Of blogging and 1Malaysia ...

Information, Communications and Culture Minister Dr Rais Yatim has called on Malaysian bloggers to help inculcate the 1Malaysia concept and make it a success.
He said this genre of writing which had become increasingly popular via the Internet could spur members of society to work with sincerity and forge unity through responsible blogging.
Besides presenting critical views, he hoped that bloggers could also be positive of the right things being done by the government.
In his meeting with local bloggers in Kuala Lumpur last night, Dr Rais said that as the minister concerned, he wanted to extend friendship and not to cause difficulties to any group that could help develop a thinking society.

Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak propagated the 1Malaysia concept when he took office on April 3, calling on the people to embark on a "great journey together" to transform the country.
He had promised the country that his administration would place priority on performance and the people. "One Malaysia. People First. Performance Now".

Dr Rais said while he was still searching for suitable Malay words for blogs and bloggers, Malaysian culture had changed with the advent of the Internet which created a borderless cyber world.
The young generation were becoming less interested in the print media but turning more to the blogs and Facebook through the Internet, he noted.
He hoped that bloggers would use accurate facts in their postings and not use their blogs to make baseless accusations and defame others.
"Their reputation will be eroded if they present untruths because as bloggers, their credibility is important," he said.

Work begins...

When I visited his workshop this morning, Awang had removed my MM's engine. The front compartment of the old car was literally bare to the floor. The 36 year-old mechanic says he will have to do some welding work before fitting in the replacement engine.
The old, worn-out engine which he had taken out, was lying on the floor. Instead of discarding it for good, Awang said he intend to restore the engine so that he could showcase it.

Malaysia's World Heritage Sites...

Eight stamps depicting World Heritage Sites in Malaysia were issued today. The stamps, valued at 50 sen each, reflect the country's pride to have the four sites being declared as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Melaka and George Town were declared as historic cities of the Straits of Melaka while the natural sites of Kinabalu Park and Mulu Natural Park earned the title because of their exceptional universal conservation values.


A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a specific site (such as forest, mountain, lake, desert, monument, building or city) that has been nominated and confirmed for inclusion on the list maintained by the international World Heritage Programme administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.
The goal of the programme is the conservation of sites considered to be of outstanding cultural or natural importance to the common heritage of humankind.

New lease of life ...

Going by record, my Morris Minor is 56 years old today.
It was registered on April 8, 1953 in the then Malaya. Originally in green, the 800 cc, petrol-powered beauty was registered as “JE 1143”.
After seeing the car at a workshop in Batu Pahat, I eventually bought it for RM2,500 on New Year’s day in 2001. It cost me another RM2,000 to have it painted in dark blue and tailored seat cover in light yellow.
Having scouted around for the car, it was a dream come true when I finally got to own one. I don’t know why I was so passionate about the car. Maybe because of it’s unique shape or the fact that the MM was no longer in production.
If at all there was a nostalgic feeling about the car for me it was because my late father had learnt to drive in a Morris Minor back in the 1960’s in the small town of Kuala Krai in Kelantan.
So having the chance to be behind the big steering wheel of the MM myself, I treasure every minute of the experience.
It was sheer excitement when I drove the car from Batu Pahat to Kuala Lumpur along the North-South Highway. It did not give me any problem at all although I was apprehensive at the start of the journey whether it could take me home to KL.
Fast forward, I remember the time when a motorcyclist flagged me to stop after trailing my MM. As I got to the side of the road, he came to me and and asked if I wanted to sell the car.
Then there was the time when my son, who was then in Primary One, was so embarrass to ride in the car when I went to pick him up from school. I saw from a distance how he tried to hide behind his friends when he saw the car coming. After waiting for a while, I had to get down and persuade Adam to get into the car.
As my dear MM turns a year older, it’s about time to give it a new breath of life.
I’m looking forward to drive the car again with a replacement engine that comes with an automatic gear and air-condition installed.
Awang, my new-found mechanic friend, is just as excited to get the ‘old guy’ up and running again

Traditional wedding costumes...

Malaysians value the rich legacy of their traditional costumes worn during important occasions such as weddings. The colourful attire are highlighted in a set of five stamps issued by Pos Malaysia today.

The seed ...

My friend, Abdulaziz Alhendi, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) correspondent in London emailed me this thoughtful piece:

A successful businessman was growing old and knew it was time to choose a successor to take over the business.
Instead of choosing one of his Directors or his children, he decided to do something different.
He called all the young executives in his company together.
He said, "It is time for me to step down and choose the next CEO. I have decided to choose one of you. "
The young executives were shocked, but the boss continued:
"I am going to give each one of you a SEED today - one very special SEED. I want you to plant the seed, water it, and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from the seed I have given you. I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next CEO."
One man, named Jim, was there that day and he, like the others, received a seed.
He went home and excitedly, told his wife the story.
She helped him get a pot, soil and compost and he planted the seed.
Everyday, he would water it and watch to see if it had grown. After about three weeks, some of the other executives began to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow.
Jim kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew.
Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went by, still nothing.
By now, others were talking about their plants, but Jim didn't have a plant and he felt like a failure.
Six months went by -- still nothing in Jim's pot.
He just knew he had killed his seed.
Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing.
Jim didn't say anything to his colleagues, however.
He just kept watering and fertilizing the soil - he so wanted the seed to grow.
A year finally went by and all the young executives of the company brought their plants to the CEO for inspection.
Jim told his wife that he wasn't going to take an empty pot.
But she asked him to be honest about what happened.
Jim felt sick to his stomach, it was going to be the most embarrassing moment of his life, but he knew his wife was right.
He took his empty pot to the board room.
When Jim arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by the other executives.
They were beautiful -- in all shapes and sizes.
Jim put his empty pot on the floor and many of his colleagues laughed, a few felt sorry for him!
When the CEO arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted his young executives.
Jim just tried to hide in the back.
"My, what great plants, trees, and flowers you have grown," said the CEO.
"Today one of you will be appointed the next CEO!"
All of a sudden, the CEO spotted Jim at the back of the room with his empty pot. He ordered the Financial Director to bring him to the front.
Jim was terrified.
He thought, "The CEO knows I'm a failure! Maybe he will have me fired!"
When Jim got to the front, the CEO asked him what had happened to his seed.
Jim told him the story.
The CEO asked everyone to sit down except Jim.
He looked at Jim and then announced to the young executives:
"Behold your next Chief Executive Officer! His name is Jim!"
Jim couldn't believe it.
Jim couldn't even grow his seed.
"How could he be the new CEO?" the others said.
Then the CEO said, "One year ago today, I gave everyone in this room a seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back to me today.But I gave you all boiled seeds; they were dead - it was not possible for them to grow. All of you, except Jim, have brought me trees and plants and flowers. When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another seed for the one I gave you.Jim was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new Chief Executive Officer!"

* If you plant honesty, you will reap trust
* If you plant goodness, you will reap friends
* If you plant humility, you will reap greatness
* If you plant perseverance, you will reap contentment
* If you plant consideration, you will reap perspective
* If you plant hard work, you will reap success
* If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation
* If you plant faith in God , you will reap a harvest

So, be careful what you plant now; it will determine what you will reap later.
"Whatever You Give To Life, Life Gives You Back"

Being part of the 1st ASEAN Media Forum ...

Remember Maria Ressa? Formerly with CNN, she is now managing director ABS-CBN News Channel, Philippines, the station that produced hit television dramas like 'Pangako Sayo'. Maria and I sat in the panel to discuss "An ASEAN Voice In The Global Media" at the 1st ASEAN Media Forum organised by the Asian Media Information and Communication Centre (AMIC) in Bangkok today. Others in the panel were Kyaw Min Swe (Chief Editor, Living Colour Magazine, Myanmar), Yuli Ismartono (Editor, Asianviews, Indonesia) and Philip Bowring (International Herald Tribune correspondent, Hong Kong). The discussion was moderated by Dr Nattha Komolvadhin, senior and anchorwoman, TPBS, Thailand).
Held under the theme of "Harnessing The Media for ASEAN Integration", the one-day forum is being organised just prior to the ASEAN Summit taking place in Hua Hin, some 150kms from Bangkok. The media forum is expected to be the first of an annual event which would be organised in conjunction with the ASEAN Summit each year in collaboration with a local media partner such as the national television channel.
The panel discussion in this first media forum is conducted in the style of a television talk show. It is filmed by the Thai Public Broadcasting Service (TPBS or Thai PBS)for broadcast and packaging as an educational resource. The audience also get to ask panelists questions.

Friendship treaty ...

The Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) was signed on 24 February 1976 in Bali during the First ASEAN Summit. The signatories were the five founding members: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

It aims to "promote perpetual peace, everlasting amity and cooperation among their peoples which would contribute to their strength, solidarity and closer relationship".

The remaining five members inked the TAC later.
Brunei (7 January 1984), Laos (29 June 1992), Vietnam (22 July 1992), Cambodia (23 January 1995) and Myanmar (27 July 1995).
Fifteen countries that are not ASEAN member states have acceded to the TAC:
1. Papua New Guinea (5 July 1989)
2. China (8 October 2003)
3. India (8 October 2003)
4. Japan (2 July 2004)
5. Pakistan (2 July 2004)
6. Republic of Korea (27 November 2004)
7. Russian Federation (29 November 2004)
8. Mongolia (28 July 2005)
9. New Zealand (28 July 2005)
10. Australia (10 December 2005)
11. France (13 January 2007)
12. Timor-Leste (13 January 2007)
13. Sri Lanka (30 July 2007)
14. Bangladesh (30 July 2007)
15. Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (24 July 2008)

Asean Secretariat

Change the world ...

Driving to the office today, the words printed on the T-shirt of a motorcyclist in front of me caught my attention -- "Change The World".
Instantaneously, the question "How?" popped up in my mind.
Yes, how can he or me or we change the world.
I related about this later in the afternoon at the start of my talk on "The Role of the Media in Public Diplomacy" at the Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations.
Public diplomacy has been widely seen as the transparent means by which a country communicates with publics in other countries aimed at informing and influencing audiences overseas to promote its national interest and advancing its foreign policy goals. The task is primarily handled by the Foreign Ministry.
At its best, journalism or the media can build bridges to change the world by promoting understanding between nations.
Journalists can no longer afford to just tell who, what, when and how as these essential fact-gathering tasks are increasingly redistributed among a growing number of online users who represent new voices that are being heard loud and wide.
Today journalists are the moderators of global conversation in which they provide context, nuance, commentary and enhanced understanding of events.

A friendly advice from Down Under...

A school-mate from our VI days, who’ve made it big Down Under, gave me a friendly advice on how to become financially-sound in life.
“Don’t worry about the money, somehow it’ll find you,” he told me as we chatted on Facebook.
With only $200 in his pocket when he set foot in Australia years ago, Derek now owns several properties including a beautiful home in Melbourne which he ‘humbly’ displayed on his FB.
“You’ve got to do it because you’re passionate about it, not because you want to make $3 million in 2 years.
“You’ve got to believe in your work too.
So whenever I take on a project, I always live in it, I eat, sleep, drink and do nothing but become the object of what I’m trying to do,” he said.

VI becomes national heritage site ...

After being known as Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Victoria, the school was today accorded national heritage status and reverts to its old name of Victoria Institution (VI).
"The world already knows its name as Victoria Institution so it is my pleasure to announce that its name, beginning today, will remain as Victoria Institution," said Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal.
Speaking at a ceremony to declare the school's national heritage status, Shafie said the school was chosen as it met the criteria of the National Heritage Act 2005.
Shafie, an alumnus of the school, said VI played a role in the country's history when it was used as the administrative headquarters by the invading Japanese army during the Second World War.
The school was also the first English secondary school in the country that had produced important personalities from Sultans, leaders, ministers, corporate figures, politicians to sports luminaries and professionals.
He said the school was the first in Southeast Asia to have cadet corps and a school band.
Shafie called for the school's heritage to be conserved as each characteristic "be it a wall, a window, balcony, roof, tower or its field has its own story."
Founded by Sultan Abdul Samad, William Hood Treacher, Loke Yew, Thamboosamy Pillai and Yap Kwan Seng on Aug 14, 1893, Victoria Institution has steadfastly maintained a record of academic excellence and produced many leaders and luminaries.
VI ParentTeachers Association (PTA) chairman Raja Amir Shah Raja Abdul Aziz said now that the school had been bestowed national heritage status, with its illustrious name restored, a strategic plan needed to be formulated to chart the school's future direction.
"After the heritage do and getting back the VI name, all of us the PTA, old boys, the teachers and community should make VI the best in everything,” he said.

"I love my healthy active childhood"...

4 February is World Cancer Day and the International Union Against Cancer (UICC) is launching "I love my healthy active childhood" campaign for this year.

UICC says the prevalence of overweight and obesity is rising dramatically among adults and children around the world.
According to the World Health Organization, 1 billion adults are overweight, and at least 300 million of these are clinically obese.
The International Obesity Taskforce estimates that one out of every ten school-age children is overweight. Of these, around 30-45 million children, that is 2-3% of children aged 5-17, are obese.
Being overweight or obese has been shown to increase the risk of cancer among adults.
World Cancer Day 2009 marks the start of a year-long campaign, where UICC will work with parents, teachers and decision-makers around the world to encourage kids to eat a healthy diet, be physically active and maintain a healthy body weight.

Silver Jubilee Sultan of Perak ...

Today marks the Silver Jubilee of the Reign of Sultan Azlan Shah of Perak.

Be Yet Wiser …

Ex-students of Victoria Institution would recall the phrase “Be Yet Wiser”. It was the school motto. My thoughts were taken back to those words of wisdom after reading this e-mail from a friend:

“We begin this New Year with dampened enthusiasm and dented optimism. Our happiness is diluted and our peace is threatened by the financial illness that has infected our families, organizations and nations. Everyone is desperate to find a remedy that will cure their financial illness and help them recover their financial health. They expect the financial experts to provide them with remedies, forgetting the fact that it is these experts who created this financial mess.
Every new year, I adopt a couple of old maxims as my beacons to guide my future. This self-prescribed therapy has ensured that with each passing year, I grow wiser and not older. This year, I invite you to tap into the financial wisdom of our elders along with me, and become financially wiser.

* Hard work: All hard work brings a profit but mere talk leads only to poverty.

* Laziness: A sleeping lobster is carried away by the water current.

* Earnings: Never depend on a single source of income. [ At least make your Investments get you second earning ]

* Spending: If you buy things you don't need, you'll soon sell things you need.

* Savings: Don't save what is left after spending; Spend what is left after saving.

* Borrowings: The borrower becomes the lender's slave.

* Accounting: It's no use carrying an umbrella, if your shoes are leaking.

* Auditing: Beware of little expenses; A small leak can sink a large ship.

* Risk-taking: Never test the depth of the river with both feet. [Have an alternate plan ready]

* Investment: Don't put all your eggs in one basket.

I'm certain that those who have already been practicing these principles remain financially healthy. I'm equally confident that those who resolve to start practicing these principles will quickly regain their financial health.
Let us become wiser and lead a happy, healthy, prosperous and peaceful life.”

I've learned...

My friend Satya Prakash emailed me the following quotes.
They were written by Andy Rooney, a man who has the gift of saying so much with so few words.

Enjoy.......
I've learned....That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.
I've learned....That when you're in love, it shows.
I've learned.....That just one person saying to me, 'You've made my day!' makes my day.
I've learned....That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.
I've learned.....That being kind is more important than being right.
I've learned.... That you should never say no to a gift from a child.
I've learned.... That I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way.
I've learned.... That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.
I've learned.... That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.
I've learned.... That simple walks with my father around the block on windy nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.
I've learned.... That it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.
I've learned... That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.
I've learned.... That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.
I've learned.... That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.
I've learned.... That love, not time, heals all wounds.
I've learned.... That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.
I've learned... That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.
I've learned.... That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.
I've learned... That life is tough, but I'm tougher.
I've learned.. That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.
I've learned.... That when you harbour bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.
I've learned.... That I wish I could have told my mother that I love her one more time before she passed away.
I've learned..... That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.
I've learned.... That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.
I've learned.... That when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, that you're hooked for life.
I've learned.... That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.

Man, doctor and bee...

A man comes running to the doctor shouting and screaming in pain.
"Please doctor, you've got to help me. I've been stung by a bee."
DOCTOR: "Don't worry; I'll put some cream on it."
MAN: "You will never find that bee. It must be miles away by now."
DOCTOR: "No, you don't understand! I'll put some cream on the place
you were stung."
MAN: "Oh! It happened in the garden where I was sitting under a tree."'
DOCTOR (in anger): "No, no, you IDIOT! I mean on which part of your
body did that bee sting."
MAN (still screaming in pain): "On my finger! The bee stung me on my
finger and it really hurts."
DOCTOR : "Ok.Which one?"
MAN (innocently): "How would I know? All bees look the same to me."

'Diwaniya' helps promote Malaysia among Kuwaitis...

More Kuwaitis are visiting Malaysia because of the good words from relatives who have been to the country for holidays, says Malaysian ambassador to Kuwait Ashaary Sani.
Last year, the number of Kuwaitis visiting Malaysia shot up to 17,000.
Most travelled in families with some staying up to a month, he said.

"The regular family get-together among Kuwaitis called 'diwaniya' where the men talk among themselves has helped to encourage the people here to visit Malaysia," he told Malaysian reporters who are in Kuwait City to cover the just-ended Arab Economic Summit.
The good facilities in Malaysia, the weather and the favourable currency exchange (one Kuwaiti Dinar could hit about RM13), were among the pull factors, he said.
"Although the impact has been positive, there is still room for improvement," said Ashaary.
Saying most Kuwaitis know about Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi, he suggested more tourism promotion be made to attract Kuwaitis to states like Sabah and Sarawak as well as those in the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia.
"Of course, we should continue to provide good service and hospitality," he said.
He said bilateral relations between Malaysia and Kuwait were solid with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan making an official visit here last November.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was also in Kuwait last year as well as the Raja Muda of Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah who came in October last year to promote Malaysia as an International Islamic Financial Centre.
Ashaary said some 160 Malaysians are living in Kuwait, mostly professionals working in the telecommunications and financial sectors and their families.
A Malaysian heart surgeon and an anesthetist are also working in Kuwait.
On the two-day Arab Economic Summit which ended yesterday, Ashaary said it was a good effort to solidify economic cooperation and integration among the Arab countries.

Saudi Arabia donates US$1 billion for Gaza...

Saudi's King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz announced in Kuwait City today the contribution of US$1 billion for the reconstruction of Gaza, which is devastated after three weeks of Israeli relentless bombardment.

Speaking at the first-ever Arab Economic Summit, the Saudi monarch said that no matter how vital economic issues were, they could not equate life and dignity.
"In the past few days, we have witnessed images that are so repulsive, bloody and painful, massacres committed in full view of the world by criminal hoodlums whose hearts know no mercy," he said.
While granting the donation for the Gaza reconstruction fund proposed by the summit, King Abdullah said he realised that "one drop of Palestinian blood is dearer than all riches of the earth".
The Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, who chaired the two-day summit, had earlier led the barrage of condemnation by the Arab leaders against Israeli aggression on Gaza.
He said Kuwait would donate US$34 million to enable UN Relief and Works Agency's (UNRWA) honour the urgent needs of the Palestinian people, and would also contribute to international efforts of the donor countries.
He described the Israeli invasion as a "war crime and a crime against humanity".

More than 1,300 Palestinians were killed and 5,300 injured while some 4,000 residential buildings were reduced to rubble after Israel launched the attacks on Dec 27.
Israel declared a unilateral ceasefire Sunday followed later by Hamas, which gave the regime a week to pull out its troops from the impoverished strip.
The Israeli war machine had also bombarded UN facilities in the besieged Gaza Strip, derailing the work of the UN staff in the strip.
Speaking after the Kuwaiti leader, Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad called on the Arab states to adopt the term "terrorism entity" to describe the Jewish state.
Al-Assad, who is the current chairman of the Arab round, said although the ceasefire had been secured, this was in no way an indication of the end of violence as the Israeli forces remained in Gaza.
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said his country showed clear and strong support for the Gaza Strip since the first day of Israeli aggression on it.
He said Israel should put in mind that achieving peace in the Middle East was an urgent need and that the regime should consider the Arab peace initiative more seriously.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, meanwhile, called on Palestinian factions to overcome their differences and meet under Egyptian sponsorship.
He said the Palestinians were invited to meet in Egypt to reach an agreement after hours of discussion.
"If the bloodshed in Gaza is not enough for us to agree, then when will the time come?" asked Abbas.
He said should an agreement be reached, what was needed then was a unity government that worked to end Israeli violence, lift the siege on Gaza and open its crossings and hold elections.

Ceasefire boost for Arab Economic Summit...

As Kuwait prepares to host a first-ever regional economic summit, Israel's decision to cease its offensive on Gaza may provide a boost for the meeting to seriously focus on economic and social development issues besetting the Arab world.
Described as the first-of-a-kind, the Arab Economic, Social and Development Summit which opens Monday is seen as a platform to pave the way for future and growing cooperation between governments and the private sector.
The two-day summit, called by Kuwait two years ago, had garnered the involvement of experts from various economic sectors.
It is taking place at a time when the Arab world is reported to have suffered some USD2.5 trillion within four months due to the global financial meltdown.
Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and acting Oil Minister Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Al-Sabah said the summit would address daily concerns of Arab citizens like poverty, hunger, health, education, railway network and electricity linkage.
At a forum held yesterday as a prelude to the summit, Arab government and business leaders agreed that economic and social development could be achieved with greater cooperation between governments and civilian sectors.
They stressed the importance of the involvement of the people in the Arab world's development, not only as a tool for success, but also as steps towards a stronger democracy.
The summit is expected to produce key resolutions dealing with the development of education, improving health care, fighting unemployment and poverty.
It was also expected to establish the custom union and linking the Arab countries' networks of roads and railways, as well as food and water security.
The Israeli aggression on Gaza which had drawn international concern would still be high on the agenda.
The leaders will address the situation in Gaza, which has seen a slight progress with Israel embarking on a unilateral ceasefire after declaring victory in its three-week offensive that has cost 1,200 Palestinian lives.
But despite the ceasefire, Israeli troops would remain in Gaza for the time being with orders to return fire if attacked.
Officials said the Arab leaders will be discussing two draft resolutions which include showing support for the Palestinian people through establishing a fund for the rebuilding of Gaza, opening of border crossings, lifting the siege, urging the UN Security Council to ask Israel to stop its aggression and backing the Egyptian ceasefire initiative.
All 22 Arab League countries are expected to attend the summit.
United Nations secretary general Ban Ki-moon, who is on a tour of the region to deal with the Israeli offensive on Gaza, is also scheduled to attend the summit.

Spotlight on Arab Summit to halth Israeli onslaught...

With no end in sight of Israeli's onslaught on Gaza, the Arab world is banking on their leaders' summit in Kuwait City on Monday to act decisively to stop the aggression.
Arab foreign ministers who met here yesterday approved a draft resolution calling for an immediate halt to the Israeli aggression which has killed more than a thousand Palestinians in Gaza.
The ministers approved a proposal calling on Arab countries to "pledge financial aid for Gaza reconstruction estimated to cost US$2 billion" and another US$500 million of extra aid to the Palestinian Authority.

The draft will be tabled to the Arab Economic, Social and Development Summit to be held in Kuwait City on Monday and Tuesday.
United Nations and Gaza health officials have estimated that some 1,100 Palestinians have been killed since the Israeli began its merciless attacks on Dec 27.
Apart from underlining the urgency of stopping the Israeli aggression on Gaza, the draft calls for the reopening of all Gaza's border crossings.
It holds Israel responsible for all the atrocities in Gaza and the violations of the international humanitarian laws.
It urges the UN human rights agencies to probe into serious crimes against humanity committed by the Israeli army against the Palestinian people during the brutal aggression on Gaza and bring to justice those who are responsible for such crimes.
While thanking the countries which have been sending humanitarian aids to Gaza, the draft renewed condemnation of "the brutal aggression on the defenceless Palestinian people in Gaza Strip."
It said the Israeli army had used all kinds of lethal weapons including internationally-banned ones since the start of the aggression.

Tribute to alma mater ...

Pos Malaysia concludes its stamp issue for the year with a set of four entitled "Premier Schools" released today. Present and former Victorians would definitely take pride that their alma mater -- Victoria Institution -- is among the schools featured.
Pos Malaysia says premier schools are those over 100 years which have been identified as cluster schools for their academic and co-curriculum achievements.
"These schools have produced many national leaders, corporate figures, professionals, sportsmen and scholars who have contributed significantly to the growth of Malaysia is this era of globalisation," according to details accompanying the First Day Cover.

Rekindling decades-old friendship ....

After 30 years, the fifth formers of Victoria Institution in 1978 got together tonight for a long overdue reunion. A good number of our former teachers made the evening more meaningful with their presence.
A friend said he knew about the planned gathering through Facebook and suggested everyone present to join the network.
I have kept this class photo of 5 Science 2 with our class teacher Mrs Foo for a long time.

With three decades gone, some of us who turned up for the reunion were beyond recognition. But we all agreed that Mrs Foo, who taught us biology, remains gorgeous as ever.


Looking closely at the photographs, I realized that those seated had held their hands in almost similar position even after all these years. Some things don't change, I suppose!
Here's the group photo of all who attended the reunion.

Journalism in a complex environment...

Over 40 journalists from the Asia-Pacific region are gathering in Jakarta to discuss how the media play both a positive and negative role in how diverse cultures inter-relate especially where politics and religions intersect.
The three-day forum entitled “Asia-Pacific Regional Media Programme” is being co-sponsored by the European Union, Norway, and New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Speakers included former Indonesia foreign minister Ali Alatas, Griffith University's Prof. Michael Wesley, general secretary of International Federation of Journalists Aidan White, Indonesia's former assistant minister/state secretary of foreign affairs Prof. Dewi Fortuna Anwar, and 'the father of the Indonesian media' journalist and author Goenawan Mohamad.
The forum explored how in a time of rapid globalisation and increasing contact – and conflict – between cultures, journalism often has to straddle the 'fault lines' that separate us as peoples.
At times, the media, and journalists themselves, choose simplicity and conciseness over accuracy – particularly where time constraints and available space restrict one's challenge to report on conflict accurately.
The conference being held at the Hotel Mulia Senayan will be followed by a one-day workshop discussing "The Role of Media in Muslim-Western Relations."
The workshop is organized by the New York-based Alliance of Civilizations Secretariat and the Search for Common Ground, a non-governmental organization.

A story to live by ...

A friend emailed me this story today:
There was a blind girl who hated herself because she was blind.
She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend.
He was always there for her.
She told her boyfriend: "If I could only see the world, I will marry you."
One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her.
When the bandages came off, she was able to see everything, including her boyfriend.
He asked her: "Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?"
The girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he was blind.
The sight of his closed eyelids shocked her. She hadn't expected that.
The thought of looking at them the rest of her life led her to refuse to marry him.
Her boyfriend left in tears and days later wrote a note to her saying:
"Take good care of your eyes, my dear, for before they were yours, they were mine."

This is how the human brain often works when our status changes.
Only a very few remember what life was like before and who was always by their side in the most painful situations.
Life is a gift.
Before you say an unkind word - Think of someone who can't speak.
Before you complain about the taste of your food - Think of someone who has nothing to eat.
Before you complain about your husband or wife - Think of someone who's crying out for a companion.
Today before you complain about life - Think of someone who died too early on this earth.
Before you complain about your children - Think of someone who desires children but they're barren.
Before you argue about your dirty house someone didn't clean or sweep - Think of the people who are living in the streets.
Before whining about the distance you drive Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet.
And when you are tired and complain about your job - Think of the unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had your job.
But before you think of pointing the finger or condemning another - Remember that not one of us is without sin .
And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down - Put a smile on your face and think: you're alive and still around.

Food for thought ...

Rising prices have plunged an additional 75 million people below the hunger threshold, bringing the estimated number of undernourished people worldwide to 923 million in 2007. As the World Food Day is observed today, UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Director-General Jacques Diouf called for a political and financial push to boost sustainable agriculture in the world’s poor countries, double global food production and free the world of hunger and malnutrition.
"I wish to reaffirm that we know what needs to be done to eradicate the hunger of 923 million people in the world. We also know what needs to be done to double world food production and feed a population that is expected to rise to 9 billion people by 2050," he said at a ceremony in Rome marking World Food Day, the anniversary of FAO’s foundation in 1945.
Noting that $US22 billion was pledged to promote global food security earlier this year, but that only 10 percent of this has so far materialized – mainly for emergency food aid – Diouf declared:
"What we need ... is political will and delivery on financial commitments, if we are to be able to make the essential investments that are needed to promote sustainable agricultural development and food security in the poorest countries of the world."
The theme for this year celebration is "World Food Security: the Challenges of Climate Change and Bioenergy".
FAO estimates had put the number of people suffering from chronic hunger worldwide in 2003-05 at 848 million, an increase of 6 million from the 842 million in 1990-92, the World Food Summit baseline period.
Soaring food, fuel and fertilizer prices have exacerbated the problem. Food prices rose 52 percent between 2007 and 2008, and fertilizer prices have nearly doubled over the past year.

New stamps, new friends...

When I wrote last Sept 16 about a man who got started on collecting first day covers (FDC) after an unexpected visit to the philately section at Kuala Lumpur general post office, it drew a response from the man himself.

Signing his name as ‘Din’, he said he had since collected many stamps and was getting hooked to it. Like most collectors, 'Din' was looking forward to the next issue of FDC, which happened to be today in conjunction with World Post Day.
By coincidence, we bumped into each other again. What's interesting was that ‘Din’ brought along a friend whom he had encouraged to take up the hobby.
As any other day when new stamps are released, the place will be a meeting point for collectors. While you get to see familiar faces, there will be new friends to make like Mr Ho and retired Major Ranjit Singh.

Being a seasoned collector, Ho took the trouble to explain to us the ‘secrets’ of stamp collecting.
To think that we were total strangers who could sit together to talk about stamps and become friends is most satisfying. Surely this kind of interaction should be encouraged especially among the young generation.
Everyone is free to join this friendship circle. All you need to do is go to the philately section of the KL main post office whenever new stamps are issued.
As for the latest stamps offering, Pos Malaysia has showcased some of the country's unique flowers in conjunction with World Post Day 2008. The collection is to increase awareness of such flowers that are attractive and unique because of their shape or fragrance.
The collection features four flowers -- kembang songsang (climbing lily), kenerak (kenerak), akar dani (rangoon creeper) and cempaka pisang (banana shrub) while the miniature sheet depicts the bakawali (gooseneck cactus).

Footnote: World Post Day is celebrated each year on 9 October, the anniversary of the establishment of the Universal Postal Union in 1874 in the Swiss Capital, Berne. It was declared World Post Day by the UPU Congress held in Tokyo, Japan in 1969. Since then, countries across the world participate annually in the celebrations. The Posts in many countries use the event to introduce or promote new postal products and services. In most countries philatelic exhibitions are organized during this period and special stamps and date cancellation marks are issued on 9 October.

Despite doom prediction, postal services remain relevant.…

Billions of parcels, letters and express items are sent by post to people all over the world. Goods or important documents, migrants’ remittances to their families, newspapers and books -- the list goes on.
Director General of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) Edouard Datan says despite predictions of their demise not so long ago, postal services are alive and well and now more relevant than ever.
"E-mail and the Internet have not replaced them, but have instead created new opportunities," he said in his message to mark World Post Day today.
"We live at a time where the different means of communication complement each other. The postal sector provides a precious service, not only to anyone who buys or sells online, but also to people not yet able to make full use of the new technologies and for whom the mail is a vital link with the outside world. With growing international and inter-regional trade, the development gap between postal services around the world needs to be narrowed so that businesses and individuals can benefit more from them," he said.
It is worth recalling that the UPU this year is celebrating its 60th anniversary as a United Nations specialized agency. Since 1948, the postal sector has contributed in meaningful ways to the noble mission of the United Nations, assisting development, reducing poverty and the digital divide, promoting health, environmental protection and sustainable development, to name just a few.
Owing to their universality, postal services provide a link between people all over the globe. This is especially important at a time when millions of people do not enjoy the right to communication. In a constantly changing world, postal services make it possible to establish and maintain this contact and this link, both of which are vital.

Smile…you’re on World Smile Day!

"Smile an everlasting smile, a smile can bring you near to me…"
I recall the opening lyrics of the Bee Gees hit ‘Words’ as the World Smile Day is celebrated today.
There are hundreds of languages in the world but a smile speaks them all. It is perhaps the only thing that unites us and bonds us together as human beings.
It is rare that a smile fails to get a friendly response. Say it with a smile, no matter what language you speak and you will communicate. A smile may happen in a flash but the memory of it can last a lifetime.
The World Smile Day was first celebrated in 1999. As usual, the theme for the day is "Do an act of kindness. Help one person smile". And as ever, the image that leads the way on this day is the iconic Smiley Face.
Harvey Ball, co-owner of an advertising and public relations firm in Worcester, Massachusetts designed the irresistible Smiley Face in 1963 to help ease the acrimonious aftermath following the merger of two insurance companies.
The logo was to accompany a "friendship campaign" that the company came up with to encourage employees to smile as they went about their work or interacted with customers. Thinking about what would inspire employees to smile, he decided the most simple and direct symbol would be a smile itself and that is what he drew.

"I made a circle with a smile for a mouth on yellow paper, because it was sunshiny and bright," Ball recalled in a 1996 interview with The Associated Press. Turning the drawing upside down, the smile became a frown. Deciding that wouldn't do, Ball added two eyes and the Smiley Face was born. He was paid a $45 fee for his timeless creation.
"Never in the history of mankind or art has any single piece of art gotten such widespread favor, pleasure, enjoyment, and nothing has ever been so simply done and so easily understood in art," said Ball. He died in April 2001.
In Malaysia, we had a song about smile that was aired over radio and television:
Here's the lyrics of the song Senyum Seindah Suria:
Senyum Seindah Suria,
Yang membawa cahya,
Senyumlah dari hati,
Duniamu berseri,

Senyum umpama impian,
Dalam kehidupan,
Kau tersenyum ku tersenyum
Kemesraan menguntum...

Senyum..kepada semua,
Senyumanmu amatlah berharga
Senyum..umpama titian
Dengan senyuman terjalinlah ikatan...

And here's the English version:

A smile is quite a funny thing
It lightens up your face
And when it's gone you'll never find
Its secret hiding place
Far more wonderful it is
To see what smile can do
You smile at me
I smile at you
And so one smile makes two

Smile
Smile
It isn't hard to do
Smile for a while
And let one smile catch two...

New friend on Facebook ...

Yasmin Ahmad, my new friend on Facebook, is in South Korea to attend the screening of 'Muallaf' at the Pusan International Film Festival. One of Asia’s top, the festival kicks off today in the beach resort city. It will show 316 movies from 60 countries.
Like many others who commented on Facebook, I hope Yasmin will have a good trip.
From the comments given, many love her Petronas Raya TV commercial which I had wrote about on this blog.
While Hari Raya enters its second day in Malaysia, the Malaysian Embassy in Jordan emailed me some photos of the Aidilfitri celebrations in Amman which was attended by visiting Tengku Muda of Pahang, Tengku Abdul Rahman Sultan Ahmad Shah. The celebration was held at the residence of ambassador Hasnudin Hamzah on the first day of the Aidilfitri on Tuesday. Hasnudin said there was the usual spread of Malaysian food such as lemang, rendang, satay, nasi dagang, nasi tomato and lontong.
On the second day of the Aidilfitri Wednesday, the celebration was held at the Malaysian Students Department attended by the Tengku Muda, Hasnudin and over 500 Malaysian students throughout the kingdom.

Surprise ‘Hari Raya’ visitor…

Talk about working on festive holiday, Bernama staff on duty had a surprise visitor when Information Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek turned up at Wisma Bernama today to personally convey his Hari Raya greeting.
Accompanied by his family, the minister made stops at Radio Bernama24, NAM News Network (NNN), Bernama TV and the editorial department on the 1st floor.


Interviewed by the radio station, Shabery highlighted about Malaysia’s unique Hari Raya ‘open house’ which livens up the festive atmosphere.
He was just back from the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) where the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, his Cabinet colleagues and their wives jointly held a Hari Raya open house.
"Seluruh lapisan masyarakat mengunjungi rumah terbuka itu dalam suasana ceria yang mungkin tak ditemui di negara-negara lain...inilah suasana yang membuatkan Malaysia indah.
(Malaysians of all walks of life were there in a cheerful mood that is uniquely Malaysia...this is the kind of atmosphere that makes Malaysia beautiful)," said Shabery.
He gave credit to the media for cheering up the festive occasion.
"Apalah hari raya tanpa TV dan radio? (What is Hari Raya without TV and radio?)" said Shabery who later attended the Hari Raya ‘open house’ organised by the station.

Of Hari Raya eve and 'balik kampung' ...

KL is relatively quiet with many of its residents going back to their hometown for the Hari Raya celebration tomorrow. For those who remain in the city, they are bound to be asked: "Tak balik kampung ke?" (Aren’t you going back to your hometown?). I was asked of the question not less than five times today alone – at the bank, hypermarket, petrol station and at the roadside stalls selling ketupat, lemang and rendang along MRR2 near Zoo Negara. Its not the first time for me and my family to celebrate Hari Raya in KL. So, we are quite used to it. I’m going to take the opportunity to visit my friends especially those who grew up with me at the long demolished Asrama Dr Latiff.

Thank you to friends who sms me Raya greetings. I do hope everyone will have a wonderful time. Some advised me to drive safely, probably thinking I might be going somewhere out of the city. As far as driving is concerned, I’m having a breeze driving around KL with less cars on the road.
But not all ‘balik kampung’ journey ended in joy when 12 Indonesians – eleven women and a man -- drown after their wooden barge sank off Port Klang this morning. 112 others were rescued. Klang district police chief ACP Mohamad Mat Yusop said all the dead were in their 20s. One of the women was pregnant.
The barge sank 10 minutes after setting sail from a forest area in Pulau Che Mat Zin, near Westport for Tanjong Balai in the Sumatra at about 7am.
Mohamad said the 5m-long barge had capacity for 70 passengers but was carrying about 130 people.
All the Indonesians were believed to be on their way home to celebrate the Aidilfitri.
It is unexpected events like this that requires media organizations like Bernama to be on alert despite the festive mood. For this, my thoughts go to all who have to work during Hari Raya. They are the unsung heroes – men and women – who keep the organization going. Since Bernama started operation 40 years ago, it has never once ‘close for holiday’.
My colleague, Muin Abdul Majid, who is based in Dubai, is celebrating the Aidilfitri far away from his family. Like other Muslim Malaysians across the United Arab Emirates (UAE), he joined other Muslims in the Gulf nation and many other countries in the Middle East in celebrating Aidilfitri today.
In Dubai, the Malaysians converged on the Matrade centre for the Aidilfitri prayers led by Shushilil Azam Shuib, the Malaysian Education Promotion Centre (MEPC) regional director.
The UAE Moon Sighting Committee announced Monday night that the UAE was to celebrate Aidilfitri Tuesday.
Selamat Hari Raya. Maaf Zahir Batin.

Hari Raya on Wednesday amidst ‘homecoming’ cheer of hijacked vessels…

Hari Raya Aidilfitri will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 1 as news of a second Malaysian International Shipping Corporation (MISC) tanker, hijacked in the Gulf of Aden by Somali pirates, has been freed brought relief for families of the 29 Malaysian hostages.
The ‘balik kampung’ exodus is expected to reach top-most gear following the announcement of the Hari Raya by Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal.
But the more anticipated ‘homecoming’ would definitely be that of the Malaysian International Shipping Corporation (MISC) vessel.
The MT Bunga Melati Dua was released at 4.14am today and was reported to be heading towards Djibouti, East Africa with the crew in good health.
The good news came a day after pirates released another MISC tanker -- MT Bunga Melati Lima.
The MT Bunga Melati Dua, with a crew of 39 -- 29 Malaysian and the rest Filipinos -- was hijacked on Aug19. One of the Filipino crew was killed after being hit by a stray bullet, when the ship was taken over by pirates.
Ten days later, the MT Bunga Melati Lima, with 36 Malaysian and five Filipino crew encountered the same fate while sailing from Yanbu, Saudi Arabia to Singapore.

Feel-good stories about 'balik kampung'...

Most of my friends who have ‘kampungs’ to return to for the Hari Raya would have made the journey by now. I can imagine how happy they are to celebrate the joyous occasion with their parents or either one of them who are still alive.
My buddy Halim, who commented on my blog about the Petronas Raya commercial, took more than 17 hours to balik kampung from where he is based in Central Asia. I’m happy that he saw the TV commercial to make his homecoming even more special.
"…it is exactly 8.10 am Friday morning where I am at and I have a 7.10 pm flight home to catch. Another 11 hours. I have got all my bags with me here at the office. Exactly 17 hours later I will be landing at KLIA. I know the meaning of balik kampung for Hari Raya now. In the commercial, it was about a mother and her son, who came home for Hari Raya. I will go see my mother before Hari Raya and I will see her during Hari Raya and I will go see her after Hari Raya....
Never has a flight been so looked forward to...," he wrote on his blog: dudaesimboyo.blogspot.com.
Another buddy, Fisol describes vividly what balik kampung means to him on his blog hardkocks1961.blogspot.com.
"A friend asked me today whether I would be going home for Aidilfitri. I believe the question should be, when. As far as I’m concerned, not to return home for Aidilfitri is not an option, simply because my Mak is expecting everyone to be home for the festival, no matter how tight our schedules are or how crazy the traffic heading north would be at this time of the year," he said.
While many KL residents have made their way to their hometowns and kampungs to celebrate Hari Raya, the city’s main shopping areas remain busy with last-minute shoppers looking for bargains.

(Along the back lane between Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and Jalan Masjid India at noon today)

Petronas fuels ‘balik kampung’ message …

Keeping up to its thought provoking messages, the Petronas television commercial for the coming Hari Raya drives home the poignant meaning of ‘balik kampung’.
It relates the story of a ‘busy’ young man going back to his ‘kampung’ where his mother lives alone. She had not been answering his phone calls as the line had been down. So when he couldn’t get connected to the internet, the young man decided to spend the night in town as he needed to use the facility to complete his project.
At the small hotel in town, he met an elderly man whose son had just undergone an operation. He was staying at the hotel as there was no place for him to sleep at the hospital.
"I can’t bear to leave him alone.
"It’s heart-breaking not being able to see him or hear his voice," said the man, looking dejected.
His remarks threw the young man into a deep-thought.
Seeing the young man buried in paperwork with a note-book computer at hand, the man said: "You look busy. Aren’t you going home for Raya?"
That further evoked a hard look on the young man who had left his mother alone at home.
When she did not answer his phone call, the young man decided to return home that night itself. On seeing him, the mother was of course surprise as she thought he would be spending the night in town.
Although it was a straight-forward message, the commercial still leaves behind a deep impact. We often take for granted persons whom we are supposed to love. We always think they will forever be there for us. We seldom appreciate their love and sacrifices.
In the commercial, the mother told the young man that she had sewn a pair of ‘baju Melayu’ for him but he seemed uninterested. He was more concern about his work.
When the mother asked him to take along some food which she had cooked for him, he declined it, saying he was running late.
Do value the moments to be with our parents while they are still alive. You’ll never know when it will be too late.
To view the 2008 Petronas Raya commercial, go here .

'Balik kampung' joy rising ...

With the 'balik kampung' joy creeping in as Aidil Fitri draws closer, I reckon there are many urban dwellers who are magnetized to the excitement but don’t have a ‘kampung’ to go back to for the Hari Raya. The thoughts of the simple lifestyle of a picturesque ‘kampung’ get feverish as evergreen Raya songs fill the air almost everywhere you go.
"Balik kampung, wo, wo, wo, balik kampung…wo, wo, wo, balik kampung, hati girang", goes a long-time favourite tune.
For those wanting to experience the kampung way of life, one option is the homestay programme. The good thing is that it’s an all-year round opportunity, not just during the festive time.

"I used to wonder why some people would want to come and stay with poor kampung folk. We live a simple life. There is not much luxury and comfort in our homes, yet people are attracted to that," says fisherman Ramli Ibrahim who rents out one of the three rooms in his house in Kelantan.
"After talking to our guests, I realised they are attracted to the quiet and slow pace of life in our kampung. They want to live with us and eat what we eat and take part in our activities.
"Surprisingly, I get many Malaysians who just want to get away from the city and try out the simple kampung life."
He would never have dreamt of making a living by opening his home to total strangers and allowing them to share in his family life, according to a report in the New Straits Times today.
But two years ago, he and a group of villagers living in one of the many small islets along Sungai Kelantan in Tumpat, learnt about the concept behind the homestay programme.
Since then, the 49-year-old father of six and 19 other villagers on Pulau Suri have been taking in visitors who are eager to experience their simple kampung lifestyle.
Apart from curious and adventurous foreigners who want to learn about local culture, the villagers also get people from big cities like Kuala Lumpur who want to sample the rustic kampung lifestyle.
Kelantan Homestay Association president Mohd Nasir Mustapha says the organisation hopes to attract more people like Ramli to take part in the homestay programme as it is a good way to boost tourism.
Since it was set up in May, the association has recruited 1,200 members mostly from remote areas like Jeli and Gua Musang.

"Di hari raya
Terkenang daku kepada si dia
Kampungku indah nun jauh di sana
Ayah serta bondaku..."
(Dendang Perantau)

Standing up for peace...

On this International Day of Peace, September 21, Malaysia has pledged to make it an annual celebration.
Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak says September 21 is a significant international day as it was chosen by the United Nations (UN) as a day of ceasefire and to stop all forms of violence throughout the world.
By creating the International Day of Peace (Peace Day), the UN devoted itself to worldwide peace and encouraged all of mankind to work in cooperation for this goal.
The ‘Peace Bell’ is rung at the UN Headquarters to celebrate the day. An inscription on the side of the bell reads: "Long live absolute world peace."
But it's so ironic that it was only yesterday that at least 60 people were killed when an explosives-laden truck exploded at Islamabad's Marriott Hotel in the latest incident of violence.
"Malaysia condemns all forms of violence, aggression and foreign interference in the domestic affairs of another country," said Najib in his speech read out by Deputy Defence Minister Abu Seman Yusop at the Walk for Peace event in Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur today.
Participants at the event observed a minute of silence at 12pm sharp as a remembrance for those who had fought in wars.
Every country in the world celebrates the day in their own manner.
The first Peace Day was celebrated in 1982 when the United Nations General Assembly declared the third Tuesday of September as the International Day of Peace to commemorate and strengthen the ideals of peace.
In 2002 the General Assembly officially declared September 21 as the permanent date for the International Day of Peace.
During the discussion of the U.N. Resolution in 1981 that established the International Day of Peace, it was suggested that:
"Peace Day should be devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples…This day will serve as a reminder to all peoples that our organization, with all its limitations, is a living instrument in the service of peace and should serve all of us here within the organization as a constantly pealing bell reminding us that our permanent commitment, above all interests or differences of any kind, is to peace."
Malaysia has submitted to UN calls to send troops for peacekeeping operations to countries that were having conflicts in the past 35 years.
"We begin with dispatching troops to Congo and followed by Namibia, Cambodia, Somalia, Bosnia Herzegovina, Sierra Leone, Mozambique, Western Sahara and Timor Leste. At present a Malaysian contingent is serving in Lebanon at the request of the UN," said Najib.
Let’s give peace a chance!

A friend ….

(A)ccepts you as you are
(B)elieves in you
(C)alls you just to say "Hi!"
(D)oesn't give up on you
(E)nvisions the whole of you (even the unfinished parts)
(F)orgives your mistakes
(G)ives unconditionally
(H)elps you
(I)nvites you over
(J)ust be with you
(K)eeps you close at heart
(L)oves you for who you are
(M)akes a difference in your life
(N)ever judges
(O)ffer support
(P)icks you up
(Q)uiets your fears
(R)aises your spirits
(S)ays nice things about you
(T)ells you the truth when you need to hear it
(U)nderstands you
(V)alues you
(W)alks beside you
(X)-plains thing you don't understand
(Y)ells when you won't listen and
(Z)aps you back to reality

The 'tall' club ...

Millions of people visit towers across the globe annually for an experience of "being at the top". The spectacular heights and panoramic view offered by these towers create tourism opportunities both for the towers and the host countries. With the advent of technology, modern towers are getting higher and higher, reaching incredible heights and in the process, acquire new purposes in telecommunication.
Malaysia’s own Menara KL is among 27 members of the World Federation of Great Towers (WFGT). Created in 1989, the WFGT is an association of international monuments to foster global awareness and develop international opportunities for promotion.
Menara KL Chief Executive Officer Zulkifli Mohamad says 40 million tourists visit the towers yearly.
"Through our membership in the WFGT, Menara KL offers an important window of opportunity in terms of promoting the country’s tourism products and services to the global communities," he said.
The federation meets annually to decide on the following year’s activities and to formulate a marketing plan. Moscow is hosting this year’s conference from September 14 to September 20.
The key criterion for inclusion in the WFGT is that the building must have a public observation deck.

Menara KL joined the WFGT on its inauguration day on October 1, 1996.

Standing tall at 421 meters in the middle of Kuala Lumpur, the tower perches majestically on top of Bukit Nenas, which is itself 94 metres above sea level.


The other 26 member towers of WFGT are: CN Tower in Toronto (Canada), Empire State Building in New York (United States), Oriental Pearl Tower in Shanghai (China), Blackpool Tower in Blackpool (England), Calgary Tower in Calgary (Canada), Central Radio and TV Beijing in Beijing (China), Collserola Tower in Barcelona (Spain).
Donauturm in Vienna (Austria), Eiffel Tower in Paris (France), Euromast in Rotterdam, (Holland), Fernsehturm Tower in Berlin(Germany), John Hancock Center in Chicago, (United States), Macau Tower in Macau (China), Olympic Tower in Montreal (Canada), Ostankino Tower in Moscow (Russia), Praha TV Tower in Prague (Czech Republic), Q1 in Gold Coast (Australia), Rialto Towers in Melbourne (Australia), Seoul Tower in Seoul (South Korea), Sky Tower in Auckland (New Zealand), Sydney Tower in Sydney, (Australia), Tashkent Tower in Tashkent (Uzbekistan), Tokyo Tower in Tokyo ( Japan), Torre Latino in Mexico City (Mexico), TV and Radio Tower in Tianjin (China) and UFO in Brastislava (Slovak Republic).

Getting started on FDC...

A man watched curiously as the postal staff cancelled the set of 10 stamps, each valued at 50 sen, with postmarks of today's date.
"What use are the stamps anymore?" he asked his equally curious friend.
Standing close to them, I could not avoid overhearing his remark.
"The postmarks are the ones that add value to the stamps on this specially-designed envelope," I told the man, showing him the complete First Day Cover (FDC).
"They indicate the date of which the stamps were first issued to the public...that's the thrill of collecting first day covers," I explained.
After some thoughts, the man decided to buy the set of 10 stamps and first day cover from the counter at the Philately Unit at the Kuala Lumpur General Post Office.
"This will be the start of my collection," he said after sticking the stamps on the envelope. He then duly got it stamped with the special postmark.
The latest stamp issue is entitled 'Royal Headgear'. In its accompanying leaflet, Pos Malaysia says the royal headdress 'Tengkolok' is part of the ceremonial attire of the Malay Rulers. For centuries Malay Rulers had been wearing headdress made of woven silk fabric that is shaped into different styles as part of their regalia since the days of the Malay Sultanate. This headdress is also called 'destar' and the style of folding is called 'solek'. The colours of the headdress varies from one state to another.

Ramadan "tests" US Muslim students ...

Sitting with their classmates in the lunchroom but are unable to eat during daylight, the holy fasting month of Ramadan is testing the mettle of US Muslim students, the IslamOnline.net portal reported.
"The point of Ramadan is to challenge yourself," Noora Aljabi, a 15-year-old student at Evansville Day School in Tri-State area, told Evansville Courier & Press, which was quoted by the portal.
In its report published Saturday September 13, the newspaper said Noora's younger sister Nadia started fasting this Ramadan.
"It's a little harder here," said the 13-year-old. "But it shows we're strong."
Muslims are not required to observe Ramadan until they reach puberty but many Muslim children try fasting for short periods before that.
"There are seven or eight Muslim kids at my school that are fasting," said Romaze Akram, 15, who lives in Newburgh but goes to the Signature School in Evansville.
The news report estimated about 200 Muslim families in Tri-State region, which surrounds the New York City.
American Muslims, estimated between six and seven million, started fasting on Monday, September 1.
Muslim students say that fasting in Ramadan helps them feel the plight of the poor.
"We know we're going to be able to eat at the end of the day," said 16-year-old Amira Aljabi.
"Other people in the world, they never end it."
Many students seize on the holy month to answer questions about Islam by their non-Muslim colleagues.
Myeda Hussain recalls answering questions about her fast by her classmates when she was in elementary school.
"I was very proud of my parents' heritage," said Myeda, who is of Pakistani origin.
Students say that for the most part, their non-Muslim classmates are respectful and supportive.
"My best friend even fasted with me last time, just to support me," Noora said.
"She's Lutheran Christian."

A friend's poetic feeling...

A friend who has been following my blog wanted to share with me a poem he penned. It was inspired by his observation and self experience about the many challenges in life. The poem is so meaningful that I should copy and paste it here:

APA SALAHNYA

Apa salahnya
sesekali kita mencari kesalahan diri
dan memaafkan kesilapan orang
agar tunas sengketa
layu di taman sukma

Apa salahnya
sesekali kita dilukai
dan merasa pedihnya
agar kita lebih mengerti
bagaimana sakitnya bila disakiti

Apa salahnya
sesekali kita mengalah
dan belajar memujuk hati
agar hidup menjadi lebih harmoni

Apa salahnya
sesekali kita dihampakan
dan dibiar tanpa peduli
agar kita lebih mengerti
bahawa hidup tidak seindah mimpi

Apa salahnya
sesekali kita menyanggah adat
dan menegakkan hakikat
agar kebenaran terjulang
di menara hasrat

Apa salahnya
sesekali kita menyongsang arus
dan kembali ke pangkal makrifat
agar hidup lebih selamat

Apa salahnya
sesekali kita berterus terang
dan menghormati pendirian sendiri
agar tertegak
maruah dan harga diri

SHAMSUDIN PUTEH