Dato' Zuraidah Atan: October 2005

In Memory of Datin Sri Endon, wife of our beloved Prime Minister

Contributed by Dato' Zuraidah Atan
Friday, 28 October 2005 11:15pm
Dear friends,

For the last one-week, we had mourned with the nation in extending condolences to our beloved Prime Minister for the loss of his wife, Datin Seri Endon, whom we fondly referred as Kak Endon, who died battling cancer last Thursday, 20th October 2005.

We had all prayed hoping against hope that Allahyarhamah would survive but sadly, she succumbed to the disease. We pray to ALLAH for her blessed soul.

In her memory, we commemorate her courage. Her courage during her struggle is certainly not forgotten. She displayed understated elegance and determination throughout her ordeal.Allahyarhamah had fought with spirit and bravery against this dreadful disease and she was a source of inspiration to other cancer sufferers. She may have lost the battle to fight cancer but she has won the hearts of all.

Her fighting spirit ought to be emulated by all. When faced with personal adversity, she trudged on without wanting to be a burden to family and nation. Allahyarhamah sacrificed much of her personal time with her husband, time which were precious considering her predicament, with the man she truly loves, to the Nation whilst she endured treatment after treatment away from him. We know how painful in turn, it has been for our Prime Minister, who must have felt helpless with matters of State before him, yet praying for his wife’s recovery at all times.

Allahyarhamah was the epitome of much-admired fortitude in raising the level of family unity, of love, and most of all her fighting spirit.

My friends,

Cancer as we know, is a disease that no person can avoid with any certainty, whether as an individual with cancer, as a family member or caregiver or as a friend of a person with cancer. Cancer will affect everyone sometime in our lives. All of us will have our own personal stories to relate. After all, over 40,000 Malaysians develop cancer every year.

Whilst there are commendable efforts by the Government and NGOs such as National Cancer Society of Malaysia/Persatuan Kebangsaan Kanser Malaysia (NCSM), Breast Cancer Welfare, CancerLink, Makna and others who help provide continuous cancer awareness programmes, more support are certainly welcome to help educate the public on early cancer detection and cancer prevention. Cancer does not happen overnight. It takes years of exposure to risk factors before cancer develops.

We are well aware for the need to educate our communities and our young on cancer prevention. The thrust of campaigns is therefore on preventive measures since early detection saves lives.

Allahyarhamah herself has helped the Nation immeasurably through her advocacy for cancer awareness and cancer issues facing Malaysians, especially women. She welcomed projects that encouraged early detection of cancer and supported NCSM’s Mobile Cancer Screening for Rural Areas that is being embarked so that cancer screening may be made more readily accessible for the rakyat.

My friends,

It was heartening to note that when the Malaysian Bar together with Parliament BN BackBenchers Club, helped raise money for NCSM’s Mobile Cancer Screening Project & LawCare at its Inaugural Charity Golf last month, Allahyarhamah sent encouraging messages through friends.

We were made to understand how delighted she was that Lawyers and Members of Parliament took an active interest and are supportive towards cancer awareness. We are glad that Allahyarhamah knew that at least we care.

My friends,

When you lose your loved ones, it is never easy. And losing a spouse is akin to losing a limb. Your heart breaks into loneliness and your soul weeps silently. It takes time to heal. It takes faith to carry on life where your love has left much emptiness and yearning. The path seems blurred and hollow leaving sweet memories to cherish.

To our Prime Minister, we join the nation in expressing our deepest and heartfelt condolence to him and his family and pray that ALLAH shall give them strength and faith to overcome their grief. The paths that may seem blurred and hollow are littered with support and reassurances that shall lessen the pain.

And it is from Allahyarhamah Datin Seri Endon, that we must learn to embrace life with all its joys, uncertainties and struggles and to live with hope and strength. Her spirit is forever with us.

When there is darkness

There shall be light

When there is sadness

Pray let it be all right