Selepas episod pemecatan Tun Salleh Abbas sebagai Ketua Hakim Negara dan skandal "correct, correct, correct!", ramai yang makin sangsi dengan ketelusan sistem perundangan Malaysia.
Betulkah sistemnya sudah bobrok?
Sebelum pagi hari ini, aku pun hampir-hampir tergolong dalam kumpulan yang was-was ini. Tetapi, apabila aku baca berita di muka surat 2 akhbar The Sun, mula terdetik keraguan tentang ketidakyakinan aku kepada sistem perundangan di negara kita.
Terpampang tajuknya, "Porn VCD case - Court acquits ex-air steward"!
Hakim P. Nallini berpendapat hukuman 18 bulan penjara ke atas Mohd Rizal Mat Yusuf untuk pertuduhan membuat dan mengedarkan VCD yang mengandungi adegan-adegan seks melampau di No. 12, Jalan Sri Banang, Taman Sri Andalas, Klang di antara tahun 1999 dan Mei 2003, adalah "a failure of justice".
Aku tak mahu mengulas panjang kerana berita ini boleh dibaca di dada-dada akhbar, tapi tidakkah ini satu lagi bukti bahawa masih ada lagi keadilan di mahkamah-mahkamah kita? Hehehe...
Apa-apa pun, tahniah untukmu, pramugara terlampau!
Tuesday, 23 December 2008
Saturday, 20 December 2008
To build a nation, first build a school
Believe it or not, I tend to agree with those voices for an integrated national school. To me, a single system school is crucial to develop Bangsa Malaysia - a united Malaysians with the same learning path (not necessarily means the same learning tools!).
While celebrating our diversity, we should all work towards the convergence of our vernacular education systems, which I believe would enable us to optimise the use of scarce resources (both financial and non-financial) to improve the standard of living of all Malaysians. And this would also enable us to nurture the spirit of kekitaan among the young generation.
When I first read the appended article which was first published on The Sun, I know I should share this with my fellow friends.
Lets us put aside our emotions, and read the article with an open mind.
And I personally think the Government should stop providing financial support to vernacular schools and at the same time, enhance the attractiveness and effectiveness of national schools.
*******************************************
Prof. Khoo Kay Kim
Via email
MANY years ago, Tagore said: "To build a nation, first build a school." He was talking about the need to integrate and socialise the young people who form the citizens of a country. In Malaysia, concern was raised even before World War II, not long after the British had experimented with preserving separatism and found the situation difficult to control. Sir Shenton Thomas (governor and high commissioner), in about 1940, actually thought seriously of adopting a policy to Anglicise the Chinese. But war broke out before he could act.
It is not at all well known that, in the early years of British administration, there was no consciousness of the need to build walls between the ethnic groups. For instance, those appointed to official bodies (such as sanitary boards or state councils) represented industries or commerce. It was only after World War I that the decision was made to appoint ethnic representatives.
The British treated non-Malays as aliens and therefore provided facilities for them to continue to live as citizens of their countries of origin. Hence also, hardened non-Malay criminals were banished, meaning they were sent back to their original countries and could not return.
Malays (as distinct from those of more recent Netherlands East Indies origin) were deemed to be subjects of the Rulers. Those committing serious crimes were exiled, meaning they could return because this was their land of origin. It was to protect their interests, after the first rubber boom of 1910, that the Malay Land Reservation Act was passed in 1913 which also defined, for the first time, who a Malay was. This same definition is preserved in the Federal Constitution.
When plans were laid for the establishment of a nation-state in the course of World War II, the British began to plan seriously the best way to integrate the ethnic groups. The Communities Liaison Committee was formed at the beginning of 1949, chaired by E.E.C.Thuraisingham.
The Barnes Committee, a year later, recommended the integration of the education system. All government schools, as distinct from private schools, would use Malay and English as the main media of instruction but pupils could learn their own ethnic languages. Later, the Razak Report of 1956 stated categorically that "the main objective of Malaya’s educational policy is national unity." Its recommendations were substantially similar to that of the Barnes Report.
But throughout the late "forties" and "fifties", various efforts made to integrate the people proved futile. They preferred to remain separate. Hence, ethnic political parties were formed. Socialism and communism tried to use ideology to break down communalism; both failed. I remember a question set for my final year examination (in 1959) by Prof. K.G.Tregonning (an Australian): "Communalism not communism is the real threat in Malaya." Most of the students who answered that question agreed with the statement.
Singapore is very well aware of that and has adopted, from the beginning, an integrative approach towards education. But its requirement that a pupil must study his/her own ethnic language is too hard. If an Indian pupil wants to study Mandarin instead of Tamil, he/she is not allowed to do so.
Our political leaders also could not solve the problem on the eve of independence. They left many issues unresolved hoping that, after independence, reason and not emotion would prevail. But even now there is no sign of it. When I told the reporter of the Chinese paper that the time had come to adopt a "one-system national school" approach, I specifically mentioned Singapore as an example. But she could not understand what I was saying and reported that I had said non-Malays must forget their mother tongues.
"Mother tongue" is another misunderstood term. It should be the language used by members of a particular family, not the language used by a nation. Therefore, Tamil is not the "mother tongue" of every Indian. The Bengalis, Punjabis, Malayalis and Telegus have their own "mother tongues". In Sarawak and Sabah, the indigenous people have numerous "mother tongues".
Like it or not, young Malaysians must make it a point to acquire three languages at least: the national language, an international language (English is the most useful) and each person’s own ethnic language. The schools can provide for the learning of a few of the major ethnic languages: Mandarin, Tamil and Arabic; but it would not be practicable to try to provide more.
When discussing national problems, why must leaders of the nation allow themselves to be overcome by strong ethnic feelings? Their main responsibility is to integrate the nation not separate it. And, by the way, the nation rejected assimilation a long time ago but acknowledged that integration is the right approach. There are still educated Malaysians who do not know this.
I have lived through two serious ethnic riots – one in 1945 and one in 1969. When I plead for a rational approach why should I be accused of not knowing my own people? My research into the history of the Chinese in Malaysia takes into account minute details. But the simple question is, if I choose to be an ethnic champion would I be able to contribute to national unity? Am I to understand that confrontation is the wiser approach? Have we not seen the calamities that have taken place in some countries even in recent times because of ethnic confrontation?
The preservation and practice of ancestral culture is not wrong but when one lives in a complex society, social relations cannot be taken for granted. Certainly accommodation is more likely to lead to greater happiness than stubborn confrontation.
While celebrating our diversity, we should all work towards the convergence of our vernacular education systems, which I believe would enable us to optimise the use of scarce resources (both financial and non-financial) to improve the standard of living of all Malaysians. And this would also enable us to nurture the spirit of kekitaan among the young generation.
When I first read the appended article which was first published on The Sun, I know I should share this with my fellow friends.
Lets us put aside our emotions, and read the article with an open mind.
And I personally think the Government should stop providing financial support to vernacular schools and at the same time, enhance the attractiveness and effectiveness of national schools.
*******************************************
Prof. Khoo Kay Kim
Via email
MANY years ago, Tagore said: "To build a nation, first build a school." He was talking about the need to integrate and socialise the young people who form the citizens of a country. In Malaysia, concern was raised even before World War II, not long after the British had experimented with preserving separatism and found the situation difficult to control. Sir Shenton Thomas (governor and high commissioner), in about 1940, actually thought seriously of adopting a policy to Anglicise the Chinese. But war broke out before he could act.
It is not at all well known that, in the early years of British administration, there was no consciousness of the need to build walls between the ethnic groups. For instance, those appointed to official bodies (such as sanitary boards or state councils) represented industries or commerce. It was only after World War I that the decision was made to appoint ethnic representatives.
The British treated non-Malays as aliens and therefore provided facilities for them to continue to live as citizens of their countries of origin. Hence also, hardened non-Malay criminals were banished, meaning they were sent back to their original countries and could not return.
Malays (as distinct from those of more recent Netherlands East Indies origin) were deemed to be subjects of the Rulers. Those committing serious crimes were exiled, meaning they could return because this was their land of origin. It was to protect their interests, after the first rubber boom of 1910, that the Malay Land Reservation Act was passed in 1913 which also defined, for the first time, who a Malay was. This same definition is preserved in the Federal Constitution.
When plans were laid for the establishment of a nation-state in the course of World War II, the British began to plan seriously the best way to integrate the ethnic groups. The Communities Liaison Committee was formed at the beginning of 1949, chaired by E.E.C.Thuraisingham.
The Barnes Committee, a year later, recommended the integration of the education system. All government schools, as distinct from private schools, would use Malay and English as the main media of instruction but pupils could learn their own ethnic languages. Later, the Razak Report of 1956 stated categorically that "the main objective of Malaya’s educational policy is national unity." Its recommendations were substantially similar to that of the Barnes Report.
But throughout the late "forties" and "fifties", various efforts made to integrate the people proved futile. They preferred to remain separate. Hence, ethnic political parties were formed. Socialism and communism tried to use ideology to break down communalism; both failed. I remember a question set for my final year examination (in 1959) by Prof. K.G.Tregonning (an Australian): "Communalism not communism is the real threat in Malaya." Most of the students who answered that question agreed with the statement.
Singapore is very well aware of that and has adopted, from the beginning, an integrative approach towards education. But its requirement that a pupil must study his/her own ethnic language is too hard. If an Indian pupil wants to study Mandarin instead of Tamil, he/she is not allowed to do so.
Our political leaders also could not solve the problem on the eve of independence. They left many issues unresolved hoping that, after independence, reason and not emotion would prevail. But even now there is no sign of it. When I told the reporter of the Chinese paper that the time had come to adopt a "one-system national school" approach, I specifically mentioned Singapore as an example. But she could not understand what I was saying and reported that I had said non-Malays must forget their mother tongues.
"Mother tongue" is another misunderstood term. It should be the language used by members of a particular family, not the language used by a nation. Therefore, Tamil is not the "mother tongue" of every Indian. The Bengalis, Punjabis, Malayalis and Telegus have their own "mother tongues". In Sarawak and Sabah, the indigenous people have numerous "mother tongues".
Like it or not, young Malaysians must make it a point to acquire three languages at least: the national language, an international language (English is the most useful) and each person’s own ethnic language. The schools can provide for the learning of a few of the major ethnic languages: Mandarin, Tamil and Arabic; but it would not be practicable to try to provide more.
When discussing national problems, why must leaders of the nation allow themselves to be overcome by strong ethnic feelings? Their main responsibility is to integrate the nation not separate it. And, by the way, the nation rejected assimilation a long time ago but acknowledged that integration is the right approach. There are still educated Malaysians who do not know this.
I have lived through two serious ethnic riots – one in 1945 and one in 1969. When I plead for a rational approach why should I be accused of not knowing my own people? My research into the history of the Chinese in Malaysia takes into account minute details. But the simple question is, if I choose to be an ethnic champion would I be able to contribute to national unity? Am I to understand that confrontation is the wiser approach? Have we not seen the calamities that have taken place in some countries even in recent times because of ethnic confrontation?
The preservation and practice of ancestral culture is not wrong but when one lives in a complex society, social relations cannot be taken for granted. Certainly accommodation is more likely to lead to greater happiness than stubborn confrontation.
Thursday, 18 December 2008
Al-fatihah...
Sekitar jam 4 pagi, aku mendapat SMS daripada Niza dan panggilan telefon daripada Mira, yang memaklumkan bahawa Atok Mustapha telah kembali ke rahmatullah.
Aku bergegas balik ke Melaka. Memandangkan aku sudah tiada cuti tahunan, aku tidak boleh lama kerana kursus yang sedang aku hadiri bermula pada 9.15 pagi.
Aku cuma sempat membacakan surah Yaasin sekali sahaja. Tidak sempat untuk tunggu mayat dimandi dan dikafankan.
Takziah buat Nek Kamayah sekeluarga. Sesungguh arwah adalah seorang muslim yang baik dan moga Allah mencucuri rahmat ke atas rohnya, dan ditempatkan di kalangan orang-orang yang beriman.
Al-fatihah...
p/s: Have a safe journey, Nurul. So sorry because I was unable to send you off due to work commitments.
Aku bergegas balik ke Melaka. Memandangkan aku sudah tiada cuti tahunan, aku tidak boleh lama kerana kursus yang sedang aku hadiri bermula pada 9.15 pagi.
Aku cuma sempat membacakan surah Yaasin sekali sahaja. Tidak sempat untuk tunggu mayat dimandi dan dikafankan.
Takziah buat Nek Kamayah sekeluarga. Sesungguh arwah adalah seorang muslim yang baik dan moga Allah mencucuri rahmat ke atas rohnya, dan ditempatkan di kalangan orang-orang yang beriman.
Al-fatihah...
p/s: Have a safe journey, Nurul. So sorry because I was unable to send you off due to work commitments.
Wednesday, 17 December 2008
Atok Mustapha
Ketika aku makan malam bersama Mus dan Din di Pandan Jaya, aku sempat menelefon Niza, untuk bertanyakan tentang rancangan bagi bercuti di Pulau Langkawi. Niza kata dia bersiap-siap untuk ke hospital.
"Cakap dengan Abah," ujarnya.
Aku diberitahu Abah bahawa suami kepada mak tiri Abah sedang tenat di Hospital Melaka. Atok Mustapha mengidap penyakit buah pinggang. Kali terakhir aku tengok dia, di majlis perkahwinan Mira. Dia tampak sihat dan sempat membacakan doa selamat buat kami sekeluarga.
Semoga Allah melimpahi rahmat dan meringankan beban sakit yang dihadapinya. Aamin.
Aku rasa aku ada buat salah kepada Atok Mustapha. Biarpun kesalahan itu tidak dizahirkan dengan kata-kata ataupun perbuatan, tetapi hati aku berdetik. Dan aku rasa detik hati pada ketika itu, adalah sesuatu yang tidak baik.
Ya Allah... berilah kesempatan untuk aku minta maaf daripadanya.
p/s: Aku sekarang sedang berkursus di Petaling Jaya. Ingin ambil kesempatan untuk mengucapkan Selamat Hari Ulang Tahun Kelahiran kepada Juita dan Noris pada 16 Disember dan Kak Liza pada 17 Disember. All the best in your undertakings. May Allah bless you with more rahmat, berkat and joy. Aamin.
"Cakap dengan Abah," ujarnya.
Aku diberitahu Abah bahawa suami kepada mak tiri Abah sedang tenat di Hospital Melaka. Atok Mustapha mengidap penyakit buah pinggang. Kali terakhir aku tengok dia, di majlis perkahwinan Mira. Dia tampak sihat dan sempat membacakan doa selamat buat kami sekeluarga.
Semoga Allah melimpahi rahmat dan meringankan beban sakit yang dihadapinya. Aamin.
Aku rasa aku ada buat salah kepada Atok Mustapha. Biarpun kesalahan itu tidak dizahirkan dengan kata-kata ataupun perbuatan, tetapi hati aku berdetik. Dan aku rasa detik hati pada ketika itu, adalah sesuatu yang tidak baik.
Ya Allah... berilah kesempatan untuk aku minta maaf daripadanya.
p/s: Aku sekarang sedang berkursus di Petaling Jaya. Ingin ambil kesempatan untuk mengucapkan Selamat Hari Ulang Tahun Kelahiran kepada Juita dan Noris pada 16 Disember dan Kak Liza pada 17 Disember. All the best in your undertakings. May Allah bless you with more rahmat, berkat and joy. Aamin.
Friday, 12 December 2008
Bagai melepaskan anjing tersepit
Tiada ungkapan yang lebih sesuai buat sebilangan mangsa tanah runtuh Bukit Antarabangsa, yang bongkak dan tidak percaya kepada qada' dan qadar.
Aku tidak ambil pusing tentang cakap-cakap tentang perangai buruk mereka yang dijaja dari satu mulut ke satu mulut. Tetapi apabila aku baca tentang dua perkara di dada-dada akhbar, ya Allah... ampuni hamba-Mu ini, simpati bertukar MELUAT!
Pertamanya, artikel tentang kerajaan sedia menimbangkan usaha menempatkan mangsa-mangsa yang menghuni 14 banglo (baca: rumah mewah bernilai jutaan ringgit) yang terbabit di hotel-hotel.
Keduanya, suami salah seorang mangsa merancang untuk menyaman pasukan penyelamat kerana LAMBAT menyelamatkan isterinya yang terkorban.
Aku pelik mengapa kerajaan perlu menempatkan mereka di hotel. Apakah ini dasar terbaru untuk semua mangsa bencana alam yang berlaku di Malaysia ataupun one-off ehsan? Kenapa mangsa-mangsa tanah runtuh ini yang dipilih sebagai perintis? Tidakkah orang kaya ini punyai sanak saudara yang boleh mengikut jejak Datuk Siti Nurhaliza yang menumpangkan saudaranya di rumah beliau sehingga segalanya selesai?
Aku sejak kecil sudah diajar oleh mak dan abah, serta guru-guru agama tentang qada' dan qadar. Buat yang tak mengerti maksudnya, kurang lebih sama erti dengan takdir. Aku percaya sudah takdir wanita tersebut pergi selama-lamanya dan tanah runtuh itu hanyalah sebab musabab. Semasa aku di Tingkatan 3, aku pernah diberitahui oleh kawan baik, Soh Lian Hai (di manakah kau sekarang?) bahawa dia pun dididik tentang perkara yang sama. Mungkin teman-teman Tionghua boleh berkongsi sama...
Laporan Buletin TV3 tentang makanan dan minuman yang dibuang oleh mangsa-mangsa tanah runtuh Bukit Antarabangsa sangat menyedihkan. Hina sangatkah makan nasi bungkus? Bobrok sangatkan menumpang tidur di balai raya?
Teringat aku tentang ketertiban dan kesantunan isteri Hanif Basree menghadapi dugaan besar dalam hidupnya. Mungkin mereka (termasuk juga isteri Razak Baginda) boleh belajar sesuatu daripada beliau.
Alahai...
p/s: Well done, Pak Lah!
Aku tidak ambil pusing tentang cakap-cakap tentang perangai buruk mereka yang dijaja dari satu mulut ke satu mulut. Tetapi apabila aku baca tentang dua perkara di dada-dada akhbar, ya Allah... ampuni hamba-Mu ini, simpati bertukar MELUAT!
Pertamanya, artikel tentang kerajaan sedia menimbangkan usaha menempatkan mangsa-mangsa yang menghuni 14 banglo (baca: rumah mewah bernilai jutaan ringgit) yang terbabit di hotel-hotel.
Keduanya, suami salah seorang mangsa merancang untuk menyaman pasukan penyelamat kerana LAMBAT menyelamatkan isterinya yang terkorban.
Aku pelik mengapa kerajaan perlu menempatkan mereka di hotel. Apakah ini dasar terbaru untuk semua mangsa bencana alam yang berlaku di Malaysia ataupun one-off ehsan? Kenapa mangsa-mangsa tanah runtuh ini yang dipilih sebagai perintis? Tidakkah orang kaya ini punyai sanak saudara yang boleh mengikut jejak Datuk Siti Nurhaliza yang menumpangkan saudaranya di rumah beliau sehingga segalanya selesai?
Aku sejak kecil sudah diajar oleh mak dan abah, serta guru-guru agama tentang qada' dan qadar. Buat yang tak mengerti maksudnya, kurang lebih sama erti dengan takdir. Aku percaya sudah takdir wanita tersebut pergi selama-lamanya dan tanah runtuh itu hanyalah sebab musabab. Semasa aku di Tingkatan 3, aku pernah diberitahui oleh kawan baik, Soh Lian Hai (di manakah kau sekarang?) bahawa dia pun dididik tentang perkara yang sama. Mungkin teman-teman Tionghua boleh berkongsi sama...
Laporan Buletin TV3 tentang makanan dan minuman yang dibuang oleh mangsa-mangsa tanah runtuh Bukit Antarabangsa sangat menyedihkan. Hina sangatkah makan nasi bungkus? Bobrok sangatkan menumpang tidur di balai raya?
Teringat aku tentang ketertiban dan kesantunan isteri Hanif Basree menghadapi dugaan besar dalam hidupnya. Mungkin mereka (termasuk juga isteri Razak Baginda) boleh belajar sesuatu daripada beliau.
Alahai...
p/s: Well done, Pak Lah!
Tuesday, 9 December 2008
Antara alhamdulillah dan al-fatihah
Syukur banyak-banyak ke hadrat Allah taala kerana segalanya berjalan dengan lancarnya. Alhamdulillah, Mira telah selamat diijabkabulkan pada petang Jumaat, upacara malam berinai pada malamnya dan hari langsung pada keesokan harinya. Syukur alhamdulillah kerana tidak hujan sepanjang upacara berlangsung [Biarpun mak tiri abah bersungguh-sungguh menyuruh Mira balingkan baju basahannya ke atas bumbung, aku dan Lia tetap anggap itu adalah perbuatan yang tak perlu].
Mungkin kerana pertama kali mak dan abah menerima menantu, jadi orang datang tak putus-putus. Santak terpaksa beratur untuk mengambil makanan. Kasihan juga tengokkan Ju dan Udin dengan tiga orang anaknya dalam barisan panjang tersebut...
Terima kasih daun keladi kepada semua, termasuk kawan-kawan dan rakan-rakan sepejabat yang sudi datang. Kepada yang sesat dek peta yang serba serbi kurang itu, maaf banyak-banyak dari kami.
Terima kasih juga kepada ahli keluarga, sanak saudara dan sahabat handai yang datang menolong, terutamanya teruna-teruna yang membasuh pinggan mangkuk dan dara-dara yang menyelenggarakan balai makan.
Potrait Keluarga
"Kau menangis ke?" tanya salah seorang kawan baik aku yang datang dari jauh.
"Rahsia!"
Dalam ghairah menyambut kehadiran ahli baru, Mus, kami diingatkan tentang ulangtahun pemergian nenda tercinta, arwah Puan Jariah Abdul Samad pada 6 Disember 1959. Semoga Allah terus mencucuri rahmat ke atas roh beliau. Al-fatihah...
p/s: Alhamdulillah, makanan mencukupi, cuma tak dapat nak dibekal-bekalkan. Seperti yang diduga, ayam golek dan serunding Melaka laku betul!
Mungkin kerana pertama kali mak dan abah menerima menantu, jadi orang datang tak putus-putus. Santak terpaksa beratur untuk mengambil makanan. Kasihan juga tengokkan Ju dan Udin dengan tiga orang anaknya dalam barisan panjang tersebut...
Terima kasih daun keladi kepada semua, termasuk kawan-kawan dan rakan-rakan sepejabat yang sudi datang. Kepada yang sesat dek peta yang serba serbi kurang itu, maaf banyak-banyak dari kami.
Terima kasih juga kepada ahli keluarga, sanak saudara dan sahabat handai yang datang menolong, terutamanya teruna-teruna yang membasuh pinggan mangkuk dan dara-dara yang menyelenggarakan balai makan.
"Kau menangis ke?" tanya salah seorang kawan baik aku yang datang dari jauh.
"Rahsia!"
Dalam ghairah menyambut kehadiran ahli baru, Mus, kami diingatkan tentang ulangtahun pemergian nenda tercinta, arwah Puan Jariah Abdul Samad pada 6 Disember 1959. Semoga Allah terus mencucuri rahmat ke atas roh beliau. Al-fatihah...
p/s: Alhamdulillah, makanan mencukupi, cuma tak dapat nak dibekal-bekalkan. Seperti yang diduga, ayam golek dan serunding Melaka laku betul!
Sunday, 30 November 2008
Selamat Pengantin Baru, Pakcik Mamat!
Post ini sudah lama tertangguh. Kurang lebih sebulan setengah. Ini adalah majlis pernikahan sepupu kepada Abah aku, kira pangkat bapa saudara. Tapi, memandangkan kami sebaya, dan membesar sama-sama, aku cuma memanggilnya, Mamat dan dia (serta seluruh warga kampung Pasir Puteh) panggil aku... Has (baca: As). Mus... kalau kau ketawa, jaga kau! hehehe.
Masa kecil dulu, kami bertiga - aku, Mamat dan Jali, seorang lagi sepupu Abah aku, ke sana ke sini bersama-sama. Bergusti di serambi rumah Nek Kotak (aku pun tak tahu bagaimana adik Nenek aku ini boleh dapat gelaran sedemikian, sedangkan namanya ialah Jamaliah), bermain rounders di kawasan lapang sebelah Masjid As-Syakirin, berkubang di benteng (baca: tali air) ataupun membuntuti jentera yang membajak sawah milik Dr. Zaleha, sambil meraba-raba serkap dengan harapan meluap-luap untuk mencekak ikan haruan ataupun keli.
"Bila korang nak kawin ni? Sementara aku masih hidup ni, nak tengok kamu naik atas pelamin," tutur Nek Angah, yang juga mak Pakcik Jali.
"Tunggu dak As kawin dulu. Dia dah ada serba serbi," jawab Mamat.
"Eh, mana boleh anak buah melangkah bendul. Betul tak, Nek?" Nek Angah cuma menggeleng. Dan kami menerbitkan tawa kecil.
"Kau balik tau!" pesan Mamat bersungguh-sungguh, ketika aku berjumpa dengannya pada pagi Aidilfitri yang lalu. Riak mukanya ceria dan manis, bagai sudah terbayang-bayang nikmat berumahtangga.
"Insya-Allah, aku akan balik."
Ketika majlis pernikahan Mamat di Masjid Limbongan, Jali sedang ditahan di wad Hospital Besar Melaka. Dia dilanggar lori ketika hendak ke tempat kerja. Seperti aku, Pakcik Jali juga tumpang gembira dengan berita baik ini. Riak mukanya disaksikan aku ketika melawatnya, sesudah aku menghadiri majlis akad nikah Mamat.
"Lah... adik kau rupanya, Faizal?" ujar aku sambil bersalaman dengan Faizal, rakan sekolah aku ketika di Sekolah Tinggi Melaka.
"Sorang je?" tanya Faizal, dengan dua orang anak di kiri kanannya. Sambil tersenyum, aku mengangguk.
Selamat Pengantin Baru, Pakcik Mamat. Semoga berbahagia santak ke akhir hayat.
Masa kecil dulu, kami bertiga - aku, Mamat dan Jali, seorang lagi sepupu Abah aku, ke sana ke sini bersama-sama. Bergusti di serambi rumah Nek Kotak (aku pun tak tahu bagaimana adik Nenek aku ini boleh dapat gelaran sedemikian, sedangkan namanya ialah Jamaliah), bermain rounders di kawasan lapang sebelah Masjid As-Syakirin, berkubang di benteng (baca: tali air) ataupun membuntuti jentera yang membajak sawah milik Dr. Zaleha, sambil meraba-raba serkap dengan harapan meluap-luap untuk mencekak ikan haruan ataupun keli.
"Bila korang nak kawin ni? Sementara aku masih hidup ni, nak tengok kamu naik atas pelamin," tutur Nek Angah, yang juga mak Pakcik Jali.
"Tunggu dak As kawin dulu. Dia dah ada serba serbi," jawab Mamat.
"Eh, mana boleh anak buah melangkah bendul. Betul tak, Nek?" Nek Angah cuma menggeleng. Dan kami menerbitkan tawa kecil.
"Kau balik tau!" pesan Mamat bersungguh-sungguh, ketika aku berjumpa dengannya pada pagi Aidilfitri yang lalu. Riak mukanya ceria dan manis, bagai sudah terbayang-bayang nikmat berumahtangga.
"Insya-Allah, aku akan balik."
Ketika majlis pernikahan Mamat di Masjid Limbongan, Jali sedang ditahan di wad Hospital Besar Melaka. Dia dilanggar lori ketika hendak ke tempat kerja. Seperti aku, Pakcik Jali juga tumpang gembira dengan berita baik ini. Riak mukanya disaksikan aku ketika melawatnya, sesudah aku menghadiri majlis akad nikah Mamat.
"Lah... adik kau rupanya, Faizal?" ujar aku sambil bersalaman dengan Faizal, rakan sekolah aku ketika di Sekolah Tinggi Melaka.
"Sorang je?" tanya Faizal, dengan dua orang anak di kiri kanannya. Sambil tersenyum, aku mengangguk.
Selamat Pengantin Baru, Pakcik Mamat. Semoga berbahagia santak ke akhir hayat.
"Manalah Tok Kadi ni?"
"Awak setuju untuk dinikahkan?"
"Sejuknya tangan kau ni!"
"Nak baca semua ni ke, Tok Kadi?"
"Ini adalah mas kahwinnya"
"Sarungkan perlahan-lahan, nak. Makcik nak ambil gambar ni!"
"Sayang, dinda!"
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