Al-Fatihah

When Michael Jackson died, it was indeed a shocker to me. I can’t believe this man, who I grew up listening to, passed away at a very young age of 51. Approximately today around 11-12 pm, I received news that Yasmin Ahmad ,51 years old, has passed away. A part of me died.

For the longest long time I can remember, Yasmin Ahmad touched me in the movie Sepet. Since then, I have only the greatest admiration and love for this special lady. Little did I know that I would meet her in the most unorthodox method. When I dropped out of college, I only had my portfolio and none of those things you call C.V or degree or diploma. I was merely taking a risk by simply walking in one of the biggest ad agency in Malaysia, without knowing she worked there. I cheated my way joining Leo Burnett by approaching her when she got off the escalator with Ali Mohammed. The rest was history. She was the first person to give me a job, nay, I should say a chance to a struggling young man with no qualifications. What a kind soul. And since then, I wanted to work only for her and no one else. She was always full of life and passion and I was lucky enough to see her presentation skills, at Petronas; which was legendary. Plus her gentle kind heart makes it hard not to love her. Her work Sepet totally speaks to me. In Gubra, I felt something dark evoked from her heart. Then in Mukhsin, I wept at the end of the movie and I didn’t know why ,which prompt me to walk up to her room and gave her a hug for creating such a movie. And finally in Talentime, I cried in front of my girl at one particular scene ; which didn't have any dialogues to begin with! But when I see her everyday at work, as just another humble human being, her being there gave inspiration and joy to all. Yeah, she is one special lady indeed.

Tonight I cried for the fifth time. The first was for my late mother, the second was for my late father, the third in Mukhsin, the fourth in Talentime and finally, the last time I’ll ever cry, for her. Her passing is a tremendous blow to me,to her family, fans, friends and Malaysia itself. And I do not wish to emphasize how there will always and will be one Yasmin Ahmad.

I wish I had more time to talk with her and I wish, I wish that I could fulfill the one thing I kept telling her over and over again whenever I see her “ Kak Min, I’ll catch you later ya?”

I wish to share a dream with you. I was dreaming about Yasmin Ahmad on Friday night. She was sitting in the lounge at the hospital and she looked thin and pale, but cheery as ever. I was about to go and see her until I realized she got up and walked towards me. She smiled at me and I asked if she was okey and I wanted to give her a huge hug because I was relieved she’s back. But I decided not to hug her because I know she was still a tad fragile. She agreed, she was a feeling a bit fragile at that time, and told me that she will talk to me later because she had some work to present to; while not forgetting to flash one of her bedazzling smile.

Then I woke up. And then I realized that I’ll never get to catch up with her.

To end this article, I would like to share one of MJ’s beautiful music.

"Gone Too Soon"

Like A Comet
Blazing 'Cross The Evening Sky
Gone Too Soon

Like A Rainbow
Fading In The Twinkling Of An Eye
Gone Too Soon

Shiny And Sparkly
And Splendidly Bright
Here One Day
Gone One Night

Like The Loss Of Sunlight
On A Cloudy Afternoon
Gone Too Soon

Like A Castle
Built Upon A Sandy Beach
Gone Too Soon

Like A Perfect Flower
That Is Just Beyond Your Reach
Gone Too Soon

Born To Amuse, To Inspire, To Delight
Here One Day
Gone One Night

Like A Sunset
Dying With The Rising Of The Moon
Gone Too Soon

Gone Too Soon

Al-Fatihah.

Keep smiling in heaven Kak Min, because your legacy will continue and live on forever.