The sea is calm, but his heart is turbulent with longing for his wife and his four-year-old child. This Syawal marks his first time serving on the ship KM Danga, dedicated to safeguarding the nation’s waters.
“I told my wife that I needed to work. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t sad, but for the country, I am willing to sacrifice,” the 30-year-old told FMT.
For the former engineer, life changed completely after he donned the MMEA uniform three years ago. “At first, I experienced ‘culture shock’, but after working with the ship’s commanding officers who shared their knowledge, my job became more enjoyable.
“I take things one step at a time,” he said, adding that he has grown increasingly comfortable with navigating the seas, despite knowing the risks and threats his job entails.
Commanding officer Muhammad Rasul Abu Bakar Ah has been in service for 15 years, and has grown accustomed to spending Ramadan and Syawal in the middle of the ocean.
Although the 40-year-old appears strict while carrying out his duties, deep down, he feels a sense of longing for his family back home.
“At first, my children woud often get sick, and they would ask, ‘Where’s Babah? When is Babah coming home?’ As they grew older I was able to explain to them that Babah works at sea.”
He believes that, regardless of whether Raya is celebrated at sea or on land, “the spirit of the season depends on us – at the end of the day, we do it for Allah and the country”.
Breaking fast, tarawih prayers
After a full day of monitoring and inspecting dozens of boats and ships in the waters off Selangor, Maghrib arrives, and all 24 crew members of KM Danga gather to break their fast before performing tarawih prayers together.
After the prayers, operational routines continue. At this time, KM Danga sails with all lights turned off, a procedure known as “blackout”, which ensures a clearer and smoother monitoring of the sea.
With only the moonlight illuminating their journey, the ship, helmed by Jamaluddin Abdul Manaf, moves through the night. With 33 years of experience at sea, Jamaluddin, 56, is more than used to being away from home.
As one of the most experienced crew members, he believes Ramadan is not just about abstaining from food and drink, but also about enduring the test of being away from family for the country’s safety.
“This career is different from other public service careers,” said Jamaluddin, who served in the Navy for 14 years before joining the MMEA. “Your heart truly has to be steadfast.” - FMT
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