NUR HIDAYAH 11

11

Disebabkan latar belakang agamanya, Afiq sering dijemput untuk menerajui aktiviti-aktiviti keagamaan yang melibatkan pelajar-pelajar Malaysia dan pelajar-pelajar Islam dari Negara-negara lain. Melalui aktiviti-aktiviti amal inilah Afiq telah dapat menjejaki pelajar-pelajar Malaysia yang berstatus sama dengannya iaitu sebagai anak-anak yatim. Di atas cetusan pemikiran Afiq, setiap dua bulan, kumpulan anak-anak yatim pelajar-pelajar Malaysia daripada seluruh New Zealand akan berkumpul di dalam sesi percambahan fikiran di Wellington. Hasil daripada sesi percambahan fikiran inilah lahirnya cetusan ilham mengenai penubuhan Yayasan Nur Hidayah.

Objektif penubuhan Yayasan Nur Hidayah ialah untuk menggabung tenaga anak-anak yatim bagi tujuan melahirkan suatu institusi yang tersusun dan saling melengkapi bagi membantu anak-anak yatim yang memerlukan bantuan material dan mental. Anak-anak yatim yang menjadi penerima akan dibantu ke arah meningkatkan prestasi mereka di dalam bidang akedemik dan ekonomi.

Adalah diharapkan bahawa kejayaan penerima-penerima ini akan menjadi pendorong ke arah mempengaruhi mereka untuk berperanan sebagai pemberi di kemudian hari. Prinsip utama Yayasan Nur Hidayah ialah mengamalkan falasafah “holistic approach with intergrity and willingness to strive for excellence for the benefit of the ummah. “ Mana-mana ahli yang tidak berdisiplin sama ada dari segi tingkah laku dan tidak beramanah akan disingkirkan daripada menyertai Yayasan Nur Hidayah.

Sebagai wang permulaan untuk memulakan aktiviti amal Yayasan Nur Hidayah, Afiq telah menyerahkan wang pemberian Tuan Johari kepadanya sebanyak NZ$ 5,000.00 sebagai modal permulaan Yayasan Nur Hidayah. Hanim telah dipertanggungjawabkan sebagai Bendahari Yayasan Nur Hidayah. Setiap pinjaman daripada Yayasan Nur Hidayah akan dikenakan kos pengurusan pada kadar 5 % ke atas jumlah pinjaman dikeluarkan. Mana-mana ahli yang mendapat peluang pekerjaan sambilan melalui rangkaian Yayasan Nur Hidayah akan menyumbangkan secara ikhlas sebanyak 5 % daripada hasil keseluruhan pendapatannya.

Afiq telah juga menjalinkan perhubungan yang akrab dengan pembekal-pembekal barangan halal di New Zealand. Selain daripada mendapat kemudahan kredit, Afiq juga mendapat potongan harga yang menggalakkan daripada pembekal. Di musim perayaan, Yayasan Nur Hidayah turut menerima pesanan untuk daging-daging halal daripada Malaysia. Yayasan Nur Hidayah mampu membekalkan permintaan daripada Malaysia pada kadar purata empat kontena sebulan.

Dengan kebolehan memasak yang diasuh oleh arwah Pak Chik Mansur, Afiq telah berjinak-jinak melatih ahli-ahli Yayasan dengan ilmu masakan tradisional dan komtemprori Malaysia. Apabila tahap kepakaran mereka teruja, Yayasan Nur Hidayah telah memulakan secara sambilan perkhidmatan katering halal. Setiap kali majlis jamuan dianjurkan oleh Pesuruhjaya Tinggi Malaysia atau masyarakat Islam Malaysia yang lain, kumpulan Yayasan Nur Hidayah yang dipilih sebagai keterer utama. Di dalam jangka masa lima tahun Afiq berada di New Zealand, Yayasan Nur Hidayah telah mampu mengumpul asset sebanyak NZ$ 100,000.00.

REMEMBRANCE 37: MERDEKA

Shiwar and Ezman before going to participate in the Merdeka Celebration
at Wisma Darul Aman on Monday 31.08.2009

At 6.50 am, still sleepy Shiwar, symbol of Malaysia's prosperity in 2009 . Ready to take part in the marching parade which did not materialise at the State Level Merdeka celebration on 31.08.2009 but he has enjoyed the pleasure of the suit which was sponsored by PKNK


A leaner Shiwar on 31.08.2000 ready the marching parade



Weight concious Ezman on 31.08.2009 with the full dress sponsored by the State Government for taking part in the choir for the State Level Merdeka celebration.

Ezman (number six second row from left) rendering patriotic songs for the Merdeka celebration

Group photograph of the State Financial Office team taken on 28.08.2000 before the rehearsal with the instructor sitting at the centre

Waiting for the instruction to start the marching parade on 31.08.2000 at the Darul Aman parking area


Shiwar (no. 6 from the left).

Leading the State Financial Office team for the Merdeka parade on 31.08.2009 with Khalid, the flag bearer giving the marching orders.


After 52 years of the country's independence, it was a very touching day for me on Monday, 31st. August 2009 because my two sons Shiwar and Ezman took part actively in the State Merdeka Celebration at Wisma Darul Aman. Shiwar was supposed to take part in the marching parade representing PKNK while Ezman was a member of the State Choir which rendered patriotic songs for the celebration. At 7.00 am, both of them departed for the celebration with their elegant dresses sponsored by their organizations.

When Malaya gained independent from the British on 31.08.1957, I was in the Special Malay Two at the Sultan Abdul Hamid College Primary School. Since I was only ten years old then, I did not realized the significance of the day Malaya gaining independence. As I was not very active in the co-curriculum activities at the school, I did not participate actively in the annual Merdeka celebration.

My youngest son, Ezman who was a member of the College Band took part in the marching pass almost every year when he was studying at the College. My teenage ambition was to join the uniformed branch but I was not that fit to achieve my ambition. So my ambition was embedded in my heart but I was very enthusiastic about any uniformed parade. I believe my interest is shared by CNN who has never miss any brass band performance by school bands..


My opportunity came when the State encouraged government departments to take part in the Merdeka parade. The year 2000 was my final year to celebrate Merdeka as a serving government servant. I took the golden opportunity to organise a team from the State Financial Office, the State Treasury and the Kedah Institute of Management. As Shiwar was a temporary clerk at KIM, he was also hauled up to be a part of the marching team.


With the help a Police Volunteer Sergeant from the Religious Department, we went through a rigourous trainings which helped us to build a solid marching group. On the actual day, I led the group to march pass by the parade route which was graced by His Royal Highness. Although I led the march, but I did not give the marching orders because I was afraid that it would disturb my marching rhythms which would then disrupt the marching rhythms of the whole group. Although we did not win any prize, but it was a very fulfilling and proud day for me because I managed to fulfill my dream wish after 43 years of independence.

Today, I am very proud that my two sons are carrying the torch in joining the Prime Minister in the task of renewing Malaysia for the challenge of building a One Malaysia, People First, Performance Now.

Monday, 31st. August 2009.

Shiwar and Zuhairi at Dewan Seri Negeri entrance

Truly I Malaysia concept in term of BMI indicators for both Shiwar and Azari

The beauties of PKNK



Shiwar's antics during the Merdeka celebration depicts his satisfaction on the smooth running of the celebration's program or he is very satisfied with sponsorship of PKNK for just sitting through the celebration

Group photograph providing evidence of attendance

Another evidence of attendance


Apart from the sponsored items, I think the main pull factor for the full participation of the PKNK staffs was the CEO, Dato' Rahman Ibrahim (seated in front left).

SIBLINGS 39 : NASIHAT CHE GU

Khas untuk Che Gu,
Yang rajin nasihat selalu,
Betui cakap Che Gu,
Mana ada celaru,
It is all very true,
All the way through,
Bila makan syok selalu,
Bila sakit barulah tahu,
Tak ikut nasihat Che Gu,
Bila Che Gu pukui dengan semambu,
Barulah teriak merambu-rambu,
Sesai kemudian tak sesai dahulu.


Ada pantang berbagai pantang,
Ada yang boleh tahan pantang,
Ada yang tak boleh dilarang,
Tapi perangai lama mana boleh buang,
Siang malam pagi petang,
Bedai semua apa yang datang,
Ubi keledek ubi kentang,
Limpa, sotong atau udang,
Cendoi pulut bubuk kacang,
Atau apa-apa pun yang terhidang,
Tolak batu dengan kapal terbang,
Tak boleh tengok nak makang,
Bila kesihatan dah tunggang langgang,
Bila dah dok terlentang,
Tak boleh bergerak depan atau belakang,
Bila air mata dah berlinang,
Barulah teringat nasihat Che Gu tersayang,
Barulah teringat nak pantang,
Jadi kenalah tanya CNN yang pandai pantang,
Pantang CNN yang cemerlang dan terbilang.

REMEMBRANCE 36: 63rd. BIRTHDAY

I am grateful for the blessing of Allah that I have managed to see the light of my 63rd. birthday on Friday, 28.08.2009. My 63rd. birthday was very interesting because I received my birthday wishes from Nana 9 days earlier on 16.08.2009 as follows:

Lid @ Tok Lid, Happy 63th birthday,

Majalah solusi hadiah diberi,
Buat santapan rohani setiap hari,
Daripada Nana sekeluarga
Moga Lid sihat sejahtera dan sentiasa diberkati Allah hendaknya.
If Lid baca awal sebelum 18 Ogos, kira ucapan awal, hadiah sahaja on time.

Jamil and Zah from Ipoh then joined the fray by sending their congratulatory wishes on 17.08.2009 as follows:

Merahnya bibir semerah saga,
Tersenyum sinis berteka teki,
Selamat ulang tahun ke -63,
Panjang umur murah rezeki

Boleh tumpang sama

Then I sent my gratitude to Jamil and Zah on 18.08.2009 as follows:

Rupanya Yob kejo juga blog saya,
Terima kasih banyak-banyak kerana
Yang kurik itu kendi,
Yang merah itu saga,
Yang baik itu budi,
Yang indah itu bahasa.

Merahnya bibir semerah saga,
Tersenyum sinis berteka teki,
Terima kasih tidak terhingga,
Bila sampai 63 nanti.

Sebenarnya Nana telah tersilap haribulan tarikh lahir saya pada 28 Ogos 2009 sedangkan Zam pula pada 18 September

Then Nana sent her apologies to me on 19.08.2009 as follows:

A thousand apologies.. banyak perkara mistik berlaku di Sepang, otak jadi tak focus. Lupa nak rujuk diari birthday so terconfuse dengan tarikh mak tapi bulan sahaja betul. Tak pa la no.. awai 9 hari, alang-alang orang lain pun awai. Nanti 28 Ogos kami wish lain pulak.

While acknowledging Nana’s apology, I did received my birthday presents earlier than 28.08.2009. Nana presented me with a set of Solusi magazines which I have never seen before. The contents of the magazine was very informative which are very valuable assets for my reference. I was very glad to see one of my bosses, Haji Ahmad Salim Omar, the former Deputy Director General of Federal Land and Mines Department is the writer on the Fitrah section.

Solusi magazine presented by Nana

Zam has given my birthday present on 30.06.2009 in the form of cash whereby I could increase my share in the KCS Cooperative Society. While Shiwar and Marini has presented me with a banner that contained the surah and selawat for the sunat terawih prayers on 16.08.2009. The banner was very valuable to me in leading the terawih prayer at home since it was difficult for me to perform the congregation at the mosque.

The banner with the surahs

Only Ezman has given his present on my actual birthday i.e. 28.08.2009 by treating us to a sumptuous break the fast from the Mahani Johari Restaurant at Bandar Darul Aman. All the presents by Zam and the children symbolized the their utmost caring attitudes toward their partly OKU father.

On my actual birthday i.e 28.08.2009, I received my first birthday congratulatory message as early as 5.14 am from the Banana Village residents whose message was:

Siti masak ayam guna toyu,
Happy birthday to you.

Cerita nur kasih ada di TV 3,
Selamat menyambut hari lahir ke 63.

My reply was:

Siti masak ayam guna toyu,
Orang Putih kata thank you

Cerita nur kasih di TV 3,
Terawih lambat makmum lebih berkuasa.

Second message at 6.58 am was from Bang Mud as follows:

Happy birthday to Dato’ 28.08.2009 ke 63 semoga amalan hari esok lebih baik daripada amalan hari ini. InsyaAllah

Third message at 7.14 am from Khalid, my former staff of Inspin as follows:

Selamat Hari Lahir Pak Tuan semoga Allah panjangkan umur, murah rezeki dan beroleh kesihatan yang baik . Amin

Fourth message at 9.02 am from Marini as follows:

Happy birthday Lid, Marini doakan Lid dipanjangkan umur, dimurahkan rezeki, kesihatan yang baik dan kehidupan yang bahagia

Fifth message at 10.20 am from Nari as follows:

Selamat happy birthday Dato’. Semoga panjang umur murah rezeki sihat sentiasa. Thank you.

Sixth message at 10.22 from Alun who conveyed his message through my face book which I am nor aware of its existence.
.
Seventh message at 10.30 pagi from Nayah through Zam’s handset:

Minta tolong ucapkan happy birthday kat penulis blog
Didoakan sihat agar dapat menulis blog yang menarik lagi

My reply to all the congratulatory messages were:

Terima kasih atas ingatan,
Semoga sama-sama dapat keberkatan.


At 10.00 am it was a very poignant moment for me when I received congratulatory birthday messages verbally from my three grand children. Since we are still in the fasting month, naturally I offered them reward of one dollar for each day they could fast. I hope that gesture would not be taken out of contact as a bribery but instead it should taken as a motivational inspiration for them to perform the fast diligently..


On the morning 28.08.2009, inadvertently I received my special birthday present in the form of a rodent which Zam has caught in the mouse trap. However I have got to share my present with the cat, Tam who would jealously stayed guard over the trapped rodent.

The trapped rodent

Tam the cat jealously guarding the trapped rodent

Then later in the evening I received another surprise of the day when I received a chocolate cake birthday present from the family of Banana Village accompanied a by congratulatory message penned by Amalina, our potential teacher in five years time. I did not realized that my genuine affection for all my nephews and nieces has the positive impacts on them to the extend of me receiving such accolades from them. It was very adourable and full of courage for Amalina to pen this congratulatory birthday wish which I valued deeply:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAK CHAQ

Allah the most glorious and the most merciful,
We pray that Allah can hear us,
Thanks for creating a person like PAK CHAQ,
He is a precious gift from Allah to us,
He showers love to others effortlessly,

Whereas we are unwilling to do so,
That is why only PAK CHAQ sticks to our hearts,
Only PAK CHAQ…..

PAK CHAQ,
You are the greatest man in the world,
Nobody can replace you,
You are one and the only in our hearts,
Your presence makes our life brighter,
Brighter with your jokes that provide entertainments,
Without you, our life would be dull,
Dull and colourless……

PAK CHAQ,
Happy 63rd. birthday,
May Allah bless you,
We love you so much,
Thanks PAK CHAQ!!!

From:
FAMILY IN BANANA VILLAGE…

Cutting the birthday cake for the breaking of fast.

On 29.08.2009 at 2.00 pm. I received another belated congratulory birthday message from Farli. It was very nice on the part of Farli to send the message in rhymatic endings which I am very fond and proud of. It seems that the trend of rhymic writings has a foot hold on the Salleh Khir family. It was a very touching message from Farli which has recognised my efforts in strenghtening the bonding between the Haji Yaacob's family members. Apart from that, I believe Farli could not get away from his jovial and comical antics and if I am not mistaken, the dialogue "dirimu tetap menjadi pujaan" is taken from the dialogues of Seniman Bujang Lapuk

Pakcaq,

Hidupmu membela warisan keluarga,

Kreativitimu tak dapat disangkal,

Jenakamu spontan berselit keperlian,

Kesabaran dan ketabahanmu ,

Terselit dalam raut wajah

yang penuh dengan keselembaan,

Biar pun sehari lambat ucapan,

Dirimu tetap menjadi pujaan.

Selamat harijadi ke 63

Dari anak sulung Mek Tet yang lemaknya berlebihan,

It was a very nostalgic 63rd. birthday for me because I did not envisage it be that way but my immediate and extended families has managed to bring radiance and brightness to my birthday beyond my imagination which I am very grateful to the blessings of Allah. Alhamdullillah.

O.H.MAJSETY SERVICE 13: TOMOI IN BALING

My daily habitual morning routine is to watch the Selamat Pagi Malaysia program of RTM 1. This morning (21.08.2009), RTM showed the Seni Silat Tomoi Festival at Kampung Tualang, Mukim Pulai in the Baling District. The annual Tomoi Festival was very impressive as the participants were from all age groups beginning with the children and up to the professional seasoned tomoi experts.

What interested me most was when program showed the contributions of a senior sifu or tomoi coach in ensuring the success of the annual festival. The most senior sifu was Bang Ali and he was responsible in training the Baling youths in the sport of kick boxing or tomoi. Although Bang Ali is now covered with grey hairs but he is still very agile in his movements which I used to know in 1974. Fond memories of our acquaintance with Bang Ali when I was serving as the Baling District Land Administrator cascading down my mind.

In 1974, the life in Baling was very dull to the young government servants who were serving in Baling. In the weekends we used to pile up in Syed Unan Mashri's Ford Cortina KF 5336 and off we went to Penang to participate in the Ten Pin Bowling games. We were novices in the Bowling game but we still enjoyed our comical results of the game.

To inject some life into the boredom atmosphere of Baling, we started a class of kick boxing or tomoi for the officers who were serving in Baling. Bang Ali was our principal coach or sifu and he was ably assisted by Salleh whose glamour name was Leh Hindu. Our training venue was Syed Unan Mashri’s quarters beside the District Office. Apart from myself, the other tomoi students were Syed Anan Mashri, Abdul Mukhti Abdullah (ADO), Dr. Kang Eng Loon (Dental Surgeon at Baling Hospital) and Ali Kogia (LPP Officer). The late Abdul Wahab Abdullah (ADO) who was more sombre in character did not join our mischievous endeavour.

From the basic steps of Tomoi, after a month of training, we managed to improve our grades and we could box sparingly with each other. In one of the sparing sessions, I misjudged my step and my strength which resulted in my blows landed squarely on Mukthi's face. I immediately offered my deepest apology when Mukthi told me he could see the sprawling stars. Our interest in tomoi has elevated to the next level whereby we managed to form a team from Baling town whereby it used to participate at the various tomoi fighting matches within the district. As usual, due to our habitual practice of ‘hot-hot chickens’ waste’ our interest in the art of tomoi met its natural death within a year of its inception. By that time, some parts of Syed Unan Mashri's quarters were already shaking due to our physical onslaughts. However to the four of us, we still has fond memories of Bang Ali and Leh Hindu which has provided us with the sparkles in the dull life of Baling in 1974.

NUR HIDAYAH 10

10

Semasa mula tiba di New Zealand, Afiq tidak terasa dirinya keseorangan. Pelajar-Pelajar senior telah mengadakan program oriantasi yang membolehkan pelajar-pelajar baru menyesuaikan diri dengan kejutan pertembungan budaya. Selepas satu semester berada di New Zealand, Afiq juga mula melibatkan dirinya secara aktif dengan sesi-sesi kaunseling yang diterajui oleh pelajar senior Che Hanim Abdullah. Hanim juga adalah pelajar jurusan Arkitektur di semester keempat.

Perwatakan Hanim yang lemah lembut dan berperanan sebagai pendengar yang amat penyabar serta mudah menyelami perasaan pelanggan adalah merupakan faktor utama yang memastikan keberkesanan sesi kaunselingnya. Justru itu, Hanim adalah salah seorang kuanselor yang begitu kerkesan dan Afiq amat mengkagumi perwatakan Hanim.

Hanim adalah gadis keturunan Cina yang menjadi anak angkat kepada keluarga Pak Malik dan Mak Sofni di Kampung Ruat, Daerah Yan. Ibu bapa sebenar Hanim iaitu Encik Kang dan Nyonya Ch’ng. Mereka telah menyerahkan Hanim ketika berusia dua bulan kepada jiran karib mereka iaitu keluarga Pak Malik. Keluarga Encik Kang terpaksa menyerah anaknya dengan kerana mereka terpaksa berhijrah ke Perak bagi mengelakkan diri daripada cengkaman penghutang. Encik Kang terjerumus dirinya dengan tanggungan hutang yang banyak bagi mengubati penyakit kanser mendiang ibunya.

Walau pun kini telah mencecah usia 24 tahun, namun Hanim masih lagi mencari-cari asal usulnya. Siapakah dan dimanakah ibu bapa sebenarnya kini. Perhubungan ibu bapa angkatnya dengan ibu bapa sebenar Hanim telah terputus sebaik sahaja ibu bapa sebenar Hanim menyerahkan Hanim kepada keluarga Pak Malik. Mereka berdua tidak menghubungi lansung keluarga Pak Malik. Hanim mula mengetahui identiti dirinya sebenar apabila diberitahu oleh ibu bapa angkatnya semasa beliau memulakan persekolahan di Sekolah Kebangsaan Ruat.

Pada pertemuan kali pertama Afiq dengan Hanim, telah pun terdapat tarikan kimia di antara mereka berdua. Afiq cukup selesa dengan perhubungannya bersama Hanim. Mereka berdua sering berpasangan apabila menemui pelajar bermasalah untuk sesi kaunseling. Pendekatan Hanim secara lembut bergandingan dengan pendekatan Afiq daripada aspek keagamaan adalah merupakan gandingan yang paling berkesan untuk membantu pelajar-pelajar bermasalah yang memerlukan bantuan.

Daripada sesi kaunseling yang diikutimya, Afiq mendapati bahawa faktor utama yang menghantui pelajar-pelajar di New Zealand ialah terputusnya sumber kewangan apabila terdapat kelewatan pembayaran biasiswa. Terdapat juga pelajar-pelajar yang manghadapi masalah pembelian peralatan-peralatan pembelajaran apabila terputusnya sumber kewangan. Bagi mengatasi masalah ini secara jangka pendek, Afiq telah mengadakan bank data yang memudahkan pelajar-pelajar mendapat pekerjaan sambilan bagi menampung kos hidup pelajar. Mengikut peraturan di New Zealand, seorang pelajar hanya dibenar mengerjakan kerja sambilan untuk tempohan masa 20 jam sahaja seminggu.

Afiq juga telah berjaya mengadakan persefahaman pembelian secara kredit dengan beberapa pembekal peralatan pembelajaran. Usaha-usaha murni Afiq telah dapat membantu ke arah mengurangkan bebanan pelajar-pelajar. Kombinasi kerja amal Afiq dan Hanim sentiasa mendapat perhatian pelajar-pelajar dan juga Jabatan Pelajar di Pesuruhjaya Tinggi Malaysia ke New Zealand.

SAHOCA 17:

SIBLINGS 38: TOK WAN

Palm Philosophy of Tok Wan

Abang dropped by at Kampung Pisang on Tuesday, 18.08.2009 on the way to Guar Sanji , Perlis to attend the funeral of Kak Teh’s younger brother, Abdul Razak Shafiai who has passed away in the early morning due to liver cancer. As the tradition of the son of Mohd. Salleh Khir, Abang requested Wan to buy take away Nasi Royale for Kak Fuzna.

Zam and I went to Kampung Pisang to pay our courtesy to Abang. I took the opportunity to seek Abang’s certification on the contents of my Sibling Series No: 26 posted on 21.06.2009 which were based on my interviews with Mak Ngah, Mak Chik and Pak Teh. Abang insisted that Tok Wan has attended his schooling in Haadyai, Thailand and not at Bangkok as been told by Pak Teh. If ever Tok Wan has gone to study in Bangkok together with Tunku Mohd. Jiwa and Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra, then Tok Wan would be one of the KCS officers.

With the background of his education in Haadyai, Tok Wan has successfully manage to provide an exemplary service in the Kedah clerical service. He retired as the chief clerk of the Kedah Religious Department. Abang has vivid memories of Tok Wan who used to wear sarung and white tunic jacket to the office.

Abang also has fond memories of Tok Wan and Ata visiting Abang at the Malay College Kuala Kangsar whenever he and Ata went to Kuala Lumpur. Any visit of Tok Wan and Ata was not complete without a tin of Laichi. Ata would always bring along a tin of laichi every time she accompanied Tok Wan to visit Abang. The contents of the tin of laichi would be gone before Tok Wan and Ata was out from the College compound.

Tok Wan was a strict disciplinarian but he failed to instill this positive principle to his sons. Only his eldest son Omar who followed his footsteps but Allah took him away at an early age. The eldest Omar was a very courteous person and always respected his eldest. If ever he crossed path with an elderly person, he would get down from his bicycle and wait for the elder person to pass by with him bowing in respect.

When the eldest Omar past away at an early age, Tok Wan named his youngest son by the same name of Omar with the hope that the youngest Omar would emulate the courteous personality of the eldest Omar. On the contrary, the youngest Omar was in total contrast with the eldest Omar in every way. He was always playful and even made fun of the elders. While in Thailand, he even told his elder sister that the word in Thai for toilet was 'runcing.' You could imagine what a havoc it would create if the elder sister would say 'runcing' when asking for the direction to the toilet.

According to Abang, Tok Wan was very philosophical in life and he has. advised Abang about the method in enhancing your value in the office. In fulfilling your duties in the office you must try to do as much jobs as you could. If ever one of the staff was on leave, you should grab the opportunity to cover his job so that you could add another stripe to your experience. You should not be hesitant in volunteering any job in the office. In the long run, you would be indispensable to your boss. Abang has followed Tok Wan’s advice to the later.

Another interesting philosophy of Tok Wan was the palms philosophy in budgeting your spending. If you clasp both of your palms, the right palm should be lower than your left palm. You should spend your income less than your total income which has been demonstrated by left palm which was lower than the right palm. In the worst case scenario, your expenditure should be equaled to your total income. All the while, Abang has adhered to Tok Wan’s palms principle and it has proved its effectiveness. I hope that all the other grandchildren of Tok Wan would adopt the palm principle of Tok Wan. Insya Allah and Alfatihah to Tok Wan and his two Omars.

SIBLINGS 37; WHAT A SMALL WORLD

A few weeks ago, Taufik, the grand son of Dr. Haji Ahmad bin Osman paid a surprise visit to our house. He brought along his wife and daughter. Taufik (whose glamour name is Ipid) who is the son of Appeal Court Judge, Dato’ Hishamuddin used to stay at his grand father’s house at Taman Tunku Mahmud, Pumpong. Ipid is the same age as my son, Ezwar and there were playmates with the other neighbours such as Fili, Munawir and Amrul. We lost contact with Ipid when he moved over to stay with his parents in Kuala Lumpur.

Before Dr. Haji Ahmad Osman moved to Jitra after Ipid’s grandmother demise, Dr Haji Ahmad informed me that if ever Shiwar is in Shah Alam, please look up for his childhood friend Ipid who is now the Manager of Human Resource at the Blue Wave Hotel, Shah Alam. Sure enough, when Shiwar attended a SMI seminar at Shah Alam, he met Ipid at the hotel. As a result of their encounter, Ipid promised to pay us a visit when ever he is in Alor Setar.

When Ipid introduced to us his Western look wife, Maria, naturally we asked her from which country she was from. To our surprise, she told us that she is a Malaysian and her grandparent were from from Alor Setar. Her father is also an Alor Setar born with the name of Yunus. When she mentioned Yunus, straight away it struck our minds that Maria is the daughter of Zam’s second cousin Bang Nuih who is the son Dato’ Hashim Abdul and Mak Chak. We knew that Bang Nuih, an hotelier has married an Italian lady but we never imagine that his daughter would be in front of our eyes and is married to Shiwar long lost childhood friend. What a small world indeed.

REMEMBRANCE 35 : WEDDING BLISS

Wedding picture taken on 20.07.1972

Responding to Nana's comment of Remembrance 20

Zam and I did not realized we have passed our 37th. wedding anniversary on 20.07.2009. We are very grateful to Allah for blessing us with 37 years of wedding bliss which does not required to be reminded by the customary annual wedding anniversary. Our marriage was solemnized by Haji Abdul Rahman bin Awang, the Assistant Imam of Masjid Zahir, on 20.07.1972 at my late mother in law's house at 21B, Lorong Kampung Pisang, Bakar Bata, Alor Setar. Our marriage was an arranged marriage orchestrated by Zam's family friend, Datuk Idrus Zainol and I am thankful for that. We would always be very grateful to Allah for our very contended life and blissful marriage and endowment of three very fine children and grand children. We do sincerely pray for Allah's blessing to our continued bliss in our marriage and also of our two children marriages. Insya Allah.

NUR HIDAYAH 9

9

Di sepanjang perhubungan uniknya dengan Johari, Afiq hanya menerima dua kali kunjungan Johari. Yang pertama ialah di Lapangan Terbang KLIA semasa Afiq hendak berangkat ke New Zealand. Di perjumpaan ini, Afiq memaklumkan kepada Johari bahawa Johari tidaklah perlu lagi memberi bantuan kewangan kepadanya. Dengan biasiswa yang akan diterimanya serta dengan wang simpanannya, Afiq yakin ianya mampu menampung keperluannya semasa di New Zealand.

Johari bersetuju dengan permintaan Afiq dengan syarat Afiq hendaklah memaklumkan kepadanya sekiranya Afiq masih memerlukan sebarang bantuan di kemudian hari. Namun begitu, Johari tetap memberi sumbangan wang untuk kali terakhir kepada Afiq sebagai bekalan tambahan semasa di New Zealand sebanyak NZ$ 5,000.00. Ketika itu Afiq tidak dapat menbendung perasaan dirinya dan Afiq terus memeluk erat Johari dengan linangan air mata.. Hanya air mata keikhlasan sahaja yang dapat menggambarkan betapa besarnya rasa penghargaan Afiq terhadap jasa bakti Johari.

Walau pun Johari telah bersetuju untuk tidak memberi bantuan kewangan kepada Afiq tetapi akaun simpanan bank Afiq di Wellington masih menerima kemasukan wang NZ$ 400.00 setiap bulan.

Sebulan selepas Afiq pulang ke Malaysia dengan Hanim, arwah isterinya, Johari telah menjemput Afiq bersama Hanim bersama anak mereka Nur Aisyah ke jamuan tengah hari di Hotel Mandarin Oriental, KLCC. Johari hadir bersama anaknya Aleeya yang kini sudah pun menuntut di Tingkatan 5, Sekolah Menengah Tunku Kursiah. Walau pun kali pertama menemui Aleeya, Nur Aisyah lantas terus bermesra dengan Aleeya.

Di dalam hati kecilnya, Afiq ingin bertanya mengapa Puan Khatijah tidak turut serta tetapi tidak terkeluar perkataan tersebut daripada mulutnya. Namun, Tuan Johari dapat membaca rasa hati Afiq dan terus memaklumkan kepada Afiq bahawa beliau telah pun berpisah dengan Puan Khatijah setahun yang lalu. Kini Puan Khatijah telah pun kembali menetap di New Zealand.

Kali terakhir Afiq menemui Tuan Johari selepas jamuan tengah hari di Hotel Mandarin Oriental ialah di majlis pengkebumian arwah isterinya, Hanim. Johari telah datang menziarahi Afiq semasa majlis perkebumian Allahyarhamah Hanim di Tanah Perkuburan Seksyen 21, Shah Alam. Walau pun tidak wujud talian perhubungan intim secara fizikal, namun Afiq sentiasa mengganggap Johari sebagai anugerah tuhan yang memberi cahaya kehidupan kepadanya. Hakikat ini sentiasa terpahat di dalam ingatannya.