To know is to love ...
If you don’t know your history, then you don’t know anything.
You are a leaf that doesn’t know it is part of a tree
(Micheal Crichton)
Family ties and family history and roots have a special place in my heart. Maybe it is because I have followed in my father’s footsteps. My late father was a family man who valued family ties and family history. He appreciated the presence of relatives in his life. Be it distant or very close cousins or aunties and uncles, they were always welcomed to his house. Sometimes to stay for a few nights, sometimes for long periods of time. We were a big family (2 +9 children) but what little we had, it was enough to go around to feed all of us, the guests included! My father was the sole bread winner of our family. We were still growing up, still attending school, so we were not able to contribute to the economy of the family. But somehow there was always food on the table for all!
To be honest, I think when I was young, yes, I appreciated the presence of guests in the house. But little did I know that whenever these relatives were in the house, my father was also doing his research, collecting information on the background, the families, doing fact checks and so on! Even when he published the family book entitled Mengenali Asal Usul dan Salasilah Keluarga Wan Kedah in 1991, I was unaware of the amount of time he spent collecting, tabulating and setting the family trees that spanned over an eight generation of ancestors of the Wan family of Kedah! Only after my retirement in 2017, did I pay attention to the contents of the book. It was a 30 years project and a collaborative effort from many members of the Wan family of Kedah. And in this modern time, these families have spread their wings to many places outside of the state of Kedah. To name one example, his aunt, Tok Su Wan Salasiah bt Wan Ahmad Kulim as we called her (the youngest sister to his father, my paternal grandfather) married an Indonesian from the Sumatra and has settled in the town of Medan. The family made a trip to Malaysia, I think sometime during the year 1997 or 1998. They are relatives that are still residing in southern Thailand, in the state of Patani. Once ,during my teaching years in a school in Selangor, there was a teacher with the surname Wan who was also from the northern state of Kedah.During one of our conversations, we discussed about our family and before you knew it, both of us managed to arrange for her father to meet my father in Kedah, And of course after a few rounds of questions, my late father was able to establish a link to one of the branches of the family trees. I will elaborate on these trees in my later writings.
My interest hit a high note in 2019. My in laws has this tradition of holding a family gathering every first day of Syawal. Without fail (even mandatory, I’d reckon) ever since I became a member of the Hj Taib Family, the first day of Syawal would always be at the family home in Lenga, Muar. But that soon stopped after the passing on of my Mother in Law in 1993. We continued to gather but not at the grand family home. Instead we would gather at the two eldest brothers’s home in Segamat and Labis.
But in 2011, the elders in the family decided to once again gather all family members at the grand family home in Kampung Jawa Lenga. But for this time, the gathering (Perhimpunan Perdana Keluarga Hj Taib dan Hajah Wakirah) would be held on the 3rd Syawal once in every four years. The second was held in 2015 and the third last year in 2019. I retired from teaching in 2017. So, I was roped in to help with the organizing for the third meet. We the elders were given advisory duties. The younger generation were assigned the task of organizing the whole event. I don’t know what triggered but I felt that there was a need to do a family documentation on all of the family members, since the numbers were growing. The young ones were married, with children and the numbers were rapidly expanding. There was a need to somehow keep track of who’s who now.
So, both my husband and I took the task of organizing the family information. The initial task was to collect information from all members of the HJ Taib clan. I worked from the top to bottom. Thanks to the availability of apps on the family tree, I was able to quickly organize the family accordingly. Everyone gave their full cooperation. Then the write up on both parents, their origin and how they migrated to Malaya. Fortunately, one of my Brother in Law (the late Hj Ishak bin Hj Taib) also shared similar interest in the family history. He wrote in 1998 on the family history of his late father entitled ‘Mengenang Almarhum Hj Taib bin Mustafa.’ I am not too sure how widely known the document was amongst family members, but I suspect only a handful of us, especially the elders were aware of it. I must confess my first encounter was only last year. A family member mentioned this document. It was well documented by my late BIL and is steeped in history of my late father in law’s family and their migration from the island of Java, Indonesia to Malaya My late father in law was one of the six siblings (3 boys and 3 girls) who were brought in by their late father Tumiurjo @ Mustafa from the district of Ponorogo, Central Jawa. They were of the Javanese ethnic group. It was not clear when and why the family migrated to the Malayan Peninsular.My late brother in law wrote in details of his father’s early struggles in setting up his new home in Kampung Jawa, Lenga, Muar. My late BIL, Hj Ishak bin Hj Taib (2.3. 1936 - 20.12.2015) was the second eldest in the family. My father in law passed away in 1971.
My late brother in law’s “Mengenang Almarhum Hj Taib bin Mustafa’ was one of my main sources of reference for my write up. I also managed to get interviews with members of the immediate family who knew and has a story to tell about the lives and struggles of Allahyarham Hj Taib and Allahyarhamah Hjh Wakirah. In sourcing for additional materials and information, I was fortunate to get links to websites related to the information on the migration of Indonesians to the the state of Johore and nearby areas in the Malayan Peninsula. An article by Tun Sheikh Engku Bendahara ,2012 at http://sejarah-tunsheikh.blogspot/2012/11/html) gave a very detailed account of the migration of Indonesians into the state of Johore in the early 1850s. The family tree of Allahyarham Hj Taib bin Mustafa, tracing to as far back as to Imam Baweh (Allahyarham’s Hj Taib ‘s great great great grandfather) was sourced from Family Tree- BAWEH website-Myheritage.com (2008)
In my opinion, this document that I have compiled and published in June 2019, entitled Mengenal Asal Usul Keturunan Keluarga Allahyarham Dimyati @Hj Taib bin Mustafa and Allahyarhamah Wakirah @ Hjh Rugayah bt Daslan is still not complete. A lot more information can be researched on. My hope that amongst the almost 300 members of the Hj Taib dan Hjh Wakirah clan, that someone shares the same interest as I do to take up from where I left. The finished document was photocopied. Every head of the family received a photocopy of the document with a pdf copy in a pen drive which was distributed during the 3rd Perhimpunan Perdana Keluarga Hj Taib dan Hjh Wakirah on June 2019. I was not able to make photocopies for all, but my only hope is that this document will be read by all those who knew and all those members who wanted to know more about that ancestors. In the years to come, this perhaps will be the only link to our past.
I strongly believe that family history is the connection from our past to our children’s futures. It is about who we are, what we are, what we are descended from the good, the bad and everything in between.
Here is a translated version of the compilation of documents. It is not a full version, just highlights that I feel I need to share with my readers. The original was written in the Malay language.
1a. The Family Tree of Allahyarham Hj Taib @ Dimyati bin Haji Mustafa
The late Hj Taib @ Dimyati bin Haji Mustafa @Tumiurjo bin Pudrono bin Ikondoso bin Kam Soo bin Baweh, was the fifth descendant of Imam Baweh. Imam Baweh was a religious scholar who resided in Central Java.
Imam Baweh was born in 1750. It is not known of his date of death.
The late Hj Taib @ Dimyati bin Haji Mustafa @Tumiurjo bin Pudrono bin Ikondoso bin Kam Soo bin Baweh, was the fifth descendant of Imam Baweh. Imam Baweh was a religious scholar who resided in Central Java.
Imam Baweh was born in 1750. it is not known of his date of death. The late Imam Baweh at the beginning of his life settled in Tegalsari,an area in Central Java. He had 3 children, namely Buguran,Kiyai Sinawi and Iman Kam Soo (Al-ikhsan association,2008).
Among the three siblings, Imam Kam Soo was Hj Taib's great great grandfather.
Not much information was known about Imam Baweh and his grandchildren. Wile searching online, I stumbled upon a website that featured on a mosque named Tiban Imam Baweh Mosque. This mosque is located in the Bakalan Village, Purwantoro District,Wangari Regency in Central Java.
Diagram 1: Family Lineage of Allahyarham Hj Taib Bin Mustafa
Source: Family Tree- BAWEH website-Myheritage.com (2008)
Picture 1 :Tegalsari- Imam Baweh’s original place of stay
Picture 2: The Tiban Imam Baweh Mosque
Allahyarham Tumuirjo @Hj Mustafa, the father of the late Hj Taib was the eldest child in a family of eight siblings. Allahyarham Tumiurjo was also known as Embah Surau while his late wife Allahyarhamah Sugindah was also known as Embah Ibu. Embah Ibu was a descendent of the Nobles “Raden Keratun ‘. There were nine children in the family of Embah Surau and Embah Ibu, and Allahyarham Hj Taib @ Dimyati was the eighth child in the family.
1b. The Family Tree of Allahyarhamah Hajah Rugayah @ Wakirah bt Daslan
Allahyarhamah Hajah Rugayah @ Wakirah was from the Kebumen tribe in
Central Java.
She was born in 1923. Allahyarhamah Hajah Rugayah @ Wakirah was the
fourth child of Allahyarham Daslan and Allahyarhamah EmahReti.
Except for Sailin (the eldest brother who died in Java), all of Allahyarhamah's siblings migratedand settled in the state of Johor. Sairah and Saidan live in Bukit Gambir while Surip, Sukiran, Sapariah and Wakirah lived in Kampung Jawa, Lenga, Muar. The youngest brother, the late Sairan, lived in the Felda Bt 27 Settlement, Lenga, Muar.
Diagram 3: Main Family Tree of Allahyarham Daslan dan Embah Reti
1c. The migration of the Indonesians to Malaya – A brief history
Historically, the arrival of the Javanese tribe to Johor was the result of encouragement from Temenggong Daing Ibrahim (1810-1862) when opening a gambier farm in Johor around the 1830s after the gambier company in Singapore failed due to the lack of land and timber. The policy encouraged workers or laborers not only from Java but also from China to develop gambier crops through the ‘Kangkar’ system that Temenggong Daim Ibrahim introduced.
Efforts and policies to develop Johor through the trade in forest products and gambier plantations as well as the policy of bringing in foreign workers were continued by his son, Temenggong Abu Bakar (1833-1895).
In the time of Temenggong Abu Bakar this policy and the resulting development reached its climax in 1860 until 1895. The policy of developing the state led by Temenggong Daing Ibrahim was continued by his grandson Sultan Ibrahim ibni Sultan Abu Bakar (1873-1959).
The Javanese were encouraged to come to the state of Johor to work and open agriculture lands. Many Javanese were also brought in by the Constantinople Company owned by an Arab millionaire named As Sagof who obtained a concession to open an agricultural land as large as the Pontian district. He was a good friend of Maharaja Abu Bakar and he brought in Javanese workers through the Hajj System where he provided facilities for performing the hajj obligations to Javanese workers through working wages savings on his coconut plantation in Pontian.
Javanese workers can perform the hajj obligation when the expenses collected were sufficient. They were also given the facility to perform Hajj first and then work to pay off debts. Anyone who had performed the hajj was given the option to return to his hometown or continue to live or work to raise money as a supply when he returned home by working on the farms of the Constantinople Company.
A special letter known as the Letter of Permission to Open an agriculture was issued by the Temenggong office and then the Johor State Land Office during the reign of Temenggong Abu Bakar. The workers or the Chinese were controlled by the Kangkar rules and the Kangcu System while the Javanese were controlled by the traditional leaders, namely the penghulu and the ‘Orang Kaya’ as the dignitaries and representatives of the king.
Not all come from the marhaen (ordinary people) family from Java. Some consist of highly educated religious groups, preachers and even successful farmers. But due to the limited land area in the Java Island, they also migrated to the State of Johor (Tun Sheikh Engku Bendahara, 2012 at http: //sejarah-tunsheikh.blogspot/2012/11/html)
1d.The migration of the family of Tumiurjo @ Hj Mustafa from Java to Malaya.
It is not known precisely the year when the family of Allahyarham Tumiurjo @ Hj Mustafa emigrated to the states of Malaya. It is known that Allahyarham brought with him his wife(Allahyarhamah Sugindah) along with three sons namely Hj Taib, Hj Abu Bakar and Hj Dakhlan and three daughters namely Fatimah @ Karmi, Aminah @ Sitom and Tukijah. It is also unknown the fate of the two children left in Java. Also, it is not known the main factor of the migration.
1e.Family migration of the late Hajah Rugayah @ Wakirah to Malaya
Allahyarhamah Hajah Rugayah @ Wakirah was said to be about aged 9 years of age when she migrated to Malaya. This fact was narrated to me during one of my interview sessions with Hajah Janiah Abdullah, the wife of Allahyarhamah Hajah Rugayah’s eldest son, Allahyarham Hj Eslar bin Hj Taib. Allahyarhamah Hajah Rugayah came to Malaya much earlier than her parents and her other siblings. In fact, she followed Hajjah Janiah Abdullah’s father whom I suspect must be from the same village as hers. Apparently, Tuan Abdullah had a daughter by the name of Lek Tom whose age was similar to Allahyarham Hajah Rugayah. Thus, they could be childhood friends who were familiar with one another and therefore they kept each company on board of the ship that brought them to Malaya They were said to often disappear amidst the hustle and bustle of the passengers on board. (Hajah Janiah Abdullah, 2019)
2a The marriage of Hj Taib @ Dimyati bin Mustafa to Hajah Rugayah@Wakirah bt Daslan
When the family of Tumuirjo @Hj Mustafa first arrived in Malaya, their first settlement was somewhere along the Muar river leading to the township of Lenga. Initially, the area of Kampung Jawa Lenga was known as Kampung Sungei Mengkuang Lenga (Hj Ishak Hj Taib, 1998 It is not clear the exact site of the first settlement. What is known is thatduring the first time thereAllahyarham Hj Taib left for Mecca to perform the Hajj. On his return from Mecca, Allahyarham Hj Taib then married Hjh Rugayah@Wakirah bt Mat Taslan @ Dalan.
At that time, the late Hj Taib was believed to be quite late in age (late 20s) while Hjh Rugayah @Wakirah at that time was believed to be around 12 years old (Normi Hj Taib, 2019). The wedding was believed to have taken place in 1933.
Soon after the marriage, Allahyarham and wife moved to Kampung Parit Perpat Darat, Rengit,Johor. Here he set up home on a land belonging to the late rich Penghulu Paiman. This was where the first son, the late Hj Eslar @ Daslar was born in 1934.
In 1934, the late Hj Taib moved back to Kampung Jawa Lenga. He bought a two-acre piece of rubber land and built his first house. In this first house, Allahyarham Hj Ishak (1936) Allahyarhamah Marfuah (1937) and Allahyarhamah Maryuni (1938) were born.
Allahyarham Hj Taib and Allahyarham Hajah Rugayah were blessed with fourteen (14) children of which six of them were sets of twins. (Diagram 4)
DIAGRAM 4: KELUARGA INDUK ALLAHYARHAM HJ TAIB @ DIMYATI BIN HJ MUSTAFA DAN ALLAHYARHAMAH HAJAH RUGAYAH @ WAKIRAH BT DASLAN.
Three of his children died during early childhood. They were the late Maryuni (1938), the first set of twins that was, the late Aisah and Asiah (1941) and the late Shamsiah (1953) the twins of Samsudin (10th child in the family).
Until 2019, nine of the fifteen children of the late Hj Taib and the late Hajah Rugayah have since passed away.
2b. Summary of first-generation profile (children of the late Hj Taib @ Dimyati bin Mustafa and Hjh Rugayah @ Wakirah bt Daslan)
ALLAHYARHAM ESLAR @ HJ DASLAR BIN HJ TAIB | 1. 1933 – 14.02.1975 2. Last post: Headmaster at Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan Batu 28 Lenga 3. Wife: Hjh Janiah bt Abdullah |
ALLAHYARHAM ESKAK @ HAJI ISHAK BIN HAJI TAIB | 1. 2.3.1936 –20.12.2015 2. Teacher, Businessman and farmer 3. Spouses: i. Allahyarhamah Muftom Bt Hj Ridzuan (Housewife) ii. Hasbah bt Baba (Commissioner of oath) ‘Setiap individu ada pengiringnya, anak dengan ibu bapa dan sebaliknya, suami dengan isteri dan sebaliknya. Oleh yang demikian, mana-mana yang sihat atau yang masih hidup jangan lali memberi sesuatu kesukaan kepada yang sakit dan mengirim sedekah Zikrullah kepada yang meninggal dunia.’ |
ALLAHYARHAMAH MARFUAH @FARTI BT HJ TAIB | 1. 1937- 29.03.1966 2. Housewife 3. Spouse: Muhammad b Hj Ikhsan (Allahyarham) - Farmer |
ALLAHYARHAM KASNO @ ISWADI BIN HJ TAIB | 1. 1942 -12.12.1968 2. Teacher SK Pt.T.P Yaani, Batu Pahat 3. Spouse: Jamaliah bt Hairan (Housewife) |
HAJI ISMAIL @ Hj JAFAAR BIN HJ TAIB | 1. 30.6.1945 2. Headmaster, Sekolah Kebangsaan Kampung Tenang Labis (R) 3. Spouse: Radziah bt Hj Hamim (Typist, Forestry Dept, Segamat (Retiree) |
ALLAHYARHAM HAJI MOHD YUSOP BIN HAJI TAIB | 1. 12.07.1950 – 14.08.1997 2. Business Manager, Dewan Bahasa Dan Pustaka 3. Spouse: Zaleha bt Omar (Business) |
DR . SAMSUDIN HJ TAIB | 1. 18.11.1953 2. Senior Lecturer Geology Dept, University Malaya (1980- 2015) 3. Spouse: Wan Zakiah bt Wan Omar Senior Lecturer IAB, (R) |
SULAIMAN BIN HJ TAIB | 1. 11.8.1956 2. Sergeant, Malaysian Army (R) 3. Spouse: Sa’diah bt Bohari (Housewife) |
HABIBAH BT HAJI TAIB | 1. 9.9.1957 2. Housewife 3. Spouse: A. Shukor b Hj Mahmud, Felcra Bhd., (R) |
NORMI HJ TAIB | 1. 20.10.1960 2. Businesswoman/ Housewife 3. Spouse: Abdul bin Hj Jaafar Razak, Technician Telecom. (R) |
HAJI MOHD NOOR BIN HAJI TAIB | 1. 20.10.1960 2. Manager at Felcra Bkt Kepong (R) 3. Spouse: Hjh Nor Hashimah bt Hj Hassan (Principal, SMK Seri Kenangan, Segamat). (R) |
Descendants of the late Hj Taib bin Mustafa and the late Hajah Rugayah bt Daslar as of year 2019
Generation | Direct descendants | With spouse |
First | 11 | 10 |
Second | 59 | 51 |
Third | 74 | 19 |
Fourth | 23 | - |
Until the time of writing , the estimated total of the descendants are 167 and (237 inclusive of spouses)
2c the challenges faced by the late Hj Taib during his early days in Malaya.
The history and life journey of the late Hj Taib and his family during the Communist era, and the era of British rule until the time he passed away in 19.09.1971 was comprehensively narrated by the late Hj Ishak @Eskak bin Hj Taib in his writings in which he published in 1998. Since the publication is quite old and circulation amongst members of the Hj Taib clan was limited only to his immediate siblings, I suspect not many of the other family members of the Hj Taib Clan has seen or read it. Thus, I felt that it should be highlighted once again in the
present document.
Like all villages, there will always be a leader to lead the members of the community. The title Penghulu or Ketua Kampung is commonly used to address the leader. Amongst the Javanese community the title used is Pak Lurah and if in Java, this position is held to the highest esteem, and respected by the people of that particular community. Thus, with the acknowledged presence of leadership skills from the family of the late Tumiurjo @ Hj Mustafah's eldest son the late Hj Dakhlan became the first Pak Lurah in Sungei Mengkuang,Lenga until the time of the Three Star Communist Rule. During the communist rule, in the late 1940s, the late Hj Dakhlan and his son Hj Hashim were both kidnapped by the Three Stars communists (Hj Ishak bin Hj Taib 1998) They were never found. With the loss of the late Hj Dakhlan, the position Pak Lurah was passed on to the late Hj Taib until he passed away.
3. Remembering the late Haji Taib bin and Hajjah Rugayah
This section is a compilation of recollections/ writings on their late father and mother by their sons and daughter. Some of these writings were transcribed from audio recordings. There are some statements ( in the Javanese language,for example) that I chose not to translate so as to maintain the authenticity of the message.
3a. Remembering the late Haji Taib Bin Mustafa by Hj Ishak Bin Hj Taib,
My late father was a very strict father to his children. He rarely smiled nor laughed and yet he was a kind and attentive son towards his own father, the late Tumuirjo @Hj Mustafa. I have seen for myself that my late father once bathed his late father, fed him food and drinks and carried him when he turned invalid.
He was a charitable man, towards the community, his family members and especially towards his children. His deeds were countless.
He donated his own land for the building of the village ‘s masjid in Kampung Jawa Lenga Muar.
He worked hard to ensure that he earned enough money to finance his children’s education.
My late father was a man of vision. He had his plans and he executed them well. So much so that:
(i) He was respected for his kindness and his position, his name, and was known as a rich man, was also generous in extending help to those in need.
(ii) His children are successful (at the time of his death he saw four of his children have been successful as teachers including me (Private school teacher)
(iii) Successfully led and helped developed his fellow men by opening up new agricultural lands in the Bukit Payung Area.
(iv) Donated a piece of his land and helped build the village mosque on that donated land.
ANAK- ANAK LANANG BESO NGELEMBONG DUUR, BESO MENDEM JERU’
These words were often uttered by my late father. What is the implied purpose and intent I do not know?
"Boys can reach great heights as many times possible and can also fall as deep “
3b Remembering the late Haji Taib Bin Mustafa By Hj Ismail bin Hj Taib
Persons belonging to the Ponorogo ethnic group were often said to be fierce, hardheaded and stubborn in nature. However, my father did not show any of these traits. He was an exemplary leader. He was brave and firm and showed compassion towards his fellow men and friends.
My father knew that he had to strategize in order not to repeat the incident that happened to his brother Hj Dakhlan. His brother was the first head village. He was kidnapped by the three Star communists and was never found. My father made friends with the Chinese who during that time were communist leaders in the town Lenga. The ones in the forest were the guerrillas.
During the Eid festival, his Chinese friends donated sugar, flour, and bottled orange juice. My mother would then made cakes from these ingredients. Cakes such as Kuih Bangkit, Kuih Bahulu and Bahulu Cermai and these were given to their Chinese friends. Thus, the village atmosphere remained peaceful and with no Communist disturbance.
There was one incident when my father boarded a bus from Muar town to Lenga. The bus was stopped by the Communists. My father was immediately released, while the others were detained before being released and rescued. I attribute this incident to his leadership style. He displayed bravery and firmness and the good rapport that was established with all kinds of people regardless of their ideology saved him from being killed.
To the villagers, my father was seen as a wealthy man. He was the first person in the Mukim Lenga to send his children to further their studies in Muar. He was also the first person to own a motor vehicle. He performed his second hajj obligation with his wife and 2 children namely Hj Ismail and the late Hj Mohd Yusop.
My father was a family man. He cared very strongly about maintaining good family ties. Once his elder brother assigned him to lead in the arrangement and settlement of the villagers. This was normally a task assigned to the village head. My father still wanted the post to be given to his eldest brother, Hj Dakhlan. It was most unfortunate that his brother and son were kidnapped by the communist never to be found.
My father took full responsibility to care for his elderly father. His father refused to stay at any of his children’s house.
On the eve of the Eid, my father would take both his parents to visit the home of his in laws, Embah Daslan and Embah Reti.
My father showed empathy and compassion to his fellow villagers. His home yard was used as training ground for the top spinning activity. Every time the rains came and the village was flooded, his house, being on a higher ground would serve as the main shelter for the villagers. The house was converted into a place of worship for the Friday prayers. He donated a piece of his land and built the village mosque.
3c. Remembering the late Haji Taib Bin Mustafa By Samsudin Bin Hj Taib
One afternoon during the form 5 school holidays, I was in the parking lot of my father’s car, a Ford Prefect. As Iwas wiping and admiring the car, my father came home from the mosque. Seeing that I looked interested in the car, he said "you want to learn to drive a car?”
I nodded. My father went to take the keys, he got into the driver's seat and told me to sit in the passenger’s seat. He started to give a quick lesson on the different gadgets and their functions: - the gears, brakes, clutch and oil pedal.
Once, he was satisfied that I understood the what’s and the how’s, I was ready for my first lesson! He drove the car towards Bukit Kepong. The SOP of release oil-press clutch- change gears was repeatedly mentioned. Once, satisfied that I understood, we changed places and I drove the car back home. All the time he was most patient with me, never raising his voice, though at times I could feel his tensed moments.
On one Saturday morning, during the school holiday, my father asked me to accompany him to Muar town. I was in Form 5. On that particular morning he was not in the best of health, but he had to go to Muar due to some urgent matters My elder brother was supposed to drive him to Muar, but he left earlier for Muar without him. The distance to Muar town was about 35 miles from home. When it was time to leave, he told me to drive. I did not have a license and definitely lacked experience in driving. I drove the car to Muar and once I reached town, I was on the edge of my nerves because I didn’t know how to park the car! What more at the sight of a policeman, the jitters grew worse.
All that time, my father was giving patiently giving instructions and he never failed to put in words of encouragement to ease my nervousness. In fact, he praised him for my good driving. Alhamdulillah, we reached home unscathed. That was how I will remember my father, a father who was a man of kind words. He changed over the years from a person who was strict to a gentler person.
3d. Remembering the late Haji Taib Bin Mustafa and the late Hajah Rogayah bt Daslan By Normi Hj Taib .
If I were to compare between father and mother, to me, my mother is stricter than father. I remember when I was a child, if I cried, my mother would tell me to pound the chilies. She would give me the pestle and mortar and I would have to pound the chilis. If I continued crying, more chilis will be added to the mortar!
My mother if she wanted to go anywhere, she would only take my twin brother Mat, never me.
My mother used to narrate to me about her life story. Probably because I was always at home, the others were in school in Muar town. Among all his children, her favourite child was my brother Sulaiman .
The thing I remembered most about my father was this particular message that he kept repeating to me:
“Yang perempuan esok esok tak payah kerja. Biar lelaki yang cari duit. Yang perempuan tu nanti aku kasi harta”
"The woman folks, you don't have to work in future. Let the man find the money. For you daughters , I will hand over the property. "
3e. Remembering the late Hajah Rogayah By Samsudin Hj Taib
One day during the form five school holidays, while tapping the rubber trees, I felt feverish. But I continued to complete my chore of collecting the latex, and finished with the task of processing them into rubber sheets. I managed to complete work at 12.30 pm . I could feel the body temperature rose . The fever was getting worse. I went to the kitchen to find my mother who was cooking. I felt like fainting and my body was shivering. I lay on the kitchen floor and complained of fever and dizziness to my mother. My mother approached me and put her hand on my forehead. "It's very hot - it's very hot" then my mother rushed to take the medicine and water . After I took the medicine, my mother touched and gently rubbed my forehead. She continued soothing me with her gentle words. Slowly the dizziness and temperature eased. I asked my mother " “Kang Kusno ninggal meriang koyo aku kan - brother Kusno died of fever similar to mine". My mother started to cry and she said this to me: " ojo ngomong sing ora ora - do not say that". My brother Kusno had died two years before this incident.
One day after returning from my chore of clearing the family land, I chatted with my mother about the lands. She mentioned about the division of the lands to me.
Din koea sekolah atoh, belajar duwur, kerjo pun engko duwur, yo kebon nae tak kurangi yo –
Din, engkau sekolah jauh, belajar tinggi, kerja engkau pun akan tinggi, kebunnya dikurangi ya”
She wanted me to know that because I was studying away from home and that I will continue to do well in my life, she wished to inform me that my share of the family land will be less than the others. I was studying at the Malay College in Kuala Kangsar, from form 4 to form 6. Alhamdulilah thanks to my mother’s doas, I continued with my education until the shores of Belgium and England up to the PhD level. She had no knowledge that I failed to get my High School Certificate. It was her spirits and her belief in me that kept me determined to excel as far as I could.
When I was a student at the University of Malaya Kuala Lumpur, my brother, Allahyarham Abang Yusof bought me a Kawasaki 100 motorbike. I often returned to the village on my Kawasaki (sometimes every two Saturdays). Usually I would leave Kuala Lumpur at 8 am and would arrive at the village after 12 pm in the afternoon. When I arrived home, I noticed my mother would be at the front of the house, sitting on the stairs of the front porch. I asked my mother why she was sitting there because it was hot.
Mom replied “ yo ngentani koa tekan ngomah” – ya menunggu engkau sampai rumah”
I cannot express how touched I was with those words of her. A mother’s love will never end. It is there from the beginning to the end. Nobody loves like a mother.
'A MOTHER'S LOVE IS WHOLE NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES IT'S DIVIDED'
And families are like branches on a tree. we grow in different directions yet our roots remain as one.
