26th – 27th August 2008
OUT OF KLANG VALLEY AND BACK
Got a call from Kementerian Belia dan Sukan (KBS) on 25th afternoon inviting me to participate in a workshop at Malacca on setting up the Association of Sports and Recreation for PWDs (state and national level) . I was asked to be there by the evening of 26th for the briefing. The workshop was on 27th August. Oh no... I thought how? I’m gonna miss the excitement of waiting for the announcement of the Permatang Pauh by-election results!!

I weighed the pros and cons and also quickly figured out how much that trip would cost me in RINGGIT for fuel and toll! Thought about it for a while... but then I just could not say ‘no’ to the invitation especially when the KBS officer insisted on my attending it as my name was recommended by a sports officer in her department. So I took it up as a national service!

26th August 2008
In the afternoon I dashed to the workshop to give my car a quick check-up. Got my mechanic to inspect the fluid levels in the various compartments under the bonnet, test all indicator lights and check the tyres. After checking he gave an ok, and off I went at 4.20 p.m.

It has been a few years since I did an outstation stint in my car. During my first twenty odd years I drove a lot especially to Ipoh, Cameron Highlands, Penang, Alor Star and south to Seremban and Port Dickson. This was my first trip to Malacca.

Outstation driving is indeed a different ball game. I had to re-tune my brain. I had to keep a comfortable distance between my car and the vehicle in front and back – which is different on the trunk road; to ‘feel’ the speed of my car; compute quickly time needed to overtake a vehicle – depending on whether it is a car, lorry, tanker or bus, the clearance available, look into the rear and side mirrors to gauge the speed of cars approaching on the fast lane etc. These kept me alert and awake. Of course I also had my usual repertoire of sentimental Tamil old songs from the 1960s and early 70s to keep me company as I enjoyed the drive.

As it was a weekday there was hardly any traffic heading south. I took a relatively slow drive, admiring the scenic view on both sides. I think we are blessed to be living in Malaysia which still has vast areas of unspoilt natural beauty. Of course while approaching townships I could see some hillocks and plains being balded in the name of development. However it was a pleasure to get away from the hustle and bustle of Klang Valley for a change. The lush greenery and natural vegetation, the tropical rainforests, hills and mountains in the distance, the neatly planted rows and rows of oil palm trees were picture perfect against a clear blue sky – and it was soothing to the eyes and mind.

Upon exiting the Air Keroh exchange I thought I would soon be entering the town proper. When I saw no sign of it I called my friend Dawa, only to find out that I had to do another ten kilometers before reaching Malacca town.

I reached Malacca at 6.10 pm. I felt very alive and refreshed upon arriving. My first trip to the historical city. The hotel entrance was certainly unfriendly, with a flight of stairs and no ramp. But the organiser was there to meet me. She got the hotel staff to guide me to the back where I could park comfortably. I then used the rear entrance, which had a ramp. I knew it was not purpose built for wheelchairs, but for their goods trolleys. And from there I could use a lift.

As soon as I checked into the rooom washed and freshened up. Was able to catch a glimpse of the run up to the by-election results on tv. Then after a quick evening meal I went off to the seminar room for the briefing. Minutes before the briefing started I got the much awaited news – of course my friend who was there in Permatang Pauh said it was unofficial & the sms said Anwar had won by a margin of some 16,000 + . He later confirmed that the margin was 15, 671 votes. This further reiterated the growing influence of PKR.

27th August 2008
The workshop was attended by few local PWDs from Malacca and from KL. There were representatives from the Malaysian Paralympic Council, KBS, Dept. of Social Welfare, Dept of Youth & Sports Malacca and also coaches who train PWD athletes.

The workshop ended at 2.00 p.m. I drove back in the evening, not exploring much of the town as it was drizzling. Just did some sight seeing from my car. I drove past the Stadhuyst, the lighthouse and the Meuseum. There were plenty of tourists milling around, taking snapshots and going on joy rides in colourfully decorated trishaws.