Climax of Wedding of the Year

From left:- Arifin's father Arif, Musa, Arifin, Lenny and her mother. (Click for a larger view)My wife and I (this time minus our son) made our second trip to Membakut on Sabah's west coast, a good one hour-plus drive from Kota Kinabalu, in two weeks today. To be exact, we were back at Pimping village, the hometown of the Sabah State Legislative Assemblyman for Membakut, Tuan Haji Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif. To be more exact, we found ourselves back at YB (the Honourable) Arifin's house; this time as invited guests. We had invited ourselves during his Hari Raya Open House a fortnight ago, hoping to catch a glimpse of his charming wife (then fiance). Our disappointment then was compensated today when the beautiful bride, Lenny Natasha, finally showed up. She had to, for the occasion was her wedding celebration. The wedding proper was held in Sandakan on the east coast of Sabah last week near her father's constituency of Sungai Sibuga. The event there then was grander, with VIP guests headed by no less than Malaysia's Prime Minister and his deputy. After all, the bride's father is the Chief Minister of Sabah (one of Malaysia's 13 States), Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman. Today, it was the groom's turn to fete his relatives and friends in Membakut and that is why I call this post "Climax of Wedding of the Year". There was an air of festivity at Pimping with hundreds of people from the village alone and thousands from the entire Membakut constituency joining in the celebration; not to mention other guests from other parts of the west coast including the State Capital. The narrow road leading to Arifin's humble house was jammed by traffic from all over, especially when the Chief Minister's entourage arrived at around noon. What added to the carnival air was the fact that Pimping's Muslim majority residents were still in a festive mood, celebrating Hari Raya which started two weeks ago. Among the more notable guests present today were former Sabah Chief Minister (1976-1985) Datuk Harris Salleh and his family. Harris wife, Datin Rupiah is from Beaufort (next to Membakut) and is believed to be related to the Aman family who also originated from the district. It was a pleasant surprise for many and apart from greeting the newly-weds and their parents, they shook hands with Harris as well. After all,many benefited from his Berjaya administration for nine years.

In conclusion, once again, CONGRATULATIONS YB. The Most Eligible Bachelor of Sabah has found himself an equally-eligible bride. It has been no doubt Sabah's Wedding of the Year.

Raya spirit still on!

Yes, the spirit of Hari Raya Aidil Fitri (Muslim new year, sort of), although into its 2nd weekend, is still on. They can actually celebrate for one whole month, if they want to, i.e. the month of Shawal. After all, they have earned it, after fasing for one month. (My Muslim readers, please correct me if I'm wrong.)

With the Raya spirit still on, Open Houses (or Rumah Terbuka in Malay) are still held everywhere in Malaysia and Sabah. In Tuaran, Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Hj Hajiji Hj Noor held his at the local community centre. Among the thousands of people who turned up to wish Hajiji and wife Datin Juliah 'Selamat Hari Raya' were Cabinet Ministers, Assistant Ministers, and other dignitaries.

In the picture, the Minister is seen in a group photograph with his Permanent Secretary, Datuk Hj Ujang Hj Sulani ad Datin (on Hajiji's left) and Sabah Housing Tribunal president Hj Ahmad Sedik (on Hajiji's right). Also seen is Sabah Housing and Town Development Authority (LPPB) general manager Mrs PS Wong (on Datin Ujang's left).

Sabah's Wedding of the Year

It's finally here folks - Sabah's Wedding of the Year between the State's most eligible bachelor , State Legislative Assemblyman Haji Arifin Arif and his equally eligible daughter-of-the-Chief Minister bride, Lenny Natasha finally took place at her father Datuk Seri Musa Aman's constituency in Sandakan yesterday, Oct 18 2007 after weeks of speculation by the Sabah public. The religious part of the ceremony or wedding proper took place in the morning according to Islamic rites while the civilian or blessings part was done in the evening over dinner. To reflect the importance of the occasion, the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and wife Jeanne flew all the way from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's capital, to attend the dinner. Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and wife Rosmah. Needless to say, State leaders of Sabah led by Musa's Cabinet members were also on hand for the big occasion. As I had predicted yesterday, Sabah's papers gave front page coverage for the auspicious event. However, the official reception to be attended by hundreds of dignitaries and officials will only be held in Sandakan on Saturday. Another reception will be held at Membakut, the groom's hometown and constituency on Oct 28. Much has been written or said over the marriage since I first broke the news on my blog on Sept 12 so I will not bore you with a long essay here. I will let the pictures below do the talking. As they say, a picture paints a thousand words. So here goes:- The Prime Minister, popularly known as 'Pak Lah', blessing the newly-weds while his wife Jeanne looks on.

"With this ring I, Arifin, take you, Lenny as my wife..."

The engagement photo of the couple published by the Borneo Post on Oct 17.

The Breaking News is Confirmed!

It's confirmed! The Breaking News is confirmed. On September 12, 2007, my posting was titled "Breaking News: Assemblyman to Wed CM's daughter!".

This morning, the Membakut Assemblyman tied the knot with Lenny Natasha (not Jenny as reported earlier) at her father's residence in Sandakan. Tonight, a 'Bersanding' ceremony was held. Among the VIPs present were Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, and of course the host Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman.

However, the official reception for Sabah's Wedding of the Year will be held on Saturday Oct 20.

The groom, Haji Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif, whom I dubbed Sabah's most eligible bachelor is 44 while the bride Lenny is 28. (I finally got to know her age)

Sabah's local newspapers, for that matter Malaysia's national papers, are expected to publish photographs of the wedding ceremony tomorrow. For the benefit of foreign readers, I will try to reproduce the photographs. Alternatively, please log on to the web sites of Sabah papers as listed on the left column.

The Most Eligible Bachelor's Raya 'do'

You would recall that just before the fasting month started in mid-September, I wrote the Breaking News that one of Sabah's most (if not the most) eligible bachelors was about to end his bachelorhood. I reported that State Legislative Assemblyman for Membakut, Haji Arrifin Ariff would marry the equally-eligible daughter of the Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman after Hari Raya (culmination of the fasting month). I also wrote that Sabah's marriage-of-the-year is to take place in Sandakan near Musa's constituency of Sungai Sibuga on Oct 20. However, at the time of writing then no one was willing to confirm nor deny my report. Neither did the local papers dare to 'lift' my story, preferring to wait for the official announcement by the CM's office. At that time I was also unable to give you the lucky girl's name (of course Arrifin is equally lucky if not more lucky).

Weeks passed and nothing happened. Finally a reader e-mailed me to ask what happened to the follow-up on this story which I was supposed to do. This gave me an instant reminder of my promise and prompted me to drive all the way to Arrifin's home at Pimping village in Membakut, this morning to attend his Hari Raya open house (for which one does not need an invitation, that's the beauty of Malaysia); hoping to take a glimpse of the bride-to-be and hopefully take a picture of the duo. But alas, how disappointed was I as she was not there. According to her fiance, she was in Kota Kinabalu (KK), Sabah's state capital, apparently busy preparing for the big day. Mind you, it was more than an hour's drive from my house near KK and by the time we (my wife and son accompanied me) arrived we were thoroughly hungry, having missed breakfast as we didn't want to be late or miss the all-important picture. However, our disappointment was compensated by the good food as we were invited to eat even before we could sit down, another unique feature of Malaysian hospitality.

But all was not lost. I managed to ask the YB (the Honourable in the Malay language) her name and he gave it as Miss Jenny Natasha. I even got the Assemblyman to reveal his age and he said 44. I don't think he was joking as a mutual friend had told me that the eligible bachelor was around that age. I however did not ask for her age as it may be impolite. As they say, never ask a lady her age. But I think you and I can make a good guess because the YB told me that she is a final year student at a local university in KK. I didn't get to ask how they met but don't worry as the big day is only a week away so all the details will by then come out in the local press. For the benefit of non-Sabahan readers, I will also of course update you on this matter from time to time.

In the picture above, Ariffin (center) is seen with a group of well-wishes at his Hari Raya open house today. 2nd from the right (with dark glasses) is veteran Beaufort district (under which comes Membakut) politician Datuk Haji Thaufeck Haji Asneh. Thaufeck had been both Member of Parliament and State Assemblyman at the height of his political career between the Usno and Berjaya eras during the 1970s-80s. (For a larger view, please click on picture)

In the meantime, heartiest congratulations to the groom and bride-to-be and Selamat Hari Raya to them and all my Muslim friends wherever they may be. May God continue to bless us all so that our beloved country Malaysia and beloved State Sabah will continue to prosper and continue to become a shinning example to others by way of our racial harmony and religious tolerance despite our multi-ethnicity.

(Footnote: Apart from being an Assemblyman, Ariffin is also the Chairman of the powerful Sabah Native Affairs Council whose duties include appointing/firing Native Chiefs and Village Headmen and endorsing a Sabahan's native status.)

The 1961 Malayan Cabinet

The following is the composition of the 1961 Malayan Cabinet headed by Tunku Abdul Rahman (pic) who had been Chief Minister of the new Federation from August 1955 to August 1957. Obviously this was not the immediate post-Merdeka (Independence) Cabinet but this was the closest I could find. I will of course publish the 1957 Cabinet list as soon as I found it.

1. Tunku Abdul Rahman (Prime Minister and Minister for External Affairs) 2. Dato' Abdul Razak Hussein (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence & Rural Development) 3. Dato' Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman (Internal Security) 4. Tan Siew Sin (Finance) 5. Tun Leong Yew Koh (Justice) 6. V.T. Sambanthan (Works, Posts & Telecommunications) 7. Dato' Sulaiman Dato' Abdul Rahman (Interior) 8. Abdul Aziz Ishak (Agriculture) 9. Sardon Hj. Jubir (Transport) 10. Dato' Ong Yoke Lin (Health and Social Welfare) 11. Bahaman Samsudin (Labour) 12. Mohamed Khir Johari (Commerce and Industry) 13. Abdul Rahman Talib (Education).

As can be seen, there were 13 Ministers. Out of these 9 were Malays (UMNO), 3 Chinese (MCA) and 1 Indian (MIC). While the number of Chinese and Indian ministers remained the same as compared to 1955, there was an increase of 3 Malay ministers. While the Tunku (prince) had been elevated from Chief Minister to Prime Minister, his trusted lieutenant Razak was promoted to Deputy Prime Minister. All of them belonged to the ruling coalition of the Alliance Party, the precursor of the National Front (BN) which has ruled Malaya (later Malaysia) since.

However, the Chinese representation saw a new face in Tan Siew Sin (later Tun) who replaced Col. Sir H.S. Lee, one of the Independence fighters who flew to London together with the Tunku. Tan was the son of another freedom fighter and MCA founder Tun Tan Chin Loke. Notice that Leong, a minister since 1955, had been made a Tun (Malaya's highest civilian award) by 1961 and was the only Tun in the Cabinet then. Notice also that Khir was promoted from an assistant Minister in 1955 to a full minister.

And of course since Malaysia was not formed yet in 1961, there was no federal minister from Sabah and Sarawak. Unfortunately, the list that I obtained did not include any Assistant Minister (known as Deputy Minister today) and of course those days there were no Parliamentary Secretaries yet.

In 1961, there were 104 elected seats in the Dewan Rakyat (Lower House of Parliament) of Malaya. I was only 7 years old then and due to communication difficulties those days, most people in Sabah (then North Borneo) and Sarawak probably never heard of Malaya. They only began to know Malaya after the Tunku broached the idea of Malaysia and as fate would have it, Sabah and Sarawak eventually merged with Malaya and Singapore to form the new nation in 1963.

The 1st Malayan Cabinet 1955

Do You Know? That although Malaya officially achieved Independence on Aug 31, 1957 when Tunku Abdul Rahman proclaimed the declaration of Independence and led the crowd to shout 'Merdeka' 3 times at the Merdeka Stadium (pix above), the British actually granted the would-be new federation self-rule in 1955 as a preparation for full independence.

Thus, the first ever Malayan Cabinet (also known as the Pre-Independence Cabinet) was formed on Aug 3, 1955. However, as full independence was yet to be granted, the Tunku was initially known only as Chief Minister. He only became Prime Minister after Aug 31, 1957.

Apart from being Chief Minister, the Tunku (prince) was also Minister for Home Affairs. Unlike today when we have more than 20 Malaysian ministers, the first Malayan Cabinet only had ten, including the Tunku. Out of these, there were three Chinese from the Malayan Chinese Association (MCA) and one Indian (Malayan Indian Congress). The rest were Malays from the United Malay National Organisation (UMNO). MCA, MIC and UMNO were members of the Alliance Party which won the first ever local elections handsomely in 1955 and thus the trust of the British in them.

The other Ministers were Dato' Abdul Razak Hussein (Education), Datuk Sulaiman Datuk Abd Rahman (Local Government and Housing), Datuk Ismail Datuk Abdul Rahman (Land and Mines), Col. Sir H.S. Lee (Transport), Sardon Hj. Jubir (Works), V.T. Sambanthan (Labour), Leong Yew Koh (Health), Ong Yoke Lin (Posts and Communications) and Abdul Razak Ishak (Agriculture).

Dato' Razak, father of present Malaysian deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Najib, went on to replace the Tunku as PM in 1970. Datuk (later Dr) Ismail was chosen Razak's DPM while Sardon eventually became Penang Governor. Ong (later Omar) later became President of the Malaysian Senate, the Upper House of Parliament. Razak, Dr Ismail, Sardon, Col. Lee, Sambanthan, Leong and Ong were later conferred the Tunship, the highest award for civilians in Malaya (later Malaysia). To the best of my knowledge most, if not all, of this pioneer batch of Malayan ministers had died.

You would notice that there were no Finance, Defence and Foreign Affairs ministers. This was because these portfolios were still handled directly by the British High Commissioner to Malaya and his officials. Defence especially as the Malayan army was still small and not well-equipped and after all, independent Malaya would continue to become a British protectorate for some time even after 1957.

In this first Malayan Cabinet there were also two Assistant Ministers: Mohd Khir Johari (UMNO) and Too Joo Hing (MCA). Khir went on to become a full Minister. In 1957 the Malayan population was a mere 6 million and of course I was only 3 years old.


On Sept 16, 1963 Malaya teamed up with the city-state of Singapore and the Borneon states of Sabah and Sarawak to form the enlarged Federation of Malaysia. Singapore however left in Aug 1965 to become an island-republic. Today both Malaysia and Singapore are members of ASEAN (the Association of South East Asian Nations).

Like A Breath of Fresh Air

'Like A Breath of Fresh Air' says the heading of the caption story on the front page of the Daily Express, Sabah's leading English broadsheet daily, on Tuesday Oct 2, 2007, a day after the launch of MASwings' services to Sabah and her east Malaysian neighbour on Borneo island, Sarawak.

'Greater Heights for Tourism in Sabah' screamed the banner headline on the front page of the New Sabah Times on the same day. In fact, the state's only English tabloid daily devoted the entire front page to this story including a picture; except for advertisements of course.

The Sabah edition of the Borneo Post, a Sarawak-based English broadsheet daily, also gave frontpage treatment to the launch; with the heading 'MAS Wings launches flights to better link Sabah to world' with another story titled 'Air Services to Boost Rural Sabah Tourism: CM' and a large photograph of the launch by Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman squeezed in between the two stories.

'Sarawak's Wings of Hope, says CM' was the heading on the front page of the Sarawak edition of the Borneo Post, with a picture of Sarawak Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud launching the service in Sarawak. The Sabah and Sarawak editions of the Borneo Post combined make up the largest English daily in Borneo or East Malaysia.

Just as a picture paints a thousand words, the headlines say it all. The headings reflect the aspirations and hopes of Sabahans and Sarawakians over the new service provided by MASwings and perhaps at the same time even the frustration over the lack of and unreliable service of its predecessor, FAX.

Although after reading the Daily Express story twice I still could not establish who said 'Like A Breath of Fresh Air' and therefore it was probably put there by the editor, it does not matter. What is more important is the heading sums up the frustration over the poor service in the past one year which hampered tourism promotion and at the same time new hope (fresh air) with the new service provider, MASwings.

The frustration on the part of the Sabahans and Sarawakians is understandable. Both States have been trying hard to push tourism especially since the start of the Visit Malaysia Year 2007 in January. Sabah's main tourism draw include Kinabalu, the highest mountain in South East Asia and a UNESCO World Heritage site; Sipadan island, billed one of the best diving spots in th world; and the Orangutan Rehabilitation centre. Sarawak's attractions include the famed Mulu Caves and the Cultural Village in Kuching which stage the annual Rainforest International Music Festival. But the lack of and unreliable flights have put the spanner in the works, with many potential tourists canceling their trips.

Hence, the Borneo Post's heading, Sarawak's Wings of Hope, could not have been more apt. 'Hope' for a new start, now that the Visit Malaysia Year had been extended to 2008 as well. It's better late than never, they say. 'Wings' as a vehicle to attain the hope to be provided by MASwings. With the entry of MASwings, Sabah and Sarawak can once again go about promoting their tourism products confidently to the overseas markets. The fact that the Sarawak launch was done in Mulu (next to the caves) again reflects the seriousness and enthusiasm the state government places on promoting the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tourism, after all and if managed properly, can be a major revenue earner that racks in millions and perhaps even billions of dollars yearly. In fact, certain countries' main revenue come from tourism!

In conclusion while both the Malaysian, Sabah and Sarawak governments as well as MAS (the parent company) are to be congratulated for bringing in MASwings to both States, special mention should perhaps also be made of one particular person for making it possible. This man is none other than Datuk Idris Jala, the MAS CEO and chairman of MASwings who happens to be a Sarawakian. Although he is from Sarawak, we in Sabah too are proud of him for it takes a east Malaysian to understand the needs and aspirations of the people of Borneo.

Even Sarawak Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud mentioned Idris in his speech at the launch in Miri. Saying that the (Malaysian) government does not want to see the rural people left behind, the RAS (Rural Air Service) pioneered by MAS had enabled the rural children to go for higher education like MAS CEO Datuk Idris Jala. "I am very touched to see a Kelabit (a Sarawak native) there," said Taib, referring to Idris who was made the national carrier's top man on Dec 1, 2005 and has turned the once financially ailing company around.

Well, to wind up, I must say that the Datukship given to Idris by the Malaysian government is too small. He should have been given a Tan Sriship. What he has achieved for the national interest within a short span of time far out-weighed what some Tan Sris had done. I hope the Malaysian government would consider it next year. Similarly, the Sarawak government should confer on Idris at least Datuk Amar if not Datuk Patinggi. There may not be another MAS CEO from Sarawak within our lifetime.

To Idris, congratulations and please keep up the good work. Don't care what other people say. Just do your work and make Sabah and Sarawak even prouder of you. May God bless you and your family. And of course, may God bless Sabah and Sarawak too, not forgetting MASwings. (For more infor on MASwings' services including fares and schedules, please visit http://www.maswings.com.my)

Sabah CM Musa (2nd right) with MAS chairman Dr Munir Majid (3rd right) at the MASwings launch in Kota Kinabalu on Oct 1. On the right is Sabah Tourism Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun.

Sarawak CM Taib launching MASwings at Mulu. Behind him (in long-sleeved Batik) is Idris. Looking on are Sarawak Ministers.

The route map of the services provided by MASwings between major towns in Sabah and Sarawak using the Fokker-50 aircraft.

The route map of the Rural Air Service using the Twin-Otter aircraft provided by MASwings in Sabah and Sarawak. (For larger view, click on maps.)

October's many firsts

Today is the Oct 1, 2007, the first day of the last quarter of the year. For Malaysia in general and Sabah and Sarawak in particular, today also sees a lot of 'firsts'.

Firstly, today MASwings, a subsidiary of Malaysia's national airline, officially takes to the sky, taking over from Fly Asia Express (FAX), a subsidiary of MAS' rival and fierce competitor, Air Asia, in providing domestic flights within and between Sabah and Sarawak. In other words, yesterday (Sept 30) was FAX's last day of operating such services. (Click on image for a larger view)

When FAX first took over from MAS in the domestic sector for East Malaysia 13 months ago, the public, local travelers and tourists alike were full of hope and enthusiasm. This was partly because the public had by then become disillusioned with MAS' services and were looking forward to new and reliable services by Air Asia who had by then established a name for itself as a successful airline despite not having government support. MAS, the government airline, on the other hand did not mind 'giving up' the domestic flights then as these were after all losing concerns.

But alas, this was not to be, as after merely a year FAX practically gave up, passing the buck back to MAS. Instead of improving or providing reliable domestic flights, all FAX got almost every day was complaints, complaints and more complaints over flights delay and cancellations, non-reliability and so on. Tourism players had a nightmare due to this unreliability and lack of flights. This was despite the reputation of its parent company, Air Asia. MAS, on the other hand, being a government-controlled company had no choice but to reluctantly take back the domestic sector due to it social obligation and in this respect the formation of MASwings which was originally meant to serve the northern Peninsular Malaysia sector was indeed timely and welcomed.

MAS' agreeing to taking back the domestic flights and MASwings spreading its wings to Sabah and Sarawak is a big relief to the tourism industry and public in East Malaysia. The industry players can now once again push Sabah's tourism products especially Mount Kinabalu and Sarawak's Mulu Caves the promotion of which was hampered due to lack of flights. Also relieved were the people of Lahad Datu on the east coast of Sabah situated in between Sandakan and Tawau because there had been no flights for the past one year. Infact, the industry players in Lahad Datu were so happy that one hotel, ironically named Asia Hotel, placed advertisements in local newspapers welcoming MASwings to the coastal town.

Sikmading says: By now it is evident that this domestic flights thing is nothing but a pawn used by the airlines to get what they really want from the government. For example, "since the domestic sector is a losing concern give us compensations through other means, say more international routes or more landing rights or tax incentives and so on." After getting what they want, they begin to ignore their social responsibility on the domestic front. I pity MAS because apart from having to take back the domestic flights, albeit reluctantly, they had to fork out something like RM70 million to repair and put the Fokker and Twin Otter aircrafts back in running conditions which rightly should have been borne by either FAX or the government. Thank you, MAS.

The second 'first' is the fact that starting today Malaysians will need to dial only one number in time of emergency - 999 - and the operator will connect to the relevant agency like police, fire brigade, ambulance and civil defence. Before today, Malaysians had to dial 994 for fire brigade and 991 for civil defence and so on. Actually, we are only reverting back to the old system. My generation grew up knowing only one emergency number 999 but as the country developed and 'modernised' each rescue department wanted to have their own identity. The government finally decided that Malaysians should not be made to remember too many emergency numbers.

The third 'first' is that starting today Astro, Malaysia's pay television, introduced a new set of numbers for their channels. If formerly the channel numbers started from 1, now it is 101 and I don't see the logic of it. I won't be surprised if one day, just like the Malaysian government, they would revert back to the old system. People tend to introduce new systems just to show progress but they should also remember: "When something is not broken, don't fix it." Along with the new numbers of course came a few new Astro channels including Awani which is meant to be Malaysia's version of CNN. Sikmading says: Awani is putting too much emphasis on world news and too little on local news. It should be the other way round. If I want to watch world news, there is already CNN, BBC, CNBC, CCTV, Al-Zajeera and so on. If the excuse is Awani is in Malay/BM, well, even RTM already has world news in Malay and it's free.
Also, the name Awani got no 'oomh' lah, how to compete with CNN? Think of something better lah!

Today is also the start of what is popularly known as the Golden Week in China. This is because Oct 1 is China's national day (their version of Merdeka), commemorating the founding of modern China and their holidays stretches for one week, thus the nick name Golden Week for it gives the Chinese a much-needed rest and the chance to go back to the villages (bearing in mind the size of China) and visit the many tourism sights that China has to offer and so on. Taiwan, China's estranged 'province', celebrates their 'Merdeka' on Oct 10.

Lastly, today is also the start of the Rosary Month for Catholics. Throughout the month of October, Catholics recite the Holy Rosary in honour of Mother Mary, Mother of Jesus, at the same time asking for her intercession for the needy. Not that Catholics do not recite the Rosary at other times of the year, they do, except during the Month of Rosary they do so even more fervently. Rosary sessions are held every evening at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Kota Kinabalu.
For details call 088-223618.

To wind up, of course not forgetting Oktoberfest, the month in Germany when beer flow 'freely'. If we have Harvest Festival, they have Beer Festival!