At the Forestry Quarters in Kuah, Langkawi
This picture was taken in 1950 at Ngai Wah Photo Studio
From left: Cikgu Saarin (Lid's Cousin), Me (boy), Lid and Syed Salleh (Lid youngest brother)
Lid’s Early Life
According to Lid’s identity card, Lid was born at Kampung Kelubi on 29th. March 1931. Lid began his schooling in Standard One at the Sekolah Melayu Jitra. As the distance from Kampung Kelubi and Jitra was more than four miles, Lid used to travel daily by walking to the school. The access road between Jitra and Kampung Kelubi was only by a stretch of path with was covered with forest and undergrowth on both sides of the path. There was a river running across the path at the boundary between Kampung Kelubi and Kampung Kota Giam. A bamboo bridge was laid across the Sungai Baru river for the pedestrians to cross. You must have to be very agile person for you to cross the river bamboo bridge smoothly. Lid used to travel to the school with his elder brother, the late Syed Ibrahim whom we called
During the rainy seasons, Lid and others would wear only loin clothes from the house and they would change into their school uniform when they arrived near the school. Meanwhile during the heavy rainy seasons, the bamboo bridge would be submerged and there would be an increased in the volume and speed of the flowing river water. With the possibility of any untoward accidents happening, Lid and the other school children would have to take a detour route through Paya Kelubi whose distance was tripled than Kelubi/ Kota Giam route. Paya Kelubi is where the present
As Tok Ku was a very strict disciplinarian, only with the occurrence of a thunder storm would he agree for Lid and Ayah Wa to be absent from schooling. Most of the other Kelubi children would skip school during these seasons and enjoyed playing in the water. Tok Ku’s strict discipline proved its worth when all his boys who were educated at the primary level has migrated to the towns seeking greener pastures. Whereas most of the other second generation Kelubians who did not finish their primary education stayed behind in Kelubi to continue their parents’ occupation that was in the agricultural sector. Only their third generation Kelubian descendants would start to migrate to other towns.
Pak Man Mak Jam
Apart from that, Tok Ku also made an arrangement with one the teachers who was teaching at the school. The teacher was the late Che Gu Man who resided at one of the staff quarters in the school compound. When the weather were getting worst and as a a precautionary measure, Lid used to stay at Che Gu Man’s quarters. Lid was very closed to the late Che Gu Man and his wife, the late Mak
I continued to have a closed relationship with Che Gu Man’s family. His third son, Hassan was my class mate at the College. As fate has decided, Che Gu Man’s second son, Ajalmi was my house mate in 1969 at my rented house at Tongkang Yard, Alor Setar. He continued his tertiary education in
Sulaiman’s Restaurant
In those days, there were two school sessions. The morning school session was for the normal school curriculum while the religious class was in the afternoon session. The school uniforms comprised of white shirt and khaki shorts for the morning school session while for the afternoon session Lid only put on a sarong over the shorts. With the songkok on Lid’s head, it completed the afternoon class session dress code. As Tok Ku was not that affordable to provide enough pocket money for the whole day, Tok Ku has made a special arrangement with Haji Sulaiman, the restaurant owner whose restaurant was located at No: 39, Jalan Ibrahim, the
Haji Sulaiman has a very special relationship with our family which lasted for over 50 years period covering three generations. When I was transferred to Kubang Pasu as the District Officer in 1985, I rekindled this special relationship by frequenting his shop for Mee Rebus Sulaiman. Tok Ku was the first generation while I was from the third generation. Haji Sulaiman was not bored from telling me all over again about Tok Ku and Lid. As his mee rebus was very tasteful, I would make sure that Mee Rebus Suliaman was the permanent menu for any special function at the District Office as it carried a special significant to the effective administration of the District Office.
Mee Rebus Sulaiman has a special prowess in softening the heart of the then Menteri Besar, Tan Sri Haji Osman Aroff. Tan Sri Haji Osman Aroff who is also a Kelubian underwent the same experience as Lid when he was schooling at the Sekolah Melayu Jitra. As such, Mee Rebus Sulaiman has a potent effect on Tan Sri. When he was in bad mood, I would make sure that he would be served with Mee Rebus Sulaiman. Sure enough, after consuming Mee Rebus Sulaiman, the prevailing bad mood of Tan Sri Osman Aroff would instantly turn into jovial and accommodating moods. During this changing of moods for the better, we would then put forward our proposals if any for his perusal. Normally we would get a positive response from him as Tan Sri Osman Aroff would always ask for a second helping. Tan Sri Osman Aroff would consume two plates of Mee Rebus Sulaiman at any one sitting.
Lid, a Japanese Language Teacher
At the end of 1941, Lid sat for his Special Malay One Entrance Examination. Lid passed the examination with distinction and he was offered a place in the Special Malay One Class at
He was instead ordered by the Japanese to continue schooling in Standard V at Sekolah Melayu Jitra. Apart from the normal curriculum, the Japanese added on a new curriculum that was for the teaching of Japanese Culture and Japanese Language. As Lid was quick to adapt into the new environment, Lid was very fluent in the Japanese Language. In 1943, Lid was then specially picked by the Japanese to continue his study at the Korensho or Teachers Training Institute located at the Istana Pelamin at Alor Setar. After training for three months at the Korensho, Lid passed his proficiency examination to become a teacher. Lid was then ordered by the Japanese to teach the Japanese Language at Sekolah Melayu Jitra. Lid’s stint as a Japanese Language Teacher lasted three years that was from 1943 to 1945.
As Lid was only 12 years old when he became the Japanese Language teacher in 1943, naturally I wonder how Lid could teach effectively the other students who were in the same age group with Lid or who were senior than him. The puzzle was solved when Lid told me that his genealogical age was in fact three years older than that of his age that was stipulated in the birth certificate. When I asked Lid about his birth date discrepancy, Lid told me that the birth date was actually based on a sworn statement that was made when Lid was registered as a standard one pupil at Sekolah Melayu Jitra in 1937.
The issuance of birth certificates based on sworn statuary statements was the norm of the day. An averaged boy would have a sworn statuary statement that stipulated that his age was much younger than his chronological age so that he would be eligible to enroll as a standard one pupil. Because of this sworn statuary statement, Lid’s best friend Pak Sheriff retired from the Government Service later than his elder brother. That was also the case with the late Dato’ Hashim Abdul, the former District Officer of Baling.
Lid’s proficiency with the Japanese language was marvelous as it was confirmed by the Japanese themselves. When I was the Director of the State Economic Planning Unit in 1985, the Japanese Government assisted
On the 1st. September 1985, Lid was appointed as the Forest Ranger in charge of Forestry Management Section at the Director of Forestry Office in Alor Setar. As such, Lid was also assigned as the ground technical coordinator for the Research Team Study Group at the proposed sites of the Beris Dam project in the District of Sik. I was then the coordinator for the Research Team Study Group at the State level.
During one of the State Coordinating Study Meetings, one of the consultants told me that they were very astonished at the proficiency in the Japanese language by the technical ground coordinator. The consultant told me that the officer could speak flawlessly in the Japanese language as well writing the language in the perfect Kanji characters. They were even more surprised when I told them that the person that they showering with praises was in fact my father.
They were so much impressed with Lid’s ability in the Japanese language to such an extend that the President of the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) even hosted a dinner for me in Tokyo when I attended the Regional Planning Course in Tokyo in 1986. In that particular dinner, the President himself asked me to furnish him about the circumstances that have influenced Lid to be so proficient in the Japanese language. It was in fact the happiest moment of my life when I was very fortunate indeed to be associated with Lid’s achievement.
After the Japanese surrender, Lid was jobless and continued to tap rubber trees at Kampong Kelubi. Lid has got to earn a living as Lid was already a married man. At the end of 1945, Lid has married Mak, who was Lid’s cousin. Lid’s marriage to Mak was in fact a technical ploy to escape any forced labour for the Siamese Death Railway Project that might befall Lid. As a married man after the war, Lid could not continue his studies at the College although he was instructed to do so. Lid’s classmates, Dato’ Dr. Haji Ahmad Adnan and Pak Chik Tunku Kudin continued their studies at the Special Malay Class One at the
Lid’s Marriage
Lid married Mak, Sharifah Meriam binti Syed Hassan in the middle of 1945 while Lid was still a Japanese Language teacher at Sekolah Melayu Jitra. Mak was Lid’s first cousin. Mak’s mother, Sharifah Som binti Syed Abdul Kadir was the elder sister of Lid’s father that was Tuan Haji Syed Ahmad bin Syed Abdul Kadir
Mak was born on 27th. December 1929 and as such Mak was 16 years old when he married Lid. So when Lid married Mak, he was only 17 years old. When I was born, Lid’s age was 18 years old as compared to Mak’s age which was 17 years old.
Tok Ku’s Move to Tunjang
When the Second World War ended in 1945, Lid’s stint as a Japanese Language teacher also ended. As he was already a married man, Lid then turned to rubber tapping as the source of income to support his family. After the Second World War, my paternal grand father, Syed Ahmad bin Syed Abdul Kadir whom we called Tok Ku was offered a job as the Supervisor of a rubber estate at Tunjang which belonged to a chettiar. Tok Ku was an literate person where he could write and read Romanized Malay as well as Jawi scripts. Apart from that, he could also speak fluently in the Tamil language.
Tok Ku migrated to Kelubi from Rembau, Negeri Sembilan before the First World War. His late father, Syed Abdul Kadir brought Tok Ku together with his elder sister, Sharifah Som and his younger brother, Syed Alwi. Tok Ku might have come from an established family in Rembau because Tok Ku was already an literate person when he came to Kelubi.
My great grand father Syed Abdul Kadir settled down in Kampung Kelubi and then married Tok Tuan Yah. In 1907, Tok Tuan Yah gave birth to their only child, the centenarian Sharifah Esah whom we called Tok Su. Meanwhile Tok Ku married with Tok Tuan Yah’s niece, Ku Puteh binti Ku Saad whom we used to call Tok Teh. Tok Ku also settled down in Kelubi while his elder sister married Syed Hassan bin Syed Ahmad and settled down in Kampung Hutan Setali. When Lid was born in 1928, Tok Tuan Yah took a pity on Lid and offered her hands to look after Lid. As Tok Su was already 21 years old, Tok Su was in fact the virtual baby sitter to Lid. That was the reason why Tok Su was very closed to Lid as compared with his other siblings.
Lid’s First Appointment at the Forestry Department.
Tok Ku brought his family along from Kampung Kelubi to the Rubber Estate quarters at Tunjang. Lid and Mak also moved over to the house in Tunjang. As Lid has an experience in teaching, Lid did not foresee any future prospect for his family if Lid were to continue in rubber tapping. Lid believed that only through securing governmental jobs that he and his family would have the opportunity to improve their livelihood. Lid also knew that with only a primary education, Lid could only join any government department at the bottom rank and from there he would have to move up the ladder in the departmental hierarchy. Through an acquaintance in Tunjang who was also a Forest Department’s staff, Lid applied for a job at the Forest Office in Jeniang.
Just after I was born, Lid was offered a job as a Forest Labourer at Jeniang. With the hope of a brighter prospect for his family in mind, Lid then reported for duty in Jeniang on the 1st. of November 1946. Lid did not imagine what was in store for him in Jeniang. As a labourer, the working and living conditions in Jeniang was terrible as compared to his previous occupation as a teacher or even as a rubber tapper. Luckily for Lid, while reporting for duty, Lid has acquired new friendship with fellow labourers who reported for duty together with him. When Lid went to work at Jeniang, Mak and I continued staying at Tok Ku’s house in Tunjang.
Fortnightly Lid used to come back from Jeniang by cycling the 50 miles journey. In 1946, good roads networking were not available and there was only a gravel road from Gurun to Jeniang. The road sides were also full of forests interspersed only with a minimum number of settlements along the road. Lid would cycle back with his friends up to the Gurun junction where they would part their ways to their various hometowns or villages. Lid would then cycle back alone to Tunjang and he would normally arrive back at Tunjang at 8.00 pm on Thursday. Lid then would cycle back to Jeniang after the Friday prayer the next day. I could only imagine of the hardships and sufferings that Lid has got to endure in coming back to us in Tunjang from Jeniang.
Lid’s Life Long friends
In Jeniang, Lid has made new acquaintances with his fellow labourers which has a very deep impact on Lid’ live in the latter years. Friends such as Pak Shariff, Pak Man Mak Pah, Pak Mat Latiff and others were Lid’s trusted friends until the end. They were the friends that provided Lid with moral and financial supports throughout Lid’s career in the Forestry Department. Their relationship was very well bonded because they shared the same sufferings and misfortunes while pursuing their career in the Forestry Department during the crucial periods of nationhood building especially during the Emergency. Their friendship was a unique one as it was well knitted like a family even after Lid’s demise.
The remembrance of their friendships still linger in their minds even after Lid’s demise. When I met Pak Shariff at his house in Batu Sepuluh, Jeniang after Lid’s demise, Pak Shariff narrated to me about their friendships which survived through times. One of those incidences which Pak Sheriff remembered vividly was the day Lid got his first car in 1971. When I bought my second Volkswagen car KB 8905 at the end of 1971, I passed on my first Volkswagen KB 7080 to Lid.
I was told by Pak Shariff that Lid and Mak brought the car for demonstration to Pak Shariff’s house in Sungai Petani that very evening Lid got his first car. Lid was seen crying but Lid calmly invited Pak Shariff to share his joyous mood in getting his maiden car. Lid then told Pak Shariff that the car was their symbolic rewards for their shared sacrifices since 1946. Lid then took Pak Shariff on a spin around Sungai Petani town in his first car.
When I bought my third car, a Renault car KF 7139, I passed on my second car KB 8905 to Lid. I also passed on my third car KF 7139 to Lid when I bought my fourth car, Fiat Super Mirafiory KL 7139. Lid then sold KB 8905 to another Forester, Bang Mansor who now resides in Sungai Petani. Our first car KB 7080 now belongs to Pak Aziz Tajuddin, a retired MADA Information Executive who resides in Alor Setar.
After Lid’s demise on the 13th. May 1989, my sisters and I continued to maintain our closed relationship with Lid’s friends and their children. Lid used to advice me that I should take care of his friends even after his death as he has owed them a lot. As I was going up the ladder of my career, Lid’s friends would have no qualms or a second thought in coming to my office or even my house asking for my favours or helps. Every time they asked me for help, I would try to the best of my ability to fulfill their needs. Even one of Lid’s friends came to me seeking my help to solve his son’s drug case which could led his son to the gallows. I hope that I have managed to fulfill Lid’s wishes on his friends.
Friends That Lid Could Do Without
Although Lid has a lot of trusted friends, Lid also has a few friends who Lid could do without. A few unwanted incidents that happened in Changlun during the early eighties was the pinnacle of Lid’s frustration with his friends. One of those incidences was when Lid was offered a piece of state land by the side of a stream in Lubuk Sengkuang area. The acreage of the land was about 3 relongs and it was a secondary forest full of undergrowth. Lid asked me to apply for the land. Before applying the land for alienation to the District Land Office, I have got to furnish some proofs that I have put some efforts in clearing or occupying the land. As Pak Ngah Hassan also showed some interest in the land, Lid asked me to share the application with Pak Ngah. So we ended up in paying $2,000.00 each to Lid.s trusted staff and friend who was also the broker for getting and identifying the land for us.
After paying the initial payment, we went up to the area and did some clearings. We were very happy then as the area was very strategically located near a stream. We went to the stipulated area a few times for the purpose of clearing the land as well enjoying ourselves picnic style. As Pak Ngah Hassan was quite energetic and very skilful with the job, in no time the area was cleared of its undergrowth . After having the proofs that we have occupied the land, Pak Ngah and I sent our application to the land office.
When we forwarded our land application, I was surprised that the land was already alienated to Lid’s friend another forester from Tunjang. I was very furious as I realized that I was very careless for not checking the status of the land before hand. At that time, I was already the District Land Administrator of Kota Setar. I was very naïve as I trusted fully Lid’s staff and friend without realizing that although they were Lid’s friend but they were not honest and sincere with Lid. Those were the friends that Lid could do without.
Lid’s Career in the Forestry Department
When emergency was declared in 1948, all the works at the Jeniang Forest Office were stopped and all the labourers were retrenched. Lid did not come back to Tunjang but instead Lid joined the Special Constabulary and was assigned as a Special Constable (SC) at Petani Para Estate near Sungai Petani. Lid’s assignment was to guard the Manager’s residence against any attack by the communist terrorists. While Lid was an SC, Mak also gave birth to a still born daughter at Tunjang. Lid’s stint as a SC lasted only three months.
When the security threats has improved, Lid went back to Jeniang as a Supervisor of the Forrest Department’s labourers. On the 1st. January 1949, Lid was transferred to the Forest Department at Sungai Petani and was appointed as an office boy. As Lid’s pay as an office boy was a meager one, life was very miserable for Lid to survive the town life in Sungai Petani. Lid used to tell me that after giving household allocation to Mak, he could not afford even to buy rice regularly for his daily lunch and dinner. His daily launch was only a loaf of bread with only the pipe water accompanying it. Lid’s struggles as an office boy lasted 7 months when Lid was offered a post as a Forest Guard.
Luck was with Lid when on the 20th. August 1949 Lid was offered a post as a Forest Guard at the District Forest Office at Sungai Petani. As a Forrest Guard, Lid was provided with a one room Forest Quarters at Bakar Kapur, Sungai Petani. With the quarters available, Lid brought Mak and me to live at the Forest Quarters at Bakar Kapur. Mak gave birth to my eldest sister, Sharifah Hindun on 16th. July 1952 at Sungai Petani. Lid was a Forest Guard for over four years when Lid was offered a chance to pursue a one year certificate course in Forestry at the Forest Research Institute in Kepong, This certificate is a prerequisite for the promotion to the post as a Forester Grade Two. Mak, Hindun and I followed Lid to Kepong.
After completing his forestry course in the Forest Research Institute in Kepong, Lid was promoted to the rank of a Forester Grade II. On the 1st. January 1954, Lid was transferred to the Forest Range Office in Jeniang. My sister, Shariffah Norlia was born in Jeniang on the 7th. March 1955. Lid was in Jeniang for two years when he was again transferred to the Forest Range Office in Jitra. In January 1957, Lid was transferred to the Forest Range Office in Kuah, Langkawi. On the 21st. August 1959. Lid was promoted to the rank of a Forrester Grade I. Lid was in Langkawi for four years.
My second youngest sister, Shariffah Norin was born on the 3rd. June 1957 in Langkawi. In Langkawi, Lid bought his first motorbike that was the 125 c.c. Honda Bently. In 1961, Lid was transferred back to the mainland that was at the Forest Range Office in Changlun. Lid was in Changlun for about a year whereby Lid was then transferred to the Forest Office in Kangar. At that time, the Perlis Forest Office was under the jurisdiction of the District Forest Office in Jitra, Kedah. Lid was in Kangar until 1967 when Lid was then transferred back to Changlun. My youngest sister, Sharifah Norliza was born in Kangar on the 13th. of June 1966. In Kangar, Lid bought his second motorbike that was the 250 c.c Honda Dream.
When Nana bought her Honda Stream, it touched my heart as it brought back the fond memories when Lid bought his second motor bike as both the brands name sounded similar with each other. Although the difference in price range of the two vehicles were like the earth and the sun, yet the facial expression of satisfaction in getting the vehicles between the two of them were identical. Although Lid offered me to ride his motor bike, I refused to do so as the motor bike was very heavy as compared to my skinny body. I was already an undergraduate at the
On the 1st. January 1968, Lid was promoted to the rank of a Forest Ranger and he was transferred to the Forest Range Office in Sungai Petani. As a Forrest Ranger, Lid was provided with a two room bungalow quarters at Sungai Petani which was situated adjacent to the TNB headquarters. The late Abang Rashid and Adah also stayed in a Public Work Department quarters a few blocks away from our house. Lid hosted two marriage receptions at that quarters that were for Bang Mud and also for my marriage. Lid was again transferred back to Langkawi on the 1st. January 1972.
He was in Langkawi for five years whereby he was transferred back to Changlun on the 1st. January 1977. On the 1st. January 1982, Lid was transferred to the Forest Range Office at Kulim. Lid was in Kulim for a period of three years whereby Lid was transferred back to the State Forest Director’s Office at Alor Setar. Lid was the Ranger in charge of Forest Management throughout the State. Lid remained at that post until his retirement on 30th. March 1986. Lid retired only as a Forest Ranger as he missed the promotion to the top post as a Special Grade Ranger because of the Changlun’s incident.
Lid’s Blemish Career
There was an unpleasant episode in Lid’s unblemished 40 years career in the Forestry Department. This particular incidence happened when Lid was serving in Changlun from the 1st. January 1977 until the 1st. January 1982. These are the exact words that Lid wrote in his diary which I found as scrap sheets after his demise:
KENANGAN SEMASA BERKERJA DAN PERHATIAN SERTA TAULADAN UNTUK ANAK CUCU
Nasib semasa berkerja belum menentu, apa yang akan berlaku, mula-mula kerja kita cemerlang, di saat akhir nasib kurang baik orang bawah mengenayai..tetapi Allah maha kuasa, Allah menentukan segala-galanya…….
Berkhidmat dengan Kerajaan Negeri Kedah pada 1.11.1946 dan bersara pada 30.3.1986 sebagai Renjer Hutan Tingkatan Biasa . Berkhidmat selepas Perang Dunia Kedua. Perkhidmatan hampir ke 40 tahun. Patut diingat semasa dalam tugasan pahit, maung pedas masam memangnya sering kali menimpa diri ada hati terguris dan di sayat oleh orang-orang di bawah kita, dan orang-orang atas menekan kita ada berbagai-bagai caranya…….
Semasa bertugas di Changlun, orang bawah buat khianat kena tahan gaji setahun 1.1.1983 – 31.3.1984……
1.4.1984 – Naik gaji baru $ 1,000.00 dan dapat duit arrears.
Yang menyedihkan tahun 1980 ke 1983 yang mana Pengawas Hutan I ….., Pengawas Hutan II …..dan Pengawas Hutan II ……..buat kianat dan kerja menyeleweng menyediakan sempadan Kompatmen Hutan Simpan Sungai Badak sengaja dibuat kekeliruan dan dimasuk Kompatmen 2 menyebabkan ……..
Perkhidmatan sebagai pegawai Kerajaan berpangkat Renjer Hutan tamat pada 29.3.1986 dan keluar bersara pada 30.3.1986. Berkhidmat dengan Kerajaan selepas perang kedua bermula 1.11.1946. Brekhidmat dengan Kerajaan lebih kurang 40 tahun. Dalam tugas ada pahit maung, suka duka, menyayat hati dan sebagainya sememang berlaku. Paling pahit berlaku tahun 1980 – 1983 yang mana PH I …, PH II …PH II….. buat kerja menyeleweng sempadan menyebabkan gaji diturunkan satu kenaikan gaji $870.00 diturun ke $830.00 dan dimasuk ke dalam rekod. Ini adalah satu gejala
Segalanya selamat. Orang yang buat anainya juga selamat. Perkara ini memangnya perkara lumrah biasanya berlaku di mana-mana saja. Kata pepatah orang tua-tua ‘Orang yang betul dimakan oleh yang penipu. Orang mengantuk makanan orang berjaga’.
Pesan anak cucu jangan percaya sangat kepada orang bermulut manis pada hal hatinya busuk macam perut ikan …..
Gaji $870.00 diturun kepada $ 830.00 selama satu tahun dan di masuk ke dalam record service. Ini adalah satu gejala buruk menimpa diri tetapi Alhamdulillah tuhan juga yang maha mengetahui di atas keadaan sebenarnya. Dengan bala bencana tersebut dapat dihindarkan dan gaji baru $ 1,025.00 dapat semula 1984. Syukur-syukur Alhamdulillah Amin, Amin Yarabulalamin dan dipohon keizinan Ya Rabbulalamin supaya pencen dapat keluar dengan selamat sejahteranya.
Kata pepatah ‘Jangan buat anainya orang, biar kita di anainya tidak mengapa. Tuhan maha berkuasa. Sabar banyak-banyak’……..
Utterly Disgusted Lid
I strongly believe that Lid put down his true feelings of sadness just before his retirement as it was written in his official diary for 1986. Lid must have written them just before his retirement on 30.3.1986 as Lid was still praying for Allah’s grace and merciful in getting his pensions. Although Lid was fined with the deferment of one incremental salary scale, yet Lid must be worried about the prospect that he would not get his pensions in full. Lid must has been so stressful in his heart when he put them in writings as his writings were partially written and disjointed in the factual flow. It was not Lid’s normal style of writings as Lid’s writing were always clearly written and there were always continuity in his facts. I knew about Lid’s style of writing well because as I used to receive Lid’s letter of advice when I was in the College as well as during my university years. Lid stressed that this unkind episode of his should be made known to his children and grand children so that they would not fall into the same catastrophe that he has experienced.
For the sake of my siblings and their children, I would like to elaborate on this Lid’s unkind episode in his tenure of service. When Lid was posted to Changlun in 1977, Lid was already suffering from acute gout. As such, Lid was not able to make his rounds into the forest inspecting the demarcated areas for logging concessions. Lid then delegated this responsibility to his deputy and two other assistants.
The three of them confirmed that all the boundary demarcations were correct on the ground. The area involved was in Compartment I in Sungai Badak Forest Reserve which was designated to be alienated as a Forest Logging Concession area to a logging company belonged to the late Dato’ Haji Seroji Harun, the former State Legislative Speaker. Unscrupulously the three officers allowed logging activities by the logging concessor to encroach into Compartment Two illegally. These corrupted activities of the three Foresters benefited themselves and the concessor but not to the state as the state received its forestry revenue only from the Compartment One excluding the encroached area in Compartment Two.
Lid came to know about this corrupt practice when a Forrest chainman who was supposed to get his share from the proceeds of the corrupted practice of the three Foresters was not given the full promised share. When his gout permitted him, Lid went to inspect the stipulated logging area which confirmed about the corrupt practices of the three Foresters. Lid then proceeded in reporting the corrupt practices of the Foresters to his superiors. As his deputy was a confidant of the then State Forest Director, Lid was instead slapped with a disciplinary charge of failing to execute his responsibility properly.
When receiving the charge from his superior, Lid was very disheartened because Lid has given his full trust to his deputy and other assistants. Lid knew his deputy very well as the alter was also from Tunjang. When he was jobless after finishing his standard six, his mother approached Lid for his help in getting a job for her son in the Forestry Department. With Lid’s assistance, her son was accepted into the Forestry Department. Lid thought that his deputy was a sincere and trustworthy man and further more as a normal person, surely he would have the feelings of indebt ness to Lid’s effort in getting him into the Forestry service. Lid was utterly surprised when his deputy turned the tide against him.
When Lid was slapped with the charge, I was the Director of State Economic Planning Unit. I then acquired the advices from the State Legal Adviser as well as the Chief Assistant State Secretary for Service on Lid’s next move in dealing with the charge. Based on their advices, I then prepared a letter of appeal for Lid to be sent to the Disciplinary Board for their consideration. I did not seek the advice from the State Forest Director as we knew that he sympathized with Lid’s deputy as he was the person who looked after his children welfare.
After looking at Lid’s dismal condition, I then brought Lid to meet Dato’ Sheriff Puteh at his house in Yan. Dato’ Sheriff Puteh was the State Public Service Commission Chairman cum State Disciplinary Committee Chairman. Dato’ Mohd. Sheriff was not only my former boss but he was also the father of my friend in College. Furthermore Dato’ Sheriff also knew Lid personally. Being an elderly and considerate person, Dato’ Mohd. Sheriff gave Lid a very sound advice.
After getting the advice from Dato’ Sheriff Puteh, I even went to see Yang Berhormat Dato’ Saruji Harun, the concessor in the affected Forest Compartment. I was very close to the Baling born Y.B. Dato' Haji Saruji Harun when I was the Baling District Land Officer in 1974. Y.B. Dato' Haji Saruji Harun confessed to me that he did not know about the alleged corrupt practice as it was the doings of his subordinates and the foresters. Y.B. Dato' Haji Saruji Harun sympathized with Lid’s predicament and to show his sincerity, he accepted the blame for the misdeeds and he paid the royalty for the over logged area that encroached into Compartment Two. With his good deeds, the Government did not loose any thing but still it did not have much bearing on the Disciplinary Board’ decision.
After deliberating on Lid’s supposed improper practices, the Disciplinary Board decided that as the officer in charge, Lid could not shed his responsibility even because of health reasons. As an officer in charge, Lid must accept his responsibility and as such Lid was handed down a penalty which comprised of a deferment of his yearly increment of $ 40.00. His monthly drawn pay of $ 870.00 was reduced one scale lower to $ 830.00 for the period of 1st. January 1982 to 31st. March 1984. The three Foresters were also handed down with the same penalty. Although with the deferment penalty, yet Lid was very jubilant and thankful to Allah with the Disciplinary Board decision. Then I realized that all this while, Lid was really worried that he would not get his pension. He was worried about his family welfare more than his sufferings.
Financially Lid did not loose much as it involved only $ 600.00. As God is great, Lid got his new salary scale of $ 1,025.00 in 1984 and as such Lid also got his back pay arrears. Lid was really disillusioned with his deputy and he never forgave him until up to his final breath. It was Lid’s final wish that his children and grand children must really take care of themselves not to be duped by any friendly sweet talking person whose stomach is full with treacherous intentions.
The House That Lid Built
When Lid was transferred to Langkawi in 1972, Lid applied for land alienation from the State Government on a piece of State land which was situated behind Sekolah Menengah Mahsuri at Kuah. The state land was situated at Padang Lunas which is adjacent to the Gunung Raya Forest Reserve. The state land was covered by forest and as such people might have thought that it was part of the Gunung Raya Forest Reserve. That was the reason why the land was not occupied by any of the locals. Even the District Land Office was not aware about the availability of the state land. Lid happened to stumble on that piece of land when Lid did some land survey works in the forest reserve area.
When Lid’s application was forwarded to the Langkawi Distict Land Office, one of the District Assistant Land Officer wanted to sabotage the application by rejecting the application with the wicked intention of himself applying that piece of land by using his proxy’s name. The sly land grabbing tactics of this particular officer was well known among the KCS officers. Luckily for Lid, the District Assistant Land Officer who was the immediate superior officer of the wicked KCS officer was my neighbour in Jitra whom we shared the same school bus and school. He knew about our family very well as Tok Ku was also his father in law’s close friend.
My KCS neighbour knew about the wickedness of his assistant and as such he overruled his assistant’s decision and Lid’s land application was duly approved. When I became the Director of Land and Mines in 1994, I came across a familiar signature on an application form for a piece of state land in Kuala Ketil area. When I scrutinized the application form, sure enough I found out that signature belonged to the same Assistant Land Officer in Langkawi who tried unsuccessfully to sabotage Li’d land application. Although he was a KCS officer, yet in the application form he stated his occupation simply as a local farmer.
With the legal power in my hand and with the memory of his wicked intention on Lid’s land application still fresh in my mind, I could have rejected his application straight away. However after second thoughts and remembering Lid’s constant advice to me that we must always be benevolent and thankful to Allah’s blessing, I did not proceed with my wicked intention.
Lid has also bought a piece of land with an acreage of ¾ relong beside Bang Dan’s plot of land at Mak’s birth place that is Kampung Hutan Setali. The land has a road frontage with a curved road alignment. As Lid did not have much cash savings, Lid pawned Mak’s gold chain and with that money Lid bought the land for RM 800.00. The price of the land was considered cheap as compared to the market value of the surrounding lands. The underlying factor that influenced the low price might have been because fifty years ago the land’s road frontage was well known as an accident prone area.
Almost every other week accidents occurred in the vicinity of the road in front of the land. The rate of accidents increased proportionately during rainy days. When I was staying at Ami En’s house, we used to rush out from the house when ever we heard any loud bang as we all knew that an accident has occurred. Our main purpose was not for saving life or helping the accident victims but instead it was for the sole purpose of establishing the type of goods that would be sprawled over the accident area. If the goods were tins of sardines, then it would become our month’s supply of sardines in our house.
With the Langkawi land’s approval, Lid then cut off several trees that were suitable for building materials. Lid then transported back the sawn timber to the mainland and then let them dry for more three years. The sawn timber that Lid processed was ample enough for the supply of wooden building materials for Lid’s house as well as my house. Immediately after the completion of his house in 1977, Lid and Mak moved over to the house with my sisters. From then on, Mak stayed put in the house and did not follow Lid to his subsequent departmental transfers. My house was completed a year later and we occupied the house in 1978. Both of our house was built by the same contractor, Ah Chooi . The cost of building Lid’s house was about RM 30,000.00 while mine was approximately RM 70,000.00.
Before Lid's demise, Lid told me that after his death and also Mak's death Lid's house should be bequeathed to my youngest sister, Sharifah Norliza. His simple reasoning was that Za was the only daughter that is not working. Whereas his son and three other daughters has secured government jobs. After Mak's death on 8th. November 2000, the plot of land where Lid's house was built was awarded Za and Norin equally with the understanding that Lid's house belongs to Za. With an understanding brother in law, Syed Jaafar, Norin agreed to stay and look after Lid' house. With this amicable understandings, Lid's children has bonded a strong relationship between themselves until to the very day. Our yearly tradition of having a family gathering on the Hari Raya eve in Lid's house symbolizes the closed knitted relationships between us that has prevailed through thick and thins. It was in fact Mak's wish that we should continue this tradition even after her death. With Allah's blessings, I am very proud and happy that my sisters and I has managed to fulfill Mak's final wish.
Lid’s Final Journey in Service
Lid retired from the government service on Sunday, 30th. March 1986 without achieving his ambition to become the top man in the uniformed branch of the Forestry Department. It was Lid’s utmost ambition that he could retire as a Ranger Special Grade which carries two pips on his shoulders. Lid was in fact one of the eligible contenders for the top post. The adverse incidence in Changlun which was recorded in his record service was the most crucial factor that influenced Lid’s failure in getting his last promotion. It seemed that the jinx of his failure to enter Special Malay One Class in 1941 came back to haunt him again during his final years in the government service. Amidst his anxiety about getting pensions, with the grace of Allah the Merciful, Lid duly received his pensions and gratuity in full..
When my sister Hindun was having some problems in financing the house that they were building, without a second thought Lid gave my sister Hindun RM 25,000.00 to supplement the cost of the house. The house was built with loan from Bank Rakyat and it was built on the hereditary plot of land of my brother in law, Syed Putra at
Lid’s Final Journey In Life
My cousin, Syed Izhar brought Lid to my house on Thursday afternoon on the 11th. May 1989. Ad left Lid at my house as he has to attend to his business in town. As he looked so shabby in his long hair and unshavened face, I asked Lid whether he wanted to have a hair cut. When he agreed, I brought Lid to Malaysia Barber Shop at Jalan Putra in front of the
On the day of Lid’ demise, I was at my office at Wisma Darul Aman when Ad phoned me at 2.15.p.m. that Lid has a heart attack. Instantly I contacted Dr. Kamaruzaman Embi of Polyclinic Kota for his assistance as Lid was his regular patient. His reply was in the negative and he advised me to seek the the assistance of the Hospital in sending an ambulance. The hospital ambulance did go to Hutan Setali but Lid was pronounced dead by the time of the ambulance arrival.
Among his six siblings, Lid was the first to meet Allah.
Mak joined Lid at the
No comments:
Post a Comment