Moving On

Finally the letter that I've been waiting for is here. I have been working for 7 years and never once I asked for a transfer. I guest there is always a first for everything. I had a mixed feeling of happiness and sadness. Happy for that I'll be much closer to home but sad as I will be leaving so close friends. This is my most exciting post so far. I like it here. The companionship was a bit late but that is how life is, always when things starts to get comfy, you move. never settle, always moving. Maybe I'll be back someday. As always. A change is good. You become nimble and never gone into a routine. But the place where I am now there is nothing such as routine. everyday is a battle. This place challenges you to the max. always be on your toes. I hope that when I move I will send to do similar role. because it is such a challenging role. and the best thing is there is no such thing as ROUTINE. That is the best part. We'll see. The rustling sound of letters on my desk blown by the fan behind me. The central air-con is under maintenance again. It will be on again on Wednesday. The day that I have to report for duty.

Missing You

I sent my wife and kids to Tangkak since last Saturday. My little boy is missing me so much. I kinda admitted it that I missed him too. My little girl too. And my wife. It is very different from the previous time. This wasn't the first time that I sent them to stay with their Atok for a week but somehow this time is quite different. I have to say I missed them so much, that I wished I could go to Tangkak and sleep with them now. But I can't. I'm working tomorrow. But I realised something, next time I will limit the time not to a week but just four days. I'll be with them. Surprisingly is that, my son really missed me. Every time I called him up, the first question is always, "Abi when you'll be here to take me back?" I almost cried. Allah has been so good to me. It makes me afraid that He is giving me everything that I want? What if he is giving it all to me now so that He doesn't give me anything good in the Here After? Kind of scary for me. Still, there is one thing that He didn't gave me, thou. And I did asked him a lot of time. I'm keeping it a secret. Gosh, I wonder. Maybe he keep that one for me then. Or when I'm ready for it. Who knows. Allah, you can gave it to me later. I trust you.

When It Be My Time

I missed the Penang Run, which when I tohught it all back, I've could have been there. Last night function doesn't need me to be present but what can I do, all have been done cannot be undone. A lot has happened since the last time I last type in my blog. I've form a company, bought a new car, I've traveled to Europe. Life has been good to me. I began to become an active person in sport. I'm slowly developing myself into a better person. I think that I deserved better in life. I need to build myself. As you gain age you should become a better person. I had also few more things that I wanted to do, such as going to the holy land of Mecca. I mean what kind of moslem if you didn't want to go to Mecca. shame on me as I've been to Europe but never to Mecca. I mean the cost of going there isn't that expensive as it was ten years ago. Funny, food wasn't that expensive 10 years ago. why was it that things that is essential like food is getting expensive in Malaysia but things such like gadgets, laptops, air travel is getting cheaper? answer free market. competition will drive the price down. But here in Malaysia such things has not yet seen. Yes, I was hoping a new government soon will be over taking Malaysia and bring forth new policy that benefited the people. Sincerely, I wasn't hoping a government that take care us all like children but a fair and people oriented government. Not a government that only benefited a few and a government that is corrupted. It is a truth that sadly a lot of Malaysian that tolerates because of fear. Fear that if the opposition took over that Malays will be marginalised. Strange it is for me since the one that is leading the opposition is a MALAY?! Lets leave politics. Lets talk about life. I'm getting older now, lets not kid ourselves. I'm not getting older, responsibility also mountings. I worried about death as well. watching people around me die. young and old. I wonder when it will be time. Will I be warn by Allah. I was always watching for that sign. I never seems to be able to see it. could I? most people said that you just have to be prepare. Irony things is no many people are prepared. I mean, death for most people came so suddenly. You juts never know what hit you. Suddenly, you woke up, you're in the grave. Now you know that Allah never lie but it is all too late. thhis is what is bothering me almost everyday. when it will be my time?

Singapore Visit

Finally after years of talking about it, I went to Singapore. This is no job related visit, purely holiday. I went there from 12th March till 15th March. I was almost didn't make it as I mistakenly looked at my flight ticket that stated 1545 and thought that my flight was at 5pm. Luckily, I felt something was wrong and decided to looked at my tickets again and realised that I was wrong. My wife, kids and me rushed to the airport and the announcement had already been made for passenger flight to Singapore to aboard immediately.

we quickly race to the counter and managed to board the plane on time. In fact we were the first to board the plane courtesy of bringing children with us. The flight took about 45 minutes but it took 2 hours just to board one. Funny isn't it. Immigration was strict in Singapore. Or maybe because we are Malaysians and Singaporean Malays didn't really like Malaysian Malays. Funny because most of them have relative on the up north.

First itenery when we arrived is straight to the Night Safari. I should have read the itenery more carefully. the children were tired and so am I. Luckily all the animals is readily showing

themselves to us. And frankly speaking if I was alone, I would have stroll and walk all around the safari. The Night Safari was cool!

Then we checked in Festive hotel and were given a suite. Sweet! It was sooo... nice. Spacious and yeah! its a suite. Need I say more. Tomorrow, Universal Studio Singapore! Yeah!

Tomorrow morning. Well, like I said, I should have read the itenery carefully. Most of us was still tired of yesterday safari tour. We woke up late and had breakfast at 1030am. As we were walking to USS I saw that there was a Transformer Convention happening there. So, me being a fan decided to go in. It was our first Sing Dollar spent there in Singapore. The convention was cool. It displayed all the toys from vintage era till modern times. It was small. I was imagining that there will lot more things like comics and such. Transformer isn't just about the toys. There's comics, cartoon series, other merchandises then there's the statues. So, in a certain aspect it should have been more things.

It was after 1230 that we finally entered USS. We should've gone in earlier. Cause there was a lot to see inside. Why? because after that rain cuts our tour to just three hours!! That seals the deal that we must come again next year to ensure that we have been to every attraction that USS have to offer.

The next day, we went to the Singapore Zoo but it rained. Yes, it rain and rain and rain and rain. It was like a bad timing holiday. It just rained after that and thankfully only on the last day that the rain stop. Yes, even the visit to Sentosa Island was a wet one. we went up the jewelry box the Singapore Cable car ride to Sentosa.

Final day, we went shopping. Well, that just it. The rain really cut the tour down. And what was even bad was my son is down with fever. I rather had to cope with his active running around then the tantrum of sickness that he put on the whole time he was sick. but then again he was sick so there no use on getting angry. he didn't do it in purpose. he was sick.

Flight back to Malaysia was on flight that I really look forward to. I was just glad we were back in home soil. It was because my son was ill and really being sick on foreign soil is just a daunting situation.

Verdict; Singapore was like Kuala Lumpur. It was more clean and nicer but it was just like Kuala Lumpur. The climate and all. People speak Malay. So, it really is like centre of Kuala Lumpur. But more pleasant and safer. yes, I hate to admitted that the city was far more safer. You can just leave our things behind and no one will bother even to touch it. Really.

Would I go again. Well, to USS, yes. But just to spent time holiday. No.

Next destination Australia.

Running Man

I don't know when I realised something about me. That I really love running. Since I was a little boy, I really love running. When I was in primary school the one event that I always look for and participate is any event that involves running. I was in the 4x100 event and also in the 200m events. I tried long distance but my endurance wasn't enough for me. But in essence, I love running. I don't really understand why but running made me feel good.

So, after sometime, I decided to start running. First day was like hell, why not? I hasn't running for years. The day after that my body was aching like everywhere. Especially my legs but some how I felt good!

So, after that I never look back and kept on running every two days. Since I always reach home by 7pm or later. I ran after 9pm. I started for 2.4km then maintained that length for days until one day, I felt I can go even farther. So, I decided to increase the distance to 3km.

A few days ago, I felt I can go farther, so I increase my running to 3.5km. Still I felt I can go farther still. I don't know how maybe it as my running technique that I pick up on You Tube by a long distance coach, which really helps. Or because I've picked up endurance while running for days. I'm not sure but I'm feeling fitter than than I was like a month ago. In fact I never felt fitter since after DPA!

Yesterday was the best achievement ever. I ran 5km non-stop. I was running for 33minutes. I couldn't believe it. I complete a 5km course. Why is it my best achievement so far? I never, I repeat never do 5km running for non stop! That is why this is my first 5km ever! I felt like a super athlete when I completed the run. Hahaha!! Even thought I wasn't that a biggy deal for the Ultramarathoner but it is a biggy deal for me.

I'm looking forward to my next long distance run. I decided that in my weekdays I maintain my 3km run. And go for longer distance on weekends. I'm watching my time but the most importantly is that I enjoy my running. That is the most important thing of all. enjoy running. Because that what I love to do running.

Perjuangan Mahasiswa Menentang AUKU

Baru-baru ini mahasiswa UPSI bangkit menuntut agar AUKU dimansuhkan. Perhimpunan ini bertukar menjadi buruk apabila berlaku campur tangan polis. Beberapa orang mahasiswa telah ditangkap dan diseret ke lokap. Perkara ini seperti biasa menjadi cemuhan segelintir masyarakat yang merupakan hasil acuan AUKU. PENAKUT. Mereka mengatakan ia adalah 'Rasional'.

Golongan yang mencemuh dan mengejek perjuangan mereka adalah golongan hasil daripada AUKU. Mahasiswa dilihat perlu belajar sahaja dan tidak perlu mengambil tahu atau bereaksi kepada perkara isu semasa. Hasilnya adalah golongan yang tahu belajar, cari kerja, kahwin, buat anak dan kemudian mati. Mereka mengatakan hanya undi sahaja yang adalah cara menukar kerajaan. Salah seorang hasil AUKU adalah saya. PENAKUT.

Mujurlah saya tidak termasuk di dalam golongan yang mengutuk dan mencemuh mereka. Saya memahami perjuangan mereka dan mengerti kepayahan dan cabaran mereka di dalam perjuangan ingin memansuhkan AUKU. Suatu undang-undang yang begitu mencengkam mahasiswa dan ahli akademik.

Persoalannya mengapa AUKU ini ingin dimansuhkan oleh mahasiswa yang sedar? (Yang tidak sedar pastinya terus hanyut dengan budaya hedonisme yang memabukkan mereka daripada mempedulikan apa yang berlaku kepada masyarakat.)

AUKU ini dilahirkan daripada insiden pengambilalihan UM oleh mahasiswa UM berikutan demonstrasi mengkritik kerajaan daripada kejadian kebuluran di Baling, Kedah. Pada ketika itu tidak terbayangkan sebuah negara yang makmur, subur sedang menghadapi permasalahan kebuluran!? Situasi ini menimbulkan kemarahan mahasiswa UM ketika itu.

Titik tolak sehingga diperkenalkan AUKU adalah kejadian pengambilalihan pengurusan universiti oleh PMUM. Pada ketika ini kerajaan menggunakan polis untuk menangkap mahasiswa yang terlibat dan memperkenalkan undang-undang AUKU untuk terus mencengkam pergerakan mahasiswa dari terus menyusahkan kerajaan.

Intipati AUKU adalah semua mahasiswa dan pensyarah universiti daripada terlibat di dalam sebarang kegiatan politik. Sedangkan demonstrasi mahasiswa ketika itu adalah kerana marahkan kerajaan yang gagal bertindak dengan segera tentang kejadian kebuluran di Baling, Kedah ketika itu.

Kesan terus daripada AUKU ini adalah selepas daripada itu semua mahasiswa dihadang untuk berdemonstrasi secara aman apatah lagi secara agresif. Malah badan pengurusan universiti sentiasa menggunakan akta ini untuk menakut nakutkan mahasiswa di dalam sebarang bentuk ekspresi penentangan kepada polisi universiti ataupun kerajaan. Malah sebarang bentuk penentangan atau kritikan kepada polisi kerajaan akan menyebabkan anda dilebelkan sebagai berpihak kepada golongan pembangkang atau diresapi ideologi kiri seperti komunisme.

Sedangkan kritikan yang diberikan adalah suatu bentuk kritikan untuk menjadikan kerajaan lebih peka kepada rungutan dan rintihan rakyat. Untuk menunjukkan ketidakadilan yang sedang berlaku yang meresahkan rakyat. Adakah salah untuk saya mengkritik kerajaan yang saya undi dan berikan kuasa. keadaan ini suatu bentuk mentaliti feudalisme menjadi kekangan. Pemimpin lebih tahu, kita perlu akur tanpa perlu berfikir panjang.

Perkara ini diperkenalkan oleh kerajaan yang kununnya ingin mahasiswa menumpukan perhatian kepada pengajian dan menamatkannya dengan cemerlang. Sedangkan sebab utamanya adalah melahirkan generasi yang penakut dan pengikut. Bukan berkepimpinan dan berani.

Kini generasi yang ada kini bukan generasi Merdeka. Mereka yang memimpin juga bukan memperjuangkan kemerdekaan akan tetapi sedang cuba mengisi kemerdekaan. Pengisian ini yang mahasiswa merasakan mereka sepatutnya turut diberikan ruang untuk melihat dan mengkritik.

Akan tetapi sudah menjadi resmi kerajaan yang ada kini sukar untuk menerima kritikan. Ini amat ketara sewaktu pemerintahan regim Tun Dr. Mahathir yang melihat sebarang kritikan adalah penentangan. Setiap penentangan harus dihapuskan. Perbezaan pendapat adalah tidak dibenarkan. AUKU juga merupakan idea beliau.

Kesimpulannya saya akan terus melihat perkembangan mahasiswa ini dengan penuh minat. Minat dengan harapan kalian akan berjaya dan suatu hari pada masa hadapan nanti anak saya akan ke universiti tanpa AUKU.