Kebelakangan ini sering terdapat berita adanya bomoh baru (baru jadi bomoh). Biasanya yang jadi bomoh itu dari kalangan wanita muda (18th - 25 th), dan ada juga yg masih kanak2. Mereka ini saolah2 terpilih utk jadi bomoh, tanpa apa2 usaha atau mempunyai pelajaran mengenai perbomohan, dan mereka ini juga bukan dari keluarga bomoh. Bomoh2 ini tidak kekal lama - munkin utk tempoh setahun atau kurang. Tidak lama selepas bomoh ini tidak berkebolehan, munkin beberapa bulan atau setahun dua lepas itu, ada yang lain pula menganti menjadi bomoh.
Dlm tempoh sesaorang itu menjadi bomoh, namanya gah dan diketahui ramai. Tetamu jauh dan dekat akan mengunjuginya. Bilangan seratus orang dalam sesuatu malam yg datang utk berubat adalah biasa. Bayaran tidak ditetapkan. Namun, lumanyanlah bagi bomoh itu.
Kebanyakkan yg datang dan mendapat khidmat perubatan dari bomoh ini akan seterusnya menghebahkan berita keberkesanan atau mujarabnya bomoh ini. Kata2 spt: bomoh itu handal betul dan dapat mengubat dan menyembuhkan apa jenis penyakait pun, akan tersebar luas. Seterusnya ramai yg yakin bahawa bomoh ini dapat menyembuhkan. Lebih2 lagi mereka sebutkan bukti2 yg telah sembuh.
Persoalannya:
1. Apa atau siapakah yg melantik atau memberi "kebolehan" kpd bomoh2 ini utk mengetahui cara2 dan seterusnya dapat menjalankan aktiviti mengubat;
2. Tidakkan keyakinan bahawa bomoh itu dapat mengubat dan menyembuhkan salah dari pandangan Islam?
Sama2lah kita renungkan.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Thursday, December 18, 2008
BALANCE
This early morning roticanai-tehtarik talk with my two friends was about the gloom of world economy : the ever clearer picture of the type of calamity the world is almost sure to face, the prospects of no employment for the new job seekers, the uneasy feeling of loosing employment to those not employed in the government sector, the prospects of lower or no sales to the builders, manufacturers and traders, the likelyhood of lower pay if employed, and the many more gloomy predictions. Whats the chance of the recession of the 30s is returning? Is it a far-fetch gloomy dreams or the signs of coming are already here?
But, discussing the almost inevitable alone is not the norm at such roticanai-tehtarik sessions. Someone somehow will try his up-most way to give the solutions to the problem or the very least to narrow down the reasons why it happens. Or trying that is . . . . .
It was my turn then to give the solutions to the world problems, or as usual, to at least give the reasons as to why it happen [finding reasons are far easier than solutions]. By such knowledge of the reasons why it happen, someone somewhere should be able to draw up a solution to the world problem.
Reasons for the world economic and other failures: BALANCE.
To me, balance is the keyword since this world is created by God to be in perfect Balance and Harmony. [Slightest in-balance in the milkyway will result in major accidents to the planets etc]. Any major disruptions to the balance will result in one or two world failures and will soon result in chain reactions to the problem. This is so because the world is made by God to be inter-dependence [and to know each other].
Defining balance itself is a problem - well, that is if we were to go into details of the balance itself. However, just for the teh-tarik session, suffice to say that balance is taken here to mean : not to let, but to control any major fluctuations to anything that is happening in this world. Any major happening that is. Any major changes or major happenings. This includes : major price changes, major wars, major imports [others who are poor left with nothing to import or to buy], major controls, major spending etc, ie anything major that might effect the world balance should be avoided or control it to minor levels. But not for minors. Minors are part of the makeup of the world. Minor wars, minor price rise, minor this and minor that. Thats o.k. But not MAJOR changes that might effect the BALANCE. When the balance is effected there will be tipsy-turby and havocs will reign. So, do anything in balance. Avoid disturbing the Balance. [Mamak kira semua, berapa].
But, discussing the almost inevitable alone is not the norm at such roticanai-tehtarik sessions. Someone somehow will try his up-most way to give the solutions to the problem or the very least to narrow down the reasons why it happens. Or trying that is . . . . .
It was my turn then to give the solutions to the world problems, or as usual, to at least give the reasons as to why it happen [finding reasons are far easier than solutions]. By such knowledge of the reasons why it happen, someone somewhere should be able to draw up a solution to the world problem.
Reasons for the world economic and other failures: BALANCE.
To me, balance is the keyword since this world is created by God to be in perfect Balance and Harmony. [Slightest in-balance in the milkyway will result in major accidents to the planets etc]. Any major disruptions to the balance will result in one or two world failures and will soon result in chain reactions to the problem. This is so because the world is made by God to be inter-dependence [and to know each other].
Defining balance itself is a problem - well, that is if we were to go into details of the balance itself. However, just for the teh-tarik session, suffice to say that balance is taken here to mean : not to let, but to control any major fluctuations to anything that is happening in this world. Any major happening that is. Any major changes or major happenings. This includes : major price changes, major wars, major imports [others who are poor left with nothing to import or to buy], major controls, major spending etc, ie anything major that might effect the world balance should be avoided or control it to minor levels. But not for minors. Minors are part of the makeup of the world. Minor wars, minor price rise, minor this and minor that. Thats o.k. But not MAJOR changes that might effect the BALANCE. When the balance is effected there will be tipsy-turby and havocs will reign. So, do anything in balance. Avoid disturbing the Balance. [Mamak kira semua, berapa].
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Letter - extract
Letter To A Friend:
Intro – I once work in a close organization ( close here means we work until we retire, fire, or move to other employment). So, making friend here is actually making a life long friendship if the friendship suits you both. The friend knows U well and so does U. So, in such an environment its better to have many and if possible all as friends and no enemies, since U will be stuck in the place for a very long time.
And will have to deal with each other, friends or foes – year in year out !!!
Since knowing each other for x number of years, and as friend too, we tend to ignore and forget some facts and factors, which are normally well remembered at other short meeting places. We tend to forget the background and upbringing of the friend : things like race, culture, religion, economic standings, etc etc. We tend to take the friend as one of U or one of Us: nothing barred. Freedom of speech and freedom of other form of expression is practice at normal to peak level. Free to interact.
I remembered one such friend ( of diff. race, culture and religion ). But, I don’t really know his religion. His name doesn’t tell much [Chinese name with Christian prefix]. But he do talk about ‘old soul day’ [when he complain about having to entertain his parent to such day] or something relating to seeing and communicating to ‘datuk’ as requested by one of his parent. And talking about ‘datuk’ reminds me of an answered question:
Letter:
……………………… and do you still remember my question to you about why the ‘datuks’ has Malay names and not the names similar to those of his followers / the people who frequented them ?
(the point here is to give an example that we can have freedom of comm…….Nothing barred. Is that what Unity in Diversity is all about?)
Intro – I once work in a close organization ( close here means we work until we retire, fire, or move to other employment). So, making friend here is actually making a life long friendship if the friendship suits you both. The friend knows U well and so does U. So, in such an environment its better to have many and if possible all as friends and no enemies, since U will be stuck in the place for a very long time.
And will have to deal with each other, friends or foes – year in year out !!!
Since knowing each other for x number of years, and as friend too, we tend to ignore and forget some facts and factors, which are normally well remembered at other short meeting places. We tend to forget the background and upbringing of the friend : things like race, culture, religion, economic standings, etc etc. We tend to take the friend as one of U or one of Us: nothing barred. Freedom of speech and freedom of other form of expression is practice at normal to peak level. Free to interact.
I remembered one such friend ( of diff. race, culture and religion ). But, I don’t really know his religion. His name doesn’t tell much [Chinese name with Christian prefix]. But he do talk about ‘old soul day’ [when he complain about having to entertain his parent to such day] or something relating to seeing and communicating to ‘datuk’ as requested by one of his parent. And talking about ‘datuk’ reminds me of an answered question:
Letter:
……………………… and do you still remember my question to you about why the ‘datuks’ has Malay names and not the names similar to those of his followers / the people who frequented them ?
(the point here is to give an example that we can have freedom of comm…….Nothing barred. Is that what Unity in Diversity is all about?)
Saturday, December 13, 2008
SIGN BOARDS -
Wrongly spell or Changes? : I Do Not Know: that was the question that came to my mind on a day trip from Penang to Arau, Perlis one day in December 08. The question arises out of the familiar and unfamiliar way of writings seen on sign boards. In Penang, I am familiar with the short sweet names that are written on sign boards such as Gurney Drive (Persiaran Gurney), Love Lane, Rope Walk etc. The name are short and to me it seems right, compared to names in Sungai Petani such as Jalan Persiaran Cinta Sayang, (off Jalan Kelab Cinta Sayang). The S. P. name to me should just be Persiaran Cinta Sayang and Jalan Cinta Sayang repectively. Why the need to put the word Jalan preceeding the word Persiaran. It seems redundant.
Further north I came across the sign for a small township (satellite to Alor Star). Its written as ALOR MERAH (means red canal). Never before I came across any township in north Malaya, relating to rivers as Merah ( red). Rivers are normally describe as Hitam (black), Lumpur (muddy), etc but not Merah (red) – red is not a normal colour for rivers in North Malaya. Some OTAI told me its not Alor Merah , but Alor Merah ( where the E is pronounce as in Merak (otai says its called E tanda). Merah (with E tanda), means Milking. The river used to be a milking place where local buyers used to get their supply of milk there – buffalo milk of course!!! Wow, where did the E tanda came from and when does it went away?
Yet further north I came across a billboard relating to holidays in Langkawi. I thought I knew all the names of the famous holiday places in Langkawi. Such as Kuah, Pdg Mat Sirat, etc. But not this – Gunung Macincang. I always thought the place is named after a certain characteristic Man, a certain Mat, and hence Gunung Mat Cincang. May be the said Mat is not a man afterall – but a certain mother to someone. Hence the change to MA ( like Boney M’s Ma Baker or something).
And of course, more interesting thing do exist on sign boards, interesting in the sense that it exist on sign board but not in official documents. I am talking a about signboard in Tunjang (north of Jitra). On entering the small town there is a sign showing the way to Kampung Jeram ( a left turn towards the new mega double-track Raiway Station). The village name in the sign board is nonexistence ( but two villages by the name of Kg Chegar and Kg Tanjung, is referred to as Kg Jeram.) No official document state the existence of such Kg Jeram. The only nearest avail. Official name relating to Jeram is Mukim Jeram.
I think more, and may be humourous, names/spellings or changes could be found if one pay attention to sign boards in Malaysia.
Further north I came across the sign for a small township (satellite to Alor Star). Its written as ALOR MERAH (means red canal). Never before I came across any township in north Malaya, relating to rivers as Merah ( red). Rivers are normally describe as Hitam (black), Lumpur (muddy), etc but not Merah (red) – red is not a normal colour for rivers in North Malaya. Some OTAI told me its not Alor Merah , but Alor Merah ( where the E is pronounce as in Merak (otai says its called E tanda). Merah (with E tanda), means Milking. The river used to be a milking place where local buyers used to get their supply of milk there – buffalo milk of course!!! Wow, where did the E tanda came from and when does it went away?
Yet further north I came across a billboard relating to holidays in Langkawi. I thought I knew all the names of the famous holiday places in Langkawi. Such as Kuah, Pdg Mat Sirat, etc. But not this – Gunung Macincang. I always thought the place is named after a certain characteristic Man, a certain Mat, and hence Gunung Mat Cincang. May be the said Mat is not a man afterall – but a certain mother to someone. Hence the change to MA ( like Boney M’s Ma Baker or something).
And of course, more interesting thing do exist on sign boards, interesting in the sense that it exist on sign board but not in official documents. I am talking a about signboard in Tunjang (north of Jitra). On entering the small town there is a sign showing the way to Kampung Jeram ( a left turn towards the new mega double-track Raiway Station). The village name in the sign board is nonexistence ( but two villages by the name of Kg Chegar and Kg Tanjung, is referred to as Kg Jeram.) No official document state the existence of such Kg Jeram. The only nearest avail. Official name relating to Jeram is Mukim Jeram.
I think more, and may be humourous, names/spellings or changes could be found if one pay attention to sign boards in Malaysia.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Culture - Necessity / Assimilation?
Today is marketing day. Being a normal man of yester years I just stayed in the car and watch the going- on. I don’t intend to go into the market itself. You definitely know the condition of the wet markets in M’sia. Besides, the available parking space is a no parking place with mud to rims level. And, by staying in the car you could at least keep yourself clean, except of course the foul air that drifted by occasionally. And if you happen to watch closely the surroundings, you are bound to see the odds thing. As they say, the odd thing is the thing that stands out – the one that purges your eyes and mind. Normally something that strikes. Today, the odd thing that strikes me are two women in neat and almost new sarongs. Odd? Well, yes. Rarely you see them these days – the sarongs I mean. When they pass by, their dialects suggest a certain East Coast State. I look around and saw a lot of other things that strike me too – statistically I mean. The market goers are mainly women (say 98%), ethnically is like 50% Malays and 50% of other races, the age groupings could be below 30s (10%), 30s to 50s (85%), above 50s (5%). I think this is the norm for a wet market in M’sia. Statiscally it could be very diff for a dry market, eg at big stores, hypers etc. The young and trendy are there. The purchased groceries are also of diff kinds, texture and packaging.
Back to the 2 sarongs I mentioned above. I look around and found two more older ladies in sarongs. That makes 4. The rest, ie out of the 50% Malays (may be 150 of them today)? These women are not in sarongs, oops, I mean wearing other type of garments BUT not sarongs. Most are in long trousers, slacks or track bottoms. Of course shorter version of the trousers could also be seen, but in minute number. Culturally, and traditionally - sarongs are the order of the days then (when?) esp for ladies (30s and above). Nowdays you could hardly find them in sarongs. Does this change the result of necessity (to ride motorbikes, to run to catch the public transport etc), or the process of assimilation and adaptation is taking place, or a result of identity crisis (who, what am I now)? And, may be also because most of those that makes these groups that are found at the wet markets are not mere housewives, i.e non fulltime housewives. These are the working class people that are force economically to juggle work and family. I am not a sociologist nor a cultural expert, so I cant say what, why and when. But, I think the process will emulate into a style or fashion and will eventually be known as the dress of the Malay women of Msia (Pakaian Wanita Melayu Malaysia).
Back to the 2 sarongs I mentioned above. I look around and found two more older ladies in sarongs. That makes 4. The rest, ie out of the 50% Malays (may be 150 of them today)? These women are not in sarongs, oops, I mean wearing other type of garments BUT not sarongs. Most are in long trousers, slacks or track bottoms. Of course shorter version of the trousers could also be seen, but in minute number. Culturally, and traditionally - sarongs are the order of the days then (when?) esp for ladies (30s and above). Nowdays you could hardly find them in sarongs. Does this change the result of necessity (to ride motorbikes, to run to catch the public transport etc), or the process of assimilation and adaptation is taking place, or a result of identity crisis (who, what am I now)? And, may be also because most of those that makes these groups that are found at the wet markets are not mere housewives, i.e non fulltime housewives. These are the working class people that are force economically to juggle work and family. I am not a sociologist nor a cultural expert, so I cant say what, why and when. But, I think the process will emulate into a style or fashion and will eventually be known as the dress of the Malay women of Msia (Pakaian Wanita Melayu Malaysia).
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Yoga and Edu System
Of late there are many discussions on yoga and edu system. The fatwa on yoga, according to many discussions, seems to have no fundamental defects or contradictory to the teaching of Islam. The numerous opinions, comments and suggestions given on the said fatwa is more of the type to accomodate the demands of certain qrts - be it from Muslim or nonMuslims. And, to melow down the effects of something new to an item long being practice. Me of the opinion: there shld be no arguement or lengthy comments on the said item bec the said fatwa does not give any effects to the fundamental belief in Islam, and the more "in-fighting amongst the Muslim" on the item will result in highlighting on the nonUnity amongst the Muslims. What is impt. now is to show some semblance of unity during these trying era. As for comments from others it shld be remembered ( in Arabic): lakum di nukum waliyadeen.
As for the suggestion of the new educ system (Sys Persekolahan Malaysia or something like that), there seems to be many comments too. To me this is normal bec any new suggestion or whatever new to be implemented, will not keep the previous status quo - changes will results in negative or positive impacts. So, there will be uproars from qrts who feel they are to be neagatively effected. Just to follow an advice to drink more before strolling in the Mall will give positive and negative impacts too. The good side, its healthy to drink more and avoid dehydration. Negatively, you will need more 30cents changes bec you need to ease yourself often. And the older you are the more frequent the visits, hence the more 30cents needed. Whatever, I think any suggestion shld be base on certain theory or principals so that many will be able to appreciate and be associated with the suggestion to the changes. As in the case of edu system, we shld remember that in Malaysia the learning process is tailored to give the educated a better start in life ie earning wise/economic calculation. Young boys and girls in will go for courses that seems to promise them better income - come what may and dreams careers put aside. So, any suggestion to changes in the edu system with unity intentions in mind, and what other good intentions, if any, shld be base on economic theory of ss and dd. Besides, its more democratic. What I am trying to say and suggest is that: open a new school in every town, and name them GOVT ENGLISH SCHOOLS. Just like the old days. This type of school shld be increased shld there be demands for it and close down if parents really hate it. This will give choice to parents to choose what they want (bearing in mind what the present school is offering and the havoc of halfway english etc). But as stated above, this suggestions too is bound to have positive and negative impacts. Diehard supporters of the present sys will cry foul too. So, its up to majority do decide what they want - democratically of course.
As for the suggestion of the new educ system (Sys Persekolahan Malaysia or something like that), there seems to be many comments too. To me this is normal bec any new suggestion or whatever new to be implemented, will not keep the previous status quo - changes will results in negative or positive impacts. So, there will be uproars from qrts who feel they are to be neagatively effected. Just to follow an advice to drink more before strolling in the Mall will give positive and negative impacts too. The good side, its healthy to drink more and avoid dehydration. Negatively, you will need more 30cents changes bec you need to ease yourself often. And the older you are the more frequent the visits, hence the more 30cents needed. Whatever, I think any suggestion shld be base on certain theory or principals so that many will be able to appreciate and be associated with the suggestion to the changes. As in the case of edu system, we shld remember that in Malaysia the learning process is tailored to give the educated a better start in life ie earning wise/economic calculation. Young boys and girls in will go for courses that seems to promise them better income - come what may and dreams careers put aside. So, any suggestion to changes in the edu system with unity intentions in mind, and what other good intentions, if any, shld be base on economic theory of ss and dd. Besides, its more democratic. What I am trying to say and suggest is that: open a new school in every town, and name them GOVT ENGLISH SCHOOLS. Just like the old days. This type of school shld be increased shld there be demands for it and close down if parents really hate it. This will give choice to parents to choose what they want (bearing in mind what the present school is offering and the havoc of halfway english etc). But as stated above, this suggestions too is bound to have positive and negative impacts. Diehard supporters of the present sys will cry foul too. So, its up to majority do decide what they want - democratically of course.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Intro - Bday Resolution
Bday is just a few days away. This yr resol. is to blog. Reason - overheard somebody said: nowdays everyone seem to be blogging. Dignitaries to the lay person is blogging. Wow, Msia is fast into the IT domain. So, just have to wait a few days to Bday to go head on into blogging. Dosnt matter whether I have any hit or just a super super thin hit. The fact is that I will be blogging just like what the other Tom, Dick and Harry is doing. Hope the resol. will lasts. . . .
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