When I was a child, I loved listening to folktales and legends. Many of the Malay legends were later made into films. One of the stories that resonated with me is Si Tanggang. He is known as Malim Kundang in Indonesia and Nakhoda Manis in Brunei. In his book, 'Malay Magic', Walter William Skeat recorded this story as 'Charita Megat Sajobang'.
Tanggang was a good and obedient son from a very poor family. Through hard work, he became the captain of a ship. With power and wealth, Tanggang grew arrogant and refused to acknowledge his poor parents. He even struck his old mother after she brought him his favourite snack—pisang salai or smoked banana. Tanggang’s mother was very hurt, and cursed her son, causing him to turn to stone.
My grandmother reminded me that God would always answer a mother’s prayers, especially if she had been hurt or abused in some way. I have seen how powerful a mother's prayer could be. My granduncle who was terrible towards his mother and father, my great-grandparents, had lived a cursed life. Even though, I was a small kid, I had seen granduncle living his last days in hellish existence. I wrote about this in 'The Curse' story in my 'Gedung Kuning: Memories of a Malay Childhood' book.
I have also heard of modern-day Tanggangs--children who mistreated their parents. We read about them in the newspapers especially when they are caught abusing or harming their parents. Unfortunately, there are many whom the law has yet to catch up with.
I knew a 88-year old Aunty H. She was a prominent businesswomen during her younger days. She was successful and wealthy with a loving husband. Aunty H loved her two children. She doted on them, spoiling her son rotten. She bought her son a sports car when he was in his teens and even paid for his wedding. She put all her money into his business ventures, all of which failed. The son (let's call him New Tanggang or NT) even made Aunty H sell of her mansion and give him millions in sales proceeds. NT said the money was to buy land in America. But my friend (her niece) and some of her family members suspected that NT had spent all the money. I visited Aunty H many times over the years. She used to live with NT but once her husband passed away, NT threw all her belongings in a very small flat which Aunty H had rented. NT's wife is equally despicable. She would just buy food for her children and eat in her room without even giving Aunty H any. Aunty H had to cook simple meals and had to take the bus with her husband to go for hospital appointments. I had bought a fan for Aunty H because of the hot weather. But NT took my fan and never gave it to Aunty H when he chased Aunty H from his place.
Aunty H is frail and old, suffering from cancer and living alone in her small flat. I tried getting social welfare assistance for her but her daughter did not send in the forms. The second time round, I helped fill up the form and even made her get a doctor's report. There was no news of it. I suspected that Aunty H didn't want to get help for fear of it causing shame to the children. During my visits, I met Aunty H's niece who said that NT owed her money in the tens of thousands. But Aunty H still defended her liar of a son. Although she admitted on several occasions that her son was a modern-day Tanggang, she would always retract her statements. Once, Aunty H confidently told me that God will not punish her son like Tanggang as she always prays for his well-being. I told her that God will punish those who are cruel towards their parents, no matter the parents' good prayers for their children. I said, if God let her son go scot-free, it won't be fair towards the children who treat their parents with love and respect. And God is Fair.
Aunty H is still in denial of her son's atrocities. But I think deep inside, she knows that her son is a modern-day Tanggang, though his punishments are not meted out, yet. Perhaps God is giving NT a chance to repent but if he does not soon, then, his story will be one for the next generation to read.
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