Salam Cik Ah Liang, Lama Tak Jumpa!

Masya-Allah, this Facebook post by Dr Maszlee really stopped me in my tracks. He’s pictured with Pak Ah Liang, a school bus driver and operator many of us remember fondly from way back in the 1980s in JB.

Yes, Cik Ah Liang -- as we used to call him -- was our trusted school bus driver for years. In my case, for my entire sekolah rendah period at STAR (2). Rain or shine, he was always there, faithfully ferrying us to and from school.  

A Chinese Muslim revert, Cik Ah Liang was incredibly kind and endlessly patient with us kids. And mind you, we were often loud, rowdy, and anything but well-behaved! Yet he rarely, if ever, lost his cool. Haha.

Here’s a little nugget from the archives: I used to supply Cik Ah Liang with cassette tapes to play on our daily journeys. Yes, I was already a tastemaker back then -- introducing fellow busmates to Duran Duran, Wham!, Prince, and, of course, Search and Lefthanded.

It’s truly heart-warming to see Cik Ah Liang still looking so good and healthy in his 80s. Alhamdulillah. And thank you, Dr Maszlee, for unexpectedly unlocking such a beautiful walk down memory lane.

The Demolition of The Puteri Pacific, JB -- It's Finally Happening

Pic from FB

 

I didn’t expect it to feel like a stab in the heart -- but it did. Seeing the news of a Johor Bahru institution, The Puteri Pacific Hotel, being demolished made me pause and stare into space for a while. This wasn’t just any hotel. A four-star property with over 500 rooms, connected to the Persada Johor International Convention Centre and standing proudly on Jalan Abdullah Ibrahim, it was part of the city’s skyline and soul for decades.

Yes, I know the hotel had ceased operations some five years ago during the pandemic. That part was already a quiet goodbye. But watching it being physically dismantled hit very differently. The Puteri Pacific began life as the Pan Pacific in 1991, and back then it was one of those landmarks we were genuinely proud of -- a sign that JB was going places, standing tall and confident just across the Causeway.

After both my parents passed on, the hotel became my “home” each time I balik kampung to JB. The moment you stepped into the lobby, that unmistakable Johor hospitality wrapped itself around you. People were always warm and welcoming, whether you turned up in a suit or in a simple T-shirt and jeans. From the room window, you could take in that familiar view of JB with Singapore in the distance -- steady, reassuring, quietly comforting. 

And of course, everything was within walking distance: KOMTAR, Kotaraya, Salahuddin Bakery, Hua Mui. So thank you, Puteri Pacific, for the memories. You were never just a hotel.

When We Accidentally Did The Whole "The Fault In Our Stars" Tour In Amsterdam

 

Pretty sure everyone has seen Amsterdam in the headlines these past few days, as the city experiences heavy snowfall like it’s never seen before. That instantly took me back to our first trip there in 2012 -- when we accidentally did the whole 'The Fault in Our Stars' tour.

The funny part? We did it two years before the film (based on John Green’s best-selling book) was even released. Total coincidence. Haha. So what did we see and do? Read on.

The Hotel De Filosoof featured in the film does exist in Amsterdam, but it wasn’t used as the actual filming location. In the movie, it’s portrayed by the American Hotel -- the gorgeous, graceful Art Deco landmark sitting right in the middle of bustling Leidseplein. And whaddaya know? We actually stayed at the American Hotel during our trip. Here’s a photo of us in front of the fountain.

In the film, Hazel and Augustus stroll through the tunnel at the Rijksmuseum while street musicians fill the air with music. That grand entrance is actually a tunnel that cuts through the museum, allowing pedestrians -- and more importantly, cyclists -- to pass through this gilded building. Yes, we visited the Rijksmuseum too, and it was easily one of the highlights of our trip.

Known as the city of canals, you can’t visit Amsterdam without hopping on a canal cruise. Hazel and Gus do this on their first day, and it really is the best way to soak in the city’s scenery, bridges, and iconic buildings. And yes -- here’s us, happily cruising along.

The duo also visit Peter Van Houten at his house, the whole reason they travelled to Amsterdam in the first place. His home is located right next to Vondelpark, the city’s most famous -- and prettiest -- park.

They also walk across canals and sit on that bench between Leidsegracht and Herengracht. Not sure if we sat on the exact same bench, but we definitely walked many kilometres along the canals and rested on more than a few benches. Close enough, right?

My Favourite Stuff Of 2025

The year just whizzed past, really. And so, here's the obligatory annual list!

Makan Place (Local)
Kedai Makan Budak Muar, Seremban

Excellent classic Muar fare but closer to home. This is what you call WIN/WIN! 

Makan Place (Western)

Rawtee Sandwich(es), Bukit Bintang

BEST. SANDWICHES. IN. KL. 

Book

Gurchan Singh: Singa Malaya

Recently translated into BM, and first published in 1949, it tells the intriguing story of a Malayan resistance movement led by Indian policeman Gurchan Singh, during the Japanese occupation of Malaya.

E-book 
Kisah Hidup & Budaya Pop Anak Gen-X

Of course I gotta plug my own e-book lah. Downloaded you copy, yet? Hehe.

   

Heritage Attraction
Seri Negara

Beautifully done! Everyone should visit Seri Negara at least once. And quick, while it's still free.

Event

Tia's Convocation Ceremony

Congrats, my darling daughter. You did it!

YouTube Channel

Sabri Zain's Malayan Chronicles

Suddenly, Sabri decides to pump in more wonderful content in 2025. Watch them now!

Podcast Channel

The Thinking Muslim

If you can only listen to one podcast to keep up with everything that's going on in the world, this should be the one.

Road Trip

Hulu Langat

Have not explored this part of the state before, and we simply love the beautiful landscapes and cool cafes.

New Masjid

Masjid Jamek Cina Muslim, Klang

So majestic, Masya Allah!  You really have to see it to believe it...

New Kubah For Masjid Kg Melayu, JB After 55 Years!

I was scrolling through social media the other day when a video popped up and instantly put a big smile on my face.

The mosque of my childhood — Masjid Kampung Melayu in Johor Bahru — is finally getting a new kubah after 55 years. Alhamdulillah, such wonderful news!

For those who may not know, I was born in my late grandmother’s house in Kampung Melayu, though we moved away just before I started school. Still, this masjid played a huge part in my early years. I used to perform Solat Jumaat and Solat Hari Raya here, especially during school holidays, and the memories remain vivid.

I even managed to dig up an old photo of the masjid taken from our family home at Jalan Merdeka — and that really added to the wave of nostalgia. 

Over the past few days, I’ve been grinning from ear to ear watching videos of the new dome being installed, step by step, posted by the same account.

Can’t wait to drop by and see it in person the next time I’m back in JB, Insya-Allah.

Watch the video here: