Indigenous Ethnic Communities of Sabah: The Kadazandusun - Adding On To Their Cultural And Value System

Comment in response to Tan Sri Datuk Herman Luping's talk on the Indigenous Ethnic Communities of Sabah: The Kadazandusun at the Sabah Society's Premises on 15 September 2009

Tan Sri Datuk Herman Luping

What is important here is the Adat or Culture. A name is only a name. A Rose is a Rose by any other name. Actually, it is only a form of identity. However, the heart of the matter is the most crucial.




In this case, it is the Adat or Culture which will determine whether a race will move to higher level of achievement, educationally, commercially, industrially, agriculturally etc.. So far the Kadazan/Dusun/Murut ( KDM ) Culture has been able to cope with the progress of modernity.



I am in agreement with Tan Sri Herman Luping on the role that Culture plays in the life of an individual. It is the motivating force which makes a person achieved his dream or goal.



Values originate from Cultural practices. Similarly Values can be changed to meet the needs of the times. It follows therefore that dynamism is required to make one competitive in this era of globalisation in all aspect of human endeavours.



Just so, this same spirit of ' high self-esteem ',  hardwork, pragmatism, perseverance, knowledge seeking and ' never say die ' must be complementary to the existing KDM Culture and Values. These are mechanisms or means that will propel KDM to the next level of development and achievement.



No doubt, Tun Fuad Stephens, Datuk Peter Mojuntin, Datuk Joseph Pairin Kitingan, Tan Sri Suffian Koroh, Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, Tan Sri Joseph Kurup, Datuk Monggoh Orow including Tan Sri Luping and other KDM leaders have the abovementioned prerequisites of holding firmly and practising the Culture and additional Values of hardwork, pragmatism, perseverance.................



And because of these Values, each one of them have achieved their respective dreams and goals.Therefore these supplementary Values should now be incorporated into the mainstream of KDM Culture. Thus making them  part and parcel of the KDM Cultural and Value System.



It would also be a good idea to record the struggle of all KDM leaders until they attained success in their respective fields. These would then be compiled into a book and become compulsory reading for all KDM parents and children.



In order to instil them with these positive values, thus enabling them to become achievers in this competitive world.

The Difference Between Westerner & Asian - In A Nutshell

Appreciation to my friend Ms. Janet H. for this article



          Asians                          Westerners

Difference between Westerners and Asians -

This is very interesting, just read on.


To group all the different races of Asia as one is to overgeneralize. They are more diverse than the Caucasians, i.e. Indians are different from the Chinese. And the most glaring differences between Asian and Westerner are as listed below:-

(1) Opinion
Westerners: Talk to the point
Asians: Talk around in circle, especially if opinions are different

(2) Way of Life
Westerners: individualism, think of himself or herself
Asians: enjoy gathering with family and friends, solving their problems, and know each other's business.

(3) Punctuality
Westerners: on time.
Asians: in time.

(4) Contacts
Westerners: Contact to related person only.
Asians: Contact everyone everywhere, business very successful.

(5) Anger
Westerners: Show that I am angry.
Asians: I am angry, but still smiling... (Beware!)

(6) Queue when Waiting
Westerners: Queuing in an orderly manner.
Asians: Queuing?! What's that?

(7) Weekend
Westerners: Enjoy weekend relaxing peacefully.
Asians: Enjoy weekend in crowded places, like going to the mall.

(8) Party
Westerners: Only gather with their own group.
Asians: All focus on the one activity hosted by the CEO.

(9) In the restaurant
Westerners: Talk softly and gently in the restaurant.
Asians: Talk and laugh loudly like they own the restaurant.

(10) Travelling
Westerners: Love sightseeing and enjoy the scenery.
Asians: Taking picture is the most important; scenery is just for the background.

(11) Handling of Problems

Westerners: Take any steps to solve the problems.

Asians: Try to avoid conflicts, and if possible, don't leave any trails.

(12) Three meals a day

Westerners: Good meal, once a day is sufficient.

Asians: At least 3 good meals a day.

(13) Transportation

Westerners: Before drove cars, now cycling for environmental protection.

Asians: Before no money and rode a bike, now got money and drive a car

(14) Elderly in day-to-day life
Westerners: When old, there is snoopy ( a dog ) for companionship.

Asians: When old, guarantee will not be lonely, as long as willing to babysit grandkids.

(15) Moods and Weather

Westerners: The logic is: rain is pain.

Asians: More rain, more prosperity

(16) The Boss

Westerners: The boss is part of the team.

Asians: The boss is a fierce god.

(17) What's Trendy

Westerners: Eat healthy Asian cuisine.

Asians: Eat expensive Western cuisine.

(18) The Child

Westerners: The kid is going to be independent and make his/her own living.

Asians:  Slog whole life for the kids, the centre of your life.

 

 

 

 

 

A New Malaysian Identity

Commenting on Azly Rahman's post - " Brave new Malaysian identity emerging? "  in his blog http://azlyrahman-illuminations.blogspot.com/2008/03/162-brave-new-malaysian-identity.html

It is not impossible to achieve this Malaysian identity. The instrument to do so is already in place - One Malaysia/Bangsa Malaysia. It is now up to the Government to make it a reality. It must realise that the crucial issue is Equal Opportunity for every Malaysian irrespective of  race or religious belief. Human being have one important basic need that is the chance to improve their families and their own financial position. And this is also the heartfelt desire of every Malaysian.

Having achieved such a goal will ensure comfortable living. The Government can do this, with the facilities it has, to implement the policy of fairness in getting scholarship/employment in the Civil Service, Armed Forces, Police, Education, Medical, etc. within the Government and in the Commercial, Plantation, Manufacturing and Service Industries of the Private Sector too. And to give senior or top positions within these organisations to the cream or the best individuals who are qualified to hold such posts whether they are Malays, Chinese, Indians, Kadzans/Dusuns, Bajaus, Ibans, Melanaus, etc..

Merit and qualification should be the only yardstick use and not race or religion to determine acceptance. Instead, Malaysians are moving disparately. This is not good for the country, it shows the Goverment have failed.

But  all is not lost, the Government has this opportune time - now! Using the concept of One Malaysia/Bangsa Malaysia, it can once again salvage this Social Tragedy. It must be implemented materially with seriousness, honesty and integrity. Not a halfhearted attempt.  It should be treated as top priority.

The issue is not complex. It is simple that is to  " satisfy the needs of Malaysians whether Malay, Chinese, Indian, Kadazan/Dusun, Bajau, Iban, Melanau, etc. to be given equal opportunity in all fields of enterprise whether in Governmental or Private Sector . "

And that is all that is required to create a genuine United Malaysian Nation - One Malaysia/Bangsa Malaysia. 

Perkasa Still Living in the Stone Age

This comment made below in response to posting made by Khoo Kay Peng in his blog, Straight Talk on Monday 25 January 2010 at http://khookaypeng.blogspot.com/

Portrait of Malaysians

First priority is Bangsa Malaysia if we want to create a stable economy and a united nation.

UMNO and Malay will still be the dominant party and race respectively even if it were to espouse and practise the concept of 1Malaysia/Bangsa Malaysia, based on the racial composition of this country. That is an undeniable fact.

It would greatly improve UMNO's political standing if it would implement policies that would give more opportunities to non-Malays in education, senior and top government posts including the armed forces and so forth.

When these are put into effect, the question of loyalty and patriotism will no longer arise. It is when these issues are not resolved that people start asking,why the double standard? And frustration, anger and disillusionment will creep in.

The best leave this country. It doesn't have to be so. Again as mentioned, these matters can be settled. The goodwill that UMNO can garner by putting these policies into action will certainly be tremendous.

All Malaysians must realise that whatever race they are,they have one great desire, to have opportunities to improve themselves and their families financially or otherwise. These are natural human feelings and tendencies.

UMNO can choose whether to play this positive role in being able to help all Malaysians irrespective of race or to narrow down to just one. The choice is UMNO's.

Islam As It Relates To Modern Life

The comment below is made in response to the interview given by Professor Tariq Ramadan which appeared in the Blog Rantings by MM at http://rantingsbymm.blogspot.com/

Picture of Professor Tariq Ramadan

I agree with what Professor Tariq Ramadan said in his interview above. The doctrine of all religions including Islam has not changed. What changes, are their applications to meet differing conditions and cirmcumstances.

Meaning that methods, techniques and instruments to meet the needs of Muslim at that time cannot be applied now because positions have altered. So a new way have to be found to make the application of the tenets of Islam relevant to modern life from the aspect of functionality and practicality.

This does not mean that the original concept of Islam has changed. Only the approaches.

And he also raises the issue of inter-religious dialogue which will help Muslim to undestand people of other faiths better. Vice versa, it will do the same for the followers of other religions too.

Another important point he raised is the need to respect the various religion in the country as Malaysia is made up of diverse races.

Professor Ramadan has put it clearly that Muslims should not be afraid to ask questions in regard to matters of faith with their religious leaders in order to solve problems on the basis of practicality and not otherwise.