A Profitable Evening by All Accounts

A Short Report
We had a great time earlier tonight at the poetry reading by Salleh Ben Joned, who was in top form and held court over an engrossed audience. Not a large audience by any stretch of the imagination, but a very attentive and appreciative one, who all profited from Salleh's wisdom and largesse--he read some of his political and social commentary as well as poems in both English and Malay.

Thanks to a large donation of RM400 by Mazlan that underwrote the cost of the evening, we made a profit of RM75 (RM50 from Yang Ariff and husband, RM20 from Greg of the British Council and RM5 from me). We also have a pledge from Azreen and wife of an undisclosed amount, so we look forward to receiving that soon. So, financially we made a nett profit.

A big "Thank You" to Prof Awang Had for giving up his time to introduce Salleh and to say a few words about UWC. It was very gracious of him to spend a whole evening with us.

Same goes to Khaldun and Baizura for volunteering to drive Prof Awang Had and Salleh back home respectively.

I'd also like to thank Mr Cheah from Times Publishing who not only agreed to sell As I Please, but also volunteered to sell copies of Poems Sacred and Profane/Sajak-Sajak Salleh and Nothing is Sacred. Thank you to all those who bought books. I'm sure Salleh is grateful for the royalty (poets have to eat, too).

So, all in all, a profitable evening all round. And for those who wanted to turn up but got inconveniently indisposed at the last moment (BK & Hasmah), we thank you for your moral support because we know you were with us in spirit. As for all those who promised to turn up but didn't (you know who you are)--no need to apologise, it's your loss.