Several of my friends, relatives and others left this short lived world to meet the Creator in the year 2008. To record their departure, and as a remembrance, I would list them below.
Alfatihah.
1) 3rd. January 2008: Tuan Haji Ghazali Adam. He passed away at 0245 hours due to heart attack. I came to know Ghazali Adam when he was just an Executive in Ben Line Port Klang in 1969. He later became the General Manager of MISC Panocean. He was the first batch of RIDA College (now UITM) student. When I was transferred to Port Klang in 1977, I called him and he helped me to find the suitable bungalow to stay. I normally called him King Ghaz.
2) 7th January 2008: Tuan Haji Salleh Abdul Hamid, one of my elder brothers. He passed away at 2345 hours due to heart attack. He had his last breath on his wife’s lap. He was educated in Malay College Kuala Kangsar and served Telekom Malaysia. One fond memory when he took me to Bukit Kledang Transmitting Station in Ipoh. He showed me the live transmission of horse racing which was only telecast live to Race Courses in Malaysia and Singapore.
3) 14th. February 2008: Cik Amnah Ramli, my cousin sister on my mother’s side. She too passed away due to heart attack. The beautiful part, she just finished her maghrib prayer and while waiting for the Isyakh prayer, she went back to meet the Creator. The sad part, she was still a spinster and no husband or children to mourn for her departure. I performed an umrah for her when I visited the Holy Land during last Ramadhan.
4) 8th May 2008: Kak Yah, the wife of my wife’s cousin. She passed away at 1400 hours and buried after the maghrib prayer. Tolerant and a very patient lady, did not talked much. She just smiled when we talked to her. During those days before the Plus Highway, we normally stopped by at Balai Polis Trolak when my wife’s cousin was the Station Officer in Charge.
5) 6th August 2008: Encik Ishak, my neighbor’s brother. He was already on dialysis for the past several years. Never failed to say hello and stopped for a chat whenever we met. I was glad that Baitulmal assisted him on the dialysis fees. He was only a Driver with one of the Chemical Company in Shah Alam.
6) 30th August 2008: Raja Adam Jalaludin. He was the youngest brother of my friend Raja Rosedin. I know Raja Adam since he was a small boy. When he was growing up, I did not know for what reason, he became slightly retarded and reserved. It was a pity that someone found him sprawling by the roadside and already gone. His demise happened when I was in the Holy Land and I only came to know later when I came back to Malaysia.
7) 04th September 2008: Tuan Haji Mohd Zan an ex Penolong Pengarah Kastam Selangor, my mosque buddy. I got the sad news when I was in Mecca. He passed away due to leukemia. Very nice buddy and we often jokingly greeted each other with “good morning” no matter what time it was. Hailed from Melaka but studied in Ipoh Perak. He carried the Perak slang and very well accustomed to my way of speaking. F1 driver on the highway. So fast that the speed trap camera could not record his number plate, he claimed.
8) 27th September 2008: Puan Noriah Manan. She was a Stenographer at Esso Refinery Port Dickson, that’s where we became acquainted. She later married Tenaga Malaysia Bhd Engineer who is the brother in law of my colleague in Guthrie. Small world. When her husband, became Kapar Power Station Superintendent, she invited me for tea at their residence. The last time I met Noriah was at my colleague daughter’s wedding at Bukit Jelutong.
9) 29th September 2008: Datin Hajjah Zainab the wife of late Dato Haji Ghazali Abdullah, the former Mufti of Selangor and Perak. The Mufti was my late father’s cousin. When I got married at Telok Panglima Garang, in 1973 the Datin was the Head of the women delegation. The entourage gathered at the Mufti’s residence in Klang before proceeding to attack Telok Panglima Garang. Datin Zainab passed away due to long illness. I picked up my eldest brother and we went all the way to Ipoh to attend the funeral.
10) 27th December 2008: In memory of 205 Gazan Palestinians, my Muslim brothers, sisters and children killed by the Zionist Regime. Due to several crazy Hamas Freedom Fighters who launched home made rockets to the illegally occupied Zionist settlement, the arrogant Zionist retaliated with air strike. I wonder when this eye for an eye will end. Only the American Presidency and his Cabinet can solve the problem. Will they do it? I don’t think so because they are still thirsty of Muslim’s blood. When a Jew being killed by the Palestinian Hamas, it would create a world headline and the Americans would condemn the killing as if the world had lost a Statesman. On the other hand, the Americans Administration would just fold their arm when 205 Palestinians including babies were massacred by the Jews. God damn it! What the hell is happening to this world? To them it doesn’t matter, the more dead the better. That’s my perspective of the American Administration attitude towards the handling of the Palestinian/ Israelis conflict. Can the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) do something? I afraid not, for reasons best known to them. For that matter, I respect Dr Mahathir who was daring enough to speak out. I can only sit and pray for miracles to happen so that the Palestinians can live in peace and some to return home to their homeland.
11) 27th December 2008: Last but not least, he was neither my friend, nor my relatives. At 1145 hours, my 10th King, His Royal Highness Yam Tuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Jaafar ibni Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman, 86 passed away at Seremban Hospital.
To all those who had gone back to meet the Creator ,…. Alfatihah.
May your soul rest in peace and may Allah bless you..
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
Golden Jubilee.
It is not often you get invited to a Golden Jubilee function. I attended one yesterday to commemorate the 50th anniversary wedding of Tuan Haji Fahruddin and Puan Hajjah Rogayah at Kampong Changkat in Gombak. Even though I was fully engaged with some other functions, I make sure I attended this one. I got to know this couple when they were my neighbor in Mecca during the Ramadan umrah. Haji Fahruddin, a prominent Imam in his community, is a very nice old man, humble, father like and knowledgeable. He speaks fluent Arabic but he never show off. I came to know when he spoke Arabic to the Flight Attendant on the Saudi Airline flight back from Jeddah.
Hajjah Rogayah invited my family for the function but my son could not make it. We were just in time for the “doa selamat” but missed the “tahlil” due to the traffic jam at the outer ring road. I jokingly apologized to them that we were 50 years late to attend their wedding. I was glad to see the couple in their jovial mood surrounded by their three children and several grandchildren. I was just wondering whether I could see my Golden Jubilee in fifteen years time. Insyaalah (God willing).
The crowd was moderate and there were familiar faces. I met Tuan Haji Hassan Yatim and his wife Puan Hajjah Noriah. Haji Hassan was the Tour Proprietor during the Ramadan umrah. Haji Hassan inquired about my plan for 2009 Ramadan umrah. I plainly told him that I am willing to join his entourage provided one “idiot” does not exist in the same group. He suggested different flight and Hotel with the idiot but I still said, no way, Jose. I told Haji Hassan, my mission for umrah is to seek peace and confide with Allah in the company of humble and down to earth people. Lesson taught that I just could not be in a company of a cocky and snobbish Division One Government Officer who thinks that he is next to God. The gentleman besides me was curious and I related the idiot’s behaviors in Mecca. You have this type of people in Mecca? I told him, Haji Hassan can testify. Astrafilallahalazim.
I am glad that Haji Fahruddin and Hajjah Rogayah would be leaving for umrah, coming 17th January 2009. She was sickly during the last Ramadan umrah and now she hope when Mecca is not as crowded as in the month of Ramadan she is able to perform all the umrah rituals in a more peaceful and better perspectives.
We had to say farewell to the couple at 1230 hours as we had another wedding to attend to. One just wed and the other wedded 50 years ago.
To Haji Fahruddin and Hajjah Rogayah, the family wishes you Long Live and may Allah Bless you both. Congratulation.
Hajjah Rogayah invited my family for the function but my son could not make it. We were just in time for the “doa selamat” but missed the “tahlil” due to the traffic jam at the outer ring road. I jokingly apologized to them that we were 50 years late to attend their wedding. I was glad to see the couple in their jovial mood surrounded by their three children and several grandchildren. I was just wondering whether I could see my Golden Jubilee in fifteen years time. Insyaalah (God willing).
The crowd was moderate and there were familiar faces. I met Tuan Haji Hassan Yatim and his wife Puan Hajjah Noriah. Haji Hassan was the Tour Proprietor during the Ramadan umrah. Haji Hassan inquired about my plan for 2009 Ramadan umrah. I plainly told him that I am willing to join his entourage provided one “idiot” does not exist in the same group. He suggested different flight and Hotel with the idiot but I still said, no way, Jose. I told Haji Hassan, my mission for umrah is to seek peace and confide with Allah in the company of humble and down to earth people. Lesson taught that I just could not be in a company of a cocky and snobbish Division One Government Officer who thinks that he is next to God. The gentleman besides me was curious and I related the idiot’s behaviors in Mecca. You have this type of people in Mecca? I told him, Haji Hassan can testify. Astrafilallahalazim.
I am glad that Haji Fahruddin and Hajjah Rogayah would be leaving for umrah, coming 17th January 2009. She was sickly during the last Ramadan umrah and now she hope when Mecca is not as crowded as in the month of Ramadan she is able to perform all the umrah rituals in a more peaceful and better perspectives.
We had to say farewell to the couple at 1230 hours as we had another wedding to attend to. One just wed and the other wedded 50 years ago.
To Haji Fahruddin and Hajjah Rogayah, the family wishes you Long Live and may Allah Bless you both. Congratulation.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
63 - SIXTY THREE.
17th December 2008, I reached the 63rd milestone and still kicking. I had a hiccup in September 2003 when I was hospitalized for five days in 2003. Insyaalah (God willing), I get to see the next and next birthdays.
I got a pleasant surprised on the eve of my birthday when a long lost friend, my batch mate at Technical Institute Penang, Encik Osman Awang sent me an email. He gave me his handfone number and I immediately called him. I was curious how he got my email address and to my astonishment from “google” when he was searching for another friend Zayid Zakaria. I had mentioned in my earlier blog that Zayid Zakaria my batch mate had passed away. We talked about half an hour discussing about who is where and who had kicked the bucket and what not. I last met Osman Awang probably thirty years ago in Kajang. We promised to get together at a later date.
Besides the well wishes from my children and friends, I had a surprise sms and email from London. The sms was from my former Stenographer who is now in London to be with her husband for Christmas and New Year Holiday. The email is definitely a very pleasant surprise and at this point of time remains classified.
After the Maghrib prayer, with four other friends, we went for a drink at the nearest warong. My friend Ali Termizi recited the doa selamat for me. The place was not important but the intention was noble and appreciated. Raja Sahar commented that the Holy Prophet (pbuh) passed away at the age of 63, therefore I am now living on subsidies age. They had roti canai and teh tarik and I just had iced coffee. I had something on after the Isyakh prayer.
After the Isyakh prayer, my daughter sponsored a seafood dinner ala Thai. While we were having dinner, my neighbor, Haji Adenan with his wife and daughter walked in. They were surprised to see us eating out late and my wife told them of the occasion. They joined us and I did not get to see the tab.
No candles to blow,
I hope and pray my life glow,
Be nice to all,
Hope, there will be the sixty four.
I n s y a a l l a h.
I got a pleasant surprised on the eve of my birthday when a long lost friend, my batch mate at Technical Institute Penang, Encik Osman Awang sent me an email. He gave me his handfone number and I immediately called him. I was curious how he got my email address and to my astonishment from “google” when he was searching for another friend Zayid Zakaria. I had mentioned in my earlier blog that Zayid Zakaria my batch mate had passed away. We talked about half an hour discussing about who is where and who had kicked the bucket and what not. I last met Osman Awang probably thirty years ago in Kajang. We promised to get together at a later date.
Besides the well wishes from my children and friends, I had a surprise sms and email from London. The sms was from my former Stenographer who is now in London to be with her husband for Christmas and New Year Holiday. The email is definitely a very pleasant surprise and at this point of time remains classified.
After the Maghrib prayer, with four other friends, we went for a drink at the nearest warong. My friend Ali Termizi recited the doa selamat for me. The place was not important but the intention was noble and appreciated. Raja Sahar commented that the Holy Prophet (pbuh) passed away at the age of 63, therefore I am now living on subsidies age. They had roti canai and teh tarik and I just had iced coffee. I had something on after the Isyakh prayer.
After the Isyakh prayer, my daughter sponsored a seafood dinner ala Thai. While we were having dinner, my neighbor, Haji Adenan with his wife and daughter walked in. They were surprised to see us eating out late and my wife told them of the occasion. They joined us and I did not get to see the tab.
No candles to blow,
I hope and pray my life glow,
Be nice to all,
Hope, there will be the sixty four.
I n s y a a l l a h.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
My Aidiladha 2008.
Allah hu akbar, Allah hu akbar, Allah hu akbar, Walillah hil ham.
Today is the fourth day of Aidiladha. My friends who are in Mina will now make their entrance to Mecca to complete their final ritual before I can address them as Tuan Haji. They will go back to the Grand Mosque, circle the Kaabah, seven rounds and perform the sai. Once they complete those two rituals, the Haj is completed. For those who went straight to Mecca during their arrival at Saudi Arabia, they will now have to make the journey to Medina to visit the Holy Tomb of the Holy Prophet (pbuh). If possible, they are to stay in Medina for at least eight days. It is sunat (not compulsory) to perform forty fardhu (compulsory) prayers without missing one at Nabawi Mosque.
My Aidiladha started on the eve of Aidiladha. After the Isyakh prayer, about thirty of the mosque congregation came to my house for tahlil and the recitation of takbir. On Aidiladha day, I performed my Aidiladha prayer at the kampong Mosque. It was drizzling, yet the Mosque was crowded. After the prayers the Mosque organized to slaughter twenty cows. I participated by joining two shares at cow number 13. Each cow is divided by seven shares. I did not participate on the slaughtering and cutting off the meat as the job was contracted and moreover the rain started pouring. I was glued to the television to follow the latest update of the landslide at Bukit Antarabangsa. I was sad to their misfortunes and to the affected Muslims who would not be able to celebrate Aidiladha. After the zohor prayer I collected my share, six kilos of fresh beef and few rib bones. My friend, Zaaba all the way from Mina send a short message that he was now in Mina and had completed the first stoning of the devil. Later my sister and her children visited me and we had a small Aidiladha feast. Since she would be visiting my mother in Ipoh, I packed some beef for my folks, back home. The rain finally stopped late in the evening. My fear worsened that another landslide would occur and I just prayed for the best.
The second day of Aidiladha – PAS in my kampong slaughtered three cows. I joined them late at 1100 hours and most work had already completed. Instead, I helped them to prepare the afternoon lunch. We cooked some fresh beef and fried salted fish. After the zohor prayer, the Imam came, said the doa and we had a simple lunch. Since it was very informal, the food seems to be very tasty and we really enjoyed it. I was to come later in the afternoon to help them to prepare for the night function but I was so tired and I skipped. After the Isyakh prayer we invited a Guest Speaker to deliver a sermon on the concept of Aidiladha. We then had a grand feast, beef soup and curry. The crowd was overwhelming. The function was considered a success and we went home late at night satisfied.
The third day of Aidiladha – I was back to my normal self, so as the kampong folks. Everybody got back to their routine except my friends who are still in Mina.
Insyaalah (Allah willing), I hope to be around for 2009 Aidiladha. Who knows? Maybe, I would be in Mina myself.
Today is the fourth day of Aidiladha. My friends who are in Mina will now make their entrance to Mecca to complete their final ritual before I can address them as Tuan Haji. They will go back to the Grand Mosque, circle the Kaabah, seven rounds and perform the sai. Once they complete those two rituals, the Haj is completed. For those who went straight to Mecca during their arrival at Saudi Arabia, they will now have to make the journey to Medina to visit the Holy Tomb of the Holy Prophet (pbuh). If possible, they are to stay in Medina for at least eight days. It is sunat (not compulsory) to perform forty fardhu (compulsory) prayers without missing one at Nabawi Mosque.
My Aidiladha started on the eve of Aidiladha. After the Isyakh prayer, about thirty of the mosque congregation came to my house for tahlil and the recitation of takbir. On Aidiladha day, I performed my Aidiladha prayer at the kampong Mosque. It was drizzling, yet the Mosque was crowded. After the prayers the Mosque organized to slaughter twenty cows. I participated by joining two shares at cow number 13. Each cow is divided by seven shares. I did not participate on the slaughtering and cutting off the meat as the job was contracted and moreover the rain started pouring. I was glued to the television to follow the latest update of the landslide at Bukit Antarabangsa. I was sad to their misfortunes and to the affected Muslims who would not be able to celebrate Aidiladha. After the zohor prayer I collected my share, six kilos of fresh beef and few rib bones. My friend, Zaaba all the way from Mina send a short message that he was now in Mina and had completed the first stoning of the devil. Later my sister and her children visited me and we had a small Aidiladha feast. Since she would be visiting my mother in Ipoh, I packed some beef for my folks, back home. The rain finally stopped late in the evening. My fear worsened that another landslide would occur and I just prayed for the best.
The second day of Aidiladha – PAS in my kampong slaughtered three cows. I joined them late at 1100 hours and most work had already completed. Instead, I helped them to prepare the afternoon lunch. We cooked some fresh beef and fried salted fish. After the zohor prayer, the Imam came, said the doa and we had a simple lunch. Since it was very informal, the food seems to be very tasty and we really enjoyed it. I was to come later in the afternoon to help them to prepare for the night function but I was so tired and I skipped. After the Isyakh prayer we invited a Guest Speaker to deliver a sermon on the concept of Aidiladha. We then had a grand feast, beef soup and curry. The crowd was overwhelming. The function was considered a success and we went home late at night satisfied.
The third day of Aidiladha – I was back to my normal self, so as the kampong folks. Everybody got back to their routine except my friends who are still in Mina.
Insyaalah (Allah willing), I hope to be around for 2009 Aidiladha. Who knows? Maybe, I would be in Mina myself.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Aidiladha 2008.
Tomorrow 8 December 2008 is Aidiladha and at this very moment all Muslims who are performing the Haj is gathering in the Desert of Arafah. It was at this place, the Holy Prophet (pbuh) delivered his last sermon and also at this place up on a hill of Jabal Rahmah, Adam met his Eve after they were thrown to Earth from Heaven. This place is very symbolic to me and I would climb Jabal Rahmah every trip I made to the Holy Land.
Aidiladha is a grand affair in Mecca especially at Mina. About three million pilgrims would be camping at this site for the devil stoning rituals and the sacrifice of goats, sheep and camel. I seek the Almighty blessings that all my friends who are there now would be able to overcome all obstacles and able to perform all the rituals.
Back home in Malaysia, this year Aidiladha would be rather gloomy. The east coast of Malaysia is flooded and at the edge of the City of Kuala Lumpur there was a major landslide. Twenty bungalows swept away by the mud. Few lives succumbed and few injured. About 3000 to 5000 people had to be evacuated. There would be no Aidiladha for them, surely. The Prime Minister had issued a statement that there would be no more development on hill side. I welcome that but I think it was only political talk. Fifteen years ago when a condominium collapsed about two kilometer away, the same statement was issued. Something is definitely not right at the ground level. Year in and year out, the east coast is always flooded. Why don’t they do something? I remember when I was a small kid, every month a team of Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) workers would come down to clean the kampong river. I never heard or seen this thing is being done now. No wonder we get flood because the river is clog. Simple logic. The Administrators are happily sitting in their air condition office without bothering the plight of the poor people who live by the river. Come election, they would promise the moon and the stars.
There are also several deaths on the road on the eve of Aidiladha. Malaysian roads are the best in the world, so they claim. At the same time, Malaysia recorded the highest traffic accidents in the world. The reason is simple, Malaysian drivers are not afraid of the law. They can speed away, if they are caught, it can be settled out of court. Again, there is no problem and it is simple as that.
The gist of Aidiladha is sacrifice. From now on, I am going to sacrifice. I am going all out for justice.
Aidiladha is a grand affair in Mecca especially at Mina. About three million pilgrims would be camping at this site for the devil stoning rituals and the sacrifice of goats, sheep and camel. I seek the Almighty blessings that all my friends who are there now would be able to overcome all obstacles and able to perform all the rituals.
Back home in Malaysia, this year Aidiladha would be rather gloomy. The east coast of Malaysia is flooded and at the edge of the City of Kuala Lumpur there was a major landslide. Twenty bungalows swept away by the mud. Few lives succumbed and few injured. About 3000 to 5000 people had to be evacuated. There would be no Aidiladha for them, surely. The Prime Minister had issued a statement that there would be no more development on hill side. I welcome that but I think it was only political talk. Fifteen years ago when a condominium collapsed about two kilometer away, the same statement was issued. Something is definitely not right at the ground level. Year in and year out, the east coast is always flooded. Why don’t they do something? I remember when I was a small kid, every month a team of Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) workers would come down to clean the kampong river. I never heard or seen this thing is being done now. No wonder we get flood because the river is clog. Simple logic. The Administrators are happily sitting in their air condition office without bothering the plight of the poor people who live by the river. Come election, they would promise the moon and the stars.
There are also several deaths on the road on the eve of Aidiladha. Malaysian roads are the best in the world, so they claim. At the same time, Malaysia recorded the highest traffic accidents in the world. The reason is simple, Malaysian drivers are not afraid of the law. They can speed away, if they are caught, it can be settled out of court. Again, there is no problem and it is simple as that.
The gist of Aidiladha is sacrifice. From now on, I am going to sacrifice. I am going all out for justice.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Nostalgic Journey.
29th. November 2008, at 1600 hrs, I left for Port Dickson. I took the Kesas Highway and headed for KLIA. Before KLIA, I turned left and stopped at the beautiful and under utilized Mosque for my Asar prayer. I passed the F1 circuit and headed for the Selangor border town of Sepang. This town was my normal route in the 80s and 90s when I was still working. Surprisingly, the town smelt better now. Pig farming had been scaled down or had been transferred elsewhere.
Water at Sugai Sepang is much clearer, compared to those time it was blackish. As I was driving toward Lukut, all the Guthrie signboard at the former Guthrie Estates had now been changed to Sime Darby Plantations. As I was passing Tanah Merah Estate office complex, I was so sad to see it was so gloomy and quiet. The tennis court was empty and the Club House closed. The oil palm nursery in front of the Club House is no more there. During my Guthrie days, there was lot of activities around this area. The water sprinkler was watering the seedlings and the Assistants and the Managers were either at the tennis Court or at the billiard table. Some like me, who often dropped by became the member of the Bar Council. I was so sad to see the place now was almost deserted.
Nearing Lukut town, I passed by the rubbish dumpsite. I smiled to myself because at this place I burnt all the rejected rubber toys and the fire was so big even an Assemblyman stopped by to inquire what was happening. I was posted to Guthrie Bendy Toys Port Dickson to do an audit of the rejected toys and to witness the disposal. During the 80s, Jabatan Alam Sekitar was not heard off.
The main reason to Port Dickson was to attend a Reunion Dinner of Esso Port Dickson Refinery at Glory Beach Resort. I told Sharo, my PD colleague to book me a single room at Glory Beach. Unfortunately, there is no single room there and he got me a room at Beach Front Hotel, a kilometer away. Found the Hotel and it was located just opposite where I was staying during my bachelor days in Port Dickson. My car used to breakdown at the wall by the beach front and it normally happened late at night. I smiled and thank Allah, right where I was standing 40 years ago and breathing and I am still breathing 40 years later now.
The gathering started at 1930 hrs and stream of old boys walked in. Some don’t even recognize me anymore. I do not wear spectacles anymore and I have a white beard. Complete contrast of Mustapa of those days. To name a few of familiar specimes were Sabudin, Ali Karim, Chin Fun Chee, Kadir Mamak, Teoh Hui Seng, Kan See Mun, John Jew Wong, Ricky Tajudin, Chan On Wai, Harith Takiman, Ng Tiong Seng, Chelvam, Maheswaran, Osman, Sharo, Malik Yasin, Kang Lin Tong, Yeo Yan Teng and many others. The Guest of Honour was the Refiney Manager, Encik Bakar. During my time in the 60s and 70s, I never dreamt that a Malay guy to be the Esso Refinery Manager. It was only for the Americans and I recalled, Bushacker, J J Desmond and H B Canavan.
It was nice to meet plenty of old buddies again. We talked about the good and bad times when we worked together. I defended the late Mah Ah Chong, the Unit Day Superintendent who was exceptionally nice to me. To some, he was a tyrant. Actually, late Mah Ah Chong was a very nice man, he looked serious all right but he had a golden heart. Immediately he came back from Greece, he came to the Refinery one Sunday and pulled me to his Office. We had a pep talk and he told me he wanted to have questions and answer sessions with me. He caught me by surprise and I answered all the questions he asked. After the session he smilingly told me, he superseded all my immediate reporting Superintendents and he did not understand what was going on while he was away in Greece. My perception of Mah Ah Chong took a complete turn.
Some of us retired from Esso and some left to join other establishments. I left in April 1973. However, we still maintain the comrade at arm during the Esso days. We also talked about those who we were unable to attend. Those who have gone back to meet the Creator, migrated, those in hospitals and also those who did not want to fork RM 50 for the function. I came to know, Ng Koy Bee in ICU suffering from an acute stroke, Yap Chee Meang is nearly blinded, ZA (full name withheld) is in hibernation and many other interesting updates about our colleagues. Of course those migrated was mostly Chinaman. I wanted badly to meet Mazlan Chico and Ho Kok Lim, unfortunately they did not attend. I remember Ho Kok Lin who always blamed Oh Chin Weng for every little thing.
After the lucky draw, the reunion dinner ended at about 2300 hrs. However, about 12 of us adjourned to the nearest Mamak shop and we continued our chit chat until about 0130 hours. More laughter followed and more nostalgic stories were shared. Who dated whom and who married whose daughter and what not. The jokes and stories what happened in the Control Room was shared. Sabudin was telling how the late Hassan Cowboy and me played a prank on ZA tin of lychee.
The reunion ended at last and we promised to meet again in 2010. Insyaalah, if I am still around, I will make the trip again to Port Dickson.
Water at Sugai Sepang is much clearer, compared to those time it was blackish. As I was driving toward Lukut, all the Guthrie signboard at the former Guthrie Estates had now been changed to Sime Darby Plantations. As I was passing Tanah Merah Estate office complex, I was so sad to see it was so gloomy and quiet. The tennis court was empty and the Club House closed. The oil palm nursery in front of the Club House is no more there. During my Guthrie days, there was lot of activities around this area. The water sprinkler was watering the seedlings and the Assistants and the Managers were either at the tennis Court or at the billiard table. Some like me, who often dropped by became the member of the Bar Council. I was so sad to see the place now was almost deserted.
Nearing Lukut town, I passed by the rubbish dumpsite. I smiled to myself because at this place I burnt all the rejected rubber toys and the fire was so big even an Assemblyman stopped by to inquire what was happening. I was posted to Guthrie Bendy Toys Port Dickson to do an audit of the rejected toys and to witness the disposal. During the 80s, Jabatan Alam Sekitar was not heard off.
The main reason to Port Dickson was to attend a Reunion Dinner of Esso Port Dickson Refinery at Glory Beach Resort. I told Sharo, my PD colleague to book me a single room at Glory Beach. Unfortunately, there is no single room there and he got me a room at Beach Front Hotel, a kilometer away. Found the Hotel and it was located just opposite where I was staying during my bachelor days in Port Dickson. My car used to breakdown at the wall by the beach front and it normally happened late at night. I smiled and thank Allah, right where I was standing 40 years ago and breathing and I am still breathing 40 years later now.
The gathering started at 1930 hrs and stream of old boys walked in. Some don’t even recognize me anymore. I do not wear spectacles anymore and I have a white beard. Complete contrast of Mustapa of those days. To name a few of familiar specimes were Sabudin, Ali Karim, Chin Fun Chee, Kadir Mamak, Teoh Hui Seng, Kan See Mun, John Jew Wong, Ricky Tajudin, Chan On Wai, Harith Takiman, Ng Tiong Seng, Chelvam, Maheswaran, Osman, Sharo, Malik Yasin, Kang Lin Tong, Yeo Yan Teng and many others. The Guest of Honour was the Refiney Manager, Encik Bakar. During my time in the 60s and 70s, I never dreamt that a Malay guy to be the Esso Refinery Manager. It was only for the Americans and I recalled, Bushacker, J J Desmond and H B Canavan.
It was nice to meet plenty of old buddies again. We talked about the good and bad times when we worked together. I defended the late Mah Ah Chong, the Unit Day Superintendent who was exceptionally nice to me. To some, he was a tyrant. Actually, late Mah Ah Chong was a very nice man, he looked serious all right but he had a golden heart. Immediately he came back from Greece, he came to the Refinery one Sunday and pulled me to his Office. We had a pep talk and he told me he wanted to have questions and answer sessions with me. He caught me by surprise and I answered all the questions he asked. After the session he smilingly told me, he superseded all my immediate reporting Superintendents and he did not understand what was going on while he was away in Greece. My perception of Mah Ah Chong took a complete turn.
Some of us retired from Esso and some left to join other establishments. I left in April 1973. However, we still maintain the comrade at arm during the Esso days. We also talked about those who we were unable to attend. Those who have gone back to meet the Creator, migrated, those in hospitals and also those who did not want to fork RM 50 for the function. I came to know, Ng Koy Bee in ICU suffering from an acute stroke, Yap Chee Meang is nearly blinded, ZA (full name withheld) is in hibernation and many other interesting updates about our colleagues. Of course those migrated was mostly Chinaman. I wanted badly to meet Mazlan Chico and Ho Kok Lim, unfortunately they did not attend. I remember Ho Kok Lin who always blamed Oh Chin Weng for every little thing.
After the lucky draw, the reunion dinner ended at about 2300 hrs. However, about 12 of us adjourned to the nearest Mamak shop and we continued our chit chat until about 0130 hours. More laughter followed and more nostalgic stories were shared. Who dated whom and who married whose daughter and what not. The jokes and stories what happened in the Control Room was shared. Sabudin was telling how the late Hassan Cowboy and me played a prank on ZA tin of lychee.
The reunion ended at last and we promised to meet again in 2010. Insyaalah, if I am still around, I will make the trip again to Port Dickson.
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