The Malaysian Chinese Muslim Mosque

The New Putrajaya 'Steel' Mosque is yet to be completed.
It is located strategically by the lake and behind Putrajaya Corporation.
The complex will have a Qiblat Walk, where a bazaar will house varieties of stuff.
Whilst cycling beside the mosque this morning, i realised that the design of the Mosque looks like a Chinese Mandarin headgear, and the motif of the wall looks Chinese too.
I reckon that it will be nicknamed the Chinese Mosque or Mesjid Cina!!!

Putrajaya-The Cycling Capital Of The World By Choice

When i restarted cycling or re-cycled in 2006, i was toying with the idea of making Putrajaya as the cycling capaital of the world by choice.
Why by choice?
Well,we know that there are other cities and countries that has more cyclists like Beijing and Holland.
But they do not have a choice.
Whereas in Putrajaya, we a choice.
In fact we have a variety of choices.

If that is so, why must cycling be made the main choice?

If we look at the layout of Putrajaya, the accomodations/houses are placed around their office in a circular motion.
It is as if their houses are behind their work place.
They are living within a radius that is less than 5 km.
I would envisage that it will not be a problem to cycle to their work place.

The town planners of Putrajaya must have this in mind when they drew up the master plan then.
This can be attested to the many bike racks that is scattered all over the cycling routes around the lakes in Putrajaya.
As a matter of fact, the cycling racks are almost new by virtue that they have been under used!

The pedestrian/cyclists tracks are well paved and well maintained 7 days a week.
They are also well lined by blooming flowering plants.

If they improve it further, the cycling routes will be fully shaded by bushy trees and thus providing cover from the direct sunlight.

Maybe for starters, the Chief Secretary, the No. 1 Government Servant can issue a directive to encourage a Public Transport Day in Putrajaya, where the civil servants are encouraged either to use Public transport or another alternative-Non Motorised Transport i.e. bicycle.

Once the idea that cycling is convenient and a joy, then it will be a matter of time that the civil servants will cycle everyday to office.

Obviously, not many will change their lifestyle overnight.
But i am apprehensive that if a concerted and well planned efforts are undertaken to encourage a healthy lifestyle, it will only be a matter of time when, the residents of Putrajaya will be proud to announce to the world that, indeed, they have made their Choice of making Putrajaya The Cycling Capital of the World By Choice!!!

Azudin O Fuad

First Try at Bt 18 Hulu Langat-Sg Tekala

Not to dissapoint Pak Wan Sabri and GEDEBE, i reluctantly turned up at Bt 18 at about 0820.
They had already left the starting point by then, at the designated time 0730.

By reluctantly, i meant that i am still having this flu and cough.
Had a late night out last night at the Putrajaya Bowling alley, with other PERs gang. I did not bowl, but stayed on to chit chat with them.
Was tossing and turning till about 0300, my breathing tube was giving some problem, sort of wheezing away, and the coughing was picking up.
My wife woke me up at about 0630 for subuh...
Still i was contemplating, whether to just sit it out at home or go to Tekala or GCE.
Prof Fuad last minute email and Wan Sabri's sms were both tempting, in addition to Shahrin's suggestion of PMR.
By the time i was dressed, it was already 0715, and i know that the GCE train would have left...anyway i did give a call to Dr Azmi and Taufik...no answer and that confirmed that they have started.
Called up Pak Wan and he says that he should roll out at 0730, and he was already at BT 18, wheras at 0720, i was only out of Putrajaya.
Told him to carry on and i will follow from behind and will either meet him on their way back or whatever since he will take the same route back to Bt 18.

Just as i thought, when i arrived, i asked another group the way to Tekala.
Mind you this is my first time there.
Tried to call Pak Wan, no response...(i was told later that when i called he was speeding downhill at 50 kph...}
Braving myself i cycled alone to follow them
Saw quite a few other riders wheezing past...i must have looked unprofessional with my jacket on...well it was rather chilly and i am still nursing my flu and slight fever....
Arrived after about 10 km at the junction going to Peres and Tekala.
Managed to ask for direction from some locals by the road and i was told to turn right.
At the same time , managed to call Pak Wan and he said that they are about to reach Tekala and will wait for me there since they will be taking their carbo loading there.
Wow, another 14 km to reach Tekala!!
I was contemplating of hitching a ride on any pickup truck passing by so that i can catch up with the GEDEBE gang.
It was at that time that another group arrived at the junction and was having a short rest.
A rather plumb guy called up to me and says that he is TSB.
Told them that i was trying to catch up with Pak Wan.
Well, this guy TSB, being a nice guy as what i have read in the Le Tuang e-list, switched his groups destination to go to Peres and offered to escort me to Tekala.
Being a nicer guy too, i hesitantly agreed.
There goes my intention of tuanging some distance and getting a free ride on a truck!!!!!!!!
Anyway, TSB,thank you for the kind gesture...and added another 14km to my distance.

Huff and puff, arrived at Tekala.
True to his word TSB stayed by me and delivered me safely to GEDEBE group, who was already into their second nasi lemak.
After a short rest, it was another 24 km plus back to Bt 18.
All in all i covered about 50 km today, and that despite the wheezing sound of the breathing and my yet to recover flu..
This time around Pak Wan stayed by me and ensured that i arrive back in one piece.
Mak Wan and the other Mak Cik, terus lesap ta nampak nampak...
That's when i started asking this poisonous question
"'Is their bike better? My humble Proton T Sprint R despite the Ultegra group set, is still slow.".
"Definitely, they can't be faster than me?"
"Wah sebab tu lah basikal mahal lagi laju"
Well, i guess this is the 'racun' that we have been talking about.
Bila laju na laju lagi?

I think i will stick on to my Proton for the time being.
Let's see in future ride.
Is it the bike or the man?
OP SK if you are reading this,let me have a few dry runs first before i join the Ironman group. I can cope up with the Rubberman, but Ironman, give me some time to prepare first....
By preparing means either man or machine?
The scenic and kampung view of Hulu Langat is more suited to mtb, in my opinion, because, on mtb we can take leisurely ride and enjoy nature.
I highly recommend this route to my PERs Plasticman on our mtb.
Maybe we can mandi manda after a leisurely ride.
On roadies, you have the urged to simply kayuh laju and take advantage of the draft of the peloton..

BTW i was doing 60kph on the way down to Tekala.....
It did cross my mind if the tayar meletup?
What do i do?
Anyway,there were not less than a hundred cyclists using this route this morning.....
Gang yang naik motor pun ada juga....maybe doing the Broga loop...
And what crosses my mind too about talks of volunteering to go to Gaza....i suggest come and cycle first and try Peres or even Tekala, before even mentioning of volunteering!!!!!

My doctor Tengku Mohamed advised that i take some Panadol and rest.
I think i will do just that now.
Azudin
1500 hrs.

Saturday Putrajaya Morning Ride (PMR)

Managed to join PERs members on Saturday PMR after laying off cycling since Tuesday.
The flu and cough is still around. The wheezing breathing sound is still there.
However, i managed to cover about 25km.
Still could't sleep.
Contemplating on cycling in Hulu Langat or Guthrie Corridor tomorrow.

About Putrajaya again

Since i am in the mood to write about my kampung, here goes some more second thoughts of mine:

There are many other observations that i can highlight.
But on second thought, i have faith that Putrajaya is run like a
corporation and defintely, they should be better than the local
council and even KL City Hall.
The plans for Putrajaya is First Class, but we must remember that not
all the temporary residents of Putrajaya has First class mentality.
Putrajaya is populated by people from various segments of society, who
were staying in a lesser standard of accomodation in and around KL,
including rumah haram and other housing estates where they hang their
rubbish on trees and their drains are clogged.
Putrajaya is perfectly tailor made as a showcase to the world.
Tourists passed by every day and night and the Dataran Putra is a focal
point for their visit.
Some how, there are a few occasions when events are held on the
Dataran and the organisers closed the whole area and hence,
inconveniencing the bus loads of tourist who has a limited time to
visit this area and hence, missing the opportunity to drop by. There
are so many other places where these events can be held but yet they
have to do it at the Dataran and worst still close the whole area.
I cannot comprehend the rationale for this!!
When Putrajaya was initially opened, i remember the then KSN, Tan Sri
Halim Ali, who is a friend of mine, going around Putrajaya on his son
in law's motorbike to observe things. He will despatch one of his
loyal Indian staff, i forgot his name, to advise residents who hang
their clothes on the shrubs and bushes and fences behind their house,
with the reasoning that it does not look well on the landscape of
Putrajaya and that there are tourists who pass by everyday.
Even, the placement of air-cond outdoor units are to be placed in a
specific part of the house, so that it does not jeopardise the house.
I remember i had to remove 3 units to the proper place initially
because i simply placed them at the convenience of the air cond
contractors, the cost of which could have make me purchase another air
cond unit!!
Even, now at my present house, i have not made any renovations that
will disturb the originality of the house. I only erected a Pegola
type structure at my kitchen, because without it my wet kitchen will
be subjected to the elements, and hence render it useless. That too, i
have been served a summon which i have to pay because, my applications
for that renovation was lost and it was not done properly.
Being, like i said a typical govt servant, albeit ex, i have no qualm
of paying and in the process of submitting a fresh and proper
application.

Now i see a blatant disregard of this and air cond are simply hung at
their convenience, hence making it an an ugly sight.
I am a firm believer of the rule of law and i break them when i can
have a good reason, for example beating the red light on a lonely road
at midnight, in this case in Putrajaya lonely roads.
Perbadanan have to be firm in enforcing the rules.


After all, what is the problem of enforcing rules for civil servants?

Mosque- Dataran Putra-Out of Bound Area after midnight

A member of PERs sent an email to the KSN to complain about the shoddy treatment of the guards, in getting rid of visitors to the Dataran at the mosque after midnight.
He also asked about the rationale of disallowing visitors to the mosque after midnight.
Perbadanan Putrajaya responded after being asked by the KSN within a week.

However, I am not satisfied with the reply by Perbadanan.
What security are they talking about?
Putrajaya is beautiful at night.It's a waste if we curtail the time to admire it's beauty.

What social problem can the public do in front of the mosque?
What is the job of the guard?

They are supposed to be mobile and ronda the area and not sit on their buttock.After all the contract for the number of guards and their payments were made on the degree of work. I wonder how much is the cost to maintain the guard services?

By getting rid of everybody after midnight, their burden on the job is lessen, that too if there is any burden.

How can they perceive that by midnight it is is a time for rest and there is no reasons for people to be around that area.

And talking about gejala sosial and kegiatan jenayah?
How many reports have been made thus far?
What jenayah?
What gejala sosial?
Pak Samad is right by suggesting that the officials from Perbadanan visit the area at midnight to see what is happening.

I would have thought that the authorities would welcome visitors to Putrajaya day and night and even at dawn. I would have thought that at Dawn or after Subuh prayers, the Dataran would be full of healthy people exercising and doing Tai Chi or any other form of healthy activities'

I would have thought that since the facilities are there, all Govt servants will be exercising after office hours and also on weekend morning. After all they are staying in the excellent quarte ors within easy reach of the superb facilities.

I would have thought that the KSU's will be organising weekend healthy activities like jogging or any other form of healthy living, in Putrajaya by virtue that they are given 2 days off every week.

As it stand, the well paved and well kept pavements are empty. We can count by fingers the number of people using the facilities for healthy activities.

We did pass by the KSN house some time back whilst cycling and he was at his balcony reading the Sunday papers. I belief he must have been back from his morning walk that morning. The next time we pass by, i will drop by and say hello to him and probably invite him to join our cycling group.

Since the Govt is concerned about excessive health care expenditure to the civil servants, why not take preventive measures and really make the civil servants healthy. Looking at the crowd at the now, twice weekly Pasar Malam, i am inclined to belief that they are not healthy at all.

Added to that looking at the mushrooming of Mamak eating shop, where in an area 2 Mamak shop can open at the same time side by side and still do a blooming business, where as the night gets darker, more patrons comes in.

As highlighted by the response by Perbadanan. what reasons do people have to be awake after midnight? At least in the case of those at the mosque area, they are not
unhealthily drowning teh tarik and nasi lemak at midnight?

It makes me wonder whether there is a kilang somewhere, where the workers need to eat after their midnight shift. Sarcastically, i am inclined to believe that they are working overtime!!

In Presint 15, they will have not less than 4 Mamak shop within a small enclave.
And the best part is that there is nobody living in Presint 15-The Diplomatic Enclave.

And lastly, there is no sign board or whatever about the limitations at the Mosque Dataran. We only know when the whistles are blown!! And yet within view there is an expensive electronic display board? And one more last thing, there is no Town Clock anywhere in sight. It would be nice if the unused Minaret displays an electronic clock visible all round.

That's the very least that we can do to make the Minaret usefull. We know the Bilal do not run up the Minaret anymore for the Azan!!! The loud speakers too are not placed there.

I would love to volunteer as a local Councillor of Putrajaya, having lived here since it was established, but then again as i was told by one Perbadanan official, it is better that we do not have outsiders or rather in our case politically elected councillors, because 'susah nak control".

I know Tan Sri Sam personally. Maybe it's about time that i pay him a visit.

Azudin
p/s,
"Putrajaya, the Cycling Capital of the World, By Choice"

Down but not Out

This is the 3rd day/night that i have not cycled.
Managed to complete my fast on 10th Muharam.
Thought that i could join the Wednesday night PNR.
After breaking of fast, i was on the bed by 9.00 pm.
Didn't feel well to cycle despite a call from my cycling friend.
Sure enough, i woke up with a sore throat and dryness this morning.
Decide to skip work and visited my Doctor friend.
Diagnosed as having some elements of viral fever, he gave me 2 days MC, to have a complete rest.
Hence i have been on my bed eversince(literally).

At my age it is better to be wise and listen to the Doctor.
Better be Healthy so that you can be Wealthy and hopefully Wise.
Prevention too is better than cure.