D is the letter of the day

At school, D is a mark of failure. At work, D is the same.

My thought of the day, when I was asked about the new direction of my organisation:

"Dictation and direction stand on two different definitions and descriptions. A person who directs does not necessarily dictates but a person who dictates does directs those who direct to dictate. A person who does direction and dictation could probably be both dictator and director. Furthermore, a direction of a dictation can be dictated as well as dictation of direction must be directed according to the direction stated in the dictation. Having accomplished such comprehension and execution of these, one may conclude to be either director or dictator; only a few successfully become absolute dictators."

- RS Iskandar, 2012.

Too much of dees as my head is still thinking of uncouth actions that happened lately.

"February was great, a great leap indeed."

The month of February 2012 will soon pass and Malaysian-born Italy player, Rocco Iskandar is more than pleased despite overshadowed by the sudden resignation of his beloved big boss to another corporation, he was happy for all he has achieved. Here are some of his response to our reporters about his views on the departing month. 

"Having a good breakfast with newspapers aside marks a bright start of the day. Turning into each page is like climbing on career stairs, years to years with best performance and achievements. At the end of the day, you'll have a hearty dinner and coming to the end of a page of your favourite book/magazine of the day, you realized that all are completed and you are ready to embark on a new beginning the next day. Thank you for everything, my big boss and wonder how my career steps would be easy as having breakfast."

A multicultural person (he claimed), he spoke about the festivities that occured in February:

"Today marks a special occasion of cherishing and celebrating the life and legacy of our dearest messenger of Allah, Muhammad SAW. Let us praise, remember and love him in our daily lives, prayers and actions. May Allah SWT bless our beloved Rasulullah SAW."

"Oh yes, today is Chap Goh Mei. Yesterday was Mawlid, tomorrow is Thaipusam. For single girls out there, be sure to throw your lokam into rivers and make your dream partner wishes. A week of festivities and all charged for coming working days."

His opinion on hotly debated Valentine's Day wasn't well-received by some quarters, as he described:

"Okay, so today is Valentine's Day, the so-called day to celebrate love at mega scale. So they say. And some friends are celebrating their birthdays today, too. So, happy birthday to them. See, I believe in whatever I believe. I hold none to whatever people say or think but whoever wants to celebrate the day, go ahead (those who aren't, let's cheer up). No one has the right to stop people to celebrate the day. In fact, I can't see why these so-called religious police make a big fuss over media every year... well, too bad. Vices happen everyday, every time, everywhere. It's all depends on you. Anyway, spread the love and care to all... and yes, I need a girlfriend."

At one particular session, he was asked by the media on his way to spend a morning with style:

"Inspired by Milan's victorious 4-0 mauling of Arsenal at San Siro, I had morning run and panting from exhaustion, will jog for a while before running again. Man, this week is quite tough and I love every minute of it. Weight training later on before having light breakfast at home." 

On being asked about his take on social and education problems in Malaysia:

"It all starts from home. It is paramount to uphold to family values and nurture your kids throughout their life. Never stop your children's creativity; let them explore their talents and interests. Teach them essential values of life, survival skills, enrich their knowledge and reach, get their tongue well-articulated to master at least three languages, stimulate their brains with music and mathematics, taking good care of their health and well-being, entertain and answer their questions and curiosities accordingly... all done in your own fashion. I have envisaged my well-designed parental development so my children would grow up appreciating life, culture, social and realism well. They are expected not to be typical Malays. And I believe my long standing 'Go International' motto is my best motivation."

Describing his hectic day of work, he pointed:

"The Copywriting Executive Officer (CEO) of a leading newspaper company (and also part of national media conglomerate) is engaged in few project discussions and client meetings for potential national building, privatization and revenue purposes. Therefore, all communications can only be accomplished occasionally via Twitter or SMS."

He is also a fan of communism (in theory, at least) and his views on communism songs:

"I always have a little fascination towards socialism and communism. Hmm. Listening to communism songs has been my daily dose nowadays."

Asking about how the week will be spent, he added:

"Week 8, 2012 will soon pass. It has been a tremendous week with lots of tasks: management and creative meetings, in-house planning; editing, writing and drafting copies, creative touch-ups and occasional hiccups here and there. The situation is getting better with more ideas and initiatives being undertaken for firm orders and commitments. And I feel so alive and focused after a random weekend, superimposing fun and daily puffy sessions with my girls. Looking forward for a trip to saloon, the AC Milan-Juventus showdown and Melaka retreat. Phew, what a week!"

On the controversial Serie A match between AC Milan vs Juventus in San Siro:

"It was an electrifying, heart-wrenching, high-profiled and controversial game. Should have been a win in our favour, if not for dubious refereeing overlook. Both teams played in fast, organised tempo to outshine each other but forced to settle for a draw. We are still on top with a point gap but the Bianconeri have a match in hand. Despite whatever, the Rossoneri were sparkling."

Phew, what a lengthy interview. And his imaginary girlfriend is bitingly smiling over.

Valentine Ke Apa Ni?

Semalam sebilangan umat manusia yang rasa hidupnya lengkap meraikan Hari Kekasih untuk tahun 2012 ni. Tarikh jatuhnya tetap sama kerana penetapan 'hari bersejarah' tidak memerlukan kaedah rukyah dan hisab. Pelik pula aku sebab dalam bahasa antarabangsa, Hari Kekasih dikenali sebagai Valentine's Day. Kenapa tak disebut Lovers' Day atau Hari Valentine saja (eat that, so-called religious police!) pun tak aku ketahui.

Okay entri aku ni mungkin ada sikit bias dan sedih sikit kot sebab dikala aku menulis aku baru menonton filem Valentine's Day (serius aku suka) dan mendengar lagu-lagu meruntun jiwa dendangan Kate Walsh.

Dulu I used to celebrate Valentine's Day, kononnya meriah sibuk nak berboyfriend-girlfriend. Nak tunjuk sayang cinta segala. Nak mengukuhkan perasaan cinta terhadap yang tersayang. Dari zaman sekolah sampai nak menginjak ke zaman matrikulasi, aku sambut hari yang kononnya penuh magikal ni. Bila fikir balik, bodoh pulak join sekaki kawan-kawan masa tu.

Well, itu dulu. Sekarang aku tak ambil peduli pun. Bukan sebab aku benci atau takde girlfriend tapi aku ada reason tersendiri.

Aku tak nak sentuh bab sejarah atau yang ada kaitan dengan agama. Pada aku itu pegangan masing-masing. Nak jadi macam PAS yang sibuk nak sekat sana sini aku peduli apa. Pandai buat pandailah cover. Aku ni berfikiran sosialis sikit. Sosialis yang berlandaskan agama.

Oh yes, I am looking for a life partner.

(Aku tak boleh tidur sebenarnya ni, hence the writing).

Overdue

It's February and lots of things happened for the past three weeks. Since the end of January, I'd been a bit slow in blogging and wrote a lot in Twitter and notes. I'll put up some thoughts I've written later on.

Okay weeks of long weekends have ended. First off, the Chinese New Year holiday. I wasn't really into Xie Nian Kuai Le this year as I usually did but nevertheless the Year of Water Dragon promises to be something good for me. So it seems. Went for some unplanned, fun East Coast trip sans Kelantan, from Kuantan to Kuala Terengganu. Yes, three years in a row of Kuala Terengganu trip (congrats Isz!) and this time I went with my parents. Driving all the way up and stay at Primula was relaxing but the scorching coastal heat was killing. But somehow the trip was fun; we even had our makan besar a day before Xie Nian Kuai Le at our favorite Muslim-Chinese restaurant at Kuantan (and yes, the Chinese shirt I wore was awesome, at least to myself).

The second long weekend was spent nowhere else but Melaka with family as well. And taking into account that I was quite broke (so early?) and got some creative work to do, the weekend was rather mild. This long weekend, in conjunction with Maulidur Rasul and Thaipusam really got me lazy. Unlike those East Coast escapade, this one was dwelling the same as I usually run into: having ikan bakar at the beachfront, going to city centre and what not. Ending my mild weekend was an ice-cream date with my dear schoolmate over creative discussion and gossips, as well as satisfying my crave for nasi ayam at Keramat.

Work wise, was quite slow. It came to me that after all this while, I could turn my creativity into revenue or profit, should I know where to get them. I began to weigh my consideration to seek other better employment at prestigious advertising agencies to pursue my career further. I do have some disagreements and frustration over some matters at office but still can be managed. After all, I have been working for nearly five years and achieve a lot... but not much.

I have been ranting a lot in my notes and Twitter, lately. Perhaps in one of many entries, I'll post them. And like my friend said, "creativity is boundless; no idea is stupid." 

Well anyway, Happy Chap Goh Mei, Salam Maulidur Rasul and Thaipusam. And hopefully this February promises more luck and opportunities. And get ready for some exciting work-related stress.

Soal jawab masalah & agama yang tak relevan

Awal-awal aku bagi warning: Entri ni mungkin menimbulkan salah faham dan kontroversi. Terpulanglah pada penilaian masing-masing.

Sebenarnya dari dulu lagi aku dah perasan benda ni, cuma takde lagi sebab nak trigger aku untuk menulis mengenainya. Cuma baru-baru ni aku rasa macam terpanggil nak menulis sikit tentang hal ini.

Kalau kita baca mana-mana akhbar, kita pasti akan terbaca bahagian soal jawab masalah atau agama, yang dikendalikan oleh beberapa kaunselor atau ahli agama. Ini adalah sesuatu yang bagus kerana pembaca boleh mendapat ilmu dan kaedah untuk mengatasi beberapa masalah dikemukakan serta berpeluang berinteraksi dengan personaliti-personaliti terbabit.

Tetapi TAK SEMUA MASALAH DISELESAIKAN SECARA TEPAT.

Apsal aku cakap macam tu? Sebab kebiasaannya untuk menjawab soalan seumpama ini mukadimahnya terlalu panjang siap dengan dalil-dalil yang tak dikupas habis kemudian tergantung macam tu je. Dalam akhbar manalah ada cukup ruang nak jawab semua secara spesifik. Bagi jawapan tepat dan terangkan dengan dalil yang berkaitan jelah. Silap-silap yang bertanya jadi lebih keliru dan pembaca pun keliru, "eh, apa jawapan ustaz ni?"

Kita ambil contoh satu masalah agama:

Salam. Saya dan isteri kerap melakukan hubungan kelamin dan menurut tertib seperti yang dianjurkan agama. Persooalan saya ialah, apakah hukumnya melakukan hubungan kelamin dalam keadaan bogel? - H, Bangsar.

(Ini soalan yang aku pilih sendiri. Suka hati akulah, nak kongsi dengan you all jugak kan?)

Kalau dalam akhbar, "jawapan" tipikal ialah sebegini (lebih kurang):

Waalaikumussalam H,

Islam menganjurkan perkahwinan sebagai satu cara untuk menghalalkan fitrah kehendak lelaki dan wanita dalam menghasilkan zuriat... bla bla bla... kerana dalam Islam hubungan kelamin ialah satu... bla bla bla... rujuk pada ayat dan hadith... bla bla bla (dah sampai tiga kolum ni)... dan ending biasanya bunyi macam nak bagi penghakiman je.

Tak boleh ke bagi jawapan tepat serta sebabnya terus? Kenapa nak bercerita seolah-olah si pengadu tu bertanya soalan umum berkenaan seks sampai nak terangkan macam subjek Islamic Sexual Intercourse 101?

Kan bagus kalau jawapannya terus begini:

Waalaikumussalam H,

Hukum melakukan hubungan kelamin secara berbogel adalah dibolehkan. Hal ini dibolehkan berdasarkan yang berikut:

Prof Dr Abdul Halil Abu Syuqqah, sahabat Dr Yusof al-Qardhawi dari universiti Qatar menjelaskan kekeliruan umat Islam:

” …ramai yang faham jima’ (hubungan seks) hendaklah dilakukan dalam malam yang gelap gulita, jika jima’ di siang hari pula, hendaklah dilakukan dengan hanya membuka sedikit sahaja pakaian dan menutupi sebahagian besarnya, ada pula fatwa, tidak boleh memandang aurat satu sama lain dan hendaklah menjauhkan (mata) dari memandang alat kelamin masing-masing. Ini semua tidak disandarkan kepada dalil yang sahih. Sedangkan amalan ini bercanggah dengan keumuman nas-nas yang membolehkan:

” Dan orang-orang yang menjaga kemaluannya, kecuali terhadap isteri-isteri dan sahaya miliknya.” - AQT 23:5

Mafhum hadith:

”Jagalah kemaluanmu, kecuali terhadap isterimu dan budakmu.”

- al-Albani, sahih Sunan Abu Daud (3391)

Al-Hafidz Ibn Hajar meriwayatkan hadith dari Aisyah ra. Sulaiman bin Musa pernah bertanya Atha’ akan bagaimana seorang lelaki yang memandang faraj isterinya, lalu aku (Atha’) bertanyakan akan Aisyah, lalu Aisyah meriwayatkan bahawa dia dan RasuluLlah saw pernah mandi bersama-sama. (al-Fath, 1/378)

Maka jelaslah bahawa boleh rupanya pasangan saling melihat aurat masing-masing dan boleh melakukannya secara berbogel. Sekian.

*******

Mudahkan begitu, beri jawapan "ya" atau "tidak" sebelum menerangkan sebabnya?

Ini bukan sekadar persoalan agama, tapi persoalan rumahtangga, ekonomi, sosial dan lain-lain pun sama. Aku menyentuh soal agama kerana ianya amat penting dalam kehidupan seharian kita.

Tak percaya, try tengok dalam akhbar... kiasan menyimpang jauh sebelum menjawab, kepala semakin kusut nak faham masalah yang sedia kusut meminta jawapan.

Prinsipnya sama macam kita bertanya soalan pada orang. Bila kita bertanya, kita mahukan jawapan "ya" atau "tidak" dulu, betul tak? Lepas tu baru kita bertanya sebab kenapa boleh atau tak boleh.

Mengapa demikian?

Pada hemat aku, bila aku bertanya dan menerima jawapan sama ada ya atau tidak, minda kita akan ditetapkan mengikut jawapan awal itu tadi. Lepas tu, kita akan bersedia untuk menerima maklumat tentang sebab jawapan itu diberikan supaya kita lebih faham dan bertindak sewajarnya.

Cuba tengok soalan mudah oleh seorang budak kepada bapanya ini:

Hari belum hujan lagi. Boleh tak adik nak main layang-layang kat luar?

Si ayah akan menjawab:

Boleh, tapi kalau hujan nak turun, cepat-cepat masuk ke rumah ya. Nanti disambar kilat.

Takkan si ayah nak jawab macam ni pulak kan:

Adik tahu tak eksperimen konduktor elektrik oleh Benjamin Franklin? Dia main layang-layang tengah hujan ribut lepas tu letak kunci kat tali layang-layang. Lepas tu kan dik, kilat menyambar layang-layang tu. Kalau adik nak rasa elektrik tu macam mana, adik mainlah, jadi macam Benjamin Franklin.

Bodoh bangang punya jawapan. Panjang lebar, mana budak tu nak faham.

Jadi pokok pangkalnya disini ialah, walau apa pun masalah berkenaan agama, sosial, rumahtangga dan sebagainya, berikanlah jawapan terus barulah terangkan sebabnya. Tak semua orang bijak dan faham.

Dan tak semua ruangan sebegini macam ni. Ada juga yang aku nampak bagi jawapan terus dan padat, sesuai dengan pembacaan para pembaca.

Ini pengamatan aku. Tak puas hati, meh aku jawab persoalan korang… nak jawapan terus ke jawapan berbelit-belit?

Khallas.