1Malaysia Hope
Its funny what a bowl of laksa on Merdeka Day can do for you. I met a bunch of Nadai Nama Nama readers at the shop who asked me why its been pretty quiet in my blog front. I did explain to them that though the blog was silent but a lot of things are happening behind the scene. With the Puasa Month during this holy month of Ramadhan, things are beginning to settle down . I was reminded of last year's post which put this blog in the spotlight when the Malay Mail Cyberspot published its existence in their Merdeka edition. For that I thank you again. For this year, the movements are a bit restrained due to the H1N1 thingy.
But talk about Merdeka, Malaysia Day and 1Malaysia - everyone have their own say and somewhere at the back of my mind, I have my say. Its quite a mouthful really and is very much related to last Gawai. This country we love is experiencing some rough patches here and there as we progress together but it is certainly blessed with the peace and tranquility that one do not find in modern countries known to be technologically advanced. The earth shaking experience and tornadoes that sweep into our shores are normally political in nature - something of our own doing. It is still my strong belief that when Sarawak teamed up with the Federation of Malaya and the Northern Borneo State of Sabah to form Malaysia, we did so with the hope that equity and justice enshrined in our country's Rukun Negara and Malaysian Constitution will propel Sarawak and its people to enjoy the fruits of independence - an equal partner in the name of progress, modernization and nation building. I don't have to go far to find an example of this 'hope'. Come Gawai Dayak in June 2009, the time capsule is revisited as this typical Sarawakian family goes into the Malaysian mode of balik kampung. Yes its to that remote area in Nanga Beguang Song which is yet to be connected by the critical road arteries - quite a contrast to the modern transportation connections one can find in Metropolitan Kuala Lumpur. I believe our Member of Parliament has debated himself hoarse on the need for this infrsatructure to come to our area. But alas it seems to be falling onto deaf ears.
Gawai Celebration in 1Malaysia Spirit
During Gawai Eve there are various activities organised by the longhouse committee. One of them is of course the beauty contest for the kids which I noticed is an example of 1Malaysia being practiced.
Then it was time to go as Gawai ended as fast as it had started. Time flies when one is having fun and we see our David here going onto the motor boat launch from a simple jetty walkway. One he would compare with those modern LRT and Star Railway stations.
Gawai for the family continued in Sibu as we rounded up the fun and family celebrations. At the end of the day Nadai Nama Nama will say that without the peace that our country enjoy now these simple gatherings would not be possible. We do our part in making 1Malaysia spirit alive while there are other quarters who may wish to shred that vision into pieces for their own agenda. Some point fingers at Nadai Nama Nama and say how it can be so complacent when the interiors of Sarawak are still in the backwaters. Being an agent of development in this corner of Sri Aman, I am able to see the importance of keeping that 1Malaysia candle light burning when spreading the idea of development and guide them through its implementation. I discover I can voice my own dissatisfaction with some of the slower delivery on behalf of the people as compared to last time when we as government officers will be disciplined for doing so. Presently the government is all ears to our recommendations. It is a matter of negotiations with the higher powers and it is also how we convey the people's needs. Take away the 'politics', 'self interest' and 'greed' part of it and I believe there is hope yet. 1Malaysia - if its holistic meaning includes developing the country without sacrificing the people's aspirations and conserving the natural environment, then there is hope.
As one unknown author said, "Man can live about forty days without food, about three days without water, about eight minutes without air, but only for one second without hope." We see hope in 1Malaysia, so give it a chance. Cheers.
Comments
Where is my bottle of wine ?