(Note : The highlight is done purposely)
Against all odds, I was the only civillian participating in the Law Journal Competition - National Level (certificate signed by the then and Allahyarham Dean of IIU (the legendary Tan Sri Datuk Prof. Ahmad Mohamed Ibrahim) and the then/Allahyarham Hon. Minister of Justice.
The theme of my journal was 'Syariah Law and Civil Law (and its' role in the Constitution)'
The theme of my journal was 'Syariah Law and Civil Law (and its' role in the Constitution)'
I sent a copy to a friend of mine, (now Dato' Paduka) Haji Husam Musa (was then the Press Secretary to Hon. Chief Minister/Menteri Besar of Kelantan) to be forwarded to (Allahyarham) YAB Tuan Guru (Dato' Bentara Setia Haji) Nik Abdul Aziz Bin Nik Mat to get his comments (Allahyarham Tuan Guru was then - only one week holding the Honourable Chief Minister of Kelantan's post) - (a copy was also sent to Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamed who was then the Prime Minister of Malaysia)
A week later, Hj. Husam faxed an invitation to my parents' office in Kota Bharu - to my surprise - I was granted an exclusive research interview (which lasted around 2 1/2 hours on the subject matter) with the YAB Menteri Besar of Kelantan himself.
I recalled when I first walked in, he greeted me with a 'Salam' and said "Kita duo ni anok branok sebenarnyo, jadi panggil 'Ayoh Zih' doh la deh" ("We are related, so just address me as 'Ayah Zih' (a common way to address an uncle)
It was a fruitful interview. He praised my efforts and expressed how proud he was seeing my hard work and even said that he foresee that I will become a successful person one day - - perhaps a bridge between the opposition and the government. ('Amin' to that)
A month after the interview, Haji Husam called up my parents saying that YAB Tuan Guru wanted to visit my parents in Lundang, Kota Bharu in his capacity as a relative. I recalled Hj Husam told my parents about the interview. (This was in 1990)
I had a surprise again. YAB Tuan Guru expressed gratitude to my parents including my aunt/uncle despite the political differences - for helping him out in the late 70s (nearly 20 years ago) when he was back from Mecca - was not feeling very well even having a high fever/vomitting/nausea etc. Tuan Guru ended up spending a night at my aunt/uncle's house in Petaling Jaya.
The best parts of (Allahyarham) YAB Tuan Guru Dato' Bentara Setia Haji Nik Abdul Aziz that I will always remember :
1. Despite the political differences, he would never sever the ties of relationship with relatives, (something that I did not see much today)
2. He remembers facts clearly (evident - during my research interview) and he never forgets what others have done good to him even 20 years have passed. Most people do not have that value in them anymore.
AL-FATIHAH.