"Pendek dan ringkas. Amenda masalah"

"Wa off seminggu …"

"Tak payah datang sini. Tak di alu-alukan"

"Celaka!"

"Kau datang sini kang suruh orang jaga. Orang lain yang penat. Ocio baru nak recover"

"Lu ada"

"Aku memang tak free. Nak bawa budak-budak belayar"

"Wow! Wa mau ikut follow"

"Kau bukan ada akal. Kang kau campak anak aku dalam laut apa pun tak dapat. Pergi je la travel sendiri"

"Ceh, berkira!"

"Nak datang, datang dengan Kak Ain. Kalau tak, tak boleh. Kang datang menyusahkan orang"

"Kici wa punya hati"

"Jujur, terang …"

"Tegang kahkahkah"

01-08-2026

"Bila kau kawin?"

"First July"

"Laa takkan dah ada masalah?"

"Wa punya bini suruh cuci itu dia punya seluar dalam. Wa tak ley terima, bro"

"Kau campak je la dalam mesin. Abenda susah?"

"Cilakak. Muka wa dia pijak-pijak. Wa suami ley"

"Habis esok kalau dia mengandung, siapa pulak nak cuci?"

"Wa tarak tau maa"

"Don't sweat on small things la, bro. Benda dia kau nak pakai"

"Cipap?"

"Ye la. Aku lupa dah nak cakap apa tadi"

"Wa manyak panas hati. Wa rasa wa mau kasi cerai"

"Benda senang. Letak dalam mesin. Bukan kena gosok pakai berus. Kalau kawin tak nak buat apa, nak bini ikut 100% — senang je, cari orang gaji. Habis cerita"

"Wa mau pakai itu puki"

"Nak makan luar, haram. Jadi suami tak nak"

"Syurga dia bawah wa maa"

"Bab ni pandai syurga"

"Wa kena kasi cuci? Itu macam?"

"Jangan bawa anak orang masuk dalam neraka yang kita cipta. Sudah ah, cakap banyak pun tak guna. Jadi duda, ambil maid. Tak boleh tahan …"

"Main sabun kahkahkah"

"Puasa la woi"

"Kahkahkahkahkah"

13.07.2026

"Araaaa, abang beli kawan baru. Sini la tengok"

"Apa ni, bang?"

"Kambing la. Pygmy. Comel kan"

"Nak kenduri ke?"

"Taklah. Bela. Happy Anniversary, Ara. Ni hadiah untuk Ara"

"…………"

"Apa tengok abang macam tu? Orang bagi hadiah kambing. Nanti dia beranak boleh jual"

"Kambing?"

"Orang ni kan, nama dia Ara. Dia memang tak berapa mesra binatang sikit. Sabar eh, nanti dia okey"

"Gitu aje dia introduce kita? Abang ni kannnnnn"

30/8

اللهم خفف عني ثقل هذه الأيام

O Allah, lighten my burden for a few days.

 

"Kalau kita tak tanya, abang tak sakit dada kan…"

"Taklah"

"Sorry, bang…mmmm"

"Some realisations can be quite hurtful. Abang ada hati yang besar, tapi hati abang dah tak mampu tahan kesakitan. Hati abang dah tak boleh terima. Reality is more painful than I thought"

"Abang tak rindu Kajang?"

"Dia dah mengerang kesedapan dekat sana, abang sedap dekat sini. Okey la tu. Sama-sama sedap"

"You okay?"

"Okey. Kenapa?"

"Pelik aje. Abang tak pernah cakap macam tu"

"Dulu abang selalu fikir…dia sayang siapa banyak. Abang dah tahu…jelas dan nyata. Kadang-kadang…abang cuma harap dia sayang abang lebih tapi kawin dengan laki lain. Abang silap. Sama jugak bila dia datang balik. I thought she wasn't happy in her marriage and wanted me back, but then I realised she was genuinely happy in her marriage. And then I learned that being happily married still means you can be curious. That was when I learned something new about human behaviour. It was quite a shock to me. The saddest part is, perhaps, that I may have occupied a very special place in her heart, but that doesn't mean she loves me more"

"That's something the heart struggles to accept"

"Very hard to swallow…"

Sudan dan Perebutan Kuasa

Hari ini tidur awal. Tidak lena, tetapi cuba untuk merehatkan badan. Kami belayar ke sini melalui Selat Dinding. Sauh berlabuh lebih kurang pukul 4.10 petang. Selesai urusan pendokumentasian, kami ke hotel. Datang dengan bot, tetapi tidur di hotel. Bot selesa sahaja, tetapi mahu juga merasai suasana baharu. Esok akan menaiki feri menyeberang ke Pulau Pangkor. Terdapat resort persendirian di Pangkor Laut, tetapi tidak bermalam di sana — susah pula hendak bergerak kerana tiada pengangkutan antara Pangkor Laut dengan Pulau Pangkor. Terjaga daripada tidur, mata tidak mahu terlelap. Mandi, terasa lebih segar. Tiba-tiba terasa lapar. Buka beg, ambil Mee Kari Nyonya. Mi ini diperbuat daripada tepung atta. Sementara menunggu mi masak, bancuh lemon panas dengan secubit garam. Ara terjaga — pantang bau makanan. Dia minta dimasakkan Maggi Asam Laksa. Maggi kedengarannya seperti produk Malaysia, tetapi sebenarnya dicipta di Switzerland oleh Julius Maggi. Memasaknya sedikit renyah — air didihan pertama perlu dibuang, kemudian dimasak semula untuk membuang bahan awetan.

Kami berbual tentang krisis politik di Sudan. Tahun ini memasuki tahun ketiga Sudan berdarah. Konflik tercetus pada April 2023 dan melibatkan dua kuasa bersenjata utama Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) dan Rapid Support Forces (RSF). SAF ialah angkatan tentera rasmi Sudan yang dipimpin oleh Jeneral Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, manakala RSF ialah sebuah pasukan separa tentera yang dipimpin oleh Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, atau “Hemedti”. RSF mempunyai akar sejarah dalam kumpulan militia yang pernah beroperasi di Darfur, termasuk rangkaian yang sering dikaitkan dengan Janjaweed. Perang ini pada asalnya merupakan perebutan kuasa antara dua pemimpin dengan dua struktur ketenteraan yang berbeza. Konflik kemudiannya berkembang menjadi perang yang jauh lebih kompleks, melibatkan kumpulan bersenjata tempatan, faktor etnik, kepentingan ekonomi serta campur tangan kuasa luar seperti Emiriah Arab Bersatu (UAE), Mesir, Iran, dan beberapa negara lain.  Konflik Sudan bermula selepas kejatuhan pemerintahan Omar al-Bashir pada tahun 2019. 

Omar al-Bashir telah memerintah Sudan selama kira-kira tiga dekad. Pada 2018–2019, demonstrasi besar-besaran tercetus akibat masalah ekonomi, inflasi, kekurangan barangan asas dan penolakan terhadap pemerintahan autoritarian. Pada April 2019, al-Bashir digulingkan. Pemerintahan bertukar tangan apabila tentera mengambil alih melalui Transitional Military Council. Selepas al-Bashir digulingkan, rakyat Sudan terus menuntut supaya negara diperintah oleh kerajaan awam. Gerakan politik dan masyarakat sivil, termasuk Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC), memainkan peranan penting dalam tekanan tersebut. Akhirnya, pada 2019, satu susunan perkongsian kuasa antara pihak tentera dan awam diwujudkan. Abdalla Hamdok dilantik sebagai Perdana Menteri, manakala Abdel Fattah al-Burhan menjadi tokoh utama dalam struktur ketenteraan negara. Pada ketika itu, Sudan kelihatan mempunyai peluang untuk melakukan peralihan daripada pemerintahan tentera kepada demokrasi. Di sinilah hubungan antara Burhan dan Hemedti menjadi sangat penting, tetapi masalah utama masih belum diselesaikan.

SAF berada di bawah struktur tentera rasmi. RSF pula berkembang menjadi sebuah kuasa ketenteraan yang sangat besar dan mempunyai rangkaian politik serta ekonomi tersendiri. Selagi kedua-dua pihak mempunyai pasukan bersenjata yang berasingan, Sudan pada dasarnya mempunyai dua pusat kuasa ketenteraan. Burhan dan kepimpinan tentera mahukan penyatuan di bawah struktur tentera rasmi. Hemedti pula tidak bersetuju dengan proses dan tempoh penyatuan yang dicadangkan. Perselisihan tersebut menjadi semakin serius kerana ia bukan sekadar soal organisasi tentera. Ia juga menyentuh persoalan seperti pihak yang mengawal negara, ekonomi, kuasa politik, sumber semula jadi dan pihak yang menentukan masa depan Sudan. Pada Oktober 2021, Burhan mengetuai satu rampasan kuasa yang menamatkan susunan perkongsian kuasa yang sedia ada. Abdalla Hamdok kemudiannya diletakkan di bawah tahanan rumah sebelum kembali ke jawatan Perdana Menteri untuk tempoh yang singkat. Peristiwa tersebut melemahkan lagi proses peralihan demokrasi. 

Pada masa yang sama, RSF terus berkembang sebagai kuasa bersenjata yang berpengaruh. Akibatnya, ketegangan antara SAF dan RSF semakin meningkat. Pada April 2023, ketegangan antara kedua-dua pasukan akhirnya bertukar menjadi peperangan terbuka. Pertempuran besar tercetus di Khartoum, termasuk kawasan sekitar lapangan terbang, kompleks kerajaan dan kemudahan ketenteraan. Pada mulanya, ramai menganggap konflik itu mungkin berakhir dalam masa yang singkat. Sebaliknya, perang merebak ke pelbagai wilayah. Darfur menjadi antara kawasan yang paling teruk terjejas. Di sana, konflik mengambil dimensi yang lebih kompleks kerana sejarah panjang keganasan antara kumpulan etnik, militia dan komuniti tempatan. Wilayah ini mempunyai sejarah konflik yang panjang sejak awal 2000-an. Kumpulan yang dikaitkan dengan Janjaweed pernah dituduh melakukan pembunuhan beramai-ramai, pengusiran penduduk dan pelbagai jenayah terhadap orang awam. Apabila perang 2023 tercetus, sebahagian konflik kembali tertumpu di Darfur. 

Secara ringkas, perang Sudan boleh difahami melalui beberapa lapisan perebutan kuasa, terutamanya ekonomi. Emas merupakan salah satu unsur penting dalam ekonomi politik perang Sudan. Sudan mempunyai industri emas yang besar. Kawalan terhadap lombong, rangkaian perdagangan dan laluan eksport emas boleh memberikan kumpulan bersenjata sumber kewangan untuk membeli senjata, membayar pejuang, membiayai operasi ketenteraan dan membina rangkaian politik serta ekonomi. Oleh itu, perang Sudan bukan hanya mengenai ideologi atau agama. Sumber ekonomi merupakan sebahagian penting daripada struktur kuasa yang mengekalkan peperangan. Konflik menjadi lebih kompleks kerana kedudukan Sudan yang strategik, iaitu di persimpangan Afrika Utara, Tanduk Afrika, Laut Merah dan dunia Arab. Laut Merah pula merupakan salah satu laluan perdagangan paling penting di dunia. Perkembangan di Sudan memberi kesan kepada kepentingan banyak negara. Hal ini mencetuskan minat negara luar terhadap Sudan terutamanya UAE dan Mesir. 

Beberapa negara dan aktor luar telah dituduh memberikan sokongan kepada RSF, termasuk Emiriah Arab Bersatu (UAE), Chad, Kenya, Libyan National Army (LNA), serta rangkaian rentas sempadan yang melibatkan negara-negara jiran. UAE secara konsisten menafikan tuduhan bahawa ia membekalkan senjata kepada RSF. Antara tuduhan yang paling serius ialah dakwaan bahawa senjata dan bantuan kewangan disalurkan melalui rangkaian serantau sebelum sampai kepada RSF. Hubungan antara emas Sudan, rangkaian perdagangan dan kepentingan ekonomi UAE juga sering menjadi sebahagian daripada perbahasan mengenai perang ini. SAF pula telah dikaitkan dengan sokongan daripada beberapa negara, termasuk Mesir, Iran, Turkiye, Rusia, Eritrea dan, secara lebih kompleks, Arab Saudi. Mesir mempunyai hubungan keselamatan dan sejarah yang sangat rapat dengan Sudan. Iran pula memulihkan hubungan diplomatik dengan Sudan pada 2023, dan ada laporan mendakwa SAF menerima bantuan ketenteraan Iran. Turkiye pula membekalkan teknologi ketenteraan kepada Sudan iaitu dron.

Rusia pula mempunyai kepentingan terhadap emas Sudan serta kedudukan strategik di Laut Merah. Rusia mempunyai kepentingan strategik yang lebih luas di Sudan. Antara matlamat yang sering dibincangkan ialah usaha mendapatkan akses ketenteraan dan logistik di Laut Merah. Rusia pula mempunyai kepentingan terhadap emas Sudan serta kedudukan strategik di Laut Merah. Rusia mempunyai kepentingan strategik yang lebih luas di Sudan. Antara matlamat yang sering dibincangkan ialah usaha mendapatkan akses ketenteraan dan logistik di Laut Merah. Pada masa yang sama, rangkaian yang sebelum ini dikaitkan dengan Wagner Group mempunyai kepentingan dalam sektor emas Sudan. Oleh itu, Sudan bukan sekadar konflik Afrika. Ia juga merupakan sebahagian daripada persaingan geopolitik yang lebih besar, melibatkan Rusia, negara-negara Teluk, Mesir, kuasa Barat dan pemain serantau lain. Arab Saudi memainkan peranan penting dalam usaha diplomatik untuk menghentikan perang, termasuk melalui rundingan damai walaupun mempunyai kepentingan tersendiri.

Catatan: 18.08.2026

Bahaya Resit dan Hormon Lelaki

Penurunan paras hormon lelaki menjadi satu kebimbangan kesihatan yang semakin mendapat perhatian. Selain pelbagai faktor gaya hidup dan persekitaran, pendedahan kepada bahan kimia pengganggu endokrin turut dikaji sebagai salah satu faktor yang berpotensi mempengaruhi sistem hormon lelaki. Antaranya ialah bisfenol seperti BPA (bisphenol A) dan sesetengah penggantinya, termasuk BPS (bisphenol S), yang boleh ditemui dalam pelbagai bahan harian, termasuk plastik, bahan pembungkus dan kertas resit pembayaran. Dalam kertas resit, bahan-bahan ini digunakan sebagai komponen salutan sensitif haba, bukannya sekadar “dakwat” biasa. BPA dan BPS mempunyai aktiviti biologi yang boleh mengganggu fungsi sistem endokrin. BPA juga boleh berpindah daripada resit ke kulit dan diserap melalui pendedahan dermal. Dari sudut kesihatan reproduktif lelaki, terdapat bukti epidemiologi yang menunjukkan hubungan antara pendedahan BPA dengan perubahan pada beberapa biomarker hormon dan parameter kesuburan. Meta-analisis yang diterbitkan pada 2024, misalnya, mendapati bahawa paras BPA urin yang lebih tinggi dikaitkan dengan perubahan pada SHBG dan estradiol serta penurunan beberapa ukuran androgen yang tersedia secara biologi. Kajian tersebut juga melaporkan hubungan dengan kepekatan dan jumlah sperma yang lebih rendah. Oleh itu, resit pembayaran boleh dianggap sebagai salah satu sumber pendedahan kepada bisfenol yang berpotensi mempengaruhi sistem hormon lelaki.

Hadiah Ulang Tahun

HADIAH ANNIVERSARY

• Adab al-Nikah: The Proper Conduct of Marriage in Islam — Imam Al-Ghazali

• Suri Hati Nabi: Riwayat Hidup Para Wanita di Sekeliling Rasulullah SAW

• A Description of the Believing Man and the Believing Woman: An Early Islamic Treatise on Character — Dhu al-Nun al-Misri

- Cincin

- Tempah meja + bilik

- Pembalut hadiah & reben (untuk buku)

Nota peribadi — 08.07.2025

Masak Bekal

"Kita post suami masak bekal pun orang mara-mara"

"Ara letak apa?"

"Kita meriak suami masakkan kita bekal astu adalah perempuan merentan-rentan mara-mara kita"

"Kenapa tu?"

"Entahlah, bang. Marah gaknya suami tak siapkan bekal untuk dia. Suami kita kan besttt"

"Laa tu je?"

"Isteri masak bekal biasa, suami sediakan bekal luar biasa"

_

"Abang la cokodok, cokodok. Kita pun cokodok, cokodok"

"Dah habis apa benda? Cekodok? Pelik je bunyi"

"Perang cokodok kecoh sangat"

"Lepas tu bising Melayu tak maju. Benda remeh-remeh di debatkan sangat. Dah tak nak layan suami, tak nak masak, tak nak semua, tak payah kawin. Simpan je apam sampai kedut"

14/8

Canola Oil

Pernah dengar istilah Canola Oil? Istilah ini berasal daripada Canada + ola (oil). Pada zaman dahulu, Canola Oil dikenali sebagai Rapeseed Oil. Rapeseed pernah digunakan sebagai pelincir industri, terutama untuk enjin kapal semasa Perang Dunia Kedua, kerana sifat minyaknya yang sesuai untuk aplikasi pelinciran. Sesetengah varieti rapeseed mempunyai kandungan asid erusik yang tinggi. Contohnya, varieti Reston, yang dikategorikan sebagai high-erucic-acid rapeseed, mengandungi sekitar 40–48% asid erusik dan mempunyai kestabilan pada suhu tinggi. Istilah Canola kemudiannya digunakan untuk membezakan varieti rapeseed baharu yang mempunyai kandungan asid erusik yang rendah iaitu kurang daripada 2%.

Nota bacaan: 15.05.2025

72-Hour Fast

Take one tablespoon of healthy fats.

1. MCT oil

2. Virgin coconut oil (VCO)

3. Black seed oil

4. Pure ghee

5. Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)

6. Red palm oil

Note — 2025

Better Face

Better Face? Try this:

Carrot + lemon + ginger + turmeric

+ black pepper for better absorption

+ cumin

Notes — 7 July 2026

Testosterone

Testosterone — Podcast Note

8 July 2026

Things mentioned:

• Cold shower / cold bath

• Vitamin D

• Fasting

• Low-carb diet

Yogurt

11 July 2026 — Yogurt Note

Looking for healthier yogurt options. These are the ones to go for:

• Mövenpick Greek Style
• Sunglo Greek
• Farmers Union High Protein
• Chobani Greek
• Emmi Swiss Premium Greek

Catatan Lama

Khamis, 15 Ogos 2024 jam 3:29 pagi

Hujan di luar. Sejuk, dingin. Aku terjaga. Raysha menangis. Badan dia panas semula. Aku lap badan dia dengan kain basah. Letak Koolfever di dahi. Potong ubi kentang dan sapu di tapak kaki untuk turunkan suhu. Semalam suhu badan (…)

_

Catatan yang tak selesai.

Rabu, 26 Ogos 2026 jam 3.59 pagi

Lip-lock

"Bang, pakai seluar sana"

"Laa biar la orang pakai kain pelikat"

"Angin kuat. Jab g terbang. Risau kita"

"Terbang nampak seluar dalam. Bukan tak pakai"

_

"Dah pakai. Dalam kain"

"Lahhhh. Buka kain"

"Ara takut terbang je, kan?"

_

"Tak nak la. Malu. Memang Bermuda tu sampai lutut tapi malu kembar tengok"

"Senanya awak spesis apa?"

"Langka dan terpilih"

"Eleh"

_

"Sepatutnya kan kita tangkap gambar lip-lock"

"Tu tak malu?"

"Tak hahahahaha"

3/8

LEDs and the Human Body

I do not use LED lamps in my home. White light is not a single wavelength; it is produced by a combination of different wavelengths across the visible spectrum, including red, green and blue.. Exposure to blue light may have long-term effects on the brain and circadian system. Bright light, especially blue-enriched light, can stimulate the brain’s circadian system and influence the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, which regulates cortisol. Intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) detect this light and send signals to the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the body’s biological clock. Some research has also suggested that blue light may influence behaviour.

Research by Professor Glen Jeffery at University College London suggests that mitochondria, the powerhouses of our cells, may benefit from red and near-infrared wavelengths. His research indicates that exposure to these wavelengths can influence mitochondrial respiration and cellular energy production. This suggests that the lack of a natural light spectrum may be more than just a matter of eye strain; it may also have broader biological effects. Studies have found that exposure to specific red and near-infrared wavelengths can influence mitochondrial activity, glucose metabolism and oxygen consumption.  Choose your home lighting wisely. The right light matters.

Originally written on 1 August 2026

Edited on 17 August 2026

SOCAR

SOCAR will be shutting down its car-sharing service in Malaysia on 31 August 2026. It was a good service—convenient, affordable and reliable.

No more SOCAR. Use TREVO.

99 Speedmart

Lee Thiam Wah, the billionaire behind 99 Speedmart, is also associated with Burger King, while his sister, Lee Lay Liang, owns Nature Century Development. These examples illustrate how family and related-party ownership can extend across seemingly unrelated industries, including retail, food and beverage, and property development. The same pattern can be seen in other Malaysian business groups. Jakel, for instance, is widely known for its textile, but the group has also expanded into property development through Jakel Development. Similarly, Naza World is not simply an automotive business. It is part of the diversified, family-owned Naza Group, which has substantial interests in property development through Naza TTDI.

Beyond these family-owned conglomerates, the Klang Valley is also home to some of Malaysia's largest and most established property developers, including Mah Sing, MK Land, S P Setia, Sime Darby Property, Sunway Property, IOI Properties, Gamuda Land, EcoWorld and IJM Land. When you look at the broader picture, it becomes easier to understand why the Klang Valley continues to expand and why property development appears almost continuous. The region's urban growth is not driven by property developers alone. It is also shaped by the diversification strategies of Malaysian business families and conglomerates, many of which have accumulated substantial capital, landholdings and long-term interests in property development. 

Notes from the Journey

Pandamaran — 16 August

My wife and my son, Adam, are playing Gomoku. Umar, my eldest son, is sitting nearby, reading Muhammad: His Life Based on the Earliest Sources by Martin Lings (Abu Bakr Sirajuddin). Martin Lings was Professor Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas’s doctoral supervisor at SOAS. Before this, Umar had read Al-Raheeq Al-Makhtum by Shaykh Safiur Rahman Mubarakpuri. The book won first prize in an international competition on the Sīrah of the Prophet Muhammad, organised by the Muslim World League (Rābiṭat al-ʿĀlam al-Islāmī) in 1979.

Umar loves reading history books, especially books on the Sirah Nabawiyyah and the lives of the Ṣaḥabah. Among the books on his reading list are Al-Tanwīr fī Mawlid al-Sirāj al-Munīr by Imam Ibn Dihyah al-Kalbī and Nūr al-Yaqīn fī Sīrat Sayyid al-Mursalīn by Muhammad al-Khuḍari. I have also started encouraging him to read about ʿilm al-kalam, the Ashʿari and Maturidi traditions, Salafism—Wahhabism, the Khawarij, the Shiʿah, Ibaḍi thought, and the darker episodes of Islamic history. He is now preparing for his Sijil Tahfiz Malaysia (STM).

Soalan

"Orang dah move on banyak, dia pergi ingatkan"

"Kita tanya je"

"Tanya la benda lain macam pakai spender warna apa ke, telor okey ke tak ke, parking centre ke senget ke. Haa, bak kata Azhar Idrus tu baru soalan"

"Tak kuasa kita"

"Tak kuasa, tak kuasa pun tiap malam jalan hahahahahaha"

_

"Apa Ara usik abang"

"Acam suka tengok abang sentap"

"Tak baik usik laki. Usik la benda lain baru la tersentap naik ke atas hahahahahaha"

"Geramlah"

"Dia usik kita, dia yang geram"

_

"Apa masalah abang?"

"Apa?"

"Sentap la cepattttt"

"Dah pulak. Orang busy tengok laut. Cuba hayati pemandangan ni"

"Sama aje semua"

"Laaa"

_

"Abang tak ada apa nak komen. Floccinaucinihilipilification. Hah tu dia. Tak tahu rujuk kamus"

"I see you small small"

"Hahahahahahahaha"

_

"Luka dah nak sembuh. Penat abang taruh ubat. Ara jangan la buat darah balik. Ingat senang ke nak ubatkan hati"

"Tanya pun tak oleh"

"Kang orang ingat, dia marah"

"Tak menjawab soalan"

"Stories end, love doesn't. Some people stay with us forever even when they leave"

"Ikan paus, sini jab kau"

"Amboi. Tak sayang laki ke?"

15.8

Sourdough from Kg. Baru, Kuala Lumpur

🍞 A Little Sourdough Find in Kg. Baru

A little food discovery to brighten up the day. My wifey came across this in a Facebook ads group, so I thought I’d share it here too. 

On the menu:

• 🍞 Sourdough Tempe

• 🌶️ Jalapeño Cheese

• 🧄 Garlic Cheese Spread

• 🧅 Onion Cheese Sourdough

📍 Location: Kg. Baru, KL

📲 Order via WhatsApp: Mirza Salman

No sponsorship, no affiliate commission. Just sharing something I came across. If you’re around Kg. Baru and happen to be craving sourdough, maybe this is worth a try.

P.S. Eat at your own risk. I’m only responsible for sharing the temptation 

P.S.S. The poster was also designed by me. Pardon the rough, scrapbook-ish look

Nama yang Unik

 

“Strange isn’t it?”

“What is?”

“How you can be desperately in love with someone even when you haven’t spoken to or even seen them for years. I think it’s incredible how despite the distance between two people, you’ll never stop loving them. That’s just how love works I suppose, you either love them forever or you never loved them to begin with. Love doesn’t leave just because the person does.”

From my notes — August 5, 2020

Author/Source: Unknown — found online

Pengarah Institut Penyelidikan Penuaan (MyAgeing), Prof Madya Dr Rahimah Ibrahim berkata teori ekuiti gender menjelaskan bahawa kadar kelahiran boleh menurun dengan ketara apabila wanita sudah mencapai kesetaraan dalam pendidikan dan pekerjaan, tetapi pembahagian kerja penjagaan di rumah masih tidak berubah. #AWANInews

(Sumber: Facebook)

_

"Ala, perempuan ni kalau laki jadi provider 100% pun, kalau dia nak kerja, dia kerja jugak. Perempuan mesti pilih kerjaya berbanding suami sebab selalu di pesan senang nak jadi janda kalau ada duit sendiri. Perempuan belum kawin dah fikir persediaan jadi janda. Laki tak pernah kawin ada mentaliti jadi duda"

"Kalau laki tak buat salah, takdenya cerai. Simple"

"Perempuan pun banyak teruk"

"Astu didiklah"

"Dah dengar cakap pun tak nak. Ego tinggi. Laki ego 10, dia 1000"

"Takkan semua benda nak salahkan perempuan. Laki pun didiklah diri sendiri dulu"

"Pergi mari salah laki jugak"

12/8

Tekanan Guru

Seorang guru, Cikgu Sutha dari SJKT Kerling, dilaporkan telah membunuh diri pagi ini dalam satu kejadian tragis yang berlaku sekitar jam 7.30 pagi di bilik guru sekolah berkenaan. Kejadian tersebut amat menyayat hati dan telah memberi kesan yang mendalam kepada warga pendidik serta komuniti sekolah.

Menurut maklumat yang tersebar, beliau sebelum ini pernah berkhidmat di sebuah sekolah kebangsaan sebelum ditukarkan ke SJKT Ladang Kerling, Selangor. Pihak berkuasa diharapkan dapat menjalankan siasatan yang menyeluruh bagi mengenal pasti punca sebenar kejadian serta memberikan sokongan dan bantuan yang sewajarnya kepada keluarga, rakan sekerja dan semua pihak yang terkesan.

Situasi ini juga membuka ruang untuk kita memberi perhatian terhadap cabaran dan tekanan yang dihadapi oleh warga pendidik. Bekerja di sekolah, termasuk SJKT, boleh menjadi sangat mencabar apabila tekanan untuk mencapai sasaran, keputusan, penyertaan pertandingan, penyediaan evidens, dokumentasi dan pencapaian sekolah menjadi terlalu tinggi.

Sumber: Facebook

Penderaan Kanak-Kanak

Sepak, terajang anak 9 tahun hingga mati: Hukuman mati bekas anggota tentera diganti penjara 40 tahun, 12 sebatan

"Apabila si mati tidak larat membuat pumping dan sit up sebanyak 500 kali. Si mati diterajang dan dipijak perut oleh tertuduh hingga menyebabkan pankreasnya terbelah. Tulang rusuk si mati juga patah dan ada kesan cekikan pada leher dan hentakan di kepala"- Timbalan Pendakwa Raya.

Sumber: Sinar Harian

Minum petang

"Abang nak makan apa?"

"Kalau rajin buat mi kuah"

"Beres"

"Air nak limau purut"

_

"Tambah?"

"Boleh. Ada lagi?"

_

"Baby, nak cokodok?"

"Boleh"

"Keledek goreng?"

"Boleh, boleh"

"Nescafe?"

"Petang dah. Nanti tak boleh tidur. Air masak je"

12/8

My four tiny humans

Yestreen, my four tiny humans started their evening with elephant walks, bear walks, crab walks, gorilla walks, and frog jumps. These simple movements help develop their gross-motor skills, balance, coordination, body awareness, and core strength. Then, we went cycling around. They love cycling! It really is true what people say “The more a father enjoys fatherhood, the more a child enjoys their childhood.”

Literally, men are born to be blamed for everything.

"Hari tu abang berangan umur ×× abang nak anak lagi. Lepas dua hari baru perasan lagi 2 tahun cukup ××. Hmm…sedih ah"

"Lambat betul loading"

"Orang cerita sedih ni"

"Sorryyyy hihihi"

26/7

Cerita Cantik

Daddy: Haa dah bangun. Katil dah kemas?

Raysha: Dah!

Daddy: Apa lagi menung tu?

Raysha: Acha tak percaya

Daddy: Tak percaya apa pagi lagi ni

Raysha: Acha cantik

Daddy: Mandi pun belum dah cerita cantik

_ 

Daddy: Jalan pegang tangan daddy. Kejab lagi hilang

Raysha: Acha dah besar

_

Raysha: Daddy, daddy. Acha nak jambu

Daddy: Jambu mana?

Raysha: Jambu air

Daddy: Kenapa tak nak nasi?

Raysha: Acha diet

Daddy: Diet? Diet apa kecik lagi

Raysha: Acha nak cantik

26/7

Personal Note — Podcast listened to on 16 July 2026

Three new words added to the Cambridge Dictionary:

• Barefoot shoe

• Dubai chocolate

• Wardrobing

 

  

"Bahasa tu dah habis rendah ke acam mana?"

"Orang test je"

_

"Dah betulkan"

"Kita nak print!"

"Eh tak payah"

"Sukati kitalah. Apa masalah awak"

"Buruk la. Malu je"

"Buat banyak-banyak. Tampal dalam bilik cantik"

"Tak payah orang kata"

"Bang, kita share Facebook tau"

"Abang buat lain. Yang ni saja test"

"Kajang, ex awak ni kenapa? Banyak betul masalahnya"

"Boleh, tak ada masalah. Budak-budak nanti makan apa?"

"Makanan biasa-biasa"

"Biasa-biasa macam mana?"

"Nasi putih, ayam goreng, sayur kobis, air sirap"

"Ais krim ada?"

"Tak ada budget"

"Menu untuk VIP?"

"Makanan VIP"

"Pinggan hidangan budak-budak kaca atau plastik?"

"Plastik"

"Perlu bentang karpet merah?"

"Ya"

"Kalau ada duit lebih, hidang ais krim. Budak-budak suka"

"Bersyukur sikit dapat makan. Anak-anak yatim je pun"

"Pihak encik yang nak datang, kenalah hormat tuan rumah"

"Allah tak suka sifat meminta-minta"

"Memang budaya asingkan makanan masih lagi tak berubah? Yang nak di raikan anak yatim, tapi yang dapat makanan sedap VIP"

"Kami perlu patuh pada kehendak pihak atasan tentang sajian VIP"

"Ada syarat lain?"

"Kami akan sediakan hand washer sebelum majlis bersalaman"

"Protokol dari VIP?"

"Ya, betul"

"VIP ni kalau berak siapa yang cuci punggung dia?"

"…………"

"Tak perlu buat majlis dekat sini. Cari pusat lain. Walaupun kami miskin, kami ada maruah. Kami tak mengemis. Tak pernah minta dikasihani. Tolong beredar"

_

Hai Ummi,

Im tak nak balik rumah. Im tengah sedih. Im tak nak Ara tahu. Manusia memang tak pernah berubah, kan Ummi? Im baru saja balik dari asrama anak yatim. Tadi ada wakil VVIP datang serahkan cadangan program. Kebetulan hari ini Im pergi melawat asrama. Ustazah minta Im berbincang (.)

(emosi berbuar, tak mahu/mampu menulis panjang)

Julai 16, 2026

"Yela dia tahu anak laki dia tak ada kelulusan kawin dengan doktor pakar. Mesti sayang baik punya dapat tangkap bini kerja best. Itu kalau bini ajak pindah oversea pun sanggup pergi tinggal mak. Dah dia ada anak bini takkan nak tinggal anak bini dia"

"Ha'a ri tu dia pernah cakap ada SPM aje. Pelajaran tak tinggi tapi kerja keras untuk keluarga"

"Tu sebab mak dia berbulu. Mak dia tengok dari kaca mata orang luar padahal betul la kena sayang bini. Dah kalau tak sayang, siapa pulak nak sayang bini dia. Tapi sebab bini ada kelulusan, nampak macam bini jadi ketua keluarga. Kena pulak semua keputusan, perancangan masa depan keluarga bini yang buat. Nampak macam ikut cakap bini"

"Susahkan anak orang aje kawin dengan laki tak putus susu. Bini dia cantik, educated, ada business sendiri"

"Habis tu apa bangang pergi kawin laki macam tu dah tahu awak tu doktor pakar, pelajaran tinggi, rupa ada, duit banyak, business bagus"

"Cinta itu buta"

17/7

 

"♫ Tak pernahkah kau sadari

Akulah yang kau sakiti

Engkau pergi dengan janjimu yang telah kau ingkari"

"Tersakiti sangat ke, bang?"

"Muszę iść"

"Maroh kena jual hihihihi"

4/8

Pulau Besar — 10 August

Good morning. It’s 6.30 a.m. in Pulau Besar, Melaka. My four tiny humans are still sleeping peacefully in their cabin. My wife is having her morning tea while reading the Kay Scarpetta series, a forensic thriller series featuring Dr Kay Scarpetta as its protagonist—a brilliant and beautiful Chief Medical Examiner, written by Patricia Cornwell. It falls within the medical-thriller genre. I bought two sets. The other set is for my daughter, although I know she isn’t particularly interested in thriller novels. Since she studies medicine, I’m hoping she will enjoy them anyway. I haven’t read the series myself, and I never really planned to. I’m not a big fan of mystery, thriller, or crime novels.

So, what do I read today? I read about wealth and happiness, particularly a Harvard survey examining the relationship between the two. Most people assume that happiness keeps climbing with every additional dollar. The research suggests otherwise, and that is where it gets interesting. In the Harvard Study: Happiness and Wealth Among Millionaires, a survey of 4,155 millionaires found that increasing net worth from $1.5 million to $8 million was not associated with a statistically significant increase in happiness. Above roughly $8–10 million, happiness did increase—but only modestly. Across all the millionaires surveyed, the average happiness score was 7.8 out of 10.

I live a private life without having much privacy. Privacy, is priceless—like being able to live in your house without strangers around. My house is quite full of helpers. I suppose that is one of the trade-offs of money. I need things to be done properly, precisely, and on time. More importantly, I need everything to continue running smoothly even when I am not at home. That means having people I can trust to keep the household functioning without me having to be physically present. I have a personal assistant, and now, in this AI era, I also have two robotic assistants that function remarkably well. One manages part of my work at home, while the other handles some of my office-related tasks.

It is almost like having another pair of eyes around. For example, if a cat sits or walks on my car, the assistant will message me as soon as it detects movement. I can even chat with her almost like I would with a human. My wife doesn’t like it. She says it’s scary. Perhaps she has a point. Technology can make life extraordinarily convenient, but sometimes convenience comes with a strange feeling. The more things we delegate, the more carefully we have to think about what we actually want to keep for ourselves. Money can buy efficiency. It can buy time. It can buy convenience. But I suppose the more interesting question is whether it can buy the feeling that all of those things are enough.

Will continue writing.

The four tiny humans are awake and ready to rock the world.

 

Why is the Selangor government approving so many data centres, yet finding suitable locations for hospitals and other essential public facilities seems so difficult? More data centres are being developed across the state. Some are already operational, while others are being built close to residential areas. The bigger question is, why do data centres need to be located so close to residential communities? And why are some developments being planned near, or potentially affecting, our urban forests and green spaces? At the same time, the private sector continues to race to build more shopping malls. Selangor already has numerous malls, yet four more are expected to open in 2026:

• Coalfields Retail Park — 20 August 2026

• Merdeka Maybank Tower (formerly Merdeka 118) — 28 August 2026

• Ombak KLCC — 28 August 2026

• AEON Mall KL Midtown — Q4 2026

We don’t need more malls or data centres. We need arts and cultural spaces, exhibition centres, a large urban public library, recreational parks and more children’s playgrounds. These are the things our communities need. It is so sad to see Selangor becoming a state increasingly dominated by concrete, day by day. Selangorians are already facing water shortages, and with more data centres coming, I cannot even imagine what will happen to what was once such a charming state. Development should not simply be about building more. It should be about building better for the people, the environment and future generations. I honestly question the direction of development in Selangor.

"Ri tu doktor laki cakap 10 pesakit, 2 aje rakyat Malaysia 8 Rohingya. Astu masuk wad perangai tak bertamadun astu sembang nak beranak acam anak tikus"

"Kajang cakap apam Rohingya berbau hahaha. Bising dia. Dah hutan penuh"

"Eeeeewwww dark side doktor ke apa nih"

"Mana sempat selenggara. Busy"

"Busy kan apa, bang?"

"Misi beranak ramai. Kan nak conquer Malaysia"

"Sana sini orang dia aje. Menyampah"

"Ara tu peguam. Peguam mana boleh benci pelarian. Kan ada hak asasi apa benda semua tu"

"Kita tak bertuhankan dia orang. Pencemaran ajelah dia orang semua tu"

"Tu diaaaaa. Pencemaran dia bagi"

26/7

"Selalu tau datang dari masa depan"

"Siapa?"

"Abang la"

"Kenapa?"

"Dialog tu sama acam abang cakap"

"Yang mana?"

"Kalau sayang…kenalah protect orang kita sayang bukan hancurkan"

"Abang kan handsome"

"Takde kaitan eh"

17-09-2025

"Ra, budak ni nangis. Dia ada jamuan dekat sekolah. Member ejek dia tak pernah bawa makanan. Nak beli apa eh?"

"Mmm…mmm…kek? Popcorn chicken? Sausage rolls? Cheese nuggets? Chicken meatballs?"

"Huish laju"

"Makanan kan sahabat baik kita"

"Lain?"

"Spaghetti bolognese? Mac & cheese? Brownies? Donuts? Cupcakes?"

"Lagi?"

"Tamago sando?"

"Apa pulak tu? Nak benda sihat"

"Sushi?"

"Okey jugak kan"

"Cadangan abang?"

"Buah potong. Mangga Harumanis"

"Tak cukup riak, bang. I Dolci Gelato sedap"

"Sempat pulak nak riak"

"Riak itu harus"

"Halal?"

"100%"

"Boleh order?"

"Bisa di atur"

"Sushi dengan benda tu ah"

"Beres!"

"Ara urus semua, boleh? Ada rider, kan? Kalau nak pergi sekolah memang tak nak ah. Risau kena serbu pulak, handsome, kan hahahahaha"

"Laki sapo nih? Bertuah sungguh deh"

"Terima kasih. Nak sambung berhandsome-handsome kejab hahahaha. Bye"

6/7

Pre-Implantation Genetic Testing (PGT)

For parents undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF), Pre-Implantation Genetic Testing (PGT) is subject to stringent regulation by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and is intended to identify embryos carrying specific, serious genetic abnormalities prior to implantation.

"Atas darat kita fahamlah busy. Laut pun sama aje"

"Tak tengok lagi angkasa. Lagi sesak dengan satelit"

"Bang, mekasih tau bawa kita. Best sesungguhnya belayar sana sini"

"Kan…feel dia lain kan…terolang-aleng tu kan…"

"Kita cakap literal tau. Abang yang ke lain"

"Hahahahahahaha"

7/8

Nostalgia and Lost Love

Kuala Pilah — 30 May

Do I really miss you, or do I simply miss the nostalgia we once shared? Nostalgia matters because of the person behind it. We may think we miss the memories, but more often, we miss the person who gave those memories meaning. Without them, nostalgia becomes little more than an empty echo. In one of the letters that Albert Camus wrote to Maria Casarès, he said "You and I met and fell in love passionately, impatiently, dangerously. I regret nothing." Those words remind me of our own story.

On 28 August 2024, I copied a verse by Qays ibn al-Mulawwah into my notebook —

"I pass by her house, 

the house of Layla,

And I kiss this wall and that wall.

It is not the love of the houses that has taken my heart,

But the love of the one who dwells in those houses."

Ustaz Fahmi Zam Zam once quoted an Arabic proverb — "If you keep thinking about someone, you will find yourself looking at the roof of their house." My heart smiled as I remembered the days when I used to pass by your parents' house. And yes, I would always find myself looking at the roof. In Malay culture, some people believe that if a person keeps staring at the roof of someone's house, it is because of cenuai. Makcik Siti once asked whether you had done that to me. I told her you were too kind.

She still insisted that I visit a bomoh somewhere in Tapah or Gopeng. I assured her that I was completely fine. I simply missed you. For several weeks, I ran a high fever and would call your name in my sleep. Makcik worried deeply about me. Even today, I miss you as though it all happened yesterday. There is something quietly comforting in knowing that a single moment of genuine happiness can be enough to give meaning to an entire life. You once gave meaning to mine.

Life moves on. We live different lives now, yet amid our busy days and quiet moments, we sometimes pause for a second to remember the people we once loved. We replay the memories, the songs we shared, and how beautiful everything felt back then. Sometimes the memories make us sad; sometimes they make us smile. Sometimes we carry them lightly. Sometimes they carry us. Thank you for coming into my life. Through you, I came to understand the meaning of love, loss, and life.

"Endure, O heart

at other times, 

you have endured worse."

— Homer, The Odyssey

…

Originally written in Kuala Pilah on 30 May 2026 while travelling home from Singapore.

Edited on 4 August 2026 between Batu Pahat and Pulau Pisang while en route to Batam, Indonesia.

3rd August — Tanjung Tuan

Today, Negeri Sembilan was declared a public holiday after the election victory on Saturday. The blue wave came and swept away almost half of the red giant that was once loud in championing Reformasi. I went to Port Dickson on Friday evening after the Jumaah prayer. I do not know why, but I have always had a soft spot for this state. I love Bandar Sri Sendayan the most. Mantin is also a good place to live. I would rather sell some of my properties in KL and Selangor and invest here. KL and Selangor are already overcrowded. There is no quiet living unless you reside in places like Hulu Langat or choose a top-tier residential area.

The people have spoken. The blue wave has come, and I believe we are back to square one. I feel a little sad not because BN won, but because PH, under PKR, failed to fulfil even half of their promises. The movement that once carried the language of reform did not meet the expectations. There is no clear reform that was loudly promised. Issues such as nepotism, cronyism, and corruption scandals among some politicians have affected public confidence. Above all, I do not like the 3R issues, particularly when some DAP members were perceived as being disrespectful towards the Sultan of Selangor and especially regarding the issue of the illegal temple. 

What concerns me more is the perception that enforcement actions were selective. Some Malays feel that certain groups are able to act more boldly without fear of consequences, which has increased frustration and mistrust among the community. It is heartbreaking to see that there were no strong Malay-Islam leaders, particularly from PKR or Amanah, who openly addressed these issues when they happened. They seemed more focused on maintaining harmony within the coalition, which made some people feel that they were being too careful in addressing concerns involving DAP. DAP is like an “abang besar”. No one dares to voice out.

The fears that some Malays had about losing their position and influence when Chinese political power increased have become part of the political reality today. Many Malay voters felt they had no better choice between choosing a party associated with corruption issues and a party they perceived as insensitive towards their concerns. They chose the former, not necessarily because they liked or fully supported it, but because they were tired of feeling that some DAP members were disrespecting their identity and values. I believe PH needs Malay votes, but many Malays will continue to hesitate in supporting PH if DAP remains part of the coalition.

In order to reform an institution, you must not forget your roots. Malays, I believe, have given this serious consideration, and the recent voting pattern shows a strong message against what they perceive as excessive DAP influence. And what is Anwar doing? Many people feel that he has focused too much on international recognition rather than listening to the concerns of his own people. He wants Malaysia to be recognised globally, but domestic issues still need capable ministers to handle them effectively. Yes, it is true that Malaysia has received billions in foreign investment, but macroeconomic achievements do not always reflect microeconomic realities. 

The rakyat want him to address issues such as housing affordability, where house prices have increased significantly from RM217,857 in 2017 to RM502,922 in 2024, while wages increased from RM1,500 to RM2,793 during the same period. I see some young and promising leaders in DAP, such as Yeo Bee Yin and Hannah Yeoh. They have strong educational backgrounds, good leadership qualities, and promising futures, but politics also requires the art of politics. Anthony Loke also appeared promising at first, but many groups, including e-hailing drivers, p-hailing workers, and lorry drivers, have criticised his performance as a minister.

Next year, Malaysia will face another General Election. For now, I believe the blue wave has returned to reclaim its position. The red wave was given a chance to prove itself, but many people feel it performed worse than the previous government. When you are in the opposition bloc, it is easy to criticise the government. Anwar may not be too concerned about whether his party can return to Putrajaya in the next election, as he has already achieved his lifelong dream of becoming Prime Minister. If Anwar retires, does DAP have any opportunity to become the government in the following elections after losing another chance to gain wider public acceptance this time?

Usang