I have been spending my childhood in my village in Kuala Nerang,Kedah for as long as I can start remembering things.Sometimes when I look back at my childhood picture,I realized I have been spending a lot of time there.Then I go to school in KL for 10 years and until now I am staying here as a passenger living in this overcrowded city.
Since I am 14 years old,I will always go back for Hari Raya at Kuala Nerang,Kedah.
12 years later or exactly the last Raya,that will be my last Raya there.Why?Is it because I dont have relatives anymore?Or I was thrown out of family?
FUCK THE HIGHWAY PROJECT.
The Government (after this I will just use the GOV abbreviation) is already starting the highway project.They will take the land that people are living on and pay some money as the compensation for it.Was it worth it?Dont know.If my grandma is happy with the amount I should have just follow suit.
The compensation haven't been count yet but there are some "GOV Official" coming to measure the value of the land.
But even if they pay a lot and make my grandma a millionaire,I am sure deep down inside,everybody feel the sadness.Leaving behind the place where you watch your children grow,your memories with your loved ones,all the wedding that have been done there etc etc.
I am not opposing the development but the rate of Malay owned land being taken have been seriously been on full throttle.You cannot have the same feeling living on a "Taman" or housing area that have terrace house.The feeling of going back to a real village is different.
With the project commencing earlier next year,three families of my relatives that have been staying there have to move somewhere else.What's the point of having a beautiful highway when your past and present have been taken from you.What is the value of a Malay now?Is it so cheap that we dont have the right to oppose the project just for the sake of development.Where is our right as the original owner?All the planning of opening a small restaurant on the lot have been on hold.The cement for the floor have been done.
I as a Malay,cannot do anything about this because the power is not in the people hands.To quote the character V from "V For Vendetta" - The people should not be afraid of the government,the government should be afraid of the people.
For modernization,Malay land have been taken.As a people I would like to ask the government,why is it that the highway is planned not crossing the Langgar town.Why does it divert from there?Scared?Dont want to oppose the majority there?
Is that why we,the unfortunate people of Batu 19 1/4 have to pay?
Thanks Government.I feel lucky to be living in a country where the name of the country is the name of my race.Thanks a lot.So,this is my last raya there.Next year Raya we go somewhere else.