ONCE UPON A TIME IN SIMUNJAN (6)

Hjh Azizah( left ) and Hj Sabri (right) with us in their home.

In 1974 two trained teachers from Semenanjung Malaysia came to Simunjan Secondary School to serve in Sarawak for five years. One of them, Mohd Sabri Hj Ishak stayed together with me in my quarters.

Sabri came from Kedah. Years gone by and we became good friends. While in Simunjan we have gone through a lot of activities together. In 1976 I was transferred back to Kuching. Sabri remained in Simunjan.

In 1979 I was posted to Stampin Secondary School and over there I met Sabri again. After I left Simunjan, Sabri managed to get a transfer to Kuching and served in Stampin Secondary School.

So we met again and started to build our friendship that has stopped for a while. I was married by then and Sabri did not seem to be attached to any girl that time.

In 1980, I think, more teachers from Semenanjung came to Sarawak. One of them, Cik Azizah Rasol, a graduate teacher from Negeri Sembilan was posted to Stampin together with another lady Puan Rohana from Malacca. Azizah, a sweet and nice lady, a teacher with high commitment towards her service and very hardworking.

On her first pay day Azizah came to me and handed over an envelope that contained some cash and said' Encik Pharo, today, my first pay day. Please give this as a token of appreciation to your daughter. Azizah handed over some cash to my daughter, Laila.

One day Sabri brought me along to look for durians along Kuching- Serian Road. Sabri had just bought a car, Fiat 124, yellow in colour and wanted to test drive it. Coming along with us was the late Amir Hamzah, Azizah and Rohana. We managed to buy some durians.

End of 1980 /1981 Sabri was transferred back to Kedah leaving Azizah, his girl friend ( fiancee?)

in Kuching. A year later Azizah managed to get a transfer back to Kulim, Kedah. She was posted to Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sultan Badlishah, Kulim. Our friendship ended there. We lost contact from then on.

Some time in 2007 I met a friend, a former teacher, who informed me Sabri did come to Kuching recently and was trying to meet me but in vain. I got hold his hp no and we managed to get in touch.

Last hari Raya, I went to Kedah to celebrate hari raya with my daughters and son in Sungai Petani. I was able to meet Haji Sabri and his wife, Hajah Azizah and also their two sons and a daughter. It was sad to hear that their first child, a daughter, 27 years old, passed away during the first day of Ramadan. I can see the pain in the face of Hj Sabri and Hajah Azizah and I could only say my deepest sympathy to both of them.

In his house Hj Sabri was even more friendly then before . My wife couldn't believe the kindness offerred by this beautiful family. We are able to be in touch again after being seperated for almost 30 years. Friendship that come from our heart with no motive of self interest will last forever. And so our friendship came back after an interval of almost thirty years.

To Sabri and Azizah, Thank you for your hospitality.

.

JOHN WAYNE

In 1965 there’s a boy from Bintulu who entered our school. I was in Primary five. That boy named John Wayne, Eurasian, came with his family to stay in our village. He entered our school and joined my class. Everybody talked about him as a smart boy and keen football player.

Years gone by we built our friendship. Everyday John Wayne came to my house, played and studied together. We ate together and it was a wonderful time for me.

Come 1966 we faced a tough challenge during that era. We sat for common entrance examination. Both of us managed to pass through the obstacle and we entered St. Thomas School.

Something happened during the three years together. John was adopted by our primary school teacher and stayed with the family. Our friendship began to diminish due to certain misunderstanding.

We sat for Sarawak Junior Certificate Examination in 1969 and I managed to cling on and proceeded to enter form four in the same school but not John. He did not further his study instead after some years he joined government service as a fireman at the Department of Civil Aviation.

Time passed by as we live our life on our own directions. John married his childhood sweetheart and so am I. We stayed together in the same housing estate but seldom has time together. I guessed life now is totally different from what we have thirty plus years before. I have retired but John still in service. I believe he is now somewhere in Bintulu. How do I know that. Guess what, I was informed by his son, Fikri. Yes, I met his son who is now with SAINS, govt owned company dealing with Sarawak ICT. The face of John Wayne is certainly reflected in the appearance of Fikri…ah the Almighty Allah…

ONCE UPON A TIME IN SARAWAK: REGATTA

Sarawak Regatta 2008, a three days' started yesterday at Sarawak river. The Hon. Chief Minister of Sarawak officiating the start of the event. In his speech the Hon. Pehin Sri recalled the history of regatta which traced back during the 2nd white Rajah rule. This year’s regatta took the theme “ Race for peace.” Regatta was held long time ago in Sarawak by the Brooke a step taken by by Charles Brooke to prevent the fighting amongst the natives of Sarawak.

During the 60s when regatta was held in Kuching, a lot of boat anchored at Sarawak river especially in front of Astana and Cheko. Boats came mostly from the coastal villages from Samarahan areas and some as far as Saribas area. A very interesting view indeed. My relatives from Kampung Baru and kampong Serpan in Asajaya would stop at our house in Kampung Pulo HIlir and stayed with us for a night before the regatta to begin.

During one of the regattas in the 60s (probably 1967) I was selling ice cream. I went around the area near Borneo Company up to Cheko selling ice cream which was obtained from one of the ice cream company at Padungan. Selling ice cream was actually a very good and profitable business. Regatta is one way for people to make some money. I am happy to see a lot of people are making a small business activity during the regatta. It is a very healthy and positive thing to do.

In the seventies I missed the regatta. I do not remember watching the regatta during that time. Probably there's none being held or that I have lost interest during that period, I could not recall.

Back in the 21^st century, regatta came back alive and kicking. It is one of the major events held to attract the tourists to Sarawak. It is interesting to ponder why was the theme of the regatta this year “Race for Peace”?

MY FRIEND, MAJOR (R) HAJI MANSOR

Two years ago, today, I posted an entry on my long lost friend, Maj. (R) Hj Mansor whom I met during the eighties, the time when his son, Fareez came to stay with me during school holidays.
I wrote about my feelings, how I long to meet them and just to say hello to my nice old friend.
And to my surprise , Fareez emailed me one day. I was astonished. He managed to goggle through in the internet and found my entry.
So we are in touch again. I know now that he is married to a girl from Johor, Sharifah and he is doing fine in life, gifted with three kids. That news alone has made my day bright and shining.
I made a trip to KL three weeks back and managed to meet Fareez and family and was brought to his father's home. It was a great moment for me and my wife. Meeting the family again really is something that I have never expected. By the grace of Allah we met and recalled the good old days.
Now back in Kuching, I hope to meet them again in future, and this time I' d like to see them in Kuching, Insyaallah.

HISTORY

History is the witness that testifies to the passing of time; it illumines reality, vitalizes memory, provides guidance in daily life and brings us tidings of antiquity.

Cicero, Pro Publio Sestio
Roman author, orator, & politician (106 BC - 43 BC)

Once Upon A Time in Simunjan(5)

Batang Sadong

What can I say, Simunjan has always been in my heart since the day I served there. It was in March 1973, of course, my bachelor life spent here. And until today, Simunjan will always be in my memory. Why? What is so special about Simunjan, lonely town, especially in 1970s. Most people tried to avoid it, but not me. And I never regretted it.
I was first asked to be transferred to Sarikei. That period communist insurgeny was at its peak and Sarikei, I believed was one of the hot spot. To cut short my story, a friend who was at that time serving in Simunjan offered to go to Sarikei and proposed to me to serve in Simunjan to take his place. I agreed instantly. Why? Because Simunjan was very near to Kuching. I could go back easily. That my consideration.
Now , after thirty -two years, I still think of Simunjan. I write poems about Simunjan. I have a lot of friends from Simunjan. They are still my friends today. Some has moved up in high position in government service and private too. Some still like before. Some still sleep with "JOKER". Some had even moved to the other world. For those friends that has gone  Al- Fatihah and RIP.
Hope? What is my hope for the future of Simunjan and its people? I have a lot of hopes. I hope one day I could go back again and again to Simunjan. I hope to get a son/daughter in-law from Simunjan. Well, thats just my dream..everybody surely have their own dreams.

My Sister, a kindergarten teacher

My sister today, sitting in front, second from left.

My elder brother's wedding in early '70s. Khatamul Quran were also held. My elder sister had completed her recital of the Quran.She is standing at the back on the right.

"Flying kick" ouchhh. Life in my kampung during the early '70s.

"Gotong Royong" in the kampung. Women prepared food while men helped to build the house of a kampung folk. My sister on the foreground on the left. Now only I realised that was the beautiful custom in the life of kampung folk.

It has been some time I have not written anything in English. My last posting was in early March this year. So I thought may be I just write something about the past. No particular topic just the past. Where to start?
May be I'll talk something about my elder sister, Hajah Sayara. She was five years older than me. I could not recall what is the reason for her not being send to school. Probably is my father's thinking that time, that a girl need not be in school but to stay at home and do kitchen work. Whatever the reason my sister did not go to school until she was 2o+ years old. In our kampung the government started adult education to eliminate illiteracy and my sister joined in. She was bright and able to pick up and manage to read and write in Romanised Malay and also Jawi.
At later stage she further her study at a religious school situated somewhere at Kampung Sungai Bedil Besar. After few years in the school she went to Johor to further her reliogious study and manage to attain certain standard.
When she came back from Johor she worked with one famous Islamic Kindergarten in Kuching ie Tadika Bina (now Tadika Hikmah). She stayed on until her retirement in 2005. After retirement she was reengaged on temporary basis until today.
Now what the moral of the story. Nothing big and nothing great. It is just a story of our will power and eagerness. That you could achieve your dream no matter how difficult it seem to be. Just imagine how she could improve herself from the status of someone who is illiterate and yet she was able to move on and change her life. Not a great life but definitely a great change. And for that I have my greatest respect towards her. Salam to you sis.

THE RETURN

It was my daughter, Nurul, who proposed to me to go for a trip during school holiday. She wanted to write an essay about her trip. I, for one, definitely love the idea of driving through the pan-Sarawak highway. And, so, on monday, 10th Mac 2008, we started our journey. My intention is to visit Miri, a return to the city I once stayed and lived for more than 8 years.
Coming along with me is my wife and Nurul. We started our journey at around eleven in the morning. My first stop at Serian where we have our lunch and stayed on for one hour before we proceeded.
After Serian, me next stop is at Sungai Tenggang, one of the many bazaars situated between Serian and Sri Aman. In Sungai Tenggang I stayed for half an hour and than proceeded to my next stop at Pantu. Pantu was quite. To me the bazaar looked sleepy and lazy. I do not know for how long could it last.
From Pantu we went to Betong and stayed overnight in one of the avalaible hotel. I have been in Betong quite a few times either during my official trip when still in service or during the time we visited my future daughter- in -law who is a teacher at SMK St Augustine.
The next day, ie tuesday we proceeded to Miri. It was a long journey and a very tiring one. That doest not weaken my heart. We reached Miri at around 9.00 pm. My daughter -in-law to be waited for us and guided us to her kampung somewhere near Lutong. It was late and we could not go anywhere but just enjoy our dinner and a long sleep.
Returning to Miri brought back the sweet memories that I once have. Miri has and will always remain as my favourite place, a memorable one. To many good things happened to me in Miri. I became a grand father in Miri when my daughter gave birth to my grandson, Faiz Sanim.
The first place we visited , the house of my friend Bong and his wife Sayu. But they were not at home. We met their son, Khairul, a nice boy and a good friend of my son, Fadli. In fact the friendship built by this two kids that has led to our friendship with Encik Bong.
After that we went to Treasury Department. My wife wanted to see one of my former staf, a good friend of my wife, just to say hello and to deliver our heartfelt condolence to her and family during their recent bereavement.
In the evening we went to the beache at Tanjung Lobang. I have not been to the beach for quite some time. A lot of changes took place. A change for good.
We stayed in Miri for two night. In the morning of Thursday we left Miri and proceeded to Sibu. We stayed overninght in Sibu before returning to Kuching the next day, ie on Friday. On the way to Kuching we stopped at various places such as Kabong, Saratok, Betong, Spaoh, Engkilili and Sri Aman.
It was a very interesting trip but few places that I wanted to visit, I did not go due to road condition, such as Mukah and other towns along the way. Ah ! may be the next trip in May.

THE FALL

That monday morning, three weeks ago, I rode my motorbike along Astana road to get my favourite paper.There are quite a few newspaper vendors along Astana road. It has been my routine now since my retirement from service last September to get a copy of the local newspaper to update myself with the happenings around and at the same time pick up one or two packets of nasi lemak for my breakfast. Nasi lemak has been my favourite for my morning break. It is being sold along Astana road too.

It was raining that morning and the road condition was quite slippery. I could use my car to get the papers but i didn't. Riding my Jaguh bike seems to be my choice. I could move fast and avoid being caught in the early morning jam.

After getting the papers, I tried to make a turn towards the kampungs. I slowed down my bike in the middle of the road, applied the brake and ready to turn. But then I could not control my bike. I lost balance and so..down I go...bangggg. My bike fell and I followed, in the middle of the road. Vehicles passing by but it seems nobody is going to stop , so I quickly pick-up my bike and pushed it to the road side.

I looked at my right hand and there's blood flowing, ahhh...its a deep scratch caused by the road. I started the engine and moved on to my next destination...Klinik Kota Raya.

Upon reaching the clinic I felt the severe pain at my right leg. I could not even move my leg. So I have to hold on to the wall of the shoplot and move very slowly. The doctor at the clinic looked at my hand and leg and give necessary treatment. I was lucky when the doctor said there no fracture or whatsoever, just a minor sprain/pain at the muscle. I was given the medicine for relieving the pain.

The fall that morning reminised my previous fall that happened long time ago. It happened during early 60s. I think that was in 1961. That time I stayed with my family in a rented house at Simpang Tiga. The houses there had long disappeared and replaced now by Bangunan Dirgahayu. One morning my brother, Mahrof, brought me along on his bicycle to our new home at Kampung Pulo Hilir, accross Sarawak river. I sat one the bike's bar and my brother paddled the bike along the village path.

There is a hill at the border between Kampung Panglima Seman Ulu and Kampung Panglima Seman Lama(That time it was also called Kpg Buah). During the time, the area was very quiet and peaceful. After reaching the hill top we began to descend. It was quite a fast descent and very frightening to me a six year old boy. Half way descending, we faced trouble. My brother could not control the bike due to uneven path and slippery too. So ...down we go...booop..Both of us fell to the ground. My face hit the ground and so my hands and followed by my legs. I felt the pains. I was in darkness for a few second then I started to cry. Blood on my face, hands and legs. My brother too. He carried me up to the bike and off we go to my new home. Hearing my cry, my uncle rushed down and give medical attention available in the kampung at that time. IT was a cold turkey treatment.

Self accident do happen to us. It caused some disturbance and also it created memories. Now I felt very reluctant to ride my Jaguh bike. I felt it is not worth riding. The pains and time spend and money too made me reconsider to have another joy ride. May be I needed a break. Or may be its time to say good bye to motor riding. Or maybe i should start bicycling. What says you?

25th November 2007

A TRIP TO SIBU

Last friday I went to Sibu with my wife, daughter, Nurul, daughter-in-law, Habsah and my two grand daughters, Aqilah and Fatinah. We went to Sibu at the invitation of Habsah's brother, Abdul Rahman, who is organising a "doa selamat" for his newly born baby, Nabilla. We left Kuching at around 11.00 am using my Mitsubishi L 200 and reached Sibu about 7.30 pm after making stopover at various station and bazaars.

My first stopover was at Serian, a town 60km from Kuching. In Serian, I joined fellow brother in Islam to perform friday prayer at the Serian District Mosque. Prayer ended at around 1.15 pm. We hit the road at 1.30 pm heading for Sri Aman.

Half way we make a stop at Sg.Tenggang bazaar to allow the kids to ease themselves after having drinks and lunch in the vehicle. At the bazaar I went to look for the nylon rope to tighten the canvas roof that was put on my vehicle.

From Sg. Tenggang we continued our drive toward Sri Aman. We reached the road junction to Sri Aman at around 3.30 pm but did not make a stop in order not to waste the time. I drove on until we reached Betong junction. At the junction we stop for assar prayer. As for the ladies, they proceeded to the canteen to get some refreshment and tit-bits.

From Betong junction we continued our journey until we reached Sibu at 7.30 pm. We stayed overnight at the home of Habsah's family at Jalan Teku. It is a new village. Landless people were given a piece of land by the state government to build their houses. The soil are pit type and very fertile.

The next morning we went to Abdul Rahman's home. I brought along my Olympus DSLR to get a few snap of the celebraton and also to capture the portrait of Nabilla.She's such a cute little baby. We stayed until 12.00 Noon and then left for Habsah's home to have afternoon nap as we felt very tired.

I woke up at 2.30 pm, washed my face and then moved on with my next destination, Sibu town. I went to the town with my wife with no stopover anywhere. We just drove along the town enjoying the views of the buildings and people of Sibu. Sibu is a fast developing town. In fact, the tallest building in Sarawak, Wisma Sanyan is situated in Sibu.

Tired driving around we headed home. My grand daughters have been waiting for me. They wanted to go to Taman Jublee Bukit Aup, a favorite spot for joggers. The place is quite near to our house. After ten minutes drive we reached Taman Jubli Bukit Aup. Aqilah and Fatinah enjoyed themselves watching fish and tortoise at the lake and so is mak su Nurul. I managed to snap a few shots. Mak Su Nurul and Izzat followed me to the hill top. It was a challenging climb for a fifty-four year old but for mak su and Izzat it was nothing. At the top we could see aerial view of Sibu town. The panorama was splendid. I am sure it would be very beautiful if I could wait for sunset...ah, may be next time.

We reached home at around 6.00 pm. We washed ourselves before enjoying our dinner. After dinner, I went to sleep early because I felt very exhausted. I woke up this morning at around 5.00pm and enjoy the quiteness of dawn.

For the breakfast , I had a plate of nasi goreng (fried rice). By 8.05 we make our move and left Sibu. Our first stop was Saratok, a town after Sarikei. Saratok is favourite stopover where I could find salted fish and local delicacies.

At Saratok, I went around the wet market and I was in luck. Ibought prawn of good quality at a very good price. I bought 2 kgs of prawns which only cost RM48.00. In Kuching, that particular type of prawns cost RM30.00 per kg, at least.We left Saratok at around 11.00 am and reached Sri Aman Junction by 12.30 pm.

I had my zohor prayer at the junction. There is a small surau built for the muslim and I must congratulate the local authories in Sarawak who were very understanding on the needs of the communities. Along the way from Kuching to Miri, pan -Sarawak highway, you could find a lot of surau built. Ten year ago, there is no such facility.

We left Sri Aman junction around 1.00pm . Our next stopping station was at 10th Mile, Kuching to refill our gas.It was raining heavily along the way from Siburan to 10th mile and I had to drive slowly.We reached home at 4.00 pm.Tired and exhausted but that won't stop me from doing something I have been thinking on the way back.Can you guess what? Rest? No..Prawns, yes I need to enjoy the prawns first. I have the prawns boiled, add in the proper ingredients and yesss...I am in heaven with my prawns..ahh like to join me?

26 November 2007

A TIME TO READ

Yesterday I went to Betong with my wife and two children. We stayed at Betong Plaza Hotel for the night. We went to Betong to send my future daughter in-law, a teacher at St. Augustine Government Secondary School. It was an enjoyable trip although throughout the journey it was raining.
When I reached home today at 12.30 pm, I felt very tired and felt asleep. I woke up at around 5.00 pm, quickly washed my face and proceeded to Perpustakaan Negeri, the State Library of Sarawak, to return the 4 books that I have borrowed.
Since my retiremnt last September, I read heavily. Everyday is a reading day. I have so much time to spend now and I have long been long waiting for this period. The period where I can have time to do what I like most,reading, travelling, writing and photographing.
Last week I started reading a book by Rebecca McClanahan, " Word Painting " a guide to writing more descriptively. I find the book very helpful as it painted vividly the process of writing description. Looking at the back cover of the books, I read with exitement comments made by various figures on " Word Painting".
- Author of Walking Across Egypt, Clyde Edgerton said, " The advice in Word Painting is like Rebecca McClanahan's writing style: clear, concise, fresh, elegant."
-Fred Chappell, author of Farewqell I'm Bound to Leave You, More Shapes Than One and Brighten the Corner Where You Are, said, " Too many writers have considered description as being mere background for, or ornament to, their stories. McClanahan not only demonstrates its organic necessity but shows ways in which it can be made more vital, more exciting and simply more enjoyable than I have imagined possible." I hope to finish reading it before the end of this week.
At the same time , I have also started reading a novel by a Japanese writer, Fumiko Hayashi entitled Floating Clouds, a powerful story of tormented love and one women's struggle to navigate the cruel realities of postwar Japan. This is the third novel by japanese writers that a have read since the last three months.
Other books waiting to be read includes, ""Why I Write", by George Orwell, A Year in the Life -Journaling for Self Discovery, by Sheila Blender and " Writing Articles From The Heart', by Marjorie Holmes. I have glanced through the content and it looks intersting, informative and made my mood to read more exciting.
It is 12.10 am and I should stop writing now. I need to lie down and continue with my reading. By the way, what are you reading now, friends? Newspapers?, Oh ye..I know there's an interesting story to start the 2008 Journal...Malaysia's Minister of Health Sex story. Well if you ask me, that's not a good start for the 2008...not for the politicians.

2nd January 2008

TIME TO WRITE

Earlier I have written about the time that I have now, after my retirement, plenty of time and what to do with it. I have decided to read. I have a lot of books in my bookshelf and I do have library card which gives me opportunity to borrow up to six books at a time. Reading seems to occupy most of my time besides other activities such as well, going to market, sending grand daughter to kindergarten and of course photographing and swimming and listening to musics once a while.

I still have time to spare. All these years I have long waiting for the time to write. So I have the time now but I have not written anything great. what shall I write. What would be the objectives of writing. I need to have clear fdirection. Is writing going to be my future career or is it just a hobby? I need to decide that too. If not then it would be a waste to go for early retirement.

Most of these time I have written poetry. Poetry has been in my heart since I was in lower secondary school. My first poem came out in Utusan Sarawak in 1969 with the title “Satay Tetap Nunggu.” It was written after I have sat for my Sarawak Junior Certificate Examination. I’d like to see that poem again. May be one of this days, I’ll go down to the Museum Library. I heard they have a good collection of such material in their archive.

But then there are other genre that need to be explored. I have written short stories once or twice. The same thing goes to essay. The last time I won a competition in essay writing was in 1973/74. It was a long , long time ago. I need to warm up and start again. Well for the start, I’ll write in my blog. So here it is...to start with.

6th January 2008

TIME FOR A SWIM

After friday prayer yesterday, my wife and I left our home and proceeded to Samarahan. Destination: Samarahan Swimming pool. My wife said that she needed to stretch out. Last few days seems very tiring and stressing. So do I. I felt a little bit tired after late night sleep and attended a few family matters. All those really eaten up my strength.
So, swimming should be a good way to get rid of all those feelings. Negative energy needed to be washed away. BY three in the evening we reached the pool and paid a fee of RM1.00 each person. After putting on my Hawaiian short , i jumped in and started to swim across the pool. My, my. Am I that weak? Just a few stroke I felt really tired. Where are all my energy and strength gone to? I know in the 60s I can swim across Sarawak river with the help of only the nipah trunk, and I did swim across.
Then I realised, Pharo! You are 55 years old now, not 15. Is that so, well I should try to go slow then. I went for a few stroke now and then. A few young boys were around too. They looked at both of us in a strange way. What are these old couple doing here? I think that is what they said in their heart. But they are nice guys. The typical Samarahan attitude. Nice and friendly. My family are also from Samarahan too. They have stayed in kpg Serpan during the Japanese occupation period. That's before I was born.
As for my wife, she seemed to have fogotten how to swim. My God, that aweful.
Swimming is important. Now my kids also do not know how to swim. Some of them now started to take up the hobby too.
After forty five minutes , and the sun started to dry up up our skin , I told my wife its time to go. Forty five minutes is good enough. Maybe next week we'll come again. How about you friend, won't you want to come along. Lets' go swimming.....

Januari 18, 2008