National Alliance of Bloggers and the BBC cafe

It was an honour to be part of history on Thursday night. Yes, I was there at the official launch of the National Alliance of Bloggers at the National Press Club in Kuala Lumpur. Much has been written about it already, you may read them at Rocky Bru’s, Jeff Ooi, mSTAR online and Malaysiakini. My brother Sheih has a good write-up and nice photos too in kickdefella.

Not to be missed are write-ups from blogger comrades like mat salo, 3540 Jalan Sudin and galadriel. 

I am really happy to know that the address of the NAB is currently at my former office Malaysiakini in Bangsar. That is such a beautiful gesture by my former bosses!

I am so sorry for blogging this so late. Have been on the road, and am still travelling. What a life. But I had the swellest time meeting so many,many bloggers in person – shall not name them for fear of leaving out some – though I tried to mingle around as much as I could, I still couldn’t meet everyone, so you can imagine how many bloggers turned up for this exciting meet. I also came late for the meeting but was welcomed so warmly by everyone. Of course before that I cooked up some stories of being held at the Immigration due to my blogging. But then again I am a liar, remember?

I left the meeting about 9pm, but my night was not over yet. I had another historical moment. Elizabeth Wong, BH Ng, CK Tan and I went for dinner at Central Market. I realised then, it was the most expensive dinner I ever had!

It was the most expensive dinner because it was cooked by none other than Hishamuddin Rais, writer-activist-film maker and former Internal Security Act detainee, who help run the BBC (Bau-Bau-Char) cafe on the 1st Floor of the Annexe building in Central Market. The cozy and colorful corner is run collectively by a group of young anti-war activists from Food Not Bombs. The group cooks lunch for the poor and homeless on Sundays.

I couldn’t have a more expensive dinner because I was served by Isham himself. It was an honour from a friend who prevailed all the odds and continued to be his own person. I liked Isham so much that I wrote him poems while he was in detention. Now after all these years of having not seen him, only receiving his emails tagged”TAK SUNAT” (uncircumcised), comprising his uncensored stories, the 56 year old man looks good, energetic and is as humorous and clever as ever.

Do drop in at the BBC cafe next time you are in KL. The roti jalar, fried rice, mee hailam and mee goreng were tasty. The teh tarik, my fave drink was superb, the lemon grass ice tea refreshing and the deserts -mango, strawberry, orange and avacado shake was heavenly.

And if you don’t enjoy all this, there’s still the excitement of watching Isham at one of his best moments: cooking! 

(Sloonepix: Isham making teh tarik for me)

(Sloonepix: Isham frying mee goreng for me)

(Sloonepix: some paintings on the wall of the BBC cafe)