MY friends, what were your reactions when you learnt that Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim recently brought several of his grandchildren to his office at Perdana Putra?
Anwar had, in a recent Facebook post, shared that his grandchildren had been questioning his frequent absence from home as he was often occupied with work and various official engagements.
“My grandchildren often ask why I’m rarely home. They don’t quite understand that serving the nation is no simple task. So I decided to bring them to the office to let them see what I do,” he wrote.
It is not clear exactly how many of his grandchildren followed Anwar to his office. I wonder how many grandchildren does the Prime Minister have. But Anwar’s Facebook posts showed him posing with several boys and girls.
And one thing’s clear – Anwar enjoys very strong and loving ties with his grandchildren. That’s why they miss him when he’s not home.
Maybe Anwar is, like many grandfathers, a good storyteller. And his grandchildren love listening to the stories he tells.
I’m sure Anwar’s grandchildren enjoyed not only the recent visit to his office but also the car ride there. There would be so many things to gawk at on the way to the office.
Again, the ever inquisitive journalist, I wonder whether these grandchildren stay with Anwar in the same house.
I visualise the grandchildren would be politely greeted by Anwar’s staff as soon as they arrived at Perdana Putra recently. The minute they stepped into their grandfather’s grand office, the curious little boys and girls would be eagerly exploring every nook and corner of the room. They would examine closely the pictures on the walls, cabinets and desks and touch everything they saw. While doing these, they would bombard Anwar with countless questions.
In one of Anwar’s Facebook photos, the Prime Minister and his grandchildren are seen enjoying the panoramic view of Masjid Putra and the Putrajaya Lake from his office on the top floor of Bangunan Perdana Putra.
“Wow, what a beautiful view and how high this office is,” the little boys and girls must have exclaimed to one another and to their grandfather.
I’m sure, in his office that day, Anwar would have ordered special meals for his grandchildren to make their visit even more memorable. And what a feast it must have been! After all, loving grandfathers don’t scrimp when it comes to food and drinks for their grandchildren.
The visit of Anwar’s grandchildren to his office reminds me of my regular visits to my father’s workplace when I was in secondary school. That was in Sibu, a town located on the Rajang River. My father worked for the Kheng Chew Association as a general worker.
I could not visit my paternal grandfather in his workplace because he lived on Hainan Island, China, while my maternal grandfather was a farmer in Kanowit, a town further up the Rajang River.
In a quiet office in my father’s workplace, I would do my homework or study for my examinations. My dear father would order special food and drink for me whenever I was there.
Decades ago, when my nephews and niece were still in primary school, I also brought them, one by one on rotation, to the office where I worked. They would do their homework while I tried to complete my own tasks.
When it was time for tea or dinner, I would buy them special food and drinks. Besides ensuring that they studied hard and did their homework, such visits also helped keep the naughtier ones, especially the boys, out of trouble.
My niece, Ah Hong, still remembers these trips to my office even though a lot of water has flowed under the bridge. I guess there’s something special and sentimental about visiting one’s grandfather’s or father’s or aunt’s office/workplace.
As for me, whenever I pass by Kheng Chew Association in Sibu, memories of the times I spent there would come back. Although decades have passed, the sight of the association building never fails to remind me of my dear father who has long departed from this Earth.
The visit of Anwar’s grandchildren to his office reminds us that the Prime Minister has another important role in life – he’s a grandfather who adores his grandchildren. In return, they also love him, too.
Now that Anwar’s grandchildren have paid their first visit to his office, I’m sure it won’t be the last.
If he is not busy at work or travelling to other countries to strengthen bilateral ties, we know now that our Prime Minister is engrossed in creating lasting memories with his grandchildren at home or outdoors.
The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of Sarawak Tribune. The writer can be reached at adelinel888@gmail.com.
