MARANG: It is the norm for cattle farmers to have to part with the animals they breed.
For Muhammad Syukur Khamis, dubbed the Malaysian Mowgli, his unique bond with the animals on his father's farm made headlines and captured hearts recently.
The 14-year-old however had to part with his favourite buffalo 'Tongkol' as it was slaughtered for his two brothers' wedding reception this morning.
The five-year-old male buffalo is one of Muhammad Syukur's companion, and had taken the place of his previous favourite buffalo Awang.
Muhammad Syukur had been caring for Tongkol since the animal was a calf and because of the bond they shared, the slaughtering would not be carried out at their home.
Muhammad Syukur's brother Muhamad Alias, 29, said he told their father Khamis Jusoh, 63, not to slaughter Tongkol and to replace it with another buffalo.
"However, because Tongkol has reached a mature age, it has to be slaughtered.
"It is not only Syukur, but our entire family loves Tongkol because it is the most tame of all the buffaloes, and was cared for at home since it was small.
"Tongkol is also very good with Syukur as it replaced Awang, the buffalo that was in the photos of Syukur that went viral on social media recently, and won an award (for the photographer)," he said yesterday.
According to him, the slaughtering would be carried out at the home of their father's friend instead.
"Syukur looked sad the whole day and was not excited to tend to the buffaloes or entertain the guests who have come to see him today (Thursday).
"Throughout this holiday season, many visitors have come by including from Johor, Kedah, Kuala Lumpur, Pahang and Selangor to meet Syukur.
"Until today we are still receiving visitors who want to meet Syukur but because Tongkol will be slaughtered, he doesn't look as cheerful as always."
The wedding reception or 'majlis sambut menantu' as it is called in Malay, is for Muhamad Alias and his brother Muhamad Kamil Khamis, 30.
They expect some 3,000 guests to attend the ceremony.
"After this, there will be another buffalo that will take Tongkol's place because this is the norm for people who are involved in cattle farming.
"When the time comes, the animals will get slaughtered, and another one will take its place," he remarked.