Snatch Thieves

The activities of snatch thieves have become so widespread and alarming that they not only affect the everyday lives of our people but also has cast a black shadow on the good name of Malaysia as a haven for foreign visitors. And yet it is difficult to understand why the Government in power is not taking a concerted and planned effort to wipe off this terrible shame in our society. Victims have been know to die as a result of being attacked by snatch thieves and yet when they are brought to justice many are given only light punishments which are not deterrent to others.

It is recognised that some are driven to doing it to support their families but surely they can find other decent jobs if they try hard enough. There is really no excuse when millions of jobs are available to foreigners. As reported in the media some of the culprits apprehended were in fact living in luxury.

I think it is high time the Government change the law and make mandatory wipping and a minimum of fine years imprisonment as punishment for snatch thieves. A repeat offender should be confined for at least twenty years.

MSAbdullah.

Malaysian English News Casters

The efforts of Malaysian TV Media to expand their reach and compete in this flat world against the likes of BBC,CNN, ALJAZEERA and CCTV is a welcome move. I also applaud the many young news readers who are trying their best to read news in English in such a way that most anglophiles can easily understand them.

I would however like to point out that several of the BERNAMA news casters need brushing up their pronounciation and intonation if they are to be at par with other international news casters, even comparing with those fron CCTV. I hope those responsible in their selection at BERNAMA can raise the bar a little bit more.

MSAbdullah

Joining the ranks of Septuagenarians

Today I have crossed another milestone in my life by joinign the ranks of Septuagenarians. I am grateful to Allah for granting me good health, the company of a loving and devoted wife, three healthy and caring children and ten bright, intelligent and competitive grand children.

At my age, I am still able to take on normal responsibilities that I used to do when I was at my prime of life. I am not at all shy of learning new things espacially in the field of technology and business. I was fortunate to have benefitted from our governments policy of encouraging the acquisition of knowledge and skills through the award of generous scholarships for graduate and post-graduate qualifications.I still hope to do my part to contribute to society.

There is much talk now about the good and evil of Blogging. I think like all inventions, they are all meant to improve the quality of human life. It is how they are used that determine the usefullness or otherwise to mankind.

MSAbdullah.

Tanarimba - Location

Tanarimba - Location

THE VILLAGE OF JANDA BAIK


Tanarimba is right smack at the entrance to the village of Janda Baik. Passing the entrance of Tanarimba development and the Electrosola Factory, you will soon see a T junction. Going straight for approximately 8 kilometers will take you to another Y junction which can be described as the village centre of Janda Baik. Visible landmarks are the Ramadan Minimarket, and several restaurants and stalls. Turning left will take you back to the T junction. Taking the right turn will bring you to several large training centers including one for UMNO which in the process of being expanded. At the end of this road are several recent developments which are mainly holiday homes for the better ables from outside the village. Dotted along these road and side roads are numerous retreats or retirement homes and resorts which have been increasing in number in recent years.

A comprehensive map of Janda Baik is long overdue.

MSAbdullah.

My concern for the climatic stability of Janda Baik

The destruction of large areas of forest on the slopes of the mountains around Janda Baik continues unabated inspite of the appeals I have made to the responsible authorities all this past one year. Over the last two weeks, I noted that two small helicopters have been flying over the area. I hope some positive steps are being taken to put a stop to this degradation to the environment. However if what they are doing is not at all related to the illegal slashing and burning of the forest, I hope, whoever they are, they can help to photogarph the extent of the damage to the virgin forest cover and pass on the information to the State and Federal Government for immediate action to be taken to stop the senseless destruction to the environment.

I think I am not alone in this appeal for the preservation of the climatic condition around the Janda Baik valley and habitable slopes. The whole area is now dotted with new holiday homes built by city folks who prefer to escape from our polluted city air. More are on the look out for suitable sites by the crystal clear streams and rivers as well as secluded hill slopes to put up their own Shangrila. I am very sure that they share my aspiration to see that the environmental condition of this valley remains preserved for all time.

MSAbdullah.

SULTAN ISMAIL COLLEGE-CLASS OF 56

The two Form 5 Classes of 1956 at the Sultan Ismail College in Kota Bharu on the east coast of Malaysia [then Malaya]were the only group of about 80 pupils [the exact number is uncertain due to lack of record] in the whole state of Kelantan that prepared boys and girls to sit for the Senior Cambridge Certificate Examination in pre-independent Malaya. Pupils from other schools; there was then only a handful, had to compete to get into this school at various stages of their secondary school education, and those who failed to get in had to sit as private candidates if they pass the qualifying examination.

On 1st to 3rd September last year,more than thirty of the old boys and girls, some with their spouses, celebrated their Golden Jubilee Reunion in Kota Bharu. The occasion was a real joy for every one participating and for many they could hardly recognise each other when they first set eyes on each other. Making the number were old boys and girls who have returned especially for the occasion from the United States of America, Australia and Singapore. I was fortunate to be one of them.

Celebrating the end of Ramadan in Malaysia

The celebration of the end of the muslim month of Ramadan in Malaysia is quite unique in the sense that most people open their homes to not only relatives and friends. All visitors are welcome to share whatever food and drinks that are laid out and children are normally given small envelopes containing money.

This "open house" tradition is also adopted by Malaysians of other racial origins so much so that all religious festivals, be it Christmas, Chinese New Year, Deepavali as well as all other minority groups tend to take the same form of festivities. Even the types of cakes, savouries and drinks served do not seem to vary very much from one community to another.

Visitors to Malaysia should go to one of these functions to see how well the Malaysian community has bonded together.