Friday, 20-Feb-2004 10:25 AM

HARAKAH DAILY

A tale of two perjuangan

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Many, many years ago, there lived, in the ancient Sultanate of Melaka, five Malay comrades -- Hang Tuah, Hang Jebat, Hang Kasturi, Hang Lekir and Hang Lekiu. Some say, however, that the five are mere legends that did not really exist. Other says the five did exist and were not Malays but were in fact Chinese from China who had been sent to escort the Chinese Princes who came to Melaka to marry the Sultan. Was this then why they practiced a different form of martial arts, which was probably Kong Fu, and managed to beat the hell out of those Melakans practicing the traditional Malay martial art of Silat?

Anyway, at the same time, there lived in the neighbouring state of Selangor, another group of Malay warriors of Bugis-Javanese decent. The Bugis was a feared race that had conquered most of Malaya and the Bugis Empire stretched through the entire Malay Archipelago. More potent than the Bugis were those of Bugis-Javanese blood. They were fearless and sent shivers through the spines of despotic rulers.

Just as Hang Tuah was the leader of the Melaka group of warriors, the Selangor bunch was led by Hang Nwar.

One day, the cruel ruler decreed that Hang Nwar should be sent to prison. Just like what happened to Hang Tuah in Melaka, the ruler was jealous of Hang Nwar and he suspected that Hang Nwar was disloyal to him and was plotting his downfall. And, just like Hang Tuah, Hang Nwar did not run away, though he could, but he willingly went to prison.

Hang Nwar’s comrades were outraged. They, just like Hang Tuah and his comrades, had loyally served the ruler. But the other jealous ministers in the ruler’s court had poisoned the mind of the ruler and turned him against Hang Nwar. So the ruler arrested Hang Nwar and sent him to prison, the same fate that befell Hang Tuah.

Hang Nwar’s comrades; Hang Zam, Hang Min, and Hang Man; revolted against the ruler, as did many others. The ruler knew that the people hated him and loved Hang Nwar and his comrades so he arrested Hang Nwar’s comrades and sent them to prison as well.

And this outraged the people even further. The ruler was put under tremendous pressure and even the rulers from the other kingdoms and empires were unhappy. The ruler had no choice but to eventually release Hang Nwar’s comrades though he refused to release Hang Nwar.

Hang Zam, Hang Min, Hang Man and the others continued to oppose the ruler. Eventually, in tears, the ruler had to abdicate from his throne. He knew the people no longer loved him and wanted him to go.

Meanwhile, in Melaka, Hang Jebat, who had replaced Hang Tuah as the ruler’s most trusted aide, revolted against the ruler. The Melaka ruler was now under siege and would probably also have to abdicate his throne. Then, someone suggested that Hang Tuah be rehabilitated and brought back to deal with Hang Jebat. Only Hang Tuah would be able to deal with Hang Jebat.

Hang Tuah, the die-hard loyalist that he was, forgave the ruler for the wrong that he had suffered and went to face Hang Jebat. A Battle Royal soon ensued between Hang Tuah and Hang Jebat. After a long drawn fight, Hang Tuah managed to stab Hang Jebat. But Hang Jebat did not die, though he would in due time.

In the hours that it took for death to come claim him, Hang Jebat went on a rampage (mengamuk) and brought down many others. In the process, Hang Jebat killed many innocent people. That was the greatest mistake Hang Tuah made. He did not kill Hang Jebat outright but merely wounded him. And, because of this, Hang Jebat was able to wreak havoc throughout the land.

Simultaneously, a crisis also erupted in Selangor. Though the old ruler had now abdicated, the new ruler who took over refused to release Hang Nwar from prison. So Hang Zam and Hang Min continued to oppose the new ruler as well. Hang Man, however, wanted to make peace with the new ruler as he felt the new ruler was not guilty of sending Hang Nwar to jail.

But Hang Zam and Hang Min were not prepared to compromise with the new ruler until he released Hang Nwar from jail. Hang Zam and Hang Man soon fell into disagreement and another Battle Royal ensued in Selangor just like the one between Hang Tuah and Hang Jebat in Melaka.

The battle dragged on, longer than the one between Hang Tuah and Hang Jebat, and eventually Hang Zam won the fight. However, just like what Hang Tuah did with Hang Jebat, Hang Zam made the mistake of not killing Hang Man but merely wounded him. And, just like Hang Jebat, Hang Man went on a rampage and stabbed many other people.

Hang Zam did not learn from Hang Tuah’s mistake, in that you must never just wound your adversary but must kill him with one swoop. Maybe, just like Hang Tuah, Hang Zam had a soft spot for his ex-comrade and did not have the heart to finish him off. But, in a duel to the death, whether it is with an ex-comrade or otherwise, your adversary must be permanently put out of action and not be allowed to run rampage where he can harm so many innocent people.

Note:

The above story is pure fiction and any resemblance to anyone still living, dead, or about to die is coincidental.