Thursday, January 8, 2009

The world is short of one great joker


Pic courtesy of Rizal Hashim


I'll never forget those times when I would be teased and tormented by Johari Syawal to the point where I'd lift him up and threaten him with a powerslam if he didn't apologise. The featherweight Jo would be laughing all the way, crying out:"Eh! Apa ni? Kau jangan nak rogol aku pulak!" Of course I would never have the heart to hurt this little clown. But the jokes, both verbal and practical, were never-ending.
Life was never too serious with Jo. Stories were always animated. If you took Jo too seriously, you'd believe he'd have no problem making the Brazilian national football team, beating Taufik Hidayat in the Olympic final, lapping Michael Schumacher around Sepang Circuit, even replacing Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as Prime Minister, and doing it on the golf course where he'd be capable of embarassing the likes of Tiger Woods. He would give you a graphic explanation about how it should be done, complete with hand, body and leg gestures.
He wasn't around the past two years in the sports scene as he'd served his final years as the Utusan Malaysia bureau chief in Kangar.
I never thought much of all those time we gathered and chatted near the front row of the Sepang Circuit media centre at all the races. Not much until an sms from Rizal Hashim, which was to stun me out of bed this morning, informed that those were the last incidents of Johari Syawal poking fun at me.
He passed away aged 40 in Muar this morning due to lung complications. I'm sure we'll all miss this Malaysian original. He was one great joker who brought about laughter just by being there.
Rest in peace Johari Syawal. Al-fatihah.

7 comments:

rizal hashim said...

You are right there, bro. He was one great joker. The best part was he did it without having to make faces. You described him well, it was sad that I was not told of his condition much earlier! Al-Fatihah to a great joker and above all a nice, warm and friendly figure. Rest in Peace, Ronaljo.

Anonymous said...

good piece bro... he was a gem of a fren, ever smiling face and truly said, one great joker with full sincerity...al fatihah

Anonymous said...

a clearer and fun photo of arwah is at utusanlfc.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Didn't really get to know him. Anyway we pray that GOD, ALLAH will bless his soul.

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