ripplespread

The art of the impossible

2009-01-10T20:51:00.005+08:00

Saturday January 10, 2009
The art of the impossible
Idris clearly believes that a man’s reach should exceed his grasp
By Tee Lin Say
The Star

His 3-year turnaround plan called for a profit of RM500mil. Impossible, they said. But the airline made more than that – RM851mil – in 2007, a year earlier and 70% more.

Malaysia Airlines Systems Bhd chief executive Datuk Seri Idris Jala not only sets seemingly impossible targets but achieves them – you cannot help but notice, his unrestrained passion for all things impossible.

The loftier the targets, the more he thrives and loves it. But there’s an x-factor – things you can’t control. That, the stoicly spiritual Idris, leaves to divine intervention. But he explains how you can get the divine to be on your side – more on that later.

There is an important caveat for those wanting to transform companies. There has to be personal transformation first. “For me, my baptism of fire was when I went to Sri Lanka as the CEO of Shell in 1998. The company had acute problems and had been losing money for years. If I had relied on my textbooks, there was no way I could fix the problems. During that time, I had to unlearn what I had already learnt. I had to reinvent myself to make the impossible happen,” he says in an interview.

To make the impossible happen – that was the key. But how? “After my Sri Lanka experience, I was a different Idris. Before that, I never believed in the game of the impossible. I was scared of failure and would never think of setting unthinkable targets. If you always do safe things, then you will never realise your potential. But if you stretch your targets and push yourself to the limits, you will be surprised at what you can achieve.”

The book by Tracy Goss titled The Last Word on Power/ Executive Reinvention to Make The Impossible Happen helped shaped Idris’ ideas, and today, he makes all his staff read it. “It taught me how to think,” he says.

It is exactly because of his fire for restructuring troubled companies that saw Idris accepting the gargantuan challenge of turning national airlines MAS around in 2005. He got right down to business. On the first day itself at 8.30am, Idris presented his turnaround blueprint to the board of directors. Idris went so far as to make the business turnaround plan totally public – something never been done before by a listed company in Malaysia. And everybody felt Idris’ targets were crazy. They were wrong, of course.

He breaks down the turnaround process into four crucial parts:
·Build the case for change and get the buy-in from stakeholders such as the board, employees, shareholders and the Government.
·Lay the facts on the table and explain their consequences. “I told them, if we don’t change, we will run out of money in three months,” he explains.
·Unleash talents, much of which was done through running laboratories, where people were put together in rooms to come up with solutions to problems.
·Focus on the profit and loss (P&L) accounts. “If an activity did not generate profit or reduce losses, I was not interested. Today, all MAS staff are very aware of having to anchor everything to the P&L statements. We have created leaders and seen so much potential from our staff through our strategy of running laboratories,” he says.

Divine Intervention
Despite Idris pinning everything down to numbers and getting to the root of problems, he is a strong believer in divine intervention – God or fengshui, or something else if you prefer. Idris believes the majority of things that happen in our lifes are beyond our control.

“We cannot control 60% of the things in our lives. With the 40% that we have, we can try our best. It does not matter if we fail. We need to recognise that we are vulnerable. That gives us the peace of mind.

“We need to bring in the element of humility. The day you think the world is at your feet, that is when pride sets in, and it is over,” he says.

He thinks divine intervention works to one’s favour, when you do some things.
First, be a good human being, for instance, helping the poor. “Recently, we increased the salaries of all MAS staff earning below RM1,000 (per month). Now, there is no MAS staff who earns below RM1,000. This may increase cost but we need to do the right thing, which is to help our staff make a decent living and support their families,” says Idris.

Second, Idris believes in having the right values, in terms of being ethically correct. For instance, in business dealings, there are always the white, grey and black areas. Many times, people are forced to step into grey areas when making decisions.

“My belief is that we should always stand firm on the white area even when we are forced to step into the grey area. We need to document and clarify our reasons for stepping into the grey area, then quickly return to the white area. If we do not document it, eventually our conscience will be modified. Hence the next time we step into the grey area, we will think we are in the white area. And when we are in the black area, we think we are in the grey area!” says Idris.

Third and very importantly, Idris believes in self-renewal and time for solitude and reflection. It is during these period that one should take the time to count one’s blessings. “Most people are not happy because they are living for another day. That is why they are jealous of their neighbour’s new car or new house. What is enough for a person? For me, what I need is a house, a car, insurance and education for my family and money to buy my blues CDs. Everything on top of that is luxury.”

Adds Idris: “Don’t take things for granted. I believe that when somebody dies, suddenly life is different. You realise that very few things are important. That we should just be happy to be alive.”

Nonetheless, Idris also believes that if you want something bad enough, somehow you will get it.
He cites Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist and quotes one of the phrases in the book: “If you want something desperately, the whole of the universe will conspire to give it to you.”

Spirituality and Love
A spiritual person, Idris is a practising Christian who prays diligently. If there is a Sunday where he does not attend church, he will hold mass at home where he leads by conducting readings for his family. He even prays with his 19-year-old son Leon (who is studying in Britain) via Skype.
Idris’ life principles are based on love, enabling others, God and passion. Passion, for him, is a convergence of heart, soul and mind.

He believes in the importance of getting married and having children. After 26 years of marriage, Idris keeps his marriage alive by having love, commitment and respect for his wife, Datin Sri Pang Ngan Yue. “Marriage is about give and take. I believe that when you first decide to get married, you need to be deeply in love. You need to be sure that you have found the one. It is about two people becoming one. You can never be right all the time,” he says.

As for enabling others, it is about taking a back seat, or sacrificing oneself for the betterment of another. Idris says he feels great when he enables someone else to feel good about themselves.
Last Friday, Idris performed in a concert for the first time at the Groove Junction pub in Sri Hartamas. While he demonstrates much adroitness with the guitar, his main motivation for playing was to get his son Leon to perform in public. “Leon plays a mean guitar. I have asked him before to play but he refuses. So the only way to get him to perform is if I also perform. That is why I put my name down that night,” he says.

On this note, Idris’ first guitar was made of two pieces of plywood, which he strummed at the age of 13. His favourite blues musicians include Kelly Joe Phelps, Eric Clapton, BB King, Buddy Guy and Jackson Brown, among others.

Idris’ other great passion is deep-sea fishing, a passion which has brought him to the Maldives, Vancouver Island and Perth, Australia. “Once I went fishing in Vancouver Island. The skyline was beautiful and we caught fish and ate it with wine. That was such a perfect moment. And I thought, that would be such a perfect way to die! If you catch a perfect fish and then have a heart attack, I think that is a nice way to go,” laughs Idris.

And what’s next for MAS? As announced, it is talking about transforming into a five-star value carrier, earning RM1.5 to RM3bil – yes you read right, as much as RM3bil – a year by 2012. Impossible? Don’t bet on it.

WHAT made you agree to take up the job in MAS? I came because I was very passionate about turnarounds. The Government came to me via Khazanah. I never applied for it. The person who was really chasing me (for the job) was Khazanah MD, Tan Sri Azman Mokhtar.

In transforming MAS, what was key in enabling you to succeed?
Transformational leaders must pursue the game of the impossible. That means you must put targets that are seemingly impossible for everyone else, and you state them and go further. You need to conquer the fear of failure. And if you’re not able to do that, most of us will then say, if there is a high chance of failure, I’m not going to do it. I’m going to do the safe thing.
I believe if you put really stretched targets, you have no choice but to reinvent and push yourself to the limit.

How did you succeed in implementing all the positive changes in MAS?
It is all about unleashing the talent. We run laboratories. We get people to come into the room and solve the problem. That is the answer. In MAS, there are many good people, you just need them to do the right thing, the things that matter to the company’s P&L. It’s a good airline. The product and services are good, but unfortunately it was not making money. I always say - if something does not improve the P&L, then it is not a priority.

This belief in divine intervention, when did that happen?
I have always believed this. I find that more than 60% of what happened to me, happened not because I planned it. They just happened.

Happy 21st Birthday

2008-08-14T16:12:00.001+08:00

Wishing Happy 21st Birthday to My First-Born
on August 14, 1997 you were launched onto this earth
to a couple of young parents
and we have watched you grow
together with our own growing pains and joys
and now you are far away
chasing your own dreams
Wishing you all the best
on this auspicious day
From your Abah

ibu

2008-07-30T08:39:00.002+08:00

ibu segala adab ialah sedikit bicara
ibu segala ibadat ialah takut berbuat dosa
ibu segala cita-cita ialah sabar
ibu segala perjuangan ialah ketabahan
ibu segala harapan ialah munajat

Odisi Seorang Budak Kampung

2008-04-22T12:30:00.002+08:00

ODISI SEORANG BUDAK KAMPUNG
Oleh Long Ahmad Burhanuddin bin Long Hassan

Ini adalah cerita perjalanan seorang budak berusia 12 tahun dari sebuah kampung ke sebuah kota. Perkelanaan in membuka mindanya kepada alam luar buat pertama kali dalam hidupnya. Berbanding pengembaraan lain yang akan ditempuhi beliau sepanjang hayatnya hingga kini, perjalanan pertama ini yang paling terpahat disanubarinya dan menjadi kayu pengukur kepada odisi-odisi lain, zahir atau batin.

Aku masih ingat ketika mendapat keputusan untuk masuk ke STAR pada penghujung tahun 1970. Beberapa bulan sebelum itu, beberapa pelajar yang kononnya cemerlang dalam daerah telah dikehendaki menduduki peperiksaan khas untuk melayakkan diri ke sekolah berasrama penuh. Apabila mendapat berita kejayaan, aku, budak berusia 12 tahun yang tinggal di sebuah kampung terpencil di tepi pantai Laut China Selatan langsung tak tahu apa makna itu semua. Salah seorang bapa saudaraku yang baru menjejakkan kakinya ke universiti pada waktu ini mengucapkan tahniah secara bersungguh-sungguh. Lagi sekali aku katakan, aku tak tahu sebesar habuk pun, apakah ertinya semua itu. Bapaku seorang guru merasa amat bangga dan memberitahu kepada rakannya yang menjadi stringer kepada akhbar Berita Harian tentang “pencapaian” anaknya. Jadi tak lama selepas itu keluarlah satu berita dalam kolum akhbar berkenaan menceritakan pasal budak kampung dari Sekolah Kebangsaan Kemasek yang berjaya ke STAR, Ipoh. Keratan akhbar itu masih ada dalam simpanan bapaku sehingga ke hari ini. Dan aku pada ketika itu masih tak tahu dan tidak sedar akan apa signifikannya semua itu.

Minggu-mingu terakhir tahun 1970 yang juga musim tengkujuh di pantai timur merupakan tempoh yang memang sibuk bagi keluargaku. Melihatkan senarai barang-barang yang perlu dibawa memang memeningkan kepala bapaku, memikirkan ongkosnya. Aku tak tahu bagaimana tetapi akhirnya semua tu dapat disediakan dengan sempurna. Aku katakan sempurna kerana kami tidak berani membuat sebarang pengurangan kepada apa yang disenaraikan. Maklumlah nak masuk sekolah besar, nanti kalau tak penuhi syarat, susah pula anak itu disana. Kalau senarai itu kata kena bawa empat pasang stokin, orang tuaku akan akan sediakan empat pasang. Empat helai seluar dalam, disediakan empat helai seluar dalam. Sepanjang sekolah rendah aku tidak pernah pun pakai seluar dalam. Lagipun aku anaknya yang pertama yang dapat masuk sekolah asrama. Tidak ada pra-peristiwa yang boleh dijadikan iktibar. Aku tidak tahu benar atau tidak tetapi rasanya orang tuaku terpaksa membuat pinjaman peribadi dari kerabat terdekat untuk membereskan perjalanan anaknya yang bakal ke kota Ipoh ini.

Bagaimana untuk mengurangkan kos perjalanan? Ketika para pakar menemui jawapannya di zaman mutakhir ini untuk mengurangkan kesesakan jalanraya, orang tuaku sudah pun memikirkannya hampir empat dekad yang lalu. Car pool! Ada beberapa lagi pelajar dari daerah akau yang akan ke sekolah berasrama penuh iaitu ke Sekolah Dato’ Abdul Razak di Tanjung Malim. Bapa kepada salah seorang dari mereka, yang merupakan kenalan bapaku mempunyai kereta rakyat buatan German, yakni Volkswagon. Jadi rancangannya ialah, dua orang dewasa dan empat budak sekolah akan berkelana dari Kemaman ke Ipoh dalam sebuah volkswagon yang injinnya di dalam bonet belakang.

Begitulah rencana kami. Dan kami merancang dan merencana tetapi sesungguhnya Allah adalah Perancang Yang Maha Sempurna. Penghujung tahun itu dan awal tahun 1971, negeri-negeri pantai timur yakni Kelantan, Terengganu dan Pahang dilanda banjir yang sangat besar. Ada orang kata sama besar dengan banjir tahun 1926. Jurutera-jurutera sekarang memanggilnya banjir kekerapan 50 tahun. Jambatan yang merentangi Sungai Pahang di Temerloh roboh di hentam oleh balak-balak yang dibawa arus banjir yang melempahi sungai berkenaan. Dengan itu hubungan pantai timur dengan pantai barat semenanjung terputus. Aku percaya bapa-bapa kami amat gusar pada ketika itu memikirkan kesulitan yang dialami untuk menghantar kami ke sekolah-sekolah besar di Perak. Dan seperti biasa aku masih tidak tahu apa maksud ini semua. Bukan saja tidak tahu tetapi juga tidak sedar yang aku tidak tahu.

Seminggu selepas penggal persekolahan bermula, aku masih lagi lagi di Kemaman. Kemudian dapatlah berita daripada Radio Malaysia memberitahu bahawa jalan ke pantai barat melalui feri di Jerantut sudah boleh dilalui. Ini bererti kami akan melalui Jerantut, Raub, the Gap, Kuala Kubu Baru dan naik ke Tanjung Malim dan Ipoh. Perjalanan ini memang mencabar. Demi masa depan empat orang budak-budak itu, bergeraklah sebuah volkswagon dari Kemaman di satu hari yang bersejarah awal 1971.

Itulah pertama kali aku mengembara dengan kereta untuk perjalanan yang jauh. Itulah pertama kali aku melihat bagaimana papan tanda jalan dan batu tanda jarak kelihatan seperti ada lampu didalamnya apabila disuluh lampu kereta diwaktu malam. Itu juga pertama kali aku melihat lampu jalan berwarna kuning apabila bermalam di sebuah rumah tumpangan di pekan Raub. Kami bangun awal keesokan harinya untuk meneruskan perjalanan. Pekan Raub yang aku lihat pada malam itu dari bilik hotel kelihatan begitu sureal dan imej kebandaran tersebut terus terpahat di sanubariku sehingga hari ini. Pun aku tidak banyak ambil peduli sangat tentang apa yang ada dihadapanku merasakan keselamatan perjalanan dengan bapaku.

Awal pagi keesokan harinya kami berlepas ke Tanjung Malim dan meninggalkan rakan-rakan sekampungku di SDAR. Kemudian kami meneruskan perjalan ke Ipoh dan tiba pada waktu tengahari. Setelah meronda-ronda pekan Ipoh mencari kedai makan, akhirnya kami menjamu selera makan tengah hari di sebuah kedai India Muslim. Istilah mamak ketika itu tidak ada dalam kasa kata aku. Dan buat pertama kalinya aku merasai kari ikan yang sangat berlainan daripada kari ikan yang aku biasa makan di rumah. Aku tidak tahu pada ketika itu bahawa untuk tempoh enam tahun selepas itu, aku akan terus menikmati rasa kari itu di dewan makan STAR setiap kali kami dihidangkan lauk kari ikan atau lebih dikenali dengan nama kari anakonda.

Aku mendaftar di STAR tengahari itu dan bapaku dengan rakannya kembali ke kampung. Perjalanan pulang mereka pun tidaklah mudah. Tambahan pula keadaan banjir masih belum pulih sepenuhnya. Apabila episod ini dikenang kembali didalam kematangan usia, terusik perasaan ini akan apa yang rela dilakukan oleh seorang bapa (dan juga ibu) demi kebahagiaan anaknya di masa mendatang.

Apa yang aku ingat sepanjang penggal pertama ialah aku teramatlah sangat rindukan suasana kampung halaman. Semua yang dialami adalah baru. Belajar dalam Bahasa Orang Putih. Makanan tak ada yang sama dengan masakan di kampung aku. Nasi lemakpun berlainan. Laksanya lagilah berbeda. Nasi dagang dan laksam usah haraplah nak jumpa.

Tempat aku di dalam Kelas Peralihan (Remove Class) ialah di sudut kanan di baris hadapan. Ini adalah tempat yang orang tidak mahu tetapi memandangkan aku masuk kelas seminggu lebih lewat, tiada pilihan untukku. Aku tidak ingat siapa di kiri tetapi tidak akan lupa siapa duduk dibelakang. Aku rasa saudara aku ni dapat merasakan kejanggalan aku untuk bergaul dan mensesuaikan diri dalam suasana baru. Oleh kerana dia berasal dari Negeri Perak, agaknya tidaklah rasa terasing sangat baginya suasana di STAR itu dan juga yakin diri beliau lebih tinggi. Beliau banyak memberi panduan tentang peraturan dan apa yang perlu dibuat. Perkara-perkara kecil tetapi bagi orang baru seperi aku ianya sangat bernilai. Legasi beliau kepadaku ialah aku sentiasa berusaha untuk membuat orang baru berasa selesa, contohnya kakitangan baru atau ipar baru dan sebagainya.

Dengan itu berakhirlah perjalanan seorang budak kampung dari desa yang ketika itu baru menerima bekalan elektrik ke kota yang lampu jalannya berwarna kuning. Dan bermulalah perjalanan baru yang akan memerah enam tahun daripada hayatnya. Untuk menukilkan rasa hati, fikrah, emosi, dan rohani di sepanjang enam tahun tersebut akan memerlukan sebuah naskah yang panjang lebar. Memadai dikatakan, diakhir odisi tersebut dalam tahun 1976, terhasillah seorang remaja yang masih blur-blur tentang halatuju hidupnya, mempunyai pandangan dunia yang tidak terikat kepada daerah dan negeri, terbuka kepada apa saja pendapat dan opini, tidak pula terlalu yakin kepada dirinya sendiri, merasa terubat dengan pengetahuan bahawa dia mempunyai kawan diserata semenanjung, bersemangat amat kental terhadap alma maternya sehingga ada masanya mencapai tahap fanatisme, dan kadang kala kelihatan seperti orang kurang siuman meleret senyuman sendirian ketika menunggu bas apabila dia mengenangi gelagat dan pengalaman yang dilalui bersama rakan-rakannya di satu tempat bernama STAR.

(Bakal diterbitkan bersama nukilan rakan-rakan seangkatan STAR 1971-1976)

To be or not to be

2007-06-19T09:54:00.000+08:00

Di musim kemasukan ke universiti ni, ramai calon2 mengajukan pertanyaan samada berbaloikah masuk uni sedangkan ijazah tidak menjanjikan kerja lumayan akan menanti, terutama bagi yang mengambil kursus2 sains kemanusiaan. Apatah lagi bagi mereka yang sudah mempunyai pekerjaan. Soalan ini tidaklah susah mana untuk menjawabnya. Pokoknya ialah bertanya kepada hati apakah yang kita ingin jadi, katakan dalam masa tiga tahun dari sekarang. Bayangkan siapakah kita akan jadi pada ketika itu. Untuk mempunyai apa yang kita ingin punyai, kita juga perlu untuk menjadi apa yang kita perlu jadii.

Soalan2 fasa pertama yang perlu ditanyai:

Adakah kita ingin menjadi seseorang yang mempunyai ijazah tiga tahun dari sekarang? Apakah dengan mempunyai ijazah itu akan memberikan kita peluang yang lebih luas untuk meneroka alam ini? Adakah dengan menghabiskan tiga tahun di uni itu akan meluaskan pergaulan dan meningkatkan kematangan dalam menghadapi pelbagai ragam manusia? Adakah ijazah itu penting dalam hidup kita, walaupun sekadar meningkatkan estima diri? Adakah ijazah tersebut akan membuka jalan kearah pengajian yang lebih tinggi spt Masters atau PhD, utk yg ingin berkecimpung di dalam akademia.

Soalan fasa kedua?

Kalau kita tidak masuk uni, adakah ia akan memberi apa2 kelainan dalam hidup kita tiga tahun dari sekarang? Adakah kerjaya kita sekarang mempunyai potensi untuk memberikan kita apa yang dihajatkan?

Ini membawa kepada soalan pokok.

Apakah yang kita hajatkan dalam tempoh tiga tahun ini? dalam setiap aspek kehidupan. Mari kita lihat 6 aspek utama kehidupan:

1. Kewangan/kerjaya
2. Kesehatan/fizikal
3. Minda/intelek
4. Kerohanian
5. Keluarga
6. Sosial/masyarakat

Dg adanya ijazah, akan ada peningkatan dalam No.3, walaupun ia tidak menjanjikan sesuatu yang konkrit untuk No.1. Dalam mengejar ijazah, hasrat untuk mendirikan rumahtangga, yakni No.5 perlu ditangguhkan dahulu. Tetapi mungkin akan berjumpa calon pasangan hidup ketika di uni. Berkait dengan No.6, jika diberi pilihan, dimanakah kita ingin menetap selepas graduasi nanti. Dan didalam kesemua ini, yang manakah paling prioriti utk tempoh tiga tahun ini. Fokus kepada perkara2 ini untuk tempoh tiga tahun sahaja kerana lebih dari itu, sukar untuk dirancang.

Begitupun, hati kecil kita sentiasa memberitahu akan apa yang kita suka nak jadi. Diwaktu sunyi, ketika bermenung dan berangan, kata-kata ini timbul ke permukaan. Dengar dengan teliti kata-katanya.

the dark side

2007-05-16T14:38:00.000+08:00

the dark side
of the hide
how can we decide
what are behind the facade?

things that i despise
in others' disguise
are actually the very vice
of my own surmise.

i hate my boss for his bossiness
i despise my co for his show-offness
bush for his meanness
another for his egoness
still another kelamkabutness

but
only a boss knows bossiness
only a show-off knows show-offness
only a meanie knows meanness
only an egoist knows egoness
only a clumsy knows clumsiness
and i know all these

so
am i bossy?
am i show-offy?
am i mean?
and egoist?
kelamkabut?

yes,
definitely.
says the sifu.

Where am I?

2007-03-11T08:00:00.000+08:00

You are exactly where
you are meant to be on your path.
As that understanding
- and your awareness of
the way the world unfolds -
grows,
a beautiful sense of forgiveness
will appear within you.

WHY and HOW

2007-01-24T23:12:00.000+08:00

The WHY is more important than the HOW.
When the WHY is big and compelling,
the HOW becomes easy and light.

And what do I have to become in order
to achieve that glorious dreams that border
on the fantasyland of my other?

2007-01-19T12:05:00.000+08:00

After posting the interpretation of the sunrise over the city in a e-group, Md Ad responded by putting in the lyrics of "Morning Has Broken" which was sung by Cat Steven @ Yusuf Islam. The song was beautiful and captures the serenity of mornings.

"Morning has broken, like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken, like the first bird
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning
Praise for the springing fresh from the world

Sweet the rain's new fall, sunlit from heaven
Like the first dewfall, on the first grass
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden
Sprung in completeness where his feet pass

Mine is the sunlight, mine is the morning
Born of the one light, Eden saw play
Praise with elation, praise every morning
God's recreation of the new day"

Subhanallah!

glorious sunrise

2007-01-17T20:45:00.000+08:00

After a couple of hazy cloudy overcast mornings, today's sunrise is simply magnificient, superb and brilliant. Happened to be early in the office today and watching the sun rays spread over the city is awe-inspiring. Watching it connects us mortals with the Great One that Moves the sun and the earth and all the planets and our heart beats as well.

Happy Muslim New Year.

years

2007-01-15T20:34:00.000+08:00

as i reflect upon the year 2006
my heart felt kinda mix
there's joy and there is delight
that Allah's nikmat come from beyond sight.

with joy comes tinges of sadness
as the time has come to let go the harness
offsprings stepping out of their loving nest
to carve their niches in this world, in earnest

as nature means it to be
cyclic they are as we can see
daughters born, raised and they grew
our places they will take over, anew

years come, years go
me and my mortality connected in tango
swirling like a darvish in trance
thru the plasma called time we advance.

poem for my birthday girl

2007-01-11T08:54:00.000+08:00

eighteen years ago on this beautiful date
a bundle of joy to us was delivered
and bloom she did admist our watch, care and concern
into a delight, to love and befriend.

today into the world she is a-stepping
seeing, exploring, seeking, sifting
to taste, to smell, to touch and embrace
the sweetness of life, all with Allah's grace.

and as she will grow stronger, wittier and wiser
and will overcome her fears, one after another
and achieving her dreams, better and brighter
our care and concern stay with her forever.

so on this joyful day o! nan naimah
abah and mak wish u, with lots of muah muah muah
A VERY HAPPY 18th BIRTHDAY
and remember that Allah is with u, come what may.

HAPPY 18TH BIRTHDAY, NAIMAH!

happy new year 2007

2007-01-03T09:59:00.000+08:00

happy new year 2007
this year let's keep things simple and even
let's generate new ideas
and invest in learning new things
internet marketing what's that?
let's identify false notions
that test the limit of faith
give and u shall receive?
think, feel, act like u r the greatest man on earth?
under promise over deliver?
settle the debts ya?
invest ya?
what about that book, brother
that u have been wanting to write
let's keep the holy hour ok
and physical exercises
and reach out to near and far
that family tree that u want to build

nobility in being superior

2006-12-29T15:50:00.000+08:00

so today i heard another gem
that is so true, like a sage spoken
that i have to have it written
lest it fades as memory slacken.

it says that there's nothing noble
in being superior to another person,
that true nobility is not a foible
for it lies in being superior to your former token.

today i plan to live

2006-12-26T13:23:00.000+08:00

today i plan to live
a life true to my belief.

about the past i shall not grieve
in the future i shall believe
the goals that i aim to achieve
in my mind like crystals they freeze.

so my plan today is to be the one who gives
his care, his compassion and his leaves
to take in the hidden joys that life sieves
and to overlook quirks with which life teases.

wedding pantuns

2006-12-22T12:07:00.000+08:00

Today, a friend requested me to compose some pantuns for him to read out at the end of a Malay wedding reception. He's the MC and also the youngest uncle of the bride. So i penned...
(the bride's name has been changed)

Ibu tercinta di sini mendoakan
Semoga anakanda bahagia di hadapan
Agar cekal melangkah kehidupan
Meniti hayat sentiasa sepasangan.

Ini pula jolokan Pak Usu
Yang hadir ketika Aini disusu
Jangan membazir membuang waktu
Untuk kami bergegaslah hasilkan cucu.

Hari gembira hari bahagia
Pak Usu juga ingin meminta
Aini juga turut berdoa
kok jodoh Pak Usu menyusul segera

Selesailah sudah majlis berseri
Setinggi terima kasih kami memberi
Tersilap terkurang maaf dipohoni
Bersurailah kita dengan aman di hati.

roundabout

2006-12-21T15:47:00.000+08:00

have no idea what it is all about
guess it must have been a roundabout
with no exit for one to get out

such twister we have to go thru
once, twice and many more times accrue'd
life's tuition fee which we have to pay when Due
for the price of wisdom which in us will imbue

so brothers continue!
for towards the fear we shall walk
and our backs it shall not stalk.

ripples across the surface

2006-12-20T12:35:00.000+08:00

throw into a lake, a pebble
and watch the ripples race across, at a treble
the grains of sand on distant shores reassemble

drop tiny droplets of water into a burning pyre
where a prophet rests being thrown into a bonfire
small blades of flame on the embers expire

so brothers, just do what you have to, follow your calling
for who am i to question what's out-coming.