"Saudara Baru" a misnomer

When Chinese in Malaysia embrace Islam, they are referred to as "Saudara Baru" by their Malay brethren and sisters. "Saudara Baru" means "new relations."

Is this an apt term? In the context of history, I doubt it simply because the Chinese in ancient China have been practising the faith more than 600 years earlier than the Malays in the Malay archipelago. In 650, eighteen years after the death of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.), his maternal uncle Sa'ad ibn Abi Waqqaas was sent as an offical envoy by the Caliph Uthman ibn Affan of Arabia (currently Saudi Arabia) to the court of Chinese Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty. So important was this visit that the Hui people of China regard the year 650 as the founding of Islam in their country. Impressed with the teachings of Islam, the Emperor built the magnificent Memorial Mosque in Canton city.

On the other hand, Malaysia's Batu Bersurat (or Terengganu Stone) that was discovered in 1899 revealed that an Islamic state existed in the area before 1326. A theory was thus postulated that Islam had arrived to the East Coast of the Malay peninsula from China. On the West Coast, Islam began to spread its wings only after Parameswara, a Hindu prince from Sumatra, converted to Islam in 1409. In days of yore, prior to the founding of Melaka, the Malays were under the influence of the Hindu-Buddhist empires of Majapahit (1229-1500) and Sri Vijaya (680-1200/1300), both based in Java, and were probably idol-worshippers.

Thus, doesn't it seem right that the Chinese Muslims in China should refer to the Malays in Malaysia as "Saudara Baru"?

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Enrique first Malay to sail round the world, not Azahar Mansor

In 1999, Perlis-born mariner Dato' Azahar Mansor went on record as the first Malaysian to sail round the world. Is that so? Actually, Azahar's feat was almost 500 years late!

Historical records point out that a Malay slave who had been forcibly baptised Henrich (Hispanicised as "Enrique") by his Portuguese captors was the first Malay to sail round the world. In 1511, Enrique was acquired by Ferdinand Magellan who had sailed to Malacca through the Cape of Good Hope. Needing an interpreter, Magellan bought Enrique and took him back to Europe. Thereafter, the Portugese explorer (he became a Spanish citizen later) took his Malay interpreter with him on his cirumnavigation round the world from 1519-1521.

Italian historian Antonio Pigafetta who recorded Magellan's travels stated that Enrique was mentioned by Magellan in his last will. Official documents of the La Casa de Contatacion (The Trading House) of Spain of the 16th century that trained sailors and navigators also recorded Enrique's trip with Magellan.

On March 16, 1521, Magellan arrived at Homonhon island in the Philippines. Gines de Mafra, a Spanish member of Magellan's crew wrote in his log that: "He [Magellan] told his men he was in the land he desired, and sent a man named Heredia, who was the ship's clerk, ashore with an Indian they had taken, so he said, because he was known to speak Malay, the language spoken in the Malay archipelago."

On April 27, 1521, Magellan sailed into Mactan and a battle with the natives resulted in his death and many of his crew. In his will, Magellan had provided that upon his death, Enrique shall be freed. The remaining masters of the fleet refused to release Enrique, but on May 1, 1521, he escaped. In the eyes of Spanish historians, Enrique is recognized as the first Malay to sail round the world.

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Nightclub hostess give tips on how to court her

Some men like to befriend a high-class nightclub hostess for various reasons. A few fellas think they can get sex -- free or paid -- from their new-found friend; others want to have a girlfriend or lover; still, there are hard-core nightclubers who wish to set her up as a mistress.

Warns Mummy Lulu, a nightclub mamasan: "Not all hostesses are prostitutes. They have all been trained to prise money from customers without selling sex."

To win over a hostess as a personal friend, or for whatever purpose, requires a generous amount of time and money. Success can only be achieved in a matter of weeks or months depending on the frequency of your visits. A veteran nightclubber says there are certain guidelines to behaviour that can help a customer win a hostess. First, you must be frank about your occupation, marital status and financial standing. Never brag about money unless you are prepared to back it up with action.

He adds that during conversations with the hostess, never say bad things about your wife and children. Instead tell her how much you love your family, and you are there to relax over a couple of drinks or to indulge in your hobby of karaoke singing. Generally, the more stable and reliable the man is as perceived by the hostess, the better are his chances of establishing a long-term relationship -- for any purpose, other than marriage -- with her. It goes without saying that a bachelor should not boast about the number of girlfriends he has.

Another advice is to avoid cracking vulgar jokes. The more you treat a hostess with respect, the more friendly she will be to you. Telling a hostess you have fallen in love with her on your first or second or even third visit is a sign of the amateur. Many hostess also don't have patience with a customer who nurses a drink the whole evening.

To have a hostess notice you, it is best to visit the nightclub on a Monday when business is slacker and the big spenders are not around. After a couple of visits, if you like the hostess, tell the mamasan that you've been coming back because you are attracted to so-and-so. In this way, the mamasan will be grateful for the respect shown to her, and she will tell the hostess to be nicer to you. Of course, generous tips must always given to the mamasan.

Now, you must demonstrate your sincerity by frequently patronising the hostess and performing the courtship ritual such as inviting her out for late dinners and the giving of presents.

Later, when the timing is right, you should lay your cards on the table. As a direct and honest approach is best, say something like this: "I want to keep you as my mistress (or whatever). If you need money, I will give it to you. All I want is to see you frequently." Such a proposition is likely to be accepted by a lonely hostess. Says Mummy Lulu: "Most beautiful hostesses are harder to win and more expensive to keep as mistresses. But after you've had your fling, it is easier to break off with her as she has other suitors. On the other hand, a plain hostesss is easier to woo as her admirers are few. As her options are limited, getting rid of her later can be a problem."

It's obvious that "playing" with a high-class nightclub hostess is an expensive affair.

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Gurkha food, anyone?

While strolling along Jalan Tun H.S. Lee in KL, I stumbled upon an eatery named Restoran Gurkha. (Gurkha are the people of Nepal). My adventurous streak compelled me to give it a try. Tucked in the first floor of an old shophouse, the restaurant greeted me with a huge white poster with Nepalese characters pasted on a glass door. Inside was a big crowd of Nepalese drinking beer. The furnishings were Spartan; a glass case displayed newspapers and magazines in Nepalese.

All the six or seven odd dishes available were written on a white board. The owner explained that "Bandel Rice" was rice with wild boar meat; "Sukuti Rice" was buffalo meat with rice. His English was unintelligible when he tired to explain "Bhatmas" and "Momo". As I don't eat beef, I settled for the "Bandel Rice". It arrived on a round aluminium platter with vegetables. My first bite of the wild boar meat was a "ohmigosh" experience. I had expected it to taste like the Chinese version of wild boar curry -- all lean meat oozing a spicy aroma. Instead, it consisted of skin, fat and meat. There was also a "wild-animal" smell to the meat. I was unable to finish it, but the vegetables were okay. The soup was similar to the familiar roti canai dal, but green peas had been added.

No, I am not deterred. Next time I will try "The Khukri -- Authentic Nepalese Cuisine" on Jalan Tun Tan Siew Siew (formerly Jalan Silang). It is air-conditioned and is nicely decorated -- that's what I saw on peeping through the half-opened front door.

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Nightclub hostesses -- how to choose one that suits your taste

[Pixs of models for illustration purpose only]

When dusk sweeps across Kuala Lumpur's skyline and most office ladies have gone home, women of another breed are preparing for work. They are the hostesses (or GROs) who work in nightclubs, karaoke lounges and bars. Their function is to provide fun, laughter and companionship for the male patrons.

Men who seek out hostesses go home either disappointed or happy -- after having parted with their hard-earned money. The disappointed are the inexperienced who choose the wrong type of hostess; they often select novice hostesses by assuming that such women are easier to take advantage of. But don't be too sure. Knowing the ploys of men, madams (or mamasans) often ask veteran hostesses to front as newbies who pretend to be shy.

One common false notion held by many customers is that they can fondle any hostess. Actually, the amount of body contact varies from place to place. In a nightspot that emphasizes atmosphere, customers are only allowed to put an arm around the waist or shoulder of the hostess. However, sleazy joints that permit sex allow anything to everything. It goes without saying that hostesses in expensive nightclubs are more educated and well-behaved and dress more elegantly.

According to Mummy Lulu, a mamasan of a nightclub in KL's Golden Triangle, hostesses can be divided into three types: the "playmate", the "model" and the "girlfriend." The "playmate" type of hostess is usually young and cute, says Lulu. She is cheerful and bubbly but can be temperamental, and is more suited for younger customers who want to have fun (such as karaoke singing or dancing) but not for those who want to relax over drinks or drown his sorrows. She likes to chit-chat about parties, music and fashion. It is easy to start and end a friendship with a "playmate" hostess as she is friviolous about such matters.

The "model" hostess is more intelligent and sophisticated than the "playmate" counterpart. Usually, she is attractive, tall and elegant. It is difficult to know her on a personal basis as she seldom mixes her professional and personal lives. She doesn't like customers who are timid or scholarly, and prefers confident, successful businessmen and professionals with thick wallets. If a customer succeeds in befriending her, he will find that she is usually demanding. It is usually expensive to keep a "model" hostess as a mistress.

Mummy Lulu adds that for the average man, the "girlfriend" type of hostess is best. Compared to the "model" hostess, she is of average looks, average height, and is more simplistic in thinking. Often, she has the customer's interest at heart. If a customer feels tipsy, she may discourage him from more drinks; if he wants to talk about his personal problems, she will lend a sympathetic ear. Many customers can develop a emotional attachment to the "girlfriend" hostess; she, too, can fall in love with a regular customer.

All three types of hostesses are required for a nightclub to flourish, according to Mummy Lulu. The "girlfriend" hostesses will lure in the Average Joes for repeat business; the "model" hostesses are more compatible with serious customers into business entertainment; and the "playmate" hostesses are ideal for fun, fun and more fun on festive occasions, birthdays and celebrations.

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