'Sape' takes Ulu Baram man to Paris …

Sarawak's melodious stringed instrument, the Sape, has taken a man from remote Ulu Baram to perform at the Unesco’s headquarters in Paris -- the world city of arts and culture.
Being an accomplished sape player, Mathew Ngau Jau, 56, from Long Semiang in Ulu Baram, Sarawak is all too happy to introduce the guitar-like instrument to music lovers outside the country.
"I feel very proud to present the music of my ethnic Orang Ulu Kenyah to the world.
"In my place, this instrument is an ordinary sound but here people from all over appreciate it.
"I hope my sons will continue playing this instrument so that the world continues to know about Orang Ulu, Kenyah and Malaysia," he told me after another highly-applauded performance.
Having played the instrument since childhood, Jau became a professional musician 10 years ago.
He is among musicians brought to Paris by the Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry to showcase Malaysia’s traditional music and cultural performance.
Their presence is part of Malaysia’s attempt to get Melaka and Penang listed as Unesco’s world heritage sites.

Education key to overcome racial, religious hatred...

As the Internet broadcast of an anti-Islamic video came under attack at the Unesco executive board meeting in Paris today, Malaysia says education is crucial in inoculating people against racial and religious hatred.
Making his maiden speech at the board's 179th session, Education Minister Hishammuddin Hussein says the search for accommodation between many races, cultures and religions in the face of globalization and the free flow of information had become the world’s problem.
"Ignorance of others, causes people to fear one another and fearing one another leads to hate. Stereotyping and extremism of any kind is wrong," he said.
"Demonizing Islam, Muslims and the Holy Quran by the airing of the film Fitna through the Net in the name of freedom of speech and expression is not only unacceptable but outright dangerous," he said.
Globalization and the related ICT revolution have resulted in a "globalized telecommunications reality" where communication and knowledge flows in a global environment that is complex and unpredictable.
Hishammuddin says it is not only unacceptable but simply dangerous to have a deep divide between "information have and have nots" and "knowledge know and know nots".
"Nor it is acceptable and even dangerous that in this so-called global village, languages, religions, cultural and regional values and identities, be put at risk of being levelled out in a world dominated by the cultural norms of the powerful," he said.

Hishammuddin makes debut in Unesco executive board...

Having been re-appointed as Education Minister, Hishammuddin Hussein makes his maiden appearance in the 58-member executive board of Unesco which opens its 179th session in Paris today.
The minister had worked tirelessly to earn Malaysia a firmer place in the crucial United Nations agency.
He has struck a close working relationship with Unesco director-general Koichiro Matsuura, who made no secret about his happiness with Hishammuddin’s contribution.
Saying he was looking forward to future prospects of bilateral cooperation between Unesco and Malaysia, Matsuura thanked Malaysia for its unfailing support of the organisations various activities.
"I should like you to know how pleased I was to learn of your re-appointment as Minister of Education in the recently-formed Government of Malaysia," he said in a letter to Hishammuddin.
Matsuura was in Kuala Lumpur recently to attend the 43rd South-East Asia Ministers of Education (SEAMEO) Council Conference during which he signed an updated Memorandum of Understanding between Unesco and SEAMEO.

Congrats, Shabery!

The opening ceremony of an East Asia Media Forum here in Bangkok had just been over when I received an SMS on my handphone.
“TAHNIAH KAWAN SDRA SABREE CHEEK JADI MEN PENERANGAN!”
A while later came another message :“What’s Shabery no?”
Yet another, a few minutes later.
“Kawan baik hang shabery cheek jadi menteri kita.”
I could feel the excitement back home as the Prime Minister announced his Cabinet line-up following the Barisan Nasional’s fresh mandate in the just-concluded general elections.
Shabery had convincingly trounced a Parti Keadilan Rakyat hopeful to retain the Kemaman seat, paving the way for a deserving promotion as the Minister of Information.
He had been the Parliamentary Secretary to the Foreign Ministry prior to the elections.
Knowing Shabery, I’m sure he will be bringing fresh ideas and approaches to deal with the alternative media especially blogs, seen to have made a big impact in the recent polls.
Even before the day was over, another message came in:
“Bro. tlg sms hp no ahmad shabery. Tk”

Tip of an iceberg…

This gigantic iceberg had been towed away by ships from a rig in St. Johns, Newfoundland. The water was calm and the sun was almost directly overhead enabling a diver to get into the water and click this picture. The weight of the iceberg was estimated at 300,000,000 tons.

Friends...

Tried my luck to get in touch with former university mates by posting a note on our Stracomm group email. Was I happy that it prompted some response. While some said they were still at their old place, there were those looking for new job opportunities...

Making a difference...

A giant ship engine failed. The ship's owners tried one expert after
another, but none of them could figure how to fix the engine.
Then they brought in an old man who had been fixing ships since he
was young. He carried a large bag of tools with him and when he
arrived, he immediately went to work. He inspected the engine very
carefully, top to bottom.
Two of the ship's owners were there, watching this man, hoping he
would know what to do. After looking things over, the old man reached
into his bag and pulled out a small hammer. He gently tapped something.
Instantly, the engine lurched into life. He carefully put his hammer away.
The engine was fixed!
A week later, the owners received a bill from the old man for ten thousand dollars.
"What?!" the owners exclaimed.
"He hardly did anything!"
So they wrote the old man a note saying: "Please send us an itemized bill."

CAN YOU GUESS WHAT WAS THE BREAK DOWN?
The man sent a bill that read :
Tapping with a hammer............ $ 2.00
Knowing where to tap.............. $ 9,998.00

--Its ALL about knowledge! --

Effort is important but knowing where to make an effort in your life
makes all the difference.

Of being hurt...

An award-winning Malaysian film director once said during a year-end interview that she had learned a valuable lesson that year.
"If you have been belittled, humiliated or jilted by the person you love, you are the luckiest person on earth," she said.
"Why?" the reporter wondered.
"You know what hurt means...for someone who has gone through the experience, surely you would not want to hurt others," she said.
The people you meet who affect your life and the success and downfalls you experience help to create who you are and who you become.
Even the bad experiences can be learned from. In fact, they are probably the most poignant and important ones.
If someone hurts you, betrays you or breaks your heart, forgive them, for they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious when you open your heart.
If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally, not only because they love you, but because in a way, they are teaching you to love and how to open your heart and eyes to things.
Make every day count.
Appreciate every moment and take from those moments everything that you possibly can for you may never be able to experience it again.

Indonesia's Antara takes over OANA presidency ...

Antara, the Indonesian national news agency, formally took over from Bernama of Malaysia the presidency of the Organization of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA) at its 13th general assembly which ended in Jakarta today.
The three-year term to lead the 40-member organization comes at a momentous time as Antara will be celebrating its 70th anniversary tomorrow.
Antara chief executive officer Dr Ahmad Mukhlis Yusuf is the new OANA president while editor-in-chief M. Saiful Hadi has been named secretary-general.
By tradition, Bernama would fill one of the four vice-presidency slots along with Itar-Tass (Russia), IRNA (Iran) and Xinhua (China).
The assembly also re-elected Press Trust of India (PTI), Yonhap (South Korea), Vietnam News Agency (VNA), Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), Kyodo (Japan) and newcomer Azertac (Azerbaijan) as board members.
The next Executive Board Meeting will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, next year while the 14th general assembly in 2010 will be hosted by Anadolu news agency of Turkey to coincide with its 90th anniversary.
Earlier, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco), which initiated the formation of OANA in 1961, pledged to work with the organisation towards promoting a better-informed society.
Unesco South East Asia Representative Prof Hubert Gijzen said the world, more than ever, was in need of timely information, communication and mutual understanding.
"Technological advances have given communication and information professionals and practitioners like you more powerful tools, new media and wider platforms for providing timely information to the public," he said at the plenary session. The text of his speech was read out by Jakarta-based Unesco programme specialist Dr Linda Santiago Posadas.
Gijzen said rather than consider the new developments as a threat, the agencies should seize the opportunities to bring about a spirit of innovation.

Life is about ...

Life is about waking up each day to discover something new; meeting old people but making new conversations; walking through old roads but still feeling nice about it; realizing that you have grown a day older but still feeling young at heart;
meeting busy schedules but still finding time to smile; being nostalgic about 'PAST' but looking forward better days to come...

Malaysia offers places for Brunei officers....

Malaysia has offered places for officers from Brunei Darussalam to attend courses at the Tun Abdul Razak Broadcasting Institute (Iptar) in Kuala Lumpur.
Iptar will be upgraded into a university college in January next year.
Deputy Minister of Information Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the offer was made in tandem with efforts to boost bilateral cooperation in broadcasting between the two friendly neighbours.

Zahid, on a three-day visit to Brunei Darussalam, extended the offer during his meeting with the Energy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Yahya bin Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Haji Bakar, who is also the minister responsible for broadcasting.
The deputy minister said Iptar would cooperate with Universiti Putra Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Mara and Limkokwing University College of Creative Technology to conduct the courses.
Present at the meeting were Malaysian High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam Ku Jaafar Ku Shaari, Information Ministry deputy secretary-general Dr Rothiah Omar, Director-General of the National Film Development Corporation, Malaysia (Finas), Raja Rozaimie Dalnish, and Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister's Department of Brunei Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Ismail bin Pengiran Haji Mohammad.
Zahid said he was satisfied with the bilateral cooperation of the two countries in information and broadcasting through RTM and RTB, between the information departments of Malaysia and Brunei and the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama).
He also indicated the possibility of expanding the cooperation through recently-launched Bernama-run Radio24.
Awang Yahya welcomed initiatives to enhance cooperation in information and broadcasting.
Tonight, Zahid attended the Senandung Muhibah concert, jointly staged by RTM-RTB at Jerudong Park Amphitheatre.

Of filial piety ...

While the story of Si-Tanggang has become a Malaysian folklore, as with the tale of Malin Kundang in Indonesia, Brunei too has its own legend of an unfilial son.
Not far from its famous Kampung Ayer is a small rocky island aptly named ‘Jong Batu’. Locals believe that it was a vessel which had turned into a rock.
Legend has it that a poor boy had set out to better his life, leaving behind his widowed mother. After many years, he achieved success and became the captain of a huge ship, forgetting his humble roots in the process. One day, Nakhoda Manis, who had by then married, anchored his ship near his birthplace while taking shelter from an impending storm.
On hearing news of his presence, his ageing mother rowed out in a small boat calling out to her long lost son. With his wife by his side, Nakhoda Manis was too embarrassed to acknowledge his mother and turned his back on her. He ordered his crew to shoo her away. The mother, brokenhearted and depressed, then placed a curse on her unfilial son. After a while, the sky turned dark and the wind became strong. Storm came and his ship slowly began to sink at the site where ‘Jong Batu’ is now.

For days of Auld Lang Syne …

Five years ago, on this date, some 40 motivated souls who were just starting their post-graduate stint held a Hari Raya gathering. It was to be a project for their Strategic Communication class. Being working people, it was not difficult for them to pool resources to make it a memorable night. A senior state politician who was known to one of the students even took the trouble to fly down to be with them and left for home on the last flight that night. Some wondered what magic the guy had to make the politician (who later became a deputy minister) spend time with the class.
With an amiable lecturer, whom they referred to as ‘Cefu’, the class was such fun that there was never a dull moment whenever they gathered for their once-a-week class. To make them better connected and informed of the class, a Yahoo Group was created which they aptly called stracommastersnov02. It proved to be an effective communication channel for through it they shared information not just about class assignments and projects but matters of interest concerning their classmates. Some posted anecdotes, anniversary messages and even wedding invitation! It was so special that the group of November ’02 students continued updating the site even after passing the Strategic Communication class. Some vowed to make it a lifetime communication channel. One of them posted a line yesterday and was lucky enough that it prompted a single response. Wonder where the others are…

Tribute to a man who saved my life ....

With the grace of Allah, Datuk Dr Nik Zainal Abidin Abdul Rahman had saved many lives in his illustrious career as cardiologist. I'm one of them.
When I laid in coma at the Gleneagles Hospital last November, he answered the emergency call and rushed to my aid.
He told me days later that they had initially thought I had a stroke as I was "almost breathless, gasping for air".
My face was pale and bluish.
Without wasting any time, he ran some tests on my brains, fearing it could have been severely affected by the attack.
But my brain gave a positive response.
I may have been out for two or three hours during which they finally traced the problem to my swelling water-logged lungs.
The doctors zeroed in my ailment as acute pneumonia and took steps to drain out the water from my body. I should be lucky to have survived.
Dr Nik told me that I could have been ‘gone’ if I had been half an hour late to the hospital.
"You gave us quite an excitement last night,'" his words still ringing in my ears when he saw me after I regained consciousness.
With tube placed in my mouth, I couldn't talk and could only gazed at him.
I recalled him telling the nurse that I was a strong guy to survive the ordeal.
When I finally had the chance to thanked him after they had taken the tube off my mouth several days later, he was his usual-self.
I now realise of his admirable traits -- unassuming and down-to-earth despite his high-achievement.
I remember him for his bow-tie but what would now endeared me to him is the memories of a man who had literally given me a new breath of life.
As I read the obituaries of this great man in the newspapers today, I couldn't help feeling moved by what he has done to the country.
And in my silent prayer, I am thankful to have crossed path with the man whom I will never get a chance to meet again.
For all the lives that he had saved, Dr Nik lost his when his four-wheel drive collided with a lorry near Karak Highway as he was heading towards Bentong from his house in Janda Baik on Monday, Oct 29.
In him, I found a man, a great man, who had passionately devoted his life to saving lives.
Al-Fatihah...

The road to Alhambra ...

As we travelled to Alhambra, the neatly grown trees on both sides of the highway caught the eye. Juan, our journalist friend from EFE, said they were olive trees.
"If I have to buy a gift, I would get olive oil instead of perfume," he said.

Wikipedia says the Alhambra (Arabic: literally "the red one"; the complete name is "Qal'at al-Hambra", which means "The red fortress").
It is a palace and fortress complex of the Moorish monarchs of Granada in southern Spain (known as Al-Andalus when the fortress was constructed), occupying a hilly terrace on the southeastern border of the city of Granada.

Once the residence of the Muslim kings of Granada and their court, the Alhambra is now one of Spain's major tourist attractions exhibiting the country's most famous Islamic architecture, together with Christian 16th century and later interventions in buildings and gardens that marked its image as it can be seen today.
It has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Of seagulls and little, little things...

Here I am on the balcony of my hotel room looking out at the Mediterranean sea.
Seagulls fly freely as the sun began to set in this Spanish tourist area of “Costa del Sol”.
The sound of waves hitting the shores of this popular Arena beach is sweet music to the ears.
From cold Paris to this sunny town of Estepona, what more can I ask.
Another place, another experience to cherish.
Looking at the flock of seagulls, I recalled these words, so meaningful of someone so dear:
“I am the seagull – flying high, exploring the world.
Life is too short to worry about little, little things - but that's what most people do.
Happiness is appreciating and enjoying what you have while you can.
Enjoy the little, little things you do …”

Spanish 'City of Journalism' hosts news agencies summit...

Representatives of 90 news agencies from 80 countries gathered in this southern Spanish city of Estepona for the second World Congress to discuss the challenges the Internet age has brought on the media. The event was inaugurated by Spain's King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia.
Access to big news events like the soccer World Cup and the Olympic Games is one the agencies' main concerns as they strive to report on such happenings in a dynamic, precise and accurate way.
Reporters' safety, piracy, the possibilities offered by the new technologies and the future trends for the agencies would also be issues discussed during the four-day World Congress of News Agencies, organized by Spain's Agencia EFE and the municipal government of Estepona. Preparations for the congress had been made in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi – host city the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Some 40 agencies have also submitted photographs for the first World Congress of News Agencies Photo Competition, which constitutes an excellent sampling of the photographic coverage of the most important events of the 21st century.

Malaysia wins UNESCO Executive Board seat...

Two years of preparation brought glory for Malaysia as the country was elected to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Executive Board with the highest votes among competing nations. Securing 147 votes to top the Asia-Pacific group, Malaysia was a clear favourite from the start to sit in the 58-member board for a four-year term until 2011. Founded in 1946 to promote international collaboration through education, science and culture, the Paris-based Unesco now has 193 members. The win capped a week of achievements for Malaysia after the successful completion of the country’s first Angkasawan mission to space two days ago. Education Minister Hishammuddin Hussein will represent Malaysia on the board.
Not one to rest on his laurels, the minister has told his officers that the victory meant hard work and conviction towards achieving UNESCO's objectives.

'Real Life, Real Time' gets real from Paris...

Radio24 Bernama’s ‘Real Life, Real Time’ broadcast caught up with a Malaysian parliamentarian all the way in Paris as he spoke ‘live’ about the on-going 34th Unesco General Conference.
It was the first time for Member of Parliament for Cameron Highlands S.K.Devamany to be interviewed on-spot for the news bulletin of a Malaysian radio station, let alone across continents.
“This is fantastic…speaking live from Paris to Kuala Lumpur for the radio bulletin,” said the former teacher who is a member of the Malaysian delegation to the biennial conference which started on Tuesday.
Education Minister Hishammuddin Hussein, vying for a seat in Unesco’s Executive Board, is leading the Malaysian delegation drawn from various ministries linked to the roles of the 193-member organization.
Devamany said the 24-hour radio station could enable the public to hear the latest news more quickly with such ‘live’ connection.
This is made possible with up-to-date information and communication technology, an area actively pursued by Unesco, he said.
Officially launched on Sept 3, the radio transmission from Wisma Bernama in Kuala Lumpur on the 93.9fm frequency currently covers Klang Valley.
But thanks to Internet streaming, its all-news and information programmes could be heard clearly in Paris and possibly elsewhere around the globe.
Director General of Education Alimuddin Haji Mohd Dom, who was also interviewed live on the station’s news slot, commended the ‘reality’ concept of Radio24 in the growing trend of a globalised world.
“As we move forward, we need actual and current news that would keep us on track with happenings across the world,” he said.
Bernama’s correspondents throughout Malaysia and its overseas bureaus have constantly provided live reports for Radio24 as the agency strives to become a complete, multi-platform news and information provider.

Strolling along a Parisian open market...

The street markets of Paris like the one on the Boulevard De Grenelle offer visitors a glimpse of the Parisian life. It displays all kinds of food, from fresh fruits to vegetables, fish and meat to flowers, cheese to pastries – you name it. Like the ‘pasar malam’ in Kuala Lumpur, there is also a wide range of clothes and household items to bargain for. Even if you are not buying anything, the experience of strolling along the open market is worth a life-time remembrance. You will enjoy a real feast for the eyes and ears, and for a moment a precious feeling of warmth and humanity. Don’t be surprise if a cute, elderly lady grabs your hand while you are being photographed by a friend. She just wants to be in the picture too!
If you are lucky, you might even bump into some visiting ministers, here for the Unesco meeting, taking a casual Sunday walk. The Boulevard de Grenelle food market opens every Sunday and Wednesday from 8am to 1pm.