Email To Kang Chai Kee : So is it a Happy New Year.

Dear Chai Kee, 
Thanks for the fond remembrance. Thousand apologies for not sending you any email for almost four months now. Nevertheless, never a moment passed by without me remembering you. Everytime I crossed the Telipot street and everytime I have to stop at the traffic light infront of Hotel Temenggong, those memories keep streaming at it’s best bit ever. Then, I always remember the OKO Merican book shop where I spent almost 3 hours flipping almost all the magazine, waiting for you. 

I had to admit, even recently, I still stand across the street by the Chip Aik Mercantile staring at Suntoo. I wondered what will happen if you actually made it that day. 

Dearest Chai Kee,

Not all memories are great to remember nevertheless, we still once in a while love to stir it and keep it flowing. What is memory if we forgotten all about it. Memory will live for as long as we want to remember it. 

I wondered what will make us remember about 2007. Is there anything actually worth remembering. Perhaps, there’s also plenty of things we would love to just sealed it in that Pandora’s box and just stuff it away never to be open again. 

How many new people that we met and many more that we choose to forget. 

I remembered an incident two years ago while I was shooting by the street of Nangnuang in Bangkok, a shopowner held my hand and insist in reading my palm. I laughed at his intrepretation. 

 

But now it make me wonder. It urge me to revisit the memory that for two years I left untouched. Again and again I told myself, the Al Migthy works in such a mysterious way. And He had reminded us many times in His words about all sort of miracles. 

A palm reader by the street of Nangnuang once told me about  my 2007. I wouldn’t claim that he is a hell of a palm reader but rather I would say, god has again works His wonder and after keeping me puzzled, what I want now is just to work for the rest of it to became a reality too. 

What do I want for myself in 2008?  Well what ever come, I shall take it. Maybe a publisher for my book? 

Happy New Year to You!

Remembering Boxing Day 2004

a church after the boxing day Tsunami

It was almost five in the evening an it was such a boring day. It was raining in KL (if I remember it well). We switched on the TV and keep trying to find anything worthy of watching till we tuned to BBC International.

The news splashed on BBC, although it seems blurry still but it was becoming clearer and clearer by the minutes. Soon the news made it to CNN International. Penang was hit, we were told, yet nothing on local nework.

Soon, we started to contact friends and families. My producer, Hajah Ruhani was in Langkawi dan my lawyer sister was in Penang during the tragedy. But their experiences were nothing like what being screened on TV.

The Deadliest Tsunami in History?

The earthquake that generated the great Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004 is estimated to have released the energy of 23,000 Hiroshima-type atomic bombs, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
Giant forces that had been building up deep in the Earth for hundreds of years were released suddenly on December 26, shaking the ground violently and unleashing a series of killer waves that sped across the Indian Ocean at the speed of a jet airliner.

By the end of the day more than 150,000 people were dead or missing and millions more were homeless in 11 countries, making it perhaps the most destructive tsunami in history.

The epicenter of the 9.0 magnitude quake was under the Indian Ocean near the west coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra, according to the USGS, which monitors earthquakes worldwide. The violent movement of sections of the Earth’s crust, known as tectonic plates, displaced an enormous amount of water, sending powerful shock waves in every direction.

The earthquake was the result of the sliding of the portion of the Earth’s crust known as the India plate under the section called the Burma plate. The process has been going on for millennia, one plate pushing against the other until something has to give. The result on December 26 was a rupture the USGS estimates was more than 600 miles (1,000 kilometers) long, displacing the seafloor above the rupture by perhaps 10 yards (about 10 meters) horizontally and several yards vertically. That doesn’t sound like much, but the trillions of tons of rock that were moved along hundreds of miles caused the planet to shudder with the largest magnitude earthquake in 40 years. (More)

After three years, perhaps we could ask ourself,

(i) Are were going to come across such tragedy again during our lifetime?

(ii) Are were better prepare now compare to 2004 if it happen again?

(iii) Is Malaysian coastline are safe and well prepared to face such tragedy in near future?

Perhaps we could share something valuable today….

Fragile

If blood will flow when flesh and steel are one
Drying in the colour of the evening sun
Tomorrows rain will wash the stains away
But something in our minds will always stay

Perhaps this final act was meant
To clinch a lifetimes argument
That nothing comes from violence and nothing ever could
For all those born beneath an angry star
Lest we forget how fragile we are

On and on the rain will fall
Like tears from a star like tears from a star
On and on the rain will say
How fragile we are how fragile we are

(Previous posting just proved how fragile we are!)   

Remembering Abraham

99. He said: “I will go to my Lord! He will surely guide me
100. “O my Lord! Grant me a righteous (son)!”
101. So We gave him the good news of a forbearing son.
102. Then, when (the son) reached (the age of) (serious) work with him, he said: “O my son! I have seen in a vision that I offer thee in sacrifice: now see what is thy view!” (The son)
said: “O my father! Do as thou art commanded: thou will find me, if Allah so wills, one of the steadfast!”
103. So when they had both submitted (to Allah), and he had laid him prostrate on his forehead (for sacrifice),
104. We called out to him “O Abraham! …
105. “Thou hast already fulfilled the vision!” – thus indeed do We reward those who do right.

It is well known to Muslims, Christians and Jews that Abraham(P) was ordered to sacrifice his son and he was willing to do so but God gave him a sheep to sacrifice instead of his cherished progeny. So far, everybody agrees. However, Jews and Christians say that the sacrificed was Isaac(P) -”Abraham’s only son”, whereas according to the Islamic tradition the sacrificed is Ishmael(P). The opposition between the two versions has not bothered any side that much because in the common mind “what we think is certainly right and those who think differently are necessarily wrong” (The Sacrifice of Abraham)

So, we bathe our soil with the blood of our sacrifice.

Kusial, Tanah Merah

 

We arrived at Kusial in Tanah Merah around 11.00 am and spent almost 4 hours to witness ourselves one of the hardest hit area by the flood.

Kusial was for thirteen days become an island and totally cut-off from the other parts of Tanah Merah. Today the water has subsided and we still managed to see what sort of nightmares some 80 families has to face.

Kusial is under the DUN Gual Ipoh and the state assemblyman is YB. Hashim Saffin of BN.

(I remembered this joker most, not for his stupidity braging for 80 minutes in the State Assembly sitting in June 2007 and saying nothing but only about how he was never given the chance to speak.

But I remember him for unceremoniously made the headlines in 1994 when his name were published as one of the director for HVD Entertainment, a company that made billions from RTM contracts during Mohamad Rahmat’s tenure as Information Minister. He was the political Secretary to Tan Sri Mohamad Yaacob the previous MB of Kelantan before 1990. Tan Sri Mohamad Yaacob, in 1994 was revealed as the Chairman for HVD Entertainment. All bumi’s filmmaker will always remember this two jokers, because at that time we were convinced that HVD is not a bumi company not until this two names appeared as the main man behind the company that killed most of the bumi’s company in broadcasting business)

How I wished to stumble upon him today visiting his constituency. (Who knows, he may still has some loose change from the HVD years to giveaway to the flood victims)

 

Tendong, Pasir Mas

Today we visited the flood victims in Kampung Gelang Mas, in Tendong, Pasir Mas. About 800 victims flooded the relief centre which is also flooded with water. According to one villager, this particular area has never been flooded before. However, what happened today was due to the damage at one of the dam in Southern Thailand. The water rise so fast, causing some of the villagers were not able to rescue their cars.

We arrived at the relief center almost at the same time with Barisan Nasional’s YB for Tendong.

In a jest, when I saw YB Haji Fauzi of Tendong about to light up his cigarette, I warned him against doing so if he wants to remain as YB. He told me that in UMNO, it is the democratic right of the people to smoke, I told him that he is correct but what I am worried about is, what happen if he chooses to cross over after PRU 12. With that YB Fauzi filed an official complained to Dato’ Husam, claiming I am kicking below the belt.

That is what I call ‘Bola Teboq’.

YB Kijang (PAS)

YB Tendong (BN)

YB PAS, Husam Musa and YB BN, Haji Fauzi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are this close to election

Meanwhile, thanks to Tan Sri Michaelsoft for this link,

Stranded in Soekarna-Hatta

Mr. Zaidi Hassan and me was left stranded at Soekarna-Hatta airport in Jakarta due to some reason beyond Malaysia Airlines explanation.

Five members of our entourage were able to check in without fuss but when it come to Mr. Zaidi and my turn, we were told that our return ticket has been canceled. The ground staffs in Soekarno-Hatta we not able to give any explanation as our ticket were confirmed 72 hours earlier.

We were put on standby. Thanks to the help of our friends in Jakarta, we were at last able to catch the next available flight to KLIA. As they say, better late than never.

While in Indonesia, we managed to get up to date information regarding the escalating flood in Kelantan. On Wednesday, Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim made the front page. According to the newspaper, Anwar was held in KLIA by the Malaysian Immigration. However I realised that the Malaysian Immigration denied it as what were reported by the local media.

We received the news about Anwar being arrested on Tuesday while on our way to Universiti Bogor.

I shall blog about my visit to Universiti Bogor in due time.

Mat Sabu arrested?

Just got the information that PAS strongman, Mohammad Sabu has been surrounded by a group of policemen at Jalan raya 4, Lorong Tambun, Ipoh, in front of Sunway City.

As I am sending this posting, it is still in the state of confusion. At this moment, he is yet to be arrested. But the manner the police came after him, looks that he is not going to be a free man any longer. Perhaps Mohammad Sabu is going to be arrested under ISA, again.

My prayers is with him.

Sheih, 5.00 pm Dec 9 2007

Mohammad Sabu di Kepung dan Di Tangkap – www.harakahdaily.net

The Cinema in Heaven

Abas Nousari (Writer/Actor/Advisor), me, Majid Majidi (Director) and Mamat Khalid (Director)

 

Majid Majidi, the world famous film director walked ten steps into the hall and he was stunt. The time is already 8.30pm and he hall is not even a quarter full. Marat Sayfudinov immediately turns to me for explanation.

“Do not worry, they are always 30 minutes late”. I tried to assure them that the hall will soon be filled with cinema enthusiast. Majid was not impressed by my explanation.

“Brother, the last movie was screen in the cinema here was in 1995. Most have not had a chance to watch movie in the cinema and a lot has forgotten the experience”. Deep in my heart, I prayed to god that we are not going to be humiliated by a none event.

Yes, most local has not had the experience of watching a movie on the big screen. When they go to hear ‘ceramah’ they can come anytime they want.

When Tuan Guru Nik Abdul Aziz made his appearance ten minutes later, the hall was luckily half full.

Tuan Guru looks very tired as this is his fifth event of the day. But he brave himself to fight the tiredness and warmly welcome Majid Majidi and his entourage in his speech. Tuan Guru gave his assurance that his leadership is committed to work closely with Majid in future. While, Majid in return announced that he is planning to make a movie on prophet Muhammad S.A.W.

As the light slowly dim in the hall, the movie, Children of Heaven begins. Tuan Guru was supposed to leave the hall. But he stays on. Tuan Guru has another function in Pengkalan Chepa where the state leaders are waiting for him.

By this time, the screening hall is already filled by almost 1,200 people. For the record, this must has been the biggest crowd in Malaysia cinematic history since long long time ago.

Around nine forty, we received s.o.s from Pengkalan Chepa requesting us to ask Tuan Guru to make his move as a similiarly huge crowd has also gathered there. None of us dare to even move an inched closer to Tuan Guru. Nobody in the right mind dare to whisper those messages to Tuan Guru. Not when you see how visibly focus Tuan Guru is. While the smile lingers in Tuan Guru’s face, his eyes glued to the screen.

The movie ends by eleven o’clock. Tuan Guru stood up and whisper to Majid, “The boy at the end looked frustrated. Human being are so insensitive and they do not even realise how strong and big this boy is. But the fishes in the water they came and kissed the boy’s feet. It is so beautiful!”

Majid was stunt by how well Tuan Guru recognised the meaning behind the artistic finale of the movie.

Tuan Guru was so happy with the movie, that it give him the energy to speak till way past midnight at his final function in Pengkalan Chepa. In fact, he opens his speech by relating the storyline of Children of Heaven.

My Brother Majid and Sis Maya

Bro Majid Majidi

Majid Majidi, the famous film director, who won millions of hearts through his honest point of view about life which being screened in thousands of screens world over, has arrived in Kelantan.

Over Marlboro and Dunhill, Majid told me, “I am very disappointed with KL”, I will not go on details about his disappointment, but surely he is much happier man in MiniFest Kelantan 2007 rather than the more glamorous Kuala Lumpur International Film Festival.

Brother Majid said, Kota Bharu is a truly Islamic City, simple, moderate and considerate. Well Maya too said the same thing, in her words she said, “6 years ago, I was terrific, but once I arrived, it is truly different from what I was told”.

Both agreed this is such a nice place, with caring leaders and generous hospitality.

Majid Majidi with Tuan Guru

Today, Brother Majid visited Darul Digital, state owned animation school in Kota Bharu and he was amazed by the state commitments towards manipulating the digital technology for advancement in creativity. Immediately, his Russian producer, Mr. Marat Sayfudinov, requested to sign an agreement with Darul Digital for their future project. Half an hour later they produced their letter of intent and Darul Digital signed on the dotted line and both party, witnessed by The Tuan Guru agreed to collaborate in Majid’s future project.

In his speech, Majid said, we should used film to let the whole world see how beautiful life can be in the true Islamic way. The way that Majid sees, in his own word, is not the Taliban’s way, neither The Islam Hadhari.

In return, Tuan Guru Nik Aziz committed in pursuing the idea of Cinema of Morality and Quality and trust that we can lead the way.

That was today.

YB. Mohd Amar, The Chairman of MiniFest 2007 with Ms. Maya

Meanwhile, yesterday, the beloved Pontianak, Ms. Maya, perhaps beyond anyone wildest dream, walked past the entrance of Balai Islam, Kota Bharu and sat with about 500 crowds from all walks of life, mesmerized by the beautiful “Baran”. Majid’s piece about an Iranian boy and an Afghan girl.

As I watched Maya post for the photographers with the backdrop of the Balai Islam, I told myself, how great life can be and the great Almighty has done it again.

Politics aside, just think of these, Majid, Maya and Kota Bharu. What more can I say.

I am just happy to witness this and proud to be given the trust to play a small role in this historical moment that hopefully will mark the born of the new cinema of Malaysia.

Historical Moment, with local Director in Attendance, The Famous Mamat Khalid behind Tuan Guru

Breakfast with Maya Karin

Hehehehe…..

By IAN MCINTYRE (The Star)

ianm@thestar.com.my

KOTA BARU: Kelantan will make history today when, for the first time in 17 years, it has a female artiste to grace its programme and the lucky person is Maya Karin.

Since coming into power, the PAS-led state government has banned female artistes from performing live or attending state-run activities as their voices are said to be arousing, and this also applies to the annual Quran recital competition.

Maya, who shot to fame after starring in the Pontianak blockbusters, will be attending the inaugural Kelantan Mini-Fest 2007, a film festival comprising 14 international works of fiction, documentaries and short films at the Balai Islam in Lundang.

Since retaining Kelantan in 2004, the PAS-led state has begun to relax its rigid policies. It allowed outdoor concerts but only featuring male artistes, let more hair salons to operate and lifted the ban on snooker and billiard parlours.

Maya’s presence will mark another breakthrough in permitting more recreational and entertainment activities in the state.

State Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan told a press conference that this was the first time Kelantan was hosting a film festival. The organiser is the state-owned Darul Digital Animation School.

Maya will be participating with renowned Iranian film director Majid Majidi in a dialogue with panellists Mamat Khalid and Dr Hatta Azad Khan, who are local film directors.

The Colour of Paradise directed by Majid was voted by Time magazine as one of the top 10 films in 2000.

A film festival is considered unique in Kelantan because there has been no operating cinema or cineplex since 1995 after the state ruled that lights must be switched on during screenings and that female patrons must be segregated from the males.