Picture of the MSC or the KPD Stable Belt
My early days with the MSC,
officers wore the belt that was slightly smaller in width as compared to a little
bit wider one, issued to the NCOs. With its green coloured peak cap pinned with
the metal logo of ‘berkhidmat kepada semua’, distinguished the MSC officers
from the other Regiments and Corps of the army which also have identities of their
own. As they were no stock, for about a month after commissioned I wore the
NCO's belt. Later on, army officers wore a uniformed leather belt and peak cap
with the ATM logo and then the songkok like forage cap was introduced. I see
that they have reverted back and every army personnel including other ranks are now
wearing stable belt representing the identity of their own unit.
During the era of the 70’s,
beside courses that were conducted abroad or overseas as provided by the Armed
Forces, it is rather rare for anyone in the Malaysian Service Corps (MSC),
formerly Federation Supply and Transport Services (FSTS) or generally known now
as Kor Perkhidmatan diRaja (KPD) in particular to be able to pursue further
sturdy or education of their own choice, like for example taking a Law degree.
Furthermore the MSCs are considered playing second fiddle as compared to the
more eminent of having the substance of a top brass General to be of their
counterpart, the Askar Melayu. In reality, at times the low man on the totem pole can be formidably and brilliantly outstanding. Reminiscing the old days, the
highest ranking of the FSTS or MSC being then was only one full Colonel with
just a handful of Lt Colonels. There was one officer however that stood above
others and excel to prove otherwise but not without going through with all the
bureaucratic hassle and personal sacrifice to succeed.
Major HMJ Shaharom KPD stood
in front of the CGS or PTD and was told that his request for the Armed Forces
sponsorship to sturdy Law overseas cannot be considered as the priority and concentration
of the Armed Forces then was to focus merely on defence related studies or
courses. As such the only way for him to do so is doing it on his own and to go
on a sturdy leave without pay! Dejected and even comparing and quoting others that
were sponsored and given the opportunity and privilege to go for courses in Lancaster in the UK
and cited that his request was not been considered merely because he’s wearing
the MSC stable belt. It could have been different, if it was the stable belt of
the Askar Melayu’, was his remark. Above all it was their pessimistic and doubt
perhaps ‘on the Angkut tagged’ that
he would succeed. So he jettison load whatever asset he had to help finance his
sturdy and went alone and took Law at the University of London and only later on
that his wife accompanied him.
Stunningly he managed to be
the top student for two consecutive years and his success stories was
highlighted by the Malaysian News Straits Times news paper and caught the
attention of among others, Major General Dato Jaafar Onn, the CPS. During his
visit to London, Dato Jaafar Onn requested for Major HMJ Shaharom to meet him.
As he has no obligation and for been treated unfairly, the events that took
place after that as he had related and understandably contain statement and
element of sensitivity and confidentiality as such let’s just focus only on the
positive outcomes. Alhamdulillah through the initiative and the good offices of
Dato Jaafar Onn, Major HMJ Shaharom was later sufficiently compensated on all
his expenses including getting backdated pay remitted to his account.
Substantive and by length of service then, his age is a crucial factor that he can’t afford to be idle and slacken
during his studies and eventually after five years through perseverance and hard
work, Major HMJ Shaharom proudly was able to show his achievement of
credentials to Lt Gen Dato Jaafar Onn, comprises of his Law Degree, a Masters
and a Barrister-at-Law of Lincoln’s Inn. Every mountain top is within reach if
you keep on climbing seems an appropriate quote on his advice especially to the
Y generation. What an ambition and dream that comes through and a feat that was
accomplished. Jangan direnong gunung yang
tinggi, kalaulah tidak dapat didaki. He was then assigned to the Army Legal
Cell and naturally busy with cases involving court martial etc. Questioned on
why with the qualifications and experience acquired but just with the rank of
Major where he once was told that he can be of a higher ranking officer, “I pakai
stable belt MSC. Apalah Angkut anyway. It could have been different kalau kita
pakai stable belt Askar Melayu”, including relating those unfortunate retired Brig Generals in KPD that
are not conferred a Datukship. Yet again linking it, as though it’s the misfortune and ill-omen of the MSC
stable belt that has got to do with it and righteously should deserve better. I added, “mungkin orang ingat kita Angkut ni.. kerja tolak tayar
dan tong drum jer”.
Major HMJ Shaharome was
eventually promoted through what is termed as escalated promotion i.e. without
going through the standard process of acquiring the normal procedures of
attending the required courses. Not least to mention that during the up and
down of the early days of RAFOC together with General Tan Sri Ghazali Mohd Seth
and arwah Lt Gen Udara Dato’ Mohamad Bin Taib and its former Secretary, Allahyarham Kol Mohd Zain
Mohd Daud among few others to set up RAFOC, he assisted and help to write its
constitution. Alhamdulillah since retired with full pension and gratuity, he
frequently went to perform the umrah during every fasting month of the Ramadan
and at times only to return after completion of puasa enam of the month of
Syawal. In a turn of event however has now restricted him from repeating the pilgrimage
with a constant medication to adhere as he was struck and suffered by what
is termed as the Triple A. He showed
me the massive scar of the open operation done around his abdomen. He mentioned
that the treatment to his aorta resulted that we was “dead” for two weeks. Coincidently
it was after this incident that he was transformed into pursuing and acquiring
soul searching knowledge of ibadah and going around with the familiar jubah attire. Talking of mountain, getting to the top is
optional. Getting down is mandatory.
This Regular 8 FMC, Ex KGV
Seremban and hailed from Rembau, Negeri Sembilan showing self esteem, told me
that he was accepted to join the army during the interview by just mentioning
his uncle, Dato Abdullah bin Dahan, the Undang Luak Rembau who were one of those that initiated the
formation of Askar Melayu DiRaja in 1933. Once a single handicap golfer, Col
HMK Shaharom then told me, “Sekarang ini I seldom berjumpa dengan orang dan lebih
suka hanya bersama dengan keluarga sahaja and not doing legal practicing any more
citing reason : tidak mahu memperhambakan
diri pada manusia. When asked what does he meant by that ? ‘Orang yang tahu
sahaja akan faham.’ Kalau kita banyak berjumpa dengan orang, nanti bila kita
bercakap akan ada perkara yang tidak berfaedah dan sikit sebanyak akan
menonjolkan diri. Sekarang ini I lebih tumpu dan belajar dengan my Tok Guru dan
sibuk kesana kemari mengaturkan program untuk dia sehinggakan I jugalah ibarat macam
menjadi khadam dia”. True enough he leads me to the info of his Tuan Guru,
Sheikh Muhamad Nuruddin Marbu al-Banjari al-Makki and the books of his Tok Guru
and other kitab that are displayed on the front table and was so kind to hand
over to me one of the Tok Guru’s book. “I tak makan diClub atau hotel kerana
you do not know siapa yang masak. I lebih suka makan digerai Mak Cik ditepi
jalan. Dia akan menyebut dan berzikir semasa memotong bahan yang hendak dimasak
dan memasukkan bahan kedalam kuali dan
bila siap masak terus bagi pada kita”.
In appreciation for having
the opportunity of spending the pleasant time together, I told him: “selama
lebih kurang sejam dari apa yang telah tuan ceritakan, belumlah pernah saya
dengar satu pencapaian yang sungguh mengkagumkan dalam perkara kerohanian dan career
penuh illustrious terutamanya diantara ahli keluarga KPD kita dan boleh menjadi
kebanggaan dan ikhtibar serta motivasi dan inspirasi kepada anggota serta
pegawai sekarang dan pengetahuan kepada generasi yang akan datang”. Tidak
hairanlah maka anak anak beliau semuanya juga telah berjaya didalam bidang
professional masing masing dengan corak bimbingan dari beliau. We both have one thing in common. I left the
service as a subaltern for the reason of uncertainty of prospect within the MSC,
more so due to the pay anomaly issue and the army is not just the only place to
cari makan. On the other hand he was able to prove against the notion of those
days that askar pun bukannya bodoh. I then asked him what this HMJ is all about.
Kalau HMS, tahulah kita yang itu ialah nama
kapal. So he told me that during Col Engku Ahmad was the DST there were few
other officers having similar name. The Mat Salleh always asked you of your surname
first and then your name. As his father is Haji Mohd Jonid so he just used
the abbreviation of HMJ in front of his name. On his email using the domain
@live.com.my?, “Since I dahulu dah mati, HMJ Shaharom is still alive”. Alahai.. Rombau lagi den tak soset.
Wassalam,
Wassalam,
HMZ
ZAINAL (HMZ tu ayah den laa, Haji Mohd Zain)
Batang
sicerek tumbuah di pasa
Puluik-puluik di Rimbo Panti
Puluik-puluik di Rimbo Panti
Seketek tantui lai manyasa
Kok tak di muluik
di dalam hati
Baimpun todak di kubangan
Buruong barabah lari ka parahu
Sungguah pun tidak bakatokan
Allah jo Nabi lah nan ka tahu
Buruong barabah lari ka parahu
Sungguah pun tidak bakatokan
Allah jo Nabi lah nan ka tahu
Sungai tanang ikannyo jinak
Manjumbuang kain ka subarang
Awak sanang badan takucuah
Baruntuong balain jo nasib urang
Manjumbuang kain ka subarang
Awak sanang badan takucuah
Baruntuong balain jo nasib urang
.. You should know where that came from.
And these examples We
present to the people, but none will understand them except those of knowledge.
And when you are told, "Arise," then arise; Allah will raise those
who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees. And
Allah is Acquainted with what you do 58:11. So high [above all] is Allah, the
Sovereign, the Truth. And, [O Muhammad], do not hasten with [recitation of] the
Qur'an before its revelation is completed to you, and say, "My Lord,
increase me in knowledge." 20:114. He gives wisdom to whom He wills, and
whoever has been given wisdom has certainly been given much good. And none will
remember except those of understanding. 2:268. And these examples We present to
the people, but none will understand them except those of knowledge.
29:43.

Note the silver
coloured double line in the middle of the MSC Stable Belt. The Angkut are
taught and reminded at all time, JANGAN POTONG DOUBLE LINE or literally not
to overstep or go out of bound. The glaring yellow lines on both sides are of
course ‘No Stopping, No Parking and No Waiting. Well, ‘rules are meant to be
broken’
Kol
HMJ Shaharom (B) KPD
Dirumah beliau diTropicana Indah Resort Home, Kota Damansara
With his grand children
Mendengar kuliah Tuan Guru Syeikh Muhammad Nuruddin Abdullah Marbu
al-Banjari al-Makki dan gambar sesama jemaah sempena dalam siaran Tv al-Hijrah
pada bulan Ramadhan 1433
Ceramah atas tajuk kelebihan ummat Nabi Muhamad SAW yang diadakan
diMasjid alKhairiah, Seri Gombak yang saya ikuti
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