Kembara Jalanan

Nasi Lemak Kundasang

2008-12-25T08:20:00.006+08:00

If you're driving from Jenderam to Percint 20 of Putrajaya around 8.00am to 9.00am, you'll see this Abang and Kakak selling nasi lemak, provided that it is not raining. Their nasi lemak is wrapped 100% using banana leaf to enhance its fragrance. The sambal is mild, not that hot; "suitable for all ages".

Their stall is located on a 3-acres waqaf land near pinggiran Putrajaya Percint 20 (1 acre land near pinggiran Putrajaya can reach the price of RM1 million). According to Abang Yaakub, the land is for the benefits of his Jama'ah. Among the projects running are goat and duck farming as well as growing grass for goat and cow.

Back to Abang Yaakub and his nasi lemak. He is from Jasin, Melaka and his wife is from Kundasang, Sabah. When I told my officemates about Abang Yaakub, his wife and their nasi lemak, they gave a codename to this nasi lemak, Nasi Lemak Kundasang.

Aerial Views From Menara Taming Sari

2008-11-28T09:06:00.005+08:00

Pictures captured from Menara Taming Sari.

Exotic Fruits of Borneo

2008-10-17T15:15:00.010+08:00

Rare fruits that can be found in Sarawak; Pink = engkalak, Black = dabai. Usually eaten as "ulam-ulaman" together with rice.

Engkalak
Soften by soaking it for a while in boiled water. Drain and sprinkle it with salt, it is ready to eat. Alternatively, just soak it with warm water for 10 minutes. Eat it together with soy sauce and chillies. Engkalak has a crossed-taste between avocado and custard apple.

Dabai
This "tropical olive" is often soften in warm water about 20 minutes to soften the flesh. Can also to be soaked in brine solution just like pickles preparation. Its taste is comparable to that of olive; creamy and a bit oily. When eaten with rice, dabai pickles will cheer up your rice with purple color.

Jenderam and Goat Milk

2008-10-11T08:09:00.010+08:00

Long and winding road. That is the description of the route that I have to pass through when traveling from Nilai to Bukit Jalil via Jenderam daily. Along Jenderam there are quite a number of goat farms. Some people say goat milk and meat are much better than those of cow. Let us look at the facts.

Milk

Nutrient content of goat milk is slightly less than cow milk but goat milk is more digestible because the fat molecules are one-fifth the size of those from cow milk - making it easily tolerated by those with compromised digestive systems.

Seventy-two percent of the milk used throughout the world is from goats. It is one-third richer than cows milk but more nourishing and easier to digest.

The flavor of goat milk is comparable to that of cow milk. Goat milk has a milder taste.

Goat milk has no cream separation because of smaller fat molecules.

Goat milk contains pre-formed Vitamin A in the milk fat that allows it to be readily available for use by the body.

Goats milk contains a more highly-evolved cholesterol than cows milk, making it more available for absorption to the brain and body. (Cholesterol is essential to the health of the myelin sheaths "white matter" of the nerves in the brain.)

Goat milk is closer to human milk and is therefore easily accepted especially by those young or frail.

Goat milk has an alkaline reaction the same as mother's milk. Cow milk has an acid reaction

Goat milk does not form mucous (phlegm) and is therefore better tolerated by asthmatics and those with allergies.

Goat milk contains more chlorine, fluorine and silicon than any other domestic livestock. Chlorine and fluorine are natural germicides and fluorine assists in preventing diabetes.

Goat milk contains 2% curd, which precipitates in the stomach. Cows milk is 10% curd.

Goats are naturally immune to diseases, such as tuberculosis, and are used in third-world countries to actually cure tuberculosis because of their inherent antibodies.

Goats milk is tolerated by a compromised /damaged liver because of the smaller fat molecules and it's naturally homogenized.

Goats milk has the ability to "sweeten" the intestinal tract and assist with constipation.

Goats milk contains a higher evolved carotene (pro-Vitamin A). Researchers have found this to have cancer preventing properties.

Meat

Meat from a goat has 50-65% lower fat content as compared to similarly prepared beef BUT has comparable protein content.

The percentage of saturated fat in goat meat is 40% less than chicken (that's without the skin)

A 3 oz. roasted piece of goat has the same number of calories as chicken! and half that of beef!!

Goat milk has medical benefits for the following illness;

Jaundice

Asthmatics

Gastric and stomach ulcer

Eczema

Migraine

JOM... lets drink goat milk... eat goat meat!

Banda Hilir, A World Heritage.

2008-10-08T09:09:00.027+08:00

I heard about this place few times in the past but I don't have the passion to visit there. My perception about this town has changed when my family and I strolled along Bandar Hilir on the 3rd Syawal after a hectic raya-tour to Batu Pahat, Johor and Jasin, Malacca on the 1st and 2nd day of raya respectively.

That night, my family and I spent a night in a one of ten cozy apartments of Mahkota Guest House (http://www.mahkotaguesthouse.com) run by my brother in-law, Sahar. The guesthouse has a range of rooms and apartment types from dormitory to 3-bedroom apartment with reasonable prices ranging from RM15 to RM170 per night (low season). This guesthouse is strategically located near the walking-distance tourist attractions, such as Menara Taming Sari, Jonker Street, Muzium Kesultanan Melayu Melaka, Maritime Museum, etc. "Have a pleasant stay... Your comfort is our priority..." is the guesthouse tagline.

I met a Japanese while staying in Mahkota Guest House, Sho. He has been staying in the guesthouse for a month now. According to Sho, usually he will stopover for about 3 weeks at any place he lodges, but Banda Hilir is such a peaceful and relaxing place to meditate. He worked as a messenger (I guess sort of postman or mat-dispatch). He quit his job and with the savings in hand, he travels. So far he has visited 28 countries. Japanese people are really work-alcoholic, he told me. They will work very hard, save the money and travel. After sometimes, they will return to Japan and find another job. They will repeat the same thing over and over again. I wonder can Malaysians have the same capability to do like Sho and other Japanese do.

Back to Banda Hilir. A ride on Taming Sari spinning tower will be a vital start. From above the tower, you can see a nice aerial view of Banda Hilir. Here, you can plan your next route of journey.

River Cruise along Malacca River is also an exciting way to explore the historical city at leisure. The cruise which takes 45-minute from the jetty near the Dutch Square, will sail you past Kampung Morten and back. The traditional houses of Kampung Morten are visible from the boat. Passengers will also be able to see many bridges, including the Sungai Malacca Bridge opposite Kampung Morten. The banks of the 4.5km river are dotted with old houses, godowns, shops and eateries. It will be a lot more fun to take the cruise at sunset but I don't have the chance to do so. My cruise was in the noon.

In short, mostly the tourist attraction sites in Banda Hilir are related to the influence of the centuries of colonization by the Portuguese, Dutch and the British as well as development of Straits Chinese (Peranakan) culture.

Malay/Muslim sites; Hang Jebat mausoleum, Hang Kasturi mausoleum, Kampung Hulu mosque, Kampung Kling mosque, Tranquerah mosque (Tengkera Mosque), Sultan's well, Masjid Selat, a modern mosque on the shore of Pulau Melaka.

European settlements; A Farmosa fortress (Porta de Santiago), Christ Church, Stadthuys (Dutch administrative buildings), Saint Francis Xavier Church, Kampung Portugis, St. John Fort, Ruins of St. Paul Church - Saint Francis Xavier was temporarily buried here St. Peter Church, St. Theresa Church and Victoria Fountain.

Chinese settlements; Bukit China cemetery, Cheng Hoon Teng temple, Geok Hu Keng temple, Poh San Teng temple, Sri Poyyatha temple etc.

So next time when you are in Malacca, come and visit Banda Hilir, a UNESCO World Heritage site. More pics will be posted later.

Lailat ul-Qadr or Night of Power

2008-09-26T09:05:00.006+08:00

What is the difference between today's morning and rest of other mornings in Ramadhan? From Nilai to Salak Tinggi then to Putrajaya towards Bukit Jalil...what a calm and lightly foggy morning. The sun rises without rays, shaded by the thin fog. But last night was the 26th night of Ramadhan not one of the odd numbered nights. However, last night was Friday's night.

The Prophet said: "The best day on which the sun rises is Friday. On this day Adam was created, on this day he entered Paradise and on this day he was expelled from it." (Muslim)

The Night of Power is a night of blessings Allah has blessed this Night. Therefore whosoever is interested in receiving the blessings of Allah may look forward to the Night of Power. Anyone who seeks the Night of Power and lives it, all his/her sin will be erased. This is, as if, he/she is, born again now free of all sin and mistakes.

"We have indeed revealed this (message) in the Night of Power. And what will explain to thee what the Night of Power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein come down the angels and the spirit by God's permission, on every errand: Peace! This until the rise of Morn." (97:1-5)

As far as determining the Night of Power (Lailat ul-Qadr) is concerned, it has been reported to be during one of the odd numbered nights of the last ten days of Ramadan, i.e. 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th. It has been emphasized that it is most likely to be the 27th night.

As far as the signs of Lailatul-Qadr are concerned:
1. The sun rises early in the morning without rays.
2. Rain may fall either during the night or during the day of that night.
3. During night the sky will be lightly foggy.
4. The sky will be slightly lighted without reflections and without rays.

Selamat Hari Raya - Eid Mubarak

2008-09-26T08:49:00.004+08:00

Selamat berhari raya

Ucapan ku untuk semua

Kita mengeratkan semula

Hubungan saudara

Yang terpisah

Yang jauh berkirim salam

Yang dekat berkunjung-kunjungan

Maaf dipinta dan diberi

Semoga ikatan berkekalan abadi

Dalam kita bergembira

Pasti ada yang berduka

Enak menjamu selera

Jangan lupa yang tiada

Selamat berhari raya

Walau di mana kau berada

Suka-duka silih berganti

Apa pun dugaan

Tabahlah menghadapi

2008-09-25T08:54:00.005+08:00

Lim Guan Eng Punya Cerita

Mungkinkah Lim Guan Eng Lebih Layak !!!

Seorang kawan yang berasal dari Pulau Pinang bercerita kepadaku tentang Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang, Lim Guan Eng. Beliau menyatakan, banyak cerita-cerita menarik yang berlaku pada Lim Guan Eng, menyebabkan Lim Guan Eng kini merupakan Ketua Menteri yang disayangi oleh rakyat, sama ada dari kalangan Melayu, Cina mahupun India.

Antara cerita-cerita itu adalah seperti berikut;

CERITA SATU

Diceritakan, Lim Guan Eng sudah ditawarkan untuk mendapat "Dato' Seri", tetapi ditolak mentah-mentah oleh beliau dengan alasan, beliau mahu jadi macam Omar Abdul Aziz. Memandangkan gelaran Dato' Seri itu tidak diterima oleh beliau, menyebabkan beliau mencadangkan gelaran itu diberikan kepada Wan Azizah yang ketika itu ahli Parlimen Permatang Pauh.

CERITA DUA

Begitu juga, Penanti yang merupakan DUN Timbalan Menterinya dilihat seperti kurang diambil perhatian oleh Fairus. Beliau mengetahui masalah rakyat di DUN Penanti, menyebabkan beliau telah bertindak turun padang bersama isterinya dengan menaiki kereta Estimanya yang dipandunya sendiri.

Apabila ada sebilangan rakyat Penanti bertanya tentang Fairus, beliau hanya menjawab bahawa Fairus sibuk di Kuala Lumpur, walaupun pada masa itu, Fairus memang ada di Pulau Pinang pun.

CERITA TIGA

Juga, ketika beliau turun di salah satu Parlimen (tidak perlu disebut parlimen mana) yang didakwa kononnya rakyat di sana agak marah dengan YB mereka disebabkan kurang turun padang berjumpa rakyat.

Beliau telah turun di sana tanpa memaklumkan kepada sesiapa pun. Setelah keletihan berjalan mengelilingi Parlimen tersebut, beliau berehat di sebuah kedai makan melayu untuk minum teh. Sedang minum, dua orang suami isteri yang agak tua telah terperasan Lim Guan Eng, tetapi tidak menyangka bahawa ianya adalah Lim Guan Eng.

Mak Cik itu berkata kepada Lim Guan Eng, bahawa mukanya macam Lim Guan Eng, ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang. Sambil tersenyum Lim Guan Eng berkata, bahawa namanya memang Lim Guan Eng pun.

Tanpa disedari lagi, Mak cik itu berkata lagi bahawa tak sangka dalam Pulau Pinang ini, ada manusia yang mukanya serupa Lim Guan Eng dan namanya pun serupa.

Lim Guan Eng ambil kad pengenalannya, dan memberikan kepada mak cik itu, dan tunjuk mukanya, kemudian menyebut bahawa dia memang Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang.

Mak cik dan pak Cik itu terkejut, kerana tidak disangka-sangka bahawa manusia yang mereka jumpa itu adalah Lim Guan Eng, Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang, yang kehadiran beliau di kedai makan itu tanpa disedari oleh mana-mana orang pun, demi melihat masalah rakyat di Pulau Pinang.

CERITA EMPAT

Diceritakan juga, Lim Guan Eng pada awal perlantikan beliau menjadi Ketua Menteri, orang-orang melayu agak tidak melayan beliau dikala beliau turun padang. Memandangkan keadaan ini berlaku, menyebabkan beliau mengarahkan segala jabatan-jabatan dalam kerajaan negeri agar turun berjumpa dengan rakyat bawahan, untuk mendengar masalah rakyat, seperti masalah kemiskinan, masalah tanah tidak bergeran dan sebagainya.

Apabila segala jabatan-jabatan ini turun, menyebabkan ramailah rakyat yang turun untuk memberi aduan kepada mereka.

Dalam majlis itu, beliau berucap dan menyatakan bahawa, beliau adalah Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang sekarang, kalau rakyat benci kepada beliau, boleh ditukar dalam pilihanraya akan datang. Tetapi sekarang, rakyat terpaksa terima beliau sebagai Ketua Menteri. Dan kini, kedatangan beliau adalah untuk mendengar masalah rakyat, dan beliau akan berusaha segala kemampuan yang boleh untuk menyelesaikan masalah rakyat disitu.

CERITA LIMA

Dalam pemerintahan di Pulau Pinang, beliau agak memanjakan orang Melayu berbanding bangsa dia sendiri.

Ini dapat dibuktikan dengan tindakan beliau berjumpa dengan masyarakat Melayu, dan menyatakan bahawa beliau mahu hidupkan balik sekolah agama rakyat di Pulau Pinang, tetapi dalam masa yang sama, beliau mahu hidupkan sekolah untuk orang cina dan India. Kalau orang Melayu tidak izinkan beliau bangunkan sekolah untuk orang Cina dan India, maka sekolah agama rakyat pun dia tak mahu majukan.

CERITA ENAM

Dulu Mat Sabu ada bercerita bahawa beliau pergi berjumpa dengan Lim Guan Eng di Pulau Pinang. Asal pertemuan hendak dibuat di kediaman Rasmi ketua Menteri, tetapi di tolak Lim Guan Eng. Kemudian Lim Guan Eng mencadangkan agar pertemuan itu dibuat di salah sebuah kedai mamak di Pulau Pinang, tetapi di tolak oleh Mat Sabu. Yang akhirnya, pertemuan itu berlaku di rumahnya yang asal, iaitu di rumah kediamannya sebelum dia menjadi Ketua Menteri lagi.

Dalam pertemuan itu, Mat Sabu menyebut bahawa Lim Guan Eng semuanya sudah bagus, mengikut ciri-ciri pemerintahan Omar bin Abdul Aziz, cumanya beliau agak kekurangan disebabkan beliau tidak masuk Islam lagi.

Mendengar kata-kata Mat Sabu itu, Lim Guan Eng menyebut, "tunggu ayah saya mati dulu".

PENUTUP

Cerita-cerita Lim Guan Eng ini, mengingatkanku kepada kejadian yang berlaku pada ayahku sendiri, yang ketika itu aku baru darjah empat.

Ayahku seorang bilal surau ketika itu, tetapi masih lagi "bermazhab UMNO". Setelah selesai azan, beliau melihat seorang tua sedang menunaikan solat sunat, yang mukanya seperti Tuan Guru Nik Abdul Aziz. Ayahku tidak menyangka demikian, kerana kedatangan beliau pada ketika itu dengan berpakaian jubah, berserban dan menaiki kereta biasa sahaja.

Setelah solat fardu ditunaikan, ayahku bertanya kepada orang tua itu, bahawa mukanya macam Tuan Guru Nik Abdul Aziz. Orang tua itu terus berkata, memang dia adalah Nik Abdul Aziz, Menteri Besar Kelantan.

Mendengar itu, ayahku terus cium tangan Tuan Guru Nik Aziz, dan kini Alhamdulillah, ayahku bukan lagi orang UMNO (melayu harbi) lagi, tetapi seorang berkeahlian PAS.

Keadaan ini amat sama berlaku pada Lim Guan Eng, yang kini Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang.

Kalau kita hadiri ceramah pada 15 september di Stadium Kelana Jaya baru-baru ini, kita akan dapat lihat perbezaan antara pemimpin-pemimpin parti berucap pada malam itu.

Yang peliknya, Lim Guan Eng seorang sahaja yang menyebut bahawa "kita mahu kerajaan yang bertawakkal kepada Tuhan dan kerajaan yang melaksanakan Amar Ma'ruf, Nahi Mungkar".

Melihat kepada karisma Lim Guan Eng, padaku, kalau Lim Guan Eng masuk Islam, orang yang lebih layak Menjadi Perdana Menteri bukan Anwar Ibrahim tetapi Lim Guan Eng, itu pun kemungkinan ketika itu nama beliau adalah "Muhammad Lim Guan Eng".

Sekian, Wallahu 'Alam

Sumber : Al-Bakistani

Mi disebalik Udang

2008-09-17T11:41:00.005+08:00

Banyak udang daripada mi. That's the impression when you are served with Mi Udang at Kuala Sepetang in Taiping. I got those images from my email. Will bring my family there one day. An informer from Sauk told me from the highway you can take Bagan or Kamunting exit to get there.

Negeri di bawah Bayu

2008-09-14T06:58:00.007+08:00

Two thumbs up! The best place to visit in Borneo. On the way to Mount Kinabalu, among the places you will pass-by are Jambatan Tamparuli, Pekan Nabalu and Kundasang. The road is winding but not to steep. Be careful as sometimes you'll end up driving in a foggy condition. At Kundasang, you can stay at several places but Mount Perkasa and Kinabalu Pine Resort are recommended.

Apart from mount climbing, you can visit Poring Hot Springs somewhere in Ranau. You can experience canopy walk (extremely challenging), "rebus" yourself in the hot spring "tub", walk through the Butterfly Park, etc.

In KK, don't forget to drop by at Pasar Filipina, the place where you can buy Sabah's pearls, crystals and other gifts. There's a big sea water aquarium in Universiti Sabah Malaysia

Once you visit Sabah, you'll be there soon again!

Orchid Farm, Mantin

2008-09-14T06:42:00.004+08:00

Went to an orchid nursery in Mantin with a superb collection of orchids. A one stop-center for orchid lovers. You'll find rare orchids there. Thanks to harzan for introducing the nursery. Be ready with lots of $$$ as you'll start shopping like mad!!!!