|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| This page is dedicated to all my friends. I will paste the photo of us doing things together. The photo and story will change from time to time (if I has the time to change it). |
 |
I joined Institut Teknologi MARA, ITM (MARA Institute of Technology)
in January 1986. That was after wasting 6 months of my time at USM matriculation
programme (refer my biodata). The orientation
programme put up by ITM orientation committee was very tough, physically.
They follow the military style drill. Early morning roll call, marching
etc. However, for a person who are used to disciplined life (in MRSM) it
was nothing.
After the orientation, architectural students went through 'induction' organize by the seniors. This time around it was difficult for me, because it taxes me emotionally. We were ask to do things that were... well, just let me put it as 'not decent' for a shy guy like me. In retrospective, the purpose was to lift our inhibitions, which I think they had succeeded at the end of the week. |
 |
Binaria Senibina (School of Architecture, Planning and Surveying family
day) at Seroja hostel's 'padang' (field). Fancy dress competition! I can't
remember what I was. Anyway, look at me after all the inhibitions had been
lifted! And everybody seems to be happy... and voted me to win one of the
prizes
And the Dean, En Ahmad Awang gave away the prizes. Binaria Senibina was initially plan to be an annual event. However, the response from the other departments in the School of Architecture, Planning and Surveying were not encouraging. So, this become the one and only Binaria Senibina. |
 |
My design studio mates. They are a bunch of jokers. The type that cannot
sit still. Just look at them. It was impossible to take a decent group
photograph without someone trying to do something funny.
Our studio is quite unique in the sense that we have equal numbers of guys and girls. Other studios are populated by more male species. Leman, Shahar, Arif, Saif, Habib, Fozy, Junaidi, Nik, Abg. Zol, Wan
Zainal, Hashim, Alfian, Nayee, me, Ade, Shah, Rita, Sham, Rose, Aziah &
Kak Sofi.
|
 |
Even the moving bus also could not stop us from having fun. The driver
always warn us not to be too noisy but his voice was drown by the noise.
Yeah, you are right. The guy with the green bandana is Azhar Sulaiman. He was our junior. He was in his first year. At that time he was not known at all. He like to mingle with the seniors to get some attention (I guess). We were on our way to University Technology Malaysia (UTM), Johor Bahru for the 4th Architectural Workshop. |
 |
This time we are on our way to the East Coast states. We were on our
way to visit our site in Terengganu for our hotel and resort project. At
the same time, we will be studying local architecture (traditional timber
construction) and the architecture of beach resorts. Our itinerary includes
the Authority office in Kuantan, Club Med and the surrounding fishing villages
and chalet, Tanjung Jara Beach Hotel and Rantau Abang turtle sanctuary.
Rantau Abang is very famous for it's giant leatherback turtle that landed
on it's beach to lay their eggs at night. Turtle watching is the attraction
for tourists who visited this area, besides the white sandy beaches. Unfortunately,
we did not see any turtle came to shore. Maybe because we were too noisy. |
 |
At Club Mediterenee in Cherating, Pahang. We learn in this trip that
the Club Med building is the longest timber building connected to each
other in this region. We also learn to save more, so we can afford to stay
in the place where you don't need to use 'real' money to order anything
(yeah, right!).
Nayee proudly shows the 'Club Med T-shirt' he can afford to buy. |
| Orchestra Mestika was form in 1987 during the second Architectural Workshop hosted by ITM. The initial idea come from Amalina who remember that during her secondary school days in STF they used to perform using musical instruments made of bamboo, bottles, tin cans, rubber slippers etc. Our studio took up the project and manage to borrow some instruments from ITM's Cultural department. Lecturers from the Music Department from School of Art and Design were invited to show us some tips how to play the musical instrument and composed simple songs. We had to come up with a performance at the end of the 3 day exercise. And we did! The first show was a success. From that day onwards, Orchestra Mestika had been synonyms to Archisa (Architectural Students Association). We had been invited performing not only at ITM official functions but also PAM dinner and other dinner shows in hotels such as Holiday Inn Subang, The Concord, KL and Merlin in Bukit Bintang, KL. We also did two shows for wedding reception and a public performance in Central Market. |
 |
In the beginning, Mestika did not have elaborate setting and outfit.
It just us, architectural students (about 20 of us), letting off our steam
after hard day work in the studio. Every time there were activities organized
by Archisa, we were there. Either poem recital, Archi Fest, Architectural
Students Workshops, Lantern Festival or, like in this case (photo),
the Kite Festival.
We took only 2 - 3 days to practice before each performances. Our range of repertoire grew with the number of shows we put up. From a simple 'Lagu Tiga Kupang' and 'Inang Cina', we went on to more complicated songs such as 'Isabela', 'Malaysia Baru', 'Teluk Bidara', 'Insan & Manikam', 'Hijau', 'Ikhlas tapi Jauh', Imagine, Manusia, Apokalips, Twist Again, Kuda Hitam, Kasih and 'Mustika' |
| Before performing at The 4th Architectural Student Workshop in University
Technology Malaysia (UTM), Skudai, Johor Bahru in 1988. My friend Azrina
Arshad play one of the xylophone. We make a cute couple, don't you think?
This is Mestika's debut performance outside ITM. We make quite an impression
with the first 3 songs i.e.. Mustika, Isabela and Lagu Senibina, that the
audience shout for an encore. So we deliver Malaysia Baru (which we did
impromptu).
The theme of the workshop were 'Warisan Kita' (Our Heritage). So we went all out to conform to the theme. Oh ya, for your information, Azrina was wearing a deep blue and silver 'Baju Kurung Moden' with a V shape neck. The 'baju' was made using saree cloth. I was wearing white baju Melayu 'cekak musang' with a 'tanjak' or dastar (the headgear) and a piece of 'samping ', tie in a fashion called... mmm 'bunga sentubung'? Or something to that effect. The 'dastar' and 'samping' were made of 'songket'. A piece of the gold treaded songket like that will cost from RM200 to RM1500, depending on the design and material. We borrowed the item from ITM for the orchestra performances (well, we were students then and can't afford it!). |
 |
 |
UTM had taken the traditional art of the state of Johor as the main
theme of the workshop. One of the workshop programme was 'Kuda Kepang'.
We were introduce to this traditional art form from it's history, to the
musical instruments and rituals involve in its performance. We were also
shown how to dance the 'Kuda Kepang'.
My friend Rashidi were also from ITM. The other 2 were from UTM and USM. Most of the musical instruments player were from ITM. We find it very easy to play the instrument because of our experience playing with Mestika. |
| Practice sessions during the day. Practising to play traditional musical
instrument is a part of the 'Kuda Kepang' overall experience. These
instruments were played for the 'Kuda Kepang' performances. The professional
'Kuda Kepang' dancer from Johor Cultural Academy were invited to teach
us how to dance and play the traditional musical instrument.
I was playing the 'rebana' (traditional drum) and my friend Shasya was playing the 'Gambang' (an instrument like xylophone). |
 |
 |
Arranging the notes before another performance, again in UTM. This
was The 'Legase' 6th Architectural Students Workshop 1990. However this
time around we look more professional! We had musical note stands, a conductor,
and theme song.
Yuska, Yusna, Myself, Man (conductor), Mat (angklong), Joe (lead guitarist). |
 |
Orchestra Mestika at it peaks. Getting ready for the performance at
'New Horizon' 8th Architectural Student Workshop in 1995 which ITM hosted.
The group comprise of about 56 musicians playing instruments such as the
angklong (3 sets, 1 set has 8 players), rebana ubi, gendang, kompang, acoustic
guitar, bamboo flute, caklempong, xylophone, maracas etc.
The performance were held in the Architecture school amphitheatre in the courtyard. Open air performance like this is more challenging than indoor performance. I played the angklong and kompang (interchangeable). I'm also one of the 6 singers (really!). |
 |
 |
 |
Kite Festival! One of the annual event organize by Architectural Student
Association (Archisa). Kites were made of bamboo, paper, plastic or whatever
light enough to fly, in many shapes and forms. Everybody try to come up
with many fancy design. However, most of it could not fly! Everyone were
having fun!! My studio mates (08) went all out (we always do when it comes
to having fun!)
We won in 2 category. The 'lowest flying' kite (I don't know how the judge pick the winner), and the longest flying kite. Well, the kite is not in the photo though, its still flying! |
 . |
Breaking Fast in the studio. There are many occasion when the final crit (critique) coincide with the Ramadan (fasting month). So we had the break our fast and sahur in the studio. No, it was not sponsored by Coke. It was 'pot luck' kind of thing when everybody bring something. |
 |
'Sahur' (early morning breakfast during fasting month) in 'Perindu 4' hostel room at 4.30 am. Sometimes I felt guilty because I seldom able to join my roommates (seven of them) in their activities due to my commitment in the studio. I came back when everybody was asleep and when I woke up, everybody was gone. So, once in a while we decided to do something together like this 'sahur' do. Everybody was barely awake. It was fun watching your friends stuffing in the food without actually opening their eyes! |
| In Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) attending the conference on Architecture
and Tourism (1988). The conference were held in conjunction with CHOGM
(Commonwealth Head of Government Meeting). Rita, Myself, Azrina, Wan Zainal
and Mona (all my studio mates).
We were invited to the conference by PAM because we were to put up a 'wayang wong' show (a kind of shadow play, however instead of using puppets, we use real human behind the screen) for the foreign delegates at Raitree Club during a diner function. In returns for the show, we do not have to pay for the participants fee (around RM250 per person). PAM was impressed with a show we put up during Archasia Student Jamboree hosted by ITM School of Architecture a year before. So when they hosted the conference, they invited us to perform. The other reason probably because we did not charge any fee! |
 |
 |
Mingling around with architects from the Commonwealth country. The
architect who grabs the students attention was Mr Geofrey Bawa (not in
this photo) from Sri Lanka.
Rita, Azrina, Zul, Myself, mmm... I guess an architect from an African country, Dr. Ken Yeang, one architect from Australia, Mona, a UTM student and Wan Zainal. |
 |
In Johor Bahru for an Urban Design exercise. We were on our way to the railway station. This overhead bridge is above the busy Jalan Tun Abd Razak. Very easy to spot me there (the most striking). (Sigh) I miss them all. |
 |
Two pre graduation dinner were organized. The first one was sponsored
by ITM and the other one was organize by our studio. For the ITM one we
had to wear the national costume. I was wearing white 'Baju Kurung Teluk
Belanga'. The 'samping' (a 'kain pelekat') was worn 'berdagang di luar',
suitable to the Johor style 'Baju'. My friend Rai (she is also my kampung's
friend) was wearing turquoise blouse with batik sarong (her own design).
She took Diploma in Textile Design.
Our studio organize 'Last of The Reds' farewell dinner in a club. Red is the colour of our metric card. Subsequent batch had blue metric card. So Shasya and myself was wearing a matching red and white ensemble. |
 |
 |
And finally the convocation (diploma). All the guys are wearing black
'Baju Melayu' with black songkok. The photo was taken at the central staircase
in the courtyard. We were joined by the Dean En. Ahmad Awang (in lounge
suit) Most of my studio mates did not attend the convocation because they
had already flown overseas to further their study. I had chosen to work
first before continuing my study.
I was very happy. Not only because I had finally completed four and a half years of my studies, also because I am able to secure a job with Arkitek Urbanisma at the time when Malaysian economy had only recovered from recession (1989). I was actually unemployed for only two days after my final Design Review. |
 |
After completing my Advanced Diploma in Architecture, I joined ACT
Architect. The company grows very fast (like everything else in Malaysia
at that time). From having only 15 staff in 1995, the company employed
45 staff in 1997.
Most of the staff that joined latter than me are on my recommendation. Well, most of them from ITM. In the photo was the Design Studio team. Myself, Nick, Anip, Alim, Nan, Fly, Phone, Arfah and Mawar. Today, only Phone and Anip were still employed by KAZT. |
| The Design Studio team like to organize field trips as part of our
in house training. We visited other projects site during weekends and holidays
to learn more about the 'real' architectural work. I found it easier to
arrange for all this activities because of the close co-operation from
every members of the team. Anyway, we always have fun in each trip.
The photo was taken in Kampung Warisan Condominium project. This condominium project is unique because emphasis was given to the landscaping. They are trying to create the 'kampung' ambience. Even when the building was still under construction, the landscaping had matured. The plant chosen for landscaping are the indigenous plant like the Giant 'keladi gajah' (see photo), serai, pandan and local fruit trees like rambutan, mangga and jambu. Shida, Phone, Arfah, Nana, Anip, me and Alim. Shida and Alim are now married to each other. |
 |
 |
KAZT office trip scaling Gunung Ledang (Mount Ophir) during Thaipussam
holiday in 1996. Gunung Ledang is famous for it's legends. I remember my
grandmother used to tell me stories about the mountain. Even though my
house is only about 7 km from the mountain foot, I had never climb the
mountain before.
The photo was taken on the first day near the camping site. The camp was set up near the river. This place is known as Kolam Gajah (elephant pool). |
| We didn't see any elephant, so we use the pool for ourselves. The 'tarzan'
is Zaidi's nephew, Abu Zarin. The water is so c...cold!
The thick rain forest is really a soothing relieve. |
 |
 |
On the second day, to our surprise, we still have not reach the peak. We really did not expect the climb to be so difficult. We set up camp at a place called Laman Botak (Bald Plain). This is the last stop that you can find water resources. It come from a natural spring. |
 |
In the morning before the Final assault. Although everybody look fresh,
we were actually very tired. The climb become more difficult as the slope
become steeper. At this altitude the shape of the vegetation also become
different. The twisted branches look like the bonsai tree.
At some part, we had to use ropes to climb the steep rock surface. |
  |
 |
The group that successfully reach the top. (5 fail to reach the top).
Photo was taken on the way down from the highest of Ledang 3 peaks i.e..
Puncak Ledang (Ledang Peak). In the background is the TV transmittal station
situated on Puncak Mahligai (Palace Peak). The other lower peak are known
as Puncak Puteri (Princess Peak), abode of the Legendary Puteri Gunung
Ledang. From the peak, we can see as far as the Strait of Melacca.
Mushdi, Nan, Nick, Ita, Me, Aizam, Zaidi and Abu Zarin. |
| Another camping trip organize by us. This time to Ulu Yam water falls/rapid,
about 60km from the city. This time around, more people join us because
the place is accessible by car.
Setting up camp, Fly, Phone, Anip and me. |
 |
 |
Having fun in the river. We went there during rainy season and there
were heavy down pour the previous night. The strong current almost swept
me away. Luckily, there was Nick to pluck me out of the water. That's why
he look tired (lying flat on his stomach).
Nick, Fly, Anip, Alim, Phone, Zai, Mushdi and me. |
| My friend Oman's wedding in Seremban (1997). Sarip Dol, Shidee, My self, Oman, Dewi, Hikmah and Parok. We were among the last guests to the wedding reception. Parok and Sarip are the other single guys. Both of them are much older than me (that's a consolation). |
 |
|
view my guest
book |
muluk@ppp.nasionet.net
