This time Pak Cik’s No 2, Anwar, sent me a comment which I prefer to enter as a posting. Here is what he wrote:
“I would neither be too embarrassed nor too proud to proclaim that being a post-merdeka child, I lived my formative years in a peaceful , staggering economic growth and politically rock solid Malaysia under Tun Mahathir’s stewardship. Digesting babah’s absorbing account of Merdeka, I cannot help but feel humbled by the contrasting thoughts that ran through our minds when I was around babah’s age. Yours was of hope for the community, Tanah tumpah darah babah, whereas mine was of self interest and an individual pursuit of happiness. Half a century of merdeka , of stability and familiarity, certainly bred contempt to many post-merdeka children who were emotionally detached from the struggles of Malaysia’s independence forefathers, myself not excluded.
Over the years, eyes wide open to the journey of this young entity called ‘Malaysia’, I began to realize that this God-sent peace, harmony and prosperity are not our rights, but ours to strive for. Nothing is guaranteed for my children, my grandchildren, and the many generations beyond that. The onus is on me, in my own, small, individual way, to contribute to nation-building.
Today, on the morning of Malaysia’s 52nd year of merdeka, I watched the black & white recording of Almarhum’s Tunku Abdul Rahman’s proclamation of Merdeka. His seven shouts of “merdeka” followed by the band’s heart rendering ‘Negara Ku’ finale brought tears of happiness, joy and hope to many Malayans on that day….. and across time, on 31st August 2009, to one much “enlightened” mid-aged person in PJ.
Yes, we live and hope for another day. And to borrow babah’s sacred words, ‘berkhidmat kerana Tuhan untuk kemanusiaan.’ ”
My response to him would be:
Anwar,
That you have moved ‘ ….to one much ‘enlightened’ mid-aged person ..’, as you said, is an indication that you are capable of evaluating. Insya-Allah nothing will be very wrong with any of us as long as we do not fail to use the special faculties we have been endowed with, and we do not become what He says:
“ …………..men who have hearts with which they fail to grasp the truth, and eyes with which they fail to see, and ears with which they fail to hear. They are like cattle – nay they are even less conscious on the right way ……..” Al-A’raf : 179
With love,
Babah
Berkhidmat kerana Tuhan untuk kemanusiaan
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10 comments:
Wow...I shed tears myself, reading what Anwar n Babah (if I may call him that, Nun) wrote. This is deep!!!
Aini
Dear Pakcik,
It is a touching scene between father and son with Merdeka anniversary as the background.
Most signicant of all is your quotation of the verse from Al-Quran which reflects the heart and soul of your mission.
Aini,
Of course, being her friend, Ainun would not mind you calling her father babah. Generally, people who can be driven to tears just over a piece of writing are those with a piece of good heart inside.
babah
Dear En. Abdul Halim,
Reading through your blog one gets a glimpse of a successful parent whose children are all over the world, in Dublin, the Hague etc. Your primary mission in life has been achieved. I am sure, with your background, that is not the end of it all.
Pakcik
Dear Sir,
Assalammualaikum and a good day to you.
I'm one of the many silent readers of your blog.
The purpose of this mail is to enquire whether an English reference book will be of any use to you and your students. Please refer to the attached. The book is rather new as I bought it in July this year for my TOEFL preparation.
I am prepared to give the book and the CDRom to Al-Manar free of charge and also snail mail it to you.
Looking forward to your response and Selamat Berpuasa.
Sincerely,
Nur Akmar Shuib
Nur Akmal Shuib,
There is no need to be a silent reader any longer. Pak Cik would like to hear your comments.
It is a generous gesture indeed that you offer us the book, one which we do not yet possess. I know it is a very good one and Almanar can certainly do with a reference copy. Thank you. Pakcik will let you know our postal address.
Pakcik
Pakcik,
This is great communication between father and son. When father and son can talk of philosophy, nation building, religious views and others without being dictative nor submissive, this demonstrate what a successful menthor-mentee relation at its zenith; when a mentee have risen to the level of the mentor and beyong but still retain that deep respect. I envy you Pakcik. I hope my children will grow up to be the same. At the moment they are too `respectful' to counter anything from me..
Gukita,
Thank you for the compliment. We can never be sure, but we can expect that with openness, tolerence and our own readiness to cause pains on our loved ones when that is the most appopriate thing to do and suffer the pains ourselves, things would work out.
Pakcik
yoo.. thanks for thoughts )
Dear 'Anonymous' of 13 Aept 09,
I truly wonder who you are, being a late visitor to this September entry - nearly 3 1/2 months ago. Thank you
from Pakcik
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