WEDDING RECEPTION OF AHMED IRFAN AND IDA HARMIZA AT THE GRAND MAHKOTA BALLROOM, HOTEL ISTANA ON 06 DECEMBER 2009

It was a grand and glittering occasion. The wedding reception of our squad, Mamat Ariffin’s son Ahmed Irfan with his bride, the lovely Ida Harmiza binti Dato Johar. It was held at the Grand Mahkota Ballroom, Hotel Istana.

As we entered the ballroom we could see the grandeur of it all. We made our way to the allocated table and met other squad mates. Almost everybody was there.

We first saw our Presidente with his wife Azizah, There was Khalid Saad, Hashim Yahaya, Marzuki Apai, Burn, Ahmad Ismail (all the way from Alor Star, Sam (Ramasamy) very smart in his beige suit, Jamil Rais, Ramli Harun, Kamaldin, Hadi Razak, Isa, Hj Hamdan, Bakar Suman, Zakaria Ramli, Billy Gooi, Khalid Othman and Chee Eng Boon. All with their spouses.

There was also Yusof Mohd Noor splendidly dressed in baju kebangsaan. Macam dia nak pergi kahwin pulak.


















Chee need special mention as it was ages since we met him. He was there with his lovely missus. Both dressed in red.

We had earlier said our greetings to Mamat Ariffin and his lovely wife, Datin Noraini at the entrance to the ballroom. They looked great in their grey baju kebangsaan. Together with the committee, all in grey, they looked fabulous.And whenever squads meet, there’ll lots of chats, catching up with the latest news. It took a bit of persuasion and a bit of prodding to have everybody seated. A bit scattered but everybody got a seat. I had Sam and Missus, Chee and Missus, Hj Hamdan and Missus and Ahmad Ismails’s daughter and her husband. Cukup sepuluh. The menu as listed on the menu card includes nasi beriani or nasi putih, dalca, daging lembu, acar rampai, udang mentega (buttered prawn lah tu), ayam masak merah, ikan masak sweet sour. Considering MatPin was from Kelantan, there was no budu though. A big spread. Hj Hamdan doesn’t take udang, so extras for us. There were sweetened drinks as well as mineral water. On completion there was a combination of dessert which includes apple pie, ice cream, cut fruits of strawberry (ini Isa kena sebut) and mango.
Coffee or tea to conclude. Besides that, there were cute Hotel Istana tiny tins with chocolates inside. Actually these chocs would be good to take during our drive back. As for mine, I took one earlier and when Joe Grey mentioned about being hungry, I gave him one. There was also a bowl of fragranced flowers inside. From the usual lithe clutch bags that our wives used to bring, we now have to bring slightly bigger handbags – to put these bowls in. The table gifts are getting bigger and bigger. We may have to bring brief cases soon.




At about 2030 hrs the newlyweds with their entourage entered the ballroom. They were led by lounge suited boys and flower girls. They paused for the recitation of the ‘Selawat’ and then proceeded to the pelamin. The pelamin on stage decorated with flowers was bathed in an impressive white lights. It was a very touching and a significant moment.



This was followed by the ‘menepung tawar’. There were 6 couples who did the honour to the newlyweds. Once done, they adjourned to the hightable.

They were followed by the newlyweds. Dinner was announced and we demurely started our meals. As usual we the gentlemen served for our ladies. We took last. It was a splendid spread. MatPin and family must have undergone a strict and tedious ‘food tasting’ time. There were dances immediately after the newlyweds sat at the HighTable. They were youngsters who danced very well indeed.














After dinner there was a speech by MatPin.
With his lovely wife by his side, he thanked all present, And in thanking the guests he made special mention of his pride in being part of Club 12/68, of which he said of a relationship that started in 1968. That’s a good 42 years.
This was followed by the Cake Cutting session.

It was a 4 tiered cake. Tall and exquisite. After the rituals were over, the newlyweds strode to the entrance to thank guests and bid them farewell. We lined up. Then I saw it.

Our members were still around and still sitting down. I guessed, pre dinner chats were still not enough. There need to be a post dinner continuation exchanges. Thats the spirit of Club 12/68. Our presence was to show support to our squad and his family. Sorry guys but no supper would be served. We thanked the newlyweds. Wished them Selamat Pengantin Baru and all the Best.

We thanked MatPin and Datin Noraini and the committee members who had done a splendid job.

 The next snag was the long crawl to get out of the basement parking area. It comes with the turf I guessed. Everybody was Happy and Hopefully MatPin and his Family too. Even though in his speech he mentioned that ‘ being a General I only make general decision whilst all major decisions were left to my wife'. It must be many hours of discussions, planning, preparation and decisions to be made for this wedding. Whew. Its over for now Squad. Ada lagi ke? We are available to attend another wedding.
Thanks a Lot Squad.

Squad Terima Menantu

As for this one, you need to refer to Jamil's latest on the openning of a German Store. The two guys on inserted pictures were also there.
Oooopps.
ps. Dear Bro Zed & Kathy. My apology. John