DISCLAIMER - NIKZAFRI.BLOGSPOT.COM


Today, Knowledge Management today are not limited merely to : (A) 'knowing' or 'reading lots of books/scholarly articles' or (B) data mining, analysis, decision making, preventive actions, or (C) some Human Resources Management issue or (D) some ICT issue. Knowledge Management is about putting your knowledge, skills and competency into practice and most important IT WORKS! For you and your company or your business (Nik Zafri) Can I still offer consultancy or training? Who claims otherwise? Absolutely, I can.

The information comprised in this section is not, nor is it held out to be, a solicitation of any person to take any form of investment decision. The content of the nikzafri.blogspot.com does not constitute advice or a recommendation by nikzafri.blogspot.com and should not be relied upon in making (or refraining from making) any decision relating to investments or any other matter. You should consult your own independent financial adviser and obtain professional advice before exercising any investment decisions or choices based on information featured in this nikzafri.blogspot.com can not be held liable or responsible in any way for any opinions, suggestions, recommendations or comments made by any of the contributors to the various columns on nikzafri.blogspot.com nor do opinions of contributors necessarily reflect those of http://www. nikzafri.blogspot.com

In no event shall nikzafri.blogspot.com be liable for any damages whatsoever, including, without limitation, direct, special, indirect, consequential, or incidental damages, or damages for lost profits, loss of revenue, or loss of use, arising out of or related to the nikzafri.blogspot.com or the information contained in it, whether such damages arise in contract, negligence, tort, under statute, in equity, at law or otherwise.


MY EMPLOYERS AND CLIENTELLES



BIODATA - NIK ZAFRI


 



NIK ZAFRI BIN ABDUL MAJID,
CONSULTANT/TRAINER
Email: nikzafri@yahoo.com, nikzafri@gmail.com
https://nikzafri.wixsite.com/nikzafri

Kelantanese, Alumni of Sultan Ismail College Kelantan (SICA), IT Competency Cert, Certified Written English Professional US. Has participated in many seminars/conferences (local/ international) in the capacity of trainer/lecturer and participant.

Affiliations :- Network Member of Gerson Lehrman Group, Institute of Quality Malaysia, Auditor ISO 9000 IRCAUK, Auditor OHSMS (SIRIM and STS) /EMS ISO 14000 and Construction Quality Assessment System CONQUAS, CIDB (Now BCA) Singapore),

* Possesses almost 30 years of experience/hands-on in the multi-modern management & technical disciplines (systems & methodologies) such as Knowledge Management (Hi-Impact Management/ICT Solutions), Quality (TQM/ISO), Safety Health Environment, Civil & Building (Construction), Manufacturing, Motivation & Team Building, HR, Marketing/Branding, Business Process Reengineering, Economy/Stock Market, Contracts/Project Management, Finance & Banking, etc. He was employed to international bluechips involving in national/international megaprojects such as Balfour Beatty Construction/Knight Piesold & Partners UK, MMI Insurance Group Australia, Hazama Corporation (Hazamagumi) Japan (with Mitsubishi Corporation, JA Jones US, MMCE and Ho-Hup) and Sunway Construction Berhad (The Sunway Group of Companies). Among major projects undertaken : Pergau Hydro Electric Project, KLCC Petronas Twin Towers, LRT Tunnelling, KLIA, Petronas Refineries Melaka, Putrajaya Government Complex, Sistem Lingkaran Lebuhraya Kajang (SILK), Mex Highway, KLIA1, KLIA2 etc. Once serviced SMPD Management Consultants as Associate Consultant cum Lecturer for Diploma in Management, Institute of Supervisory Management UK/SMPD JV. Currently – Associate/Visiting Consultants/Facilitators, Advisors for leading consulting firms (local and international) including project management. To name a few – Noma SWO Consult, Amiosh Resources, Timur West Consultant Sdn. Bhd., TIJ Consultants Group (Malaysia and Singapore) and many others.

* Ex-Resident Weekly Columnist of Utusan Malaysia (1995-1998) and have produced more than 100 articles related to ISO-9000– Management System and Documentation Models, TQM Strategic Management, Occupational Safety and Health (now OHSAS 18000) and Environmental Management Systems ISO 14000. His write-ups/experience has assisted many students/researchers alike in module developments based on competency or academics and completion of many theses. Once commended by the then Chief Secretary to the Government of Malaysia for his diligence in promoting and training the civil services (government sector) based on “Total Quality Management and Quality Management System ISO-9000 in Malaysian Civil Service – Paradigm Shift Scalar for Assessment System”

Among Nik Zafri’s clients : Adabi Consumer Industries Sdn. Bhd, (MRP II, Accounts/Credit Control) The HQ of Royal Customs and Excise Malaysia (ISO 9000), Veterinary Services Dept. Negeri Sembilan (ISO 9000), The Institution of Engineers Malaysia (Aspects of Project Management – KLCC construction), Corporate HQ of RHB (Peter Drucker's MBO/KRA), NEC Semiconductor - Klang Selangor (Productivity Management), Prime Minister’s Department Malaysia (ISO 9000), State Secretarial Office Negeri Sembilan (ISO 9000), Hidrological Department KL (ISO 9000), Asahi Kluang Johor(System Audit, Management/Supervisory Development), Tunku Mahmood (2) Primary School Kluang Johor (ISO 9000), Consortium PANZANA (HSSE 3rd Party Audit), Lecturer for Information Technology Training Centre (ITTC) – Authorised Training Center (ATC) – University of Technology Malaysia (UTM) Kluang Branch Johor, Kluang General Hospital Johor (Management/Supervision Development, Office Technology/Administration, ISO 9000 & Construction Management), Kahang Timur Secondary School Johor (ISO 9000), Sultan Abdul Jalil Secondary School Kluang Johor (Islamic Motivation and Team Building), Guocera Tiles Industries Kluang Johor (EMS ISO 14000), MNE Construction (M) Sdn. Bhd. Kota Tinggi Johor (ISO 9000 – Construction), UITM Shah Alam Selangor (Knowledge Management/Knowledge Based Economy /TQM), Telesystem Electronics/Digico Cable(ODM/OEM for Astro – ISO 9000), Sungai Long Industries Sdn. Bhd. (Bina Puri Group) - ISO 9000 Construction), Secura Security Printing Sdn. Bhd,(ISO 9000 – Security Printing) ROTOL AMS Bumi Sdn. Bhd & ROTOL Architectural Services Sdn. Bhd. (ROTOL Group) – ISO 9000 –Architecture, Bond M & E (KL) Sdn. Bhd. (ISO 9000 – Construction/M & E), Skyline Telco (M) Sdn. Bhd. (Knowledge Management),Technochase Sdn. Bhd JB (ISO 9000 – Construction), Institut Kefahaman Islam Malaysia (IKIM – ISO 9000 & Internal Audit Refresher), Shinryo/Steamline Consortium (Petronas/OGP Power Co-Generation Plant Melaka – Construction Management and Safety, Health, Environment), Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (Negotiation Skills), Association for Retired Intelligence Operatives of Malaysia (Cyber Security – Arpa/NSFUsenet, Cobit, Till, ISO/IEC ISMS 27000 for Law/Enforcement/Military), T.Yamaichi Corp. (M) Sdn. Bhd. (EMS ISO 14000) LSB Manufacturing Solutions Sdn. Bhd., (Lean Scoreboard (including a full development of System-Software-Application - MSC Malaysia & Six Sigma) PJZ Marine Services Sdn. Bhd., (Safety Management Systems and Internal Audit based on International Marine Organization Standards) UNITAR/UNTEC (Degree in Accountacy – Career Path/Roadmap) Cobrain Holdings Sdn. Bhd.(Managing Construction Safety & Health), Speaker for International Finance & Management Strategy (Closed Conference), Pembinaan Jaya Zira Sdn. Bhd. (ISO 9001:2008-Internal Audit for Construction Industry & Overview of version 2015), Straits Consulting Engineers Sdn. Bhd. (Full Integrated Management System – ISO 9000, OHSAS 18000 (ISO 45000) and EMS ISO 14000 for Civil/Structural/Geotechnical Consulting), Malaysia Management & Science University (MSU – (Managing Business in an Organization), Innoseven Sdn. Bhd. (KVMRT Line 1 MSPR8 – Awareness and Internal Audit (Construction), ISO 9001:2008 and 2015 overview for the Construction Industry), Kemakmuran Sdn. Bhd. (KVMRT Line 1 - Signages/Wayfinding - Project Quality Plan and Construction Method Statement ), Lembaga Tabung Haji - Flood ERP, WNA Consultants - DID/JPS -Flood Risk Assessment and Management Plan - Prelim, Conceptual Design, Interim and Final Report etc., Tunnel Fire Safety - Fire Risk Assessment Report - Design Fire Scenario), Safety, Health and Environmental Management Plans leading construction/property companies/corporations in Malaysia, Timur West Consultant : Business Methodology and System, Information Security Management Systems (ISMS) ISO/IEC 27001:2013 for Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya ISMS/Audit/Risk/ITP Technical Team, MPDT Capital Berhad - ISO 9001: 2015 - Consultancy, Construction, Project Rehabilitation, Desalination (first one in Malaysia to receive certification on trades such as Reverse Osmosis Seawater Desalination and Project Recovery/Rehabilitation)

* Has appeared for 10 consecutive series in “Good Morning Malaysia RTM TV1’ Corporate Talk Segment discussing on ISO 9000/14000 in various industries. For ICT, his inputs garnered from his expertise have successfully led to development of work-process e-enabling systems in the environments of intranet, portal and interactive web design especially for the construction and manufacturing. Some of the end products have won various competitions of innovativeness, quality, continual-improvements and construction industry award at national level. He has also in advisory capacity – involved in development and moderation of websites, portals and e-profiles for mainly corporate and private sectors, public figures etc. He is also one of the recipients for MOSTE Innovation for RFID use in Electronic Toll Collection in Malaysia.

Note :


TO SEE ALL ARTICLES

ON THE"LABEL" SECTION BELOW (RIGHT SIDE COLUMN), YOU CAN CLICK ON ANY TAG - TO READ ALL ARTICLES ACCORDING TO ITS CATEGORY (E.G. LABEL : CONSTRUCTION) OR GO TO THE VERY END OF THIS BLOG AND CLICK "Older Posts"


 

Showing posts with label DYMM AL-SULTAN KELANTAN. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DYMM AL-SULTAN KELANTAN. Show all posts

Monday, August 15, 2022

TRACING THE ROYAL KELANTANESE LINEAGE - BY ALAN TEH LEAM SENG (NST 2018) - republished/edited by Nik Zafri

 


Credit : Alan Teh Leam Seng (Originally Published in NST 2018 :
Copyrights: All photos belongs to NSTP and Mr. Alan Teh. Any downloads or sharing of any materials herein shall be your responsbility.
"I'm most impressed with Alan; I as a Kelantanese; must say he is really good in writing memoirs. It's his memoir in conjunction with the coronation of Almarhum Sultan Yahya Petra ibni al-Marhum Sultan Ibrahim, The 6th HRM The YDP Agong and the 27th Sultan of Kelantan.
Of course there are some alternative versions of the story but again, it's the literary skills he has that struck a chord in my heart. He have a vast amount of great collections of photos that kind of brings me back to the nostalgic times of Kelantan Darulnaim"
(Nik Zafri)
p.s. Be nice when making your comments. Any unruly comments/views shall be removed and banned without notice.
------------------------
THE Pos Laju van pulls up in front of my house and I’m instantly alerted to the sound of its tyres grinding incessantly against the loose gravel on the driveway. "Finally!” I mutter while walking out to meet the smartly-dressed delivery man who has just alighted from his vehicle with a small cardboard box under his left arm.
After dispensing with the necessary verification procedures, I quickly head indoors and excitedly spill the contents of the box on the dining room table. The reason for my excitement is simple. The Ipoh vendor who sold me the item on social media merely described it as a collection of Malayan postal history from the 1960s and only appended a solitary photograph depicting a bundle of used envelopes. When pressed for more images, he haughtily gave the excuse that there were better things for him to do than attend to such a trivial matter.
The only thing that spurred me to complete the sale was his unbelievably low asking price. It was only after inspecting the envelopes did I finally understand his reluctance to provide more details. More than half of the covers had missing stamps! That imperfection alone decreases the value of the items by more than half. The perceived bargain purchase is fast turning out into a disaster.

Downcast, I start shifting my attention to the letters in the envelopes. Recalling stories heard from fellow collectors, there have been instances where descriptions of important historical events have helped to dramatically elevate the value of otherwise ordinary letters or postcards.
LETTER OF INTEREST
Two hours and 30 letters later, my eyes come to rest on a light blue envelope bearing the Kota Bharu Teachers' Training College crest on the top right hand corner. It’s addressed to a certain Yussof bin Dalin who was residing at the Malay College Kuala Kangsar at the time the letter was written on July 17, 1968.
The first paragraph begins with the sender, who merely signs off as Yong on the penultimate seventh page, congratulating Yussof on the successful apprehension of a thief at his college and at the same time advocating continued vigilance to prevent history from repeating itself.
My heart starts beating significantly faster by the time I finish reading the second paragraph. It tells of a joyous double celebration in Kota Baru to commemorate the coronation of Crown Prince Tengku Ismail ibni Sultan Yahya Petra and the birthday of Tengku Ismail's father, the ruling monarch of Kelantan at that time, Sultan Yahya Petra ibni al-Marhum Sultan Ibrahim.
ORIGIN OF KOTA BARU

The well attended three-day celebrations began on the morning of July 10, 1968 with the coronation of (HRH) Tengku Ismail and the awards presentation ceremony at the Istana Balai Besar in Kota Baru.
Constructed to replace the older Istana Kota Lama, Istana Balai Besar and the fort surrounding it was built in 1844 by Sultan Muhammad II using timber from Pasir Puteh and Ulu Kelantan. According to Yong, the monarch decided to call the place Kota Baru upon completion of his new fort. That name has remained ever since.
Later that evening, members of the public were treated to dance and song performances organised by Radio Malaysia Kota Bharu at the school field in Sekolah Kebangsaan Padang Garong. Among the notable artistes who took to the stage that night were M. Ibrahim, Norjanah Ayob, Junaidah Jaafar and Wan Salman. Yong and the other trainee teachers also joined in the festivities, contributing a dance number entitled Ayam Didek with the accompaniment of two singers and a popular local band called 'The Shean'.
Pausing momentarily to consult my reference books regarding the performance venue, I discover that the school was originally known as Sekolah Melayu Padang Garong. Until today, it holds the enviable honour of being the first Malay school in the state after it was established by the Kelantan State Government in 1904.
CULTURAL EXTRAVAGANZA
Returning my focus to the letter, I discover that the same air of merriment was also felt at the nearby Kota Baru stadium. Renowned artisans from all over the state showcased the best of Kelantanese culture on 11 specially constructed platforms. The crowds, together with officials from the Ministry of Youth and Sports from Kuala Lumpur, were treated to batik printing and weaving demonstrations as well as wayang kulit and menora performances.
The next morning, a boat racing competition was held at the Kelantan River. Response from the public was so overwhelming that many people, including Yong, had to leave disappointed. He failed to find standing room near the river bank and could hardly see anything from the roadside.
More stage performances were in store for the Kota Baru people on the third and penultimate night of celebrations. The main crowd puller was a police tattoo held at the Kota Baru stadium. Those who attended were treated to an elaborate show involving acrobatical theatrics and musical recitals.

The remainder of Yong's letter details the resumption of his practical training sessions on July 19, 1968. While reading about the various challenges faced by him as an aspiring trainee teacher, I suddenly remember having the actual installation programme of Sultan Yahya Petra somewhere among the boxes of books in my store room. Returning the letter back to its envelope, I head off to commence my search.
COAT OF ARMS
Half an hour later, I emerge with the booklet. It’s still in very good condition even though it was purchased more than 15 years ago at Penang's Lorong Kulit flea market. I love the intricate design and vivid colours on the front cover which also features the Kelantan coat of arms.
According to the text inside, the Kelantan coat of arms was introduced in 1916 under the orders of Sultan Muhammad IV. The monarch specifically requested for the inclusion of the crescent and star together with three sets of weapons, the keris, ceremonial spears and cannons to accompany the words 'Kepada Tuhan, Berserah Kerajaan Kelantan' (To God, the Kelantan Government Submits).
A pair of kijang (common barking deer) and coronet were added to the design during the reign of Sultan Ismail ibni al-Marhum Sultan Muhammad IV. The incorporation of the kijang was made in reference to the favourite pet of Kelantan's 14th century queen, Che Siti Wan Kembang.
QUEEN OF KELANTAN
The next section in the booklet, entitled The story of Kelantan, provides more information about Kelantan's only female ruler. Che Siti Wan Kembang was born a year after her father Raja Ahmad was crowned ruler of Kelantan in 1584. Raja Ahmad passed away five years later when the princess was only 4. As a result, Raja Hussein of Johor was named regent.
Che Siti Wan Kembang ascended to the Kelantan throne in 1610 upon the demise of Raja Hussein and ruled from her Gunung Chinta Wangsa base in Ulu Kelantan, which is approximately 40 km from Kuala Krai.
Kelantan prospered under her rule and was frequented by many traders including Arabs. The Middle Eastern merchants held the queen in high regard and often addressed her as Paduka Che Siti. It was also during this time that the people of Gunung Ayam in Gua Musang presented Che Siti Wan Kembang with a pair of magnificent kijangs.

Che Siti Wan Kembang never married and adopted the princess of the ruler of Jembal, Puteri Sadong, as her daughter. The people of Kelantan who watched Puteri Sadong grow into a beautiful maiden, affectionately called her Puteri Wijaya Mala. Eventually, the princess' beauty reached the ears of the King of Siam who immediately sent emissaries to ask for her hand in marriage. The Siamese ruler's advances were graciously rejected and Puteri Sadong eventually married her cousin Raja Abdullah.
MURDER AND STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE
Despite having knowledge of the marriage, the King of Siam persisted and, under the threat of an all-out war, managed to coerce Raja Abdullah to allow his bride to travel to Bangkok. Upon her return from the Siamese capital, Puteri Sadong was utterly devastated to discover that her husband had remarried. A quarrel ensued and Raja Abdullah was stabbed to death with Puteri Sadong's hairpin.
After making arrangements for Raja Abdul Rahim to succeed her late husband, Puteri Sadong then made her way back to Gunung Chinta Wangsa via the Bukit Marak route and mysteriously disappeared, never to be seen again.
Intrigued by the stories involving the ancient rulers of Kelantan, I continue tracing the royal lineage until finally reaching the section reserved for Sultan Yahya Petra, the grandfather of the current Sultan of Kelantan and the then Supreme Head of Malaysia (HRM The YDP Agong) , Sultan Muhammad V Ibni Sultan Ismail Petra.

Sultan Yahya Petra was born in Istana Balai Besar on Dec 10, 1917. He was the second son of Sultan Ibrahim ibni al-Marhum Sultan Muhammad IV. The young prince spent four years at Francis Light School in Penang before leaving for England to further his education in November 1934.
Upon his return five years later, Sultan Yahya Petra was married to Tengku Zainab Tengku Mohamed Petra (Raja Perempuan Kelantan) in a ceremony steeped in tradition and custom on June 4, 1939. Two years later, Sultan Yahya Petra was elected Vice President of the Kelantan Islamic Religion and Malay Custom Council. He held that position together with several others in the Kelantan civil service from 1941 to 1948.
ROYAL DUTIES
During the Japanese Occupation of Malaya, Sultan Yahya Petra assumed the role of private secretary to his uncle, Sultan Ismail who was the then ruling monarch on Nov 12, 1943. He only relinquished the position after Sultan Ismail passed away from tuberculosis at Istana Jahar on June 20, 1944. The throne then passed on to Sultan Yahya Petra's father, Sultan Ibrahim.
The Second World War ended with the Japanese Imperial Army capitulating in August 1945. A month later, the British returned to initiate a period of rebuilding not only in Kelantan but throughout the whole of Malaya. The initial British Military Administration that held sway in the country was replaced by the short-lived Malayan Union on Apr 1, 1946.
Bowing to citizenship pressures from the Malays, the British agreed to the formation of the Federation of Malaya on Feb 1, 1948. That historic date also marked the proclamation of Sultan Yahya Petra as the Crown Prince of Kelantan. He executed his duties diligently as heir to the throne, putting his people and state above everything else.
Sultan Yahya Petra toured nearly every corner of the state in his armoured jeep and escorted by members of the security force throughout the 12-year Malayan Emergency which began on June 16, 1948. His regular visits to schools, new villages and voluntary organisations lent support to the people during those challenging days. During one of those trips, the crown prince traversed the remaining distance to Batu Melintang in Ulu Kelantan on foot when part of the track became completely impassable to motorised vehicles.
BECOMING KING
Sultan Yahya Petra became the ruling monarch of Kelantan a day after his father, Sultan Ibrahim passed away from cerebral haemorrhage at Istana Sri Cemerlang on July 9, 1960. After a year of mourning, the people of Kelantan took to the streets of Kota Baru to celebrate the installation of Sultan Yahya Petra on July 17, 1961.
The festivities, which lasted for five days, closely resembled the ones mentioned in Yong's letter. Among the notable additions were kite flying and top spinning demonstrations at Padang Jubilee as well as a series of football competitions at the Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium.

Sultan Yahya Petra served a five-year tenure as Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong from Sept 21, 1970 to Sept 20, 1975. A day later, he was elected Malaysia's sixth Supreme Head of State after the more senior Sultan Abu Bakar of Pahang and Sultan Ismail of Johor both declined to be considered. Sultan Yahya Petra passed away from heart failure at Istana Negara, Kuala Lumpur on Mar 29, 1979 and was laid to rest at the Kelantan Royal (Mausoleum) in Kampung Langgar, Kota Baru.

As I put the booklet back into its protective plastic sleeve, I decide to include Yong's letter inside as well. They both complement each other perfectly and, together, they tell the most amazing story about the bygone days in a state called Kelantan.

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

UNIVERSITI PERTAHANAN "DI RAJA MALAYSIA"? - OLEH NIK ZAFRI


Petikan :

Rasanya agak janggal apabila sebuah Universiti yang sememangnya berlatarkan suasana ketenteraan tidak ada gelaran 'Di Raja' untuknya.

Gelaran "Di Raja" menunjukkan ianya dinaungi oleh KDYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Di Pertuan Agong atau Raja-Raja Melayu. Jika dilihat, IPTA yang bertaraf awam dan tidak berlatarbelakangkan ketenteraan pun dinaungi oleh 'Tuanku Canselor' Kenapa tidak UPNM?

Saya sememangnya kurang mengerti prosedur untuk mendapat gelaran 'Di Raja' dan bukanlah saya menulis artikel ini mewakili UPNM (malah inisiatif saya sendiri)

Rasa saya sebagai rakyat biasa - sudah tiba masanya UPNM mendapat ampuni perkenan DYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Di Pertuan Agong atau KDYMM Al-Sultan Kelantan (Timbalan Yang Di Pertuan Agong) atau mana-mana Raja-Raja Melayu untuk menganugerahi 'gelaran 'Di Raja' kepada "Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia" dan ditukar kepada "Universiti Pertahanan Di Raja Malaysia"

(Duli Yang Maha Mulia Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Di Pertuan Agong Membalas Tabik Hormat semasa Pertabalan Baginda)

(KDYMM Al-Sultan Kelantan Sultan Muhammad V segak berpakaian tentera bersama adinda DYTM Tengku Mahkota Kelantan)


Dan DYMM SPB YDP Agong sendiri selayaknya menjadi 'Tuanku Canselor' untuk Universiti ni.

Gelaran ini sangat sesuai diberikan kepada UPNM selaras dengan cara pendekatannya, suasana dan lokasi universiti berkenaan (yang juga menempatkan Maktab Tentera Di Raja (MTD-RMC)

--------------------------------



Nota : Tulisan ini bukan mewakili mana-mana pihak dari Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) tetapi atas inisiatif pengarangnya.

Sebenarnya, saya telah lama ingin menulis mengenai perkara ini iaitu semenjak UPNM mula dibuka.

Saya bukanlah seorang yang mempunyai latarbelakang ketenteraan, polis, mahupun menyertai mana-mana anggota keselamatan. Namun, tahu jugalah serba sedikit mengenai etika dan protokol ketenteraan kerana saya dan isteri saya, adalah dari keluarga anggota tentera.

Semasa menghantar anak saya baru-baru ini, Nik Muhammad Hussainy ke UPNM, saya teringat kembali akan perkara ini.


(Pengarang bersama anak kedua, Nik Muhammad Hussainy bergambar kenangan dengan Timbalan Naib Canselor UPNM bersama antara barisan ibubapa yang menghantar anak masing-masing untuk pendaftaran dan MOSIS)


Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia berada dalam lokasi yang sangat strategik iaitu Kem Sungai Besi)

Dalam kem yang sama, berdiri megah pintu masuk ke Maktab Tentera Di Raja (RMC) di mana saya sempat bergambar di hadapan pintu gerbangnya setelah 27 tahun tidak ke sana.


Saya tergelak kecil melihat beberapa orang awam yang merungut-rungut tentang ketegasan Polis Tentera yang mengawal pintu masuk utama ke Kem Sungai Besi. Ada yang tidak mahu mengambil pas keselamatan (pelawat awam), ada yang mendakwa 'mereka kenal orang itu dan ini' dan ada pula yang mendakwa 'dia ni pegawai besar angkatan tentera'..Entahlah. Sekali imbas, saya lihat, mereka tidak tahu pun 'isyarat tertentu' yang membuktikan mereka ini tahu etika dan protokol atau benar-benar 'orang berpangkat' dalam tentera.


(Pintu Masuk Utama Ke Kem Sungai Besi)

Saya sentiasa mengikut prosedur untuk memasuki Kem Sungai Besi walaupun untuk ke UPNM (semasa mengambil dan menghantar anak saya). Saya mengisi borang dengan penuh teliti serta memberikan maklumat yang lengkap. Tujuan diadakan pas masuk itu pun adalah berdasarkan undang-undang serta objektifnya adalah 'soal keselamatan'.

Orang awam perlu faham, jika berlaku apa-apa akses ke dalam Kem yang berpotensi mengancam keselamatan, sudah tentunya MP akan bertanggungjawab, silap-silap haribulan kena naik 'court marshall' (mahkamah tentera) yang mungkin menyebabkan MP boleh kehilangan kerja.

Saya sudah lama melihat 'kehebatan' UPNM yang mempunyai cara dan pendekatan yang tersendiri. Ibaratnya jika 100 orang pelajar yang memasuki UPNM, maka 100 juga yang akan keluar dengan masadepan, karier dan gaji yang agak lumayan. Apatah lagi jika pelajar berkenaan adalah anggota kadet.

Begitu juga pelajar awam, walaupun tidak menerima elaun bulanan seperti kadet, tetapi Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi dan MARA (mengambil dua contoh dari banyak contoh-contoh lain), ada memberikan elaun dan wang saku.

Pelajar awam juga amat digalakkan untuk menyertai PALAPES/ROTU dan mendapat elaun ROTU pula. Cuma mungkin pelajar awam terpaksa membeli sendiri makanan dan minuman (yang harganya sangat berpatutan) dan pelajar Kadet diberikan makanan dan minuman percuma (di samping elaun/gaji bulanan yang agak lumayan)

Apakah rahsia UPNM?

Boleh dikatakan rata-rata saya melihat unsur-unsur integrasi yang padu dalam modul-modul pengajarannya iaitu kemahiran (ala-MLVK malah ada yang diakreditasikan oleh MLVK) dan akademik (yang diakreditasikan oleh MQA)

Di sini saya tidaklah bermaksud bahawa IPTA-IPTA dan IPTS-IPTS lain tidak ada unsur kemahiran atau MLVK tetapi UPNM serta suasana ketenteraan di sekelilingnya yang banyak memerlukan sejumlah anggotanya yang bertugas di bengkel-bengkel samada Udara, Laut atau Darat perlu cerdas di bidang teknikal serta kejuruteraan, maka inilah antaranya yang mempengaruhi modul-modul UPNM. (suasana sekitar dan sejarahnya)

Mungkin inilah penyebab utama saya berminat untuk menghantar anak saya melanjutkan pelajaran di UPNM. Kriteria pengambilan juga amat teliti. Antara lain, bukan semata-mata semuanya 'A' dalam SPM tetapi juga dilihat dari segi ko-kurrikulum. Anak saya bertuah kerana telah menyertai Kadet Remaja Sekolah (selain memenangi pelbagai anugerah peringkat sekolah, zon, negeri dan negara) dan seminggu sebelum menyertai UPNM, dia juga baru sahaja menamatkan latihan di Pusat Latihan Khidmat Negara (PLKN) di Ulu Benom, Pahang.

Sebelum itu, sempat saya berborak-borak mesra menerusi Facebook dengan seorang 'senior' saya (berbangsa Cina) - sama-sama menjadi Alumni Maktab Sultan Ismail Kelantan (SICA), izinkan saya memetiknya :

KHL/Russell : This bright young man has good heart, he has involved in national defense at this young age. Wishing your son all the best.Hopefully in 25 years time, we will see a general coming from our Kelantan family!!

Nik Zafri : Thanks Russ. I'm sure in your own capacity, you do have some success stories of your own children to be shared and as parents very proud of it

KHL/Russell : Nik Zafri, one thing good about Malay parents as compared to Chinese, Malay parents are more prepared to send their children to join RMC, Military Colleges and joining military forces. Generally Chinese parents will not allow or encourage for their children to join army or involved in national defence . There is an ancient saying that " good metal don't turn it into nail, good son don't make him a soldier!!". Probably , that old saying has its ancient origins thousands years ago when soldiers were recruited among the rough and touch illiterate classes.

Nik Zafri : I'm surprised, did you know that offlate, even Malay parents are not really prepared to send their kids to UPNM. There are still thoughts that everyone in UPNM has to go to war or they are simply contented with the good monthly 'allowance' being paid to cadets without knowing what their kids have to go through.

What can I say? But again, I saw many Chinese parents during the registration in UPNM even spoken to one of facilitators who is actually a Chinese (apart from Chinese in the marching cadets proudly walking in front of us and also during the Interview in the Terendak Camp Melaka)

What are the odds? I was told that some of the Malay students (after half-way) couldn't bear the army based training in UPNM even asked to be transferred to a normal IPTA.

I told my kids not to discard the old values while making a choice which at first may appear 'controversial to the tradition' but co-exist with it. Old values are not simply cultures (like cultural dance or shows) but they go beyond that, it's about your way of life here on earth. You don't remember practicing it, but when you speak politely to your parents, it means that you are a practitioner without even realizing it.

What is being said (I think)

"Good metal don't turn into nail, good son don't make him a soldier' is actually meant for everyone to not only narrow down to becoming a soldier alone or even a teacher but also businessman, educators, academicians, scientists etc. It all comes together - I'm sure any country do not need soldiers alone but they also need other people of different careers as well. This is evident if you review the history of ancient China even any history of the world.

KHL/Russell : Nik Zafri, I salute you for your positive thinking, and in fact, no easy to have Malays writing good English nowadays. Maybe there are plenty of Malays in your generation write good English, but my children English are also not up to the par.

(di sini beliau menceritakan kesukaran beliau untuk menyertai tentera darat, udara dan laut pada awal 70-an)

Years later, i joined PALAPES (Pasukan Latihan Pegawai Simpanan -Tentera Darat) in UM in the year 1981 and was commissioned as Second Lieutenant in 1984. I stayed on with the Wataniah till 2001, a good 21 years in uniform. No regret, i enjoyed my posting to Regiment 512 in Terengganu, 502 in Kuala Lumpur and finaly 506 at Pengkalan Chepa until I called it a day. I guess, Malaysian army has changed now. That is why I salute you and your son, truly, i hope 20-25 years to come, we can see this young man do something to Malaysian defence .

Nik Zafri : Hi again Russ. Thanks for all the compliments which some; I think you're giving me too much credit. Yes, my generation is the last generation (English-Speaking Malays).

My dad was from the remnants of the old British Military Administration (BMA) before it became Askar Melayu (despite the word Melayu there, there were also some Chinese and Indian friends of my dad).

UPNM highest administration have said this (even in their application form - you can check - it says something about referees 'not being in the army' - wow!) during the Kem Terendak interview - that we do not prefer only 'bright straight A students' but selection is made on an 'all rounder'-basis. And during the registration, the DVC said : "Please do not write to the Minister but write to us, if you have any problems" (so, there goes "you know who" and here comes "you know what")

And Yes, you are right, the PALAPES in IPTA is the best and the right move the government have done. And the rest is history as you have adequately put.



Semasa artikel ini ditulis, saya terlihat laporan akhbar The Star Online menyebut :

Published: Wednesday July 24, 2013 MYT 12:00:00 AM
Updated: Wednesday July 24, 2013 MYT 7:56:32 AM


RMC WANTS MORE BUMIS BY JASTIN AHMAD TARMIZI - JASTIN@THESTAR.COM.MY

KUALA LUMPUR: For Royal Military College (RMC) student Leong Kit Tsin, the school has been a learning ground on how to be independent.

“I’ve learnt to be independent as here we have to do everything ourselves.

“We have to dress neatly and clean our rooms,” said the 16-year-old from Petaling Jaya.

“As students here are from different backgrounds, I have learnt the cultures and customs of other races and learnt to respect them. This is really a good place to learn not just academically but also about life.”

Kit Tsin is one of a handful of Chinese students among 242 Form 4 students who started their stint in the school in January.


RMC commandant Col Wan Ghazali Wan Din said that of the total 485 students at RMC, there were only 21 Chinese and 34 Indian students.

The school is currently seeking more non-bumiputra students, especially from among the Chinese.

“We have been lacking non-bumiputra applicants as there has been a misperception about the school,” he said, adding that the Defence Ministry recently increased the minimum quota for non-bumiputra students to 17%.

Application for the new intake closes in October.

“A lot of people think those who join RMC need to join the Armed Forces when they graduate. We are actually trying to correct this misperception,” said Wan Ghazali, adding that since 1987, students from RMC need not join the Armed Forces when they graduate but they could if they wanted to.

He added that another reason for the low number of non-bumiputra applicants was the number of other institutions and places available to students.

“Because of the openings at other colleges and institutions, they have more choices,” he said.

Wan Ghazali said RMC had also taken many steps to make the college more appealing to non-bumiputras, including conducting talks in Chinese and Tamil schools and taking part in Armed Forces events.

Those interested can apply at www.rmc.edu.my.


Jelaslah di sini bahawa bidang akademik/kemahiran ketenteraan telah lama mengamalkan dasar terbuka.

Saya juga sangat yakin, UPNM (malah MTD) juga akan menjadi sebuah IPTA yang setaraf dengan Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, United Kingdom.

Suasana di Kem Sungai Besi dengan pelbagai kor, skuad, unit dan pasukan sudah cukup untuk memberikan semangat patriotik kepada pelajar-pelajarnya - kadet atau awam.

Malah ramai di antara kadet-kadet kanan UPNM yang dihantar ke Lahad Datu baru-baru ini - cukup membuktikan kepada kita betapa tingginya penghargaan Tentera dan Kerajaan Malaysia terhadap UPNM.


Namun, ada sesuatu persoalan yang telah lama bermain di fikiran orang awam seperti saya :

a) Tentera Udara DiRaja Malaysia,
b) Tentera Laut DiRaja Malaysia,
c) Regimen Askar Melayu DiRaja Malaysia (RAMD),
d) Regimen Renjer DiRaja,
e) Kor Armor DiRaja, Kor Polis Tentera DiRaja, Kor Risik DiRaja, Kor Kesihatan DiRaja, Kor Perkhidmatan DiRaja, Kor Ordnans DiRAja, Kor Jurutera Letrik dan Jentera Diraja,
f) Regimen Artileri DiRaja,
g) Regimen Semboyan DiRaja,
h) Regimen Askar Jurutera DiRaja,
h) Maktab Tentera DiRaja dll

Rasanya agak janggal apabila sebuah Universiti dan IPTA yang sememangnya berlatarkan suasana ketenteraan tidak ada gelaran 'DiRaja' untuknya.

Gelaran "DiRaja" menunjukkan ianya dinaungi oleh KDYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Di Pertuan Agong atau Raja-Raja Melayu. Jika dilihat, IPTA yang bertaraf awam dan tidak berlatarbelakangkan ketenteraan pun dinaungi oleh 'Tuanku Canselor' Kenapa tidak UPNM?

Saya sememangnya kurang mengerti prosedur untuk mendapat gelaran 'DiRaja' dan bukanlah saya menulis artikel ini mewakili UPNM (malah inisiatif saya sendiri)

Rasa saya sebagai rakyat biasa - sudah tiba masanya UPNM mendapat ampuni perkenan DYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Di Pertuan Agong atau KDYMM Al-Sultan Kelantan (Timbalan Yang Di Pertuan Agong) atau mana-mana Raja-Raja Melayu untuk menganugerahi 'gelaran 'Di Raja' kepada "Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia" dan ditukar kepada "Universiti Pertahanan Di Raja Malaysia"

Dan DYMM SPB YDP Agong sendiri selayaknya menjadi 'Tuanku Canselor' untuk Universiti ni.

Gelaran ini sangat sesuai diberikan kepada UPNM selaras dengan cara pendekatannya, suasana dan lokasi universiti berkenaan (yang juga menempatkan Maktab Tentera Di Raja (MTD-RMC)).