BEDUK DRUM OF KAMPUNG KELING MOSQUE, MALACCA

Beduk is a kind of giant Malay drum esspecially used for the call of prayers. Its made of one single tree front the lower trunk of hard wood species normally Merbau or chengal. The length and diameter of the trunk will determine the loudness of the beaten sound. The stick is normally made of rattan or wood wrapped with cloth or rubber in order not to damage the wood. This drum is normally, placed at the side aisle of the mosque or the corridor to ensure the sound could be heard at far distance. During the fasting month

of Ramadhan, the sound of the drum is the signal for beginning of the fast or the time for the break of fast. As in villages,the beats of the drum are a message for any emergency such as theft, fire or death.

Izham Aziz

THE NATRAH INCIDENT IN SINGAPORE

The Natrah episode took place more than 50 years ago and should be viewed in its own perspective. At the center of it all was a Dutch girl, Huberdina Maria Hertogh who was better known as Natrah. She was brought up in the islamic way by her mother Cik Aminah, in Chukai kemaman, terengganu, Living among the malays. They attracted a lot of attention when Natrah natural born mother arrived in Singapore on 5th Safar 1370 Hijrah/15 November 1950 to claim her back. The court decission showed that she had been cruelly taken away from her adopted mother cik Aminah. Her marriage to Mansor Adabi was nullified under civil law and she was forced to live in a convent. Later, she was taken back to Holland to live in a small village from the traditions and culture of the Malay life she had been familliar with. Riots broke out immediately after the court judgement was announced on 2 Rabiulawal 1370 Hijrah/12 December 1950. 18 people were killed and 173 injured. Singapore was placed under curfew for two days and two night. The riots were not just the manifestation of the sensitivity of the Malays towards religious issues which had been belittled by the west, but actually indicated more seroius issues than that. It showed the deep-seated anti colonial feelings of the Malays. The unhappines of the Malays living under the colonialist and their desire to be independent like other Asian nations at that time inflamed their spirit to go againts the British. Indonesia had also just achieved  absolute independence from the the Dutch. The riots were like sparks of natinalism and were the first large scale display of the desire for independence in modern times.

Malaysian Food

Assam Laksa

Yummy..!!! This dish is Penang signature dish. It is noodles in fish broth garnised with a lot of different vegetables. It is spicy hot & sour dish ( visit penang & try this dish!!). The spicy and fishy soup is sour because of the large quantity of tamarind used known as Assam Jawa. The fish used to make the broth is mackerel, which is first poached, deboned and added to the soup together with lemongrass, chillies and tamarind to boil. The noodle used in Assam laksa is fresh rice vermicelli which is much thicker than the regular dry ones. The noodles is first placed at the base of the bowl after which chinese lettuces finely shredded cucumbers and onions, chopped pineapples and most importantly mint leaves are added. Then the piping hot soup is poured over it, followed by finely chopped ginger buds. Some stalls pour out the soup from the bowl back into the pot and then re-scoop the soup into the bowl again repeating this action twice or thrice to make sure that the noodles are piping hot. Before serving, a thick, sweet and salty shrimp paste is swirled on top of the dish. Some may find the prawn paste called "hae kao" too strong but this paste further enhances the dish. The price for each bowl is around RM2.00 to RM3.00.

Ais kacang

This is a popular dessert among the locals as it is very tasty and refreshing especially on a hot day. The ingredients used usually consists of thick, sweetened red bean, canned sweet corn, grass jelly and palm fruit locally known as "attap chee". The red bean is cooked in sugar syrup. These ingredients are scooped into a bowl and topped with finely shaved ice. Different coloured sugar syrup, palm sugar syrup called "gula melaka" and evaporated milk are liberally poured over the ice kacang with colourful jellies, ice cream and even fresh fruits. A basic bowl usally costs RM2.00 but costs more for additional toppings.

Roti Canai

Roti canai is a pastry like flat bread. Wheat flour is kneaded and the large dough is then separated into small lumps about the size of ping pong balls. It is then flattened and then taken through a process of twirling and flinging motion in the air to thin it out. Ghee is constantly added in the process to prevent the dough from breaking as it gets thinner. When the dough is stretched paper thin it is then folded into a circle shape. It is fried to a crisp and slightly charred on a flatbed circular iron pan. Roti canai is served with Dall (i suggest to choose spicy curry chicken ) onion pickles or with sugar. The dhall may not necessarily be spicy hot but the herbs and spices used are rich and pungent. A plain roti canai with the curry costs around RM0.80. You can opt to add on some chicken or beef curry. The important things it is halal dish. Try it!!!

History Of Penang Hill

Penang Hill is one of the oldest colonial hill station established by the British during their time in Malaysia. Explored in the late 18^th century, a horse trail was cut by the waterfall gardens (now present Penang botanic gardens) to the summit of the hilly spine of Penang, allowing the British to escape from the chaos of Georgetown to the cooler climate on the hill. Penang Hill comprises several hills including strawberry hill, Halliburton’s hill, flagstaff hill, government hill, tiger hill and western hill. The highest point of this range is at western hill with an elevation of 833m (2723ft) above sea level. 

The range also serves as the largest water catchment area on the island and a number of tributaries to major rivers in Penang. The earliest mode of transport to the hill was via horses or a system called “dollies” where masters were carried up the hill on the special sedan chairs. To further explore the potential of the hill systems of bridle paths were cut by Indian penal servitude prisoners for the establishment of more bungalows on the hill. The Penang hill funicular railway was the second mode of transport established for access to the summit. The first railway was constructed in 1901 and completed in 1905 but was rendered useless due to technical faults. A second’s railway was commissioned in 1909 and works for the second line started in 1914 with budget of 1.5 million dollars.

On 1^st January 1924 the 2,007m long funicular railways was officially opened by then Governor of straits settlement Sir L.N Guillermard. The last upgrade was in 1977 before a complete overhaul of the system in 2010. Historical building with the oldest building dated back to 1803 (convalescent bungalow) Penang hill is a good repository of bungalow featuring a fusion of architecture from British colonial to Asian and modern architecture.