Returning to my Roots

 

Gawai 2008 would be a memorable one for me. Why? Around the season, I managed to throw away the “wall flower” mentality and behaviour during these gatherings. Helping out where I can as ‘co-host’ and relative was fun. More importantly, despite how much I would like to deny it - I’m getting to know more family members closer and getting in touch with my Iban roots. I guess the realisation comes after taking my heritage for granted for all so long.

Miring, or offerings/sacrifices, are usually made and prepared for important functions and celebrations by the Iban community. You can be certain that some sort of miring will be done before the Gawai Dayak, or the Dayak New Year cum Harvest Festival. This ceremony varies in degree of elaboration - the more grand the festivities are organised, the more elaborate and bigger the miring may be. The size of the household or longhouse, too, comes to play. The traditional purpose of the miring is to offer sacrifices and offerings to the Gods and souls of past. Back then, appeasing the various Gods and spirits as well as the departed was necessary to ensure the undertaking flow smoothly. This practice, however, began to loose out on the modern Ibans.

This Gawai, I had the opportunity to learn a bit of the ceremony on two occassions: once in Betong followed by in Kuching. The number and size of offerings differ based on the factors I wrote before engaging in theological debate. When I say size, it means the number of offering per plate. What do I mean by number of offering per plate? It’s indicated by the portion on one plate. The portion comes odd numbers of three, five, seven or nine. Three being the smallest and nine being the greatest. Whether it’s three, five, seven or nine, you need to know what the offerings was intended for and why. The preparations and conditions for each size differ as well. So far, I have tried my hands on the piring 5, or offerings of 5. The number of the offerings, on the other hand, depends on the size of the household or longshouse and the venue. Geographical and historical factors also comes into the picture here. The Dewan Tan Sri Datuk Amar Stephen Kalong Ningkan, or Stephen Kalong Ningkan Hall, in Betong as an example is located in the Tanah Antu Gerasi or the Giant Spirit’s Land. Thus at least one should be made for this spirit.

Preparing the Miring

On May 16 and 30, in Betong where I witness the preparation and in Kuching where I tried it out myself, there were similarities. The preparation was led by an elder or a manang (Iban Shaman) and participated by some people on a mat. A rooster was nearby. The participants of the ceremony sat around the ‘ingredients’ of the miring. This ‘reciepe of success’ (as I’d call it) are:

 

• Sirih leaves;
• Sliced Pinang beetle nut;
• Kapu or chalk;
• Pengenan or Mexican-hat shaped bun;
• Pulut Mirah or Red rice dumpling;
• Pulut Bura or White rice dumpling;
• Pulut Chelum or Black rice dumpling;
• Pulut Kuning or Yellow rice dupling;
• Asi Tuci or plain rice;
• Beras kuning or yellow uncooked rice;
• Ketupat or rice cooked in coconut leaves;
• Hard-boiled egg;
• Cooking oil;
• Salt;
• Sagun or caramel flour;
• Letup or rice a la popcorn.

On the plate, five slices of pinang preceed all the ingredients. This is followed by five torn sirih leaves with chalk spread over them. Then, tobacco and five rolls of cigerette leaves as I’d like to call it were added before five portions of each pulut were added to the offering. Before five slices of bananas, you add plain  rice and half a ketupat. You continue with five slices of hard boiled egg - with the yellow. An uncle joked, “add the yellow, the spirits aren’t afraid of cholesterol”. One spoonful of salt, sagun and some cooking oil were added before we sprinkled some letup. To top it all off were some yellow uncooked rice. Worth mentioning that the yellow rices and uncooked rice were white before kunyit or turmeric were used to colour them. And voila, c’est receipe de le miring!

Before the ingredients were kept on the plate, the elder waived the rooster over the ingredients seven times before chanting the prayer, or called miaw in Iban. Sounds like a cat’s purr? Thought so initially. After the number of offerings were done, the elder then waved the rooster over the final products again. The ceremony indoors was led by my uncle, as shown in the picture below. In the picture, was taken by yours truly before we prepared the offerings.

 

And there you have it: the miring ceremony of the Sea Dayaks.

Unity Through Diversity

In this month of May, the number one historical event which shaped Malaysian history happened in 13 May 1969. Racial tensions were so high in West Malaysia, among the Malays, Chinese and Indians, that on that day, innocent and pure blood were shed. A Proclamation of Emergency was pronunced, and is still in effect to today. Instead of being governed by the Cabinet held accountable by an elected Parliament, Malaysia was placed under the administration of the National Action Council under the late Tun Abdul Razak. This Council adviced the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong on the promulgation of Emergency Ordinances and other functions thrusted upon the Crown by Articles 149 and 150 of the Federal Constitution. In fact, these two Articles continue to cast their shadow today. Just so you know, the Proclamation of Emergency can only be revoked by either Parliament or the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong (see Johnson Tan). It cannot end for lapse of time, the Supreme Court then ruled. As off today, the earlier emergencies were never revoked.

In the wake of Malaysia’s river of blood, the National Action Council sought to identify the causes of the tensions and came up with several solutions. The solutions were, namely, the National Pillars (Rukun Negara) and the New Economic Policy (Dasar Ekonomi Baru/DEB) among others. It seems that in today’s political scenario, the Rukun Negara is the least favourite.

What were the causes of the racial tensions? Should we re-examine history and current affairs, nationally and globally, why do racial tensions happen? First and foremost, the reason which stares in our faces is the high level of ignorance we have towards another group. The next reason is the refusal or ignorance to accept a national identity, what is common to Malaysians in our context. Let’s not forget the class-competition and distribution of wealth.

Some ‘experts’ and groups claim and cry that racial tensions are caused because of the “younger generation’s ingrateful behaviour towards contributions of past leaders and for being carried away by progress”. I’m no expert, but I say that the religious and racial tensions are caused by the people who see evil and corruption everywhere but within. Some Malaysians still have the 1957 mentality - good God, it’s not even the 1963 mentality! - and continue to sow the seeds of hatred among the young. Instead of finding and applying new formula which would ensure continuity of this country, this class of society prefers to hold to the 1957 idea that “we own this land, you ought to be grateful we gave you citizenship”.

As we continue to move forward, Malaysia cannot afford to stand on the shoulders of any one race. In fact, since 1957, no race can claim exclusively that they are the reason Malaysia is where she is now: not the Malays neither the Chinese, not the natives of East Malaysia or the ‘immigrants’. 51 years on for Malaya and 45 years on for Malaysia, we are where we are because of our cooperation. Times have changed, being in the past means walking in the reverse.

As for government initiatives, I urge the Government to take measures which would bring all of us forward, not the “one step forward, two steps back” approach we see today. To the media, be more responsible and ethical in presenting news. Keep your opinions in the “Opinions” section, not the ‘News’ section. Politicians, you adapt to today’s silent majority and behave - otherwise say bye-bye to your seats. As a part of Generation Y, I’m offended by the term Pakatan Tsunami. The changes seen in March 8 wasn’t caused by any parties: it was caused by the new generation who are fed-up and tired of nonsesical and historical rhetorics and tactics.

As I conclude this entry, let us remember that the Rukun Negara was formulate for Malaysians. Not for PAS or Semangat 49 or UMNO or just for one exclusive segment of society. Kepercayaan kepada Tuhan, Kesetiaan kepada Raja dan Negara, Keluhuran Perlembagaan, Kedaulatan Undang-Undang and Kesopanan dan Kesusilaan should be in every Malaysian’s soul and mind - irrespective of age, gender, race, religion and creed.

Back in Betong

Holiday began for me on the May 4, 2008 with the conclusion of our last Final Exams paper. This time it was Cyber Law. Less than 24 hours later, I had to catch a flight to Miri. Now I am back in Betong, Sarawak <Wiki Link>. ‘Back’ because I spend 3 years of my life here. Studied in SMK Datuk Patinggi Kedit from mid-2000 to early 2002.

I finally got my hands on the papers today: The Borneo Post. Not my usual New Straits Times; when in Sarawak, read what the Sarawakians read, right? Two articles prompted me to finally write an entry.

Sarawak could protect Greece just as well as Greece could protect Sarawak

The first article was about SCORE (which stands for the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy). In conjunction with the sitting of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly, SCORE have been raised by the Hon. Members of the Assembly. Needless to say, there’s a lot of coverage on this ‘corridor’. The title of one article is: Czech Republic shows interests to invest in SCORE (p. 4, Borneo Post, May 13, 2008).

I doubt there was any coverage of the event in the mainstream ‘Malaysian media’. Usually that refers to mainstream West Malaysian media. As far as many are concerned, the Borneo Post, Eastern Times, Borneo Bulletin, Utusan Borneo and the BM equivalent are tabloids. Sad, isn’t it.

Anyway, I’m a skeptic when it comes to the 5 corridors. I believe I wrote something about it some time back. The gist to that would be: it took us 10 years to understand the first corridor, last year and early this year we see 5 more. That opinion was from the last edition Financial Times in 2007. Also, the costs incurred are absurd.

But the interests of the Czech Republic, among others, could signal something positive. Hopefully positive enough to convince our skeptics. I pray that this would not be a repeat of 1800s Greece-Sarawak relations.

Urm… I’m seeing a blur in your face. Sarawak had a diplomatic relationship with Greece in 1800s? Lest you forget, despite the citizenship of H.H. Rajah Brooke being British, the country he ruled over was a sovereign one. We had relations with the United States even. It’s at page 101 of Joan Rawlins’ Sarawak 1839 - 1963. The book was published in 1965 by Macmillan & Co Ltd. in London. The text per verbatim:-

James Brooke was still worried because no great nation was prepared to offer its protection to Sarawak. When the British Government showed no interest, he considered other European governments: France, Belgium, even Holland, whose colonial policies he greatly disliked. Miss Burdett Coutts [Baroness Angela Burdett Coutts] suggested Greece, but the Rajah replied that Sarawak could protect Greece just as well as Greece could protect Sarawak.

At page 14 of the same daily, the headline of one article goes S’wak targets 20,000 entrepreneurs by 2010. Dato Sri Awang Tengah Ali Hassan, the Minister of Public Utilities, made the statement in his winding up speech at the Assembly meeting.

Here’s where I now spin the two articles into one fine opinion of mine:

SCORE is a noble idea intended to bring development to the region it covers. I’m certain jobs and opportunities would be created. As the former Secretary of State for Trade and Industry at Politics UK <Politics UK link>, this was a strategy I intended to adopt to tackle the in-game 1980s recession. Creating more and more opportunities by creating and providing infrastructure for prospective and current Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (SMEs). Programmes and agencies were created to help achieve the figure by the State Government and I respect that. In fact, I support it. The Government of Sarawak spent RM243 million in the past to years for local entrepreneurs. Sadly, the Government, too, has limited funds. That’s where the Czech Republic, foreign and local investors, come into the picture; they supplement the available resources. Ultimately, whether SCORE can succeed and the 20,000 be met, the efforts, will, preparation and determination of the locals are what makes it so. Do not wait until it is too late. Opportunity stares us in the face, it’s a matter of whether you can identify it or not.

UiTM & the Blogging World

The second article which inspired this entry is at p. 22 of today’s Borneo Post. UiTM willing to offer course on blog writing.

With respect to my varsity, the idea is now obsolete. Sadly, while blogs have been in existence since the mid-90s <Link>, it was only taken seriously after March 8, 2008. Prior to that date, bloggers were considered “unpatriotic gobloks [translation: idiots]” by the Government of Malaysia. The position was expressed by the then Minister of Information, Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin, in Parliament. Just so you know, a stand of a Government Minister is the stand of that Government. It’s called collective responsibility, especially if the Minister has the portfolio over the subject matter.

Blogs and bloggers in Malaysia came into the spotlight as the cause of the loss of the Barisan Nasional in West Malaysia. In light of that, the blogosphere became the “in-thing” among Malaysian politicians. Dato’ Seri Dr. Khir Toyo <blog link>, Leader of the Opposition in the Selangor State Legislative Assembly and former Menteri Besar (chief minister), and his MB predecessor and current Minister of Rural Development, Datuk Muhammad Muhammad Taib <blog link> both have one.

Talk about U-turns. *Cringes* If I were to do that in Politics UK, I could kiss my portfolio and constituency goodbye.

Anyway, the idea for a course on blogs is obsolete because of the available resources online. You do not need to pay hundreds of ringgit for free updated information. There are two books on the market written in Malay for blogs. Refer to my entry on Materials for Writing Career. If those were basic, imagine reality. Here, I do not oppose the move of my university, but I believe that we have other issues to address.

My learned Vice Chancellor, Datuk Seri Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Abu Shah, said that there were some rules and guidelines to be observed. Ethics, primarily. The report ended with Datuk Seri saying:

Isn’t there any other media which can provide a balance to the situation. Do we have to be trapped and allow ourselves to become victims of cyber media without check and balance on ourselves, family and the society.

It’s here I think the cyber colony can be regulated. If the blog is used, then it is also through the blog that we can merge the traditional and new media.

Aldric’s comments: This was quoted verbatim from the report - including the punctuation marks. Good God, there are many errors!

As an undergraduate who took cyber law as a subject at Universiti Teknologi MARA Malaysia, I must dissent with the opinion. It is nearly impossible to regulate the blogs. My learned Vice Chancellor may have had his reasons not reported. It would be enlightening to see his reasoning. Cyberspace is no where near the real world. You can say that it is a totally new dimension. You can regulate what is in Malaysia, but not what is outside; well, not as easily that is.

A course on blogging is not viable because of the rapid change the blogosphere sees every second. Remember that the Chief Executive of the University talks on ‘writing blogs’. Sadly, there are many forms of blogs besides writing. Blogs can be ‘written’ by publishing artworks, videos and recordings. As technology continue to develop, the evolution continues.

In Memory of May 13

Today in 1969, Malaysia went through the worst racial conflict she has seen since time immemorial. What was in the past should not be forgotten. Instead, it should be made into a lesson. As the trend continues, it is not impossible to see a repeat of history.

In memory of May 13, here’s the Rukun Negara which was drawn up to address the problems we faced. Memorise it, understand it, appreciate it and apply it:

• Kepercayaan kepada Tuhan
• Kesetiaan kepada Raja dan Negara
• Keluhuran Perlembagaan
• Kedaulatan Undang-Undang
• Kesopanan dan Kesusilaan

Happy ANZAC Day!

A Tribute to Aussie and Kiwi Servicemen who fought with their lives in wars across the world - including the liberation of Borneo from Japanese Occupation in WWII.

Happy ANZAC Day!

Here’s a video which, as my friend says, quite relevant:

When the tide changes…

 

“Before, the Europeans were seen an invincible. They were so powerful, so superior and so intelligent. In fact, they promised us that as long as there were stars, the sun and the moon in the sky, they would be in Malaysia. But they lost the battle here to Japan, which shook our beliefs. The Europeans, we thought, would be defeated after all.”

- Dr. Mahathir Mohamad

As an Asian, I find that we have the tendency to not only admire, but also worship, those who are – supposedly – far more superior to us. At a more local level, I find that certain quarters not only expect but also demand that respect be given to them. Ironically, they got fear. Fear which does not equate to respect. Fear which would one day turn the tide against them. But does this mean we should not respect anymore? I cannot agree to that at all. I believe that your respect must be earned, not expected. Sadly many fail to grasp this despite preaching the same. But times are changing

MAHATHIR MOHAMAD - Achieving True Globalisation

Can you imagine conducting a 10-hour interview with one of Malaysia’s most prominent personality? Well, that’s what Dr. Kohei Hashimoto did in order to compose this wonderful tome. I’m still in the process of reading it - at page 113 of 152 that is. Rather insightful. Many issues addressed and discussed by the former premier.

The book covers many issues,from leadership to development. From the 1997 Economic Crisis to EAEG and Education. Suffice to say that this book delves into the mind of Dr. M.

I’m not sure how much it costs on the Malaysian market, but according to the website, it is US$59.00. The copy I’m reading I borrowed from the Second Tun Abdul Razak Libarary (PTAR).

I rank the book four on a scale of five.

So what are you waiting for? Get a hold of this book! Borrow or purchase. It’s a must read.

p.s. : You should also figure out, I’m a Mahathirist/Mahathirite. 

You Must Always BE Relevant.

If you’ve read Sen. Omar Faudzar’s comment to the New Straits Times, you would know what I am talking about. The topic of this article is: Veteran Umno leader urges drastic changes in party to remain relevant. His message should be heeded not only by UMNO but by everyone in Malaysia. For once, let us move away from political discussions and focus on the survival of the fittest in the globalised and fast-moving world.

For those of you who are still debating whether globalisation is good or bad, let me offer this quote for you to consider:

Complaining about globalization is as pointless as trying to turn back the tide. There are, I notice, no such debates in China. They are not worried about potential threats but are busy seizing the opportunities in ways that are transforming their society and ours as well. - Tony Blair “Europe is Falling Behind”,  Newsweek Special Edition December 05-February 06, p. 22.

The question now, are you seizing the opportunities that are coming your way? Or are you running away from the real issues?

Many are lamenting over the death of the New Economic Policy. With due respect, I believe that it stopped in 1991. After all these years, have you not learn from the policies of Mahathir? How he showed to us and to the world that we are able to stand on our two feet? Why do you need the luxury of an electronic and automated wheelchair with two nurses when you are able bodied? Think about it: how have the New Economic Policy helped you?

The talks of special privileges of the Malays and natives of Sarawak and Sabah are worrying. I like to remind my friends in UiTM, Malacca rose without the help of special privileges. Parameswara, Tun Perak, Sultan Alauddin Riayat Shah did not need Article 153. Yet they brought the Malacca sultanate to greater heights. What was once a small fishing village led by a Sumatran prince being hunted by the Siamese and Majahpahit Empires became a regional powerhouse. China and Inda traded with Malacca, remember? So did the Arabs. The fall of Malacca was not due to technological advancement of the Portuguese. To me, that assumption is crap. Why did Malacca fall? Remember who was the Bendahara after Tun Perak? Remember who opposed the new Bendahara and why? The local nobles and aristocrats opposed Sultan Mahmud’s decision to appoint Tun Mutakhir. Why? Because he was India Muslim - not Malay. That’s why Malacca fell, not because of the absence of Article 153.

Not convinced? Let’s take the spread of British influence into Perak. Remember your Form 2 History?How did Perak fell? Was it because the British Empire’s army? Come to think about it, in the 19th Century, the British Empire became the largest empire in the world! Are you saying Britannia, who has this large armada and empire, is incapable of taking over Perak by war? Again, how did the British came into the picture? Civil unrest. The Ghee Hin and the Hai San were fighting for dominance of tin mining. But that alone is insufficient. What was the key ingredient? Does Raja Yusuf, Sultan Jaafar Mua’azzam Shah, Raja Ali and Raja Ismail ring any bell? What was the coveted prize? The throne of Perak. I don’t think the British Empire just came in uninvited. Some from the inside opened the door.

Get the message yet?

In today’s world, we have something known as knowledge-based economy. The problem with this ever-growing  economy is that knowledge must be relearned every 2nd year. What you learn today will be obsolete in two years time, contend Robert T. Kiyosaki. Before March 8th, 2008, we all thought the Barisan Nasional would retain 2/3 majority. Is that premise true now? The good news is with the Information Revolution, acquisition and dissemination of knowledge is free and fast.

For those who are studying and son graduating, remember: in the past, your competition were fellow graduates. Today, many jobs cease to exist and are being replaced by technology. As good as it is, another global wave of enormous magnitude is the tide of technology. Can you harness the power of technology? Or are you swimming against it?

As a nation, we are facing a global tsunami. As time pass, it’s coming closer to our shores. What are we going to do about this? How will we rid/face this?

New Category: Appreciating History

History have always fascinated me. The way it repeat itself over and over again under one’s nose. As a Malaysian and a Law Student, hearing the words “don’t you know your history?” is so common. Cliche, in fact, especially when it comes to ethnic relations and all. As I said, I am a student of political science and constitutional law. I’m not a conciliator. After all, I can be a philosopher who tinkers with ideas.