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Atchafalaya Swamp

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Some Good That Came Out This Lebaran . . .

FOR ALL THE SADNESS AND GRIEF that has visited us these past few weeks, especially in the holy month of Ramadhan, we finally have some things to smile about, to make us believe there is hope after all...

For the tireless efforts of Nurin Jazlin's uncle, Jasni Abdul Jalil in his blog, and not forgetting too the roles played by Malaysian uber bloggers like Nuraina Samad, Ahiruddin Atan, Farina, Tembam and others who finally brought Nurin Alert into reality. You can read the Star's report here.

On the local judicial front, my hats off to the Malaysian judiciary after awarding Ex-ISA detainee Abdul Malek Hussin RM2.5mil in a landmark decision. Kudo's to High Court Judge Hishamudin Mohd Yunos for not only dispensing justice but doing the right thing. Read all about it here.

PAC Chairman Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad is still hard at it over the PKFZ RM4.7bil fiasco. This issue was first brought into the limelight by Captain (Rtd) Yusof Ahmad in his blog, The Ancient Mariner. Hopefully the dishonest politicians who squander taxpayers money will eventually be brought to book.

By way things are playing out, there is still hope . . . and my message to the perps who violated our beloved daughter Nurin . . . your days are numbered too!

Lebaran: A Photo-Blog


What I had for my first daylight morning meal in thirty days: Black coffee, nasi himpit, lemang and rendang, of course --noghori-style.

The Morning Eid Prayers - Scenes from my neighborhood mosque, Petaling Jaya

Gasp! Sermon delivered by Indonesian Pak Iqbal (Universiti Malaya's Islamic studies postgraduate candidate) .

Another gasp! Indonesian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi guest workers listening intently on the 1 Syawal sermon. What? Foreigners outnumbering locals? Well, most of the locals have balik kampong...

My two boys salaam-ing the bilal (yes, you got that right, another Indonesian UM Usuludin scholar) post prayers. The ustaz/bilal was summarily sent to KLIA LCT for his flight to Palembang via AirAsia to spend time with his family there...

Wo-hoo! I'm outta here!


Outside the mosque . . . guest workers mingling and planning the day's activities. I understand that KLCC is a favored destination . . .



My first stop --at my Mom's in SS3, Petaling Jaya. My brother-in-law Adrian (in purple) entertaining Fly FM's DJ Roshan...

25 comments:

tokasid said...

Salam matsalo:

1- Good to know you had a very good time during lebaran. I'm the kids enjoyed it too. Still have mercun and bunga api?
2- Yes, its becoming a normal scene during Lebaran in big cities(in Mesia), the masjids and surau are packed with pekerja warga asing. So these musollah served its purpose .
3- Alhamdulillah and congratulations to Nurin's uncle and others who effortlessly pushed for the idea.
As for other things you mentioned...maybe there will be something after Raya mood is over( in Mesia that will be for a long month,bro)

cakapaje said...

Salam Bro,

Hehe, reading Doc's comment above, I could not help but smile; I was just about to start a new entry - 'Now, the Raya-ing begins!'

Yup! Malaysians, especially in KL, will begin their raya-ing in earnest now with what, all those open houses at night and weekends! This will go on and on and on till end of Syawal, with some spilling over the 2 weekends after! Its madness, when you think about it, totally insane...but not for the kids who tag their parents! Its BONUS TIME!

Pak Zawi said...

Salam Bro mat salo.
It feels good to know that the bloggers idea of a Nurin's alert has found acceptance.
As always, KL and the other satelite towns are deserted and as you have indicated, our guest workers and foreign students have to take over the function of the Imam and Bilal. I won't be surprised if the security is provided by who else but the Nepalese security personnel. I hope the enemy of Malaysia hasn't realised the vulnerability of this nation and choose this moment to attack our country. The police force are having their hands full with trying to keep the death toll on Malaysian roads as low as possible during such festive period.

Unknown said...

Today I started raya-ing in earnest. Four of my friends and I went bowling. My scores? Ugh! 117, 147, 98 and 87. No excuses, I am plain lousy.

J.T. said...

Nice pictures, MS. Brings back memories. I miss my Malaysian Hari Raya celebrations.

I am glad that Nurin Alert was brought to light and hope it will eventually be put to work.

Mior Azhar said...

Salam Bro,
I celebrated lebaran in USJ last year and like you this year, the mosque was full with foreigners. But yours was one up better lar - Indonesians for Imam and Bilal, the irony of it all, he he he.
So when are you going back to Balikpapan?

Kerp (Ph.D) said...

Mat salo bro,

lovely photos as always, especially those with foreign workers on it. not sure about others, but by looking at those 2 pics, one can actually feel their sadness for being away from their family on the 1st of syawal. i know i did. they're our muslim brothers after all.

Unknown said...

orang bila solat letak kunci & handphone kat depan. Mat Salo letak SLR!

Pi Bani said...

To me year in year out raya means working overtime in the kitchen beginning the last day of Ramadhan (masak rendang - Perak style lah...) and then all the lauk-pauk sampailah all the jingbangs balik ke tempat kerja masing-masing. Letih yeop... ni dah sunyi-sepi balik baru boleh start puasa enam...

tokasid said...

Minta laluan ya pak matsalo:

Pi bani..rendang tu rendang Tok kan? Atau ada rendang lain?

Pi Bani said...

Tumpang lalu Mat Salo (ni tengah tunduk dengan sopannya lalu depan Mat Salo...)

Tokasid: I tak berapa rajin masak rendang tok... lagipun anak-anak buah lebih minat rendang dendeng, so tiap-tiap tahun rendang dendeng tak miss.

zabs said...

Salam MS,
Tentu seronok Raya ini, melihat dari gambar yang dipostkan. Just wondering how you manage to carry around your D40. Lensa 18-200mm tu berapa beratnya dalam RM agaknya ya?

jaflam said...

MS, I have a great Raya especially the family and friends reunion at Mersing. Will share the moments at my site soon.

Based on the kids RED baju melayu you must be with dashing RED too.

Mat Salo said...

Friends - Thanks for visiting and the good wishes.

Yesterday was invited to Kak Maria's (Kak Ena 1450 Sudin's elder sis). I was brought by Shah of Cakap Aje (Talk Only) - thanks Shah! - where we went on to 'kidnap' bro' Kerp of letswheel fame to bring him along too. It was a scene straight out of 3 stooges! Kalut is too tame a term for me and Shah, but good thing we had a patient teacher in bro' Kerp aka Danny Boi, on how to handle OKU and their accessories masuk kete/keluar kete. We even at some point threatened to throw him in the boot and put the wheelchair in the seat... Hoi kejam nya.. Hehee.

JT - we also met Mr. Jasni (late Nurin's uncle) where we got a personal account of how the family is coping with the tragedy. Seems that trhe father is not coping well and still moping around the house... He can't let go...

Bang Jaflam - How astute - Haha, yes kita semua 'sepasang' down to my wife and 18-month old daughter. Will upload family pix soon too nanti..

Pak Zabs - Actually the 18-200 VR is very light and is about twice the length of the standard 17-55mm lens. It's a 'do all / do everything' lens. One of the best lens ever invented. The VR feature is what makes me dispense with tripods altogether. I got mine at JT camera Amcorp Mall 2460 duit kita. Tapi cash. If CC I think he add 3-4 %. One caveat - it's not a very "sharp" lens. That's why Nikkor make prime lenses and the excellent 17-55mm F2.8 for 5K if you want sharpness. Since I'm just a hobbyist I go for verstility. Last nite I met a friend with a Tamron 17-5 f2.8 less than 2K. Considered 'cheap' because same specs as the Nikkor... but it's not a Nikkor, right? Tengok budget laa ya, Bang?

Kerp (Ph.D) said...

not to forget, our crime-ANALyst brother Kamal FND making his presence felt by rendering old skool songs on uncle roslaini's grand piano. this kamal fella is an all-rounder i tell ya.

he'll be coming later btw, to do an interview...duit masyuk, brader. and at the same time, masuk tv kot. kahkahh...

HEMY said...

Hye...just stopping by for the first time..nice pics which potrays the joy during ur Raya...

Anonymous said...

Salam Aidil Fitri Tuan Mat Salo. Just wanted to tell you I added you to the Bloggers for Nurin Alert honour roll.

Bro, memang kalau you meet with Jazimin, your heart will feel like breaking too. He really blames himself for not finding her. I have a son who is fast growing into a young man. When I think about his resposibility as a father< I pray to Allah he will be able to shoulder it. I know men have this thing about being the protector. Allah test for Jazimin must have hikmah. I pray he will find strength in Allah and comfort that his child is loved by all those fighting for Nurin Alert.

Blog on bro!

Salt N Turmeric said...

Selamat Hari Raya MatSalo. Raya gathering w other bloggers sound fun. Wish I was back home. :(
On another note, did u hear already tht Nuraina and others were on tv3 for nurin alert?

Anonymous said...

Gulp!..,
That Pasaraya Mutiara looks all too familiar......

Mat Salo said...

Gulp too!

Sis irma (is that your name?).. Den nampak lamo dah nampak akak tak update blog akak.. Apo.. Sibuk sangat ko? Yes, Kak.. I think you missed my comment in your blog ages ago.. Yes, we're practically neighbours! Kucing2 akak camno? Salaam dan Slamet Ari Rayo, yo? I suppose your boy is in college now, yes? No more trips to SD I guess.. How's the Agency?

Anonymous said...

Dear Mat, he,he...
Irma was my missing lady cat. Maleh sikit nak update blog sobab nak focus in equity investment 300%. I think at least one of my kid kucing has roamed by your house, ha,ha. The poor smothered-by-mommy boy is now at Taylor's doing Cambridge A level. Selamat Hari Raya to you and family.

Daphne Ling said...

Hi Abang Mat,

Ah...ASP tarak berita ke kat swamp tu? ;) Gua ada line, mau baca berita baru! Kekeke...

shar101 said...

Yo Swampman,

Could have kicked myself for not attending the 1st MRT after Eid with all the newbies turning up but what to do, bro. Got my hands full this year coz we were celebrating in KL after living for 20 years in Seremban.

Anywayz, see yer in Dec. Mandatory presence at you know where. Bring your lenses...what am I saying. Kat masjid pun hang bawak benda tu.

Lady Gargle said...

I think it's not that late to wish you Selamat Hari Raya :)

Awesome blog ;)

Anonymous said...

Hi Mat Salo, just alerting you on TELL magazine latest issue. It's all about NURIN Alert. Blog about it bro! It's a great issue.