The Satay House - Almarhum Pak Jaffar Shawal

ole...Satay House.
My thought came rambling again after a retro visit to Jogja and Bandung last week.Have a personel survillence after the much publish cold shoulder given by some of our distant cousin dari seberang.
No issue in matter of fact.Traders welcome their distant cousins with open arms.
Pak Beca make a living with the guest volume.Tipping generously out of sympathy.Generous,yes we are to our much needed cousins.
Jogjakarta as hippish as ever and Bandung as trendiest as ever.
Its Paris Van Java and it sure does.

Adooooo !!!Sunda beauty dong !!!

I try to stay out of Jakarta.Indonesia is not Jakarta.
My network in Indo is good.
Good opportunities too.On that score,its the other side of the coin.

Again,I'm barking at the wrong tree,its not about Bandung or Bromo or Jogjakarta I wish to write about but about a man,a petit in size man,moustacho and very focus.
The quite Gentleman,I may say,a positive altitude with full vision on buisness.Aided or I would rather say together with his beloved wife,brave the storm and thunder on the battle field of Sussex Garden,Paddington,London W 1 till his last breath.

Pak Jaffar Shawal,arrive on shore of good ole England during the post 60's era.
Alone only on one mission,that is how could a Malay from Penang excel in buisness in the United Kingdom?
Rolling and tumbling leaving his beloved wife Aunty Zaharah,an I.O with our Police Force at home then.He succesed to open the very first Malay Restaurant in the middle of metropolis London,battling his buisness anchorman with guts and sheer determination.

The birth of Satay House serving the local dishes was an instant hit among the hungry student and Malaysian community population then.It serve as a joint,for us student far away from mother land and mother's cooking.For those who have,its the place to water down their tummy with The Nasi Kandar Uncle's Special and to those whom do not have like me serve as a place where extra pocket money comes in handy serving as a waiter or kitchen helper,helping Uncle,the main Chef and Mummy Zaharah in the kitchen either in summer or me all year round as a part time waiter.

It was winter 1980,I first work part time as a waiter at the Satay House.
Pak Jaffar and mummy (as I call Aunty Zaharah,together with the young one,Onn and Harun and Liza and Ikram the present Satay House chef was still in their infant.
The three Onn,Harun and Lisa was well train by both Bapak(as I call Arwah Pak Jaffar)and Mummy Zaharah,especially Liza the only daughter was taught from the very tender age of table arrangement and where folk,knife and spoon and napkins suppose to be set.Liza is the most focus as far as I could recall.
I remembered well,at her tender age,she taught me to knot the paper napkins,neatly folded shape like a fan.A serious little gal then.

The restaurant open its doors at 12noon for lunch time and last order at 2.30pm,opens its door again at 6pm till the last order at 10.30.
I work in the evening.I have to catch the last train at 11pm to Balham via Bakerloo line at Edgware Road tube station changing for Northern Line at Elephant & Castle.
Missing the last train means I have to take the Red Arrow Nite bus at Trafalga Square.

Kitchen staff then was Uncle Jalil,as I call him 'Unkelek',for what reason I dont know,an Indian Muslim origin.A long service staff and the first chef of Satay House.His curry mutton and rendang a class of his own.You find your hands licking after his curry,especially in winter.The sambal belacan and his curry goes together well to keep the hungry tummy and body warm especially in winter.

Asisting him then was an Indonesian immigrant but left after a few months and a few of my buddies whom work part-time during the long summer break earning jes to save up for a new set of Hi-Fi.
Kitchen staff keep changing.Kitchen staff pinching was normal then as between 1982 onward after the success of Satay House being the pioneer Malay Restaurant in the middle of west end,strings of so call Malaysian Restaurant sprang up through out the Soho up till Swiss Cottage/Hempstead Heath area,with various variation of curry and rendang.
Suddenly,the Malaysian population and Mat Salleh's has lots of Malaysian Restaurant as a choise.
It was Pak Jaffar anchorman and vision that make the Malaysian cuisine be known in the West End.He steps in at the right time with sheer hard work and determination.

Together with mummy Zaharah,the combination works well.
Mummy Zaharah , she's a hardworking,persistent strong lady.It must be tHe regimentation grooming in the force which make her one.
Working round the clock non stop.
I remember,the Malaysian economic boom in 1984-85 well.
Her porcelain rose buisness was blooming.There was porceline roses everywhere in her petit flat above the Satay House,where the family retire after closing time.
Small and charm but beautiful.I reckon that was the order of the day then.

I was waitering Satay House table before Satay House was renovated.
The cellar downstairs was converted into sitting of 10 extra table.
Up stairs,orginally it could only accomodate 10 tables only.
A sardine pack on buzy week-end,serving regulars mainly from the rich Brunei scholars then.
Harun and Onn was still at primary schooling age,not much aid they could give to their persisten,determine loving parents then.
Mummy Zaharah was heavy pregneant with Ikhram.
The operation of the restaurant was a team work effort.
The team at times was crumbbling due to staff pinching or untrain staff.

Uncle Jalil,the head Chef was having visa problem with the immigration authority.
At a stage,I could feel mummy Zaharah and Pak Jaffar was having tremendous pressure from the operation of the restaurant then.
High number of staff leaving in short notice was normal.
Mummy was force to be in the kitchen after delivery of Ikhram to see the operation goes through,no matter how,the doors remains open to the regulars 7 days a week to see the OD they have taken on the Restaurant renovation goes through without a pinch.

Allah with the persistent and the determination.
Allah the all hearing and are with the strong,the brave such as the one Almarhum Pak Jaffar and Mummy Zaharah.
The Satay House still stands tall among the listing of Malaysian Restaurant in the West End today.

To Liza and Ikhram,the present caretaker and the operator of the Satay House,this is what I have to say:

'Mana-mana organisasi yang dapat bertahan melebihi 30 tahun,ianya layak memerima anugerah Kahzanah Bangsa dan Negara,kerana Restaurant Tuan telah dapat meyakinkan kepada dunia bahawa "Tak Akan Melayu Hilang Didunia"


Al.Fatiha.

Tuan Jaffar Shawal
Pengasas Restaurant Melayu Pertama Di United Kindgom "The Satay House"

What !!!!!!!! Name a school after a Chief Clan !!!!!

I wonder whether naming a school after our fore father does bring good to our children.
Read the news.

Is Mr.Yap, a real philatrophist or only a story of from rag to riches?

I doubt it.What say you?

Why barking at the wrong tree, Mr.Ong?

Its a irrelevent issue.

hmmmm...........think about it !!!!.Prof.

Our Rakyat Wants Peacelah........Memo oh Memo

****That's my rakyat waktu harga getah keping asap berbunga 20sen sekati.

Yes...........its happenning!!!!
Sending memo is the order of any admistrative function.The bulk of memo sent by superior to the supporting staff at times are mind bloggling.

Dia datang dengan 'wahyu' atau 'dia diberi wahyu',is an administrative lingo meaning 'instruction from the top'.Off course we respect rank and order and authority.But pleased for havent sake sort it in humane ways.

I was taught 'Kemanusiaan Sejangat'.
I was taught to love my neighbour.
I was taught to keep away from troble.

But surprise suprise todays its vice versa.

All it means is TDM ada 'ANAK JANTAN'

The supporting team is sending a Memo to the superior.For constitutional and Admistrative lawyers,the bulk and delegeted responsibility are in question!!!
It has always been in question for the past 20 years.

Its the truth on whether separation of powers really do exist in reality?
Piles of administrative law cases could recided.
See.the contrast between
Tan Teck Seng v Suruhan Jaya Perkhidmatan Pendidikan and
Meor Atikul Rahman v Suruhanjaya Perkhidmatan Pendidikan exp.Fatimah Sidi.

Anaylise it and you could understand.

O!!!!!!Kuasa Budi Bicara (discreationary Powers)
hmmm......Ada Budi Bahasa ke!!!!
I like it Bro.
Rocky Bru has the story.

Ya Ampun.Safe my country.Insyallah all level headed human loves peace and tranquality.
As the line of late Tan Sri P.Ramlee's film 'Pendekar Bujang Lapok'
'....ini bukan cubaan ....ini betul betul...!!!!

The last time I sent a memo asking the Pengarah Urusan Kumpulan Adabi to replace the Pengetua Sekolah, it landed me with a good scolding from ayah.
It was a diffrent then.A school with no basic ammenities.

We do not have a library at school.Even the canteen was a rundown.
Horrible school toilet and dripping water when it rains.
I was so call student leader of the school then.
It was at Adabi Maharani in 1977.

But this is vice versa.

I suggest the the would be Minister of Kementerian Pendidikan to set Public Specking as a co-co and all schools has speckers corner.
In reality parents doesn't mind paying but the Education Policy really has to be scrutinise.
Follow the Rule laid by Alex Healey.
'Kunta Kinta'will never rebel unless been taught how to turn rebellious.


Letter of Mukhriz Mahatir to Pak Lah.Hear more memo from UMNO Bhg.Batu W.P.
Ya...ke!!!!!!!!!! Entah.
Let the Falcon sort their problem.
I love peace and tranquality.

***********************

12th March 2008

Dato' Seri,

Let me take this opportunity to thank you Datuk Seri for your leadership and for allowing me and giving the trust to contest at the recent general elections as a candidate for Jerlun. With the support, hard work and the blessing of the party's leadership and the party machinery and the people of Jerlun, I have won the elections and am now a new Member of Parliament.


However, sadly enough, my victory is rendered meaningless in view of the defeat that Umno and the Kedah BN suffered in the hands of the opposition. Apart form Kedah, four other states as well as the Federal Territories also received similar humiliation in defeat.


In fact your own state of Penang was wrested by the DAP from the BN. Kelantan is again under Pas rules. In other states, the BN also suffered a similar humiliation when the level of BN support by the people has tremendously reduced. This, Datuk Seri, has never happened in the history of BN rule.


The sole intention of my letter to you is meant to save UMNO and BN from being rejected further by the people and from being no longer relevant to our religion, race and nation.

Dato' Seri, the people are unhappy and the message from them is very clear, and that is they have rejected you as the nation's chief executive.

Contrary to your claim that you still have the support of Umno and other component parties, the reality is that even our own party members had reneged in their voting pattern by supporting the Opposition and inflicting the BN its defeat.


Dato' Seri, when the people held street demonstrations you openly dared them to resort to the ballot boxes to demonstrate.

They took your challenge by coming out, especially tho people in the Peninsular, and they demonstrated their feelings by voting us out at the BN at State and Parliament levels.

It is therefore clear that your leadership and your handling of the issues faced by the people and the nation are no longer accepted. Let's not deny the truth just for the sake of keeping your seat as Prime Minister.


For the love of this country and the people, I beg that you take responsibility for the defeat. We can save UMNO, the BN and the nation only if you relinquish your positions as Prime Minister and the President of UMNO.

Dato' Seri, I hope you will understand that I make this plea with the intention of salvaging a very dire situation. A move has been made to woo the BN representatives to join the Opposition. The enemy needs just 35 seats more to topple the government of your leadership.


If you do not resign in the near future, I fear that the situation will become untenable and that the Malay support for Umno and BN will be a thing of the past.


This plea I make without malice, and I am aware that your reaction and that of other UMNO members could very well be hostile.


But come what may, I am prepared, for the sake of the Malays and UMNO, to face the consequences of my action. With all humility, I leave my fate to Allah SWT.


Dato' Seri, I am sure that you will do the right thing for the sake of the people and the nation. May Allah SWT bless you for the sacrifice you make by stepping down.

Wasallam

Yours Sincerely

Mukhriz Mahathir
Jerlun Member Parlament



I spoke to Mukhriz to confirm that he had, indeed, sent the letter to the PM and Umno President. He confirmed it but declined to discuss details of the letter. It didn't matter because I had already obtained a copy from my own sources.
Since my "teaser" yesterday, mykmu has published Mukhriz's letter here.

*******************

As I did mention in my earlier posting

'God pick his rightfull khalifah via the voice of the people,and definately he chooses and pick the wise and able one'.

ONLY THE ABLE ONE!!!!

Matahari Dulu- Matahari Sekarang

Malaysian now are rather well fed with datas and facts.
Same old stories lah.Is it?
The week end after shock is settling down.

cOOl......down.Let the newly elected YB's sort it out.
In the mean time,we fulfill our time with the spies stories over cup of tea.

Spies stories facinates me .Names like MATAHARI and William Joyce will always make a good reading to me.Spy friction 'The Recruiter' and 'All The President Men'with it good base line stories facinates me.

I wonder how Ratna Sri Dwi the Japaness beauty managed to win the heart of late Bung Karno's.
Was it planted?
Ibu Fatamawati is a beauty too so do Kartini.
It was when Ratna offcially at the Istana President things starts thumbling down for Indonesia and Sukarno.

Thought provoking its it?

Dig it the Matahari stories we could learned from past history.

Anyway have you heard of Penal Code 121.
Malaysia and Malaysian are civil and civilised peaceful loving society.
Used it if we have to.
'Only as a sheild and not a sword' and
'Those who come to Equity comes will Clean Hands'

Gemilangnya Merah Putih Ku

After post mortem of our 50th.anniversary of Independence recently celebrated,
some puzzle question,which till now I still do not know the exect answers.
My Flag is still waving in front of my home porch,even though its past the Malaysia Day ,last 15th.September.
Perhaps,Prof.Khoo Kay Kim our prominant historian could clarified it.
It is not the flag but the history and the historical content of the flag which is important for generation to come.
It has great significant toward nation building and nation character.

Here's my story on nation's flag comparision.

Indonesian Proclamation of independence was declared on the 17th.August 1945 by Sukarno-Hatta.The pride of the nation'Bendera Merah-Putih'was flown officially then from the Istana President.
According to Indonesian history and it remain confirm,the first Bendera Merah-Putih was hand sown by Ibu Hatta from the cheapest cotton meterial of that particular era.
The original Bendera Merah Putih which was flown during the proclamation on the 17th.August 1945 was kept and preserve till now as a simbol of the Indonesian struggle against the aggression of the Dutch colonisation and it is flown only once a year during the official Flag rising at the Istana Bapak President.
The celebration is modest but meaningful.
No extra pomps-pomps but has historical significant and meaningful.
Any proud Indonesian of every generation could stand tall among any league of Nation pointing:
'that is our original flag hand sown by Ibu Hatta and Ibu Fathamawati, though it is from the cheapest cotton material but the struggle and the agony over the struggle remains intact with all Indonesian generation till now'.

Via recorded history the simbolic gesture of flying the original Flag is envidence enough to determine how strong the foundation of an Independent Nation.
The pride of the Nation, is the 'Flag' though its history.

How I wonder, what is the actual history of our flag?
Till now,I am not able to find the answer.
Perhaps of my own ignorance.
Who design the original flag flown on the 31st August 1957?
Where it is now? Arkib Negara??
Is the flag flown each year the original?
Some answers pleased?

Our historical roots has to be precisly recorded in our history books for future references.
That is my flag.As 'Robert Redford's words in his film 'The Last Castle'
and I will protect it.

Know Your Roots Man!!!

Hmm...

This is will take us a long way....

http://www.sabrizain.org/malaya/

Find it,dig it and learn from it.