Amid Attacks On Indians Queen Reminisces Ties With Community

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As Indians come under attack from certain quarters, Raja Permaisuri Agong Raja Zarith Sofiah decided to rehash a post she made in 2018, which touched on her family’s close ties with the community.
Prior to that, Her Majesty pointed out to the public that Malaysia was fortunate, unlike other countries plagued by armed conflicts and war.
“We should be grateful for this blessing. Maybe because we are not fighting for our lives by evading bombs, some amongst us deliberately flare up issues to create a rift among multiracial Malaysia.
“May Allah continue to protect our country and grant us peace and share our love among Malaysians,” she added.
Rehashing her old post, Raja Zarith extended her appreciation to four Indian individuals who had been taking care of her family for years.
Two of them were doctors, named Subramanyam Balan dan Singaraveloo.
“For years, whenever my husband or my children get ill in the middle of the night, one of the doctors will definitely rush over to provide treatment.
“They never cared about the time or frequency - whether midnight or 3am - they will be there,” she mentioned.
And when one of her sons, the late Tunku Abdul Jalil, was diagnosed with liver cancer, Her Majesty said her family was comfortable with the treatment given by Subramanyam and Singaraveloo.
“As they had been treating us since Jalil was a child, they were the ones Jalil and we trusted to care for him when he was sick.
“And when Jalil breathed his last, (Subramanyam) Balan was the one who confirmed his time of death,” Her Majesty added.
‘Swimming coach and aide-de-camp’
As for the other two Indian persons who impacted their lives, Raja Zarith mentioned a man called Mohan, who cared for Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Ibrahim when he was only a year old.
“Mohan took care of him when my husband was engaged in a water sports activity in Stulang Laut.
“In fact, Mohan taught all my children how to swim. He will be with them in the water for hours.
“He was not only their swimming coach but also their playmate and ‘nanny’.”
Johor Regent Tunku Ismail IbrahimHer Majesty pointed out that when her husband was working outstation, she would request that Mohan stay in their residence for safety reasons.
“And Mohan will not sleep until the morning staff arrive for work the next day. I put my full faith in Mohan to protect my family,” she added.
Finally, Her Majesty credited one called Sugumaran, who served as her husband’s aide-de-camp.
Raja Zarith mentioned that Sugumaran served her husband, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, with utmost loyalty and love despite getting scolded by the ruler at times.
“When I was holidaying in England in 2009, Sugumaran became my youngest child’s best friend, teaching him how to pick apples from trees and feed ducks in the garden,” she said.
The post in 2018 was made at the height of the Seafield Temple riot, which saw firefighter Adib Kassim lose his life.
- Mkini

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