Grape farm 葡萄园

Pak Yusof (center)

An outing for 3 young-at-heart.

Pak Yusof, 65, my neighbour 2 doors away, invited me and his friend Taurik for an outing to a grape farm in Sendayan, Negri Sermban.

Sendayan is a small rural town surrounded by rubber and oil palm plantations, about 20 kms from Port Dickson and 55 kms from Kajang.

It is called Sendayan valley grapes and fruits Farm covering an area of about 50 hectres. According to its website, it is supposed to be a agro-tourism park showcasing latest technologies of grape growing from Thailand.

It is a joint venture founded in 2008 with the state government and supported by The Ministry of Finance.(My understanding of 'support' means financial support)

Understanding its background, I am not surprise at all to see a farm with no visitors, rundown empty reception area and harvest-less fruit farm...

However, the farm and plants are quite well maintained with about 7 workers. There are 4 University ITM farm Management Course students doing practical training in the farm. 

Pak Yusof, a grape planting enthusiast, picked up some tips from the workers and the students. He has planted 3 grapevines in his home compound.

It was a great learning experience for me and was happy with the trip.

(Facebook pictures)

三位人老心不老者的户外活动。

我的隔两家邻居尤索夫（Pak Yusof ），约了我及他的另一位朋友，去游览坐落在森美兰州，三达扬镇的一座葡萄园。这葡萄园离开加影大约55公里，波德申则是20公里。

这座葡萄园的正确名称为『三达扬谷葡萄及果园』 ，面积大约50公顷。

根据它的网页，这是一座自然旅游的果园，展示来自泰国最新的葡萄种植技术。

该园成立于2008年，是与州政府联营，并得到国家财政部的支持。（这里所说的支持，我的了解应该是融资）

了解了这果园的背景，我丝毫没有惊讶的见到一座没有观光客的果园，空荡荡的接待处，没有出产的果园。。。

不过，整个果园及果树还算照顾的相当不错。果园

这里共有7位工人，及4位实习的学院生。

尤索夫对种植葡萄有兴趣，所以从工作人员处得到许多有用的贴上。他的家就种了三棵葡萄树。

这是我一个很好的学习体验，也很满意这次的活动。 (面子书Facebook 照片）

Surprise meeting 不期而遇

In transit.

Joseph from Sibu, Sarawak arrived this morning. He went to Putrajaya Home Affair Ministry for some traveling business. He will leave for Kuala Lumpur tomorrow morning.

Anslem and Anthony from Melaka arrived at my house this afternoon. Anthony is accompanying
Anslem for his medical appointment at Serdang Hospital early morning tomorrow.

They were surprised for this unplanned meeting in Kajang ....

We celebrated this rare occasion of old friends getting together by ... eating Kajang famous DA PAU !!!

Left: Anslem, Anthony and Joseph 左起：培明，安东尼及禄声

过客。

诗巫的黄禄声，在今天早晨 9：35 抵达。他是去布城的内政部办理一些旅游事务。明早他将前往吉隆坡。

马六甲的培明及安东尼，在下午四时左右抵达我家。安东尼是陪伴培明在明早到沙登医院作医药检查。

两帮人马非常惊讶这次的不期而遇。

我们以 。。。吃大包来欢庆这次的天主巧妙安排！

庄严隆重 Full honour

 

一切荣耀及赞美归于主，因为他给了我们王淇友兄弟。

淇友兄弟的安所弥撒，在今天早上十时正，假吉隆坡甲洞的『圣爱堂』举行。他曾为这个堂区作出了各种奉献，包括新教堂的筹募建筑基金及建立团体的工作，特别是华语教友团体。

弥撒共有六位神父共祭：堂区主任苏瑞恩神父，蔡钊发神父，黄大华神父，林进发神父，邓英伟神父及新铎李义兴神父。

好多位修女，及超过三百名的亲朋戚友，参加了这个庄严的弥撒圣祭。

淇友的长子威廉，非常动人的分享了一些有关父亲的感人事迹。他举出了爸爸每天一大早就起来，为家人准备早餐的事， 道尽了一位作为丈夫和父亲，爱他家庭的行动表现。

他勇敢的面对病痛带给肉体的各种折磨。他从不作出不必要的要求或指令，但却常常的对自己的病痛，带给家人的不便，深感疚歉。

病痛，包括每个星期三次的透析（洗肾），绝对不能阻扰他照顾家庭，及为他人与团体服务的决心。

他是一位忠贞的圣母军团员，堂区送圣体员及基基团协调员。

他的座右铭是：『只要自己能够做到的，就去做吧！』。这句话，也将会永远的铭记在家人及朋友们的心坎里。

弥撒结束后，全体共诵了圣母军周会的全部经文，标志着他在世时的最后一次会议。

过后，他的遗体安葬在万桡的基督徒坟场。

愿一切光荣及赞美归于天主！

Honour and Praise to God, for giving us Francis Ong as our brother. 

Funeral Mass of Francis Ong was held today at 10:00am at the Jesus Caritas Church Kepong which he has contributed in many ways towards the building of the church and people, especially the Mandarin-speaking community.

The Mass was con-celebrated by six priests: Parish Priest Fr. Surin, Fr. Philip Chua, Fr. Lawrence Ng, Fr. Clement Lim, Fr. Martin Then and newly ordained Fr. Augustine Li.

Many religious Sisters and more than 300 relatives and church members attended this solemn Eucharistic celebration.

In a moving testimony, his son William shared about his father's love for the family, quoting an example of him getting up in the early morning daily, preparing breakfast for the whole family.

He bore his suffering courageously. He didn't make unnecessary requests or demands but always feeling sorry for "troubling" his family.

His physical illnesses, including dialysis 3 times a week, were never the obstacle preventing him to care and serve for his family, people and the community.

As for community services, he served as a faithful legionary, Communion Minister and dedicated BEC coordinator.

His motto was, and will always be remembered by family and friends : If I am able to do it, just do it lah !!

After Mass, Legion's prayers were recited. It signified being the last meeting on earth for him.

Later, his body was laid to rest at the Rawang Christian Cemetery.

May all Honour and Praise be to God !

Sad loss 痛失

天主忠信的仆人王淇友，在25/1/2013 早上大约8：45，安详的在吉隆坡中央医院，蒙主恩召，离开了这个世界，享年53岁。

他是一位好丈夫，尽职的父亲，可信靠的朋友。

他也一位忠贞的圣母军友，活跃的甲洞『圣爱堂』教友。虽然是一位长期借助机器洗肾的病患，但在团体及堂区需要他的时候，绝不退缩的站出来，奉献本来是储存给自己备用的那一点点精力，牺牲贡献，发出那一份光，照亮他人。

『圣爱堂』建堂筹款活动，就可以看到他的落力及带动。今天那座崭新的教堂，给已亡的淇友兄弟，留下来一个印证，也成为他的家人及朋友，缅怀他传奇的永久纪念。

据知他也曾为其他堂区作出了鲜为人知的其他类别奉献。

在最近的六个月里，他的身体出现了并发状况，进进出出医院，不计其数。除了肉体的痛苦，精神的折磨更是严重。

面对长期洗肾，心脏弱化，导致脚部血管不流通，也因而需接受一条腿下部截肢的命运。但是，他没有抱怨，没有嘶喊，没有怨天尤人，一切都默默地承受。病痛折磨了他的肉身，但绝不能挫折到他的坚强意志及信仰。他把一切奉献给天主，常常祈祷，默默的忍受，保持积极的心态。

医院的护理人员都对他表示敬意，称他是最良好的病人。今天我到设置在他家的灵前哀悼时，他的太太美珍告诉我，医院有两位护士特地来到灵前，给他献上鲜花，以表哀痛及敬意。

很多人为他的逝世，深表哀痛。

我们谨为他的灵魂而祈祷，愿主怜悯，让他的灵魂早日安息主怀，享受天主无际的大爱。

“这场仗，我已打完； 这场赛跑，我已跑到终点；这信仰，我已保持了。（弟後4：7） 

“好，善良忠信的仆人！。。进入你主人的福乐吧！” （玛25：23）

淇友兄，我们天乡再见！

（参阅旧帖子不平常）

6/11/2008

Francis Ong passed away peacefully at about 8:45 am at Hospital Kuala Lumpur on 25/1/2013 at the age of 53.

He is a good husband, dedicated father, confidant to many. He is also a legionary, active member of Jesus Caritas Church, Kepong. Although himself a long term dialysis patient, but when he is needed by the community and the parish, he will stand out, offering his limited energy for the service of the people and community.

He was actively involved in the fund raising project of the new Caritas Church. The now in use new church told a touching story of his tireless effort and motivation towards the success of this building project.

The new church is a testimony of his effort and sacrifices. It also served as a memorial of him for his family, friends and co-workers.

It was believed that he had also contribution in other forms towards other churches. 
 
For the past 6 months, he suffered health complications, in out Hospital uncountable times.
Besides Physical pains, mental sufferings were more unbearable. 

Long term dialysis weakened him physically, thus affected his heart too. Due to blocked blood flow to his toes, he had an amputation of his lower section of a leg two month before his death.

He uttered no complaint, no shouting and cursing no one. Illnesses ravaged his body but not his faith and spirit. He bore his suffering quietly, maintaining a positive attitude, 

He offered all his sufferings to God, pray unceasingly and living each day with hope. The nursing staff and patients were touched by his positive spirit.

This morning, 2 Malay nurses from the hospital brought flowers to the wake to pay respect to him. 

He is sadly missed by many.

" ...... I have fought the good fight to the end;  I have run the race to the finish, I have kept the faith...(2 Tim 4:6)

" Well done, good and faithful servant! ..... Come and join in your master’s happiness!’" (Matt 25:23)

Francis, may your soul rest in peace through the mercy of the Lord. 

(See old post Extraordinary )

Four-Priest Ordination 四位神父的晋铎

It is a great day for the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur.

Today, we witnessed "fourple" priestly Ordination at an Ordination Mass held at about 5:00 pm. at the St. John's Cathedral, Kuala Lumpur.

How can I said "fourple".... my son told me this story.

One of his staff told him this :"... Boss, two times is double, three times is triple, so four times is fourple lah .... " .. my son simply called her The lovable, laughable, adorable Miss Fourple !!!

However, the Fourple here means: four adorable, lovable and courageous young men, giving up their enjoyable, respectable and successful career, responded to the Call of Jesus and followed him to be the fishers of men, be " All things to all Men .." (their ordination motto).

More than 3500 well wishers and parishioners from all over Malaysia and overseas attended the 2 1/2 hours ceremony presided by the Archbishop of KL, His Grace Murphy Pakiam.

Also present were Archbishop Emiratus Soter Fernandez, Coajutor Archbishop-Elect of Singapore Fr.William Goh Seng Chye and more than 80 priests, religious Brothers and Sisters from various dioceses and religious orders.

(See pictures at Facebook)

这是吉隆坡总教区一个历史性的大日子。

今天，四位年轻人，回应了耶稣的召叫，愿意跟随耶稣成为 “渔人的渔夫”，『对一切都人，成为一切』是他们圣召的座右铭。

这四位年青人，放弃了已经拥有的成功事业，（其中一位陈永强（Gregory Chan）还是一名拥有自己的事务所的成功律师）对耶稣说： “我愿意成为你的司铎！”

晋铎典礼及弥撒由巴吉安总主教主持，出席的还有荣休费南迪斯总主教，新加坡总教区候任助理总主教吴成才神父，及超过80神父，和来自各修会的修女及修士。

超过 3500 来自各教区的教友，乘搭大型巴士及汽车，怀着喜悦及欢庆的心情，出席了这个盛典。

（更多照片Facebook）

Treason

For decades, Sabahan has been puzzled and bewildered ....

The population of Sabah in the 80's was less than a million. By year 2000, the population has reached 2.5 million.

As at 2010, according to official Census, the population of Sabah has reached 3.1 millions ... a whopping  increase of more than 400 per cent compared with  the population of 651,304 in 1970 !!!!

Native has been outnumbered by foreigners, many native Sabahan ethnic groups had became minority in their own homeland. 

And for years, speculation was rife that the Government (ruling Barisan National Coalition) was giving out National Identity Cards (IC) to illegal Muslim immigrants from the Southern Philippines and Indonesia in a secret Project IC for votes scheme.

Sabah is a priced " Fixed deposit of votes" to the BN but also the dirtiest political battleground. Vote buying, money politic, horse trading, back stabbing .... you named it, it has it.

And now, it was confirmed that all speculation and accusation are true.

A Royal Commision of Inquiry (RCI) has revealed shocking details of how the Election Commission, government departments, under the reign of then Prime Minister Mahathir, giving out hundereds of thousands of Identity Cards to illegal immgrants in order to ensure that the BN continue to rule the State of Sabah !

Najib gave in to the pressure from the Oppositions and the public to set up this Commission to deal with the decades old illegal migrants problem in the state.

Oppostions alleged that more than 700,000 ICs has been illegally giving out to illegal migrants in order to allow them to vote in favour of the BN.

The true Mahathir has been revealed! People are calling him names : already Tyrant, dirty and cunning ... and now a traitor !

Seemed Mahatihir's legacy has been tarnished !!

Yet story continues ... the RCI hearing continues and more shocking news are expected to revealed ....

But ... another story started to unfold.

Is Najib using the RCI to "destroy" Mahathir ?

Mahathir is rumoured to have teamed up with Najib's deputy Muhyiddin to topple him ... (to undermine Najib's performance in the coming General Election).

If Najib falls, Muhyiddin would rise, and Mahathir's son would be his deputy ... see how cunning Mahathir is !!

The 13th General Election is going to be the most brutal, dirtiest and toughest one in the country's history.

(RCI proceedings is not reported fully in mainstream English and Malay newspapers and government-controlled TV stations)

葫芦顶心灵

刊登于【爱之光】 一月份

葫芦顶心灵

十一月二十八日及二十九日，完成了一趟令我身心愉快的『心灵之旅』。

这趟行程是：心旷神怡，加影到『葫芦顶』，进入『马口』，跨过金龙河，来到『知知港』，夜宿『葫芦顶』。旧雨新知，声声问候及祝福，大家都好。载着榴莲山竹红毛丹，带着微笑，主的平安在怀抱。

葫芦顶，马口及知知港，是森美兰州三个小镇，离开我的加影住家大约一百一十公里。这里是山区，群山环抱，以农作物出名，如橡胶，油棕及水果等。

马来西亚在这个时候，是个榴莲飘香的季节。这里除了『国王』榴莲大唱丰收之外，还有『果后』山竹，红毛丹更是满挂树上，多的令人懒得去理会。

但我的目的不是去吃水果（但也真的吃了好多），主要的是去探望一些久违的圣母军军友。

二十八日早上，我和太太一同驱车，进入加影--芙蓉高速公路，风驰电掣的抵达了森美兰州的小镇板底（Pantai），然后沿着芙蓉--瓜拉格拉旺州属公路，前往葫芦顶。这是一条盘山而建的弯曲两车道公路，沿途可以欣赏到青翠山岭，参差有秩的树木。当儿因为是雨季，可以看到远山袅袅的薄雾升起，清新迷人，赏心悦目。（这有点像是学生时代的作文，但确实是当时的风景及心境。）

两个小时后，抵达了葫芦顶（Pertang），与久等我们的芙蓉军友黄年娇姐妹会合，在她带领下，一同前往三十公里外的马口镇（Bahau），去探望邱珊英姐妹。

邱珊音姐妹在九十年代，到吉隆坡工作，然后加入吉隆坡玫瑰堂的【玫瑰之后】支团成为一名团员。大约十五年前，因为患上眼疾，导致双眼失明，就回到马口，与母亲及兄姐同住。

在黑暗的世界中，她找到了来自主基督的平安，与家人过着安静的日子。虽然双目失明，但她仍然毫不吝啬的奉献出天主给予她的恩宠 - 教导主日学。目前她每个主日，都在马口『玛利亚，天主之母』小堂教导3，4，5及6年纪儿童道理。

马口小圣堂堂口教友不多，但每个星期都有神父到来主持弥撒。每个月的第四个星期天，有一台华语弥撒，通常都由来自波德申的林进发神父负责。 

黑眼镜者为邱珊英，最左及最右分别为三哥智全及姐姐珊华

珊音的姐姐珊华及三哥智全，也热情的招待我们共进午餐。根据他们的介绍，马口还有许多美食，希望我们能够品尝，但因时间的关系，我们只好留到下次了。他们热情的发出邀请，欢迎我们的再次到来。

告别了珊英及哥姐之后，我们离开马口，驱车往知知港前进。沿途我们经过橡胶园及马来甘榜，景致宜人。

知知港是一个新村市镇，马来文名称为Titi, 而华人通俗的称之为知知港，连同附近地区，约有一万人口。知知港群山环抱，建于一个狭小盆地，并不是一个海港或河港，为什么会被称为“港”，我未能搜到任何资料。

这里的居民以客家人为多，且以姓萧者居众。

知知港居民也经历了日本占领军大屠杀的悲惨浩劫。1942年3月8日，日军蓝田上尉在知知港邻近的余朗朗村，把躲避到郊外的村民，诱骗群集在益群学校，分批的冷血屠杀了1474名手无寸铁的妇孺少壮老幼。

1948年，英国殖民地政府，因对抗日益壮大的前抗日伙伴马来亚共产党，而把知知港列入黑区，实施戒严令，设立关卡，检查及限制居民的行动，并且统制粮食。当时可说是新村居民的另一个艰辛时期，一直到1957年，马来亚独立为止。

这些浩劫及磨练，造就了知知港人民的坚强，毅韧，刻苦耐劳的性格。

知知港八十巴仙居民从事农耕业为主。他们种植橡胶，水果及蔬菜等。早几年，当橡胶价格飙升高峰时，知知港被美称为“小金山”。这都是居民勤劳垦殖，日出而作，日落而息的辛劳成果。

早几年，知知港的黄梨也是名闻森雪，但因人工短缺，知知港现在已经难见到黄梨的种植了。

我们在下午二时前，抵达了知知港。跨越金龙河进入新村的『情人桥』，因提升工程而被关闭，只好绕道而行。经过曲折的新村小路，和种满花草的村屋，我们来到了【圣奥斯定】教堂，赶上了参加『太平之后』支团的周会。

知知港堂区共有三个圣母军支团：『天主之母』（1982），『太平之后』（1988）及『仁慈之母』支团。

『太平之后』支团目前有六位团员。团长陈玉萍姐妹是位标准的知知港居民 – 勤劳的务农者。她的工作包括：管理橡胶园，水果园，做芭场（除草，施肥，修枝，修芭，修路等）。

这天，她一早就去榴莲芭拾榴莲，然后载出到市场售卖。最近因为多雨，导致芭场湿滑，道路也受到损坏，所以工作加倍的幸苦，载送榴莲也艰难。

午后，她赶来教堂参加圣母军周会，还特地带了一些榴莲与我们分享。

团员中，也有几位与玉萍姐妹同样从事农务，勤劳作活，但毫不吝啬为主奉献的军友。其他的支团也是如此。

『太平之后』支团团员中，最年长者为曾亚招姐妹，高龄93岁，但仍然很健康，准时出席周会。

会议后，拍了张团体照留念(下）。从左起：曹喜云（谢启龙神父的母亲），陈玉萍（团长），符佩颜（财政），陈宝莲（副团长），刘贤昌（秘书），会议到访者【仁慈之母】支团团长叶飞霞，(汤燕芬修女的母亲)；到访者黄年娇及93岁的团员徐亚招。

我非常敬佩这里军友的圣母军精神。她/他们都是劳动阶级，一天的劳作已经把精力耗尽，加上家庭及生活上的挑战，都已经是足够了，但她/他们仍然牺牲那有限的空闲时间，奉献于主，为祂的神国服务。除了周会，支团职员们还得每个月到四十五公里外的芙蓉（超过一个小时的车程），参加区团会议及一些圣母军的活动。

在这种背景之下，这里团员的每一份工作，包括每月两次华文弥撒前的打扫教堂工作，都是英勇的服务了！

知知港是个山城，人口不多，天主教徒人数更少，但却出了一位神父及一位修女。现任『主徒会』总会长谢启龙神父，及目前在新山服务的『耶稣圣婴方济会』的汤燕芬修女，就是来自知知港！

汤燕芬修女的母亲，叶飞霞姐妹是『仁慈之母』支团的团长，她也抽空到来与我们见面。会议过后，我们到飞霞姐的家，探访了行动有点不方便的丈夫汤福星兄弟（右照，右二坐者）。

知知港『圣奥斯定』教堂已有百年的历史。在2005年，一间多用途礼堂建在教堂的旁边，为当地的教友提供了一个舒适的活动场地。

最近在梳邦再也一间医院，圣母像显现在一块玻璃的事件吸引了众人注意，而我在知知港，也见到了天主的足迹，但除了本地人之外，鲜少外人知道或感兴趣。

天主在几个月前，两次以雷电方式，到访知知港教堂！

祂两次前后的到来，留下了足迹 --- 教堂的最高钟楼顶上的两个柱子，两次被雷电击中。教友们开玩笑说：“天主乘坐雷电到来，速度太快，“不力”（刹车）不及，而撞断了柱子。。看来，教堂屋顶要装上AES（抓超速自动执法系统）了”

天主不是砸自己的屋子吧？（一笑）

就如圣母像显示在玻璃上，雷电两次击中教堂的屋顶小柱子，同样都是充满神秘！为什么呢？

陈贵平兄弟是知知港华文教务促进会主席，做事亲历亲为。除了本身的农务，还为教堂的事务操心。当时他正为教堂小坡土崩而忙，监督填土工作。百忙中，抽空与我们见面，还热情的邀请我们共用下午茶点。

怀着喜乐，满足的心情，下午茶过后，我们告别了知知港及浓厚的知知乡情，回到了葫芦顶，在年娇及丈夫金彪俩的『史提安娜』猪寮别墅住宿一晚。

这是他们在葫芦顶果园芭场里，一间猪寮改造而成的“别墅”。他们家住芙蓉，每个星期都会有几天到此，照顾芭场及做一些劳力的工作。他们的孩子都已长大成人，有的也成家立业，现在过得是简单，低调，但却是与天（主），人，及地（大自然）和谐融洽共处，闲情逸致的生活。

这里设备虽然简朴，但却是宽大舒适，空气流通。晚上来了一场大雨，听到了好久没听过在童年时，家乡老家雨点洒在屋顶的声音，太美妙了！我与太太都喜欢这里。

隔天早晨，天空微亮，鸟儿已经在歌唱，伴随着公鸡啼鸣，鹅及鸭的呱呱哦哦声，合成了一支早安交响曲。

雨后的早晨，空气格外凉爽清新，站在屋外，远眺不远处的山峦，晨雾半遮，一幅美丽的图画，就出现在眼前。

我们到葫芦顶新村吃早餐。这里的居民大部分都是劳动者，勤劳作息，但生活节奏悠闲，人情味浓厚。用过早餐后，到新村闲逛，遇到年娇的朋友，还送了特种榴莲给我们呢！

在葫芦顶的蓝天白云下，悠闲的坐在树荫下凉亭乘凉，谈天 。。。鸡鸣，鸟叫。。。凉风习习，昏昏欲睡时，还记得念了五端玫瑰经。。。在这里，我回顾了马口及知知港之行，这都是我渴望有时间，必定要做的事情。

口渴了，喝一喝刚摘下的香椰水。。。转眼已是日落黄昏，要回家的时候了。

结庐在人境，而无车马喧。
问君何能尔？心远地自偏。
采菊东篱下，悠然见南山。
山气日夕佳，飞鸟相与还。
此中有真意，欲辨已忘言。

（陶渊明）

葫芦顶心灵，再肯定了“我是圣母军”的荣幸！

No face 颜脸无光

Chua Soi Lek, the President of MCA (Malaysia Chinese Association, coalition partner of ruling Barisan National Coalition ) is a frustrated man. He is so helpless and incapacitated by the current volatile situation of the country, his party is loosing support by the days. Surely, he is not a popular man in the country or within his own party either.

He is a sitting duck. And what a sitting duck can do is ... get hit and just yell quack quack quack !

He is making comment after comment, statement after statement, but no action, or rather inaction.

And he is obsessed with Opposition leaders Lim Guan Eng, Anwar.... His focus is just picking on them, even on trivial and personal issues.

Poor Chua, more salt is being rubbed into his wound.

Recently, an unresolved issue that MCA has been struggling to settle for the past decades, was resolved by an outsider (organisation) in a half-hour meeting with the Prime Minister Najib. All MCA and Chua, and MCA Deputy Education Minister could do is ... bang balls !! 

Issue at hand is the demand by the Chinese community for the government to recognise the private schools Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) which is recognised and accepted by more than 500 universities in the world, of which more 82 are world top 200 universities, but not by Malaysia government!

A delegation from The Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia, led by its ambitious Chairman Fang Tian xing (pic right ), met the Prime Minister on 16/1/2013 to discuss various issues faced by the Chinese community, including UEC, allocation for Chinese schools, shortage of Chinese schools and teachers ....

Private Chinese secondary students can opt to sit for government SPM (Malaysia Education Certificate) and / or the private UEC. However, UEC is not accepted for entry into local universities.

After the meeting, it was announced that the Prime Minister has in concept, to recognise the UEC on 2 conditions ...  This was already a positive news from the government to the community which has been waiting for past many decades!

A long time educational issue which is very important to the Chinese community, was resolved by the Federation in just half an hour ...

MCA Deputy Minister of Education Wee Ka Siong and President Chua Soi Lek ... where to put your faces !!!

No wonder, this news was not even mentioned by The Star, the biggest circulation mainstream English newspaper owned by MCA, but making headlines in all major Chinese newspapers.

Is MCA still relevant ?

马华公会总会长蔡细历，是个非常颓丧的人。面对目前我国的“大选欲来风满楼”的紧崩局势，他可说是无助，也无能以助！他也不是我国受喜爱的一个政客，甚至在党内，也是同样的情形。

他的状况，可说是西洋谚语中的“座地鸭”，只有受攻击，不能还手，只好“呱呱呱呱”的在叫嚷。

是的，他的叫嚷就是口水多过茶，召开记者会，发文告，但毫无行动，也不能行动。

这就应对了他的拿手口头禅：“自己讲，自己听，自己爽！”

他几乎是对反对党领袖林冠英及安华独有癖好，针对他们的谈话及文告，事无大小，可说是没完没了！

最近蔡总更是雪上加霜，伤口再抹上盐！

一支来自华总（马来西亚中华大会堂总会）代表团，在雄心勃勃的会长方天兴的带领下，于16/1会见了首相纳吉，商讨一些有关华社的课题。其中最重要的一项是关于政府承认华文独中的『统考』文凭。

在马来西亚，华文独立中学（私人，无政府的任何津贴或辅助）的学生可以选择考取政府的『教育文凭』及独中本身的『统考』文凭，或只选择『统考』文凭。

『统考』文凭受到全世界大约500所的大学承认，接纳为入学资格，其中有82所是在世界顶尖200所大学的排名榜内。但统考却不被马来西亚政府承认，所以不能作为入学资格文凭。这就是华社大力要争取到一项诉求。

马华公会过去十多年来，也都在大力争取政府的承认，但都不成功。

在半个小时的会议过后，方天兴却宣布，首相大致上已经能够接受『统考』文凭，只是需加上两个条件。

更不用说，首相还答应会更开明的对待华校，包括增建及迁校来满足华社的需要！

马华拼了命还争取不到的，更不用说副教育部长还是马华的人，而华总却在半个小时之内就取得了成果，虽然还有条件，也没有任何文件支持，但已经是足够令华社振奋了！

蔡细历及副教育部长魏家祥，你们的颜脸何在？

不怪的马华本身控制的【星报】（全马最大销量的英文报）对这则新闻只字不提。。。因为丢脸也！！

华教是华社的灵魂，这么重要的课题，功劳却给华总拿了。。就如关丹独中一样，马华就是被华总牵着鼻子走。。

马华还有生存的价值吗？？

华总威风八面！

蜜糖与毒药 Honey and poison

I enjoyed reading Marina Mahathir's [ Musings] column in The Star. Her views are moderate, straight forward and broad in depth.

She is the eldest daughter of former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad. She is a social activist and has been involved in many social NGOs such as Malaysia Aids Council, Malaysia Aids Foundation. 

She has been writing for The Star for more than 20 years.

Her column highlighted many social and political ills of Malaysia, and offered suggestions and recommendations for building a harmony, unity and just country.

我喜欢阅读玛莉娜马哈迪在英文【星报】的专栏Musings （沉默思维）。她的论点中肯，直率及包含广阔深度。

她是马来西亚第四任首相马哈迪的长女，是一位活跃的社会工作者，参与许多非政府组织如马来西亚艾滋病协会，马来西亚艾滋病基金会等。

她在【星报】写专栏已超过二十年了。

她的专栏课题广阔，常常点出马来西亚的社会及政治毛病，也会对建立一个和谐，团结及公平的国家，提出建议及推荐。

读了她的专栏，会觉得这个国家还有希望。

To her opposite, Joceline Tan (right) is writing on her weekly political column [Joceline Tan] mainly on sowing disunity and hatred, highlighting issues on the Oppositions, especially DAP, the main opposition party that control the State of Penang.

Her relentless attacks on Lim Guan Ying, Anwar Ibrahim, DAP, PAS seems to have reached "below the belt" and personal level for the past 20 months in view of the roaming 13th General Election.

Her writings has earned her many titles: "Journalistic whore", " poison tongue woman"...

Her column is nothing but poison !

*** Honey and Poison is an article written by Joceline Tan, attacking Anwar Ibrahim.

与玛丽娜刚好相反的，则是另一位同样是【星报】的专栏作者Joceline Tan。 她的每周政治评论专栏里，散播的是仇恨及分裂的种子。她的攻击对象是反对党阵线，特别是掌管槟城的民主行动党，手法则是挑出各种大及小的议题，把它们放大，给予非常狠毒的攻击。

她情有独钟，喜欢攻击林冠英，安华，手段有时到了人身攻击，非常下流的地步。

最近这二十个月，随着第十三届大选的将临，几乎每周都是绕着这些课题而谈。

她的行为，为她赢得了许多称号，如 “新闻从业妓女”， “毒舌妇”。。。

她的专栏别无他物，就只毒药而已！

** 蜜糖与毒药，是她的专栏一个题目，攻击安华而写。

Cameron Highlands 金马伦高原

Friday, January 2013.

It was raining when we arrived at about 2:30 pm.

Cameron Highlands has changed quite a bit since our last visit about one and a half year ago.

Soil erosion, felling of trees and flattening of hills for more agriculture lands and houses, more shops and stalls selling food and local produces.

It was not a weekend, but we found the town's traffic chaotic, the place dusty.

We were with Karen, my wife's old friend, and Agnes our housemaid to Cameron for a two day-one night holiday. 

Besides a little bit of driving around to show first timer Agnes the places, we spent most of our time at Mr. Heng's vegetable farm and his cousin's flower farm in Kampong Rajah, about 30 kms from Brinchang, the tourist town.

Mr. and Mrs Heng are old friends of Karen. 

They are very friendly and generous couple. Besides treating us lunch, they also loaded our van with their gifts of vegetables, sweet corns, cherry tomatoes and flowers !

(More pictures in Facebook)

2013年1月11日，星期五。

我们在下午大约两点半抵达金马伦高原，当时正下着雨。

 小别约一年半的金马崙，有着相当多的改变。

泥土流失；砍伐树木，山丘被铲平， 开发更多的耕地及建筑更多的屋子；更多的商店及摊档，售卖食物和土产。

虽然不是周末，但金马崙的交通还是很混乱，没下雨时，尘土飞扬。

我和太太，老朋友karen，联同第一次来金马崙的家佣Agnes，来到金马崙作两天一夜之游。

除了开车给Agnes 观看金马崙的一些景观，我们大部分时间都在王先生在Kampong Rajah的菜园及他们亲戚的花园渡过。

王先生及太太是Karen的老朋友。

这对夫妇非常的慷慨及友善好客。除了请吃午餐，他们还把我们的车放满蔬菜，樱桃番茄，玉蜀黍及鲜花等，送给我们带回家。

(Facebook 更多照片)

Year of travel 旅游之年

2012 is a year of travel for us.

My wife and I had traveled practically every other month to many cities and towns, within the country and without.

Many friends were amazed and puzzled why we traveled in such a manner as if there was no tomorrow.

I have regained the ability to walk normally after my knee replacement about 2 years ago and rediscovered the joy of walking and its benefits.

Traveling and sightseeing, besides financial capability (30%), it requires physical capability (70%) also.

Why wait ?

go ..... where your legs can bring you to;
see .... places where your eyes can reach;
do .... things that when you are able to ....

AND thanking & praising God everyday !

( I had a laser procedure done to my left eye on 14/10/2011 to stop internal bleeding)

Macau, with a hand clutch

1-6-2011 Hosting Taipei Archbishop John Hung ( visit to KL Archbishop)

July 2012 London/Paris

2012 年，是我们的旅游之年。

我与太太，几乎每隔一个月就会出外旅行，走遍了国内及国外好多地方及城市。

好多朋友好奇，不解，为什么我们频繁的往外走，好像没有明天似的。

两年前，动了膝盖关节替换手术后，我重新的得回行步行自如的能力。

我也重新的找到步行的喜乐及其好处。

旅游及旅行，除了具备经济能力（30%）之外，还需要健康的身体能力（70%）。

还等啥？

去 。。。你的脚能够带你到的地方;
看。。。你的视线所能及；
做。。。你能够做到的事；

还有，天天感谢赞美天主！

（我的左眼，在14/10/2011做了一个镭射手术，以停止眼内流血）