My Journey Tracing my Roots ( Part 3)
d (iii) The Family of Dato’ Wan Omar bin Wan Hamid and Datin Wan Zaharah bt Wan Ismail
My mother was 17 when she married my father, who was 10 years her senior. I think they were 3rd cousins. They married in 1952, my father passed away in 1998 (about 46 years of marriage) while my mother passed away in 2017.
During those 46 years of marriage, they have raised 9 of us, saw us all married and were also blessed with an entourage of grandchildren. But alas, only my mother lived long to see some of her great grandchildren. We are now blessed with a big Omarian family as we addressed ourselves.
During those days, it was a common thing to have marriages arranged by the family. There are several reasons. First, those days it was not a thing for a man to go meet a woman so openly. It was not encouraged. Families were very particular when choosing brides or bridegrooms. They took careful notes of the prospective's family background. The potential daughter or son in law must come from a line of good breeding. No history of insanity in the family, no tarnished records that could result in bad genes being inherited by the next generations! Normally, a thorough background check was done before giving their nods of approval. Therefore, things will be made easier if potential daughter and son in laws were chosen from family that one was familiar with. Thus, keeping marriages within the Wan Kedah family was seen to be an easier option!
But times have changed, the world have evolved, so has the mindset and expectations of families. And so, has the Wan of Kedah. Take for example the Omarian (as we addressed ourselves). Of the nine children, all of the children of Wan Omar bin Wan Hamid and Wan Zaharah bt Hj Ismail has married someone outside of the circle of the Wan family. There are marriages of the children in the first generation to other ethnic groups within the Malay race as well as outside of the Malay race. Their partners are no longer confined to those within the state of Kedah but from other states like Penang, Kelantan, Johore, Perak and Selangor.
9 children,35 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. This is the current number of family members and offspring of three generation of Allahyarham Wan Omar bin Wan Hamid and Allahyarhamah Wan Zaharah bt Wan Ismail.
Of the 35 grandchildren, 7 were born after the death of Tok Haji ( as arwah pak was addressed by his grandchildren. And arwah pak was not around when his first great grandchildren came into this world. Pak passed away in 1998.
Arwah mak ( Tok Hajjah as addressed by his grandchildren ) lived to see all her grandchildren that were born between the years 2010 to 2017. She passed away in March, 2017
Alhamdullilah, all of pak’s and mak’s children are doing well / have done well in their respective fields. Two of pak’s children followed his footsteps and served in the media and communications field in the Ministry of Information and Communications. There are 3 teachers, a lawyer, an engineer, an air stewardess and a secretary. I remember my late father once told me. I am not a rich man. I don't have anything to leave behind when I am gone. But what I can do is to make sure when I leave this world, my children will be able to stand on their two feet. I believe this can be done by making sure
"...Wahai Tuhanku. kasihilah merdeka keduanya, sebagaimana mereka berdua telah mendidik aku waktu kecil." ( al-Isra':24)
So to all my nieces, nephews, grandchildren and the future generations of the Omarian family (Insha Allah), below is a brief history of the journey of the first generation of the Omarian family. I am just sharing a portion of their journey, with emphasis on their career paths.
"a family tree can wither if nobody tends its roots"
1. Kak Wan Hanisah, Wa to her nieces and nephews, is the first born in the Omarian family. She started her job as radio announcer on Radio One, the main radio station under the Radio Television Malaysia . I remember turning in to the station to listen to her segments on science and health. In the later years she switched to training the new announcers on the job . Her last post was in the Human Resource Department. She took early retirement and quit the scene at 50 years of age.
Kak Wan Hanisah married Khairuddin Che Long in 1998.Allahyarham Abang Din was the editor in the RTM newsroom.They are blessed with four children and three grandchildren.
Picture 2: Family Tree of Wan Hanisah bt Wan Omar and Khairuddin Che Long
2. My brother Wan Zakwan, Pak Ngah to his nieces and nephews, is the second child in the family started his formal career as a teacher at the Institut Latihan Teknik (a private institution). Later he moved to Institut Technology Jaya, another private institute as a lecturer. After about a year, the college that he graduated offered a position as a Leadership trainer (similar to the Outbound courses in Lumut, Perak). Then in the administration as the placement cum public relation officer. It was not long after that he was offered to work at an offshore petroleum company, the ExxonMobil. Initially, he was a radio operator, later to become the trainee production specialist and finally as a Senior Production Specialist and finally as a Production Supervisor. With the same company he moved to the mainland, first at the komplek antarabangsa, the head office as a Technologist in the reservoir study group, then to the east coast of Peninsular Malaya when the new office known as komplek Esso to cater the needs to serve the east coast requirements. Also, as a Technologist in the workover and drilling department. Later were given an opportunity to be trained as a drilling supervisor. Just a short training time and back to the office to continue as a senior technologist till an early retirement at the age of 50 years old. Total time spent with the company 27 years. Spend just a month of the retirement, eventually got an offer from the national oil and gas company Petronas and was with Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd as a senior engineer.
He retired in September 2015 after spending 10 years with the company. A total of 37 years of experience working with the oil and gas companies.
Abang Wan married Wan Zaiton bt Haji Ariff. They are blessed with 7 children and 9 grandchildren.
To quote his words when asked about his career path “Life was colourful. Biasa jadi salesman jual ladies’ garments, shop helper, burger stall, and just be yourself".
A few words of advice from Pak Ngah to all Omarians:
" cari lah rezeki kamu di tepi² jalan kerana disana terdapat banyak yang perlu dikutip".
3. I , Wan Zakiah am the third in the family. Started my teaching career in 1981, the same year I graduated from the University Malaya with a degree in Science with Education . By the end of 1986, I took a 4 years unpaid leave to join my husband in UK where he was pursuing his PhD . In April 1991 we returned home and I served at a boys secondary school. In 1994, I moved to a school nearer home. I was promoted to be the Assistant Principal in Students Affairs in 1995. In 2002 I was transferred to a neighbouring school to serve as the Assistant Principal in Academics. In 2009, I changed portfolio to that of a senior lecturer at the Institut Aminuddin Baki, a training institute for leaders of schools under the Ministry of Education. I retired in April 2017 at the age of 60.
During my 30+ years of service, I was awarded the Anugerah Perkhidmatan Cemerlang or the Excellence Service award in 1995, 2005 and 2011.
I married Dr Samsudin Hj Taib in 1999. He was attached to the Geology Department of University Malaya until he retired in 2013. We are blessed with 4 children and 7 grandchildren.
Picture 4: Family tree of Wan Zakiah bt Wan Omar and Samsudin Hj Taib
4. My sister, Wan Zahidah, Atam to her nieces and nephews, is the fourth child in the family and the second in the family to serve as a teacher. But before this she worked at a private graphics company .She was a graduate in graphic arts from the ITM (InstituteOf Technology, MARA) . Switched to teaching in 1990 after graduating with anarts teacher diploma in 1990(ITM). On 5.2.1990 she started her career as a teacher in SBP SULTAN HAJI AHMAD SHAH (SEMSAS) until December 16th, 2013. She reported for work as Ketua Bidang Kemanusiaan on 17th December 2013 in SBP INTEGRASI KUANTAN(INTEK). She retired on 25th November 2016.
Throughout her years of service, she had many memorable moments. She is most passionate about her subject Pendidikan Seni (Arts) and her extracurricular duties as the school’s protocol officer. She attended a course on protocol at the Gold Coast Klang and was awarded a certificate as proof of attendance She was also the school warden for 2 years in SEMSAS
One of her finest moments was when 7 SEMSAS students scored A+ in SPM Pendidikan Seni It was sweet success because she recalled the first time, she reported for work at the boarding school. As she was walking behind two teachers, she overheard their conversation. ‘Why send an Arts teacher and a protocol teacher to this school?’
For her excellence and dedication, she was awarded the Anugerah Perkhidmatan in 1999, 2006 and 2013.
She is married to Mat Sabri bin Bidun, also a teacher and has since.
5: Family Tree of Wan Zahidah bt Wan Omar and Mat Sabri bin Bidun
5. My sister Wan Fatimah , Teh to her nieces and nephews, is the fifth in the family. She received her early education in Alor Star Kedah from 1968 to 1974 at Sultanah Asma Primary and Secondary School. When Tok Haji Wan Ismail passed away in Mekah, she joined the rest of us in Kuala Lumpur and completed her secondary education at the Methodist Girls School ( 1975-1978).
Her first career was as a cabin crew for the Malaysian Airlines (MAS) from the year 1979-1983.She left the job after marriage to work as guest relation officer at PJ Hilton
(1984-1987) From 1987 to 1993 she was the customer relations executive at APS electronics.
In 1993 to 1998 she was Assistant Manager at a company called Mail Network.
In 1998 she decided to venture into the world of desserts. She baked delicious cakes
and cookies. She set up her own baking company called Guilty Pleasures Enterprise.
Mah is married to Imran Dewind. They are blessed with four children.
Picture 6 : Family Tree of Wan Fatimah bt Wan Omar and Imran Abdullah Dewind
6. Wan Azizah, or Tizah to her nieces and nephews, is the sixth in the family. She holds a Degree in Mass Communication (1991) and a Masters in Science of Information Management ( 2003).She started her career in the civil service in 1995 and is currently the Director of the National Public and Publication Division Department of the Information Department ,Malaysia, a department where arwah pak was the Director General , the last highest post in that department before he retired in 1980.
Here are her list of work experiences in the civil service:
1. Public Relation Officer at the National Institute of Public Administration (INTAN) 1995-2004
2. Principal Assistant Secretary at the Content and Post Division Communication Sector, Ministry Of Communication, Energy and Water (2004-2008)
3. Public Relations Officer, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment ( April 2002- October 2008)
4. Public Relations Officer , Ministry of Health ( Nov 2008-July 2009)
5. Deputy Secretary General 1 (Information) , Ministry of Information, Communication and Cultural.
6. Public Relations Officer , Department of Communication and Public Diplomacy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs ( May 2013-May 2018)
7. Public Relations Officer, Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development. ( June 2018-June 2019)
8. Director Public Division and national Policy, Department of Information. ( July 2019- present)
For her excellent service and contribution in the departments she has served, Wan Azizah has been awarded the excellent Service Award as follows:
2006 – Excellent Service Award by the Ministry of Communication, Energy and Water.
2010- Excellent Service Award by the Department of Information Malaysia
2019 - The Exemplary Officer Award, Month of May by the of Women, Family and Community Development
Wan Azizah is married to Sanusi bin Zaini. Pak Cik Sanusi as he is affectionately called by his nieces and nephews is a now a retiree. He once worked in the bank industry. They are blessed with 3 children.
Picture 7: Family Tree of Wan Azizah and Sanusi bin Zaini
7. Wan Abdul Aziz, the second boy and the seventh child in the family is now the Head of Student affairs Department at the Kedah Matriculation College in Changlun, Kedah. He holds a Master’s Degree in Sports Science . He started his career as a teacher in Kuala Terengganu. And later moved back to Alor Star to serve in several secondary schools before making the move to the post of senior lecturer at the MC. Brother Wan Abd Aziz or Pa Man as he is affectionately known to his nieces and nephews studied at arwah Tok haji Alma Mater, the Sultan Abdul Hamid College . He is a very active sportsman in the field of rugby and once served as the state coach for secondary schools in the state of Kedah. He also served as the Kedah Rugby Union Honorary Secretary. He was bestowed with the AMK (member of the crown of Kedah) by the late His Highness Tuanku Abdul Halim, Sultan of Kedah.
A true-blue sportsman. I remember one incident when he dislocated his shoulder bone during one of his game in rugby. He continued to play and at the same time became more active in coaching the sports at the school and state level in Kedah. His son, Wan Asraf Suhaimi has inherited his love for this rough and tough game.
He was awarded the Excellent Service Award (Anugerah Perkhidmatan Cemerlang) in 2007 and 2019.
Wan Abdul Aziz started his career in 1989 and since then he has a long list of success stories and contributions which has impacted the students that he had taught and in particular the sports community. Attached herewith is the full list of Pa Man Wan Aziz ‘s contributions from the start of his career 1989 till 2020. He still has another approximately 4 years of service left before the official retirement date. I am sure the list will continue to grow with more feathers added to his cap.
Aziz is married to Zarina bt Abdullah. Zarina or Cik Na is a teacher and currently attached to the State Education Officer as the Penolong Pengarah Bahagian Akademik. They are blessed with four children.
Here's Paman 's wise words to all Omarians:
Your life is simply a collection of all your thoughts and actions. Which direction to steer it in, it's a choice you make every moment.
Be positive, live happy.
Picture 8: Family Tree of Wan And Aziz and Zarina bt Abdullah
8.Wan Rufaidah, or Cik Pa to her nieces and nephews is the eighth in the Omarian family .She is also our official family advisor in matters pertaining to law and other related issues. Yes, she is a law graduate. And yes, she has a long list of areas that she had worked in since she graduated and joined the civil service in 1993.
Here are some of the departments that have benefited from her service:-.
1. Assistant Senior Registrar at the Penang High Court ( 1993 -1995)
2. Senior Assistant Registrar at the Criminal High Court in Kuala Lumpur ( March 1995- October 1995
3. Magistrate at the magistrate Court Kuala Lumpur ( 1 November 1995 to 15 August 1999)
4. Senior Registrar at the Criminal High Court, Kula Lumpur (15 August 1999- 15 May 2001)
5. Magistrate at Magistrate Court Ampang ( 16 may 2001 – 31 August 2001)
6. Senior Federal Counsel Law Revision and law Reform Division, Attorney General’s Chambers (1 September 2001-20 April 2007)
7. Principal Assistant Director Judicial and Legal training Institute.
(1 (May 2007- 15 September 2008)
8. Director, Legal aid Bureau Kuala Lumpur ( 16 September 2008 – 30 April 2009)
9. Legal Officer / Senior Federal Counsel at the Ministry of Agricultural and Agro-Based Industry (1 May 2009 – 31 December 2015)
10 Senior Federal Counsel Law Revision and Law reform Division ( 1 January 2016- 31 March 2016)
11 Chairman, Tribunal of Consumer Claims ( 1 April 2016 - present )
Besides the posts that she holds from the start of her career, she is also a certified auditor ISO 9001-2000. She also served as a counsellor at the institute IKLAP .
B She is also a mentor at the MOA and KPDNHEP.
For her dedication and excellence in her job, she was bestowed the Anugerah Perkhidmatan Cemerlang in the year 1997, 2012,2013.2015. In 2018 she was awarded the Anugerah Khas KPDNHEP.
Wan Rufaidah is married to Zubir bin Mohammad . Zubir is a graduate in law and held many post in the private sector. His last post was as AVP 1 ( Manager AVP1) at the Sime Darby Plantation Sdn Bhd ( 2006-2017)
They are blessed with two children.
9.Wan Amal Hayati, or Cu to her nieces and nephews graduated with a Diploma in Secretarial Science, UITM in 1994.
Below are the secretarial post and places that she has served from 1995 to her current year 2020.
1. Her first job was as the Confidential Secretary to Corporate Director, Perwaja Steel (Mac 1995-April 1996)
2. From May 1996- December 1997, she held the post of Secretary to the GM, Pertama Enterprise.
3. Secretary to GEVP Alif Telecommunications Sdn Bhd from Dec 1999-Oct 2002
4. Exec. Administration to Group HR (Nov 2002-Sept 2005)
5. Secretary to Snr. Director, Energy Commission (Oct 2005-Sept 2008)
6. Secretary to Director, Energy Commission (Oct 2008 – July 2012)
W Wan Amal Hayati is married to Mohd Azmey bin Abd Wahab (Allahyarham) . Mohd Azmey was a forest ranger who was very active in promoting and creating awareness of the forest ecosystem to the Malaysian public. They are blessed with four children and two grandchildren.
Picture 10: The Family Tree of Wan Amal Hayati bt Wan Omar
and Mohd Azmey bin Abd Wahab.
