By Abdul Hakim Bujang
I am the last person that he wished coming to his function. I put him into so much trouble, earning him damn unwanted frontpage report about his Kawasan in the 1990’s and for campaigning in support of younger man to replace him.
There was nothing personal between me and the ADUN in question here. He happened to succeed unlike a bigger than life YB, right after the turbulent Sarawak Barisan Nasional (BN) crisis.
I could not recall the exact date since I was still schooling in Ipoh but the year was of course 1987.
The constitutional crisis in Sarawak spilled into a snap election, and friends suddenly turned enemy. Worst part is family are turned into political rival, while those blood thicker than political ideology being branded as double agent, what a f***!
My house was accidentally a source some personal trusted confidante, who are usually utility men in time of crisis, the bodyguard, driver, administrator, executer, financiers and advisors. Partly because leadership quality seems to be in the blood, though non of them ever wanted to be on the main stage.
What make it very interesting was that my auntie who live opposite our house is Wa Haji Simot (Hajah Saemah Ahim) Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) wanita chief who live and die in the name of party while my uncle Usu Awak (Joslee Ramlee) is senior supervisor of Kemajuan Masyarakat (KEMAS) and no other than brother in-law of the PBB turned Persatuan Rakyat Malaysia (Permas) candidate, Haji Saadi Olia.
Saadi, the out-going BN-man happened to be son in law of the infamous former Chief Minister and Head of State, Tun Abdul Rahman Yaakub. So, what do you expect?
Any grassroot politician would understand the role of a Wanita chief and Kemas supervisor on the frontline. They are the one who soldier and lead campaign battle. People do not exchange pleasantry during campaigning period, and you can be assured of how severe the test was on family ties. Wa Simot husband happened to be the Penghulu, making it more complicated.
Being a government servant, loyal to the government of the day, dad was neutral throughout the period. His sister is on the BN frontline while his closest in-law was helming the newly formed opposition machinery. The “Tukang Kipas” who are hungry for opposition on both sides of divide, definitely very angry, to my family. As usual these desperate wannabe would be making many unfriendly remarks behind us.
I doubt any of them dare to say it in front of us because dad is blessed with eight son, six of whom are famous for punching first, ask question later. We have many cousins too, and “Parang” is first in the menu and “Senapang Patah” would come next should we lost the first battle. That is the standard procedure.
Furthermore my cousins are doing quite well in Sibu and our clan are famous of being a very notorious Foochow-Melanau speaking family. Fist fight was considered as warming up, nothing personal, kampung live!
Being an innocent young man, I heard their stories of the encounters on nomination day when my millionaire cousin who run a second hand car retail in Sibu was made driver of the day for BN candidate while my youngest elder brother drive the opposition candidate.
After the job is done, at ease of course, despite the war like situation, both cars are parked in front of our house. Blood is always thicker than water. After some coffee, they part ways and head for respective operation center.
They respected my dad neutrality so politic was left outside the house compound whenever any of these activist came visiting, to share jokes or laughed at stupidity that happened throughout the lengthy campaign period.
Campaign those days, if I am not mistaken was quite long. Both side got money and campaign were somewhat between merry-making and counter attacking.
After the war
When the polling were done, the BN man won with a landslide majority. It was somewhat a disaster to some of my close relatives and of course a blessing to the other halves. Life goes on as usual after that except that some people are now being jobless. That is politic. Pain and pleasure comes together.
The BN Tukang Kipas will never pass our house without making negative remarks, the victor write history. My auntie, however remained the same person that we know before the election.
My auntie is still alive but the very respected husband passed away so many years ago, when he died, they have to perform the prayers on two shifts at the mosque. His students came from throughout the State to pay last respect.
Unlike modern days Ulama who bragged “Dr” initial, the humble man would make sound effect from a distant whenever we recite the Quran wrongly, and you need no further evident of his knowledge of the Book though we do not see the Al-Hafiz insignia like modern days publicity craving scholars.
Hamden Ahmad, the unknown young YB did his very best to close rank after the bitter election. His relatives leave not far from our house, so he did try to visit my father although his “Tukang Kipas” from his village Jerijeh is against the idea. Saadi is from Rejang, so was my late father. My late mum was from Belawai.
Belawai and Rejang are famous are famous for their sibbling rivalry, and AbdulTaib Mahmud was indeed very intelligent when pushing a squeaky clean Jerijeh boy to come in.
If he continue putting Bintulu born Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar there, I am sure he would be sent packing for good because there are simply too many bitter things that one remember about this guy in his short stint there.
Hamden, I must say is one of the most hardworking ADUN that I have ever known. It is not easy to service the Rejang, Belawai and Jerijeh populace. In fact, he lost many times in his own Kampung.
Rejang boys, are very educated having so many returning from abroad as either medical doctors, engineers and diplomat, top level diplomat of course but remained unknown in the eyes of the public despite being trained by MI5 – executing political doctrine behind the scene – and remain unknown to apolitical being average wage earners.
Belawai populace, I must say are among the world most abrassive talking species but blessed with an honest and kind heart. They fight or die with you in a battle, with a typical Melanau seafaring brotherhood.
Blessed with thinking generation, who doubled up as “Master Batu Api” the village is not for a faint hearted leader. Hamden easily defeat these tough talking men with his humility and down to earth approach.
He is probably the most humble and soft speaking YB that I have ever encountered. He never like me though for my news report seldom kae him look good, that is my professional hazard. How on earth do you expect a soft news to appear prominently on the newspaper? He, I am sure could understand by now. YB, nothing sells like bad news.
If my dad, who at that time happened to be local PBB division information chief was tasked with writing welcoming speech for the YB, you know who is actually being tasked to write it.
Dad participate actively in politic upon his retirement to help local BN, who at that time was tested to the limit by re-emerging opposition. This round, Hamden was challenged by Sarawak political maverick named Salleh Jaafaruddin, Taib cousin and Tun Rahman nephew.
Salleh is a veteran fighter and is pooling all the resources to win.
First day in his political job, dad returned home an angry man. “I have told them, to expect my resignation letter if the operation room is still without basic stationery before lunch. How do expect me to go to war without gun.” That was his remark when asked.
Hamden battle against Salleh was never easy. His most trusted confidante told me that he had used up all his life saving for that election and was reduced to tears upon hearing Salleh advancement.
It was a total surprised that he remained a victor in that election. I go and probed, my guest was right.
Some of Salleh ardent supporters changed their mind last minute recounting Hamden importance for the local populace. “We bought two pigs and some liquor, we begged them to support Hamden and the rest is history.”
An independent-minded social activist told me, how they won it for Hamden at the vey last minute stressing that only “genuine” friendship won the local populace, not mountain of money. I presumed Hamden is not aware of this because some heroes would rather remain unknown except among the like-minded.
Challenge that wakes him up
That great challenge from Salleh really shaken Hamden to work much harder. Although we are not seing so much physical changes in the Rejang, Belawai and Jerijeh area, I must say that he service the people very well.
His face is always in the kawasan that also cover Sarikei Malays Kampungs, Paloh, Sebako, Sare, Stalun, Sebayang and many other smaller Iban settlements.
I visited Belawai two years ago and saw the very Tun Rahman era road, the cement road still in existent. The road is very reliable, probably the reason why it is still being used after nearly thirty years, if not more. It is also an evident that olden days contractors emphasised on quality workmanship, tribute to the late Usu Kong, the main contractor.
The area, however are way much more developed compare to other very backward Kampungs. It would be greater if Hamden could revive the Medical Longboat Ambulance that have goes into retirement with longest serving pilot, Udak Ubet. Sick people need them badly, how I wish Hamden is aware of this.
His humility slowly winning him the support. Hamden slowly earned the younger generation respect. He reacted proactively to all critics and challenges that rise.
He was partly involved, if not instrumental in solving local issues especially pertinent one like the water supply.
Tanjung Money development
I must say that without Hamden playing proactive role, Tanjung Manis will not be growing steadily. It may not be growing at the rate of Putrajaya but much better than MIC ill fated township of Lembah Beringin.
Being involved in Tanjung Manis transformation from eerie jungle of barely clothes native maiden into modern township with scantily clad Filipinas singers, the progress demand greatest sacrifice and accountability.
Tanjung Manis nowadays housed RM300 million ultra modern fishing port, airport and very soon nine zeroes foreign investment. I am sure the local participation would be much greater compare to the Indonesian powered sawmills.
I hoped the Taiwanese investors would not make my nightmare of throwing three stones to hit 17 Chinaman head would not become reality.
I could understand Hamden frustration of being in the limelight, out of a sudden after fighting and winning all the battle for his boss. Being a truly Melanau guy who spoke in his mother tongue without a hesitant, Hamden is a proven loyalist.
Worst is when the credit suddenly being won by his once political nemesis family.
For the younger generation who could not understand, Hamden is now being overshadowed by Norah Tun Rahman, who is of course would be bringing her own team that were once at war with Hamden and company.
You do not expect cuts that bleed for more than 20 years to be cured and forgotten overnight. It run deep, much more deeper than Tanjung Manis deepsea port. It hurts more than a fall from 14th floor of Wisma Bapa Malaysia.
Hamden took it with his head held high and offer to give way in the most gentleman manner.
Open and unreserved apology
Open and unreserved apology
Being the most sarcastic commentator, reporter and writer, I always excused myself from covering Belawai event out of respect for Hamden. I have caused too much trouble for him though it was nothing personal.
My battle have always been for the small people, by inflicting untold damage on Hamden political image, I honestly solved lawless boat fares that always victimised express boat commuters and the frequent afre wars of 1990’s, have stable water supply for Belawai State Constituency and most importantly greater funding for his area.
I do not have anything personal against Hamden, and on many occasion do my level best to help him though what I did would earn his anger rather than thanks. He is an accountant while myself a street trained reporter, we have nothing in common except sharing a goal of better livelihood for our own homeland.
Farewell YB, you did an excellent job. I beg for your forgiveness. Let me start the ball rolling by saying that whoever succeeding you would be inheriting me.
Names like Saadi Olia, Zawawi Embong, Ahmad Adai or whoever that might be, better be prepared. I am going to be their friend by virtue of being unfriendly, that is my promise. Some friends are best to serve as known enemy on the surface because there are simply too many opting to go vice versa.
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