KUALA LUMPUR: It’s not the ketupat, rendang or lemang that he craves for during Hari Raya.

       The one thing that 36-year-old Bob, a resident of the Narcotic Addiction Rehabilitation Centre (Puspen) in Dengkil near here, misses most is the fried rice made by his former wife.

       “Although we just got divorced a month ago, our relationship is still good.

       “I love her cooking. Her fried rice is tastier than my mother’s.

       “Even though it is a simple dish, I love to have it daily, including during Aidilfitri,” he said.

       It was his all-time favourite dish, he told Bernama.

       The last time Bob (not his real name) tasted the dish was before he was arrested by the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) on the seventh day of Hari Raya last year.

       His drug habit started when he was just 17.

       Having stayed at the centre for 11 months, Bob also expressed his desire to see his two daughters, aged six and seven, again.

       “Last year, I was still able to fulfil their requests but things are so different this year, and I haven’t had the opportunity to meet them.

       “Moreover, I decided not to tell them the real situation. Let them think that I had to go far away to work,” said Bob, who used to be a technician.

       Bob, who is from Pasir Mas, Kelantan, also regrets his past actions.

       He said Puspen had taught him to become a strong person and to always strive to be more religious.

       “I plan to go back to my hometown and spend time with my parents after my release.

       “It has been almost four years since I went back to my hometown.

       “My mother is the closest person to me and my main supporter, and she always hoped that I would turn over a new leaf,” he added.

       Voicing the same sentiment, 50-year-old Kak Ida (not her real name) expressed her hope to meet and spend time with all her family members, including her four children.

       She recalled the times when she and her family celebrated Hari Raya, wearing matching traditional outfits.

       “I miss being together and making jam tarts with them. Even though I do cookies with other residents, the feeling isn’t the same when it comes to family,” Kak Ida said.

       She added that she had voluntarily entered rehabilitation under AADK last year as she was determined to change her life.

       She considered herself lucky that her family still accepts her despite knowing that she had spent 30 years abusing drugs.

       “I used to stay away from my family, especially my children, because I was ashamed of my neglected state.

       “However, they took the effort to locate and persuaded me to come home.

       “That’s why I’m here seeking treatment as I want to change my life,” she added.

       Another resident, who wished to be known only as Aman, 27, admitted that he missed his family and hoped that he could ask his mother to forgive him this Hari Raya.

       He spoke of how he had vented his anger on his mother in the past.

       “I lost my temper easily when I was reprimanded,” he recounted.

       Till today, Aman has not had the opportunity to meet his mother since he was caught by the authorities and brought to Puspen 11 months ago.

       “I miss my mother and would like to seek forgiveness from her. I also miss her cooking, especially her rendang,” he said, adding that he was grateful to have been sent to Puspen for rehabilitation.