HANG TUAH - MISTERI DAN SEJARAH YANG MASIH KABUR - Catitan Nik Zafri

(Saya membenarkan sesiapa untuk menyalin kembali tulisan ini asalkan kredit diberikan pada penulisnya - untuk artikel ini, tiada foto akan digunakan)

Satu nama di lipatan sejarah yang sentiasa menjadi konflik di kalangan sejarawan dan pengkaji mahupun cerita mulut ramai orang. Watak ini sentiasa diwarnakan dengan kejadian mistik, dakwaan mimpi, kehebatan Taming Sari, kisah pertarungan dengan sahabat baiknya Hang Jebat dan banyaklah lagi.

Laksamana Hang Tuah juga dikatakan seorang pelayar yang hebat. Menggunakan kapal yang dinamakan Mendam Berahi (Galley Class), beliau dikatakan telah menjelajahi sekurang-kurangnya 14 buah negara atau bandar, iaitu Majapahit, Bentan, Lingga, Palembang, Jayakarta, Acheh, Brunei, Siam, Benua Keling, Benua China, Mesir, Jeddah, Mekah, Madinah dan juga Benua Rom Uthmaniah Istanbul.

Rujukan-rujukan yang menjadi pegangan selama ini telah bertukar menjadi kabur dan inilah puncanya ia menjadi polemik yang besar. Malah "timeline" juga menjadi konflik.

A) RUJUKAN

1) Hikayat Hang Tuah - sebahagian kandungan hikayat ini hampir sahaja ditolak oleh pakar sejarah sehingga pada tahun 2003 - sebuah artifak keris Melayu yang mempunyai sembilan lok dan sepanjang 22 cm yang ditemui di Kuil Enkakuji, di tapak yang berdekatan dengan Istana Shurijo, yang berusia abad ke-15 Masihi. Apabila dipadankan, ianya sama jalur masanya dengan kisah Hang Tuah ke Jepun.

Turut dijumpai ialah 21 pucuk surat yang berusia 444 tahun (sekitar 1480an) yang didakwa ditulis oleh Hang Tuah kepada Maharaja Ryukyu (Rekidai Hŏan) - mengenai hubungan kerajaan Ryukyu &

Melaka. Hal yang sama juga disebut dalam buku "Ryukyuan Relations with Korea and the South Sea Countries: An Annotated Translation of Documents in the Rekidai Hŏan. Kyoto: Kawakita Printing" karya Atushu Kobata dan Mitsugu Matsuda. (1969) di mana gelaran "Lo-Shi Ma-na" (Laksmana) digunakan.

Juga disebut dalam Hikayat ini ialah pertarungan beliau dengan seorang Samurai atau Shogun.

2) Sulatus Salatin - Sejarah Melayu - yang menyebut nama Hang Tuah sebanyak 120X termasuk kisah-kisahnya

3) Sejarah Rasmi - hanya mencatatkan peristiwa dan nama-nama penting sahaja.

Di dalam jurnal Alfonso de Albuquerque yang tercatat pada "The Commentaries of the Great Afonso Dalboquerque, Second Viceroy of India, Afonso Albuquerque Vol. I- IV, 1744 Portuguese Edition,

(Tr.) Walter De Gray Birch.1875-1884. London: Hakluyt Society. (Berdasarkan catatan asal Afonso Dalboquerque kepada Raja Don Emmanuel 1469-1521)

menyebut mengenai seorang "Laksamana" ("Huang" Tuah) yang sangat hebat (dari segi ilmu kebatinannya) dan sukar diajak berunding - berada di Temasik ketika beliau mengetuai armada

Portugis menawan Melaka 1511. Ketika itu Hang Tuah telah pun berusia 80 tahun. Jurnal yang sama juga didakwa bahawa Sultan Alauddin Riayat Syah merupakan cucu pada Hang Tuah atas dasar

perkahwinan Sultan Mansur Shah dan Puteri pada Hang Tuah.

Kedua-dua kisah ini juga terdapat dalam Suma Oriental que trata do Mar Roxo até aos Chins (Summa of the East, from the Red Sea up to the Chinese) atau ringkasnya Suma Oriental.

B) DAKWAAN ASAL-USUL HANG TUAH :

1) Dari Sungai Duyong, Melaka

2) Dari Sungai Duyong, Pulau Singkep, Indonesia - keturunan Sekana - suku Melayu asli laut Indonesia

3) Dari Bukit Yong atau Pulau Melaka, Kelantan - mempunyai darah diraja Kelantan/Patani

4) Dari Ayuthia Thailand - mempunyai darah diraja pemerintah Islam Thailand

5) Dari Deli

6) Dari Palembang

7) Dari China - mempunyai talian darah dengan keturunan Syed

Nota Sisi :

PENGUASAAN KERAJAAN MELAYU MELAKA

Kerajaan Kesultanan Melayu Melaka dikatakan muncul/diasaskan di bawah Kesultanan Kedah/Nusantara/Sri Vijaya pada zaman Sultan Muzaffar 1.

Kesultanan Melaka sehingga ke abad 15 telah menguasai (atau mempunyai hubungan diplomatik yang rapat dengan) Johor, Pahang, Terengganu, Kelantan dan Pattani. Selain itu di Indonesia - Rokan, Siak Sri Indrapura, Riau, Rengat dan Inderagiri. Adalah difahamkan lokasi Negeri Melaka yang dikenali sekarang adalah Ibunegara kepada Kerajaan/Empayar Kesultanan Melayu Melaka di mana terdapat Kota Melaka sebelum serangan Portugis.

C) DAKWAAN GURU HANG TUAH

1) Aria Putera, Bukit Panchalusa, Rangkaian Gunung Ledang

2) Raden Mas Arya Putera (Sultan Baki Shah? - Raden Mas Arya di Gunung?)

3) Sayyid Thanauddin Kubra (Sayyid Saman)

D) DAKWAAN-DAKWAAN LAIN

1) Hampir 5 orang yang direkodkan pernah bermimpi bertemu dengan Hang Tuah - malangnya versi-versi yang diberikan amat berbeza antara satu dengan yang lain dan tidak dapatlah saya

menggunakan mimpi sahaja sebagai bukti

2) Ada dua orang yang menggunakan gelaran Hang Tuah (dan Hang Jebat) - seorang di Kelantan atau Ayuthia dan seorang lagi di Melaka atau Indonesia

3) Hang Lekir, Hang Lekiu, Hang Kasturi muncul di zaman Hang Tuah II

4) Ada 2-3 orang mendakwa mempunyai Keris Taming Sari walaupun Keris Taming Sari sebenar dikatakan telah menjadi milik KDYMM Sultan Perak

5) Ada 2 timeline yang konflik - sekitar abad 12-13 (Hang Tuah 1) dan sekitar abad 14-15 (Hang Tuah 2) Dan dikatakan Hang Tuah 2 adalah keturunan Hang Tuah 1. Dakwaan sama juga diletakkan pada Hang Jebat. Bezanya di zaman Hang Tuah 1 - hanya ada Hang Jebat (dikatakan seorang berketurunan Raja)

6) Hang Tuah ghaib dan akan muncul kembali bila tiba masanya

7) Hang Tuah tidak membunuh Hang Jebat, malah menyuruhnya lari ke Pulau Langkawi.

8 ) Hang Tuah dikatakan pada usia 80-an telah beruzlah/ mengasingkan diri kerana kekecewaannya terhadap pembelotan orang-orang Melayu terhadap negeri dan rajanya.

E) DAKWAAN LOKASI KUBUR HANG TUAH

1) Tanjung Kling Melaka - Catitan Sulatussalatin Tun Sri Lanang

"Hatta maka Laksamana Hang Tuah pun kembalilah ke rahmat Allah Taala, maka (titah) oleh Sultan Mahmud ditanamkan di Tanjung Keling, dengan sepenuh-penuh adat dianugerahkan; tiga hari baginda tiada nobat. Maka Khoja Hassanlah jadi Laksamana, menggantikan mertuanya. Maka Laksamana Khoja Hassan beranak dengan anak Laksamana Hang Tuah seorang lelaki, bernama Tun Abdul. Wallahu a'lamu bi'l sawab, wa ilaihi'l marji'u wa'l ma'ab".

Namun ada dakwaan dari seorang pengkaji menyatakan Kubur Panjang di Tanjung Keling Melaka adalah milik Bendahara Seri Maharaja Tun Mutahir iaitu ayahanda Permaisuri Tun Fatimah. Dakwaan lain turut menyatakan kubur ini adalah milik ulama Islam berasal dari Gujerat, India

2) Bandar Maharani, Muar, Johor - Jalan Bakri 1 - Kubur berunsurkan Aceh yang dipindahkan dari tempat lain ke Jalan Bakri - tidak diketahui milik siapa.

3) Palembang, Indonesia - sebuah kubur purba (dianggarkan 300 tahun usianya) di Kompleks Pemakaman Kerajaan Palembang Darussalam di Jalan Candi Welan, yang didakwa penduduk sebagai makam Laksamana Hang Tuah (ianya dikatakan hasil "mimpi" penduduk setempat)

F) USIA HANG TUAH

1431-1444

- Tahun kelahiran sehingga berusia 13 tahun / zaman kanak-kanak

- Pemerintahan Sultan Muhammad Shah (1424-1444)

1444-1459

- Berusia 13 tahun hingga 25 tahun / zaman remaja

- Pemerintahan Sultan Muzaffar Shah (1446-1456)

1459-1477

- Berusia 25 tahun hingga 46 tahun / zaman dewasa

- Pemerintahan Sultan Mansur Shah (1456-1477)

1477-1488

- Berusia 46 tahun hingga 57 tahun - zaman pertengahan

- Pemerintahan Sultan Alauddin Riayat Shah (1477-1488) - dikatakan Sultan yang paling muda diangkat menjadi Sultan Melaka

1488-1511

- Berusia 57 tahun hingga 80 tahun - zaman tua

- Pemerintahan Sultan Mahmud Shah (1488-1511)

G) KESIMPULAN

Hang Tuah memang wujud dan beliau adalah seorang Laksamana dan Duta kepada Kerajaan Melayu Melaka.

Beliau adalah seorang yang berdisiplin dan beretika, memiliki ilmu pertahanan diri dan ilmu kebatinan yang hebat, seorang yang telah bersumpah taat setia pada Rajanya dan berkhidmat hanya untuk kepentingan mertabat bangsanya iaitu orang-orang Melayu, seorang yang mempunyai kehebatan penulisan dan ilmu persuratan yang tinggi dll.

Apapun polemik, dakwaan dan konflik yang timbul, nama Hang Tuah akan tetap segar di ingatan kita dari generasi ke generasi.

Saya berbangga kerana banyak negeri/negara dan pelbagai bangsa mengaku bahawa sejarah Hang Tuah adalah "milik mereka" Itulah kehebatan Hang Tuah sehingga dia jadi rebutan ramai manusia.

Hang Tuah dilihat sebagai satu figura yang mampu menyatukan orang Melayu, warisan persilatan, memertabatkan Raja-Raja Melayu dll.

AL-FATIHAH

My new pandemic book is coming soon - Bill Gates

 

I’ve written a book about how we can make sure the world never suffers through something like COVID-19 again.

By Bill Gates

| 

February 08, 2022  2 minute read

I believe that COVID-19 can be the last pandemic.

I know that might be hard to believe while we’re still trying to get COVID under control. The last two years have caused unbelievable amounts of hardship around the world, and it’s not easy to feel optimistic when you’ve endured the misery that so many people have experienced. But whenever I see the suffering that COVID has created–every time I read about the latest death toll or hear about someone who lost their job or drive by a school that is closed—I can’t help but think: We don’t have to do this again.

This is something I’ve been thinking about for a long time, and COVID has only made it clearer that the world needs to prioritize eliminating pandemics as a threat to humanity. I’ve been following COVID since the early days of the outbreak, working with experts from inside and out of the Gates Foundation who are championing a more equitable response and have been fighting infectious diseases for decades. I’ve learned a lot in the process—both about this pandemic and how we stop the next one—and I want to share what I’ve heard with people. So, I started writing a book about how we can make sure that no one suffers through a pandemic ever again.

The book is called How to Prevent the Next Pandemic. You can read it on May 3, 2022, and it’s being published by Knopf in the U.S. and Penguin Random House internationally.

In the book, I lay out the specific steps we can take to not only stop future pandemics but, in the process, provide better health care for everyone around the world. I outline the lessons we can learn from this pandemic, the innovations we need to save lives, and the new tools we need to stop pathogens early and equitably. I also tell you about my regular conversations with public health leaders like Anthony Fauci and Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, my view of the vaccines that are stemming the tide, and what it’s been like to become the subject of conspiracy theories.

The goal of no more pandemics ever is ambitious, but the progress we’ve made over the last two years—including the huge leaps forward we’ve made with vaccines and the knowledge we’ve gained about respiratory illnesses—has already set us on a path to success. The world now understands how seriously we should take pandemics, and momentum is on our side. No one needs to be convinced that an infectious disease could kill millions of people or shut down the global economy. If we make the right choices and investments, we can make COVID-19 the last pandemic.

PETRONAS and Shell collaborate on carbon capture and storage solutions

 JAN 20, 2022 (Fluid Handling International)

PETRONAS and Shell collaborate on carbon capture and storage solutions

PETRONAS has signed a Joint Study and Collaboration Agreement (JSCA) with Sarawak Shell to explore opportunities and project collaborations in carbon capture and storage (CCS) to help provide carbon dioxide (CO2) storage solutions in Malaysia and the region.

Under the JSCA, PETRONAS and Shell will perform an integrated CCS Area Development Plan study to support the decarbonisation ambitions of both parties within selected locations offshore Sarawak.

The scope of the agreement includes exploring the provision of decarbonisation service to Shell’s local and cross-border facilities, as well as to other potential regional customers.

The outcome of the study will produce options in potential areas for further collaboration.

Signing the agreement on behalf of PETRONAS was its executive vice president and chief executive officer of upstream, Adif Zulkifli, while Shell was represented by its Malaysia chairman and senior vice president of Upstream Malaysia, Ivan Tan.

Zulkifli said: “PETRONAS has a long-standing partnership with Shell. We are confident that this latest collaboration will inspire more innovation towards managing carbon emissions and advancing our shared ambition of delivering energy solutions in a responsible and sustainable manner.

“This collaboration underscores PETRONAS’ continuous efforts to explore partnership opportunities in CCS. We will continue this trajectory to unlock opportunities which could potentially help reduce emissions and achieve our net zero carbon emissions aspirations. This is one of the many efforts to position and establish Malaysia as a leading CCS solutions hub in the region.”

Last November, PETRONAS signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Malaysia  to explore opportunities in CCS technologies to support the decarbonisation of Malaysia’s upstream industry as well as to provide CO2 storage solutions for the region.

WE HOPE A LIFE HAVE BEEN SAVED

After my Friday nite prayers (11/11/21), I was taking a stroll with my wife visiting Genting Sempah R & R for a quick drink last night at about 10.30 pm. Parked near McDonalds. Suddenly I noticed something strange. A trailer (Volvo) was parked behind Petronas with many people knocking on the door and wind shield. 

As I drew myself closer, I found out, the parents left the trailer with air-con and engine running - for a while to go to the toilet leaving their young kid behind sleeping in the small cabin in the trailer. 

It appeared that their kid was locked inside believed to be sleeping. (it could have been "autolock") I was made to understand, they have been trying to wake up the kid for nearly an hour - mum, dad and sister outside knocking/banging on the door and windshields. I saw few LPT (Highway) officers were also present to help. Somehow the engines stopped (it must have been the dad pulling the battery cable from the engine)

My wife insisted me to call emergency hotline which I did. Spoke to the Police, Ambulance and BOMBA for nearly 30 minutes describing the incident clearly. My wife also rushed to the scene to see how she can help.

Not too long later, police patrol car (first arrived at the scene), two ambulances (one from Hospital, the other from BOMBA (Malaysian Fire Brigade ERT) appeared on the scene.

The BOMBA worked so efficiently and quickly to open the door and managed to do so in 1/2 and hour without breaking the glass. Miraculously the kid survived the ordeal. Most cases like this may end up in fatality.

Lesson, do not leave your children sleeping in the car while both parent go to the toilet. 

I write this is to dedicate the great service that BOMBA, Ambulance and The Police have provided. This should not go untold. KUDOS - to our unsung heroes.

Me and my wife? We will never ask anything in return. Just happy that our fast act, may have save a life.

CAN TRADE SECRETS BE PROTECTED TODAY? - Overview by Nik Zafri

Nowadays, any organization with full infrastructure of ICT network and systems practicing 'data sharing' using the B2B and B2C platforms, painstakingly since early 2000 are now expanding their business.

However, when we talk about 'data transparency', the challenge is safeguarding 'sensitive data' (such as trade-secrets) and at the same time, not to intervene with the flow of information.

But today, should such secrets are not properly safeguarded, the sensitive data can suddenly become obsolete tomorrow due to "information explosion" on the net. Today, one organization introduced the latest technology, (no-hush-hush) - the next day, you'll see that the 'so-called new technology' ended up with similar but more improvised technology at the cheaper price - surprisingly from another country that thousands of miles away.

To avoid leaking problems, the plumbers are usually ICT and Human Resource Management - but what about the losses due to leaking information. Although the two departments are the right ones to deal with personnel revealing confidential information but it is still deemed as 'fire-fighting'. True enough, it happens again and again.

Humbly, let me share my own experience when I was employed to one organization to make a 'turnaround' under consultancy capability.

Without going into too much details, all I can conclude is that I managed to convince top management and other units/departments to return to the basics (looking back into the Core Business Process profusely written in their very own Company Manual - (chuckle they will find)

1) Research and Development, 

2) Design, 

3) Innovation, 

4) Advertising and Promotion, 

5) Market Survey, 

6) Marketing and Sales. 

Despite the hiccups I had with the 'Executive Management' team, I have succesfully managed to 'rehighlight' the aforesaid '6 profit centre' units to ALWAYS be in the lead to entice prospects, new customers and returning customers.

The 'data sharing' practices (what to share with the customers even on the company's website) must FIRST come and being reviewed by these units as they are the ones who knows better than any other units/departments which data is deemed as confidential or otherwise. 

The root cause of failure is always linked to another department or unit coming in 'too early' into the picture and doing 'someone's else job'. 

Sometimes, rewarding scheme for people achieving targets and definitely punishing those who did not can be BOTH FATAL.

People will start cutting corners, stabbing one another, stepping on other "cats tails" and God knows what. 

What if rewarding and punishing are being applied to Occupational Safety and Health matters, then there may be dangerous risks and hazards even leading to incidents and accidents - when workers start to cut corners either to achieve the objectives OR the fear of not achieving it. 

Mind you, I'm neither implying that other departments/units are of less significance nor rewarding system should not be practiced.

I'm really talking about :

a) 'Who to do What and When' and also 

b) effective monitoring must first be in place before considering to reward or to punish.

STATUS HALAL VAKSIN PFIZER BIONTECH COVID-19 DI LUAR NEGARA - ULASAN NIK ZAFRI

LIHAT KESELURUHAN ARTIKEL KARYA NIK ZAFRI

Sekumpulan mufti dan ulama terkenal di UK telah memfatwakan bahawa Vaksin Pfizer BioNTech untuk merawat Covid-19 adalah HALAL kerana ianya tidak mempunyai komponen yang berasal dari haiwan.

Pada awalnya salah satu bahan yang dikesan adalah sejenis kolesterol. Apabila kajian dilakukan, didapati kolesterol ini bukan berasal daripada lemak haiwan tetapi ekstrak telur ayam.

Excipient : 

Eksipien adalah bahan yang tidak aktif yang dibuat bersamaan dengan bahan aktif dari suatu ubat-ubatan yang bertujuan untuk meningkatkan volume (bulking up) bahan aktif tersebut. Eksipien disebut juga dengan pelarut (diluent) atau "pengisi" (filler).

Semua lipid eksipien yang digunakan dalam Vaksin Covid-19 mRNA BNT162b2 adalah diekstrak samada daripada tumbuhan ataupun jenis sintetik. Vaksin berkenaan tidak mempunyai sebarang komponen yang berasal dari haiwan atau lemak haiwan.

Sila rujuk nota dalam foto-foto di bawah untuk maklumat lanjut. (Kenyataan dari BioNTech Manufacturing GmbH Kupferbergterrasse 17-19 55116 Mainz, Germany)

PART OF MY ACHIEVEMENTS

 

CONSTRUCTION ISO DOCUMENTATION FOR SALE (EDITABLE) - NIK ZAFRI

CRYPTOCURRENCY, MINING, BLOCKCHAIN, DIGITAL SHARING ECONOMY FOR DUMMIES?

Many people are asking me to make my explanation simpler about cryptocurrency, blockchain, mining, digital sharing economy etc.

So, let me connect the "dots" for you - ABCD. Remember the word "cashless"?

Let's take an example : Grab (Please be reminded that I am simply quoting an example. It is not in any way imply that they are into blockchain and cryptocurrency - so don't sue me please :-) )

Let's say you pay for their services via Grab Pay, Grab Credits or Cash.

Paying = mining

You'll get back a certain amount of points - Digital Sharing (Economy)

Points = cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrency can be redeemable for discounted rides, buying food, delivery services etc.

When you redeem = payment from an e-wallet to e-wallet

Blockchain = is where the Grab app is placed, where all transactions are done - very high traffic and volume

Example no. 2 :

Touch and Go E-Wallet - linked to your Touch and Go Card and other services like RFID (Please be reminded that I am simply quoting an example. It is not in any way imply that they are into blockchain and cryptocurrency - so don't sue me please :-) )

You topup your Touch & Go e-wallet - what you have topped up is no longer deemed as cash - it is made to look like cash (psychologically speaking)

You purchase using QR code of Touch and Go E-Wallet - scan it and you bought the goods.

Your purchase = mining

You get a certain amount of cashback having done purchasing - Digital Sharing (Economy)

Blockchain= is where the Touch and Go E-Wallet app is located, high turnover. QR code IS related to en"crypt" (crypto) and blockchain.

As long as there is a win-win situation - whether you use your petrol card to redeem certain goods - it's known as "Digital Sharing" (and updated on your phone apps) - used to be known as "timeshare". Now even Timeshare is being absorbed into Digital Sharing Economy.

BUT - if you only or still on "sell-buy, buy-sell" concept of business - or having a beautiful website or apps - but you are still on the buying-selling basis - this is NOT Digital Sharing Economy - this is "Consumption Economy". Consumption economy will eventually make your business DIE!

It's what I called in the late 90s as "brick and mortar" business at the beginning stage of e-commerce despite it has a B2B or B2C. If the potential customer walks up to you and asked you, what do I get back by downloading your app? You said "nothing", you will loose your customer!!!

I haven't mention the impacts of doing business in the "Red Ocean" - not yet - if I am to touch on this issue - coupled with our lack of understanding on "cashless" or "digital sharing" or microentrepreneurs*, hmmmm. *It's not limited to RM200,000.00 turnover of sales with 5 workers, but it's MORE than that.

(personal note : Angry because of the extra RM2.00 charges for cash transactions on the bank counter? Ever wonder why than simply being angry without any proof to substantiate your agreement? Do you know what would be the impact on our currency whenever there is a US-China Trade Wars? So... READ and most important UNDERSTAND before you REACT. So, why do you think "cashless" is very important? How would it save economy?)

DAULAT TUANKU, RAKYAT MALAYSIA - TANDATANGANI PETISYEN INI

https://www.change.org/p/kebawah-duli-yang-maha-mulia-seri-paduka-baginda-yang-di-pertuan-agong-pulihkan-maruah-dan-kuasa-raja-raja-melayu-part-2

NO-DEAL BREXIT – SERIOUSLY? A brief overview by Nik Zafri

I don’t think an advanced nation such as Britain will agree to this proposal. Unless Britain has already an extremely efficient master post-Brexit plan that I may not be aware of. I always hold to the principle that we “don’t solve a problem with a bigger problem”.

What I see as a layman, the future exports from Britain to the EU will be greatly affected – tax, tariffs, customs, restriction etc. everywhere. What impacts it will have on the businesses, demand and supply, law, rules and regulations, political scenario, transportation network, Immigration and so on. I can't imagine the heaviest impact on the people...it will be hard if this "NO-DEAL" proposal is approved (which I doubt it)

Imagine Britons living in the EU countries? Will there be a mass migration? How about EU citizens in the UK?

I read with interest an article written by Anand Menon published in the Guardian, among others :

a) losing access to EU database
b) losing other forms of cooperation such as European arrest warrant, Schengen Information System and Europol.

He said further : This will hinder policing and security operations in a world where data is key to solving crime. Nor is it inconceivable, say, that we will witness a rise in organised criminal activity, as gangs seek to profit from this disruption.

I do believe that Britain will get through this but it may be time consuming to adapt to the new scenario of being a stranger in the European Union. There may be a significant fall in the per-capita income (Quoting Menon : 3.5% and 8.7%)

So what now? A “Divorce” bill without grace period of transition? Or will there be a grace period for smooth transitioning. Or perhaps a new set of rules will be imposed by the UK in the trade relation to the EU Countries?

It’s too early to tell.

MANAGING FOOD WASTE - SOUNDS SIMPLE BUT NOT THAT SIMPLE - Nik Zafri

Photo Source : Wikipedia

Taking care of the economics and the well-being of everyone. This has always been the popular motto or the typical slogan or any entities wishing to be part of Social Responsibility.

It is estimated that 1/3 of food produced around the world constitute approximately more than 1 billion tonnes of waste per annum.

Imagine also those who are being denied access to food. They are so used to starving and sleeping without dinner and breakfast. Most of them, famine is no longer news - it is a NORM. Only the toughest shall survive.

These big loss and waste are also the main root-causes for other environmental impacts - from pollution to soil erosion. On the food production factories/producers, there are waste almost at every process - not to mention the greenhouse gas emissions.

I think most of us are not surprised (are you?) if I say that private household food waste is always on top of the list! 

Well, whilst we professionals are too busy creating great awareness or even developing a sophisticated fool-proof system to manage food waste in industries or events, unfortunately, we tend to forget household food waste from (surprisingly) those countries claimed to be advanced nations (but not with a so advanced mindset (...awkward...)

Many studies I've read that the No. 1 issue is due to BEHAVIOUR (and probably PERCEPTION) - namely (I'm just being blunt) - laziness and hesitation. Those having "great ambition" to reduce food waste are those likely ending up with NO ACTION at all. But those who are brought up with great discipline and perserverance are more likely to reduce food waste. These marvelous figures are also likely to be the ones initiating the effort and usually be perceived as the role models for others. 

There should be some proper planning to reduce food waste : planning of what to shop, quantity to be purchased, buying what you need rather what you want and properly checking the stock (especially "the expiry date") It is not at all surprising for many of us are still keeping food in the refrigerator - then we forget all about it - only to discover later that the food is no longer edible (not to mention leftovers) - and DEFINITELY becoming a waste.

Cooking is a great thing. But it can also be a very negative one. When there is too much food being prepared, it will likely ending up being disposed. Always look at Michelin-class chefs - don't only look for great recipes but do some research of your own on their principles of food waste management. I find that these great chefs are really "experts" in controlling and managing the food that they cook at home. A simple attitude is to always ask your household tenants if they will be home for dinner or they have eaten outside. And please try not rely too much on fast and instant food as it will be a potential food waste as well.

Finally - disposal - the biggest waste contributor of all. I do support any effort of redistributing "still edible and fresh" food to your neighbours* or closed relatives* or the best - to those really need and APPRECIATE food - in most cases the needies e.g. homeless. ( *Some quarters perceive the "still edible, untouched and fresh food" being redistributed are "bad" or the "egoistic ones" would feel that "Hey, I cooked my own food..I don't need waste!" ( Personally, I've seen this attitude before - very dumb!)

I think continual monitoring and enforcement are equally important than merely having Acts, Standards and Regulations  (Simply for the sake of having them). It has been proven that "wasters" are scared of the law rather than being aware of how important NOT to waste food. But if law can work on them, by all means, IMPLEMENT it!

Now for household awareness : ask this question first : "how to make the wasters feel guilty about wasting food?"

RAPID MALAYSIA/KL, TOUCH AND GO + HEROIC ACT BY MY WIFE

I was boarding a Rapid Bus from area....to Kuala Lumpur a few days before Hari Raya (was trying to avoid the heavy jam in KL especially in Chow Kit area) I noticed there were not many passengers which made me overjoyed to relax a bit thinking that perhaps most passengers have gone "balik kampung".

When the bus stopped at one area to pick up passengers (a typical rural family of 3), they were "denied" entry with apologies from the polite bus driver because "everything has gone cashless" (which I didn't know as I have been a Touch and Go and T & C e-wallet user)

I felt very sorry for these passengers. When the bus moved, I noticed presumably the father is still using an old Nokia Phone perhaps trying to contact some friends. I know for a fact such phone may not be equipped for cashless transaction or e-wallet or anything equivalent.

It made me wonder that perhaps these category of "cash" passengers may have not read any notice either published on the Rapid website or other sources.

This issue has triggered me to read the news and found out an online news portal dated April, 2019 which read : (excerpt)

------------

An expert in transport economics has panned RapidKL’s decision to go entirely cashless with its buses, describing it as a demonstration of bad judgement.

Rosli Azad Khan, managing director of the MDS group of traffic planners and consultants, said the decision appeared to have been made without consideration for tourists and others who travel on buses only occasionally.

RapidKL, the largest bus operator operating mainly in the urban areas of Klang Valley, Penang and Kuantan, announced recently that it would eliminate, in stages, the traditional method of having drivers collect fares in cash. Passengers will have to use the Touch ‘n Go card or myRapid’s Unlimited Travel Pass. The exercise begins this Monday.

“This is a poorly conceived plan,” Rosli told FMT. “It will discourage people, especially tourists, from using public transport.

--------------------------

When I was driving on the eve of Hari Raya itself, I noticed many empty Rapid buses or with only few passengers. Has the "sales" dropped rapidly especially to underprivileged elderly people or rural old folks or even the disabled - many are struggling to even use a GSM phone - far from reaching the knowledge of smart phones for cashless transactions using e-wallet or Touch and Go.

I also do think that the Government or Transport Ministry or even Rapid and Touch and Go should "go rogue" to ensure awareness in utilising cashless are reaching all the "kampungs" or town halls even house to house if they have to, give leaflets/flyers rather than hoping that everyone to look into their website or reading newspapers/tabloids or visiting their booth at night market/uptowns.

I am fully aware that it is not an easy task to ensure the ICT especially to properly use mobile technology to rural folks especially the elderly. (and I'm not saying that the urban folks are better either)

Based on my own research for so many years and personal experience shows that there are still many people who are "afraid" to even use the ATM machine.

This is not a complaint but rather a suggestion. I propose that Rapid or Touch and Go can start working together to have a Touch and Go Reload machine installed on every buses where it can use IC or Passport to reload for cash passengers (even for foreigners, tourists, expatriates, foreign workers etc)

Thank you.

Nik Zafri Abdul Majid

A HEROIC ACT BY MY WIFE

26 June, 2020. We boarded the Rapid LRT Kelana Jaya Line from KL Sentral heading to Gombak station. At around 3:50pm, a lady (Saadah) around her early 60s stepped in (I think it's at Setiawangsa station). To everyone's surprise, Saadah suddenly collapsed on the floor face up. Her face became pale and drooping, she was having trouble in speaking, breathing and seeing. There were signs of joints contractures on her hands/fingers and legs/foot/sole fingers.

Immediately, I knew that it was a stroke attack. Suddenly another lady (Mdm H) rushed to scene and started to provide Saadah of what I think was some therapeutic massages with reflexology approach. Everyone was in panic and couldn't do anything. There were few ladies including one teenage girl Shima came to help. All the ladies listened attentively to every instruction by Mdm H.

I pressed the Passenger Emergency Intercom (PEI) hoping to get further help from LRT ERT Team or the Police - or possibly a wheel chair and ambulance to arrive. No response from PEI Another man came to my aid and looked for the police at every station - unfortunately there were none and the LRT moved on. (usually it was supposed to stop at the next station upon receiving emergency call) This other man was also puzzled of why there was no help or even a slight response. I asked him to press the PEI again (we ended up 3 times pressing the emergency button without any response) I rushed back to the scene to see how the ladies, Mdm H, Shima and Saadah were doing. I also looked momentarily at the CCTV hoping that the event was recorded. (I'm sure it does - and I sure hope someone is watching and reading this message)

Miraculously, Saadah got up and was properly reseated with the help of the Mdm. H, Shima and the brave ladies. Saadah was disoriented and suffered a temporary loss of memory. The last call on her phone indicated from someone by the name of Nash (possibly related - son I think). Mdm H. asked Shima to use Saadah's phone to call Nash but to no avail. Shima whatssap and sms Nash but without any response. Saadah slowly looking at Mdm H and said she's supposed to stop at Sri Rampai station to meet Nash but missed the station during the ordeal. She also recalled that she is staying in Taman Sri Gombak Phase 7 (near the mosque area). Mdm H told Saadah to return home to rest.

Shima who was staying in Wangsa Maju also missed the station but generously volunteered to help Saadah waiting for her bus T201 to ensure her safe return home. Once reaching Gombak station, I rushed to look for the police or anyone who could help - again - none available. Shima and Mdm. H helped Saadah to the elevator. Saadah could already walked on her own. Her memory started to recover. She even tried to run after the shuttle bus T201 but the bus left too sudden. I waved at the bus hoping that the driver could see me via the rear mirror but I failed to get his attention.

Saadah looks tired and dehydrated - a 20 minutes ordeal on the LRT that may have cause her life if not for the assistance provided by Mdm. H. and Shima. Mdm. H told Shima to get Saadah a bottle of mineral water and after much persuasion, she took a sip of the mineral water.

Puzzled :

1) Why isn't there a police at every station that we stopped? The Covid Pandemic is still active despite of the RMCO. The Passenger Emergency Intercom is not placed for no reason.
2) I'm too sure that the CCTV on the LRT recorded the event... I didn't have the time to record it as I was busy looking for help with the assistance of the other man at every station we stopped.
3) This could have been your member of the family, your mother, your sibling.

I"m not blaming Rapid KL but I hope if they read this, please improve your services. Conduct more emergency drills if necessary.

Mdm. H is NONE OTHER than MY beloved WIFE - TETTY HENNEY BINTI ZULKIFLI (President of Women in Governance and Technology Association of Malaysia)

Shima helped because Saadah reminds her a lot of her grandmother who suffered with stroke as well.

Missed a very important appointment at Seksyen 8 Shah Alam, but it's ok...it was well-worthed.

I am the happiest and proudest husband today. These brave ladies are strangers who never met but decided to help another stranger in trouble. They do not need any medal of honours but to me - it shows how strong ladies are - how they stand up for one another.