...But I'm Malaysian! Chakde India, anyway!

"Hey, we beat Pakistan in the semis at cricket, Yaar!" exclaims my brother-in law. "This calls for a party!" "What, when did Malaysia play cricket at international levels?" I queried dumbly. Sneering, he replied that India had beaten Pakistan in an explosive World Cup Semi Finals in Chennai which was followed by an explosive display of fireworks and free distribution of sweets in the streets by jubilant Chennaites and Indians generally. "Hey, what the heck, any reason is as good a reason for a party!"
You really cannot blame my brother in law for thinking the way he is thinking right now. His father, Mr Chhunnu Lal Chaudhry left his mother land at the age of 18 to Malaya in search of employment and basically to survive. He lost his father at the age of 11 and he was automatically the 'man' of the family by virtue of being the eldest in the family. And he left school and started working to support his family. In the early 1950s, Malaya was the Newfoundland of the East, the place to be with sound British administration complemented by an obedient, civil and dedicated civil service (then). He joined the 'Gold Rush' with his friends to Malaya. After working day and night labouriously in various remote localities in Malaya, he was known as the 'nouveau rich' of Sultanganj, Patna, Bihar. He managed to build the biggest house in his neighbourhood. With the newly found prosperity, his family grew larger and he finally decided to bring forth his young family to the land of milk and honey, lock, stock and barrel.
Then the winds of change swept... This youngest newly independent member of the Commonwealth had turbulent start - first the Communists threat, then the racial riots 1964 in Singapore and National Language issue and so forth made him rethink his earlier decision to relocate the family to Malaya. And off he brought his family back to Patna, leading a zamindar's life with his hard earned Malaysian money. Children started schooling in missionary schools only frequented by the tycoons. After a few years, the itch and the calling to go back to Swarna Bhoomi vibrated louder and louder. As the elder three children were quite established in the education, he had to make the tough decision of leaving the elder ones there to continue their schooling there while the preteens followed him to Malaysia in the early 70s.
So, my brother-in-law did his primary, secondary and medical studies in Bharat Desh (India). He even picked out his better half from there. After studies, as duties called, he had to return to work in Malaysia (he is born -Ipoh Mali and is a citizen). With all the fond childhood memories and the strings attached to of bosom childhood buddies whom he is in contact with and still visit him as they are scattered all over of world, one cannot blame him if he still has much attachments to India!!!

Puma Punku

Every living day is a learning experience. I just discovered that there are ancient ruins of olden civilizations that I just saw and learnt on the History Channel recently. I have heard of the Mayan Temple and Michu Pichu but  not Puma Punku. Watch and learn...

Racing the Planet!

About the Atacama Crossing 2011 (6 - 12 March 2011) - http://www.atacamacrossing.com

The Atacama Crossing is one of the four races that comprise the world renowned 4 Deserts series of 250km, rough-country footraces. The race takes place in Chile’s stunning but brutal Atacama Desert, which is the largest cold coastal desert, and the driest place on Earth. The Atacama is a rainless plateau hemmed in between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes, and is a unique landscape of salt lakes, volcanoes, lava flows and sand dunes, that challenges even the best runners. The Atacama Crossing is grueling not only because of the forbidding terrain which is rarely flat underfoot, and a harsh climate, but also because of the altitude that averages 2500m (8000ft) during the race.

Thanks to Suresh for highlighting this endurance race which is part of the world renowned 4 Deserts rough country foot-race. Trust our mainstream newspapers to announce to Malaysians the success of its sons who have made the country proud in their  own way. Our tabloid-like papers seem to be more interested in reporting R-rated news which excite the masses. They must have overlooked this race as they scurry along to venture into private lives of private individuals doing private things with their privates in the privacy of their private bedrooms.

Dr Tan Tah Ming

Two Malaysians successfully completed this physical and psychologically grueling challenge. And for your information, both of them are over 55 years old. Dr Jagjit Singh Sidhu, a 57 years young (2nd oldest participant) Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon from Kuala Lumpur, taking part in this 250 km race for the first time, completed the task in 69h 35m 35s (83rd place). Unconfirmed news suggested that he is  also holder of law degree. Another doctor, Dr Tan Tah Ming, a 55 years young GP in Kuala Lumpur, also completed the trail in 73h 55m 16s to clinch the 87th place. His 'athletic vitae' include participation in Marathon des Sables (a race across Sahara Desert in Morocco) and multiple Ironman contests in Malaysia and Hawaii.
To both these participants, many salutations and felicitations. All the best for the rest of the remaining races! Malaysia Boleh! 

Why no in-depth study of Sword of Parameswara?

donplaypuks
Mar 29, 11
3:24pm

I recently stumbled upon the fact that there is in the possession of the Sultan of Perak and the Perak Royal Family some astounding relics of antiquity that in all probability have an extremely significant bearing on the question of Malaysian identity and history.
One such astonishing artifact is the sword Cura Si Manja Kini or Chora Samanda Kian mentioned in John Leyden's 1810 'Malay Annals' or 'Sejarah Melayu' (published in 1821 by Sir Stamford Raffles).
The same sword is said to have been used during the installation of Parameswara as ruler of Malacca in 1400. But in fact, its origins go further back, possibly 200-400 years earlier than 1400.
The sword was part of the regalia of a Indian/Hindu prince linked to the Chola Kings (Raja Cholan) from South India, i.e. Nila Utthaman/Sri Tri Buana/Sang Nila Utama (founder of Singapore) narrated in the 'Sejarah' as having landed on Mt Segantang Maha Meru in Palembang, Sumatra together with two other princes, Vichitram and Karna Pandita, and a probable Brahmin priest, Bat'h, exact date unknown!

Now, Bat'h is a pretty unusual name for an Indian and perhaps it's a truncated form of Vadhyar (Tamil for priest), Vadh, which became Bat'h, in the same way Vichitram is spelt in the 'Sejarah' as Bichitram.
This is consistent with the fact that the Malay language generally does not have old words that commence with the letter 'V' and 'B' was substituted.
The 'Sejarah' relates that it is this self-same sword that was used by the borrower (from Nila Utthaman/Sri Tri Buana/Sang Nila Utama) and champion warrior Peramas Cumambang to slay the serpent monster Saktimuna (Sakatimuna/Ichktimani) into three parts in Minangkabau, Sumatra. In the process the sword became etched with 190 notches which is a strange "clue" of Dan Brown and 'da Vinci Code' proportions, that no Indonesia or Malaysian historian or anyone else has ever deciphered!
The relics listed at http://sultan.perak.gov.my/english/pedang.htm include, besides Cura Si Manja Kini, other precious items such as:

1. Royal Collar (15th century) said to have been presented by the Emperor of China
2. Dokong or Kerongsang Besar (Neck Pendant)
3. Cap Lalulintar (Royal Silver Seal) of Sultan Muhammad Shah (Malacca) and Kayu Gampit mentioned in Sejarah Melayu. (The Royal Lance, Limbuar appears to be missing)
4. Betel Boxes
5. Mestika Embun (Bezoar of Dew)
6. Kancing Halkah (Royal Collar Ornament)
7. Kris Taming Sari (originally said to belong to Hang Tuah).

So, how did all these relics from Palembang and Malacca end up in the custody of the Perak Royalty?

After the fall of Malacca on 24th April 1511 to Portugal led by Alphonso de Alburquerque, Malacca's last ruler, Sultan Mahmud Shah eventually made his way to Kampar in Sumatra where he died in 1528.

One of the sultan's two sons, Muzzafar Shah journeyed to Perak where he was installed the first Sultan in 1528. It was Sultan Muzzafar Shah who brought with him the artifacts which had been handed down to his father, Sultan Mahmud.
The inscriptions on Cura Sa Manjani Kini in Sanskrit are said to come from the the words 'Churiga Si Mandakini' which means "the blade from Lake Mandakini of the Ganges (River) in India!!

Refer to Sembangkuala's blog at for more details.

And what is the link between the Chiri of Perak, nobat players and Bat'h the Brahmin priest cum charitra or cheritra teller in the 'Sejarah' (pg. c4/23 - 25 John Leyden's 'Sejarah Melayu')

Documents extracted from the 'Sejarah' and a 'A History of Perak' by R.O.Winstedt and R.J.Wilkinson published by The Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society reveal that Bat'h had recited the lineage of the three Indian/Hindu princes who landed in the mountains of Palembang to Demang Lebar Daun, the aboriginal chief and his people in Sanskrit !! Astonishing, is it not?

The 'Sejarah' also clearly states Parameswara was buried in Tanjung Tuan (Cape Rachado) near Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan (in Malaysia).

It is Demang Lebar Daun and Nila Utthaman/Sri Tri Buana/Sang Nila Utama who are reputed to have actually been buried in Fort Canning, Singapore!!

There is therefore some serious error with the claim that Parameswara was buried in Fort Canning (Bukit Larangan) in Singapore. Check out for Keramat Iskandar, Singapore.

It absolutely makes no sense that Parameswara would be buried in Singapore when he originally fled from there in fear of his life, before founding Malacca!!).

The time has come for the Singapore government to initiate investigations to identify through modern scientific procedures such as carbon dating, DNA testing etc., exactly who is buried in Keramat Iskandar and Fort Canning.

Some of these artifacts and regalia must be at least a thousand years old and there is not a shadow of a doubt about their links to Parameswara and the Malacca Sultanate of the 15th and early 16th century, Indonesia and INDIA!

So, why haven't our government and Department of Antiquities engaged an archaeologist and expert in Sanskrit and Indian languages/dialects and South East Asian history (and there must literally be hundred of them in India) as well as China counterparts to piece together what must surely be THE story of the century?
In particular, the Sanskrit inscriptions on Parameswara's sword need to be investigated in depth!
So, why the leaden footedness? Too busy 'interloked' in controversies?

It has come to this!

It always gives a funny feeling at the back of the throat when we hear of families going for each others' throat over family matters, what more if it is over property and worldly matters. Three recent events that struck a familiar chord were published in Malaysian newspapers recently. The first involved the case of the infidelous Daphne Iking and her treacherous bedroom activities. See, I can only remember the starlet's name, not her husband and her boyfriend. For those in the dark about this legal wrangle, the boyfriend was charged under an old law for enticing a married woman. During the court proceedings, which was packed with curious onlookers, just to add spice to their mundane lives. Anyway, this was soap opera in real life as many dirty linens were washed unashamedly in the roving eyes of the public. At the end of the day, the newspapers had brisk sales, Daphne became a bigger household name, the two blokes were taken a royal ride (who later reconciled) and the daughter of the union was supported by a father whose DNA was not in his daughter's chromosome.
The second one involved the forever sad looking Bi-Anne and her father. Bi-Anne loves her father so much that she was once quoted as saying, "My mother took care of me in the womb for 9 months, but my father has been taking care of me for 10 years since.!" The papers love to publish the sad eyed Bi-Anne and her equally forlorn father.
The third and final episode is the suit filed by a family against the trustee who was the deceased's brother over a RM6 million land. At the end, the victors were posing happily proclaiming that justice had prevailed after 38 years. And the other end, the down trotten 81 year man with crutches is seen walking alone vowing to appeal the court's decision to fatten the lawyers' coffers. And the lawyers' reputation and demand would increase as they would say they acted in the best interest of their client and to ensure the justice was upheld. Yeah, sure!

GEORGE TOWN: Well-known psychiatrist Tan Sri Dr M. Mahadevan has lost the “ownership” of four plots of land worth about RM6mil at Jalan Scotland in a family tussle dating back 38 years. High Court Judge Datuk Abdul Halim Aman ruled yesterday that the seven defendants, who were Mahadevan’s nephews, nieces and sisters-in-law were the rightful ow-ners of the plots. The defendants are the late V. Annalakshmi, Fam Kim Moy, 77, Dr R. Jeyalakshmi, 58, R. Jeganathan, 54, Major Dr R. Jeyaratnam, 52, R. Pan-chanath, 46, and Dr R. Mahalak-shmi, 51. Dr Mahadevan, 82, is the younger brother of the late M. Ratnavale, an assistant controller of foreign exc-hange in the Prime Minister’s Dep-artment, who retired in 1964 and later became a businessman. The defendants are Ratnavale’s two wives (Annalakshmi and Fam Kim Moy) and their five children. Abdul Halim said the plaintiff’s claim for vacant possession of a house built on No. 10, Taman Scot-land (lot 747) were of no basis and ought to be dismissed with costs. He said the defendant’s counter claim was allowed. The defendant’s lawyer K. Govin-daraju had argued that the five lots of land No. 743, 744, 745, 746 and 747 belonged at all times to Rat-navale and Ratnavale’s mother, the late M. Ratnammal, who was holding it as trustee for him (Ratnavale).

Justice served

Govindaraju said although Dr Mahadevan knew that the plots were held in trust, he had fraudulently transferred the plots to himself from his mother Ratnammal. “Lot 746 was sold to a relative, and therefore the defendants are not making any claims to that lot,” he added. Addul Halim further ruled that the defendants had successfully proved their case against the plaintiff. “I rule that the plaintiff is a trustee for lots 743, 744, 745 and 747 and the defendants are beneficiaries of the residuary estate of Ratnavale until Letters of Administration of the estate are issued,” he said. He said the defendants claim for damages profits was dismissed. In his claim filed in 1998, Dr Mahadevan had claimed the defendant’s were trespassers at one of his houses built on lot 747, Taman Scotland and sought vacant possession and damages. 

Vows to return  

The defendants then counter claimed that they had been staying at the house since 1972, and that Dr Mahadevan had fraudulently transferred the land without their knowledge in 1981. They sought the return of the property. Dr Mahadevan’s counsel Raam Kumar said his client would appeal. Some of the defendants who were present in the court hugged each other and shed tears of joy. Dr Mahalakshmi told reporters outside the court that they were happy they have received justice after 38 years. “We were asked to vacate the property which was rightfully ours,” she added.

Come together!

We are not convinced of the reduced crime rates as reported by the Home Minister and the patting of the shoulders of the men in blue for a job well done. This was exactly the sentiments expressed by the joint residents' associations recently when they finally proposed to have joint security services in 3 other housing estates. Our Taman had been the envy of the adjacent estates as our crime rate has been zero with the introduction of gated security. One of the residents in another Taman is passionate about having this service after losing his mother to head trauma following a snatch thief incident. Another elderly lady had her chain pulled by a pillion rider of a motorcycle while plucking flowers for her morning prayers. I wonder if she is still plucking flowers? (I do not know if she was plucking somebody else flower or God just could not receive her offering!)

The leaders of the neighbouring association had a dialogue to coax us to join forces to control safety and the worsening traffic situation with mushrooming of new condominiums, bungalows and others with no proper consideration to traffic congestion to the people living there by the local authorities at all. It does not which ruling party holds the rein. They are all the same clowns with just different costumes doing the same outdated tricks which does not tickle anyone!

During the briefing, one of the leaders was using too many of the word '1'. (We are all one, we must all stay together) I was wondering whether he was a die-hard supporter of the ruling party. As most Malaysians are aware, spin doctors at the Prime Minister's Department will periodically come out catch phrases. Now, 1 seem to be the popular mantra deciphered by every soul given the chance to talk on the microphone. later, he started using the phrase 'Come together' way too often. Then I told myself, "Ah, he must have been a flower power child of the 70s and Beatles must be his favourite group and the song 'Come together' must have a special in his heart. If he were with the ANC (African National Congress), he would have said, 'Simone Groove' - We are One.
The floor decided to join forces to guard our property and loved ones.

  

Losing your marbles over the Big Blue Marble!

As far as I can see, the Earth Hour this year was a non-event! At the said time, I was finishing my meal at a Chinese Restaurant enjoying the chef's freshly cooked cuisines. Apparently, the owners were also enjoying brisk business and the last thing on their minds was to off all the lights and chase away all the customers or potentially  hungry patrons to his shop. It was bad for business if someone were to choke on his fish bone!
earlier just before leaving the house to go off for dinner, my younger son was all excited about contributing to the Earth Hour by dimming all lights. Little did he realise that in the rush to rush off for dinner, he had left his room light and fan on. So, as a responsible parent, I had to educate him on bare facts about preserving Mother Nature. Just like buying expensive gifts on Mothers' Day does not proof your undying love to your mother, saving Mother Nature and reducing carbon footprint is a ongoing daily sacrifice. It is not about shutting down the lights for 1hour a year on Saturday in March and wasting energy 24/7 for the rest of the year. Our every activity hurts the environment in more than one way. Even rampant washing with oxidizing detergents hurt her too; and the pesticides that ensure continuous supply of food to our tables; and the fertilizers that upset the nitrogen cycle; and the fossil fuel and so on and so forth.
During the hour of supposed darkness, I had to drive through town to pick my daughter from the other side of town. It seem to me as it was business as usual and there was not a inkling that Earth Hour was in progress.