly wrote a review of a play in English and posted it on his blog. With cyberspace being the open domain that it is, his weakness, unfortunately, was widely exposed. The horrifying part is that his portfolio is related to education and it does not help that he is also known for his anti-English stand.

The pattern seems to be that those who are the most vocal against the use of English are generally weak in this language. In their attempts to cover their weakness, they try to project themselves as nationalists and defenders of the sacredness of the national language. Denial syndrome, one may say.

There are, of course, those who speak impeccable English and would gladly trade our iconic teh tarik for English afternoon tea and scones but they project themselves in a similar fashion in the most hypocritical way for political expediency.

Most of us are sure that the problem is not confined to graduates of AMS alone. I dare say the problem of poor command of English has affected all faculties in all public universities. And, let’s be frank, it’s in private universities too.

It would also be most unfair to say that the poor standard of English is confined to Malay students. It is a problem among Chinese and Indians too because of our education policy, which has clearly abandoned English.

Young Chinese seem to have become almost monolingual. Walk into a shopping mall and, if you are Chinese, you will be approached by salesmen speaking in Mandarin or Cantonese. When you reply in English, they will struggle to converse with you.

Dr Ghauth has taken the right approach. He could have gained popularity by playing the racial card and told the AMS students how great they are and that they would be future leaders of the country. But he would be leading them down a false path.

When they remain jobless, like the thousands who already are, they will conveniently blame the government. They will also blame the private sector, claiming that they are showing preference for certain sectors of applicants. They will hope to be employed by the public sector which is increasingly bloated.

Many of our graduates have never been motivated to become entrepreneurs. Rather, the aspiration is to become civil servants. This is one serious area of concern if we wish to compete effectively with other countries. But this is another story.

In China, they are putting emphasis on the teaching of English. The young are being taught to pronounce English words correctly, whether the American or English way.

In India, English is still given priority even as nationalists there are trying to push Hindi.

Malaysians with a poor command of English are entering universities. There they find that the academic books are in English but the medium of teaching is in Bahasa Malaysia.

Many struggle to understand what they read and to help themselves, some turn to similar books in Bahasa Indonesia, which they again struggle to comprehend. Most of the contents in the Internet are in English and are therefore of no help to these students.

In cases where students are required to take an English course because their command of the language is so pathetic, these students try to memorise essays, hoping that the same topics would be in their tests. That’s how low we have sunk in our standard of English.

Unfortunately, most of our politicians are not brave enough to grab the bull by the horns to tackle the problem. Many of them, of course, would have sent their children to schools overseas to ensure they have a strong grounding in English.

Janda Tak Baik, Janda Baik

2011-03-14T06:56:00.003+08:00

As I am writing this, my family is still sleeping off their tiredness after a topsy turvy two days of stay in Janda Baik, Bentong Pahang. The bad thing about the past two days is that this was the first time I had to move hotel because the first really did not live up to our expectations, and it was God's will that we got an excellent hotel room to make up for the crummy stay in the first hotel.

The problem with the first hotel is that after their media blitz in the media and what they promised in their website, I can say that Cherengin Hills definitely fall far short. I have never been to a hotel that could not serve lunch to the guests checking in just because their restaurant is serving buffet to a convention group, and due to the same they offered a so-called dinner buffet of less than ten items at Ringgit Malaysia thirty five, and like me I can say I found those guests with family drove out for dinner in droves for both lunch and dinner that day. And that was not the only reason we had to drive out, because such a big hotel did not even have a single newspaper for guests to read in the morning. Come on man, if you can't afford to give individual newspapers, at least have some public newspaper in the lobby. And the rooms, if you can get past the paint smell, you are surprised that there is no fridge to cool your drinks and the view you get is actually the roof of the next building instead of the supposed "Courtyard/Hill/Pool" view that they promised. I don't want to say much more on this but what I can say is that you may meet the "Convention" needs in your name, but you fail miserably in the non existent "Spa" portion and also to meet family guests need.

Well at least the trips out for meals managed to introduce us to great meals be it at Saufiville for excellent and affordable western meals that definitely meets our expectations as shown in their website, with a great view to boot, or rest house reminiscent meals prepared by young chaps at Andak's Place Jungle Cafe, or a simple yet great tasting malay fried meal at a kampung warung where the son of the owner emphatically said that they do not do Siamese style food when I mistakenly asked for my favourite Nasi Goreng Daging Merah.

And what is the baik or good in this, well we manage to snatch a stay in the sought after connecting rooms at Suria Hills Country House, which is all they claim and more. As the adventure is not over yet, I will blog further on this later but let me leave you with the photo of the river in their backyard, and yes my friends that are fishes in the clear river water.

I Miss The Cries Of Kueh! Kueh!

2011-02-12T13:15:00.001+08:00

This article in the Sunday Metro section reminded me of the old Kueh man who used to cry out kueh!kueh! in my neighbourhood in Ipoh. Mind you the cries can be heard miles away and once you hear it, you would be on standby as he may just jets by on his old heavy bicycle if you did not notice his approach. This despite the large metal container at the back of the bicycle resembling a large tiffin container. Fortunately his route enables him to make a second approach so if you miss him the first time, you really needed to wait him in front of the gates to make sure you catch him as even though you can hear him miles away, due to some weird science perhaps you do not really hear him when he is nearly on top of you.

If you do manage to stop him however, you would still brace yourself for dissapointment once he opens up the top layer of the containers as your favourite kueh may just be sold out. Mine would be the fried popiah and pulut udang and even though he would sell many varieties of kueh that includes even laksa assam, these two kuehs seems to run out very fast even though one whole tray is dedicated to them. Unfortunately as the article paragraph mentions below, they are now an extinct lot and even though my neighbourhood kueh man was a wiry and fit medium aged man that old time ago, I do not think the age he is now would allow him to continue even if the kueh source he gets his kueh from still exist. Adieu Sir and bye-bye to a tasty era.

“We used to wake up at 4am to start making the kuih (a term derived from the Hokkien dialect referring to bite-sized snacks),” relates Mook Hian Beng, 56, whose father started the business at the site almost 70 years ago.

“At that time, a lot of people got their kuih from Indian sellers who rode on motorcycles or moved about on foot carrying baskets or trays of the snacks.”........

“(Coming into the new millennium), there were no more Indian traders out and about,” explains Mook who took over the business when he turned 18.

“The ones who used to go around passed away or were very old and no one stepped into their places. At around 2004, things in the shop became very quiet.”

Serenpiditious Detour

2011-02-02T09:54:00.002+08:00

Yesterday evening after an unsuccessful search for ghee "timbang" at the local Little Indias and cancelled sojourn to the National Monument due to rain and I could not make the right turn to the location, we found ourselves at Bangsar Village. This is an upmarket mall that usually I will have no intention of visiting due to horrendous traffic conditions but I heard good things about their supermarket the Village Grocer so I thought what the heck let's make a quick stop.

The Village Grocer lived up to its reputation of stocking hard to find foreign foodstuff that seems to have vanished from the other supermarkets, the caveat being that the prices reflects the strong foreign currency of the country of origins. For example Kraft Thousand Island sauce from Australia costs 16 Ringgit when it used to cost around 9 ringgit before. Nonetheless we loaded up on some of stuff as a one off treat as I don't think I would be making a return trip and some like the 0ne litre Italian extra virgin olive oil came with a premium of a litre of sunflower oil. (You know the cooking oil situation nowadays right ha!ha!ha!) But the most pleasant surprise I have is that Tucker Box has an outlet within the premises, and as I promised I want to highlight that it is alive and kicking still. Too bad I still have a box of their meat pies in the freezer still, otherwise I would have loaded up myself yesterday.

Generous Servings And Pretentious Up Scales

2011-02-01T08:07:00.001+08:00

It has been awhile since I have blogged about my food experiences but what occurred over the past few days has compelled me to come out of hibernation. Firstly I just wanted to note down that despite their usually well deserved reputation nowadays of being price gougers, there are still some who adhere to what their forefathers exercised in times of yore. I was reminded of this when my family had breakfast at this mamak stall located at the end of a row of shop houses near my home, who serves a decent piece of roti chanai but with a killer dhall gravy or curry to accompany it. The fact that despite making their own delicious nasi lemak bungkus, they still offer ones made by outsiders to supplement that household’s income is already a plus in my book, the fact that when tallying up my bill that came to 10 ringgit and a bit he rounded up the bill was a pleasant experience. That only happens in rural shops that I have visited, and to find such practices still exist in big old Kuala Lumpur not only here but certain other mamak establishments reaffirms that not all businesses are profiteers.

That day was followed by lunch at KLCC where since rain cancelled our plans to have it at Ozeki , this gave us a chance to try the newly opened Yuzu within Suria KLCC itself. Walking in we saw some familiar faces that I finally blurted out was this part of the Nippon Tei chain, and to our delight it was an upgraded version of the restaurant that had closed down to our disappointment before. But here upgraded means just that, even though the menu is now offering some upscale food they have maintained reasonable pricing for some of the old favourites. The best thing they have introduced the grilled salmon belly they used to have at their Times square outlet, and my daughters was in Ikura heaven as they were generous with this salmon roe delicacy that seems to be disappearing from other Japanese joints. Another plus was that they are able to offer wagyu beef at very reasonable prices where you can get a grilled wagyu bento at only sixty three ringgit, but I stuck with Wagyu beef don as I knew I had to help my daughters’ finish their large unagi bento since they had ikura temaki on the side. And all this for a meal of three bento sets, 1 grilled salmon belly, two temakis and my wagyu don with drinks only came to around 220 ringgit.

So now let’s come to the pretentious bit where after noticing banner advertisements of the opening of a Sekinchan Ikan Bakar outlet near my place and checking the place out which surprisingly was located in the industrial part of the area and quite inaccessible the day before, we had dinner there last night as Sekinchan had a good reputation amongst food bloggers. Nonetheless warning bells started ringing when I saw the same price per 100 grams for all the types of fishes they had and they were charging the crustaceans at per unit basis. This made my scrooge mode kick in and I picked the most expensive fish available though my wife picked Tilapia to be brought back for her parents who stayed back. I can safely say the food is nice enough but when a meal cost me 78 ringgit because you charged me 32 ringgit for the small garoupa and 25 ringgit for the tilapia and 10 ringgit for a crab, I expect a grand meal but it is not to be. Especially when at that price I can get a kilo of the same at the nearby Sungei Besi market as my wife mentioned. Well I must say good luck to the restaurant for trying to charge upscale prices at the boondocks as I for one will not make a return trip and I do not expect others to make the trip too as Bellamy and other Ikan bakar outlets are as easily accessible, because if they think they can do the same as per their other upscale branches I am afraid this time their market research is definitely off the mark.

Wake up lah!

2010-12-04T22:28:00.002+08:00

Last night most of the Malaysian FB postings were about the price increases effective today. But yet I see people are lining up to buy the Ipads or whatever the latest smarphones is in the market, gold at 155 per gram, smokies for 10 bucks a pop and methinks these are the same type of people still griping they can't afford to drive their latest sportscars or new proton inspiras or whatever with such price increases.

And to me these are the also ones who are saying that the government are fooling around with our country's money. To what standards are you holding our government to when I have yet to see Malaysians die of starvation, country people catching rats for food, people rioting for food aid, cars abandoned by the roadside due lack of fuel or whatever images that you see from countries that are truly poor. Until I see again beggars in rags at our mosques or wherever, and Malaysians and not those foreigners preying on Malaysian generosity, I shall not complain but adjust accordingly. Malaysia and Malaysians are not that special to escape economic realities.

Yes prices are increasing, but I still don't want to leave a country in debt to my children. So deal with it.

Register Of RMN Active List Ships - Subsea Combattants

2010-11-28T18:47:00.001+08:00

In 1965 the British withdrew from Malaysia their hydrographic assets and platforms and then transferred the responsibilities to chart the nation's hydrographic territory to the Malaysian Navy. The Hydrographic Department of the RMN was later formally established in 1969. The Royal Navy transferred a converted Ton class coastal minesweeper HMS Myrmidon that was commissioned in 1968 as the KD Perantau to become the navy's first survey vessel. This vessel provided the RMN the ability to execute hydrographic activities without any foreign navy's intervention. As KD Perantau alone was not able to meet the demand for hydropgrahic duties, a converted tug KTD Penyu was also pressed for hydrographic duties later on. The later acquisition of modern hydrography vessels enabled the RMN to commence gathering of bathymetric data that not only supplied nautical charts for surface ships but ultimately allows the vessels to be involved in the training , search and rescue missions and assisting in weapons training, anti-submarine warfare and submarine operations. This is especially useful since the Malaysian Navy after a 30 year wait has now received two modern attack diesel submarines to complete their 3 dimensional naval warfare capability. The submarines are not only a very good deterrent but is a very good force multiplier for a small navy like the RMN to act as a credible defence force for the nation. With the hydrograhic force working in concert with the submarine arm, the sub-surface will not be a stranger or an obstacle to achieving success.

Mutiara Class AGS

A225 1976/1977

Displacement: 1905 tons standard, 1949 tons full load
Dimensions: 71.15m x 13.52m x 4.75 m
Guns: Fitted for 1 x 20mm.
Electronics: 2 Racal 1226/1229 Navigation Radar, I Beam, Multi-beam Echo Sounder Atlas Hydrosweep MD 2/30 kHz, Deep Sea Echo Sounder Atlas Deso 25, Sound Velocity Probe 10 Inch, Motion Sensor DMS 3-05, Expandable Bathymetry Thermograph (XBT), 2 X Side Scan Sonar Klein 3000
Propulsion: 2 X Deutz SBA 12M 528 diesels, 1 controllable pitch propeller
Speed: 16 knots, range 8334Km at 16 knots
Crew : 155
Aircraft: platform aft.

KD MUTIARA was built locally in Penang by Hong Leong Lurssen Dockyard. She was originally commissioned to the Royal Malaysian Navy’s Fleet on 18th December 1977 with the pennant number A 152, but was renumbered after taking on grey livery and is the squadron leader to the 36th Hydrographic Squadron. Her endurance renders her sustainability at sea for a maximum period of 3 months. She is fitted with the latest state of the art Hydrographic and Oceanographic surveying system and is complemented with 4 surveying boats and 2 working boats. She has an impeccable record of successful hydrographic surveys and has contributed to the production of more than 50 nautical charts and completed her upgrade in 2004.

Perantau Class AGS

A151 1995/1998

Displacement: 1505 tons standard, 2160 tons full load
Dimensions: 67.8m x 13.3m x 4m
Electronics: Integrated Navigation and Command System (NACOS), X band and S band, ATLAS I Band, Digital Survey and Mapping System 'HYDROMAP', Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS), SYstem LEgere pour mesure le DIStance (SYLEDIS) - Electronic Position Fixing System, 1 multi-beam medium / shallow echo-sounder, 2 dual frequency Single beam Echo Sounder, Hull Mounted Acoustic Current Profiller (ADCP) , Sound Velocity Probe , Sub-Bottom Profiler, Expandable Bathymetry Thermograph (XBT), 2 X Side Scan Sonar Klein 3000
Propulsion: 2 X Two Deutz MWM SB8 M628 diesels, 2 shafts Berg controllable pitch propellers
Speed: 16 knots, range 11, 112 Km at 10 knots
Crew : 96

KD PERANTAU was ordered from Germany’s Krogerweft but was built locally in Penang by Hong Leong Lurssen Dockyard. She replaced the former KD PERANTAU which was decommissioned in 1990. KD PERANTAU was built with a combination of local expertise in shipbuilding and design and the main hydrographic and navigation system are based from German's technology. The ship was designed and equipped specifically for hydrographic surveying operation and conducting meteorological and oceanographic observations mainly in the tropics. he ship also carries two survey launch mainly deployed for surveying in shallow water equipped with shallow water multi-beam echo-sounders and short range UHF differential GPS.

Hidrografi Class HSL

Hidrografi 1 2005
Hidrografi 2 2009

Displacement: 8.5 tons standard
Dimensions: 16m x 4.45m x 1.5 m
Electronics: Navigation Radar, Echo Sounder, Side Scan Sonar
Propulsion: 2 X CUMMINS 6CTA8.3M(SW) diesels, 2 shafts x 1 fixed propeller
Speed: 19 knots, range 834Km
Crew : 14

In addition to the survey launches on board the hydrographic ships, the Royal Malaysian Navy has also commissioned two locally built hydrographic survey launches that operates independently to complement the ships' operations. Based in East Malaysia, these craft will be used for hydrographic survey and data collection.

Perdana Class SSK

KD Tunku Abdul Rahman 2003/2009
KD Tun Razak 2004/2010

Displacement: 1577 tons surfaced, 1711 tons submerged
Dimensions: 66.4 m x 6.2 m x 5.4 m
Weapons : 6 x 533mm torpedo tubes . 18 x Anti Ship Missiles/Torpedoes combination
Anti-Ship Missile: SM39 Block II missiles, Range : 50 Km
ASW: 533 mm WASS Balckshark wire-guided torpedoes. Range : 50 Km
Electronics: SUBTICS combat control system, I-Band navigation radar, Thales DR3000 ESM, TSM 2233 Mk II Hull Mounted Sonar, active/passive search and attack.
Propulsion: 2 x SEMT Pielstick PA4 200 SM D-12 DS Diesels, Exide Hagen propulsion batteries, 1 Jeumont Industrie Motor, 1 shaft.
Speed: 20.5 knots dived, 12 knots submerged ; range 667 Km at 4 knots submerged, 11 112 Km at 8 knots surfaced
Crew : 32

After a thirty year wait where the idea to induct a submarine force into the navy was first broached in the 1970s and the first submariners started training in 1985 but came back not to a submarine but a submarine planning duties, our first two submarines was finally declared fit for duties after passing their tropical, underwater and maintenance tests in november 2010. The Scorpene type submarines were cooperatively built in France and Spain and is based on a nuclear attack submarine design that ensures a very quiet platform in operations. Currently the most modern submarine in the region, these submarines are both armed with both anti-ship missiles and torpedoes that can be launched from their six 533mm torpedo tubes with a weapons capacity of 18 torpedoes and/or missiles. These are the Whitehead Black Shark wire-guided torpedoes from Italy and sub-launched SM39 Exocet anti ship missiles from MBDA and although it has been reported that the submarines can launch 30 mines alternatively, the type and whether the mines has been purchased is unknown. In addition, these submarine has not been equipped with AIPS (Air-Independent Propulsion System) which allows a greater submerged endurance and reduced vulnerability but this can be inserted at a later stage. The induction of these submarines now completes the naval capabilities of the navy in all the operational theatres it operates in.

Nice Idea!

2010-11-26T09:58:00.002+08:00

Credit : The Star Thumbnails

Bravo to the maths genius who thought up of this novel way to get to your floor on a lift. Our kids needs such mental arithmetic stimulation trust me!

My Wonderful Beans

2010-11-13T22:57:00.002+08:00

I just wanted to share an article on the wonderful petai or what the Mat Salleh calls the stink bean, something that I swear by to relieve my constipation. This only one of the myriad health benefits claimed for the consumption of the beans but you really have to live with the side effects. The stink does not really affect you in the eating process mind you, but more during the release of the by-products process. That is the time when the wash room really needs the deodoriser. But I digress, let's share the article.

Sundaymetro
Sunday November 7, 2010

Wonder beans

By AIDA AHMAD
sundaymetro@thestar.com.my

Petai is good for you, all you have to do to enjoy its goodness is to get over the smell.

YOU EITHER love it or hate it. Those little green pods aptly called the ‘stink bean’ and locally known as petai come packed with a host of nutrients essential for the human body.

The health benefits of petai (Parkia speciosa) clearly outweigh the minor undesirable side effects such as its peculiar smell which some say is quite similar to methane gas. The beans are nonetheless an acquired taste and quite popular in Asian countries such Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Laos, Burma and some parts of India.

The flat, edible bright green beans can be consumed either raw or cooked. Unlike the durian which is notorious for its pungent smell and immediate distinct taste, there is a delayed response when it comes to petai.

Chockfull of goodness: Petai has many health benefits.

As you chew through a single bean, it slowly emits a pungency similar to garlic. Some people say there is a hint of bitterness as you swallow it but no two palettes are the same.

The long lingering after taste takes a while to get used to. Like asparagus, petai contains certain amino acids that give a strong smell to one’s urine, an effect that can be noticed up to two days after consumption.

When young, the pods are flat because of the underdeveloped seeds and they hang like a bunch of slightly twisted ribbons – pale green and almost translucent. At this stage they may be eaten raw, fried or pickled.

Petai beans actually look like broad beans and like mature broad beans, they have to be peeled before cooking. Petai can be found all year round and is available in supermarkets and certain wet markets.

People suffering from diabetes are encouraged to consume petai as it helps to regulate a person’s glucose levels.

It contains three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose - and combined with fibre, petai gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.

The fibre content also helps with problems of constipation. The petai beans are rich in complex carbohydrates that can give you the same feeling of fullness, thus eliminating the chances of gorging on the wrong foods. Here are other ways the humble petai can help with various health ailments.

Depression – As petai contains tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, consuming a few pods can help one to relax and improve your mood.

Pre-menstrual Syndrome (PMS) – The vitamin B6 in petai helps regulate blood glucose levels which can affect your mood.

Anemia – Petai also contains high amounts of iron, therefore it can stimulate the production of haemoglobin in the blood, thus helps a lot in cases of anaemia.

Blood Pressure – Petai is very high in potassium yet low in salt, making it the perfect remedy to beat high blood pressure. So much so the US Food and Drug Administration have allowed the petai industry to make official claims for the bean’s ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Heartburn: Petai has a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, eating petai can provide a soothing relief.

While there are many who can’t stand the lingering aftertaste and smell of the petai, some prefer to overlook that.

Housewife Jasmine Anas says she often cooks prawn sambal with petai for her family. “My two young kids haven’t acquired the taste for it yet but my husband loves it with sambal belacan too. I have been told petai has a good cleansing effect on our body as well,” she says.

Chris De Mello, owner of Mum’s Place Restaurant in Damansara Perdana, says their Cencaru Fish and Prawn Sambal, both cooked with petai are a big hit among the customers.

“Petai is actually a local delicacy in Negeri Sembilan, which is where I’m from and it started off as a favourite among the Malay community. But now, it is enjoyed by everyone and even my customers from foreign countries love the pungent taste. The health benefits of petai are huge and it is also known for its natural laxative effect,” says De Mello.

Some restaurants in Klang Valley which serve up good petai dishes include Jaring Restaurant in Bandar Sunway, Restaurant Sambal Hijau in Kg Sungai Penchala and Anggrek Kuring, which has branches in Puchong and Kota Damansara.

How to prepare petai

If you buy them still in their pods, gently break them out and peel off the green outer layer. Blanching them in hot water for about five minutes and eating them as part of ulam (Malay herbal salad) with sambal belacan is a favourite among many. The most popular method is cooking them in sambal, be it prawns or ikan bilis (anchovies).

Petai Recipes

Petai with Fresh Mushrooms and Cashew Nuts

(Courtesy of Jeanie Lee of New Formosa Restaurant)

Ingredients:

200gm halved petai seeds

One large onion, cut into small wedges

Two varieties of fresh mushrooms (according to preference)

50gm cashew nuts

One red capsicum, diced into cubes (Optional: Rub salt over capsicum and roast for 15 minutes until skin blisters, peel and dice into cubes)

One tbsp vegetarian oyster sauce or light soy sauce

Half teaspoon brown sugar (optional)

Method:

Soak petai for 10 minutes and dry. Toast cashew nuts until slightly golden brown.

Heat one tea spoon of oil in a non-stick wok and sauté onions until fragrant. Add capsicum. Add mushrooms. Sprinkle some water and stir-fry lightly and then simmer the ingredients for about three minutes. Add petai and stir-fry about two minutes. Lastly add in cashew nuts, oyster or light soy sauce and a pinch of brown sugar.

Note:

Due to reduced oil and seasonings in this recipe, it is suggested that the petai is soaked for a while to get rid of its strong smell. If you prefer the strong smell, you may cook the petai while sprinkling a dash of brown sugar to enhance its taste. Simmer the mushrooms to release their flavour while simultaneously enhancing the flavour of the petai. Onions are cut into wedges to retain sweetness and texture, which tastes better eaten with petai compared to when cut into rings.

Sambal Petai with Prawns

(Courtesy of The Cooking House in Desa Sri Hartamas)

Ingredients:

Half cup of petai beans

300g fresh prawns, cleaned and shelled

Three shallots

Three cloves garlic

One inch ginger

One cup of dried chillis (boiled in hot water, deseeded and blended with some water)

One stalk lemongrass, crushed

Two tablespoons of tamarind juice

Half cup fresh coconut milk

Pinch of salt and sugar

Cooking oil

Method:

Blend together shallots, garlic and ginger in a food processor. Heat some oil in a frying pan.

Pour in the blended ingredients and saute for a few minutes until fragrant. Add in crushed lemongrass and blended chili. Stir well and add in the coconut milk.

Next, stir in tamarind juice and add in the prawns.

Once the prawns are almost cooked, add the petai beans and cook for another few minutes until prawns are fully cooked.

Season to taste with sugar and salt.

Finally Showing True Colors

2010-11-09T09:18:00.007+08:00

Just one week after reminding the Government not to ignore the voice of the people as expressed in the protest site, the site owners have finally shown their true colors and it has been borne out the insinuation that the site has political overtones and is not as apolitical as it claims. I have suspected of this for some time based not only on its fans' political comments that the owner let slid, but on the more recent owner's own comments.

Now the site owners' have finally thrown off their cloak and announced themselves as part of BERSIH, a politically overt NGO that in its true form will never get my support. Bravo for pulling the wool over my eyes but I believe from now on the site will start to lose people's support.

Some recent comments are testimonials of this.

Pierce Tk Wong This is getting more political than the tower...
19 hours ago · 1 personLoading... ·

Shahryl Abd Latiff What crap is this! Clean politics? Tell me which country has clean politics since birth of mankind? No such thing! I'm sad and feel cheated into believing this page was non political. Obviously, the owners have their own agenda! You just lost a supporter for this cause!
2 hours ago · 1 personLoading... ·
Martin Harnevie Betzen
‎@Shahryl. A lot of countries have clean politics. Just ensure free press and unbiased justice and it will develop automatically. However, I do agree that politics should be out of this.

@All. I know BN/UMNO loyalists that are totally agains...t the tower and they will be turned off if this turns too partisan. Focus on the Warisan Memboros only, that's enough.See more
about an hour ago ·

Jamal Pawanteh Although I agree with the principle of this point. I believe it belongs on another page. PLEASE ADMIN FOCUS JUST ON THE TOWER. Public accountability will just drag politics in and make a mess of things. You're message will then be lost in transmission.
16 hours ago ·

Dick Teh One issue at a time. Now we anti mega tower.

End of story.

I know there are other issues out there, but if we don't focus we will never get anything done.

and these are the excuses the owners have thrown back.

16 hours ago ·
1M Malaysians Reject 100-storey Mega Tower Mohd Firdaus, you are welcome to organise one. We are only borrowing a place for people to meet. And we are careful in choosing which functions to go. Is there anything wrong to show up at a gathering supporting electoral reform while we want public accountability?

about an hour ago ·
1M Malaysians Reject 100-storey Mega Tower good morning. short reply from our mobile. Assurance: this page is non-partisan. This is not a page for pakatan rakyat. Look at our postings' we have been civil to all party supporters. And this page will stay focused on mega tower and public accountability. More later? On the run.

Lame, pretty lame to me. So make your own decisions. I have already unlike myself from the site. Now if there is another really apolitical site that is protesting this venture, you will find me hitting the like button in no time.

Sustainablity The Market Way.

2010-11-08T10:45:00.006+08:00

While I was on vacation in Gambang, Pahang we found this Orang Asli stall selling kitchen cutting boards made of Tembusu hardwood. This is a hard as iron wood that to my detriment I found out the hard way when I knocked it with my knuckles to check if it was hollow or otherwise, and that action gave me a jolt like I was knocking against a hard metal door. Selling for Ringgit Malaysia25 upwards depending on the size, width and quality of the wood, I can confidently say that the quality and the finish is as good as any you can find in any kitchen equipment store.

In fact I can safely say that if somebody do their job right, these kitchen tools should be made available at the likes of Ikea as a sustainable method to help the indigenous people earn a good living from their living environment in the forest. The problem is that currently their product range is limited to cutting boards and some wooden spatulas only, as when I asked them whether they have a mortar and pestle for sale that I googled about, they said that they have not tried making such a product yet as it seems that they have not had any demand yet. The fact is that the article stated that such a product is also a sought after kitchen item as the Tembusu wood is neutral and will not affect the ingredients pounded in such a mortar. So I feel if given proper marketing guidance, the Orang Aslis here at least can find a very good sustainable market for their products unlike the ad hoc stalls with jungle bric a brac that is usually associated with the Orang Asli.

For my military enthusiasts friends at least, I would bet that they would be interested in the Black Kemuning keris and pungi stick below also sold at the stall but these need to be ordered if there is no available stock at the time of your visit.

Now Who Is Being Irrational?

2010-11-03T07:21:00.006+08:00

I joined the Facebook protest against PNB's proposed Menara Warisan because I sincerely believe that the project is unnecessary and because the Facebook initiative was a bi-partisan effort to request a rethink despite being a government supporter. I guess the government thought the effort was just a fly in the ointment but it slowly took off and the site is now targeting a million Facebook fan support to show the citizen's displeasure over the project. And that is just it, despite some attempts to polarise the page with anti government rants, overall it is an apolitical outlet for the real people's thinking.

Thus it is ridiculous for me to see someone with the stature of the Deputy Prime Minister ridiculing the people's own statements by saying that these statements are due to jealousy and that there is a hidden hand to ostracise the whole project. He even questioned the people's wisdom and paternalistically said not to question PNB's commercial wisdom that supposedly has brought billions of wealth to Malaysia so they must be correct this time and all the time.

But you are forgetting YAB, this is a citizen's action group that has shown it has traction and holds the pulse of the people in real time and with real access. It has managed to unify the people to voice out their displeasure against the project. So whether you like it or not, this is a 1Malaysia effort so do not pompously question the motives and intelligence of the supporters. These are real people with real concerns who really think that the money can be spent more wisely elsewhere. So get your act together or you may yet find yourselves paying the price politically. Now is not the time for the government to ignore the aspirations of the people when the Nation is facing challenges politically and economically. In exasperation, Malaysians may even find themselves introducing to Malaysia a new financial term in place of a 'bank run'. A 'Mutual Fund Run' anyone?

Not Transparent Enough For You Still?

2010-10-28T10:32:00.003+08:00

For the dissenters who always says the BN Government is like an Ostrich and covers things up with rosy pictures, let's hear of what you think of this bold admission in the Executive Summary of the Economic Transformation Roadmap.

BUSINESS AS USUAL IS NOT ENOUGH

Malaysia is at a critical point in its economic development. There has been a loss of growth momentum over the past decade, and it has become increasingly clear that the historical drivers of growth can no longer be relied on to deliver strong economic outcomes. It is more difficult to generate high rates of economic growth in an increasingly competitive global economy. Growth can no longer be taken for granted, but needs to be earned. There are four reasons why a fundamentally new approach is required.

Historical Growth Engines are Slowing Down

Malaysia’s relatively sluggish economic performance over the past several years indicates that the historical engines of Malaysia’s economic growth are slowing down. A large part of the reason for this relatively poor growth performance has been slow labour productivity growth. To transform productivity, significant improvements are required in two areas. First, the level of business investment will need to be substantially increased. Achieving the 6 percent annual growth rate to 2020 will require private investment to grow by more than 12 percent over the next five years, a significant increase from the 2 percent per annum growth achieved in the past five years. Second, enhanced investments in human capital will be made to support a high-skilled, knowledge-based and innovation-intensive economy.

Risk of Being Stuck in the Middle

Malaysia is no longer able to remain competitive with low-income countries as a high volume, low-cost producer. At the same time it has not yet moved up the value chain and become competitive with high-income countries. Other countries are more competitive than Malaysia in both low-cost production and in high-value markets. This is not a sustainable position. Strategies that were successful in driving Malaysia’s transformation from a poor country, reliant on rubber and tin at Independence, into a diversified middle-income economy are not appropriate for the next stage of Malaysia’s developmental journey.

An Unsustainable Fiscal Position

Malaysia has run fiscal deficits every year since 1998, with a deficit of 7 percent of GDP recorded for 2009. Moving back to fiscal sustainability and achieving the Government’s commitment of a deficit of 3 percent of GDP by 2015 will require a change in direction. Investor attitudes to sovereign debt have changed significantly over the past two years, and capital markets may be less inclined to finance sovereign debt on the terms they have extended in the past. There is also increasing evidence of fiscal policy competition between countries, with governments cutting corporate tax rates to obtain a competitive edge. In order for Malaysia to offer competitive personal and corporate tax rates and invest in education, research, public services and infrastructure, it will need to strengthen its fiscal position substantially.

Increasing Global Competition for Markets, Capital and Talent

The global economy is becoming much more competitive. The emergence of new, highly competitive regional and global companies has eroded the strong position of Malaysian-based companies in the manufacturing and services sectors. In addition, companies, investors and talent have an increasing number of opportunities and location options. Malaysia, therefore, needs to demonstrate a clear value proposition in order to attract and retain them. Moreover, many other governments are aggressively positioning themselves to compete for talent and capital. The low levels of foreign direct investment (FDI) that Malaysia has attracted over the past decade are one indication of a weakening competitive position.

THE ETP IS PART OF A COMPREHENSIVE GOVERNMENT AGENDA

The ETP is the Government’s economic agenda in response to these challenges.

So forget your dreams for a while about who should sit at the throne of power in Putrajaya. The reality has been clearly stated on what we are facing as a nation to survive economically. Read the ETP here and consider if you can assist to help our nation. Forget the rhetoric of the politikus and see what we can do with the government of the day, whether you like this fact or otherwise.

Karipap On The Train

2010-10-05T21:01:00.003+08:00

It was with a little nostalgia when I read about the home stay rail packages launched by the Tourism Ministry, especially the sentence "the train will pass at least 21 small stations for people to experience the rural life". I have seen the related TV series “Welcome to the Rail World” and notes that these are basically about going for a home stay vacation by rail trips.

I wonder however if people realised that the journey used to be the adventure, rather than the destination. I still remember till today watching the green landscape passing you by via an open window, rather than getting enclosed in air conditioned airtight container that somehow disengaged you from the surroundings. In addition you also wonder if there would be a derailment that may delay the journey, either by weather or more dreamily by CT bandits sabotaging the tracks because as a young boy you can't help fantasize such things after watching emergency era armoured trains on display at the station.

Yet the most potent memory about such rail trips was the peddlers brigade who swarmed the coaches at each stop and went along for a short ride till the next stop, in the meantime peddling their wares which usually are an assortment of snacks or drink packets. Because of these peddlers, pity the buffet coach push cart salesman on board as his wares conspicuously do not receive any attention the nearer the next train station. The funny thing is that even though the best food etched in my mind is those curry puffs being sold by peddlers who got on at Tanjung Malim train station, I have not managed to get a similarly tasty piece outside the station or train ride, even though in the town when my family stayed there. Must be specially made to be sold on board the trains I guess. The other funny thing is, I have always wondered how these peddlers managed to get back to their original station in time for the next train, rearmed with fresh food and drinks for the itinerant travellers.

I hope the powers that be realise that these activities can be a touristy attraction on their own and not a nuisance, as I have seen travelogues featuring these on board peddlers as an added attraction. Think about it so that our rail journeys will not be too sterile.

So this is humane society?

2010-09-21T11:19:00.002+08:00

Hmm I wonder how could innocent dogs that was doing what comes naturally after not being fed was put down rather than tranquilized and maybe fed so that they would calm down. Was this a case of tidak apa or pure laziness or some sort of payback thought of by some smart ass in the team. The dogs are already judged and despatched even though their owners have not even had their day in court. These council workers should have their wrists slapped for this blatant inhumanity instead. It would have been easy to call any of the animal protection societies to handle the dogs if they are not up to the job themselves.

BANTING MURDERS: Lawyers' nine dogs put down

Six Rottweilers, two Dalmations and a bulldog were put down by lethal tranquilisers at the poultry farm in Sungai Gadung, believed to the scene of a quadruple murder.

The officers were seen entering the farm at 8.15am and left about two hours later with the carcasses in a pick-up lorry.

According to sources, since the murders were uncovered, the hungry dogs which were left unattended became aggressive and attacked other animals in the farm, such as goats, ducks and chickens.

The source said police had told the district council to catch the dogs but the team despatched to the area decided to put the dogs down as they were aggressive.

The carcasses were taken to the Sungai Sedu landfill in Telok Datuk, near here, to be buried.

Mosquito Genocide?

2010-08-04T12:34:00.002+08:00

A Taiwanese woman has been reported to have won prize money for catching 1.5 kilos of mosquitoes or an estimated 4 million of the pests in just one month in a contest organised by a insect trap maker. Instead of being amazed by the feat, our local governments and health authorities should seriously check how this was done and in the event the insect traps actually contributed to the catch, to invite the company to set up shop here to manufacture for domestic consumption. Maybe then the fight against disease carrying vectors can be won especially if similar contests can be held. Who knows a local champion can actually be discovered through such measures so that we do not have to depend on "foreign technology".

Mon Aug 2, 5:41 am ET

TAIPEI (AFP) – A Taiwanese woman has taken a sizeable bite out of Taiwan's mosquito population, and won a 3,000 US dollar cash prize, by catching around 4 million of the bloodsuckers in just one month.

Huang Yu-yen, from southern Taiwan's Yunlin county, beat 72 rivals with a catch weighing in at more than 1.5 kilogrammes (3lbs 5oz), competition organisers Imbictus International, a company that makes insect traps, said.

The haul was more than double that of her nearest rival.

The company has sent an application to Guinness World Records asking that Huang be recognised as the world's leading killer of the pest.

Mosquitoes have been a major public health hazard in Taiwan, especially as carriers of malaria until its official eradication on the island in 1965. They are still responsible for the spread of dengue fever.

Do not put too much pressure on them la!

2010-01-09T17:45:00.001+08:00

Reading the article below reminded me of my own experience with my own daughter. I admit that I put pressure on her to do well in her UPSR in the years before, but in the exam year I backed off and told her that this is it, it is now all up to her and the only thing I did was send her to a few examination seminars to motivate her and teach her some exam taking techniques. The fact is that even though I was no slouch myself in my own exams, I personally do not believe in last moment cramming for exams, as consistency in studying would do you better in exams was my personal philosophy. In fact my own UPSR equivalent exam was a blur to me, as I do not remember making any special effort to ace the exams, except later on I with my other class mates was called up during assembly to receive special awards for acing the exams as a special occassion for my primary school, as my batch was at the time the first group to have so many aces. This finally made me realise this exam was something special. But still this do not merit to me the pressure I see some parents put on their children, as although I was not there a similar incident to what happened in the article that was related to me by my wife shows that even with the best of efforts your kid cannot guarantee that they will ace the exam even when they are one of the identified potential scorers. Thus I do no mind my daughter was called Puteri Tak Disangka (The Surprise Ace) by her teacher when her name was called up as one of the scorers, but I pitied her potential scorer classmate named Puteri who stood up when that name was called, as Puteri herself was not called up finally. Imagine what went through her when the fact sunk in at the end.

The sadder fact is that of the 39 aces in her school, only two managed to get into residential schools, so what basis do you put pressure on your kid to struggle for good results at this age. My non bumi school mates scored aces at that age even though they didn' have a chance to get a similar reward of going to a residential school as I did, but when I asked them what motivated them their basic answer was that studying was a responsiblity to their family and not a chore in the sense of not being pressured, so they could actually realise their potential while still being kids. I quote from the article "I don’t remember going through all that in Year Six. I ran, played and learnt how to cycle. I rode my mum’s big bicycle till I fell and hurt my knee. And I still can laugh about that. My parents never put pressure on me to score. Whatever the grades on my report card, they just smiled and signed it. They knew I studied hard and played like mad, too …. just like my peers then." In fact I believe we all took a modified view of our school motto where instead of "Pray Hard, Study Hard" it became to be "Play Hard, Study Hard". So to parents of upcoming UPSR taking kids, why don't you pause a moment and consider this other quote from the article;

" Comparing my days and now, I see so much has changed. Society looks up to top scorers without realising we are actually creating unbalanced pupils. At Primary level, why can’t we just let them enjoy their life, like we used to?

To those who got straight As, congratulations. But what about the others who did not? Their self-esteem would have dropped a notch and this would affect with them throughout their Secondary school life. And we’d start blaming them again. Is that fair?"

Our kids will have their SPM and Uni days to prove their worth in exams, so try to avoid making them exam or study phobic in the preceeding years is my advice.

So if you would like to read the article, click this.

Treasuring The Malay Family Recipes

2009-11-25T21:14:00.009+08:00

Even though there have been many Malay recipe books published and most are in Malay, I fear that these mostly concentrate on basic Malay dishes that keeps being repeated in new cookbooks that to me makes them run of the mill. It is as if hot Malay dishes are limited to just a few select familiar dishes, like rendang and nasi lemak. The fact is that count dishes from the individual states and Malay ethnicity, you can actually easily find a different thousand dishes alone, and that does not include an individual family's take on the dish. The more unfamiliar in general dishes like my family's besamah and gulai daun ubi tumbuk are the ones that risks the most of being forgotten, if the collection of recipes in the Malaysia family that usually rely on agak-agak measurement or guesstimates dies out with the older generation, possibly leaving us with the knowledge of making only generic Malay dishes.

Thus I am heartened by the fact there now seems to be a movement to publish treasured family recipes in order to keep them for posterity. I believe this was initially started by members of the Royal families as a way to share royal kitchen recipes with the masses, though since they are mostly published as expensive coffee table books I wonder how many of us from the masses could actually afford the cook book. Nonetheless a more affordable book from our first Prime Minister kitchen started the ball rolling although the latest Selera Perdana is yet published as an expesive coffee book again, and we now see ordinary families archiving their kitchen legacies in print, be it in the Malaysian languange, bi-lingual or even English.

Being one family's collection of recipes, these cookbooks usually reflect their author's family ethnic or state origins, like the cookbook " A taste of Batu Gajah" that is close to my own family's heritage and heart. The underlying thread that passes through this book and two others that are now in my collection, namely Nostalgia Bonda and Resipi Bonda, with Bonda being the formal name for mother in Malay is that these are actually a collection of the family matriarch's recipes. Thus in a sense all of us get a chance to share in a mother's homecooking through such surrogate memoirs.

So my advice to those interested to purchase such a book of malay recipes, it is better to buy these simpler publications than those published as coffee table books, as these collection of family treasures prepared from a mother's heart, as a buah tangan even though we may not actually get to taste their air tangan.

Kenapalah Gamaknya?

2009-10-21T19:18:00.002+08:00

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.

Remembering Raya Pasts!

2009-10-17T12:30:00.009+08:00

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.

Beef Rendang Heritage

2009-09-26T18:11:00.004+08:00

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.

Practise Makes Perfect!

2009-09-09T14:41:00.001+08:00

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.

A good week for our military

2009-09-05T13:01:00.005+08:00

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?

Kasturi Class SLEP Contracted

2009-08-12T22:37:00.007+08:00

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

Second Phase Sea Trials For Tun Razak

2009-07-27T17:19:00.004+08:00

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.

First Sea Trials of Malaysian Submarine “Tun Razak”
Tue, Feb 17, 2009

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.

No Longer 27 Units Is It?

2009-07-25T09:32:00.006+08:00

On the day I beseeched here for the Government to continue with the building of additional patrol vessels for the Royal Malaysian Navy, the Prime has responded in this Bernama article that as expected this will depend on the affordability of the Government to continue the program despite the Ministry of Defence intention to continue. However what caught my attention is this is the first time it was officially stated that the number of units may now end at 18 units instead of the 27 units planned at the beginning of the program. This actually makes sense since the patrol vessels are being stationed at three different naval bases regionally, so to have three squadrons of six vessels each to patrol the area would be good enough.

I would rather use the savings from the deletion of the additional nine units to complete our frigate squadron to six, be it the same design as the existing frigates or of new designs. This is because however you may want the navy to be strengthened, additional patrol units is not the answer as no matter how you look at it, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency is actually being well equipped to undertake the intermediate and coastal patrol duties by getting their own offshore patrol vessels in addition to the Langkawi class (Ex-Musytari class) already in service. Therefore the navy should accept the number of eighteen units of patrol vessels for their fleet and now lobby for new strike units instead, be it the additional frigates or the Fast Attack Craft replacement in the form of Littoral Combat Ships, enabling the navy to concentrate on their core business, to engage enemy strike units with their own powerful strike force.

So Can We Proceed With Batch 2 Now?

2009-07-24T19:44:00.006+08:00

Yesterday 23 July 2009 was the day the last unit of the Kedah Class Patrol Vessel, PV176 was launched and named as PV Selangor. It is a great comeback by the Boustead Naval Shipyard to ensure the completion of the first batch of PVs delivery despite the setbacks faced by the project in the early part of the projects. They have proven their mettle despite all the unfair critiscms and doubts thrown at their ability to finish the project with local expertise and materials. BNS now truly deserve the mantle of shipyard as they no longer act just as a dockyard for the navy ships repairs as per its reputation previously.

Credit : mcwood from milphotos

Nonetheless it is a bit puzzling to read in the article in The Star today above what seems to be a plea by the Chief Naval Officer Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar for the Government to proceed with the second batch of the patrol vessel, despite the Government pledging as per my earlier post that "once the first batch of six boats has been delivered to the RMN" as reported in this Bernama article. I personally expected that the contract or at least an MOU on this project would become one of the showpiece agreements to be signed at the LIMA 2009, especially since BNS had kept their end of the bargain. This is one promise the Government should keep as the justifications for the new batch of patrol vessels has been clearly stated by the Government in the article itself, notwithstanding the reasons given by the Admiral.

So if shortage of funds is a hindrance especially if this is due to a possible upgrading of its armaments, then lets proceed with the plain vanilla configuration as per the first batch as long as the vessels are builts. That is why it was designed as a fitted for not with platform, so that once funds becomes availables it can be up-gunned as required no matter how this concept has been pilloried by those ignorant of its value. We need the platforms for offshore patrol of our national waters, there is no need to second-guess that. What should be left now is a debate on how to name the new class, and can I venture it to be the Sabah class for both national unity and nostalgic sake.

Upgunning The CB90

2009-07-18T10:35:00.008+08:00

Since the first four units of CB90h combat boats were bought by the RMN in 1999, it was generally assumed that the boats were only armed with heavy machine guns of .50 calibre mounted at weapon ring at the most. Although around 2001 the navy had tested the installation of Giat Industries 15 A Ultralight 20mm manual mount guns in Sabah waters, involving the firing of 1,200 shots at 600 to 1500 metres, nothing came out of this and the weapon was not installed on the combat boats. Thus even though these CB90s play an important role in the LIMA stations and in OPS PASIR, compared to other patrol boats the nation has these boats are relatively undergunned for their tasks as they have to depend on manually operated GPMGs while conducting their operations.

Nonetheless while trawling the internet, I came across a photo of two docked CB90s that I believe is in Sabah with their weapon system covered up. This piqued my interest and after further research, I found that the weapon system is the Bofors/BAE System Lemur remote controlled machine gun. This system actually debuted in LIMA 2005 and was demonstrated to the public, but I guess nobody picked up that the RMN had actually bought a few systems for their CB90s, possibly because these were based in Sabah waters as none of the CB90s based in the peninsular has been shown with the system installed. Personally I think that it was a good move by the RMN to installed such remote controlled system for the combat boats instead of manual guns since the boats can move at very high speed and I cannot imagine how someone can manually man a gun with all the pitching and yawing. Now if somebody can just tell me what calibre machine gun is used with the Lemur mount as it can be installed with a 7.65mm or 12.7mm machine gun or even an automated grenade launcher. Either way the combat boats are now better armed for their operations, so let's hope all of them will be similarly armed finally.

Ouessant To Be A Museum In Malaysia?

2009-07-14T11:41:00.004+08:00

Surfing the net to get further news on SSK Ouessant's fate, I am a little bit surprised to read a more recent French article as below that after translation seems to indicate that the SSK Ouessant is being prepared to be transported back to Malaysia to be displayed as a Museum ship and not retired as previously thought. Whether this is something that 'is lost in translation' or otherwise, let us wait if there will be any official announcement from the local authorities, probably during the welcoming ceremony of the KD Tunku Abdul Rahman in September.

The submarine Ouessant has fulfilled its mission - Brest

Saturday 11 July 2009
The last mission of the submarine Ouessant, and the departure of the first Malaysian Scorpene mark the end of the project "Ouessant Malaysia.

An end ... and a beginning

While a beautiful ceremony Thursday marked the return to the naval base in the last mission of the submarine Ouessant, the Tunku Abdul Rahman first submarine Scorpene type built by DCNS Cherbourg, Toulon left for Malaysia. The event marks six years of a human and technological rich and exciting for DCNS and Navfco. The project includes construction of two Scorpene submarines and maintenance of submarine Ouessant, the training of Malaysian crews.

Navfco owner of Ouessant

The training of Malaysian submariners is provided by the private company Navfco with staff seconded from the Navy. The Navfco has filed two crew submarine Scorpene, reserve personnel, instructors, staff of Staff

9 000 hours of diving

"More than 9 000 dive hours were devoted to training. We welcomed 170 students who have each made an average of 1 300 hours of diving. This happened in 3 phases: classroom training, simulator and the sea, "says Admiral against Christian Le Roux. "This 42 th release went very well, after four years, we are really in a school, it happens later between fellow submariners," said Captain Commander Benoit Lemire, commander of Ouessant.

A museum

In the coming days, we will proceed with the disarmament and ensure the safe Ouessant. However, its future seems sealed, an arrangement is underway between the two countries. Loaded on a ship dedicated the Ouessant join Malaysia to become a museum.

Six years and some key dates

30 October 2003: entry into force. 20 October 2005: the debut of Ouessant. 21 November 2005: start of training for Wednesday 9 July: End of the period of training at sea

Some figures

Major refit: 200 people, 400 0000 hours, 20 000 material visits, 150 000 hours of maintenance in post-major refit.

"This contract is a fundamental DCNS and its partners. This is the first time we offer a wide globalization of supply, "says Gérard Solve director DCNS Brest.

Below you can find the original article in French.

Le sous-marin Ouessant a bien rempli sa mission - Brest

samedi 11 juillet 2009

La dernière mission du sous-marin Ouessant, et le départ du premier Scorpène malaisien marquent la fin du projet « Ouessant Malaisie ».

Une fin... et un début

Alors qu'une belle cérémonie marquait jeudi le retour à la base navale de la dernière mission du sous-marin Ouessant, le Tunku Abdul Rahman premier sous-marin de type Scorpène construit par DCNS Cherbourg, quittait Toulon pour la Malaisie. L'événement marque six années d'une aventure humaine et technologique riche et passionnante pour DCNS et la Navfco. Le projet comprend la construction de deux sous-marins Scorpène, la maintenance du sous-marin Ouessant, la formation des équipages malaisiens.

Navfco armateur du Ouessant

La formation des sous-mariniers malaisiens est assurée par la société de droit privé Navfco avec du personnel détaché de la Marine nationale. La Navfco a ainsi formé deux équipages de sous-marin Scorpène, du personnel de réserve, des instructeurs, du personnel d'état-major.

9 000 heures de plongée

« Plus de 9 000 heures de plongée ont été consacrées à la formation. Nous avons accueilli 170 élèves qui ont chacun en moyenne fait 1 300 heures de plongée. Cela s'est passé en 3 phases : formation en salle de classe, sur simulateur et à la mer », explique le contre-amiral Christian Le Roux. «
Cette 42 e sortie s'est très bien passée, après quatre années, on est plus vraiment dans une ambiance scolaire, on se passe la suite entre confrères sous-mariniers », souligne le capitaine de frégate Benoit Lemire, commandant du Ouessant.

Un musée

Dans les jours qui viennent, on va procéder au désarmement et mise en sécurité du Ouessant. Toutefois son avenir semble scellé, un arrangement est en cours entre les deux pays. Chargé sur un navire spécialisé, l'Ouessant rejoindrait la Malaisie pour devenir un musée.

Six ans et quelques dates clés

30 octobre 2003 : entrée en vigueur du contrat. 20 octobre 2005 : fin du grand carénage du Ouessant. 21 novembre 2005 : début de la formation à la mer. 9 juillet : fin de la période de formation à la mer.
Quelques chiffres

Grand carénage : 200 personnes, 400 0000 heures de travail, 20 000 matériels visités, 150 000 heures de maintenance en post-grand carénage.
« Ce contrat est une opération fondamentale pour DCNS et ses partenaires. C'est la première fois que nous offrons une globalisation aussi large de prestation », explique Gérard Solve, directeur de DCNS Brest.

Fate Of Ouessant Determined

2009-07-10T16:03:00.005+08:00

On the same day our first submarine started on her voyage home, the following translated French Article has announced the fate of Ouessant after she finished her mission of training the Royal Malaysian Navy Dolphins.

09/07/09: On 9 July 2009, having completed its mission of building schools, Ouessant, last diesel submarine operating in France, docked at the naval base in Brest. On this occasion, a ceremony was held, chaired by ALFOST. The Ouessant taught students from the Royal Malaysian Navy since November 2005. A total of 146 Malaysian sailors got their qualification submariner during 42 trips to the sea and over 9100 hours of diving with the Ouessant.

I have also managed to find another article about the end of SSK Ouessant service as follows:

DCNS contributes to creation of Malaysia's first submarine force (2009-07-10)

By: DCNS , EPICOS S.A

Following a major refit by DCNS, conventional-propulsion submarine Ouessant was recommissioned in November 2005 for an at-sea training programme for Malaysian submariners. The submarine had been decommissioned in 2001 after entering active service with the French Navy in 1978. During the training programme, SSK Ouessant logged 9,000 hours under water. Today, on returning to port after its final mission, SSK Ouessant will have completed a major contribution to the creation of Malaysia's first submarine force.

The contract signed by DCNS and the Royal Malaysian Navy in 2002 called for the delivery of two Scorpene submarines and an extensive crew training package by DCI/Navfco.

At-sea training has been a key component of this package. Given that SSK Ouessant was built in the 1970s and considering the demands of repeated training exercises, special attention was paid to the condition of each item of shipboard equipment.

Almost 170 Malaysian submariners benefited from training aboard the Ouessant. In the course of the four-year programme, DCNS ensured nearly 500 days of at-sea availability and the boat spent over 9,000 hours submerged.

Following their training aboard the Ouessant, the RMN's first submarine crew took control of their first boat, KD Tunku Abdul Rahman, delivered on 26 January 2009. Coming soon, the first RMN Scorpene set off on the voyage to its home port.

Thank you for a job well done and have a well deserved retirement!

She's On The Way Home!

2009-07-10T15:00:00.003+08:00

Bon Voyage Mon Amis!

July 09, 2009 23:13 PM

Malaysia's First Submarine Begins Journey Home From France

KUALA LUMPUR, July 9 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's first submarine KD Tunku Abdul Rahman left Toulon, France on its historical maiden journey to Malaysia at 11 am Thursday.The Embassy of Malaysia in Paris in a statement sent here, said the submarine was waved off by Malaysia's Ambassador to France Datuk S. Thanarajasingam.Also present at the ceremony were Defence Attache Captain Khairuddin Mohd Ariff and officials from Malaysia's submarine project team as well as French senior navy officials led by Admiral Yann Tainguy.The submarine consisting of 35 crew members was commanded by Commander Zulhelmy Ithnain of the Royal Malaysian Navy.The submarine is expected to stop at Lumut and Port Klang for a few days before continuing the journey to Sepanggar Naval Base in Sabah. It will also transit at major ports such as Jeddah, Djibouti and Cochin, before reaching Malaysia.The submarine project started when Malaysia signed a deal to purchase two submarines in 2002.The first submarine was finally completed with the departure of KD Tunku Abdul Rahman, which is expected to reach its Malaysian home in Sepanggar by early September.-- BERNAMA

TV Under A Tree

2009-07-07T16:02:00.013+08:00

Something I saw the other day triggered a long lost memory from my childhood. Some of you may be aware of the public large screen televisions we have in place locally or even overseas, strategically placed usually more to display advertisements rather than disseminate television programs to the masses. Some that I remember in Kuala Lumpur are at Dataran Merdeka, Pudu Raya and near Jalan Ipoh flyover, but whether they are still there I have no idea now.

What really matters is that in my childhood, having a TV is not something every household can boast of unlike what we have in the present where it seems every bedroom may have one. And if I remember correctly there was even a Merdeka advertisement that touched on this fact when they featured a neighbourhood congregating at a neighbour’s house as sign of neighbourliness. So TV was a thing that was may be exquisite to some, even though we had only one or two channels at the time rather than being jaded with the tens of channels we have nowadays especially if you have a satellite TV subscription.

Yet the public service at the time was still top notch that in order to cater to the desires of the public to be fed news and entertainment from the idiot box. although programming at the time would not be idiotic as it may be now though quant to some, a special place was found for this outlet to be located. Thus it was then that under a large overhanging tree in a public park, you find a building with only a roof on top with thin pillars supporting it, with rows of benches looped in a half crescent around a TV inviting the public to partake their television fare there. And since at the time TV programming usually starts only in the afternoon rather than 24/7 you have nowadays, it is usually those and their families who may have had their evening exercises or other activities at the park who may be found lounging in front of the TV sets cooling down before going home to dinner. Mom saying to the family let’s watch TV then would not be a deprecating sentence as it can be nowadays in the world of couch potatoes, but actually an invite to have a wholesome family time at the public park. And that is what a triggered memory of the TV building at Taman D.R. Seenivasagam in Ipoh brought to this mind.

Anti Air Warfare Readiness Proven

2009-07-02T20:57:00.005+08:00

My fellow forumer in Cari, Standupper posted a Bernama report on the successful anti air missile strike by KD Laksamana Hang Nadim using her Aspide missile against a target being towed by a Lear Jet. The interesting part of the report is that missile firing test was not conducted during the bigger Taming Sari or Kerismas naval exercises that normally features such an event, but during routine weekly operational exercise "Perang Pangkor". This is not only as a cost saving exercise but is in line with the operational concept of the navy's combat assets, that is fully trained and ready to be mobilised when required. The success of this exercise also proves that the RMN fleet is ever ready to face any threats, especially in anti air warfare, one of the four dimensions of naval warfare now and strengthens the competency level and combat readiness of the fleet to handle any conflicts in our national waters.

Voyage Home Delayed

2009-07-02T16:48:00.003+08:00

Looks like its bad news for our Dolphins in KD Tunku Abdul Rahman who may have been looking forward to fasting and celebrating Eid Fitri at home. Jane's has reported in their webpage that the return of the Royal Malaysian Navy's (RMN's) first submarine, KD Tunku Abdul Rahman , to Malaysia has been postponed. The RMN CNO Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar told Jane's on 23 June that KD Tunku Abdul Rahman would now depart from France in August and arrive the following month in September, hopefully before Eid Fitri. Initial reports had stated that the submarine was due to arrive on 25th of the month but with the delay this will give the Works Ministry more time to better finish the submarine base in Teluk Sepanggar Naval Base that was only recently reported to be only 97 percent ready. This makes sense of the Works Minister statement that the naval base will only be handed over the RMN by the end of August. Never mind men, even if you all arrive after the Eid the celebrations will still continue. Eid celebrations is one month long anyway.

Historical Photos Liberated – Seaward Defence Motor Launches.

2009-06-28T19:59:00.015+08:00

Going Out On Patrol (1)

HDMLs were originally intended for the defence of estuarial and local waters against submarines but they proved such a sea-kindly and versatile design After the war HDMLs were adapted for other purposes such as surveying or were allocated to RNVR units to provide valuable seagoing experience for this important part-time navy. Some were sold to countries such as Burma, Sri Lanka and the Philippines and became the backbone of their smaller navies.

From the Royal Malaysian Navy roots in the Straits Settlement Naval Volunteer Reserve (SSNVR) in Singapore, harbour defence motor launches had been operated for seamanship and navigational training. These were built in by Thornycroft in Singapore specifically for the Straits Settlement RNVR were outside the normal Royal Navy numbering system for HDML’s. Instead the 23 metre boats received names instead with the first being HMS Penyengat and followed by HMS Pahlawan, HMS Panglima, HMS Penghambat, HMS Pengail and HMS Panji. HMS Panji was later transferred to SSNVR Penang after the branch was established although it seems that the HDML’s mainly operated in the Georgetown area on the west coast of Malaya. There was a number of casualties for the class during the war, these were HMS Penghambat, HMS Penyengat and HMS Panglima while the other three supposedly managed to escape to Burma to join the Burmese RNVR and survived the war.(3)

Thus it is no surprise that the first craft to constitute the Anti Bandit Patrol in June 1948 during the First Emergency consisted of 4 Fairmile type motor launches salvaged from the dockyard, refitted and rearmed with Oerlikons on bow and stern, twin Vickers machine guns on each side of the wheelhouse, and a Lanchester for each crew member. Two were sent up each coast, ML1335 and ML1336 west, ML1333 and ML1334 east, with a remit to stop and search fishing vessels and junks for illegal arms and immigrants. They were crewed (15 each) by the crew of the frigates which were in dockyard hands for a refit like the HMS Loch Glendhu and HMS London. ML1333 operated from Kuantan, halfway up the Malay Peninsular to Tumpat on the Siamese border, and spent her time going up rivers and checking off shore islands for gun runners to the Malaysian Terrorists, mostly coming from Siam. The craft were kept at sea during this period and were supplied by HMS Surprise and given information by Army Spotter planes. (2)

FLEET OF THE MALAYAN NAVAL FORCE SHIPS AT SEA ON TRAINING 25/10/1951

It is fitting therefore that these HDMLs were later progressively transferred to the Malayan Naval Force from the RN's 200th Patrol Squadron in Singapore from 1949 as per the records below, although at the time they were reclassified as Seaward Defence Motor Launches or SDMLs:

Pennant Number (EX) Built Transferred Name Deactivated

SDML 3501 (ex HDML 1081) 8.10.41 1951 Sri Kedah 1959

SDML 3502 (ex HDML 1105) 3.43 1949 Sri Trengganu 1970

SDML 3505 (ex HDML 1333) 15.9.44 1958 Sri Pahang 1965

SDML 3506 (ex HDML 1334) 16.10.44 1950 Sri Negeri Sembilan 1966

SDML 3507 (ex HDML 1335) 2.1.1945 1950 Sri Perak 1966

SDML 3509 (ex HDML 1336) 30.9.44 1949 Sri Selangor 1961

SDML 3508 (ex HDML 1385) 8..43 1950 Sri Kelantan 1965

ROYAL MALAYAN NAVY MANEUVOR IN CHINA SEA. 01/09/1955

As my second posting in the Historical Photos Liberated series, I hope you are happy with my presentation of photos of the SDMLs in action in the 1950s.

Notes :

1) Contributed By Daniel Spence, Sheffield Hallam University.

2)Related to me by Richard Lloyd, Editor of the HMS Ganges Association, RLRichardLloyd@cs.com

KLSR Reports On OPS Fajar Ships Return

2009-06-23T20:50:00.003+08:00

Kuala Lumpur Security Review has reported on the return of KD Sri Inderapura from Operasi Fajar 4/2009 today. Catch the news here. In addition, the article contains the belated news on the return of KD Hang Tuah last May. Since there was no sensational news during their deployment, I guess there will be not much coverage, if any in the mainstream media of KD Sri Inderapura's return.

Mea Culpa : At least The Star had a small article on this.

KAPAL AUXILIARY TLDM BUNGA MAS 5 BELAYAR KE TELUK ADEN

2009-06-22T23:07:00.002+08:00

Kredit Kepada Standupper Dari Cari.

KAPAL AUXILIARY TLDM BUNGA MAS 5 BELAYAR KE TELUK ADEN
- BUKTI KERJASAMA STRATEGIK TLDM DAN MISC

LUMUT, 22 Jun – Kerjasama dan perkongsian strategik di antara TLDM dan MISC kini direalisasaikan dengan pelayaran Kapal Auxiliary Bunga Mas 5 (BM 5) ke Perairan Teluk Aden pagi ini.

Perkongsian strategik ini menggabungkan kekuatan pasukan tetap ATM yang terdiri daripada anggota TLDM, TDM dan TUDM dengan krew BM 5 yang telah diserapkan ke Pasukan Simpanan Sukarela TLDM (PSSTLDM) untuk melaksanakan operasi menjaga keselamatan kapal-kapal dagang Malaysia yang berkepentingan di Perairan Teluk Aden.
Pengoperasian Kapal BM 5 telah melakar sejarah tersendiri apabila pertama kali di Malaysia sebuah kapal dagang ditransformasikan menjadi sebuah kapal Auxiliary TLDM bagi merealisasikan hasrat dan impian negara khususnya ATM dalam mengamalkan konsep Pertahanan Menyeluruh (HANRUH) sepertimana yang terkandung dalam dasar Pertahanan Negara.

BM 5 bersaiz 132.8 meter panjang dan berkelebaran 22.7 meter berupaya beroperasi dalam kelajuan lebih 17 knot. Kapal Auxiliary ini turut dilengkapi dengan hangar bagi menempatkan pesawat SUPER LYNK dan juga Bot Tempur milik TLDM untuk melaksanakan operasi defensif mahupun ofensif jika diperlukan.

Untuk tempoh 3 bulan pertama, BM 5 diletakkan di bawah Pemerintahan Komander Ahmad Zaki bin Abdullah PSSSTLDM. Kapal memulakan pelayaran dari Jeti Operasi Pangkalan TLDM Lumut pada jam 8.10 pagi ini bersama 59 anggota kapal yang terdiri daripada 21 orang krew tetap kapal yang telah diserap dan dilatih sebagai PSSTLDM dan diperkuat dengan kehadiran Tim Pasukan Khas Laut (PASKAL), Krew Pesawat SUPER LYNK milik TLDM, anggota dari Tim Perubatan TDM termasuk anggota penembak tepat dari Tim GGK dan Tim Pasukan Khas Udara (PASKAU).

Siri kejayaan Operasi Fajar yang dilaksanakan oleh TLDM sebelum ini telah terbukti di mana tiada kapal MISC ataupun kapal berkepentingan kepada negara yang dirampas sepanjang operasi dilaksanakan sejak Ogos 2008. Sehingga kepulangan KD SRI INDERAPURA untuk penugasan kali kedua di Teluk Aden, yang dijangka tiba di Pangkalan TLDM Lumut tengahari esok ( 23 Jun), TLDM telah menugaskan 5 buah kapal TLDM di Perairan Teluk Aden sejak bermulanya misi pada Ogos 2008.

Bagi menangani cabaran kekangan aset TLDM dan juga kos pengoperasian yang tinggi, konsep kerjasama strategik di antara TLDM dan MISC dihasilkan. Perkongsian strategik dengan menyerapkan salah satu kapal MISC ke dalam inventori TLDM bagi melaksanakan penugasan operasi ini, merupakan satu langkah bijak dan penyelesaian jangka panjang terhadap keselamatan aset dagangan negara. Kehadiran kapal Auxiliary yang telah dipertingkatkan keupayaannya ini, diyakini dapat memastikan kepentingan aset maritim Negara di perairan Teluk Aden tidak diancam.

Panglima Armada, Laksamana Madya Dato’ Ahmad Kamarulzaman bin Haji Badaruddin hadir menyampaikan amanat dan kata-kata semangat serta peransang kepada krew BM 5 sewaktu mengucapkan selamat belayar dan bersama mengiringi kapal keluar hingga di Perairan Barat Pulau Pangkor pagi tadi. Beliau hadir dan pulang dari kapal BM 5 menggunakan pesawat TLDM. Dalam ucapan beliau, Panglima Armada turut menekan dan mengingatkan mengenai kepentingan pelayaran ini kepada aset maritim negara di Perairan Teluk Aden.

BM 5 dijangka beroperasi di Perairan Teluk Aden selama 3 bulan sehingga penghujung September 2009 ini. Turut mengiring BM 5 di Perairan Pulau Pangkor pagi tadi ialah aset baru dalam inventori TLDM, KD PERAK.

Happy Huntings!

2009-06-16T20:42:00.009+08:00

I have heard that our KD Tunku Abdul Rahman (TAR) was recently involved in war games with one of the French SSNs after weeks of preparations that resulted in only turning in for sleep in the early mornings for the crew. It was a complete privilege for the crew in being able to track the SSN all the way through out the war game period.

Alhamdulillah, KD TAR won 10 - 0 against SSN Rubis despite early worries whether our crew and boat can beat the O’Higgins record of 6-1 wins against the French SSN previously, that resulted in nervousness in our crew when going into the games. I understand that the 10-0 win meant that our boat could hold contact for a given period, with enough time to establish a firing solution in order to conduct a simulation firing against the SSN, where later it was received and acknowledged through Underwater Transmission (UWT) that the target fired against was the opposing boat.

When the inspectorate staff from the French Navy ALFOST embarked in KD TAR for the final week tactical examination, they had admitted their defeat and that based on the post battle report, the other submarine could only track KD TAR 5 times during the whole period of two days two nights of war gaming.

This is extremely good news for the crew of our newest naval service and they are now starting to understand what a fantastic submarine we have. May this high level of service continue. Bravo Zulu to the crew of KD Tunku Abdul Rahman and may they have a safe journey home.

Let's Revisit The EC725 Purchase

2009-06-13T11:35:00.000+08:00

A visitor named Reezo had left a message in my previous posting in my other blog highlighting the details of the Brazilian purchase of their EC725 fleet. The main aspect of this report that attracts me is the fact that the purchase price of the fleet has been corrected and is now almost triple the original reported price as shown below :

June 30/08: Brazil and France sign an agreement in principle for Eurocopter to build helicopters in the South American country via its subsidiary Helibras. Brazil’s Defense Minister Nelson Jobim reportedly said that the country intended to buy 50 “Super Cougar” models, the first of which would be delivered in 2010. The deal’s value was initially reported as $1.2 billion, but reports put the signed contract at $2.7 million equivalent.
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Brazil-Signs-1B-Production-Deal-for-Cougar-Helicopters-04959/#more-4959

Now since this was the main weapon of the purchase opposition in their efforts to scuttle the EC725 purchase, this report nullifies the assertation that there seemed to be something wrong with Malaysia's own proposed purchase price for our EC725 fleet. I do not want to go into a unit price comparison as this will definitely be an apple to apple comparison even if the full specifications of the two helicopters can be obtained, but the fact remains that the price off-quoted by the opposition has now been proven wrong but it seems that this fact is somehow being hidden by the opposition and our purchase now remains in limbo, either because we really do not have the money to purchase the helicopters even though it has been budgetted for that the new Minister of Defence had to announce that the Ministry has to look at new and creative ways to finance the purchase, or that the whole matter is being kept in the back burner as a convenient conflict avoidance ploy.

In the meantime, Brazil has confirmed their order to become the first export customer followed recently by Mexico that bought six units for 168 million euros for a transport version of six units while France herself has placed EUR 220 million contract for 5 more EC725 Caracal helicopters for combat search and rescue, special forces, and medium utility roles. Compare this again with the Eurocopter's bid price of Euro233.3 million for 10-12 CSAR units to Malaysia and judge for yourself if there really is anything fishy with this tender as being claimed by the opposition to the helicopter purchase that ultimately will save not only the people to be rescued but the crew that operates the new helicopters.

Congrats Uztad!

2009-06-08T18:00:00.002+08:00

I believe it is not too late to congratulate my old Uni Uztad for getting the highest votes for the Vice Presidency in the recent PAS elections. Although the article implies that the conservative ulama's has taken charge of the party, if Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man has maintained his own distinctive outlook of what being Islamic should be that is in no small measure after my own heart, then kudos to the conservative ulamas. If more like him can manage to turn the party around to what us moslem professionals want the party to be (unlike the so called professional cadres who had lost claiming that they are the profesional moslems instead), I will not be surprised that PAS will get a better following amongst mainstream Moslems, me included. Though some may call him a staunch conservative, but after studying directly under him his brand of conservativess is fair enough with me as it is no brimstone and treacle like some would like to have it but one guided by clear thinking and true understanding of the religion. It is momentous that firebrands actually got the boot, that similar to fundamentalist Islamist getting the bad rap instead of the extremists that is doing all the damage, these are the ones that actually gives the conservative ulamas a bad image. As this article in Malay says, Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man is both the professional and ulama and I wish him well in bringing PAS up to loftier heights.

Enters Another Guardian Of The South China Sea

2009-06-03T21:11:00.012+08:00

I am happy that after waiting for so long, KD Perak was finally commissioned today. As an old friend remarked in the comments section of a previous post, the date was last delayed because the vessels was only handed over three days after the targeted date even though she was accepted by the Navy five days earlier. Nonetheless the time was well spent to spruce up the ship and get her shipshape as can be seen from the fine photograph above courtesy of Standupper from MPSA forum.

KD Perak denotes a significant milestone for the Patrol Vessel by being the first fully constructed locally by Boustead Naval Shipyard. Despite the long delay from her launching date of 12 November, 2007 until her commissioning today, this was not as long as the initial two vessels built overseas but completed locally demonstrating the shipyard has managed to improve their delivery process although this can be further improved. As it is, the seemingly impregnable wall around the delivery status of the next patrol vessel number 174 PV Terengganu hopefully does not hide major problems to finish her. Instead it is hoped that progress on the vessel instead has been accelerated and her own commissioning will soon be announced to alleviate the Navy's shortage of surface units.

It was announced that the KD Perak will be home ported in Tanjung Gelang Naval Base in Kuantan to undertake patrol in the South China Sea, part of the new Navy strategy to position two units of patrol vessels under each of the Command Naval Region (MAWILLA) from this initial batch of patrol vessel. Thus she will join her predecessors in becoming a guardian of Malaysian national interest in the South China Sea. The timely completion of all the vessels in this first batch should allow the building of the second batch to proceed, hopefully upgraded to either an Anti Submarine Warfare or Anti Air Warfare platform according to the more pressing requirement. This is in the event that the first batch will maintained as pure gunboats if monies cannot be found to upgrade the vessels to either platform eventually.

Edited 5 May 2009 : Utusan Malaysia today reported that the CNO Datuk Seri Abdul Aziz Jaafar expressed his hope to receive further surface assest to fill the critical shortage of surface assets at all the Navy's MAWILLA's during the commissioning ceremony. He hoped that three other patrol vessels by Boustead Naval Shipyard can commissioned as soon as possible. He announced that PV4 (Terengganu) will be commissioned on October 2009 while the sixth patrol vessel will be launched at the end of July 2009.

PV Perak To Finally Commission Tomorrow?

2009-06-02T07:36:00.004+08:00

Despite what a visitor to one of my blog mentioning that she was supposed to commission on the 28th May 2009 after multiple postponement and failing to do so, a more reliable press source has advised me that PV Perak will finally be commissioned tomorrow on the 3rd of June, 2009 and take to the seas as KD Perak. Let's wait for the formal commissioning ceremony shall we.

Launch Of A New Kind Of Naval Ship

2009-06-01T17:07:00.005+08:00

Bunga Mas Lima In MISC Colours (photo credit : deltamarin.com)

Further to my earlier posting, it has now been confirmed that the Royal Malaysian Navy will now operate a new class of ship, the naval auxiliary ship. The latest news announced today regarding Ops Fajar is that MISC Ship Bunga Mas Lima has been launched as a naval auxiliary ship after modifications in Malaysia Marine and Heavy Engineering Sdn Bhd (MMHE), a subsidiary of MISC, MMHE shipyard, Pasir Gudang, today. Despite my earlier speculation, the ship is actually a 699 TEU container ship and has been renamed as Naval Auxiliary Ship TLDM BM5 and will be now tasked for escort missions in the Gulf of Aden. As a result the KD Inderapura now operating in the Gulf will return home as scheduled this month.

The Naval Auxilary TLDM BM5 (photo credit : standupper @ cariforum)

To be crewed by a mix of MISC seamen, navy men and Paskal special forces, the MISC seamen has been absorbed as Malaysian Navy reserves and has had basic military training. They will be responsible for the navigation and maintenance of the ship while the naval men is charge of the security arrangements. As for the ship itself, she operates under international law as a naval auxiliary under military control and enjoys sovereign immunity privileges.

Another View of the Ship (photo credit : standupper @ cariforum)

For MISC, the delivery of the ship is a sign of their commitment to the safety of their shipping operations and crew especially in the pirate infested Gulf of Aden. For the RMN, the operation of the ship embodies the realization of a very component of the concept of Total Defence stated in the National Defence Policy.

This blog wishes the ship and the crew Godspeed in their service and congratulate all the parties involved in finding an amicable solution to resolving the security issue for our shipping in the Gulf.

Postscript : For More photos of the ship being converted, please visit this blogspot page.

Paging PV Perak !

2009-05-21T17:09:00.008+08:00

I wonder what is happening to the commissioning date of PV Perak that was supposedly delayed to this month from March 2009 and December 2008 initially. The delay in March would be understandable by looking at the web available photos above where even in March photos taken from the Ferry to Pangkor showed PV Perak still having items under wraps although overall it looks complete. The fact that is worrying to me now is that the most recent web available photo taken on the 11 May below now shows the patrol vessel being dry docked. I hope that this is for final completion works rather than major construction works remaining as otherwise it is possible the commissioning ceremony for the vessel will be further delayed. Such delay would be very worrisome if any potential confrontation in the region suddenly flares-up as the RMN would need all their assets to be available then. And this is not even talking about PV Terengganu that so far there seems to be no news on her development. So Paging PV Perak! You are urgently required to be commissioned so that you can enter your operation theater! (Pardon the Pun!)

Quietly Slipping Home.

2009-05-20T11:06:00.003+08:00

KD Hang Tuah that had just ended their stint in Ops Fajar 3/2009 in the Gulf of Aden had returned to Lumut Naval Base on the 14 of May 2009 without much fanfare and was only reported by a regional Malay newspaper in their articles “Misi iring kapal dagang Negara” and “Operasi Fajar beri pengalaman berharga” last Friday in their Perak State Edition. KD Hang Tuah had departed for Somalia on 4 February 2009 with a crew of 204 and only met with indirect threats from the Somalian pirates although one crewman claimed that they had five confrontations with the pirates. This may be the reason why there was no spotlight on their return despite the fact that KD Hang Tuah had conducted twelve convoy escort missions for 17 merchantmen and 4 tugs during their tour of duty in the Gulf. Now KD Sri Inderapura has left to continue Ops Fajar 4/2009 on the 10th of May, 2009 and if she has a similar quiet mission until she is relieved in June, you can bet that she too will quietly return home although the escot duties is no less important than facing a firefight with the pirates.

Post Edit : 23 May 2009. Sin Chew Chinese Newspaper did make a report, from which article the photo above was taken.

An Empty Threat From An Empty Mind

2009-05-18T22:00:00.003+08:00

I was in transit while awaiting to pick up my wife with my younger daughter when we decided to visit the neighbourhood playground to while away the time. While there an officious looking signboard caught my eye as I felt it odd to find one that seemed out of place than the regular ones you normally find at playgrounds. At the very least, the signboard brought a wry smile to my face while reading it. The reason would soon be clear as the sign stated in Malay that “Warning do not abandon cats in the house area. Beware that CCTV camera evidence will be used to prosecute”.

Try as I might, I could not locate the CCTV from which evidence will be produced to prosecute the wrong-doer who dares abandon cats in the area. But the blustering fool does have some foolhardiness though he may not have the brains to threaten people in an area which does not belong to him. Look closely at the second photo as I remind you again that this sign is located at a public playground. Not only has he encroached on public land evidenced by the garden plants he has planted but he then threatens the public openly for some perceived wrongdoing that he himself is guilty of. This is what I have many times grumbled about on this blog, how our civil society seems to encouraging these fools who feels they are holier than thou or even mightier than thou who takes the law into their own hands or to convenience themselves to set the pace, while most of us only watch and whine that our society is civil no more. He’s lucky that my family are cat adopters rather than cat abandoners; otherwise I might test his empty threat and see what develops, especially from that phantom CCTV camera. Sheesh!

Making A More Permanent Presence?

2009-05-15T22:16:00.006+08:00

I had commented in two of my previous postings that the RMN will end their Ops Fajar presence in the Gulf of Aden when KD Hang Tuah ends her deployment at the end of April although there were reports that an Auxiliary Patrol Ship being converted for duties in the Gulf and another ship being readied for further Gulf duties. Today the CNO Admiral Datuk Seri Abdul Aziz Jaafar finally had confirmed in a local Malay newspaper report that Ops Fajar has been further continued by the dispatch of KD Inderapura for a two month deployment until the end of June.
Nonetheless the more interesting bit of news from the report is the fact that the CNO further mentioned that KD Inderapura tour of duty will be continued by an "auxiliary ship" the name of which the report says the CNO did not want to state. In page 6 of today's Berita Harian however, a small article that did not make it into the Internet edition headlined "Kapal Khas Pantau Lanun" or 'Special Ship to Monitor Pirates', more details can discerned about the auxiliary ship that will be operational after Ops Fajar ends in June to monitor our nation's merchantmen voyages in the Gulf. It was stated that the converted ship will become a platform for monitoring platform in the Gulf waters. The RMN will put on board the ship a crew of RMN men and support forces that will be rotated after a certain period of time. The ship itself will be in the Gulf water for a long period of time. This indicates to me that the RMN now intends to make their presence more permanent, and by using an auxiliary ship rather than a full fledged warship, will provide a more sensitive presence that is less militaristic in nature in the Gulf while allowing the Navy to not detach a unit from their fleet that may now face a hotter situation in the national waters if the Spratlys issue takes a turn for the worse. Whatever it is I cannot help but wonder whether this auxiliary ship that is undergoing conversion is this ship snapped by a blogger while travelling past Lumut Naval base that was posted on her site. Interesting speculation it does make, doesn't it.

Historical Photos Liberated - HMMS Pelandok

2009-05-12T19:32:00.023+08:00

I have written about HMMS Sri Perlis or more well known as HMMS Pelandok that served as one of the earliest vessels in the nucleus force of the Royal Malaysian Navy under The Malaysian Naval Force. She was a LCG (L) equipped with two 4.7 inch guns that was used as a bombardment vessel during the first Emergency that Malaysia faced in addition to sea going training ship. The problem is that not many people may have seen photos of these brave men in action as I have found that the photos can only be more easily found in the archives of our neigbouring country. Thus in the interest of bringing these historical photos to a wider section of public, I will from time to time post liberated photos from these foreign archives, with the hope that their memory will be better preserved and more accessible than just gathering dust until some academician soul stumble across them, the most likely scenario in our own National Archives.

1. HMMS Pelandok Gun Crew

Notes : Last 2 Photos contributed by Daniel Spence, Sheffield Hallam University

2. Ship Visits

3. The End?

Edited 28 June 2009.

Royal Malaysian Navy - Offshore EEZ Stations

2009-05-09T10:41:00.013+08:00

For the Malaysians in the peninsular at least, Lumut would be THE Navy town where the premier Royal Malaysian Navy base is located. Thus many would not be aware that Sepanggar Bay at Kota Kinabalu in Sabah would become another premier naval base where the Command Naval Area 2 or COMNAV 2 is located after being transferred from KD Sri Labuan. This is where our submarines will be based and under COMNAV 3 also there are many units that you can read all about at the COMNAV2 website, though currently only available in English, including the Kuching Representative Naval Office (RNO/PWTL) and KD Sri Rejang in Sibu. This post however would concentrate on an isolated area of operations for the RMN, that is the naval stations in the Gugusan Semarang Peninjau that after the declaration of the Economic Exclusive Zone (EEZ) on 20 September 1979, have become outposts to validate Malaysia’s claims to the areas under the EEZ that are at least 156 nautical miles away from Kota Kinabalu.

Comprising five stations originally built on outlaying atolls, with the most developed now expanded to a full fledged island that is now a popular diving spot in the region. This is in contrast from the origins of Layang-Layang Island when the island started to receive its first human population three years after a claim plaque was erected on the coral atoll it was at the time on 21 June 1980, when eighteen hardy Paskal men went ashore on May 1983 to build the first encampment while braving the elements. This place is called Wisma Kaki Langit because at the time the only infrastructure available was a helipad for personnel transfer and the soldiers had to camp under the open skies on the bare reef. When the naval station proper was constructed six years later with the construction of a small living-cum-operations quarters, it was also decided that the enlarged island the atoll has become will also be developed as a tourist attraction so that the tourism potential of the island can be exploited. Thus by 1995, more buildings were added, including two air-conditioned accommodation blocks, an aircraft landing strip, which can be used by Hercules C-130 and CN235 aircraft, two hangars, a radar station, an air traffic control tower, watchtowers and a jetty has made the island a proper island station code named Station Lima for the naval men stationed there to safeguard our nation’s claim to the area. Patrols by navy soldiers in CB90H attack vessels and larger, faster patrol boats are carried out around the island. Several anti-ship and anti-aircraft guns are placed on several areas on the island and the RMAF personnel operate a Starburst air defence system to prevent low-level air attacks here.

Ubi Reef or Station Uniform was one of the stations which construction was started in the mid-80s for the purpose of monitoring and protection the territorial waters in international boundaries. It was built in early 1986 by Malaysian Shipping Engineering Corporation and in its early stage, was only a module built on top of a barge measuring 60 metres long and 30 metres wide anchored on top of Ubi Reef(Ardasier Reef) that is supposed to be the largest reef in Gugusan Semarang Peninjau. The station was officialy opended on 16 April 1986 and is located 16 nautical miles to the south west of Station Lima and 25 miles south of Station Mike. In 2000 the station was enlarged by filling in around the lagoon basin and a channel was built for safe passage of the visiting navy CB90 Combat Boat to enter and dock at the station. A beacon was also built about one mile to the east of the station to mark guide the boats into the lagoon. A buoy was also placed in the middle of the lagoon to assist in the berthing of the boats. In general, Station Uniform assets has been much enhanced to increase the operational readiness of the station.

The next reef to be populated was Station Mike or Mantanani Reef when a habitat module built by Malaysian Shipping Engineering Corporation was anchored onto the reef in the middle of September 1986 and was officially opened three months later. The 44 metre long Station Mike is located about 35 nautical miles to the north of Station Lima and is close to a Vietnamese settlement on Amboyna Cay only 40 nautical miles away. On 18 May 1994, the area around the islet was however declared a restricted area possibly due to its close proximity to competing forces.

The founding history of Station Sierra or Siput Reef started with the construction on a barge type module at Jerjak Island by PSCND. The module was specially designed originally as a floating vessel to facilitate towing at sea before it is anchored at Siput Reef. The towing was carried out in April 1999 codenamed Ops Sri Petaling whereby the module was towed under the element of disguise to avert notice by neighbouring countries in an operation taking almost one month. The sailing and towing operations was undertaken with several RMN ships in escort until reaching the site and anchored about 16 nautical miles south west of Station Mike. Location selection and module positioning was done during high tide so that it can be more easily anchored during low tide and after found satisfactory, the module was landed and filled in with cement and rocks to strengthen its anchorage. These works were completed in early May 1999 and officially named on 10 May 1999. In its early operations, it was declared that the module was built for marine and scientific research to reduce pressure and misunderstanding by claimant nations. The station was further secured by the extension of Ops Sri Petaling for monitoring and defence in order to safeguard the station from any threats especially from nations objecting to Malaysia’s settlement on the islet.

Similarly Station Papa was also constructed by PSCND that was originally a module built on top of a large barge that was towed to its current site in the same Ops Sri Petaling in early April 1999 before being anchored in the middle of Peninjau reef and located 70 miles north east of Station Lima. Work on anchoring the module on the largest reef in amongst the station was completed and then officially opened on 10 May 1999. Station Papa was similarly declared as a maritime scientific research station to reduce claimants’ pressure and similarly secured like Station Sierra against any threats from competing claimants.

The presence of soldiers on the islets demonstrates the sensitivity of the situation involving the overlapping claims on the many islands within the Spratlys archipelago. Military personnel are needed to maintain Malaysia’s control of the islets and also to protect the rich marine life surrounding it. The islands are important strategic assets for the country and were believed to contain natural resources such as oil, phosphorous and natural gas. Meanwhile, the reefs are teeming with a beautiful and diverse marine life such as corals and many types of fish, which are great tourist attractions. The soldiers are entrusted with the task of ensuring that only fishing vessels with permits are allowed into the area and fishermen cannot catch legally-protected fish. They also make patrols to prevent intrusions by foreign fishing boats or other types of vessels into the territorial waters. Men stationed at the five islets normally on a three-month rotation monitor the movement of foreign ships and aircraft in the area, including military submarines that constantly ply the South China Sea and every incident of close encounters with foreign ships and aircraft are logged although no incident or confrontation has been officially reported. A trivia about these islets is that has been honoured with a stamp series featuring their ecological systems. Yet these offshore EEZ bases mark our frontiers out in the South China Sea, unprotected from the vagrancies of weather and atrocious sea conditions! Cold and distant these sovereign territorial positions are guarded around the clock by RMN personnel, whilst our citizens are safely tucked in the peace and security of their homes.

Memories Rediscovered

2009-05-01T10:35:00.015+08:00

The last week of the last school holidays was a week of revealation to me in that I managed to rediscover a few things that had been feared will remain a distant memory for me. The first was when I discovered that my foremost favourite shawarma stall, Shawarma Raihani was still open despite my fear it had closed down when I last visited in January. Imagine my happiness when I saw the stall being manned that day and it was the same beef shawarma hung up over the flame, with the flavour adding fat strips and onion on top as it should be. You can still have it in pita or hot dog bread, with either chilli or tomato sauce or for extra zest black pepper sauce. But for me and my family, plain is good enough because the overflowing blended beef with just diced tomato , onions and mint gives enough original flavour to savour. This is real proof that when something is made right, simple is good enough. Anyway I managed to dispel the mystery why it was closed in my last visit, as it seems they do not keep regular hours except that Sunday is official close day. So they may close down even on working days like the day I was there, and may even open late on some days. Usually I frown on such bad time-keeping, but hey if they are confident enough that their fans can put up with such a fault in order to savour their delicious shawarmas, who am I to complain. Sorry the close-ups that I took was not good enough to post, or you may find yourself drooling too.

Anyway that Saturday after sending my car for its scheduled maintenance service, on a whim I drove my wife's car and the family towards Morib as I thought since we did go anyway for the holidays as this year is the elder's exam year, that beach would make a nice short break location to visit. Surprisingly the beach was much better than I remembered when compared to my last visit more than twenty years ago. There is now a surf break and some developments like shelters, a playground and food stalls with nice parking. In fact the surf break is an excellent place to play with kites, and the kids was happy playing their 2 ringgit kites as there was a constant wind coming in. In fact that was the best toy I bought for them to date. On the way back, we also stopped over at the other beaches along the way and there are also developments there, so a trip for a weekend stay is a certainty in the future. Especially when a trip to historical Jugra can also be made though when I made a short reconnaissance side trip there, I must say better signage is needed to point the way to the sites.

Alas I must not forget the other main reason I wanted to make the visit. And that is to savour the best nasi lemak sotong that I have tasted to date in Banting. Nonetheless my initial efforts to locate the stall proved fruitless, so much so that I had to call my friend who was the town native who introduced me to this delight to find out if the stall still existed, and I was happy to note that it had been moved to a hawker centre by the town authorities from its original location instead. This is somewhere at the back of the town main road, so you better ask a town native where is Nasi Lemak Pak Musa and I am sure you will be shown the way. Nonetheless when I arrived there, I was actually dissapointed as they had already sold-out around 10:30 a.m. as warned previously by my friend as a distinct possiblity, but he also mentioned that the neighbouring stalls is just as good as it seems Pak Musa shared the recipe as he alone could not meet the demand. I however chose to eat at the neigbouring Warung Kak Leha, as that was the stall the staff at Pak Musa's pointed me to so it should be better than the rest. No regrets as the sambal sotong looks the same as Pak Musa's as I remembered it, and the rice as good as my younger daughter who tasted mine asked for her personal plate. The elder sister who said that she was saving room for her requested McD lunch actually polished off half her mother's fried koay teow, that my wife said was fried old school style and the fresh cockles in it was an excellent bite. The plate of sambal sotong was shared between us as she also had to eat part of the nasi lemak to fill her up as this was supposed to be our brunch, and she agreed that the sambal sotong prepared here was an excellent and delicious version. I pointed out that here the sambal was made from dried chillies soaked in sugar water like the stall was preparing then for the next day, so the heat from the chilli was toned down to a level that the taste of the chilli proper shone through, so your taste bud can appreciate the chilli taste properly without being overwhelmed by the hotness instead. Though my longing is sated, another trip earlier in the morning to Pak Musa's is still warranted, as I want to make sure my taste buds remembered correctly the original taste.

Slasher !

2009-04-26T13:02:00.004+08:00

The X-Men Origins: Wolverine movie is scheduled to open soon and this movie tells of the origins of my favourite X-Man Wolverine. I have been thankful that in the movie series Wolverine has at least ditch his yellow coveralls that although cool and marks him as the outsider within the fraternity, that suit definitely does not lend itself as much as the jeans and singlet grunge look the Wolverine has nows. It is just that flashing of the admantium claws by Mr Wolverine nows reminds me too much of another movie character that although not as cool, was as much popular in the eighties as the X-Men Marvel Comics character in the late 20th Century. Do you remember him below that gave a whole generation of teens nightmares when they slept? Hello from him!

Gulai Pucuk Ubi Tumbuk Recipe To The Fore

2009-04-25T17:13:00.003+08:00

I had noticed about this traditional Malay recipe collection book from a review in a local newspaper and today in celebration of paying off my income tax and to accumulater tax receipts for this year's assesment, I brought the family to Kinokuniya bookstore where I found it on sale. After paying for it and flicking through it, I was pleasantly surprised to find the recipe for the definitive Mandailing Dish, Gulai Pucuk Ubi Tumbuk was included in the recipe book. This virtually unobtainable dish from any malay food shop has finally obtained general credentials and at least this family's version of this traditional recipe can now be kept for perpetuity . Yes there are many family variations of this dish, and the condiments itself may change according to personal preference.

For those interest in the book, here is a brief descrition from the MPH website :

Title: A Taste of Batu Gajah : Traditional Malay Family Recipe
Author: Datin Seri Raihan Abdul Rahman; et. al.
Publisher: BLU INC MEDIA SDN BHD
Published Date: 01-APR-09
ISBN: 9834455704
Format: Paperback
Main Category: Food & Drinks
Sub-Category: COOKERY-MALAYSIA
Our Price: RM 80.00

Book Description

While A Taste Batu Gajah is about life – and the tastes - of this unique historical town in Perak, it is more importantly about authentic
Malay cooking with lots of heart and soul thrown in. The cookbook's recipes will remind you of a time when life was simple and good things were to be savoured.

The recipes in A Taste of Batu Gajah were and still are, cooked by Datin Norsiah, a woman who equates food with love.

I hope if you do decide to buy the book yourself, I hope you enjoy the collection of traditional Malay recipes that may not be available elsewhere.

Making New Out Of Old

2009-04-23T08:39:00.007+08:00

According to the Dictionary of Naval Terms by Thomas J Cutler, a service life extension program is a program designed to extend the period of usefulness of service vessels by giving them an extensive overhaul and modernization refit. This is where the life of the hull and basic structure of a ship is extended by replacing the mechanical, electrical, propulsion, waste, and other systems and likely rebuilding the spaces and, of course, re-outfitting them. Nonetheless it has to be remembered that the lifetime of the refitted (SLEP) ship will likely be less than that of a new ship. Although almost all navies does this procedure, unfortunately for a small navy like ours with limited resources, SLEP has been a way to prolong the life of our naval assets as replacements are usually far in between and may not even be insufficient quantities. For example, our FS1500 Kasturi class frigates has since 1984 had refits under SLEP when their Sewaco combat system wasa updated 1999 and later refits, the 100 mm gun was upgraded to Mk2 configuration in 1994 and around 2002 their MM38 Exocet SSM replaced with the newer MM40 version. As reported by a journalist who attended the recent RMN media event, KD Lekir the second in the class has just finished her SLEP program but there seems to be no identifiable changes to her appearance to suggest a major modernisation refit was undertaken as shown by the photographs here.

This was despite the announcement during LIMA 2007 that the government had handed over the letter of intent (LOI) to Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd for service life extension program of Kasturi Class Corvettes for both KD Kasturi and KD Lekir of RMN. Nonetheless the exclusive photo above taken by Cari Forum Member Standupper on 15 April that was posted in the Security Agencies, Police and Military discussion board shows that the hull of KD Kasturi being completely gutted, probably in anticipation of the full modernisation announced in the LOI. Another source has advised that KD Kasturi entered the dockyard at the end of last year and only recently was prepared for the SLEP program. This modernisation is expected to consist of the following upgrade package as reported by Tempur defence magazine previously :

a. Installation of TACTICOS CMS to replace the Daisy Sewaco-MA Combat Data System

b. Electronics package including Thales DA-08 air search radar , Mirador-IR optronic director,
marine navigation radar , DR3000S ESM suite, ATLAS Electronik DSQS-24C hull mounted sonar, Link Y MK 2.5 and TERMA SKWS decoys.

c. Weapons system upgrade with the intallation of a Eurotorp B515 with A244S Whitehead ASW torpedoes at the ASRL position, the 100 mm gun would be replaced with a medium calibre gun , most probably with the existing Bofors 57 mm gun as the aft gun would be removed completely in order to extend the helicopter deck and two MSI 30 mm guns would replace the existing Emerlec guns.

Well we can only wait and hope that the modernisation upgrade as speculated above be carried out after the ship has finished her SLEP as otherwise her mission capability may not be sufficient to increase her survivability in the this more challenging environment as compared to when she was built in the 1980's. This is especially since we cannot afford to buy many new fighting platforms but instead have to rely on making new out of old ships that we already have.

Return Of The Armed Merchantman?

2009-04-19T00:12:00.009+08:00

KL Security Review has reported that the Malaysian Navy confirmed that the Royal Malaysian Navy and Malaysian International Shipping Corporation(MISC) is negotiating to cooperate in upgrading a merchant ship to become a naval auxiliary ship to replace the navy ships deployment in the Gulf of Aden Bay for escort missions. Off hand this piece of news brings to mind the gallant armed merchantmen that served as the cradle and crucible to forge the Malay navy men during World War II with heroic gallantry and which now lends their names to the Navy's own patrol vessels. That was a time when navy combat ships were in scarce supply thus these merchantmen had to be armed as naval auxiliary ships to conduct patrol and escort missions. It seems now that our own navy can no longer afford to spare a navy unit to undertake the convoy escort missions and thus has to request MISC to furnish them with a naval auxiliary to undertake such missions.

The report stated that a merchant ship have been identified for the conversion and the ship selected merchant must comply with several conditions, for example, must have space for a hangar and accommodation for naval staff on the ship. The article also stated that MISC already operates vessels with helipads in their Offshore Floating Facilities fleet, but what they may have not realised are that such ships are tethered production and storage vessels, and the helipad conversions they have installed may not be suitable for a vessel that is supposed to be sailing in speed and in climatically challenging environment as can be seen from these photos of the various vessels. In fact if we are to peruse MISC's fleet, it may not make much sense to convert their ships just to ply the Gulf for escort duties without any payload, especially for only one unit and it also does not make sense commercially to convert several units for such a role just because modern ship designs just do not lend itself easily for conversion to armed merchantmen. In addition, the current modus operandi for the convoys is for our merchant ships to muster at a friendly port like Djibouti before transiting the Gulf under armed naval escort. Thus the period when the escort ship returns to a port of muster to berth and wait for the next convoy to form up means idle time for a merchant ship, and I believe would be a sticking point between the Navy and MISC. Another factor would be the crewing of the ship, as navy sailors may not be able to or cannot crew such a merchant men, and I doubt if civilian crews would want to endure such a task like convoy duties in the Gulf that some of our navy men from Ops Fajar has stated is a harrowing task.

So what should be the better solution in the humble opinion of this blogger you say? Well in this case I would like to remind you that the RMN are actually no strangers to operating leased commercial vessels in their fleet like MV Fajar Samudera, MV Mahsuri and STS Puteri Mahsuri in addition to commercial hydrographic vessels. The first two ships are being used to train their sailors including reservists. As the sending of KD Tuah has set a precedent of sending trainee sailors to the Gulf area of operations, then I do not see any reason why we should not send any of these two training vessels instead. MV Fajar Samudera on the left is more like a cruise ship to be a good naval deterrent while MV Mahsuri on the right is a 92 metre long 4000 tonnes ex-research vessel with a cruising speed of 12.5 knots, perfect for such convoy escort work. In addition, the ship design already incorporates a large helicopter pad in the stern and since it is a training ship, accommodation should not be a problem for the navy Special Forces men assigned to her. She also has a stern ramp for easy deployment of the Special Forces men and also has medical facilities on board and has served as a hospital ship during the Navy's exercises. Thus the conversion required for MV Mahsuri can be no more than installing non deck penetration medium calibre guns and repainting the ship to naval grey to show it means business. It fact this ship approximates most closely the size and capability of KD Mahawangsa and KD Inderasakti that has done their tour of duty in the Gulf.

The only problem this idea would face is that MV Mahsuri is currently privately owned and crewed by civilians under the command of the Navy. But then this should not be too difficult to resolve as there is already a precedent for our oil industry players to supply equipment for the Navy's Paskal for use in their oil platform protection duties. So why not our shipping industry players led by MISC then not buy over the ship and present it to the navy for use in the escort missions, or at least lease the ship on the navy's behalf for the navy to operate. If the MV Mahsuri is not available, then I am sure in the current state of shipping industry that is in the doldrums, it would be easy to find another suitable or much better ship to undertake the task. Would RFA Argus or its Chinese equivalent Shicang class be too much too ask?

Islamic And Fashionable?

2009-04-18T15:34:00.005+08:00

My wife recently on the occasion of her birthday finally decided to mark it by starting to don the tudung and hijab. Thus it seems coincidental that this article appeared in The Star discussing what it would mean to be fashionable in Islam, or is Islamic Fashion an oxymoron in itself.

Firstly let me put together the relevant bits from the article for the base of my comments later. The article mentions that "According to the Quran, men and women are required to dress modestly by covering their aurat, which refers to the area from the navel to the knee for the former and all parts of the body except the face, hands and feet for the latter. However, there has been much debate on how this can be interpreted and how far one needs to go to ensure proper Muslim attire compliance. If the idea is to dress modestly and not attract attention to yourself then surely “Islamic fashion” is a misnomer, as fashion is all about adorning oneself and attracting attention." It goes on to explain the origins of Islamic Malay clothing where " upon conversion to Islam, a whole new concept of covering up emerged among the Malay Muslims, who chose a kind of a tent shape....that the habbaya from the Arabian Peninsula became the kebaya matched with a shawl and sarong, which was tied in a style called tindih kasih. Then there is the Turkish long tunic that became the baju kurung, worn with a wrapped and draped sarong. The wrapping and draping concept appears in the Cik Siti Wan Kembang outfit (from Kelantan) that comes with a wide shawl and, later on (also for Kelantan women), the kain batik lepas, a piece of batik material. The bright 2m coloured fabric was used as a head covering; it became multi-functional to suit daily life,” .

Thus in the present era, fashion from the Islamic point of view is where "The Islamic silhouette does not emphasise the figure, especially the chest. The designs should focus more on practicality, in keeping with Muslim activities in daily life. Which basically means comfortable and practical clothing that a Muslim can wear while performing everyday tasks. In today’s context, the most recognisable form of such comfortable, practical and, of course, modest garment in Malaysia is the baju kurung. That is a variation of the jubah that Muslim women elsewhere wear. Increasingly, Muslim women wear the outfit with a headscarf that’s called hijab in the Middle East but usually is referred to as the tudung, (cover) locally.As the name suggests – from the word kurung which means to confine – this shape of dress was to protect the human body from unwanted elements,”.

Unfortunately Among designers, there are different schools of thought where one feels that it’s about infusing Islamic values and modesty into the world of fashion while the other feels very strongly that fashion and Islam cannot mix as this means to invite people to look at you, and that’s wrong as they feel hat women should be modest and not attract attention.. Nonetheless my own personal opinion agrees with this statement by Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir who is actually against the term Islamic fashion and feels religion and fashion should not be mixed and points out that "“our mothers and grandmothers have been wearing traditional dress all their lives, so are we now saying that they are not Islamic?" Therefore it does really make sense to me when she says that

“I object to it because it implies that those of us who don’t wear these types of garments, particularly if we don’t cover our heads, are not Muslims. I think everyone should dress modestly and that is enough. Dressing in ‘Islamic fashion’ does not mean you are a better Muslim than one who does not.”

“Religion and fashion are two separate worlds. Yes, I think women have a right to dress in any way that pleases them and be modest about it as well. But I don’t think it needs to be called fashion. If it is fashion, not only is it by definition attention-getting but it’s also fleeting and transient and requires you to change every so often, even when there is no reason to.

“Following fashion can enslave you too. Does the Quran give fashion guidelines? No, it just tells us, men and women, to behave modestly. God is beyond fashion.”

So to me the best would be to emphasise on common sense and practicality in Muslim wear and keep in mind that conceptions of modesty and appropriateness vary between different Islamic denominations and individuals, and you may need to straddle the two worlds somewhat uneasily and try to find a balance. I believe the answer may be beyond all of us, and in the end, how one chooses to interpret religion is strictly between oneself and God.

We May Not Be Green Yet, But We Are Heading There

2009-04-15T14:37:00.011+08:00

There has been some comments on the Earth Hour bandwagon like the following quote from the Star, but what I want to do is to comment on what the writer has wrote on the little people who care who actually make going green happen.

Similarly, Earth Hour has come and gone (I was out for a meal so technically my lights were switched off). While the bandwagon was brimming with green groupies, after more than two weeks, where are we now?

The point is that grand gestures are easy to embrace – cool, too, when they come with enough do-gooder publicity. But how many of us are even thinking about switching off our electricity for an hour every day or every week after that? Thought so.

The writer has basically asserted that from her exposure that ''that green causes .... are generally targeted at those who can afford to go green and spend time thinking about it. “For those who are struggling to earn a living, it is unfortunately a non-issue.”" This is based on her experience that when she returned from abroad, her exposure to garbage separation there amounts to nothing locally as she believes that all the garbage would still go to a single bag and will later unceremoniously dumped together into the landfill.

What she does not realise is that in Malaysia, it is exactly the opposite as it is these poor people who are the little people who actually help in recycling our society's waste in a big way. I am not talking about the metal thieves who help recycle our metal gates and gratings and such but I wonder if she really has not seen these little people with a piece of long metal that is hooked at the end to help them hook the drink cans out of garbage bins and longkangs. Or she has not seen how our enterprising garbagemen who has taken the initiative to separate the garbage themselves to sell to the recycling centres as shown by the photos here, or our own landfill scavengers who brave thrash landslides and methane blasts to separate the garbage at site, with some lucky ones finding the occasionally missing gold jewelry as a jackpot sometimes, something I know from personal experience when I was doing a project at some of the landfills. This not even taking into account the ubiquitous old newspapermen doing the rounds that is not only limited to newspaper nowadays but other junk too.

And the reason for these recycling enterprise? Its just cold hard cash as it is really true that there is money in garbage. So never mind if we still do not practise formal garbage separation via coloured thrash bins or sacks. As long we try to separate the recyclables from our trash and keeping them separately until they can be thrown away together later on, we would have done our own little bit to help the environment by helping those who actually are doing the recycling bit make the job a little bit easier. You really don't need to wait to go brown, blue and green to go green.

KD Hang Tuah To Return Month End

2009-04-15T11:40:00.007+08:00

KL Security Review has reported that KD Hang Tuah's deployment in the Gulf Of Aden will end at the end of the month. And I speculated wrongly in my previous post that this would deprive the navy trainees from on board training, as KLSR has reported that the trainees are actually deployed on this voyage with the main benefit is to allow the trainee officers to carry out its mandate to study ocean-going training and experience. This is a good strategy by the RMN to utilise the funding for this voyage to also provide ocean going to the trainee officer, which due to lack of resources the Navy rarely emulates the major navies' midshipmen training ship round the world voyages. Nice going! You guys are really stretching the dollar for the good of the Navy.

Post Script

From a newspaper article that appears on the day after this posting was made, the RMN CNO was quoted as saying that Ops Fajar was to be terminated due to the economic slump that is happening whereby fewer merchant ships are moving in the danger area. The high cost of monitoring and escorting the merchant ships through the Gulf that is fully borne by the Navy was another factor in the decision to terminate the operations.

Ghosts Of My Youth

2009-04-09T10:53:00.019+08:00

Yes I am reminiscing but I am literally thinking of the ghosts stories that has appeared in my youth, a mind train that started when I saw the movie trailer on TV for a Thai horror movie that featured a haunted cinema. That got me thinking of a ghost story about the Odeon Cinema in Ipoh that somehow was built beside a Christian cemetery, at the rear of the Cinema if you see it from this recent photograph of the converted building. The story goes that at the reserved first class section located at the balcony area on the second floor, there is a row of seats at the back that is usually purposely left empty. This is because in the event of a full house that the seats are actually occupied, the poor patrons would be disturbed by their usual occupants, supposedly denizens from the cemetery that somehow spends their afterlife watching the most recent movies. Another version of the story says that there was only a particular ghost who had his favourite seat, so woe betide the unfortunate soul who happens to sit there. Nonetheless both versions of the story agrees that the ghost was quite benevolent, that in the event you vacate the seat, the disturbance will stop. I can vouch though that the many times we watch movies there as it was one of the cheaper cinemas in Ipoh, I do seem to remember that there was a particular row that is usually empty. Though instances of a full house are rare, it was noticeable because the cinemas then (as also now) usually fill up with the seats at the back, so when the last row seats are usually empty, it does pique your mind whether the stories are true or otherwise. Nonetheless I have never had the wherewithal to test the story, so I could never verify it though there were stories that some brave souls did try to test their machismo and was rewarded by leaving the cinemas with tears. God only knows eh!

Other than the usual run of the mill ghost stories that I have heard, I would only touch on those that may be particular to my region and at least there was one that I heard from my late grand-uncle who claims to have seen the giant or tall ghost called Bota who straddled the bridge that connected Bota Kiri and Bota Kanan one early morning, who had one foot at each end when he was crossing the bridge as he was commuting daily between Ipoh and Lumut then. So when he looked up, he could actually see the crotch of the gigantic ghost and I bet that was one ugly sight and the ghost must be one of the largest in record as he could span such a long bridge as shown in the picture. Again the ghost in this story was benign as he said the was just standing there, like a sentry and was not doing anything that may harm somebody. So since my family has always been taught to let things be if anything weird happens or "Jangan Tegur" in Malay, he just moved on and that was the only incident that happened during his few years of commuting. Anyway if you want to know more, Bota to the folks in the area that was named after the creature was supposed to be some sort of a soil based creature that only occasionally hunts for flesh for its diet, and if a human goes missing around there it was then attributed to the Bota but then it is usually because the human may have crossed some pantang/taboo or superstitious practices. So it may have been my grand-uncle's good luck that when he crossed path with the Bota, the creature was either not hungry or my grand-uncle did not break any pantang eh.

Many may have heard of Hantu Kum Kum or Hantu Stokin as these are ghosts that is known nationally but I think one that may be particular to Ipoh was the hysteria about a dog head ghost that was supposed to go around trying to snatch kids for dinner. The most frightening aspect of this story is that unlike regular ghosts, this one appears in the day time. So families were being panicked into keeping their kids in the house as the modus operandi is that the ghost is a man whose head turns into a dog head to chomp at a kid who he then drags away when he gets the chance. So pity the stranger who may come a calling to your door as they will be nastily turned away, but pity the kids like me more who until the story died out, was kept lock inside the house and could not even play in the compound, lest they be lured out. This story to me was definitely a hoax that if I remember correctly even got the Police issuing Public Announcements that the story was not true and no kids had gone missing due to any dog headed man but they are investigating cases of real kidnappings, such was the hysteria gripping the public. But in light of the recent missing children cases that has yet to be resolved, maybe such precautions are necessary these days anyway.

Another story was related to me by my own late father whose family house neighboured the village cemetery. He told me one night he was attracted by a light flickering within the cemetery so like a cat he went there to sneak a peek. Imagine his surprise when he saw a floating coffin on the way to a burial plot. It seems that the coffin was not actually floating but may have been carried by a procession of invisible people or orang halus in Malay, coming to the cemetery to bury one of their own. I never got around to ask what happen next and my father also did not say anything more about the incident except to remind me that there are many things in this world that we do not know about, and as long as we try co-exist peacefully nothing untoward will happen as demonstrated by the stories above. And if any thing that that looks like a ghost may actually try to harm us, these are most likely people masquerading as ghostly beings. And if something supernatural does try to disturb us, rely on God as it has been promised in the good book that they cannot harm us unless we allow them to do so, especially by showing fear to them. These are the lessons that I took to heart in my own encounters with the supernatural, but then these are stories that I will only tell my own children so as to impart the same lessons that I received from my own father.

Submarine Rescue Outsourced

2009-04-04T08:47:00.034+08:00

Last month it was announced in the Parliament that the RMN initially wanted to sign a 20 year outsourced submarine rescue contract because the Navy has no expertise but was instructed to re-negotiate for a shorter deal instead.

Submarine rescue job awarded via direct negotiation

KUALA LUMPUR ( March 2, 2009) :

The Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM) will use the service of Target Resources Sdn Bhd for "Submarine Escape and Rescue" (SMER) since it has no experience in the field, Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Wira Abu Seman Yusop said the SMER service was important as the country's first submarine would start operation in July.

"It will allow the defence ministry and TLDM to learn the technical aspects aimed at providing the best service," he said when winding up the motion of thanks to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for his opening address.

Abu Seman said on Aug 25, 2008, the defence ministry received approval from the finance ministry to negotiate directly for SMER at a cost of RM8.2 million monthly for 20 years or RM98.4 million annually.

"However, the finance ministry did not agree with the cost and asked the defence ministry to renegotiate for the lowest price over six years. The negotiation is ongoing."

It has to be explained that by extracting from the Parliamentary hansard we learn that "submarine escape and rescue(SMER)" is the first process in a rescue of a downed submarine in order to extend the survivability of the submarine via intervention. This would require a system that encompasses Intervention Remotely Operated Vehicle(IROV), Emergency Life Support Store, Distress Submarine Ventilation and Depressurization System and finally Atmospheric Diving Suit and Hull Inflated Boat. This is the system that is to be outsourced while the rescue teams and rescue ships themselves will be requested from international rescue organisations as the Parliament was informed that ownership cost will be exorbitant especially for a navy that will only have two submarines in service. Even the Indian Navy that already has a substantial submarine fleet and are now building six Scorpene class susbmarines is also dependent on foreign resources if any of its submarines gets into trouble as their Defence Ministry's failure to make a decision on a US$65 million program for two deep submergence rescue vessels has meant that the program has to be restarted again with a retender.

This post will not discuss the hows and why's of the contract but will look at how two regional Navies have also outsourced for a similar service. They have engaged UK's James Fisher Defence (JFD) who recently shipped their latest Deep Search and Rescue (DSAR) 500 series free swimming rescue vehicles(SRV) to South Korea and Singapore. The DSAR 500 had leveraged JFD's experience of the materiel design, in service support and operation of the LR5, the manned component of the UK Submarine Rescue Service (UKSRS), that was in fact substantially rebuilt in service by JFD during the course of its service life until its stand down at the end of November 2008. The vehicle and other assets of the UKSRS were acquired by JFD from the Ministry of Defence and is now being internationally marketed for further service as the James Fisher Submarine Rescue System (JFSRS). The LR5 vehicle normally carries three submersible crew members, the pilot, a co-pilot and the systems operator. Depth rated to 400 metres, the rescue submersible makes a watertight seal onto the distressed submarine's escape hatch. The watertight seal allows transfer of personnel without submitting them to the high external sea pressure. Technicians and medical officers can be transferred to the distressed submarine if required and survivors from the submarine are transferred onto the submersible. Up to 15 submarine survivors can be evacuated at a time to the mother ship or to a mother submarine. The LR5 could make up to eight trips to the distressed submarine (rescuing 120 survivors) before needing to recharge the battery power supply. Meanwhile the Royal Australian Navy have since December 2008 engaged JFSRS to provide it with a standby submarine rescue service using the equipment that includes the LR5 submarine rescue vehicle (SRV), the Scorpio 45 Intervention System remotely operated vehicle and their vastly experienced operations team that is rigorously maintained ready to deploy anywhere across the globe at 12 hours notice; with a proven, lightweight and air transportable submarine rescue system that is ready to respond to any RAN disabled submarine incident.

Evolved from LR5 vehicle, the new DSAR 500 have been designed by JFD to incorporate a number of engineering improvements, technology insertions and additional features. They have also benefited from the introduction of a modular manufacture and outfitting philosophy. The DSAR 500 rescue vehicle is capable of rescuing up to 16 submariners or a total rescue payload of 1200kg from a depth of 500 metres in currents of up to 3 knots. Rescuees may be transferred under pressure to the medical and decompression facilities on board the mothership. The DSAR 500 delivered to South Korea is to operate from mother rescue ship (MOSHIP) Chung Hae Jin and builds on JFD existing relationship with the Republic Of Korea Navy, particularly the service’s existing LR5K rescue submersible. The second craft is part of a new submarine rescue service for Singapore. Unlike the South Korean order that is a direct commercial sale, JFD and partner ST Marine are providing a contractor owned, contractor operated submarine rescue service for The Republic of Singapore Navy under a fifty-fifty joint venture known as First Response Marine Ltd. (FRM). The RSN’s order comprises a submarine support and rescue vessel (SSRV) (i.e. the mother ship) to transport a submarine rescue vehicle (SRV) and all of its control and handling systems to the site of a submarine in distress.Through FRM, ST Marine and JFD are working together to deliver a fully integrated submarine support and rescue MOSHIP and SRV service, and operate and maintain the rescue asset for a twenty year period. The contract valued at S$400 million is the first private public partnership for the Navy and FRM is due to begin operations by the middle of 2009.

The above are two examples of how a naval submarine fleet owner can prepare for incidents of a submarine in distress by outsourcing the submarine rescue service to a commercial submarine rescue service, especially for a small operator like our Navy. The choice can be between a direct contract with a submarine rescue service company like JFSRS or encourage the setting up of an in-country company like FRM in Singapore. These are alternative solutions to a joint navy service like NATO Submarine Rescue System (NSRS) shown left or a navy owned system like Korea's DSR-5. However looking at the name of the foreign technology partner given in Parliament, Paris Ling Bai System Limited, I cannot help but speculate whether the RMN will be outsourcing their submarine rescue services to China's PLA Navy and will use the The LR7 - or the Sea Dragon, China's newest, most advanced and biggest rescue submarine that you can see in this LR7 BBC Video. The multi-million pound LR7, the next generation of deep submergence rescue vessels, has been designed and developed by Perry Slingsby Systems (PSS), part of the Aberdeen-based Triton Group, and will put the Chinese Navy at the forefront of sub sea search and rescue worldwide. Capable of operating in depths of more than 300 metres, the 10 metre long state-of-the-art submarine can transport up to 18 people rescued from stricken vessels and is set to operate from PLAN's domestically built Type 926 Submarine Rescue Ship. Though it may seem odd to hire a service that is further away than what FRM can offer down south, I guess presumptive security concerns trumps the convenience and accessibility in this case though I hope that I am proven wrong when more details are announced.

Assalamualaikum Pak Lah!

2009-04-03T11:33:00.006+08:00

Well at 10:00 a.m., Malaysia once again had a smooth transition of power with Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak being sworn in as the sixth Prime Minister. Continuing the new tradition of bestowing the title of Tun to the departing Prime Minister and spouse, both Pak Lah and his wife are now Tun's in honour of their services to the nation. It had been a tumultous six years for Tun Abdullah and he could have done more, but I guess he was too nice to really move the behemoth onto his tracks towards achieving his ambitions for a greater Malaysia. Nonetheless the undeniable fact is that with this handover, our nation has witnessed two occassions of a peaceful transfer of power from a sitting Prime Minister to his successor without him losing a general election. Thus despite what is being claimed by many opposition sycophants that we now live in a repressive and undemocratic society. So I say to you how many countries that are really under a dictatorship can claim a similar transition and this is a clear cut evidence that Malaysia remains a democratic constitutional monarchy state. Amen!

It Looks Like A Corvette, But...

2009-04-02T22:48:00.007+08:00

PV 03 Perak Awaiting Commissioning

While we await the actual status of PV Perak and PV Terengganu and PV Selangor, the former pair supposed to be commissioned while the latter to be launched last month, let us have a look at some of the less contemporary designs that has appeared in the market since the project started. Although the approved second batch is unlikely to stray far from the Meko A100 design of the first batch of six, it would still be a good idea to have a look at the designs and specifications other navies have for their patrol vessels. This is because from the beginning of the RMN patrol vessel program, criticism of the fitted for but not with(FFNW) concept has loudly lingered in the many defence forums, with many pundits saying the Kedah class patrol vessels should be more heavily armed and speedier commensurate with the project cost announced. All this are said without realizing that in general even for the newer designs, a modern patrol vessel is not built to naval shipbuilding standards as a cost saving measure, is usually only sufficiently armed for its general patrol missions, modular so that it can be support simple integration of different combat systems that is actually another way to say FFNW and the hull form optimized for exceptional sea keeping even in high seas, essential for long periods of patrol at sea as offered by their long endurance and range. The incorporation of a level of stealth features in order to reduce radar cross section to a minimum although not essential is a welcome element in the newer patrol vessel design.

VT's OPV For Trinidad And Tobago

UK based VT Shipbuilding holds a strong position as a leading supplier of offshore patrol vessel with a family of OPV in service or in build that extend from basic patrol vessels to highly sophisticated designs. Beginning with Royal Navy River class fishery protection vessels as a basic design, the Batch 2 Falkland Islands patrol vessel improved on the earlier design with additional helicopter capability although only armed with a 30mm gun. Meanwhile their design for Trinidad and Tobago is a new design closely based on their existing portfolio model that has a speed of 25 knots and overall length of 90.5 metres. Long range maritime patrol is enabled by 35 days endurance and a range of 5000 miles at 12 knots. This allows the ships to poise at sea and when appropriate, close an area of interest to project force, including by helicopter. At the higher end of the VT series is the stealthy Ocean Patrol Vessels for the Royal Navy of Oman, 99 metres long and fitted with a comprehensive combat system beyond the normal expected levels expected in an OPV including medium calibre guns, SSM and Shorads supported by a comprehensive weapons management system, organic helicopter capability in a hangar propelled at a speed of more than 25 knots by two diesel engines.

VT's Khareef Class OPV For Oman

Fr. Fassmer GmbH meanwhile has found success in South America with two Fassmer OPV 80 design built for the Chilean Navy while Argentina plans to build five and the Colombian Navy one. With a length of 80 metres and speed of 21 knots, the vessel has a range of 12,000 nautical miles at a speed of 12 knots. Armed with a 40/70mm gun, the deck layout incorporates a helicopter launch platform, crane, two RHIBs, container storage and rescue zone. More recently, Fassmer has also introduced a larger OPV design, the Fassmer OPV 90, which at 92 metres is offered at a higher maximum speed of 28 knots, a range of 12,000 nautical miles at a higher cruising speed of 14 knots and suitable for the integration of a variety of military payloads and enhanced helicopter capabilities.

Chile's OPV Piloto Pardo From Fassmer

Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding is building four Patrol Vessels for the Royal Netherlands Navy that measures 108 meter in length with a total displacement is 3750 tonnes. The ship's speed is approximately 22 knots. To optimize the seakeeping behaviour of the vessel the hull has been stretched, and the bridge and superstructure are located relatively aftwards. The patrol vessel offer hangar space and landing facilities for one NH-90 helicopter or equivalent types. Two RHIBs will be embarked, one launched and recovered via a slipway in the stern, the other from a boat davit on the port side. The Patrol Vessels will be the first vessels of the Royal Netherlands Navy equipped with an integrated mast module which integrates practically all RF systems, radars as well as communication and optical sensors on board of the ship in one housing that allows detection and tracking of high- and low-altitude air targets, fast boats, periscopes, mines and even swimmers. Their armament will consist of one 76 mm Oto-Melara gun, one rapid-fire gun and two Hitrole machine guns. The weapons will all have full remote control.

Damen Schelde's Holland Class OPVs

Although not mentioned when their specifications were discussed above, these patrol vessels all share the fact that they were conceived as flexible, long endurance vessels equipped to perform a wide range of constabulary tasks with a primary focus on presence missions and maritime security tasks in the territorial waters and exclusive economic zones of each navy’s nation. Thus armaments can be limited to medium and small calibre guns to fulfil self defence and constabulary requirements. By putting endurance and sea keeping ahead of speed, the patrol vessels will instead use their helicopters and embarked RHIBs to intercept and prosecute targets at range. The helicopter will be able to identify and track targets significantly beyond the ship borne sensor horizon, while the high speed RHIB can be used for boarding operations. Thus even though these ships may by design look like under-armed corvettes, their specifications actually meet their mission design requirements.

And specifically for our Kedah class patrol vessels and the future improved Batch 2, the FFNW concept actually allows them to be upgraded to actual corvette capabilities when the need actually arises, and the modular concept will allow sufficient time for the additional combat systems to be installed when the war clouds are gathering. So remember that even though the Kedah class may look like corvettes and you may wish that they are armed like corvettes or even light frigates, the fact remains that they are sufficiently equipped to carry out their primary role as patrol vessels, with the bonus that ultimately they can be the corvettes that you are dreaming of.

Definitive Under The Tree Dining

2009-03-30T17:01:00.007+08:00

A couple of weeks back I had the occasion to travel the old Sungei Udang – Masjid Tanah road in Melaka as I was visiting a customer in the vicinity. I had noticed this quaint shop located within remnants of a palm oil plantation by the roadside before but since they were usually at the other side of the road when I sped pass them; I usually do not take the extra effort to make a U-turn to give it a try. Nonetheless this time since we were early finishing and was making our own sweet time back to KL, I asked the driver to make the U-turn so that we can give it a try. First off you will notice the name of the establishment, Sawit Corner (Palm Oil Corner) which is literally true as it is located at a corner and you can easily miss it when speeding by. Secondly is that the place is no ordinary under the tree set up, with a kitchen building, cooking station stalls, wakaf or attap covered dining huts and a large zinc roof dining hall with large screen TV to boot in addition to tables scattered under the palm trees. They even have a koi fish pond in the middle of the set up to give it a Balinese feel. This is the best under the tree set up I have ever seen to date.

What I can see from the food stations are that they serve Portuguese style ikan bakar at night and Melaka style otak-otak in addition to a special large curry puffs called karipap Jeen, which I guess is a regular egg curry puff that can be usually had at the Ramadan bazaars. The regular menu meanwhile features nasi lemak with various accompaniments like organic village chicken, assam pedas rice set, fish head curry, malay noodles like mee rebus including mee rebus and fried dishes like nasi goring and such. As we were there just for a simple lunch, two of us opted for the nasi lemak with fried chicken while I ordered the mee rebus tulang (beef ribs) with side orders of fried vegetables and fried egg. For drinks we had cendol and I myself had the special durian cendol. I also ordered one set of otak-otak to be eaten as the appetiser that I ended up tapauing home an additional twenty pieces for the home as it was mildly spiced but delicious which the kids at home gave the thumbs up to. As for the mee rebus, it was a typical malay style mee rebus, the thin gravy belies its sweetness that comes more from the beef stock rather than sweet potato that is the norm for the mamak version. The beef ribs meanwhile was falling off the bone when you bite into it demonstrating that it has been slowly simmered for the stock for quite a while. My only complaint is that one portion is not enough for me, and at only RM4.50 per portion I will ask for seconds the next time I am there. As for the nasi lemak, they said it was delicious with a rather sweetish sambal but the chicken was fresh and not oily, yielding a nice bite. I guess I have to stop now as that was all we managed to have this time since I originally had no intention to review the place, but I am sure this will be a favourite spot for lunch whenever we are next in the area.

Silently Vigilant In The Gulf

2009-03-28T20:02:00.006+08:00

First reported as a rumour by KL Security Review in February, it has since been confirmed in a Jane's Defence Weekly report that the Royal Malaysian Navy's training frigate KD Hang Tuah has been deployed to the Gulf of Aden and she will return in April. This is despite earlier reports that the RMN's presence in the Gulf of Aden will not be extended beyond February if no funding is allocated as the Navy was concerned when initially told that the funding for these deployments would have to come out of its existing operational budget. This would have resulted in the RMN having to scale down its training in 2009 to accommodate such costs. But such concerns may have been eased by the news that the 19 March supplementary funding bill had allocated RM27.9 million was to pay for fuel costs incurred by the RMN in its 2008 deployments to the Gulf of Aden to protect ships belonging to Malaysian shipping companies transitting the Gulf. As it was earlier announced that the government spent RM14.6 million to finance the operations of Malaysian navy vessels under 'Ops Fajar' from Sept 4 to Dec 31 last year in the Gulf of Aden, that still leaves RM13.3 million to finance these operations until April I guess.

Although I feel that using the last remaining training frigate in the fleet for fleet operations is not suitable especially for such a long overseas deployment as I am sure the Navy's trainees will not be on board and thus are deprived of onboard training in the meantime, I guess that is the price to be paid by our Navy that is currently short on operational assets after their patrol craft an OPV squadrons has been transferred to the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency. With the prior announced commissioning of two new Kedah class OPVs this month seems to be further postponed, the RMN may have to wait further to ease the shortage before they can send a more suitable vessel to undertake the operations in the Gulf and allow our training frigate to undertake her assigned role again. Until then we wish our men on board KD Hang Tuah in the Gulf good sailing! May they uphold the prestige their predecessors has gained in the short time our naval vessels has operated there.

Why I Will Not Join Earth Hour

2009-03-28T12:04:00.010+08:00

I think Malaysians for the past month has been bombarded by messages to join Earth Hour by all sorts of media. For those who may have somehow missed the message, this is basically an exhortation to be a greenie novice by switching off the lights in your house or location for an hour, under the pretext that such an action by a targeted one billion people can offset our carbon emissions that contributes to global warming.

But then why I will not join the Earth Hour brouhaha is simple; as a realist green that knows in the modern world I can never be totally green I give these two main reasons amongst many:

1. Mother Earth will not get a break by one billion people switching off for an hour when the other five billion plus people are still merrily polluting the earth and continue to do so without abatement. She will only get a break when a significant portion of the non-green people who joins the event because of the buzz and as a fad actually takes the next step and try to start a more green and healthy lifestyle, like making a decision to try to separate and recycle as much as possible by the more easy method of reusing your plastic bags as garbage bags instead of buying specialist garbage bags, or mulching your garbage for compost if you actually do some gardening in order to really green the earth, or keeping that unsightly pile of old newspaper to be solf off to recycles so that less trees will be cut down. As it is, I sincerely believe that after the event, most of the participants will go back to their normal lifestyle and we all know what that means.

2. One hour of switching off the lights in all the places that are holding Earth Hour Events in shopping malls etc that is being done locally like being pushed by this article will not offset the carbon emissions by the transport taken by the event participants. Those who understand the reason why I drive a fuel efficient MPV over an underpowered sub-compact will get what I am saying. You can have all your acoustic concerts, candle light dining and what not but the fact is that the special preparations to make such an event already has added extra emissions to the atmosphere. I will not join such events unless it is held in the local park where the events held requires no special arrangement, just people coming together hopefully by foot to appreciate nature like gazing into the night sky to maybe see the stars for the first time and to hear nature at its best, as then the only emissions these people would make are only the carbon dioxide from breathing and methane from the nether regions :>).

So tonight at the appointed hour you will find that my television and lights will be switched on. But I will make sure that only essential lighting like those in the living room where we will watch the idiot box will be on and as usual only the fan and an open door to let the fresh air in will cool the room. I am sure that we will make less emission than the fools who literally switch off only their lights but keep their airconds humming and other electrical equipment working as this is basically utility futility, and even than the ones who totally switch off for the appointed hour as we will be doing it every night. Such a commitment and belief does not an hour make. But hey! If you have already signed up and will partake in the festivities, go ahead! Like they say, at the very least you will be voting for Mother Earth. And hopefully you can continue to green your life further.

MAWILLA 3 Receives Her First Corvette

2009-03-26T09:33:00.006+08:00

KD Laksamana Tun Abdul Jamil Slowly Approaching The Navy Pier

Since operating from 28 August 2007, Markas Wilayah Laut 3 Or Command Naval Region 3(MAWILLA 3/COMNAV 3) Royal Malaysian Navy has managed to strenghten the security in the northern waters of the Malacca Straits. Such security focus is important in the area due to the high monthly traffic of an average of 6000 units of merchant shipping transiting the waters according to statistics. The waterway which faces the Indian Ocean is also strategic and vital as it is the northern gateway of the Melaka Straits for trading vessels. Located at Tanjung Gerak, Mawilla 3 is the third naval base for the RMN and is built on an area of 19 hectares with a 200 metres pier that can accomodate the largest RMN ships and the Laksamana class corvettes that will be based there. On 23rd March, the naval base received her first corvette, the KD Laksamana Tun Abdul Jamil that became the first navy vessel to dock at the navy pier that has only recently been completed. With the build up of assets at the naval base, those sailing the waters up north can now depend on a strong guardian to safeguard their security.

Something To Watch Over Us

2009-03-25T20:12:00.008+08:00

Finally after suffering launch delays due to problems with the satellite launching company, RazakSAT should finally find its orbit after the launch on 21 April 2009. RazakSAT, named after the second Prime Minister of Malaysia Tun Abdul Razak, is a mini class satellite weighing 180kg and the first remote sensing satellite in the world to be orbiting the equator. RazakSAT will orbit at an altitude of 685km after it takes off from its launch pad at Kwajalein Island in the Marshall Islands and will subsequently orbit the equator every 100 minutes and snap images of Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, India, Sri Lanka and the Philippines. African countries covered include Somalia, Rwanda and Nigeria. Even South America would be on the radar. The equatorial orbiting satellite would enable observations of the earth’s surface to be made more often compared with a polar orbiting satellite, that is, RazakSAT can revisit the same spot four to six times a day during daylight although it may not be possible to get a nadir view of regions near 9 degrees north or south for up to 25 days. Even so, its orbit will carry it over some portion of Malaysia 14 times a day.

Inverted position of the RazakSat with panels folded to the side. Note the camera at one end

RazakSAT is equipped with a medium-sized aperture camera (MAC), a pushbroom camera with 5 linear detectors (1 panchromatic, 4 multi-spectral) to capture high resolution images of the Earth along the near equatorial orbit. The 2.5mm Medium Sized Aperture Camera on the satellite has a ground sampling distance of 2.5m (black and white or panchromatic) and 5m (colour or multi-spectral) and at the nominal altitude of 685 km, MAC has a swath width of 20 km. The size resolution is said to be similar in clarity as looking at a container truck from space. Thus RazakSAT is expected to provide high resolution images of Malaysia that can be applied to land management, resource development and conservation, forestry, fish migration and security. It is the last application that really interest me as now Malaysia can secure its own geospatial information security without relying on third parties. And although it has been reported that for less than RM2,000, you can now have a satellite image of your neighbourhood or a place of interest, Malaysian Remote Sensing Agency director general Darus Ahmad has said that a committee comprising government agencies such as the military and police would vet requests for “sensitive” images. Nonetheless just imagine for yourself the military applications RazakSAT can provide for the defence sector of our country. The availability of the Malaysian home grown high resolution satellite, the RazakSAT stands not only to benefit the country in terms of better management and utilisation of resources but also is something to watch over us.

Why We Need Science and Mathematics To Be Taught In English

2009-03-23T11:43:00.004+08:00

I re post here a posting from my friend Venez's blog that is a humorous but well targeted take on the reason why there should be no fuss on the issue of teaching of Science and Mathematics in English for our schoolchildren. Maybe after that you can read this letter and understand what should be the core concern rather than faluting on nonsensical things that will not prepare our kids for the real world.

Why Malaysian Government insists on using English for math and science?

This is because the whole world uses the language as an information and/or technology language. How dangerous it will be if we try to use Bahasa, especially in school. See example below:-

Hardware = barangkeras
Software = baranglembut
Joystick = batang gembira
Plug and Play = cucuk dan main
Port = lubang
Server = pelayan
Client = pelanggan

Try to translate this:

ENGLISH:

That server gives a plug and play service to the client using either hardware or software joystick. The joystick goes into the port of the client.

Now in BAHASA:

Pelayan itu memberi pelanggannya layanan cucuk dan main dengan menggunakan batang gembira jenis keras atau lembut. Batang gembira itu akan dimasukkan ke dalam lubang pelanggan.

Now you know...WHY...

Upin And Ipin The Series Continues

2009-03-19T20:29:00.010+08:00

As I have posted before, the local cartoon series Upin and Ipin will continue for another forty two episodes and has been continued under the Upin & Ipin and friends format. As commented by the Les Copaque Production blogger in that post, the series continues their stealthy educational aim by inserting science or moral content in a fun format, with the latest storyline on how to take care of you teeth. This was done by playing on the fears of kids (and actually adults) of dental visits, but interspersed first with a scene of the kids playing a traditional class room game and then someone pretending to hurt because their teeth were pulled resulting in a panic of the rest of the kids. This is not a review but I must say their approach works as my kids does try to follow the correct way of brushing when the dentist gives instructions in the class. I guess the Les Copaque people were educated well by Sesame Street, as similarly the kids do learn while having fun. I guess that is why our kids are now attracted by their show, and may they have the same longevity as Sesame Street. The only problem now is that since the series are only seven minutes plus mini episodes, the continuity in the story telling can be a problem with the kids attention span, not to mention the problems it creates for the parents if they miss a show. Currently they have overcome this by having cliff-hanger endings, and for those with Internet access they can catch up missed episodes on their website. Only I wonder for those liberal parents, what are their feelings with the Sister Ros free handing out of corporal punishment to Upin and Ipin when they go out of line even though the action is blacked out. My whole family finds it cute as we believe in not sparing the rod, but I hope if there are any complaints or controversy on this, Les' Copaque should ignore such voices and keep on with the morality play. Keep it up!

Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind?

2009-03-17T20:02:00.010+08:00

I recently visited again a blog written by one of our active Nuri Helicopter pilots and one of his recent postings really hit home concerning the situation with the safety of our Nuri's and the delayed, and hopefully not aborted, long overdue replacement with the EC-725 SAR. And talking about the SAR requirements, read here why such specifications for the Nuri replacement is necessary and not a luxury, an insight coming from a real pilot and not some pseudo pilots who write to the press claiming they are ex-airforcemen but what they write betrays otherwise.

Why We Fly The Sikorsky Sea King S61A-4 Nuri

Posted by Jeffrey Matisa
I know people shudder when I say I am a Nuri pilot, especially when their full fathom of aviation experience and knowledge is from Malaysian Airlines and Air Asia. Some respond with, "Oh, the flying coffin?" When someone not form the fraternity starts a tirade on this lady, I bristle. You cannot, based on what our maligned press feeds you, make an attempt to come across as informed and knowldgeable on an aircraft that has saved lives many times over those whose she has taken through no fault of her very own. Do you actually intend to sermonise the clergy? Would you who live in danger no greater than the ones of your own making in the foundries of your luxury sports cars, make attempt to preach to us whose lives are on the line in using hardware sinless but for her age in the execution of duty? ......

........I was having lunch in the navy wardroom in KD Sri Semporna last January as guests of the Commanding Officer when an ex-commander turned naval contractor asked me about the airworthiness of the Nuri, almost kindly and concerned was he. He contrasted this against the Nuri mishaps he had heard of over his own 30 years in service. I maintained as I do with all who ask, that it is not airworthiness that comes to question with the Nuri.

A pilot has all the authority to snag an aircraft less than serviceable for a task if he examines it and finds it so. But with an operational and meteorological environment far changed from that which the Nuri found herself first flying in, greater demands are placed upon an airframe that was designed in the infancy of helicopter history, to operate from sea-going decks rather than where altitude performances would infringe when trying to climb above inclement weather, just for instance. These diversifications and others strain the initial design brief of both the aircraft and the aircrew who must now take on the workload at the point where his aircraft is rendered a mere platform for task execution without integral equipment to absorb the said workload. Eventually breakpoint will be reached and aircrew failure will ensue as human performances and reserves are overwhelmed. An aircraft sporting today's current hardware is better designed to surmount the limitations encountered by older aircraft, delaying the point of human failure, making for better mission accomplishment and flight safety.

When the RMAF asked for the EC-725 helicopter to be bought so that the Nuri could be phased out, we asked for the full Combat Search and Rescue variant for this very purpose. So that we could be equipped to do what we do. To save lives in the face of hostility. To save lives, period. We were in fact on the brink of getting the EC-725 when it fell victim to politicking and blogger sabre-rattling, and hence the fleet replacement programme is now shelved due to the "uncertain global economic climate".

This of course, is absolute hogwash. Wherever the mischief was sniffed, that was not the area where the remedy, no matter its suitability, was applied. Instead, we who work are punished with the indefinite delay of what we need to do our job safely within the demands of today's "uncertain" climate, be it the economics, environment or security which concerns and affects us. If we were anything like England where members of the executive and royal families served in the air force helicopter flying squadrons instead of being served by it, I wonder what this stirring of phantoms would have produced for us by way of the Nuri replacement programme. Thus do we fly the Nuri, without the luxury of choice but with pride of service currently unrivalled in this neighbourhood.

So now you know, replacing the Nuri's is really a pressing requirement and not someone's idea to get rich quick. Even if there is an element of profiteering despite the purchase procedures being cleared by the PAC, that can be dealt with separately and should no longer be an obstacle to confirm the order. Our aircrews' lives are more precious than squabbling and politicising an issue that not only affects their lives, but also the life that they may be trying to save on mercy missions. So even though the controversy and subsequent suspension of the purchase may have quieten down the issue now, let not this purchase languish further in some dark vault of public consciousness, coming only to the forefront again when the next Nuri crashes. When that happens, the blame should no longer be put to the airforce or the government, it falls squarely on those who for their political benefits forces our airmen to fly aircraft that are no longer suitable to carry the tasks they are asked to perform. We are only needlessly penalising the blameless when we further delay equipping our brave men with the equipment they really need.

This Is My Home

2009-03-14T22:24:00.004+08:00

I have tried my best to look for an english version of this story but I guess politics play a greater role in attracting our english media audience than this heartwarming story of someone who has risen from the depths of poverty to shock the nation with her record breaking results in our premier examination. Thus I will translate a few choice extracts from the Malay articles on her; INILAH RUMAH SAYA and Resipi kejayaan Madihah dapat 20A from Utusan Malaysia, in the hope it will inspire my children and those other children whose parents can afford to give everything to them, and not forgetting those who share the same circumstance with Nik Nur Madihah Nik Mohd. Kamal, that the only reward their parents hopes for is for their offsprings to rise above themselves and attain whatever that they can achieve when facing life's challenges.

I start by showing the house she stays in as below;

Nik Nur Madihah with her parents Nik Mohd. Kamal Hussien and Mariani Omar at their home in Kampung Parang Puting, Pengkalan Chepa, Kota Bharu. – UTUSAN/Hafiz Johari

and a literal translation of her life states that ;

When the results of the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examinations were announced yesterday a student, Nik Nur Madihah Nik Mohd. Kamal, 18, created a surprise when she obtained the excellent result of 19 A1 and satu A2.

The success of this student from Sekolah Menengah Agama Arab Maahad Muhammadi (Perempuan), Kota Bharu, Kelantan is made rather special as she is the daughter of a fisherman that leads a life of hardship when compared to previous top SPM students that come from more well off families. She was interviewed by Utusan Malaysia, at her family home in di Kampung Parang Puting, Pengkalan Chepa, Kota Bharu in order to reveal her secrets for success.

She who was once one of the best students for the Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) examinations at the national level 2006 has transformed into an instant celebrity because of her success.

In fact, journalists that has rushed to interview her has had to wait their turn to enter her father's depleted rented house at a cost of RM90 a month as it is so small and unsound.

The house really represents how difficult her life is with only a small room bordered by a cupboard serving as their rest area while the living room that can only fit four persons acts as her study.

When asked why she wanted to take 20 subjects for her exams, she responded that she wanted to prove that even a fisherman's daughter could excel like the previous best students that had come from better off families.

Thus she challenged herself to create history(or rather her story) by achieving 20A's although she only expected to score 18 A's. She had actually kept it a secret from her family that she was taking twenty subjects but finally broke the news when her trial results bore out her confidence, and when they knew about this the family was in full support of her ambition. This is from a girl living a family life that subsist on an inconsistent income of only RM500 to RM700 a month, who fasts on every Monday and Thursday to conserve food and who sometimes forgoes eating at school as her allowance is only enough to pay for her bus ride to school, eating only bread or a lunch box of fried rice when she can, when her family only eats rice and fried eggs when her father cannot go to sea to fish during the monsoon season.

Yet she does well despite her life's shortcomings of a small house, no scholarship despite her earlier achievements, no outside tuition and her decision not to go to boarding school as her family cannot afford it. Her recipe for this is simple; to strive and strategically study, and if a problem arise to quickly consult the teachers and the rest is to leave it to God's will or Tawakkal. She further elaborates that the strategy that she meants to give full attention when studying as she has no fixed study schedule like others, only studying when she wants to but consistently.

And for those who are now politicising the teaching of Mathematics and Science In English by implying the so-called less fortunate and rural students will be at a disadvantage with such a syllabus, please take note of what Madihah has to say about this.

"Adakah saudari menjawab semua soalan mata pelajaran Sains dan Matematik seperti Fizik dan Kimia dalam bahasa Inggeris?

Ya, sebab lagi mudah dan ditekan oleh guru sejak awal lagi.

(Have you answered all the Science and Mathematics subjects like physics and chemistry in English?

Yes, as it is simpler and emphasised by teachers from the beginning.)

So now, she hopes to be a physicist and is hoping for a place at any foreign university. I hope the government takes note and ensure her ambitions are fulfilled, by ensuring that she will further her studies at any first class or ivy league university of her choice. That is the very least she and her family deserves.

I Wonder?

2009-03-14T14:12:00.011+08:00

As today is the closing of the Pakistan International Naval Exercise Aman 2009 held in Karachi in which our own KD Kedah participated, I do wonder if she will be directed to remain in the area to continue escorting our merchant ships through the treacherous Gulf of Aden. This is especially since the host navy announced their own intentions to send their warships to the Gulf soon. It is my opinion that since we have already sent the patrol ship to the region already, she might as well be berthed there for a while further where at a minimum she should wait for a convoy of our merchantmen to organise and then be shepherded through the treacherous waters before returning home. This would give more bang for our money in these lean times as the cost of sailing to and from Pakistan can be further defrayed to cover the cost protecting our shipping in the area no matter how temporary. If the cost of deployment from a friendly harbour is prohibitive, then the KD Kedah can be kept deployed at sea as her endurance at sea as a patrol vessel should allow her to just that and this would be a great opportunity to test the capabilities of the ship and crew. KD Kedah can further also conduct trials and tests of her combat systems and war intelligence centre while she is there as this was part of the reason given for her participation the naval exercise. Let's see if the KD Kedah immediately returns home or as I suspect or she will remain in the area to escort our merchantmen. In the meantime please enjoy some photos of KD Kedah leading the line of warships participating in the Aman exercise that you may not be able to find in our local media.