Dad turned six two!

My dad turned 62 last monday. He looks 5 years younger to his age. He is lean and fit; due to a strict regime of routine exercise almost every morning. He is a retired politician but never stop being one i.e. still listen and talks politics, always helping those who in need especially those going for civil job interview which need him to extend one call away, giving recommendation to respective institution to whom a title should bestowed and many many other kerja turun padang. He never fail to become a gentleman he is.

At the age of 62, he is deserving a happier life after extending his services to the nation for the past... i dunno 36 years (comprising a tenure in MCS, ADUN and MP). He is now devoting his life to his one and only beautiful wife of 33 years and spend more time with his 6 children and 2 grandchildren. Life is always been great after all for him. Alhamdullilah

This year is also a very remarkable year for him. He is more relaxed than ever and spend his time preciously. He can now do function, meeting and lucheon appointment at his own will and never is obliged to other commitment except for his current tenure as the Chairman of few respectable companies such as Sukimi Oil and Sturgeon Inc. Apart from that he remains as ordinary citizen as everyone else settling himself in Subang Heights.

Yeah, that is my great dad life adventure. I'm happy to say that he has fulfill his life journey and now almost arrive at his destination. A truly statesman who devoted himself to the people once now longed to have a greater life with his family.

For that i truly salute you dad.. you are always my inspiration and the quintessential figure respected and adored by friends and foe. Above all, you are my loving father.

Selamat hari lahir ke 62, ayah..

and a happy father's day too

salam sayang,

abang.

In one of his 6 elections as candidate.

He was conferred one of the darjah kebesaran Penang.

He is now.

one deepavali moment

scene 1 take 1

in the early morning of deepavali, we decided to hv our breakfast at one of the favourite restaurant in subang jaya -'fawwaz restaurant' known for its crispy roti canai and tasty roti sardine.

me and my other half came a bit later from home. Both my parent and other siblings were already there and hv placed order. The queue was surprising long as most ppl would be as lazy as us - prefer to have their meal outside on public holidays. :)

i saw my dad was reading his papers but i was mesmerised as he's reading 'suara keadilan'. hah hah hah. Not that he is jumping ship or whatever but suprisingly that was the only paper being sold on that particular day from one newspaper vendor nearby...

and i tingle him by saying,
"ayah, do you realise that whenever others were celebrating their 'hari raya', most of the daily system would be interrupted as what's happening today?! Most vendors are Indian and they are on leave, that's why we are short of newspapers."

"well son, it also the same with chinese new year! in fact it will turn from bad to worst as most of the transports, sales, trading and our daily transaction would be keep on hold." my dad added with a grin.

and i wonder if it would be the same on hari raya melayu? Whether the system would go haywire as it did on CNY and deepavali...

I dont think so.

in fact the system was so intact and perfect in order to fulfill the needs of the Malays for our raya celebrations.

Pheww, whether our own raya or anybody's raya, we (read:malays) always at the losing end. shessh!

To all my dear Indian friend, dont take me wrongly. I am not rascist, i only pity my own malay dilemma.

enjoy your diwali whilst it last. nadre vanakkam!

Life have taken full cycle

After 23 years at the helm, Dato' Seri Mohd Shariff Omar aka ayah has MADE to bid farewell as one of the glorious political sons in Penang history (apart from YB Anwar Ibrahim and YAB Pak Lah). He lost in his quest to retain his UMNO division head post which he has been holding since 1985.

It was not a good ending for a figure like ayah - someone who struggled all his 23 years of life to make TG a constituent as it is now. And he could ever be proud of his achievements; only to be shown the exit in such way. But this is politics.. this is umno style of democracy. *sigh*

I might be biased when talking about my own ayah, but I am proud of what he has done in our nationbuilding. Though he might not be as popular as the other two Penang's prodigal son but I always believe he has carry himself well in his own colourful way. His integrity, sincerity, spirit and of all his sacrifice will live on for the new generation to look upon and be inspired. Indeed, he has given hope for us to believe that 'hanya dengan semangat, keikhlasan, pengorbanan dan perjuangan, kita akan terus menjadi tonggak perjuangan dan harapan kepada orang orang Melayu'

He has left a legacy and a vacuum widely open, not knowing when it would be filled...

Selamat tinggal politik buat ayah...

selamat kembali ke sisi kami yang menanti.

It will be a 'sweeter' hari raya after all

Pics of yester years...

This year 'syawal' celebration won't be any ordinary Aidil fitr. At least it will never be my typical First Day raya celebration. There wont be much hype about it becoz of the followings:

1. No 'Official' open house on the card to look forward.
2. A limitation of local 'kuih raya' and satay to taste for.
3. Children wont be flocking around for duit raya.
4. Low turnout from the regular guest.

hmmm, i wonder if i am all prepared for such new experience?
For sure it will be a small gathering of us. - anak2 shariff omar.

I am looking forward to enjoying the new 'life'. Not that i am anti social or whateva but in the last 20 over years, i have been a loyal servant to my Dad open house on EVERY 1st day Hari raya! (except my study years and of course last year at my in law's). Welcoming guest, offering foods and giving out 'duit raya' was part and parcel of yester-years. It was a great memories indeed but over the years it has become one 'stereotype act' of me - the same old script which u have to go through years after years without fail. (except my study years and of course last year at my in law's, :b)

I never anticipate it will stop so soon. At least not this year. The fact my wifey never had her hand of the excitement on how we celebrate our eid disappointing me a bit.
Never mind. She will have her share in the future, I hope. *grin*

This year syawal will be a new kind of celebration, anyway. It will be more time for 'us' (read: anak2 shariff omar) to spend more quality time together. There will be more time for mohon maaf session with mom and dad. There will be more time also for a family potrait in our dashing baju melayu's and there will be more time to sit down and enjoy our raya meals.

And most important, there will be enough precious time for us in each other's company- PRICELESS ... I could only smile and be grateful. :)

"Rupanya inilah hikmah kurniaan dari tuhanku.. "

ayah, you shud start with your autobiography la. :)

Listening to ayah's account on stuff happened around him in the past could be very thrilling. All these stories were shared in a very cordial manner. Recalling bits by bits events that occured and made him the person he is now. Gosh.. it's really quite a memories.

Sometimes, I kinda part of it as well; offering some facts and figures especially the years and date as he, himself had lost count on so many occasions. :) this is one of the time i could see him smiling all the way. Sharing some of his memories in politics to friends and acquaintances is a worthy coffee table chat. I wouldnt dare to say but i believe he is trying to get myself interested with politics as well. Yeah, rite.. after all Kemana tumpahnya kuah kalau tak ke nasi. :P

We have seen 2nd generation politicians raise from respectives family the likes of Tun Razak, Tun Hussein and Tun Mahathir. Even in the opposite side, we have anwar's family, Lim Kit Siang's as well as Karpal's. This 2nd generation have come in to continue the preceding political glory , and hopefully they will not come in to build a dynasty but to prolong one's legacy.

I do enjoy listening to ayah's story. I would say spending time with ayah at dining table is one of my happiest moment with him.. this is when we could talk on so many things. Those days it would be a short 30 minutes.. talking to him whilst he finished his office workload. And he wouldnt give much attention due to his devotion to work. typical ayah!

but now, it is different. We could talk business, next trip to langkawi or even talk about his latest nokia phone as long as we can.

ayah, now you are officially back to us. :)

Ayah dearie,

eventhough by now you are no longer a statesman, (after devoting yourself to the public for the past 26 years) you can stand tall and proud of your own achievement.

ppl might want to say many things about your exclusion, but i was there with you when things happen not in our favour. I do understand one thing, ayah.. your loyalty is unquestionable and i am proud to have one father who has the dignity and honour to let go even at the expense of his own future. No worries ayah... God have other plan for us.

i would always cherish those experience, being there during that difficult time when you were torn between your own interest and the future of rakyat. And at that particular moment, when you know you would fade away in time... you still have the thought about others.

Even when my tears running down me, it never soften you to make up you mind. You have made the decision and you are honoured to stand by it..

ahhh.. Ayah! you deserved a medal of a lion's heart!

And when you say it loud, that you are proud of me too... i just can't hold myself any longer and yes! we did cried together. "air mata anak lelaki mahal harganya" and i believe it really worthy to shed tears with you, ayah

Ayah,

i wish i could send you a swansong goodbye in TG. it will be your 7th and i also believe it will be your last after all. However it never occur as what i plan and have in mind. Never mind ayah.. It was never meant to be for you..

"itulah cerita politik.. sekejap kamu di atas, kapan sedar kamu sudah berada dibawah.

roda hidup pasti akan terus berpusing.. dan berpusing... dan berpusing."

Ayah,

now you are a free man. We will welcome you home coz your loves one are there waiting for you..

"ayah, abang sayang ayah."