Traditional Malay Palaces in Malaysia

In days of yore, the Malay palace not only functioned as the official residence of the sultans but also played an important role in society as a centre of learning, administration and culture. It was the palace which played patronage to artisans and craftsmen as well as issued orders pertaining to the administration of the state which flowed down the hierarchy of Bendahara, Temenggung and Laxamana.

During feudal times, the Malay rulers invested great effort and pride in the construction of their wooden palaces, which were often sited near river mouths to observe ships coming form the sea. The friezes, wall panels and even windows were embellished with intricate carvings. However, over the years, even the hardest of timbers succumbed to the ravages of flooding and termites. As a result, only less than a dozen wooden places are still standing today.

It is unfortunate that the most beautiful Malay traditional palace in the country -- the Malacca Sultanate Palace --- no longer exists as it was struck by lightning in 1460, one year after Sultan Mahmud Shah ascended the throne. According to the Malay Annals, the Malacca Sultanate Palace had a seven tiered roof of copper and tin, which was supported with pillars adorned with carvings of swallow's wings and shapes of clouds. Today, a replica of the original palace stands at Jalan Kota in Melaka, showcasing multi-layered roofs; it houses the Melaka cultural Museum. On exhibit inside are costumes, weapons, traditional musical instruments, old photographs and a diorama of Malay court life.

Arguably the most unique traditional palace in the country is the Istana Kenangan, which stands atop Bukit Chandan (Chandan Hill) in Kuala Kangsar. It is uniqueness stems from its bamboo walls, which gave it the original name of Istana Tepas ("tepas" means wickerwork). It was built in 1926 during the reign of Sultan Iskandar Shah by Haji Suffian and his sons Zainal Abidin and Ismail from Penang who took a year to complete the building without using any nails or architectural plans. The outstanding characteristic of this palace is the repeated use of the polygonal design. The whole structure of the palace, in fact, consists of several interconnected polygonal buildings, and its end tower supports a polygonal roof. Sixty pillars support this beautiful palace, which is a testimony to the artistry and skills of the Malay craftsmen. Today, Istana Kenangan functions as the Royal Museum, which brings back evocative memories of the past lifestyle of the Perak royalty with its displays of medals, old photographs and artefacts.

Moving south of Negeri Sembilan brings us to historical Malay palaces that feature buffalo-horn roofs, which are a result of its historical tie with the Minangkabau of Sumatra. In the State Cultural Complex in Seremabm, there is a small but interesting palace named Istana Hinggap. Originally sited in Ampung Ampang Tinggi in Kuala Pilah, it was built in 1865 by the Yamtuan Ulin ibni Almarhum Yamtuan Hitam to serve as a temporary place of sojourn during his travel throughout the State. Also known as Istana Ampang Tinggi, it is a now a showcase of Minangkabau culture with its weapons, brassware, silverware and costumes. The interior of its veranda and its door panels are profuse with intricate carvings in the finest arabesque tradition.

Of more recent construction is the Istana Lama in the Royal Town of Sri Menanti, 30km east of Seremban. Set in geometric landscaped gardens, the palace is the result of the skills of Kahar and Taib, two Malay master carpenters. M. Woodford of the Public Works Department was the chief draughtsman. The building was completed in 1908, and functioned as the official residence of the royal family until 1931. The ground floor served as the reception area; the second floor, family quarters; and the third, the sultan's private quarters. A ladder from the sultan's room leads to a tower which once contained the archives and prayer room. Construction techniques revolved around the creative of tebuk pasak (mortise and tenon) instead of nails. Ironwood was used for its roof, while its 99 pillars were made of penak wood, transported from Bukit
Bukit Perigin in Jelebu, 60 km away.

Cultural influences have also played a role in the structure of palaces. In Alor Setar, the Istana Balai Besar features upturned roof finials and architraves of Thai design, reminiscent of the days when Kedah was under Thai rule. The two-story colonnaded building was originally built in 1895 by Sultan Abdul Hamid, and in 1905, an audience hall was added. Wrought iron railings and two curved stairways greet visitors at its façade. The palace was used by the sultans of olden days to hear grievance from their subjects and receive audiences.

In Kota Bahru, the Istana Jahar is decorated with carved panels and woden fretwork. Its Balai Penghinapan has a pentagon-shaped balcony supported by columns. Located at Jalan Sultan, the palace has been converted into the Museum of Royal Customs. Inside are dioramas displaying scenes of court life as well as pieces of songket and other textiles.

Near to the Istana Jahar stands the Istana Balai Besar, which was built in 1844 by Sultan Muhammad II. It contains the Throne Room and State Legislative Assembly. An outstanding feature of its roof is the duck-tail ridges. This design element is also found in Patani palaces in South Thailand, which points to its historical links with Kelantan. The audience hall of the Istana Balai Besar (and also that of Istana Jahar) is built on ground level rather than on stilts as compared to several West Coast palaces.

In the current age, when super-structures like the Petronas Twins Towers, KL Tower, Putrajaya Convention Centre and other edifices are glorified, the traditional wooden Malay palace is slowly losing its pride of place in modern Malay culture. In fact, during the past several decades, a few exquisite wooden palaces such as the Istana Seri Akar in Kelantan had simply been abandoned, whilst others had been pulled down to be used as firewood! A visit to these showpieces of Malay craftsmanship is akin to taking a time journey back to feudal society.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paik-Leong_Ewe

Kelantan, Cradle of Malay Culture

The east coast state of Kelantan is charming destination with colourful traditions, interesting pastimes and superb handicrafts. Watch captivating activities such as top-spinning, giant kite-flying or woodcarving. The batik and songket fabrics produced by cottage industries here are among the best in the country. Its laid-back atmosphere, rustic charms and friendly locals add to Kelantan's appeal.

Accommodation in the capital city, Kota Bharu, ranges from star-rated hotels to affordable rooms. In other main towns, visitors can find comfortable inns, rest houses and modest hotels. The state has a tempting variety of local delicacies. Continent food is available at major hotels while fast food can be found at main towns.

Among the popular places of interest are, Cultural Centre or locally known as Gelanggang Seni. It is a veritable showcase of the state's rich cultural heritage. You can watch an enthralling range of traditional performance such as shadow puppetry (Wayang Kulit), Malay martial arts (Silat), top-spinning (Gasing), giant kite flying (Wau Bulan) and musical performance.

Mount Stong is one of the most popular eco-adventure destinations in Kelantan. Mount Stong rises majestically at a height of 1,433m. Trek to view a diversity of flora and fauna, including Rafflesia, the world's largest flower. A highlight is the spectacular Jelawang Waterfalls, acclaimed to be the highest in Southeast Asia.

Wat Photivihan Buddhist Temple is one of tourist attraction in Kelantan. It houses a 40m long statue of reclining Buddha and believed to be the second longest in the world and the longest in Southeast Asia.

Live with a friendly local family and join their interesting pastimes. Home stays can be experienced at the villages of Renok Baru, Pantai Suri and Blok Ulu Kusial.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Yazid_Malek

Malay Survival Hinges On Preservation Of Culture, Tradition

The Raja Muda of Perak, Raja Dr Nazrin Shah has called on the Malays to safeguard their culture and tradition as these are crucial to their survival as a race.

He said that the Malays already had a unique identity, one "which is tied by customs, knotted by language and coated by religion."

He also called on them not to take for granted the Malay privileges as provided for in the Federal Constitution, namely in clauses pertaining to Islam, Rulers' Institution, Malay customs, Malay language and special privileges.

Raja Nazrin said the survival of the Malays as a race hinged on the very factors which had given them identity, namely religion, language, culture and traditions, and the Rulers' Institution.

It would be unfortunate, therefore, when attempts were made to undermine the traditions and institution, he said.

"It would be to the great detriment of the survival of the Malay race if traditions and institutions are no longer respected and seen instead as antithesis to rational thinking, modernity and science.

"How unfortunate would it be for a generation to view traditions as 'an ignorant practice, inconsequential and dogmatic'," he said at the launching of a book, The Malays, at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) here.

The book is written by Prof Anthony Milner, an Asian history professor at the Australian National University.

Also present were the Raja Puan Besar of Perak Tuanku Zara Salim, UKM Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Sharifah Habsah Syed Hasan Shahabuddin and Bernama Chairman Datuk Seri Annuar Zaini.

Raja Nazrin said that in wading the tide of globalisation and in facing political dynamics currently taking place in the country, the Malays could be caught in crossroads and faced with two possibilities.

The first, he said, was that they would continue to survive and thrive, and emerge as a supreme race in a globalised world.

"The second possibility, God forbids, is that they would be swept away by the tide of globalisation and become weak, devoid of any cultural root.

"In the end, the Malays would remain only as a name in folktales," he said.

It was therefore important that the Malays avoid committing the folly of Pak Kadok, a character in the old Malay fable who lost his village because of his foolishness.

He also cautioned the Malays to be wary of what he said as "radical attempts" to undermine their strength.

Raja Nazrin also expressed appreciation to Prof Milner's recognition of the Rulers' Institution as an important heritage of the Malay race.

He said that the interest shown by non-Malays in carrying out studies on the Malays showed that the race continued to attract interest among intellectuals abroad.

He called on the Malays to appreciate Prof Milner's efforts.

The least they could do, he said, was to make the book a compulsory reference for students taking Malay studies.

The Orang Asal of Malaysia

Flittering like a hummingbird amid a patch of flowers, a little mobile stall shifts locations in Kuala Lumpur packed with the cultural works of sixteen different Orang Asal ethnic groups. Despite the urban setting, these handicrafts have roots throughout the rural landscape of Malaysia and are usually purchased directly from the artisan.

Welcome to the Gerai OA

'Orang Asal/Asli' is a Malay term for Original People. Orang Asal represents the indigenous peoples of Peninsular and East Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak), while Orang Asli refers specifically to the indigenous minorities of Peninsular Malaysia whom are distinct from the mainstream population in Peninsular Malaysia.

"They have their own religion, language, customs and worldviews which they are determined to transmit to future generations. More importantly, the Orang Asal have a special relationship to their traditional land," explains Dr.Colin Nicholas, co-founder and coordinator of the Center for Orang Asli Concerns (COAC).

There are currently, according to the Jabatan Hal Ehwal Orang Asli (JHEOA) 149,512 Orang Asli, whereas the Orang Asal number to 2.1 million.

Rare and Unique Orang Asal Craft

The founder of the Gerai OA, Reita Rahim, goes from kampung (villages) to kampung across Malaysia, sourcing rare and unique craft from gifted Orang Asal craftsmen and women. The Gerai OA is non-profit and is run by a group of volunteers with the purpose of sharing with others the arts of the Orang Asal and at the same time encouraging the survival of the tradition of craft making.

An example of craft for sale would be the traditional Orang Asli puzzles. One particular puzzle, known as the Jah Re Noi, usually gets many hands tugging wildly at. This Semai (Orang Asli subgroup) puzzle is a piece of entwined rattan with a thin looped rope stuck in the middle of it.

The objective of the puzzle is to remove the rope from it. Legend has it that if someone is lost in the jungle due to mischievous spirits confusing them, all that person needs to do is make and leave behind one Jah Re Noi puzzle and the spirit will get so engrossed in solving the puzzle that it will leave its victim alone.

Cultural survival

One of the main threats faced by the Orang Asli is the "non-recognition of their rights to traditional land" as their land has been being progressively taken for development, according to Dr. Nicholas. This is because they are not "recognized as indigenous people of this land." "The Orang Asli are not anti-development or not against the virtues of modernization. In fact, Orang Asli cultures/identities have the potential to be viable but they are vulnerable to the many challenges that threaten their culture and their identity as a unique people."

The Mah Meri subgroup of the Orang Asli is one of the many groups who has lost much of their rights to their traditional land at Pulau Carey, and are struggling to maintain their unique culture and identity as represented by their wooden cravings that were awarded 6 UNESCO seals of excellence last year. Deforestation to make way for oil-palm plantations in Pulau Carey has led to the loss of Pulai (Alstonia sp.), a tree which was used to make the wooden masks that is traditionally believed to represent their moyang (ancestors). Now that it is extinct on the island, they have resorted to use Pokok Nyireh Batu (Xylocarpus sp.), a mangrove forest tree which use to be used only for the cravings rather than the masks. This mangrove tree is however becoming increasingly harder to find. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is currently sponsoring replanting schemes for these plants.

While the woodcarving is done solely by the Mah Meri men, the women have recently displayed their own skills with weaving. Intricately weaved curl work pouches known as bujam lipo' are made from pandanus strips and are one of the hot items at the Gerai OA. Traditionally used as a 'hold all' for small items such as money, areca nuts or tobacco, the contemporary uses of these pouches are as hand phone holders or as purses.

Some of the other popular items are also the accessories by the Rungus people of Sabah. Their reputation for using beads and turning them into beautiful and unique accessories can be seen littered in a mosaic of colors across the table at the Gerai OA.

"The new designs are to better suit the Kuala Lumpur market. If you go to Sabah, you may not find what you can find here at the Gerai OA," Reita explains.

The very source of the new beaded designs is actually from a group of Rungus women from Kampung Tinanggol in Sabah. This group of 20 Rungus women consists of selected elderly and single mothers who work together to help better their economic standing.

"The profit from the sales are used to pay for their children's schooling fees or used as investment, such as to open ladang (fields)," explained Reita.

The group, headed by Malina Soning, works together to come up with new designs and color combinations to compliment the current trends. Handmade bracelets, necklaces, rings, key chains and even hairclips, using traditional technique, now come in many attractive colors and patterns.

Malina explained that the need for these new innovations is to compete for the tough market where mass produced items can be bought at much lower prices. Others have also begun to make imitations of their traditional craft. At the moment their focus is on the beads as they are easy to acquire and transport, and the demand is there.

"The Gerai OA is not just about selling, but about educating people about Orang Asal and Orang Asli," explains Reita. This is why the gerai (stall) also carries books, video documentaries and music CDs about Orang Asal/Asli. People are also encouraged to stop by and test out the many traditional musical instruments laid out for sale and display. Support for the Gerai OA would go a long way to help improve the economic standing of various Orang Asal groups and encourage the survival of their traditional arts.

Written by Puah Sze Ning(http://www.wildasia.org/main.cfm/support/Crafting_Culture)

Malaysia Culture & Heritage - Traditional Games & Pastimes

Experience the Expressions of Community

Malaysians strong sense of community is reflected in many of their traditional games and pastimes. These activities are usually held during festivities such as before or after the rice harvest season and to usher in the new spring.

Silat
This fascinating Malay martial art is also an international sport and traditional dance form. Existing in the Malay Archipelago for centuries, it has mesmerising fluid movements that are used to confuse opponents. It is believed that practising silat will increase one's spiritual strength in accordance with Islamic tenets. Accompanied by drums and gongs, this ancient art is popularly performed at Malay weddings and cultural festivals.

Sepak Takraw
Sepak takraw, also known as sepak raga, is a traditional ball game in which a ball made by weaving strips of buluh bamboo or rattan together is passed about using any part of the body except the lower arms and hands. There are two main types of sepak takraw: bulatan and jaring. Sepak raga bulatan is the original form in which players form a circle and try to keep the ball in the air as long as possible. Sepak takraw jaring is the modern version in which the ball is passed across a court over a high net.

Wau
A wau is a traditional kite that is especially popular in the state of Kelantan on the East Coast of Malaysia. Traditionally flown after the rice harvest season, these giant kites are often as big as a man - measuring about 3.5 metres from head to tail. It is called wau because its shape is similar to the Arabic letter that is pronounced as 'wow'. With vibrant colours and patterns based on local floral and fauna, these kites are truly splendid sights.

Gasing
A gasing is a giant spinning top that weigh approximately 5kg or 10lbs and may be as large as a dinner plate. Traditionally played before the rice harvest season, this game requires strength, co-ordination and skill. The top is set spinning by unfurling a rope that has been wound around it. Then it is scooped off the ground, whilst still spinning, using a wooden bat with a centre slit and transferred onto a low post with a metal receptacle. If expertly hurled, it can spin for up to 2 hours.

Wayang kulit
Wayang kulit is a traditional theatre form that brings together the playfulness of a puppet show, and the elusive quality and charming simplicity of a shadow play. The flat two-dimensional puppets are intricately carved, then painted, by hand out of cow or buffalo hide. Each puppet, a stylised exaggeration of the human shape, is given a distinctive appearance and not unlike its string puppet cousins, has jointed "arms". Conducted by a singular master storyteller called Tok Dalang, wayang kulit usually dramatises ancient Indian epics.

Congkak
Congkak is a game of wit played by womenfolk in ancient times that required no more than holes in the earth and tamarind seeds. Today, it has been refined to a board game. It consists of a wooden board with two rows of five, seven, or nine holes and two large holes at both ends called "home". Congkak, played with shells, pebbles or tamarind seeds, requires two players

Chingay
Famously from the state of Penang, Chingay or The Giant Flags Procession is a spectacular procession that celebrates the arrival of spring during the New Year season. Its trademark elements are giant triangular flags and lanterns. These flags equally huge poles are balanced on performers foreheads, chins, lower jaws and shoulders. Other entertainers include dancers, jugglers and magicians.

Sepak manggis
Sepak manggis is a unique outdoor game played by the Bajau and Iranun men of Sabah. Forming a circle and facing each other, players aim to strike the bunga manggis floral carrier that dangles from a 10-metre high pole. The winner will be rewarded with money, gift or edibles, which are in the carrier.

Malaysian Culture and Traditions

As Malaysia is made up of various races and ethnic groups, you will find that the country exudes a unique and one of its kind traditions and cultures. This is where you will be able to observe a travel experience which is different from any other country you will visit because there is a harmonious and united stand among the people of the country. As such, there are various different types of traditions that are observed by the people of Malaysia throughout the year thereby giving you a different experience every time. Throughout the year, there are celebrations and festivals that are celebrated by Malaysians like the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrated by the Muslims and Malays, the Chinese New Year and Mooncake Festival observed by the Chinese, Thaipusam and Deepavali commemorated by the Indians, Gawai festival celebrated by the people of Sarawak and many more all of which are commemorated together either nationally or regionally. Each of these festival comes with its very own reasons and history and this is where we provide you with background information about what they are, how they come about and why are they celebrated.

On top of that, this section also provides you with information about the elements of these culture like the costumes and common practices of the groups. You will be able to view pictures of how these culture are in nature and what makes them distinct from one another. We have also included here a section catered to keep you informed about the typical Malaysian lifestyle. This is where you will be able to find out about information on what a typical day in Malaysia is like. We have included here the common practices of Malaysians and what they usually do throughout the day. You will also be able to find out about the common words used in the country and phrases like food ordering, asking for directions and some bargaining tips as well.

Malaysia a symbol of ethnic harmony

KUALA LUMPUR: Twin Towers rising like sentinels in the heart of Kuala Lumpur - that was the first picture of Malaysia to come into our minds when we were invited to this country.

A group of Malaysian women dressed in ethnic costumes welcome visitors in front of a building built in traditonal Malaysian style. [file photo]

And yes, when the car took us from the airport to downtown Kuala Lumpur, the Petronas Twin Towers were, not at all surprisingly, the first thing in this beautiful yet bustling metropolis to catch our eyes.

But what really excited us was that our hotel - the Mandarin Oriental - was right next door to the buildings. From the windows of our rooms, the glass-and-steel structures shone under a clear blue sky.

We couldn't resist rushing into the 88-storey towers, which soar 452 metres above street level, even before we had unpacked our luggage.

Costing a whopping US$1.2 billion, they were completed in 1997 and were the tallest in the world until 2003, when a higher building was completed in Taiwan.

"The towers helped Malaysian people build up their confidence," said Tan Sri Dr Noordin Sopiee, chairman and CEO of the Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia. "What foreigners can do, we can do."

Towers of confidence

It was at the foot of the towers, that we, in our first ever visit to Malaysia, started our journey of understanding into this country.

The Petronas Twin Tower dominate the skyline of Kuala Lumpur. [China Daily]

We were invited by ISIS Malaysia, a non-profit organization established in 1983, to participate in its international visitors' programme, a programme held regularly to enable foreign people to learn more about this country by communicating with senior officials.

According to Sopiee, lack of confidence was a serious problem for Malaysia in the initial stages of its independence.

At the time, the multi-ethnic state was politically unstable, saddled with chronic and wide income, economic and development gaps, with few unifying features. It had been devastated by a civil war and race riots, had a feeble economic growth rate of only 3.5 per cent, an uneducated population, and no experience in democracy or self-rule.

"We once relied heavily on things like the Twin Towers - something the tallest, or the biggest, or fastest in the world - to help us develop self-confidence," Sopiee recalled. "We were once psychologically and culturally crippled."

Today, however, after 47 years of struggle, although Malaysia still faces some challenges, dramatic changes have taken place in the political, economic and social landscape.

Malaysia has evolved from a rubber and tin economy to become one of the world's most industrialized states, with a 7 per cent economic growth rate, 90 per cent of its exports manufactured goods, and no racial riots since 1968.

Moreover, the country is especially proud of its fast recovery from the Asian financial crisis - its GDP grew 7.4 per cent in the first quarter of this year and is expected to hit 6 to 6.5 per cent for the whole year. The banking sector, devastated by the crisis, has also been consolidated. In the disposal of bad bank loans, a recovery rate of as high as 57 per cent was achieved, compared with some 20 per cent in China.

And its efforts to build a harmonious home for 27 ethnic groups, mainly Malay, Chinese and Indian, have paid off. Malay people account for 58 per cent of the country's total population, Chinese around 25 per cent and Indian 7 per cent, with other small groups making up the remaining 10 per cent.

In this nation of different religions - Islamism, Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, Christianity, Sikhism and Jainism - all the festivals of the different ethnic groups are respected. Several languages, mainly Malay, English and Chinese, are spoken.

"We feel pretty secure here now," said Siew Nyoke Chow, director and group editor-in-chief of the Chinese language Sin Chew Daily. "Malaysia has done a good job in this respect (unifying different ethnic groups)."

An often cited example of the harmonious relationship between different ethnic groups is the fact that many Malay people send their children to Chinese schools.

Nara Jantan, ISIS's senior public affairs and conference organizer, is one of them. She sent her daughter and son to Chinese primary schools.

"They are bilingual at home - we speak English and Malay. They can learn the third language - Chinese - in primary school. That's good for them," said the happy mother.

Actually, it is now very common for Malaysian people to speak several languages. We were surprised to find that most of the people we encountered during our 10-day stay spoke fluent English, even including ordinary taxi drivers and sales people in shopping centres.

To promote English education, the Malaysian Government even requires that mathematics and science courses to be taught in English in primary schools.

"Although Malay is the official language, most people speak English in offices," said Philip Mathews, ISIS Malaysia's co-director of the centre for international dialogue.

The centre's other co-director, Dr Stephen Leong, is even good at telling jokes both in Chinese and English.

But what surprised us even more is the fact that many Malaysian people can speak not only Mandarin Chinese, but also Cantonese and other Chinese local dialects.

Dato' Dr Ng Yen Yen, deputy finance minister, is one of them. When she tried to communicate with us in Cantonese, we could only reply, "Sorry, we can only speak Mandarin."

She said different cultures, different religions and different languages make Malaysia a typical Asian country, and that's what "Malaysia - Truly Asia" - the tourism advertisement often seen on CNN - means. Malaysia has spent millions of ringgit to promote this concept.

The deputy finance minister herself is an earnest advocator of the idea.

She wore a special dress when she met us, with the collar and buttons in Chinese qipao style, a Malaysian batik skirt, and a yellow Indian style shawl.

"With this dress, I can attend any gathering of Malay or Chinese people, and with the shawl, I can enter into any Indian temple," She said, adding that she had designed the golden dress herself.

The elegant government minister with her three-in-one dress and bright smile deeply impressed our group of 15 international journalists and researchers.

But she was not the only charming women we met during our stay in Malaysia.

Women's advancement

ISIS organized about a dozen interviews for us with senior officials, several of whom were women. In addition to Dato' Dr Ng Yen Yen, we also met Datuk Latifah Merican Cheong, assistant governor of the Central Bank of Malaysia, Dato' Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, minister of women and family development. A female executive spoke to us about the operations of Petronas, Malaysia's national petroleum corporation, and a lady briefed us on the development of the nation's Multimedia Super Corridor.

Cheong, who supervises the central bank's foreign exchange control department, was the first high-ranking woman official we met.

Her eloquent oral presentation on Malaysia's economy and banking sector and to-the-point style when answering questions made us reassess our view and take note of the role of women in Malaysia's social and political arena.

We were later told that three ministries in this country are headed by women - the ministries of women and family development, international trade and industry, and youth and sports. And there are quite a few women deputy ministers as well.

Women architects and engineers are also active, many have participated in the design of Kuala Lumpur's famous skyscrapers. In universities, female students account for over 60 per cent of the total enrolment.

However, Dato' Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, the minister of women and family development, believes that much still remains to be done to uplift women's status.

She admitted that there is still a need to educate men to fully accept gender equality, and said the concept must be taught in the home, and that women must show that they are "strong."

Her ministry has been holding seminars and training sessions to help women become economically independent.

But another problem now is that many well-educated, successful career women choose to stay home after they get married and have children, she said, adding that her ministry is working to promote job opportunities to allow women to work from their homes.

With her well-cared-for face and stylish dress, this woman minister had a hard time convincing us that she was 51.

"I will be a grandmother soon," said the mother of three children, smiling.

But when asked for her opinion on the possibility of Malaysia having a woman prime minister, she became serious.

"It won't be too long before that happens," she said.

Women organizations are also active in Malaysia. Sisters in Islam is one of them. It is a group of Muslim women studying and researching the status of women in Islam.

Unlike many Chinese women organizations which extend helping hands directly to women suffering from domestic violence and other unfair treatment, Sisters in Islam is mainly engaged in training and studying.

They have also gone to the courts to question discriminatory laws and they often write letters to the editors of newspapers to comment on cases of gender discrimination.

"It has been a long journey to where we are now," said Dato Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil. "But we have made great strides and no one can prevent us from reaching our goals."

That's true even for the whole of Malaysia, a country which has already bade farewell to poverty, racial riots, and political instability and moved onto a fast development track after decades of hard work.

Challenges

But it still faces new challenges - such as how to ensure the quality and speed of such development in the future.

Back in the 1990s, the Malaysian Government began to seriously consider how the approaching Information Age would affect Malaysia and how the country, currently manufacturing and export-oriented, must move to develop a knowledge-based economy.

Their answer was the initiation of the country's Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) in 1996.

"We aimed to cultivate a knowledge-rich society in Malaysia and take the country into the Information Age," said Sharifah Hendon Syed Hassan, with the Multimedia Development Corp, the developer of MSC.

The MSC is the nation's answer to the question of how to jumpstart the development of technology in the country. Physically, it is a 15-kilometre by 50-kilometre area reaching from Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

The MSC is devoted to creating the best possible environment for multimedia companies wanting to create, distribute and employ multimedia products and services.

Several key areas such as e-government, multi-purpose cards and borderless marketing have been identified to spearhead the development of MSC, the official said.

Another ambitious plan is to build Putrajaya, the new administrative centre for the Federal Government of Malaysia which is about 40 minutes drive from KLCC.

Like all the big cities worldwide, Kuala Lumpur is a crowded city, with narrow streets full of private cars - mostly Protons made in Malaysia, shopping centres jam-packed with visitors from all over the world, and row upon row of skyscrapers.

To ease pressures in the overcrowded city and leave more downtown space for commercial activities, the Malaysian Government decided in the mid 1990s to build Putrajaya.

Named after Malaysia's first Prime Minister, Putrajaya has been dubbed Malaysia's first Intelligent Garden City. It is both the new nerve centre of the nation and an ideal place to live, work, conduct business and engage in sports and recreational activities.

This landmark complex stretches over 453 hectares. More than 70 per cent of Putrajaya is devoted to greenery and water with 13 different gardens.

Putrajaya Holdings, a company established to take charge of development of the new area, started construction of Putrajaya in 1996 and completed Phase 1 in 2000 with the delivery of infrastructure and key government buildings including the blue-domed Prime Minister's office and the red Putra Mosque - one of the largest in the nation. It is now in phase 2 of its development, which is expected to be completed in 2005.

Walking along the wide, flower-dotted roads in Putrajaya, appreciating all the brand-new buildings in different styles, or watching birds flying over the man-made lakes, we could not help admiring Malaysian people for building such a miracle in only five years.

If we agree that the Petronas Twin Towers were the source of confidence for Malaysian people in the 1990s, the MSC and Putrajaya will no doubt become the pride of the nation in the 21st century.

Indigenous People Of Malaysia

Indigenous people are extremely important to the cultural and ethnic mix of Malaysian life. There are over 64 different groups of indigenous people in the country. Malaysia represents a tolerant society which respects the right of its people to practise any of the religions found there, i.e. Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and Christianity. In this respect, Malaysia has been successful in bringing together people from diverse cultures, countries and background to create a unified society.

Indigenous people form an integral part of Malaysian society and contribute greatly to the cultural richness of the country. The ethnic groups are quite diverse, speaking their own languages and practicing their own religions. However, these ethnic groups can remain locked in their own respective ethnic universe, isolated from the rest of society unless these differences are mitigated through infrastructure and development.

Today, indigenous people hold sway in the government and senior public positions. Government reforms have helped overcome ethnic divisions and aim to provide indigenous people with the same opportunities as other members of Malaysian society.

Government policy has focused on concerted developments in rural areas. Housing, schools and healthcare facilities are built close to the villages of indigenous people so they are not forced to move to urban areas. As a result of these developments, mortality rates have dropped and poverty is being alleviated. Perhaps most important of all is the fact that through education, indigenous people are taking greater control of their lives. Many have grasped the opportunities afforded by education and, at the same time, respect and follow the culture of their villages, proving that modern life can be compatible with traditional ways.

In Sarawak there are 26 different ethnic groups making up 70% of the state's 1.7 million inhabitants. The total land area of Sarawak is 12.3m hectares which is roughly 2.3 times the size of Holland. Virtually all of the ethnic people of Sarawak live off the land. They farm, fish, hunt and many of them practice shifting cultivation.

Indigenous people in Sabah accounts for 86.3% of the total Sabah population of 1.6 million. The vast majority of indigenous communities live in rural area and include ethnic groups such as the Kadazan, Bajau, Suluk and Cocos Malay. As in Sarawak, almost all of these people live off the land.

Penans

The Penans live in Sarawak. They make up just one of its 26 ethnic group. In total there are 10,000 Penans spread over 87 villages. The State Government of Sarawak has spent more than RM 15 million over the past few years to improve the livelihood of the Penans through short-term and long-term development programmes. The amount is substantial considering the small population of the community.

Professionals, including anthropologists and sociologists, in consultation with the Penans have drawn up these programmes to ensure that they are not left behind as the country move ahead towards achieving a newly industrialised country status in the year 2020. Short term programmes drawn up are intended to provide the Penans with basic need such as medicine, clothing's, building materials and agriculture tools while long-term programmes are drawn up to bring the community to the mainstream of society.

Recently, the Sarawak Government reported that the state Government's effort in getting the Penan community to lead a settled life and interact with other races in the country have met with much success. The Penans are now much aware of the goings-on surrounding them, parents are more willing to send their children to schools, clinics are well patronised and the infant mortality rate has dropped significantly.

Many Penans have adapted well to modern living and quite a number of them now work in government sector, as government servants, tourist guides and truck drivers. The government is currently working out new strategies to further develop the Penans into a thriving community.

Of the entire Penan population, about 400 of them are nomadic. 65,700 hectares of primary forests have been specially set aside for them so that they can continue to follow their nomadic lifestyles. This includes the Mulu National park (52,900 ha), Sungai Magoh (5,600 ha), Ulu Sungai Tutoh (2,200 ha) and Sungai Adang (5,000 ha).

For Penans who have settled in longhouses, but wish to pursue their traditions, the government has set aside Melana Protected Forest (22,000 ha) and an area in Ulu Seridan (1,400 ha). The places listed are not the only places where the Penans can practice their traditional way of life for they could also do so in the existing forest areas where they live as provided by Section 65 of the State Forest ordinance.

Malaysian Culture..

Composed primarily of Malays, Chinese and Indians, Malaysian culture is best described as cosmopolitan. Racial unity and interaction has formed a diverse and vibrant society that is exceptionally unique. Nowhere else in the world can one find three major races, various smaller indigenous tribes and a vast assortment of foreigners and expatriates sharing such an excellent relationship, for not only do these races tolerate each other, they actually actively share in one other's cultural richness. This has been the main catalyst for Malaysia's political stability and growth.

The shamanistic cultures and beliefs still practiced by the Malaysian aborigine's date back over 10 millennia. The presence of Hinduism in the Malay Peninsula has been documented as far back as the 3rd and 4th century AD, in Lembah Bujang (Bujang Valley) in the state Kedah. With the arrival of Arab traders during the rise of the Melaka Empire, Islam came to Malaysia. At about the same time the arrival of Chinese traders and the marriage of the Melaka Sultan and a Chinese princess added to the potpourri of cultures. The arrival of Portuguese, Dutch and English conquerors over the next 400 years also left their indelible mark on the Malaysian cultural makeup. All these influences have culminated in the Malaysian culture of today.

Many elements of Indian Hindu culture have insinuated themselves into the Malay adat the most obvious being the Malay marriage ceremony, vice versa the Indian Muslim community in the country share a common religion and hence a similar culture and religious observances as the Muslim Malays as do the Baba-Nyonya Muslim Chinese from Melaka that date back to the aforementioned Chinese princess in ancient times. The Malays have also very recently adopted an age old Chinese custom, the giving of "Ang Pows", or money gifts wrapped in colored envelopes. The Chinese use red, the Malays green.

Malaysians are usually at least bi-lingual, Bahasa Malaysia or the Malay language is the official language and English is the second most widely spoken. The Chinese and Indians are generally tri-lingual, speaking Malay, English and their mother tongue.
Following are brief descriptions on the various peoples and their ways of life in Malaysia.

The Malays

The modern Malaysian Malay can probably trace their ancestry to the myriad seafaring islander tribes in the region, from Indonesia, Phillipines and Borneo, they are widely believed to be the first civilization to take root in Malaysia and can be said, with the exception of the "Orang Asli" indigenous tribes, to be the original settlers to populate the Malay Peninsula.

Currently comprising roughly half the 22 million Malaysian population, the Malay people can be found virtually everywhere in the country though they are less concentrated in East Malaysia. In urban centers they are pervasive in all industries and businesses. The government in Malaysia is staffed predominantly by Malays and the Malays have held great political power ever since the country's independence. In the countryside the Malay population is even more omnipresent, their villages or "kampungs" are scattered far and wide all across the Peninsula.

The Malay Kampung is a reflection of the Malay people, easy-going, warm and accommodating. The kampong is usually a homely and serene setting where everybody knows everybody and all members pitch in and contribute to their community. Traditionally farmers and fishermen, the Malay culture has always been intrinsically linked by a love of the land and a strongly devout belief in Islam. Thusly social norms or the "adat" of the Malay peoples emphasize good manners, family ties, tolerance and goodwill. The development of the nation has taken into consideration the somewhat deficient modern education level of the rural Malays and for the past few decades great changes have been made to remedy this with aid in the form of new schools, new infrastructure and subsidies for the lower income population.

Malays, no matter how well educated and urbanized to suit the breakneck speed of modern day life have always retained the traditions and beliefs of their forefathers. During any holiday, especially any of religious significance we still see a mass exodus called "Balik Kampung" or "Return to the Kampung", when Malays working in the urban centers all return to their hometowns to reunite with their families and friends there. This phenomenon has now extended to all the races in Malaysia and during the main holidays, the huge celebrations of Hari Raya Puasa, Chinese New Year, Deepavali and Christmas, the cities, normally teeming with throngs of people turn into veritable ghost towns.

Being Muslim, the Malays strictly do not eat pork and only eat Halal (Food prepared in accordance to Islamic methods) food. They also observe daily prayers and more importantly the Friday prayers. During the month of Ramadan all Muslim observe a half day fast for the month leading to the celebrations of Hari Raya Puasa on the month of Syawal. All Muslims are expected, if at all possible, to conduct a pilgrimage called the "Hadj" to the holy city of Mecca at least once in their lives.

Traditional garments for the Malay male compose the "Baju Melayu" and "Songket", and on formal occasions "Batik" a colorful, silk garment with a brilliant floral motif is usually worn. "Songkok" a hat, which somewhat resembles a Turkish Tarbush is also sometimes worn. For the female the "Baju Kurung" and the more formal "Baju Kebaya" are commonly worn, many Malay women also wear a "Tudung" a religious headdress that covers the hair, neck and shoulders but leaves the face visible. As with everybody else in Malaysia western attire is just as commonly worn.

It should be noted that a dress code for Malaysia, though not a strict rule should be adhered to in any public place, being an Islamic nation, a "decent" appearance is highly desirable, provisions are made for the tropical weather but being too scantily clad is generally frowned upon, especially if one is visiting a mosque or any other place of worship. A tee shirt with jeans or Bermudas is quite acceptable.

Traditionally Malay celebrations are community affairs where the people of the village gather together with the womenfolk responsible for the cooking, the men for the preparation of the venue and decorations, and the children for having a good time. Celebrations that are not strictly religious; such as the harvest festival, are still accompanied by prayers conducted by the local religious leader. Typically, depending on which state one is in, the celebration may consist of dances such as the "Joget" or the "Kuda Kepang", "Mak Yong" opera, "Dikir Barat" performances, "Gasing" or top spinning spectacles or the most famous, "Wau" or giant kite flying competitions, accompanied without fail by large amounts of food and drink. In the cities the celebrations are usually conducted by organizations, companies or government bodies and held at select venues where the public at large is invited for a huge party.

In a nutshell the Malay culture is a blend of traditional values, religious adherences and a modern outlook that has served to instill the Malays with integrity and piety while at the same time preparing them to face a new world and new challenges.

The Chinese

One of the oldest civilizations in the world the Chinese were said to have been the original inhabitants of Malaysia, some findings point that the indigenous peoples or "orang asli" originated from south western China many millennia ago. But it was continuous presence of the Chinese traders during the Melaka Sultanate in the 14th and 15th centuries that the Chinese left a lasting presence in the country.

In the late 15th century, the Ming Dynasty princess Hang Li-Po was sent to the Melaka Sultan to be wed in order to forge an alliance between China and Melaka, and thusly was the rich cultural legacy of the Baba-Nyonya born. Chinese continued to ply the trade route for hundreds of years after the fall of Melaka but few stayed for any great length of time. However during the British rule of Malaysia, large numbers of Chinese labourers were brought in to do the difficult and back-breaking work of mining, construction and transportation.

It was during these times that a large community of Chinese came and called Malaysia home. Over the years the Chinese have made a very comfortable home for themselves in the country, adapting to the harmonious way of life with the other races while maintaining a very strong bond with their parent culture. Being traditionally merchants the Chinese are often regarded as the "towkays" or bosses and business owners, they comprise the majority of the moneyed in Malaysia.

The Chinese culture is strongly based on family ties, the community and entrepreneurship. As such they are in some ways more driven than the other races to provide a better life for themselves and their family. However as with everyone else they have fostered a symbiotic relationship that serves to help their fellow Malaysians to advance, a "prosper thy neighbor" approach. The main Chinese festival of Chinese New Year is always celebrated with much gaiety and goodwill throughout Malaysia, to attend the all important reunion dinner on new years eve, the Chinese (and just about everybody else) vacate the capital city en-masse and return to their hometowns. Once there everybody sits down to a feast and much reconciling. "Open Houses" or "Rumah Terbuka" is another Malaysian custom whereby all are welcome to visit and make merry regardless of race or creed.

Chinese communities tend to congregate in the towns and cities, and are far more common than the Malays or Indians in East Malaysia where they have thrived for many years in the lumber industry. The Chinese communities are somewhat less convivial when compared to the Malays, this may be due to the fact that the urban landscape tends to be less neighborhood oriented. Social norms such as the respect for elders and exchanging of pleasantries are very common and serves to strengthen ties. During special occasions such as weddings, the "Moon Yuet" ceremonies for newborn infants and of course the New Year open invitations are commonly extended to the neighbours.

The lion and dragon dances associated worldwide with the Chinese are a common sight during any celebration; other sights include Dragon Boat races, lantern parades during the Mid-Autumn Festival and the unique "Chingay" flag parade.

Other Chinese celebrations include the Mid-Autumn Festival better known as the "Moon Cake Festival", a celebration in honor of a mythical moon princess dating back for hundreds of years, the "Chap Goh Mei" which is basically a celebration on the 15th day of the Chinese New Year to mark the end of the festivities and being mostly Buddhists and Taoists the Chinese also observe various other religious celebrations in honor of the vast number of Buddhist deities and auspicious dates. A large number of Chinese have also converted to Christianity and a smaller number to Islam and Hinduism.

The average Chinese is typically never dressed in the traditional and elegant silk "Cheongsam" unless it's a very special occasion, mainly due to the pervasive influence of western culture and the aforementioned drive to obtain a better life. The average Malaysian Chinese professional will be identically dressed as his American or European expatriate colleague. Leisure wear is similarly orientated towards current western fashions. One item of note is that the older and more conservative generation will frown on the color black when one comes to visit them, especially if its head to toe black, as black along with white is associated with death and funerals. Wearing these colors to any celebration and Chinese New Year in particular is a MAJOR faux-pas.

In summary an urban lifestyle, high ambitions and a great dose of practicality have molded the Chinese into a driven and dynamic force in Malaysia's economy. Chinese culture and values have remained and often tempers the relentless pursuit of betterment with a deep concern for the community and a desire for the advancement of the country.

The Indians

India like China is a truly ancient civilization and Indians have played a pivotal role in Malaysia, another similarity is that they were also a merchant nation with caravans and trading ships that went far and wide across the world. Indians have been documented as having been in Malaysia for some 2000 years as traders and travelers. The Hindu religion has been documented in Malaysia as far back as the 4th and 5th century AD. By the time of the Melaka Sultanate in the 15th century, the Indians were already a political power with the Hindu faith and Indian traders an accepted part of everyday life.

During the English colonial period Indian laborers were brought in to work in rubber and other plantations. Indian, Sikh and Gurkha soldiers were also brought in to maintain peace and to quell rebellions. Over the years the Indians would carve a niche for themselves in Malaysia and would become an integral part of the nation. The Indian community constitutes fewer than 10 percent of the Malaysian population and is concentrated around the urban areas and rural and suburban rubber estates.

The Malaysian Indians are the smallest of the three main ethnic groups and are oftentimes regarded as a minority race, however their contributions to the culture is no less important or substantial than the other races. Although there is a general perception that most Indians in Malaysia today are either small business owners, professionals or labourers, the truth is Indians are found and excel in virtually every vocation and business in the country.
On a less positive note, there appears to be a divide in the Indian community with the an affluent, well educated, middle and upper middle class on one side and the less educated, lower income, blue collar workers on the other. This schism; although still a nagging problem in the country and more specifically in the Indian community; is slowly being addressed by the government and community leaders. Most middle class Indians are usually well educated professionals.

Indians in Malaysia are something of a middle ground socially between the Chinese and Malays, Indians are often as industrious and entrepreneurial as the Chinese and yet still retain much of their values and traditions and closeness and community awareness. To the Indians filial piety is of paramount importance and ties to the family and their community are extremely strong. Indians are also a deeply religious people, many are devout Hindus and others are Christians and Muslims.

The Indian Hindu community celebrates two main and a great many smaller religious events each year. The two main ones are called "Deepavali" and "Thaipusam", these celebrations are on a somewhat smaller scale than Hari Raya and Chinese New Year because of the smaller Indian community, but are still celebrated in the same spirit of togetherness and unity among all the races in Malaysia. Deepavali the "celebration of light", the literal translation "Deepam" and "Avali", actually means row or column of light. While there are several interpretations about the origins of Deepavali, the most popular one is that of a celebration commemorating the victory of the Hindu god Krishna over Narakasuran a demon who was terrorizing the people. Deepavali is therefore a celebration of light over darkness, good over evil.

Typically, as with everyone else in Malaysia, western culture has influenced Indian lifestyle. Many urban dwelling Indians have adapted their way of life to better reflect their surroundings and peers. As an example, fewer and fewer Indian women wear the "Saree", a simple, elegant and quite practical traditional dress, especially in view of Malaysia's generally hot and humid tropical climate. Among the three races, the use of the English language is perhaps the most widespread and ingrained amongst the Indian community. In general, Indians are also regarded as the most open in terms of cultural acceptance and adaptability among the races in Malaysia. These characteristics have aided immensely in their efforts to better themselves and the country.

In summary the Indians in Malaysia though smaller in number compared to the Malays and Chinese have nevertheless made enormous contributions to the resilient and prosperous socio-political and economic structure that is Malaysia. Economic disparities within the urban and rural Indian communities are slowly but surely being addressed. The Indian community represents an integral and vital component of Malaysian society and thusly they, along with all other Malaysians are justly proud of their accomplishments and their contributions to Malaysia's success.