Thursday, October 29, 2009
Mati itu Benar....
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
My Forgotten Uncle (But Not Anymore)
Photo from Blog Pak Al
ABDUL KAHAR BIN HAJI MOHAMAD
He is the most unpopular uncle (sorry to said that Pak Al) among the sons of Arwah Haji Mat Tuyu. But to those who know him will say that he is no different with others Arwah Haji Mat Tuyu sons. He likes to joke and has good sense of humor but a little bit lighter compared to Pak Anjang or Pak Ajak. In term of seriousness (face expression) I put him at number three behind Arwah Ayahlong (off course) and Pok De.
Pak Al is true KL citizen. I used to see him left home to work as early as seven o’clock in the morning and reach home just about Maghrib prayer. The same goes to Mak Al but she will reach home early to cook for the family.
The uncle title or nickname “Pak Al” was used to address his name among his nieces and nephews. Unlike others Arwah Mat Tuyu children with the title like ayah long, mak ngah, pak uda or pak usu, Pak Al don’t have that title. What is more interesting when Pak Al get married we all just call his wife Mak Al. For those who had many children you can use “al” as title name for second last child.
If my memory serves me well his early jobs was with KTM (correct me if I am wrong Pak Al) and later with Jabatan Perangkaan Negara.
I don’t know whether we all aware or not that Pak Al is the only Arwah Haji Mat Tuyu who is graduated from university. No wonder Pak Al is a very busy. He still study even he already had four children. That is why Pak Al seldom “balik kampong”. Only during major event like hari raya or wedding we can meet with Pak Al. Thanks God hari raya not fall once every five years, if not we have to wait five years to meet Pak Al.
If my memory serves me well his early jobs was with KTM (correct me if I am wrong Pak Al) and later with Jabatan Perangkaan Negara.
Beside Pok De, Pak Al also unofficial photographer for Mat2U family during his younger day but I had no idea where the all the photos went to. Family photo shot during hari raya if I not mistaken in 1980 was captured by Pak Al’s camera. I myself was very excited because it was first time I saw camera with self-timer. Pak Al is also a good musician. He used to be a bassist and later keyboardist with BSN’s band and travel all over the country to perform in BSN’s official function. We can see Pak Al still not loose his touch as a musician when he jammed with Pak Usu and Pak Anjang during Mashita’s wedding.
But I believe all cousins have same respect to Pak Al as others uncle. If Pak Al can spend a little bit more time at our kampong I believe you can share your experience and knowledge with us. Thank you Pak Al.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Bapa Saudaraku Yang Banyak Berjasa
Mazlan Bin Haji Mohamed @ Ayahlong
Ayahlong adalah bapa saudaraku yang paling garang. Itulah yang aku tahu masa aku mula-mula aku kenal siapa itu ayahlong. Rasanya genetik daripada Tok Abah yang memang terkenal garangnya. Sifat garang Ayahlong itu telah disalahguna terutamanya Mak Ngah untuk menakut-nakutkan anak-anak saudara terutamanya Nyai.
Walaupun garang, bila Ayahlong pelawa aku untuk tidur di rumahnya (masa tu kat Kompleks Penghulu, Bakri Batu 5) aku ikut juga. Pengalaman pertama tidur di rumah Ayahlong ialah sebenarnya tak boleh tidur sebab Ayahlong berdengkur, masyaallah kuatnya. Aku tanya Mak Long, boleh ke tidur dengan Ayahlong? Mak Long kata dah biasa.
Biasanya kalau ikut Ayahlong mesti ada kerja yang kena buat. Aku pernah ikut pergi cucuk ayam, tengok Ayahlong seluk bontot lembu, tanam sayur kat Kompleks, bersihkan dusun durian dan macam-macam lagi. Tapi satu lagi sifat yang diwarisi daripada Tok Abah ialah kalau kena buat kerja mesti dapat makan sedap-sedap. Masa tu apa sahaja pun sedap. Masa tu kalau pergi rumah Ayahlong selalu ada lauk ayam. Ayahlong kata kalau kat rumah Ayahlong kalau makan lauk ayam maknanya Ayahlong tak ada duit.
Satu lagi pengalaman menarik aku dengan Ayahlong semasa aku lepas SPM tahun 1987. Ayahlong ajak aku pergi ke Pontian. Ayahlong memang ada ramai kenalan di Pontian dan dia juga disegani oleh kenalannya. Waktu petang selepas ziarah kenalannya Ayahlong ajak aku makan seafood di Kukup. Aku tengok semua restoran kat situ restoran Cina tapi Ayahlong macam tahu je aku ni was-was. Sini semua halal, kata Ayahlong. Jabatan Agama Islam dah sahkan, katanya lagi. Kemudian Ayahlong order mee goring (macam mee lecak) dan udang goring. Apabila makanan dihidang, aku cakap banyaknya. Mee dan udang dihidang dalam dua pinggan hidang. Walaupun Ayahlong gemuk dia makan tak banyak. Aku rasa Ayahlong cuma makan dua ekor udang aje, yang lain (dalam 10 ekor aku belasah). Lepas tu makan mee pulak. Perrrgh…. kenyang.
Semakin Ayahlong meningkat usianya, ayahlong semakin kurang garangnya tetapi semakin sensitif. Aku pernah tengok Ayahlong merajuk sambil menangis apabila Mak Ngah menegur Ayahlong supaya menjaga kesihatan dan jangan makan daging berlebihan. Orang semua sayangkan abang, kata Mak Ngah. Ayahlong pun cakap, biar mati, makan jangan mati tak makan.
Ayahlong pernah bercerita kepadaku yang Ayahlong mula bekerja ketika berusia 12 tahun kerana mahu membantu Tok Abah. Selama bertahun-tahun Ayahlong telah membantu Tok Abah rasanya saya tak pernah dengar Ayahlong mengungkit tentang sumbangannya itu. Dan satu lagi jasanya terutama kepada Pak Jak ialah dengan menjodohkan Pak Jak dan Mak Jak.
Catatan diatas adalah berdasarkan pengalaman saya bersama Ayahlong. Mungkin ada lagi pengalaman yang lebih menarik beliau tetapi tidak terlintas diingatan diketika ini. Mungkin anak-anak saudara yang lain boleh berkongsi kenangan ketika bersama Ayahlong suatu masa dahulu.