ZUL'S DUAL AWARENESS
By Michael Lee and Nordin Bula
Tawau: It will be a
month’s rest and good home cooked meals for Zulkarnain Hashim before resuming his
duties as a wildlife ranger.
Zulkarnain, who was released by
the Abu Sayyaf rebels in Philippines as a goodwill gesture because of his religious
inclination a fortnight ago, arrived in his hometown here, Wednesday afternoon.
Speaking to reporters at the
family residence at Mile 1 Jalan Utara, a much relieved Zulkarnain believed that the two
months’ detention in the Jolo jungle in the hands of the rebels had given him a
personal awareness of two importance factors that could change his life.
The rebels had identified his
potential as a religious prayer leader and he also discovered a high degree of Malaysian
cohesiveness with his fellow countrymen in a foreign land.
According to Zulkarnain, he
initially joined the Muslim rebels in prayers and attended religious talks before they
made him an "imam" to lead them in prayers. The prayers were in the Tausug
(Suluk) dialect.
He devoted his time to religion
after the honour accorded to him. "At other times, we would browse through the
several Malaysian magazine given to us as well as writing notes to my family to be
conveyed through the reporters visiting us."
He was also touched by the
strong bond of friendship forged by a common hardship among the Malaysian captives
regardless of their racial background and religious beliefs, an experience which he never
felt before.
"We have a strong sense of
pride in being Malaysians," he said.
Zulkarnain was among the 21
hostages including 10 Malaysians, held on Jolo island for more than two months since April
23 when they were kidnapped at gunpoint by a group of armed men during a raid on Sipadan
Island.
"When I was taken along on
April 23, I thought it would be the end of the world. I could not believe that I was
released on June 23 until I was handed over to the Malaysian Ambassador in Manila the
following day," he said.
Recalling his experience in the
Jolo jungle, he reiterated that his experience at a wildlife range had made life bearable
for him under such conditions.
He said that his captors have
been treating the hostages well, even under adverse conditions and hoped that the rest
would be released in due course without unnecessary conditions.
He urged the loved ones,
relatives and friends of the other hostages to be patient and pray. "They are most
welcomes to my home to know more about their loved ones."
The other Malaysian still held
are Abdul Jawal Sulawat, Fong Yin Ken, Basilius Jim, Balahrishnan Nair, Lee Hock Leong,
Vincent Kong, Kua Yu Loong and Francis Masangkim, while the rest are foreign tourists of
mixed nationalities.
Earlier, Zulkarnain,
accompanied by his wife Siti Hajar Jakiah, 26, their three children and mother, were
warmly received by relatives and friends on arrival at the Tawau airport at 2.30pm, from
Kota Kinabalu.
A police party later
transported them to their Jalan Utara residence where Zulkarnain was showered with yellow
rice and leaves, to meet his aunties Mahmun Balit and father-in-law Jakiah Omar.
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