LIFE WITHOUT A WIFE

We are still celebrating the end of Ramadan the fasting month of the Hijriah year 1431. Syawal is a joyous month of forgive and forgave. It is synonymous with the culture of Open Houses.

This time around Jun wanted to go back to her hometown Tanjung, better known officially as the City of George Town, Penang. I will not call it “kampong” because her ancestral home is not in a kampong. It is smack in the middle of the city itself.

She got a lift from Noni, a sister-in-law of her nephew, a town planner by qualification and has her own business in Kuala Lumpur and Penang. They left on Saturday morning 2nd October 2010.

Two big questions I have to answer from all. First, why I didn’t tag along. Second, how am I going to survive in her absence, food wise. Answer to the former concern logistic on my part. As age advance I have to take care of nature at least once a night that disturb my sleep. Being an old house with its ancient bathroom and facilities the whole house would be disturbed. Hence the decision to stay put at home sweet home.

The second is interesting. The Open Houses was helpful in my survival.

On the first day we had breakfast together before she left for Penang. Lunch was on Dr. Kamy’s invitation to his daughter’s engagement across the road in SS 18 Subang Jaya. My good friend Tengku Ali (Pok Ku) fetch me. After the ceremony we were treated to a sumptuous spread of “nasi minyak”. Thanks for having us on your invitation list Doc. Congratulation to you, the Mrs and the couple.

For tea Datin Ramlah, wife of my good Arwah Dato’ Salleh Pateh Akhir was having a farewell do for her daughter Sabariah who is continuing her PhD in Vienna, Austria. On reaching home my neighbour Haji Adnan came over to invite me to his open house. That solved my dinner problem that Saturday. I had “Yong Tau Foo” manufactured by a Malay entrepreneur whose factory is in Batu Caves Industrial area.

Sunday started with a sad message on the demise of an old friend Haji Naburi of Ipoh. Without breakfast I hurried to his son’s house. “Carl” lives in Kota Damansara. Going there on Sunday morning via the newly built roads beside the old airport at Subang was breeze. Looking for Section 5 K.D. was problematic. As usual I have an issue to pick on signage. The authority concern never gives thought to the predicament of total strangers to the place. The overgrown greens multiple the situation. It could not be the holiday season that causes the overgrown.

Anyway after getting the information from the local police base I found the section. The roads were narrow due to the greedy developer who wanted to sell more houses. So negotiating them was a nightmare. To make it worst is the vain of modern living. The area seems to be like a fortress, well guarded by security companies. Every head junction has gate. The one without the guard is lock. Having said that I reached Carl’s house in time to witness the jenazah being placed in the hearse to be taken to the “Yellow Mosque” for further rites. So off I went to the mosques and met relatives and former schoolmates at Anderson, Ipoh, some of whom I have not met for half a century. After the prayer I left for home.

It was straight to Surau Al-Ikhlas of SS 19 for its Open House. I was among the early birds and we enjoyed the conversation. It was lunch of barbecued lamb and of course the normal buffet. The lamb was well marinated and prepared. Sumptuous. I caught with loss of sleep on reaching home later.

Dinner was at another neighbour’s house, Zul and Maria. Both hail from Kijal, Trengganu. The LAKSAM was truly original Trengganu with the correct ingredients, sambal and belacan bakar. I had a second helping at the host behest. I did not have a second look at the other fare on the table, including lemang, ketupat, mee rebus etc. My target at their house has always been LAKSAM.

Monday was lunch at Cikgu Murni @ Food Court of Danau Kota with the gang of Tengku Ali, Zulkarnain Hassan and Azharuddin. The usual petai and tempoyak was there in abundance. So were Gulai Kawah and Ikan Bakar. Tengku missed his Pucok Gajus and my favourite Kerang was absent. In its place Azharuddin picked Siput Sedut. We did not miss anyone who did not want to tag along.

Dinner was a simple oat with milk and bread with cheese.

I missed breakfast on Tuesday and went to Carrefour Food Court for my favourite hotplate Ginger Beef Kueteow for lunch. When the blackout cut short my surfing on the internet, I just went to sleep under the cool weather. Jun woke me up and asked to be fetched at the Jalan Duta Terminal. Her bus arrived at 7.30 p.m.

That was a bad period to move out from Subang Jaya to Jalan Duta as the roads were always clogged with people going home after work, compounded by movement of heavily laden lorries and containers. It is the normal boring story that I won’t dwell on.

Dinner was “Gulai Kaki Kambing” a great delicacy imported from the city of Georgetown, manufactured by “Restoran Tajudin Husin” of King Street. That concludes the story of “Life without a Wife”.

BALIK KAMPONG

I have mix emotions when celebrating the end of Ramadan, Hari Raya Aidilfitri festive. Behind the joy there is the nostalgic when it comes to the time of “forgive and forget”, when we reminisced our past, mistakes and misdeeds, and resolute for a better future after forgiving and forgetting.

The trip to the mosques or suraus and joining the chorus of “takbir” with the congregation was poignant indeed wherever I was on Hari Raya morning. I would listen attentively to the sermon which encouraged goodness to be significant, after the prayer. After that it was the “salam” among the long line of devotees. Normally I stayed on for a while for niceties with the regulars at the snacks prepared before heading home to the family.

“Balik Kampong” mania has different connotations at different phase of my 70 years. In the beginning it was devoted to my late “bapak” (father) and late “emak” (mother). Father being a penghulu in government service would stay in his “mukim” and be with the populace. So that became our kampong.

I remember only once when I was a toddler he took us to the kampong where he was born as his late father, our “atuk” (grandpa) was on his dying bed. The journey from Sungkai, where he was stationed during the Japanese occupation, to Kampong Padang Tenggala in Bota, Parit, Perak, was an adventure of sort.

First we took the steam locomotives all the way to Ipoh where we took the bus to Parit town. In Parit a horde of relatives were waiting with bicycles where the young and restless would be despatched on the career of the bicycles for the long arduous journey through the kampong path of more than 10 miles. The roads of today were non existence then. The elderly and baggage went by the “ferry”, local mode of transportation consisting of sampan (rowing boat) along the leisurely huge Perak River and would land directly in front of atuk’s house downstream. Those days the houses faced the river. Later when the road came the frontage changed direction. That was the reason some of the older houses seem extended with two frontages which is a rare sight these days.

The journey back in reverse was just as adventurous.

When father was transferred to Sungai Manik our house was in the hamlet of Chikus. Unlike Sungkai on the main trunk road of the country, Chikus was what the Malay would term “tempat jin bertendang” (god forsaken place) for being out of the way but the railway between Tapah Road and Telok Anson Wharf passed through it. There was no station there but a sign board prominently displayed “HALT” stand in front of our house. It is routine for the train driver to slow down to embark and disembark passengers. If we are taking the train we just wave and it will stop. If we are on the train to disembark we just inform the guard cum ticket checker and he would signal to the driver. The train ply 5 times a day to and fro during daylight hours only, perhaps for economic (people sleep early those days of non entertainment diversions) and safety (it was the emergency period and the “enemies” move at night) reasons. The train no longer ply on these tracks today. I was in the Malay School and had many friends. Our house became the focal point on Hari Raya day.

When I joined the Special Malay Class at Anglo-Chinese School, Telok Anson (English school) and stayed at the hostel, puasa and raya had a more significant outlook for me. Being away I look forward to be home with my parents and siblings. It was more significant when father was transferred to the more cosmopolitan Ipoh in 1952. It was no balik kampong per se for me. Hari raya celebration include cycling around town and going to the cinemas without worry of catching the last train as in Chikus.

In 1953 I was admitted to Anderson School, Ipoh, and stayed at home. There was no balik kampong mania; not until end of 1957 when father shifted to Taiping for his final posting before retiring. Upon retiring he built a house for the family at Jalan Kampong Jana Baru in Kamunting adjacent to the well known Kampong Pinang. So I finally got a kampong to go back to.

Hari raya was a little lonely in a new place and strange environment. I had few new friends in Taiping. So I decided to spend the days in much stranger but attractive atmosphere in Penang where a former neighbour from Ipoh was studying. I had an enjoyable stay in good company.

Then in 1959 I went to Kuala Lumpur to study and subsequently worked there. In the early years I was caught in the balik kampong craze like all the other younger generation of t timere. On reaching home in Taiping I found myself at a lost for company. Beside catching up with lost sleep and lazing around, I decided to make myself useful by helping emak with her chores of making cookies and “bakar lemang”. She trusted me with the preparation of the gluttonise rice and the heating as she considered me to be an “expert” just as she trusted me with choosing the best of durian in her dusun in Sungkai then.

When I joined the Malay Service of Radio Malaysia late 1963 the balik kampong resonance became insignificant as work load did not allow us the luxury. With limited number of staff we have to be regulated to work on hari raya days. Being fresh I was assigned to interview those who visited the Kampong Baru graves at Jalan Ampang. That made me realised how I missed the raya spirit in the “kampong”. A week later I paid my courtesy to my parents at home after getting the break.

Then in 1966 I got transferred to take charge of the Northern Region based in Penang. My life became more organised. I was able to release myself for the festive season as I have two trusted and capable assistants who were locals, in the late Ismail Long and Nor Hashimah Ismail. That became the routine till 1972 when I went back to KL on transfer.

By that time family was on the way and hari raya was more devoted to the kids. The trip “balik kampong” was sort of archaic when the kids were in school and berating “why balik kampong? This is our kampong, all our friends are here. You also don’t have many friends there”. It was the end of the balik kampong rush for me, especially when both my parents were called by the Almighty in early 80’s. The kids finished schooling and were pursuing their different paths to the future. By that time it was visiting the graves of my father in Padang Tenggala and mother in Taiping, normally on 2nd or 3rd day of raya and on to Penang to visit Jun’s relatives and the family graves. We would be there a couple of days before hitting home.

The routine stopped this year due to health reason, the inability to drive long distance and the hazardous traffic along the north-south highway, more so at festive occasions and week-ends.

Now we look forward to the visit of the kids and the cucus (grand children) with the small preparation that Jun made. This is their kampong. We are here to stay!

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri

Maaf Zahir Batin.

HUMOUR OVER THE AIR

The subject of humour over the airwaves was brought up by prominent blogger Tengku Mohd. Ali Bustamam on Facebook lately with good response all round. Tokcik took part too based on experience of the past to highlight the fact that we do have talents of calibre in Malay without resorting to run of the mill slapstick by exponents of the period since over 40 years back. This is the contribution:

The first and only "Johan Lawak Jenaka" Radio Malaysia 1967, Zainal Abidin Zain and the late Zainuddin Arshad from Gunong Semanggol did theirs stand-upper complete in suit and tie to beat the like of the slap-stickers from all over the country including the established lot in Klang Valley. Check it out, may be RTM-Radio still keep the recording in their ARCHIVE. Its a pity, the so-called expert then recommended not to continue with the contest!

The comment was crafted with facts laced with hidden messages. The lengthy first sentence was factual, while the next two may raise eyebrows and perhaps issue.

I was involved with the “Bintang Radio” contest by virtue of being the MPO of the Northern Region, Radio Malaysia (kindly refer to earlier postings on the subject) way back in the middle 1960’s. I was never musically and entertainment inclined but the MPO post entailed the incumbent to be one. I depended on many people to carry the day for the station in Penang, an endless list.

Zainal Abidin and Zainuddin were trained teachers (Cikgu) from the backwater of Gunong Semanggol, once well known for its Madrasah (religious schools). Both told me they keep their skits to while away the vast time they had to fill in the way out place and at the same time entertained friends who were bored for lack of entertainment after the school chores. Radio has limited frequencies and TV was just launched on the west coast of the peninsular. They got involved with the youth movement and naturally the local politics. As teachers (government service) they went UMNO way. The Islamic party was considered extremist those days. Of the two Zainal was more dominant

I came to know most of the comedians in the North through audition, the contest and eventually the weekly programme dedicated for them. It attracted the listeners and eventually they became regular features on local stage show, mostly entitled simply “Anekaragam” encompassing singing, musical performance, local dances (tarian) and “lawak” to add laughter to the show. The theme of the lawak over radio were mainly propagating the national policy and events of the day that touched the daily lives of the common folk. That became the standard on the stage too, for lacked of ideas perhaps but the majority continue to resort to slapstick which was easier to laugh at.

There were already established comedians in Penang itself then but none could compete with the immerging teachers groups in the contest. Eventually Zainal and Zainuddin emerged top to represent the Northern Region at the national contest later. Our back-up was runner-up another teacher’s couple Md. Noh and Turan Senapi who hailed from Kubang Semang, Province Wellesley, the mainland half of Penang. Their act was thick of Penang accent and made use of the Penang slang very well. In third place was the Sungai Petani, Kedah group of Mydin and friend who later made it to the local celluloid world and became celebrity of sort.

So the Northern Region was strong in that department then. The late Ismail Long being the producer handled them well. We roped in our Director the late Zainal Alam (later bestowed the datukship by the Penang state government for his contribution in the entertainment field) as well to assist grooming our candidates. Being a prominent comedian and singer (he sang the first election song of the country) in his heydays, he saw the potential in Zainal and Arshad and readily imparted his knowledge and experience to them. They were in good hands. We were not really surprised they won the contest hands down.

We were terribly disappointed the subsequent years the power that be in KL decided to dispense away with the competition on the advice of the so-called “expert” in house who propagated the existence in the first place. We in the northern region could merely speculate the arrival of the decision. The coming of the “new kids on the block” possibly may erode the popularity of the established lots in Klang Valley. Should the contest be continued I dare say that the northern region as well as the eastern region based in Kota Bharu, Kelantan would dominate with their fresh natural acts.

It was fated that all good things come to an end. Zainal was more interested in improving his career and life. Being a comedian was a phase in life for him while Zainuddin was content being a school teacher in the idyllic kampong surrounding. Many weeks before the famous 1969 General Election Zainal seek my opinion if he should accept Tun Razak’s offer of being a Perikatan candidate for the Semanggol constituency Perak State Assembly seat. He was among those selected as he was the UMNO Pemuda chief there. At that time he was toying with the idea towards getting a degree at the newly established Universiti Sains in Penang. After a lengthy discussion over the famous Penang “pasembur” we concluded that politic and election can come later, a degree those days were precious ticket to a better future.

So Zainal pursued the degree in earnest and well before the next election he was already a graduate. I was only monitoring his progress from afar by then as I was transferred back to KL. In the next General Election he became the candidate for the same constituency and emerged as one of the State Exco. By that time I lost touch with him, only hearing hearsay from mutual friends, but I did receive the Raya Kad regularly, indicating he still remembers. In later elections he won the Federal Constituency of Bagan Serai and eventually emerged as Deputy Minister of Defence and later Home Affairs. He was one of the tsunami victims of the 2008 elections.

I missed the durian from their family dusun in Bukit Gantang. My DOA for his, his wife Cikgu Asimah and family good health.

M E R D E K A

As National Day approach my mind went back to 31st August 1957. It was 53 years ago that this country achieved its independent.

I was hardly 17 in the Lower Six Form at the Anderson School, Ipoh at that time. The past few months were full of excitement hearing and reading the progress to Merdeka.

Our house at the then Hill Street, next to the Perak Police Contigent Headquarters was always visited by the local luminaries updating on the progress in Kuala Lumpur and further away in London. My father was the Penghulu of Mukim Ipoh and among the central figure in the going on locally. He was close to Panglima Bukit Gantang Wahab, the rulers’ representative at the Merdeka talks. So I conclude he has fair knowledge of events.

I used to eavesdrop at these conversations that sometime went on into the wee hours, and my mother was busy preparing the coffee to fuel the patriotism in the participants. So I more or less knew the progress almost “first hand”.

At school I was in the Cadet Corp. It was decided we would represent the school in the celebration at the Ipoh Padang on the day of Independent. The main committee could not garner enough bands to lead participating groups. So it was suggested we formed a small band. I was chosen to be one of the bugle players. It was fun as I was not musically inclined. We worked hard for a few months to perfect our rendition as well as our marching. Ours was supposed to be a “marching band”.

We had a stickler in the late Ismail Jah, my colleague later at RTM, as our sergeant. He was then in Form Five and dubbed “stylo” for being polished in his physical appearance. When the teacher in charge was not around he took over the task.

Two weeks before Merdeka Day we have perfected our performance and were ready for the big day. It was a daily regime after school hours.

We had two rehearsals at the Padang before the big event. Both went smoothly. It was decided we would walk from the School to the Padang on the actual morning, a distance of slightly more than a mile along Ashby Road, Brewster Road and Belfield Street (regrettably I am not familiar with their post Merdeka names). Much of the roads and areas along the way existing today especially to the right sides of Ashby and Brewster Roads from our school were not around then. I would say we covered the distance in about 15 minutes.

It was very early morning of the 31st August 1957 that we cycled to School and get together for the march. Along the way we put on the show as a practised for the big one at the Padang. We were eagerly supported and cheered on by the happy and patriotic crowd on both sides of the roads with shouts of “MERDEKA” which boosted our eagerness to make a good show.

We took our designated place and went through the rigmaroles. Frankly I could not make out the announcements and speeches as the public address system provided by the Information Department was inadequately wanting for the big participants, invited guests and the eager crowd. So we stood there under the blazing morning sun waiting for the march past to get through. Somehow the ringing sound of MERDEKA was very clearly heard and we joined in the chorus of the new joyous word in the vocabulary of the nation.

We joined in the march along the roads around the Ipoh Padang and gather back where we started before the big events ended. Then it was the marching back to school along the same route we came.

It was a proud day for me to participate in the Merdeka Day proclamation in Ipoh. I have been to the later anniversaries of the Day on many occasions at the Selangor Club Padang as a spectator in my student days as well as a commentator for the Malay Broadcast of Radio Malaysia and later for TV Malaysia for many years. I represented RTM in the National Organising Committee of the celebration for several years. The most memorable was the one in Kuching when Sarawak was chosen to host the celebration, and I happened to be the Director of Broadcasting (RTM) Sarawak then.

Sarawak was celebrating its 30th years of independent in Malaysia in 1993. The State Organising Committee headed by the late Dato’ Taha Ariffin, who was the Deputy State Secretary always referred to me for advise, perhaps because of my past experiences. As usual I was automatic choice to head the Broadcasting Committee. My able Deputy at RTM Tuan Haji Ahmad Shafiee Yaman was a pillar of strength. He volunteered to head RTM’s marching team for the big day. The team had a year of practice with the assistance of our forces broadcasters. Haji Ahmad went round town to get willing well-wishers for the uniforms, including shoes, berets and scarves for the ladies. The Department budget was not affected. Many of the staff was sceptical about our participation at first. Those who shunned the team initially were regrettably rejected when they volunteered later as we had more than enough people.

The RTM team did well to win a prize and runner-up in another category competing against more professionals and well prepared teams. Syabas to Haji Ahmad and his team.

On the broadcasting front, we faced massive problem as we didn’t have the luxury of space as the Selangor Club Padang (Dataran Merdeka). The Merdeka Padang in Kuching was surrounded by roads and big trees. Cik Hajjah Nurhyati Ismail (now Dato) was in charge. Somehow she had to squeeze in the best available camera positions for the events to be seen nationwide on TV Malaysia.

I had a difficult task of doubling up as “Special Assistant” to the State Chief Guest of Honour, Tan Sri Khir Johari. Pak Khir as he is fondly referred to insist on that to Dato’ Taha who was perplexed as to whether it was the usual joke from Pak Khir or he was serious. He decided on the later and asked for my opinion whether I could handle both jobs. I told him I have no problems as I have able assistants in Sarawak in Ahmad Shafiee and Nurhyati.

I came to know Pak Khir since my posting to Penang in the 1960’s as he has always been pally with the media. Somehow I was in his mailing list at most of his private functions when I returned to KL.

Pak Khir represented the Cabinet to declare Sarawak Independent in Malaysia in 1963, hence his position as the most honoured guest in 1993. Knowing Pak Khir he felt more comfortable with people he was familiar with. It was an easy job as he wanted my company at certain occasion and time only. The rest was handle by his personal secretary. The only thing he insisted was he wanted to have lunch in my house home cooked northern style. So Jun obliged him with whatever knowledge she had. Anyway he was happy and did not complain.

Today Merdeka Day is better known as “Hari Kebangsaan” (National Day) in step with most countries of the world. Merdeka Day has the connotation of being a former colonised territory or colony. National Day evoked the spirit of patriotism, the sense of belonging and the feeling of being wanted.

On this Merdeka Anniversary let us reflect the past, the hardship and sacrifices of our forefathers in gaining independent to this country against all odds and the struggle against the enemies within. Let us stand together to fulfil the spirit of “Unity in Diversity” in its true sense.

MERDEKA.

BESETTING BUT CHEERFUL

Thursday 19 August 2010 was the 9th day of Ramadan H1431. Decided to collect Faridah’s laptop which was sent to Riduan’s computer centre at Pasar Besar, Jalan Gombak. Its graphic card needed attention and replacement. It took Riduan sometime to go through looking for setbacks.

Jun and I decided to leave Subang Jaya around 2.00 pm on NKVE via Jalan Duta toll through DUKE to avoid the messy traffic jam around the city. It was fine all the way until we missed the Sentul exit and have to settle for the Gombak exit, meeting the mess at Taman Berlian-Sri Gombak before entering Jalan Gombak from the north instead of the usual way from the south.

The blame must be squarely addressed to authority responsible for the signage along our thoroughfares. Majority of the road signs and gentries are placed quite close to the point of exit until it is too late to make decisions. The authority must be reminded that the signages are meant for strangers to the surroundings. Most of them are first timers to the areas. The locals and frequent users are not bothered with them.

When we missed the junction we were at a lost as we could not find a familiar landmark, experienced though we were to the area, but decided to drive on slowly to familiarise with the surrounding until we saw the familiar mosque at the T-junction with the traffic light at the end of the road. I was thinking to myself what would a stranger to the city do under the circumstances. No wonder majority of them avoided driving in KL labelling it as “UNFRIENDLY”, stressful and frightening.

With so many vehicles and couldn’t careless attitude drivers on the roads the city is doom to “traffic death”. We are not taking into account potholes and unsurfaced roads. Then there is the case of haphazard parking and lack of proper parking facilities. One can go on and on. These are the areas that the city planners have to look seriously into. The local politicians should cease squabbling and scratching each other faces and manifestos.

There are plenty of empty talks on public transport to overcome the problems. Solutions never seemed to work. Implementations are slow and haphazard. The broadcaster has a term for that: “adlibbing”. Go look into the dictionary for its meaning and you will know how apt the word is to describe the planning in this “one” country.

I have digressed too far. Let me come back to the Gombak trip.

After the T-junction I pulled to the side of the road to make two calls to save time and distance travelling; 1) to inform Riduan that I am stopping over at the Danau Kota Bazaar Ramadan to get the “Buka Puasa” fare there that was highly promoted by my good friend Haji Azharuddin Hussein (the gang anointed him the “mayor” of Gombak), and 2) to asked Din (as he is fondly known) the location at the Bazaar of his favourite restaurateurs “Cik Gu Murni” a character from legendary P.Ramlee’s film. Din is of course the ever popular “Haji Bakhil”. I did not get a direct answer. He just told us to walk along the service road that host the bazaar and look for her on the right side. We did just that and failed to sight her till the end of the street.

At the end, we noticed the last “gerai” (stall) was crowded with customers and conclude that must be the most popular around. True enough the fare from “Restoran Ketumbar” was impressive. So we decided to forget the missing Cik Gu Murni. The “Tempoyak Daun Kayu” displayed on the banner attracted my attention. We were told it was still on the oven and will come a little later. Fighting for time we proceeded on. Jun got what she wanted: akok, ketupat, pengat pisang, some local cookies and the rare “apam daun pisang” (only available in Kuala Kangsar it seem).

On leaving the Bazaar in our car a motor biker stopped us to inform that we had a bad tyre. It was good of him to take notice. I noticed the tyre was badly damaged due to lack of air possibly caused by penetration of a nail. There was a tyre shop directly on the left side and we headed there. The owner of the shop said the tyre could not be saved. It was fated that the “duit raya” I just got from Faridah had to go to a new tyre. That was the besetting part of a cheerful day.

On leaving the tyre shop we decided to stop at "Ketumbar" for one last look and sure enough the "Tempoyak Daun  Kayu" was ready for its customer. That made our day.

Before proceeding to the Main Market of Jalan Gombak we stopped by the Sungai Mulia Mosque where Azharuddin was ready with a bagful of “bubor lambok” for us to take home. I am not a fan but appreciate the gesture. We decided our neighbours who like the taste of “bubor lambok” will have an enjoyable “buka puasa”.

Our next pitch was the Main Market our intended target for the journey. We collected the laptop from the happy and much relief Riduan. We had a look at the fares in the market. They are similar to the Bazaar Ramadan but much better organised. It’s a pity the place is not well patronised by the locals.

We made our journey back through DUKE thinking Jalan Duta Toll into NKVE would be an ideal choice. The traffic congestion into the Duta toll was nearly 2 km. We had no choice but to negotiate to the left heading into the new highway that pass through Damansara Height aiming for the Federal Highway. How wrong we were.

It was already 5.30 pm and the after office traffic was getting heavier. 

The gentries and signages were again haphazard and not well located. Somehow we missed the intended way and went into a nightmare of not knowing the way we were heading except going into the Pencala Tunnel. We were scared of making the wrong turn to Kepong where worst traffic nightmares awaited but decided to keep left in the hope of getting into LDP. We did. More hassle was to follow but we were on familiar territory.

We finally reached home at 6.30 pm., well ahead of “buka puasa”, fatigued, stressed but relief.

POP YEH YEH

While browsing the internet I came across this interesting piece and with the permission of the author, I would like to share it with my former colleagues in RTM and those musical buffs of local music especially the era of “Pop Yeh Yeh”:

"Hello, nama saya Carl": help an American DJ come to Malaysia to research Pop Yeh Yeh!

Carl, a radio DJ based in Richmond, USA, intends to craft a compilation of Pop Yeh Yeh tracks. His Malaysian (and Singaporean) odyssey is designed to track down the artists and musicians who worked during the era -- to interview, interact with, and obtain permission from these oldies to use their music:

"In the new compilation, these songs will be digitally re-mastered from old 45 rpm records issued by now-defunct independent labels which have been personally collected and catalogued over the past 10 years. This compilation is to be released on the Sublime Frequencies record label."

"Personally collected and catalogued". We think that, beyond all the reasons why Carl's Malaysian Pop Yeh Yeh Research Trip is interesting, this thing is awesome because for an American DJ (so far removed from our context) to have a burning passion for "Bunyi Gitar" -- that's such an unlikely thing.

Why does he think Pop Yeh Yeh is worth it? "Though it currently lacks global accessibility, the magnetic & vibrant energy of this music guarantees its potential for wide popularity among 21st-century listeners."

While there have been a number of documentation projects into Malaysian culture circa P Ramlee et al, none (as far as we know) have yet to go in-depth into the musical aspect of those times. So this is supercool. (That a mat salleh beat us common Malaysians to it is a bit of a zinger, too.)

I am not a musical buff but this particular subject interests me very much. I felt it is up to individual interpretation of the era as some of the players are no longer around and most of those around could only remember their particular involvement. Of course we have various so called “Persatuan Artiste” (artiste associations) and “experts” and “exponents” many of whose leaders have been bestowed the Tan Sri and Dato. Unfortunately, I have not heard of any one of them going into research done at the scale DJ Carl Hamm is into. I stand corrected on this as my main source of news is the media which they make use to promote themselves to be in the limelight. Of course there is a lot of writing on P.Ramlee. Thanks to his prominent fans like Tan Sri Taib Mahmud of Sarawak and Tun Ahmad Sarji who wrote a book on him.

Singapore has been regarded as the birthplace of that genre of Malay music. Well that was in the 1960’s before it became a republic when its link with the then Malaya and later Malaysia was close. Johor being a neighbour had its fare share of contribution. When the separation of Singapore from Malaysia took place in 1965, Kuala Lumpur became the hub when most of the musical talents shifted to the federal capital. From the write up I came across, the rest of the country seem to be in the back water of Pop Yeh Yeh. This definitely needs correction as the influence of the genre was nationwide and the support for it came from throughout the country. Otherwise, the artistes and performers would not take the trouble to travel around for days on ends to meet the fans and their supporters and at the same time to supplement their livelihood.

As usual new thing became the target of objection of certain quarters emphasising social and religious “distractions”. Despite that the rage spread like wild fire. Even RTM were divided in that but it has to move on with time according to the need on the ground. The Malay Service of Radio Malaysia played a big role in moving that genre of music to the forefront. It was the only medium then that became the focal of entertainment. TV Malaysia was at its infancy, with broadcast limited to the evening hour. Its main task was to disseminate information and news in the interest of national unity. The entertainment fair was limited indeed.

I happen to join the Malay Service after the formation of Malaysia in 1963. By 1966 I was given the task of looking after the Northern Region encompassing the four states of Penang, Perak, Kedah and Perlis as its Malay Programme Organiser (MPO) based in Penang. That was the time when Pop Yeh Yeh came into the scene. The established recording company was still churning the then incumbent fare of Langgam, Masri and Asli using the “Pancaragam” (Orchestra) for accompaniment but the support was waning limited to the more matured. The youth was craving for the “new” music. Not many could make into the established recording company. So they went to make their own label or supported by the independent company.

There were a few “KUGIRAN” acronyms for “Kumpulan Gitar Rancak” (Upbeat Guitar Group) in the north. I have forgotten their names. In Perlis there was one good group by the name of “D’Sutra”, while in Penang there was the “Teruna Ria” led by Basir Ahmad who later became a staff of RTM in Penang. Their lead singer was L.Ramli and Suria Mohd Nor. In Perak the renowned late M.Shariff headed the group “Zurah”. Shariff hailed from Tapah, famous for his fender guitar display. Not to be left behind the Prison Department in Taiping have their own group “The Tornadoes” with the prolific Marzuki in the lead and Kamsiah Ali as the singer. They were restricted to Taiping area where the Prison used to have its headquarters.

Our normal programme carried the usual fare of the local pancaragam where we rounded up the best musical talent in various instruments to accompany some of the good singers in the North. At time we had the renowned jazz pianist and legendary national composer the late Jimmy Boyle and his trio to be on the air. Sometime we had Edwin Rajamoney and his “Hawaiian Rhythmn”.

Our main entertainment activity was centred on talent scouting in “Bintang Radio” where the support was tremendous. Jimmy Boyle was helpful and took serious interest in the search for talents. He would spend hours on end assisting us. The Northern Region did come out among the best in the country annually. We lost a good musical friend when he passed away suddenly in late 60s.

When the rage for the new sound was on the upbeat we decided to have a special weekly slot for it and the support was tremendous. We were never short of groups for the recordings.

Our well known versatile DJ then the late Ismail Long ran a weekly hit chart “Lagu-Lagu Popular Minggu Ini” (LPMI) which was really popular not only with the artiste and the recording companies but with the listeners. Charting the programme and the hits was a tedious process. Ismail has got to liaise with the stations in the country, at that time limited to Kuala Lumpur, Kota Bharu, Melaka, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu, to tally the number of cards each song for the request programme in each station get. The one with the highest number of request cards would head the chart accordingly. The result could never be in doubt. It even tally with sales chart in the market.

When Pop Yeh Yeh came into the scene it shot into LPMI making that genre of music caught the imagination of listeners. The music was so popular TV Malaysia ran a contest appropriately titled “Juara Kugiran” that became the rage of time. Pop Yeh Yeh came to stay.

Hopefully DJ Carl will be successful in his endeavour to relive the memory and time of the music of that era.

Hiatus

It has been sometime that I submitted my last posting. I have been taking a rest from the normal chores and did a little travelling.

I missed the “Perayaan Hari RTM ke-64” (RTM’s 64th Anniversary) on 1st April 2010, as I was away in Kota Bharu, Kelantan for a marriage celebration. It was an interesting trip. We stayed at the Pantai Sri Tujuh Resort in Tumpat, a stone throw from the Thai coast. The chalets were in the water of a bay. It is popular with the local and Kelantanese. Much could be done to improve the facilities. I found the distance a bit tiring.

On 8th April, my son Azri took his family to the Sungai Klah Hot Spring Resort near Sungkai, Perak for a two night stay. We were taken along as the Villa rented has 2 rooms. It was an enjoyable stay for the kids jumping from natural hot water spring to the cool mountain water pool. The package came with breakfast and dinner. I found the sulphur in the hot water was good for the boil that I was nursing. I strongly recommend this place for those who needed a change in scenery and the usual fare. Just take the PLUS Highway and exited at Sungkai Toll Plaza. Take a left turn on the old federal road and about a kilometre away make another turn to the left. The place is another 12 kilometres away in the midst of the Klah Felda scheme.

The other thing that I did was to follow my old friend and former classmate at Anderson School, Ipoh, who was into “Mandi Wap”, sort of sauna laced with herbs in Tanjong Karang, Selangor. I don’t know how Zainal Abidin Imam discovered this place. He stays in Kuala Kubu Baru and commute almost daily to Kuala Lumpur where he frequented the “Institut Jantung Negara” IJN, Kuala Lumpur Hospital HKL and Selayang Hospital for his heart problem. He is one guy who like driving and can never stay put in one place. He convinced me that “mandi wap” is good for the health. So for old time sake I tagged along. I find our conversation along the journey interesting and we stopped in so many places along the way to enjoy the good Malaysian culinary. Time pass by unnoticed. After sometime I find it’s affecting my finance and daily routine such as going to the surau and surfing the internet. So now I am determine to limit the visit.

The owner of the place is Mr Jabbar. He is a local and very popular with his customer. I find him very outspoken and called a spade a spade without hesitant. At the same time he is a kind and generous person. He seem to be a well travelled man when he was young having resided in Taiping, Kluang and many more places in the country. He introduced me to his customers as “Che’Gu” having thought as temporary teacher in 1960 at the King Edward VII Secondary School, Taiping (KE) where he was schooling at the primary school near the town.

I have been to Tanjong Karang often in the past. When asked of the best place to get fresh fish, without hesitation Jabbar mentioned Ah Seng whose stalled we frequented since 20 years back. So my wife and I went to Ah Seng again who still recognised us from the old days when the road to T. Karang was bumpy. The fish were really fresh and the price reasonable.

I was disappointed at not being able to be at the 64th Hari RTM celebration at Angkasapuri. I wish to record my thanks to RTM and RTM Veteran Association (PVRTM) for extending me an invitation to the event. I was told there was a good gathering of past RTM luminaries. It would have been nice meeting past colleagues and updating ourselves.

I was disappointed that the PVRTM subcommittee responsible for the Association activities at the celebration did not appoint someone among its member to do a write-up on it in the PVRTM website. I was told many were snapping away happily with their digital cameras but not willing to share the sight at the website. However it was generous of the Secretary-General Tengku Ali to share his photos with us.