Syed Gulab Shah came to Malaya at the age of 18 years old to join the Johor Military Force. When Sultan Abu Bakar established the modern Sultanate of Johor in 1886, he recruited individuals from the Northwest Frontier Province of British India for his army.

After serving the Sultan of Johor for 10 years, Syed Gulab Shah got married and moved over to Singapore where his wealth and influence rapidly grew.

We were there for close to two hours. Over the course of samosas and cups of chai, we talked about people we knew, and about people from the past, and those who have passed on. And about people who got rich by swindling others of their money.

On the morning of Friday, 15th August 1947, the flag of Pakistan was raised on the grounds of the Istana, at Kampong Glam. A large crowd of Indian Muslims, Pakistanis and people of other ethnicities had gathered in anticipation to celebrate the birth of Pakistan. The ceremony had been timed to coincide with the swearing-in of the Governor-General of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, in Karachi, the capital of the newly formed country. 

Haji Saab would often tell me, “I remember when Pakistan was formed, our elders brought us to the Istana at Kampong Glam. They had requested to the descendants of the Sultan to allow them to raise the flag of Pakistan there.”

I made the arduous 30-minute journey with my mother and brother. I spent a large part of the journey in conversation with my brother, as we both recounted our days in school and National Service. I have fond memories of my time serving the nation. I shared with my brother, as I share with you now, that the formative years of my research actually took place during those two and a half years.

In what was a first in months, I had the privilege of spending close to three hours in the company of Aunty Midah and her husband Uncle Mahmud last Friday after prayers. Lunch unfolded in the cozy confines of their home, served on the square dining table which has been witness to our conversations, interviews, countless cups of tea and how I have since been regarded as family since my first visit eight years ago.

As the sky darkened outside, and the rain poured unabating, I lingered, cherishing the moments that I shared with this remarkable couple.