Monday, February 8, 2016

A loss, and a family day.

9.2.2016.


Saturday-Monday were the Chinese New Year holidays, and the kids had arranged for the first ever "Ujang-Banun" family day. Of course it's a great idea, and held at the ancestral house, the second and third generations of the Ujang-Banun family obviously enjoyed the family gathering.

Sadly Jehan, Bang Tai's second child, passed away just last Monday because of complications from organs failure, at the Tunku Afzan Hospital, Kuantan. She was 47. They laid her to rest at the foot of her doting father's grave. Sadly also, she wasn't specifically named in the prayers offered at the mosque Saturday night held for the family members gone. Kak Inam and Akmar naturally couldn't come because of their very recent bereavement, but that's no excuse for forgetting about Jehan. I'm especially saddened now because I'm just also as guilty.

With a few m.i.a. I think the tally was probably about 120 people, young and old, from 9 siblings. The thought mooted about the setting up of a welfare fund is certainly possible. I contributed in that the 20-ringgit monthly contribution w.e.f. January proposed by me carried the day. I told Bang Pin, who was elected chairman of the Welfare Committee, to co-opt No. 3 Son, and that at the end of this year the fund could accumulate RM 9,600. Someone could donate 400 to make it a round figure of RM 10,000. The current projected members of 40 needs only 10 more for qualification for the formation of a legal cooperative. This should help the fund operationally. 

For a first-time event, it was eye-opening.

Firstly, large families need to have a reason to get together every now and then.

Secondly, a lot of positives can come out, like the proposed welfare fund.

Thirdly, a lot of talent was uncovered. The running of the 3-day event was smooth in spite of the bad weather throughout most of the period. Many had the gift-of-the-gab. Two conducted "motivation" sessions, and there wasn't shortage when a do'a had to be recited. And  the inevitable karaoke session - there were plenty of participants -  good, bad or ugly !

Participation. I think that's the key word. 

They're talking about a repeat in two years' time. I said to Ai "good show". Only the food needs to be improved next time. There wasn't quite enough of it, nor was the quality exceptional. We'll all learn.

I had occasion to talk to Ku Am and wife, Yati.

With Ku Am (of Kedah Royal stock), it was more serious stuff - the Mukriz affair in Kedah. According to him Kedahans appreciate what Mukhriz has done in the last 2.5 years, and that they are very aware of the political implications. The UMNO SecGen's statement that the PM values the voice of the 14 rebels more than that of the grass-roots is not lost to them. With Yati, it wasn't so serious, but not less important. When Jehan died, only two families or their representatives failed to turn up - Yati's and Eikhwan's. Her excuse was work. I told her death in the family merits respectful condolences.

The 3- night homestay cost me 250, and Dekna 440. That's fair because she took up most of the rooms and made most of the mess.



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