The teacher who hails from Sik, Kedah, has developed a strong love for Sabah, thanks to the unique beauty of the culture and nature in the Land Below the Wind.
For Haikal, more fondly known as “Cikgu Aben”, songs from acclaimed local singers, like Hain Jasli’s “Tupus Ku”, gave him the motivation to delve into and master the Dusun language.
“I actually learned a lot from songs. I always watch (videos of these songs with lyrics on) YouTube and ask for help from my in-laws and village folk at the place I teach,” said Haikal, who is married to Zaimah Tahir, a Chinese-Orang Sungai who hails from Pitas, Sabah.
“Now, I can understand, speak and even sing songs in the language,” the teacher at a primary school in Inanam told FMT.
Four years ago, Haikal was given the chance to sing a Dusun song written by Larry Ben Masawat titled “Ika Noh Tondu”, fulfilling a secret dream he had harboured for a while.
He even went on to record a music video for the song at Bukit Piniapat in Pitas, donning the full traditional Dusun Kimaragang attire, as it captured the stunning sceneries and landscapes that Sabah had to offer.
He was buzzing with excitement but some anxiety also filled his mind as he worried about how Sabahans would react to the video.
“Now I’m satisfied since the music video has recorded nearly two million views on YouTube,” he said, with those worries long lost.
Funnily enough, Haikal had actually never set foot in Sabah until he got engaged to his wife in 2014. Now, he’s a Sepanggar resident who travels nearly 100km daily by motorcyle to teach in SK Ruminding in Inanam.
The daily commute is tough, but Haikal cherishes the long journeys as it lets him enjoy the unblemished greenery on the road there.
“I think SK Ruminding is among the most beautiful schools I’ve ever seen. You get to breathe clean air and there’s a clear river nearby,” he said, adding that he was also won over by the warmth of the village locals.
“I don’t have many pupils, just 16 of them. And I have to teach every subject although I specialise in teaching English as a second language.”
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