Ervan’s Weltanschauung

I am Minang. Both my father and mother are Minang, hence making me 100 percent Minang. Unfortunately, I don’t speak Minang, which a dear old friend of mine who is also Minang like to tease me on. This dear old friend of me also made me realise how close the Minang really are, when he told me that he met a relative of mine during one of his many visits to Padang. He reminded me of Silungkang’s specialty where my family hails from which is of course, the kain songket. Of course, my friend hails from Tanah Datar which is not too far from Silungkang.

The Minangs have influenced Indonesia, Malaysia and even Singapore. These are among the names that I found out.

Bung Hatta - The former vice president of Indonesia, and the voice of reason behind Sukarno. Together with Sukarno, the Indonesians put him at the same level and named Sukarno-Hatta airport after them.

Tuanku Abdul Rahman - The first Agong of the then Malaya. His face can be seen on every Ringgit notes on print since independence. Even the concept of 5 years rotation came from Negeri Sembilan where most of the Minangs in Malaysia reside.

Eusoff Ishak - The first President of Singapore. His face too can be seen on every Singapore Dollar notes on print.

Zubir Said - Composer of Majulah Singapura.

Lt Adnan Bin Saidi - Hmm, I did not know that the famous Lt Adnan was a Minang. He is of course the famous Lt Adnan who fought the Japanese during World War II. He died, refusing to surrender till his last breath.

Chairil Anwar - Remember the poet from Ada Apa Dengan Cinta? Yeaps, he is a Minang too!

Hamka - Writer and ulama

I wonder if we will have a Minang as the PM of Malaysia then?

Entah mengapa hatiku trus gelisah
Apa yang ‘kan terjadi
Airmatapun jatuh tak tertahan
Melihatmu terdiam

Mungkin Tuhan tak ijinkan sekarang
Kau dan aku bahagia
Ternyata kau pergi ‘tuk selamanya
Tinggalkan diriku dan cintaku

A beautiful singer, and even more beautiful voice. *sigh*

Putri berdarah Padang lahir 22 Maret 1983, how’s my Indonesian?

Jakarta is a city of contrasting fortunes. At one end are the really poor people who has to work daily to be able to eat. The other end are the really super rich people who do not have to worry about not being able to eat, unless of course they are suffering from heart problems or diabetes that prevent them from enjoying their food.

I stayed at my cousin’s house which is located in the quiet village called Ciputat. I like it there as it is quiet, and yet, not too far from the necessities in Jakarta. Everywhere I go, I get to see the contrast of Jakarta. Huge mansions in Pondok Indah, and derelict wooden huts that house many families. Not to forget the endless "macets" (traffic jams) that Jakartans have to endure daily.

The rich mall seems sterile in Indonesia as it truly becomes the playground for the rich in Jakarta. Unlike in Malaysia, as we all know when even our foreign hard labour workers can spend their time in Suria KLCC. It’s totally different in Jakarta. I am not sure if the poor people are prevented from entering the mall, or they just know that they are not allowed there. Bear in mind that even to enter the mall, one has to pass many security guards who could easily turn him away…

Indeed, I had a mixed feeling when I found out that Krispy Kreme opened out an outlet in Jakarta’s PIM Mall. Heck, even my cousin Yash mentioned that there is even one in Surabaya! But really, if one can afford RP 5 800 (RM 2.20) for a yummy glazed donut, which easily could feed a person’s lunch, I do feel guilty as I splurged on the Krispy Kremes.

I never felt guilty as I spend my money splurging on Starbucks. God knows my friends know how I always enjoy a cuppa or two at Starbucks. But I guess, because I do not see the poverty in Malaysia. But you know what, poverty exist in Malaysia, but we just don’t see it. I guess it is the same way that poverty exists in Jakarta but people choose not to see it, even if it is right in front of their eyes.

Funny, how eating a glazed Krispy Kreme donut in Jakarta’s PIM made me think…

I was at KL Sentral and was searching for the toilet…

I found one, and walked into the toilet. As I walked in, there’s a mirror in front of me and I noticed a lady was following me into the toilet. For the moment, I thought that I was going into the ladies. So I turned around, and that’s when she said "Oh, oops, sorry!" and turned around, blushing.

It was an early morning, that’s why…

Reminds me of an incident in one of the shopping malls in PJ. One guy was rushing to the toilet when he bumped to a lady coming out from the ladies. Obviously the guy entered the wrong toilet…

The lady exclaimed, "Hey! This is for ladies ya!"

The guy’s answer was priceless, "This also for ladies ya!" and pointed to his "you know what" and ran into the guy’s toilet to relieve himself.

I had a few weeks free before my next assignment in May… and I had this sudden craving for batagors and Amanda Brownies from Bandung and decided to book a flight to Jakarta…

Off to Jakarta I went, stayed in my cousin’s house, and then, off I went to Bandung with my cousin who was kind enough to drive.. After all, till today, driving in Jakarta (or Indonesia for that matter) is totally out of this world!

Anyway, back to Bandung. Bandung is located about 200 km from Jakarta, 2 hours drive if you use the toll road (which we did). It’s located in the mountains, so the weather is cooler than Jakarta, but I remember the weather was colder when I was smaller.

Bandung has its colonial charms. The Dutch concept of small house big lawns which is so unlike the huge mansions and non existant lawn you see in Pondok Indah, Jakarta. And of course, for Malaysians, Bandung is the place to shop with all its factory outlets and old shopping centres ala Pasar Payang in Kuala Terengganu. And yes, prices are cheap, with jeans selling for RM 75 or less. And mind you, these are branded jeans. And yes, the stores are full of Malaysians, including yours truly.

I could pass off as an Indonesian, however I do give myself away every once in a while. I remember being in this Rabbani shop buying some bajus for my niece and nephews, and the one attending me asked me, curious to know where I came from. The reason being, I was speaking in Indonesian to her, and once I got the price off her, I would be telling myself the price in English and start calculating how much the price of the item in Ringgit. So, that’s why she became curious, and asked.

However, the one reason for me to go to Bandung is to gorge my way to batagors. Delicious tofu and fish pastes drenched with sweet peanut sauce and some chilli sauce at the side. It’s a gastronomical heaven, plus with my favourite soup buntut goreng (which for Malaysians mean soup ekor goreng). And to top it off is to have warm Amanda Brownies kukus. Unlike the normal brownies that are baked, these brownies are steamed and is so soft and yummy, you would want more….

Oh yeah, have you guys heard of Krispy Kreme? Yeah, those lucky buggers in Jakarta can enjoy themselves to delicious glazed krispy kreme donuts! And it is not even opened in Singapore yet!

But that is another story by itself….

For all Wal-Mart’s evil, they did come up with a "missing child" program. Its simple, where when a child goes missing in a department store, the parent or guardian can approach any store employee and make the necessary "code adam" announcement.

Yes, this "Code Adam" was named after Adam Walsh who went missing in July 1981 at a shopping mall in Florida.

Recently a kid by the name of Mohd Nazrin or Yin went missing at the Sogo Department Store in downtown Kuala Lumpur. I saw the posters as the parents went to great length to have it posted at my office’s surau notice board. When I first read the poster, the first thing that came up to my mind was a vague memory of a movie I watched when I was young about the same young Adam Walsh.

The movie can bring the chills to any parents watching it, especially at the end of the movie. FYI,  only Adam’s severed head was found. His body, and the sick person who killed him, was never found. Adam’s parents later on became the leading voice for parents who lost their child, and that’s how now, in America, we get to see Missing kids flyers on milk cartons etc. And recently in July 2006, the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act was signed by George W. Bush. 25 years after Adam Walsh went missing…

It’s not a surprise that I fear the worst for Yin. But, I am happy to know that Yin was found, alive and well, as for the two weeks he was "missing", he was taken care by a Myanmar family. I am sad that certain politicians decided to take some mileage out of this issue. And my fellow Malaysians even questioned via TV3 on why the Myanmar family does not have a TV. I guess, some Malaysians think TV is a part of life that they never think that maybe, just maybe certain families could not afford a TV…..

What matter most, Yin was found and he is now back with his family. Let’s just see what other things people will come up with their own conspiracy theories…

They removed the braille from the 42nd and 41st floors…

I guess they don’t want any blind person to go to that floor?

Hmm…

I had breakfast with my ex-Boss on Sunday.

We had a good discussion on business matters and personal matters. Yes, we get along well, because we share the same interest, ie, I’ll find out what are the good bands in Indonesia, and I pass her the CDs. Hehe, we were among the first in PETRONAS to have heard of the band called Tangga. Together with Azri and Fifian if I remember correctly.

Anyway, we had an interesting conversation on why certain people are afraid to see her. And only that day she realised why it was like that. It was because of me telling scary stories to them of how all hell breaks loose when she is in a foul mood.

Actually I lied to them so that they will be in their best behaviour.

Gosh, I am evil. Then she told me that even her husband does that. Especially when she brings her kids to the clinic where the nurses will be at their best behaviour and ensure that the kids get attended to, pronto.

Hmm, not a bad way to get things done ya?

I read a blog today, one person who is using the name Mahatma Gandhi, urging others to follow him, right against might.

The question is, is he right? Or is he the might? After all, he is the Might in Cyberworld. He preaches about speaking out, but does not allow people to comment against him.

And now, he is trying to compare himself with Mahatma Gandhi. Well not really, but he is using the spirit of Gandhi in order for him to further his agenda.

And that I disagree. For him using Gandhi, he is discrediting Gandhi’s name.