The late PakSu's stall has been taken over by a new owner
YusoffTarbus famous buburkacang stall
PakSu's close friend, bachelor Wahab is still with his drinks stall
Wahab's stall of drinks
On Wednesday, 29.07.2009, when I passed by the hospital food court across the stream, I had a glimpse that Yusoff Tarbus's food stall was opened for business. Spontaniously I stopped my car for I and Zam were longing for the delicious bubur kacang of Yusoff Tarbus. I was indeed very happy because Yusoff Tarbus has maintained his high quality standard of Yusoff Tarbus's brand name of bubur kacang.
We ordered our fresh drinks from the late Pak Su's friend, Mr Wahab. Although the hospital food court business was hit hard when the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital was officially opened, yet Mr. Wahab was dauntless in continuing his fresh drinks business at the food court. His perseverance was rewarded when some of the hospital operations were moved back to the previous general hospital.
When we looked at the stall that used to be operated by our late Pak Su, we could not hide our sorrow from the fact that we do really missed our jovial Pak Su Naga.
Zam and Nana are the loyal customers of Milah’s knitting fretworks. Milah’s fretworks were also admired by Nana’ colleagues at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Seri Sepang, Selangor. Their admirations were up to the level that themselves requested for Milah’s artistry in her fretworks to be fitted also to their own dresses. Milah has moved her fretworks business form her house to a shop at No. 90, Lorong Pauh, Derga. The locality of her new business premise is more convenience as compared to her house which requires us to maneuver through a very narrow alleys behind the Sekolah Menengah Asma, Derga. Unfortunately, due to my carelessness, I accidentally knocked my car rear bumper against a long coarse grass covered embankment while searching for Milah’s new shop on 29.07.2009.
Me, Dr. Nordin, Dr. Nordin's son, Datin Fauziah, Zam and Dr. Nordin's eldest daughter
While enjoying our YusoffTarbus'sbuburkacang o 29.07.2009, we bumped into Dato' Dr. Nordin with his family who were also looking for the same YusoffTarbus'sbuburkacang. Dato' Dr. Nordin was accompanied by his wife, DatinFauziah and their three children. I was very glad to see DatinFauziah was very healthy and jovial which I strongly believed that due to her forever strong and loving support of her entire family. Congratulation to Dr. Nordin who has planned their lives well because their elder daughters were pursuing their tertiary educations in United Kingdom in medical and computer science. Their youngest boy is also a Collegian.
Dr. Nordin who resides in KampungBerjaya was thankful because all his family could sleep peacefully in the early morning as they were no more disturbance from the pigs nearby.
Old faithful never dies for memories will linger forever
Last Friday (24.07.2009) I was taken aback when the Haj Belt that I used to wear with my sarung for my Friday prayers broke up at the buckles. It was a sad day for me as I used to wear the Haj belt that I inherited from my late father after his demise on 13 May 1989. The Haj belt was very convenience to wear because apart from strengthening the sarung’s grip on our waist it also provided a pouch for the storing of our vital items such as driving license and identity card. Normally if we carry the items in our baju kurung pockets, it would easily slip from the pocket without us realizing it. I have lost my wallet in this manner when I was enjoying my teh tarik at Pokok Cheery Restaurant a few years ago.
The Lid’s Haj belt served me faithfully for the last twenty years and it always brought back fond memories of Lid whenever I wore the Haj belt. I felt at a loss when wearing my sarung to the mosque without the Haj belt. I think I have no choice but to browse through Pekan Rabu for another Haj belt. Any way I am very thankful to the broken Lid’s Haj belt that served me obediently for the last twenty years.
Sejak daripada tarikh Johari menyumbangkan RM 300.00 untuk membuka simpanannya, Afiq bertekad untuk menyempurnakan semua pangakuan yang telah diberikan olehnya kepada Johari. Dengan semangat dari sumbangan bertuah Johari, Afiq telah mendapat pencapaian yang cemerlang di dalam semua peringkat peperiksaan. Dengan keputusan 5 A yang diperolehi di dalam UPSR, Afiq telah diterima masuk ke Sekolah Menengah Agama Berasrama Penuh di Sik.
Dengan kejayaan yang cemerlang di dalam peperiksaan SPM, Afiq telah diterima mengikuti pengajian peringkat Australian Matriculation Progarmme selama tiga semester khusus untuk persediaan memasuki universiti di luar Negara. di Kolej Mara, Bangi. Dengan kelulusan cemerlang di dalam peperiksaan Australian Matriculation Programme, Afiq telah ditawarkan biasiswa untuk melanjutkan pelajaran tertiari di dalam bidang Akitektur di Universiti Victoria, Wellington, New Zealand. Universiti ini adalah di antara universiti tertua di New Zealand yang telah ditubuhkan pada tahun 1897 oleh Perdana Menteri New Zealand ketika iaitu Richard Seddon.
Johari terus mengotakan janji-janjinya dengan mengkreditkan ke dalam akaun simpanan Afiq di BSN sebaik sahaja Afiq melaporkan tentang kemajuan pelajarannya dan juga aktiviti Afiq membantu anak-anak yatim di dalam meningkatkan kecemerlangan pelajaran mereka. Setiap kali cuti sekolah, Afiq akan pulang ke Kampung Kelubi dan membantu pelajar-pelajar di kampung dalam subjek Mathematiks, Bahasa Inggeris dan Sains. Surau Kampung Kelubi adalah premis tempat Afiq menabur budi kepada anak-anak kampong.
Selepas kematian Pak Chik Mansur semasa Afiq di Tingkatan 2, anak-anak Pak Chik Mansur telah menjual rumah bersama tanah bapa mereka. Dengan ketiadaan rumah untuk menumpang semasa cuti sekolah, Pak Ali telah mempelawa Afiq untuk menumpang di rumahnya. Kemudian selepas itu, setiap kali cuti penggal, Afiq akan pulang ke Kampung Kelubi dan menumpang di rumah Pak Ali. Sebagai balasan kepada budi baik Pak Ali, Afiq turut membantu Pak Ali menyempurnakan kerja-kerja hariannya. Afiq juga terus membimbing anak-anak kampong di dalam mata pelajaran sains, matematik dan bahasa Inggeris di Surau.
Johari sering pulang ke kampong menjenguk Pak Ali dan Mak Cik Hasinah. Kerap kalinya Tuan Johari pulang berseorangan tanpa ditemani isterinya. Kalau isterinya pulang bersama, mereka akan bermalam di Hotel Grand Continental, Bandar Alor Setar. Isteri Tuan Johari, Khatijah telah melahirkan Aleeya semasa Afiq di Tingkatan Satu. Setahun kemudian, Pak Ali telah meninggal dunia dengan dituruti oleh Mak Cik Hasinah hanya berselang masa sebulan di antara mereka berdua. Selepas kematian kedua ibu bapa Johari, Afiq tidak lagi pulang ke Kampong Kelubi dengan kerana tidak lagi mempunyai tempat untuk menumpang semasa percutian sekolah.
Kalau cuti pendek, Afiq hanya menumpang di Asrama Sekolahnya. Kalau cuti panjang, Afiq menumpang di Rumah Anak Yatim Darul Aitam di Lorong Seri. Sebagai balasan kerana diberi peluang menumpang di situ, Afiq turut juga memberi tuition percuma kepada penghuni-penghuni di Asrama Darul Aitam. Di masa cuti panjang beginilah, Afiq amat terasa kesunyian tanpa belaian kasih sayang satu keluarga yang lengkap. Hanya anak-anak yatim di Darul Aitam yang mengubat ganti rindu kepada keluarganya..
Perhubungan Afiq dengan Johari adalah satu perhubungan yang amat unik. Johari tidak pernah meminta Afiq untuk menemuinya dan Afiq pula tidak juga meminta untuk menemui Johari. Perhubungan mereka berdua adalah melalui surat yang dihantar Afiq ke P.O.Box 2446 dan Tuan Johari pula melalui surat yang dihantar ke Sekolah tempat Afiq belajar. Afiq juga tidak tahu di mana Johari tinggal, hanya P.O. Box 2446 yang menjadi simbol keakraban perhubungan mereka berdua.
Johari amat mengambil berat tentang pergerakan dan kemajuan akedemik Afiq. Setiap kali Hari Raya Aidilfitri dan hari jadi Afiq, Johari akan mengirimkan kad selamat hari raya aidilfitri dan kad ucapan ulang tahun harijadi. Afiq juga tidak lupa menghantar balas kad sambutan Hari Raya Aidilfitri kepada Johari di alamat P.O.Box 2446, Kuala Lumpur..
Johari bukan sahaja memasukkan perbelanjaan untuk menampung kos pelajaran Afiq sahaja, tetapi memasukkan juga peruntukan lain sama ada untuk pakaian seragam, pakaian biasa atau pun pakaian dan peralatan sukan. Afiq juga turut berjimat-jimat dengan wang sumbangan Johari dan juga biasiswa kecil Kerajaan Negeri yang diterimanya. Begitu juga Afiq berjimat-jimat dengan hasil yang diperolehi melalui kerja-kerja sampingan yang dikerjakannya semasa cuti persekolahan.
Dengan dorongan yang diberikan oleh Johari serta kesunyian yang sentiasa mencengkam dirinya, Afiq melepaskan bara kesunyian dirinya dengan melibatkan diri secara aktif di dalam bidang sukan dan ko-korikulum. Afiq kerap sekali mewakili sekolahnya di dalam bidang sukan dan ko-korikulum. Afiq juga merupakan tunggak kepada pasukan sekolahnya. Ketangkasannya bersukan dan ketajaman pemikirannya adalah faktor utama yang membantu pasukan sekolahnya meraih kajayaan di dalam aktiviti sukan dan ko-korikulum. Justru itu, tidaklah menghairankan kenapa Afiq amat diminati oleh guru-guru dan kawan-kawan sepersekolahan.
Walau pun dengan masa yang begitu terhad, semasa mengikuti kelas persediaan untuk pengajian di luar Negara, Afiq juga mengambil upah untuk mengajar al-Quran di rumah-rumah yang berdekatan dengan Kolej MARA di Bangi. Sebelum berangkat ke New Zealand untuk melanjutkan pelajaran ke peringkat ijazah, Afiq telah pun dapat mengumpulkan hampir RM 4,500.00 di dalam akaun Bank Simpanan Nasional.
Abdul Razak Din who has vouched to defend his land at what ever cost
Today (27.07.2009) I went with Zam to the KubangPasu Land Office at Jitra to settle the land dispute on Lot 2763 and Lot 2762, MukimTunjang, District of KubangPasu. Lot 273 and 2762 originated from Lot 763 Mukim Grant 1962. When MADA was established in 1969, a portion of the land (0.1694 hectare) was acquired by the government for the purpose of building an irrigation canal.
As a result of this acquisition, the land was divided in two lots i.e. Lot 2762 and Lot 2763. and all the previous co proprietors were registered into the two land titles according to their previous share of ownership :
1. Abdul Razak bin Din - 5/112 share 2. Ahmad bin Jussof - 56/112 share. 3. Ahmad Hafidz bin Shafie – 7/112 share 4. Md. Bashir bin Shafie – 7/112 share 5. SyedZain bin SyedAbdullah – 7/112 share 6. MegatAbd. Hamid bin MegatHusin – 30/112 share.
Ahmad bin Jussof has built a house on the lot 2763. Whereas Abdul Razak Din and Md. Bashir bin Shafie has built their houses on the same land according the size of their shares. My portion of the land which I am holding in trust for my sister, Norlia is still vacant.
Without informing other co-proprietors, Ahmad bin Jussof and MegatAbd. Hamid has crossed transfer their portions resulting in the new share of co-proprietorship:
LOT 2762:
Abdul Razak bin Din - 5/112 share 2. Ahmad bin Jussof - 26/112 share. Ahmad Hafidz bin Shafie – 7/112 share Md. Bashir bin Shafie – 7/112 share SyedZain bin SyedAbdullah – 7/112 share MegatAbd. Hamid bin MegatHusin – 60/112 share.
LOT 2763:
1. Abdul Razak bin Din - 5/112 share 2. Ahmad bin Jussof - 86/112 share. 3. Ahmad Hafidz bin Shafie – 7/112 share 4. Md. Bashir bin Shafie – 7/112 share 5. SyedZain bin SyedAbdullah – 7/112 share
Disputes emerged when Ahmad Jussof wanted back physically his share of the land from the plot of land owned by Abdul Razak bin Din and Md. Bashir bin Shafie. He wanted both of them to dismantle half of their houses and move the half portions to Lot 2762 which is across the canal. Ahmad bin Jussof refused to bulge from his demand although practically it was a very absurd demand which were impossible to materialize. When Ahmad Jussof brought in a land surveyor to measure physically on the ground, the situation was very tense and it almost erupted into a physical confrontation.
To solve this matter amicably we suggested that we all do a cross transfer that could return the status quo back to the original physical co proprietorship without anybody loosing even an inch of land. Although Ahmad Jussof is already nearing 80 years old, yet he is a very stubborn man who does not listen to any advice. He has a negative attitude of what he says, you must abide by it without considering the outcome.
After attending the negotiations thrice without any success, I think I have already reach the boiling point of no return. For me, it would be beneficial if Mohd. Bashir is willing to buy our portion of the land as it would increase Mohd. Bashir's share to 14/112 share on Lot 2763. As such, he does not need to dismantle his house as Pak Mat has demanded from him. On the other hand, my sisters do not agree to the idea because of their sentimental values to the land. As for me, I do not see a foreseeable solution to end the dispute as long as Ahmad Jusoff is still alive. Zam agreed with me that I should transfer the land to Norlia and let she handle the dispute by herself.
Legally Ahmad Jusof was right because all the dealings were witnessed by the Assistant Land Administrator whom without realizing it has created a dispute that could not be solved amicably except with physical confrontation on the ground.
PakNgahHassan who happened to be at the Land Office took pity on me and Zam when witnessing the blows of words between Pak Mat and Razak at the Land Office.
Last Thursday (23.07.2009), a scuffle broke out when the George Town Police light strike force personnel moved in to control the crowd that has tried to force themselves into the George Town Police Station. The crowd had earlier planned to bring in several bullock carts tethered to bulls from Kampung Buah Pala to join the 2 km. march to the State Secretariat Building at Komtar to hand over a memorandum to the Chief Minister’s office on the Kampung Buah Pala issue. The police has arrested 10 people but ironically none of them were from Kampung Buah Pala.
This episode brought back fond memories of my school days at Sultan Abdul Hamid College in Alor Setar. Those days, we really looked forward to 1st day of April as we could indulge in mischief through out the day. On that special day, the teachers were also very sporting and we could get away with a lot of mischief without receiving any punishment from them.
The above Kampung Buah Pala episode brought vivid fond memories of the April Fool’s mischief whereby the Sixth Formers who came to school riding on a bullock cart. The leader of the group was the late Ramli Maidin, the former Principal of Yayasan Saad College, Malacca. On the bullock carts were his compatriots comprising Rashid Manaff, Ridzuan Murad, Mohammad Zainol Abiidin and Halim Abdullah.
As in the case of Kampung Buah Pala, the bullock cart chartered by Ramli Maidin on Thursday, 1st. April 1965 created havoc as it blocked the smooth traffic flow of the students coming to school in the morning. As the College internal road was very narrow, no other mode of transport could by pass the bullock cart. However due to their precise planning Ramli and his group arrived at their classroom on the dot. Whereas all the other students who were behind their bullock cart has to provide a lot of explaining to the prefects as they arrived late at their classes.
After a span of forty five years, kudos to the bulls and their carts who still has the ability to create havoc in the 21st. century.
102 years old TokSu enjoying the tepungtalam which we bought at the famous MakNjang Mek Tet has the ability to communicate effectively with TokSu
Mek Tet managed to coax TokSu to sit outside of the house
Zam trying her luck with the wooden pole to reap the rambutans with her able adviser by her side who could only deliver vocal advice.
You reap the rambutans and you must also collect the rambutans yourself as I could not help you physically apart from consuming the rambutans myself.
Marini also trying her luck with wooden pole.
Being an aticulative person, TokSu managed to persuade Zam and Mek Tet to arrange the fruits properly.
Yesterday (23.07.2009) as Marini was off for the day, we decided to pay a social visit to my grand aunt, 102 years TokSu at KampungKelubiLuar. The four of us (Zam, Mek Tet, Marini and Me) stopped by at the famous MakNjangTepungTalam at KubangLembu. The village of KubangLembu is just one mile south the Jitra Town. During our school days, we used to describe KubangLembu as KL as we tried to hide our humble beginnings at Jitra. Yet KubangLembu has produced intellectuals such as Professor Emeritus AsmahHaji Omar and her younger brothetDato’ Dr. Affifuddin. We bought 12 boxes of tepungtalam for TokSu and also for her neighbours.
TokSu really liked the traditional cake of tepungtalam because TokSu said a good quality tepungtalam is the one which has quivering tops. We were laughing away when Mek Tet chipped in by saying that the eater was also quivering together with the other onlookers. We told her that it was natural for a 102 years lady to be doddering as compared to a 49 years old doddering lady.
As it was in fruiting season, we tried our hands at reaping the rambutans and jack fruits by using the wooden pole provided by TokSu. After putting so much efforts and time, they could only managed to bring down only fifty rambutans. After a few trials, Zam, Mek Tet and Marini realized the degree of difficulties that a farmer has got to endure in reaping the fruits from the trees. With these valuable experiences, they has decided that they would not bargain for a lower price any more when they do buy fruits from the farmers. One plus point for the farmers and their produce.
We were very sad when we have to depart for AlorSetar and leaving TokSu alone at her shack to fend for herself. TokSu is a spinster without any heir but she is a very independent lady who does not like to lean to others. Although she is doddering and cannot look after herself properly, yet she refuses to stay with my cousin, KakYeh at TamanMahkota. I am very thankful to Kak Yeh for sharing the burden in looking after Tok Su. Only KakYeh and my family are taking the responsibilty in looking after the well being of Tok Su although with the constraint of osteoathritis. We have arranged with our distance cousins i.e. the daughters of the late Pak Long Ali to prepare food for her and also to ascertain that TokSu would take her foods prepared by them.
Other than that, no other grand nephews and nieces that took the trouble to visit TokSu periodically at her house. TokSu would be very delighted if ever one of her grand nephews or nieces do visit her. She even peeled a lot rambutans in readiness for the their visits. The peeled rambutans kept piling up as they were no visits from them. One of her grand nephews who promised me to facilitate Tok Su's application for Welfare Department's aid did not even paid her a social visit. Looking at Tok Su alone in her house, I really felt sad because her own grand nephews and cousins tend to forget her kindness when she was able to do so. In fact she was the mak andam for almost every of her grand nieces' wedding.
That is the sad, lonely and forgotten life that Tok Su has got to endure until her final days and I sincerely pray for Allah's blessings to Tok Su. Insya Allah.
Keesokan harinya, tepat jam 9.00 pagi, Afiq sudah pun berada di rumah Pak Ali. dengan berpakaian baju puteh berlengan panjang dan berseluar panjang warna hitam. Elok buruk, hanyalah itulah sepasang pakaian selain daripada pakaian sekolah yang Afiq ada. Selepas makan pulut kukus kalapa parut dan ikan tamban tergeliat goreng, Afiq diajak Johari menaiki Land Rover Discovery untuk ke Pekan Jitra.
“Adakah Afiq berminat untuk melanjutkan pelajaran ke peringkat yang lebih tinggi,” soalan pertama Johari kepada Afiq.
“Ya, Tuan. Saya amat berminat untuk melanjutkan pelajaran ke peringkat yang lebih tinggi sekiranya diberi peluang. Tapi saya rasa agak susah untuk bersekolah di peringkat menengah nanti. Afiq perlu berkerja secara sambilan untuk menampung perbelanjaan seharian,” Afiq mencurahkan rasa kebimbangannya.
“Afiq jangan susah hati mengenai perbelanjaan. Pak Joe sanggup tanggung perbelanjaan Afiq sehingga ke peringkat mana pun yang Afiq boleh capai. Pak Joe boleh bantu Afiq sekiranya Afiq dapat memenuhi syarat-syarat Pak Joe,” Johari memberi keyakinan kepada Afiq.
“Terima kasih di atas kemurahan hati Tuan. Syarat-syarat apa pula yang perlu saya tunaikan,” Afiq meminta kepastian.
“Pak Joe bagi empat syarat kepada Afiq. Pertama Afiq mesti sentiasa cemerlang di dalam peperiksaan iaitu Afiq mesti dapat kurang daripada nombor 5 dalam kelas. Kedua Afiq mestilah membantu pelajar-pelajar khususnya anak yatim dan anak-anak kampung yang lemah pemikiran untuk mencapai kecemerlangan dalam pelajaran. Ketiga Afiq mesti taat dan bertakwa kepada Allah. Akhir sekali, Afiq mestilah bantu kedua orang tua Pak Joe apabila mereka memerlukannya. Afiq boleh berjanji dengan Pak Joe tak,” Johari meminta pengesahan daripada Afiq.
“Tuan, dengan izin Allah, saya yakin akan dapat menyempurnakan keempat-empat syarat yang Tuan tetapkan,” Afiq memberi pengakuan dengan penuh keyakinan.
“Alhamdullillah, Pak Joe amat kagum dengan keyakinan Afiq. Pak Joe nak tanya Afiq, apakah cita-cita Afiq,” Johari cuba mencungkil pendirian Afiq.
“Kalau saya dapat keputusan baik dalam UPSR, saya bercadang untuk melanjutkan pelajaran ke Sekolah Menengah Agama. Kemudian saya bertekad untuk mengikut jejak langkah Tuan iaitu menjadi seorang akitek,” Afiq menghuraikan cita-cita terpendamnya.
“Pak Joe amat bersetuju dengan matlamat hidup Afiq. Untuk memulakan perjuangan hidup Afiq, Pak Joe akan sumbangkan wang sebanyak RM 300.00 untuk Afiq buka akaun simpanan di Bank Simpanan Nasional di Jitra. Kemudian Afiq hendaklah menghantar laporan kemajuan pelajaran Afiq kepada Pak Joe setiap bulan di alamat P.O.Box 2446, Kuala Lumpur. Apabila Pak Joe dapat sahaja laporan kemajuan pelajaran Afiq, Pak Joe akan masukkan duit setiap bulan ke dalam akaun BSN Afiq.” Johari memberi jaminan kepada Afiq sambil menghulurkan tiga keping wang kertas RM 100.00
“Terima kasih Tuan. Saya beri jaminan kepada Tuan bahawa saya tidak akan menghampakan Tuan, Insya Allah,” Afiq memberi jaminan sambil tangannya terketar-ketar mengambil wang kertas bernilai begitu besar yang belum pernah dilihatnya selama ini.
“Sekarang Pak Joe tinggalkan Afiq di Bank Simpanan Nasional dan Afiq bukalah akaun simpanan Afiq di situ. Kalau Afiq tak tahu cara hendak membuka akuan simpanan, jangan malu-malu untuk bertanya. Selepas selesai, Afiq tunggu di Bank sehingga Pak Joe datang jemput Afiq,” Johari memberi arahan kepada Afiq.
Kak Zam amat terharu dengan sajak yang dideklamasikan oleh Y.B. Ustazah Siti Aishah Ghazali, Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pembangunan Keluarga dan Kebajikan Masyarakat Negeri di majlis sambutan Hari Ibu Peringkat Negeri Kedah pada hari Khamis, 7 Julai 2009 bertempat di Dewan Seri Negeri, Alor Setar. Para ibu yang hadir di majlis tersebut telah menitiskan air mata keinsafan apabila menghayati deklamasi sajak tersebut dan untuk renungan anak-anak dan ibu-ibu tersayang, sila hayatilah sajak yang telah menyentuh perasaan ibu-ibu..
You have a lot of wits, Wits that you always use to please and not to hurt your siblings, Wits that bring laughter and comfort, To the Salleh Khir family, When the visibility is zero, You are the pouring rain, Flowing down from the sky, Clearing the haze away, Bringing in a clear sunny day, Wishing you a happy 63rd. birthday, Abang.
From Zam, Nami, Nari, Ani and Mek Tet. Sunday, 19th. July 2009.
The late Mak Yah use to give us a golden advice for her children @ “If you have the means, then you should borrow money to buy assets that could give you positive returns in the long run. This strategy of forced savings would deter you from the urge of buying unnecessary items that are not beneficial to you.”
Nami might have taken this advice to heart for Alin has bought a new MYV Special Edition after Alin has brilliantly distributed his first pay as an attachment teacher. Anyway I wish to thank Alin for shortening the distance on my traveling for any proposed wedding of Nami’s child in the near future.
My deepest apology to Ajey and SitiFartimah for failing to browse through your comments posted on 23 June 2009. The whole of my family in AlorSetar offer our heartfelt condolence on the precious personal items that has been robbed from you during your wedding heist in Ipoh. We are very sorry that we have failed the appreciate the agony and anguish that both of you have to endure the cruel fate on your wedding reception in Ipoh.
Sentimental values cannot be measured with kinds but you have the choice to reenact the wedding ceremony for another photography session. Anyway I am very certain you do not have to do that because but I am very positive that you would be able to maintain aglow the fondest memories of your wedding by having a blissful and happy marriage at the Isles of Love. Insya Allah
Di dalam kesibukan Pak Ali dan Afiq menyusun buah-buahan di atas pangkin buluh, terdengar pekikan suara Pak Mokhtar, adik kepada Pak Ali, “Abang, Kak, Johari dah sampai.”
Pak Ali dan Afiq terus meluru ke jalan. Kenderaan beroda empat tidak dapat merapati rumah Pak Ali kerana titi kecil menyeberangi parit tepi jalan hanya mampu menampung laluan motosikal sahaja. Mak Cik Hasinah memadam rokok daunnya dan terus berada di kerusi panjang buluh menanti ketibaan anak menantunya.
Dari arah Sungai Baru, kelihatan Land Rover Discovery kehijauan sedang bergerak perlahan-perlahan menuju ke tempat Pak Ali bertiga berdiri. Dari jauh, hanya kelihatan pemandu seorang sahaja tanpa sebarang penumpang. Kereta Land Rover Discovery berhenti betul-betul di hadapan mereka bertiga berdiri. Seorang lelaki berseluar jeans Levis kelabu dan berbaju T Canterbury kebiruan turun daripada kereta dan terus memeluk Pak Ali.
“Assalamualaikum, ayah apa khabar,” Johari bertanya khabar di samping memeluk ayahnya.
“Waalaikumsalam, ayah sihat. Mana isteri kamu,” Pak Ali menyoal anaknya. sambil kedua kelopak matanya dibasahi air.
“Khatijah kirim salam, dia tak sihat dan perlu berehat di Hotel,” Johari menjawab soalan bapanya. Johari kemudiannya memeluk Pak Mokhtar di samping bertukar-tukar khabar.
“Mana beg kamu Johari. Serahlah kat Afiq untuk dibawanya,” Pak Johari menyuruh Johari menghulurkan beg kepada Afiq.
“Tak payahlah ayah, Johari boleh bawa sendiri,” Johari membalas.
Mendengar demikian, Afiq lantas meluru kepada Johari dan menghulur tangan untuk bersalaman sambil berkata,” Tuan, sayalah Afiq dan saya telah pun ambil upah dari Pak Ali untuk membawa beg tuan.”
“Afiq ni anak siapa,” Johari menyoal Afiq sambil menyerahkan begnya untuk dibawa oleh Afiq.
“Saya anak yatim piatu yang berasal dari Yan. Sekarang saya menumpang Pak Chik Mansur, bapa penakan saya.” Afiq memberi penjelasan.
“Afiq masih bersekolah atau tidak,” Johari terus menyoal Afiq.
“Tuan, saya masih bersekolah dalam Darjah Enam, Sekolah Kebangsaan Jitra,” Afiq terus memberi jawapan.
“Periksa dapat nombor berapa,” Johari meneruskan persoalan sambil bergerak seiringan dengan ayahnya menuju ke rumah Pak Ali.
“Saya tak pernah tak dapat nombor satu dalam setiap peperiksaan,” Afiq membalas dengan bangga.
“Afiq, kita bincang lagi selepas ini,” Johari memutuskan perbincangan mereka berdua apabila sampai di hadapan pangkin buluh di bawah pokok manggis. Johari terus memeluk Mak Cik Hasinah. Kedua-dua anak beranak terus menangis teresak-esak.
Afiq meletakkan beg Johari di atas serambi rumah Pak Ali dan terus duduk di bangku buluh di bawah pokok belimbing sambil menonton gelagat Pak Ali bertiga beranak. Johari kemudiannya bersalaman dengan Tuan Imam Haji Dahlan dan jiran-jiran yang hadir. Perasaan hampa jelas terbayang di wajah jiran-jiran yang hadir dengan kerana harapan mereka hendak menatap wajah menantu mem Mak Hasinah tidak kesampaian. Sememangnya hajat utama mereka menunggu ialah untuk menatap wajah menantu mem Mak Cik Hasinah. Adakah mem New Zealand ini lebih cantik daripada Esah anak Pak Man Dagu atau pun sebaliknya.
Apabila keadaan mulai tenang, dan selepas Johari selesai menjamah pulut kukus kelapa parut ikan tamban tergeliat masin, Afiq terus meminta diri untuk pergi mengambil upah di dusun Pak Puat dan Mak Chik Zaidah pula.
Afiq terperanjat apabila Johari menarik tangannya dan berhenti di bawah pokok nangka. “Afiq, Pak Joe amat berbangga dengan kesungguhan Afiq meneruskan pelajaran walau pun di dalam keadaan Afiq yang serba kekurangan,” Johari memuji kegigihan Afiq.
“Alhamdullillah, setakat ini dengan izin Allah dapatlah Afiq meneruskan pelajaran. Kemudian hari, Afiq tak tahulah sama ada mampu mengikuti pelajaran sambil mencari rezeki,” Afiq meluahkan kebimbangannya kepada Johari.
“Afiq jangan putus asa. Afiq mesti kuatkan semangat dan Insya Allah, tuhan akan menyebelahi Afiq. Esok Afiq pakai elok-elok dan jumpa Pak Joe pukul 9.00 pagi di sini dengan membawa kad pengenalan Afiq. Boleh tak,” Johari meminta persetujuan Afiq.
“Inya Allah Tuan, tetapi kita nak buat apa Tuan,” Afiq memohon penjelasan dari Johari. “Esok, Afiq datanglah dulu, baru Pak Joe akan beritahu,” Johari mengelak daripada menjawab soalan Afiq. Setelah bersalaman, Afiq bergerak pantas ke dusun Pak Puat dan Mak Cik Zaidah
Hari Sabtu, 2 April 1982 adalahtarikh keramat yang sentiasa terpahat di dalam ingatan Afiq. Pada pagi yang amat bersejarah bagi Afiq, PakAli, bapa kepadaJohari telah mengupah Afiq untuk memanjat dan memetik buah-buahan seperti manggis, langsat dan rambutan. Buah-buah durian yang telah gugur pada sebelah malamnya telah pun dihimpunkan oleh Afiq di atas serambi rumah PakAli. Manakala buah-buahan yang lain Afiq lunggukkan di atas pangkin buluh yang dibina khas oleh PakAli untuk menyambut kepulangan anaknya Johari.
PakAli juga telah membina kerusi-kerusi panjang yang diperbuat daripada buluh yang ditempatkan bersebelahan dengan pangkin buluh serta juga di bawah pokok manggis. Pak Ali telah menjemput Imam,Haji Dahlan dan jiran-jiran terdekat untuk sama-sama menyambut kepulangan Johari di samping menjamu selera dengan buah-buahan yang telah dihimpun oleh Afiq.
Menjelang pukul sepuluh pagi, Afiq sudah pun selesai menyempurnakan tugasnya. Semua buah-buahan yang dipetiknya telah ditempatkan di atas pangkin buluh. MakCik Hasinah juga telah menyediakan pulut kukus, kelapa parut berserta ikan tamban tergeliat goreng. Mak Cik Hasinah selalu menceritakan kepada Afiq bagaimana anaknya Johari amat gemar sekali memakan pulut kukus, kelapa parutikan tamban masin. Makanan inilah yang menjadi menu tetap Johari sebelum pergi ke sekolah.
MakCik Hasinah duduk di salah satu bangku panjang buluh di tepi pangkin buluh sambil menghisap rokok daun yang dibalutnya sendiri.Sambil menghembuskan kepulan asap rokok daun, pemikiran MakCik Hasinah merenungjauh mengenang nasib dirinya. Banyak hartanya telah dikorbankan bagi menampung keperluan Johari semasa menuntut ilmu sehingga ke peringkat ijazah Arkitektur di Universiti Victoria, Wellington, New Zealand.
Selepas memperolehi ijazah, harapan terpendam Mak Cik Hasinah ialah hendak menjodohkan Johari dengan Esah anak Pak Man Dagu. Esah adalah seorang guru berijazah yang mengajar di Kolej Sultan Abdul Hamid. Kesantunan dan kejelitaan Esah amat memikat hati Mak Cik Hasinah . Namun harapan Mak Cik Hasinah lebur berkecai apabila menerimasurat daripada Johari yang menyatakan bahawa beliau telah pun berkahwin dengan mem di New Zealand.
Johari sudah pun kembali ke Malaysia dua minggu yang lalu, tetapi baru hari ini Johari hendak menjejak kaki di kampong. Alasan Johari ialah beliau terlalu sibuk mencari rumah dan menguruskan kerja barunya.Walau pun berat sekali bagi Mak Cik Hasinah untuk menerima hakikat bahawa beliau bermenantukan seorang mem, namun Mak Cik Hasinah dan Pak Ali tetap membuat persiapan untuk menyambut kepulangan anak tunggalnya bersama menantu mem.
Bilik rumah yang hanya satu itu telah pun diperbaiki dan dicat semula untuk menyambutanak menantu. Kain langsir juga ditukar dengan kain cit warna kebiruan yang telah dibeli di Pekan Nat Tanah Merah. Afiq juga turut membantu PakAli membina jamban curah dan bilik air tiada berbumbung yang baru di luar rumah. Jamban yang lama sudah tentulah amat tidak sesuai dengan menantu mem.
Mak Cik Hasinah masih asyik mengelamun jauh meniti kepulan asap rokok daun yang dihisapnya.Bagaimanakah rupa dan perangai anak menantu aku. Apakah menantu aku akan memalukan keluarga atau pun sebaliknya. Beberapa jiran terdekat telah pun duduk di pangkin buluh menanti kepulangan anak kampong yang amat dikagumi oleh setiap penduduk kampong. Joharilah anak kampong pertama lepasan universiti dan beliaulah yang menjadi model kejayaan bagi setiap anak kampong Kelubi.
Faiz and Hindon with the betel leaf container on the ground
On Sunday (05.07.2009), Hindon, Faiz and Fareez stopped by at our house. Hindon has brought Fareez for a scheduled medical check up with Dr. Ridzuan at KMC. Since there were less occurrence of seizure over the last few months, Dr. Ridzuan has advised Fareez to stop taking his preventive medicine.Apart from that, Dr. Ridzuan has informed Hindon that after the age of 15 years, the probability of getting seizure will be less to the level of zero.
Without the cloud of uncertainty hovering over his head, Fareez would then be a new man reborn.Surely Fareez could face his coming SPM Examination next year with more confidence.Faizal has already become a new man when he decided to depart from the academic world and joined UNIMAPS.
Apart from Fareez, Faiz would also be a new man when the family of Syed Putra would ceremoniously ask for the hand of Siti Fairuz on Saturday, 01.08.2009. With Siti Fairuz joining the UNIMAPS family of Hindon, then we would have three gems (the meaning Fairuz in Arabic) in the family of Syed Abdullah. We do sincerely hope that all the gems would add much needed glitter to the family.
After the 2008 SPM results were out, there seemed to exist Post SPM dilemmas among the descendants of Syed Abdullah and Mohd. Salleh Khir. Post SPM dilemmas emerged when the results for their pursuance of their tertiary education were out.
You would not have a dilemma if you have no choice but to pursue the only course available to you. The dilemma would show its ugly head when there were multiple choices available and the candidate was not of a strong in character and also not a firm decision maker. A candidate with strong character and very focus in his/her ambition would surely decide on the course he/she would take based on very minimal advice from others. Then the parent would have no choice but to follow suit in supporting the choice of their son/daughter. .
Problems would arise when the candidate who has the pleasure of multiple choices but does not posses strong character as well not having a clear and very focus on his/her ambition in life. Then he/she would have to lean on others to decide for him/her. The dilemma would then be exaggerated further if the parents were over protective of their children irrespective of their children actual capabilities. They even forget that the entry into the tertiary education was just the beginning of the education journey and yet they were already talking about doing the post graduate studies.
Children are Allah’s gifts to us and we must be thankful that Allah has given us healthy adoring children but with different mental capabilities. Some would travel on a highway in the journey of their life. Some have got to travel by the old winding roads. Whichever journey of life that they have taken, yet they would eventually arrive at their destination. Maybe those who travel on the highway would arrive faster but those who travel on the old winding road would arrive later but surely they would have fine solace in enjoying the beautiful scenery along the way.
The post SPM dilemma would turn its ugly head if the person who has given sincere advice would be misunderstood as belittling their son/daughter. The ugly head would turn into a time bomb when the adverse feelings of belittling their children were conveyed to the person who has given the advice.
Although there were some ripples on the level of sincerity on the part of the advisers, yet Mohd. Salleh Khir’s descendants did not suffer the catastrophe because they were wise not to convey the feeling of unpleasantness of the advisee to the adviser. Even some of them were very much wiser in not displaying their true actual feelings.
Whereas on the Syed Abdullah’s family, it was rather unfortunate that the feeling of unpleasantness of the advisee was conveyed to the adviser. The adviser was so disgusted with the adverse feelings of her sister because she has given a genuine sincere advise based on her experience and also on the true feeling of love for her nephew. All her good deeds to her nieces previously were gone to waste if her sincere advice has been misunderstood. Only Allah would know whether a person is sincere or otherwise.
As for me, I have survived the Post SPM dilemmas because I played a safe game in not trampling on the dirty wrong path. I think the post SPM dilemma saga would end naturally when all the candidates has settled comfortably in their chosen tertiary course. We do hope that everybody would arrive at the finishing lines triumphantly. Insya Allah.
Dialog kelmarin dengan Johari masih lagi berdengung di telinganya. Afiq masih tidak dapat memikirkan justifikasi ke atas keputusannya sendiri. Mengapa dengan begitu mudah sekali, beliau telah bersetuju untuk mengikat dirinya dengan satu ikatan yang belum pasti lagi kesudahannya. Mengapa dengan mudah beliau mengenakan pakaian Melayu sedondon puteh bersamping benang emas dan memandu kereta Volvo S 80 ke rumah “Seri Idaman” di Shah Alam.
Bila Afiq menghimbau pemikirannya jauh ke belakang, barulah Afiq terasa sekali bahawa Johari sememangnya amat berjasa sekali kepada dirinya. Joharilah yang tanpa berfikir panjang telah menghulurkan talian hayat kepadanya sehinggakan Afiq dapat memperolehi taraf kehidupan yang sempurna. Kalau diambil kira itu semua, pengorbanannya untuk berkahwin dengan Aleeya adalah umpama sekadar menuang setitik air di lautan luas.
Masih terbayang dengan jelas pertama kali Afiq dipertemukan dengan Johari pada tahun 1982. Ketika itu, Afiq baru sahaja berumur 12 tahun dan masih bersekolah di Darjah 6, Sekolah Kebangsaan Jitra. Afiq tidak sempat melihat wajah ayahnya dengan kerana arwah ayahnya telah hilang di laut semasa ibunya baru enam bulan mengandung Afiq. Ibu Afiq pula telah meninggal dunia di patuk ular tedung sela ketika mencari rebung hutan di kaki Gunung Jerai. Ketika itu, Afiq baru sahaja berumur lima tahun.
Selepas kematian ibunya, Pak Cik Mansur, abang kepada ibunya telah membawa Afiq tinggal bersamanya di Kampung Kelubi. Pak Cik Mansur adalah seorang duda beranak dua. Arwah isteri Pak Chik Mansur adalah kakak kepada Pak Ali. Kedua anak lelaki Pak Chik Mansur telah pun berkahwin dan bermastautin di Pekan Langgar dan di Kota Sarang Semut. Untuk memperkasakan Afiq bagi menghadapi cabaran dunia di dalam usia yang begitu muda, Pak Cik Mansur telah mula mengasah Afiq supaya berdikari pada usia yang baru bertunas rebung. Bukan setakat kerja-kerja di lapangan, tetapi Afiq juga telah diasuh supaya mampu menguruskan keperluan domestik di rumah
Walau pun sumber pendapatan Pak Cik Mansur tidak menentu dan amat terhad sekali, namun Pak Cik Mansur tetap menggalakkan Afiq untuk meneruskan pelajarannya. Falasafah Pak Chik Mansur ialah pendidikanlah faktor utama yang yang akan menentukan mobiliti sosial Afiq pada masa depan. Pak Cik Mansur juga menasihati Afiq supaya sentiasa ringan tulang dan nescaya Allah akan memberkati insannya yang rajin berusaha
Pak Cik Mansur juga telah melengkapkan diri Afiq dengan pelbagai kepakaran asas hidup seperti memanjat pokok buah-buahan, mengerjakan tanah, menangkap ikan, pertukangan asas dan pelbagai kerja-kerja lain. Dengan kebolehan serba boleh ini, Afiq sentiasa diperlukan oleh penduduk-penduduk kampong untuk membantu kerja harian mereka selepas waktu persekolahannya. Di sebelah malam pula, Afiqlah yang menjadi bilal di surau. Walau pun di dalam keadaan yang serba kekurangan, Pak Cik Mansur tidak pernah meminta hasil yang diperolehi Afiq melalui berbagai kerja yang diusahakan oleh Afiq.
Keceriaan jelas terpancar di wajah Johari yang menggambarkan kepuasan hatinya bahawa suatu bebanan besar telah terangkat daripada bahunya. Johari Cuma boleh berdoa dan terus berdoa bahawa segala hasrat murninya diberkati Allah s.w.t.
“Afiq, Pak Joe bersyukur kepada Illahi dan Pak Joe amat terhutang budi kepada Afiq. Pak Joe harap Afiq bincanglah baik-baik dengan Aleeya dan cari jalan yang sebaik-baiknya demi untuk keharmoniaan rumah tangga Afiq nanti. Pak Joe yakin bahawa Aleeya akan menjadi seorang isteri yang baik kepada Afiq. Pak Joe yakin Afiq tidak akan menyesal dengan keputusan Afiq,” Johari meluahkan keyakinannya terhadap Aleeya.
“Afiq, memandangkan kepada Pak Joe yang hanya nyawa-nyawa ikan sahaja, Pak Joe bercadang untuk mengadakan majlis akad nikah pada esok hari. Bagaimana pandangan Afiq,” Johari meminta kepastian Afiq.
“Tuan, sepertimana saya katakan di awal-awal lagi, saya akan menurut sahaja cadangan. Elok untuk Pak Joe, eloklah juga untuk saya,” Afiq memberi keyakinan kepada Johari.
“Alahamdullillah, sekiranya Afiq berpendapat begitu. Untuk majlis akad nikah esok, jika diizinkan Allah, Hasrat Pak Joe ialah Pak Joe sendiri akan menyempurnakan akan nikah. Majlis akad nikah akan dilangsungkan pada jam 4.00 petang di rumah Pak Joe, Seksyen 7, di Shah Alam. Afiq datanglah awal supaya dapat berbincang dengan Aleeya mengenai syarat-syarat pra-pernikahan. Semua urusan majlis akad nikah Pak Joe akan uruskannya dan Afiq perlu bawa badan sahaja. Afiq sedialah belanja mas kahwin sebanyak RM 1,111.11 dengan sebentuk cincin berlian. Macam mana ?, Afiq bolehkah sedia semua benda tu,” Johari memberi cadangan mengenai cadangan program majlis pernikahan besoknya.
“Insya Allah Tuan, saya akan sediakan sepertimana Tuan kehendaki,” Afiq memberi jaminan kepada Johari.
“Afiq, Pak Joe bersyukur dan rasa amat bertuah sekali kerana dipertemukan Allah dengan Afiq. Dengan bertemu Afiq, Pak Joe rasa beban yang Pak Joe pikul selama ini telah dapat dikurangkan. Nampaknya dapatlah Pak Joe meninggalkan alam yang fana ini dengan aman dan tenteram,” Johari meluahkan perasaan kelegaannya.
“Tuan, Afiq pun turut bersyukur. Tanpa Tuan, saya pun tak tahu di manakah saya berada pada hari ini. Mungkin merempat di kampong tanpa sebarang haluan atau pun mungkin berada di dalam penjara,” Afiq memperakui rasa kesyukurannya kepada Johari.
“Afiq tidaklah boleh bercakap begitu, dengan kerana hidup kita ini adalah mengikut ketentuan Allah. Dah lama kita berbincang dan Pak Joe minta Afiq memaafkan Pak Joe kerana Pak Joe telah menyusahkan Afiq. Pak Joe juga dah penat dan tidak boleh bercakap panjang-panjang lagi. Pak Joe perlu berehat sekarang. Assalamualaikum,” Johari mematikan percakapannya dan menggengam erat tangan Afiq dan terus menutup kedua matanya untuk berehat.
“Waalaikumsallam, saya juga pohon maaf kerana mengganggu Tuan. Tuan berehatlah dan saya pohon mengundur diri dahulu,” Afiq melepaskan genggaman pada tangan Johari dan terus berundur keluar perlahan-lahan.
The arrival of a truck load of the best durians in Kedah
Syed Johan with the help of his right hand man, Salleh (Kak Syam's son in law)
supervising the inticate unloading of the king of fruits
Although it was not a school holiday, yet we have got to fulfill three invitations for the ceremonial cutting of their grandchildren’s turf (cukur jambul) and one wedding feast namely:
1. Dato’ Bijaya Indera, Dato’ Paduka Haji Syed Unan Mashri at Rizalia, Pumpong. I believe that his grand son’s name is one the longest in the country i.e. Syed Ahmad Khalish Abqari Shahabudin. 2. Dato’ Haji Abdul Halim bin Hassan’s three grand children at Taman Seri Negeri, Pumpong. @ Maryam Hanum, Muhamad Hanif Taib and Hawa Hanum. 3. Hajjah Faridah Hamid at Taman Mahkota. 4. Wedding feast of Haji Marzuki Ariffin’s son at 2986 A, Lebuhraya Sultanah Bahiyah.
We have to divide our time properly so as not to burden our stomachs unnecessarily. As Kedah is still in the fruiting season, both Dato’ Paduka Syed Unan Mashri and Dato’ Halim serve durians as the desserts. Deserving as the king of fruits, the guests were still clamouring for the durians despite being served with the best of rice such bryani and nasi Arab with mutton prepared Mat Taliban.
When Zam told me that Nana wanted a copy of my writings, I started looking for my writings as I did not keep my literary works properly. When my desk top computer was reprogrammed last year, I lost most of my writings that was saved in that computer. Luckily for me, Zam has kept the hard copies of my writings to her brother, sisters and cousins. Based on these hard copies provided by Zam, I have managed to compile this sparkles from the heart or cetusan hati series.The title sparkles from the heart reflects the sudden outbursts of my feelings and the urge to write something for the remembrance to my children and grand children when they are mature enough to read and understand my writings. I am also grateful to all my children and grand children who has given me the courage and inspirations that has influenced me in writing mySparkles of the Heart.
The late Pak Su's stall has been taken over by a new owner
Yusoff Tarbus famous bubur kacang stall
Pak Su's close friend, bachelor Wahab is still with his drinks stall
Wahab's stall of drinks
Abdul 
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