RAMADHAN ADALAH PENANDA SIAPA DIRI KITA

Sumber: Abchek.blogspot.com

Oleh Abdullah Chek Sahamat

22/5/2019

Ditegaskan oleh Rasulullah SAW melalui sabdanya yang diriwayatkan oleh Ahmad, An-Nasa'i dan Al Baihaqi daripada Abu Hurairah, yang bermaksud: " Sesungguhnya telah datang kepada kamu bulan Ramadan bulan yang penuh berkat. Allah telah memfardukan ke atas kamu berpuasa padanya. Sepanjang bulan Ramadan itu, dibuka segala pintu syurga dan ditutup segala pintu neraka serta dibelenggu segala syaitan.......".

(2) Secara biasa-biasa kita sering didengarkan dan atau berfikir betapa pada sepanjang Ramadhan para syaitan itu terkurung atau terbelenggu, maka dengan itu manusia terlepas dari segala godaan syaitan. 

Apakah benar manusia bebas dari godaan syaitan di bulan Ramadhan? 

Atau apakah maksud sebenar para syaitah terbelenggu? 

Tulisan secara theologi Islami mengenai perkara ini banyak boleh kita capai di mana-mana. Dari sudut theologi Islami yang pernah saya dengar dan baca, maksud terbelenggu, terikat atau terkurung bukanlah membawa erti secara fizikal para syaitan itu dibelengu, ikat, rantai atau terkurung. Ianya lebih kepada konsep terhalang. Hadangan godaan syaitan pada bulan Ramadhan tidak tertanggung kepada syaitan tetapi lebih kepada keImanan dan keTaqwaan Muslim itu sendiri. Kemampuan para Muslimin dalam menahan nafsu dari apapun adalah pagar atau rantai yang menghadang syaitan dari mendekati mereka. Contoh, para Iblis paling tidak berani dengan Umar Al Khataab. Para Iblis sangat menjauhi Umar, lantaran kental Iman dan Taqwa beliau. Pokok pangkalnya adalah kekuatan Iman dan Taqwa Muslim itu sendiri menjadi rantai atau kurungan buat para syaitan dari menggangu mereka. Secara Islami, kekuatan Iman dan Taqwa di bulan Ramadhan adalah dinding penghadang manusia dari godaan syaitan. Jika itu sebegitu, tidakkah Iman dan Taqwa adalah pelindung bagi manusia pada masa manapun dari godaan syaitan, dan ianya tidak terbatas hanya di bulan Ramadhan?

(3) Allah sengaja menjadikan Ramadhan sebagai bulan di mana Dia mengikat segala syaitan, ada hikmah tersendiri yang semua Muslim harus tahu. Sesungguhnya, di bulan Ramadhan, khasnya di malam Lailatul Qadar adalah malam di mana Allah menurunkan Kalam Al Quran dari Arasyi ke Langit Bawah. Dari langit bawah, kemudian Jibril menyampaikan Ayat-Ayat Al Quran secara berperingkat-peringkat kepada Muhammad SAW selama 23 tahun kemudiannya. Sesungguhnya, mengikut pemahaman saya, rantai kepada para syaitan di bulan Ramadhan dan pada sebilang masa adalah Al Quran. Al Quran yang Allah turunkan kepada manusia, adalah lawan kepada segala kehendak jahat syaitan jika kita mengerti dan mematuhinya.

(4) Kita tangguh dulu prihal tafsiran theologi Islami sebenar akan maksud para syaitan dibelengu di bulan Ramadhan. Dalam tulisan ini, biar saya mengutarakan logika dari maksud dan kesan bahawa di bulan Ramadhan para syaitan terbelenggu, dirantai, diikat atau terkurung. Katalah dari sudut bahasa biasanya, para syaitan benar-benar secara fizikal terikat, terbenggu atau terkurung, maka bolehlah kita berkata Ramadhan = Bulan Bebas Syaitan; Satan Free Month. Allah atas kuasaNya, tiada halangan untuk Dia mengikat atau merantai para syaitan. Maka jika ini benar, manusia di bulan Ramadhan adalah manusia sebenar-benarnya manusia iaitu dia bebas dari pengaruh syaitan. Pada bulan Ramadhan, manusia adalah dirinya sendiri he is himself. Jika ini benar, kesannya sangatlah luas.

(5) Bagi saya, adanya bulan Ramadhan adalah cara Allah hendak menunjukkan kepada diri kita siapa kita sebenarnya. Ramadhan adalah bulan memuhasabah diri, bulan menilai dan mengenal diri sendiri. Kita boleh menentukan siapa diri kita secara sendiri-sendiri, bila bulan Ramadhan itu muncul. Dalam kata lain, bulan Ramadhan adalah kayukuran tentang siapanya diri kita, khasnya dari sudut Iman dan Taqwa. Kita boleh membandingkan di tahap mana Iman dan Taqwa kita dengan melihat darjah kepatuhan kita berbanding manusia-manusia lain di sekeliling kita. Di bulan Ramadhan, banyak pantang larang serta banyak pula perkara-perkara ibadah yang wajib dan harus kita lakukan berbanding dengan bulan-bulan lain. Inilah bulan di mana kita diminta untuk tekun dan rajin beribadah. Inilah bulan bagi mengukur tahap kepatuhan kita kepada suruhan Allah. Di bulan inilah, Allah berikan kesempatan untuk kita menilai tahap keImanan dan keTqwaan diri sendiri. Contohnya, jika ada manusia lain menuding betapa Iman dan Taqwa kita adalah lemah pasti kita akan marah atau sakit hati. Tetapi dengan cara membebaskan manusia dari pengaruh syaitan, khasnya di bulan Ramadhan bermaksud kita adalah kita, kita tersendiri, maka siapa kita bila tidak terpengaruhi syaitan adalah kita yang sebenar. Maka, contohnya jika kita suka berbohong di luar Ramadhan, maka kita boleh mendakwa bahawa sifat pembohong kita itu adalah hasil godaan syaitan. Tetapi jika di bulan Ramadhanpun kita tetap berbohong, maka dapatlah dirumuskan biar tanpa syaitanpun kita tetap pembohong. Dengan itu maka bolehlah dirumuskan bahawa kita adalah sebetul-betulnya kita adalah pembohong tegar. Khasnya bagi orang Melayu yang marah digelar pemalas, cuba lihat apakah kita pemalas di bulan Ramadhan atau tidak? Jika di bulan Ramadhan, di mana Allah memberikan ganjaran berlipat ganda lewat membuka pintu Syurga di atas apapun kebaikan yang kita buat, kita tetap bermalas-malas sehebat malasnya kita di bulan-bulan lain, maka tidak usahlah kita marah atau berkecil hati jika dijenamakan sebagai bangsa pemalas. Di bulan Ramadhan, tiada sebab untuk umat Melayu khasnya untuk berdalih-dalih dalam apapun, lantaran sikap kita seharusnya berebut-rebut mengerjakan kebaikan lantaran kebaikan di bulan Ramadhan nilai ganjarannya adalah sangat tinggi. Ibarat jika dibayar gaji besar, kita harus tidak malas. Saat upah tinggi disediakan, tahap kerja kita mesti lebih tekun, tangkas dan beyond expected. Namun, saya perhatikan, sebilangan besar bangsa Melayu cukup lesu dalam banyak hal bila saat datangnya Ramadhan. Kerja mereka tidak focus. Ketangkasan mereka juga jauh berkurang. Mereka cukup menghidar kerja-kerja berat apa lagi jika perlu keluar menantap matahari. Puasa sering dijadikan alasan. Dari melihat Ramadhan sebagai bulan penuh rahmat, sebilangan Melayu melihat Ramadhan sebagai bulan disandarkan segala alasan untuk "berundur".

(6) Dalam kata mudah, jika kita sama saja (atau mungkin lebih teruk) sepertinya tidak di bulan Ramadhan, maka hakikatnya itulah kita sebenarnya. Perit getir berpuasa di sepanjang Ramadhan sepertinya tidak mendatangkan rasa sedar dan insaf kepada diri kita untuk berubah ke jalan kebaikan. Apa lagi bagi yang seronok berpuasa, itupun tidak mengentalkan kecintaan kita kepada kebaikan yang dituntutkan.

(7) Sebagai gambaran bertapa puasa Ramadhan belum boleh memberikan kesan mendalam kepada banyak umat Melayu akan saya gambarkan dengan mengambil suatu fenomena hebat yang kini sedang melanda Negara. Fenomena tersebut adalah penjajaan Badut MaluApaBossku. Sosok dan watak utamanya, seseorang telah dituduh berlaku onar dalam kerjayanya. Dalam konsep kebertangungjawaban, dia bolehlah dikatakan sebagai telah pecah amanah. Dalam tulisan ini, biar saya ringankan pertuduhan ke atas beliau dari pecah amanah kepada kealpaan. Saya menggunakan kealpaan sebagai gantian pecah amanah lantaran itulah dakwaan pembelaan iaitu beliau mengatakan bahawa dirinya telah didecieved; tertipu = dikelirukan. Seringnya, bila kita alpa, maka kita sering 'tertipu' dan atau dikelirukan. Salahnya adalah kita alpa. Saya terima walau dengan berat hati masalah 'tertipu' yang beliau cuba permainkan. Bagi saya pada kedudukan darjat beliau, masalah decieved adalah mustahil lantaran beliau dikelilingi oleh mereka yang pakar dalam bidang-bidang berkaitan. Sebagai seseorang yang berkuasa penuh serta bertanggungjawab berat, dia dalam keadaan apapun, harus berpunya kumpulan mesyuarah dan atau pemikir yang hebat-hebat bagi meneliti apapun yang harus beliau putuskan khasnya bila melibatkan kepentingan rakyat dan Negara. Sesungguhnya, dia bukan sekadar dituduh, bahkan sedang disiasat hebat bukan sahaja di Negara ini, bahkan di negara-negara lain. Beberapa bukti-bukti sahih telah menunjukkan kealpaan jelas beliau dalam amanahnya. Banyak pihak di luar Negara telah terhukum berkait dengan kealpaan beliau tersebut. Femomenalnya, dari menginsafi kealpaannya, dia malah rela dijadikan simbol betapa malu itu tidak perlu. Beliau sedang bergaya di mana-mana bertopengkan tiada malu. Dengan bertopengkan MaluApaBossKu hakikatnya, lantaran dia adalah Melayu, berada dalam masyarakat majoriti Melayu, sesungguhnya dia sedang dilanda malu besar. Dalam budaya Melayu, sesorang yang tidak tahu malu atau ada malu, sesungguhnya dia sedang dalam kehinaan. Topeng MaluApaBossKu hanyalah penutup kehinaannya. MaluApaBossKu sedang melahirkan fenomenal biar alpa biar terkeliru Melayu harus jangan ada malu. Bibit-bibit Melayu jangan pernah malu sedang tumbuh subur jika tidak dibendung pantas.

(8) Sesungguhnya, malu adalah susila adat Melayu. Susila malu pada Melayu adalah terapan hebat keIslaman yang mereka pegang. Dengan adanya malu, Melayu menjadi santun, luhur, susila dan cukup dihormati. Intipati Kesopanan dan kesulilaan dalam Rukun Negara adalah manifestasi Melayu agar bangsa-bangsa di Negara ini ada pegangan kepada sikap ada malu sebagai personal and communal enforcement element dari berbuat sebarang perkara tidak baik. Bahkan ianya juga sebagai pendorong kepada Melayu harus turut baik-baik, lantaran jika tidak berbuat baik sedang masyarakat berbuat baik, maka itu pasti menimbulkan juga rasa malu. Melayu yang hilang malu, apa lagi Melayu yang tidak tahu malu, sesungguhnya, jatidiri Melayunya telah luntur atau tiada. Sesungguhnya, malu adalah tonggak Melayu. Cuba perhatikan, dalam menuntut hutang, bila berkali-kali tuntutan tidak tertunai, seorang Melayu sejati, biar menuntut hutangpun dia sudah merasa malu. Itu menuntut hutang, bukannya berhutang. Melayu paling malu untuk berhutang. Berhutang sesama Melayu paling memalukan Melayu. Melayu juga rasa malu bila dirinya tertipu. Biar tertipupun Melayu berasa malu, apa lagi untuk menjadi penipu. Makanya, Melayu cukup malu untuk menipu. Bahkan, malu menjadikan Melayu untuk ikut-ikut berbuat amal kebaikan. Cuba lihat di Aidil Fitri dan atau Adha, semua Masjid akan sesak lantaran Melayu malu jika tidak sholat sunat Aidil Fitri dan Adha. Sebegitu juga, biar tidak berpuasa, Melayu pasti malu untuk mengaku tidak berpuasa. Sesungguhnya, jatidiri malu pada Melayu cukup luas maksud dan kesannya dari sudut nilai-nilai keIslaman mereka. Bagi Melayu, malu adalah teras nilai-nilai keIslaman mereka. Dalam Islam, malu adalah benih-benih kesucian diri. Melayu yang tidak tahu malu adalah Melayu yang bibit-bibit kesucian hatinya sedang menuju kegelapan yang pekat.

(9) Fenomenal, bila di bulan Ramadhan, malu yang menjadi asas keIslaman Melayu, sedang dijaja dan disemarakkan sebagai MaluApaBossKu. Dirinya dan para pendokongnya megah menjaja sifat Tidak Perlu Malu. Jika di bulan Ramadhan kita tiada malu, maka sebegitulah sifat sebenar kita secara azalinya. Biar ada atau tiada syaitan, malu yang menjadi dinding perlakuan buruk kita, kita robohkan dan nyahkan nilai-nilai tersebut.

(10) Saya mungkin kelihatan picky dalam pemilihan teladan dalam tulisan ini. Namun, cuba perhatikan Al Quran. Sengaja Firaun, umat Lut, Yahudi bahkan Luqman Al Haqim dan sosok tertentu dijadikan teladan tepat dalam pembicaraannya. Asasnya adalah itulah teladan benar dan itulah yang wajib dihidari dan atau dipatuhi. Saya memilih Badut MaluApaBossKu lantaran sosok-sosok dan watak-watak itu adalah nyata di depan mata.

(11) Maka dalam fenomenal Badut MaluApaBossKu, jika benar dia alpa, maka seharusnya, khasnya di bulan Ramadhan yang penuh keterbukaan pintu Syurga ini dia harus membantu Kerajaan bagi membawa semua mereka yang telah decieving him ke tengah. Jika benar kealpaannya adalah atas khilafnya maka, bantulah Kerajaan untuk membawa pulang khazanah Negara yang telah being decieved. Saya sebel, saya kecewa sebetulnya, bila dia mengaku being decieved tetapi dari berusaha cuba menghukum para pengkhianat berkenaan kini gelagatnya dia tetap tidak bersalah sehingga didapati bersalah. Benar dari hukum duniawi, namun di mana letakknya susila Ramadhan. Dia berpegang bermati-matian kepada tidak bersalah sehingga dibuktikan bersalah namun lupa kepada konsep jika dia sedar, dia harus insaf. Tuntutan insaf ke atasnya mengikut Islam adalah taubat. Taubat bermaksud, kita harus berhenti dari terus melaku dan atau bersekongkol melakukan keburukan. Paling afdal, kita harus berusaha mengembalikan segala-gala kepada jalan baik asalnya. Bagi kita umat Melayu, tuntutan adat sangat mudah; memohon maaf dan bantulah pulihkan keadaan. Dia harus berani untuk berjiwa besar dengan menjadi saksi Negara dalam membawa pulang segala khazanah Negara yang dicuri akibat 'kekeliruan'nya. Membela Negara jauh lebih mulia dari membela diri. Jika itu sikap beliau, In Shaa Allah rahmat Syurga Allah luas terbuka untuknya.

(12) Sesungguhnya, konsep perundangan yang berpegang kepada tidak bersalah selagi tidak dibuktikan salah mengikut gandingannya iaitu the onus is on the occuse to prove he is innocent. Dari apa yang kita sedang lihat, dia lebih rela dijadikan Badut MaluApaBossKu seolah-olah dia benar hanya atas dasar not yet proven wrong, namun apa bukti yang telah dan sedang dia ketengahkan untuk mengesahkan bahawa dia tidak bersalah? Sejak 2013, rakyat mahukan bukti tentang "kebenarnya" namun sehingga kini dia tetap making people as clowns. Sepertinya, dia lebih suka memilih jalan popular dari proses mahkamah, professionalisma apa lagi Islami sebagai jalan pembelaan diri. Sesungguhnya, saat para isteri SAW terfitnah, SAW mengasingkan diri dan diam khalwat. Beliau berjanji akan khalwat selama sebulan penuh. Namun pada hari ke 29 beliau bubar berkhalwat sehingga para sahabat mengingatkan beliau bahawa sebulan bermaksud 30 hari. Namun SAW bertegas, sebulan tidak semestinya 30 hari, boleh saja 29 hari. Dari peristiwa tersebut, maka Hisab Ramadhan boleh 29 dan atau 30 hari, dan ini kini telah diterima sebagai piawaian hitungan hari dalam sebulan bagi seluruh dunia. Namun, saya melihat kesan paling besar atas sikap SAW tersebut adalah pertalian antara Ramadhan, khalwat dan jalan penyelesaian fitnah. Bagi Badut MaluApaBossKu dan para pendokongnya, jika mereka mengerti, bilamana kita yakin tidak bersalah sehingga dibuktikan salah; katakan sedang berdepan dengan "fitnah", maka sikap atau jalan yang ditunjukkan oleh SAW adalah teladan terbaik; diam, khalwat. Ramadhan harus dijadikan bulan untuk diam dan khalwat memuhasabah diri. Bahkan SAW menanganinya secara cukup professional iaitu dengan membiarkan para sahabah melakukan "sisatan". Maka, janganlah biar para syaitan sedang dipasong ie Allah hadangi dari mengaggu kita di bulan Ramadhan, sifat dan sikap kitapun seperti tiada beda dalam keadaan sedang kerasukan syaitan.

(13) Maka harus semua mulai sedar, mahabijaksana Allah dalam mengkhususkan Ramadhan sebagai bulan penuh rahmat dan menghalang Syaitan dari menganggu manusia, benarlah, jika di bulan Ramadhan pun kita jahat maka sahih kita adalah penjahat dan sebegitulah sebaliknya. Kita adalah diri kita di bulan Ramadhan. Mahabijaksana Allah, bulan Ramadhan adalah bulan bagi kita memuhasabah siapa dirinya kita. Ramadhan is the month specially designed by Allah for one to see the truly himself.

(14) Semoga semua cuba mengerti rahsia-rahsia Ramadhan seluas-luas dan sehalus-halusnya dalam waktu kita mengamalkan puasa dan segala ibadah berkait dengannya. Salam Ramadhan.

Kuching, Sarawak

22 Mei, 2019

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30.3.2025 @ 29 Ramadan 1446H: 1.01 p.m

TRIBUT BUAT SEMUA AYAH YANG BERJUANG

Oleh : ZRA Strim

Dekad lewat 70an dan 80an -- setiap ayah bagi keluarga orang susah; beraya seadanya.

(Saya pasti dekad sebelum itu -- tentu lebih sukar).

Itu era -- ketika belum ada trend baju sedondon. Orang Melayu belum mampu beraya dengan konsep: "Satu keluarga berpakaian warna serba sama".

Setiap bapa pada masa lalu, hanya berjuang habis-habisan -- demi menyediakan pakaian raya demi anak-anak.

Malah, sedaya upaya berusaha untuk mencukupkan biaya -- menyediakan sepasang baju tempah (kain ela) untuk suri di rumah.

Daifnya waktu itu -- seorang bapa pasti rasa bersyukur, sekiranya masih mampu membeli sehelai kain pelikat baru untuk pakaiannya sendiri.

Baju raya pula -- ayah pakai apa saja; tanda beraya seadanya.

Biasanya bagi seorang bapa -- memadai sekadar memakai baju lama. Cuma -- perlu dibasuh supaya sunahnya -- berpakaian bersih di pagi raya.

DEKAD TERHEBAT

Saya masih ingat -- melihat dekad akhir 70an dan awal 80an; sebagai dekad yang hebat.

Ketika majoriti orang Melayu masih hidup miskin; kasih-sayang setiap bapa -- besar ertinya.

Orang Melayu waktu itu, kalaupun bekerja seharian -- majoritinya masih: "Berkerja kais pagi sampai ke petang pun... belum tentu cukup -- buat makan anak-anak sampai ke malam."

KETIKA PERTAMA KALI BELANJA BAJU RAYA

Kali pertama tahun 1995 -- setelah bekerja dan bergaji bulan; saya balik beraya di kampung.

Saya bawa bapa saudara, Samsudin Man ke Pekan Rabu, Alor Setar.

Pada tahun itu -- sudah mula ada trend; orang lelaki beraya dengan lengkap memakai sepasang baju Melayu.

Lengkap berkain samping dan songkoknya sekali.

Kami pergi ke tapak bazar di seberang Pekan Rabu; berdekatan parkir Bangunan BSN.

Waktu itu, saya baru perasan; setelah melihat -- betapa kekoknya bapa saudara ketika memilih pakaian.

Itu kali pertama; pada usia 62 tahun -- dia keluar pada malam akhir Ramadan untuk membeli baju raya.

"Tak payahlah satu pasang," katanya: "Beli baju sudahlah... pelik rasa nak pakai seluar sekali dengan sampin."

Ayah saya pun sama; sampai raya tahun 2002 (dua tahun sebelum meninggal) -- dia masih kekok pakai baju Melayu lengkap sepasang.

Kata ayah saya: "Beli baju sudahlah...."

Ayah dan bapa saudara saya; selama hayat mereka -- hidup miskin.

Tak pernah berbelanja baju raya; ketika anak-anak masih dibawah tanggungan.

Biasanya, bagi mereka -- cukuplah pakai baju yang ada saja. Sekadar bersih ketika ke masjid menunaikan solat raya.

Malam itu, kerana mahukan bapa saudara berasa gembira; saya paksa juga.

Akhirnya, dia setuju dibelikan sepasang baju Melayu; tapi, menolak dibelikan samping.

Itu kali pertama dan terakhir. Sejak itu, sampai tahun meninggalnya pada 2005; bapa saudara saya, pasti menolak kalau diajak membeli baju raya.

Dia lebih suka kalau saya bawa balik pelikat -- jenama Gajah Duduk dari Jalan Masjid India.

Tapi, saya beli juga baju Melayu; cuma, tanpa sut dan sampingnya.

Dia lebih suka beraya dengan baju Melayu dan berkain pelikat. Kalau saya nak berjasa; dia lebih suka saya sekeluarga bertandang dan tidur di rumahnya pada Raya Kedua.

Dia lebih suka masak mi Bandung dan melihat kami makan di depannya.

KENANGAN BEGINI BESAR NILAINYA

Saya menghargai semua perjuangan ayah-ayah zaman orang Melayu pada dekad akhir 70an dan 80an.

Era ketika ramai ibu bapa kita hidup susah.

Satu kebiasaan; setiap bapa -- lebih mengutamakan tanggung jawab menyediakan baju raya buat anak-anak dan isteri saja.

KESANYA TERBAWA SAMPAI KE HARI TUA

Kesan dari sikap itulah -- terbawa sampai hari tua: "Raya hanya untuk anak-anak saja."

Ketika anak-anak sudah mampu belanja baju raya; mereka masih kekok menerimanya.

Tahun 1995 -- bapa saudara saya, hanya memilih sepasang baju Melayu warna kerim.

"Tak reti, Pak Nyang nak pakai warna terang-terang," katanya.

Saya beli sepasang; tapi, esoknya -- bapa saudara hanya pakai baju Melayu dengan kain pelikat pada pagi raya.

"Tak retilah... nak pakai sepasang," katanya -- ketika saya berziarah ke rumahnya selepas solat Aidil Fitri.

Saya masih ingat; malam itu -- ditolaknya pelawaan saya untuk dibelikan satu set butang baju Melayu.

Puas pujuk lagi; dia geleng kepala sambil ketawa -- ketika ditunjukkan samping sulaman berwarna-warni.

Saya belikan juga satu set butang baju Melayu dan songkok baharu.

"Pakailah baju Melayu dengan set butang berantai... baru nampak cantik," kata saya.

Bapa saudara saya tetap menolak. Tapi, saya belikan juga.

Esok pagi; ketika pergi solat raya -- dia hanya pakai baju Melayu dan songkok baru saja. Tapi, berkain pelikat.

Butang berantai tak dipakainya.

Saya ketawa; nasib baik, masa nak balik, teringat teringat beli kain pelikat sekali.

Saya rasa lega; sebab dengan pelikat baru -- nampaklah juga serba indah pakaiannya di pagi raya.

BAJU RAYA AYAH SAYA

Ayah saya bekerja sampai akhir hayatnya. Tapi, masih tak reti memakai sut baju Melayu dengan samping pada hari raya.

Sama macam bapa saudara; cukup berkain pelikat di pagi raya -- berselipar menuju ke masjid tunaikan solat sunat.

Menjelang tengahari; baju Melayunya masih ada -- tapi kain pelikat sudah diganti seluar biasa.

MELIHAT AYAH ERA KINI YANG KEKAL BERJUANG

Malam tadi sempat berkeliling sekitar Bazar Raya di Jalan TAR, KL.

Melihat perjuangan ayah-ayah dari golongan penjaja kecil; terasa bangga kerana perjuangan kekal ada.

Mereka kekal berjuang mencari rezeki hingga saat akhir menjelang hari raya.

Bezanya; ramai yang berniaga ditemani isteri. Seorang ibu melayan kami mendapatkan songkok.

Suaminya sibuk mengatur saiz demi saiz untuk dicuba.

Di meja lain, seorang isteri berada di sisi suami -- ketika kami membeli butang baju Melayu.

Seorang isteri pula, sendirian menjual keropok lekor. Tapi, orangnya sangat ceria dan pantas bekerja. Sentiasa tersenyum dan ramah pekertinya.

Di sudut pedestrian; seorang kanak-kanak lelaki berusia sekitar 10 tahun -- terlena bersandar di troli. Nampak lelah menemani ayahnya berjaja air tin.

Semua pemandangan ini mengingatkan kita tentang: "Betapa tabahnya manusia -- yang memilih untuk terus berjuang".

Seorang pemuda penjual belon mainan nampak sugul -- mendekati dan memujuk saya: "Bang... belilah," katanya.

Walaupun kami semua lelaki dewasa; dia nampak hilang arah.

Saya faham keadaannya; belon gas bukan pilihan pembeli pada saat akhir menjelang raya.

Pastilah, hasil jualannya sangat 'struggle'.

Dia nampak lega bila saya infak belon; pasti berbaloi barang sedikit; dalam perjuangan demi keluarga yang menanti keperluan raya di rumah.

Penjaja kecil tidak berjuang untuk menjadi kaya. Mereka berjaja demi meneruskan kehidupan yang memang sentiasa lelah dan payah.

Moga Allah mudahkan perjuangan setiap bapa; yang keras berusaha -- demi menafkahi anak-anak dan keluarga.

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29/3/2025: 7.57 p.m

Was Napoleon Bonaparte a Muslim?

Resource: Al Hakam.

By Awwab Saad Hayat, Al Hakam

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V visited France in October 2008. It is reported that on 9 October 2008, during a meeting with new converts of the Jamaat, a member stated that she had heard Napoleon Bonaparte accepted Islam and became a Muslim in 1798. She asked if Huzoor could confirm this. In response, Huzoor said:

“I have also heard this; however, I do not know for sure whether this is true or not. But it doesn’t seem likely. (Al Fazl, 18 October 2008, p. 6)

Napoleon Bonaparte, the famous French military leader and conqueror who later became the ruler of France, was ranked 34th in the list of the most influential people in the book The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History by Michael H Hart. 

Napoleon was born on 15 August 1769 in Ajaccio, Corsica, France. Records of his death show he died on 5 May 1821 in Saint Helena, a small island in the South Atlantic. After the defeat at the Battle of Waterloo, Napoleon Bonaparte was imprisoned by the British authorities and died there, allegedly of cancer. However, around the same time, it has been proven that Napoleon’s death was not due to cancer or any other disease but was the result of poisoning.

If one carefully examines the references and records of Napoleon Bonaparte’s assumed acceptance of Islam and his adherence to the religion, we find there are both opinions for and against it.

A study of Napoleon’s life shows that he was a courageous, intelligent and successful ruler and had a special skill in adopting policies according to the situation. He had the ability to adapt according to any situation.

For example, the territory of Corsica was annexed to the French Empire just 15 months before Napoleon Bonaparte’s birth. And the France that Napoleon became ruler of was the same France that was considered by Napoleon to be an oppressive and occupying force in the early years of his life, when he preferred to call himself a Corsican. Despite all this, he completed his education at French military training institutions, where he joined the French Army as a second lieutenant after graduating in 1785. Just four years later, the famous French Revolution began.

Napoleon first gained fame when the French recaptured the city of Toulon, France from the British forces in 1793. In this battle, commonly known as the Siege of Toulon, Napoleon was in charge of the artillery. From here, he was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general. And then in 1796, Napoleon was given command of the French forces in Italy where he achieved continuous success due to his superior military tactics and bravery. He returned to France as a hero.

Before setting out for his expedition to Egypt, Napoleon instructed his secretary, Louis Antoine Fauvelet de Bourrienne, to compile a library (with the intention of learning more about Egypt and its surrounding lands). This library was divided and ordered into six categories: 

(i) Arts and science

(ii) Geography and travels 

(iii) History

(iv) Poetry

(v) Romance

(vi) Politics and morals

In the latter category, Napoleon had, in his collection, the Holy Quran, the Vedas, the Torah and the Bible. (The French Revolution and Napoleon Bonaparte [Urdu translation], p. 56)

In the account of Napoleon’s military expedition to Egypt, it is written that Napoleon spent his time in the management of Egypt and the modification of the empire and managed the affairs of Egypt in such a way that the inhabitants were soon blessed with peace and comfort which the populace was unacquainted with for a prolonged period. Napoleon adopted the Turkish dress to win the hearts of the inhabitants of Egypt, but then, seeing that his chiefs humoured his act, he eventually abandoned it. Napoleon adopted the attire of the Muslims and supported them. Later, when he arrived in St Helena, he said Egypt was in every way worthy of his wearing the attire embraced by Muslims. (The French Revolution and Napoleon Bonaparte [Urdu translation], p. 65)

Almost all historians are convinced of the genius and cunning intelligence of Napoleon Bonaparte during the testing and difficult military campaign in Egypt, his stay there and the formulation of policy according to the needs and objectives of the country. There, Napoleon attributed the reason for his adopting the Muslim attire to the conditions in Egypt and not to himself converting to Islam or having any kind of relation to the religion. 

In connection to Napoleon’s entry into Egypt, we find that he entered Cairo, Egypt on a June morning in 1798. He was accompanied by 36,000 troops. Napoleon had studied the history of Islam extensively before his campaign in Egypt and knew how to channel the emotions of the Muslims living there and also learnt some basic Arabic words to make him more agreeable to the locals.

Napoleon told his generals to fight what he called militancy by the Muslims. Whilst in Egypt, he also invited around 60 scholars of Jamia Al-Azhar to his military headquarters for a meal. After the meal, Napoleon began his address in which, it is said, he mentioned the greatness of Islam, its truth and various aspects of the personality of the Holy Prophet. During the speech, whenever he mentioned the name of the Holy Prophet, he would bow slightly. (Daily Express Faisalabad, 19 October 2008, p. 2)

Before Napoleon returned from Egypt and became the ruler of France, it is recorded that whenever he went out, people would be eager to see him. Napoleon was very good at attracting people to his side. (The French Revolution and Napoleon Bonaparte [Urdu translation], p. 80)

It is also recorded that Napoleon knew that his goals could be achieved by appealing to the emotions of people:

“Napoleon was also well aware of the importance of propaganda, so he publicised his achievements to the world in order to make himself appear extraordinary. Public opinion was manipulated in Napoleon’s favour in such a way as to cement in the minds of the people that Napoleon was their saviour.” (Napoleon Bonaparte, Rubine Naz, pp. 8-9)

On the other hand, many of Napoleon’s military campaigns, after his return from Egypt, and then as King of France, clearly oppose and go against the idea that he accepted Islam and became a Muslim. His decisions and personal actions seem to be the opposite of the lifestyle of a true Muslim. Without going into its details here, only a few issues of the expeditions of Napoleon Bonaparte are being mentioned as a sample. 

After the invasion of Egypt and gaining a little foothold there, Napoleon set out against Syria. It is written that Napoleon left Egypt and attacked Syria merely for military success. There, to encourage his troops before a difficult attack, he called for the Bible, and, by reading passages from the book of Joshua, he raised the spirits of his weary and discouraged army and incited them to a fierce battle.

During his expedition to Syria, he ordered the execution of all the prisoners of Jaffa. 3,000 horsemen had surrendered themselves to Napoleon’s generals at Alania, on the condition that their lives be spared. Yet, despite being aware of this promise, Napoleon ordered to have them all executed. These unfortunate prisoners were showered with bullets on the banks of the river; their bones lay on the ground for several days. The Jaffa Massacre proved to be damaging to Napoleon’s reputation throughout Europe at the time. 

With the then growing resistance in Syria and back in Egypt, Napoleon ordered raising the siege in Syria. As a result, Napoleon’s soldiers committed many atrocities. They burnt ready crops and committed atrocities which would’ve surely been known to Napoleon and even if he was unaware, it was a shortcoming on his part as the army chief. 

In Egypt, Napoleon left his wounded generals and exhausted soldiers to die in the desert and showed no sympathy to them despite their repeated pleas. As for the wounded chiefs who were initially carried by the soldiers, Napoleon ordered them to be thrown to the ground.

In one case, during his return to Cairo, an epidemic struck the French army. Napoleon ordered the killing of his soldiers under treatment in the Jaffa hospital. Such drastic steps do not represent any true Muslim leader. 

Historians allege that after witnessing a weakening government in France, Napoleon secretly left Egypt with the intention of usurping the French throne. Leaving his forces in ruin, he withdrew secretly with a few men. 

These historical accounts show that Napoleon could not have converted to Islam as his actions were far from Islamic teachings.

Those who believe Napoleon converted to Islam during his military campaign in Egypt argue that in David Pidcock’s book Satanic Voices – Ancient and Modern (1992, p. 61) it is written that a government newspaper, Le Moniteur, had published that Napoleon accepted Islam in 1798. The newspaper said his new Islamic name was Ali Napoleon Bonaparte. It was said that Napoleon also told his commander, Jacques-François de Menou, about this and he too converted to Islam and changed his name to Abdallah de Menou. The same general later married an Egyptian woman, Siti Zubaydah, who was said to belong to the family of the Prophet of Islam. The newspaper stated that Napoleon not only acknowledged the virtues of the Islamic Sharia himself but was also willing to implement them throughout his empire later. 

Further, it is recorded that Napoleon spent the last days of his life as a captive in St Helena, where he revealed his thoughts and outlook on life. A book titled The Thoughts of the Prisoner of the Island of St. Helena was published after his death. This is the period when Napoleon, after attaining all his glory as a commander, was living the life of a mere prisoner. It is recorded that here, Napoleon said the existence of One God was certain but all religions were creations of mankind.

Similarly, the following sayings of Napoleon are found from which some people infer he was a Muslim. It is recorded that Napoleon said:

“Moses has revealed the existence of God to his nation. Jesus Christ to the Roman world, Muhammad to the old continent […]

“Arabia was idolatrous when, six centuries after Jesus, Muhammad introduced the worship of the God of Abraham, of Ishmael, of Moses, and Jesus. The Ariyans and some other sects had disturbed the tranquillity of the east by agitating the question of the nature of the Father, the son, and the Holy Ghost. Muhammad declared that there was none but one God who had no father, no son and that the trinity imported the idea of idolatry […]

“I hope the time is not far off when I shall be able to unite all the wise and educated men of all the countries and establish a uniform regime based on the principles of the Quran which alone are true and which alone can lead men to happiness.”

(Bonaparte et l’Islam, d’Après les Documents Français et Arabes, Christian Cherfils, Ed., Paris, France, 1914, pp. 105-125. Original References: Correspondance de Napoléon Ier. Tome 5)

The famous researcher and distinguished writer, Allama Abul Kalam Azad, has written the following in Jami al-Shawahd fi Dakhool Ghair al-Muslim fi al-Masjid: 

“When Napoleon Bonaparte invaded Egypt and conquered it, and it was occupied by the French for two and a half years, Napoleon himself and most of the officers of the army accepted Islam in the Azhar Mosque, participated in Friday prayers and also adopted Islamic names. However, the French army was considered to be Christians and would often enter the mosques. A discussion started on this whether non-Muslims should be allowed to come to mosques or not. Some Maliki scholars at the Al-Azhar said that it was not permissible. But Sheikh Abd al-Rahman al-Jabarti, in Tarikh Ajaa’ib al-Asar, has written a special magazine and confirmed that within the Maliki School of thought the permission [of a non-Muslim entering a mosque] can be granted if a Muslim permits a non-Muslim. Therefore, Christians should not enter without the permission of Muslims. They can enter the mosque with the concession of respect and reverence. This entire incident was written by Sheikh Abdullah al-Sharqawi in Tuhfat al-Nazareen, who was Sheikh Al-Azhar at that time. But I do not have the said book at the moment.” (Jami al-Shawahd fi Dakhool Ghair al-Muslim fi al-Masjid, pp. 90-91)

The Promised Messiah describes the merits and superiority of Islam and says that the secret to the success and advancement of Islam was that people would naturally be attracted to the words and message of the Holy Prophetsa because the message was so simple and clear, so much so that even Napoleon is claimed by some authors to have testified to its simplicity and accepted Islam. (Malfuzat, Vol. 2, (1988), p. 60) However, when we look deeper into the alleged conversion of Napoleon, we can understand why some of those authors may have made the claim about his conversion.

Louis Antoine Fauvelet de Bourrienne, a French diplomat, is famous for his Memoirs of Napoleon Bonaparte, a work based on years of intimate friendship and professional association. In that work, he writes: 

“It has been alleged that Bonaparte, when in Egypt, took part in the religious ceremonies and worship of the Mussulmans; but it cannot be said that he celebrated the festivals of the overflowing of the Nile and the anniversary of the Prophet. The Turks invited him to these merely as a spectator; and the presence of their new master was gratifying to the people. But he never committed the folly of ordering any solemnity. He neither learned nor repeated any prayer of the Koran, as many persons have asserted; neither did he advocate fatalism polygamy, or any other doctrine of the Koran. Bonaparte employed himself better than in discussing with the Imams the theology of the children of Ismael. The ceremonies, at which policy induced him to be present, were to him, and to all who accompanied him, mere matters of curiosity. He never set foot in a mosque; and only on one occasion, which I shall hereafter mention, Mahometan costume. He attended the festivals to which the green turbans invited him. His religious tolerance was the natural consequence of his philosophic spirit. […]

“Doubtless Bonaparte did, as he was bound to do, show respect for the religion of the country; and he found it necessary to act more like a Mussulman than a Catholic. A wise conqueror supports his triumphs by protecting and even elevating the religion of the conquered people. Bonaparte’s principle was, as he himself has often told me, to look upon religions as the work of men, but to respect them everywhere as a powerful engine of government. However, I will not go so far as to say that he would not have changed his religion had the conquest of the East been the price of that change. All that he said about Mahomet, Islamism, and the Koran to the great men of the country he laughed at himself. He enjoyed the gratification of having all his fine sayings on the subject of religion translated into Arabic poetry, and repeated from mouth to mouth. This of course tended to conciliate the people.

“I confess that Bonaparte frequently conversed with the chiefs of the Mussulman religion on the subject of his conversion; but only for the sake of amusement. The priests of the Koran, who would probably have been delighted to convert us, offered us the most ample concessions. But these conversations were merely started by way of entertainment, and never could have warranted a supposition of their leading to any serious result. If Bonaparte spoke as a Mussulman, it was merely in his character of a military and political chief in a Mussulman country. To do so was essential to his success, to the safety of his army, and, consequently, to his glory. In every country he would have drawn up proclamations and delivered addresses on the same principle. In India he would have been for Ali, at Thibet for the Dalai-lama, and in China for Confucius.” (Memoirs of Napoleon Bonaparte, Louis Antoine Fauvelet de Bourrienne, edited by R W Phipps, Vol. 1, New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1889, pp. 168-170)

On the subject of Napoleon’s alleged conversion to Islam, Bourrienne also quotes Bonaparte from his Voices from St. Helena in which he wrote, “I never followed any of the tenets of that religion [Islam]. I never prayed in the mosques. I never abstained from wine, or was circumcised, neither did I ever profess it. I said merely that we were the friends of the Mussulmans, and that I respected Mahomet their prophet, which was true; I respect him now. I wanted to make the Imaums cause prayers to be offered up in the mosques for me, in order to make the people respect me still more than they actually did, and obey me more readily.” He goes on to say that he asked the Muslim clerics if he could be a Muslim without following any of Islam’s tenets. The clerics deliberated for months and only when they agreed to his becoming a “Muslim” without having to actually profess or follow Islam, he sates, “I then told them that we were all Mussulmans and friends of the Prophet, which they really believed.[…]” (Ibid.)

Thus, just as many famous scholars like Sir George Bernard Shaw, Bertrand Russel, Dr William Draper, Thomas Carlyle, Phillip Hitti, praised Islam and the founder of Islam; so too, we find some phrases of praise by Napoleon Bonaparte praising Islam. However, it is more reasonable to assume that his “conversion” may have been no more than a political strategy.

The list of those who bear witness and praised the greatness of the founder of Islam, the Holy Prophetsa is far too many to count; as it is written that during the blessed life of the Holy Prophetsa himself, the Emperor of Rome, Caesar said: “If I could reach him [Holy Prophet Muhammadsa], definitely, I would go immediately to meet him and if I were with him, I would certainly wash his feet.” (Sahih Bukhari, Kitab Bada’u al-Wahi, Hadith no. 7)

Thus, after researching various books and references along with other available evidence, we once again recall the words of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa with regards to Napoleon being a Muslim – it is claimed he was a Muslim, however, “it doesn’t seem likely.”

Copy and paste: 29/3/2025: 4.20 pm

MALAYAN SPECIAL FORCES DI CONGO

Oleh : Ramli Abdul Rahim

30 Dis 2011 - 5 Jan 2012

Krisis Congo (1960-1966) merupakan tempoh kemelut di Republik Pertama Congo yang bermula dengan kemerdekaan negara tersebut daripada penjajah Belgium dan berakhir dengan rampasan kuasa yang dipimpin oleh Yusuf Mobutu.

Di pelbagai lokasi terdapat gerakan yang mempunyai pelbagai ciri-ciri perjuangan anti-penjajah, perang puak pemisah dengan wilayah Katanga, operasi pengaman Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu dan pertempuran proksi Perang Dingin antara Amerika Syarikat dan Kesatuan Soviet dan sepanjang krisis menyebabkan kematian kira-kira 100,000 orang awam dan tentera.

Peristiwa hitam tercetus dengan pembunuhan Perdana Menteri Patrice Lumumba yangmemebri tamparan hebat kepada Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (PBB) berikutan kematian Setiausaha Agung PBB Dag Hammarskjöld dalam nahas kapal terbang semasa dia cuba untuk menjadi pengantara.

Congo merupakan konflik global yang pertama yang menjadi keprihatinan Negara kita yang baru merdeka untuk terlibat dalam misi pengaman yang didokong oleh PBB dengan menghantar kontinjennya yang dikenali sebagai Malayan Special Forces di Congo pada 1960.

Negara kita merupakan negara yang ke -16 menyumbangkan pasukan tentera kepada PBB di Congo dan sumbangan tersebut telah mengharumkan nama Malaya ketika itu dalam arena antarabangsa meskipun ia sebuah negara yang kecil namun masih berkemampuan menyambut seruan demi mengekalkan keamanan dan kemakmuran sejagat.

Mandat yang diberikan kepada tentera kita di Congo adalah untuk menentukan pengunduran pasukan tentera Belgium dan untuk membantu kerajaan yangbaru ditubuhkan dalam menguatkuasakan undang-undang dan bantuan teknikal.

Tetapi United Nations Operation in Congo (ONUC) yang melibatkan Malayan Special Forces kemudiannya terlibat dengan penentuan kedaulatan wilayah dan kemerdekaan Congo, pencegahan perang saudara dan menentukan tentera upahan yang bukan di bawah PBB meninggalkan Congo. Negara dengan sebulat suara telah meluluskan pemergian Angkatan Khas Malaya ke Congo dan Tengku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, Perdana Menteri pada ketika itu berkata berhubung campur tangan Rusia di Congo, “campur tangan Rusia ini merupakan perang dingin dan boleh menimbulkan angkara yang tidak diingini”.

Dalam usia yang begitu muda, negara ini telah menghantar batalion kedua, keempat, keenam dan ketujuh secara bergilir-gilir untuk tugas tersebut dan Pasukan Khas yang pertama terdiri dari tiga buah kompeni infantri dari Batalion Ke-4 Regimen Askar Melayu Diraja (RAMD) dengan Pegawai Memerintanya Lt Kol Ungku Nazaruddin Ungku Mohamed. Pada 5 Oktober 1960 tercatatlah dalam sejarah tanah air buat kali pertamanya anak watan diberi tugas besar dan Perdana Menteri telah memberikan pesanan kepada perjurit Negara dengan kata-kata semangat “Biar Putih Tulang Jangan Putih Mata” .

Dalam amanahnya, beliau berkata “Orang-orang di Tanah Melayu merasa bangga kerana askar-askar kita dikenali sebagai satu angkatan tentera yang gagah dan berani dan pemergian mereka adalah satu penghormatan besar kepada negara ini dan mengharumkan lagi nama Angkatan Tentera Persekutuan.

Batalion Ke-4 kembali dari Congo pada pertengahan bulan Julai 1961 dan digantikan oleh Batalion Ke-6, dan Batalion ini menduduki di tempat-tempat yang sama iaitu Markas Teknikal di Bakavu, satu kompeni di Kindu, satu kompeni di Goma dan satu kompeni lagi di Albertville. Satu kompeni kemudiannya telah diterbangkan ke Nyuzu sebuah pekan di utara Katanggu untuk menghancurkan pemberontak-pemberontak puak Buluba dan pemberontak-pemberontak berkenaan telah melarikan diri apabila kompeni itu sampai di Nyuzu.

Dua orang tentera kita telah terkorban semasa batalion ini sedang berkhidmat di Congo iaitu LKpl Yusof Yaakob terkoban apabila sebuah gudang peluru meletup di Indu pada malam 27 Julai 1961 dan Prebet Sional Jantan telah mati lemas di Tasek Kivu pada 31 Disember 1961.

Pada 7 Februari 1963, Batalion Ke-2 diarahkan meronda serta membersih beberapa kawasan gerakan di Wilayah Katonga dengan menawan sebilangan kecil askar-askar uphan dan merampas beberapa pucuk senjata api. Satu daripada kompeni batalion ini telah dengan bangganya dipilih untuk menyertai satu istiadat perbarisan raksaksa menyambut hari ulangtahun Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu di LEOPOLVILLE dan perkhidmatan anggota-anggota Batalion Ke-2 di Congo berakhir pada 28 April 1963.

Selepas itu perkhidmatan tentera kita di Congo terpaksa dihentikan akibat konfrantasi yang diisytiharkan oleh Indonesia ekoran penubuhan Malaysia pada 16 September 1963 dan anggota tentera telah pulang ke tanah air sebagai misi damai pertama Negara di peringkat global.

RAMD telah membuktikan sekali lagi akan kebolehannya di samping menaikkan nama dan imej negara dengan mutu tatatertib dan kecekapan yang tinggi dan semasa sejumlah anggota-anggota RAMD sedang berkhidmat di Congo pada 23 Mac 1961, Yang Di-Pertuan Agong telah berkenaan mengurniakan Panji-Panji Diraja kepada seluruh RAMD sebagai lambang kesetiaan dan kehormatan kepada Raja dan Negara. Selain daripada penglibatan RAMD, Rejimen Persekutuan dan Rejimen Peninjau Persekutuan yang digabungkan pada 1 Januari 1960 dan pasukan baru yang dibentuk ini kemudian dikenali sebagai Kor Peninjau Persekutuan (Federation Reconnaissance Corps) turut terlibat dengan misi pengaman di Congo.

Kontijen Pertama 4 RAMD dan C Squadron 2nd Reconnaissance Regiment berada di Congo dari Oktober 1960-Julai 1961, Kontijen kedua 6 RAMD dan B Squadron 1st Reconaissance Regiment berada di Congo dari Julai 1961-April 1962.

Kontinjen ketiga 7 RAMD dan 1st Reconnaisance Regiment berada di Congo Februari 1962-Disember 1962 manakala Kontinjen keempat 2 RAMD dan C Squadron 2nd Reconnaissance Regiment berada di Congo dari Jun 1962-April 1963. Tiga orang pegawai yang turut mendapat penghormatan kerana khidmat mereka yang cemerlang semasa berkhidmat di Congo telah dianugerahkan Pingat Gagah Berani ialah Captain Maurice S.C., Lam (5 Jun 1963), Lt Muda Neville Siebel (5 Jun 1963) dan Leftenan Lee Ah Pow (3 Januari 1964).

Congo adalah mukadimah kepada misi pengaman PBB yang melibatkan Negara kita kerana sesudah itu banyak lagi misi pengaman PBB yang membabitkan Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (ATM) di pelbagai kawasan konflik sebagai komitmen Negara sebagai anggota PBB di arena antarabangsa yang turut mengharumkan nama Negara dan ATM.

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24/3/2025 @ 23 Ramadan 1446H: 2.52 p.m

A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO THOSE WHO SERVED IN THE MALAYAN SPECIAL FORCE IN THE CONGO

By BA Hamzah

CDiSS will be publishing (republishing) some stories of the operations undertaken by the Malayan Special Force (MSF) in the Congo in late 1960s authorized by the United Nations. The Security Council of the United mandated a peacekeeping operation which was put under the direct authority of the Secretary General. The original mandate for establishing the United Nations Operation in the Congo (in French: Operation des Nations Unies au Congo-ONUC-for short- was to ensure the withdrawal of Belgian forces from the Republic of the Congo and to assist the Government in maintaining law and order and to provide technical assistance to the newly independent state of the Republic of the Congo. The mission of ONUC was modified to include maintaining the territorial integrity and the political independence of the Congo.

ONUC was started in July 1960 and ended in June 1964. At the peak of its operations, ONUC has 20,000 officers and men (including civilians) from several states including India, Ireland, Sweden and Ethiopia.

The Malayan military Contingent comprising in total 613 men all ranks. The MSF was drawn from two of the finest units in the Federation Army, 4th Battalion, Royal Malay Regiment (A, B and C Coys) and C Squadron 2nd Reconnaissance Regiment (now 2 Armour)

On 13 September 1960 all the units of this Special Force were assembled at Imphal Camp (outside Mindef), Jalan Padang Tembak (Rifles Range Road) for a fortnight training. On 28 September, all the Ferret Scout Cars plus all other soft skinned vehicles departed for Woodlands, the former RMN Naval Base in Singapore to await the arrival of two US Navy Landing Ship Tanks (LST) to transport the MSF to the Congo.

The two LSTs arrived at Port Swettenham (now Port Klang) on 3 October 1960 to pick up the rest of the MSF on a very long voyage to the heart of Africa via the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa) to the Port of Matadi, the furthest port in the Congo for oceangoing vessels, along the Congo River.

The MSF was a well- balanced force, predominantly Infantry but well supported by light armour with a Signal Detachment and Logistic service support. It was a multiracial force that excelled itself in the Congo. The officers and men comprised Malay, Chinese, Indian and Eurasian. They were there as a team to undertake a mission for the nation where race, colour, orientations and beliefs were held in high esteem.

The man given the honour to command the MSF was Lt Col Ungku (Bruno) Nazaruddin Bin Ungku Mohamad, CO 4 RMR and Maj Zain Hashim the Reconnaissance Squadron led the Recce Squadron.

Ungku Nazaruddin’s leadership, courage, and utmost confidence in troops under his command, in the face of a crisis, was exemplary and will be cherished forever. The way he succeded in calming the enemy troops was a high moment in the test of his leadership.

The tense moment is captured in the accompanying story by Major Tan Siew Soo who served the MSF twice.

I had the unique of opportunity of serving General Ungku Nazaruddin in 3rd Malaysian Infantry Brigade, Kuching, Headquarters Land Forces Malaysia (Kuching) in the late 1960s and finally, I was his MA when he became the Chief of the General Staff (now Chief of Army) in 1971. Before he left the Service, Bruno was made a four- Star General.

In recognition of his service to the nation, Ungku Din (as he was fondly known to his close friends) was appointed Ambassador to the Netherlands.

I am publishing this story to honour the contribution of the MSF Contingent, many of whom have passed on. I am indebted to my senior Col (Retd) Tan Siew Soo for penning these stories of the brave soldiers who gave their lives for the nation to ensure peace in the world.

 

CDiSS plans to carry more stories of the MSF from time to time.

 

BA HAMZAH

Editor, CDiSS Commentary.

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24/3/2025 @ 23 Ramadan 1446H: 2.47 p.m

DO YOU KNOW?

1. African Ostrich : the largest of all living birds. A male ostrich can grow to a height of 3 metres and weigh up to 150 kg. 
2. Alocasia Macrorrhiza : found in Sabah, Malaysia > the largest speciman of leaves in the world, over 3 metres long and nearly 2 metres wide. 
3. Altair : the first home computer, available in 1975. 
4. Althing: The Althing is the parliament of Iceland, it is the world's oldest parliament , has been in existence since the 10th century.
5. Angel Falls : the highest waterfall in the world - located in the country of Venezuela and is more than 3,000 feet high. 
6. Antibiotics : a chemicals produced by a micro-organism that can stop bacteria growth or destroy other bacteria. Their development has revolutionized the treatment of disease. 
7. Ayers Rock : at Australia near the town of Alice Spring was discovered by an Englishman, W.G Goose in 1873 and was named after the Prime Minister of Australia Sir Henry Ayers. 
8. Black Death : a bubonic plague that spread from Asia to Europe in the 14th century. The disease was carried by fleas on infected rats which were found on ships travelling from the Far East. It killed between 25 to 50 % of the European population. 
9. Book of Kells The most beautiful book in the world, produced by monks in the 9th century on the Hebridean Island of Iona. 
10. Borneo Island : The third largest island in the world, located in Southeast Asia's Malay Archipelago, shared by 3 countries, Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei. It houses the world's oldest rainforest.
11. Brachiosaurus : the largest dinosaurs which lived 140-165 million years ago. 
12. Centaurs according to Greek legend, were a race of creatures who were hald man and half horse. 
13. Compsognathus : was the smallest dinosaurs about the size of a hen. 
14. Deer Cave : located at Mulu National Park, Miri, Sarawak,Malaysia > the world's largest cave passage, can occupy 40 Boeing 747 jetliners. 
15. Diplodocus : the biggest plant-eater dinosaur which measures over 23 metres from nose to tail. 
16. Domeire : the first refrigerator for use in home was manufactured in the USA in 1913. 
17. ENIAC : stands for Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator > The first completely electronic computer was built between 1942 and 1946 by J.Presper Eckert  and John W. Mauchly at University of Pennsylvania, USA.
18. First World Hotel : located at Genting Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia > the world's largest hotel with 7,351 rooms. 
19. FRIM: The Forest Research Institute of Malaysia, Kepong, Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia > the world's largest manmade Rainforest. 
20. Grand Canyon: the largest canyon in the world - located at USA. 
21. Hereford Cathedral: The largest remaining chained library in the world. It houses 1500 books. 
22. Hypselosaurus: The largest dinosaur eggs ever found -  live some 80 million years ago, measuring 300 x 255 mm, discoverd in Southern France in 1961. 
23. Kampung Kuantan Firefly Park : Located in Kuala Selangor, Malaysia > home of one of the biggest firefly colonies in the world. 
24. Kek Lok Si Temple : at Ayer Itam, Penang, Malaysia > houses the largest Buddhist Temple complex in the world.
25. Lake Baikal: in Siberia > the world's deepest lake, measuring one mile deep. It is also the world's oldest lake, about 25 million years old. 
26. Lake Superior :  @ North America > the largest freshwater lake in the world, covers more than 83,000 sq km and about 200 different rivers flow into it.
27. Lutine Bell: the bell that came from HMS Lutine, which sank during a storm off the Dutch coast in 1799. It was recovered in 1859 and now hangs in the insurance house Lloyds of London. 
28. Loch Ness Monster : known affectionately as Nessie, is a mythical creature in Scottish folklore. 
29. Magna Carta : was issued in June 1215 and was the first document to put into writing the principle that the king and his government was not above the law.It sought to prevent the king from exploiting his power, and placed limits of royal authority by establishing law as a power in itself.
30. Mauna Loa  : the largest volcano in the world > located in Hawaii - about 6 miles tall from the sea floor to be opening. 
31. Megalosaurus  : the meat-eating dinosaur - the first dinosaur to be identified by scientist in 1677. 
32. Morse Code : a method of sending message by a series of long and short signals. The signals are sent using a telegraph or by flashes with a torch. In written form dots represent short signals, dashes long ones. 
33. Nicholas Cugnot: a French Artillery officer > invented Steam carriage -  the first mechanical powered vehicle to be used on roads in 1763. 
34. Nile River  : the longest river in the world - it is 4,184 miles long. Its flows through 9 countries and empties in the Mediteranean sea. 
35. Nordmann's Greenshank : the world's rarest birds has been spotted at Kuala Selangor Nature Park, Selangor, Malaysia. 
36. Orang Utan: Asia's only great Ape - only found in Sabah and not found anywhere else in the world. 
37. Perak Man : The world's oldest complete human skeleton ever found in Lenggong,  Hulu Perak, Malaysia, dating back some 11,000 years. 
38. Pegasus was a legendary winged horse created from the blood of Mudusa. 
39. Petronas Twin Towers : at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia > the iconic 88-storey twin towers -the tallest twin buildings in the world & the highest two-storey bridge that connect the towers. 
40. Phoenix was a mythical bird of Egypt lived for 500 year then burn itself to death on a large fire. After death it was reborn, and rose from the ashes.
41. Putrajaya Roundabout  : located at Putrajaya,Malaysia > the world's largest roundabout with a diameter of 3.5 km. 
42. Pomelo @ Citrus Maxima > the largest citrus fruit in the world found in Malaysia.
43. Rafflesia : the world's largest flower found in Sabah and Sarawak, Malaysia. 
44. Recuyell of the Historyes of Troy : The first book printed in English in 1474 at Belgium. 
45. Sarawak Chambers : located at Mulu National Park, Miri, Sarawak > the world's largest natural rock chambers. 
46. Semaphore: a signalling system using two flags. The way in the flags are held represent the letters of the alphabet. It was adopted by the British Navy in ajbout 1816, for ships to communicates with one another.
47. Sipadan Island : located at the Coast of Sabah, Malaysia > One of the richest marine habitats in the world and the best Diving site in the world . 
48. Sunway Lagoon : located at Bandar Sunway, Selangor , Malaysia > had the world's largest man-made sandy surf beach. 
49. Taman Negara : Malaysia's National Park > the oldest Natural Rainforest in the world. 
50. Tower of London: built by William the Conqueror after he crossed the channel to conquer England in 1066. 
51. Trans-Siberian Railway : located in Rusia > the longest railway in the world, completed in 1916 runs from Chelyabinsk in the Ural Mountains to Nakhoda. Connection to Moscow, and extensions to Vladivostok on the Pacific coast. The entire journey of some 9,250 km takes over 8 days to complete. 
52. Tualang Tree : the world's tallest tropical tree found in Malaysia - base diameter over 10 feet (3m) and reaches height of around 262 feet (80m). 
53. Tyrannosaurus : the largest ever meat-eating creature which lived some 70 millions years ago. 
54. Unicorn is a beautiful creatures of fable which resembled a horse but bore a single long horn in the centre of its forehead, with white body red head and had blue eyes. 
55. Windsor Castle  : the world's largest inhabited castle, it has been the home of British royalty for over 900 years. 
56. Yeti: an ape-like creature purported to inhabit the Himalayan mountain range in Asia. In Western popular culture, the creature is commonly referred to as the Abominable Snowman.On 8 November 1951, the British Mountaineer and explorer, Eric Shipton took photographs of Yeti's footprints in the snows of the Himalayas

OTHERS

1. The earliest book known to be printed with wooden blocks is a Buddhist scroll printed in China in the year 868. 
2. The word 'Dinosaur' comes from latin and Greek meaning "Teribble lizard".. 
3. The first time a radio was fitted in a car was in August 1921 at the suggestion of the Cardiff and South Wales Wireless Society. 
4. George I was the King of England from 1715 to 1727. He could not speak English, only German. 
5. The word "Jeans" comes from the name of the city of Genoa in Italy. Genoan sailors used to wear trousers of a thick, canvas-like material. The French called them Genes. 
6. The world's first crossword puzzle was published in the USA on 21 December 1913. 
7. The Chinese were the first to have used paper money. 
8. From May 1841 to May 1842 the people of Mexico used bars of soap as money. 
9. The first dollar coin was issued in Bohemia (now Czech Republic) in the 16th century. 
10. The first adhesive postage stamp was issued by Britain on 6 May 1840. 
11. Dogs can hear very high and very low noises that humans cannot. They can detect sounds that are 4 times farther away than humans are to hear. 
12. There are 2 kinds of elephants: African elephants with very big ears and Asian elephants with smaller ears. 
13. A lion's roar can be heard up to 5 miles away!
14. There are five oceans in the world: the Artic, Atlantic, Indian, Pacific and Southern. The Pacific Ocean is the biggest ocean in the world. 
15. The first use of paper was in AD 105 when a court official, Ts'ai Lun suggested writing on a solid mixtures of pounded rags and wood - pulps. 

Reference:

1. 1000 Fantastic Facts : Peter Eldin - Grandreams Limited (1999). 

2. 366 and More Wonders of the World - Brown Watson

3. Zulheimymaamor Blogspot : Facts about Malaysia

4.  Zulheimymaamor Blogspot : Who' Who in History