Collate or Clutter

My existence has been a collection of history, may it be in its collation or for the clutter of sorts. I grew up in a family of ten and reclusive since small. Or was it that I’d rather escape reality to be away from the din and octaves of home? I had my own mind then.

Although little and quietly inquisitive, I ventured into all sorts: trying out gadgets, what were available then. I fiddled and never minded nor mattered. I played with matches and once nearly brought the house down, I was severely reprimanded. That small house where we earlier lived, later was to leave.

We moved into our next house, near some bushy area with “lallang” or, imperata cylindrical, which still is a common sight in the natural system of plant regeneration in Malaya, nearby to a creek. The setting was ideal in my formative years especially because of the proximity to this vegetation and some big trees. In particular, I saw many wild kapok trees, commonly known as “kekabu hutan” for the local Malay, in Latin: Bombax valentonii from the family of BOMBACACEAE (or Greek, bombux-silk). At times I would see a few adults chopping these particular trees down in order to make cut-out sampans as the wood being light with a closed grain timber providing natural water proofing. These days we often hear of kapok being used for making cheap acoustic guitars and matchsticks. But during my migration years in the Eighties, I had also came across someone who worked at one of the Ford Motor company’s vendors in Geelong, Vic., Australia. He informed me that due to Kapok being light and easy to carve, it does not expand with heat and is commonly used for making formwork in their process of shaping prototypes in cars! Our locals however, use the tree cotton pods for pillows and life jackets. The bark makes a natural brownish red dye suitable for clothing. There is also food and healing purposes also attributed to the many uses of these kapok trees and pods.

During the formative age between 8 to 10 years, in 1960-2, I had both my “lallang” cave and tree house, where I would relax between school hours and dinner time. I had a cooking stove made from a “Milo” can, where I would hollow one side near its bottom for air intake, and a suspended perforated metal piece to hold wood splinters as my fire energy source. This thing however, never failed my cooking and that was part of my play home alone.

Occasionally when brave, we kids would walk inside the shallow creek, looking at the “lubok” or underwater tree roots, for catfish. But often for safety, home made bamboo rods with lines hooked, were our way to fish. Sometimes, one can never guess at what to expect, for there could be eels or snakes!

Aloft in my tree house, I could see our home from a distance or when dad would come home from teaching. An incident arose one time, when my father threatened to chop down the tree because we kids were consistently gone. And, only due to a protest from my sister who insisted that it be left alone for the rest to play, that it owes its’ survival.

But my “lallang” cave faced a different fate, oh well. It was around the same time also, my father had a chook house attached to the back of our house. He fenced it of with chicken wire, 7 foot tall and gated. One day, whilst out playing at the cave near the house, I took the “parang” or long knife along to clear the vegetation surrounding it and to be safe from snakes. Of course I decided to leave the “parang” there one evening; thinking it would not be of any use that night at home. But when I woke up the next morning, I was blamed for not replacing the “parang” where it should normally be.

Apparently, whilst we were asleep that particular night, someone had entered the chook house and tried to steal our chickens. My father was awoken by the flapping noise and opened his bedroom window, only to see a figure slightly away from arm’s length alongside the back wall. The intruder was shocked motionless and so did my father, but he could not reach the intruder and insisted my mother go get the “parang”.

Luckily for the intruder, it wasn’t there allowing him to slip away albeit empty handed. But not so my forlorn “lallang” cave, it however, didn’t survive!


However our era and this present period vary in our tales.

(Circa 1960-2)
*The house at No: 755, Jalan Kuantan,Transit Quarters, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia no longer exist.

Today I had a try

Yes, we had a game of rugby this afternoon. For the above forty or so it was meant to be.

The game had been playing my mind since last Wednesday, 3rd August, when told by Colonel Charlie Wong, an ex-Malaysian Military Attaché to Korea. He informed me this immediately after giving me the upsetting news that Malay College was not selected by the State Education Department to represent Perak in the MRSSM Cobra Under-16 Qualifying 10s Tournament last Saturday, 6th August 2005, organised by the Cobra Rugby Club. Top 4 teams here would qualify for the coming HSBC Cobra Invitational Rugby 10s from Sept 9 - 11. See, http://www.cobrarugby.com/

MCKK non-qualification for the Cobra Under-16 Tournament plagued me until last Saturday, when I went to see the event for myself. There I met Mohd. Shukri Hussin (Class of 71), the Liaison Officer for MRCCP, seated next to the Cobra Rugby Club President, Dato' Krishnan Tan. And what a relief that was, for Shukri who was dying to see me and me to see him after the sad news.

But Shukri was rather excited instead of sad and I was extremely surprised. Although I found out later that the Schools Tournament was sponsored by Commerce Asset-Holding Berhad (CAHB) to the tune of RM 200,000 and he is the CEO of the company, ( http://www.commerz.com.my/directory/ ) which I only just found out when the announcement was made over the PA system. Shukri had been keeping this an open secret from me, even though I was moderating for MRCCP and all operational expenses came from him personally but paid by MCOBA.

Saturday, Shukri had been to the MCKK Speech Day in the morning but skipped the Sports Day to be at this qualifying tournament. He had spoken to some of the MCKK Under-16 Rugby Boys and they were upset for not able to meet their winning opponents from SMS Sultan Mahmud, whom they lost to in the recent SBP 10s at Kuala Pilah. ( http://www.cobrarugby.com/news28a.htm )

What excited Shukri that day when he saw me was that he had just learnt that a Thailand school team had pulled out from the September event. ( http://www.cobrarugby.com/news25a.htm ) And he had spoken to the Organisers to strike a deal to allow maybe some 5 MCKK Boys to play in their Cobra Selections side. He called me to speak to Dato' Krishnan Tan and requested that I should oversee how our MC boys would cohere with the rest of their members squad. And whilst this was going on, Col. Charlie came reminding me of today's game in front of everyone.

I turned up today's game as usual and on time. We meant to play an Over-40 side called Midland from Perth, Western Australia but there were only 8 or 10 of them and just so happen all the oldies came attired in their own training jerseys. Mine matched Midland and I had to play on their side.

The game went for 2 halves and my Midland side did well in the first session using these special rules brought by them. More importantly, in the 2nd half I had a try. And when I went out briefly to get my refreshments, I was very surprised to see Shukri watching the game. His only comment was "at 53 you sure can still play this game." My return comment was "That was what worrying me since last Wednesday. It was whether I can still run and not injured myself!"

Today I had a try.


Rosli a.k.a Mat Ali
Class of 69 (65-71)
Idris House

Waves and WooeR

(Note: Click on each thumbnails for a bigger image, to copy it.)

A telltale day before Asian Tsunami
- a different sort of wave was created.
(25th December 2004)

Ground zero was pinpointed as in this email,

To: jublintan65@yahoogroups.com
From: "GrandPa" fadzil5069@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 13 Dec 2004 07:33:04 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: [jublintan65] TV 3 weather report-delayed telecast

A'kum,

Pekan is 50km south of Kuantan (that is if you know where Kuantan is). Pantai Lagenda is a new word coined by I don’t know who...the original name of the place was/is actually Serandu. For your convenience, I have included a map to help you get there. Pantai Lagenda is actually Kampong Ketapang on the map. The real Kampong Ketapang is actually south of the bridge spanning the Pahang River.So as not to confuse matters, I prefer that you click on the link below and look at the map yourself.

As for the rain, in Kuantan and Pekan the weather is as dry as a bone today.

Glad I can be of help. I don’t know what is to become of you people without me around.
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?client=public&
GridE=103.3920&GridN=3.4871&lon=103.3920&lat=3.4871&db=w3&overviewmap=&
country=Malaysia&scale=1000000&
amp;amp;lang=®ion=Pahang&client=public&cidr_client=none&place=Pekan

And without any GPS whatsoever, but guided by the map, we headed from KL for the location. To do battle in the "Jublintan65 PGA Tua Kuantan/Pekan Monthly Golf Challenge", to be held at Pantai Lagenda Country Golf Resort, Pekan. Travelling via Kuantan.

The main route we used was the new "Lebuhraya Pantai Timur (LPT)"

Myself and Tarmizi were passengers in Rashid Hassan's car.

Our navigator was Zainol Darus

The latest information that we had from the organiser, about our challengers, is from another email.

To: jublintan65@yahoogroups.com
From: "azmil azmil"
Date: Wed, 15 Dec 2004 01:16:21 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: [jublintan65] Golf in Kuantan

UPDATE @ 15/12/2004
RESPONSE TODATE :
CONFIRMATION; GOLF / DINNER
=================
1) JOE OLDE; YES /YES
2) KAMAL DOLLAH; YES / YES
3) DATO FUAD IBRAHIM; YES / YES
4) DATO DOLLAH SANI; YES / YES
5) GUEST (DATO SANI); YES / YES
6) GUEST (DATO SANI); YES / YES
7) WAN HAMZAH; YES / YES + ??
8) RASHID HASSAN; YES / YES
9) JED D KK BOY; YES / YES + 3
10) AZMIL; YES / YES
11) TERMIZI; YES / YES
12) MASTER LEHO; YES / YES + 1
13) LEHO JUNIOR; YES / YES
14) ZAWAWI; YES / YES
15) WOOER; YES / YES
(I THINK DIA DAH DAPAT TRANSPORT)
16) GRANDPA; YES / YES + ??
17) GUEST (DATO FUAD); YES / YES

SINCE PANTAI LAGENDA MAY BE NEW TO SOME OF US, CAN I SUGGEST THAT WE MEET AT THE CAR PARK OF MASJID NEGERI AT MID DAY & GET OUR TOURIST GUIDE TO SHOW US THE WAY TO THE GOLF CLUB.
THOSE USING THE HIGHWAY, TAKE THE GAMBANG EXIT TO KUANTAN TOWN. U WILL BE PASSING THE AIRPORT ALONG THE WAY TO TOWN.
BETUL TAK GRANDPA??

PROVISIONAL (NOW CONFIRMED)
===========
1) WOOER LI (KALAU DAPAT TRANSPORT) - ANY TAKERS?

ALSO INVOLVED
============
1) MONSA; NO / YES + 2
(BALL SPOTTER FOR KAMAL DOLLAH)
2) ABU NON; NO / YES
(OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHER)
(DIA LEBIH TINGGI DARI LALLANG KAT LAGENDA GOLF CLUB)

REGRETS
=======
1) DATO SIDEK - RELIEF WORK AFTER FLOODS IN MANILA
2) BASTAMAM - TAKUT WOOER MENANG THIS TIME ROUND
3) IDRIS INDIA - AIR ASIA TAK LAND KAT KUANTAN
4) FUAD RAHMAN - MIGHT JOIN, MIGHT MEANT A NO
5) SAHAR KARIM - DOCTOR TAK ALLOW
6) ISMAIL JUSOH - COUSIN KAHWIN KAT JB
7) LANK - KENA ARRANGE MANGKOK2
8) ANUAR BAB - CELEBRATE XMAS
9) IMRAN - KENDURI KAWIN
10) NASIR MAJID - TAK BOLEH LEBIH DARI S'GOR BORDER
11) NIK FALDO - KENDURI KAWIN
12) ZUL ALIAS - HOLIDAY DGN FAMILY
13) DATO SALLEHUDIN OTHMAN - JEMPUTAN BANYAK SANGAT

AS FOR THE REST, I SUPPOSE IN SERIOUS DISCUSSION WITH THE MRS.
HOPE THE NUMBERS FOR KUANTAN WILL INCREASE.
WILL UPDATE IN DUE COURSE.

TQ...MOK


However, we stopped at the Temerloh's Rest Area, to wait for Joe Olde.

Puffing away as much as we could before we got back into the car.

Tarmizi, Rashid, Zainol Darus and Azmil(Mok), with his children

Another email giving an alternative route, from

GrandPa wrote to Jublintan65 on Dec 15

>THOSE USING THE HIGHWAY, TAKE THE GAMBANG EXIT TO
> KUANTAN TOWN. U WILL BE PASSING THE AIRPORT ALONG
> THE WAY.

Mok
Thanks for including me in the YES, YES columns. As for the +? Well I am a one woman man (fortunately or otherwise). The one woman is not coming, so I am coming without a woman.

As for the direction...the Gambang exit is still the best.
You do not pass the civilian airport but you do pass the TUDM terminal and the south end of the runway. From there, keep to the right lane because. Do not take the left exit to Kuantan by pass, drive straight on until you reach a traffic light junction, which is at Taman Tas. On green (stop at red) go straight on towards Kuantan if you wish to go to KUANTAN but look out for the Pekan U turn. Keep on the right lane to avoid missing it.

If you do miss it, don’t fret because fretting won’t do you any good. Just drive on until you meet another traffic light junction. It is just before an overhead pedestrian bridge. To your left you will see a mosque. Make a U turn to Taman Guru but you don’t want to go to Taman Guru do you? You want to go to Pantai Lagenda, Pekan. 'So' (KL punya trend, mesti ada so) you drive straight on, after the U turn, that is, until you see Kolej Ugama Pahang. Now take the left lane and slow down, watch for the direction sign to Pekan. Drive on the deceleration lane on the left and follow it towards Pekan. Follow the direction to Pekan, Nenasi, Rompin Mersing, Johor Bahru. If you overshoot Pekan, turn back immediately.

From the Kuantan-Pekan junction drive on until you reach Pahang Tua, drive on and you will see padi fields to your right. It’s a beautiful sight so slow down, but watches out for the S bend for two reasons. One is because it is dangerous and Two, because about half a kilometre to your left is the junction to Pantai Lagenda, Serandu and Kuala Selangor. Drive on until you reach a T junction and take right to Pantai Lagenda, Serandu and KUKTEM. Don’t take left because it will take you to Kuala Selangor (it is a small fishing village and the road ends there.

You can’t miss Kelab Golf Pantai Lagenda.

My advice is printing this whatever, and takes it along in your car for reference because old brains like ours can’t remember every thing written even though it is written in a very simple and uncomplicated way.

Happy hunting!


But instead we caught up with each other at Kuantan Vistana Hotel Lobby, before we headed for Pekan

Some photographs taken, in the process

L: Rashid and Dato' Sani. R: Dato' Sani, Zainol Darus and Rashid


L: Zainol Darus checking-in. R: Dr. Wan Ariffin, Salleh O and Rashid


L: Aznam, Dr. Wan Ariffin and Rashid. R: Samad, Wan Hamzah, Dr. Wan Ariffin and Baharum

And managed to have a small group photograph session.


L-R: Wan Hamzah, Samad Nordin, Rashid Hassan, Salleh, Wan Ariffin, Fadzil, Baharum and Aznam's backside


Some casual chats....

When we arrived at Pantai Lagenda Country Golf Resort, we had lunch and waited for those latecomers.




Some edgy people...

And, then got ready to face the challenge.


L-R: Kamal Dollah and Mus (Guest)


L-R: Kamal Dollah, Mus (Guest) and GrandPa Fadzil Rahman

Zainol Darus, our 1971 Rugby Captain, stood guard.

L-R: Dr. Wan Ariffin, Faisal (Dato' Fauzi's son), Dato' Fauzi Rahman and Zainol Darus

After the game, we changed and got ready to go for dinner.


Another edgy moments, not knowing the results...

On arrival at Dato' Fuad's residence, we were greeted by Monsa.


L: Monsa greeted us. R: Zafrally ( SallehO's son) and Faisal (Dato' Fauzi's son)

There, the Golf Committee was counting the scores.


L: Johari with Zafrally, on first counting. R: Tarmizi, Rashid and Johari for the final decision.

The result was announced that night but only recently disclosed to other members.
(To disreetly avoid certain embarrasing scores)

To: jublintan65@yahoogroups.com
From: "johari"
Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2004 17:17:06 +0800
Subject: Re: [jublintan65] JI TUA - PEKAN CHALLENGE

Assalamu'alaikom wbt.
Pleased to announce the results of the JI Tua Golf at Pekan recently (since Morky is quiet about it) as per attached.

Wooer Li triumphed with 32 stableford points; Tarmizi runner-up with 31 pts whilst third was Djet with 30 pts.
Hj Djet did not score an ace this time around but was one of only 3 who managed birdies, the others being master Leh 'O' and MacAzdul. Mizi scored the highest no. of pars scoring 5 in all with 4 from the 2nd nine. The champion managed only 1 par but that's golf.

Congratulations to Wooer. Now perhaps we have to call him Champ Wooer but make sure champ is spelt right.

Until the next Tua chapter,
Salam.
p.s. Abu Non won an award for being the most ardent follower dethroning Monsa who could not make it due to something.

The families also enjoyed the "silaturrahim", like we did.








Food galore...

Yes guys, and who could have expected that I can win at this game too?
And, as Dr. Wan Ariffin puts it,

From: wan ariffin wanariff@hotmail.com
To: jublintan@yahoogroups.com
Subject: tsunami & golf
Sent: Monday, December 27, 2004 12:12:11 AM

within hours after wooer was announced as the monthly champion of pg tua, the earth moved, cracks appeared on the Indian ocean bed 40 km below the sea level, 10 meter high tidal waves suddenly appeared out of nowhere in phuket, maldive, srilanka, penang etc.

the east coast of west malaysia was apparently unaffected except for the beachside lagenda golf course in pekan where the tournament took place. it was also attacked and flattened by tidal wooer.

awesome! gentlemen! we must not let this happen again!
too much damage to lives, hartabenda, economy and egos.

salam
wpeng
(wooer's innocent buggy and flight mate who was unfairly accused of bersubahat!! )



L: Dato' Fauzi, Faisal and Zafrally. R: Dato' Fauzi, Faisal and Dr. Wan Ariffin

Aptly, GrandPa Fadzil Rahman responded.

From: "GrandPa"
To: jublintan@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [jublintan65] waves and wooer
Sent: Sun, 26 Dec 2004 17:53:48 -0800 (PST)

Wan Peng,

My sympathy is to those who may be affected by the tsunami. The East Coast one was most enjoyable and I hope to be able to join the PGA tua again if the venue and circumstances is right.

Thank you Wan Peng for walking to our humble place in Sungei Karang and please feel free to do so again any time you are around.

Salam
GrandPa



L-R: Aziz Ishak, Azmil (Mok), GrandPa Fadzil and Mr. Tan (Guest)

Of course some of us were not expecting the result,

To: jublintan65@yahoogroups.com
From: "azmil azmil"
Date: Mon, 27 Dec 2004 02:31:56 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: [jublintan65] waves and wooer

DOC PENG,
YOU SHUD HAVE CARRIED IN YOUR MEDICINE BAG SOME REDFACED BLUSING ANTIDOTES.
DESPITE THE REFLECTION OF THESPOT LIGHT VIA GRANDPA'S LUMINOUS TOP, THE RED FACE WAS VERY MUCH IN EVIDENCE. TAK TAU LAH DUE TO TOUR INNER CONSCIENCE KE OTHERWISE.
BUT PLEASE DO NOT WORRY COZ WE ALL KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH WOOER!!!...AND YOU AS WELL THE NEXT TIME ROUND.THAT DAY KAMI KESIAN KAT DIA COZ HIS MRS DIDN'T WANTTO SPEAK TO HIM FOR THE LAST 2 WEEKS.
NO OFFENCE DOC....MOK

But, we enjoyed most, our outing and the dinner.


L: Baharum and Mohd. Nor Isa (Monsa). R: Aznam Tan Sri Abdullah

Some of us could even laugh at their bad moments at golf.


L-R: Kamal Dollah, Aznam and Mus (Guest)


L: Zainol Darus (Non). R: Dato' Sani, Azmil (Mok) and GrandPa Fadzil


L-R: Zainol Darus (Non), Baharum Salleh and Mohd. Nor Isa (Monsa)


L: Non and Monsa. R: Dr. Wan Ariffin, GrandPa Fadzil and Mr. Tan (Guest)

GrandPa added further,

Mok, Wan Peng n All.

I had the wooden spoon, under normal circumstances...well, malu gak but since we were among literally old friends..to me, all that matters was that I had the opportunity to be among friends. To me the game itself did not really matter. It was just an excuse to meet. That is why after not having touched the club for 14 or 15 years, I joined in the fray. However, please do not be too confident that I will be wooden spoon again the next time...InshaAllah.


Our host and sponsor, Dato' Fuad Ibrahim, did a great job!


L-R: Dato' Fuad Ibrahim (Raj) talking to his son


L: Samad, Dato' Zul (Guest) and Dato' Fauzi. R: Salleh O and Dato' Sani


L-R: Dato' Sani, Salleh O, Dr. Wan Ariffin, Aziz Ishak (Jed) and Azmil (Mok)

I had to state my case.

To: jublintan65@yahoogroups.com
From: "Rosli Ali"
Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2004 00:24:03 +0800
Subject: Re: [jublintan65] waves and wooer

All in JiTua,

These people think that WPeng was in collusion with my winning.Disregarding the fact that we also had Dato' Fauzi's son, Faisal, andLehO's son, Zafrally, as witnesses. My performance was nothing to shout about to begin with!

With a mere 32 stableford points, they could not accept the victory...just because I won. They stomped the ground in disapprovals, and the earth moved to give out the historic Tsunami the next day!

Don't you guys know that on earlier count, I was third? Until Tarmizi came, to double-check that allowed me the extra points from index holes, because I played on handicap 24. See, I've been trying to tell you guys to put me at a lower handicap, since I've already got the GIST of this game! (GIST meaning: Good Individual's Swing/skillTechniques.)

Mind you, it's Tarmizi who sacrificed himself into 2nd spot, that made Rashid go 4th (Jed came 3rd.). Tarmizi, Zainol Darus and me, were passengers in Rashid's car, AND WE SHARED THE SAME ONE HOTEL ROOM TOO.
I almost had to play golf again the next morning to prove my prowess at the game, because we were together in one room.

Anyway the golf that day was inspired by my mutual rivalry with LehO's son, Zafrally. He played well as our guest, with 38 stableford points, and I was merely trying to keep close at bay for pride, whilst at the same time coaching Dato' Fauzi's son, Faisal, to be confident with his strokes. All day I advised him, "Set your target, go for it and don't worry about what lies ahead. Afterall you already have astrong swing but occasionally do check the set-ups."

Bastamam was lucky in a way; he had the premonition that I was going to win against him to avoid embarrassment. But he and everyone else did not expect me to win this game over Aznam, Joe, Dato' Fuad and Tarmizi (all our Masters Champions) playing. Their usual game was not up to scratch.

And with that 32 stableford points, nothing could stop ROSLI MOHD.ALI from taking the CHAMPIONSHIP for the JI TUA KUANTAN/PEKAN 2004.

WooeR


L-R: Dato' Sani and Salleh O. R: Dato' Sani, Salleh O and Aziz Ishak (Jed)


GrandPa again wrote,

On Mon, 27 Dec 2004 17:44:20 -0800 (PST), GrandPa wrote:

Congratulations Wooer (how did you get that nick?). I am sure you deserved the win. You know what, with the two week silent stint and all.

My former Standard 5 classmate, Shahlan Yob, chipped in.

To: jublintan65@yahoogroups.com
From: "Mohd Shahlan Mohd Yob"
Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2004 12:35:34 +0800
Subject: RE: [jublintan65] waves and wooer

Mat Ali,
Aku rasa kemenangan kamu tu, tak banyak tak sikit kerana home ground advantage, and some good vibes from Peng.
Syabas.

Salaam.



L: Our local guest that night. R: Wan Hamzah, Samad Nordin and Zainol Darus


L-R: Dato' Zul (Guest), Dato' Fauzi, Dr. Wan Ariffin and Wan Hamzah

Here are some of the winners,


Third Placing (JI PGA Guest):
Dato Fauzi Rahman


Second Placing (JI PGA Guest):
Zafrally Salleh


First Placing (JI PGA Guest)
Ainon Aznam



Dato' Fuad presenting a momento to Dato' Zul
For giving away the prizes to our JI PGA Guests

Dato' Fauzi Rahman giving away the prizes.

Fourteenth Placing ( JI PGA Tua):
Fadzil Rahman (GrandPa) receiving from his brother.


Thirteenth Placing (JI PGA Tua) :
Baharum Salleh


Tenth Placing (JI PGA Tua):
Aznam Tan Sri Abdullah


Eight Placing (JI PGA Tua) :
Dato' Fuad Ibrahim, our host and sponsor.


Fifth Placing (JI PGA Tua) :
Dato' Abdullah Sani Hamid


Third Placing (JI PGA Tua) :
Abdul Aziz Ishak (Jed)


Second Placing (JI PGA Tua) :
Tarmizi Abu Hanipah


First Placing (JI PGA Tua) :
Rosli Dato' Mohd. Ali (WooeR)

(No photo taken, but Dato' Fauzi gave me a big hug!)

Salam and Thank You.

Faint Song of "Naik Kombi Ku"

What correlationship has PING with Jublintan65?

Read here for more.......

1972: ME, MYSELF, AND OHCHI NAKAMURA

I cannot help but recollect the year 1972 when the name Ohchi Nakamura was mentioned. This was during the auspicious Time-Cobra Invitational 10s 2004 Press Conference, recently at the PJ Hilton on 9th August 2004 by our YB Dato’ Azmi Khalid, the Organising Chairman. He speaks proudly of this one singled out Japanese Player that Cobra had in the Seventies.

In early 1972, I first joined to play for Cobra. I had just finished my High School Certificate at the Malay College Kuala Kangsar and awaiting application to further studies at ITM, when a senior MCOBA member Shahid Majid, introduced me to the Club. Shahid had befriended me during the previous year’s 1971 Old Boys Weekend, when he played for the Old Boys against our Present players in a Rugby game. He played Scrum Half and I, Hooker.

It was also during the first training with Cobra at University Malaya Rugby Field that I made a drastic change in my playing position to the back line. I tried out Centre, Wing and Full Back (where later I ended up comfortably as an Outside Centre). After the training I and another student member Alex Liew, were invited by Dato’ Aziz Ismail to his house, just outside the Campus for a drink. That was our induction to the Club.

Dato’ Aziz Ismail then confided in me if I knew anyone who could play Srum Half because Shahid had fractured his leg, and he needed a reserve player for his Selangor and Malaysian Team. Mind you, 1972 would have been Dato’ Aziz Ismail’s 17th year playing for our National Rugby Team. So, that’s how I managed to convince my ex-classmates, Azmil Zainal Abidin (Mok), a Scrum Half, and Zainol Abidin Darus (Non) to join Cobra the same year. Non and Mok were our Captain and Vice Captain respectively, in my 1971 MCKK School Team.

To cut the story short, Cobra in 1972 had 3 teams. Two teams, Cobra Yellow and Cobra Blacks, participated in the Division One League and Cobra Fangs in the Division Two. Touring 15-a-side games would be the Annual Games against Penang All-Blues in Penang and Singapore Blacks in Singapore. Later, the game against Kuantan Tiger in Kuantan was added. Carnival games would be the Cobra 10’s and Jonah Jones at KL Padang, Penang 10’s at Penang and the NS Sevens at Seremban. Cobra would play together in one team when touring and of course with plenty of reliable players by the sideline. Those were the days.

The story that most of us are very fond is of Ohchi Nakamura. He worked and lived in Malacca. He would sometimes come for training with us at UM Field and play competition games. Cobra President then was the late Kim Tai, who owned “The Bistro” in Jalan Gasing and “The Cellar” in Jalan Barat, where Syed Restaurant now located. The Cellar had a basement disco and a ground floor restaurant. So those were where most Cobra members used to hang-out after a training or game.

In one incident that year, 1972, Ohchi had made an earlier arrangement with Kim Tai, for the bus to pick him by the roadside, near the Old Road off Malacca junction, on our way to play Singapore Blacks. Kim Tai may have forgotten or could be that the journey started late, that he had directed the bus to go a different route. And only after we arrived at Singapore, did we realise that Ohchi had been left behind and could still be waiting by the roadside. But in those days, there was no way we could make immediate contact to Ohchi. Kim Tai gravely admitted his mistake and considered nothing more could be done that night and instead continued with organising the squad for lodging and next day’s plan.

Come next day and whilst we were preparing to play at the pitch, in walked Ohchi with his baggage and that “for-ever smiling face”. He made light of the incident and continued to enjoy the game. He was a jovial and fun-loving person to be with; who would sometimes brought the guitar along to entertain the team during tours.

Most of us could still never figure out until now, where he stayed in Petaling Jaya, whenever he was here with us for trainings or games. But one thing we do remember strongly about him was that he broke one tooth in a game he played for Cobra.

Ohchi Nakamura also went to play Penang 10’s with Cobra, when we had two participating teams. In fact, in 1972, he was everywhere we went and the fondest person in our Cobra Club. He could even be our first Japanese player that we had.

So, to Ohchi Nakamura wherever you are, we Cobra still love you!

Note*
(I attach here a photo of Cobra at the 1972 Penang Tens, played at Penang Free School. Ohchi sent this picture after he left us and went back to Japan.)

The picture has in it: the late Ashroff (Cobra 1st President), the late Brian Pestana (who died in the plane crash with the late Kim Tai), the late Busu, Dennis Pestana, Kai Yong, Zainol Darus, Ronnie Yeoh, Safa, Ohchi, Harris Beh, Jack Lee, Rosli, Ahmad Mahmud, Jagjit, Benny, etc, etc….


Story told by Rosli Dato’ Mohd. Ali.


Ohchi Nakamura with the COBRA Team at the
PENANG TENS 1972, played at Penang Free School.

Wan Hamzah eavesdropping on Dato Don and son, Rozalli 

Samad Nordin and our guest ready to go 

Mohamad Md. Nor wonders 

Kamal Yeop, Bakar Che Man, Johari and Tarmizi 

Kamal Yeop is ready 

Kamal Adzham (Ogo) raring to go 

Kamal Adzham (Ogo), Adnan, Aznam and Zahar 

JoeOlde and Tarmizi 

Imran, Dato Don and Rashid taking a shade 

Dato Sani and SallehO pondering 

Dato Don directing Aznam 

Datin Anne Sidek and Ainon Aznam 

Dato Fuad (Raj) watching the chaos 

Damanhuri, SamDos and JoeOlde 

Chaos at the ClubHouse 

Bastamam, Ramly, Malek and Dato Sidek 

Dato Fuad (Raj) contemplating 

Dato Sidek with Class 68 

WooeR reports Golf for MCOBA Class 69. Sunday, Oct.3, 2004

WooeR reports Golf for MCOBA Class 69. Sunday, Oct.3, 2004

Yesterday, MCOBA Class 68 slaughtered the Class 69 Team at Golf in Seremban 3 amidst the 1.30 pm soaring heat. The score was rather too embarrassing that the Class 68 Organisers would not disclose the total to us. Not that we worry so much about that, because our representatives Johari Amat and Rashid Hassan were there too, to witness when Kamal Adzham (Ogo) did the counting.

The humiliation though, tells us that we have to buck up and it reminds us to look at how serious are we, at wanting to win Golf, if ever we are about it. This is especially so when we also lost to Class 67 last month at Kajang Hill, by only 5 points and prior to that earlier this year, was butchered by Class 70.

Apart from these three inter-batches, we did not perform well at the G8 (MCOBA Golf Tournament between Classes 65 to 72) at KLCC, in March this year. And, I do admit that I could be the main culprit, in all these events.

Why so, say I?

In participating, its not just about making numbers, it is on how prepared are we individually that culminates into our team performance, to make all look good. (When preparing players for rugby, I would always advise each member, to be ready mentally or physically, or otherwise not step into a game. This is so that you’ll not get hurt individually, apart from your team getting the discomfort of your performance.) It’s the morality in any sport.

Now, have we learned our lesson?

No, not so say I. I blame it on my friends for not taking me to enough game. Like rugby, golf is a game that can only be learned through experiences, not by plenty of driving range practices. It is a game for resolving “situational complexities”, although not unlike rugby where quick decision is a major factor, in golf it’s more of being calculative albeit slower, giving each player a chance to think within time and mode of play. The truth that although no physical bodily opponents are present as in rugby, but in golf, nature of lie and distance are always to be taken seriously into consideration, apart from the Course Management. That’s where experiences can inculcate into each one’s self-belief.

What now?

GIVE ME JOBS SO THAT I HAVE MONEY TO PLAY MORE GOLF!

Okay, okay on yesterday’s Game.

First let me inform you that I had to beg Dato’ Ahmad Fuad Ibrahim to pay for my yesterday’s golf game. Only those present at the Front Desk would have heard this, including Rashid Hassan, Shamsuddin Dosak and Ramly Yusof. So, thank him for this report.

I was told that this country wants to create more good leaders, and so tested times were put onto us. We were stressed into this challenge at Seremban3, competition like, whereby winners will be determined but not gloat and that, like in any game, losers are to keep their heads together and not heart controls over brain.

This competitive culture is good for the Koleq boys where team events cannot be undertaken alone. Calibre players would henceforth come to the fore to systematically inculcate innovation and motivate the best from all departments to show prowess in their own fort. The investment is for richness in all of us undivided and to provide harvest of fortune for win-win situations; the idea is to keep helping each other for personal solitude, better returns and among all, friendship.
We are a force, and like it or not, winners breed winners. And, all these can be gained, given time. If all help each other, to regain respect for everyone, there should be no failures in our group. In reality, that is what all these competitions are about.


(Note: See pictures that each tells its own story.)


Last message received before the Challenge Game:
Subject: FW: Our Opponents on Oct 2 at PV
To: daman@ranhill.com.my, makata7@pd.jaring.my, malek.omar@power.alstom.com, malek.omar@crn.alstom.com, ws217@hotmail.com, mahmud1951@yahoo.com, mahmud@frim.gov.my, yeop1.0@lycos.com, hatta@mail.hukm.ukm.my, selasih4u@hotmail.com, selasih@pd.jaring.my, assa5@tm.net.my, Samdos@noex.com.my, titj@tm.net.my, sudin_50@hotail.com, "Hamid Abdul Samad" , "Mahmud Abdul Wahab" , "Dr Ismail Hashim" , nind@pkrisc.cc.ukm, "Kamal Yeop Kamarudin" , klpad@molma.com.my, ws217@hotmail.com, mdshah@vet.upm.edu.my, ismas@lgm.gov.my, ahs@mohaiyani.com.my, skharib@pc.jaring.my, kamalak2001@yahoo.com.Sg, kayu_1951@hotmail.com, azman.aris@nisshoiwai.com, ezanie@pc.jaring.my, latif@molma.infonet.com, abcheman@yahoo.com, vc@usm.my, mdnazri73@yahoo.com, effendi@pharmaniaga.com, mmha52@tm.net.my, ahmad.md-noor@eds.com, zainuddin@orogenic.com.my
CC: rosliali52@hotmail.com, rosliali52@yahoo.com
From: "Shamsudin Dosak" View Contact Details
Date: Fri, 1 Oct 2004 15:04:26 +0800

Attached is an e-mail from Rosli Ali...................... Looks like they have a strong squad!!!!!!!

Mahmud: your services are required.Pls e-mail or SMS your reply that youcan make it. Diaorang tu dari Pahang pun datang juga(Datuk Fuad)!Orang kitapun apa kurangnya. Dave, Ipoh mali dan Ramli all the way from JB. I willtherefore be disappointed if I do not receive a positive reply fromyou.................

Nik Ismail : they have a lady golfer and therefore you should consider cancelling your Saturday night golf with Aida and join us,if possible. Thenwe can possibly arrange the 2 couples under 1 flight.

Rosli: fyi, below is the handicap of our players shown in bracket: -

Tee-box # 1: 1st Flight - Malek(11)/Ramly(14) 2nd flight - Ogo(16)/Adnan(18) 3rd flight - Mohiyudi(18)/Damanhuri(22) 4th flight - Bakar CM(23)/Kamal Yeop(24)

Tee-box # 10: 1st Flight - Nazri(13)/Ismail Hashim(14) 2nd flight - Halili(15)/Khairu(15) 3rd flight - Samdos(17)/Mohamad M.N.(18)

You can arrange your guys to fit in the flights accordingly.

We can discussthat tommorrow. -----

Forwarded by Shamsudin Dosak/NOMA_KL/MY on 10/01/04 02:51 PM ----- "Rosli Mohd. Ali" To 10/01/04 01:30 PM http://aa.f540.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=Samdos@noex.com.my&YY=39328&order=down&sort=date&pos=0&view=a&head=b

cc Subject FW: [jublintan65] Class 68 v 69 Golf Challenge, Seremban3

Samdos,

Enclosed my message to our group.

We are coming up with 16 players as listed.

Anyway don't worry, as the bottom 2 are just to make-up the numbers, as requested by our Rashid Hassan. If anything, kindly revert to him. His number down bottom.

Rosli Principal: Ar Rosli Dato' Mohd. Ali

Mailing Address: 4 Jalan 12/11, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia

Phone/Fax: 603-79543654 2nd Line: 603-79578473 Mobile: +6019-2804995 >

From: "Rosli Mohd. Ali" http://aa.f540.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=rosliali52@yahoo.com&YY=39328&order=down&sort=date&pos=0&view=a&head=b

>Reply-To: http://aa.f540.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=jublintan65@yahoogroups.com&YY=39328&order=down&sort=date&pos=0&view=a&head=b

>To: http://aa.f540.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=jublintan65@yahoogroups.com&YY=39328&order=down&sort=date&pos=0&view=a&head=b

>Subject: [jublintan65] Class 68 v 69 Golf Challenge, Seremban3

>Date: Thu, 30 Sep 2004 19:31:18 +0100 (BST)

>Lank, What happens?Your name and Mok are conspicuously missing from the list. And so do Jed,Nik Aziz and WanPeng. Kenapa, takut hilang banyak bola ke?..when you can use pebbles.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:CLASS 68 versus CLASS 69 GOLF CHALLENGE

Venue: SEREMBAN 3

Date: 2nd OCTOBER 2004 (Saturday)

Tee-Off: 1.30 PM

Anyway, received plenty of calls from Rashid.And, here's the List of Participants from our Class 69.

1. Lt. Kol. Dato' Mohd. Sidek Ahmad2. Dato' Abdullah Sani Abd. Hamid3. Dato' Ahmad Fuad Hj. Ibrahim

4. Aznam Tan Sri Abdullah (Captain)5. Hj. Bastamam Hamzah6. Tarmizi Abu Hanipah7. Johari Amat

8. Mohd Salleh Osman9. Mohd. Zahar Samad10. Mohd. Samad Nordin11. Hj. Imran Idris

12. Kamarulzaman Yusof13. Datin Anne Sidek (Guest)14. Abdul Rashid Hassan15. Rosli Dato' Mohd. Ali

16. Wan Hamzah (Tentative) *CONFIRM

So you other guys, who think you are more qualified to play, kindly ContactRashid Hassan at 012 3737881 I believe the more of us there, the better and more choices for winningresult.

WooeR MSN 8 helps ELIMINATE E-MAIL VIRUSES

The first message received:
From : Shamsudin Dosak
Sent : Friday, October 01, 2004 11:55:10 AM
To : daman@ranhill.com.my, makata7@pd.jaring.my, malek.omar@power.alstom.com, malek.omar@crn.alstom.com, ws217@hotmail.com, mahmud1951@yahoo.com, mahmud@frim.gov.my, yeop1.0@lycos.com, hatta@mail.hukm.ukm.my, selasih4u@hotmail.com, selasih@pd.jaring.my, assa5@tm.net.my, Samdos@noex.com.my, titj@tm.net.my, sudin_50@hotail.com, Hamid Abdul Samad , Mahmud Abdul Wahab , Dr Ismail Hashim , nind@pkrisc.cc.ukm, Kamal Yeop Kamarudin , klpad@molma.com.my, , mdshah@vet.upm.edu.my, ismas@lgm.gov.my, ahs@mohaiyani.com.my, skharib@pc.jaring.my, kamalak2001@yahoo.com.Sg, kayu_1951@hotmail.com, azman.aris@nisshoiwai.com, ezanie@pc.jaring.my, latif@molma.infonet.com, abcheman@yahoo.com, vc@usm.my, mdnazri73@yahoo.com, effendi@pharmaniaga.com, mmha52@tm.net.my, ahmad.md-noor@eds.com, zainuddin@orogenic.com.my
CC : rosliali52@hotmail.com, rosliali@yahoo.com
Subject : MCOBA 68/70 Annual Championship cum Match Against MCOBA 69/71 - Important and Final Details
Attachment : MCOBA68.doc (0.03 MB)
1. Be at Paradise Valley GR and register at 1:00PM at the Registration
Table.Although we booked for our flights to start at 1:30PM we should try
to tee-off earlier(in order to finish earlier) should we have the flight
members to tee-off earlier than scheduled,if possible.I will collect the
RM100 + RM30(pool) from you then.
2. Stroke play but with double par the max score for any hole.Pls pick up
your ball if the next stroke would give you the "double par" score.
3. MCOBA 69/71 will also have 14 golfers.Therefore, there will be a
combined 7 flights with 4 flights to tee-off from Tee-box # 1 and 3 flights
to tee-off from Tee-box # 10.My proposed flight arrangements will be as
follows:
Tee-box # 1:
1st Flight - Malek/Ramly
2nd flight - Ogo/Adnan
3rd flight - Mohiyudin/Damanhuri
4th flight - Kamal Yeop/Bakar CM
Tee-box # 10:
1st Flight - Nazri/Ismail Hashim
2nd flight - Halili/Khairu
3rd flight - Samdos/Mohamad M.N.
4. 10 best gross score from each team to be selected and compared to decide
on the Match Winner(Gross Score) and 10 best net score from each team to be
selected and compared to decide on the Match Winner(Net Score).No Trophy or
prizes for this.
4. After the game, I suggest we shower first before we proceed to Lotus
Cafe for dinner and prize presentation!
5. Rosli Ali suggested that the pool money be combined and the top 3 for
each nine to win their share of the combined pool money.I think we should
agree with the proposal...................
Pls find attached the Prize List for the MCOBA 68/70 Annual Championship.
(See attached file: MCOBA 68.doc)