2009

Jan-Apr

May-Aug

Sep-Dec

Sekelip Mata

Diary


A Home Away

Dated 2009 May 16 Sat

It was like a cross country which reminded me of the 1965 and 1966 school sport activity which was normally held in the final week of the first term. Sometimes in April, just before the break. It took a lot of stamina even to complete the route which was actually around the country around the village of Padang Midin. I never menaged into one of the front 'convoys' because I lost the stamina very quickly. And once one stop it was very hard to restart. It always ended up ten stops for every one restart.

It began with the reminder during the Senate 13/2009 Sitting 2009 Apr 29 Wed by the acting chair that the dateline for the submission of the document to UJK for the JPA accreditation of the Agricultural Biotechnology of my faculty was Apr end. Followed by the evening p2p call by the same that that of FPB has yet to be recieved. Which had caught me "red handed" for some composition had yet to be completed. To which I gave my word for May 3 Sun. Which I did on the following day Thu. But on counting the LO of the courses, thirteen were missing. Apparently unfocussed by the H/Dept who I had reminded since a long time ago and was kept reminded in every meeting. Followed by a quite challenging night of making one myself, the precision Ag, knowing that every agriculturist would refuse. Before the office break, I asked all the office staff to stand-by for me on Thu and the following week's Sun.


The three deans of KOTA campus: FPB, FTM, FPSK, sea-bound for refreshment.

2009 Apr 30 Thu was really a dean-day. Attending the LI briefing in the Theatre for a forward to the 6-sem Biotech students. Followed by the whole day dealing with the JPA Memo Doc of which I was helped by a dependable young staff to an incomplete compilation. On examination, a few were just of misplacement.

Complete or incomplete, with zero input, it was time to go. To the sea for the candat season. Arranged many weeks ago, comprising several 'sixth-floor' staff including the regr and teensee peenai and FTM and FPSK deans. The boat was of 100 HP deep sea trapping class. Very roomy with a lot of sleeping berths. Took off from the Hiliran fishermen jetty under the Duyung bridge. Thus Thu night was in the sea. More of 'guarding' the sea than squidding.

2009 May 1 Fri, wee hours, landed at the jetty with the catches "collected" later at Pulau Kambing market with Prof Zubaidi, after a shower in the office. In which I spent all the Fri day, with a break for the Fri prayer in Ladang mosque, trying to inch on to completion, including asking for the LI and Fin Yr Projects handlers.

As well as the following whole day 2009 May 2 Sat, to include a touch on the RMK10 documents to be presented later of the month.

2009 May 3 Sun, was like the d-day. The progression was stacked by the hour. Five LO came in, followed by another four in the hard copy which were quickly transformed into the soft one by the help of the tutors in the glass house (including the FTM tutors). Two more from the search of original composers. And one more by Dr Nash from the deep sea. At twelve I sent for the replication with one, and only one, in the deep space. At two I asked for the compilation to be bound. At three I ordered the binding. They were ready when the last LO arrived, and I included pageless in the hard copy, but rectified in the soft copy. Close to four, Azihan bundled the ten h/copies and one s/copy on his bike and dashed to KUSZA. Done to my words to teensee ana.

A V6 was going to KL; that of teensee peenai, with Dr Abdullah was the only passenger, who like I was had the flight fully booked because May 1 Fri break had imbibed many to Trg. May 1 Fri was Malaysia public holiday. The Workers Day.The KL-ers enjoyed the break for three days to Sun. In Terengganu, it was like nothing happened. Fri and Sat are the weekend already, so on Sun every one returned to work. So at six, with the Doc gone, however incomplete it was, I decided to get on the V6, which was driven off at past eight. And well in one piece at home in Sg Merab, "sehelai sepinggang", by post m/night.


Refreshing things that had been refreshed so many times already. They were so organised, just like we were on the paper.

Which restored my orinal schedule to attend the KPT's AKEPT seminar on "Fundamental Research Management" in Prince Hotel in down town KL 2009 May 4 Mon. Which I got a lift from my #3son to go there. It was for two days to 2009 May 5 Tue, but by the day end, I was sms-ed by the teensee peenai to represent him in the JKR coordination meeting on the progress of the UDM's Tembila campus.

Which I went with FTM Dean at JKR's IPT branch, 23rd Floor, Maju Tower, Jln Sultan Ismail. During which I sms-ed my SAS close buddy Sulaiman who unfortunately said he had retired, and thus missed a wishful plan for a reunion lunch. But a reunion was at night. With a UDM-Bus-load of first batch Food Tech students, and the accompanying Lecturers and Tutors while on their end-of-session study tour to KL.

2009 May 6 Wed, called for my presence in the Fac to see what were happening in the faculty, as rumour began to grow that Ag H/Dept was on the chopper board. So 230E which had been at home resuscitating for the past months took back to Terengganu in the early morning. Alya was behind the wheels all along the LPT. To find out that things were rather quite. The pre-RMK10 meeting scheduled today was deferred. So did the same gathering which was suggested to be after 20th, somewhere outside the campus. That pre-empted the coming week. But before the day ended, I cancelled my schedule Management sitting because an sms asked me to be in Damansana nextweek to participate in the aftermath of the Tue meeting in the JKR.

2009 May 7 Thu, began with the chairing of the Lab personel meeting (the Asst and Sc Offcr) to gather their confidence on some realignment for the betterment of the Lab management and running. While Dr M Aziz the Head of An Sc Dept was waiting to take to a cordial visit to the JPH State Director, Dr Azizul, in his office in Jln Bkt Kechil, about securing a portion of the animal farm in Chalok for the Dept PnP activities. Which apparently secured the former, but not yet the latter, which apparently was just a suggestion, which needed a Faderal unlock, which had become an agenda for next week in Putrajaya. With a short visit to LHDN Jln Sultan Ismail afterwards for the matter relating to the home sites in Tempinis, near Tembila, all set for a return drive in 4747 to Kuala Lumpur. Practically inverting the Wed drive. After which we settled down just before m/n. Through to 2009 May 8 Fri and Sat weekend.

2009 May 9 Sat was Malaysia Wesak Day. It did not spill beyond Sun in KL. But in Terengganu it made 2009 May 10 Sun a holiday. Some employers like ESSO and Shell conceded the May 8 Fri to seal "a holiday in the weekend makes three days weekend".


MakLong, perhaps in her 90's in year 2000, with my #7, SB in my home in Bangi.

2009 May 11 Mon, which came to my knowledge only ten days later, my MakLong of Mengabang Panjang passed on. Technically she was my mother's (elder and only) sister in law. Practically, she was my mother's mother, sister, and untie, all in one. As had been noted:

Pak Long’s wife, Mak Long was very close to my mother. Being older than Pak Long himself, she was like my mother’s mother, taking every concern to my mother’s welfare, restricted only by the distance. On any of our visit to Pak Long, he would not sell his sea-catches throughout our stay. All of them were for us to eat the way we like, and the way we had not tasted before. Any surplus would be dried and taken home. To complement the stuff my father normally brought along rice which was scarce there, but more than sufficient at my home, grown by my father. Nonetheless, our visit to Pak Long were not as frequent as to the relatives in Mengabang Telung. I guessed it was the transport problem. It was very difficult to get a family to Mengabang Telung, and it was more difficult to get to Mengabang Panjang which was to the north along the seaside.

The day I attended, the SOA rectification meeting with GDP, in its HQ in Bukit Damansara, the consultant who draw the buildings in Tembila Agrotechnology Complex for the contractor to build. Which had yet to be told to among the contenders. FTM Dean and UDM P1,P2,P3 Lab consultant, Dr Abdullah Sifat were also present. The same day I sent Dr Aziz (and the asst veterinar, Hj Alias) to the Federal JPH in Putrajaya to secure the piece of farm in Chalok. I was not on leave 2009 May 12 Tue, but waiting for the day after it.



L-R: Dato' Prof Dr Mohd Zawawi, Dr Mat Zakaria, Tan Sri Dato' Hashim Meon, the Chairman of MSCMS SB.

2009 May 13 Wed was another AKEPT Seminar. This time a one-day one: "Lead Without Title Get World Class", in Marriott, Putrajaya. Which basically stresses that one could become a great leader or a world leader even without a title such as Dr, Prof, etc. The event I planned to participate since a month ago and to 'commute' by flight, the booking of which then had to be 'opened' due to the marathon. The performer the AKEPT invited was one Robin Sharma, the motivator who was claimed to have trained the world giants such as Nike, BP, GE, NASA, FedEx, Unilever, IBM, Motorola, Panasonic, Oracle, Merrill Lynch, and Microsoft. Which had drawn the attendence of many top level Univ management. Current and past, both admin and academic. So top-level that my table-mates were UKM Registrar, UM Bursar, Prof Jailani Salihon, a former UKM buddy, now in UMPahang, UNISEL's TNC, and two young staff of UniKL, Kulim Campus, who were all relatively "low-level".

I noticed, from nine to nearly four, the speaker touched the excellenceness of a person from all the people around him to deep into one's inner spirit. I put up a question at the microphone, that he perhaps had talked for more than five hours, and had uttered more than ten thousands words. But missed one word, or I did not hear it: RELIGION. His answer was, he does not do religion.

Destitute of humour and jokes on the part of the solo performer, the most looking forward next agenda was always the meal break, especially the lunch in the five-star americano Hotel, very much 'edited' though. After which the 'crowd' deswelled to nearly half. The itinerary, circulated to end at five with a meal break in the middle, was accelerated to four with the meal pushed to the last, so that, cherio after it.

The same way I asked Prof Masadul Alam Choudhury (then a Prof of economics, University College of Cape Breton, Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada, currently at Sultan Qabus University, Oman) on 1994 Ogos 16 when he presented "The Islamic-Sosio-Scientific Order & World System" in a seminar in FSFG, UKM. That after two hours of talking with the cryptic co-relationship with mathematic, including calculus integration, he had not used a very fundamental word in Islam: JUSTICE. When I raised it, he complemented me that that was a good question. And his answer was that all the explaination he gave, however quantitative it was, were elements of justice.

A better view as I see it, was a reunion. With those I had seen from a distance. My juniors, etc. And many were actually with those who remembered our togetherness which I coud not figure out where and when. I saw a glimps of my SAS-buddy Husin Long, but lost in the crowd. But most of all was the presence of my former dean in UKM since Pantai Baru times, Prof Zawawi, who I last met perhaps in mid 1990's before he went to run the UNIMAS in Sarawak. Who I gathered now is one of the UPNM LPU members. Among other things that he does since retirement. Including one of a different eatery in Kota Bharu which I promised him to visit one day for the special dinner he said his chef cooked. My closest encounter with him was his support in 1979 Jun in UKM Jalan Pantai Bharu when I was about to go for my doctorate, and in 1981 Feb in Whalley Range, Manchester, England, for dinner with my family in my place. Then post-1983 in UKM Bangi. But, oops! I forgot to get his contact number.

Driving home giving Prof Jailani Salihon a lift to his home in Sg Tangkas, I was juggling the contempletion that I did not anticipate any of the presentees, the Tan Sri, Datuk, Dato', Prof, Dr, Mr, Mrs, Miss, etc, etc, even the organisers themselves, would change even one percent, when measured before and after. But his ability in convincing to draw the titles from across the country into a hall was nonetheless amazing, including persuading some of them 'donating' some percentages to the tokeh bookseller outside the hall, considering that the content was a mere ordinary lessons any father could spell out to their children.

2009 May 14 Thu, on which I was not on leave, but in constant contact with the office in Terengganu, through to the weekend 2009 May 15 Fri were the asymptotic end of the marathon, with many efforts, including that of yesterday, to heal the traumatic May 13. This sweety consideration of promotion reminded me of how I was always 'unnetted', either one step behind or a leap infront. Since 1984 Dec 1, I was confined in DS54 (or the equivalent in those scheme), to my retirement 2007 Apr 19. That was more than 22 years. More than the magic 15 years. Unintelligent and uninstinctive enough to wiggle out of the confinement. I believed many hundreds thousands more were in such case, out of a close to a million so-called "human capital" - Modal Insan. No one cared about it.

2009 May 16 Sat, a solo drive back to Terengganu for more matters in the brace for Jun through to the new session in Jul. The main one would be the new intake for 2009/10 which would swell to its limit in the KOTA campus. A new phenomenon in UDM was shaping up in the distant horizon: The eventual Convocation. Possibly in July.



A Week That If It Were

Dated 2009 May 21 Thu

2009 May 17 Sun, the Central Academic Gathering in KUSZA campus was accelerated an hour to nine, but finished after four hr too. Followed by the pre-prentation of Dioscorea in the glass enclave among the bearers. We were told that the veesee would let us have our own show. As always, my final touch was needed, but this time was only the handouts which I got it done before receded to Paya Datu at the sun set.


Dr Lua, Rohayu, and the Dean.

I had contended before, but,

Fixing the major error.

2009 May 18 Mon, the Central Infra Gathering, in the morning, also in KUSZA campus. The newly formed congener, chaired by the teeandsee peeandai. It was occupied by the University need to embark on the action plan up to 2020 - the RMK-10. By past mid-day, the members were still in the dark on how to present the forcast. It was to be followed by the Postgraduate meeting in the meeting room in another block, but since the chairman was needed for the Dioscorea event, it was deferred.

So off we went again in the afternoon to Wisma Darul Iman. This time on the 13th floor, the UPEN Meeting Room, presenting our Dioscorea embarkation which in principle was approved by the MB last Apr 8 in front of the EXCO meeting. This time we were needed to re-itterate before the more technical audience: the Agric Director, the Trg Adv Dev Corp, and the Farmers Instn. Dr Md Noor insisted that he present, to the chairman, the UPEN Director. So the TNC PnI introduced. The composition was eventually 'kantoi-ed' to the misunderstood that the staggering 2.2M was for a medieval 'ubi kayu'-like agriculture. After the presentation, the audience were "turned over", and the chairman kept on trying to vocalise the words "pharmaceuticals", and "nutraceuticals". A turn over of mood too: from a sarcasm to a jovial. A mechanisme was planned for the deliverence of the fund, which part of it, the MOU would be part of the items during the Jul Convocation time. With a promise of an accelation.

2009 May 19 Tue, the new "Pusat Rundingan dan Pengabdian Masyarakat", was chaired-launched in KUSZA's Conference Hall by the teeandsee peeandai. It was headed by En Wan Musa. Since he was my subordinate, I asked his prerogation to represent me, the FPB dean. Plus another representation in the Postgraduate Meeting which was deferred from yesterday. I needed all the morning period for the setup to chair the Faculty's Management meeting in the afternoon. The contents of which were mostly that of the RMK-10 concerns. And it was a sheer time consuming that by six I had to adjourn to the next day.

But the next-day 2009 May 20 Wed, I had first to attend the Library Meeting, which was similarly chaired by the teeandsee ayay. And it was in the KUSZA library. Only at eleven could I resume the management meeting. Which consumed through the mid-day recess. After which I was to attend the interview of two of my tutors who was going for their study leave. Which again I had to ask my Res Dep to do it.

I could feel that the week was really a very small space indeed. Densely populated with words which I believed only a few would become some matters. The rest would evaporate immediately the moment they were spitted out of the lips. That for three consecutive late evenings, Mon, Tue, and Wed, I wiggled myself out of the capillary, to Bukit Besar and walked up to the top of the hill. The first day, alone. The second day with Dr Abdullah, and the third day, even after a downfall, with Prof Zubaidi. Who apparently was very infuriated with the results of such interviews which did not come as he planned to man the newly constructed medical anatomy lab with which the Medical Faculty was to launch its maiden intake in Jul. The walk was part of my co-act to get mentally unstress by stressing the physique. Which ended up with TER's fried rice with his staff who I thought were thoughtful.

2009 May 21 Thu, a last small non-wordy matter to be done on in the UDM KUSZA photo studio. A correction for a thing I had contended when it was done for the first time Mar 12 Thu. Then I made up the week with a drive back to KL for the weekend. Grabbing the earliest possible minute to reach just before the sun set. While wondering how others went through their weeks, if every week were like this week.



Tied in an X-Link

Dated 2009 Jun 13 Sat


A special reunion, 39 years apart. From 1970 May 30 Sat in Sg Buluh RRI, to 2009 Jun 13 Sat in Section 19 Shah Alam.

May end coincided with the mid-year 2-weeks school break: May 29 to Jun 12. And as always were full of wedding and 'pre-wedding' incidences, even a week before it.

In Terengganu May 30 Sat, that the engagement of my nephew, Shamrin of Mek in Bukit Mentok, Kemaman to a daughter of one of my early students in 1976 UKM, Hj Wahab (of batch of Prof Hasnah Sirat of UTM Sekudai, Prof Sulaiman Yamin of UTHM Air Hitam), the wedding of one of my staff, Nor Hidayah on the same day in Kedai Buluh, followed by another staff Nadiawati in Pulai Tinggi the following day May 31 Sun, on the same day as Sally, in Panji Alam, coincidently with my Trg-SAS buddy's son Jalil A Ghani which I also attended in Marang on Jun 6 Sat, after I overseered the Wedding of Azizah's youngest brother Pok Shang wedding in Kg Batin. The day before that, Jun 5 Fri first thing in the morning, that of my boy-buddy Ripin PekTamMezah in Tok Jiring, before speeding to Gambang, day-returned, to pre-attend the wedding of my niece Ja of AbngRa which officially was the next day Jun 6 Sat. The family congregation was on Jun 8 Mon in Paya Datu where every one of us present, big and small, but one, Intan who was on her last leg in Melbourne. After which, one after another slowly receded back to where they usually wake up in the morning.

Equally committed were in Kuala Lumpur. The preference of which was obvious. The beginning was that of Datuk Sharif Jajang May 10 Sun (in MPI hall), then that of Dr Md Soot (in Putrajaya), and Dr Aspollah Shukri (in UPM with Alya went on my behalf) May 30 Sat and Prof Hamid Hadi Jun 6 Sat in UM. Ending with that of my SAS close-buddy Sulaiman Md Nor Jun 13 Sat at his home in Shah Alam. For which I have 'in-situ' pre-arranged with Dr Izzuddin in Klang to arrive together. I phoned Husin in Jabi, Besut as well, in case he could not make it.

The moment I had been waiting for. It came 39 years apart. Well, three of us at least. The fourth, Husin would be accomplished by photoshop. I still owed Dr Izzuddin a visit to his place, the promise that I kept making every time I got in touch with him.

In the campus, two big items in the agenda were spiralling that hardened every one of us into an immobile cross-link. First, the RMK-10, an initiation of UPK. Which needed a kind of local or internal w/shop to accomplish. My colleague the FTM Dean was very lucky because he had the least, or perhaps none under his command, the stereotype staff. Who never bother to remould their experience to the needs of academia. And kept feeling indispensable while roaming their past. And the young who were in search of their souls who could not comprehend what they listened. But he had all the dependable subordinates he needed, small in number though, to furnish the document. With the content he did not need to alter or add. In a way as they had listened to produce just fine for the submission.

And second, the maiden UDM convocation, already set for Jul 13-16. Including, the installation of the Chancellor, and the Pro-Chancellor of the University. It took many sittings involving the top management, and thus many times in KUSZA campus. The HMYDPA official B-D was on Sat the first week of Jun, which was Jun 6 Sat. Thus, Jun 7 Sun was a holiday in Terengganu. On which I took every one in the early morning to have a go to the peak of Bukit Besar.

Plus another routine brace of receiving the new intake Jun 28. Included some staff which I interviewed on Jun 8 Mon. Which would make a denser space in the Kota campus. To be added by the arrival of the maiden student intake of the Medical faculty, which had already been pushed into a frictional compromise in the lab and lecture room time-tabling. Even the occupancy of the MAIDAN hostel. And with their Professors too to occupy some space, and parking lots. And with a demand of preference. Which very soon will alter the symbiotic life that we used to enjoy for the past three years of co-existence.

And in the process, it was seived that there were some un-touched-up matters of high urgency in the faculty. Which required the dean's time and efforts, and 'fight'. And the first batch in their final year, in sem 7 and 8, were on their way in this July.



Wiggling Back

Dated 2009 Jun 18 Thu

The senate sitting Jun 14 Sun from early morning was lengthy, mainly to furnish the graduates for the maiden degree conferement in mid Jul. Which deferred the drive to Kota Bharu to rather late of the evening. Staying in the New Pacific, it was for the UMK2009 Entrepreneurship Forum, which was "saved as" from the ECER-KPT-UMK Seminar for the 'notorious' reason. Which was in two days 15 Mon to 16 Tue. With familiar participants that have congregated several times already since the ECER 2007 Oct 29 time. Which posed more questions than answers as the meter counted down rather than accumulated days.

During which I met two of my SAS-UKM-70-buddies, Che Jaafar Sulong, and Dr Kassim Buhiran, with both we had our own anecdotes during the SAS and UKM years. Both currently are the academic staff of Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK).

In the evening of the first day I strolled the Lundang area searching and found the 'narrated' Arabia Restaurant and had "Mandi Ayam", while Dr Abdullah had "Mandi Kambing", and incidently accompanied by the owner with special drinks imported from Iran.

Could not participate the second day 16 Tue because the chairman of the Research Committee was waiting for me at 2.30, luckily in KOTA. That was after WFV was taken to Seberang Baroh for rejuvenation, involving the front bumper, the bonet, the panel re-alignment, the roof inside fixing, and the a/c. Things kept on wiggling back on 17 Wed during the Postgraduate Poster Day when a UKM70-buddy, Dr Md Sefai Jusoh dropped in the office for a chat, who told me that in 2007 wedding that I missed was between his daughter, and the son of another SAS-UKM buddy that I always wanted to see again, Aziz Sidek, who for sometimes had settled in Wakaf Tembusu, but recently resettled back in Kuala Lumpur. Sefai's visit prompted a consultation with the FTM Dean Dr Abdullah.

The weekday end 18 Thu was another sitting in KUSZA campus. It was about the arrival of the Jun 28 new intake. A day of which would be an environmental day of cleaning the Batu Burok beach, which would require all the KOTizen to particepate, but selected KUSZizen, on top of the estimated 1500 new intake. The easy Thu took us to KL right on the sun-set.


The Ex-VC

Dated 2009 Jun 30 Tue

It was during the recess in the middle of the meeting dealing with the accomodation of my faculty's student, and that of the FTM, with the medical faculty's students, that I received the mail. He was such a proud VC, assuming the office in 1984 from Prof Awang Had Salleh who went to 'kick-off' UUM.

"... In the same year 1984, I filled in the promotion form for the Associate Professor at the department for it was circulated by JPA that university could promote its staff on PTH basis. Incidently, on the submission day, the Dean, Dr Arifin Aton was on leave and the office was acted by the deputy, Dr Ismail Md Nor. He probably wrote many nice things about me in the form, that on October 26, I was called for the interview, together with two others in the dept, Dr Sri Nurestri and Dr Ibrahim Baba, then the Head of Dept. During the session, in the afternoon after Friday prayer, every body, except the representatives from Government Office, asked a question. It started with Prof Hamid, the VC who chaired the session, probing my opinion about the faculty intention to self-multiply. He apparently like my answer that I did not agree, but rather prefer the consolidation of the existing programme. Prof Noramly asked me about the possibility of chemist contribution to the industries on support basis, to which I said a lot. One such example was my partial involvement with ICI, via its development chemist Dr Ibrahim Idris, in finding out a quick way to check the practice of paint adultration by the building contractors and my involvement in the chitin project headed by Dr Arisol then in rapport with the Ministry of Agriculture. The dean Dr Arifin asked me a hollow, self-degrading question not worth to remember, the answer of which was only "yes", but Prof Shahrir, representing the University Senate 'over-interrogated' me for an answer, the answer he wanted, on why I produced so much materials for the school, rather than for the university. The reference was made to my publications, almost every day in Utusan Malaysia since May, on guides to STPM chemistry. I tried to give an 'official' answer of my multifariousness in contributions, since then my publications with Dr Huglin on hydrogels were running as much, with some were yet to be drafted. He did not like it, and cornered me to the end of the interview time to the answer that it was for the money..." AL-FATIHAH.

That was my only close encounter with the late ex-VC, to his last day in UKM, 1993 Aug 31. My biosphere in UKM was never in any sector overlapping up to the 'sixth-floor'. In the galactical UKM, I was just a moon of a planet to a star. I never anticipate he had even a faint memory of me during his worldly life.



The Swelling KOTA

Dated 2009 Jul 2 Thu

The first step to become the KOTIZEN was Jul 1 Wed. In all the lots to come to the beach of Batu Buruk, in a beach-cleaning-programme tagged as "Chintai Pantai".


New ideas of 'what to do' are needed to replace this nearly twenty years old "pengisian" - the LDK.

All the '6-floor-ers', including Dato' VC came down to the beach. L-R: The Registrar, the Deputy VC AnA, the Deputy VC PnI, the Dean of Agrobiotech, and the Dean of Food Tech.

The agenda that I put up and well-achnowledged during the meeting chaired by the VC himself, Jun 9 Tue, which otherwise would haul the new students into the interiors to do the community service, which would take the parties which would not add to the student state of initiation. In the consequence meeting of which 18 Jun Thu I insisted for the need to have a kind of token. Which took the Bandaraya to get involved. Involved it has, but regretably, at a very minimum visibility.

I came down to the beach early. And observed the massive amount of work being done on the Terengganu river mouth. Which digged my memory of the vicinity when I was a timid boy, who sporadically appeared in the Tanjong Marketplace.

The night of which, in the closing ceremony, the students were officially handed over to the Dean of the faculties. The token of which was the students' "Akujanji" which technically were sign-witnessed by the dean.

The student first day in the faculty was 2 Jul Thu. The swelling effects in the KOTA began with that FTM was being able to do with separately since their number were small. In the morning, FPSK had secured the Theatre since two weeks ago, despite having their students delayed to eleven due to miscomm of commuter buses. And thus FPB could have it only in the afternoon. The committee, who were the seniors, had to split, however managed in the morning by taking the newbies to the beach again for closer introduction. The tutors helped.

And thus I had only a short time with the new students. Limited to only introducing my staff, and reminding their chance of moving to Tembila, and not to forget their PNGK continual swelling or deswelling from their value after their first semester results, although I had a lot more to say to them and to remind them. The founder dean, Prof Manaf, came down as well and I managed to make him share our earlier life in the faculty. The VC and TNC AnA joined during the afternoon meal time, where all the three faculties FPB, FTM, and FPSK conggregated.

The day ended with a late evening needed drive to KL for the following two weeks were tied with the maiden convocation. Which commenced with the new session 2009/2020 Jul 5 Sun.



A Bolted Down Thunder in July

Dated 2009 Jul 16 Thu

Three years ago, 2009 Jul, six months after birth, Universiti Darul Iman Malaysia, registered the first intake in eight faculties: Agriculture and Biotechnology (FPB), and Medical and Health Sciences (FPSK), and the six that were selvaged (FKI, FIT, FPPP, FRIT, FUHA, FBK) from the "terminated" Kolej Ugama Sultan Zainal Abidin (KUSZA), with all their students and staff, nearly em-block. In 2009 Jan, the nineth faculty was born: The Faculty of Food Technology (FTM). And 2009 Jul, the first graduate were ceremonied in the maiden degree conferement: that of the diplomas in FPSK. Together with who ever graduated, degree or diploma, from the ex-KUSZA facultes.

It was 2009 July 12-16 Sun-Thu in the Dewan Al Muktafi Billah Shah (DABS) in the KUSZA campus. The hall which was built for a college. The drum beat was heard as early as in late 2007, but the management waited for a near full ceremony, which on the way was impeded a little bit after the 2008 Mac GE.

It was planned to bolt the Proclaimation of the Chancellor, and also the Pro-Chancellor(s). By late Jun all were set and was at a near go. The ticking began with the announcement (after many days of 'rumour') by the Vice Chancellor Jun 4 Thu 2.30 pm in the Managers Management Meeting in the Dewan Persidangan, KUSZA Campus. Senatorial matters were settled in the long Senate #14/2009 Jun 14 Sun which was chaired by the VC with whom it was my first time after being shouldered with the faculty in Feb. With the size of the hall, it would thus take four days to accomplish such the thunderous tasks. The gallant preparation was obviously uncocerned, until the rehearsal day. On which, being a 'first timer' or a 'novice', not unexpectedly, much could be made better.

For the Senate and Academics alone, it was four times rehearsals: 6 Mon, 8 Wed, 10 Fri, and on the fateful 13 Mon. Putting every option during the second last. The last was actually the B-plan when by Fri night it was known that the event was bolted down. I helped furnishing up the dean's call for the award of the degree. But the spirit of making the pre-graduates to pass by the dean before taking their scroll, although acknowledged by the NC, was not fully implemented because they could not figure out how to imagine the flow of the recipient.

The hall, although appeared majestic from outside, was actually not big enough for a grand ceremony. The academics were not so visible because they indifferentiated their regalia with the pre-graduates. It would be more ceremonious if they were very much into their own regalia.

Undeniably, the KL-experienced staff that manned many of the leads, especially the NC, had approximately perfected the events. Which actually was due to being bolted down. That much were like an internal affair. Most of the "outsiders" were actually "insiders".


As always, the event began with the officiation of the Festival, 12 Sun, by one of the LPU member, from whom, while refreshing after the officiation, I gathered that he was a few years my junior in SMK Padang Midin; evolving the sculpture to the witnesses of an insider from outside.

The scheduled Proclaimation of 13 Mon was bolted down to just a re-rehearsal for the Session 1 of 14 Tue, and to be q-ed from there on for the following sessions. And at night at Ri-Yaz, Duyung, although un-cancelled, was accordingly 'down-graded' to just a dear chicken-chop dinner with concommitant of nearly a quarter seats un-occupied due to 'unaccessibility' to get the academics.

The first session 1, 2009 Jul 14 Tue morning, was the climax. And dwindled to purely internal local events as the sessions drew to the last, Session 6 of 16 Thu afternoon. The bolted down events, was witnessed by the rep from local IPTA, but two. UM and UKM. The VVIP were reduced to just the rank-and-file LPU.


Six times similar ritual of saluting, attiring, parading, singing, saying, praying, and eating. Manned by similar persons. The difference being the audience and the recipients.

My father might have known this through his prayer when he pushed the pedal of the bicycle carrying me (and my brother) while crossing this place when it was still a Savannah-scary woods, to visit my mother's relatives in Mengabang Telung and Mengabang Panjang. The place was then like a sleeping lion. Now it has woke up, and roaring non-stop. Scaring every local inhibitants. And infinitesimalising all its "bushmen".

The place where he never failed to stop for the afternoon prayer every time he passed by, where there was a cool clear water stream under the shadow of gelam, had evolved to what is Universiti Malaysia Terengganu. But it wasn't during its inception, as a UPM branch, in yr 1996 even though I was drawn almost into it, after being allured by the colleagues. One was Prof Ismail Mohd, my sec school buddy, who eventually settled there well.

My immediate superior's remark: "a thing I never dreamed of - to be on the stage".

To which my answer was: DESTINY

To which his co-superior responded: LOL

My father knew another thing: that his days were tranasient to his children days which are transient to his grandchildren days.


The scenes of joys I had seen many thousands times already, and heard many thousands more times than that about after that.


Polarizing to the North West

Dated 2009 Jul 27 Mon

Having been approved for two weeks leave for the first time since Feb new contract, leaving behind the faculty to my two deputies, speeding home via Jabor to KL immediately after the last session (#6) of the convocation Jul 16 Thu, in the fully loaded V6, for the equally indespensable task: that of the wedding of my #4son, Jul 19 Sun in Bayan Lepas, Penang, and Jul 25 Sat in Sg Merab.


The contemporary Penang: The Bridge, versus the Old Penang: Padang Kota and Penang Road.

This time with a Penangite "pedigree" in Kg Baroh, Bayan Lepas. A "preserved" residential area at the swallowing edge of the Airport, and the Industrial Zone of Bayan Baru. Have been passing this area a few times before, with colleagues, as well as family. It was the original route fron Balik Pulau to get back in one circle to Tanjung Bunga(h), where for a few times I came for job matters, or family leisure.

I always drive whenever I went to Penang for job matters, be it from Kuala Lumpur, or from Kuala Terengganu, even though the flight tickets were made available for me. So, to this date, I never embarked, or disembarked from the Bayan Lepas Airport. It was once a stopover, 1974 Sep 12 Sun, late afternoon, on MAS MH824 KUL-BKK, frm Kuala Lumpur, Subang, en route to Bangkok, to take a Lufthansa to Rome, then an Alitalia to Frankfurt, and finally a BA to London and Manchester for my postgraduate study. Incidentally, it was my first flight.

The "tales" of Penang had firstly fallen on me only since 1967 when I checked in Sekolah Alam Shah (SAS), Jalan Cheras, Kuala Lumpur. They were brought to me by my close buddies, Izzudin Hamzah (Dr), Jamalluddin Shamsuddin, and later, Tajul Ariffin Nordin. Like myself, all had eventually settled in Klang Valley.

The current task began with the first engagement 2008 Aug 30 Sat, followed by the follow-up 2009 Mar 7 Sat. And finally sealed off 2009 Jul 19 Sun. At the same place in Bayan Lepas.

The non-school break event meant a small entourage. But every one of the seventeen in the family, present, plus Intan's mother, during the ritual for the Eighteenth. Plus the never-miss Azizah's sister and her family, and Chek. And my brother and his in-laws all the way from Jitra, Kedah. And one my buddy since the school days, Abdullah Embong (Prof Dr), who settled in Penang to his retirement in 2007 from USM. And not least, my mother's besan, Hj Ismail et al, all the way from Jitra.

Things went on so naturally, like for the last year Dec in Kuala Selangor. Every one settled by the night of the much blessed Sunday, and very much looking forward for the Jul 25 Sat 'gethering'. Which we had a plenty of time for it. Alas, quietly among ourselves.



An Autum in August

Dated 2009 Aug 10 Mon

It was August after indulging all the second half of July through three consecutive Friday-s on leave at home in Sg Merab. It had been twenty four months in my home-state of the foreignland Terengganu since the last two August-s. Sixteen months ago since I joined the lead. And six months ago since I was made to lead. Which came with a VK fifteen days after that. Which then increased the agility and decipherability to the edge. And made the sphere so soda-glassy. Unpredictability abound once one was deep in the nucleus.

The autum that chilled to the bone before the winter cold arrived. The autum the previous spring and summer of which that may repeat themselves in other decades rather than in the next season.

The autum that had taken me a lot to the three autums September-s of 1974, 1975 through to 1976 in Manchester. During which the lonely time seemed rather dilated that my mind was in focus only of finishing off and going home for good to run away from the cold and compressing winter after each autum. For, unconscientiously, an element of destiny was in the making. Thirty years later. It was the autum the winter after which drifted away the spring and the summer that followed.


The beginning of an evolution milestone.

Reminiscing the good old days with the officials of Trg State Agencies. Looking forward to a solo drive after the opening ceremony.

Aug began with the return drive to KOTA to deal with the piling routine. And sittings every day of the week.

The sem-7 students put up their theses proposal Aug 3 Mon, which, as I forwarded, marked the beginning of a milestone in the faculty evolution. That they were on their way to make the first graduate. Apparently the supervisors were more nervous than the students. All in the bunch had a great potentials. Similar, even some were better than those I saw and dealt with in 34 years of my tenure before retirement. But my scared worry was the space for them to work out their proposals. Which was openly admitted by the NC when I stumbled with him in the morning of Aug 4 Tue; the day I gave my first Chem lecture FDS3013 to FTM first year since the new session during this second time contact Aug 4 Tue; and chaired the faculty management meeting later in the afternoon.

Followed by a quick weekend. Up to UTM in Skudai Aug 7 Fri, day trip, meeting the c/tee of Ensiklopedia Sains dan Teknologi, which was to be rekindled into a second edition. I missed the first meeting in Melaka during my Jul 25 reception, jointly with the co-publisher DBP.

Then another fortunate break-away for another week to KL for three matters. One that I loved very much: the MatriQ curriculum materials in the Ancasa where it was once the Foch Avenue, the KL spot that I first set foot 42 years ago. In the middle of which a sneak out for the second matter to Putrajaya's Marriot for a luncheon talk.

And the last minute directive for the third matter. A chilly and 'scary' return to represent the UDM's NC. With unsure readiness of a fully recharged battery and a blank 2G SD in IXS 8515. Leaving behind to my Deputy to take care for the internal audit beginning Aug 16 Sun (during the students mid-sem break), and two meetings after that, and to the Head of Animal Sc Dept for the Academic Mngmt meeting on the same day.



The Return to Jidaigeki

Dated 2009 Aug 15 Sat

Aug 15 Sat morning. I was asked personally to represent him and UDM. The request I could not refuse. Plus that after the day I had just finished my MatriQ in KL Aug 11-14 Tue-Fri, in the middle of which Aug 13 Thu I sneaked out to attend the AKEPT premier talk in the Marriot of Putrajaya. The return was a chilly and scary acceptance of the request. The latter for the absence in the Academic sitting Aug 16 Sun which I hope would be acceptable with the replacement by my Head of Dept of Animal Science.

Three 'innocent' lower staff who never stopped knowing me. Zailan (left) was the PAR in the Chemistry for some period in late 1990's, being transfered from Geology. A hard working lower staff, who always could do more than what he was asked to, soon was transfered to the Bendahari, and remained there till today. Talhah (middle), equally hard working, who was more than willing to do what was usually not done. A lab Asst at the start of his career in UKM, he worked himself through to get promoted to an Asst Science Officer in the year 2000's. Both are energetic and are very proactive in all Dept activities. Abd Ra'ai Osman (right), the FST photographer when I was the ICT coordinator, in 2006 was transfered to Publication Unit as the 'cost' of his hard work. His finger tips press, the PC keyboard every after pressing the camera shutter switch. And he kept updated with the current tools and media.

Knowing each other for the first time.

I hardly knew these reps, in their own Univ robe.

Being on the stage for the first time since it was built in 1978, and being around since 1983. Looking down, it was very apparent that things were drying up in the 'monastry', even in this supposedly the most glittering academic annual event. Tuanku Canselor gave away the scrolls to the graduates witnessed by many empty seats.

Through the cleft of two shoulders of two TNC, I noticed two persons on the floor who noticed and noted my presence on the stage. The second one was of more signifcant: Prof Noramly, one of those who mid-wifed, bathed, fed, weaned, and changed the infant UKM in the 1970's.

Exchanging blips from the stage to the floor and vice versa in the virtuality of the particulate floor audience.

Waiting for the zeroth hr, I was contempleting in not to compose into a revisit as I had stressed on my exit day in 2007 that this 'monastry' would not be in my revisit list although it comsumed all my active career life. I reckoned many retirees felt the same thing of not quite keen to revisit their past working place even if the place was where they sweated all their life.

The drive in 4747 in the early morning into the compound was unexpectedly smooth. No congestion. Not as I had seen in the past. Congestion since the sun rise plus the 'hawkers' flower stalls along the road to the gate. Considering that today was the first session (out of ten), and the first convo for the (#3) new Chancellor, the quietness was rather strange.

Red at the light. And green and instantly at the 'sentry'. And the sticker quickly turned into a welcome mode, into the car park along the hall. Rolled into the nearest available lot, facing the lateral road. Standing guard on duty to guide was Zailan who unperturbedly noticed my arrival.

Walked to the front door of the iconic DECTAR, to the lined of smartly suited usherers. Many were smiling to my approach, and rushed forward was Talhah to grab the opportunity to settle my presence. And I was taken to the VIP 2 room on the right of the lobby where several local IPTA rep were already waiting, none I knew personally, mostly much younger blokes. A few minutes later, even before I could find a cushion to sit on, Talhah returned to resettle me in the VIP 1 room upstair, where robes for the university managers as well as for guests were kept and dispensed. And in there I met many people I had met before. And as the procession drew nearer many more that I had known, 'popped' in.

Seated immediately near the door was the USIM rep, and at the wall, young reps from ???, and UiTM. And at the far end was the UKM's TNC A and TNC HEP. The former was not too concern, perhaps recalled of seeing my face sporadically in UKM, and especially in Kuantan TNC C/Tee Meeting in Feb this year. But the latter who was my junior both in SAS and UKM, and was in my tutorial group when he was in the first year Medic, stood up to greet my arrival, and noted my presence, and confessed on the awareness of my whereabout. Then the Industry and Community TNC who made every effort to know who was who. Then the PnI TNC who made no notice of my presence although she knew that I was at the Cafe almost every day with Prof Othman Omar with whom she never missed together with every day too in the Cafe. Then the Pro-Chancellor who thanked every one for their presence. And the one of the LPU member. By then many more reps showed up. Those of UiTM, UPM, UMK, ??? and finally UMT's NC who was the only NC of other IPTA present.

And criss-crossing the rooms was Abd Ra'ai, the faculty photographer during my ICT coordinating. Like others, his hard work 'cost' him a transfer to the Publication Unit. He kept his distance, I supposed for two reasons: To keep me in one piece, and not to transgress away from his duty.

It was nine. The procession time drew nearer. The reps were taken outside to the waiting lobby where the heads, the deans, and the senators were getting themselves ready.

More of those I have met noticed my presence. In the Q to greet were the dean of Islamic Studies, Prof Zakaria Stapa, who used to joke in 2007 Mar about my being needed in Trg. The dean of Engineering, Prof Marzuki, and the dean of Social Science, Prof S Mastura. The Information Centre Director, Prof Othman Karim. Dr Kadderi, Dr Idris Endut, Prof Mohd Shafeea Leman, and Prof Burhanuddin. And some more greetings with the eyes only.

The procession. The academia gathered downstairs, and were already in the hall when the 'Perarakan Besar Masuk ke Dewan' arrived at the gate and was announced. The reps were right in front of the Chancellory. The pace down through the stairs, into the main hall, was fast. Then UP ON THE STAGE. For the first time on this stage since it was first used in 1978, through to 34 years of my tenure. I was on the right line of the procession, thus end up on the right side of the stage. I remembered attending many times in this hall in the academic procession. And I don't remember I got seated not on the right side of the hall.


Ooop! I am sorry, the first time I was on the stage was in 2006 Mar 5 Sun. While invigilating the exam of my paper STKK 1113. Knowing that I was going soon, and, no hope of, then I asked my co-lecturer Dr Ishak to snap one for "kenangan manis". And like I said before, you will meet the people you have met before. Also apparently, you will go to the place you have been there before.

The 'rituals' began. The 'monks' of the 'monastry' sang the same song every one had heard over and over again, years after years. Listened by monks and priests from other monastries whose only function was to get seated quietly, and listened to whatever is audible. Being robed and gowned, it was difficult to turm around and see who were at the back. I was seated on the second row, right behind the two TNC. The UMT NC on the right, grooved to the Pro-Chancellor, etc. On the left were the TNC rep, and the 'monks'. It was supposedly a symmetrical seating about the Chancellor on the other side of the stage, except for the single NC. The Chancellor's spouse was distinguishably seated on the floor.

And seated to my right was the Librarian, Abu Bakar Maidin, who tagged my presence to the moment on the stage. He was very persistence to tell me that he was actually one of my students during the "Kelas Asuhan MARA" in 1973 in FPI Sect 16. Same batch of Ariffin who accidentally dropped by 2009 Aug 22 Wed, and Dr Zaini Hamzah. But could not remember the class. In which I taught them Physics subject.

Apparently, this #1 Session was for the doctorate and the masters. The undergraduate was for the Law and Pharmacy. And also for the proclaimation of the Emeritus Professors. Thus it was no sign of Science and Technology, the purple gown. It did not concern me now anyway.

But out of the virtuality, a light blipped on my silenced cell. That of the ex-colleague, recently promoted to VK 7, Prof Amran Majid, who said he was among the floor particles, with another of my ex-colleague, Prof Ibrahim Abu Talib. Perhaps a few more like them were closed by, watching and listening to nobody's interest like all other monks. We exchanged a few more blips before it died down to the finishing of the monastry rituals.

It was twelve. The closing procedure began. It was the reverse procession. But having been contempleting, I stopped by the one on the first row on the floor, who I noticed noted my presence. Prof Noramly. I broke out of the procession and walked him to the lobby outside. Apparently in this Convo 37, he was officially made an Emeritus Professor of Chemistry in the faculty. The appreciation he deserved long time ago, since returning from being a Deputy of IAEA in Geneva. His being applied for was in the early 2000's. Unfortunately was opposed irreversibly and arrogently by one who he fed and weaned during UKM infant time. Many were furious. I was one. And some were furious on my furiosity. We had a short chat, sort of socio-academically. Then I knew, I had to concede for he had more mega-people to see, to whom I was so infinitesimal. The last time I sat together with him was in 2002, having "teh tarik" at the Samuri Sate, Sect 6, BBBangi.

With that I took off my robe and gown, and dashed into 4747, and home in ten minutes. I had no wish to join for the meal, had not even for the breakfast on arrival this morning, because I still hold to my swear in 1995, that UKM owed me a dinner.

Recently, UKM rep missed the hospitality of UDM maiden Degree Conferement last Jul. In the occasion, UDM invited all the IPTA NC or its rep. And during the occasion, each rep was assigned an accompaniment (called protocol) who was mostly among the academician. And a car for his/her convenience to travel from and to the hotel for as long as he/she wanted for the purpose. The rep would be contacted a day before the supposedly trevelling day. They would be picked up from the airport. The accompaniment would accompany his/her move around town (not just in the campus), and were invited to participate in all events during the occasion. And finally they would be sent off at the airport.

If I were to be made to return again to this jidaigeki next year, I would make sure to take along my UDM robe. It would widen the eyes, I just guessed.



2009

Jan-Apr

May-Aug

Sep-Dec

Sekelip Mata

Diary