This year's Raya

Raya this year is the dullest ever. I hate long road trips during Raya because they're both tiring and boring so don't wonder why I am a so grumpy guest.

Luckily yesterday, the third day of Raya, my friends and I managed to get together. All are my fellow state buddies from the school days, and our bond was formed on the homecoming 500km bus trips from the school to Terengganu during school holidays.

To me, the essence of Raya is reconnecting with the people that once brought joy to our lives. And these people don't have to be family or relatives but most often in my instances, true friends. That's me being honest.

Buka Puasa with the MB

We managed to book a place for the breaking fast ceremony with the Menteri Besar organised by the state govt and PESAT. Event was held at Dewan Merdeka PWTC, perhaps the most recognisable hall in Malaysia thanks to the annual UMNO Grand Assembly which takes place perennially here. I don't think anyone can mistake the signature ceiling, below which UMNO reps meet every year.

The event was started by the speech from the President of PESAT Dato' Ir. Wan Husin whose point about equal treatment for the Trengganuers not living in the state I agree completely. Plus, I personally think that the state's wealth has been leaking to 'outsiders'. Take, for example, the state scholarships. The requirements are quite loose, even someone who isn't born in the state to non-Trengganu parents qualify, provided they have lived in Trengganu for a period of time. A robbery I say, given many true children of the state actually deserve the assistance.

The MB, newly minted, then took the stage. YAB Dato' Razif serves my constituency, which I acknowledged to him when he made his rounds meeting the attendees pre-event. 

The MB approached,

"Orang Bberang Takir ni Dato',"

"Ohh, kapung ane mung?"

"Pok Tijoh,"

Nods, "Pok Tijoh spetir rendang,"

"Hoo"

My political view aside, this guy looks nice.

The MB started his speech by acknowledging the attendance of the VIPs, who are of course born and bred as anok Tranungs. Quite a lengthy list which includes the CEO of TNB Dato' Ir. Azman, RTD Director-General Dato' Sri Ismail Ahmad, Media Prima's Dato' Manja Ismail and a few other DGs and MDs and CEOs I don't recall.

I also learnt from the MB's speech that Capt Norudin Abd Majid, famous for his 'revealing' comments on MH370 is also from Trengganu.  

The later part of the speech was quite boring, although the MB talked also about the recent double tragedies, using both cases to make his point about being more responsible in dispersing info especially in social media. That is important, as he noted, as the current political climate in Trengganu right now, as he said and I quote, is "paham-paham saje lah,". Cue Ahmad Said's short vendetta against the PM. The MB also failed to address the PESAT President's speech. 

The speech ended only a few minutes before buka puasa. I spent the next hour trying out all the foods from the stall before heading home.

Write-offs

With the loss of 9M-MRD in the MH17 incident, both my Boeing 777 aircraft models have lost their respective 1:1 originals.

In the picture (clockwise from top left):

1. 9M-MRO (B777-2H6) - delivered 31/5/2002, missing when flying MH370 on 8/3/2014, declared lost in Indian Ocean on 24/3/2014.

2. 9M-MRD (B777-2H6) - delivered 29/7/1997, shot down over Eastern Ukraine when flying MH17 on 17/7/2014.

3. 9M-MBA (B737-2H6) - delivered 1/1/1975, sold to Great Atlantic Airlines on 1/10/1991.

4. 9M-MMM (B737-4H6) - delivered 8/1/1993, sold to Shaheen Air on 22/10/2012.

5. 9M-MXA (B737-8H6) - delivered 29/10/2010, in service.

This is an old picture, these models were among the first I bought.

Sayonara Heliconia

The most heartbreaking moment when the news started developing on MH17 was when I saw the picture of the severed vertical stabiliser of 9M-MRD. It was most telling of the whole incident. The formerly gleaming MAS logo on the tail that separated from the fuselage. It invoked my deepest grief as it confirmed my most distanced fear. We've lost another plane while we are still in disbelief over the very recent loss of MH370.

What is happening to us? What is happening to Malaysia Airlines?

I never thought that I would live to see an MAS aircraft involved in a major occurrence. And it happened, not once, but twice, over a short period of time.

Is this a sign to Malaysia or Malaysia Airlines?