29 October 2011

Moment to Reflect (Pt 5) - It is here again


Time and tide wait for no man. So does MONSOON.


The dark hovering clouds float threateningly low, accompanying waves growing in size and speed, bringing rain to irrigate our land.


And fishermen’s boats lie idling, threatening livelihood.


What will become of their children?

Do we wait and see, year in and year out?

Let us reflect for a moment


Berkhidmat kerana Tuhan untuk kemanusiaan

26 comments:

Cat-from-Sydney said...

Dear Pakcik,
The children should be in school or being schooled for a better future, I hope. purrr...meow!

Kak Teh said...

Abang Ngah, as much as I am afraid of the open sea, I am mesmerised by it. I remember waking up for subuh and after that spent a long time looking out of the window of our hotel room in Primula....I couldnt tear myself away. I hope the monsoon does not threaten any livelihood, Insyaallah! Our love to you and Kak Mah, always.

Ummie said...

Hopefully their children will not want to step into their fathers' shoes - being fishermen too.

Pass the baton then to...

Hazri Hazmi said...

Dear Pakcik..
The first drops of rain always bring a smile on children's faces. The smell of wet soil, the damp grass, and the slosh of puddles under feet make them want to dance with wanton joy.But what about their parents?We realized that in November when it start to rain,fisherman cannot go out to the sea.Then,bear in mind they have to start thinking of looking money to feed their children..We were always hope that monsoon does not remains any longer,but it is fate.Cat from sydney was right..the children should be in school for better future..So,it hopes they can help their parents future especially in hard monsoon time..

KotaStar said...

Salam Al Manar,

I am reminded by what you posted last year. With pictures of the swaying coconut tree. Soon after we had the effects in Kedah. A big flood. Now we have to get ready again. As none was done to curtailed flooding since it last hit us, now if it hits again seeing what happened in Bangkok, it will NOT be less destructive. We pray for Allah's help and mercy less umat-umatnya menerima cabaran dan dugaan. Kanak-kanak dan orang tua dan uzur akan lebih menerima akibahnya. Hoping you will be able to cope with the wind and stormy sea as you are at the coast.
Salam

Pak Idrus said...

When I was a kid growing up in Kuantan I always kinda like the Monsoon. I think it a different kind of weather to us kids. It rain and rain for days and then it 'bah' here and there. We could play in the water and most of the time our parents just allows us to do that. And of course we would bath in the rain. It was fun and indeed an enjoyable moment in our lives.

The weather became so cold that I remember noticing the coconut oil solidified and cannot get out of the bottle. A wonderful memories indeed. And of course the smell of that rain and the sea breeze. It so refreshing; a once a year affair with the season.

Well I still try to enjoy the Monsoon and would stay a few days in Kuantan to experience it again. Thanks Pokcik Hassan for bringing this up. It does refreshes my memory.

Have a nice day.

Zendra-Maria said...

Salam Pakcik,

I'm clueless about the Malaysian fishing industry but does a Ganu fisherman's lot always have to be "kais pagi, makan pagi" till eternity?

If so, it does beg that last question in your posting :(

Al-Manar said...

C-f-S,

The whole situation is not conducive to children learning and going to school in the rain.

Al-Manar said...

Kak Teh,

I like this special season, that being part of my happy childhood days. But, indeed, when I stand alone near the edge of the stormy waters, watching the huge waves approaching threateningly, I cannot help sensing something ominous.

Kak Mah kirim salam to you all.

Al-Manar said...

Ummie,

At times, seeing how many of the kids getting into bed company, I would rather wish they follow their fathers to sea and learn the hard reality of life.

Al-Manar said...

Hazri,

You speak from from experience. You know better than any of us. Pakcik can only say how I wish these children follow half your footsteps.

Al-Manar said...

KotaStar

Indeed I remember last year and the trip to Mecca too. Tapi tuan dah beralih tempat! Anyway we pray for minimum suffering to the affected ones.

Al-Manar said...

Pak Idrus,

Saudara pun pernah menikmati Monsoon sebagai kanak kanak? Main Hujah (playing in the rain) was a favourite pastime. It was not just the children. Ladies walked in groups along flooded roads, each one holding an umbrella, just a token, enjoying getting wet!

Yes, you must experience it again but do not be surprised of being a laughing stock if you choose to go out wading in the flood.

Al-Manar said...

Zendra,

I am afraid it is still a reality around my part of the world. It is depressing to me to see this and to imagine the kind of future for the kids.

We have formulated good governing systems which, sadly, often fail at the implementation stage.

Wan Sharif said...

Arghhh.. I seem to miss this entry.. Life in Pulau Duyong back in the seventies are such that if one is not too well educated ..one will end up doing the menial work such as being a fishermen, carpenter, boatbuilder or passenger boat operator.
I remembered meeting my two years senior schoolmate ( Sekolah Kebangsaan Duyong) in Dungun. He worked in "Kilang Air Batu" near the wet market of Kuala Dungun. We talked and ater concluded that shoud he stayed inPulau Duyong ..he could not dream of owning a Honda car he was driving then.
Such was the lack of opportunity in Pulau Duyong.. Even with the Monsoon Cup which have yet to have a god financial impact to the Duyong denizen..;(

Al-Manar said...

Ayah Wang,

Pulau Duyong has been the birthplace of many intellectuals of Terengganu, from religious teachers, mufti, engineers, businessmen to men skilled in woodwork and boat making. It is so unlike other typical fishing villages in the state. Where I am is a far cry from where you come from. Aren't you lucky to have originated from there!

You guess what has just taken place. The Cat couple has just left our house!

Wan Sharif said...

You mean mother of cat from Sydney and her husband have made it to Kkalang Maras?

nordinmusa said...

Dear Pak Cik Hassan, I don't know about other people, but I too, love the monsoon. I grew up with the wet stormy seasons. My father was a fisherman and that made the sea to be very much part of my life. The sound of the waves hammering the beach were music to my ears. I am looking forward to spent my retirement years by the seaside, having a house just like yours.

After almost sixty years of Independence and with billion of money in the state coffers, the state govt should have/ could have done a lot of things to help the fishermen to get out of the "kais pagi makan pagi" and "kais petang makan petang" way of life. But our politicians are very busy thinking about themselves only

Terengganu towns can become popular tourist destinations, with some work on it of course. Now the tourists are flocking to Terengganu but they bypass the towns, they just go to the islands.

My blog? I am working on it. Thanks for the reminder. have u received my email?

Al-Manar said...

Ayah Wang,

Gamok dia dah jjamu manamana. Tapi tok cukop makang mari cari ikang dekat orang jjual ikang tepi jalang. Nampok ssiang bawok balik krumoh. Berilah makang tulang tulang ppala ikang hok baru kite lenbeh makang.

Marvellously fine people they are and would love to see them again.

Al-Manar said...

nordinmusa,

You know the situation better through bitter experience which I never had to go through. I salute the likes of you for having the grit and perseverance, not just to succeed but to give back to the society as you have been doing. This kampong needs people like you to represent them.

The last email was lomng ago. I have just sent a copy of my response to that one.

ninotaziz said...

My good friend beat me to it.

Yes, Pakcik, the monsoon seems ominous this year. Here, the thunder is louder, the rain relentless and kilat sabong menyabong macam keris di langit.

Al-Manar said...

Ninot,

Yes, that seems to be the case. They got the last two tickets for the current season! But a new season, like monsoon, will be open again.

Today is definitely worse than yesterday, equally dark but with more rain.

Watch the sea,
Churning
A sight to see,
Frightening

Anonymous said...

Pakcik...lama tak jumpa...saya nadimah yg dok kat kg maras tu..last week ada blik trg tp tak sempat jg nk singgah umah pakcik..sekarang dah tinggal di penng dekat ngan suami...dulu kan sy kerja kat johor..kalau pakcik dtg sini..bagitau la sy ek...no hp sy sekarang....0197588630...

Al-Manar said...

Dear Nadimah

Seronoknya nampak berita dari Nadimah. Sudah di utara pula selapas selatan. Lepas ini tentu lah pantai timur pula. Apa berita kawan2 seperti Diana?

Pakcik harap selalulah tinggal comment di blog ini. Kalau boleh beri email Nadimah.

Abdullah Sani b.Ismail said...

You are being secretive,heart not opened, difficult to reach you.

Al-Manar said...

ASbI,

I like to provoke to make my readers express their feeling, as you notice from comments above. Otherwise it will be "I agree" or silent at best. But truly one can understand the depth of my feeling from questions I put forward. I am glad you made this statement. You are being honest and I appreciate that.