COMMENT | Ravi Susu - without his cows there was no milk

COMMENT | Ravi Susu, or his real name A Thevindran, passed away in Klang hospital on March 28 at 1.37pm.

He was a dedicated farmer and according to Ramu and Ramah, his two close comrades, he was still milking his last remaining cow three weeks ago until his health did not permit it.

His situation worsened in the last week. The private hospital refused to accept him. He was then sent to Klang hospital. He became unconscious after a few days and finally, the legendary Ravi Susu (above) from Highland Estate has to call it a day.

The last few years were difficult for him. He had a bad accident a few years ago where he lost one of his eyes, his cowshed was demolished and his cows were evicted. His family life took a bad turn and he started to have heart complications.

At one time, Susu had more than a hundred cows and goats. He and other workers from Highland Estate or Ladang Bukit Tinggi in Klang were cattle farmers who have been doing this just like their parents did since 1949.

It was the end of a man who was charismatic in his own way. Always confident brave and had a loud voice where he treated his cows, friends and the authorities in a similar fashion. When Susu is around, the volume is always high.

He was instrumental in the victory of the Ladang Bukit Tinggi estate where 37 families got free houses after a gallant struggle from around 2002 till 2005. He along with the brave workers took on the developers who were evicting them to build what is now known as Kesas Highway and Bandar Botanic.

Along with Susu were others – Kattu (hunter) Ravi, Sami Ravi, Ramu, Maran and Arumugam. Several women - Mages, Suguna, Nirmala, Letchumy, Annathai and Vasugi - were so very crucial in the struggle that without them, it would have been impossible to achieve victory. They played a central role and took a leadership role as well.

Susu and the farmers’ struggle

Below are just some of the highlights:

• Jan 3, 2002 - 17 cattle farmers were arrested and later released for stopping the developer from doing work and encroaching into the farmers’ land. A few people were also injured in that incident.

• Jan 15, 2002 – Susu and five other farmers were arrested. The next day, the cops asked for a 10-day remand and said the five are suspects of assault, destroying the developers’ vehicle, using parang and even stealing money from the developer. Magistrate Norlida Adam rejected and ordered the five to be released without condition.

• July 29, 2022 - Around 70 cowherds and their family members erected six large signboards near the road leading to the showroom of the Bandar Bukit Tinggi project site. The signboard, among others, questioned the state government for not fulfilling its promise of an alternate location.

• Sept 5, 2002 - Five cattle farmers and an activist were arrested for defending their land from being encroached on. The problem started when the developer brought in two machines to break down the fencing on the land which belongs to the cattle farmers. How can farmers who have been cultivating the land since 1949 suddenly become trespassers?

• Dec 19, 2002 - There was something like 692 acres worth of palm oil planted and each tonnage brings a profit of around RM300. The fruit-cutting contract was given to outsiders but soon the ex-workers under Susu’s leadership took over the harvesting of these fruits. It was also the time that they found out how much of their labour has been stolen over the years.

• Feb 20, 2003 - While 16 cattle farmers were waiting for their criminal trespassing case to be called, the developers along with the police were carrying out an illegal demolition exercise on their cowsheds.

• Feb 28, 2003 - A total of 101 police reports but no action. Cattle farmers submit a memorandum to the IGP. Eleven cattle farmers from Ladang Bukit Tinggi along with their family members arrived at Bukit Aman police headquarters.

• March 8, 2003, the Ladang Bukit Tinggi workers led by Susu stopped all work carried out by the developer. On 13 March 2003, the entire development work by the developer in the entire area came to a standstill. The Kesas Highway project was stopped. It terrified the developer who then decided to negotiate the settlement for free houses with the workers.

All along, the people in the estate were divided into two factions. One faction led by the National Union Of Plantation Workers (NUPW) took the compensation and left whereas the second team with the support of PSM continued to fight the eviction and fought the struggle until they got a free house.

For me, it was an experience never to be forgotten – fighting the police and others. Susu later joined PSM and with PSM, he went around other areas empowering the people and agitating them for their rights.

After winning the free houses, Susu continued with his farming activity but it brought him into many conflicts with the developer and the authorities who consider his cows being a public nuisance.

On Feb 17, 2020, authorities again came with a huge force to take down Susu and the last of his cowshed. He was once again arrested. During the Covid-19 period, when there was much hardship, he struggled with the situation. He was offered an alternative land but it was far from his current place and without the needed facilities.

As time went on, Susu started to sell off and give away his cows. In the last few months of his life, he only had one cow left and on the day of his death, that cow was initially missing and only to be found at his original kandang perhaps knowing and waiting for Susu to appear.

Many people especially in Klang will miss him. He is a populist in his own way.

There were a few interesting banners hanging around the house and one with Susu riding a cow and with a cowboy hat.

Without his cows and after the demolition of his cowshed, perhaps Susu had less motivation to live on.

His strong presence and voice will be missed definitely. Rest in power comrade.

National Union Of Plantation Workers

S ARUTCHELVAN is PSM deputy chairperson.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.