Impending Flood?

It has been raining every night since 4 nights ago. Each time is just as heavy as previously and would last for at least an hour and a half. Almost a year ago, around this time, Batu Pahat along with the rest of Johor and northern Melaka was hit by massive flood. Is it going to happen again this year?


Source
Kota Tinggi. One of the worst affected area.


Source
Parit Sulong. Mere kilometers away from where I live.

Driving through Batu Pahat town itslef, you can see the scar of the flood last year. The brown waterlevel stain can be seen on walls of Batu Pahat buildings.

Jom. Block your calendar. Mid to late December. Swimathon in Batu Pahat anyone?

Authorities. Put your jumpsuit on. Start unclogging the rivers.
Citizen. Make use of the dump trucks. Stop clogging the rivers.

Raya Pictures

Thanks to my photographer-wannabe brother, Raya in Terengganu this year had been well photographed. Here are some cool shots, and shots of myself, which are also cool. So it's quite redundant to mention it again. :P


Solat Raya at Masjid Terapung Kuala Terengganu.


Orang tengah takbir, kita lepak dulu atas kerusi batu tumpang takde orang. Hihihi.


Sebelum orang serbu datang makan kat rumah, kita bedal le dulu kat dapur.


BBQ open house, Hari Raya kedua.


Lepak kayuh basikal jap.


Not bad eh this kampung. They have tandem bike here.


Budak-budak lari pun ada.


Gathering of the Singles Club.


In deep contemplation


Moment of regret.


Homage to my brother. A budding photographer (so he claimed). Orang muka tak malu macam dia je boleh jadi photographer. Tengah khutbah raya, dia boleh lagi rayau-rayau masjid celah-celah orang nak ambik gambar.


That's him again flashing his orange underwear.

It was a good Raya. Not too many tiring travels across the state, people came to our place instead. And the drive had been extremely superb. After so many years of implementation, I can safely say Ops Sikap had shown its positive effect.

* * * * *

Selamat Hari Raya 2007!

Batu Pahat

Two words: Cyclists-unfriendly. Wait a minute. That's one word.

When driving or cycling, there are 3 things that translate into safety.

1. Good roads
2. Good drivers
3. Good luck

Yes. Good luck indeed finding those three in Batu Pahat.

The roads surfaces in Batu Pahat are in good condition, except the part when it comes to road lines and markings. Almost all lines and markings have faded over the years of torture from Batu Pahat scorching hot sun. This made possible for 2-lane roads to be converted to 4-lane roads, easliy. People get to escape the blame. Take:

Driver 1: Woi!! Ngko ingat ni jalan BAPAK ngko punya?! Tengok lane la!!
Driver 2: Apa lane?! Ngko la buta!! Mangkok hayun!!! (Finger)

See. You'll never get caught. Both of you will be right.

And drivers. Batu Pahat drivers, their balls are made of steel, man. I'm telling you, if Batu Pahat drivers play chicken with a lori hantu, the only kind of turn they'll be taking is a turn-on. Somehow they have this affinity towards the front end of cars. They get a hard on when they see the front bumper. Which is why you only see drivers here drive with only one hand on the steering wheel. The other hand is busy beating themselves down there.

And for more than too many times, you'll always find the car in front of you is driven by a 67-year-old Haji Leman Winonoto, 58-year-old Madam Chong or 74-year-old Mr. Velukarupaiyah whom all believe that speed limit signs are mockery to their age, so they tend to drive slower. Pffftt. Denial.

Here's a typical day on a Batu Pahat road.



Guess what happens next.



Welcome to Batu Pahat.

My bike is now nothing more than a very expensive towel rack.