IS IT A DAWN OF A NEW ERA & A BETTER FUTURE?

Dateline : March 8, 2008.

This date will be remembered by many Malaysian. Eligible Malaysian voters went out to their designated polling station to cast their vote in the 12th General Election. 222 Parlimentary seats are at stake. For a record, before the 12th General Election, 199 seats belongs to Barisan Nasional while the Opposition hold 23 seats in the Dewan Rakyat.

The result : Full official result only out on March 9, 2008. Barisan Nasional coalition survived the scare and still managed to form a Government for the next 5 years by a simple (slim)majority. A landslide victory of 199 seats in the Dewan Rakyat recorded during the 11th General Election in 2003 being reduced to 138 seats! For the first time since 1969, Barisan Nasional failed to retained their 2/3 majority in the Dewan Rakyat.

Pakatan Rakyat (PAS, PKR and DAP) sucessfully claimed 84 seats. Though they failed to realise their ambition to form the new government but to deny Barisan Nasional from retaining their 2/3 majority in the Dewan Rakyat, many Malaysian regards that as 'winning' or at least a good beginning. Barisan Nasional really doing very badly this time around. Giant killers from Pakatan Rakyat on a killing spree which resulted to many big name in Malaysian politics including Ministers, Deputy Ministers also a few President of Barisan Nasional components got “killed”.

“In the absence of 2/3 majority”, the newly formed Barisan Nasional government cannot amend any constitution.

PAS successfully retained Kelantan, this time with a bigger majority while 4 other states namely Penang, Kedah, Selangor and Perak also fall to Pakatan Rakyat. Even Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur also won by Pakatan Rakyat (if Wilayah is considered as a state). What a feat, indeed. It is a feat to be celebrated.

Is this a new beginning to a better future for all Malaysian? I just hope both coalition party work harder to prove their worth otherwise they stand a big chances being voted out of the Dewan Rakyat during the next general election. For sure they won't get my vote.

Personally, I really hope to see “big changes” soon…….but how soon only Allah S.W.T. knows.....

p.s. This is note the sad posting I promised earlier. I just want to share my observation and thought on the last General Election. I will keep my promise next posting. Thank you.

THE RETURN OF JALAN DURIAN DAUN GUY

Assalamualaikum w.b.k.

Hello fellow creatures….

It has been 9 months since my last posting to Jalan Durian Daun. I can find many reasons easily as an excuse to my absence but let me publish the biggest two.

My biggest excuse - I was busy with my Hajj preparation. I was in Medina and Mecca to perform my first Hajj from November 21, 2007 and returned to Kuala Lumpur on January 5, 2008. Yup, I went through a journey of a lifetime, indeed. A journey that act as a mirror for me to see whom am I, really. I went through many new experiences. I met many new peoples. Few of them I am still in contact with. In addition to few couples and personalities- Mastura & Shafi, Hain & Aris, Aizah & Razali, Mummy Hagerah, Aunty Faridah and their childrens too (not in any order) which I regards them as my own family, I also became close to at least two special couples and their childrens. They are Kak Khalijah & Abg Haridan and Kak Hah & Abg Hai. Cleverly, I make them feel like I am their long lost brother (hah hah hah). The truth is, Alhamdulillah, I am so grateful to what Allah S.W.T. has granted me. What else can I ask for other than fulfilling my duty as His humble servant. Insya'Allah.

I also experienced many magical things. Happy and sad as well, but trust me every happening there is very valuable and enclosed with many lesson (to be learned only if you are willing).

For many years I only heard stories plus experiences narrated by those who went earlier than me. And, I was glad Allah S.W.T. answered my doa and chose me to be one of the four millions pilgrims to perform their Hajj, the last of five pillars of Islam together with me.

I would say it was such an ‘eye opening’ trip. To experience it, you got to go through it. My little advise to all my fellow muslim, if you have a choice, do perform you Hajj while you are young, healthy and strong.

Lastly, my humble doa - Ya Allah, Ya Rahim, Ya Rahman, terimalah Haji ku. Juga, ku mohon agar Kau terima jugalah Haji saudara-saudara ku yang lain dan yang terdahulu dari ku. Amin.

Now, my second excuse for not posting anything for nine months – I AM JUST LAZY………..

But, come to think of it, laziness doesn’t bring me any where.

So, here I am, writing again. I hope you enjoy reading as much as I enjoy writing and sharing it with you.

My next posting will follow soon......but sadly it will not be a happy story.

Salam.