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Seeking Forgiveness For Any Wrongdoings; A Yearly Hari Raya Practice

This is one of the yearly Hari Raya practices from our culture that I truly believe in and treasure. Recently, there were many debates about its relevance and importance. Many who do not fully understand the rationale behind the action will simply brush it off as insignificant to the point of it being almost a ridiculous practice. I beg to differ in opinion.

While I agree that we have to apologise for our mistakes to the ones we hurt as soon as we have made them and not wait to do it during Hari Raya, we may not always be conscious or aware of our wrongdoings. Others may not be open enough to point out our mistakes/wrongdoings/transgressions/misdeeds and would rather keep the hurt to themselves.

So, as we celebrate the blessed day with a fresh outlook in life filled with positivity and hope after the cleansing of the mind, body and soul during Ramadhan, it is only logical and befitting to ask others for their forgiveness for any or our wrongdoings whether they were done intentionally or otherwise…consciously or unconsciously. The very reason why we always start the seeking of forgiveness dialogue with “Kalau (if) ada salah dan silap sengaja atau tidak (there is any wrongdoings done intentionally or otherwise), TERkasar bahasa dan perbuatan (unintentional misdeeds and harsh words), TERmakan dan TERminum (unintentional consumption of food/drinks without others’ permission)….”. When we seek forgiveness, we learn to let go of our ego and realise that we are not above everyone else. When we forgive someone, we learn that we are not above God who is ever-willing to forgive no matter how big our sins may be.

#tolongajaradatdanadabpadaanak2sekarang
#hapuskanlahsifatterlaluego
#bukankahislammengajarkitasupayabermaafmaafan
#bersihkanhati
#peringatanuntukdirijuga

Source: Rasimah Jar

July 7, 2017
Man Tried To Break Into Woodlands Flat At Midnight With Occupants Inside

A male stranger allegedly tried to break into Stomper Ong‘s flat at Block 774 Woodlands Crescent at around midnight today (July 7), when only his wife and three-year-old daughter were at home.

The Stomper said he and his mother had been out at a funeral when the incident occurred at about 12.24am.

According to Amos, whose wife managed to take a picture of the man, he has never seen the guy around before.

The family subsequently lodged a police report but are still worried that the man might return.

Amos recounted what happened:

“My wife and daughter were resting in our room. While my wife was in a phone call with her friend, both of them heard loud banging of the main door. She went out to open the door, thinking that it was my mum who was having difficulty opening it.

“To her shock, it was an unfamiliar man in a red shirt, trying to push his way through and enter our house. He stood in the front area of our house, asked my wife to keep quiet and intended to proceed further in.

“At that moment, my wife was only thinking about the safety of our three-year-old daughter. She shouted and asked my daughter to go into the room, then managed to push this red shirt man out the door and locked the metal gate.

“This man then stood outside and asked my wife for evidence that he did the damage to our door. After some confrontation, he walked away to the stairway and disappeared from sight.

“A neighbour came out after this (he hard heard loud banging noise, big thanks to him) and my wife managed to ask him to come over to help.

“While she was explaining the situation, this red shirt man returned and told my neighbor that my wife was ‘gila orang’ and ran off.

“That’s when she manage to took a short clip of his appearance. He was sweaty, bare-footed and kept scratching his leg using the other leg.”

Amos also shared a photo of the damaged inflicted on his door and said it was caused by the man “using a lot of force”.

He added:

“The police are currently investigating this, but what we don’t understand is his intention of doing this. Why did he come back? Why our house when there were people still in there?

“We understand that there is some neglect on my wife’s part (for opening the door without checking, and she can’t remember if she did lock the metal gate) but I believe he will eventually force his way in; it is just a matter of time.

“I can’t imagine what would have happened to the two girls if my wife had not overpowered him at that moment.”

In response to queries by Stomp, a Police spokesman said they were alerted to a case of House Trespass at Block 774 Woodlands Crescent at 12.28am.

Investigations are ongoing.

Source: STOMP

July 7, 2017
Commentary: Comfort Taxi Driver Went Above And Beyond, A Crybaby Moment For Me

Today I was shown kindness by a Comfort taxi driver – Mr Yeo Choon Hwa.

I had to report for my flight at 730am.
I booked a taxi and when I got into the cab, I told the Uncle (yes we call any elderly male stranger Uncle in Singapore) to ‘please rush for me?’

Which is highly unfair because now I am partly making it his responsibility to get me to work in time… but I was that desperate.

Halfway through the journey – I started reaching out for my wallet so that I can quickly pay him and get out.

As the search got more frantic, I realised the worst. I forgot my wallet. I couldn’t believe it. I was now 12 minutes away from the airport. There was NO WAY out. Turning back will mean a day of havoc for me.

Resigning to my fate, I came clean with Uncle.
I told him I forgot my wallet and I wouldn’t be able to pay him at the end of this journey.
He looked up at me through the rear view and gave the most stunning reaction.

He smiled. Kindly. And then asked me what I would like to do. What I would like to do!? This was his taxi, his rice bowl and he had every right to tell me to get out from his taxi or turn back – but yes – he asked me what I would like to do.

So I told him, that if he is ok – I’ll take down his details and do a bank transfer when I touch down.
And without skipping a beat, he agreed.

I got to the airport just in time. Uncle even came out and helped me with my bags and just before I dashed off – he asked me if I had enough money for my travels and if I needed some.

Yeah. Crybaby moment for me. Still is.
Even after transferring the amount + bonus, I don’t think any amount can ever repay what he did.

Apart from his compassion and kindness, he completely left it to his faith in humanity that I will not go back on my word.
And I can’t help but think, what a lot of faith that must be.

Here’s to all our Taxi Uncles. ❤️❤️❤️

#TaxiUncleFTW #SHD4927J

Source: Noor Mastura

July 7, 2017
Awesome Movers Company Replaced A Scratched Samsung TV After They Said That They Would

#tanyakakina

I must do a special mention for this amazing person.

I moved house last week, msg few movers who turned me down cos its hari raya week. This one agreed to do.

During the shift, he has almost 10staff and all locals who understood what to be done and carried my stuff carefully, all wrapped or dismantled n to be fixed back at the new place.

That was not the highlight. At the new place he drilled the wall to fix back my tv. Then they realised my tv had a hairline crack. It was a new 65inch samsung n upon hearing that, tears rolled down my cheeks. He admitted his mistake n promised to buy me a new tv. Waaaaat! Jangan bedek lah! So says my inner voice. 3days later he came back with a new tv, exactly the one i had. This is one hell of a businessman, who took a lot of pride in running an honest business. I was so amazed that he didnt run away with empty promises. My prev mover lost my wedding photo and didnt answer my calls or refund me. So i am really thankful this time, there is an honest mover to deal with.

For the type of work he does, n the guarantee that he gives, i paid a mere $500 for the whole shifting. He refunded me with a tv worth more than $5k.

Hope more people will support him and his men who worked so hard. I thank zul and his team from the bottom of my heart.

Think movers. Think Budget Moverz.

#budgetmoverZ
Muhd Ardy

Source: Ina Sultan

July 7, 2017
CEO Of A&W Says Outlets In Singapore Will Be Halal-Certified To Cater To Muslims

After confirming the return of the A&W fast food chain to Singapore in 2018, Yahoo Lifestyle Singapore followed up with President and CEO Kevin Bazner to share more details about the comeback, including the source of supplies, possible Halal certifications and why it took 15 years to return.

“Our beef patties will be 100% sourced from Australia. Our fresh chicken supply will predominantly be sourced in the region and prepared locally. Other ingredients, where possible, will be sourced locally,” said Bazner in an email on Friday (7 July).

When asked if outlets in Singapore will be Halal-certified to cater to Muslims in the country, he said, “Yes, absolutely.”

Bazner was in charge of A&W’s international division back in 1988, during which he lived in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with his family for seven years. The American company was acquired by Yum! Brands in 2003, the same year all Singapore outlets were shut.

More than 10 years later, A&W is set to return to the foodie nation. But what took it so long?

“We have been discussing A&W Restaurants’ return to Singapore since 2011, when A&W Restaurants Inc took over ownership from Yum! Brands. Given the popularity of A&W Restaurants brand and its signature products, coupled with rising demand from local consumers, we knew we had to give the Singapore market another shot,” said Bazner, who went on to talk about how Singaporeans themselves had played a big part in the brand’s return.

President and CEO of A&W Restaurants, Inc. (Photo: A&W)

“A&W Restaurants receives daily requests via social media and other channels to bring the brand back to Singapore. To put this into perspective, hundreds of requests from potential franchisees are recorded each year,” he said.

As Yahoo Lifestyle Singapore reported on Tuesday (4 July), A&W has already set up its international corporate office in Singapore in 2016, and is currently looking for a space for its flagship outlet, which will serve as an international training ground for staff in the region.

“While we cannot confirm a specific area right now, we will make another announcement as soon as we can,” said Bazner, who also hinted that “key neighbourhood towns and regions as well as commercial malls and the Central Business District” are among some of the locations they are looking into. A&W’s first outlet in Singapore will be its flagship outlet owned by the company itself and not a franchise.

Craving for root beer floats and coney dogs? A&W confirms a return to Singapore in 2018 (Photo: A&W)

What else can Singaporeans expect from A&W’s return?

Bazner assured that Singaporeans can definitely look forward to the usual fan favourites, such as fried chicken, burgers, Coney Dogs, waffle ice cream, curly fries, and “freshly-made” root beer served in frosty mugs.

“But this is not just it… there will also be new innovation on the menu, which we will be ready to share closer to the first store opening,” he said.

While A&W has already made plans to launch in Singapore during the second half of 2018, “this will largely depend on the suitability of store sites and resources”, according to Bazner.

Source: Yahoo Lifestyle Singapore

July 7, 2017