Markus Ng Chung Yau. Born on 6th May, 1985. Returned to the Lord on 4th February, 2009

By Haris Ibrahim

First published in The People's Parliament

The title of this post is in fact a translation of the text of Surah 2 verse 154 of the Holy Qur’an.

Last night, a memorial service was held at the Luther Centre in PJ to enable the many who hold this anak Bangsa Malaysia close to their hearts to come together and remember all that Markus was and is.

Until his death, I knew little of Markus.

As best as I can recall, I had met Markus on five occasions.

Twice, in December, 2008, at the anti-ISA candlelight vigils in PJ,  at a usual weekend gathering that same month at the Wharf, and twice in January, 2009, first at Kugan’s funeral and then at the fellowship organised by the Ahmaddiah community in Gombak.

On all these occasions, Markus and I spoke, albeit briefly.

Too briefly.

I never got to know the man, his thoughts and visions, when he was alive.

The night after Markus passed away, James Nakasone caught up with me at the Wharf. He fished out a little card that Markus had presented to him.

The next day, I wrote this in this blog:

“I knew so little of this young man, but today I know why God brought him into my life, albeit so briefly.

Thank you, Markus, for the reminder”.

In the short time that I spoke at the memorial yesterday, I shared that Markus was my reminder to get the derailed SABM initiative back on track.

I had also written this in another post last year.

“Friday night last, I attended the wake service.

Testimony after testimony from people whose lives Markus had touched left me completely in awe of this young man who had packed more selfless love for others in his short life than many of us will do if God gave each of us ten lifetimes”.

Last night, the testimonies were few.

There was a short video clip paying tribute to the life of this beautiful young man.

And a book, containing a little brief on Markus’s life, a sharing by his parents of the Markus they knew, and, most importantly, for me, at least, a selection of Markus’s personal writings, was launched last night.

I am grateful  for this book as it offers an insight into the thoughts and feelings, the frustrations and aspirations that went into making Markus the man that he was; the exemplar that he now is for so many of us.

I want to just quote from a few of his selected writings that, for me, reveal much wisdom, love and compassion.

At page 38:

“The problem with us nowadays is that so many of us live behind a mask. Who we are is merely a projection of who we want others to perceive us to be. And for many, it’s become so very much a part of our lives that it has become exactly that : us”.

Page 57:

“So many (rightly) point out where Malaysia is lacking, and condemn the government for not doing enough to improve the situation, yet so few  ever think about what they can do themselves to help our country progress”.

Page 58 :

“…so many people are latent racists. It’s disheartening. I wish i knew a way how to tell them without hurting their feelings. We all need to unlearn these prejudices we’ve been socialised into”.

Page 59 :

“Like most Chinese, I pray for blessings and prosperity for myself, my family, and my friends. Recently, though, I find myself praying for the country and the marginalised. This may sound rather silly, but if God exists, and answers prayers based on the number of requests he gets, we really should be praying more for those in greatest need of his help”.

Page 61 :

“Justice needs to be our guiding principle. Come general elections in March, we will have a vote. My hope is that we Malaysians will not choose a government that will cater only to our individual self-interests, but a government and leadership that will fight any injustice, uphold the law, and serve the people, irregardless of our ethnic and economic background”.

A Shooting Star is being sold at RM20. I have asked for details as to where it may be obtained. The soonest I am in receipt of those details, I will create a “A shooting star” page in the sidebar of this blog. I will also try to arrange for copies to be stocked for sale at the Rumah Anak Bangsa Malaysia (03-20950435) and to take copies on our roadshows to make the same accessible to as many of you as possible.

I urge each of you to get a copy.

Yes, Markus was my reminder to get the Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia initiative up and running.

But he is more.

Markus lives in our midst by the  legacy he left behind of a dream and a vision of a nation built on the precepts of justice and equality, where no child might be made to feel unloved, or lesser than the next.

Markus had a dream to make this world a better place.

Markus has left us to pick up where he left off.

Markus’s blog is still accessible at http://liltots.wordpress.com

May his spirit continue to inspire the many lives that he touched.

The video tribute below was not that which was shown at the memorial last night.