APPRECIATING THE RETIRED

From left Hj. Abd. Aziz Abdullah, myself, Dato' Hj. Ghazali Ab. Rahman, Hj Saufi Ab. Majid
on the arrival.

The luncheon

With friends at the ceremony

Head of Sector of School Management, Hj. Ab. Aziz b. Abdullah,
representing the Director of the State Education Department addressing the ceremony
with gratefulness and some golden advice to the retired

Yg Bhg. Dato' Ghazali b. Abd. Rahman, The Director of the Teachers' Training Department, Ministry of Education, as the main Guest of Honour also expressed his gratefulness to the audience for the support and cooperation.

Myself representing the entire guests(the retired) with thankfulness for the lunch, gifts and cooperation before the retirement.

Receiving a gift of appreciation from Dato' Ghazali

The welcoming speech by Bachok District Education Officer, Hj. Saupi b. Abd. Majid

Date: 13rd December 2010

Location: Hotel Chantique, Kelantan Trade Cemtre(KTC), Kota Bharu, Kelantan.

Ceremony: Appreciating the retired

Sponsorship: Bachok District Education Office.

Special Guest: Yg Bhg Dato' Hj. Ghazali b. Abd. Rahman
The Director, Teachers' Training Section, Ministry of Education.

Attendance: Head of Sector of School Management, Entire Officers Of The
Appropriate Department and The Retired.

My Personal Comment: Greatly appreciated at the bottom of my heart.

The Cu Chi Tunnel: Culminating the termination of US military intervention in Vietnam.

A group of 12, myself far left in stripe.

Enjoying tapioca and pandan drinks served by the host.
Mr Nguyen The Vinh, the guide, standing.
Ubi kayu pun sedap jugak!

Trying hard to entre the 'rat hole'.
The Viet Cong used this secret hole to hit the enemies

The tunnel, only 2 feet wide and 3 feet high, once has to bend.
I managed to pass through the tunnel while the other waiting above

Home made weapons and booby traps, victims get nothing except death

Displaying empty bomb shells. The Viet Cong reutilized it into light weapons against the rivals

The briefing hall showing the video of the cruel and devastating war

My spouse and the "Viet Cong" soldiers

Myself, my spouse and the guard

Myself, spouse and friends

Another potrait with the Viet Cong dummies

Acting as a tailor, the place for sewing and repairing uniforms

A group of 12 successfully organized an excursion to Ho Chi Minh City formerly Saigon, the commercial capital city of Vietnam on the 26 - 30th November 2010. The tour was loyally accompanied by the local guide, Mr Nguyen The Vinh. His narration in "Vietnamese English" made us a little bit wondering but knowing a little is better than know nothing. The most exciting spot was definitely The Cu Chi Tunnel. As a devoted Muslims we were so concerned in halal food and a place to pray. The are plenty of halal food restaurants, run by Malaysians and there are few mosques in this city, so nothing to worry.

The Cu Chi tunnel in brief

The estimate 200km long and complicated Cu Chi Tunnel situated 30km from Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, the commercial capital of Vietnam.

It was guerrilla warfare tactic by the Viet Cong in Vietnam war(1st Nov. 1955 - 30th April 1975) which culminating the withdrawal of the US troops from Vietnamese soil in 1975.

The Viet Cong was a lightly armed South Vietnamese communist controlled common front against the anti communist force supported by North Vietnamese People's army and the communist allies.

The tunnel, once a haven for Viet Cong fighters and villagers are now one of the many battlegrounds in Vietnam that have been converted to tourist attraction.

WONDERFUL PANTAI IRAMA BACHOK

The long, sandy and gentle sloped beach

Another similar view, attracting visitors

The terrace, view from the seaward

The walking mall with food and drinks stall

The sandy walking mall under the cool, shady and whistling casuarinas

The man made rocky part and ample parking lots

Another similar one

Accessible right to the beach

Boat like covered stage

Food and drinks? Delicious? Away from it! Unsatisfactory! Damn it.
Tasteless coconut water, almost rotten seafood and costly!
Killing the beauty of the nature
Make one's walk away with unsatisfaction
Much better to bring own foods or never ask for it

The motor able sight seeing

The Sultan slaughters a cattle.

Meeting the subjects and "bersalam" with the Tuan Guru before the action

Berdoa, niat and carefulness before slitting

Extremely sharp edge finds its mark

Friday, 9th October 2010, we, the people of Kelantan witnessed our beloved Sultan slaughtering a cattle with his own hands. 99 cattle were being slaughtered and the beef were distributed to the needy.

Something to share, The Sultan is willing to join the subjects in this occasion and show his skill slaughtering a cattle.

ALLAHU AKBAR
Daulat Tuanku
Long live the King

Ye Allah! Bless our Sultan and Peace be on Kelantan

The Sultan at masjid Telipot together with the imam and subjects

The newly proclaimed sultan, Tengku Muhammad Faris Petra ibni Sultan Ismail Petra concentrating a doa after performing a weekly Friday prayer at Muhammadi Mosque(17 Sept. 2010), Kota Bharu. On his right is his younger brother, the Tengku Bendahara,
Tengku Muhammad Faiz Petra

Meet and "bersalam" with the subjects or rakyat after the prayer. In maroon "baju melayu" is the current mentri besar of Kelantan. YAB Tuan Guru Dato' Hj. Nik Ab. Aziz b. Nik Mat, looking so humble but knowledgeable.

ALLAHU AKBAR!
LONG LIVE THE KING!

CONGRATULATIONS!

Monday, 13th September 2010/4th Syawal 1431H, a historical date for this northeastern state, our beloved Kelantan. Everybody witnesses the proclamation of Royal Highness Tuanku Muhammad Faris Petra Ibni Sultan Ismail Petra as the 29th Sultan and the ruler of Kelantan Darulnaim and its sovereignty .

A perfect combination of the royal throne and the state assembly.

Prophet Muhammad (bless upon Him) said, roughly mean, " A just ruler is surrounded by good assistant or wazir"

"Pemerintah yang adil dikelilingi oleh wazir yang baik"

Ya Allah! Selamatkan dan makmurkanlah Kelantan
Ye Allah! Save and be peace on Kelantan.

SELAMAT HARI RAYA EIDIL FITRI

"Ramadhan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur'an as a guide to mankind, also clear (sings) for guidance and judgement (between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his own) during that month should spend it in fasting, but if anyone is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (should be made up) by days later, Allah intends every facility for you, he does not want to put off you to difficulties (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period and to glorify Him in that he has guided you, and perchance ye shall be grateful." (verse 185, surah Al Baqarah)

"(Masa yang diwajibkan kamu berpuasa itu ialah) bulan Ramadhan yang padanya diturunkan al Qur'an, menjadi petunjuk bagi sekalian manusia, dan menjadi keterangan-keterangan yang menjelaskan petunjuk itu dan membezakan yang benar dengan yang salah. Oleh itu sesiapa daripada kamu yang menyaksikan anak bulan Ramadhan (auat mengetahuinya) maka hendaklah ia berpuasa. Sesiapa yang sakit atau dalam musafir (lalu dia berbuka maka wajib baginya berpuasa) sebanyak hari yang yang ditinggalkan itu pada hari-hari yang lain (diluar Ramadhan), Allah menghendaki kamu beroleh kemudahan (dengan ketetapan yang demikian) dan Dia tidak menghendaki kamu menanggung kesukaran; dan juga supaya kamu mencukupkan bilangan puasa(bulan Ramdhan), serta kamu membesarkan Allah kerana mendapat petunjukNya dan supaya kamu bersyukur". Ayat 185 Surah Al Baqarah.

SELAMAT HARI RAYA EIDIL FITRI MAAF ZAHIR DAN BATHIN DARI SAYA SEKELUARGA

PKPSM'S KINDNESS AND KINDS

PKPSM."Your kindness is unforgettable and your kinds is uncountable", the most suitable phrase to describe.

I attached myself to PKPSM by the moment as a school's principal on the 1st Jan. 2000. Since the date until my retirement I have received everything worth that could not be forgotten in form of knowledge, appreciation, hospitality, charity, incentive and kinds. The photos display my collections received. Until at present those things are in good condition and still in use. This shows that PKPSM contributes almost everything that a professional needs and guarantee the quality.

In fact, all principals benefit it throughout the year. Professional inputs in hotels and sometimes abroad. I could remember we had our inputs and meetings in Hatyai, Thailand and Medan, Indonesia. A forth night ago we had our meeting in Kuala Lumpur, reach there and back home by air.

Subsidizing an excursion gives opportunity for us to spend our leisure abroad. A stun moment for pensioners, in disbelieve receiving a cheque worth RM6000.00 to perform umrah. There are much more and unexplainable. In return, your undivided loyalty and firm support are greatly appreciated

The contributions in kinds are Batik shirts, a T shirt, luggage bags, blazers, a watch, a Lamy fountain pen, a set of teak tea set and lastly " a pendulum clock". This clock reminds me once in every hour the kindness of PKPSM and an appreciation as a Secretary for years.

Thank you.

Hong Kong-Shenzen-Guangzhou Excursion

Avenue of Stars, Hong Kong

It said to be the palm print of Jackie Chan, Hong Kong

The man made lake, Shenzhen

A replica of The Great Wall of China, Shenzhen

Summer Palace

Maids in Guangzhou

The Dragon, Splendid of China, Shenzhen.
Did dragon really exist?

Refer the above photo

"Windows of The World" The main entrance

Similar location as above

Aberdeen, Hong Kong. The world largest floating restaurant able to accommodate a thousand of customer at a time

Avenue of Stars, Hong Kong

Kowloon in the background

Lady Street at night, Hong Kong

Avenue of Stars, Hong Kong

THE GROUP PARTICIPANTS

The above excursion was organized by PKPSM Kelantan from 8 till 12 July 2010. 38 participants, mostly Kelantan Secondary School Principals. My spouse and I joined the group and most possibly the last.

Hong Kong or formerly "Heung Keung" meaning the fragrance harbour in Cantonese dialect, comprises several islands and the mainland or The New Territory annexed by the British after "The Opium War". One of the world most densely populated area, mostly sky scrapers and a souring high cost of living. Hard to believe but I saw with my own pair of eyes some preservation from the past:

1. Bamboos are still in use in erecting, repairing and beautifying tall buildings.
2. The railway tram is partially in use but overshadow by other modern transportation.
3. Aberdeen, an earlier settlement mainly on water and fishermen populate the area. We took a
half of an hour water ride to tour this wet settlement.

Shenzhen is a new, well planned and functioned city to cope the extremely fast developed Hong Kong and only 40 minutes by road from the island.

Guangzhou is a Cantonese spoken, ancient but industrialized and China third largest city.

By observation and information something to share and think about these 3 cities, an idea for general improvement:

1. Even though highly populated sometimes beyond control and business oriented but no litter
around.

2. Roads and streets congested with traffics, no traffic jam, even a minor road accident to witness and sound of horn knocked our ear drums.

3. No motorbike on roads.

4. Motorists respect the pedestrians and tolerance.

5. A building with 68 storeys completed in merely 7 months.

More information will be published later.

Xie xie.