"It was different before... the Malays, Chinese and Indians used to live as one family. We shared experiences, especially during the festival seasons, which we celebrated together... those were really happy occasions.
"Now the country is developed, the people well-educated, knowledgeable, but lack the family spirit and there is less unity," said Jamil Mohd Yusof, 76, as he recalled his youth in a special interview with Bernama and Bernama TV recently.
With Deepavali around the corner, Jamil has become a topic of conversation, attracting the attention of people from all walks of life, including those overseas, after he was featured in a 70-second video clip on social media sites like Facebook, YouTube and Whatsapp.
In the clip (see below) with its concept of "Nothing Greater Than Being Malaysian", Jamil wished "Happy Deepavali" to Hindus in the country in fluent Tamil.
Malaysians, including leaders, politicians, academicians, businessmen, students, rural folks and even foreign workers, described the video clip as meaningful and significant, with a powerful message, describing him as a "True Malaysian".
P. Elango, 45, a MAS steward who will not be celebrating Deepavali this year due to the death of his father, said he was moved by the clip which was done in Malay and Tamil with English subtitles.
"Usually, during Deepavali, the Petronas advertisements would become a major attraction because of their new concept. This year, the clip featuring Jamil became popular with its message. Although Jamil is an estate worker, his message is really good," he said.
Elango who shared the video clip with his relatives and friends who are working or studying overseas said they were impressed with Jamil and recognised that race relations was different today compared with the past.
Commenting on the clip, Jamil said a group of local Indian crew who were shooting at Batu 2, Ladang Kerling, about seven kilometers from Kuala Kubu Baru last year had casually recorded the conversation.
"They knew that I was fluent in Tamil and asked me to talk. What can an "estate person" say? I just say whatever is in my heart. Isn’t it true that it is different now compared with previous years. But I did not expect it to become popular like this."
About 53 years ago, Jamil, then 23, born in Jalan Bukit Kuda, Klang, took over the sundry shop in Ladang Kerling from his brother-in-law.
"Before that, I used to work as a cook in the home of the Sungai Chua estate manager F.W.Harrison. I was 15 then, so his wife taught me to cook," he said.
From his marriage to Stiah Kutty, 72, who is of Malabari descent, Jamil has seven children (three boys and four girls), 25 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, who are all multi-lingual.
Known as "anneh" (brother) and "kadaikaru"(shopkeeper) to the local residents, Jamil has been living in Kerling estate for more than 50 years. – Bernama, October 19, 2014.
- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/festivals-today-lack-family-spirit-unity-says-man-in-deepavali-video-bernam#sthash.vhQ5IOsS.dpuf
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