Life in the country side after GE14
Finally, the indelible ink has vanished from my finger nail exactly three months post 14th general election. I must thank nature because my finger nails continue to grow and needed trimming regularly. Thus, it helps to hasten the ‘demise’ of the ink on my nail. As a politician who did not win in the election, the ink was a reminder of failure. But life must go on. As the saying goes, losing is not fatal and winning is not permanent.
I am back to what I am trained for, being a veterinarian. I have said to myself that the animals also deserve to be given the best care and service. The outbreak of the avian flu or avian influenza (AI) in Tuaran reminds us of the importance of keeping poultry healthy and fit for human consumption. There are many diseases out there such as AI, zoonotic in nature, which can lead to death in humans.
Rabies is a dreadful disease in dogs and our neighbour, Sarawak, is now feeling the impact. I learned from a recent zoonotic seminar at Sandakan that more than 33 districts in Sarawak have been infected with rabies. Dogs are very mobile creature and Sabah needs to be vigilant if we want to stay free from rabies. What I am trying to say here is that, veterinarians are needed to help safeguard the public from zoonotic diseases coming out from animals.
I do frequently visit relatives from my wife’s side in the rural area of Kemabong, Tenom. Of course, the flags of political parties, mostly tattered, old and torn, are still visible here and there. Yes, they do remind me of my lost political battle.
However, I am glad to see my small project to raise ‘kampung’ pigs is doing well. The recipient is now having five adults and 17 piglets. The stud male or boar named Otto came all the way from Membakut. I have now infused interest on the recipient and family to go into layer duck farming, not the salted duck business at first, but on controlling the golden snails that are ravaging his padi. Animal commercial feed is very expensive. If he can source local feed such as padi powder (by-product of padi mill), tapioca, papaya, banana stems and cheap fish meals, there is a good chance of making profit and helps the economy of the family. Of course, he gets veterinary advice from me for free.
The day time was not the usual condition but very hot. I was worried that my nights would be worse as houses in the village are mostly wooden, with zinc roofing and inadequate ventilation. People here, like in the urban areas, like to stay private and secure their houses well. I was glad that despite closing all the window panes to keep mosquitoes out, the coolness of the night could be felt seeping between the slits of the planks on the floor and walls.
The dogs were sleeping barely two feet below our room and thanks to the thick mattress, the doggy smell and fleas were kept out. It was definitely different this time as I did not really catch the doggy smell. I saw his dogs were free from mange after giving him some medicine to treat them. He was so amused when other villagers were asking him how he has kept his dogs, hunting dogs, so healthy and free from skin diseases.
We ate our dinner sitting on the floor which is an issue with me, being urban people. I whispered to my wife, when are they getting a table and chairs. We had such a delightful meal of wild boar cooked in bamboo shoots. The small kids were kept awake by our presence and also by the children’s TV programs on Astro. They played with me, my wife and also the cat and naughtily pretended to sip away the Guinness stout from their father’s glass. There was no video game for them unlike their counterparts in towns.
As soon as the lights were put off and we hit the sack, the kids found their space and everyone slept soundly. I noticed the family was using mosquito nets as malaria is still a problem in many villages. At about five in the morning, I started hearing the sounds from the cockerels that seemed endless, as they battled each other for prominence. I felt like a judge in a ‘cockerel got talent’ competition. They are actually ‘alarm clocks’ for the rural folks.
In the evening, I saw so many children playing near the stream. They were so happy by just chasing each other around. I know and saw some children who are school dropouts because of poverty but were so much involved in the fun too. Seeing them having fun reminds me of my own childhood. I know they would not even think of what is dinner tonight. Somehow, I wonder what the future is in store for them. I cannot recall of any school dropouts in my time but it could be because we were kids having parents who were government officers. I wish I could help these parents and their children.
That is why winning the election and being part of the government meant so much to me. I know the then opposition political parties made promises and one of them was to assist the rural folks. I hope this promise will be fulfilled.
The experience of living a difficult life is quite rewarding as one can understand the plight of the people in the villages. I talked about the school dropouts. I have spoken about their plight of not having blue ICs and no titled land in the Sabah Assembly. How could one not feel angry with the government when illegal immigrants can get their hands on the blue ICs but not our indigenous people living in the rural areas? I do think that staying in town albeit as squatters, they can have access and be legalized. I sincerely hope the new government will give our indigenous people or natives the blue ICs and to allow them to enjoy the rights and privileges as a citizen of the country.