Through sheer hard work and perseverance
THE year 1980 is firmly etched in my memory. That’s when I started my career as a teacher in Mahmud Secondary School, Raub. It was also the year that Zafari Zulkifli was a Form 5 student there.
The story that unfolds is of this ex-student of mine, who went through many hardships in life to scale great heights in his career.
Zafari, the third of eight siblings, hails from Kampung Pintu Padang, about 7km from Raub town. His parents were small-time village workers.
During his primary schooldays, he dutifully helped his parents to sell their vegetables and fruit produce. By doing so, Zafari got to top up his pocket money by 20 cents.
Due to commuting difficulties, Zafari stayed at the school hostel, under the supervision of Mr Chong Moo Chong, the hostel master. Mr Chong was a guiding light to him and his friends.
As he only managed a Grade 3 in his SPM examination, he was unable to get a place to study Form 6 in Mahmud School.
Under the encouragement of the then principal Encik Fakharuddin, teachers and friends, Zafari plucked up the courage to study as a private student for the STPM examination while working as a laboratory staff, a job offered to him by the caring principal.
It was a harrowing experience for Zafari while working in the laboratory, as he had to sweep the floor and wash the test-tubes, while his friends who were studying in Form 6, often passed by.
Mohammad the school gardener was kind enough to share the school quarters with him, knowing his financial constraints.
Living on a shoestring budget, Zafari was very enterprising. He would make frequent visits to Singapore to purchase some merchandise which he later sold to his friends. The profits were sent to his elder sister who was studying in university, as subsistence. Hats off to Zafari for having such a loving thought even at that young age. As I was his Science teacher, I got to know him well.
He excelled in table tennis, and we would often play in the school hall during weekends. And so, the bond between us grew.
He obtained four Principles in his STPM examination, so was unable to secure a place in university. Zafari then took up a job as a clerk at LKPP, Lembah Klau, Raub.
In 1986, he applied for the job of police inspector, as it offered a basic salary difference of RM100, which was big money at that time. His main intention was to send this extra money to his elder sister.
While working in the police force, Zafari, being strong-willed and diligent, got to further his studies, pursuing a Social Science Degree at USM in 1998, on half pay.
When he got married and had four children to support, life was a constant struggle. To make ends meet, he and his friends sold handicraft items from Indonesia, especially during the Convocation Carnival and also during their spare time.
Due to his strong willpower, Zafari went on to do Masters in Information Management Science, on an off-campus basis at UITM in 2001.
Zafari then obtained a Pahang State Scholarship to do his PHD in the field of Anthropology/sociology in UKM in 2016. The eight months he spent with the inmates in the Kajang Prison, to complete his thesis, was one experience that he could not forget.
From being a police inspector, Zafari rose up through the ranks and now holds the post of Senior Assistant Commissioner at Maktab PDRM Cheras. I am proud to see my former student reaching great heights through sheer hard work and perseverance.
On a personal note, Zafari is happily married to a loving and caring wife, Rohani Ahmad, a teacher. They have been blessed with four daughters; all of them are graduates.
Recently, Zafari called up to say that he would like to pay me a visit. Rarely does this happen nowadays, of students looking up their teachers.
I was overwhelmed when he did come to my house a few days later. We had coffee and vadai together, and caught up with good old times.
Though holding a high-ranking post, Zafari was the same down-toearth boy that I knew 35 years ago, never forgetting his humble beginnings. He was very thankful to all his teachers who had guided him.
It’s nice to know that there still exists people of the old school of thought and upbringing. I sincerely hope others will take a leaf out of this exemplary gentleman’s book.