In memoriam

Church Street (now Lebuh Gereja}, Penang

1. It was 14 February yesterday. My father was born on that date 140 years ago at Church Street in George Town, Penang. He died at the age of 74—away from his hometown—in Alor Merah a suburb about two miles (3.2 kilometres) from Alor Star, the capital town of Kedah state.

2. The event that led to his decision to move on to greener pastures in mainland Kedah is still a mystery to me just as his private life that I know very little about. According to reports he was a teacher at heart; beginning his working life as a teacher at his alma mater, the Penang Free School.

3. Then he came over to Kedah in 1911 to become the headmaster of a newly founded Government English School in Alor Star, but his tenure was short-lived and thenceforth he never again worked as a school teacher.

4. Ironically, he retired as a civil servant in 1937 after serving in various departments—his significant achievement being his contribution during his time at the legal adviser office. English being his strong suit, he was entrusted with a herculean task of translating hundreds of enactments from English into Malay.

5. But it turned out to be a blessing in disguise on account of the fact that after five years of retirement he was recalled to duty by the state government and appointed as legal adviser. With regard to that, a writer in his obituary to my father wrote that he was the first Malay legal adviser in the country.

6. I might say that I can’t hold a candle to him for his intellectual capability and notable achievements. My siblings and I were caught on a downward turn in aptitude and enthusiasm and we didn’t fare as well in education and working life.

7. And I suppose most of my father’s grandchildren also lack the intellectual aptitude of their grandfather. However, I am optimistic about the future of my father’s great-grandchildren who show enthusiasm and love of learning in schools.