It's ten minutes past one in the morning. Tried to sleep but the slight pain in my right thigh keeps me awake to write this blog.
I am reminded of the Master NLP refresher program that I attended for five days since Wednesday last week and ended on Sunday with Dr William Horton. It's about the NLP.
It flaseh in my mind during the program that many people who took the basic NLP Practitioner Program but just waste it away. It's the tool that can create magnificent life for them provided they practiced it, but not many really do it.
Many of them think NLP is just another seminar to gather knowledge not realizing that profound effects on their life come by practicing it. Some of them are just wondering why their life are not changed or transformed and still searching for the answer externally.
If they just look internally and really understand that having a great life is just really by practicing it to do the best and ability to do mind reframing, it will stop their searching immediately.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Makna Makna Kehidupan 1
Tengah hari ini aku akan ke KLIA untuk berangkat ke Mekah untuk menunaikan Umrah dan Ziarah.
Sudah beberapa kali aku ke Mekah. Ini adalah kali kelapan. Tetapi inilah kali pertama aku ke sana dalam bulan puasa untuk merasai berpuasa disana.
Kali ini selain melaksanakan ibadah Umrah aku ingin menghabiskan bacaan Al-Quran 30 juzu.
Hingga pagi ini lebih dari 8 juzu sudah selesai.
Aku kesana kali ini tanpa ahli keluarga. Tanpa isteri yang disayangi. Tanpa anak-anak. Aku dengan seorang kawan, abang Jaafar. Dia tidak pernah kesana.
Musafir kali ini adalah satu lagi pencarian makna kehidupan. Kadangkala kita perlukan masa sendirian. Masa untuk "solitude". Masa untuk rekleksi. Masa untuk mengimbas dan mengimbau. Ini adalah masa yang terbaik.
Dalam umur lebih setengah abad, kita sudah melebihi had separuh secara normanya. Bagi kebanyak kita sudah hampir dua pertiga. Kedaan fizikal juga sudah banyak berubah. Hanya kita sendiri yang tahu segala perubahannya samada luaran atau dalaman.
Dikala beginilah kita akan lebih banyak berdialog dengan diri sendiri. Melihat dunia dan alam dari perpektif yang begitu berbeza sekali. Membuat penilaian pada daya saing yang masih ada. Membetulkan arah dan hala tuju laksana sebuah kapal "tacking its sails" untuk sampai ke destinasinya. Jika kita masih terbabas dari landasan perjalanannya payah untuk kita kembali kejalanannya.
Hidup adalah satu anugerah yang terlalu indah dan mulia untuk kita lepaskan. Hanya kita yang dapat memberikan makna yang kita idamkan kepada kehidupan kita. Setiap waktu atau "moment" adalah anugerah untuk kita merealisasikan apa yang kita hajatkan. Kejayaan adalah dibina dri detik ke detik. Detik demi detik kehidupan yang indah akan memberikan kehidupan yang indah.
Kita tidak perlu mengejar masa. Masa sentiasa menunggu kita sampai kepada satu titik noktah yang ditentukan Ilahi. Tetapi lihatlah berapa rapai orang yang "stress" atau dihimpit tekanan kerana mengejar masa. Mereka tidak pernah dapat mengangkapnya. Mengejar masa laksana mengejar pelangi diufuk sana. Kita dapat lihat pelangi dengan jelas. Dapat dilihat tetapi tidak boleh ditangkap. Tangkapan hanya pada lensa kamera atau mata dan minda sahaja. Itulah sahaja yang terbaik.
Jadi setiap hari adalah satu perjalanan detik demi detik. Dan perjalanan ke Mekah kali ini adalah detik-detik untuk mendekatkan diri dengan Ilahi dalam memberi makna sebuah kehidupan.
Salam Ramadan.
Sudah beberapa kali aku ke Mekah. Ini adalah kali kelapan. Tetapi inilah kali pertama aku ke sana dalam bulan puasa untuk merasai berpuasa disana.
Kali ini selain melaksanakan ibadah Umrah aku ingin menghabiskan bacaan Al-Quran 30 juzu.
Hingga pagi ini lebih dari 8 juzu sudah selesai.
Aku kesana kali ini tanpa ahli keluarga. Tanpa isteri yang disayangi. Tanpa anak-anak. Aku dengan seorang kawan, abang Jaafar. Dia tidak pernah kesana.
Musafir kali ini adalah satu lagi pencarian makna kehidupan. Kadangkala kita perlukan masa sendirian. Masa untuk "solitude". Masa untuk rekleksi. Masa untuk mengimbas dan mengimbau. Ini adalah masa yang terbaik.
Dalam umur lebih setengah abad, kita sudah melebihi had separuh secara normanya. Bagi kebanyak kita sudah hampir dua pertiga. Kedaan fizikal juga sudah banyak berubah. Hanya kita sendiri yang tahu segala perubahannya samada luaran atau dalaman.
Dikala beginilah kita akan lebih banyak berdialog dengan diri sendiri. Melihat dunia dan alam dari perpektif yang begitu berbeza sekali. Membuat penilaian pada daya saing yang masih ada. Membetulkan arah dan hala tuju laksana sebuah kapal "tacking its sails" untuk sampai ke destinasinya. Jika kita masih terbabas dari landasan perjalanannya payah untuk kita kembali kejalanannya.
Hidup adalah satu anugerah yang terlalu indah dan mulia untuk kita lepaskan. Hanya kita yang dapat memberikan makna yang kita idamkan kepada kehidupan kita. Setiap waktu atau "moment" adalah anugerah untuk kita merealisasikan apa yang kita hajatkan. Kejayaan adalah dibina dri detik ke detik. Detik demi detik kehidupan yang indah akan memberikan kehidupan yang indah.
Kita tidak perlu mengejar masa. Masa sentiasa menunggu kita sampai kepada satu titik noktah yang ditentukan Ilahi. Tetapi lihatlah berapa rapai orang yang "stress" atau dihimpit tekanan kerana mengejar masa. Mereka tidak pernah dapat mengangkapnya. Mengejar masa laksana mengejar pelangi diufuk sana. Kita dapat lihat pelangi dengan jelas. Dapat dilihat tetapi tidak boleh ditangkap. Tangkapan hanya pada lensa kamera atau mata dan minda sahaja. Itulah sahaja yang terbaik.
Jadi setiap hari adalah satu perjalanan detik demi detik. Dan perjalanan ke Mekah kali ini adalah detik-detik untuk mendekatkan diri dengan Ilahi dalam memberi makna sebuah kehidupan.
Salam Ramadan.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Just Change...And A Different Result
It has been said in systems thinking that every part affects every part. You change one part and the rest will be changed.
This happened to me glaringly last few days. I have been having a blood sugar of around 10 for a few months and it seems not to come down. It is a high side for diabetic person like me. A bit alarmed but I took it easy. Anyway, early last week I am has a minor sore threat. I have a seminar to conduct coming Monday and I want to take precautions. So, I paid a visit to the doctor.
Over the session we discussed about my medications. I told him I want to change the current mediacation regiment. I told him my plan and he agreed.
So since 4 days ago I changed my regime. And today, bingo! My blood sugar reading is at 7.5.
And I intend to drive it down further.
You change something, a different result will appear. Hmm..... interesting
This happened to me glaringly last few days. I have been having a blood sugar of around 10 for a few months and it seems not to come down. It is a high side for diabetic person like me. A bit alarmed but I took it easy. Anyway, early last week I am has a minor sore threat. I have a seminar to conduct coming Monday and I want to take precautions. So, I paid a visit to the doctor.
Over the session we discussed about my medications. I told him I want to change the current mediacation regiment. I told him my plan and he agreed.
So since 4 days ago I changed my regime. And today, bingo! My blood sugar reading is at 7.5.
And I intend to drive it down further.
You change something, a different result will appear. Hmm..... interesting
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Merdeka ! Merdeka ! Merdeka !
Besok rakyat Malaysia akan menyambut Hari Kemerdekaan yang ke-50. Sambutan perayaan secara besar-besaran dibuat untuk sambutan kali ini. Keceriaan sambutan begitu terasa sekali; macam sambutan hari-hari raya.
Namun apakah erti kemerdekaan sebenarnya? Apakah kerana kita sudah bebas dari penjajahan British, Belanda atau Portugis maka kita sudah merdeka sebenar-benarnya. Apakah kita sudah bebas dalam ertikata yang sebenarnya.
Berapa ramaikah orang Melayu yang bebas sebenarnya? Bebas dari penjajahan minda. Kebebasan minda, perasaan dan pergantungan dalam erti kata kita dapat berdikari sebenarnya. Berapa ramaikah orang Melayu yang terlepas dari belenggu ini sebenarnya?
Jika diteliti secara mendalam ternyata orang Melayu bebas atau “free” dalam ertikata yang sebenarnya. Terlalu ramai dari kita yang mengharapkan dan bergantung kepada pertolongan. Mental “subsidi” masih lagi tebal dalam pemikiran kita. Kita masih tidak mampu untuk bersaing. Masih dibayangi oleh rasa “inferiority complex atau rasa kalah.
Pergantungan pada “subsidi” dapat dilihat dengan jelas. Biasiswa untuk perlajaran, subsidi pertanian untuk baja dan harga hasil pertanian, diesel untuk tangkapan ikan, pinjaman dari pelbagai agensi yang tidak dibayar, rumah kos rendah, rasuah pemimpinan dan pegawai kerajaan (majoriti melibatkan orang Melayu), dll. Bahkan untuk pergi haji pun dikatakan subsidi kepada Tabung Haji (jika betul??).
Jadi dalam konteks ini apakah kita bebas (free) dan merdeka sebenarnya. Ataupun kita hanya tahu bermain retorik dengan laungan “MERDEKA” sama seperti kebanyakan pemimpin.
Lihatlah diri, refleksikan diri dan tanyalah, “Adakah saya merdeka sebenarnya?”.
Jika tidak inilah masa untuk kita menrevolusikan diri supaya kita benar-benar Merdeka!
Bangsar Shopping Complex
3.05 p.m. 30 Ogos 2007
Namun apakah erti kemerdekaan sebenarnya? Apakah kerana kita sudah bebas dari penjajahan British, Belanda atau Portugis maka kita sudah merdeka sebenar-benarnya. Apakah kita sudah bebas dalam ertikata yang sebenarnya.
Berapa ramaikah orang Melayu yang bebas sebenarnya? Bebas dari penjajahan minda. Kebebasan minda, perasaan dan pergantungan dalam erti kata kita dapat berdikari sebenarnya. Berapa ramaikah orang Melayu yang terlepas dari belenggu ini sebenarnya?
Jika diteliti secara mendalam ternyata orang Melayu bebas atau “free” dalam ertikata yang sebenarnya. Terlalu ramai dari kita yang mengharapkan dan bergantung kepada pertolongan. Mental “subsidi” masih lagi tebal dalam pemikiran kita. Kita masih tidak mampu untuk bersaing. Masih dibayangi oleh rasa “inferiority complex atau rasa kalah.
Pergantungan pada “subsidi” dapat dilihat dengan jelas. Biasiswa untuk perlajaran, subsidi pertanian untuk baja dan harga hasil pertanian, diesel untuk tangkapan ikan, pinjaman dari pelbagai agensi yang tidak dibayar, rumah kos rendah, rasuah pemimpinan dan pegawai kerajaan (majoriti melibatkan orang Melayu), dll. Bahkan untuk pergi haji pun dikatakan subsidi kepada Tabung Haji (jika betul??).
Jadi dalam konteks ini apakah kita bebas (free) dan merdeka sebenarnya. Ataupun kita hanya tahu bermain retorik dengan laungan “MERDEKA” sama seperti kebanyakan pemimpin.
Lihatlah diri, refleksikan diri dan tanyalah, “Adakah saya merdeka sebenarnya?”.
Jika tidak inilah masa untuk kita menrevolusikan diri supaya kita benar-benar Merdeka!
Bangsar Shopping Complex
3.05 p.m. 30 Ogos 2007
Friday, August 24, 2007
Waves & Winds of Life
Life is just like riding a giant wave. One moment we are up on the crest and the next moment we are just down and down.
We can just go down the step into the pit. There will be a point when we will the bottom. A wise man noted, " You can not go any other direction except up when you at the bottom already".
The most important thing when we are on downward spiral is never to surrender to the circumtances. Never to give up or to yield. It's like the Outward Bound School motto, "never to yield".
I have my ups and down too. When I left Shell in 1990 I was hitting my pit's bottom. I was starting on my own. Things did not go my way. I was living on allowance half my take home pay I was in Tiram Kimia. I had left a secured job in Tiram Kimia. There every month the pay cheque will be ready. On my own business, I have to make my own paycheck.
This was the time I was doing a lot of soul searching. My self-esteem is being testted to the limit. When friends asked me what am I doing for a living, I will curtly answer, "I am a consultant" . What consultant? "Management consultant or whatever," was my reply.
That was the time when 50 and 55 years seemed very far. I was looking forward to draw out my EPF. At times I was looking for my ending day in this world. At least my worry and drawbacks will be over when I am no longer in this world. I wish for the ending to become sooner.
But luckily the training that I received got the better of me. I was trained to ask questions. The questions that turned my life around.
What do I really want from life? How can I have the life that I want? Who are the people that I love and really care? What can I do today, tomorrow and the days that follow? What can make me happy? How can I make things move my way?.... so many questions... and so many answers.
Many wise man used to counsel that the most important thing in life is to ask great and excellent questions and the answer will come. No wonder Cameroon proverb said, " a person who cannot ask question should not live".
The questions made me focus on the answers. The answers enable me to climb out of the pit into the sunshine lit pathway.
Are there any more pits after that. Yes, there are few more. But the experience and training made us resilent and more wilful in facing those turbulences. As the great boxer of 20th century said," It's not how many punches you can throw but how many punches you can withstand before knocking off your opponent".
Whatver it is, never give up. Ask the right questions and we will be directed to the right answers. It's just the way nature operates. And I thank Allah swt for that.
We can just go down the step into the pit. There will be a point when we will the bottom. A wise man noted, " You can not go any other direction except up when you at the bottom already".
The most important thing when we are on downward spiral is never to surrender to the circumtances. Never to give up or to yield. It's like the Outward Bound School motto, "never to yield".
I have my ups and down too. When I left Shell in 1990 I was hitting my pit's bottom. I was starting on my own. Things did not go my way. I was living on allowance half my take home pay I was in Tiram Kimia. I had left a secured job in Tiram Kimia. There every month the pay cheque will be ready. On my own business, I have to make my own paycheck.
This was the time I was doing a lot of soul searching. My self-esteem is being testted to the limit. When friends asked me what am I doing for a living, I will curtly answer, "I am a consultant" . What consultant? "Management consultant or whatever," was my reply.
That was the time when 50 and 55 years seemed very far. I was looking forward to draw out my EPF. At times I was looking for my ending day in this world. At least my worry and drawbacks will be over when I am no longer in this world. I wish for the ending to become sooner.
But luckily the training that I received got the better of me. I was trained to ask questions. The questions that turned my life around.
What do I really want from life? How can I have the life that I want? Who are the people that I love and really care? What can I do today, tomorrow and the days that follow? What can make me happy? How can I make things move my way?.... so many questions... and so many answers.
Many wise man used to counsel that the most important thing in life is to ask great and excellent questions and the answer will come. No wonder Cameroon proverb said, " a person who cannot ask question should not live".
The questions made me focus on the answers. The answers enable me to climb out of the pit into the sunshine lit pathway.
Are there any more pits after that. Yes, there are few more. But the experience and training made us resilent and more wilful in facing those turbulences. As the great boxer of 20th century said," It's not how many punches you can throw but how many punches you can withstand before knocking off your opponent".
Whatver it is, never give up. Ask the right questions and we will be directed to the right answers. It's just the way nature operates. And I thank Allah swt for that.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Padah Sebiji Belon
Ianya berlaku pada penghujung tahun 1986. Malam sebelumnya aku menghadiri Majlis Malam Tahunan tempat kerja, Tiram Kimia (Shell Chemicals). Itulah kali pertama aku menghadiri majlis sebegitu yang diadakan disebuah kelab ekslusif di Plaza Atrium belakang Hotel Shangri-La Kuala lumpur.
Malam itu tentunya merupakan satu malam yang bertuah bagiku. Baru sahaja beberapa bulan mula bertugas diTiram Kimia aku memenangi hadiah kedua cabutan bertuah, sebuah mini kombo. Wow!
Aku adan hani pulang dengan mini kombo dan beberapa buah belon. Kami berikan belon itu pada anak-anak yang masih kecil.
Sebuah dari belon yang dimain oleh Azwa jatuh ke anak tangga hinggga kebawah. Azwa pula mengejarnya berlari diatas anak tangga. Dia tergelincir diatas belon dan jatuh dengan punggung terhempap.
Aku yang berada diatas mendengar jeritan Ani dibawah. Bergegas aku turun. Azwa sudah terlentang. Tiada bernafas dan mukanya aku lihat semakin biru. Tergamam aku dibuatnya. Menggelabah juga.
Ketika itulah aku "recollect" pengalam semasa menjadi ahli Palang Merah disekolah. Aku tekan dadanya perlahan-lahan. Aku buka mulutnya dan mengepam udara melalui mulutnya. Aku lakukan CPR walaupun ingat-ingat lupa. Dua tiga kali aku lakukan.
Perlahan-lahan aku tengok dia mula bernafas. Mukanya yang biru bertukar menjadi pucat. Dia mula sedar kembali.
Aku dan Hani cepat-cepat membawa Azwa keKlinik Anis diSeksyen 2. Kami ceritakan pada doktor apa yang berlaku. Dengan cepat doktor bertugas menolak kami, menyuruh kami segera kehospital tanpa memeriksa Azwa. Apa punya jenis doktor GP macam ini, aku berbisik. Mereka hanya mahu buat duit dengan kes yang senang sahaja.
Kami membawa Azwa ke SJMC (Subang Jaya Medical Centre) unit kecemasan. Doktor yang menerimanya memeriksanya dan meletakkanya dalam perhatian. Sebelah petang dia dibenarkan pulang setelah dipastikan semuanya OK.
Hingga kini aku dapat bayangkan kes itu dimana aku hampir-hampir kehilangan seorang anak istimewa yang aku sayangi kerana sebuah belon majlis makan malam.
Malam itu tentunya merupakan satu malam yang bertuah bagiku. Baru sahaja beberapa bulan mula bertugas diTiram Kimia aku memenangi hadiah kedua cabutan bertuah, sebuah mini kombo. Wow!
Aku adan hani pulang dengan mini kombo dan beberapa buah belon. Kami berikan belon itu pada anak-anak yang masih kecil.
Sebuah dari belon yang dimain oleh Azwa jatuh ke anak tangga hinggga kebawah. Azwa pula mengejarnya berlari diatas anak tangga. Dia tergelincir diatas belon dan jatuh dengan punggung terhempap.
Aku yang berada diatas mendengar jeritan Ani dibawah. Bergegas aku turun. Azwa sudah terlentang. Tiada bernafas dan mukanya aku lihat semakin biru. Tergamam aku dibuatnya. Menggelabah juga.
Ketika itulah aku "recollect" pengalam semasa menjadi ahli Palang Merah disekolah. Aku tekan dadanya perlahan-lahan. Aku buka mulutnya dan mengepam udara melalui mulutnya. Aku lakukan CPR walaupun ingat-ingat lupa. Dua tiga kali aku lakukan.
Perlahan-lahan aku tengok dia mula bernafas. Mukanya yang biru bertukar menjadi pucat. Dia mula sedar kembali.
Aku dan Hani cepat-cepat membawa Azwa keKlinik Anis diSeksyen 2. Kami ceritakan pada doktor apa yang berlaku. Dengan cepat doktor bertugas menolak kami, menyuruh kami segera kehospital tanpa memeriksa Azwa. Apa punya jenis doktor GP macam ini, aku berbisik. Mereka hanya mahu buat duit dengan kes yang senang sahaja.
Kami membawa Azwa ke SJMC (Subang Jaya Medical Centre) unit kecemasan. Doktor yang menerimanya memeriksanya dan meletakkanya dalam perhatian. Sebelah petang dia dibenarkan pulang setelah dipastikan semuanya OK.
Hingga kini aku dapat bayangkan kes itu dimana aku hampir-hampir kehilangan seorang anak istimewa yang aku sayangi kerana sebuah belon majlis makan malam.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Tepung Bungkus Salesman
The entreprenerial streak inside me started when I was in standard one.
My mother will cook the tepung bungkus and I will sell it during recess (break time) at the estate school. Normally I will sell about 30 tepung bungkus on the school days. Each tepung bungkus is sold for five sen. Normally I will earn about 10 sen profit from the venture on hawking day.
"Tepung bungkus" is made of glutinuous rice flour with coconut "inti". It appears like "lepat".
People in the area up to Bedong used to say that my mother made the best tepung bungkus around. Many people used to tell me this long after my mother passed away. What a compliment to her who never understand the meaning of tiredness for she slept only a few hour everyday to do all those work - tapping rubber, cooking, working in padi fields, making tepung bungkus and washing and doing all the household chores.
My mother will cook the tepung bungkus and I will sell it during recess (break time) at the estate school. Normally I will sell about 30 tepung bungkus on the school days. Each tepung bungkus is sold for five sen. Normally I will earn about 10 sen profit from the venture on hawking day.
"Tepung bungkus" is made of glutinuous rice flour with coconut "inti". It appears like "lepat".
People in the area up to Bedong used to say that my mother made the best tepung bungkus around. Many people used to tell me this long after my mother passed away. What a compliment to her who never understand the meaning of tiredness for she slept only a few hour everyday to do all those work - tapping rubber, cooking, working in padi fields, making tepung bungkus and washing and doing all the household chores.
The Estate Attap Roof School.
I will never forget my primary school from standard one to three. It is Sek. Kebangsaan Thye Eng Bedong Kedah.
The school building was made of timber with attap roof. The builidng is divided into 2 rooms. One room for the Malay School (my school) and the other for the Tamil school.
The Malay school comprised of 3 classrooms. Each class had about 12-15 students. We could see students and teachers from other classes. There were no partitions to separate us. If a student was punished by the class teacher, other students would witness also.
It was very interesting with us learning in Malay and the other school in their native Tamil. Competition of sort emerged with the voice tone from each group.
When I was in standard one, my class teacher was Cikgu Yunus who was also the headmaster. Standard two was a temporary teacher named Cikgu Hashim and standard three was Cikgu Nordin Mat Akhir. The religious teacher was Cikgu Salleh.
I used to top the class, with the exception during standard two. Somehow the boys could not get along with the teacher. Cikgu Hashim was quite mean and he used to caned us for nothing. I was in standard three and got a book prize of "Sitenggang Anak Derhaka" from Cikgu Nordin for getting No. one in class.
The school building was made of timber with attap roof. The builidng is divided into 2 rooms. One room for the Malay School (my school) and the other for the Tamil school.
The Malay school comprised of 3 classrooms. Each class had about 12-15 students. We could see students and teachers from other classes. There were no partitions to separate us. If a student was punished by the class teacher, other students would witness also.
It was very interesting with us learning in Malay and the other school in their native Tamil. Competition of sort emerged with the voice tone from each group.
When I was in standard one, my class teacher was Cikgu Yunus who was also the headmaster. Standard two was a temporary teacher named Cikgu Hashim and standard three was Cikgu Nordin Mat Akhir. The religious teacher was Cikgu Salleh.
I used to top the class, with the exception during standard two. Somehow the boys could not get along with the teacher. Cikgu Hashim was quite mean and he used to caned us for nothing. I was in standard three and got a book prize of "Sitenggang Anak Derhaka" from Cikgu Nordin for getting No. one in class.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Early Morning in Stuttgart, Germany
I was in Stuttgart Germany in 1993 on a visit to SKF Headquarters.
We have secured a contract to supply ITM a textile spinning test machine. Salleh and Jamaldin from ITM were on training at SKF. I was there to discuss shipping arrangements.
We stayed at a 3 star hotel in Stuttgart which cost nearly double than KL 4 star hotel.
It was in cold winter and I could not sleep well.
What intrigued me was that at 5.00 a.m. local time I could see the office building across the hotel brightly lit up. I could see people moving about and already started working. It's really in the early hours of the morning.
Later when I asked the SKF executives they told me that people start work early on hours of their choice. It's "flexi" time. Those who started early can leave for home early.
It was in Stuttgart, known as the motown (motor town) of Germany for its automobile industry that I saw so many BMW and Mercedes taxis. The executive car here is Audi.
We have secured a contract to supply ITM a textile spinning test machine. Salleh and Jamaldin from ITM were on training at SKF. I was there to discuss shipping arrangements.
We stayed at a 3 star hotel in Stuttgart which cost nearly double than KL 4 star hotel.
It was in cold winter and I could not sleep well.
What intrigued me was that at 5.00 a.m. local time I could see the office building across the hotel brightly lit up. I could see people moving about and already started working. It's really in the early hours of the morning.
Later when I asked the SKF executives they told me that people start work early on hours of their choice. It's "flexi" time. Those who started early can leave for home early.
It was in Stuttgart, known as the motown (motor town) of Germany for its automobile industry that I saw so many BMW and Mercedes taxis. The executive car here is Audi.
Tiger and Rashid
This is in memory of Allahyarham Rashid (Ani's adopted brother). He passed away in 1985 after being hit by a motorcyle (honda Cup) while walking by the roadside in Kangar and suffered severe head injury.
Rashid was with me doing his practical work. He was attending UPM Sarawak in 1980.
One day he followed me to see the weeding gang in action. I was the Assistant-in-Charge of Sg. Dua Division, Sungei Samak Estate, Ulu Bernam, Perak.
The weeding gang was cleaning up the an island of bushes comprising of tall ferns when suddenly there was a commotion and ruckus going on among the weeders. Standing on the harveting paths with Rashid the weeders were shouting excitingly and I could see the slashing knives being swayed violently.
Suudenly out jumped a "Harimau akar". A small black tiger the size of a dog with a long tail. It was running wildly in a frightened state along the path towards us.
"Run, Rahid," I shouted to Rashid whilst I went behind the nearest palm.
Rashid ran as hard as he could. The tiger was running behind him. It was then running past and overtaken Rashid. Rashid stopped running. He was panting hard. The tiger disappeared into the jungle.
We laughed out after that. While admittedly it was scary, it was amusing and fun.
Later I called in the estate's Auxillary Police (AP). We trace the tiger's track to the Chawang River and disappeared. Presumably, it swam over.
Rashid was with me doing his practical work. He was attending UPM Sarawak in 1980.
One day he followed me to see the weeding gang in action. I was the Assistant-in-Charge of Sg. Dua Division, Sungei Samak Estate, Ulu Bernam, Perak.
The weeding gang was cleaning up the an island of bushes comprising of tall ferns when suddenly there was a commotion and ruckus going on among the weeders. Standing on the harveting paths with Rashid the weeders were shouting excitingly and I could see the slashing knives being swayed violently.
Suudenly out jumped a "Harimau akar". A small black tiger the size of a dog with a long tail. It was running wildly in a frightened state along the path towards us.
"Run, Rahid," I shouted to Rashid whilst I went behind the nearest palm.
Rashid ran as hard as he could. The tiger was running behind him. It was then running past and overtaken Rashid. Rashid stopped running. He was panting hard. The tiger disappeared into the jungle.
We laughed out after that. While admittedly it was scary, it was amusing and fun.
Later I called in the estate's Auxillary Police (AP). We trace the tiger's track to the Chawang River and disappeared. Presumably, it swam over.
Hard Wave, Hard Paddle
I was in OBS in May 1978 just after my wedding in April. I was there for 25 days on Harrisons Crosfield sponsorship.
One of the greatest moment of truth I had in OBS was when I was canoeing around the Pangkor Island on a 3 day expedition. My partner was a Mr Lee a Singapore Airlines pilot. We were on thigh seas between main Pangkor and Pangkor Timor laut.
The sea was a bit rough. It was choppy and the wave was more than 3-5 feet. We remained steadfast to the instruction given during earlier exercise. If the wave is turbulent paddle fast and hard as you can be. Focus on your destination point and try to reach as fast as possble.
Certainly it has good application in life. When you are surmounted with problems, focus on the solution. Just keep on working as hard and as fast as you can on the solution. Do not dwell on the problem. Think more on the solution. Focus on the beach and not the wave.
How true when I did just that on two NPL with two banks. I just keep thinking on the way to raise money to settle the debt. The NPL will take care by itself if you can continue raise the money.
One of the greatest moment of truth I had in OBS was when I was canoeing around the Pangkor Island on a 3 day expedition. My partner was a Mr Lee a Singapore Airlines pilot. We were on thigh seas between main Pangkor and Pangkor Timor laut.
The sea was a bit rough. It was choppy and the wave was more than 3-5 feet. We remained steadfast to the instruction given during earlier exercise. If the wave is turbulent paddle fast and hard as you can be. Focus on your destination point and try to reach as fast as possble.
Certainly it has good application in life. When you are surmounted with problems, focus on the solution. Just keep on working as hard and as fast as you can on the solution. Do not dwell on the problem. Think more on the solution. Focus on the beach and not the wave.
How true when I did just that on two NPL with two banks. I just keep thinking on the way to raise money to settle the debt. The NPL will take care by itself if you can continue raise the money.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
"My Life Paths and Turns"
My life is a blessed one. When I was on Sepang Estate RC Evans used to tell me to become a great planter or manager by becoming the best "Jack of All trades".
Well, I guess I have become "Jack of All Trades" but in slightly different way than his.
After my UPM days, I spent eight and a half years on the estate with Harrisons Crosfield, then Harrisons Malaysian Plantations (before evolving to Golden Hope and Synergy Drive Bhd).
I then spent next 2 1/2 years in US to complete my BSc Agricbusiness Econs degree at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and MBA (IBEAR) at University of Southern Califirnia, Los Angeles.
Returning to Malaysia in mid-1986 I worked in Tiram Kimia (Shell Chemicals). I was there for 3 1/2 years before starting on my own in IT business until today.
Apart from IT business I was deeply involved in training. I was giving a free assistance to BTN when Kapt Sudirman requested me. There I got to know Alis Anor (now Dato') who later sereved as Dato' Najib's Political Secretary, Pak Rahim King (now Dato'), Ahmad Mazlan (now FELDA Director and used to Dato Mustapa's Political Secretary, Dato Mustapa Mohamad etc.
I also got heavily involved in UMNO politics. I help Zin Mohamad (Deputy Minister Kerjaraya) for his UMNO Youth Chief Shah Alam and then Dato Salamon Selamat for UMNO Shah Alam Division Head. Along the way since 1989 I was the Treasurer then Secretary for UMNO Youth Shah Alam. My latest post was Ketua Penerangan UMNO Shah Alam before I resigned in July 2005 over some differences on principle matters.
In addition to IT business I am also a professional trainer. I specialized in Neuro-Linguistics Programming (NLP) , Communications, team Dynamics, Personal Mastery and Empowerment, Stress and Time Management.
I am starting to do individual therapies. I am a Certified Hypnotherapist, Certified NLP Trainer, Master NLP Practitioner.
Life is full of abundance. It just need us to plcuk it.
Well, I guess I have become "Jack of All Trades" but in slightly different way than his.
After my UPM days, I spent eight and a half years on the estate with Harrisons Crosfield, then Harrisons Malaysian Plantations (before evolving to Golden Hope and Synergy Drive Bhd).
I then spent next 2 1/2 years in US to complete my BSc Agricbusiness Econs degree at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and MBA (IBEAR) at University of Southern Califirnia, Los Angeles.
Returning to Malaysia in mid-1986 I worked in Tiram Kimia (Shell Chemicals). I was there for 3 1/2 years before starting on my own in IT business until today.
Apart from IT business I was deeply involved in training. I was giving a free assistance to BTN when Kapt Sudirman requested me. There I got to know Alis Anor (now Dato') who later sereved as Dato' Najib's Political Secretary, Pak Rahim King (now Dato'), Ahmad Mazlan (now FELDA Director and used to Dato Mustapa's Political Secretary, Dato Mustapa Mohamad etc.
I also got heavily involved in UMNO politics. I help Zin Mohamad (Deputy Minister Kerjaraya) for his UMNO Youth Chief Shah Alam and then Dato Salamon Selamat for UMNO Shah Alam Division Head. Along the way since 1989 I was the Treasurer then Secretary for UMNO Youth Shah Alam. My latest post was Ketua Penerangan UMNO Shah Alam before I resigned in July 2005 over some differences on principle matters.
In addition to IT business I am also a professional trainer. I specialized in Neuro-Linguistics Programming (NLP) , Communications, team Dynamics, Personal Mastery and Empowerment, Stress and Time Management.
I am starting to do individual therapies. I am a Certified Hypnotherapist, Certified NLP Trainer, Master NLP Practitioner.
Life is full of abundance. It just need us to plcuk it.
"The Estate Accounting Instructor"
I had a lot of fun on Sepang Estate. After reporting for duty I joined the planters association known as Incorporated Society of Planters or ISP for short. It is the professional organization for those in the plantation industry or related to it. Nowadays I was told the membereship is wider.
ISP conducted professional examinations on various related subject such estate practices (rubber, oil plam, cocoa), estate accounting g, agronomy, Tamil language, etc.
Being freshly graduated I decided to take up estate accounting. I studied hard with the help of Gopinath the estate's chief clerk to understand the ledger. I studied and worked on pass exam papers. And I took the exam within six months of joining the estate. When the result came, it surprised everyone and me too. For estate accounting was regarded as one of the toughest subjects. I passedd with Distinction.
And immediately it opened up another chapter of my work experience. I was requested by the ISP Selangor branch to be the accounting tutor. I obliged and I found myself studying further, all the corporate financial reports and used them as the teaching materials and references. It took me to many managers' bungalows. I was at Rinching Estate (near Semenyih), Sungei Choh Estate (where Perodua is now), and West Country Estate (where Mariott Hotel Putrajaya now stands).
I also took the exams for estate practices. Passed part 1 of both rubber and oil palm.
ISP conducted professional examinations on various related subject such estate practices (rubber, oil plam, cocoa), estate accounting g, agronomy, Tamil language, etc.
Being freshly graduated I decided to take up estate accounting. I studied hard with the help of Gopinath the estate's chief clerk to understand the ledger. I studied and worked on pass exam papers. And I took the exam within six months of joining the estate. When the result came, it surprised everyone and me too. For estate accounting was regarded as one of the toughest subjects. I passedd with Distinction.
And immediately it opened up another chapter of my work experience. I was requested by the ISP Selangor branch to be the accounting tutor. I obliged and I found myself studying further, all the corporate financial reports and used them as the teaching materials and references. It took me to many managers' bungalows. I was at Rinching Estate (near Semenyih), Sungei Choh Estate (where Perodua is now), and West Country Estate (where Mariott Hotel Putrajaya now stands).
I also took the exams for estate practices. Passed part 1 of both rubber and oil palm.
The Sepang Sojourn
Sepang Estate has always been at my heart. It was there that I started in the working world. It was there I got to taste and shape my work future. It was there that I got my first motorcyle, A Yamaha Cup (BAT ....) , my first car Fiat 124ST (NF4294).
I t was on Sepang that my probation was confimed. My first estate transfer was on Sepang from C/D Division to B Division. It was on Sepang that I got my second boss, Mike Oliver.
And to top it all it was on Sepang that I got married to Hani, my dearest wife whom I befriended in UPM.
It was the place that I came to know Kapt. Sudirman and kak jami his wife who till now we count on as a family friends. (more on this incredible person later)
Sepang holds many memories for me . In many ways it Sepang was the turning point of my life. I was the life that I shared with my "mak" and later with Hani after our marriage. It was there that Hani conceived our first child, Azwa.
I t was on Sepang that my probation was confimed. My first estate transfer was on Sepang from C/D Division to B Division. It was on Sepang that I got my second boss, Mike Oliver.
And to top it all it was on Sepang that I got married to Hani, my dearest wife whom I befriended in UPM.
It was the place that I came to know Kapt. Sudirman and kak jami his wife who till now we count on as a family friends. (more on this incredible person later)
Sepang holds many memories for me . In many ways it Sepang was the turning point of my life. I was the life that I shared with my "mak" and later with Hani after our marriage. It was there that Hani conceived our first child, Azwa.
"Either You Survive or..."
"Either you survive or you persih".
These words still ring in my ears until today. They were uttered by my first boss when I reported for duty on my first day. He was the famous RC Evans , the Sepang Estate Manager, a highly regarded man in the plantations industry.
I was just a skinny 22 year old kid. Just graduated from college ... Universiti Pertanian Malaysia to be exact. Today that UPM is Universiti Putra Malaysia. It was the oldest univeristy in the country, beginning as School of Agriculture in 1920's, College of Agriculture, and University of Agriculture Malaysia (UPM) before they changed the name to University Putra. A days ago I read in newspaper that Perak State wants goverment to build Universiti Pertanian (Malaysia???) in Perak. How irony...????
Anyway, back to my plantation story, I was driven to the estate by my dear friend Zainal Jaal from his house in Seremban where I put up a night before. Zainal was my classmate in UPM.
I was told by RC Evans to stay with an Assistant named Hashim Abu Bakar in a wooden bungalow at Sungei Linau Division. Hashim is a big sized guy. He hailed from Kelantan. He attended College of Ag but completed his Diploma in Plantations Industry at ITM.
He is a very kind man at heart. He speaks very softly and very cool even in trying circumtances. He is very relaxed and do things at his pace. When he was about to get married to Tengku Zahibah, a beautiful lady from Seremban, he asked me to see the Kadhi of Sepang to get the letter of certification that he is still single. It was at the last minute and Hashim got to time to see the Kadhi. So it ended that I was the one interviewed by the Kadhi. Anyway I got the letter from Kadhi as he knows me as we prayed together at Sepang mosque on Friday.
These words still ring in my ears until today. They were uttered by my first boss when I reported for duty on my first day. He was the famous RC Evans , the Sepang Estate Manager, a highly regarded man in the plantations industry.
I was just a skinny 22 year old kid. Just graduated from college ... Universiti Pertanian Malaysia to be exact. Today that UPM is Universiti Putra Malaysia. It was the oldest univeristy in the country, beginning as School of Agriculture in 1920's, College of Agriculture, and University of Agriculture Malaysia (UPM) before they changed the name to University Putra. A days ago I read in newspaper that Perak State wants goverment to build Universiti Pertanian (Malaysia???) in Perak. How irony...????
Anyway, back to my plantation story, I was driven to the estate by my dear friend Zainal Jaal from his house in Seremban where I put up a night before. Zainal was my classmate in UPM.
I was told by RC Evans to stay with an Assistant named Hashim Abu Bakar in a wooden bungalow at Sungei Linau Division. Hashim is a big sized guy. He hailed from Kelantan. He attended College of Ag but completed his Diploma in Plantations Industry at ITM.
He is a very kind man at heart. He speaks very softly and very cool even in trying circumtances. He is very relaxed and do things at his pace. When he was about to get married to Tengku Zahibah, a beautiful lady from Seremban, he asked me to see the Kadhi of Sepang to get the letter of certification that he is still single. It was at the last minute and Hashim got to time to see the Kadhi. So it ended that I was the one interviewed by the Kadhi. Anyway I got the letter from Kadhi as he knows me as we prayed together at Sepang mosque on Friday.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Nawi & Azmi
I received the news with a lump in the throat.
First Azmi is hospitalised in Alor Star and underwent surgery to remove the colon infected with cancer. When I phone him it was 3 days after the surgery. He is recovery. His voice sounded full of fighting spirit.
He still goes for chemo. The last I spoke to him he was waiting to biard a bus to Kangar from Shah Alam after visiting her daughter in Medan. His daugher is doing medic at Universit Sumatera Utara.
To him we wish well and speedy recover.
Then the news about Nawawi Che Omar who had a stroked attack and had paralysis on some parts of the body.
Information is that he is recovering but still could not speak.
First Azmi is hospitalised in Alor Star and underwent surgery to remove the colon infected with cancer. When I phone him it was 3 days after the surgery. He is recovery. His voice sounded full of fighting spirit.
He still goes for chemo. The last I spoke to him he was waiting to biard a bus to Kangar from Shah Alam after visiting her daughter in Medan. His daugher is doing medic at Universit Sumatera Utara.
To him we wish well and speedy recover.
Then the news about Nawawi Che Omar who had a stroked attack and had paralysis on some parts of the body.
Information is that he is recovering but still could not speak.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Buku "Anda Berhak Hebat"
Buku pertama yang ditulis oleh saya berjudul "Anda Berhak Hebat.
Idea menulis buku ini terbit semasa mengikuti program "Unleash Power Weekend" diSingapura pada tahun 2001 yang dikendalikan oleh Anthony Robbins, Motivator No 1 Dunia.
Dengan cabaran yang diberikan oleh Tony Robbins saya membentuk dua matlamat utnuk diri saya:
i) Menulis sebuah buku
ii) Mendaki Gunung Kinabalu
Buku disiapkan pada pertengahan tahun 2003 dan dengan penerbit Pustaka Cipta Sdn Bhd. dengan prakata dari Dato Baha Zain. Ianya dilancarkan oleh Tan Sri Basir Ahmad, Pengerusi Kumpulan Maybank yang juga suami Dato Rafidah Aziz.
Mendaki Gunung Kinabalu dengan kakitangan APSb ialah pada tahun 2004.
What a great life!
Idea menulis buku ini terbit semasa mengikuti program "Unleash Power Weekend" diSingapura pada tahun 2001 yang dikendalikan oleh Anthony Robbins, Motivator No 1 Dunia.
Dengan cabaran yang diberikan oleh Tony Robbins saya membentuk dua matlamat utnuk diri saya:
i) Menulis sebuah buku
ii) Mendaki Gunung Kinabalu
Buku disiapkan pada pertengahan tahun 2003 dan dengan penerbit Pustaka Cipta Sdn Bhd. dengan prakata dari Dato Baha Zain. Ianya dilancarkan oleh Tan Sri Basir Ahmad, Pengerusi Kumpulan Maybank yang juga suami Dato Rafidah Aziz.
Mendaki Gunung Kinabalu dengan kakitangan APSb ialah pada tahun 2004.
What a great life!
One Afternnon - Many years Back
It was many years back when this picture was taken. It was in 1967 just joining Form Remove in STAR.
Fakri Shaari, Fadzil Khir and me walking on the playing field of STAR Ipoh. The picture was taken by Suhaimi Othman (Kri). All of us were from Kedah. Fakri from Pendang, Fadzil from Kulim, Kri from Singkir (Bedong) and me from Bedong.
I could not even recognize myself.
Izz - Ahli Keluarga Baru
Here come Izz. He joined our family on 18th. June 2007.
Izz is my grandson, the first one. Aida delivered her at 1.01 a.m. at Subang Jaya Medical Centre.
It is a joyous ocassion to receive Izz, especially his grandmother who is my wife Hani. Hani seems so excited to see her first grandson. So is Mak, Hani's mother who is very anxious waiting for her first great grandson.
Izz seemed so tiny and so fragile when he was usehred to the glass partition that seperated him and us (Hani and me) at the wee hours of the morning.
Wlecome to the family, Izz. may Allah bless you always. May you grow to be as intelligent and smart as your parents are.
Allahuakbar and Alhamdulillah.
Izz is my grandson, the first one. Aida delivered her at 1.01 a.m. at Subang Jaya Medical Centre.
It is a joyous ocassion to receive Izz, especially his grandmother who is my wife Hani. Hani seems so excited to see her first grandson. So is Mak, Hani's mother who is very anxious waiting for her first great grandson.
Izz seemed so tiny and so fragile when he was usehred to the glass partition that seperated him and us (Hani and me) at the wee hours of the morning.
Wlecome to the family, Izz. may Allah bless you always. May you grow to be as intelligent and smart as your parents are.
Allahuakbar and Alhamdulillah.
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