OPS PONTIAN 13 JULY 2013

 Our squad Ali bin Abdul Hamid passed away on 19 May 2013. It was just one week before our 45th annual gathering at Gambang Water Resort in Pahang. He and his wife had registered to attend the annual gathering. It is not to be. Looks like we have lost another of our squadmates. During the gathering a collection was made to pass on to his kins.
So on 13 Jul 2013 a group of 4 led by the Apai Marzuki made their way to Pontian. Those who went were Apai Marzuki, Hj Hamdan Salleh, Bakar Burn and Mike Marzuki. They RVed at the Masjid Parit Hj Sirat in Kayu Ara Pasong, Pontian. They were met by Puan Siti Shamsiah, Ali’s widow and 3 of her children. They then went to the grave site. A tahlil was held led by Hj Hamdan Salleh.

Sqd Hj Hamdan also handed over the collection from fellow squads to Siti Shamsiah.

She recollected the ailment that befell Ali. He was suffering in silence until the fateful day he breathe his last.

Puan Siti Shamsiah relayed the anticipation and eagerness Allahyarham Sqd Ali had  in anticipation of joining the rest of the squads for the ReUnion 2013 at GAMBANG on May 28, 2013.

 His daughter Suhaida said he had kept the POEM that Allahyarham had specifically composed to be read during the grand dinner.  As it was, ALLAH loves him more.
The group had to take leave eventually. It was with a heavy heart they left yet felt fulfilled after accomplishing what they set out to do. They left after zohor prayers.
May Allahyarham Ali bin Abd Hamid be blessed and placed amongst the chosen ones.
And his poem is enshrined with us thus:

PADAMU KUINGATI TERUS MENUNJANG KEHIDUPAN

12 Regular, Memang Ada Gaya
Sejak Remaja, Sehingga Menjangkau Usia
Ada Kelas Tersendiri, Memenuhi Peristiwa
Penuh Bergalmor, Mewarnai Pelbagai Cerita.

Bermulalah Latihan Mereka Di Sungai Besi
Yang Terpilih, Berlatih Di Luar Negeri
Yang Gagal, Terkeluar Dan Diganti
Majoritinya, Terus Menghuni Persada RMC

Tercatatlah Sejarah, Apabila Latihan Bermula
Bersatulah Kadet Darat, Laut, Udara
Tiba Waktunya, Mereka Berpisahlah Jua
Tinggallah Kadet Darat, Kekurangan Anggota

Forum Skuad, Jelas Kurang Member
Tujuh Kadet SSC-14, Melengkapkan Number
Berbangga Menegakkan, Identiti 12 Regular
Sama Gigih Berjuang, Mencorakkan Character.

Kadet Darat, Yang Berbagai Rupa 
Bersatu Sejiwa Mengharungi Latihan Mereka
Semua Menggelabah Takut Kena Dera
Pengancam Utama, Memang Senior Regular

Sesungguhnya, 12 Regular Insan Jitu
Berjiwa Kental, Pelbagai Gelagat Laku
Berpegang Prinsip, Teguh-Setia-Bersatu
Bersumpah, Selagi Bernyawa Bertemu Selalu

Mereka kelompok, Berkulit Pelbagai Warna
Anak Watan, Lahir Sebelum Merdeka 
Tidak Timbul Apa Agama, Bangsa
Terpentingnya, Semua Bermisi Bakti Negara.

Taukey Don Too, Memang Ada
Silent Tan Baa Too, Ada
Lee Chee Kong, Juga Ada
Hon Mun Long, Lagi Ada.

Ada Ramasamy Pasti Ada Jayandran
Ada Choudry, Juga Singh Berserban
Ada Richard, Rais Melengkapkan Kecukan
Melayu Pula, Pelbagai Darah Campuran.

Ada Digelar Badak, Sumbunya Tiada
Ada Jenama Kelabu, Personalitinya Geliga
Majoriti Skuad, Lagi Kelamkabut Jadinya
Namun Mereka, Hebat-Hebat Belaka

Ada Pengko,  Bukan Supreme Commander
Ayam Tiada, Tetapi Gemar Laganya
Ada Tak-Boleh Sebut “R” Selamanya
Terbukti, Setiap Seorang Ada Spesialitinya

Dah-Lebih 40 Tahun Skuad Kita
Ada Rakan Sudah Berhijrah Ke Syurga
Kita Di Sini, Masih Menungkah Dunia
Tepatnya, Tunggu Nombor Giliran agaknya..

Umur Semua Dah-Lebih Setengah Abad
Walaupun Slow, Gelagat Masih Hebat
Tenaga Kurang, Tetapi Masih Bersemangat
Cakap Memang Lebih, Prestasi Lambat.

Namun Apabila Mereka Dapat Bersama
Hilang Segala Status, Kecuali Nama
Penuh Mesra, Gelak Dan Tawa
Cerita Lama, Galak Dibongkar Segera.

Memang Seronok, Melihatkan Kelibat Mereka
Semakin Meningkat Usia, Semakin Bergaya
Dahulu Memang Berglamor, Kini Bersahaja
Yang Jelas, Rambut Mereka Dah-Berwarna.

Tulang Mereka, Belum Lagi Reput
Makin Segak Walaupun Berumur Lanjut
Fizikal Agak Senget, Belum Ganyut
Otak Stabil, Mantap Aktif, Tak-Hanyut.

Cinta Kepada Isteri, Sememangnya Terangkat
Hanya Dikau, Kasih Yang Kutambat
Kasihan, Apabila Tikit Sudah Dapat
Penat Diuja, Tak-Bangun, Statik Melekat.

Namun Isteri, Faham Maksud Kita
Yang Suka, Walaupun Seketika, Mencuba
Memang Hasilnya, Pasti Tidak Kemana
Tetapi Puas, Pasti Tidur Lena.

Isteri Pula, Ibarat Pelampung Keselamatan
Tak-Gerenti Timbul, Bila Sudah Di Perairan
Namun Ibu, Teman Seiringan Seperjalanan
Setia-Sejiwa, Meredah Alam Kehidupan.

Selagi Bakti Bersambung, Pastinya Berjasa
Yang Utamanya, Pasangan Setia Bersama
Mungkin Sering Tak-Setuju, Berbeza Tiada
Susah Senang, Bangga Diharungi Berdua.

Maafkan Semua, Ibu Dan Rakan   
Mungkin Kataku, Terasa Mencuit Perasaan
Sekali Sekala, Tak-Salah Lepaskan Gian
Jadi Nostalgia, Kenangan Indah Pertemuan.

Didoakan Semua, Bahagia Sihat Sejahtera
Dengan Pasangan, Sejati Seiringan Sebaya
Selagi Bergerak, Yakin Gunakan Minda
Kalau Dah-Takboleh, Ok, Apa Nak-Dikata.

Banyak Hasrat Akan Tinggal Impian
12 Regular, Pasti Teguh Bersahutan
Teruskan Sejiwa, Ghairah Dalam Sepakatan
Gah Melata Berkawan Dipersada Kehidupan.

Selagi Bernyawa, Waras Mampu Berfikiran
Sihatkan Badan, Banyakkan Waktu Berjalan
Sudah Tersadai, Mengeluh Bukan-Bukan
Penyesalan Panjang, Akibat Abaikan Kesihatan.

Selagi Sihat, Juga Masih Berkesanggupan
Berjanjilah Kita, Setia-Bersama Disemarakkan
Semoga Kekal, Episod Sebegini Berteruskan
Walaupun Kecil, Ianya Menyinari Persahabatan

Lanjutlah Umur, Moga Melimpah kebahagiaan
Teruja Menanti, Kemesraan Sentiasa Berdatangan
Dirgahayu, Duhai Teman Dan Rakan
Subur Segarlah, Disisi Isteri Kalian.

Ibarat Kereta Tua Tanpa Geris
Yang Boleh Diklasfikasikan Pakai Habis
Begitulah Umur Kita Semakin Menipis
Seperti Perahanan Tanpa Anti-Kalis.

Namun Banyak Lagi Boleh Disumbangkan
Kepada Agama, Bangsa Dan Watan
Agar Hidup Ini Penuh Kesejahteraan
Sebelum Kita Sampai Dititik Penyudahan.

ALI BIN ABDUL HAMID
410679
 

 

Alfatihah
Salam.

RAFOC’S ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2013

 The Persatuan Pegawai Pegawai Bersara Angkatan Tentera or Retired Armed Forces Officers’ Association or RAFOC had their Annual general Meeting on 22 June 2013 at the Dewan Hikmat Maktab Turuus Angkatan tentera commencing at 1400 hrs.

 

We were notified of the meeting very much earlier through letters and e-mails.
The agenda included elections of new 8 office bearers, 2 accounts examiners, 3 Board of Appeal Members.
We started of with the bacaan Doa Selamat, followed by the President’s speech.

 

 The President Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohd Ghazali bin Dato Mohd Seth amongst others mentioned of :
a.    That RAFOC to achieve success in achieving its objectives and meeting its targets.
b.    Having had 4 major gatherings namely religious, forums, golfs and 2 get togethers.
c.    Raising 2 issues with the government namely:
i.     the use of similar ranks by other organisations such as RELA. There were indications that the approved act would be amended to rectify it.
ii.    The conferment of honourary military ranks to non- service members. Our  observations has been conveyed to the relevant authorities in MINDEF.
d.    On the membership, the President indicated that there were over 10,000 retired AF officers but only 500 joined the association. He suggested that members should try to get more to join.  
e.    On the pensions he mentioned that:
i.    An increment of minimum pension of RM 720 to RM 820.
ii.    A one-off payment of RM 1,000 to those who does not received any pension. This was paid in the early part of the year.
The Deputy President Tan Sri Dato Seri Abd Rahman bin Abd Hamid

presented a proposal for Member-To-Get-Member for approval. It was unanimously approved.

There were also an award ceremony for those receiving the Pingat Jasa Malaysia or PJM. A total of 50 received it on that day.

A more comprehensive report on the AGM should be available on RAFOC’s website at http://www.rafoc.org.my
I am posting this in the hope that there’ll be more of our retired AF officers join RAFOC.
There are 2 categories of membership:
a.    Ordinary Member. An entrance fee of RM 100 and annual subscription of RM 50.
b.    Life Member. A one time payment of RM 400.
I also noticed only John Ramli was the other intake member present then. Can’t say who else are members or non-members. It would be good for us to join. If for no other reason – at least to meet up with friends.

Salam.

JOHNNY LOO CAME A CALLING

 This I wrote in April 2010
Johnny who? Yes our Johnny Loo, who we thought have disappeared from the face of the Earth has resurfaced.
It started innocently enough when we had our pra Beijing Trip Discussion – again. This time we had it at the Rasa Sayang Restaurant in Jalan Yap Kwan Seng on 16 Apr 2010. As per N, Bakar Baba (Burn) were bombarded with questions on Who’s Where. Apparently Aziz Iskandar was residing in Rome with an Italian wife. Iskandar in English is Alexander (the Great). Can’t really say whether he has turned ‘Great’. Not much on him there. Philip Lim was still in the US. He usually comes back to Malaysia in May. That would be next month. Somebody asked whether I keep in touch with Tommy of which from me was in the affirmative. Then Johnny Loo. Where was he? He had wanted to attend the meeting but somehow was caught in a ‘car problem’. From Burn he really wanted to catch up with our squad mates. After a bit of discussion it was agreed that we meet up with him. WIP in Bangsar Shopping Centre was decided as the venue and Monday 19th Apr was the agreed time.
We trickled in at the expected ‘get together’ and all were there by 8.30 pm. There were Burn, Marzuki Taharim, Khalid Saad, Isa Hassan, Yusof Mohd Noor (who just arrived from Johor Bahru), Jayanderan and me. Johnny came in at about that time and it was a moment of handshakes and hugs and smiles all round. He looks good. Still maintain a nice physique and a posture of an Air Force officer. Thinning hair but I would categorise his hair as ‘still black’. Lots of questions were posed to him. The part that I could remember was that he was residing in Hong Kong. Has been there for the past 1 ½ years. He works with Cathay Pacific as an instructor on the flight stimulator. Then we were also informed that Goh Quee Lim was in Singapore. It seems that Johnny persuaded Goh to join him in Singapore but then Johnny later moved on to Hong Kong. Goh was heard to complain on this ‘disloyal’ move by Johnny. In all Johnny has been out of the country for the past 16 years. His children are all married but spread out all over the world. One as I recalled was in Auckland. No grandchildren yet.  He still maintained a condo in KL and whenever he comes back would stay in that condo.
We were chatting away and reminiscing old times. It was a good get together. His presence also brought the rest together too. Though staying within reach of each other we were caught up with doing our things and the presence of a ‘foreigner’ gave us that excuse to meet up.
That was in April 2010.
Come May 2013 he appeared again. Prior to that there were the normal notifications from Burn about ‘Johnny is in Town’. So we met. This time they met in the Kelab Taman Tasek Perdana DiRaja ( The Royal Lake Club). As the President wrote:
Tonight we "dine in" Johnny Loo at RLC. Khalid Saad, Isa, Burn, Ahmad Ismail, Mike were in attendance. As usual it was a happy get together with lots of cerita to exchange. Johnny is all by himself now. His 3 daughters "dumped" him. (please don’t take it literally Johnny) They are all in NZ and Australia.
I only came to know that his wife passed away 2 years ago.
Johnny still lives in Hong Kong. He is a Flight Trainer, a senior and naturally an excellent one. At his age if he is engaged, must be something special in him.
Whilst having dinner, JUO Hng Hung Yeow walked in with his family.
We got together briefly and laughed out our experiences.
We were also briefly joined by Maj Gen Dato Dr Mohandas former DMS and Lt Col Dr Andrew Charles Gomez our ENT specialist.

I am hoping to get pictures of the above reunion. Once received I will post it. In the meantime be satisfied with some of pics Johnny posted on the facebook.

Salam.

CLUB 12/68 ANNUAL REUNION AT GAMBANG PAHANG 27-30 MAY 2013

 

 

Once again members of Club 12/68 (comprising of military officer cadet of the 12th intake in the year 1968 till 1970) organised their annual reunion. We have been having an annual gathering since 1991. The last 4 gatherings were held overseas,

 most recently being in Guilin in China. For the year 2013 it was decided to have it in Gambang, Pahang. The Chairman of Organising Committee (COO) decided by the President was Kol Hj Hamdan Mohd Salleh. Our Imam. The COO got down to work the moment we reached Malaysia after our reunion in Guilin. Meetings were held to ensure the Reunion went on well. The meetings were to decide the venue, itinerary, dates, golfers’ programme, familys’ programme and prizes. The wives were the major organizers. They decided the events, venue, prizes etc etc. The men only concentrated on the golf.
It was to be a 27th  till 30th   May. Four days in all. Finally the day arrived. A total of 47 pax descended on to Gambang Resort City. All stayed at the same resort and proceeded for our programmes from there.
It was supposed to be 49 pax. Unfortunately Ali Hamid passed away on 19 May due to heart complications. He had wanted to attend and had paid up for the reunion. He had spoken to Hj Hamdan and expressed his desire to meet the Intake and "untuk meminta maaf antara kita. Lama tak bersua" Looks like it was not to be. Besides refunding his payment, the intake collected RM 2000 as sedekah for his family.
Activities:
a.    Golf:    A total of 7 golfers took part. It was played at the Royal Pahang Golf Club.

 

b.    Water Activities. Held at Water Park area. All family members took part.
c.    Tahlil, Solat Maghrib/Ishak including bacaan surah Yassin was held on the night of the 28 May.

It was held at a room provided by the Resort Management. This event was ably headed by Squad Rahman Jabir.
d.    A telematch participated by 5 non golfers, 9 wives, 10 adults and 12 children were held. Five games were played. They had a good time. Prizes were presented on the night of the Grand Dinner.
 

.    

We moved off back to our own home on 30 May. We bid everybody farewell with a promise to meet again in 2014. Insyaallah.

The new Chairman of the Organising Committee for the next Annual Reunion is Dato Abdul Hadi Razak.

 

 

Salam