Fauziah Gambus,Wann, Ajai n Nurul,Broery Marantika, Dewa 19, Geisha ,

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Buddha's Advice to Calm a Disturbed Mind

Buddha's Advice to Calm a Disturbed Mind

Once the Buddha was walking from one town to another town with a few of his followers..
This was in the initial days.
While they were traveling, they happened to pass a lake. They stopped there and Buddha told one of his disciples,
"I am thirsty. Do get me some water from that lake there."

The disciple walked up to the lake. When he reached it, he noticed that right at that moment,
a bullock cart started crossing through the lake. As a result, the water became very muddy, very turbid.
The disciple thought, "How can I give this muddy water to Buddha to drink!"

So he came back and told Buddha, "The water in there is very muddy.
I don't think it is fit to drink."
After about half an hour,
again Buddha asked the same disciple to go back to the lake and get him some water to drink.
The disciple obediently went back to the lake.

This time too he found that the lake was muddy. He returned and informed Buddha about the same.
After sometime, again Buddha asked the same disciple to go back.
The disciple reached the lake to find the lake absolutely clean and clear with pure water in it.
The mud had settled down and the water above it looked fit to be had.
So he collected some water in a pot and brought it to Buddha.

Buddha looked at the water, and then he looked up at the disciple and said,"
See what you did to make the water clean. You let it be.... and the mud settled down on its own -
and you got clear water. Your mind is also like that! When it is disturbed, just let it be.
Give it a little time. It will settle down on its own. You don't have to put in any effort to calm it down.
It will happen. It is effortless.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

BRUNEI AND MALAYSIA - A Story Of Struggle

Muslim State of Brunei

Muslim Brunei Brunei is a small country with a total landmass of 5,766 sq. kilometers (2,226 sq. miles). It is located on the northern coast of the island of Borneo, in the Southeast Asia. Apart from its coastline with the South China Sea, it is completely surrounded by the state of Sarawak, Malaysia. The ratio of Muslim population there is 76%.

A small Islamic kingdom was founded early in Brunei when its king Awang Alak Betatar traveled in 828 AH to meet with Sultan Muhammad Shah where he accepted Islam there. Also some Arab Muslims came to Brunei to propagate Islam and were encouraged by the king of Brunei at that time. This led to the spread of Islam in Brunei as well as the islands of Solo and Philippine.
Brunei was a British protectorate from 1888 to 1984, and was occupied by Japan from 1941 to 1945 during World War II.
In 1383 AH – 1963 AC, Brunei received an offer to be a member in the Malay Federation, but it refused and preferred to be a separate country that is ruled by `Umar `Ali (famously known as the Sword of Islam). Malaysia views that Brunei should join the federation, the matter that will widen the Federation to contain the whole northern coast of the island of Borneo and also will allow the Federation to benefit from the petrol and natural gas of Brunei. Moreover, joining the Federation will save Brunei from the danger of possible occupation by bigger countries in the area or outside the area.
In 1983 the sultan of Brunei Hasan Baliqya Mu`iz-ud-Din made an agreement with the British, which states that the British forces are retreat from Brunei and only the civil British administration remains. The sultan of Brunei still refuses joining the Malaysian Federation, due to the richness of Brunei's natural resources, especially the petroleum one.


Malaysia … a story of struggle

Malaysia --Malaysia is one of the biggest Islamic countries, in terms of Muslim population, in South East Asia. The ratio of Muslims in Malaysia is 60%. It is located in the Indian Ocean and borders Thailand and Indonesia.
Islam reached Malaysia in the 7th hijri century. However, the exact year can not be decided. Malaysia had good ties with Sumatra, which is located on the west. The Muslim ships sailed in the Indian Ocean freely moving from one port to another, the matter that allowed the Muslim merchants to sell their products and speared their Islam doctrine, such doctrine that copes with pure instinct. Also, the noble manners of the Muslim merchants urged the people of this area to embrace Islam.
In 676 AH, the king of Malacca accepted Islam at the hands of Muslim merchants who came from Jeddah. He named himself "Muhammad Shah" and his people followed him and accepted Islam too. This first Islamic kingdom worked on spreading Islam in the neighboring islands. Within half century Malacca became a center from which Islam spread in the neighboring areas such as the island of Panhang and the West Malay.
Portuguese occupation of Malacca

Malacca mapMoving from their Indian base "Goa", the Portuguese directed to Malacca in order to invade it, but they failed. After two years, they started their second attack. Before the attack, their leader Albuquerque gave a speech, saying: "First of all, we offer a great service to God by driving the Muslims out of these countries and abolish those Mohammedans so that they all become extinct. If we managed to invade Malacca, Muslims would leave the whole areas of India. Majority of Muslims, if not all of them, are earning their living through the trade they run in these countries. Muslims became rich and they own huge fortunes. Malacca is their main center. For, it is the port from which they carry the spices and medicine to their countries. If we managed to deprive them from this old market (Malacca), then they will have no proper port or place in this area to continue their trade. I assure you that if we managed to get Malacca from them, then Cairo will fall and Mecca too." After they took Malacca, the bells of the churches of Rome rang out of cheerfulness. The Portuguese prosecuted the Muslims there by all means; they tortured and killed some of them.
Dutch Occupation of Malacca

In 1051AH – 1641 AC the Dutch occupation replaced the Portuguese one. The policy of prosecuting and killing Muslims continued. The Dutch used to give usurious loans to people there and take peoples' properties and lands if they failed to pay back. When the people showed some resistance to such practices, they were encountered by force. The economy system of Malacca failed and people there experienced poverty and humiliation.
The colonial countries held some treaties with each other in order to distribute the occupied areas among themselves. Malacca was part of the share of Britain since 1201AH – 1786 AC. The British East-India Company hired the island of Penang from the sultan of Kedah. Britain allowed many of the Chinese and Indians to work in Malaysia in an attempt to decrease the ratio of Muslim population in Malaysia.
English occupation of Malay

In 1824 a treaty was held between England and Holland. According to this treaty Holland handed to England the colony of Malay and in return England handed to Holland the English colonies in Java and all other Indonesian islands. Britain gave more care to its naval and commercial activities in Singapore. Then Britain occupied the eastern part of the island of Borneo and divided it into three areas: Sarawak, Sabah, and Badni. These areas became important British commercial and military centers. Later, the eastern part of Malaysia was formed from these areas.
There was a public resistance directed towards the English in many areas of the Malay. This was like a warning to Britain. Some of the sultans of the Malay supported these acts of resistances. The beginning of the twentieth century witnessed a big revolution headed by a striver who is famously known by Sheikh al-Hadi. He studied in Egypt under Sheikh Muhammad`Abdu. When he came back to Malay, al-Hadi issued a magazine carries the name "al-Imam", which he named after Imam Muhammad `Abdu. Such magazine was of great importance as it linked the movements of independence in Malay with the Islamic awaking in the Arab East. Such movements continuously resisted the English occupiers.
English & Japanese occupation of Malay

Japanese occupation Borneo and Malay Peninsula were among the areas, of South East Asia, occupied by Japan in 1360 AH – 1914 AC. Malay was run by the Japanese military administration. Many Japanese were appointed as heads of the governmental institutions of the country, but they were only monitors. The employees were Malaysians, the matter that gave such national employees experience and self-confidence.
The Japanese occupation was even worse than the English one. The Japanese mistreated the Malaysians. Moreover, the Japanese forced the people there to speak Japanese language. It worth mentioning that before surrendering to the Japanese, the English destroyed many bridges, buildings, and lands of Malaysia.
World War II ended with the defeat of Japan, which had to retreat from the areas it occupied including the countries of the Malay. Britain came back to its previous bases in Malay to take the place of the Japanese who left the area.
After the return of the Britain, it suggested the formation of a federation of the nine British protectorates in Malay. Accordingly, the national federation of the Malay was formed in 1367 AH – 1948 AC in the light of this British proposal. Each state in the federation has its own self-governance under the supervision of a central government. The national governors governed these states except the states of Malacca and Penang, as they both remained British colonies.
Independence & Federation

Malaysia InddependenceIn 1376 AH – 1956 AC Malay launched a new constitution, where most of the tasks of the federal government were entrusted to people's representative council. Also, there was a general election which the Federation of Malay, headed by Tunku Abdul Rahman, won.
In London conference (1376 AH – 1955 AC) the Malay Federation got its independence and got the full right to run the internal affairs. Also, Singapore got its internal independence and later joined the Malay Federation after some negotiations. Finally, in 1963 the federation consisted of Malay, Singapore, and North Borneo. However, Borneo preferred, after that, to be independent country. In the beginning this federation faced a strong objection from Indonesia and Philippine, but with the passing of time they both accepted it. In 1385 AH – 1965 AC Singapore left the federation and Malaysia became an independent country.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Al Quran for Peace

http://www.jannah.org/index.html

AN AWAKENING MESSAGE

An Awakening Message

Enough is enough, there is limit on everything. Watch out, the last straw on camel's back could be imminent ...........
In response to "Fair Assessment--- China is not a Superpower---Not Yet" by Helen Wang (from the US), perhaps you should read the following poem "An Awakening Message" by D.L. Lin (also from the US), dated April 2008.

(AN AWAKENING MESSAGE)
A Poem
Published by the Washington Post
When we were the Sick Man of Asia , We were called The Yellow Peril.
When we are billed to be the next Superpower, we are called The Threat.
When we closed our doors, you smuggled opium to open markets.
When we embrace Free Trade, You blame us for taking away your jobs.


When we were falling apart, You marched in your troops and wanted your fair share.

When we tried to put the broken pieces back together again, Free Tibet you screamed, It Was an Invasion!

When we tried Communism, you hated us for being Communist.

When we embrace Capitalism, you hate us for being Capitalist.

When we have a billion people, you said we were destroying the planet.

When we tried limiting our numbers, you said we abused human rights.

When we were poor, you thought we were dogs.

When we loan you cash, you blame us for your national debts.

When we build our industries, you call us Polluters.

When we sell you goods, you blame us for global warming.

When we buy oil, you call it exploitation and genocide.

But when you go to war for oil, you call it liberation.

When we were lost in chaos and rampage, you demanded rules of law.

When we uphold law and order against violence, you call it violating human rights.

When we were silent, you said you wanted us to have free speech.

When we are silent no more, you say we are brainwashed-xenophobics.

Why do you hate us so much, we asked.

No, you answered, we don't hate you.

We don't hate you either,
But, do you understand us?

Of course we do, you said,
We have AFP, CNN and BBC's...

What do you really want from us?
Think hard first, then answer...
Because you only get so many chances.
Enough is Enough, Enough Hypocrisy for This One World.
We want One World, One Dream, and Peace on Earth.
This Big Blue Earth is Big Enough for all of Us.
***********************************
Duo-Liang Lin, Ph. D.
Professor Emeritus of Physics
University at Buffalo
State University of New York
Buffalo, New York 14260-1500
Email: DLLIN@buffalo.ed

When Japan was economically successful, it was Japan bashing . Now its China bashing when China is getting a bit successful. If you haven't heard of China bashing before, the above poem pretty much summarized it. In the following paragraphs, I'll try to clarify some of the facts and mindsets about China , hoping they can help some people to understand. The West ( US & formerly Europe & Britain) practice hegemony and don't seem to care what the third world feel at all. Third world countries have a right to grow, be strong and be successful too!
Inspite of the last 30 years of advance in city infrastructure and other hardwares, China is still a very poor country of 1.3 billion including a poverty-stricken farming population of 650 million, and a corrupt /backward government. Anyone who have been to China can see that. We in HK are so close to China that we probably know it better than anyone else. But the West blows the whole thing out of proportion, calling China a Superpower, and a threat, which is simply not the case. Author Helen Wang rightly pointed out in her book, saying........ China is in many ways, too backward to qualify as a superpower........it has a long way to go. However what she should realize is that the West is using the rise of a Superpower as a convenient pretext to blame and bash China for their own economic woes and diplomatic failures. Yet business is business. Trade still go on as long as there is a profit.
As far as I can see, China has a lot of catching up to do. China has more internal problems than it can handle. China is more involved in solving its own problems, such as feeding its millions, providing them with jobs, keep the rich/poor gap narrow down , fighting corruption & inflation, and give people a decent living .....etc etc. So far the progress made are stained with blood ,sweat and tears. Every time one uses an INTEL, HP or Apple, there are many parts inside that are made in China 's sweat shops. This is just one example which is all over the news in recent days. Cheap products from China actually kept US inflation down for years! Sounds like a win/win situation. However what does the average worker gets for assembling the IC chips..........a mere US$120/m. They work very hard, but very very sad. I have stories to tell........much later.
Its really a conspiracy of the West to contain China from expansion, just like containing the Soviet Union from expansion in the Cold War days. Why is there a European Union and NATO, SEATO and other alliances? Its the post -WWII Western strategy to contain the two communist giants, a strategy which is still in force today, but rather out-dated, since Russia and China are no longer communists. Why does the US has over one thousand military bases around the world and seven fleets patrolling the seas? ( China has none.) Because the politicians in the West have to justify their governments' expenditure on the military. Because the arms dealers and manufacturers have to lobby the politicians to sell their weapons. Because the Western nations want to perpetuate a Western dominant world. Fair assessment?
200 years ago , after fallen behind the West , China was attacked by Britain first, then plundered, looted, colonized by a league of 8 nations , even conquered by Japan. The next 100 years, China suffered 2 revolutions, 2 World Wars, plus Civil War and internal struggle, China , as a nation , is flatout, downtrodden, and experiencing total collapse . All it wants now is to rebuild a country from its pieces , to give its people food, shelter, clothing , a decent life and restore some dignity to a "sick" nation. What can be more noble and humanistic than that? Many people do think China 's leaders deserve to be awarded a Nobel Peace Price for their contribution to lead a quarter of mankind out of poverty and starvation! President Gorbachev received a Nobel Peace Price for liberating the Soviet Union in 1989, a huge political change for Eastern Europe . I think China 's achievement is more internal, but economical change is just as great if not greater. Why the West are so negative about China ! Fair assessment or not?
What about the arms race? The US and Russia have enough nuclear arsenal to destroy the world ten times over. But China can hardly defend itself against the real Superpowers. China just want to stand on its own two feet, and not being bullied by any other powers. If one should understand the Chinese mindset, our culture of Confucius, Mencius, Laotze, Chuangtze and Buddha, all teaches harmony among men, harmony between men and nature.........what 5000 years of history has taught us that wars and killings will not solve any, but will create more problems. Thats why China's leaders kept stressing China's position is not to seek the first strike in any conflict, a sharp contrast to some other country's "pre-emptive trike" mindset. China has not invaded any country in the last 200 years. China has not one soldier combating abroad today. It seems that China may not want to be a Superpower now. Its Economics 101 ......guns or butter? The answer is clear.
Guess I spoke enough.........not in defense or accusation, but to help international understanding.

AMAZING - THE GREATEST COUPLE & BALLARINA OF ALL TIMES ,,, EVEN A FRENCH BALLERINA COULD NOT HAVE DONE SUCH AN AMAZING FEAT ,,,

Part Ballet,Part Circus Acrobatic.
Excellent performance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsTqmEeBKhw&NR=1

Dr.H. K. Virik
12, Jln. Setia Kasih 9
50490 Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)

Monday, October 11, 2010

KARELA JUICE

KARELA is rich in iron content contains, two times the beta carotene of broccoli, two times the calcium of spinach, two times the potassium of bananas, outstanding dietary fibre and so on.
Karela. commonly referred to bitter melon or bitter gourd, is a vegetable that is full of medicinal properties and available alomost in every part of India. Though bitter in taste, it makes a wonderful cure for many ailments. Tremendously effective in treating diabetes, Karela also helps to keep the body healthy. Recipe karela is very famous in India, most popular of which is Stuffed Karela & Karela Fry. Consumption of Karela as a vegetable has great health benefits.
Health Benefits of Karela / Bitter Melon

· Karela Juice is exteremely supportive in metabolism of carbohydrate, this vegetable is also helpful in strengthening the immune system as it contains high mineral and vitamin content.
· Regular consumption of bitter gourd evades blood impurity and cools the body. It also helps in maintaining good and flawless skin.
· Juice of Karela stimulates the pancreas, spleen and liver, and maintains insulin level and helps curing Diabetes.
· The essential vitamins and minerals present in bitter gourd help improve digestion and maintain body temperature. Its bitter taste helps in worm infestation.
· The anti-bacterial elements that it contains help in wound healing as well.
· Due to its amazing properties, karela is highly beneficial in cough, asthma and respiratory dysfunction.
· Biter gourd has been known to provide relief from acne, pimples and any kind of eczema, ring worm, psoriasis, and fungal diseases.
· Its regular use in endemic region of leprosy acts as a preventive medicine. Its helpful in fighting against cancer and a number of infections.
· It contains Gurmarin, which is a polypeptide, and is considered similar to bovine insulin, which has positive sugar regulating effect by supressing the neural resonse to sweet taste stimuli.
· It contains insulin like peptides and alkaloids, which help in reducing glucose level in blood and urine.
Have Karela juice 15 - 30 ml per day empty stomach in the morning or evening. To start which one should take 10ml for a week and increase the dose slowly per week till 30 ml.
Nutritional Value of Bitter Gourd
100 grams of bitter gourd comprises of the following nutrients:

Calcium - 19 mg

Copper - 0.034 mg
Dietary Fiber - 3 g
Dietary Folate Equivalents - 72 mcg
Folate - 72 mcg
Food Folate - 5.6 mcg
Iron - 0.43 mg
Magnesium - 17 mg
Manganese - 0.089 mg
Pantothenic Acid - 0.212 mcg
Phosphorus - 31 mg
Potassium - 296 mg
Protein - 1 g
Selenium - 0.2 mcg
Sodium - 5 mg
Sodium - 5 mg
Total Carbohydrates - 4 g
Zinc - 0.8 mg
Vitamin A
Vitamin C
Calcium
Total Fat - 0g
Saturated Fat - 0g
Cholesterol - 0 mg
Folic Acid - 0 mcg
Sugars - 0 g
Nutrition Benefits of Eating Bitter Gourd

Bitter gourd has been associated with lowering sugar levels in people suffering from diabetes.

Bitter gourd is said to be helpful in fighting against cancer and a number of infections.

Bitter gourd has been known to provide relief from constipation and is also effective in the treatment of psoriasis.

Bitter gourd helps in improving circulation and in turn, generates slimming effects on the body.

Regular consumption of bitter gourd has been associated with prevention as well as treatment of hypertension.

Bitter gourd is believed to be helpful in preventing eye complications, apart from treating neuritis.

The juice of the leaf of bitter gourd plant has been found to be beneficial in the treatment of alcoholism.

The essential vitamins and minerals present in bitter gourd help in treating defective metabolism of carbohydrates.

The bitter tonic properties of bitter gourd have made it effective as a blood purifier.

Fresh juice of bitter gourd is good for patients suffering from piles.

Malaysian Kangkung Belacan (Spicy Water Spinach)

« back to recipes
Malaysian Kangkung Belacan (Spicy Water Spinach)
by Susheela Raghavan, author of "Flavors of Malaysia" (Hippocrene, August 2010)
Directions
Serves 3.

Kangkung, also known as water spinach or water convolvulus, has long narrow leaves with thin stems. Kangkung grows wild in Malaysia wherever there is water (and thus is also called "swamp cabbage"), and Malay farmers pick it alongside rice fields. There are many varieties of kangkung and they do not taste or look like our regular western spinach. They can be found in Chinese supermarkets, sold as ong choy or Chinese watercress. They wilt easily and lose their texture, so it is best to cook them as soon as possible after purchase.

Kangkung belacan is served at food courts, restaurants, and even at upscale hotel restaurants as it has become an iconic vegetable preparation in Malaysia.

Process Spice Paste ingredients to a coarse paste.

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a wok or skillet and sauté Spice Paste for about 5 to 6 minutes, till fragrant, adding 1 to 2 tablespoons oil if needed. Add ground coriander and turmeric and stir for another ½ to 1 minute.

Add soy sauce and tamarind juice and stir for about 1 minute.

Add kangkung and stir for about 4 minutes, turning the leaves over often (using tongs) and coating well with sauce, till leaves wilt and become bright green with stems still retaining their crispiness.

Add salt if needed.

Ingredients
Spice Paste:

¼ cup sliced shallots and onions
1 heaping tablespoon sliced garlic cloves
½ teaspoon sliced fresh or frozen and thawed galangal or fresh ginger
1 to 3 fresh red chilies, (cayenne, Fresno, jalapeno, Serrano, Thai, or cherry), sliced
½ teaspoon dried shrimp paste (belacan), toasted at 400°F for 15 minutes; or 1 heaping teaspoon dried whole shrimp, soaked in hot water for 10 minutes to soften and then drained
¼ cup water
2 to 3 tablespoons cooking oil
¼ teaspoon ground coriander
⅛ teaspoon turmeric powder, or 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh or frozen and thawed turmeric root (1/4 to ½-inch piece)
1 teaspoon regular soy sauce
1 tablespoon tamarind concentrate or tamarind juice extracted from pulp
1 small bunch (about 6 to 8 stalks with leaves; 8 ounces) kangkung (water spinach), bottom stems trimmed about 1 to 2 inches and washed in water, swirling a few times to remove and dislodge dirt and sand
Optional: ⅛ teaspoon salt
Featured Appetizer

Kangkung Belacan (Spicy Water Spinach) by Susheela Raghavan, author of "Flavors of Malaysia" (Hippocrene, August 2010)
Eat your greens the Malaysian way!
» more Featured Sauce

Sesame Bentara Sweet Chili Sauce by Hasni Ghazali, Bentara Restaurant, New Haven, CT
Serve with Malaysian Popia Udang (Shrimp Spring Rolls).

» more

Recipes - main dish - Vegetable Gardener

Recipes - main dish - Vegetable Gardener

Thursday, October 7, 2010

The Famous KOPI LUWAK of Sumatra by RITA DeMONTIS

When you are driving downtown today, keep a lookout for Longo’s — the iconic grocery chain’s latest venture opens its doors to the public this morning.


The flagship store, the 23th in the company’s roster, is located at Maple Leaf Square, located right in the heart of the Toronto Lakeshore district, literally a stone’s throw from the ACC. This is Longo’s first full format store and they’ve pulled out all the bells and whistles, starting with 48,000 square feet of pure grocery glee to nosh through, not to mention a place to park yourself to enjoy a glass of local beer or wine, coffee and free WiFi. It has the makings of the hottest meeting spot, in close proximity to the city’s top entertainment arenas.

But, true to its roots, this new Longo’s will still be offering all the great goods that has made it such a beloved food institute in its own right.

“We’re really excited to become a part of the Maple Leaf Square community and bring our concept of a fresh tradition to the downtown core, “ says Anthony Longo, CEO of the company, during a pre-opening tour yesterday.

“We signed the deal for this location five years ago, and we’ve invested a lot of time and research into the development of this store to ensure that our urban customers needs are not only going to be made but exceeded.”

Times ten. We spotted tons of unusual and exciting food finds, including excellent meals to go — or eat right there. The Corks Beer and Wine Bar features locally craft-made beers and wines all from Ontario. Plus the Loft Lounge is one of the coziest environments around. Cooking classes will also be offered, along with cooking demonstrations.

Shoppers can take advantage of a myriad of delicious goodies, including gourmet pizza, made on site, hardwood smoked meats and fish, a chocolatier, in-store tortilleria and chapatti maker and over 300 types of cheeses.

One item which caught my eye was the famous Kopi Luwak coffee — made from the beans of coffee berries which have been eaten by the Asian Palm Civet (looks like a big cat).

It’s an interesting cycle on how the berries get from the animal’s stomach to a steaming cup of joe, but it does involve passing through the animal’s digestive tract and, then, after careful gathering of the beans (very careful gathering) and thorough washing, sun drying, light roasting and brewing, yields an incredibly tasty coffee.

And expensive — the most expensive coffee in the world: At $44 for 80 grams (or roughly $11 per cup), it’s now available at this Longo’s!

Regardless of its new haute address, prices are good and comparable — plus parking while you’re shopping is free if you spend a minimum of $30, which is a major bonus in this town.

“This is our flagship store and we want to make everyone feel welcome,” notes Dave Mastroieni, v-p of operations. “It’s what we’re all about.”

For more info, check out Longos.com. And definitely pop in for a visit — you’re in for a real treat.

Longo's moves downtown | Eat | Life | Toronto Sun

Longo's moves downtown Eat Life Toronto Sun

Saturday, October 2, 2010

AUSTIN BROWN

http://www.austinbrown.com/target-practice/

President's tribute to Mrs Lee

Oct 2, 2010

President's tribute to Mrs Lee

PRESIDENT SR Nathan and his wife paid tribute on Saturday night to Mrs Lee Kuan Yew, who died at her home earlier in the day.
In a statement issued by the Istana on Saturday night, Mr Nathan said the loss of Mrs Lee, wife and life-long companion of Minister Mentor, 'must be heavy and immeasurable' to MM Lee.
Here is the President's tribute to Mrs Lee, who died at age 89.

My wife and I are deeply saddened to learn of the passing away of Mrs Lee Kuan Yew, wife and life-long companion of Minister Mentor. We send our deepest condolences to Minister Mentor, whose grief over her passing away must be heavy and immeasurable.
To know Mrs Lee's greatness, one has to listen to what has not been said of her until now. Mrs Lee was great in many ways - as a legal luminary, as a mother of an illustrious family, and more than that for her stoic presence next to Mr Lee Kuan Yew during times of turbulence and tension in the many years of his political struggle. Many would not know of her quiet but important contributions to the State, as she walked that long road with him.
She followed him faithfully - always by his side - throughout all changes that befell him in his political career. By his side she helped him pursue his chosen path in politics, preoccupied always with the good of Singapore before anything else, which she shared. She was his companion, confidante and counsel, and we may never fully appreciate the impact and influence she had in shaping Minister Mentor's thinking and life.
There was not a single important event or development that she was not an intimate witness of. Indeed she lived a life that had its fair share of pain and uncertainty, which was not evident in public.
To her family and close friends she has left a treasure trove of memories, experiences, knowledge and personal bonds. There can be no substitute for the place she had in their life, nor consolation for her family. The sorrow and pain must be great for them as well. As it is for us Singaporeans who had been touched by her in one way or another.'

MY SANGRI LA - Life?

Life moves on, whether we act as cowards or heroes. Life has no other
discipline to impose, if we would but realize it, than to accept life
unquestioningly. Everything we shut our eyes to, everything we run away
from, everything we deny, denigrate or despise, serves to defeat us in
the end. What seems nasty, painful, evil, can become a source of beauty,
joy, and strength, if faced with an open mind. Every moment is a golden
one for him who has the vision to recognize it as such....Henry Miller.