DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CONGRESS IN USA AND PARLIAMENT IN MALAYSIA

INTRODUCTION

     Law is important in every country as law is controlled the human behavior for the safety of the state. Every state must have law in every aspects. There must be a department or a branch to make the law to resolve the problem or issue that is arise. The three branches of government has been established for making law, implementing and adjudicate the matters which are the legislator, the executive and the judiciary. Our focus in this topic is about the terms of the legislature and the differences between Congress in U.S and the Parliament of Malaysia.

Congress is differ with Parliament especially in their power, structure, the process and their privileges. Parliament of the Malaysia legislature takes the Highest authority in the Malaysia. There has two chamber which are the (Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara). Both of the House have their own responsibility in functioning the law making process. It is important for the legislature to be function as the executive and the judicial branch will be function also after the law is made by the legislature.

Congress in US using bicameral legislature that they has two chamber same like Parliament in Malaysia. There are House of Representative that is known as lower house and House of Senate which is called upper house. In the Representative House, member known as representative and at the House of Senate the members that being there called Senators.

 The legislative is the first government body than the other branches which are the executive and the judiciary. The legislature function is to create or make a correction or amendment of the law. In this sense, the legislature take the most responsible duty other than the two branches. It is because, if the legislative is not functioning, then the executive and the judiciary also cannot functioning as they need a law to be implement and to be judge if there are any cases is involved. The legislature must create the Bill that then will be pass to the executive branch to be discuss then the bill will be sent to the judiciary body whether the bill is accepted to be law or not. That’s why the legislative takes the highest place than the two other branches.

The legislature power formulates and expresses the will of the state. They create law based on what is the citizen needs and rights from their grievances or this body create laws based on the issue that is arise. It is a negotiation assembly where the members have the power to pass, amend and repeal law. They gathered to discuss and debate on the matter of the Bill. In a democratic country, the legislature legislate on the general rules for the society in the forms of law. Law must exist from the legislature branch before it is to be judgment by the judiciary and for the executive to take action which is implementing the law. The functions of the executive and the judiciary are based on the laws that are passed by the legislature.

Legislative has unique characteristics as argued by Nelson W. Polsby. He argues that legislatures are different from executives and judiciary on several counts which are legislatives are official government agencies, they are multi-membered, they are directly elected by the citizens, their members are formally equal, they arrive at decisions by deliberating on alternatives and lastly, they register decisions by counting the votes of their members (Rashid Molten, Syed Serajul Islam, 2011).

THE FUNCTIONS OF LEGISLATURE

  As we know, an important function of the legislative is to make law. But in today democracy, it’s function not only to make law but they also carry on the responsibility on many functions. On the first function of the legislature is of course is to make laws, to amend or replace an old laws. In other word, legislature legislate. Therefore, before the law is to be enacted,  the legislator will take a discussion and debate on the content of the law during the process and they also responsible to think.

Next functions of the legislative are the legislative represents the people in the government. The members of the legislature are the representative of the public. They will make known the grievances of the people that is complain by them or an alternative or an idea from the people. In a modern democracy and complex state, the legislature political compromise on this function. This is because the legislature is considered to be the main forum for the public opinion.

The legislative function also perform certain financial function. In this sense, the legislature controlled and regulated the financial of the country. Taxes claims by the legislature in each state of a country are come from the public. This taxes are the sources of income for the government to be controlled and is determined by the legislature for the expenditures of machinery for the government such as the facility, infrastructure, and for the budget of annual year. They will present, consider, and authorize the budget.

In some countries such as in America, the legislature acts as an electoral college to elect the top executive. Every fourth year the congress will meet for the session to count on the electoral vote cast for the President and the Vice President. If there is no majority vote for candidates receive the position of President, the house of representative which are the legislature will select among of the candidates who get three highest vote. While for the vice president, When no candidate secures a majority of the electoral votes cast, the senate makes the choice from among two candidates with the highest number of votes.

Legislature at times performs judicial function. Many countries that is implement the bicameral system of the legislator perform certain judicial function. In this sense, it is the upper House takes the responsibility on this function. For example in Britain, the House of Lord has the power of court which is the court of appeal. Some of the legislator have the power to adjudicate the behavior of the administrative officials. For example, the senate in the U.S. sits as a court of impeachment for the trial of the President and Vice President. If the President or the Vice President behavior are bad, then the Senate can accuse them for being bad behavior through the process of impeachment. They will be fired from their position.

Lastly, the legislator supervision the executive branch. The legislative may operate as to check and balance the executive branch of government. In this case, if one branch of the government make a mistake in its decision, the other branch is able to identify and correct it. If the executive branch implement the law but the issue is arise from that law, then the legislature will identify what is wrong with that law and then they will make a correction or amending that law. They will check on the Bill with full attention through discussion and debates repeatedly to make sure that the law is implemented by the executive are correct and effective. This make the ministers are accountable for their duty.

FORMS OF LEGISLATURE

  Legislation branch that is implement in any country is varies. It is because, there are two forms of legislature which are the bicameral system and the unicameral system. Some country is implement the legislation by using the unicameral while some are the bicameral. In the unicameral system, there is only one chamber that is used in Norway, Bangladesh, New Zealand, Finland, and Denmark. On the other hand, the bicameral system consists of two chamber which are used in Malaysia, Canada, the United States and Britain. Bicameral legislature has an upper house while the unicameral legislature does not have an upper house.

In the unicameral system, the members of the House is elected directly by the people. The election is based on the adult suffrage. It is where the government has choose the right age which is an adult only can vote. Unicameral system is suitable to be implement if the state have the small population. As in bicameralism, the members of the house is elected either by the members of the first chamber or directly elected by the people or by hereditary. It is suitable to be implement if the state has the large population.It is because the country that is use this system believe that “law is the will of the people” and the people cannot have two different wills on the same subject (Abdul Rashid Molten, Syed Serajul Islam, 2011). The people then choose for the two chamber system or bicameralism before the 2^nd World War. Both unicameral and bicameral have their own advantages and disadvantages. It is depend on the goal of the country in achieving their objective. In unicameral system it permits speedy action because unicameral only consist of one chamber where the process of making the law has no check but the Bills goes through full attention discussion and debates and they also made the revisions through prior consultation. In this case, the position of members in the House is less than the bicameral system where it has one chamber only.

In implement the making law process in bicameral system, they avoid in a hurry decisions. It is because there is a check and balance which is after the lower House has finish in discussion the Bill then the Bill is sent to the upper House as to make the same process which is to be considered. If both houses doesn’t agree on the content then the Bill is fail and be considered until reach at the satisfy level between both Houses.

Next, bicameral system also prevents one of the chamber being overloaded with work. This will encourage to do justice to all issues in making a new law. The second chamber can relief the first chamber certain task by enable them to be focus only important matters.

The disadvantage of the unicameral system is that they may lead to the despotism. It is because, the single chamber may make an overhasty decision as they have no check and balance in their law making process. As they only consist of one House it may burdened their work as they have to discuss all matters involve in law making process as compared to bicameral system they have an upper House in concentrate on the important matters. But in unicameral system they need to do all the work that will lead them to be in tired and lastly make them feel to be must in a hurry in making the law. Thus, the law that is approve is not for the will of the people.

In a bicameral system, it process takes time too long to be approve as the process making need to be repeat by the second chamber. The second chamber repeat back the argument that is conclude by the first chamber. This will make the law making process is complicated thus may lead to the deadlock. As the bicameral system consists of two chamber, it is more expensive in preparing both houses machinery as comparing to unicameral system. This system need to use a lot of expenditures for preparing what is need in making the law process is efficient. Therefore, it is also wasting the time as the process is need to be repeat when the Bill is fail.

CONGRESS IN US

       Article I of the Constitution enact forth most of the powers of Congress, which one comprise numerous explicit authorities accounted in Section 8. Constitutional emendation have granted Congress supplemental authorities. Congress also has implied authorities imprint from the Constitution's Necessary and Proper Clause. Congress has power on  finance and budget  principle via the enumerated authority  to put and gather taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to disburse  the debts and supply  for the general defense and public virtue of the United States. There is big power toward expenses, despite analyst Eric Patashnik reserved that much of Congress's authority to administer the budget has been lost when the benevolence country develop since "entitlements were institutionally detached from Congress's ordinary legislative routine and rhythm." Another fact precede to lacking of guard over the budget was a Keynesian reliance that well-balanced budgets were unnecessary.

Several enumerated powers that lay in the hands of Congress members in United States. Firstly, the members put and gather taxes and others to disburse the debts and prepare for the public defense and common benevolence of the United States. Second enumerated power of Congress in United States is to borrow money on the United States credit and the commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the Indian tribes is regulated. Another enumerated powers of the United States are to coin money and fix the weights and measures standard. Congress also has implied powers originating from the Constitution's Necessary and Proper Clause which allow Congress to establish all laws which shall be obligatory and certainly for carrying into implementation the top powers, and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the government of the United States, or in any department or its official.

There are two chambers in Congress which are House and Senate. House of Senate and House of Representative which are upper and lower house respectively. They runs the huge duty of writing national legislation by dividing work into distinct committees which specialize in different areas. To be officers of these committees, some members are elected by their peers. Congress has ancillary organizations such as the Government Accountability Office and the Library of Congress to aid prepare it with information, and they have staff and offices to help them as well. Furthermore, a wide  industry of lobbyists aids members write legislation on behalf of many corporate and labor importance.

The specialization is the committee structure allows Congress members to research a certain subject intensely. Committees specific subjects and counsel about choices and trade-offs. The choice of sphere may be affected by the member's constituency, important area issues, prior background and experience. For example, the House Ways and Means Committee has considerable influence over House matters. Legislative, mistake, and internal administrative duties are separated among about two hundred committees and subcommittees which assemble information, assess electives, and identify problems. They suggest settlements for reasoning  by the complete chamber. One session each year within two-year terms.

Firstly, it is Sessions. A Congress term is divided into two sessions, one for every year. Congress has occasionally also been called into a special session  which the Constitution needs Congress to meet at least once each year. A new session commences on January 3 or different date, if Congress so pick out each year. It is the long session; and from December to March 4 in the second short session. The new Congress would then counsel for some days, for the commence, promoting in new members, and management. The Constitution prohibits either house from meeting any place outside the Capitol, or from postponing for more than three days, without the bargain of the other house. The permission of both bodies is required for Congress's final adjournment, or suspensions in die, a teach congressional session end. If the two houses cannot congruent on a date, the Constitution allows the President to settle the dispute.

Secondly is Joint Session, it is happen on special occasions that require a concurrent resolution from both House and Senate. These sessions include the electoral votes counting following a Presidential election and the Union address President's State. Other meetings of both House and Senate are called Congress Joint Meetings, held after unanimous consent approvals to recess and meet. Congress Meeting for Presidential Inaugurations may also be Joint Sessions, if both House and Senate are in session at the time, otherwise they are official joint encounters. At some time while the first two months of every session, the President standardly conveys the Union Address State, a speech in which he appraises the condition of the country and signifies his legislative proposals for the congressional session. The speech is the specimen on the Speech from the Throne given by the British king, and is mandated by the United States Constitution despite it is should not needed to be conveyed each year or in the customary behavior. Thomas Jefferson stopped the original exercise of conveying the speech in person before both houses of Congress, considering it too monarchical. Instead, Jefferson and his surrogates deliver a written message to Congress each year. In 1913, President Woodrow Wilson the practice of personally attending to deliver the speech reestablished by President Woodrow Wilson; few Presidents have diverged from this custom since. Joint Sessions and Joint Meetings are traditionally presided over by the  House Speaker but for the joint session to compute electoral votes for President, when the Constitution needs the Senate President (Vice President) of the United States to .president.

Thirdly it is Bills and Resolution. Ideas for legislation can approach from many spheres, comprising members, lobbyists, state legislatures, elements, legislative advice, an executive agency such as the president or cabinet officer, and the usual next pace is for the recommendation to be passed to a committee for review. A recommendation has usually one of four principal forms: the bill, the joint resolution, the concurrent resolution, and the simple resolution.

For the part of privileges of Congress members, as of January 2009, the salary for them is $174,000, with Majority and Minority leaders gaining $193,400. The House Speaker accepts $223,500.Members have their franking privileges which since 1775 they have the privilege of sending mail to their constituents using their signature instead of a postage stamp. This privilege is regulated by federal law and may only be used for matter of public concern. This does not mean that members of Congress may commit crimes with impunity. Members of Congress cannot be sued for libel or slander regarding any statements made on the floor of the House or Senate or in official reports.

Other than that, they are prepared with comprehensive research by The Library of Congress in reply to demands accepted by the Congressional Research Service. Specialists at both the Law Library and Congressional Research Service continually provide aim, detailed elucidation to Congress members on a various kinds of titles. As federal employees, members of Congress have access to one of the most generous health bail plans in the country. Senators and representatives may select from 10 different schemes, all of which are subsidized by taxpayers. Additionally, the Los Angeles Times reports, lawmakers have access to their own pharmacy, doctors and nurses at a clinic located between the House and Senate chambers.

PARLIAMENT  IN MALAYSIA

      The Parliament of Malaysia is the national legislature of Malaysia, based on the Westminster system. The bicameral parliament consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The King as the Head of State is the third component of Parliament. The Parliament assembles in the Malaysian Houses of Parliament, located in the national capital city of Kuala Lumpur. .As the ultimate legislative body in Malaysia, the Parliament is responsible for passing, amending and repealing acts of law. It is subordinate to the Head of State, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, under Article 39 of the Constitution.

      The Dewan Rakyat consists of 222 members of Parliament (MPs) elected from single-member constituencies drawn based on population in a general election using the first-past-the-post system. A general election is held every five years or when Parliament is dissolved by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the advice of the Prime Minister. Suffrage is given to registered voters 21 years and above, however voting is not compulsory. The age requirement to stand for election is 21 years and above. When a member of Parliament dies, resigns or become disqualified to hold a seat, a by-election is held in his constituency unless the tenure for the current Parliament is less than two years, where the seat is simply left vacant until the next general election.

       The Dewan Negara consists of 70 members (Senators); 26 are elected by the 13 state assemblies (2 senators per state), 4 are appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to represent the 3 federal territories (2 for Kuala Lumpur, 1 each for Putrajaya and Labuan). The rest 40 members are appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the advice of the Prime Minister. Senators must be 30 years or above, and are appointed to a three-year term for a maximum of two terms. The dissolution of the Parliament does not affect the Dewan Negara.

      Members of Parliament are permitted to speak on any subject without fear of censure outside Parliament; the only body that can censure an MP is the House Committee of Privileges. Parliamentary immunity takes effect from the moment a member of Parliament is sworn in, and only applies when that member has the floor; it does not apply to statements made outside the House. An exception to this rule are portions of the constitution related to the social contract, such as the Articles governing citizenship, Bumiputra (Malays and indigenous people) priorities, the Malay language, all public questioning of these provisions is illegal under the 1971 amendments to the Sedition Act, which Parliament passed in the wake of the 1969 13 May race riots. Members of Parliament are also forbidden from criticising the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and judges. Parliamentary immunity and other such privileges are set out by Article 63 of the Constitution; as such, the specific exceptions to such immunity had to be included in the Constitution by amendment after the 13 May incident.

       The executive government, comprising the Prime Minister and his Cabinet, is drawn from the members of Parliament and is responsible to the Parliament. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong appoints the Prime Minister, who is the Head of Government but constitutionally subordinant to His Royal Highness, from the Dewan Rakyat. In practice, the Prime Minister shall be the one who commands the confidence of the majority of the Dewan Rakyat. The Prime Minister then submits a list containing the names of members of his Cabinet, who will then be appointed as Ministers by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Members of the Cabinet must also be members of Parliament, usually from the Dewan Rakyat. The Cabinet formulates government policy and drafts bills, meeting in private. The members must accept "collective responsibility" for the decisions the Cabinet makes, even if some members disagree with it; if they do not wish to be held responsible for Cabinet decisions, they must resign. Although the Constitution makes no provision for it, there is also a Deputy Prime Minister, who is the de facto successor of the Prime Minister should he die, resign or be otherwise incapacitated. If the Prime Minister loses the confidence of the Dewan Rakyat, whether by losing a no-confidence vote or by failing to pass a budget, he must either submit his resignation to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, or ask His Royal Highness to dissolve the Parliament. If His Royal Highness refuses to dissolve the Parliament (one of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong discretionary powers), the Cabinet must resign and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong will appoint a new Prime Minister.

       Although the judiciary is constitutionally an independent branch of the government, after the 1988 constitutional crisis, the judiciary was made subject to Parliament; judicial powers are held by Parliament, and vested by it in the courts, instead of being directly held by the judiciary as before. The Attorney-General was also conferred the power to instruct the courts on what cases to hear, where they would be heard, and whether to discontinue a particular case. Parliament meets from Monday to Thursday when it is in session, as Friday is part of the weekend in the states of Kelantan, Kedah, and Perlis.

       A proposed act of law begins its life when a particular government minister or ministry prepares a first draft with the assistance of the Attorney-General's Department. The draft, known as a bill, is then discussed by the Cabinet. If it is agreed to be submitted to Parliament, the bill is distributed to all MPs. It then goes through three readings before the Dewan Rakyat. The first reading is where the minister or his deputy submits it to Parliament. At the second reading, the bill is discussed and debated by MPs. Until the mid-1970s, both English and Malay (the national language) were used for debates, but henceforth, only Malay was permitted, unless permission was obtained from the Speaker of the House. At the third reading, the minister or his deputy formally submit it to a vote for approval. A 2/3 majority is usually required to pass the bill, but in certain cases, a simple majority suffices. Should the bill pass, it is sent to the Dewan Negara, where the three readings are carried out again. The Dewan Negara may choose not to pass the bill, but this only delays its passage by a month, or in some cases, a year; once this period expires, the bill is considered to have been passed by the house.

        If the bill passes, it is presented to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who has 30 days to consider the bill. Should he disagree with it, he returns it to Parliament with a list of suggested amendments. Parliament must then reconsider the bill and its proposed amendments and return it to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong within 30 days if they pass it again. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong then has another 30 days to give the royal assent; otherwise, it passes into law. The law does not take effect until it is published in the Government Gazette. The government attempts to maintain top secrecy regarding bills debated; MPs generally receive copies of bills only a few days before they are debated, and newspapers are rarely provided with copies of the bills before they are debated. In some cases, such as a 1968 amendment to the Constitution, an MP may be presented with a bill to be debated on the same day it is tabled, and all three readings may be carried out that day itself. In rare circumstances, the government may release a White paper containing particular proposals that will eventually be incorporated into a bill; this has been done for legislation such as the Universities and University Colleges Act.

     Although the process above assumes only the government can propose bills, there also exists a process for Private Member's Bills. However, as in most other legislatures following the Westminster System, few members of Parliament actually introduce bills. To present a Private Member's Bill, the member in question must seek the leave of the House in question to debate the bill before it is moved. Originally, it was allowed to debate the bill in the process of seeking leave, but this process was discontinued by an amendment to the Standing Orders of Parliament. It is also possible for members of the Dewan Negara (Senate) to initiate bills; however, only cabinet ministers are permitted to move finance-related bills, which must be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat.

       It is often alleged that legislation proposed by the opposition parties, which must naturally be in the form of a Private Member's Bill, is not seriously considered by Parliament. Some have gone as far as to claim that the rights of members of Parliament to debate proposed bills have been severely curtailed by incidents such as an amendment of the Standing Orders that permitted the Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat to amend written copies of MPs' speeches before they were made. Nevertheless, some of these critics also suggest that "Government officials often face sharp questioning in Parliament, although this is not always reported in detail in the press.

CONCLUSION

   

     As a conclusion, US Congress is accountable for making laws and occupations differently from the government part which executes them and led by the President. In elections, candidates for each party hoping to win control over a region are chosen in primaries before the subsequent election. By reason of the emphasis on individuals, party discipline tends to be quite relaxed. The members cannot evacuate the President from authority but with impeachment, which is only likely if he abuses his authority. Some of the UK Parliament members work in the government part which executes them. This includes who all belong in the Parliament such as the Prime Minister, the ruling party leader, and the Cabinet. Party discipline tends to be strict as the Prime Minister ought to  retain support of the majority of members or else be removed by a "Vote of No Confidence". For each territory, political parties decide who their nominees and their favorite candidates are often nominated for the safest seats.

ANAK SOLEH ツ

"Apa nak jadi dengan kau ni Along? Bergaduh! Bergaduh! Bergaduh! Kenapa kau degil sangat ni? Tak boleh ke kau buat sesuatu yang baik, yang tak menyusahkan aku?" Marah ibu. Along hanya membungkam. Tidak menjawab sepatah apapun. "Kau tu dah besar Along. Masuk kali ni dah dua kali kau ulang ambil SPM, tapi kau asyik buat hal di sekolah. Cuba la kau ikut macam Angah dengan Alang tu. Kenapa kau susah sangat nak dengar nasihat orang hah?" Leter ibu lagi.

Suaranya kali ini sedikit sebak bercampur marah. Along terus membatukan diri. Tiada sepatah kata pun yang keluar dari mulutnya. Tiba-tiba dia melihat si ibu bergegas pergi mencari sesuatu dan kembali semula dengan rotan di tangannya. Kali ini darah Along mula menderau. Dia berdoa dalam hati agar ibu tidak memukulnya lagi seperti selalu. "Sekarang kau cakap, kenapa kau bergaduh tadi? Kenapa kau pukul anak pengetua tu? Cakap Along, cakap!" Jerkah ibu.

Along semakin berdebar-debar namun dia tidak dapat berkata-kata. Suaranya bagai tersekat di kerongkong. Malah, dia juga tidak tahu bagaimana hendak menceritakan hal sebenar. Si ibu semakin bengang. "Jadi betul la kau yang mulakan pergaduhan ye!? Nanti kau, suka sangat cari penyakit, sekarang nah, rasakan!" Si ibu merotan Along berkali-kali dan berkali-kali jugaklah
Along menjerit kesakitan. "Sakit bu, sakit…maafkan Along bu, Along janji tak buat lagi.Bu, jangan pukul bu..sakit bu.. "

Along meraung meminta belas si ibu agar tidak merotannya lagi. "Tau sakit ye, kau bergaduh kat sekolah tak rasa sakit?" Balas ibu lagi. Kali ini semakin kuat pukulan si ibu menyirat tubuh Along yang kurus itu. "Bu, ampunkan Along bu,bukan Along yang mulakan, bukan Along bu, sakit bu..!!" Rayu Along dengan suara yang tersekat-sekat menahan pedih. Along memaut kaki si ibu. Berkali-kali dia memohon maaf daripada ibunya namun siratan rotan tetap mengenai tubuhnya.

Along hanya mampu berdoa. Dia tidak berdaya lagi menahan tangisnya. Tangis bukan kerana sakitnya dirotan, tapi kerana memikirkan tidak jemukah si ibu merotannya setiap hari. Setelah hatinya puas, si ibu mula berhenti merotan Along. Tangan Along yang masih memaut kakinya itu di tepis kasar. Along menatap mata ibu. Ada manik-manik kaca yang bersinar di kelopak mata si ibu. Along memandang dengan sayu. Hatinya sedih kerana telah membuatkan ibunya menangis lagi kerananya.

Malam itu, Along berjaga sepanjang malam.. Entah mengapa matanya tidak dapat dilelapkan. Dia asyik teringatkan peristiwa dirotan ibu petang tadi. Begitulah yang berlaku apabila ibu marahkannya. Tapi kali ini marah ibu sangat memuncak. Mungkin kerana dia menumbuk anak pengetua sewaktu di sekolah tadi menyebabkan pengetua hilang sabar dan memanggil ibunya ke sekolah untuk membuat aduan kesekian kalinya. Sewaktu di bilik pengetua, Along sempat menjeling ibu di sebelah..Namun, dia tidak diberi kesempatan untuk bersuara. Malah, semua kesalahan itu di dilemparkan kepadanya seorang.

Si Malik anak pengetua itu bebas seolah-olah sedikit pun tidak bersalah dalam hal ini. Along mengesat sisa-sisa air mata yang masih bertakung di kelopak matanya. Dia berlalu ke meja tulis mencapai minyak sapu lalu disapukan pada bekas luka yang berbirat di tubuhnya dek rotanan ibu tadi. Perlahan-lahan dia menyapu ubat namun masih tetap terasa pedihnya. Walaupun sudah biasa dirotan, namun tidak seteruk kali ini.

Along merebahkan badannya. Dia cuba memejamkan mata namun masih tidak mahu lelap. Seketika wajah ibu menjelma diruang ingatannya. Wajah ibu suatu ketika dahulu sangat mendamaikan pada pandangan matanya. Tetapi, sejak dia gagal dalam SPM, kedamaian itu semakin pudar dan hanya kelihatan biasa dan kebencian di wajah tua itu. Apa yang dibuat serba tidak kena pada mata ibu. Along sedar, dia telah mengecewakan hati ibu dahulu kerana mendapat keputusan yang corot dalam SPM.

Tetapi Along tidak pernah ambil hati dengan sikap ibu walau adakalanya kata-kata orang tua itu menyakiti hatinya. Along sayang pada ibu. Dialah satu-satunya ibu yang Along ada walaupun kasih ibu tidak semekar dahulu lagi. Along mahu meminta maaf. Dia tidak mahu menjadi anak derhaka. Fikirannya terlalu cacamarba, dan perasaannya pula semakin resah gelisah. Akhirnya, dalam kelelahan melayani perasaan, Along terlelap juga.

Seminggu selepas peristiwa itu, si ibu masih tidak mahu bercakap dengannya. Jika ditanya, hanya sepatah dijawab ibu. Itupun acuh tidak acuh sahaja. Pulang dari sekolah, Along terus menuju ke dapur. Dia mencangak mencari ibu kalau-kalau orang kesayangannya itu ada di situ. Along tersenyum memandang ibu yang terbongkok-bongkok mengambil sudu di bawah para dan kemudian mencacap makanan yang sedang dimasak itu. Dia nekad mahu menolong. Mudah-mudahan usahanya kali ini berjaya mengambil hati ibu.

Namun, belum sempat dia melangkah ke dapur, adik perempuannya yang baru pulang daripada mengaji terus meluru ke arah ibu. Along terperanjat dan cuba berselindung di sebalik pintu sambil memerhatikan mereka. "Ibu..ibu masak apa ni? Banyaknya lauk, ibu nak buat kenduri ye!?" Tanya Atih kehairanan. Dia tidak pernah melihat ibunya memasak makanan yang pelbagai jenis seperti itu. Semuanya enak-enak belaka. Si ibu yang lincah menghiris sayur hanya tersenyum melihat keletah anak bongsunya itu.

Sementara Along di sebalik pintu terus memerhatikan mereka sambil memasang telinganya. "Ibu, Atih nak rasa ayam ni satu boleh?" "Eh! jangan, nanti dulu… Ibu tau Atih lapar, tapi tunggulah Kak Ngah dengan Alang balik dulu. Nanti kita makan sekali. Pergi naik atas mandi dan tukar baju dulu ye!" Si ibu bersuara lembut. Along menarik nafas panjang dan melepaskannya perlahan…"Anak-anak kesayangan ibu nak balik rupanya" bisik hati kecil Along. "Kak Ngah dengan Alang nak balik ke ibu?" Soalnya lagi. Atih masih belum berganjak dari dapur. Si ibu mengangguk sambil tersenyum.

Di wajahnya jelas menampakkan kebahagiaan. "Oooo.. patutlah ibu masak lauk banyak-banyak. Mmm bu, tapi Atih pelik la. Kenapa bila Along balik, ibu tak masak macam ni pun?" Along terkejut mendengar soalan Atih. Namun dia ingin sekali tahu apa jawapan dari ibunya. "Along kan hari-hari balik rumah? Kak Ngah dengan Alang lain, diorang kan duduk asrama, balik pun sebulan sekali ja!" Terang si ibu. "Tapi, ibu tak penah masak lauk macam ni untuk Along pun!" Soal Atih lagi. Dahinya sedikit berkerut dek kehairanan. Along mula terasa sebak.

Dia mengakui kebenaran kata-kata adiknya itu namun dia tidak mahu ada perasaan dendam atau marah walau secalit pun pada ibu yang sangat disayanginya. "Dah tu, pergi mandi cepat. Kejap lagi kita pergi ambil Kak Ngah dengan Alang dekat stesen bas" Arah ibu. Dia tidak mahu Atih mengganggu kerja-kerjanya di dapur dengan menyoal yang bukan-bukan. Malah ibu juga tidak senang jika Atih terus bercakap tentang Along. Pada ibu, Along anak yang derhaka yang selalu menyakiti hatinya. Apa yang dikata tidak pernah didengarnya. Selalu pula membuat hal di sekolah mahupun di rumah. Disebabkan itulah ibu semakin hilang perhatian pada Along dek kerana marah dan kecewanya.

Selepas ibu dan Atih keluar, Along juga turut keluar. Dia menuju ke Pusat Bandar sambil jalan-jalan buat menghilangkan tekanannya. Tiba di satu kedai, kakinya tiba-tiba berhenti melangkah. Matanya terpaku pada sepasang jubah putih berbunga ungu yang di lengkapi dengan tudung bermanik. "Cantiknya, kalau ibu pakai mesti lawa ni" Dia bermonolog sendiri. Along melangkah masuk ke dalam kedai itu.

Sedang dia membelek-belek jubah itu, bahunya tiba-tiba disentuh seseorang. Dia segera menoleh. Rupa-rupanya itu Fariz, sahabatnya. "Laa..kau ke, apa kau buat kat sini?" tanya Along ingin tahu sambil bersalaman dengan Fariz. "Aku tolong jaga butik kakak aku. Kau pulak buat apa kat sini?" soalnya pula. "Aku tak de buat apa-apa, cuma nak tengok-tengok baju ni. Aku ingat nak beli dan hadiahkan kepada mak aku" Jelas Along jujur. "Waa..bagus la kau ni Azam. Kalau kau nak beli, aku bagi potongan harga 50%. Macam mana?" Terlopong mulut Along mendengar tawaran Fariz itu. "Betul ke ni Riz? Nanti marah kakak kau!" Along meminta kepastian.

"Untuk kawan baik aku, kakak aku mesti bagi punya!" Balas Fariz meyakinkannya. "Tapi aku kena beli minggu depan la. Aku tak cukup duit sekarang ni." Cerita Along agak keseganan. Fariz hanya menepuk bahunya sambil tersenyum. "Kau ambik dulu, lepas tu kau bayar sikit-sikit." Kata Fariz . Along hanya menggelengkan kepala tanda tidak setuju. Dia tidak mahu berhutang begitu. Jika ibunya tahu, mesti dia dimarahi silap-silap dipukul lagi. Pada kau ada berapa ringgit sekarang ni?" soal Fariz yang benar-benar ingin membantu sahabatnya itu.

Along menyeluk saku seluarnya dan mengeluarkan dompet berwarna hitam yang semakin lusuh itu. "Tak sampai sepuluh ringgit pun Riz, tak pe lah, aku datang beli minggu depan. Kau jangan jual dulu baju ni tau!" pesan Along bersungguh-sungguh. Fariz hanya mengangguk senyum.

Hari semakin lewat. Jarum pendek sudah melangkaui nombor tujuh. Setelah tiba, kelihatan Angah dan Alang sudah berada di dalam rumah. Mereka sedang rancak berbual dengan ibu di ruang tamu. Dia menoleh ke arah mereka seketika kemudian menuju ke dapur. Perutnya terasa lapar sekali kerana sejak pulang dari sekolah petang tadi dia belum makan lagi. Penutup makanan diselak. Syukur masih ada sisa lauk-pauk yang ibu masak tadi bersama sepinggan nasi di atas meja.

Tanpa berlengah dia terus makan sambil ditemani Si Tomei, kucing kesayangan arwah ayahnya. "Baru nak balik waktu ni? Buat hal apa lagi kat luar tu?" Soalan ibu yang bernada sindir itu tiba-tiba membantutkannya daripada menghabiskan sisa makanan di dalam pinggan. "Kenapa tak makan kat luar ja? Tau pulak, bila lapar nak balik rumah" Leter ibu lagi. Along hanya diam. Dia terus berusaha mengukir senyum dan membuat muka selambar seperti tidak ada apa-apa yang berlaku. Tiba-tiba Angah dan Alang menghampirinya di meja makan. Mereka berdiri di sisi ibu yang masih memandang ke arahnya seperti tidak berpuas hati.

"Along ni teruk tau. Suka buat ibu susah hati. Kerana Along, ibu kena marah dengan pengetua tu" Marah Angah, adik perempuannya yang sedang belajar di MRSM. Along mendiamkan diri. Diikutkan hati, mahu saja dia menjawab kata-kata adiknya itu tetapi melihat kelibat ibu yang masih di situ, dia mengambil jalan untuk membisu sahaja. "Along! Kalau tak suka belajar, berhenti je la. Buat je kerja lain yang berfaedah daripada menghabiskan duit ibu”" Sampuk Alang, adik lelakinya yang menuntut di sekolah berasrama penuh.

Kali ini kesabarannya benar-benar tercabar. Hatinya semakin terluka melihat sikap mereka semua. Dia tahu, pasti ibu mengadu pada mereka. Along mengangkat mukanya memandang wajah ibu. Wajah tua si ibu masam mencuka. Along tidak tahan lagi. Dia segera mencuci tangan dan meluru ke biliknya. Perasaannya jadi kacau. Fikirannya bercelaru.. Hatinya pula jadi tidak keruan memikirkan kata-kata mereka. Along sedar, kalau dia menjawab, pasti ibu akan semakin membencinya.

Along nekad, esok pagi-pagi, dia akan tinggalkan rumah. Dia akan mencari kerja di Bandar B. Kebetulan cuti sekolah selama seminggu bermula esok. Seperti yang dinekadkan, pagi itu selesai solat subuh, Along terus bersiap-siap dengan membawa beg sekolah berisi pakaian, Along keluar daripada rumah tanpa ucapan selamat. Dia sekadar menyelitkan nota buat si ibu menyatakan bahawa dia mengikuti program sekolah berkhemah di hutan selama seminggu.

Niatnya sekadar mahu mencari ketenangan selama beberapa hari. Justeru dia terpaksa berbohong agar ibunya tidak bimbang dengan tindakannya itu. Along menunggang motorsikalnya terus ke Pusat Bandar untuk mencari pekerjaan. Nasib menyebelahinya. Tengah hari itu, dia diterima bekerja dengan Abang Joe sebagai pembantu di bengkel membaiki motorsikal. Upahnya lima belas ringgit sehari. Along rasa sangat bersyukur dan gembira. Gembira kerana tidak lama lagi, dia dapat membelikan jubah untuk ibu.

Hari ini hari ke empat Along keluar daripada rumah. Si ibu sedikit gelisah memikirkan apa yang dilakukan Along di luar. Dia juga berasa agak rindu dengan Along. Entah mengapa hati keibuannya agak tersentuh setiap kali memandang bilik Along. Tetapi kerinduan dan kerisauan itu terubat apabila melihat gurau senda anak-anaknya yang lain.

Seperti hari-hari yang sebelumnya, Along bekerja keras membantu Abang Joe di bengkelnya. Sydah lebih 10 hari Along bekerja di situ. Sikap Abang Joe yang baik dan kelakar itu sedikit sebanyak mengubat hatinya yang luka. Abang Joe baik. Dia banyak membantu Along antaranya menumpangkan Along di rumahnya dengan percuma. "Azam, kalau aku tanya kau jangan marah ke?" Soal Abang Joe tiba-tiba sewaktu mereka menikmati nasi bungkus tengah hari itu. "Macam serius jer bunyinya Abang Joe?" Along kehairanan. "Sebenarnya, kau lari dari rumah kan?"

Along tersedak mendengar soalan itu. Nasi yang disuap ke dalam mulutnya tersembur keluar. Matanya juga kemerah-merahan menahan sedakan. Melihat keadaan Along itu, Abang Joe segera menghulurkan air. "Kenapa lari dari rumah? Bergaduh dengan parents?" Tanya Abang Joe lagi cuba menduga. Soalan Abang Joe itu benar-benar membuatkan hati Along sebak. Along mendiamkan diri. Dia terus menyuap nasi ke dalam mulut dan mengunyah perlahan. Dia cuba menundukkan mukanya cuba menahan perasaan sedih.

"Azam, kau ada cita-cita tak ataupun ada impian apa-apa ke?" Abang Joe mengubah topik setelah melihat reaksi Along yang kurang selesa dengan soalannya tadi. "Ada!" Jawab Along pendek. "Kau nak jadi apa satu masa nanti? Jurutera? Doktor? Cikgu? Pemain bola? Mekanik macam aku atau apa?" Along menggeleng-gelengkan kepala. "Semuanya tidak! Cuma satu je, saya nak mati dalam pangkuan ibu saya." Jawab Along disusuli ketawanya. Abang Joe melemparkan tulang ayam ke arah Along yang tidak serius menjawab soalannya itu.

"Ala, gurau ja la Abang Joe… Sebenarnya, saya nak bawa ibu saya ke Mekah dan saya nak jadi anak yang soleh!" Perlahan sahaja suaranya namun masih jelas didengari telinga Abang Joe. Abang Joe tersenyum mendengar jawapannya. Dia bersyukur di dalam hati kerana mengenali seorang anak yang begitu baik. Dia sendiri sudah bertahun-tahun membuka bengkel itu namun belum pernah ada cita-cita mahu menghantar ibu ke Mekah.

Setelah tamat waktu rehat, mereka menyambung kerja masing-masing. Tidak seperti selalu, petang itu Along kelihatan banyak berfikir. Mungkin terkesan dengan soalan Abang Joe sewaktu makan tadi. "Abang Joe, hari ni, saya nak balik rumah …terima kasih banyak kerana jaga saya beberapa hari ni" Ucap Along sewaktu selesai menutup pintu bengkel. Abang Joe yang sedang mencuci tangannya hanya mengangguk. Hatinya gembira kerana akhirnya anak muda itu mahu pulang ke pangkuan keluarga.

Sebelum berlalu, Along memeluk lelaki bertubuh sasa itu. Ini menyebabkan Abang Joe terasa agak sebak. "Abang Joe, jaga diri baik-baik. Barang-barang yang saya tinggal kat rumah Abang Joe tu, saya hadiahkan untuk Abang Joe" Kata Along lagi. "Tapi, kau kan boleh datang bila-bila yang kau suka ke rumah aku!?" soal Abang Joe. Dia risau kalau-kalau Along menyalah-anggap tentang soalannya tadi.

Along hanya senyum memandangnya. "Tak apa, saya bagi kat Abang Joe. Abang Joe, terima kasih banyak ye! Saya rasa tak mampu nak balas budi baik abang. Tapi, saya doakan perniagaan abang ni semakin maju" Balasnya dengan tenang. Sekali lagi Abang Joe memeluknya bagai seorang abang memeluk adiknya yang akan pergi jauh.

Berbekalkan upahnya, Along segera menuju ke butik kakak Fariz untuk membeli jubah yang diidamkannya itu. Setibanya di sana , tanpa berlengah dia terus ke tempat di mana baju itu disangkut. "Hey Azam, mana kau pergi? Hari tu mak kau ada tanya aku pasal kau. Kau lari dari
rumah ke?" Soal Fariz setelah menyedari kedatangan sahabatnya itu. "Along hanya tersengeh menampakkan giginya. "Azam, mak kau marah kau lagi ke? Kenapa kau tak bagitau hal sebenar pasal kes kau tumbuk siMalik tu?" "Tak pe lah, perkara dah berlalu.lagipun, aku tak nak ibu aku terasa hati kalau dia dengar tentang perkara ni”, Terang Along dengan tenang.

"Kau jadi mangsa Azam. Tengok, kalau kau tak bagitau, mak kau ingat kau yang salah”, kata Fariz lagi. "Tak apa lah Riz, aku tak nak ibu aku sedih. Lagipun aku tak kisah, aku sangat sayangkan Ibu aku!" "Azam..kau ni.." "Aku ok, lagipun aku tak mahu menyusahkan lagi ibu aku. Aku tak nak dia sedih dan ingat kisah tu lagi" Jelas Along memotong kata-kata si sahabat yang masih tidak berpuas hati itu.

"Aku nak beli jubah ni Riz. Kau tolong balutkan ek, jangan lupa lekat kad ni sekali, ok!" pinta Along sambil menyerahkan sekeping kad berwarna merah jambu. "No problem, tapi, mana kau dapat duit? Kau kerja ke?" Soal Fariz ingin tahu. "Aku kerja kat bengkel Abang Joe. Jadi pembantu dia” Terang Along. "Abang Joe mana ni?" "Yang buka bengkel motor kat Jalan Selasih sebelah kedai makan pakcik kantin kita tu!" Jelas Along dengan panjang lebar. Fariz mengangguk. "Azam, kau nak bagi hadiah ni kat mak kau bila?"
"Hari ni laâ.." Balas Along.
"Ooo hari lahir ibu kau hari ni ya?"
"Bukan, minggu depan"
"Habis? Kenapa kau tak tunggu minggu depan je?" Soal Fariz lagi.
"Aku rasa hari ni je yang sempat untuk aku bagi hadiah ni. Lagipun, aku harap lepas ni ibu aku tak marah aku lagi" Jawabnya sambil mengukir senyum.

Along keluar daripada kedai. Kelihatan hujan mulai turun. Namun Along tidak sabar menunggu untuk segera menyerahkan hadiah itu untuk ibu. Sambil menunggang, Along membayangkan wajah ibu yang sedang tersenyum menerima hadiahnya itu. Motorsikalnya sudah membelok ke Jalan Nuri II. Tiba di simpang hadapan lorong masuk ke rumahnya, sebuah kereta wira yang dipandu laju cuba mengelak daripada melanggar seekor anjing yang tiba-tiba muncul di depannya. Pemandu kereta itu menekan brek dan mengelak tapi dek jalan yang licin, ia hilang kawalan. terus merempuh Along dari depan yang tidak sempat mengelak.

Akibat perlanggaran yang kuat itu, Along terpelanting ke tengah jalan dan mengalami hentakan yang kuat di kepala dan belakangnya. Topi keledar yang dipakainya mengalami retakan dan tercabut daripada kepalanya. Along membuka matanya perlahan-lahan dan terus mencari hadiah untuk si ibu. Dengan sisa kudrat yang ada, dia cuba mencapai hadiah yang tercampak berhampirannya itu. Dia menggenggam kuat cebisan kain dan kad yang terburai dari kotak itu.

Darah semakin membuak-buak keluar dari hidungnya. Kepalanya juga terasa sangat berat, pandangannya berpinar-pinar dan nafasnya semakin tersekat-sekat. Dalam keparahan itu, Along melihat kelibat orang yang sangat dikenalinya sedang berlari ke arahnya. Serta merta tubuhnya terus dirangkul wanita tersebut. Dia tahu, wanita itu adalah ibunya. Terasa bahagia sekali apabila dahinya dikucup saat itu.

Along gembira. Itu kucupan daripada ibunya. Dia juga dapat mendengar suara Angah, Alang dan Atih memanggil-manggil namanya. Namun tiada suara yang keluar dari kerongkongnya saat itu. Along semakin lemah. Namun, dia kuatkan semangat dan cuba menghulurkan jubah dan kad yang masih di genggamannya itu. "Ha..ha..hadiiiiah uuuntuk iiiiiibu" Itu saja yang termampu diucapnya sambil berusaha mengukir senyuman. Senyuman terakhir buat ibu yang sangat dicintainya. Sebaik habis mengukir senyuman bahagia itu, Along terasa kesakitannya sudah tidak tertahan lagi. Suara ibu, Angah, Alang dan Atih semakin sayup terdengar. Matanya sudah sangat berbinar. Di gagahnya menahan matanya untuk terus menatap wajah ibunya selama yang mungkin.

Along sudah kelihatan hampir tidak sedarkan diri. Si ibu begitu cemas bercampur sebak dan sedih. Kepala dan tubuh Along dipeluknya sambil dicium berkali-kali. Air matanya merembes keluar bagai tidak dapat ditahan lagi. Pandangan Along semakin kelam. Sebelum matanya tertutup rapat, terasa ada air hangat yang menitik ke wajahnya. Akhirnya, Along terkulai dalam pangkuan ibu dan dia pergi untuk selama-lamanya.

Along di bawa ke hospital dan disahkan sudah meninggal dunia. Siibu menangis semahu-mahunya menyesali tindakannya terhadap Along. Dia lebih menurut nafsu dan emosi. Along sudah pergi untuk selama-lamanya. Tangisan dan penyesalan tidak akan mengembalikan Along ke pangkuannya semula. Sebaik pengebumian jenazah Along, si ibu terus duduk di sisi kubur Along bersama Angah, Alang dan Atih. Begitu juga perasaan yang dirasai Angah, Alang dan Atih. Masing-masing berasa pilu dan sedih dengan pemergian seorang abang yang selama ini disisihkan.

Sedang melayani perasaan masing-masing, Fariz tiba-tiba muncul. Dia terus mendekati wanita separuh umur itu lalu mencurahkan segala apa yang dipendamnya selama ini. "Makcik, ampunkan segala kesalahan Azam. Azam tak bersalah langsung dalam kes pergaduhan tu makcik. Sebenarnya, waktu Azam dan saya sibuk menyiapkan lukisan, Malik datang dekat kami.. Dia sengaja cari pasal dengan Azam dengan menumpahkan warna air dekat lukisan Azam. Lepas tu, dia ejek-ejek Azam. Dia cakap Azam anak pembunuh. Bapa Azam seorang pembunuh dan dia jugak cakap, ibunya iaitu mak cik sebagai seorang perempuan gila. Azam pukul Malik sebab tak sanggup mendengar Malik menghina ibu dan ayahnya"

Cerita Fariz dengan nada sebak. Si ibu terkejut mendengarnya. Terbayang di ruang matanya pada ketika dia merotan Along kerana kesalahan menumbuk Malik. "Tapi, kenapa arwah tidak ceritakan pada makcik Fariz? Soalnya dengan sedu sedan. "Sebab..Azam tak mahu makcik sedih dan teringat kembali peristiwa itu. Dia cakap, dia tak nak makcik jatuh sakit lagi, dia tak nak mengambil semua ketenangan yang makcik ada sekarang walaupun dia disalahkan, dia terima. Tapi dia tak sanggup tengok makcik dimasukkan ke hospital sakit jiwa semula" Terang Fariz lagi. Dia berasa puas kerana dapat menyatakan kebenaran bagi pihak sahabatnya itu.

Siibu terdiam mendengar penjelasan Fariz. Lidahnya kelu untuk berkata-kata lagi. Terasa seluruh anggota badannya menjadi Lemah. Berbagai perasaan mencengkam hatinya. Sungguh hatinya terasa sangat pilu dan terharu dengan pengorbanan si anak yang selama ini dianggap anak derhaka.

Dengan lemah, wanita itu mengeluarkan bungkusan yang hampir relai dari beg tangannya. Sekeping kad berwarna merah jambu bertompok darah yang kering dibukanya lalu dibaca. ˜Buat ibu yang sangat dikasihi, ampunkanlah salah silap Along selama ini. Andai Along melukakan hati ibu, Along pinta sejuta kemaafan. Terimalah maaf Along bu..Along janji tak kan membuatkan ibu marah lagi. Ibu, Along sayang ibu selama-lamanya. Selamat hari lahir ibu dan terimalah hadiah ini dari anakmu yang banyak menyusahkanmu....UNTUKMU IBU!"

Kad itu dilipat dan dicium. Air matanya sekali lagi melunjur deras berjurai membasahi pipi. Sekali lagi siibu menangis semahu-mahunya. Segala perasaan sedih, pilu, sayang, menyesal dan marahkan diri bercampur baur di dalam dadanya. Setelah beberapa lama, siibu tenang semula. Di dalam hatinya siibu berkata "Ya Allah!! Aku mohon ampun padamu atas apa yang sahaja kesalahan aku kepada anak ini. Kau saksikanlah Ya Allah bahawa aku meredainya sebagai anak yang soleh.. Engkau tempatkanlah Along anakku ini di dalam syurgaMu yang kekal abadi!"

Mereka terus terkenangkan Along... sedangkan di depan mereka di sebalik alam nyata, berdiri ruh Along memerhatikan Ibunya dan mereka. Along hanya tersenyum melihat keluarganya yang sudah menyaksikan kebenarannya. Along berbahagia menerima kiriman doa yang sangat berharga dari Ibunya..... Ruh Along terus terbang jauh-jauh menuju kesejahteraan dan kebahagiaan yang sebenarnya di alam sana...


Anak Soleh  ツ via Suara Muhajirin