LETTER | Saluting Haris Ibrahim

LETTER | Once upon a time, well, actually in 2007, I came across the name of Haris Ibrahim in conjunction with the first planned Bersih rally in Kuala Lumpur.

I vaguely recall he was one of several lawyers dressed in their lawyers’ garb or gown monitoring the Bersih rally proceeding to the palace to hand over a memorandum to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong calling for electoral reforms. Presumably, his choice of dressing might have been to “protect” him from unfortunate police arrest (grin).

Yes, Haris of the subsequent ‘People’s Parliament’ blog, the slogan “ABU” (anything but Umno) and also of ‘Hartal MSM’ blog. I have to admit I didn’t like him initially. Well, because of what I saw as his double standards in okaying the Bersih rally whilst condemning Hindraf’s.

But my blogging mates have frequently attempted to correct my impression of Haris, telling me he is a nice bloke and had in fact apologised for his initial criticism of Hindraf.

Well, I can be a wee bit stubborn and while not harbouring any intense dislike of Haris, didn’t look at him with the neutrality that our lack of acquaintance calls for. I believe I might even have made a couple of minor snide remarks at him in my previous posts (embarrassed blush).

But what changed my mind was a post by Haris which subsequently appeared in Malaysiakini’s corner for Top Blogs. Then, I didn’t normally visit The People’s Parliament blog but the title of that post was rather catchy, to wit, Jambuism.

As a Malaysian, of course I knew the “jambu” and the “ism” of our multi-religious society, but what the content was, at that time, remained a mystery to me. As I was already on the Malaysiakini homepage, it was only a mere click away from reading it.

They say “curiosity kills the cat” (even if cats were said to have nine lives), but fortunately for me, it was “curiosity killed a prejudice”. Haris wrote about God and our belief in him as follows:

“Take the following four as given and not calling for proof. First, that there is a God who will one day judge all of us. Second, that there is a heaven and a hell and, based on God’s judgement, all of us will either go to heaven or hell. There is no halfway house. Third, God’s law for all of us can be summed up by the following: serve Him by loving all of creation. Finally, we all believe in God.”

Of course, being an atheist, I didn’t agree with him, but that’s irrelevant because the rest of his story carried the more important message. Continuing with Haris' narrative:

“Yet, even as we all believe, some believe in the unseen God whilst others ascribe to Him a form.

Imagine now that one Z, a bachelor with no family dependents, believes that the jambu tree in his garden is God. Every morning, Z wakes up, goes into his garden, prostrates before the jambu tree and gives thanks for the blessings he will receive and asks that he be given strength and courage to do what is good and right.

After his morning prayers, Z leaves his house and heads for his workplace of the last 30 years: an orphanage. Z teaches English to young orphans. Lunch is provided at the orphanage and in the evening, before he leaves for home, Z picks up two food packs. One for dinner that night and the other for breakfast tomorrow. That’s his wages for the day. That, in a nutshell, sums up Z’s daily life. Fast forward to judgement day.”

Never mind my atheist’s lack of belief in Judgement Day, but read on the interesting story of Haris’ Jambuism:

“Z’s turn is up and he is summoned into the judgement chamber. He enters with great trepidation, expecting to see his familiar jambu tree. No tree. Nothing, except the sense of a Great Presence. And then he hears judgement being handed down. ‘Expecting a tree were you, you silly bugger! Go on, the door to heaven’s on the left’.”

Strangely, as an atheist I find God’s judgement as presented by Haris very touching. If there is a God, surely Haris’ version has to be truly the preferred one - one who is kind, just, loving, compassionate, humorous, and definitely one confidently above silly (human projected) petty nonsensical jealousy. I am reminded of a quote by one of the Hindu Trinity, Krishna (also the 8th avatar of Vishnu) who said “Whoever you pray to, it is I who will answer”.

But for me, far more important than a preferred Almighty, the story of Jambuism also tells me the values of the author, Haris, and the sort of person he was/is. Since then, I have looked at him differently. Yes, I not only like him but admire him, especially for his selfless efforts in trying to improve our political landscape.

Hearing the recent and very sad news of the health of my Brother Haris Ibrahim, I have fumed at Fate for its cruel unfairness, for wanting to deprive us of this good man. I can only wish him well, with even atheistic me praying for his recovery.

I would like to dedicate the poem ‘A good man’ by James Whitcomb Riley to brother Haris, thanking him for his marvellous contributions to our lives.

A Good Man

A good man never dies -

In worthy deed and prayer

And helpful hands, and honest eyes,

If smiles or tears be there:

Who lives for you and me 

Lives for the world he tries

To help - he lives eternally.

A good man never dies.

Who lives to bravely take

His share of toil and stress,

And, for his weaker fellows’ sake,

Makes every burden less -

He may, at last, seem worn -

Lie fallen - hands and eyes

Folded - yet, though we mourn and mourn,

A good man never dies.

Yes, brother Haris will always live in our thoughts and hearts.

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