KUALA TERENGGANU: Muhammad Syukur Khamis who is also known as Malaysia's very own "Mowgli” will be spending more time hitting the books instead of rolling around in the mud caring for his beloved buffaloes.
This, as he prepares to take the Form Three Assessment (PT3) examination later this year.
The 15-year-old SMK Padang Midin student who made headlines after appearing in picturesque shots illustrating his uncanny bond with livestock buffaloes would be limiting the time spent at his father’s farm in Kampung Kubang Bujuk, here.
When met at the farm, Syukur said taking care of 115 buffaloes daily was time-consuming.
“My task is to feed the buffaloes and make sure that they are all back in the pen. I will be taking PT3 this year and that is why I am limiting my time with the buffaloes, from now on, only in the afternoons.
“The Sultan of Terengganu Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin advised me to focus on my studies during our meeting on Mar 24 last year.”
About the buffaloes, Syukur said his father, Khamis Jusoh, 64, owned two unique buffaloes, “Baba” and “Senik” that had become the farm’s mascots.
The two buffaloes often attracted visitors as their horns curved downwards unlike other buffaloes.
Another buffalo listed as Syukur’s favourite is named “Samek”.
“Such shapes are rare, about one in 2,000. Baba is now eight-years-old and Senik, five. These two are our favourites, apart from Samek, which appeared in a drama titled ‘Budok Kuba’.
“But Baba and Senik are not as friendly as Samek,” Syukur said.
Khamis said while he was elated about his children’s passion in livestock breeding, their studies should not be neglected.
“If Syukur is interested in becoming a livestock breeder, I will encourage him but with the condition that he needs to also excel in his studies.”