I was invited by the Federation of Singapore Indian Muslims for their iftar event this evening. These breaking fast events are becoming a lot more common and this year I was invited to 3 such events.
It was also for me an opportunity to meet many friends and the GOH was a dear friend Murali Pillai.
Lunch today was with Dato Kamal and his wife Shobana. This lunch was arranged when we last met in Singapore.
They are vegetarians and I had asked them to pick a place. They very kindly chose Spice Guys, which is a restaurant very near me in KLCC, even though they have never been here.
We had the vegetarian thali which is excellent. They insisted that they will be paying for lunch since I am in their territory.
The conversation was excellent. Since he was a former deputy Minister in the Malaysian cabinet under Najib, I learnt a lot from him about Malaysia.
We spoke about the racial situation here, the Indian community, Najib and IMDB, Sami Velu and Mahatir and the current situation in the world. He also explained how BN had lost the trust of the people after IMDB and his current interactions with Najib. We spoke about Singapore and some of the issues nationally and within the Indian community as well.
Time flew and some others eating in the restaurant recognised him and came to talk to him about some temple issues. Before they left, they paid the bill for our table as well.
I have to thank Joshua for introducing us.
On Saturday , I received Whatsapp messages from friends of news flashes coming in that Israel and US have attacked Iran.
I have to confess that the behavior of US is getting increasingly shocking. First Venezuela and then threatening Greenland. Unhinged and totally unconcerned about the rule of law and consequences on actions.
As always , there will be a price to pay. Let’s see who pays.
Sunday night was the dinner. Once again at Shangri La. This time Peng Tiam bought a table and invited us. Very kind of him. I was shocked when I found out that the table cost $2,300. During the time I was in the OBA, we kept the table prices at $800. I know prices overall have shot up but still this is a bit much. Nevertheless they still managed to sell 97 tables.
It is always nice to meet friends, former teachers and principals there. Some of these people I see only once a year at this dinner.
The food was alright and no complaints there. Left at 930pm and dropped off Peng Tiam on the way. Both of us agreed that the number of people we now know attending this dinner is increasing getting smaller.
Yesterday was the garden party at the Istana, an event I always look forward to.
I was scheduled for the second shift which stats at 1545. I parked at Hotel Supreme and walked over and was there by 1515. A rather warm day for waiting outside the Istana.
I bumped into Dennis Chee while waiting to enter.
I met so many people I know and had pleasant conversation with many of them.
I wanted to take a selfie with the PM but he decided that he would be able to do it better and took over my phone and took the selfie.
I was also scheduled to be part of a group photo with the PM.
Just a great 2 hours overall even though I didn’t have anything to eat or drink whilst there.
This morning was my angiogram at NHC.
I had done a stress echo cardiogram in December here and it was all good.
Then on my last trip to KL, I did a calcium screening test at IJN. And it showed calcification and blockage. It actually said severe stenosis.
I took the results to my doctor here on Monday afternoon and he said that this has forced our hands and the only way to be sure is to do an angiogram.
Arrived here at 915am today but the procedure was only done at about 115pm. There were 6 to 8 people in the room and I had gadgets and tubes all over me.
Took about 15 minutes from the time he inserted the tubes when he told me all was clear and the blood flow throughout the heart was good. Thank goodness. Guess I have just been through an unnecessary invasive procedure but I needed to know it was all good after the KL results. The doctor told me after procedure that there is quite a bit of calcium throughout my arteries and this test may not be useful for me.
Well I am resting in the short stay ward now and feeling bored. Haven’t eaten and hoping I can go back soon.
Well the lunch came and it was good. Took a while for them to take out the bandage from the carotid artery.
Finally discharged at 6 pm.
This afternoon was the celebrations at the National Stadium. Since it was the 140th anniversary, I told myself come hell or high water, I have to be there. And I was.
Actually the Stadium is not suitable for such an event, the acoustics are poor and you cannot hear the speeches or the singing. Even the singing of the ACS Anthem was anticlimactic. It was so very different from the time I organized it when I was on the Board of Governors at the Indoor Stadium.
So I don’t remember much of the event. But it was so nice meeting people that I know. Some of whom I haven’t seen in years.
Lunch today was here with U Zyn. We wanted to have lunch but it was not easy finding Chinese restaurants during the CNY period and so we ended up here.
This restaurant is part of the Taj Group and is located at South Beach and I must say the food is good. I have been here some years back and they have maintained their standard.
We ordered their set lunch priced at $38, without desserts. More than enough good food for that price. Topped that off with a masala tea.
Yesterday Peng Tiam messaged me out of the blue and asked if I would be free for lunch today.. at Samy’s restaurant. I was free and so lunch was on today.
He came with his wife. I didn’t realize that he is a regular there and he actually likes the food. He either eats in or orders takeaway.
Anyway he ordered quite a bit of food. What was interesting is that he was giving out ang pows to the staff there. And he does this every year. All of them approached him to collect their ang pow, including the boss, which I found very surprising.
We talked a bit over lunch re tariff strike down this morning, Epstein and racism. And of course he is so into family and togetherness, especially during CNY. Good for him.
He went off to take his afternoon nap. Both of them are firm believers of a nap and have been doing this since medical school days. Something to think about.
Joshua called me yesterday at about 1015 and asked if I was free to meet up with Dato Kamal. They were having breakfast at Madras Woodlands.
I rushed down and it was good catching up with Joshua, Dato Kamal and his wife.
He was part of MIC and he was in the Malaysian government for a number of years and so we spoke of Malaysian affairs quite a bit, including the economic profile of the different rates in Malaysia. Also of the drug problem and the possible impact of AI.
We spent more than an hour talking and we arranged to meet in KL on 4th March. Looking forward to that.
I had an onion rawa thosai, masala tea and a parukku payasam, which they only do on Fridays.
daily musings 