Anak Gen-X

  Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman atau Tuanku Abdul Rahman Street merupakan jalan sehala utama di Kuala Lumpur yang sarat dengan sejarah dan identiti tersendiri. Dahulunya dikenali sebagai Batu Road , ia dinamakan sempena Yang di-Pertuan Agong pertama , Tuanku Abdul Rahman dari Negeri Sembilan . Di sepanjang bahu jalan ini masih berdiri bangunan pra-perang dengan seni bina klasik yang kekal terpelihara. Kedai-kedai legenda seperti GS Gill , P. Lal dan PH Henry terus bertahan, mengekalkan suasana nostalgia di tengah kesibukan kota. Dalam masa yang sama, elemen moden turut mewarnai kawasan ini dengan kehadiran pusat beli-belah seperti SOGO . Lokasinya juga strategik berhampiran pertemuan Sungai Klang dan Sungai Gombak, berdekatan projek River of Life serta kawasan Blue Pool . Menariknya, setiap Sabtu dari jam 5 petang hingga 10 malam, Lorong TAR ditutup kepada kenderaan bagi memberi laluan kepada pasar malam yang meriah — menawarkan pelbagai fabrik, tekstil, pakaian, barangan rumah...

Pada hari ini dalam tahun 1948, kerajaan Jepun mengumumkan jumlah rasmi tenteranya yang terlibat dalam serangan ke atas Tanah Melayu antara 9 Disember 1941 hingga Ogos 1945. Seramai 300,000 tentera di bawah pimpinan Leftenan Jeneral Tomoyuki Yamashita terlibat, dengan sokongan 670 pesawat (331 daripadanya musnah). Operasi ini dirancang rapi, termasuk penyertaan unit sokongan seperti pasukan gali perigi dan sanitasi. Pendaratan pertama berlaku di Pantai Sabak, Kota Bharu pada 8 Disember 1941 , dan Tanah Melayu berjaya ditawan sepenuhnya pada 31 Januari 1942 . Pendudukan berakhir pada 13 September 1945 melalui upacara penyerahan kuasa di Victoria Institution, Kuala Lumpur . Sumber: Arkib Negara

 

  Kini, Masjid Quba menjadi destinasi wajib setiap jemaah haji dan umrah yang berada di Madinah — bukan sekadar tempat solat, tetapi tapak sejarah penuh keberkatan.

  In the early hours of 23 February 1950, the quiet riverside village of Bukit Kepong in Johor was thrust into history. Communist insurgents launched a fierce assault on the wooden police station at Bukit Kepong Police Station during the Malayan Emergency . Outnumbered and surrounded, a small group of policemen from the Federation of Malaya Police stood their ground for hours. Despite overwhelming odds, they refused to surrender. Many officers and their family members lost their lives. The tragedy became a lasting symbol of loyalty, courage and sacrifice in the face of terror. The story later reached a new generation through the 1981 film Bukit Kepong , produced and directed by Jins Shamsuddin , who also starred in the film alongside A. Rahim and Hussein Abu Hassan. Based on the true events of 1950, the film powerfully recreated the siege and went on to win eight awards at the third Malaysia Film Festival in 1982, including Best Film. More than seven decades on, 23 Februa...

Semasa zaman Darurat , para pekerja ladang mengangkat rangka bangunan stor padi sebelum membina semula dinding-dindingnya dan mengukuhkan kawasan tersebut dengan pagar dawai berduri . Padi kemudian diangkut masuk ke dalam kawasan yang berpagar untuk melalui proses mengopek (mengasingkan sekam), menjemur dan menimbang dengan teliti. Kawasan itu turut dikawal rapi apabila anggota Home Guard membuat rondaan di sekeliling perimeter, memastikan bekalan beras sentiasa dilindungi dan diawasi. Tonton video di SINI Kredit: British Pathe

 

  Bukan sekadar masjid, tapi simbol keharmonian & integrasi budaya Malaysia.

I told myself I was there for the architecture of St Pancras Renaissance Hotel . But let’s be honest -- I was there for the pink McLaren 570S . The car had already become a bit of a mystery by then -- always parked in almost the same spot, as if it permanently belonged to the grand Gothic façade behind it. This photo was taken a couple of years ago, but even then people were asking the same questions: Who owns it? Does it ever move? Is it part of the hotel? Rain-soaked pavement. Gothic towers. That supercar glowing in the background like it was waiting for its cue. For about 10 seconds, I felt like Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible  -- like the music was about to kick in and someone off-camera was shouting, “Move!” Funny how a parked car can turn an ordinary walk into a movie scene -- and quietly become part of London folklore .

 

How did Bukit Cheraka get its name? Listen as I narrate the story 😄

On this day in 1942, Singapore fell. After just over two months of relentless advance down the peninsula, Japanese forces completed their occupation of Malaya with the Allied surrender in Singapore on 15 February 1942 . What began with landings in northern Malaya on 8 December 1941 ended in one of the most shocking defeats in British military history . Malaya, then under British administration, had fallen piece by piece. Towns in the north were overrun first. Defensive lines collapsed. The belief that the British Empire was invincible in the East was shattered. The surrender on 15 February was more than a military event. It marked the end of British rule — at least for a time — and the beginning of a harsh and uncertain new chapter under Japanese occupation. But history often turns in unexpected ways. The fall of Malaya and Singapore broke the aura of colonial superiority. It changed how people in this region saw power, authority and their own future. In the years that followed, th...

 

  Looking for something meaningful to do with friends and family? The “ Tunku Negarawan Ulung: Pengasas Negara Bangsa ” exhibition is now open at the National Museum until 29 March -- and it’s absolutely worth your time. This exhibition takes you on a powerful journey through our nation’s early days, highlighting the leadership, wisdom and unity championed by #Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj , the man who laid the foundations of an independent and harmonious #Malaysia . From rare archival materials to historical documents, it’s a chance to really understand how our nation was built -- on tolerance, justice and consensus. Open daily 9am–5pm, it’s educational, inspiring, and a great reminder of why unity still matters today. Perfect for the younger generation too. Bring your parents, your kids, your friends -- let’s reconnect with our #History and rekindle that patriotic spirit. Jumpa di #muziumnegara !

The internet is buzzing over the short film 'Sandiwara', written and directed by Sean Baker , starring Michelle Yeoh . The film is already being praised for its quiet intensity, elegant storytelling, and Yeoh’s magnetic presence. It’s set to premiere at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival on 13 February, 2026 -- a perfect showcase for a work that proves how powerful simplicity and subtlety can be on screen. But for me, the word sandiwara will always mean something else. Long before streaming platforms and viral shorts, 'Sandiwara' was the name of a beloved Malay drama series on Singapore television that ran from the 1970s through the ’90s. While Malaysia had 'Drama Minggu Ini', Singapore had 'Sandiwara'. For many of us growing up in that era, it was appointment viewing -- the kind of show the whole family quietly gathered around after dinner. One of the key figures behind the series was Bani Buang -- director, producer, and widely regarded as...

The last time we hit this legendary spot was way back in Ramadan 2011 -- our second consecutive year berbuka here, because once you get hooked, you’re hooked. But securing a seat? That’s a whole different adventure. Since they don’t take phone bookings, you literally have to show up by 5.30pm, claim your table, pick your seafood, and then only can you go “ jalan-jalan ” to kill time before Maghrib . Classic Melaka chaos, but worth it every time. And we didn’t hold back. Chili mussels , garlic butter prawns , pahat goreng cili padi , black pepper crabs , deep-fried squid , plus a couple of beautifully grilled fish -- the full battalion. Everything was fresh, flavour-packed, and cooked with confidence. They never skimp on spices, and the balance is always spot on. Best part? Instead of plain rice, they serve rich, fragrant nasi lemak . Trust me: two packets is the bare minimum. We also downed a couple of jugs of tebu ais , the perfect sweet, icy finisher after all that seafood glory. ...

 

  The newly refurbished Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad witnessed a proud moment on 5 February 2026 with the opening of the Royal Selangor Gallery , officiated by His Royal Highness the Sultan of Selangor . The ceremony marked an important milestone for Royal Selangor , celebrating its long-standing legacy and deep roots in the state. Following the officiation, His Royal Highness toured the gallery, taking time to explore the craftsmanship and stories behind the pewter works on display -- a fitting tribute to tradition, heritage, and continuity. What caught my eye that day was how His Royal Highness arrived -- in a black London cab . Unassuming yet dignified, the iconic black cab felt perfectly at home beneath the arches and brickwork of the historic building. Known for its practical design and understated presence, the vehicle carries a quiet sense of formality rather than excess. In many ways, it mirrored the occasion itself: respectful of history, grounded in purpose, and subtle i...

Today, on Tunku Abdul Rahman ’s birthday, it’s worth remembering a story not many Malaysians know -- a quiet chapter of compassion that rarely makes it into the headlines of history. Long before Merdeka speeches and stadium crowds, before the title Bapa Kemerdekaan , there was simply a man moved by the suffering of his own people. During the dark years of the Japanese occupation , when survivors of the Siam–Burma Death Railway staggered home as living skeletons, Tunku did not look away. In Alor Setar , he saw them with his own eyes -- emaciated, sick, covered in sores, men who had once been young and strong but now looked decades older than their age. They had no homes to return to, no money, no strength even to beg. Where others saw a problem too big or unpleasant to handle, Tunku saw human beings who needed dignity. Instead of waiting for the authorities, he acted. Quietly, personally, without fanfare. He found a vacant space, hired a carpenter, and paid from his own pocket to build...

If you’re in PJ and haven’t been here… you’re missing out 😄 

  Kalau lalu Ayer Hitam, singgahlah. Bukan sekadar masjid — tapi warisan dan jiwa komuniti.

They say you never forget your “first”. Mine just happened to involve Mee Kolok and satay -- so yes, quite a love story. When I first landed in Miri from Kuching back in 1996 to take up my post in the judiciary, my maiden meal in “ The Oil Town ” was at none other than Madli's Restaurant. A fellow magistrate took me there, and I still remember thinking, “Satay in broad daylight? This is serious business.” Until then, the only other place I knew that did satay in the daytime was Muar, Johor . Miri clearly wasn’t playing around. At Madli's in 2023 Madli’s , as it turns out, isn’t just a restaurant -- it’s a story that goes back generations. It began as a humble satay stall in 1970 near the Miri library, run by Suut bin Hassan , the great-grandfather of the current owner. After his passing, the business was carried on by his daughter, keeping the family flavour -- quite literally -- alive. Eventually, the family took the big step of opening their first proper restaurant at Jal...

Sempena lawatan Diraja , DYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Di-Pertuan Agong , Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah ibni Sultan Zainal Abidin III Mu’azzam Shah ke Negeri Sembilan .  Kredit video: FINAS

Pernah dulu aku terbaca satu artikel di dalam akhbar The Star tentang proses pemilihan dan temuduga yang agak getir bagi kemasukan pelajar baru ke kolej penuh prestj, Maktab Tentera Diraja , atau Royal Military College (RMC, juga dikenali sebagai “ Sandhurst Malaya ”). Tersenyum aku membacanya kerana itulah antara pengalaman manis yang aku sendiri pernah lalui 40 tahun yang lampau.  Buat yang bertanya, oh tidak, langsung tiada unsur paksaan oleh sesiapa pun dalam hal ini. Sejak aku menerima keputusan Penilaian Darjah 5 (4A, 1B) pada tahun 1982, niat itu telah tertanam di dalam hati; yang aku ingin mejadi seorang RMC boy, dan berkhidmat untuk negara sebagai seorang perajurit. (Selain daripada cita-cita nak masuk universiti. Biasalah budak-budak, macam-macam dia nak jadi.) Proses permohonan bermula ketika aku di dalam Darjah 6 . Setiap calon perlu melalui ujian bertulis dan juga pemeriksaan kesihatan (termasuk “ujian batuk” – yang tahu, tahulah). Kedua-dua ini diadakan di daerah a...

  For generations, Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad has stood quietly by Dataran Merdeka , watching Kuala Lumpur grow from a colonial town into a modern capital. With its copper domes , clock tower and Moorish arches , it has been the backdrop to countless memories — from Merdeka celebrations and school trips to evening walks and historic moments like the raising of the Jalur Gemilang in 1957. Once the seat of British administration and later a symbol of national pride, the building carries the echoes of speeches, ceremonies and everyday life, reminding Malaysians of how far the nation has come. Even as skyscrapers rise around it, this timeless landmark continues to anchor the city to its past, standing as a quiet guardian of history, identity and shared memory. After 11 months of careful restoration, the building officially reopened on 31 January 2026, marking a new chapter in preserving this beloved national treasure for future generations.

  Dari lombong terbiar ke permata kota -- Taman Tasik Titiwangsa adalah bukti bandar boleh bernafas hijau .