Having lunch with the former Prime Minister

I was fortunate enough, to be invited to have lunch with the former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, 82, at his home in Titi Gajah, Alor Star, Kedah today. He was in Alor Star to visit his son Dato' Mukhriz Mahathir's campaign, in vying for the P005 Jerlun Parliamentary seat.

Left: Briefing Tun Dr. Mahathir upon arrival in Alor Setar on Dato' Mukhriz's progress, before Friday prayers

It was a sumptuous lunch and he talked about his experience in general elections campaign, since 1964 till his last, in 1999.



Dato' Mukhriz was away on the campaign trail since this morning. Tun Dr. Mahathir will visit Kampung Kandis BN elections post at 4.00pm and UMNO Jerlun's Headquarters at 8.30pm this evening.

Right: Having lunch with him and his only surviving sister, after Friday prayers

Celebrating the year of the Rat

The traditional Gong Xi Fa Chai greeting, at the gate

I went Chinese New Year visiting last night. I went to call on my fellow blogger Eric Woon and his family, in Ara Damansara. Aishah tagged along as my missus was down with flu.

Left: Aishah and Yean Yi, saying hello

We were served with a lot of cookies, usual treats and really tantalising 'chest nut' crisps (something I never had before!). Of course, Kim Woon, offered us some really juicy 'Lo Kam'.

Right: Kim Woon offering Aishah some tarts

Eric said that traditionally, people from his office would popped by on the third day, like last night, for some 'makan makan'. However, it was not for this year as Eric is still mourning of his father's recent bereavement.

It was a good evening to be joyous and celebrative. We even wore red for the evening; to bring some 'luck' (ong) into our guests' kindness. Aishah had her ong when Kim Woon gave her the traditional ang-pow, which of course made her happy!

Left: The Woons, entertaining

Eric, Kim and the Woon girls,

Thanks for having us.

Gong Xi Fa Chai

A day of swimming at the Club

Chinese New Year holidays are usually spent to 'payback' all the 'sleep dues' and opportunity to catch up, what is it needed to be caught up with. We often not leave town and get caught in the massive traffic movements and premium charges that Malaysian hotels impose on their guests.

Right: Syahana, Aishah and Aliya

So we'd do things like swimming and loafing about.

Left: Getting ready to run and jump into the pool!


I promised the kids to take them swimming. It was a sunny afternoon and we zoomed the Club. And there were not many people either. So we basically had the olympic size pool, to ourselves.

Right: SPLASH!

Of course, when one is with kids and at the pool, one also must tolerate and behave all the kids like behaviours. So one, organised some 'water games', with the kids. Oh yes, why kids? I brought my daughter Aishah, her best friend from school, Syahana and one's own cheeky 6 year old niece, Aliya, to my golf club in Subang.






We had fun. At least, they had loads of fun. Loads of memories in the pool. I learnt how to swim and played the same water games, on the same pool, over thirty years ago!

Right: The kids and my sister

It was top of with the usual dinner, after the swim, at the Dog Leg Terrace. They had fried rice. By then, I was already in KLIA, sending Dato' Mukhriz off to Gaza, via Abu Dhabi and Cairo.

I only had my dinner, at circa 9.45pm.

Mukhriz lead humanitarian mission to Gaza

My friend, Dato' Mukhriz Mahathir lead a nine person humanitarian mission to Gaza, this evening. The trip is being organised by Peace Malaysia, where he is the Co-ordinator. They have so far collected over RM 250,000.00 in cash and others, in kind, for the mission to help relieve the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, currently under Isreali occupation, attack and siege.

They departed this evening onboard Etihad Arlines to Abu Dhabi, enroute to Cairo. They also carried 80kg of Famous Amos cookies and toys, collected and organised by UMNO Cheras and the consort of the Tunku Mahkota Johor, Raja Zarith Sofia Sultan Idris.

Three doctors will be part of their team and the money collected will be used to purchase medicine and other essential supplies in Cairo. They will liaise with the Gaza Red Cresent Society and UN, for handing over the supplies and be brought into Gaza.

Gong Xi Fa Chai

I would like to wish Malaysians of Chinese ethnic origin; namely my friends, neighbours, business associates, fellow bloggers and blogreaders/commenters (not specifically in that order),

Happy Chinese New Year.

May 2008 bring prosperity to all.