Reviews

"I find the article by Charles Raj in Malaysian Business, January 16th - 31st, 2008 titled Bakun Puzzle is an interesting reading for you guys. I am reproducing it, so that I can share the info/knowledge with the other MCOBs. Discussions among all the MCOBs are so much welcomed because it definitely will help me to get more input regarding this issue."

Zaim Al-Amin
0828 hours, Thursday
22nd day of March, 2007
Ampang - Petaling Jaya
http://zacknina.blogspot.com
http://transcendentia.blogspot.com
http://www.malaysiakini.com/template/en/rentakini2/columnist.php?a=zaim+...

Salam & salutations,

Re : Article for Transcendentia Column, Rentakini Section, Malaysiakini
Title : Of French Spiderman & Malaysian Cicakman, or, La France Peut, Monsieur!

Life seems to revolve around titles. We already have more than we need. From Dato' (or Datuk or Datok) to Tan Sri and Tun. Having a title appears to suggest the individual's high net worth. Whilst having the latest BMW 635iCSL would certainly help to an extent; it seems that in order to get a celebrity wife (preferably a singer, model, actress or at least an Akademi Fantasia Student), you have to be Dato' A, Dato' B or Dato' C. For lesser mortals, but professionals nonetheless, you can have a Dr. or an Ar. as prefixes; but only if you happen to be a Doctor or an Architect. Others are bound to follow suit and true enough, the Surveyors couldn't resist the temptation; recently jumping into the bandwagon and declared that the names of their senior members will be prefixed with an Sr.

Zaim Al-Amin
0228 hours, Tuesday
21st November, 2006
Ampang - Petaling Jaya
http://zacknina.blogspot.com
http://transcendentia.blogspot.com
http://www.malaysiakini.com/template/en/rentakini2/columnist.php?a=zaim+...

Salam & salutations,

Re: Article for Transcendentia Column, Rentakini (Lifestyles Section), Malaysiakini

Title: Of Teh Tarik, Roti Canai & Chapati, or, Spin Again, Earthling…!!

Let’s imagine a scenario of unrivalled serenity and tranquility; a forty-something man lazing on a vast sand dune, deeply engrossed in a book that seems to effortlessly hover in front of him. His wife, wearing a full coloured batik pario performs a seemingly impossible balancing act; but nevertheless succeeds every time in doing her Teh Tarik stunt. His in-laws were watching the kids who took their turns spinning tops; now and then calling out loud; forbidding them from playing with the aliens.

Shahrom, you have got a point!

I think it is awesome to read about Raja Bahrin sending his daughter to meet her natural mother in Ms. Pascarl. That is one cool dude, man. We have to take what has happened in perspective. He has been put up by Oz to be a criminal, whence he was, at worst, an unhappy divorced father. Which was not the case, actually.

I believe that his story is a modern life adventure, and to do so out of his conviction, that he was entitled to, and the children deserved to, have a life as a family together, and endured the passage home in the manner which they did were awesome. First Class.

Zaim Al-Amin
1828 hours, Friday
3rd March, 2006
Ampang - Kuala Lumpur - Petaling Jaya
http://zacknina.blogspot.com
http://transcendentia.blogspot.com
http://www.malaysiakini.com/rentakini/47215

Salam & salutations,

Re: Article for my Transcendentia Column, Rentakini (Lifestyles) Section, Malaysiakini

Title: Of Bossy Big Bosses & Angguk-Angguk Geleng-Geleng, or, Macam-Macam Ada...

Someone recently remarked that I tend to reminisce a lot lately, which according to him is a surefire manifestation of getting old. Whilst some people would vehemently contest this kind of sweeping statement, I just answered with a wry smile. After all, why should we see the age of 40 in much the same way a Finance Company would reject financing for a car which is over 10 years old?

Zaim Al-Amin
0428 hours, Monday
20th February, 2006
Ampang - Petaling Jaya
http://zacknina.blogspot.com
http://transcendentia.blogspot.com
http://www.malaysiakini.com/rentakini/46011

Salam & salutations,

Re: Article for my Transcendentia Column, Rentakini (Lifestyles) Section, Malaysiakini

Title: Of Noisy Neighbours, Pre-nuptial Agreements & Aphrodisiacs, or, The One Minute Man

“…I never ever wanna lose your love, so I will change my life, believe in me my love, I’m coming home, loving you Sunday morning, you were on my mind love everyday, loving you Sunday morning, your love makes me fly so far away, loving you Sunday morning…”

It was exactly a fortnight ago ...

Zaim Al-Amin
0428 hours, Wednesday
8th February, 2006
Ampang - Petaling Jaya
http://zacknina.blogspot.com
http://transcendentia.blogspot.com
http://www.malaysiakini.com/rentakini/46011

Salam & salutations,

Re: Article for my Transcendentia Column, Rentakini (Lifestyles) Section, Malaysiakini

Title: Of Hek-Eleh & Poyo Giler, or, Bukan Cintan Ori

If you had trouble appreciating the title, then just blame the generation gap. Or then again, perhaps it's actually a sign of serious aging in process (though I’d rather conveniently subscribe to the former).

I was listening to my four kids having conversation during our family dinner the other day, and trust me it was a revelation of sorts. I was equally amused and horrified at the same time; bearing witness to blatant abuses to the Malay Language. Sometimes I too struggled to grasp the meaning of some supposedly `new’ words and phrases that I once thought I've duly mastered. For example: "Hek-eleh ... poyo giler ..."

Tonight is the Juara Lagu Night on TV3. I do not know if you guys follow it, but this year, I am a wee bit interested for the sheer fact Loloq's lyrics for Awan Yang Terpilu, sung by Ning Baizura, are awesome. And it is in the Juara Lagu (I think Loloq wrote Aduh Saliha for Mawi World, too - but that is completely another story.)
Awesome level – I play it right after Journey's Faithfully. It's in the Juara Lagu but I don't know if its going to win. Anyway, in my book, it is the awesome Malay song in recent years. Good luck! AND the lyrics :

Kerana cinta, aku kembara
bagai camar melintas laut