Duduk di sini bernyanyi-nyanyian
Padang terkukur jadi kayangan
A certain elderly, distinguished lady once shared the above two-lined elegant stanza with me. She spoke of a Haji Hamilton who translated the Rubaiyat Omar Khayyam into Bahasa Melayu.
How beautifully it describes the paradox that is Malaysia.
No matter the difficulties we face, growing pains we endure, the socio-landscape we choose for ourselves, our ties that bind will help us emerge as a country diverse and strong, united and complex, ancient and new at the same time.
Merdeka will be here soon. Flags are waving in the neighbourhood - and pretty much around the country. In the kampong and the city alike, I feel a nostalgia and poignancy that is inescapable this year. Perhaps there has been too much hurt. Too much pain. Too much distrust.
It is time to heal.
This is what the #SaySomethingNice Campaign is all about. Initiated by Anas Zubedy to promote nation-building, The Tunku’s quote ‘‘Our future depends on how well many different kinds of people can live and work together” is a guide that remains even more relevant and pertinent, achingly so, today.
Our home - which we now call Malaysia, has been in existence millions of years ago when the tectonic plates moved to severe Australia from the continents. A 400-year colonial rule does not obliterate this reality. It is however, part and parcel of our country, as necessary to the story as all other pieces of history.
But there are grander and more marvelous facets to our homeland. Here, we witnessed the birth of the oldest rainforest in the world. Our aquamarine seas and pristine islands are among the most beautiful on the planet and house world famous diving spots.
Malaysia is magic.
More than that, the peninsula saw the movement of people to and fro the Kra Ithmus from the ancient cities Langkasuka to Gangga Nagara to Gellangui. Melaka to Inderapura. Settlements began to fill out at the mouth of major rivers, sea-masters braved the pirate infested seas to seek new territories and bewitched Ptolemy to call it Aurea Chernosese.
At the end of the 16th century after the fall of Melaka, copies of the ancient manuscript Sulalat us-Salatin or Sejarah Melayu began to appear. In addition to the Malay Hikayat, the pantun took centre-stage as the highly stylised Malay literature. In no other form of poetry in the world, the relationship between the metaphor and the reality is so intricately woven.
Malaysia is classic.
In the 19th century, if not earlier, the peninsular was called Tanah Melayu or Malaya. Intrigue was abound during this era, especially in the tin rich land of Perak. A dying and choked empire was the playground of the writers of the day. Of murder. Of mystery. Of love. Celebrated authors Conrad and Kipling, Maugham and Agatha Christie all found inspiration in the irrepressible Malaya.
Malaysia is intrigue.
It suits the purpose of my narration at this point to relate that the then Sultan of Perak, Sultan Abdullah was exiled to Seychelles in 1877. He mastered French, Creole and English. His favourite tune among others included a classic 18th century chanson de Francais - La Rosalie composed by Pierre Jean de Beranger. His daughter, Raja Hadyah used to play this tune on the piano in their home in Seychelles accompanied by her famous brother, Raja Chulan, who was a violinist. It has now been established that this song made its way through the centuries as the origin of our national anthem Negaraku.
Malaysia is so cosmopolitan.
Described as the most Universal of Man, the former Sultan Abdullah travelled extensively to England and certainly, it is not too farfetched to deduce that he visited France. This was in the 1880s. Victor Hugo, himself a political exile during the reign of Napolean III, championed the cause of many and constantly took up cases with the government of Queen Victoria.
Here, I come to the matter of the pantoum. The Larousse Encyclopedique says:
Pantoum ou Pantoun, n, m, (mot malais), Poeme a forme fixe, emprunte par les romantiques aa la poesie malaise - Encycl.. Le antoum fut introduit dans notre poesie par V Hugo (Orientaales) et Th Gautier, et epris par Baudelaire (Harmonie du soir), Banvillee, Leconte de Lisle...
In short, it says that the pantun, a Malay word describing the Malay poetry, was introduced into mainstream french poetry by Victor Hugo and Theophile Gautier. In the 1880s there was a resurge of interest in the pantoum and translations of original Malay pantuns into French.
Sultan Abdullah was a cultivated gentleman who was at ease in London society and spoke French flawlessly. Victor Hugo was the celebrated French poet, playwright, novelist, essayist, visual artist, statesman, human rights activist and exponent of the Romantic movement in France. A fanciful notion of mine imagines Sultan Abdullah and Victor Hugo having a tête-à-tête together with their many friends and associates in a salon, having political and cultural discourses including exchanging pantun at the end of a chilly winter evening.
Such as this...
Les papillons jouent alentour sur leurs ailes;
Ils volent ver la mer, pres de la chaine des rochers
Mon coeur s'est senti malade dans ma poitrine
Depuis mes premiers jours jusqu'a a l'heure presente
Malaysia is romantic.
There is a song that brings a threatening tear when I listen to it. It dredges up a plethora of emotion, of patriotism, of longing, of love for my fellow countrymen and women.
Sungguh gemilang negeriku
Yang ku puja
Oh! Tanah Melayu
Di serata dunia
Harum semerbak
Namamu oh! Malaysia...
It is not strange that I thought of the exiled Sultan today. For, it was his great granddaughter who shared the wonderful stanza above.
Malaysia is simply poetry. Beautiful poetry which brings tears to my eyes, a quiver to my voice, a pang of sadness should we fail to cherish all that is this most blessed of ancient kingdom.
Ninot Aziz
Sun Sep 01 2013
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.
NFOF will be operational in November 2024 with funding of RM1 bil
PM Anwar Ibrahim said NFOF will support venture capital fund managers to invest in startup companies with RM300 million set aside for 2025.
Minimum wage to increase to RM1,700 effective Feb 1, 2025
The Progressive Wage Policy would be fully enforced next year with an allocation of RM200 million, benefiting 50,000 workers.
Bursa Malaysia ends higher on Budget 2025 optimism
The benchmark index, which opened 1.85 points higher at 1,643.29, moved between 1,641.71 and 1,649.31 throughout the trading session.
Five important aspects relating to people’s lives in Budget 2025 - PM
The focus is on driving the MADANI Economy, speeding reforms, cutting red tape, raising wages, and tackling the cost of living.
Economic outlook: Govt plans to leverage, expand existing city transit system
The expansion aims to provide a more efficient and reliable public transportation network, reduce congestion, and improve accessibility.