BALIK KAMPONG

proLOGUE

Thirty-four years is a lifetime waiting. The old man’s passing on 29 Dec.1990 has been like a nightmare. It has been in my thoughts and arthritic. 1988 was the year we quarreled when he visited us in London during his ‘Tabligh’ travels. He died in a mosque in Kluang while performing his ‘Asr prayer with his ‘jama’ah’ – his real family, may be... His last words have been engraved in my heart and life ever since. “Engkau ni banyak baca buku tapi satu buku pun engkau tak pakai..!!”

Mum has been living alone in the remote village ever since, whereas my future has not been planned accordingly. At the age of 60 it’s not easy to start my life from zilch. Am I soul searching? Friends have said I am crazy while others think it is noble.

Najib has coined 1Malaysia, even though at grassroots, there are waves of uncertainty, while others have jumped the wagon and spend millions of the ‘rakyat’s money’. Nik Aziz on the other hand has been accused of being cookoo and Anwar has been at it again. Lately, in Perak, the Court has appointed the MB. What’s the point of having the GE…!!! As at today, after much ‘character-busting’ and empty promises, the BN has once again won the hearts of the rakyats. One sms received earlier, quote-unquote “Di Hulu Selangor, orang India dapat kuil; orang Cina dapat sekolah; orang Melayu hanya dapat ???...

53 years of independence has not changed the mindset of the mass. Mum is still happy with her TV3 programs, in between her daily chores looking after her hibiscus, orchids and other potties, while happily cursing the chickens for not living in the hen-coop. My baby in London once said “ I am not coming home Pa! I am British.” Gosh..!