Kg Sabapathy folks' annual ‘pilgrimage' reignites true M'sian spirit
KUALA KANGSAR : Nestled in the heart of the royal town of Kuala Kangsar, Perak is a tiny village called Kampung Sabapathy. Back in the '70s and '80s, there were about 50 families living here.
Despite having an Indian name, the families in the village came from different ethnic and religious backgrounds. Today, the village has partially disappeared due to development.
However, the spirit of racial and religious harmony the residents enjoyed decades ago is still alive, thanks to a group of second- and third-generation offspring who, for the past four years, have organised annual reunions for the former folks and their children of Kampung Sabapathy.
They say they yearn for the good old days when the spirit of unity among the people was strong.
Sulaiman Mengadin, a third-generation Kampung Sabapathy resident, recalled the days when he had neighbours of different races and religions who'd drop by for a meal even without invitation, especially during festivals.
'My friends would come in as if it was their relative's house. My parents and grandparents would welcome them with open arms. They did not serve food which others couldn't eat, and when we went to their homes, they were careful not to serve us things that were not halal.
The former residents of Kampung Sabapathy in Kuala Kangsar Perak, who came from different parts of the country just for the gathering. (K Parkaran pic)
'This was a natural understanding that was practised, no need for laws to tell us what to do. Our idea of having this gathering is to show our children the harmonious environment we enjoyed once,' he told FMT.
K Kumaraguru, who has taken much pains to get this gathering going despite most of the residents having moved to other states, said his parents had instilled in him and his siblings the importance of respecting those of other races and religions.
He said they would tell their children to lower the volume of their radios or televisions during Muslim prayer times, which the kids would gladly do.
'We are probably the only village which organises this kind of reunion with the sole aim of reminding all of us and our children and grandchildren of the true Malaysian spirit that prevailed once upon a time.
'Although the adults likely voted for different parties in elections and had contrasting political beliefs, we were one in the village. But this spirit is totally absent these days. Gatherings like these may help bring back the Malaysian spirit that prevailed decades ago,' he said.
Kumaraguru said none of the Muslim attendees even asked if the food served during the reunion was halal as they all knew it would be, just like how they did decades ago. 'This is the beauty of our relationship.'
The Samuels, comprising three generations, have never missed the reunions at Kampung Sabapathy. (K Parkaran pic)
Sio Foo Soi said he always looked forward to these reunions so he could meet old friends he grew up with there. A man of few words, the 76-year-old grandfather was nostalgic describing the bond he and his friends shared despite being of different ethnicities and religions.
'I enjoy watching everyone mingling like the good old days. Some of my children try to make sure they attend these functions when they can. I hope more people will start attending the gatherings,' he said.
Meanwhile Jabin James, 38, a third-generation family member of the village, made sure he attended with his wife and children as he had heard lots of stories in the village from his mother Alice Samuel who was born and bred there.
'We are looking forward to attending the annual gatherings in future as it enriches our souls. Malaysians need more of such events to remind us of where we came from,' he added.
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