KL International Marathon 2009

There are 6 OPs in this photo. Can you identify them?

Half marathon participants - Joejo

Full marathon participants - Ala, Bandit, Budin & me

It was Budin's first marathon. Now he is a marathoner! Well done bro!

OP-PP Games 2009

Tak meriah mcm dulu la..... where were other Rebellicans?

Xterra Malaysia 2009

Some pix from Xterra Malaysia race in Kuantan last month. Xterra is off-road duathlon with swim 1.5km, mtb 30km & trail run 10km. 5 rebellicans involved in the race. 3 of us bean, upiq & myself did the race while bandit worked as a volunteer and budin was a "registered" participant... whatever it means, u gotta ask budin himself :P

ARE YOU READY FOR THE WEEKEND?!!

Yes... I know its Monday, but this weekend is gonna be an exciting weekend for the Royal 8th..

Reason number 1:
BIG gathering at Mat Kong's wedding reception.. As it's G Coy's last man(bachelor) standing, let's get G Coy to head the 'Rombongan Rebellica ke Jemputan Kenduri".. Ahmad Kengkang, Achot, Joejo.. Jalankan Tugas!!

Reason Number 2:
Royal 8ths in Langkawi! Yessir.. Ala Usat, Bean and Kam will be doing the IronMan this weekend.. FYI this is the MOTHER of all endurance sports.. these guys will start with a 4km swim at kuah jetty (translated 1.5 to 2 hours of swimming) .. they'll then hop on their bikes for a 180km ride (that's over 7 hrs of cycling).. and by the end of the day, a 42 km run! they start at 7am, and they should cross the finishing line between 10 to 11 pm!

This is Kam's first IronMan.. This is Bean's 3rd(beat that!!).. and the last I heard, Ala Usat is suffering from a shoulder injury!..

We'd also like to wish OPs(OP AJ, OP Sofiyan, OP Ee-Van) and Kawan OPs (the guys from leTuang, Ish, Arif, Senn, Rashid Robo etc..etc..) a safe and smooth IronMan..

let's wish all our MACHO MEN the best for this weekend:
1) Mat Kong- you can do itttttttt!
2) G Coy guys(to organize the convoy)- you can do itttt tooo!
3) IronMan hopefuls- you can do itttttt! you can do itttt alll night longggggg!

Will report more upon my return from Langkawi- Bandit going as supporter! wooohooooooo!!

Jemputan Kahwin

Dear all,

But this time, you may have realized that there are a handful of kenduris left for us to attend, unless (ahem) if some of us decided to 'add' another one.. yup, after these handful gets married, the next time we meet will be at the weddings of our children..

Back to the subject, please be informed that all Royal 8th and family are invited to attend the reception on Mat Kong's side..

Date:: 28 Feb 2009 2:00 petang

Venue: Dewan Seri Perkasa, Masjid Al-Imam Ash-Shafie, Taman Maluri

RV point: Kat masjid pukul 1.50pm..

Kam, Ala and Bandit have already attended the Akad Nikah.. and it's confirmed- PERKAHWINAN SAH!! (don't tell me you don't trust an SUO (Kam), a Doctor (Ala) and the most handsome guy in the batch (aku-lah!!)).. we were invited for the Akad Nikah because we won't be joining you on 28 Feb- will be in Langkawi for IronMan (Kam, Ala and Bean taking part)..

Wasalam..

Selamat Pengantin Baru Mat Kong!

Congratulations to Mat Kong & his bride Pn. Farah! Semoga berkekalan hingga ke akhir hayat.

For full WRITTEN report, please go to: http://opdochisyam.blogspot.com/

If you are too lazy to click above link, below is the report taken from Ala's blog:

Dear all,

Hope you are doing well.

Last Sunday me, Bandit, Kam, OP Stupes and wife Aileen attended Mat Kong’s ‘nikah’ ceremony. The reason why we went for this event and not the reception next week is that we would be away in Langkawi during that weekend. Anyway, let us just say that another one of us has bitten the dust.

The nikah ceremony was held at the bride’s family home at a posh part of PJ. I can imagine why Kong did not want it to be held in a mosque as I would imagine the ‘heat’ would be too much to handle. I also think that he wanted people like Bandit and I to feel comfortable enough to attend it.

I am proud to admit that since I came back from India in 1998, I have never missed on any of our batch mates wedding when I’m invited, except for Bean’s. Sorry Bean. I’m sad to say that some of our batch mates doesn’t seem to make the effort to attend our batch mates wedding or other family events when invited. As far as I know only doctors and pilots like Bean work during weekends. If you are living in Terengganu or Sarikei Sarawak then perhaps it is excusable. But if you are residing in Damansara or Keramat and you can’t make it in the Klang Valley for your own batch mates, then bloody shameful on you mate!

We were a little bit late and by the time we arrived the ceremony was already in progress but we could not come in as it was already full of people inside the house.

Luckily they had a PA system put on so that we could listen to what’s going on inside.

The Imam was giving the taqliq, reminding Mat Kong to treat the mrs with respect, not to leave her for 4 months at a stretch without giving the nafkah, etc etc.. I was listening to the sermon with great intent outside, just in case you know.

Since we could not come in, we had to peek inside the house via the window to take a picture of Mat kong. I think the weather was warm and they forgot to switch on the fan as I could make out Mat Kong sweating inside. The strange thing was, all the other people looked cool and comfortable inside.

Anyway, it was one of the few times that I can honestly say Mat Kong as being dashing and handsome. In fact this may be the last time I’m going to say it. The bride, Farah look beautiful in her wedding dress. Mat Kong sure is a lucky guy.

We wish them all the best for the future.

Having said this, we were wondering outside why his shoes were facing outwards when other people were facing inwards towards the house? Was it just in case a quick getaway was needed ? Just in case Farah’s dad ‘tidak merestui’ the marriage? Or worse still was it just in case Kong got cold feet? Need not worry as I was properly attired to take over if needed.

In the end, my services were not required. Mat Kong did not run away. The bride’s dad did not change his mind.

The Nikah went smoothly. Even Mat kong did the ‘Lafaz’ at one go!

Bandit, Stupes and I almost cheered outside the house.

Lunch was served and they played some Alleycats songs. Songs that Mat kong would chose at the Karaoke like Sekuntum Mawar Merah and songs that I would chose like Seribu Bintang.

I asked Farah after the reception if I could still take Kong out for a late night’s out now that he is married. With a forced smile on her face, she said yes.

I suppose someone got his first tongue lashing from the wife that night.

Or I could be wrong.

Anyway, here’s to a long and happy life together!

Congaratulations once again!

Warm Regards

Doc Ala Usat

PS: Pending for biting the dust: Ilam, Jason, Yusmal, abeng, Roland, Katun, amin and mat jaid

Pending list (special category): Mat yep, Kam and Ala usat

Dear all,

After 11 days of being away, finally news from Boot himself:

"All of the team members have been evacuated safely and now back in Cairo. Inside Gaza, we have passed the acute phase of the emergency medical need and we are now going for rehabilitation phase on the primary health care centre (PHC). The focus is on reconstructing the damaged infrastructure of the PHCs and to come up with some programmes on capacity building for the local medical personnel.

You have heard about the latest military escalation there and yes we experienced some missiles and drone bomb detonations that rattled our base. But the emotional and mental state of the team members are still very very strong. We will wait and see whats gonna happen after the 5th of February. Should calm arise.. we will go in again to continue our job.

Other than that all of us are very much happy working here. We even celebrated the Gong Xi Fa Chai with our Chinese colleagues.. but no firecrackers only real explosions.. and had a good time...

Thank you very much for all of the kinds words and encouragements. Believe me all these are the only strength that we have to keep our working mojo up and to uphold our mental state steady..

Till then take care and be strong!!!!

Regards,

Boot"

So.. it seems that the mission is going well.. stage one DONE!

We really hope that with the current aggression, the team won't go back to stage one again. Ashame to have the Israelis "Un-Do" the brilliant job that the team has done! However, the local news report states minimum human casualties. We hope it stays that way..

For those interested, there'll be a FORUM ON PALESTINE at Crown Plaza Mutiara Hotel on Thursday 5/2/09- it's a whole day event.. please go to www.criminalisewar.com

Entrance Fee (at the door) is rm50- all proceeds go to the War Victims in Gaza..

God be with you, to protect and guide..

Royal 8th in Gazza update

Dear all,

after almost 10 days of no news, here's an update from NST:

KUALA LUMPUR, Mon:

The Mercy Malaysia medical team in Gaza has been evacuated from the war-torn city amidst fears of renewed attacks by Israel. The non-governmental organisation (NGO) said its team of six doctors safely crossed the Rafah border into Egypt at 8pm.

“The call to evacuate came at the behest of the Malaysian Embassy in Cairo,” Mercy said in a statement.

Executive council member Norazam Abu Samah said they will standby in Egypt to await further instructions from Mercy’s headquarters in Malaysia and will go back into Gaza to continue their work when the situation improves.

“In the course of our work, we do not wish to put our volunteers and staff in harm’s way,” he said.

The team, which had been stationed in Gaza since Jan 27, was tasked with implementing sustainable primary, reproductive and mental health programmes.
Norazam said he and Mercy volunteer Razi Pahlavi Abdul Aziz would be heading to Egypt to plan the organisation’s next move.

“We are monitoring the situation very closely and should be able to come up with a concrete plan of action soon,” he said.

So, bottom line- he's safe! And though the team is facing some hurdles, they are now re-strategizing their next move!

A Royal 8th in Gazza

On January the 20th, an email arrived at my inbox..

The email was simply titled "The Mission", it came from one of my Royal 8th brothers.. extract of the email reads..

"...I will be going to Rafah and maybe entering Gazzah soon... and will be there for about 15 days.. Job scope.. to establish and setup a proper medical disaster relief operation (field hospital) and logistic for the following missions... ...Honestly, though I've been in so many international humanitarian disaster missions... but this one I ada rasa nervous and frankly a bit takut.. But the heart is there already... ...BUT Just in case if anything happen or I couldnt make it back to KL... I mintak maaf banyak banyak kalau ada salah and silap..."
My stomach churned!

I instantly remember the poem line that was recited during a Choral Speaking Competition back in 1990 :

Into the mouth of hell, Into the jaws of death, Rode the six hundred..

I sat and wondered, he has everything.. a good job, a loving family, comfortable house.. why risk it all? why go to a country that is undergoing a 'fragile ceasefire'? The Israelis could attack anytime.. And during the previous session, they don't give a damn about what gets hits.. UN building, civilians, children.. why risk it all?


I diplomatically called him a HERO.. and posted to the email groups that I am in, telling everyone of his sacrifice.. but being a fool I am, I still could not understand WHY WOULD HE RISK IT ALL...

My question was answered when one of the guys who read my mail wrote:

"we are really very proud of you. Don't be scared. Allah have chosen you for this duty and certainly only who knows what is best for us all. perform your duty with sincerity for only Allah's sake and you would reap the handsome rewards in the world after"..

I now understand.. It was FAITH! It was his CALLING!

It then all adds up.. it was fated that would be chosen.. everything happens for a reason.. as he was the best person that MERCY feels in leading the mission.. the call was made on him.. the duties on his shoulders.. and as a Muslim, Malaysian as a HUMAN.. he answered the call, the responsibility, the trust and the faith put upon him..

And in turn, he gave trust and faith to GOD, for the strength to lead, for the clarity of heart and mind to execute his duties, for the safety of him and his team, for the success of the mission..

I now understand...

OP Razi Pahlavi Abdul Aziz @ Boot, I now understand why you risked it all..

And I know that you are not the sort of person who likes this kind of publicity.. but:
1) Upiq, Kam, Ala and I have volunteered to the task of maintaining the batch's chronicthis is part of the batch's history.
2) the likes of Mat Jaid in US, Papa & Bull in the middle east, Mahin in Mexico and Kums in UK would like to know the batch's happenings..
3) This is not just a dedication to you, but also to those who have contributed to 'devloping' you as a person. To your mom and dad, your wife and family, your teachers and educators (the likes of Cikgu Adnan, Capt Ambi, Lt Fauziah, Mej Manaf, Capt Sahar, Capt Yusoff, Capt Hassan, Miss Goh, Miss Shobha, Cikgu Ismail, Cikgu Hairul (HABASH), Pak & Mak Ooi, Col Ghani, PW1 Ibrahim, Stap Rani, Stap Muniandy.. ). Congrats parents/family and teachers.. this is the fruit of your labour.

Anyway, my dear brother- selamat pergi, selamat kembali.. we like the rest of those who know you offer our prayers for the safety of you and your team, and well as the successful completion of your mission..

l

Farewell Gathering for Mahindra

 

Gathering Malam Esok

Dear all,

Mahindra is back in town.. FYI, he's currently a pilot for Korean Air, is currently on leave, PRIOR to leaving Korean Air to fly small planes in MEXICO.. He now wants to be a dive master cum dive instructor cum tourist guide cum sea-plane pilot... FYI he is also a qualified Yoga instructor and an avid rock climber...

A simple gathering is planned to welcome back our Brother before he embarks on his next adventure:

Venue: NZ Corner- Wangsa Maju

Date/ Time: 9 Jan 09.. Friday.. 2130hrs

OPA SATURDAY TALKS

Dear all,

please make effort to attend this initiative from the OPA:

Date: Saturday 17th January 2009.

Commencing Time : 10.30 hrs.

Venue : OPA Penthouse.

Topic : " How to survive when you are down "

Audience : All OPs , OP's wives , OPs Children.

Call OPA Office to confirm your attendance: 03-78591924 or 03-78463110

OP Abdul Wahab Jaafar Sidek, Ex-F Company, '64 - '67 was OPA Honorary Treasurer for 16 years and has been a strong supporter of the OPA. He feels strongly about helping other OPs and this is his way of making his contribution.

OP Wahab will relate his experiences over the past 25 years from a practicing Chartered Accountant to Entreprenuer and later on serving the Country in his last job with the Minority Shareholder Watchdog Group.

ROYAL 8TH BABIES

Dear all,

Please join me in congratulating Mazli 'Mandela' & Fil, and Rafiq 'Upiq' & Yom for their latest additions.. ANOTHER BOY for Mandela.. and a BABY GIRL for Upiq..

Tahniah to all..