A week ago, a good neighbour, a kind friend, an academic par excellence from UTM, and a much respected lecturer finally succumbed, after a brave fight with the two cancers that ravaged this anak dan harapan bangsa.
During his 52 years he had worked hard and achieved so much in his field : Intelligent Control Systems - much, much more than a lot of academics who live to a ripe old age.
Such was his strength and determination: ........ to quote Rudyard Kipling ....
If you can force your heart and nerves and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them, "Hold on!''
.... that he was able to celebrate this Hari Raya with his family.
Professor Datuk Dr Marzuki bin Khalid was lovingly cared for by his devoted wife Professor Datin Dr Rubiyah and the family at his home in Setiawangsa. I'd like to think that visits by neighbours, friends and family helped to sustain him and the immediate family during this painful period. However ....
Betapa berat mata memandang, berat lagi bahu memikul.
We will always remember the smile on his face when Iain mentioned about arwah spending Hari Raya with the family.
I have strenuously indicated the various titles attached to this modest couple because to their neighbours and to Osman and Aisha the road sweepers, they asked to be called simply Marzuki and Rubiyah or Abang Marzuki and Kak Rubi to others.
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
He hardly ever talked about his achievements and we only learned about them from the internet. Marzuki was the proverbial 'padi': "makin tunduk, makin berisi."
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!
Marzuki, you asked us to doa for you during your illness. We shall carry on doing so even though you are gone. We shall never forget you - a rare breed - A Malay Gentleman.
Al Fatiha
Innalillah.
ReplyDeleteDr Rubiyah is actually my neighbour in Kampong Tanjong Surau besar, Kuala Trengganu. Coincidentally my junior at MRSM Pengkalan Chepa, Kota Bharu, Kelantan.
By quirks of fate, we sometimes crossed path in UK (post MCE/O-level/SPM) reading for first degree. Then again when we were under employment with UTM Jalan Semarak (Jalan Gurney).
Have never really spoken to the husband (of ifferent Faculty) - Dr Marzuki - but was made to understand that they were both industrious and quietly hard working.
Since I left UTM service when they shifted campus from KL to Skudai, have never met the couple since.
Please convey my condolences to Dr Rubi; from MRSM Kota Bharu, 1st Batch (Pioneer Batch). may she find strength.
Mat Bonk
MRSM Kalae Chepo 66/73
AL Fatihah..
ReplyDeleteMoga Roh Beliau Dicucuri Rahmat..
Sejujurnya, UTM telah kehilangan seorang tenaga pentadbir, pensyarah dan ilmuan yang berbakat, berdedikasi dan tabah dengan pemergian beliau..
-UTMRadical-
Terima Kasih UTMRadical,
ReplyDeletePemergian-nya, yang begitu awal, adalah juga kehilangan yang amat sedih untuk bangsa, ugama dan negara - lebih-lebih lagi untuk keluarga-nya yang amat di sayangi.
Di manakah kita mencari ganti?
Innalillah.
ReplyDeleteDr Rubiah was my kampong Tanjong Surau Besor, Kuala Trengganu neighbour. We cross path most times but not since after UTM moved main campus from Jalan Semarak (Jalan Gurney) to Skudai. I left for private sector employment.
She was also my junior (3rd Batch) MRSM Pengkalan Chepa, Kota Bharu. And later, cross path again when she joined at Fakulti kejuruteraan Eletrik, UTM. Also, cross path several time whilst studing in U.K.
How time flies. My deep condolences
Mat Bonk
A true creme dela creme. Did not do office politics and not the type that would stand on ceremony unlike others who are of much lesser quality than aruah. This country and UTM has lost one of the best. Al fatihah.
ReplyDeleteThank you Anon Sept 7.
ReplyDeleteThis is why I consider arwah Marzuki a rare breed.
Al Fatihah
ReplyDeletemus
Thank you Mus.
ReplyDelete