Uncle Zain, My Ipoh Connection

The marriage between Aunt Fatimah and Uncle Zain is a blessing for the members of the extended family that generated from the family of my Great-great-grandpa Jusop. This union in matrimony had brought closer two nuclear families in an extended family. Uncle Zain is the cousin of my late maternal grandmother, Hajah Ramlah. Grandma Ramlah's mother is the older sister of Uncle Zain's father whom my mum used to call Grand-uncle Jesin (Hussein). He followed his father, my Great-great-grandpa Jusop, to Malaysia from Bawean Island during the British colonization in the Malay Peninsula. They used to live at Sungai Rokam in Ipoh, Perak.

(Hari Raya Eid-ul-Fitr 1995)

 

According to Aunt Fatimah, my Great-great-grandpa Jusop had another marriage, having another set of children from his other wife. And through her (descendants), he had produced the first batch of several well-educated Malaysian of Baweanese descent professionals in his family; a banker, two engineers, an accountant, a doctor and a lawyer –the well-known six brothers in Ipoh that became successful through educations. One of them is Hj.Asmuni bin Awi, the well-known lawyer turned Politician in the State of Perak.

 

(A proud Grandfather)

Uncle Zain is himself among the successful one in this family. He is an ex-army officer who received the title Dato', given to him by the Sultan of Pahang due to his bravery, serving the Malaysia Military. During his army life, he was always working overseas. I remember during my childhood he used to bring goodies for me and my sister every time he returned home from Africa to Singapore at Pondok Kalompang Gubuk. The children of the Pondok loved him as he used to entertain with stories from his army adventures working in Congo.

(Nenek Moya's first and last visit to my home - January 1996)

 

Uncle Zain was born and raised in Ipoh, Perak. His older and only sister, my late dear Grand-aunt whom I used to call Nenek Moya (Salmah), loved him very much. She took care of him since he was a little boy. My mum told me that Nenek Moya used to give up her portion of food to her little brother during their difficult period living as orphans. I always remember Nenek Moya as a wonderful lovable person. During my childhood, I used to accompany my grandparents every time they visited Nenek Moya and other relatives in Ipoh.

Like Nenek Moya, Uncle Zain treats me and my siblings with kindness. Spending my time with Uncle Zain and his family makes me happy. Often I forgotten that he is only my uncle. He makes me feel as though I am his daughter – a daughter he wishes to have. Uncle Zain is like a father to me. He is a generous and kind-hearted person; free from black spots covering the heart -the disease of a bad-hearted soul.

 

(Aunt Nuri and Aunt Yati, the daugthers of Nenek Moya -visted Singapore in April 1986)

The relationships between Uncle Zain and my father were more than brother-in-laws. They were good friends who always helped each other. Uncle Zain was always there for my father in good and bad times. My father too was always there every time Uncle Zain needed a helping hand. I remember during the time living in a HDB flat, my father offered Uncle Zain and his family to live together with us while waiting for their home in Johor to be ready. Aunt Fatimah and her two sons lived with my family for about six months while Uncle Zain was out-stationed in Congo. During that period, as the oldest among the little ones, I used to bring my little cousins to the playground and watched over them as they played happily with the other kids living around the area.

Until today my cousins and I are very close. To them, I am more than a cousin – an older sister living in Singapore. Indeed Uncle Zain's family members are my next-of-kin in Malaysia. Through marriage, Uncle Zain and Aunt Fatimah had made the blood-ties stronger between my Singaporean relatives and the relatives in Malaysia.

(This post is dedicated to my dear Uncle Zain and his family. According to me, Uncle Zain and Aunt Fatimah is a perfect match made in heaven. Their children are my blood-ties and always be my dear little brothers even though they are now adults. To my Malaysian cousins - indeed we are in a family of different Nationality, living in two different countries linked by a causeway ....yet... We are one big family and will always be...)

My Aunt Fatimah, the Great Cook

Putra Jaya, Malaysia 2000

 

Hajah Fatimah binte Ali is my maternal aunt. She is my mother's younger sister, the third child among eight siblings and the second oldest daughter in the family. According to my mum, Aunt Fatimah used to help my grandmother in the kitchen while my mum busy doing the laundry for the family. My aunt told me that during her teens, she and my mum used to attend cooking and baking classes at Kampong Kapor Community Centre situated opposite their home, Pondok Kalompang Gubuk.
 

Aunt Fatimah and my mum during their teens

 

Aunt Fatimah loves to cook and is extremely good in it. She cooks irresistible delicious food! Often her friends requested for her to cook during functions such as Aqiqah, Hari Raya Open House and House Warming. It became so frequent that she decided to do a small food catering business. Like my Grandma Ramlah, Aunt Fatimah is an expert in making Nusantara desserts - Putri Salat, Talam Keladi, Koleh-koleh, Talam Berlauk, Talam Suji, Ondeh-ondeh, Pulut panggang... you name it, she knows them all!

Living with Aunt Fatimah in 1986

 

It is not surprising that Aunt Fatimah is always there on my mind every time I think about Baweanese food. This is because her cooking reminds me of the food my late Grandma Ramlah used to cook. The dishes prepared by Aunt Fatimah always taste the same as those cooked by my dear grandmother. Unfortunately for me, she does not live nearby my home. My aunt is a Malaysian, living across the causeway in the State of Johor.
 

My two cousins, Faizal and Irman during childhood in the early 1970s

 

Even though my aunt was born in Johor Baru, she was raised in Singapore. A former student of Cedar Secondary School, she got married in her late teens after completing her studies. Her husband, Hj. Mohammad Zain bin Hashim, is a Malaysian born Baweanese. He is the maternal cousin of my Grandma Ramlah. Hence, my uncle-in-law is also my maternal grand-uncle! (According to Islam, it is legal for cousins to get married to each other hence, so are the cousins of the parents, cousins of grand parents and so on.)

 

My two cousins Riko and Shaz -at Dungun, Trengganu 1987

Aunt Fatimah has four sons - my dear cousins whom I used to babysit during childhood, treating them as my own younger brothers. All four of them are Malaysians even though the first two were born in Singapore. Aunt Fatimah and Uncle Zain are now proud grand-parents to several grand-children from their first two oldest sons.

The cousins -at Berjaya Times Square Hotel, Malaysia 2008

 

Like my paternal Aunt Jamaliah, Aunt Fatimah always has a special place in my heart. She is like a second mother to me. I used to live with her during my childhood and also during the early years of my marriage, the time my husband was seconded to work at Pasir Gudang for three years.

My cousins' children -at Berjaya Times Square Hotel, Malaysia 2008

 

Like my mum, Aunt Fatimah had taught me a lot of things; from teaching me about this life and Islam, to doing house chores - laundry, cooking, cleaning, tidying and managing a home, to nurturing children, imparting good values and manners to them. She is a school in her own rights imparting her knowledge to this niece, showing through example the path undertaken by an obedient daughter, a kind sister, a motherly aunt, a loving and faithful wife, a wonderful mother as well as a good neighbour as desired by Islam.

Me... always a loving aunt to the children of my dear Malaysian cousins.

 

(This post is dedicated to my beloved Aunt Fatimah. I love you very much my dear aunt. According to me, you are beautiful in every way. Thank you for being a wonderful aunt who is always there for all of us - your nieces and nephews, the children of your siblings. May Almighty Allah always be there for you throughout your life. Ameen.) 

In Memory of Ustaz Hj. Arshad Bin Nor

Ustaz Hj. Arshad was the son of my maternal grandfather's cousin. He was born and raised in Bawean. He migrated to Singapore during the British Colony in the 1950s. My maternal grandfather was his closest Uncle, the only next-of-kin living in Singapore. He was in the care of my grandparents until the day he got married.

Obek Arshad, as I used to call him, was a learned person in the field of Islamic Studies. He used to work in the Prison as a religious teacher to the in-mates. He also used to bring pilgrims to Makkah for Ummrah and Hajj.

During his employment period with the Queenstown Prison, Obek Arshad lived at the Prison Workers Living Quarters. I used to go there with my parents to visit him. Every time my parents told me that we were going to Obek Arshad's home, I felt excited. My heart jolted with joy and eager to meet his family. I was always looking forward to play with his children while the adults were having conversations.

Obek Arshad was a very cheerful man, full of smiling expressions on his face. I remembered him as a warm, kind hearted person. He was always happy to welcome members from his uncle's family and made the stay an enjoyable one. I enjoyed very much listening to his interesting ghost stories that he told to keep the little ones entertained. His advise not to fear the dark nor the lurking-places of Unseen Beings remain etched in my mind till this day. Instead, he would say to always fear Almighty Allah and not to miss the daily sholat (to pray five times a day) so as to chase the Satan away.

I always remember Obek Arshad as an Ustaz with a gifted voice. It was a stern and firm voice especially good for reciting the Qur'aan. His passion to continuously seeking Islamic knowledge could be seen from his library of Islamic books displayed on his book shelves. His career as a religious teacher had inspired me to pursue my studies in Islamic Knowledge at tertiary level. Obek Arshad is always in my memory as an Uncle whom I think highly off and regard him with the utmost respect.

My Obek, Ustaz Hj. Arshad, passed away a few days ago, on Monday, 9th June 2008 at about 4.00 p.m. and was buried the next day. He left behind a widow, two sons, three daughters and several grand-children. Truly, I am remorseful for not able to bid him farewell on his death-bed, and I send my deepest condolences to his widow and children. Indeed his family has lost a good husband and father. I have lost an Uncle and Singaporeans of Baweanese descent have lost one of its pioneer educators who had contributed in shaping good Muslim individuals. For all the many good things that he had done, may Almighty Allah’s blessings be upon him. May his soul be placed among those favoured by Almighty Allah. May Almighty Allah grant peace to Obek Arshad's soul in the world of Barzakh. Aameen.

Indeed we are here on this earth temporarily. When it is time to leave this world, the soul has to leave the body and the dead body has to be buried six feet underneath the ground. Thus, from clay the human body was made off and to clay shall it be returned…..

My Uncle, the Army Captain

Captain Soaidy Bin Ali in his army uniform - Photo taken in 1960s.

 

The late Captain Soaidy Bin Ali was my uncle. I addressed him as 'Obek' since he was my mother's oldest brother. 'Obek' is a Baweanese word for older uncle. Obek Sairi (the name I used to call him) was good at handling rifles and had won several prizes in air-rifles competitions.

 Some of my uncle's winning plaques during the period of his Army Career -Photo taken in 2001

After his retirement from the army, my uncle became an Imam in one of the Masjid nearby his home. Uncle Soaidy was excellent in reciting the Holy Qur'aan. In fact all of his siblings are able to recite the Qur'aan beautifully. This was due to my grandfather's strict method of upbringing his children. Like any other typical Baweanese in those days, my grandfather was extremely particular in educating his children with Qur'aan knowledge -the ability to recite the Holy Qur'aan correctly and fluently was his priority.

 

My Mom on the right most at the front row. She won a prize for Qur'aan recitation -Photo taken in 1950s.

Unlike any other ordinary Baweanese, my grandfather was a far-sighted person who believed the importance of education. He sent all his children to school and all of them completed their studies. Some of my aunties and uncles made it to tertiary level. Thanks to my grandfather, Uncle Soaidy was an educated man.
 

Uncle Soaidy at the right most with his maternal uncle standing in the middle, and friends -Photo taken in the early 1950s at Johor Bahru

Uncle Soaidy was born in Ipoh, in the state of Perak, Malaysia. He received his early education in Johor Bahru at English College. He married a Baweanese descent lady, living nearby Pondok Kalompang Gubuk. I address his wife as Obek Hatma. They were blessed with five children. My uncle passed away in August 2000 due to old age. He was then 65 years old.
 

My Uncle's wedding photograph -Photo taken in late 1950s

Uncle Soaidy with his wife, sister-in-law (Cikgu Mon from Tun Seri Lanang Secondary School), and my mother -sitting beside him. Photo taken in the 1960s during a wedding held at Pondok Kalompang Gubuk. The front most room at the second floor of the pondok was converted to a wedding hall. During such occasion, all the beds were dismantled and the wardrobes were shifted to the side of the room

At another wedding occasion. I was the little girl sitting beside my younger sister at the front. Behind were my two aunties and relatives. Standing at the rear was Aunt Suaidah and sitting in the middle was Aunt Dalila. Notice the wardrobes being shifted to the side of the room. Photo taken in late 1960s.

Obek Sairi and Obek Hatma as I always remember them -Photo taken in early 1960s.

My Uncle, The Guru Ngaji

Ahmad Bohari Bin Ali with his two sons and a niece - Eid 2000

Ahmad Bohari is my other uncle who played football during his teenage life. However unlike uncle Ahmad Sayuti, he played for a very brief period of time as he was not selected to be in the youth national team.

As his niece, I address uncle Bohari as 'Mamang' because he is the younger brother of my mother. 'Mamang' is a Baweanese words which means 'younger uncle'. Uncle Bohari is two years older than Uncle Sayuti. He is the one who resemble my late maternal grandfather. He has the most of my grandfather's appearance. Like my mother, he has a remarkable voice that enable him to read the Qur'aan with a rhythmic-like recitation which is soothing to the ears. During his free time, he teaches children to recite the Qur'aan thus, becoming a Guru Ngaji whenever he is not at work at the laundry servicing company. Generally, the Baweanese are good at reciting the Qur'aan.

Uncle Bohari is married with four children -three boys and a girl. The oldest child, Yan, will be completing National Service (NS) very soon and is looking forward to continue his studies at the University. Yan, is one of my favourite cousins. He has good manners and indeed he is a remarkable, distinguish young individual. He brought much pride and joy to the family with his successful academic achievements. Yan reminds me of my late grandfather as he inherited most of my grandfather's fine qualities of a charismatic gentleman.

Aunt Suaidah's family -The last to leave Pondok Kalompang Gubuk

At the main entrance of Pondok Kalompang Gubuk -Photo taken in 1996.

35 Upper Weld Road left me with fond memories of my childhood. It was my home for twelve years. I was in primary six when my family moved out from pondok to live in our new HDB home at Kallang Bahru. It was December 1974. However, I always returned to my pondok to visit my maternal grandparents, uncles and aunties. I adore them very much. Back then, only one of my two aunties was married with young children. Her name is Suaidah, the younger sister of my mother. During those days I enjoyed very much visiting the pondok as I found joy in baby-sitting my little cousins, Anam, Fauzi and Nur. Of the three, Anam was my favourite.

Little Anam with my mother - Isn't he adorable? -Photo taken in the early 80s.

I address Aunt Suaidah as Cik Ende. When I was ten years old, I used to help her to baby-sit baby Anam while she was busy doing her house chores. When I was in my teens I used to bring little Anam to the movies. I remember the time when we were watching Jaws at Rex Cinema. I found him sobbing at the end of the movie. He told me he was sad to see the lady was eaten alive by the shark. Anam was then, only six years old.

An interior area of the pondok, leading to the Kitchen. The door at the rear opens up to the kitchen - Photo taken in 1996

Gradually, one by one the residents of Pondok Kalompang Gubuk moved out to live in HDB flats. Aunt Suaidah's family was the last family to leave the pondok. It was time to do so for the date to leave was due. Back then, her three children were still schooling. Anam was in Polytechnic, Fauzi was in college and Nur was in secondary school. It was a very difficult period for Aunt Suaidah and finding a new home was not easy. Nevertheless she found a rented unit at Eunos to live in. Today, my aunt is a proud HDB home-owner. She is all smiling as her children are now young professionals holding rewarding jobs.

At the living Room which is the front most part of the Pondok Kalompang Gubuk -Photo taken in 1996

My Uncle, the footballer.

Ahmad Sayuti Bin Ali with FAS in the National Youth Team representing Singapore in football tournaments.

Kampong Kapor left me with beautiful memories of my childhood life. It was the place I was born and grew up. It was also the playing ground of my aunties and uncles. Two of my youngest uncles used to bring me to the playground at Kampong Kapor Community Centre which was just across the road, opposite of Pondok Kalompang Gubuk. My uncles would leave me and my sisters at the playground while they played football in the small patch of field next to it.

The playground at Kampong Kapor Community Centre - Photo taken in the late 60s. I was the third little girl from the left. The teenage girl second from the right was my aunty. The others were my relatives.

At Kampong Kapor Community Centre - Photo taken in the late 60s. I was second from the left. My sister was the first girl on the right. Behind us was a row of living-quarters.

My two uncles grew up to be teenage footballers playing for a soccer team called the Spider. One of them, Ahmad Sayuti, made it to the Youth National Team representing Singapore. He is my mother's youngest brother. Subsequently, he was selected to play for the Singapore National Football team, playing along-side with players such as Dollah Kassim, Mohammad Noh, Hashim Hosni, Edmond Wee and many others. He was then working as a technician with Electrolux. Later on at the peak of his football career, he was offered to join Grodningen FC, a football club in Holland, along with Fandi Ahmad. However, he turned down the offer and moved on with his life without football. He concentrated on his job with Electrolux and later on he joined Guthrie.

Mom, my sisters and I at my uncle's wedding.

My cousins, Ziki and Zazar in 1991.

My uncle married to a Singaporean of Javanese descent. Aunty Nur, as we address her, is a kind hearted person with pleasant personality. She brought much joy into my uncle's life. Indeed, my uncle has a beautiful family. His two sons, Zazar and Ziki were intelligent boys who grew into young fine adults.