Invigilator

I was assigned to serve as an invigilator in Hall 2 from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon, overseeing the examination session... although the weather outside was quite hot, the morning duty felt more manageable, as the body tends to feel fresher and more alert earlier in the day... invigilating in the morning allowed me to stay focused and attentive throughout the session, ensuring the examination ran smoothly and according to regulations... despite the heat, the structured environment and early hours helped maintain energy levels, making the responsibility both calm and manageable until the end of the exam period...

Al-Mulk

reading Al‑Mulk carries many spiritual benefits for Muslims, particularly when recited consistently with understanding and sincerity... the surah reminds believers of Allah SWT’s supreme power, control over life and death, and the purpose of human existence, helping to strengthen faith and humility... it is widely known as a surah that protects the reader from the punishment of the grave, as mentioned in prophetic traditions, making it especially encouraged to be read at night before sleeping... it also nurtures self‑reflection and accountability, prompting believers to evaluate their deeds and intentions while fostering consciousness of the Hereafter... through its vivid descriptions of creation, divine wisdom, and consequences of disbelief, the surah instils a sense of gratitude, reliance on Allah SWT, and moral awareness, serving as both a spiritual safeguard and a reminder to live responsibly and righteously...

Senaman Tua

this exercise is a traditional form of physical movement practiced by the older generations of the Malay community, rooted in daily lifestyle rather than modern fitness concepts... traditionally, such exercises were not performed in gyms or with equipment, but emerged naturally through morning routines, agricultural work, silat training, and mindful body movements aimed at maintaining strength, flexibility, and balance... the movements are generally slow, controlled, and rhythmic, focusing on posture, breathing, joint mobility, and internal energy rather than speed or intensity...

these traditional Malay exercises were valued for promoting overall well‑being, helping to improve blood circulation, ease muscle stiffness, strengthen the lungs through regulated breathing, and maintain agility well into old age... often practiced in the early morning or after prayers, the exercises carried spiritual and mental elements, encouraging calmness, discipline, and harmony between the body and mind... unlike modern workouts that emphasize performance or appearance, this traditional approach prioritized health, sustainability, and balance, reflecting the wisdom of the older Malay way of life that viewed physical strength as interconnected with moral character and inner peace...

Ko Panyi

it is a remarkable floating village located in Phang Nga bay, Phang Nga province, southern Thailand, northeast of Phuket and within Ao Phang Nga national park... the village is built almost entirely on wooden and concrete stilts over shallow seawater, sheltered by towering limestone karst cliffs that are characteristic of the bay’s dramatic seascape... access here by boat only, usually as part of Phang Nga bay or James Bond island tours, making its arrival experience one of its most memorable features...

the history dates back to the late 18th century, when Muslim fishermen from the Nusantara region migrated in search of rich fishing grounds... at the time, Thai law prohibited foreigners from owning land, prompting the settlers to construct homes over the water instead of on land... using maritime knowledge, they built platforms supported by stilts driven into the seabed, gradually expanding the settlement into a fully functioning village... the name Panyi is believed to derive from Panji island (island of the flag), reflecting a legend in which the first settlers raised a flag to signal a safe and fertile location to others...

today, it is home to around 1,600 residents, preserving a strong Islamic identity alongside a vibrant fishing culture... key attractions include the famous floating football field, the village mosque, wooden walkways through stilt houses, and seafood restaurants serving halal Thai‑Muslim cuisine... visitors can explore small local markets, interact with friendly villagers, and enjoy scenic views of mangroves and limestone karsts... it offers a rare opportunity to experience a living cultural heritage, making it one of the most fascinating and memorable stops in southern Thailand...

Mohsein House

we then made our way to Mohsein’s new home in Bandar Botani Parkland, Presint 3, Bemban, Malacca, a recently developed area that is still largely new but shows strong potential to grow into a vibrant residential township in the years to come... the neighbourhood reflects a modern and well‑planned development, with ongoing construction and expanding amenities that signal its future promise... conveniently, Mohsein’s house is located close to the restaurant we had visited earlier, making it an easy and pleasant stop after our meal... taking advantage of everyone being gathered together, we also celebrated Fahim’s birthday at the house, marking the occasion in a warm and joyful family setting...

Visiting Nde Chu

we visited Nde Chu (Mak’s younger sibling) at Jalan Melor, opposite Giant Senawang Mall... she has been paralysed for a long time due to a stroke, and although her physical condition is slowly improving, her memory is no longer as sharp as before - sometimes she recognizes us, and at other times she does not... we offered prayers for her continued recovery and well-being... after the visit, we headed straight to Mohsein’s house in Malacca, stopping along the way at Wan Idah Enterprise restaurant for a lunch of Nasi Padang... it is located in Bandar Botani Parkland, Bemban, Malacca, is a neighbourhood eatery serving traditional masakan Melayu to residents of the growing township... situated within the commercial shoplots of Bandar Botani Parkland in the Jasin-Bemban area, the restaurant is easily accessible passing through southern Malacca... it operates under Wan Idah Enterprise, a Malacca‑registered business specializing in the sale of cooked halal food and beverages since 2021... similar to its other outlets, it is known for Nasi Padang - style offerings, where customers choose from a selection of freshly prepared lauk pauk... among its signature dishes are asam pedas ikan, ayam sambal, ayam goreng, and keli sambal, all cooked in a homestyle manner with robust spices that reflect traditional Malay flavours...

 

The PTA AGM of SMADATA

The AGM of the PTA this year was honoured by the presence of YB Datuk Seri Haji Jalaluddin bin Haji Alias, member of Parliament for Jelebu, who officiated both the opening of the school surau and the meeting itself... as customary, the principal presented the school’s working paper and appealed for contributions during the speech, which was warmly received by him... he noted that such initiatives are practiced by all schools within his parliamentary constituency, and he reaffirmed his commitment to providing financial assistance to institutions that genuinely require support... in addition, he proudly highlighted that SMADATA secured second place in Jelebu for the category of SMA, trailing only SMA Klawang, based on the excellent SPM results achieved... he further motivated the school community by announcing that should this year’s SPM candidates attain outstanding results and secure first place, the requested assistance would be channeled immediately...

the meeting atmosphere was further enlivened by the lucky draw session... during registration, I followed the students’ light-hearted advice to choose a number ending with 1 and selected number 101, while Naja chose number 31... when the lucky draw was announced, numbers 100 and 30 were initially called, leading us to believe that luck was not on our side this time... however, moments later, number 101 was announced, and I asked Naja to collect the prize... to our surprise and delight, shortly after Naja returned to our seats, number 31 was called as well... by the end of the session, our family was blessed with 2 washing machine detergents, with Naja proudly collecting prizes twice...

what truly captured our interest was the information shared regarding educational opportunities for students who have completed the memorization of all 30 Juzuk of the Al-Quran... these students are eligible to apply for a scholarship from the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) to pursue studies at the Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree level, subject to meeting the primary requirement of complete hafazan and successfully passing an interview... this opportunity serves as a strong motivation for students, highlighting that excellence in Al-Quranic studies opens meaningful pathways to higher education and a secure academic future...

 

Abu Nasi Lemak

it is a popular roadside breakfast spot located at the food truck area in front of the small Giant supermarket in Kelana Jaya... its strategic location makes it easily accessible and a familiar stop for nearby residents and morning commuters... the stall operates daily in the early morning, from around 6:15 am until 10:30 am, offering a convenient breakfast option, though customers are advised to arrive early as items tend to sell out quickly... the signature offering is the classic bungkus‑style nasi lemak, featuring fragrant coconut rice paired with a well‑balanced sambal that is savoury with a mild kick, complemented by crispy fried anchovies, peanuts, and a boiled egg... a popular highlight is the fried chicken add‑on, known for its generous portion and satisfying flavour... I often stop by whenever I feel like having nasi lemak, as it has become one of my go‑to breakfast spots... my usual order is nasi lemak with less rice, paired with 2 boiled eggs and extra sambal, just the way I like it... despite the generous portions and satisfying taste, the price is very affordable at only RM4, making it excellent value for money... the balance of fragrant rice, rich sambal, and simple yet comforting sides is what keeps me coming back time and time again...

 

Classic Tteokbokki

this is one of Naja’s favourite comfort foods, so I picked it up as a special iftar treat for her from FamilyMart Puncak Alam... Classic Tteokbokki is a popular Korean dish made from cylindrical rice cakes (tteok) that are soft, chewy, and satisfying... the rice cakes are cooked in a rich gochujang‑based sauce, giving the dish its signature sweet‑and‑spicy flavour that is both comforting and appetizing... at FamilyMart, it is conveniently prepared and heated before serving, ensuring a warm, saucy texture with well‑balanced seasoning that is not overly spicy... what makes it even more appealing is its affordability, as it is priced at only RM12.90, offering great value for a satisfying and flavourful Korean treat...

Stroke or Angin Ahmar

from a scientific and medical perspective, a stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted or significantly reduced, depriving brain tissue of oxygen and glucose, which leads to rapid neuronal injury or death... the 2 main causes are ischemic stroke, resulting from blockage of a cerebral blood vessel due to a blood clot, plaque buildup (atherosclerosis), or an embolus originating from the heart - often associated with conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, and atrial fibrillation - and hemorrhagic stroke, which occurs when a weakened blood vessel ruptures, causing bleeding within or around the brain, most commonly due to chronic high blood pressure, cerebral aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, or trauma... in both conditions, the disruption of cerebral blood flow triggers a cascade of cellular events involving energy failure, inflammation, and neuronal death, making stroke fundamentally a vascular disorder of the brain with potentially severe and long‑term neurological consequences...

from an Islamic perspective, references to the red jinn are generally understood within the realm of traditional beliefs, folklore, and spiritual narratives, rather than established medical or theological doctrine... classical Islamic texts confirm the existence of jinn as unseen beings created from smokeless fire, but they do not categorically classify jinn by colour, nor do they link specific colours to diseases such as stroke... in some cultural interpretations, it is described symbolically to represent strong emotions, anger, restlessness, or spiritual disturbance, rather than a literal entity causing illness... mainstream Islamic scholarship emphasizes that physical illnesses have physical causes, while spiritual well‑being is addressed through faith, remembrance of Allah SWT, supplication, and lawful medical treatment... consequently, Islam cautions against attributing medical conditions directly to jinn without evidence, and instead promotes a balanced approach - seeking professional healthcare while strengthening spiritual connection to Allah SWT, who is ultimately the Healer...

Invigilator

I was assigned as an invigilator in Hall 1, Level 7 for the session from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm... for some reason, I felt unusually sleepy throughout the afternoon, so I sought permission from the chief invigilator to take a short break... thankfully, I managed to get about 10 minutes of sleep, which was just enough to feel refreshed and alert again... by around 4:30 pm, the sound of thunder began rolling outside, followed shortly by heavy rain pouring down... it was clear that the weather had taken a sudden turn, and it meant we would likely have to push through heavy traffic congestion on the way back later - a tiring but unavoidable end to a long, demanding day...

Kudos to Form 5 SMADATA

I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to the school counsellor, Ustaz Luqman, and the Form 5 class teacher, Ustazah Ainon, for being present and participating throughout the session that I delivered... it is my hope that, with the knowledge shared, they will be able to guide and support other students by using the notes and exercises that were provided... personally, I believe that knowledge is more meaningful when it is shared, applied, and passed on to others, and I pray that it brings benefit to all involved... I would also like to express my gratitude to the administration of SMADATA, and I sincerely hope that this year’s SPM students will achieve excellent results... I willingly share and dedicate this knowledge to all of them, with the hope that it contributes positively to their success...