Logbook entry (Saturday, June 19): Left behind a grey and wet KL, crossed over the central range northwards and into a land of blue skies and cotton-ball clouds. What contrast; how amazing is it that this dorsal fin of Semenanjung called Titiwangsa can cleave a land into two sub-climates.

It's biting hot here in Kota Bharu.

And now Pantai Timur. A people and their culture halus like their sands.

It's different this time around. It's a small crowd, just 20 registered, but overwhelmingly made up of youths. Intelligent bunch. Full-of-heart type of bunch. The sort that fuels civil society.

And makes you believe this nation has every chance to turn the corner from mediocrity to excellence if only we allowed their generation to stand. You see it in their eyes and their gait. It's a self-belief coupled with soft-spoken humility.

QnA time. The questions are honest and direct, no fear of 'losing face'. They want to know. They want action. They ask for more like this in Kelantan. Many tell us the publicity for this Roadshow did not reach the people of Kota Bharu widely and deeply enough - something we'll have to work on for sure.

But there's a silver lining all over the hall. An attendee's comment:

It's sundown. We clear out from the hall. Well-wishes and come-agains, handshakes, hugs.

Food and fluids beckon. The body needs some pampering.

"Ayam percik!," yells Ee Chia. "Nasi kerabu," counters Nanda. "Pulut durian lah, people," snorts Haris. The crew and friends find their way to a medan of local delights. Good fellowship follows.

Kota Bharu feels good.

It prods us to remember. From the cotton-ball filled skies to the half moon of the night, we witness an earthy gentleness that is uncoated by corporate pretensions. Earth is earth, the river is river, and fire, fire. All that bundled into this thing called home.

We are reminded.

p.s. Special thanks to Topeng Perak.

Pictures / Robert Foo

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ESTRELITA |2010-06-27 09:16:52 An excellent sharing! Thank you so much! :cheer:

Dharma |2010-06-27 20:21:29 Good show! We need more of these roadshows up and down the country, in small towns and villages so that people can see that they can look at the future of this nation with hope instead of cynicism.

ku  - Follow the SABM spirit! |2010-06-28 11:48:55 :cheer: Some good gentle honesty in the pics here..of.our east coast Malaysians You are right there is a solidity and a smiplicity without the urban stand-offishness that is so prevalent in our ciites in the west. The people...mean to say the Kelantanese seem to be satisfied and have no yen or deep desire for the a la mode..shopping complexes and high rise buildings. But they need to be engaged in the SABM spirit...these Ra'ayat are worth mingling with. They do have a good sense about them, in not wanting more and only wanting what is necessary in life.

angel  - Trust in SABM |2010-06-28 13:10:52 Congrats SABM, Haris & CO...for having completed eight Roadshows! Some number and so much goodness and education has touched hearts and minds. We need to be reminded of what went before and what to expect...to keep up with the times and to be ready to cast an effective vote,come GE13. Thank you for the trust you have instilled into us and the kind of knowledge you impart to those of us who feel the need to follow you. Thumbs up!!! SABM

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