In Januray 1973 (at budak hingus stage, 12 yrs old), I was sent over to study in UK (Ulu Kelantan). As a rural Sarawakian, of which at this time of our Nation Path, was among the top five poorest State in Malaysia. Communist insurgency was also intense in those days....my classmates used to fool me.....Ore Dharaq (Orang Ulu)...or menate berok komunis...but along the way I met a friend...whom he said...tak apo oghe hino atau kutok kita...selagi kita tok serupo hok puok-puok ni kato, kita kena kuat.....mu belajar sajolah...He (Dzulkifli Mohamed), challenged me to be the pride of MySchool (SMR Kuala Krai). I took his words, then I trailed him closely in his accademic excel to Jitra Kedah....(1977)...we depart and never come accross each other again...thanks Dzul, wherever and whatever you are...your words guide me till this day in all my course...FRIEND!
(2) In mid 1980s, I met a junior officer at FELDA Sampadi Sarawak...(a Kelantanese),...can't recall how our conversation lead to something very personal...about I was not happy with MyJob...a government servant...I believe I've not gotten the right job! This job won't lead my far! He smile, and requested his wife to prepare us teh tarik...and he sat right facing me....began his talk, let me tell you this...this FELDA Sampadi is not my first Project...this is the sixth. I've been pushed to open up alot of FELDA new projects....left my family unattended...every time I have to stay deep in the jungle...usually with small staff, away from all comforts...surely my young cek mek molek...(and the wife just smile)...but once the Plantation cleared and established...I'll again move out...to new Project, to start up again...and new guys despite they were younger but much educated...they got promoted and take over the Project...and me nothing....just as who am I since day one!
(3) He said, he almost resign and get moving Jual Nasi Dagang (pl visit our Samudra Court in Kuching for Non-Kelantanese Nasi Dagang...hehehe..just to make you juicy!. But oghe tino (the wife)didn't support the idea. He has five kids to feed. Nasi Dagang business at that moment won't give him much....patiencely he stay on...work hard, pray hard...and sometime grumble hard to God of his bad fate...but, he continue...God answered his pray....every years, his kid got good grade in their exam...and every year the Governement choose his kid to study over sea with full sponsorship....all five. At the time of our talk, he said the elders was then an Engineer in FELDA....
(4) See...I never get promoted. Till now I'm only a supervisor...but since I served FELDA with full dedication and sincerity...God gave me more then my promotion...successful kids....happy life. His reward, you never know....just serve and be sincere.....I forgot his name, but I remember his words to be shared with you....you keep me moving hard. Thanks FRIEND....
(5) In 1998, while serving in Bintulu, a retired JKR officer came to see me. Again I'm sorry for not remembering his name, a chinese
After going thru' his official visit purpose, our conversation then drag into something personal...ie as he saw I was too young for my position...probably..he gave me a long story of himself how he had served JKR....but never got promoted like others....but he continue to work...doing all those thing within his capacity...serving the people right...in Kapit, Miri, Limbang...all over in remote area of Sarawak in those hard days....sacrificing his good easy family life....
(6) He revealed that what really delighted him upon his retirement was that...when his son (an engineer), appied for a job....the interview was short and amazing simple...ie are you the son of..Mr. X a former JKR officer...surely the son answer yes...and he got the job...no further question...
(7) When he met one of the interviewers, he was told that they believe that if the father was so good and dedicated as him...so would be the kids...and he repeated many time to me...serve well, serve hard, serve sincerely...God will be with you....that turn to be my determination...again thanks MyFriend...
(8) For Najib Tun Razak....I hope, since your dad was a great Stateman, so should you....serve our people right, serve the country right...though we are not friend...but I'm not your little subject as well...(I'm touch by your dad sacrifice for the Country...with no wealth left for the family.....and ignoring his health...what would be your legacy?)
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