Flashback: Japan 2005 (Part 2: Nagoya)

Nagoya Train Station

We took the train from Ichinomiya to Nagoya..... Five of us.... Mr Bean & me, Bro Z, Bro R & Sis I. It was an almost one hour trip to downtown Nagoya, one of the major cities in Japan. Since we were planning to save our allowance, we decided to walk our way to our destinations. Following our map and the direction given by the subway security officer, we headed for Nagoya Castle.


Shinkansen in the background


Rice fields by the railway tracks


At the Cultural Village on the way to Nagoya Castle

We had to walk for almost an hour to the destination. When we arrived at the castle, we were totally exhausted. We argued whether to go inside or not because we had to pay about 500yen per person per entry. But we decided to go in as in could be our once-in-a-life-time chance to visit such a place.


Resting....

The palace complex was demolished by Allied Air Force bombers during the WW2 air-raids in 1945 and the only buildings still intact were the donjons. However, we can still see the ruins of the castle just a few hundred feet from the donjons. Read more about it HERE.


Nagoya Castle

The castle complex also served as a cultural center and a museum that houses many historical artifacts of medieval Japan. It’s really a wonderful experience to have visited such a historical place. At the top of the biggest donjon, there’s an observation platform and a souvenir shop.... Unfortunately, the souvenir items there were much too expensive........I only bought a souvenir for my wife there.... for the others.... maybe later....at the less expensive place.

It took us about 3 hours at the castle and our next destination is the electronic center (I don’t remember its name) that sells electronic items for bargain prices....(just like Lowyatt in KL or Al Fahidi in Dubai). We didn’t buy anything though, because we weren’t looking for any electronic items. Then we stopped at a t-shirt shop to buy some souvenir t-shirt to bring home. The old lady who owned the shop was so grateful that we visited her shop.... she gave us a very good discount.


Hard Rock Café Nagoya

Then we went to look for Hard Rock Cafe – Nagoya (tipikal orang Malaysia....HRC mesti kena pegi). But first, we had to walk back to the city center..... then we had the trouble of asking for the direction to the place. We met some school girls and asked them in English.... They took us to HRC Nagoya while talking among themselves and laughing.....(hehehe... mengumpat lah tu)...

We asked the English-speaking ladies at the HRC for the direction to the “hyaku-en” shop....(kedai 100yen.... kedai RM2 la tu)..... We found it at top floor of a shopping mall and we spend almost an hour looking at everything and stuffing them in our shopping basket.... mostly souvenirs for our family and relatives.

We took the train back to Ichinomiya.... and on our way back to the hotel....we stopped by at another 100yen shop in Ichinomiya.... so...another round of souvenir shopping......


In the airport-bound train

We got back to the hotel.... took our luggage and checked in our rooms. The hotel room was also as small as the previous one...but it’s actually better in terms of service. We had to wake up early for our morning flight to KLIA tomorrow. At the airport the next day, we met with two of our colleagues... just touched down that morning.... Obviously, they’ll be spending a few days of Ramadhan in Japan (Ramadhan was only a few day away).

What a memorable trip....

P/S:
Flashback: Japan 2005 (Part 1: Ichinomiya)

Had I started blogging back then, I would have blogged about it. It was my first trip overseas since I first started working in 1996 (the Bintulu recruitment trip didn’t count as overseas trip).

A few weeks after I got my Masters Degree, I had the opportunity to go for a business trip to Japan. We were introducing a new line of products, LCD projection TV aka Grand Wega (GW). I was involved with the project, so they sent me to one of our sister companies in Japan to study about the products.

After nearly 10 years working, I was really looking forward to this trip. I would be going with a young engineer friend of mine...let’s call him Mr Bean...hehe. It was also his first trip overseas.

So, on the afternoon of 28th September 2005, after returning back the rented graduation robe and mortar, my family sent me off at KLIA. While waiting to check in at the Singapore Airlines counter, I came up with this crazy idea. We were supposed to come home on Saturday the 1st October 2005, but I coaxed Mr Bean into staying one more extra day in Ichinomiya. He said.... “Whatever you do, I’ll just tag along”.... (We’d be in big trouble when we reported back to work....but we didn’t know that then). We went up to the counter and asked for a change to our flight schedule....the clerk changed it without a fuss..... Now we’d have an extra day to go sight-seeing.....

After bidding farewell...hugs and kisses.... to my family (Mr Bean came alone by the ERL), we board the aero-train to the International Terminal. We boarded the flight and guess what..... They put us into the Raffles Class....an equivalent to a Business Class in other airlines. How convenient.....

Our first destination was Changi International Airport.... We had a few hours to kill there while waiting for the connecting flight to Nagoya Airport. Changi Airport Duty Free Zone was like a shopping mall.... (In fact I think it IS a shopping mall)..... People were everywhere...shopping, window shopping...or just hanging out at the cafés and restaurant....or the open internet booths. We had a dinner of BK burgers and hurried up to the boarding gate. It was almost midnight when the SIA flight left for Nagoya. We watched movies....slept...watch movies....slept.... just to kill the 7 hours that flight took.

We arrived in Nagoya new airport (Chūbu Centrair International Airport)...an artificial Island.... at about 7 o’clock in the morning.... It’s 7am in Nagoya, but it’s still 6am in Malaysia.... My body clock thought I was still in Malaysia.... and it told my stomach it’s time for waste disposal. So, I went to the “john” and did my business.... it’s there that I remembered that they don’t use water to “clean up”..... They use papers.... oh man!!! And I forgot to bring in a bottle.... So..... go figure..... and my butts would be unwashed until I checked in at the hotel....that evening.

With an “uneasy” feeling in my butts, we boarded a Meitetsu Airport Line train at the airport.... We reached the Ichinomiya station in less than an hour. Mr Y, our Japanese manager was already waiting. He came a few days earlier, probably to set things up for us. He brought us straight to the hotel to check in....but he said “just leave your bags here.... we’re going straight to the factory.....”. I wanted to tell him that I had to get my butts cleaned first....but I didn’t think he would understand..... so, off we went straight to work....(He was furious when we told him that we had changed our return tickets.....hehehe).

At work, we met a few of our friends who were already in the factory (for the same reason) since a few weeks ago. Most of them would be going back this week. Together with us were a few engineers from our sister company in Thailand....they were also there for the GW.

Early in the evening, Mr Y took us back to the hotel (Green Hotel...I think). The hotel room is small (maybe about 7ft x 10ft) but fully-equipped. It could fit a very comfortable double bed, a dressing table-cum-TV-rack, a small pantry..... and a really, really small bathroom/toilet with a bath tub. The bath tub was so small that I couldn’t fit into it. That will be my home for two nights.

I spent the best part of the evening just sitting around in my room, watching Japanese shows on the TV..... Then we went out to sample the Japanese life outside. We met with some of our colleagues at the train station that also serve as a shopping mall. Most of them were going back the day after. The small town fell silent after dark....not much activities....

I woke up early in the morning.....and after a light breakfast in my room (instant soup and 3-in-1 Milo I guess)....I went down to meet Mr Bean. It’s still a couple of hours before Mr Y arrived. So, we decided to try the Japanese breakfast. Steam rice, fresh veggie and broiled fish..... not bad at all..... Apparently, the hotel was run by a Japanese family (a middle-aged couple)..... the husband was the hotel manager and the wife was the restaurant manager. From time to time, the husband will leave his station at the front desk to help his wife in the kitchen....

Mr Y came on time......and off we went to work.....

At lunch, we joined our fellow Malaysia.... since they stayed in Ichinomiya for almost a month, they brought some dried food (serunding and salted fish mostly) from home. So, the lunch wasn’t so bad..... and Mr Y was paying for everything. Thanks a lot, sir.

That evening, what were left of our colleagues came to the hotel and we went for a walk around the town.....It was almost Autumn and the weather was very pleasant.... As I said, there’s nothing in the town after dark....most shops closed at about 730pm...except for the shopping malls and the 24-hour convenient store (Sun Kus... if I’m not mistaken).... We parted companies....and promised that our destination tomorrow would be Nagoya.....

We checked out of the hotel and checked in at another (remember that we “illegally” extended our stay.....Mr Y had, reluctantly, found another hotel for us). We left the luggage with the front desk and proceeded to our friends’ hotel....about 10 minutes walk from our new hotel.

I was desperate to call home....since the hotel didn’t allow international calls, I decided to buy a call card to make the call from a pay-phone. I went to Sun Kus and after a few chicken-and-ducks language exchange.....the clerk sold me a call card worth 3000yen. I went to the nearest pay-phone tried to make the call....
Guess what... the card won’t go into the slot.....I tried a couple of times...still to no avail....
It turned out that I had bought a pre-paid mobile card..... now, how do I make a call at the pay-phone using a mobile card? Silly me..... I tried to ask for a refund by they wouldn’t accept it.... They told me that I could buy a disposable mobile phone so that I could use the card....(pandainya diorang...)
Luckily, the next hotel had the international call facility....so, I managed to call my family....telling them that I was ok...and I was coming home.....

Flashback: Japan 2005 (Part 1: Ichinomiya)

Had I started blogging back then, I would have blogged about it. It was my first trip overseas since I first started working in 1996 (the Bintulu recruitment trip didn’t count as overseas trip).

A few weeks after I got my Masters Degree, I had the opportunity to go for a business trip to Japan. We were introducing a new line of products, LCD projection TV aka Grand Wega (GW). I was involved with the project, so they sent me to one of our sister companies in Japan to study about the products.

After nearly 10 years working, I was really looking forward to this trip. I would be going with a young engineer friend of mine...let’s call him Mr Bean...hehe. It was also his first trip overseas.

So, on the afternoon of 28th September 2005, after returning back the rented graduation robe and mortar, my family sent me off at KLIA. While waiting to check in at the Singapore Airlines counter, I came up with this crazy idea. We were supposed to come home on Saturday the 1st October 2005, but I coaxed Mr Bean into staying one more extra day in Ichinomiya. He said.... “Whatever you do, I’ll just tag along”.... (We’d be in big trouble when we reported back to work....but we didn’t know that then). We went up to the counter and asked for a change to our flight schedule....the clerk changed it without a fuss..... Now we’d have an extra day to go sight-seeing.....

After bidding farewell...hugs and kisses.... to my family (Mr Bean came alone by the ERL), we board the aero-train to the International Terminal. We boarded the flight and guess what..... They put us into the Raffles Class....an equivalent to a Business Class in other airlines. How convenient.....

Our first destination was Changi International Airport.... We had a few hours to kill there while waiting for the connecting flight to Nagoya Airport. Changi Airport Duty Free Zone was like a shopping mall.... (In fact I think it IS a shopping mall)..... People were everywhere...shopping, window shopping...or just hanging out at the cafés and restaurant....or the open internet booths. We had a dinner of BK burgers and hurried up to the boarding gate. It was almost midnight when the SIA flight left for Nagoya. We watched movies....slept...watch movies....slept.... just to kill the 7 hours that flight took.

We arrived in Nagoya new airport...an artificial Island.... at about 7 o’clock in the morning.... It’s 7am in Nagoya, but it’s still 6am in Malaysia.... My body clock thought I was still in Malaysia.... and it told my stomach it’s time for waste disposal. So, I went to the “john” and did my business.... it’s there that I remembered that they don’t use water to “clean up”..... They use papers.... oh man!!! And I forgot to bring in a bottle.... So..... go figure..... and my butts would be unwashed until I checked in at the hotel....that evening.


Meitetsu Line - Connecting Nagoya Airport to other cities/town in Aichi Prefecture

With an “uneasy” feeling in my butts, we boarded a train at the airport.... We reached the Ichinomiya station in less than an hour. Mr Y, our Japanese manager was already waiting. He came a few days earlier, probably to set things up for us. He brought us straight to the hotel to check in....but he said “just leave your bags here.... we’re going straight to the factory.....”. I wanted to tell him that I had to get my butts cleaned first....but I didn’t think he would understand..... so, off we went straight to work.

At work, we met a few of our friends who were already in the factory (for the same reason) since a few weeks ago. Most of them would be going back this week. Together with us were a few engineers from our sister company in Thailand....they were also there for the GW.

Early in the evening, Mr Y took us back to the hotel (Green Hotel...I think). The hotel room is small (maybe about 7ft x 10ft) but fully-equipped. It could fit a very comfortable double bed, a dressing table-cum-TV-rack, a small pantry..... and a really, really small bathroom/toilet with a bath tub. The bath tub was so small that I couldn’t fit into it. That will be my home for two nights.

I spent the best part of the evening just sitting around in my room, watching Japanese shows on the TV..... Then we went out to sample the Japanese life outside. We met with some of our colleagues at the train station that also serve as a shopping mall. Most of them were going back the day after. The small town fell silent after dark....not much activities....


View of Ichinomiya from my hotel room in the early morning

I woke up early in the morning.....and after a light breakfast in my room (instant soup and 3-in-1 Milo I guess)....I went down to meet Mr Bean. It’s still a couple of hours before Mr Y arrived. So, we decided to try the Japanese breakfast. Steam rice, fresh veggie and broiled fish..... not bad at all..... Apparently, the hotel was run by a Japanese family (a middle-aged couple)..... the husband was the hotel manager and the wife was the restaurant manager. From time to time, the husband will leave his station at the front desk to help his wife in the kitchen....

Mr Y came on time......and off we went to work.....

At lunch, we joined our fellow Malaysia.... since they stayed in Ichinomiya for almost a month, they brought some dried food (serunding and salted fish mostly) from home. So, the lunch wasn’t so bad..... and Mr Y was paying for everything. Thanks a lot, sir.


With my buddy "Mr Bean"


With another close friend "Bro Z"

That evening, what were left of our colleagues came to the hotel and we went for a walk around the town.....It was almost Autumn and the weather was very pleasant.... As I said, there’s nothing in the town after dark....most shops closed at about 730pm...except for the shopping malls and the 24-hour convenient store (Sun Kus... if I’m not mistaken).... We parted companies....and promised that our destination tomorrow would be Nagoya.....

We checked out of the hotel and checked in at another (remember that we “illegally” extended our stay.....Mr Y had, reluctantly, found another hotel for us). We left the luggage with the front desk and proceeded to our friends’ hotel....about 10 minutes walk from our new hotel.

To be continued (Part 2: Nagoya)

Happy Earth Day

To our Planet Earth, Happy Earth Day.

To my fellow Earth inhabitants, let’s work together to preserve our home that Allah has entrusted to us. Let’s keep it clean, green and healthy for our next generations.

Allah forbids us from doing harm to the Earth. In the Holy Quran:



"But seek, with the (wealth) which Allah has bestowed on thee, the Home of the Hereafter, nor forget thy portion in this world: but do thou good, as Allah has been good to thee, and seek not (occasions for) mischief in the land: for Allah loves not those who do mischief." Al-Qasas: 77

*This particular verse of the Holy Quran is always recited in Friday Sermons (Khutbah Juma’at) in Selangor.... especially in Kajang Masjid Jame’.

Excerpt of the Holy Quran from: http://www.islamicity.com/mosque/quran/

Kids say the darn’dest thing: About marriage

I got this email from one of my YahooGroups....it's hillarious....

Let's see...

HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHOM TO MARRY?

(1)You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming.
- Alan, age 10

(2)No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with.
- Kristen, age 10

WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED?

(1) Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then.
- Camille, age 10

(2) No age is good to get married at. You got to be a fool to get married..
- Freddie, age 6 (very wise for his age)

HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?

(1) You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids.
- Derrick, age 8

WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MUM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?

(1) Both don't want any more kids.
- Lori, age 8

WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE?

(1) Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough.
- Lynnette, age 8 (isn't she a treasure)

(2) On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date.
- Martin, age 10 (who says boys do not have brains)

WHAT WOULD YOU DO ON A FIRST DATE THAT WAS TURNING SOUR?

(1) I'd run home and play dead. The next day I would call all the newspapers and make sure they wrote about me in all the dead columns.
- Craig, age 9

WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?

(1) When they're rich.
- Pam, age 7

(2) The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess with that.
- Curt, age 7 (good point)

(3) The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It's the right thing to do.
- Howard, age 8

IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?

(1) It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them.
- Anita, age 9 (bless you child)

HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF PEOPLE DIDN'T GET MARRIED?

(1) There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn't there?
- Kelvin, age 8

And the #1 Favourite is........

HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?

(1) Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a truck.
- Ricky, age 10

How to Find a Low-Stress Job

by Larry Buhl, for Yahoo! HotJobs

Chronic job stress, which the World Health Organization has called a "worldwide epidemic," is not the occasional aggravation of a dysfunctional copier or an annoying coworker. It's the energy-draining, psyche-straining, day-to-day mental grind that results in accidents, insomnia, irritability, fatigue, and overall lower quality of life.

But work doesn't have to stress you out. There are dozens of low-stress jobs available across a wide variety of fields, according to Laurence Shatkin, career information expert and author of "150 Best Low-Stress Jobs." And the vast majority of those jobs have good growth potential and good wages as well, Shatkin tells Yahoo! HotJobs.

Best Low-Stress Job for You?
Reaction to stressors is idiosyncratic. Some find the pressure of exactitude debilitating, others thrive on it. Some can't handle conflict, while others take arguments in stride.

Hate time pressure?
Archivists, who plan and oversee the arrangement of exhibitions, have a more leisurely pace of work than many other professions. Average annual earnings of archivists were nearly $41,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Prefer a short workweek? Massage therapists and fitness trainers work fewer hours per week than any other professionals. These fields are growing fast as well, although the pay is less than many other fields; and many positions are contract, without benefits (which some people could find stressful).

Don't want to look over your shoulder?
Environmental scientists enjoy lower competition than many other fields. The career also offers an enviable 25% job growth rate and an average salary of $56,000, according to the most recent BLS data.

Want freedom from the bottom line?
Mathematicians and sociologists -- average salaries, $87,000 and $60,000, respectively -- have to worry less about the impact their decisions have on company results.

Run from unpleasant people?
You may be more comfortable working with plans (marine engineers, average earnings $73,000) or theories (physicists, average earnings $94,000).

To choose a low-stress job or career, it's important to consider what you can and can't abide, according to Andrea Moselle, senior manager of work/life at AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals. "Any job can be stressful or not, depending on how you view it."

De-Stress Your Current Job
Not everyone can find a great low-stress job quickly. If you're at wits end now, there are several ways to take the edge off your work situation:

Look at your own attitudes.
While it might seem like the job itself is the culprit, experts suggest changing your attitudes and the way you adapt, or don't adapt, to job stressors. "If you're confident in yourself and positive about the world and open to new solutions, you'll find it easier to be resilient to stressful situations," Moselle says.

Gain control.
Psychologists agree that when people experience less stress, they have some degree of over their environment. Even if it's something as simple as organizing your messy desk at the end of the day, or making a list of tasks, you'll not only clear up the mental clutter, but gain a sense of mastery and control over your job.

Get physical.
Physical occupations such as massage therapist are considered low stress, Shatkin says, largely because it's harder to build up stress-generated adrenalin when you're moving around.

What if you have a sedentary job?
After a contentious meeting, make time to walk around the block or around the building. Go beyond the stress ball and move your whole body, even if it's for a minute or two. Not only will you experience a decrease in stress-releasing chemicals like cortisol, you may get a fitness boost as well.

Track your accomplishments.
A common denominator of many low-stress jobs is tangible results. Construction is considered a lower stress job in many ways because workers clearly see the fruits of their labors. If, like many, you have a job without a clear tangible output, Shatkin suggests keeping a tally that indicates what you've accomplished, or positive testimonial letters or emails from colleagues and customers."Besides adding to a sense of accomplishment, all of these documents can be useful at performance-appraisal time or for assembling a portfolio when job-seeking," he says.

Join an employee network.
Groups that help employees who care for children or elderly parents, for example, are thriving in many companies. "These networks are a great way to find support and networking and mentoring help, as well as finding the tools to take some of the stress away on the job and off the job," Moselle says.

Make your needs known.
Most companies have some feedback mechanisms for letting employees vent constructively. Whether you need child care services, flex time, fewer interruptions in your schedule, or a change in workflow patterns, Moselle suggests taking advantage of all opportunities to share ways of reducing your stress.

From: http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/career-articles-how_to_find_a_low_stress_job-824

Israel investigated, but will it repent?

By Ramzy Baroud

Any variation of the words “Palestine” and “massacre” are sure to yield millions of results on major search engines on the World Wide Web. These results are largely in reference to hundreds of different dates and events in which numerous Palestinians were killed by the Israeli army or settlers. But references to massacres of a similar nature precede Israel itself, whose establishment was secured through the ever-expanding agenda of ethnically cleansing Palestinians. Throughout its history, this bloodletting project has been carried out for one specific purpose, that being the illegal acquirement of land and the suppression or extermination of those who dares to resist.

Israel has denied almost every massacre it has committed. Those too obvious to deny were “investigated” by Israel itself, which predictably, mostly found its soldiers “not guilty” or culpable of minor misconduct. Israeli “investigations” served the dual purpose of helping Israelis retain their sense of moral superiority and sending a highly touted message to international media outlets about Israeli democracy at work and the independence of the country’s judiciary.

With the Gaza tragedy of December 2008-January 2009 being the latest in the ever-growing list of Palestinian massacres, little seems to have changed the way Israel views its action, with the full approval of the U.S. and the half-hearted position of much of the international community.

Nonetheless, on April 3, the United Nations Human Rights Council appointed Richard Goldstone, a South African Jewish judge, to further investigate what the council had already resolved, in a vote on January 12, were “grave” violations of human rights by the Israeli army, in reference to the 22-day Israeli onslaught in Gaza, where over 1,400 Palestinians -- mostly civilians -- were killed and over 5,500 wounded.

Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor told AFP, in response to the UNHRC decision, that the investigation was “not an attempt to find the truth but to tarnish Israel’s reputation and to join efforts led by some countries to demonize Israel.” He added, “The investigation has no moral ground since it decided even before it started who is guilty and of what.” Palmor went on to exploit Israel’s ever-winning card, democracy, claiming that democratic nations didn’t support the call to investigate the Gaza murders.

But the truth is, the UNHRC didn’t jump to conclusions but was following up on massive evidence, all pointing to the same inference: that Israel has committed war crimes in Gaza.

The work of UN human rights investigator Richard Falk itself represents an inescapable indictment of the Israeli army. His statements and reports of recent months maintained that the Israeli blockade against Gaza is “an unconditional violation of international humanitarian law” and that a “massive assault” on a densely populated urbanized setting subjected the entire civilian population to “an inhumane form of warfare that kills, maims, and inflicts mental harm.”

The illegality of the Israeli war and the human rights violations committed throughout the Israeli violence are not only made clear by the international legal standards used by Falk; many others made similar assessments.

For example, on March 23, UN human rights experts accused Israel of using Gazans as human shields, highlighting the case of an 11-year-old boy. The UN secretary general’s envoy for protecting children in armed conflicts, Radhika Coomaraswamy, stated that Israeli “violations were reported on a daily basis, too numerous to list.”
Coomaraswamy “explained that the Israeli army shot Palestinian children, bulldozed a home with a woman and child still inside, and shelled a building they had ordered civilians into a day earlier,” Press TV reported. But these were “just a few examples of the hundreds of incidents that have been documented and verified.”

The Israeli onslaught and ongoing siege has cost Gaza dearly, destroyed its humble economy, ruined its arable land, and continues to starve its population. Reports of such facts are easily available. The words “Gaza” and “destroyed” are also sure to yield ample results. Falk, a well-regarded Jewish professor, knew fully the underpinnings of his statement when he said in late January that the Israeli actions in Gaza are reminiscent of “the worst kind of international memories of the Warsaw Ghetto.”

Still, Palmor, like most Israelis, is not convinced and continues to sermonize on morality and democracy and the rest of the ever-predictable terms. But if Palmor indeed believes in such an international conspiracy of “undemocratic” countries to “tarnish” Israel’s otherwise perfect “reputation”, he might wish to take a glance at the Israeli newspaper Haaretz’s extensive coverage of Israeli soldiers’ testimonies of their own conduct in Gaza.

“It feels like hunting season has begun,” Haaretz quoted an Israeli soldier who served in Gaza as saying. “Sometimes it reminds me of a Play Station (computer) game. You hear cheers in the war room after you see on the screens that the missile hit a target, as if it were a soccer game.”

“There was one house with a family in it… we put them into some room. Afterward, we left the house and another company went in, and a few days after we went in, there was an order to release the family. We took our positions upstairs. There was a sniper positioned on the roof and the company commander released the family and told them to take a right,” said another soldier. “One mother and her two children didn't understand, and they took a left. Someone forgot to notify the sniper on the roof that the family had been released, and that it was okay, it was fine, to hold fire, and he… you can say he acted as necessary, as he was ordered to.”

In a better world, many Israeli political and military leaders would find themselves before an international criminal court answering difficult questions. For now, they remain adamant that the Israeli army is the “most moral” in the world.

One must hope that the term “justice for Palestine” will soon quit being simply a popular search item and in fact begin to reflect a tangible reality; so that the extensive list of Palestinian massacres will finally come to an end.

Ramzy Baroud (www.ramzybaroud.net) is an author and editor of www.PalestineChronicle.com. His latest book is The Second Palestinian Intifada: A Chronicle of a People’s Struggle.

From: http://www.tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=192288

Let's hail the people of Bukit Gantang

If Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaludin's now 'over-spun' utterance "Patik mohon sembah derhaka" is treacherous towards his Ruler, consider the following narration:

When the siege of the city of Madinah became too perilous and the Prophet [Muhammad, pbuh] sought to break the unity of the enemy groups by negotiating a [secret] agreement with the Taif group according to which they would withdraw on the payment of one-third of the city's agricultural product to them, Sa'ad Ibn Mu'az (the chief of the Aus tribe) came to know about it. He went up to the Prophet (pbuh) and politely asked: "Was the agreement sanctioned by revelation?" the Prophet replied, "No, but I am seeking to relieve you." Sa'ad took the document of the agreement that was about to be signed and tore it up, saying, "Now that Allah has strengthened us by you, how can they get from us now what they could not get before?"

Derhaka? Not at all. In fact the Prophet (pbuh) was pleased, so were all the Muslims. This narration was used by the former Rector of Al-Azhar University, Sheikh Mahmud Shaltut, in his book Min Taujihat al-Islam - 'From the Encounters of Islam' (1966) to illustrate an important principle in the concept of sovereignty in Islam.

It is that sovereignty belongs to God and His law and that the people is only entrusted with the authority to implement His law, to administer justice and to take all necessary measures in the interest of good government. (Kamali, Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence, 1991.)Even the Prophet (pbuh) himself as head of state was subject to the principle. As the above narration shows, in the Prophet's authority over the Muslims, there is a clear line between the revelation given to him and himself as a human being.

The early Caliphs who ruled over the Muslims after the Prophet (pbuh) were also always careful to clarify their status as rulers under the law, and not above it. The inaugural speech of the first caliph elected to office, Abu Bakr, is instructive on this.

He is reported to have said, "O people. I have been entrusted with authority over you, but I am not the best of you. Help me if I am right and correct me when I am wrong." Numerous other instances, in particular during the caliphate of Umar Ibn al-Khattab, have also been recorded to illustrate the subordination of the ruler to the rule of law.

Thus, on the occasion of his succession to office after Abu Bakr, Umar is also reported to have asked the people to 'rectify any aberration' they might see in him. On hearing this, a man from the audience sprang up and said to the newly elected caliph, "If we see deviation on your part, we shall rectify it by our swords."

Insolent? Umar's response was to praise God that there was someone who would, in the cause of righteousness, remedy a wrongful situation.

In another instance, a man came to Umar and addressed him somewhat impudently saying, "Fear God, O Umar."

Someone who was present reminded the man that he was exceeding the limits of propriety in his words and conduct towards the caliph. Umar, however, responded by saying, "It would be no good if they (the people) did not remind us so and it would be to no good if we did not listen to them."

These and other recorded instances are also widely quoted to illustrate a corollary principle in Islam, that is, 'the people are granted the freedom to criticize and monitor government activity (hurriyat al-mu'aradah, also known as hurriyat al-naqd al-hakim) by means of sincere advice, constructive criticism, and even ultimately by a refusal to obey the government if it is guilty of violating the law.' (Kamali, Freedom of Expression in Islam, 1998)

Subject to conditions to ensure its validity, mu'aradah is a fundamental principle of the Islamic principle of government which entitles the people 'to tell the truth and expose transgression even when this entails opposing the ruling authorities.'

Now, are our Rulers above the law? Let's not split hair on this. No one is above the law. Specifically, no one is above the Federal Constitution, which is declared as the supreme law of the Federation [Article 4(1)].

The Rulers are constitutional monarchs - their sovereignty, prerogatives, powers and jurisdiction are derived from and subject to the Constitution [Article 181(1)].
To put it simpler, the Rulers must act according to the law. One finds in section 1(1A) of the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution a reiteration that the Rulers are constitutional monarchs.

They are duty bound to accept and act in accordance with the advice of Executive Council or of a member thereof, except in specific situations where personal discretion has been conferred.

Even so, the Rulers must act according to convention. 'In the overall scheme of the Constitution, the monarchs are required to reign, not to rule.' (Faruqi, Document of Destiny - The Constitution of the Federation of Malaysia, 2008)

Lest one forgets, subsection (1A) was inserted by way of constitutional amendments in 1994. It came on the tail of constitutional amendments of 1993 that removed the Rulers' absolute immunities from proceedings in any court [Article 181(2)].

The overall effect of both the constitutional amendments of 1993 and 1994 has been said to be 'quite revolutionary'. 'Immunities are abolished. Rulers can be sued by ordinary citizens and prosecuted by the state.'

By the way, the Rulers have always been subject to be challenged in court for their official actions since Merdeka.

The citizens too have rights guaranteed by the Constitution..

There are guarantees of both individual and collective liberties. It is noteworthy that these guarantees, contained in Articles 5 - 13, Part III of the Constitution, appear immediately after Article 4 that declares supremacy of the Constitution.

This indicates that they should be treated as important provisions, notwithstanding that there are important limitations to the liberties.

So let's hail the constituents of Bukit Gantang. They have exercised their rights guaranteed by the Constitution without fear. In so doing, they have made known their choice of representative loud and clear. Is Nizar their choice of Menteri Besar too? Figure out yourselves …

Mohamad Hafiz Hassan is legally trained and currently a researcher at IAIS Malaysia. The views expressed here are entirely his.

One Small Step

Today.....I took a half-day leave......

First thing in the morning....woke up Apit, helped him in the shower and helped him put his clothes on.....Today's a big day for Apit....He has an interview at Raffles IS.....for KG next September.

He was actually "ice-cool"..... no panic attacks, no frowns.... he just took the teacher's hand and followed her somewhere for the interview.

Read HERE for reports from his Ibu.....

It's a small step for a boy....but a big step for us as parents..... Now we will be parents of school-going kids.....all three of them.

Tears In Heaven

I was doing routine evaluations on the products at work today when suddenly I came across this beautiful song in one of the evaluation CDs.

It’s been quite some time since I last listened to this song. It’s a beautiful ballad, played on an acoustic guitar by one of the best guitarists ever grace the music world.

He’s also one of my all time favourite musicians..... Eric Patrick Clapton CBE aka Eric Clapton

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Tears in Heaven

Would you know my name
if I saw you in heaven?
Would it be the same
if I saw you in heaven?
I must be strong and carry on
'Cause I know I don't belong here in heaven...

Would you hold my hand
if I saw you in heaven?
Would you help me stand
if I saw you in heaven?
I'll find my way through night and day
'Cause I know I just can't stay here in heaven...

Time can bring you down, time can bend your knees
Time can break your heart, have you begging please...begging please

Beyond the door there's peace I'm sure
And I know there'll be no more tears in heaven...

Would you know my name
if I saw you in heaven?
Would YOU be the same
if I saw you in heaven?
I must be strong and carry on
'Cause I know I don't belong here in heaven...

By Eric Clapton and Will Jennings

The By-Elections

Let's put it from footballing point of view.....

In the Federal League.....

PR - 3, BN - 0..... Goals scored by Anwar Ibrahim (Captain-cum-Team Manager), Mohd Abdul Wahid Endut and Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin

In the State League.....

PR - 1, BN - 1..... Goals by rookie S Manikumar (PR) and Malcom Mussem Lamoh (BN)

Overall - PR is leading by 4 goals to 1.

Some said that it's not a referendum against the new BN Chief, but in my opinion, the scoreline is something for him to ponder. It's time for him to do some overhauling of his team.... it's time for him to start working hard.... not only for his team, but also for his country.

The responsibilities that have been put on his shoulders are not child-plays....

But...above all, the games are over....at least for now....

And to the players....Get Back To Work For Crying Out Loud.... !!!

You have the hopes of 27 millions fans lingering on your heads....

No matter from which sides of the pitch you are....

We WILL re-appraise you in 2012...

We got "Crocs"-ed

01st March.... We entertained a few guests....the parents of our kids' schoolmates at Raffles. One family was from Singapore and the other is from Malaysia. This was the second time that we had guests within a couple of weeks.

A few nights before, we had a few guests including a fellow Malaysian who's going home for good (his wife was with him to help him pack his things up)....

It's actually a good feeling to have guests coming to our small abode...... If the situation permits, we want to make it a monthly affair....

On the following Friday (3rd March), we had an invitation from a young couple.... friends of ours......they've moved to a new house just a few minutes from the Dubai-Sharjah border. We were treated with Nasi Kerabu, Steamboat and other Malay delicacies....including glutinous rice with durian gravy...yummy!!!.

It's there that we knew that Crocs is having a sale...up to 80% off. We didn't want to miss he opportunity.....we went there and I bought everyone a pair....errr...except for my Darling who got two....

We met a few Malaysian families there...and after Maghrib at the house of one of the families, we went to Al Ghurair City mall.... The ladies had some "business" to do there.....

"Business" finished, we went to dine at the famous Al Tawassol Restaurant.....we, three families in all, had mandy & bukhary rice with chicken, sherry fish and lamb. The kids were having a great time, much to the delight of the Arab (Egyptian I think) waiters.....

It was raining quite heavily when we left the restaurant.....full and tired...... luckily, the car park was just next door to the restaurant......

Once at home, I fell asleep on the sofa.....

April Fools - A Dishonest Tradition [As-Sunnah]

April Fools!!

A Dishonest Tradition
____________________________
by Shawana A Aziz
As-Sunnah Islamic Newsletter

1st April - a day when people lie, play jokes and mock in the name of entertainment. This ugly practice of lying, which is considered to be merely a humour, is known to have caused great harm to many. Even trauma and deaths. Still this dishonest tradition is not only practiced among the common masses, but also newspapers and magazines participate in it by publishing false news and untrue stories on the first day of April!

Much is said about the origin of this practice, however what concerns the most to the Muslims is that it is a tradition which directly contradicts the teachings and morals of Islam.

Lying is a characteristic of hypocrisy and Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) strictly forbade lying at all times. He (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “Let he who truly believes in Allah and the Last Day speak good or be silent.” [Saheeh al-Bukharee] Moreover, he (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) has specifically cursed the person who lies to make people laugh, he said: “Woe be on one who speaks and lies in order to make people laugh, woe be on him.” [Abu Dawood]

The above Ahaadeeth show the gravity of participating in the false tradition of April Fool, which the Western tradition appreciates and encourages claiming that it brings joy and amusement, whereas the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) forbade lying and deceiving even if the intention of the person is to amuse people.

Abd al-Rahman Ibn Abi Laylaa said: “The companions of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) told us that they were travelling with the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam). A man among them fell asleep and some of them went and took his arrows. When the man woke up, he got alarmed (because his arrows were missing) and the people laughed. The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “What are you laughing at?” They said, “Nothing, except that we took the arrows and he got alarmed.” The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “It is not permissible for a Muslim to frighten another Muslim.” [Abu Dawood (5004) and Musnad Ahmad. Authenticated by Shaikh al-Albanee in Saheeh al-Jamee (7658)]

He (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) described the severe punishments for the liars and said: “I saw (in a dream), two men came to me. They said, 'The person, the one whose cheek you saw being torn away (from the mouth to the ear) was a liar and used to tell lies and the people would report those lies on his authority till they spread all over the world. So he will be punished like that till the Day of Resurrection.'” [Saheeh al-Bukharee (vol. 8, no: 118)]

May Allah protect us from indulging ourselves in such dishonest activities and may He give us the strength to withstand such practices when they tend to infect our Muslim Society. Ameen!

From: http://www.ahya.org/amm/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=136