Friday 19 December 2008

BEFORE THE LANDSLIDE


Before the landslide I wrote this:-

Bill Clinton was seen to be shaking hands with Pak Lah today and with some Malaysian women too.

Bill Clinton in reference to Malaysia’s current political situation said “I was told that there are political conflicts here. That is a good thing. Nobody is right all the time,” .

Yes, right, speak for yourself Bill. Thank God it is not Bush that said it, otherwise he would have said he was ill advised by his intelligence about Malaysia, shaking his head in disbelief as the way he did in his recent ABC's interview where they touched on WMD in Iraq.

There would be a small demonstration, people carrying banners and placards asking him to leave Malaysia. Don’t forget Khairy, he will run around like a mad man at the Convention Centre as the way he did when Miss Rice was here two three years ago. As we all know, Miss Rice now is looking for a job at Buckingham Palace as a pianist.

Bill Clinton should know in this country once you are wrong, no matter how you justify it, you will be labelled as wrongdoer for seven generation. A few hundred years ago, those who politically wrong will be “Sula”.

It is wrong for Bill to say we are in political conflict, it is not political conflict, it is political maturity, it is a process of full grown democracy, Malaysia’s way, Our way, My way.

But then again a large number of our politicians still have the mentality as if we still live on trees, no wonder we look as if we are in conflict all the time.

Wednesday 17 December 2008

BUKIT MEWAH BUKIT ANTARABANGSA LANDSLIDE 6

Too cut the long story short, I managed to get a temporary home, courtesy of a close friend who care so much about me.

Every two or three hour someone told me of the occurrence of small landslide andearth movement.

I took my precious television, astro decoder and dvd out of the house when they let me in eventually at 6pm.

I saw Smart, the military, fire rescuers, police, the FRU, field force were all over Bukit Antarabangsa, sirens everywhere every 5minutes, busy attending to the tasks given to them. Reporters photographers were all over the place. MPAJ officials in this case is less visible, for two reasons either they were outnumbered or as if they smell the anger of the people of Bukit Antarabangsa that makes them wanting to be the least conspicious.

By 8pm I was already exhausted, sitting at the restaurant for the fourth time in a day. As I was thinking to myself, hearing to myself, I felt dizzy for a few second, I thought it was just me, I asked those sitting opposite me whether they experience similar dizziness, they said no, a second later they said yes and I felt it again, I was not alone, a small tremor occurs several times with no one actually knew about it unless they pay attention to it.

We left immediately, I made up my mind, I will not be a superhero, defiant to the fact that I have to leave my home, leave Bukit Antarabangsa for at least a week.

That’s what I thought or hope or pray, the truth is I will have to stay away, longer, probably a month as reminded by a friend who is Landscape Architect.

Tuesday 16 December 2008

BUKIT MEWAH BUKIT ANTARABANGSA LANDSLIDE 5

The Menteri Besar gave his press conference exactly at 9am. YB Azmin standing next to him, didn’t say a word, obviously giving a lot of room to his boss to steal the light. He thank the rescuers, telling all did a good job, he updated the press on the number of houses destroyed, affected and casualties, he repeated his states government stand banning hill slope development, at the end of it he told the press, the landslide may cause damaged to the structure of Impian Selatan Condominium, he declared it is unsafe the residence who live at Impian Selatan formerly known as Southern Heights to evacuate the condominium.

By mid day, as I was sitting at Restoran Wangsa Ukay with a few neigbours and friends of Bukit Antarabangsa, like exodus of transmigration, residence of Impian Selatan were seen travelling light walking out of Impian Selatan through Bukit Mewah up Riverdale Apartment to the so called Bukit Antarabangsa shoplots. Mosts of them were young couples with small children, carrying with them several small luggages, mind you they dress well too.

At the same time, I was hoping to get into my house to take a few more personal belonging, at the same time I received so many phone calls and sms. It looks like I may have to leave my home for a long time.

One thing for sure, I have to look for a new home for the next few days, hope and pray that I don’t have to move out for good.
To be continued.

Friday 12 December 2008

BUKIT MEWAH BUKIT ANTARABANGSA LANDSLIDE 4

I was surprised by the number of police presence, the Smart Rescue Team and Fire Rescuer at 4.30am. It was dark, not much can be done other than searching for survivors with torch lights, no lights other torch lights. Bukit Mewah neighbourhood was seen giving as much assistance to the authority in identifying houses which were affected. I heard one man in the state of shock discovered a swimming pool in front of his house and his cars moved three bungalows away from his house.

One lady spoke of Thana, (later as in the news Thana perished in the landslide) blaiming the abandon houses at Wangsa 9 in her opinion caused the landslide, there are others blaiming the new bungalows project nearby.
Those standing and watching are those not affected but largely are those who came back from late supper but unable to get back to their home probably at Kyoto Garden, Oakleaf Condo or all over Bukit Jaya and Bukit Utama.

At the same time, I was counting, several times, looking above the bungalows where my house is standing, the distance to the landslide, its five doors away, counted again and again, comforting myself, its seven doors away. I am safe, I should be safe, I thought to myself.

I went back to my house, very quickly, quick shower, quick change of clothes, pray for Suboh, right after the "sujud Syukor", the police came, asking me to vacate the house, it was declared unsafe, he said, the earth is unstable. "Banyak pergerakan Encik", he said.

Its 6.15am, what should I do, where should I go?

Thursday 11 December 2008

BUKIT MEWAH BUKIT ANTARABANGSA LANDSLIDE 3

We rushed back to Bukit Antarabangsa once we dropped the children. Thinking of the things to do next, whatever we can retrieve and ran off with it, passports, documents, children clothing etc.

By the time we arrived, my bros were at the gate waiting for us. Syabas workers had just abandoned their work, it is apparent we may abandon our house.

I went to Bukit Mewah, a small army of rescuers has started search and rescue work. Houses seems to be knocking each other, I saw a car as high as 30 feet, close to the roof, the landslide blocked the only road to Bukit Jaya, Bukit Mewah Kyoto Garden, Oakleaf Condo, Laman Oakleaf as high as 2 storey building.

Many in the state of confusion, direct victims are those where their houses totally destroy with or without casualties. Residences of Bukit Mewah were all out of their houses crossing monsoon drain opposite the mosque.

Many who live across the landslide further up the hill were seen standing hoping they can get back home at the wee hour of the morning.

At the same time, in the dark I was trying to identify the house I was so concerned about earlier. Not many were carrying torch light, even if they do, it look so pathetic.

Its nearly 5am, the house was actually move from its original location by 10 metres, almost a total lost although not crumbling. How do I tell him, I thought to myself.

Tuesday 9 December 2008

BUKIT MEWAH BUKIT ANTARABANGSA LANDSLIDE 2


We rushed out of the house with the children, Syabas technician still working at the fire hydrant, obviously unaware of the landslide.

I went to the balcony again, a quick look, the earth still rolling at Bukit Mewah, I heard people screaming, it is 3.30am. My immediate neighbours were sound asleep, like Syabas workers, they were unaware.

Along the way, we decided to drop the children at my mother in law’s house, we make a few phone calls, one of which to call someone who live in at Bukit Mewah along the path of the landslide.

“Where are you now?” “Singapore” he said. “Your house…” at 4am I told him that his house could be affected by the landslide. Sound aware of the situation he said, “Have a look at it please, one of the neighour told me, the landslide may have affected the kitchen”. “I will.....” I said”. “.....I will keep you inform...”.

Glad he is not at his house, glad all of his family are safe with him.

To be continued.

Monday 8 December 2008

BUKIT MEWAH BUKIT ANTARABANGSA LANDSLIDE 2008

It is 2.30am, the neighbours dogs were barking, I walked to the children playroom to have a peek at the window, Syabas lorry and men working at the fire hydrant nearby which burst a few hours earlier.

As I was updating this blog, I heard gushing noise from my bedroom which is facing Bukit Mewah it sound like heavy rain, not the usual rain, more of hail stone. I went to the balcony to check for certain, there was total black out, I saw cloud of smoke as high as 7 storey building. My first thought at that time, another condominium crash to the ground.

My wife who joined me at the balcony a minute later scream, “Take the children out of the house now!!!”.

It’s another Bukit Antarabangsa land slide, this time it involved those who live at Bukit Mewah. She scream when she saw the landslide moving houses and trees.

To be continued.

Wednesday 3 December 2008

image: universitas Hang Tuah Surabaya


Graduan Melayu Muda is in the spotlight again. They ridiculously wearing suit with yellow sarong around them. They were crying for funds, fund to pay legal fees in order to sue Chua Soi Lek for insulting “Ketuanan Melayu”. Tuan, by English definition, means “Lord”. These Graduan Melayu Muda don’t look like Tuan to me, which “Tuan” have problem in paying their legal fees, worst still in this case, they begged for legal fees.

If they think, they are Tuan, then they should behave like one. Get a Tuan suit, don’t put sarong around it, don’t talk about money, do proper campaign, get an injuncton, stop anyone, everyone from talking about Ketuanan Melayu.

Chua Soi Lek is another arsehole, as if we forget, as if we are deaf and dumb, why not just say “Orang Melayu Tidak Relevan”. Go ahead insulting us Malay, surely you always wanted to do that, most of them are, I know for sure. 20 years ago while studying in the UK, one chinese student said before we even introduced ourselves in the presence of the many Mat Salleh, “without the Chinese, the Malay is no where in Malaysia”. 3 years later we become very close, since later he realised I never impersonate his Chinese accent, the English does that.

And by the way, despite of me ridiculing them, I hope and pray Graduan Melayu Muda succeed in their call for the abolishment of the Bar Council as they did 2 weeks ago when they demontrates at Jalan Ampang.
That one piss the Bar Council off.