ISMAIL : The Last Days

I read this book back in early 2007, bought it after few weeks looking for it. I'm glad for the fact I read this book. Tun Dr Ismail, whom I hardly know who he is other than his name used to be my hostel name back in my university years.... thank to Ooi Kee Beng, the writer who narated Tun Ismail's life nicely.

Earlier on, when I read the first few chapters .. I was inspired by his determination in pursing complete his medical degree in Australia after about 3 years wasted in Singapore. How he led his life in Melbourne .. all the difficult times he had and how well he adapted with new life.. all of these gave me some encouragement. Well some of you know why this kind of things really inspired me that time .. hint hint .. early 2007 .. :-)

Towards the end of the book .. is about Tun Ismail's involvement in government administration .. I prefer to use this term rather than politic .. as he did not really want to get involve in politic but he did join as to fight for Tanah Melayu independency together with Tunku, Cheng Lock and few other country men. Tun Ismail is one of the founder of independent Tanah Melayu.

When asked to join UMNO, the condition he gave was .. only if UMNO fight for Tanah Melayu independency .. hence .. when UMNO led by Tunku, he became UMNO member. He resign from goverment due to health reason ... but has been brought back into government administration after the bloody 13th May happened. He returned into government as Home Minister ..and with Tun Razak (deputy premier that time) they managed the riot well.

When he wanted to resign as he promised his family to do so when the emergency has over ... Tun Razak asked him to stay ... and giving him a heavier task .. to be his deputy ... Tun Razak gonna be Malaysia premier that time as Tunku resigning. With full of responsibility he accepted the post.Both of them needed each other as Tun Razak and Tun Ismail were not in good health condition, they were suffering from leukemia and cancer respectively.

Tun Ismail .. from a medical doctor, he left his profesional job .. and became a countryman ,, not because of he wanted it to get name .. to get famous or to be honoured but due to his sense of responsibility.

Tun Ismail Bin Hj Abdurahman .. a reluctant politician devoted his life for his country name Malaysia. In fact he sort of abandon his own family to save many more families. To all MALAYSIAN ... we are in debt with Tun Ismail family.

I wonder .. is out there any politician who devoted his/her life purely for our country?? emmmm

Anyway, this story of Tun Ismail has been translated into a musical theatre, performing at KLpac till end of August. Just watched it tonight with Murni. We suppose to watch it last week . but could not get a good seat for that particualr nite .. hence we decided to watch it tonight .. who knows .. who were lucky enough .. Raja Perempuan Perak, Tuanku Bainun and the kerabat were among us. :-)

This price, RM20 is special for senior citizen (am I?) and student .. yeahh .. am enjoying the privillege of being a student.

Murni and me camwhoring before the play

She was the one with the most beautiful voice during the play

Tun Ismail's view which so relevant to current situation in Malaysia.

"Bumiputera special rights same as handicap in golf", one day Malays will think this special right as a shameful to them.

He was against the New Economic Policy which introduced by Tun Razak as he thought it will make Malays become very dependent .. well .. Tun Ismail quite true, not the policy itself which is not good .. but those people implemeting it ... using it as political weapon.

As Home Minister, when he introduced ACA, he mentioned that ACA will be under his ministry for few years and should be an independent body after that .. emm how long already .. now only the movement towards becoming an independent body.