friend is mirror

A FRIEND IN NEED

2011-09-20T02:17:00.003+08:00

With my 2 year junior at the Armed Forces Apprentice Trade School, Port Dickson. I was at the school from 1969 to 1972. Zulkifli Mohd Said joined in 1971.

A CALL FROM PARIS

2011-05-08T20:18:00.003+08:00

5 May 2011. 5.30 pm Malaysian time. I received a call from Paris. Azhar Mohamad introduced himself. I met him way back in 1994 when I was supervising the shooting for TV3 program at RMAF Base Kuantan. It is very nostalgic to remember the past. 1994-2011. Three decades have elapsed yet it seems I met Azhar only yesterday. The conversation was quite long. This internet and hp make us very near.

Away From the War Front

2010-06-26T21:12:00.006+08:00

I sip the morning coffee
enjoying peace in Nairobi
before I have to go back
to the blazing war zone
in Somalia

Ramli Abdul Rahim
Nairobi, Kenya
November 1994

POSITIVENESS

2010-06-26T21:05:00.005+08:00

I am positive
today must be better from yesterday
I aspire for a better tomorrow

Ramli Abdul Rahim
25 June 2010

Bangkok

2010-06-26T20:37:00.004+08:00

Bangkok
always reminds me of
young children
on the streets
selling
flowers

Bangkok
reminds me
of Jakarta
its youths wandering
selling
Gatra
Tempo
amidst
crowded streets

Ramli Abdul Rahim
Bangkok
2005

My Friends In Haven

2010-06-23T14:38:00.000+08:00

BEFRIENDING JOURNALISTS

2010-01-31T19:22:00.018+08:00

My first encounter with Malaysian journalists took place at Tun Abdul Razak Broadcasting Institute Angkasapuri in 1981. I was attending a Development Journalism Course organised by Malaysian Press Institute.

It was a wonderful experience. Gurmit Singh was there to give a lecture on the subject. I still remember Paul's comments on Malaysians' attitude on numbers. Paul came all the way from Switzerland with his wife to lecture us. We went to Sungai Pelong for a site visit for our assignments.

Yunus Said (Berita Harian then TV3), Ahmad Abdul Hamid (Utusan), Fuad Abdul Rahman (Utusan then TV3), Juliana Omar (Bernama now Petronas?), Osman (Bernama), Mahruz Ibrahim (Bernama)), Muhammad (RTM) and other journalists from local Chinese newspapers were attending the course.

During the trip to Sungai Pelong we adjourned to the surau for Zohor prayer. Ahmad Abdul Hamid became the muazin if I am not misttaken.

Among the speakers Mr Iskak Syono gave an in-depth insight of the Farmers Association. I thought he was an Indonesian expat. "I am a Malaysian." He reiterated. It was a very embarassing question I suppose.

I did not attend the second part of the course. I went to Jakarta to represent my ministry in a bilateral talk with the Indonesian Armed Forces. Returning from Jakarta I attended the last session of the course for the certificate giving ceremony.

Consequently I was attached to Berita Harian after the course and I had a short stint under the late Pak Salim Kajai. I met new friends at NST. Sager is one of them.

MY FRIEND FROM RIYADH

2009-12-24T06:37:00.003+08:00

In know Brother Adros since 2000 on the net. He was then residing in Dubai. This is the first time meeting him in person. "You are very different from the net. On the net you are serious." Adros commented. "Of course in a virtual world you can't see body language." I said. "The art of communication is that you have to be a good listener. I don't fight on the net. We must be open. Listen to others' views. As the reciprocal we expect our maduu to listen to us. This is a two-way communication. I'll just leave any forum that instigates verbal violence."

The meeting takes place at the State Mosque Shah Alam before Maghrib prayer 23 December 2009. Adros introduces his brother. This is just another fi bidyatil bidayah for another friendship.

BACK TO THE FUTURE

2009-12-04T23:53:00.004+08:00

If I have the time machine I would rather fly to the past to the time when I was 5.

Yesterday When I was Young

2009-09-14T16:45:00.002+08:00

Time passes very fast. Suddenly they have grown up. All those chuckles are history.

Watching ONE Singapore

2009-08-12T13:36:00.006+08:00

The last time I went to Singapore was in 1996. My wife, my son and I just dashed through Woodlands check point on 9 August 2009 at 3 p.m. The traffic at the Causeway was very smooth. It was apparently Singapore National Day. I watched Singapore PM delivering National Day Speech. He talked about ONE Singapore. My mind wandered to the early days of West Pakistan and East Pakistan. West Malaysia and East Malaysia.

In Silence

2009-08-03T10:39:00.005+08:00

In Silence

in silence
that supplication is lifted to heaven
touching
sidratul-muntaha

Ramli Abdul Rahim
Malaysia
3 August 2009

Moderating One Man's Journey Into Islam

2009-07-30T07:28:00.010+08:00

The Ex-Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Club holds a dinner and talk by Br Idris Tawfik at Felda Perdana Hall, Jalan Semarak Kuala Lumpur, on 29 July 2009. The Rabbani Nasyid Group entertains the audience during the dinner. Br. Idris Tawfik talks how he encountered Islam.

British Muslim writer, Br Idris Tawfik, who now lives in Egypt, has a degree in English Language and Literature from the University of Manchester and a degree in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome. For many years he was Head of Religious Studies in different schools in England and Wales and has much experience in teaching, both in the UK and Egypt. In Syria he taught Islamic Studies at the prestigious AI-Fatih Islamic Institute in Damascus.

Before embracing Islam, Idris Tawfiq belonged to the Roman Catholic religious Order and was Roman Catholic priest for twenty years.

Idris Tawfiq is much in demand as a speaker, and he travels extensively, speaking in universities all over the world. He leads retreats and in- Service training for both students and adults, and his Dawah workshops have become very popular. He uses this vast experience of dealing with ordinary people, explaining matters of faith, in a way that makes it interesting and easy to understand. He tries to explain Islam to those in the West who are not Muslims, paying special attention to inter-faith dialogue, which his background qualifies him amply to do.

Idris Tawfiq writes for two newspapers in Egypt and is the author of seven books about Islam. His forthcoming book, "Looking for peace in the land of the Prophets," explores the idea of Palestine in the Hearts of Muslims.

A Token of Friendship

2009-06-03T07:06:00.002+08:00

I joined the Armed Forces Apprentice Trade School in 1969. Ambri joined the same school in 2003. We met on the net. And then in a real world we met at the State Mosque in Shah Alam. We are like brothers. Ambri gave me a souvenir he bought from Universiti Teknologi Mara Shah Alam on 30 May 2009. I was also groomed by that university.

Searching For Friends

2009-05-22T06:46:00.004+08:00

In searching for friendship
don't find
enemies

Ramli Abdul Rahim
Malaysia

When

2009-05-18T18:58:00.001+08:00

When we meet good people
it is a blessing
from Allah

Ramli Abdul Rahim
Malaysia
18 May 2009

Residue

2009-05-07T06:32:00.005+08:00

when that sweetnness
is no longer there
don't leave it

Ramli Abdul Rahim
Shah Alam

Talking to God

2009-05-07T06:11:00.006+08:00

Befriending His verses
is the source of
tranquility

Ramli Abdul Rahim
Malaysia
7 May 2009

The Meaning Of Friendship

2009-05-04T09:48:00.003+08:00

We came from the same school 1969-1972. That's where we grew up. We followed our own destiny. After 40 years we meet again a bit older if not wiser in a nostalgic congregation.

Another of My Zubli's Artistic Touch On Obama

2009-04-24T10:54:00.003+08:00

My Greatest Friend's Artistic Touch on CINTA ADALAH CINTA

2009-04-24T10:34:00.003+08:00

This is what happened to the banner of CINTA ADALAH CINTA (LOVE IS LOVE) when it has been doctored by my beloved greatest friend Mr. Zubli Zainordin. He was once a TV newscaster in the 80s. When he came back from the US I used to bump on him at the corridor at the ivory tower. He just smiled. He never taught me before. Now Mr Zubli is my sifoo and we always share ideas as business partners.

A Virtual Novelist Friend's New Piece

2009-04-23T19:16:00.007+08:00

A gift from my wife and I to my daughter is a new novel by my virtual novelist friend Sarniya Yahya entitled "CINTA ADALAH CINTA" (LOVE IS LOVE). Posing infront of a banner advertising the new novel at PWTC Book Fair 2009.

BefriendingThe Hufaz

2009-04-17T07:04:00.002+08:00

I love those who learn reciting the Holy Koran. I teach them English & Arabic at the same time.

Business Associates

2009-04-12T13:28:00.004+08:00

Business is my new domain. It is a totally different jungle. It is a different war I have to fight. Perusing THE ART WAR by Sun Tzue can be very inspiring.

Friendliness

2009-04-02T01:30:00.003+08:00

I consider myself as a serious motivator. Yet I can make those who follow my human development program enjoy my approach. I treat them as my friends. What tickles them?

Love

2009-04-01T14:22:00.000+08:00

Love is more than
friendship
it needs sacrifice.

Ramli Abdul Rahim
Malaysia

Friend Is Mirror

2009-03-30T05:56:00.001+08:00

friend is mirror
it reflects
who you are

Ramli Abdul Rahim
Malaysia
Mac 2009

Journey To The Unknown

2009-03-20T07:18:00.001+08:00

we have begun

when we congregrated

infront of HIM

Ramli Abdul Rahim

Shah Alam

Malaysia

Meeting and Parting On the Net - Nazmi Yaakob

2009-03-05T07:41:00.005+08:00

Nazmi Yaakub said...
pak ramli, moga dapat jalinkan kembali hubungan yg terputus.
March 3, 2009 12:55 PM

When I met Nazmi Yaakub on the net in 1997, I was in MINDEF. Nazmi was then living in Cairo and his maiden novel was published when he was studying at Al-Azhar University. I went to Egypt in 2005. Defintely he was no longer there. We met on the net. Then we disappeared together. March 3, 2009 we are in contact again.

Islam Begins At Home

2009-02-27T05:49:00.003+08:00

Wuryanano "Semoga jauh sebelum kiamat datang, Islam sudah menang dan jaya."

Wishful statement

from my virtual Indonesian friend

yes

motivators move people with positive stance

Islam begins at home

walk the talk

how we portray to the world

it comes from inside

Ramli Abdul Rahim

Malaysia

27 February 2009

WURYANANO said...
Pak Ramli Abdul Rahim yang saya hormati,Alhamdulillah, lewat media internet blog ini, kita bisa menjadi teman, sahabat, dan saudara.Semoga ALLAH selalu melindungi kita semua. Amiin.Salam Sukses Penuh Berkah

dari Surabaya,Wuryanano

Motivational Blog

Welcome Onboard Boeing 787

2009-02-25T04:17:00.005+08:00

A captain can fly you to your destinations
Bangkok, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Honolulu, Los Angeles.

A Mursyid can guide you to
PARADISE

Ramli Abdul Rahim
Malaysia
25 February 2009

Seorang kapten pesawat bisa menghijrahkan penumpang ke destinasi
Bangkok, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Honolulu, Los Angles

Seorang guru yang mursyid bisa membimbing
ke syurga

Befriending the enemy

2009-02-23T12:57:00.002+08:00

Befriending LOTUS

2009-02-13T17:44:00.007+08:00

I learnt how to fly airplane before I could drive a car when I was 19. The way Oh Kah Beng, a racing driver shows me how to handle LOTUS reminds me of my younger days when I flew the aircraft so low just above the trees and scaring the farmers and school students. It is like in a roller coaster. TEST-Driving LOTUS makes me young. I dare not glance at the speedometer. The cheapest second-hand LOTUS is RM305,000.00 emmmmmmm........

In The Shade of Kaabah

2009-02-11T22:32:00.004+08:00

When the late Indonesian Ulama/Novelist Hamka wrote 'DI BAWAH LINDUNGAN KA'ABAH' (In the Shade of Ka'abah), in the early forties, he was a young budding writer.The story is centred around a young man who falls in love with a woman who finally died infront of the Holy Ka'abah. The ending is sad indeed.

Views

2009-02-09T09:57:00.001+08:00

A man who views the world the same at fifty
as he did at twenty has wasted thirty years of his life.

Muhammad Ali

an e-mail from yorkshire

2009-02-07T20:35:00.004+08:00

Asslamualaikum Abang Major Ramli, I follow ur blog without fail...apa kata jika ada masa terluang jemputlah ke blog saya pula di http://adayinlittlewestyorkshire.blogspot.com/

Waalaikum salam Munaarfah Abu Bakar, your blog is now in my blog list. Please visit http://rarwrites.blogspot.com.

An Iranian, an American and a Malaysian

2009-02-06T09:16:00.001+08:00

Disney World, Orlando, 1974

Pray

2009-02-03T05:54:00.001+08:00

I just

pray to

Allah

Ramli Abdul Rahim

Malaysia, 3 Feb 2009

Lost

2009-02-02T07:17:00.002+08:00

if you feel

suddenly

you are lost

search for the guiding light

it'll be

there

Ramli Abdul Rahim

Malaysia

2 February 2009

Who cares

2009-02-01T18:17:00.002+08:00

when you look to your

right

left

and you can't find

who can help you

who cares

Allah cares

Ramli Abdul Rahim

Malaysia

1 February 2009

The play must end

2009-01-29T11:04:00.001+08:00

when the music stops
when the sun sets
we have to return where we are

Ramli Abdul Rahim
Malaysia
29 January 2009

Listen To the Rain

2009-01-29T10:58:00.003+08:00

"Listen to the rain
listen to the fall"

Jose Feliciano's lyric
is strumming
into my ears.

Where
am I?

Ramli Abdul Rahim
San Antonio, Texas
1974

yesterday in texas

2009-01-27T11:21:00.003+08:00

this land doesn't belong to

I have been keeping this postcard since 1974
when I was in the US.
A short stint in Texas and then Florida
is good enough
to know America.

The Pharoah Prays to GOD?

2009-01-27T10:15:00.003+08:00

Inside the prayer room of the Pharoah. According to the tourist guide, the Pharoah prays twice a day, in the morning when the sun rises and during sunset. There are two windows for the Pharaoh to face east in the morning and facing west at sunset. They were so many Pharoahs and we don't know which one claims that he is GOD.

Jihad

2009-01-27T08:10:00.004+08:00

Jihad

can be translated

on the screen

Ramli Abdul Rahim

Malaysia

27 January 2009

A Tribute To The Lion Of The Desert

2009-01-26T21:19:00.002+08:00

Umar Mukhtar (1862-16 Sep 1931)

Today, Mukhtar's face is shown on the Libyan 10 Dinar bill. His final years were immortalized in the movie The Lion of the Desert (1981), starring Anthony Quinn, Oliver Reed, and Irene Papas. During Mukhtar's execution, his glasses fell on the floor, and a little boy and his mother took them to keep in his memory before anyone could see them.This episode is poignantly captured in the final moments of the film " The Lion of the Desert'.

Allahu Akbar.

Infront of Chairman Mao's Pix

2009-01-26T20:46:00.008+08:00

Mao Zedong (also known as Mao Tse-tung) (December 26, 1893 – September 9, 1976) was a Chinese military and political leader who led the Communist Party of China (CPC) to victory against the Kuomintang (KMT) in the Chinese Civil War, and was the leader of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) from its establishment in 1949 until his death in 1976. Chairman Mao has been regarded as one of the most important figures in modern world history, and named by Time Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century.

The Tower, Alexanderia, Egypt

2009-01-26T20:05:00.002+08:00

The legacy left by the French colony.

The Great Wall of China

2009-01-26T19:53:00.001+08:00

In China not many can speak English. You communicate
with calculators. That's how you do the shopping.
That's how you make friends there.

Moving Around

2009-01-26T18:13:00.003+08:00

When I give lecture, I don't stick
infront of the rostrum.
Venue: Dynasty Hotel, Kuala Lumpur
22-24 December 2008

Befriending Young Egyptian Girls

2009-01-26T08:47:00.002+08:00

My wife is being surrounded by young
Egyptian Alexandarian girls.

I am your friend

2009-01-26T07:41:00.004+08:00

Makanan RUH adalah kalimah LA ILAHA ILLALLAH.
Sesiapa yang ada kalimah adalah ikhwan kita.
Pegangan politik adalah daerah lain.
Akidah yang akan menjadi paksi mengadap Allah.
Moderate (sederhana) dalam dakwah persis saranan Allah"serulah kepada jalan Allah dengan HIKMAH".
Hikmah meletakkan sesuatu pada tempatnya.
Songkok letaknya di atas kepala bukan di bawah kaki.
Akal itu anugerah Allah yang paling unggul.
Restoran TOMYAM banyak di mana-mana boleh JALAN-JALAN CARI MAKAN.
RESTORAN RUH susah dicari.
Ia ada dalam diri.
Fikir.
Zikir.
Berbicara dengan EMOSI akan mengundang benci.

Ramli Abdul Rahim
Malaysia
26 January 2009

the food for spirit (RUH) is LA ILAHA ILLALLAH
those with that klimah are our brethrens
political inclination is a different entity the stance will be the premise to face Allah
be moderate in our dawa work
al hikmah is putting thing as its place
a headgear should be put on your head not under your feet
Allah gives the intution to think
there are so many retaurants
spiritual restaurants are hard to come by
that very soul is within
ourselves

Ramli Abdul Rahim
Malaysia
26 January 2009

My Friend My Sifu

2009-01-25T12:33:00.007+08:00

Mr Zubli Zainoordin just smiled at me from very far.
There is an informal session of bloggers at Section 16 Shah Alam.
When he came back from US and taught again at
the School of Mass Communication
Shah Alam, I was about to leave the ivory tower.
He never taught me. But few times he did talk to me.
After 15 years, we meet again this morning.
At 10.30 am sharp I have to go.
KEMESRAAAN (cheerfulness)
is not for show.

I ask a stupid question

2009-01-24T20:03:00.004+08:00

This is Mogadishu International Airport in 1994 during war. These
Somali children can just roam around freely just like as if it is
their village. You just give them sweets and they will say
'Shukran" (thanks). They speak Arabic. I ask that bare-footed child a silly
question,' why do your people fight among yourselves?'
Apparently now, 2009, there is still no real peace in
SOMALIA.

Radio Talk Show

2009-01-24T19:49:00.002+08:00

I have to prepare the guidelines for the DeeJay to ask me questions during my weekly radio talk show. Once I recited my poems during the wee hours when almost everybody was asleep.

My Sacred Journey

2009-01-24T18:52:00.013+08:00

One Muslim brother from Syria asked me one day when I was waiting for Asar prayer at the Masjidil Haram. "What do you understand by Hajj Mabrur?' I let him answer. "Mabrur means, when you come here on this Holy Land of Mecca a different person, and when you go back to your country you are a different person."

Befriending Kikiyu Children

2009-01-24T18:19:00.003+08:00

Visiting the outskirt of Nairobi, Kenya. These native Kenyans are very friendly indeed.

The Egyptian Camel Can Speak Arabic?

2009-01-24T11:03:00.002+08:00

"Our camels can speak Arabic." The tourist guide
jokingly tells me. Without the pyramids and the Sphinx,
I wonder what will be the source of Egypt's economy.
A ride on a camel in the vicinity of the Pyramids.
I have to pay for the ride and for taking
the camel's photograph.
Cairo 2005.

A quote from my Indonesian Friend

2009-01-24T07:55:00.003+08:00

'America is only beautiful on the movie screen".
My Indonesian friend Iman said when we
were touring the US Air Force Museum
at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas
way back in 1974. True enough, what is being painted
by Hollywood movie makers is not what you see
in real life. Anyway, America is beautiful in its own way.

2009-01-24T07:16:00.008+08:00

"Give me, 10 young Indonesian youths, I'll shake the world."

President Soekarno

(Berikan saya 10 orang pemuda Indonesia, saya akan menggoncang dunia).

Apparently he was the only brave world leader who dragged his country Indonesia out of the United Nations. Together with Nehru and Tito they formed NAM. The Movement has its origin in the Asia-Africa Conference held in Bandung, Indonesia in 1955.

The Missing Batavia

2009-01-23T20:59:00.004+08:00

Suddenly I become like Alex Haley
searching of my lost "roots"
Jakarta is very alient to me
Where is Batavia
Crunced in this sleepless city
amidst streets that are MACET everywhere
I can't imagine
old stories that my grandparents used to tell
my grandpa was born and raised in Java
my grandma was born in Singapore
they got married in Singapore
they moved to Malaya in 1920.

I am searching for the missing Batavia
Jakarta is far away from what my grandpa described
Definitely MEGA KUNINGAN is not the reflection
of the old
Batavia.

Ramli Abdul Rahim
Jakarta
2000

humanity

2009-01-23T20:11:00.004+08:00

The most merciful thing in the world, I think, is the inability of the human mind to correlate all its contents.

- H.P. Lovecraft

Station

2009-01-23T12:12:00.004+08:00

The next station
of this journey called "life'
is "death"

Ramli Abdul Rahim
Malaysia
23 January 2009

Sojourn at the Ivory Tower

2009-01-22T10:48:00.007+08:00

After 3 1/2 relaxing years at university (UiTM Level 13 ) I was back at the front line in 1994 posing with Tuan Zahiyah Arifah (now operating her own company) from TV3 after shooting for tv program. The military had to borrow tv 3's camera for air to air photography. The A-4 Skyhawks did not really paint good pictures infront of the public, out of 88 aircraft purchased only 44 touched down on Malaysian soils, the rest were stranded at the Mojave Desert Arizona, US.

The World Is Dancing

2009-01-21T12:19:00.003+08:00

AP - Before a jubilant crowd of more than a million, Barack Hussein Obama claimed his place in history as America's first black president, summoning a dispirited nation to unite in hope against the "gathering clouds and raging storms" of war and economic woe.

The collapse of Soviet Union
marked the end of COLD WAR
with uni-polar scenario
the world is watching
one man show
one man decision
the UN is just watching
what is happening
in Iraq
in Afghanistan
in Palestine
who is enjoying the dancing

Ramli Abdul Rahim
Malaysia
21 January 2009

The World without Tears

2009-01-18T16:05:00.004+08:00

Since the inception of Israel in 1948
how many UN resolutions have been passed
and how many resolutions have been abided by
NONE.

Every UN's resolution
has fallen on deaf
ears.

Ramli Abdul Rahim
Malaysia
18 January 2009

With Saudi Ambassador

2009-01-17T20:00:00.002+08:00

It was an honour for me to be invited for
a dinner at Saudi Ambassador's house in Kuala Lumpur
in 1996. Also present were my friend from United Arab Emirate
and my Saudi friend Abdul Rahman al-Baladi.

With my American friends

2009-01-17T19:13:00.005+08:00

With Cheston and his wife Kay infront of his
house at Tampa in Florida US.
Kay wanted to know so much about Malaysia, and
Cheston had to bring an atlas from his
library to show Kay where Malaysia is.
The year was 1974.

Friendship

2009-01-17T08:20:00.001+08:00

“I offer you peace. I offer you love. I offer you friendship. I see your beauty. I hear your need. I feel your feelings. My wisdom flows from the Highest Source. I salute that Source in you. Let us work together for unity and love.”

Mahatma Ghandi

Heart

2009-01-15T18:54:00.004+08:00

What comes out from the mouth will go into the ears,
what comes out of the heart will go into the heart.

Arabic Proverb

Meeting Friends On The Net (1)

2009-01-15T16:46:00.013+08:00

Zaid and his beloved mother and his bike.

The editor of Muslimah Nik Fauziah (sitting on the right)

Hasyuda Abadi a poet a novelist from Sabah

Wuryanano a motivator and an author from Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia

LOBANG BUAJA

2009-01-14T06:41:00.005+08:00

I read the inscription
"TJITA2 PERDJUANGAN KAMI UNTUK
MENEGAKKAN PANTJA-SILA
TIDAK MUNGKIN DIPATAHKAN HANYA
DENGAN MENGUBUR KAMI
DALAM SUMUR INI"

LOBANG BUAJA
1 OKTOBER 1965

I don't know where are
the souls of the generals
residing now

Ramli Abdul Rahim
Jakarta
1981

On Oct. 1, 1965, an event occurred that was to trigger an earth-shattering upheaval in Indonesia. On that day, seven army officers were kidnapped and gunned down. The details of that incident are well known as Lubang Buaya
in Indonesia and have formed an essential part of the history taught in schools and solemnly commemorated every year in the media.

I am sorry Gaza

2009-01-13T15:20:00.005+08:00

I am sorry Gaza
I cannot paint a good picture of you
the whole world is watching
just like watching the American Idol
World Wrestling Champion
Oprah Show

I am sorry Gaza
I have no better words
to describe you.

Ramli Abdul Rahim
Malaysia
13 January 2009

Flower Girls

2009-01-11T17:49:00.004+08:00

I don't understand
Who gives the authority
who can do what
who can't do what
I don't know the rules here
amidst streets of honking traffic
I am stuck
those flower girls
approach me
continuously

Ramli Abdul Rahim
Bangkok
2005

Flowers

2009-01-11T17:32:00.003+08:00

If you give flowers to the monkeys
they crush them.

If you give flowers to ladies
they appreciate
them.

Ramli Abdul Rahim
Shah Alam, Malaysia
11 Jan 2009

Manila

2009-01-11T16:33:00.002+08:00

Sitting
infront of the soldiers
who loyally
guard this monument
for Jose Rizal
reminds me of many martyrs all over the world
who die for the course of liberation
Omar Mokhtar
Raja Abdullah
Dato' Bahaman
Mat Salleh
and many more

Ramli Abdul Rahim
Manila
1996

Befriending Soldiers at the War ZONE

2009-01-11T14:58:00.011+08:00

When our aircraft was about to land at Mogadishu Airport, Somalia in 1994, I could see from the cockpit three Cobra helicopters were ready to shadow us. When our aircraft touched down the UN helicopters belonging to the Pakistani forces were hovering around us. I stepped out from the plane. The scenario was just like John Wayne' s movie the "Green Berets" in Vietnam. It was very eerie indeed. Anytime the live bullet could just pass through your body. I managed
to interview few soldiers for my life radio show when I came back to Malaysia. My article about Malaysian contingents with the United Nations in Somalia was published by Berita Harian. How can you write beautiful things about war. I just wrote what I saw.

With Fuad Abdul Rahman TV3

2009-01-11T14:38:00.003+08:00

The year was 1981. I was then the editor of the RMAF in-house news magazine BERITA UDARA. The Development Journalism course organised by Malaysian Press Institute held at Institut Penyiaran Tun Abdul Razak (IPTAR) Angkasapuri was another venue for me to meet new friends. I met Fuad Abdual Rahman who was then with Utusan, Ahmad Abdul Hamid, Yunus Said, Juliana Omar and many more. The guest lecturer was from Switzerland by the name of "Paul". He brought along his wife. Paul commented that Malaysians always talk about figures. Numbers.

BANDUNG WALK

2009-01-11T10:24:00.001+08:00

Walking with my prhotographer Jamaludin during one of my foreign assignments in Bandung Indonesia in 1999 when I was with the Ministry of Defence. Of course you can't find MEE BANDUNG in Indonesia. They have only BAKSO.

Befriending An Artist

2009-01-11T09:11:00.014+08:00

25 December 2008. Telok Kemang Beach, Port Dickson Malaysia. After sitting straight for around ten minutes, I could see the result. The first time I posed myself for an artist was in 1974 when I was at the Disney World, Orlando Florida.

The King and I

2009-01-10T22:05:00.004+08:00

The King and I, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein's 1951Broadway musical hit, was based on Margaret Landon's book Anna and the King of Siam. Since 20th-Century-Fox had made a film version of the Landon book in 1946, that studio had first dibs on the movie adaptation of King and I. Deborah Kerr plays English widow Anna Leonowens, who comes to Siam in the 1860s to tutor the many wives and children of the country's progressive King (Yul Brynner, recreating his Broadway role-and winning an Oscar in the process). The culture clash between Anna and the King is but one aspect of their multilayered relationship. Through Anna, the King learns the refineries and responsibilities of "modern" western civilization; Anna meanwhile comes to realize how important it is for an Oriental ruler to maintain his pride and to uphold the customs of his people.

Well, I don't befriend the King. I am his subject.
It was an honour for me to be invited to the palace.
The award giving ceremony in 1999 was very solemn indeed.

Tienanmen Square Beijing

2009-01-10T10:51:00.004+08:00

I wrote about Tienanmen right even before I stepped on it, and my poem entitled "kebebasan" (Freedom) was published in Mingguan Malaysia in 1994. I went to Beijing in 2005. The tourist guide was very adamant and he refused to speak English. He spoke Bahasa Malaysia with the Indonesian slang. From the way he talked, there was a sign of xenophobia. America was definitely his target.

My Friend In Nairobi

2009-01-10T10:11:00.005+08:00

With Roslan Salam at Nairobi International Airport Kenya in 1994 searching for sojourn away from whe war zone in Somalia. Searching for Muslim food is quite easy though once you hear a Hindustani song, you'll know the owner is a Muslim. Roti Canai in Kenya is as big as a tray.

My Friend In San Antonio

2009-01-10T05:35:00.005+08:00

I was with Osman Mohamed in Texas 1974. We were together on foreign soils. At such an impressionable age without your stance and earlier upbringing, America can be very deceiving. Everything is BIG in America. The cars. The people are nice. When I was in the US, it was still at war with the people of Vietnam. Nixon was on the verge of going down.

Meeting Old Friend

2009-01-09T20:35:00.008+08:00

There are so many things to be said. Hajjah Faridah Shuib is a retired Major. When she joined ITM she was a Captain. She took journalism as her major. After serving for more than 20 years in the Military Intelligence she decided to join the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency at The Prime Minister's Department as its PRO (a civilian post). After 10 years I had the opportunity to meet her again at Putrajaya on 7 January 2009.

Friendship

2009-01-09T20:07:00.002+08:00

It takes a long time to grow an old friend.
- John Leonard

A Friend In Need

2009-01-09T19:53:00.002+08:00

I used to see Mr. Zubli Zainordin on tv
reading news long long time ago.
Then I saw him a number of times
at ITM (now UiTM) 16 years ago.
I talked to him on the phone.
I communicate through
e-mail.

My clients are my friends

2009-01-09T17:33:00.001+08:00

Meeting new people, meeting new clients is very inspiring. No man is an island. We have to interact with people. We exchange greetings and smiles.