One Momentous Occasion

Assalamualaikum and Greetings

A Pictorial History :

Malaysia's Battle Against Terrorism 1960-1990

Prelims 

There was time available to be whiled away . . . moments to spare to do some moving around . . . before the occasion begins . . .  

L to R:

 Dato' Mohd Yasin Yusof (ex-Supt of Police); 
Tan Sri Yuen Yuet Leng (ex-Dep Com of Police) ;  Lt Col Basri Omar PGB (Rtd) 

AMB with Dato' Mohd Yasin Yusof and Tan Sri Yuen Yuet Leng 

. . . there were many old friends to meet and new acquaintances to make.   

 Lt Gen Dato' Adenan Hj Mohamad Zain (Rtd);   
Lt Col Hj Basri Omar PGB (Rtd)

L to R:

Lt Gen Dato' Adenan Hj Mohamad Zain (Rtd); Lt Col Basri Omar PGB (Rtd); 

Lt Col Mohd Azzam Mohd Hanif Ghows (Rtd)

Lt Gen Dato' Adenan Hj Mohamad Zain (Rtd); Maj Ganeson (Rtd) 

L to R :

AMB; Lt Gen Dato' Adenan Hj Mohamad Zain; 
 Maj Ganeson (Rtd)

Maj Gen Dato' Megat Mahmud (Rtd); Lt Col Basri Omar PGB (Rtd)

Maj Gen Dato' Megat Mahmud (Rtd) with AMB

L to R:

Lt Gen Dato' Adenan Hj Mohamad Zain (Rtd);
 Maj Dato' Sallehuddin PGB (Rtd); 

 Maj Dato' Sallehuddin PGB (Rtd) ; Col Malek Alwi (Rtd)

Tan Sri Alegendra (ex- CPO Selangor); Maj Gen Dato' Megat Mahmud (Rtd)

Date, Location n Event: 

Friday 9 May 2014 - The armed forces officers' mess / premises, precisely the Dewan Perkasa, Wisma Perwira ATM, Jalan Padang Tembak, Kuala Lumpur - Launching of a coffee table book.   

The Hall n d Backdrop

Time n Event:

3:48 pm : A historic pictorial publication was launched.

The Book

VVIP's Arrival

  

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad 

 and

Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali

. . .  arriving at the Hall . . . 

The 'Doa'

The coffee table book entitled REMINISCENCES of INSURRECTION Malaysia's Battle Against Terrorism 1960-1990 was officially launched by none other than Malaysia's favourite statesman The Right Honourable Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad.

In his off-the-cuff speech after officiating the launch Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad mentioned, among others, one interesting point in particular. 

He highlighted the former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela's question on how Malaysia managed to suppress and overcome the guerilla warfare tactics employed by the communist terrorists over the long period of insurgency years. 

The Right Honourable Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad

Tun Mahathir's straight answer was that there existed very patriotic an noble Malaysians who were willing to sacrifice their lives for the good of the country then . . . vis-a-vis solidarity amongst the people in their support for the government against the enemy!

The Right Honourable Tun was also full of praise for the armed forces for their contribution towards the country's peace and prosperity.

He also congratulated the author for successfully completing the unenviable task of writing the book.    

The Author

Lt Col Mohd Azzam bin Hanif Ghows (Rtd)

Lt Col Mohd Azzam bin Hanif Ghows (Rtd), an ex-senior army officer, had meticulously compiled the necessary materials and diligently wrote the scripts. 

He was ably assisted by a competent editor Ms Caroline Barber.

The Editor

Ms Caroline Barber

The pictorial history publication launched today is a continuity of an earlier writing by Lt Col Mohd Azzam entitled THE MALAYAN EMERGENCY REVISITED 1948 - 1960.

The aim of his second writing which focussed on much similar grounds as in the earlier book is to provide a continuous coverage of what the situation in this country was like during the sixties right up to the nineties.
  

Lt Col Mohd Azzam hailed from Taiping, Perak. He was born in 1940 and have served the army for about 32 years.

Other than his many postings to various State and National Security Councils he notably served the country during turbulent periods of the Indonesian Confrontation (1963-65) and the Second Emergency (1968 - 1989).

Always harbouring the wish to remind Malaysia's present generation of young people to be aware of the fact . . .

. . . that our country have faced severe acts of terrorism, insurgency and insurrection by the communist terrorists and their sympathisers over that period of time . . . 

. . . he came up with the idea of this second effort and untiringly followed his writing plan through. 

It will therefore not do justice to the writer should anything be assumed or concluded to indicate that his second publication does not differ very much from the earlier one in terms of format or presentation.  

More sensibly than not . . . readers at large should be appreciative of the fact that much time, energy, effort and money have been spent by the writer in his efforts to obtain and compile the relevant materials . . . numerous photos, info, notes, data, references, advice and all . . . for the mere sake of establishing factual accuracy and ensuring knowledgeable and reliable truthfulness regarding a very important episode in Malaysian history. Kudos!

Having said and considered all the pros and cons . . . the launch was highly successful with abundance professionalism, wisdom and efficiency shown by the Author, the Editorial Panel, the Book Production Chairman, the Editor, the Advisers . . . and of course the event management team.

The guests . . . who included many dignitaries and distinguished personalities (needing no introduction in the Malaysian security forces / local circles) . . . were never unruly but amiably excited.

Maj Gen Dato' Megat Mahmud (Rtd); Lt Col Basri Omar PGB (Rtd) 

L to R:

Naval Officer; Tan Sri Yuen Yuet Leng; Puan Sri; Ms Caroline Barber

Tan Sri Yuen Yuet Leng and Puan Sri

L to R:

Naval Officer; Tan Sri Yuen Yuet Leng; Puan Sri;

 Lt Col Basri Omar PGB (Rtd); Ms Caroline Barber 

The excitement grew to quite a high when Tun Mahathir Mohammad obliged guests by autographing the books they have just purchased.

It was very obvious that 'd Dr M's aura' of yesteryears still lingers on . . . in the minds of many Malaysians. Deeply rooted perhaps.

Malaysians have always held in high esteem the Dr M they have heard, known and loved so much as Malaysia's ex-Prime Minister of 22 years. 

Tun . . . it took me this long to shake your hands.

Ah yes, I waited that long too . . . 

Let it not be forgotten too. The continuous co-operation and support of all . . . the army personnel, the readers, the book enthusiasts, and the public at large . . .  will be an integral part in ensuring the continuous success of this kind of an endeavour for the betterment of informative and quality publication.    

Gen Tan Sri Yaacob Mohd Zain (ex-Chief of the Armed Forces);

Lt Col Basri Omar PGB (Rtd)

L to R:

Maj Gen Dato' Megat Mahmud (Rtd); AMB;
 Gen Tan Sri Yaacob Mohd Zain (ex- Chief of the Armed Forces); 
Lt Col Basri Omar PGB (Rtd)

Mr Sager Ahmad (ex-NST Defence Reporter) with AMB

Tan Sri Gen Hashim Mohd Ali (ex- Chief of the Armed Forces) ;
 Lt Col Basri Omar PGB (Rtd) 

AMB with Tan Sri Gen Hashim Mohd Ali  (ex- Chief of the Armed Forces)

Lt Col Basri Omar PGB (Rtd) with Lt Col Dr Mumtaz

Lt Col Basri Omar PGB (Rtd) with Ms Caroline Barber

Ms Caroline Barber with Tun Mohammed Haniff Omar (ex- IGP)

L to R:

Ms Caroline Barber; Tun Mohammed Haniff Omar; AMB

AMB with Tun Mohammed Haniff Omar 

Lt Col Basri Omar PGB (Rtd) with Lt Col Rahman

To say I was pleased is an understatement. I was indeed elated at being invited to this event by the author Lt Col Mohd Azzam (Rtd) via Lt Col Hj Basri Omar PGB (Rtd). 

Congrats Lt Col Mohd Azzam Mohd Hanif Ghows (Rtd)

for having successfully written and published a classic pictorial history . . .

and thank you for the invitation. Have a nice day!

In conclusion . . . I shall consider myself as one very fortunate individual from the non-military commune to be able to attend this function which basically catered for the military person.

AMB with Lt Col Rahman 'stage director' for d event

For most of the guests . . . it was truly a time well-spent being at the Dewan Perkasa this afternoon. Something to remember by for a long time. 

With much appreciation we bid goodbye for now to The Right Honourable Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad.

Insya-Allah we shall meet again. Until then may Allah SWT always watch over you. 

For yours sincerely . . . attending the launch and getting to know many interesting personalities . . . was a rich experience.

Happenings at the function certainly made my day!

Thank you all.  Alhamdulillah. 

bamuda
dsuarang.blogspot.com

Aku Akan Terus Mendoakan

Assalamualaikum dan Selamat Sejahtera

 Demi Suatu Persahabatan  

ALLAHUMMA

Allahumma

anugerahi sahabat hamba semangat 

tidak mudah mengalah

dalam segala apa yang dihajatkan;

tidak mudah berubah

dalam segala apa yang menguji kesabaran; 

walaupun 

terlalu banyak kesabaran  

diperlukan . . . 

sepanjang menghadapi ujian

selama melalui waktu berhalangan. 

Allahumma

anugerahi sahabat hamba kekuatan 

untuk terus berikhtiar

apa sahaja 

yang terdaya diikhtiarkan;

ketenteraman jiwa 

untuk menerima

apa jua yang ditakdirkan 

oleh-Mu Tuhan . . .  

dalam mana-mana kaedah 

sukar maupun mudah. 

Aku tetap akan terus mendoakan agar sahabatku ini pulih seperti sedia kala.

Aku yakin, ya ALLAH . . . dengan zat ENGKAU yang Maha Pengasih Lagi Maha Penyayang, ENGKAU pasti tidak menghampakan doa hambamu ini . . . sempena keberkatan dan kemuliaan yang ENGKAU peruntukkan kepada tiga rangkaian bulan istimewa Rejab - Syaaban - Ramadan ini . . .  

Doaku ikhlas buat seorang sahabat yang telah berzaman-zaman aku kenali. 

Seorang sahabat yang telah lama akrab dan mesra denganku sebagai 'adik-beradik' sendiri. Sahabat yang bernama . . .  

GHAZALI bin KAMARUDDIN

Sahabat yang tinggal di bawah satu bumbung bersama denganku di Asrama Putera Melayu, Kuala Lumpur sepanjang zaman persekolahan menengah dari tahun-tahun 1950-an hingga 1960-an.

 Dari Kiri:

 Zali, Majid dan Jamil

Aku n Ghazali di Kuching Waterfront

Semoga Tuan Hj Ghazali bin Kamaruddin cepat sembuh. Sihat seperti sediakala . . . lantas dapat beraktiviti cergas semula. Amin.

bamuda
dsuarang.blogspot.com

Tinggal Kenangan

Assalamualaikum dan Selamat Sejahtera

Vakum di Mana-mana  


Jam menunjukkan pukul 2:30 ptg waktu tempatan. 

Aku, Alimah, Halim, Hazry dan Marlyana baru sahaja sampai di rumah kami dari Taman Seri Segambut.

Tadi kami sekeluarga telah menghadiri suatu majlis membaca surah Yasin dan bertahlil arwah. 

Majlis diadakan khusus bagi mengenang sebulan berlalunya tempoh pemergian Almarhum Tuan Hj Lokman bin Mohd Shariff menghadap Allah SWT.

Aku tiba-tiba terkenang akan bapa saudaraku . . . Hj Lokman ini . . . yang aku panggil Pak Anjang.

Selalunya . . . beliau sendiri yang akan menyambut kedatangan aku ke rumahnya. 

Setiap kali aku tiba dan memarkir keretaku di hadapan rumahnya, beliau akan membuka pintu pagar untuk mempersilakan aku masuk. 

Wajahnya kelihatan bersahaja. Namun nada keriangan sentiasa kedapatan terselit di sebalik kata-katanya menyambut kedatanganku: " Ha masuklah . . . !"

Tadi, ketika berada di rumah yang sering aku kunjungi di Taman Seri Segambut itu . . . aku terasa amat kehilangan. Vakum di mana-mana.

Wajah beliau tidak lagi kelihatan. Suara beliau tidak lagi kedengaran. Telatah beliau tidak lagi kewujudan.   

Kehadiran semangat beliau sahaja yang masih dapat aku rasakan melalui aura yang ditinggalkannya di Bagas Impian.

Di tengah-tengah ramai ahli keluarga dan sanak saudara serta sahabat handai yang berkunjung datang menjayakan majlis membaca surah Yasin dan bertahlil arwah tadi aku amat terasa akan sesuatu 'kekosongan' yang melanda majlis.  

Cara dan nada suara Hj Lokman mengepalai bacaan surah Yasin dan bertahlil sudah tiada lagi. Sudah lenyap buat selama-lamanya. 

Aku sempat berbicara dengan anak-anak Almarhum Hj Lokman . . . dan dari nada dan warna bicara aku bersama mereka tadi . . . amat jelas mereka juga berperasaan seperti aku . . . atau mungkin tidak keterlaluan jika aku andaikan lebih 'parah' kepiluan dan kekosongan yang mereka rasakan berbanding aku!

Akhirul kalam kali ini ingin aku petik maksud kata-kata Johari menantu Almarhum Hj Lokman:

"Abah tak pernah menunjukkan sifat amarah kepada kami . . . especially anak menantunya. Dia seorang yang baik dan tidak cerewet . . . Susahlah nak ikut macam cara dia. Kalau dia datang ke rumah kami . . . dan hendak minum cendol . . . kami belikan dan hidangkan saja. Abah akan menikmati hidangan kami itu tanpa banyak bicara. Begitulah mudahnya cara dan gaya hidup Abah . . . "

Perasaanku bertambah terusik dengan pengakuan begitu. Memang aku juga amat mengenali beliau . . . bukan sahaja sebagai seorang bapa saudara tetapi juga sebagai seorang sahabat.

Insha Allah dapat aku bercerita lagi dalam keluaran yang akan datang tentang Lokman bin Mohd Shariff sebagai bapa saudara dan juga sahabatku. 

Namun dia yang pergi tetap telah pergi. Kita yang tinggal cubalah sebaik mungkin melaksanakan pesanan dan merealisasikan harapan dia yang telah pergi. 

Marilah kita sama-sama bacakan dan sedekahkan al-Fatihah sebanyak-banyaknya buat insan yang sama-sama kita sayangi ini . Insan yang bergelar Abah kepada anak-anaknya, Anjang kepada isteri dan adik-adiknya, Pak Anjang kepada anak-anak saudaranya,  Atuk dan Atuk Anjang kepada cucu-cucunya, Onyang kepada cicit-cicitnya. . . . dan Lokman atau Tuan Hj Lokman kepada kaum kerabat dan para sahabat handainya. 


Aku tak akan lupa sebaris kata-kata yang sering diucapkan beliau tentang kematian ketika ada hayatnya:

"Kalau anak-anak bagi Visa atau Mastercard pun . . . tak laku kat sana . . ."

Jadi kita fahamkanlah maksud yang tersirat bersama-sama dan . . . al-Fatihah yang berterusan buat Almarhum Pak Anjang. Amin. 




bamuda
dsuarang.blogspot.com