Hainanese Kopi-O

Let’s sleep over the heavy heart

Not to weep over spilt milk

One at a time each day

Tears stopped

Eyes  strained

Mind blank

Heart bleeding

Next is to find the light of peace and solace

Slow, hollow, dark, silent night

Heavy heart refuses to rest in peace

Tomorrow’s painful start awaits eagerly….

Justice and Fair play for the family of Gan Eng Gor (deceased)

1. Our father was seventy four (74) years old. He suffered a severe stroke in 2006. He was as immobilized,bedridden, mentally unsound, cannot speak, partially deaf and has very poor vision.

2. We transferred him to stay with one of our brothers in Klang. Our aged mother looked after, bathed andfed him. She also helped to look after our nephews and nieces.

3. Our father died on 20th Jan 2008. As Gan Hock Seng (the eldest son) is a member of the family, we informed him of our father’s death. He was then told us that our father is a muslim, we were shocked and did not believed him. So we continue to perform the wake service as our father have never led a muslim life. The Majlis Agama officers came and attempted to snatch the dead body, all our family members more shocked and angry, we resisted and strongly protested against the removal of our father’s body.

4. We obtained his alleged conversion papers from Majlis Agama the second day.

5. We were advised by our solicitors that there are serious irregularities in the said conversion papers especially the Declaration of Conversion into Islam.

a). The declaration was before a Pegawai Ukhuwah. His rubber stamp was on the paper but that officer did not sign.

b). Further there was no signatory at the certification column.

c). There was an illegal alteration on the date to 3rd July 2007.

d). The thumb print was questionable as we are certain that our deceased father was in Klang and not at the address No. 451, Taman Megaway, 70400 Sikamat, Seremban as stated in the application form.

e). His address stated in the Borang Perakuan Memeluk Islam is No: 1272, Jalan TBK 6/2, Taman Bkt Kepayang, 70200 Seremban, the residence of the eldest son. We wish to state that our father has never resided at this address.

f). The Majlis Agama Authorities claimed that our deceased father made an oral declaration in Arabic accepting the Muslim faith. Our family has medical confirmations from three doctors that our father was unable to speak.

g). We were asked to appear before the Syariah Court Seremban, we believe the Syariah Court is for Muslims only.

h). We refused to attend at the Syariah Court on a matter of principle as non-Muslims. We refused to submit to the jurisdiction of the Syariah Court.

i). The Syariah Court made a unilateral declaration that our father is a Muslim and is to be buried in accordance to Muslim rites.

j). We filed an application at the High Court Seremban to adjudicate on the validity, authenticity, veracity and legality of the conversion paper especially the declaration of acceptance into Islam.

k). The High Court Seremban dismissed our application on the ground that he has no jurisdiction to hear this matter as the subject matter falls within the purview of the Syariah Court. We beg to differ.

l). We were indeed shocked and aggrieved at the simplistic way the High Court disposed off this matter. We only seek justice, fair play and to find out the truth on his alleged conversion.

10. The eldest son Gan Hock Seng converted to Islam years ago. Our father and mother had strenuously opposed his conversion.

11. This eldest son had allegedly converted our father without the knowledge of our other and all other seven siblings.

12. Further, the eldest son had NEVER taken care of him physically and financially. He hardly visited him too.

13. Even if the eldest son had converted our father, we like to ask :

i). Why is it that he did not take care of him and brought him to stay in his house to lead a Muslim life?

ii). Why did he allow our father to continue living in a non‐muslim home in Klang ? Our father had never prayed and continued eating pork and other non‐halal food. He never revealed to anyone that he has converted to Islam.

iii). Why he as a Muslim, did not ensure that our father (if he had been indeed converted) led a Muslim life?

iv). Why is it that the Agama Islam authorities did not visit and follow up with our father – the alleged new convert, after his conversion?

14. We believe we have been unfairly treated by our eldest brother and the Agama Islam authorities in this alleged conversion of our father. If there had been a conversion, we firmly believe that the Agama Islam authorities should have informed all members of the family. There should not be a fight over the body of dead person. There should be dignity and respect on the dead person.

15. We hope the PM and the higher ups in the Islamic Authorities review this case and to ensure that the truth is unraveled. We hope that all conversions to Islam is fair and transparent and made known to all the next of kin of the convert.

We Seek Justice, Fair play and Truth in this matter.

From,

Gan Hok Ming for and on behalf of the family members of Gan Eng Gor (deceased)

Date: 25th January 2008

I left comments below at 5Xmom’s blog.

Some people out there is not doing their job.
Some people out there is using religion for personal gain.

Mixing religion and politics is a dangerous act.
Religion was meant for personal belief
But when enforced
It divides and breaks our society

Public transport is a mean of safe mass travel
Opening oppurtunity for all near and far
Riding on Malaysia public transport
Is liken to dicing with life and death

My heart felt condolences to both
late Gan Eng Gor’s family
and Nian Ning’s family

You can read about late Gan Eng Gor’s at HsiauChuen’s blog. Hsiau Chuen is a family member of late Gan Eng Gor.

I am heart broken and angry to read from The Star about Nian Ning, and the bus driver - I considered a repeat criminal.

I have copied and pasted some links on below from Jolene’s blog if you have not read the issues:

Family mourns loss of beautiful, intelligent go-getterBus crash: Driver had 13 outstanding summonses2 killed, 24 hurt in bus crash

A facebook group has also been set up in memory of her:

In Loving Memory of Lee Nian Neng(1987-2008).

Please post this on your blog now to help:

Chung Lern and Nian Ning’s families would like all families and friends of the victims, dead or alive, in the Slim River Bus Crash to come forward and join them in taking action against the bus company. Stand up to seek justice for these three innocent individuals, who were all so young and full of life.

If you have a blog, please call out to ANYONE who

knows someone who survived or did not survive

the crash to come forward to join the Lee family.

Make a huge difference, make a huge fuss.

For now, you may contact Lee Chung Lern at chunglern@gmail.com or preferably on his handphone at 012-6670368.

Recipe #3 from YatCuisine

INGREDIENTS:
1 package active dry yeast
1 1/2 cups warm water (105°)
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup undiluted evaporated milk
7 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup soft shortening
oil for frying
confectioners’ powdered sugar

PREPARATION:
In large bowl, sprinkle yeast over water; stir to dissolve.
Add sugar, salt, eggs and milk.
Blend with beater.
Add 4 cups of the flour; beat smooth.
Add shortening; beat in remaining flour.
Cover with plastic wrap and chill overnight.
Roll out on floured board to 1/8-inch thickness.
Cut into 2 1/2-inch squares.
Deep fry at 360° 2 to 3 minutes until lightly browned on each side.
Drain on paper towels and sprinkle heavily with powdered sugar.

Yields 5 dozen.

 End of Recipe #3

Recipe #2 from New Orleans Cuisine

INGREDIENTS:
1 Envelope Active Dry Yeast
3/4 Cup Water (110 degrees F)
1/4 Cup Granulated Sugar
1/2 tsp Salt
1 Beaten Egg
1/2 Cup Evaporated Milk
3 1/2 - 3 3/4 Cups A.P. Flour
1/8 Cup Shortening
Vegetable Oil for Frying
Powdered Sugar in a shaker or sifter

PREPARATION:
Combine the Yeast, Water, and Sugar in the work bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook
(You could also make this in a food processor, or the old fashioned way, by hand).
Let this sit until frothy, about 5 minutes, then add the Salt, Egg, and Evaporated Milk.
Mix on low speed, then add half of the flour until it starts to come together, then add the shortening.
When the shortening is incorporated start adding the remaining flour, a little at a time until most of it is incorporated.
At this time I always turn the dough onto a floured bench to finish by hand, just like when I make bread; it’s a touch thing.
Knead the dough adding just enough flour as necessary to make a non-sticky, smooth dough.
Place the dough into a large oiled bowl, loosely cover and let rise
(I made mine last night and let it rise overnight in the refrigerator).
After the dough has doubled in bulk, punch it down and turn it onto a floured surface and roll out into a rectangle that is about 1/2″ thick.
With a very sharp knife working at a diagonal to the rectangle, cut into 2″ wide strips.
Now cut into diamond shapes by making diagonal cuts in the opposite direction.
Place the Beignets on a floured baking sheet to let rise about 40 minutes in a warm place (I place them in a barely warm oven).
When the Beignets have risen, heat 2-3 inches of vegetable oil in a large saucepan to 350-360 degrees.
Place 2-3 Beignets into the hot oil at a time, being careful not to smash or deflate them.
When they are golden brown, flip them over until golden brown on the other side (They go pretty quickly so start checking them right after they go into the oil).
Remove to paper towel lined plates to drain.
Serve hot topped with plenty of powdered sugar (because the dough doesn’t contain much sugar, you will want a lot!).
Best served with Cafe au Lait. Enjoy!
Makes about 2 dozen.

End of Recipe #2

Recipe #1 from About.com

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 envelope active dry yeast
• 1 1/2 cups warm water (approx. 105°)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 7 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup shortening, softened
• oil for deep frying
• powdered sugar

PREPARATION:

In large bowl, sprinkle yeast over the warm water; stir to dissolve and let stand for 5 minutes.
Add sugar, salt, beaten eggs, and evaporated milk.
Whisk or use electric mixer to blend thoroughly.
Add 4 cups of the flour; beat until smooth.
Add shortening; gradually blend in remaining flour.
Cover with plastic wrap and chill at least 4 hours or overnight.
Roll out on floured board to 1/8-inch thickness.
Cut into 2 1/2 to 3-inch squares.
Deep fry at 360° for 2 to 3 minutes until lightly browned on both sides.
Drain on paper towels and sprinkle generously with powdered sugar.
Serve hot with coffee.
Dough can cut and frozen, separated in container with waxed paper.

Makes 4 to 5 dozen.

End of Recipe #1

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A Whiff of Lemongrass**
Hong Kong Maggie Market
Sadaharu Aoki the Patissier
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ART is FART

FART is ART

“Every woman should have four pets in her life. A mink in her closet, a jaguar in her garage, a tiger in her bed and a jack*** who pays for everything.”

- Paris Hilton

Her grandfather would have her his main beneficiary if she behaves and excel well as a normal person.

I have massive spring cleaning to do. 4 members of the family is moving into the house we are staying. This is good news to us that we have more people in the house of 6 bedrooms. Both of us have to give up some luxury of privacy. No more walking around naked or without undies. We will need to practise living like nun and monk with other people….

 Watch Persepolis, an animated movie about a child’s experience of freedom and struggle.

I admit I do not like holidays. Miserable.

We thought today is the first day of school. Woke the boys up early. Dressed the older in school uniform.

Sent them to the day care for breakfast and school transport pick up.

But….

Today is not a school day, tomorrow is…

The older was grinning from ear to ear, must be thinking how silly his parents are

I am glad tomorrow is a school day.

I have a super tight deadline which 9th January 2008.

Wish me luck…

New Year has arrived

House is in  disarray

Looks like spring cleaning was done

Micro management is still not truly successful