The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

I went to watch the latest movie from The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian only few hours ago. I have this strong urge inside me to write something about it.

Before I write even further, I want everyone to realise that Narnia is a story about Christianity, and I think it has to be seen in this light to benefit most from it.

Just a recap on the previous film, remember Edmund was tempted and betrayed the 'team'. Aslan was punished for his sin, and Aslan was therefore resurrected, as promised by the prophecy. In the end, good defeated evil.

This time, Narnia was ruled by an evil Lord Miraz, and Prince Caspian, the rightful heir to the throne had to run away to escape murder.

What I want to highlight here is that, only Lucy could see Aslan, while the rest could not. Aslan here symbolises God, and Lucy explained that only those who really wanted to see God will see Him.

Lucy did ask Aslan why he did not come earlier and saved everyone like the first time ( Aslan is the Jesus character). His answer was this time it would not be like the first one. So now, when all Prophets have passed away, it is our duty to look at what we are left with (Quran & Hadith) to return to God for salvation.

Peter did have some problem overcoming his own ego. Lucy reminded him that it was not him but Aslan who defeated the ice queen before. This is a reminder for us that our success belongs to God. Without His permission, nothing would have happened. Peter ignored Lucy, and as a result, half of the army was trapped inside the enemy's fortress and they were simply vaporised by the enemy.

All throughout the film, it was thought that Lord Miraz was the bad guy, and one of the lord in the council opposed him for his unjust act. We were wrong. The other lord opposed Miraz, simply because he wanted the power for himself. This was shown towards the end, when Miraz was ready to call for peace, he was murdered by the wannabe-king. I think, this is a good reminder for PakLah, if he ponders over his relationship with Najib.

There were moments in the Film that I thought the movie was too religious. One of them was when Aslan called for help to destroy the Talmarine. The help came in the appearance of Christian Father figure.

However, overall, I am really glad I watched it. The animation was OK, and the storyline was good. The best of all was that the movie ran for more than 2 hours, which gave me a very good value for money.

There are a lot more religious values one can extract from the Film. Thumbs up

A Good Friend's Wedding

Today, I went to an upper secondary school friend's wedding. We call him by the nickname Jedi, and the name still sticks to his back.

It's kind of weird to see him attending his wedding reception in a PDRM ceremonial suit. But it looked really good though.

Spent few hours there, and then headed for Seremban. I watched Narnia: Prince Caspian which I will write about soon..

What consitutes muslim extremist?

I had a good chat with my boss today. It was about how I could plan for my progress in the company. There are few ways, but there are things partially outside my control, that may dampen my climbing up the ladder.

1) My appearance: Apparently many people perceived me as a thug, due to the way I dress etc. I cannot correct them in any way, since I'd have to agree that I do appear rather scruffy on daily basis. Well, I cycle to work anyway. And what's the point of dressing, when the first thing I'd do when I get to office is take Shower and change into coverall (the mechanic suit / jumpsuit). But I do dress to the occasions, when there is formal dinner with external parties etc. But yep, I'd have to change that.

2) My joke: Some people believe that I have been cracking wrong jokes many times too often. Maybe gay jokes, maybe others, I do not know. But yep, I'd have to agree. Sometimes we are not aware of other people sensitivities, that we may go a little too far. Yep, I agree, and I could apologise to anyone offended, if anyone wants to step forward.

3) My Islamic extremism: This is one part I could not really comprehend. I was informed that some managers were not comfortable when I invite them to prayer, not that I can think of any manager that I ever invited to pray together. This was not the first time I was told this. My boss's boss's did tell me once that some non-muslims in the company think I am an extremist. Another manager (nonmuslim) from another department thought the same, when I told her I have never had sex, and I pray 5 times a day.

I am still not sure if that defines muslim extremist, but hell, that sure be something that may increase the number of extremists we have in the country a little bit too much. And sadly, this is the perception some non-muslims in the company have. Is it because I do not fancy going to the cinema with them often? Or is it something else? Well, I do not know.

I hardly speak of my religion to the non-muslims here, but I do engage with my catholic friends in constructive discussion from time to time. Sometimes, religions are seen as taboo here, that none has the courage to talk about them. How are we supposed to form a nation, when we don't even know each other's belief.

One colleague said this is cabaran dakwah, but sometimes life is difficult. No-one said I was extremist when I went around dating different girls on different weeks. No-one said I was abnormal when I committed sins day in day out. Yet I am labeled one, just when I paid more attention to my religious duties, and try to cut down on my unlawful acts.

Allah... And this is the one bit that really makes me wanting to find jobs somewhere else.. huhuhu...

Silent days

Few days have passed since my last entry. I read a number of good stuff, that eventually am not sure what I want to put here.

Few things happened during the week:

1) People got beaten up by police in the grand saga by Grand Saga sdn bhd.

2) Ezam rejoined UMNO (baru).

3) Internet has gotten superslow here.

4) Workload increasing... feel like quitting and finding another job.. huhu..

God please help me

Singapore Claims Batu Putih

So, that's it. Singapore gets Batu Putih, an island 30 miles from singapore, and 10 miles from Johor.

The result did not come as a surprise to me, since last week, one Navy officer told me so already.

We are paying for what mistake (maybe deliberate act) our minister committed couple of decades ago. And now we lose the island.

I wonder how much the ministers have really made for themselves back in the 1980's. I guess this kind of secret will disappear with Lee Kuan Yew's death. I wonder even more how much benefit some people have gained by allowing Singapore leaving the Federation back in 1963.

Shit, I feel like the Federation is not protecting Johore's interest. May as well we leave the Federation.

Shit

Ballot V Bullet

Some Malaysians pass the message via the ballot. Others use a bullet. This was what happened to Karpal Singh. It is easy to put the blame on the malay extremist, but let's not assume anything

Read the full story here

Another group said that the school uniform is too sexy. Well, I don't think so, but everyone has a right to have personal/ individual/ group opinions, as long as they do not bother other people.

Well, some stories

Many Have Been Confused, and Many More Will Be

Centre of Quake at Sumatera, Magnitude of 6.2 On Richter Scale

I was looking for the latest news of an earthquake hitting Indonesia. Apparently, the movement was felt by many in Port Dickson too.

Within minutes, I found the information, provided by an american earthquake agency. The extent of damage is still unknown, at this moment, when this entry is being written.

While looking for the information related to the earthquake, I came across this article.

Please read, and do not blame me if you get confused over your sexuality.

Islam 'recognizes homosexuality'

Abdul Khalik , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Fri, 03/28/2008 1:38 AM | Headlines

Homosexuals and homosexuality are natural and created by God, thus permissible within Islam, a discussion concluded here Thursday.

Moderate Muslim scholars said there were no reasons to reject homosexuals under Islam, and that the condemnation of homosexuals and homosexuality by mainstream ulema and many other Muslims was based on narrow-minded interpretations of Islamic teachings.

Siti Musdah Mulia of the Indonesia Conference of Religions and Peace cited the Koran's al-Hujurat (49:3) that one of the blessings for human beings was that all men and women are equal, regardless of ethnicity, wealth, social positions or even sexual orientation.

"There is no difference between lesbians and nonlesbians. In the eyes of God, people are valued based on their piety," she told the discussion organized by nongovernmental organization Arus Pelangi.

"And talking about piety is God's prerogative to judge," she added.

"The essence of the religion (Islam) is to humanize humans, respect and dignify them."

Musdah said homosexuality was from God and should be considered natural, adding it was not pushed only by passion.

Mata Air magazine managing editor Soffa Ihsan said Islam's acknowledgement of heterogeneity should also include homosexuality.

He said Muslims needed to continue to embrace ijtihad (the process of making a legal decision by independent interpretation of the Koran and the Sunnah) to avoid being stuck in the old paradigm without developing open-minded interpretations.

Another speaker at the discussion, Nurofiah of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), said the dominant notion of heterogeneity was a social construction, leading to the banning of homosexuality by the majority.

"Like gender bias or patriarchy, heterogeneity bias is socially constructed. It would be totally different if the ruling group was homosexuals," she said.

Other speakers said the magnificence of Islam was that it could be blended and integrated into local culture.

"In fact, Indonesia's culture has accepted homosexuality. The homosexual group in Bugis-Makassar tradition called Bissu is respected and given a high position in the kingdom.

"Also, we know that in Ponorogo (East Java) there has been acknowledgement of homosexuality," Arus Pelangi head Rido Triawan said.

Condemnation of homosexuality was voiced by two conservative Muslim groups, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) and Hizbut Thahir Indonesia (HTI).

"It's a sin. We will not consider homosexuals an enemy, but we will make them aware that what they are doing is wrong," MUI deputy chairman Amir Syarifuddin said.

Rokhmat, of the hardline HTI, several times asked homosexual participants in attendance to repent and force themselves to gradually return to the right path.

Nargis Flight Path

No wonder we had strong wind and heavy rain that morning in PD. I was planning to take a longer nap that morning, but it passed very quickly, and we had to go to work.

Video is courtesy of NASA.

Donationwise, please donate to any charitable organisation you find accountable enough. You can choose malaysia red crescent also (red crescent is the red cross counterpart in malaysia)

The Malaysian Red Crescent (MRC) Appeals
The MRC seek all form of assistance, especially monetary to enable the MRC in providing humanitarian aid to alleviate the sufferings of victims of the cyclone. Cheques should be made payable to the MRCS International Relief Fund and marked “Myanmar Cyclone Nargis” on the back of the cheque or bank-in into MRCS Account Maybank No – 5144 - 2210 – 2657. Cash donations made to the MRCS are tax-exempted.

OK Now I am Furious

Ok, I opened the tap, and there were few drops of water remaining. I asked my neighbour, and yes, the water supply is off until tomorrow (or so). It was supposed to happen on wednesday, but it is now happening.
As my friend put it "The irony of being overzealous and over the top at times without really understanding the main issue. Its either too early or too late."

I was not sure how to do wudhu tomorrow, since I have no spare water at all. I knew I had some in the car, but that would be tricky to use.

It took me a long time to realise I am actually living by the seaside and can actually use the water for Wudhu' and purification. Sea, the water is pure, and the dead is permissible (to eat).

OK I am furious.. But since I cannot do much, I just want to go to bed..

And Let's Not Forget Mother's Day

Ummi and Ihsan, somewhere in/near Istana Anak Bukit (I think)

Okay, I am succumbing under the pressure, and I write something about Mother's day.

There are not many malay dramas that I actually watch. There were few that I watched on and off, but somehow, I'll in front of the TV every sunday watching Janji Diana.

The only reason I do follow the story line was that, when I first came home many months back, I remember my mum used to follow this series. And now I am in PD, I'd like to think that we are still watching the same thing..

It was many months later that I realised mum has stopped watching the series, and it is only me following the series, now at its 91st episode...

Diana (left) and Her Close Friends

Happy Mother's day ummi...

PTD PAC (II)

This Blanket belongs to the Government


Well,

Yesterday, I had to deliver my 5-minutes speech in Malay. The format was that, everyone has to pick a piece of paper, in an envelope containing pieces of paper with titles related to the subject. Mine was " Pemimpin berkarisma, dilahirkan atau dibentuk".

I started with characteristics of good leader, from the common and Islamic point of views. To answer the question, I quoted Sheikh Zubir (Shakespeare) 12th Night, Some are born great, some achieve greatness, others have greatness thrust upon them. I ended with some other leader qualities, and how we can help nurture good leaders.

I left everyone rather impressed, and some of them came to me saying ' Kau dah satu kaki dalam PTD'. I am not sure though, since I am rather scruffy in my appearance, and that can be a major drawback.

We had another meeting at night, when we do department role playing. I was hoping to get the chair position, but it went to a bloke who seemed like he had never chaired any proper meeting before. The meeting was inefficient, and I think the group as a whole did not score very well there. From time to time, I tried to remind him but seemed that he could not navigate the meeting to arrive at any decision.

This morning, we had to make another 5-minutes speech, this time in english. I talked about tourism, and again impressed the crowd (if you discount my appearance, again). The next session was a parliamentary debate, and we had good fun there. Being the chief opposition, I managed to provoke the government bench couple of times, and I am not sure if they were offended. It was only role playing, YB YB sekalian.

Then, it was time to leave. I took 2 most important pictures before I depart. Myself as No 155, and the blanket.

Mr 155

PTD PAC

Today, I am at a new location, doing a new thing. I took time off yesterday, to come to Kluang to join this PTD assessment and selection day.

I came here yesterday, and the road and map provided was quite useful. The estimated mileage given on the web was also quite accurate. It looked rather positive.

Then, we were hurled into one dewan, with no segregation between males and females. After taking off our pants, height being measured and weights being taken, we were told to line up, holding our 'body number' and photographed. (sorry, the clothes removal part was not true. I made that up). Felt like living in prison (I guess, RPK may be able to tell more), and we were called by numbers.


The Number

So, here Mr 155, going around with number on his nect. The only moment we were allowed to take it off was during the Friday prayer time.

I like to believe that all went rather well. Last night discussion about "Disciplinary Deterioration in School Children" and " Belia kurang minat bidang pertanian" was well, but not excellent. After that, we were off to bed..

The Bed

Today, we had to run 2.4km for the fitness assessment. I was in the loo when the participants were released, and it took me several minutes to catch up with the person in front of me. I finish in the top 20, in about 13minutes. It was not that bad, considering that I spent the first few minutes in the loo.


We had a game session afterwards, and I was scolded by one young PTD for not following the instruction. I forgot and while rushing, I overlooked that part. But I still think it was unfair of him to do so. Very diplomatic for a PTD officer.

Well, let's hope what's coming is not as bad. I have to give two public speeches, titled Nilai Kepimpinan and Tourism.


The Hostel

Corporate Social Responsibility

Zaki, meh sini sat.

These were the kind of words you do not really fancy sometimes, when you are at work. When your boss, or someone at higher ranks wants to have some private words with you, it can be from super-motivational to self-destruction.

So, I had that call from Dr Khairil, our Instrument Manager. Doc is a nice bloke. A JIM guy, and is practically a genius, none of characteristics fits me anyway.

The Dinner

'As have been planned' (which we only came to know at 4pm), there was a dinner at Seri Pacific (a.k.a Pan Pacific) KL, with UIA rector and career department head. Feeling the need for some transformation and touching up, I got myself home at 530pm. Well, usually I wait until maghrib before going home.

Cut it short, there was a little room, and two tables, and 15 people (Shell Malaysia, SRC and UIA altogether). There was the huge cheque presentation ceremony, well it was the first time I ever seen one. After after much discussion, and a nice meal, we went home.

My boss said something nice.

"I know, people have been associating the Oil Companies as the bad guy. Yes, because of the oil price going up, people are facing difficulties and it is the Oil Companies that make a lot of money, which is quite true. However, let's not forget that many Oil Companies, Shell in particular, have also done a lot of good to the community. This is part of our Corporate Social Responsibility."

The Refinery Manager Giving Speech

It was a memorable night, not much for the food and event, but much on how much Shell / SRC is actually contributing to the building up of the UIA career development centre. I am sure many will be benifited and let's hope that is some form of amal jariah for us, the SRC family.