Benteng Somba Opu: Simbol Perlawanan Gowa

Dari segi bentuk, Benteng Somba Opu di Kecamatan Somba Opu, Kabupaten Gowa, Sulawesi Selatan, tergolong biasa-biasa saja. Namun, kekokohan dinding dari batu bata merah padat yang mengelilinginya sedahsyat perlawanan Raja Gowa XVI Sultan Hasanuddin saat mempertahankan benteng dari perampasan oleh Belanda.

Inisiatif membangun benteng datang dari Raja Gowa IX Daeng Matanre Karaeng Tumapa’risi’ Kallonna tahun 1525. Dia ingin mengubah orientasi kehidupan kerajaan dari agraria menjadi maritim, memanfaatkan maraknya kedatangan para pedagang Melayu setelah Malaka diduduki Portugis tahun 1511.

Dalam buku Tapak-Tapak Waktu terbitan Ininnawa (2005), David Bulbeck menggambarkan, pembangunan benteng dikerjakan lebih dari 10.000 orang—mayoritas tawanan dari Kerajaan Bone. Batu bata merah padat ditumpuk 7-8 meter membentuk segi empat sepanjang 2 kilometer. Dinding barat, menghadap Selat Makassar, dibuat berlapis tiga dengan ketebalan 3,6 meter. Jarak antardinding agak lebar agar laskar Kerajaan Gowa mudah berbaris untuk menjaganya. Benteng itu dilengkapi menara (bastion) setengah melingkar.

Menurut dosen Teknik Arsitektur Universitas Hasanuddin, Baharuddin Koddeng, pembangunan menara dilakukan atas saran Portugis. Barter rempah- rempah dengan ilmu tentang meriam.

Sekitar 30 meriam disiagakan di dua bastion, menghadap Selat Makassar. Di bastion barat laut (Buluwara Agung) terdapat meriam sakti Ana’ Mangkasara (putra Makassar), berbobot 9,5 ton, panjang 6 meter, dan diameter 4,14 sentimeter.

Isi benteng menunjukkan tingginya peradaban Kerajaan Gowa. Awal abad ke-16 adalah era perkembangan kota benteng di berbagai belahan dunia sebagai simbol kekuasaan dan kedaulatan. Di bawah kepemimpinan Raja Gowa X, I Manrigau Daeng Bonto Karaeng Lakiung Tunipallangga Ulaweng, Gowa menguasai seluruh kerajaan dari pesisir barat hingga selatan Sulsel, termasuk bandar niaga.

Pesatnya tata niaga di Gowa mengusik persekutuan dagang Belanda (VOC) yang berupaya memonopoli pasar rempah- rempah—ini sering digagalkan Sultan Hasanuddin yang memimpin Gowa sejak 1635. Ketika VOC sukses menguasai rempah- rempah di Maluku, perdagangan di Benteng Somba Opu tetap tumbuh lewat penyelundupan oleh pedagang Bugis.

Sejarawan Universitas Hasanuddin, Suriadi Mappangara, mengatakan, pimpinan tertinggi Belanda, Cornelis Speelman, mengajak Aru Palakka—keturunan bangsawan Bone yang di bawah Gowa—menundukkan Kerajaan Gowa.

Sultan Hasanuddin menandatangani perjanjian Bongaya, 18 November 1667; salah satu isinya memerintahkan pemusnahan Benteng Somba Opu. Ternyata Sultan Hasanuddin tetap bertahan di Benteng Somba Opu hingga 14 Juni 1669.

Dalam buku Pengupasan, Penyelamatan, dan Rekonstruksi Benteng Somba Opu sebagai Pusat Kerajaan Gowa terbitan Suaka Peninggalan Sejarah dan Purbakala Sulawesi Selatan dan Tenggara (1995) dijelaskan bahwa kehebatan sistem pertahanan Benteng Somba Opu sempat membuat Belanda kewalahan. Belanda melepas 30.000 butir peluru meriam dari lautan untuk meruntuhkan dinding barat Benteng Somba Opu yang berlapis. Pasukan Kerajaan Gowa bertahan hingga 17 Juni petang.

Pasukan Belanda baru bisa merebut Benteng Somba Opu pada 24 Juni 1669. ”Speelman mengenang perang dengan Kerajaan Gowa sebagai yang tersulit. Benteng Somba Opu merupakan simbol perlawanan dan harga diri Kerajaan Gowa,” ujar Suriadi.

Kini benteng itu kini tinggal puing. Ketinggian fondasi benteng tinggal 2-3 meter. Pemerintah Provinsi Sulsel berupaya merevitalisasi tahun 1995. Benteng Somba Opu dijadikan pusat pameran pembangunan. Namun upaya ini sia-sia akibat lemahnya komitmen pelestarian bangunan cagar budaya itu.

Upaya Gubernur Sulsel Syahrul Yasin Limpo dengan menggandeng swasta ditentang banyak kalangan karena khawatir situs itu rusak. Direktur Jenderal Sejarah dan Purbakala Kementerian Kebudayaan dan Pariwisata Aurora Frida Tambunan mengatakan, upaya memberi nilai ekonomis pada cagar budaya diatur Undang-Undang Nomor 11 Tahun 2010 tentang Pengelolaan Cagar Budaya. Namun, ia mengingatkan agar pembangunan dilakukan di zona pengembangan.

Kehadiran fasilitas hiburan diharapkan memperkuat citra benteng. Namun langkah ini tak bisa gegabah agar keluhuran para leluhur tak hancur.....

Sumber: cetak.kompas.com

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Benteng Penyu di Makassar

Bila berada di ketinggian, maka Fort Rotterdam akan terlihat jelas berbentuk penyu. Bisa dibayangkan, saat benteng ini masih berfungsi, dari ujung kepala penyu mata melihat langsung ke lautan lepas. Fort Rotterdam memang berada di bibir pantai. Luasnya sampai tiga hektar. Tak heran, benteng tersebut menjadi ikon dari Kota Makassar, Sulawesi Selatan.

Pengunjung bisa menelusuri benteng tersebut dengan berjalan di titian pada pinggiran benteng. Perlu sekitar 30 menit untuk mengelilingi benteng itu. Dulu, para tentara Belanda berjaga-jaga di titian. Para pasukan pun berkumpul di kepala dan tangan penyu lengkap dengan persenjataan, siap menghadapi serangan musuh dari laut. Walaupun namanya Fort Rotterdam, tapi jangan salah sangka. Benteng tersebut mulanya bernama Benteng Ujung Pandang. Ya, Kerajaan Gowa yang membuat benteng tersebut bukan Belanda. Sekitar tahun 1620, Raja Gowa membangun ulang benteng tersebut dengan batu padas. Sebelumnya, benteng tersebut dibangun dengan tanah liat.

Semua bermula dari tokoh terkenal dari sejarah kolonial Belanda, seorang Gubernur Jenderal Hindia Belanda bernama Cornelis Speelman. Pada tahun 1667, Pelabuhan Ujung Pandang berhasil ia kuasai demi kepentingan monopoli rempah-rempah. VOC ingin menyingkirkan bangsa Portugis dan Inggris dari peta perdagangan rempah-rempah di kawasan timur Nusantara.

Pahlawan nasional Sultan Hasanuddin pada tahun 1667 menandatangi perjanjian Bongaya dengan VOC. Perjanjian yang mengambarkan kekalahan Kerajaan Gowa. Hasilnya, sebagian besar benteng Kerajaan Gowa di Sulawesi Selatan pun dihancurkan Belanda. Belanda hanya menyisakan Benteng Sombaopu. Sementara itu, Benteng Ujung Pandang harus diserahkan ke Belanda.

Speelman membangun ulang Benteng Ujung Pandang dan mengganti namanya menjadi Fort Rotterdam. Fort Rotterdam adalah nama tempat kelahirannya di Belanda. Sarif, penjaga Museum Negeri La Galigo, mengatakan, Speelman membangun kembali benteng tersebut dengan konsep membentuk peradaban Eropa di bumi Makassar.

"Saat dibangun kembali, Speelman memakai gaya arsitektur gotik seperti di kampung halamannya. Di dalam benteng terdapat beberapa gedung," jelas Sarif.

Gedung-gedung tersebut memiliki fungsi yang berbeda-beda. Mulai dari kediaman gubernur VOC, Gereja Protestan, rumah sakit, asrama tentara, gudang rempah, perpustakaan, sampai kantor wali kota.

Fort Rotterdam pada masa kejayaannya ibarat kota kecil nuansa Eropa di tanah pribumi. Salah satu gedung yang unik adalah gudang rempah. Safir menceritakan, VOC sampai memerintahkan beberapa tentara untuk menjaga gudang selama 24 jam. Sedangkan di perpustakaan berfungsi juga sebagai sekolah.

"Anak-anak raja direkrut Belanda untuk belajar sejarah, budaya, dan pengobatan. Salah satu pengajarnya adalah ahli sejarah dari Inggris," cerita Safir.

Si ahli sejarah tersebut mengumpulkan teks legendaris La Galigo berupa daun lontar 600 halaman dan menerjemahkannya ke bahasa Belanda. Safir menceritakan, beberapa orang terus mencari La Galigo, salah satunya adalah Thomas Stamford Raffles, Gubernur Jenderal Hindia Belanda tahun 1811. Ternyata La Galigo mencapai 1.000 halaman.

"La Galigo merupakan teks puisi berupa epos dari Sawerigading. Salah satu kisahnya adalah Sawerigading yang merantau sampai ke negeri China. La Galigo tulis dalam bahasa Bugis dan terdapat tiga unsur, yaitu linguistik, politik, dan cinta. Ini karya epos terpanjang di dunia, mengalahkan epos Mahabrata," jelasnya. Karena keunikannya ini, La Galigo masuk dalam World Heritage UNESCO di tahun 2006.

Di area Fort Rotterdam terdapat Museum La Galigo yang tidak hanya mengisahkan La Galigo, tapi juga sejarah dan budaya masyarakat Sulawesi Selatan serta sejarah perkembangan Fort Rotterdam. Kini, pemerintah tengah merevitalisasi benteng tersebut.

Pemerintah daerah dan pemerintah pusat menginginkan benteng tersebut berkondisi sama seperti pada masa kejayaannya. Salah satunya adalah dengan pembuatan parit yang mengelilingi benteng seperti dahulu kala. Selain itu, ada pula bangunan di luar benteng yang dihancurkan. Uniknya, kawasan benteng ini termasuk tempat bersejarah yang hidup hingga kini. Di akhir pekan, banyak komunitas yang melakukan kegiatan di benteng ini.

Sumber: kompas.com

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A Rare Ritual

Our stay in Rumah Jugah was better than we expected because we were privileged to witness a rare Niri ke Panggau ceremony which takes place every 10 years.

Ibans take dreams very seriously as they believe their Gods communicate with them through them, as well as birds and signs in nature. The night before, a young girl in Rumah Jugah had a dream and woke up clutching a crystal rock. This was considered a bad omen for her, her family and the people in the long-house.

Niri ke Panggau is conducted to cast bad spirits away, heal the girl`s “sick” spirit and guard against misfortune.

The ceremony commenced at sunset when three elderly men started chanting and making noise by hitting a metal stick against the floor while walking around the long-house. This ritual, performed until sunrise the next day, can only be conducted by those who are familiar with the verses. Others can replace the two men, but the leader must persevere throughout the ceremony, breaking only for food and short rests.

Just after dinner, the girl`s family and close relatives gathered at her family`s bilik. A miring ceremony was performed to appease the spirits as the three elders chanted. The girl was seated in a panggau (square box) representing a boat that connects this world to Panggau Libau, the Iban`s spiritual world. The crystal rock and other offerings were placed inside the panggau.

Her family members then proceeded to stitch thread on her T-shirt as well as that of her father`s. We were told that this protects the wearer from bad spirits who might re-enter the body through the heart. Her father took part in the ceremony because he is her guardian and also responsible for her life and soul.

After prayers were said, the panggau with the girl inside was hoisted up and tied to the ceiling. RM1 notes were tied to the four corners of the boat so that the spirits could pay for the boat fare to the other world. The cock used in the ceremony was sacrificed after the girl climbed down from the panggau. The panggau will be left hanging from the ceiling for a year.

We considered ourselves very lucky to have witnessed this rare ceremony. It was an eye-opener.

Source: www.thestar.com (25 Juni 2007)

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History Could Be Written in Art

The Indonesian National Museum officially opens its new building

Last Wednesday, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono inaugurated the new wing of the National Museum. The old building was known to the Jakartanese as Museum Gajah (the Elephant Museum) for its elephant statue in front of the building. The statue was a gift from King Chulalongkorn from Thailand when he visited the country in 1871. The museum was also called Gedung Arca (the Statue building) for the collection of statues it exhibits inside. In the inauguration it is officially stated that the new wing will be called Gedung Arca, while the old building will be referred as Gedung Gajah.

The Age of Enlightenment in Europe during the 18th century was the supporting motif behind the founding of the Bataviaasch Genootschap van Kunsten en Wetenschappen (Royal Batavian Society of Arts and Sciences) on April 24, 1778. The scientific orientation behind their motto "Ten Nutte van het Algemeen" or "For the benefit of all" made this independent society widely known. One of its founders J.C.M. Rademacher donated a house in downtown Batavia and also his collection of artifacts and books to the institution which later became the seed of the National Museum.

During the British administration, Sir Stamford Raffles directed the institution. It moved to a new building as a museum and the meeting hall for the Literary Society. In 1862, due to the rapid growth of its collections, the Dutch Government decided to build a new museum in its present location (it was known as the Koningsplein West). The museum was officially opened in 1868.

The inauguration of the new wing comes after a long delay as the development of the museum was started in 1994 before the 1997 Asian Economic Crisis hit Indonesia. The new museum building also has temporary exhibitions on offer.

Presently, inside the building there is an exposition of the Majapahit Kingdom. An archeological dig in Trowulan, East Java, gave us insights into 14th century Java civilization. Under the glory of the Majapahit Kingdom, the history was written in the lontar script Negarakrtagama. The unification of small kingdoms under the patronage of the Majapahit Kingdom was also recorded in a Chinese manuscript. The need for unification was something crucial to be able to lead or be known in the region.

Artifacts found at the archeological site, together with manuscripts on the same topic, show us the development of technology, basic religion tolerance shared by the ancestors, as well as the history of trade and economic development.

The permanent exhibitions are now arranged into a theme that stresses the nation‘s motto "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika" (Unity in diversity) -- the realization of Indonesia‘s different cultural backgrounds that should unite us as one big multicultural country.

The museum has a number of sections. "Man and the Environment" explains the geological events that helped create the huge number of islands (more than 13,000 small islands with five big islands) in Indonesia. The "Science, Technology, and Economy" section provides information about all aspects that involve human civilization from the prehistory to more recent times. "Social Organization and Human Settlement," "Gold and Ceramic Heritage," "Art" and "Religion" are also sub-themes found in the museum.

In his opening speech the president reminded us of the importance of putting artistic values beside the logical and ethical values in perspective. Artistic values could be a medium to seek the implementation of understanding and mutual respect. He also commented on the era of environmental awareness and the information revolution in this fast-changing globalized world. While hot issues can spread quickly throughout the world, he said Indonesians should remember that our differences should help us to color our culture, to seek for the unifying factors that could glue our differences and prove that our national motto is true.

The speech seemed to resonate with another temporary exhibition that is taking place in a semi-open air courtyard between the old and new buildings. This is a solo exhibition of Iriantine Karnaya, a well-known Indonesian artist who is presenting her works in contemporary installation art.

She expressed her sadness over the situation of her country in her installed work titled "Menu Hari Ini" ("Today‘s Menu"), which describes how mushrooms exist in every region of the world. How these mushrooms are displayed on the table shows how varied different cultures are. She is also worried to see the speed of how news spreads, irregardless of borders. She is afraid that people are losing their capability to retreat, think and mull over whether the news is "real" or the "truth," as reality and truth can be different depending on one‘s perspective.

The curator of the exhibition, Wicaksono Adi, quoted the opinion of Marshall McLuhan that stated more than 40 years ago that "the medium is the message" and that an image portrayed in media sometimes is taken as "reality."

An artist sometimes seems to be an individual working independently. Freedom of expression is something that is usually related to artists. Yet, artistic works could show us the history of the era through the eyes of the artist or through the eyes of its collectors. A personal message could also be conveyed through artistic work, while a personal opinion could also serve the spectator‘s perspective.

Two different eyes with the same tears dropping (as seen in her exhibits titled Vision 1 and Vision 2) are present through the installation. They show Iriantine Karnaya‘s tears; she weeps over the world‘s wars, she weeps over the dominance of glittering images which are not certainly genuine (as seen in "Today‘s Menu"), and she weeps over the system that contaminates pure minds in (Mencari Peluang or "Looking for opportunity").

She notes that contemporary art gives the spectator the chance to have their own perspective, so I wrote a piece for wikimu.com titled "Menu Hari Ini, Makan Apa atau Makan Siapa?" ("Today‘s Menu, What‘s to Eat or Who‘s to Eat?). I came to the realization that aiming only to be on top could make you push others to fall and that the poor and those whose struggle to be able to stand would never reach the opportunity to make it to the top. When those in the lower social strata are thinking of what they can eat, the big players are thinking about how to take somebody else‘s dish.

Source: www.english.ohmynews.com (25 Juni 2007)

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A Bidayuh Welcome

The Bidayuhs, or Land Dayaks, are the second largest ethnic group in Sarawak and are known for their peace-loving and easygoing nature.

We had a chance to experience their hospitality when we visited Rumah Annah Rais, a 500-year-old Bidayuh long-house in Padawan District, about 60km from Kuching.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by a group of young girls who performed the belanggi or welcome dance in full costumes, accompanied by the sounds of traditional instruments. Two elderly men subsequently performed the male version of this dance.

Next came the famous ngajat or warrior dance. Ringin, chairman of the Rumah Annah Rais Tourism Committee, explained that back in the old days the ngajat was performed as a demonstration of courage by warriors when they brought back their enemies’ heads. A female version of the ngajat followed to symbolise the acceptance of the heads offered by the triumphant warriors.

After the dances were over, Ringin offered us Rumah Annah Rais’ very own tuak (wine). Their tuak was unique as they had added wild honey and herbs to the mix. It was unusual, but sweet and delicious. The long-house’s tourist coordinator, Edward Gunui, then gave us a tour of the long-house, which consisted of almost 100 bilik.

The floor was a delight to walk on as it was made of bamboo. The rounded surface of the bamboo was very smooth and agreeable to the feet, while affording a firm hold. It also doubled as an excellent bed, since the elasticity of the bamboo and its rounded surface made it more comfortable than a flat floor.

Edward then showed us how chicken was cooked in bamboo over a wood fire. We tried the dish and it was delicious! He also taught us how to use the blowpipe and explained how the poison was made. We gave the pipes a go, but our darts flew everywhere.

Rumah Annah Rais offers homestay programmes for tourist who would like to experience life in a long-house.

They also organise adventure activities like trekking to the waterfalls, hot springs, bamboo rafting and cultural activities like Bidayuh dances, cooking Bidayuh dishes and learning how to use the blow pipe.

Source: www.thestar.com (25 Juni 2007)

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Learning About Life in a Long-House

THE harvest festival of Gawai is always a good time to visit the mystical Land of the Hornbill, and a Gawai experience is never complete until you’ve visited a Dayak long-house.

Unless a local resident invites you, the only way to visit a long-house is via a tour operator who organises a homestay at a designated long-house.

I opted to visit a non-commercial Iban long-house in remote Kapit so as to experience an authentic Gawai spirit.

Kapit is the largest division in Sarawak, making up one-third of its total land area. It is 309km up the mighty Rejang River from Sibu and is only accessible via express boat.

Jessie Anak Mangka, Sarawak Tourism Board tour coordinator, revealed to us how some of the settlements, like Kanowit and Song, got their names.

Back in the colonial days, the White Rajah was travelling up the Rejang River to meet with the tribe leaders. As he passed a village, the people called out to him to stop over. He shouted from his boat that he “Can not wait” because he was in a rush, and that was how Kanowit got its name.

Further up the river, he heard mournful music from a funeral procession and so he turned to his officers and said, “Song”, and that became the name of the place.

When he finally reached his destination, a red carpet was rolled out to welcome him and he exclaimed, “Carpet!”, and so Kapit got its name.

I found the story rib-tickling.

After three hours in the freezing air-conditioned express boat, we reached the small Kapit wharf and were greeted by local guides, Alice and David Chua, who took us to the Kapit Division Resident’s Office to obtain tourist permits to visit the long-house.

Then we got into a rundown, dirt-covered Wira and hit the road to Rumah Jugah. It was an hour’s journey on logging roads.

I was amazed that the driver could drive so fast despite terrible road conditions. Along the way, we stopped at a small shed that had been converted into a temporary arena for cock-fighting. The sport is illegal but a license can be obtained to host one in Sarawak on special occasions.

We watched with fascination as the men released their prized cocks equipped with sharp razor blades on the legs. The fight was over in mere seconds and left one rooster dead.

I was shocked when David told us that a winning cock can fetch up to RM10,000 or more, as the owner will use the animal for illegal gambling purposes.

As we continued our journey, we were told that a long-house is normally named after the long-house head (Tuai Rumah), so no prizes for guessing the head of the house we were about to visit.

A Tuai Rumah is appointed by the community, and the title is usually handed down from father to son when he dies. If the tuai only has daughters, or the son is unsuitable, the title will be passed down to a close relative.

There are over 200 people living in 17 houses or bilik in Rumah Jugah. Each bilik houses one family. Tuai Rumah Jugah greeted us himself and we were escorted to his bilik for tea.

He seemed imposing at first with his warrior tattoos, but turned out to be a gentle man. He showed us around his wooden long-house and introduced us to the people living there. The place was alive with activity as children played in the common area and extended families, who made the trip back for Gawai, helped elders with the cooking and preparations.

As we were feeling quite hot and sticky from the ride over, the residents invited us to the river to bathe. We eagerly agreed and grabbed our toiletries as the cooling waters sounded really refreshing. It was quite an experience, and the locals taught us how to drift down the river by filling up our sarongs with air and then using it as a float.

Gawai begins

Gawai in an Iban long-house usually begins on May 31, the eve of Gawai, and the celebration varies from place to place.

At Rumah Jugah, it began with a miring ceremony in front of each bilik to receive blessings from the gods for a prosperous year, as well as to give thanks for the bountiful harvest. The rooster used in the ceremony was then sacrificed. Although many Ibans are now Christians, they still perform the miring.

After the official ceremony was over, the party began with the serving of food and tuak (home-brewed rice wine). We were not aware that we would be served food so many times within an hour and so were quite stuffed after visiting only three bilik.

The tuak seemed to come from a bottomless jug as well. We were advised not to refuse food or drink as it would offend the host. The most polite way to decline tuak is by touching the rim of the cup to the lips.

I had the impression that Gawai would be celebrated with costumes and traditional dances but was wrong. Unfazed, I decided to persuade the locals to dig out their traditional costumes and put on a show for us. They agreed, but on condition that I wore a costume too and do the ngajat, their traditional dance, with them.

A resident affectionately referred to as Ibu (or mother), taught me how to move to the music and we were later joined by a few other girls. Although the dance was not choreographed and the costumes were not complete, we managed to liven up the place and bring cheer to the long-house.

We were also treated to a kuntau performance, the Iban version of silat.

The party carried on way past midnight with most youths singing and dancing to Malay and Iban tunes played on their guitars. The ones who couldn’t make it through the night fell asleep on the floor in the common area, undisturbed by the merrymaking.

I realised that besides its traditional values, Gawai is a time when families gather to bond and give thanks for each other and what little they have.

Looking at the simple yet closed-knit Iban community and how they accepted complete strangers into their fold, I couldn’t help but feel proud that Malaysians of different cultures could live and celebrate together in harmony.

Source: www.thestar.com (25 Juni 2007)

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Down The Dark Chamber…

Travel back in time to ancient pewter mines at Royal Selangor in Singapore

Trapdoors and narrow chambers are exciting. You never know what you can discover inside — a piece of ancient treasure, a scare or just memories of a bygone era. But at Royal Selangor in Singapore, one can discover much more.

The dark chamber inside Royal Selangor‘s chic boutique at Clarke Quay transports one to 19th-century Malaysian pewter mines —where pewter, an alloy of tin, antimony and copper, is made.

As our guide Jaren took us along, one saw how Royal Selangor had evolved from its origin in 1885 as a small shop called ‘Ngeok Foh‘ (meaning Jade Peace) that made handcrafted pewter items for ceremonial use, to ‘Selangor Pewter‘ when mechanisation was introduced to speed up production, to 1992 when the company was bestowed the title by His Highness The Sultan of Selangor. Today, Royal Selangor is the world‘s largest company crafting pewter objects and incidentally also owns the largest pewter mines in the world — in Malaysia.

But the chamber has more than a collection of pictures depicting this trip down memory lane. A ‘pewter making‘ session was in progress. Our group of journalists had the privilege of seeing an ancient coin being re-cast. Pewter was used to make currency in the 18th and 19th centuries in Malaysia, said Jaren. The coin resembled a branch of the ‘Chinese money tree‘, a popular currency model of the past.

Using a ladle, molten pewter is poured into a mould shaped like a coin tree. A coin is chipped off the tree and polished so that the dull top layer (which is oxidised) is peeled off to reveal a shiny new surface. Designs are then hand-engraved on this surface. Jaren showed us a rare coin with an Arabic looking inscription. Of course, visitors prefer English inscriptions that read ‘Royal Selangor‘, he said. Lying in a heap are many such coins, indicating the popularity of this store among tourists.

At the end of the tunnel, one is greeted by light bouncing off walls that look suspiciously like gold. Going closer, one sees that the “walls” are actually pewter sheets, each sporting a unique design. These sheets encompass nearly all hand-made and machine-made designs that the company has produced so far.

Outside the tunnel is the world one is familiar with. One eagerly browsed through the exhibits at the Royal Selangor boutique in the hope of finding some timeless masterpieces. No luck, as every object looks ‘uber chic‘ — contemporary design, space-age finish and at times, a dash of colour. Gift items, office stationery, cutlery that looks too pretty to be used and personal accessories are some items on display. Most of these are limited-edition pieces backed by international design awards.

Doesn‘t anyone ask for an antique design any more? Not really. Corporates (the biggest clientele for Royal Selangor) prefer simple and modern designs, Jaren said. According to the company‘s Web site, except for a pair of chopstick rests, no other product on the list of ‘Top 10 gift ideas‘ has an oldish appeal to it.

As one left the boutique, Jaren quietly slipped something into one‘s palm. Late for the next tourist attraction, one put the item inside a handbag and bid him a hasty goodbye. Later that evening, a closer examination showed it to be an old, slightly bent pewter coin with an Arabic looking inscription. Hopefully, it says more than just ‘Royal Selangor‘!

Pewter is an alloy of tin (close to 97 per cent), antimony and copper. It has a dull silvery look and turns yellowish on oxidisation.

Owing to its low melting point, pewter is soft and easy to work with.

In the olden days, lead was added to strengthen the pewter. However, today, Royal Selangor does not add lead to pewter, conforming with international standards.

The earliest use of pewter was in minting currency. Malay royals used many forms of currency such as coins, coin trees and animal forms including crocodile, cockerel, elephant and turtle.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, pewter was commonly used in Oriental markets (Malaysia, Singapore, Japan and parts of China) to make ceremonial and prayer items such as incense stick stands and candle burners.

With colonialisation, pewter was also used to make tankards, ashtrays and tea sets for the British.

The world‘s largest pewter tankard, recognised by the Guinness Book of Records, was made by Royal Selangor in 1985 commemorating its centenary year. Now displayed at the company‘s headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, the 1.987-metre-tall tankard weighs 1,557 kg and can fill 2,796 litres of beer.

In the 19th century, pewter was polished with a fine abrasive wild tropical leaf (tetracera scandens), popularly known as “stone leaf”. Today it is done on machines.

The Royal Selangor Visitor Centre in Kuala Lumpur has a pewter museum and allows visitors to make their own pewter items for a fee.

Source: www.thehindubusinessline.com (25 Juni 2007)

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Youths From Sabah and Brunei Sign MoU to Strengthen Ties

Kota Kinabalu - A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the Muslim Youth Movement (Abim) Sabah branch and the Brunei-Muara District of Youth Council here to strengthen existing ties and cooperation between the youths in both countries.

Muddin Beting signed the agreement on behalf of Abim Sabah along with Brunei-Muara District of Youth Council Vice President, Hj Awg Yusof Hj Awg Murni.

Youth and Sports Ministry Permanent Secretary, Susannah Liau witnessed the signing ceremony by both parties at the ministry`s office in Wisma Muis here.

Susannah expressed hope that any planning of youth development programmes and activities in both countries would be structured and carried out more systematically.

"I was made to understand that both parties have been carrying out activities that benefited the youths in Sabah and Brunei Darussalam even before the signing of the MoU. Hence, I am confident that the official cooperation forged through the MoU would further shape youth development in both countries," Liau said.

Muddin said the signing of the MoU was a proposal raised during Abim Sabah`s visit to Brunei during `Kembara Amal` 2nd service event in December last year. For a start they are planning to organise `Kembara Amal` third series this year to give local youths here an opportunity to learn other cultures in Brunei Darussalam.

We hope to kick off the charity programme this year and to have an exchange of youths between Sabah and Brunei Darussalam through the foster family programme. Apart from that, we will organise more community activities, Muddin said.

Yusof, meanwhile, said they would focus on fostering closer ties with the youths in Sabah through Abim and organise more family-oriented programmes together.

On the MoU, he said, both parties have agreed to cooperate in implementing youth programmes through five aspects, namely, socio-culture, sports, education (training and publication), human capital and economic activities aimed solely to benefit youths of both countries.

Source: www.brunei-online.com (25 Juni 2007)

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Gambling is Everywhere Around Us

Bandar Seri Begawan - In these modern times of ours, gambling can be found almost everywhere around us. The elements of gambling can be camouflaged by many faces _ shows, games and entertainments _ be it on the radio, television, the Internet or in print media, and also via mobile phone.

In certain countries, gambling is legalised for the purpose of tourism and increased economic revenue. In some other countries, initially entertaining TV and radio programmes are now dominated by elements of gambling.

Even to determine the winner of singing or preaching competition, it is done by encouraging listeners or viewers to send SMS via mobile phones. Not only are listeners or viewers provoked to spend money, the contestants themselves generate fans and voters by sponsoring the pulse to send SMSes.

So, what‘s wrong with that? You might ask.

God has created mankind to obey him. God has also bless us with precious gifts, namely mind, reason/thought, and senses. We use those tools to earn a living for our family, to work and pursue rezeki. Islam governs us to walk on the right path and to avoid any wrongdoing, which is considered haram. Among other things: to commit violence and oppression, to cheat, and to gamble.

What Islam means by gambling is any action that includes betting, adu nasib, put your fate at stake. This act can be in the form of games and entertainment. Even though given various names and forms, such as lottery, tail ticket (kartu ekor), betting, main ketam, all of these are definitely classified as sinful acts of gambling.

Islam clearly forbids gambling and explains the negative side of it in the Quran. In verse 219, surah Al-Baqarah, Allah says:

"They ask you concerning alcoholic drink and gambling. Say: In them is a great sin, and (some) benefit for men, but the sin of them is greater than their benefit."

But, there are still many Muslims who ignore or defy this teaching. One of the forms of gambling in our modern society is buying lottery or "tail" ticket to get money through an easy way. People want to get rich quickly without putting any effort. If they fail, they will get stressful and frustrated. It will affect their behaviour towards loved ones. As Muslims we must remember that gambling is considered maksiat. The money taken/earned from gambling is haram. It is very bad to feed your wife and children with gambling money. It is believed that it will ruin the body and spirit of those who consume any food and drink bought by that dirty/sinful money.

Even our Prophet Muhammad reminds us that every spoon you feed your family with that money means a flame in Hell. Again, in surah Al Baqarah verse 168, God reminds us: "O mankind! Eat of that which is lawful and wholesome in the earth, and follow not the footsteps of the devil. Lo! He is an open enemy for you."

Recently, gambling activities are increasingly accessible for people. It uses modern technology, such as broadcasting media (radio, television), even telephone, including mobile phone. Sometimes, what we do normally, without our conscience, contains elements of gambling. Joining a riddle in the radio, or following a quiz on a TV game show, or sending SMS to an "Idol" (like American Idol, Indonesian/Malaysian Idol, KDI, etc), are examples of that.

Islam doesn‘t teach its followers blindly. It gives you reasons. For instance, in a quiz or survey via SMS, participants must pay the pulse higher than the normal rate. This is economically bad for the participant, because he/she pays more for something doubtful. There is no guarantee that you will win the survey or the quiz.Actually, there is no benefit. It‘s the same thing with auctions via SMS, as compared to legal auctions ruled by shariah. In auctions based on shariah, only the highest bidder, the winner, pays the price and gets the thing. In auction via SMS, people will pay money for nothing, or for a false hope. It makes people rely on chance, luck, and prevent them from being productive. They become lazy to work hard.

So, the main question is: if there are any benefits in the gambling industry and if there are, do the benefits really outweigh its harm?

Allah has proclaimed that in gambling and alcoholic drinks, the harm and destruction wrought are greater than their benefits. The person who gambles or drinks, not only brings harm and destruction to himself, but also to those around him, particularly his loved ones.

Allah says in surah Al-Maidah, verse 91: Satan wants only to excite enmity and hatred between you with alcoholic drinks and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allah and from prayers. So, will you not then abstain (from drinking and gambling)?

Indeed, we live only temporarily. And this very brief life is full of tests, challenges, and teases. We have Islam to guide us through all those, and reach our final destination, which is a better eternal life. We cannot avoid the possibility of wrongdoing. To err is human. Some are deliberate, some are due to ignorance. The important thing is, when you realise you have done wrong, you confess to God, ask for forgiveness (bertaubat), and stop doing it. The Brunei Times

Source: www.bruneitimes.com (25 Juni 2007)

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South West District Arts Festival Kicks Off 5Wweeks of Performances

Singapore- The Singapore Arts Festival may be coming to a close this weekend, but there will be no lack of arts events to attend in the weeks ahead.

The five-week long South West District Arts Festival kicks off on Saturday.

And to add bang to the event, Education Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam and other MPs formed a group of fusion percussionists, whipping up a vigorous tempo with the Chinese, Malay, Bhangra and Brazillian Drums.

The group also displayed their dance grooves, along with over 200 youths.

The specially choreographed dance involves 32 steps and can be performed to an English, Chinese, Indian or Malay song.

It is being performed ahead of Racial Harmony Month in July, and over 10,000 residents and students are expected to learn the steps.

And as part of the District Arts Festival, about 150 local and foreign artists from more than 30 groups will be performing in over 70 acts.

All performances are free and to check the schedule, you can log on to the South West Community Development Council website.

Mr Tharman said: "(The Festival is) bringing art, music, dance into our neighbourhoods, letting people take part. (It also has) very high quality international performances, not just in the Esplanade, but in our neighbourhoods." - CNA/ch

Source: www.channelnewsasia.com (25 Juni 2007)

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`Pirates of the Caribbean`: The Singapore-Borneo Connection

The connection between Hollywood`s Pirates of the Caribbean, set in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, and Singapore and its surrounding seas is more than just the fancy of screenwriters.

In the latest Pirates adventure, we find Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) and his crew in the Singapore lair of Captain Sao Feng (Chow Yun-Fat), looking for a map and a vessel to reach the end of the world.

Eluding British authorities, they hope to rescue Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) from "the other side" -- a kind of Hades on the beach. How Jack got there and what happens later is another story.

But there is real history in the film: the Caribbean and British efforts to stamp out piracy and the spread of British power in Singapore, the Riau islands and northern Borneo after 1819, when modern Singapore was founded by the visionary East India Company administrator, Stamford Raffles.

This is because the British laws that gave the Royal Navy extensive powers to deal with the real Sparrows and Barbossas in the Caribbean also carried jurisdiction in the seas around Singapore.

Key to this was an attractive financial incentive that placed a bounty on the head of every pirate killed or captured. So when Navy captains, who were on a long leash anyway, heard the call to combat piracy, they were only too pleased to assist. They would bring their evidence back to Singapore and claim their reward.

Certainly, pirates were a problem for the growing trade in the South China Sea and Malacca Strait. The warning signs existed at the very beginning of British Singapore.

When he stepped ashore in September 1819 at what is now Labrador Park on the inner southwest coast, the first resident, William Farquhar, was greeted by a row of skulls -- the trophies of Malay pirates from Riau.

Today, at the eastern end of Labrador Park, looking across to Sentosa Island and the entrance into Keppel Harbour, a plaque recalls the good old days.

"... From the earliest times these pirates preyed on merchant ships in these waters. They would attack in fleets of large, heavily armed boats, sometimes in clear view of the harbour and quickly escape with the booty into a labyrinth of islands.

"By the 1830s, the menace had become so serious that it was believed to threaten the Asian trade with `total annihilation`."

Singapore merchants petitioned the Royal Navy, and so dispatched task forces to deal the problem as they saw fit.

The most famous of the admiralty`s captains was Henry Keppel -- hence Singapore`s Keppel group of companies, Keppel Harbour and Keppel Road.

Keppel, who was a bit of a pirate himself, was locally nicknamed Rajah Laut or king of the sea, became an admiral, was knighted and a favorite of Queen Victoria.

While Keppel would go on to project British power across the seven seas, perhaps his greatest legacy while stationed in Singapore was aiding English adventurer James Brooke to institute his rule as the "White Rajah" of Sarawak in northern Borneo.

Brooke, born in India to a father who was a judge for the East India Company, was a mixture of idealistic dreamer and freelance imperialist, as Australian historian Bob Reece describes in his recent book, The White Rajahs of Sarawak: A Borneo Dynasty.

Enamored with the example of Raffles, Brooke, after serving the Company and wounded during battle in Burma, set out from England in 1839 to find his fortune in the Malay world.

Luck was with him. He arrived in Sarawak in his sloop, The Royalist, at a time when the Sultan of Brunei, whose sovereignty then extended over all northern Borneo, faced rebellion by Malay and the indigenous Dayak Bidayu tribe around present-day Kuching.

The Sultan`s representative, Raja Muda Hussein, enlisted Brooke, and the threat of The Royalist`s cannons quelled the uprising. Brooke was then made king of the Kuching area in 1841 in return for an annual tribute to the Sultan.

Thus began a century of rule by the White Rajahs, through three generations of Brookes ruling independently of London -- Sarawak was never formally part of the British Empire.

James Brooke himself was almost the subject of a Hollywood film in the 1930s -- he was to have been played by another swashbuckler, that Tasmanian devil Errol Flynn. Certainly if the latest Pirates should have a cameo role for Rolling Stones`, Keith Richards, then a film about Brooke and Keppels` exploits must have a part for Mick Jagger.

But romanticism needs to be tempered. The Pax Brooke-ania of later decades was not achieved without the guns of the Royal Navy and a lot of bloodshed.

The first years of Brooke`s rule were precarious. On the eastern front was opposition from Malay leaders, drawing on the support of armed bands of headhunting Iban tribesmen. There were also the ferocious Ilanun seafarers from the southern Philippines, and problems with Chinese gold miners south of Kuching.

Enter Capt. Keppel, who came to Brooke`s aid in 1843 and 1844. Joining Brooke`s Malay and Iban followers, Keppel`s HMS Dido sailed along the Bornean coast and up rivers, burning their enemies` strongholds.

Keppel himself wrote in The Expedition to Borneo of HMS Dido for the Suppression of Piracy -- which proved to be a publishing hit in England when it appeared in 1846.

"The punishment we had inflicted was severe, but no more than the crime of hatred horrid piracies deserved," he writes. "A few heads were brought away by our Dayak followers as trophies ... the destruction of these places astonished the whole country beyond description."

Tough times. And, whether or not the enemy were really "pirates" is a moot point. Iban and Ilanun raiders were feared, but there is no doubt many of those killed were simply resisting Brooke and the British flag.

A further bloody campaign in 1849 followed when the steam-powered man of war, HMS Nemesis, smashed Iban resistance at the battle of Beting Marau, 100 kilometers east of Kuching.

The way was now clear for James Brooke -- now Sir James, knighted in 1847 -- and the captain and crew of Nemesis raced back to Singapore and the Admiralty Court, where they obtained 20,700 pounds in "pirate head money."

But reports of the massacres through London journals such as the Illustrated London News stirred concerns among sensitive souls. Skepticism was growing as to talk of all this piracy, and a Commission of Enquiry was held in Singapore in 1853.

While the actions of Brooke and the Navy were exonerated -- they had the support among others, of Singapore merchants -- this led to the end of the pirate bounties.

But 150 years later, the old strategy of taking the battle against pirates to their hideouts -- rather than just policing the seas -- has had some new appeal.

In 2005, then U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld suggested that American forces could hunt down pirates/terrorists in the Malacca Strait -- as they were already doing with Filipino counterterrorist troops in Mindanao. Keppel and Co., no doubt are just Rummy`s sort of people.

While Singapore was partial to the idea, it was quickly rejected by Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta. Perhaps the latter two recalled just what can happen to one`s sovereignty when someone else`s navy shows up.

Source: www.thejakartapost.com (25 Juni 2007)

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Kelantan Inviting Archaeological Researchers

Kota Baru - Kelantan is inviting researchers to ascertain archaeological findings that claim that the oldest form of civilisation in Malaysia, besides the oldest human fossils and artefacts, were located in the state.

This will put to rest ongoing debates over where civilisation originated from in the country, state museum board chairman Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan said.

"Some say the Perak Man is the oldest (10,000 years-old) but we have research evidence to indicate that civilisation began here (Ulu Kelantan) some 12,000 years ago," he said after opening a month-long archaelogical exhibition of the Nenggiri Ulu Valley, which is a Masters research study of National Museum and Antiquities Department director-general Datuk Dr Adi Haji Taha here.

He said the state would welcome input from all, including international researchers and historians to ascertain the claims.

Nenggiri Ulu, which is part of Ulu Kelantan, now called Gua Musang, has a cave system where evidence of neolithic life has been found and the present orang asli community are said to be their descendents.

According to Takiyuddin, research done has unveiled strong suspicions that there was a a pre-Islamic Malay Kingdom in Ulu Kelantan from where the legendary Princess Ruler of Kelantan - "Puteri Saadon" - originated from.

This raised questions over whether the preception that the oldest civilisation should was in Perak or Malacca, were accurate, Takiyuddin said.

The findings from various caves in Gua Musang, could help provide answers to questions that have long intrigued scholars of Kelantan`s early history, Takiyuddin said.

He said the state was also seeking to reclaim some of its artefacts currently located at the Cambridge University in England.

Takiyuddin also announced that a local university student is conducting research to acertain if the Chinese settlement in Pulai, Gua Musang, is the oldest settlement for the Oriental folks in Malaysia.

If there is an effort to provide conclusive evidence, Kelantan`s place in Malaysia would take a different dimension and bring value to its standing as the cradle of Malay culture, Takiyuddin said.

It can boost more archaeological works besides offering spin-off opportunities in tourism and culture, Takiyuddin said.

In a related development, Takiyuddin said the state plans to establish an artefacts museum in Gua Musang soon to coincide with the "Visit Kelantan 2008" campaign.

He said the state will work with the national museums department to facilitate the process including ensuring that the museum setting is situated next to the cave system there.

Takiyuddin said the state would preserve the natural settings

Source: www.thestar.com (25 Juni 2007)

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Crisis in South Rooted in Ethnic Malay Identity

Govt`s charm offensive may be winning support abroad, but it won`t end bloodshed in region

Not long after Thai soldiers and police stacked hundreds of unarmed Muslim demonstrators on the back of military transport trucks - suffocating 78 of them in the process - the Thai Foreign Ministry went through their rolodex`s looking for Muslim organisations.

The aftermath of the Tak Bai tragedy generated all kinds of fears and concerns.

Besides the possibility of a diplomatic fallout with Islamic countries over the death of 78 unarmed demonstrators, many were worried the incident would change the course of the insurgency in the deep South, turning local grievances into a struggle for Islamic causes. But nearly three years later, the banner is still very much Malay nationalism.

Prior to the Tak Bai incident, the then Thaksin Shinawatra administration didn`t give much thought about generating political capital from international Islamic organisations or institutions.

But like most organisations, foreign or local, an institution is only as good as what you churn out of it. The previous government of Chuan Leekpai succeeded in securing a "permanent observer" seat in the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC). In doing so it dashed the hopes of separatist movements such as the Patani United Liberation Organisation (Pulo) or Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) from using it as a launching pad to attack Thailand.

As part of its effort to get the Muslim countries off its back, Bangkok launched a charm offensive. Diplomatic old hands and Muslim VIPs were dispatched to the Middle East and to OIC meetings.

There were some difficult moments, however. The OIC rattled the government`s cage on more than one occasion, issuing some strong statements in 2005 over Thailand`s handling of the far South.

After more than two years of diplomatic offensive, Thailand has succeeded in obtaining some breathing space.

But Bangkok also made some concessions. In a joint press statement in May 2007, the Foreign Ministry had to acknowledge the OIC`s desire for "prompt and effective investigation of any allegation of human rights abuses". It also said that "long-term solutions to the problem in the South should entail granting the people of the region greater responsibility in governing effectively their local affairs".

Although no one knows what this will translate to in real terms, diplomatically speaking, the language of the joint statement suggested that the tricky topic of structural or administrative reform could be on the table in the future.

But while its charm offensive gives Thai officials some breathing space in the international arena, back in the deep South, the government`s campaign to win hearts and minds is being clipped by reports and allegations of targeted killings and heavy handed measures.

Moreover, Muslims in the restive South, as well as those living exile, said Bangkok has been barking up the wrong tree with its insistence on playing the Islamic card.

The problem in the restive region is not about Islam; it is deep rooted in the ethnic Malays` refusal to embrace the pillars and values that define Thailand`s nation-state building, they insist.

But Thai officials continue to ignore the complexity of the long-standing problem of assimilation and the question of identity the ethnic Malays face.

Oversimplifying the problems in the deep South tends to turn many Muslims off, particularly those who would like to work with the state but are disgusted by the government`s futile policies.

Although it has put off many Muslims around the country, the government continues with its search for a model Muslim citizen, or "moderate", as the government likes to say, for others to emulate.

One big problem for Bangkok is that the model isn`t catching on - no one wants to be seen as a "Muslim Uncle Tom".

Source: www.nationmultimedia.com (25 Juni 2007)

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Environment: Nameless: 10,000 Indonesian Islands

Jakarta - Indonesia needs at least three more years to name more than 10,000 of its islands, a senior official said Monday, warning that the lack of names left people at risk in case of disasters.

Alex Retraubun, director of small islands‘ empowerment at the Fisheries and Maritime Affairs ministry, said a recent ministry survey had found that more than 60% of Indonesia‘s 17,504 islands still did not have names.

The failure to name the islands could leave Indonesians on about 5,000 of them at risk if natural disasters were to hit, he said.

"If (the islands) were hit by a tsunami or earthquake, it would be difficult to bring immediate relief to the areas as they are not known and officially registered by the state," Retraubun told AFP.

Indonesia‘s vast archipelago straddles the Pacific "Ring of Fire," where continental plates meet and cause frequent seismic and volcanic activity.

The official added that the survey had also found that 24 islets have been wiped from Indonesia‘s map.

"Three of them were in Aceh and disappeared after the (2004 Indian Ocean) tsunami hit the province.... The rest disappeared due to erosion and sand mining," he said.

The 2004 tsunami killed more than 168,000 people in Aceh alone. Indonesia was the nation worst hit by the disaster. (AFP)

Source: www.e.sinchew-i.com (25 Juni 2007)

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Indonesia: Lewd Language Presents Moral Dilemma

Jakarta - Television personalities agreed to disagree on the issue of obscene language in television talk shows during a discussion held by the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) on Thursday.

The commission had called together several well known television figures to discuss whether jokes made by talk show hosts were meant to be humorous or were deliberately suggestive.

Sumita Tobing, a prominent television producer, said that broadcasting was supposed educate people, while entertainer Farhan said that the industry had always faced a dilemma in choosing between moral responsibilities and business challenges.

"We have to have a standard. A producer must have good taste," said Sumita, citing as an example the time she had chosen not to air a close-up shot of a dead body during an evening news program.

"Good taste depends on the maturity and the (experience) of a producer.

"Professionalism in television cannot be obtained instantly. Broadcasting is not meant as a business commodity only," said Sumita, who has been working in the television industry since 1970.

However, Farhan argued that everyone in the industry had commercial interests.

"I might hate one specific actress, but, on the other hand I will invite her on my show because she sells," said Farhan.

He added that the main problem was that the life of television shows depended on their ratings.

KPI chairman Sasa Djuarsa Sendjaja said last month that television stations would do anything to boost program ratings, even if it were at the expense of the quality of the programs themselves.

Farhan said that viewers were the most powerful people in the television industry because the ratings depended on them.

"The audience doesn`t know how many people working in the television industry are affected just by their switching channels," he said.

Sumita acknowledged that ratings were influential on program content, but pointed out that it was possible to avoid lewd content and suggestive elements.

The KPI itself, represented by M. Izzul Muslimin, did not make any firm statement on the lewd language issue, but only said that the problem was that television was meant for public consumption.

Izzul added that parents should take the responsibility for making sure their children did not watch television programs that contained lewd elements.

Communications consultant Inke Maris was the only one who made a clear statement, saying that vulgar jokes on talk shows could not be categorized as pornography.

"The quotes and comments are meant as funny jokes," said Inke, who has worked as a journalist for 30 years.

Source: www.asiamedia.ucla.edu (25 Juni 2007)

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Indonesia Pledges to Cut Haze-Causing Fires by Half

Indonesia say it aims to reduce forest fires by 40-50 percent this year, following nearly a decade of devastating seasonal fires that release large amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere, threaten critical orangutan habitat, and raise regional health risks.

"Our target is to reduce them by 40-50 percent. We may never be able to eradicate forest fires completely," Indonesian Environment Minister Rachmat Witoelar told Reuters by telephone. "Forest fires also happen in Hollywood, Malibu in the United States and in Sydney, it`s a natural phenomenon. We have to be realistic. What we can do is prevent the repeat of last year`s scale."

Most fires are lit by farmers and plantation owners to clear brush and forest for industrial timber production, agriculture, and oil palm plantations. While such burning is illegal in Indonesia, laws are poorly enforced. Fires are worst in el Niño years when rainfall declines in Indonesia. Meteorologists say this year is shaping up to be a la Niña year, which should help reduce fire risk. Still Indonesia is working on fire prevention and suppression strategies including improved monitoring, law enforcement, and rural education efforts to teach farmers not to use slash-and-burn. The neighboring countries of Malaysian and Singapore are also coordinating fire-fighting plans with Indonesia.

Between 2000 and 2005 Indonesia lost nearly 2 million hectares (5 million acres) of forest per year. The U.N. Environment Program (UNEP) projects that 98 percent of Indonesia`s lowland forests will be gone by 2022, putting endangered species like the orangutan at risk of extinction in the wild. Deforestation and fires have made the country the world`s third largest emitter of greenhouse gases despite having only the 22nd largest economy.

Source: www.news.mongabay.com (25 Juni 2007)

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Imaginative, Little Storytellers Narrate Captivating Folk Tales from Asia

Bandar Seri Begawan- Confident and bold, 10 young participants showcased their storytelling skills yesterday in a contest telecast live from a studio at Radio Televisyen Brunei in the capital.

The students captivated the members of the audience with Asian folk stories at the Mari Bercerita Competition 2007.

Ten boys and girls ranging from 9 to 12 years of age animatedly told stories of lore and legend to proud parents and guests yesterday afternoon.

The contestants comprised primary school students from all the country`s four districts who have passed the initial stages of the storytelling competition.

Young children from Pengiran Setia Negara Pg Haji Mohd Yusof Primary School, Seria, gave song and dance performances that called out to young Bruneians to empower themselves while staying true to their cultural heritage.

Md Amiruddin Hj Abd Hamid was visibly ecstatic when he was named the winner of the Mari Bercerita Contest.

The PDS Primary School student won the judges` hearts with his exuberant story of how a little mousedeer and his jungle companions outwitted an evil giant.

First runners-up was nine-year-old Mohammad Farid Adli Hj Mohd Yussof for his narration of The Eagle and The Ant whereby the student reminded the audience to never look down upon on others.

Talented Tutong student Nur Faizullizam Janudin took home the third place award with his cautionary tale of the Rabbit, Lamb and Tortoise.

The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Dewa Major General (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Hj Mohammad Hj Daud was on hand to present the prizes to the contest winners.

Also in attendance were senior government officials from the ministry and the Language and Literature Bureau.

The storytelling contest is a yearly project organised by the Language and Literature Bureau and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports in a bid to encourage reading among young children, using storytelling as a channel of expressing creativity and to develop their confidence from an early age.

Source: The Brunei Times (25 Juni 2007)

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Concern Over Use Of `Bahasa Rojak` Among Bruneians

Bandar Seri Begawan - Misusing the Malay language is an unfortunate but common practice among Bruneians these days, according to the Culture, Youth and Sports Minister.

Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Dewa Major General (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Hj Awg Mohammad Hj Daud also expressed his concern over the use of bahasa rojak in everyday life and how it `pollutes` the local language and culture.

Speaking during the officiating of the Mari Bercerita Competition 2007 at RTB`s Dewan Raya yesterday, the minister said, "This competition requires proficiency in the Malay language and yet, the rampant use of bahasa rojak is a pervasive trend in our society."

He defined bahasa rojak as a mix of the Bruneian mother tongue with a second language, usually English, and states that this habit is deemed as "polluting the language"..

The minister hopes this is merely a passing trend whereby teenagers not only communicate with their peers in bahasa rojak but also with their parents. "Where has the essence of being a Malay gone when we cannot even become a role model to society by using proper Malay language?" he lamented.

Pehin Dato Hj Awg Mohammad cautioned the public that it was imperative to monitor and discourage the use of such language among today`s generations in order to preserve the dignity of the Malay language as the national language of Brunei Darussalam.

"Today`s children are our greatest assets. To become our future leaders and administrators, their education needs must encompass not just formal education institutions but also, physical and spiritual development," the minister added.

He went on to say that "the Mari Bercerita Competition is held as an annual project by the Language and Literature Bureau in an effort to broaden children`s minds through reading”

He said that storytelling was undoubtedly an innovate tool to promote creative thinking and learning among the nation`s students and indirectly strengthened a reading culture in the sultanate.

"There is an urgent need to cultivate forward-thinking teenagers in further developing this country" he said.

He added that his ministry was continuously engaging in efforts to further enhance the local reading culture through improving and expanding library services.

Several new libraries have been opened in the sultanate such as the Kampung Pandan Library in the Belait district as well as the Brunei-Muara District Library.

There are two more libraries that will be opened to the public in the near future in Kampung Lambak Kanan and Kampung Sengkurong.

The minister was very positive that these community libraries would encourage citizens to read more, especially young children

Source: www.brudirect.com (25 Juni 2007)

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Najib Reminds Malays Of The Glokal Concept

Kuala Lumpur- Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak reminded Malays to hold firmly to the "glokal" concept, telling them that while they excelled on the world stage they should not forget their place of origin.

He said Malays who sought and achieved success elsewhere, including overseas, should not forget the village they came from and should find ways to "return the favour".

"After we have travelled far ... when the time comes, we should return the favour to our place of origin.

"As the saying `Think Global, Act Local` goes, even when our thoughts have reached out to the whole world, our actions must be locally oriented," he said at a Family Day organised by the Kelab Anak Wawasan Pekan for Malays from Pekan, Pahang, who had excelled elsewhere.

The "glokal" concept encapsulates a Malay who is recognised for his mental ability and values at the international level and having a role on the world stage but who is, at the same time, great in the country because of his success and resilience rooted in Islam, the Malay culture and natural heritage.

Najib had introduced the concept at the 56th Umno General Assembly in 2005. The word "glokal" is formed from the words "global" and "lokal" (local).

Najib. who also hails from Pekan, said Malays who had acquired wide experience and knowledge elsewhere could help in the development of their respective places of origin.

"As an elected representative, I have the dream to bring more intensive development to my constituency but the journey is a long one," he said.

Najib said his statement was not meant to fan the spirit of narrow parochialism in any way but was made to ensure that those who went far in search of fortune did not forget their roots.

"I only hope that those who have achieved success in the federal capital or other places will remember their place of origin, which in itself will inspire them to do something for their respective villages," he said.

Source: www.bernama.com (24 Juni 2007)

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S`pore Duck Race Back After 3 Years to Raise Money for Charity

Singapore - The "Great Singapore Duck Race" will make a comeback at the Singapore River in September.

Personalities from all walks of life will be there, including ex-national swimmer Leslie Kwok and inspirational leader Dr William Tan.

Six organisations will stand to benefit from this year`s event, which is sponsored by the Singapore Computer Society.

Wilson Tan, President of Singapore Computer Society said: "We`re hoping that with this, we`ll be able to give back to the community. We feel that this is our small way of returning to the people... That`s why we are having this duck race."

For the first time in the history of the race, there will be mascots.

The September race could very well be the last duck race in Singapore because the Singapore River will be developed into a reservoir.

"If there`s an interest from the public and there`s demand for the event to continue, we will scout around for a new location. This is the first time which we are having ambassadors on board. People came forward and asked how they can help and how they can assist, so we`ve included them in our programme for the year," said Hugh Yii, director of Festival Square Circle as well as organiser of the Great Singapore Duck Race 2007.

"I`m very glad to be an ambassador and this is the first time that Paya Lebar Methodist Girls` Secondary is taking part in the duck race. We are very happy to be supporting TOUCH community services. We also get this cute little duck so it`s a plus for us," said Renee Tan, a head prefect at Paya Lebar Methodist Girls` Secondary. - CNA /ls

Source: www.channelnewsasia.com (21 Juni 2007)

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Three-week Long Silat Competition Kicks Off This Weekend

Singapore - Over the next three weeks, close to 700 Silat exponents will compete in the National Pencak Silat Championship.

The competition was officially opened on Friday evening and the first events will take place this weekend.

There will be various categories, including the pre-junior category, which is for those under-14.

The senior category is for those up to 40 years old.

Besides competitive matches, there will also be artistic matches where music and costumes will be used for a choreographed performance.

More than 30 clubs and affiliates that are part of the Singapore Silat Federation will be represented in the competition.

Silat is a martial art with roots in Malay culture.

It involves fighting using techniques of self defence.

Source: www.channelnewsasia.com (21 Juni 2007)

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Iban Community Celebrates Hari Gawai

Tutong - The Hari Gawai celebration for the year 2007, organised by the Iban Brunei Association, was held at the Rumah Budaya Puak Iban, Sungai Basong Recreational Park, in Tutong. Hari Gawai is usually celebrated every year on June 1.

Present as the guest of honour was the Acting District Officer of Tutong, Awg Haji Jamain bin Momin, and his spouse.

The ceremony began with an opening speech by the chairman, Awg Chugot anak Kalai. In his speech, he said that the purpose of the celebration was to foster ties between the committee members of the Iban Brunei Association and to exemplify traditional Iban culture for the community, especially to the younger generations.

This was followed by a speech from the guest of honour.

The ceremony also included the presentation of the Award for Successful Senior Citizen to one of the members of the Iban Brunei Association, Awg Kelai anak Amping, 82. To enliven the ceremony, cultural performances and a traditional Iban costume competition were also held.

Also present at the ceremony were the President of the Iban Brunei Association, Awg Salanjat anak Jugi, the Assistant District Officer of Tutong, government staff members and village leaders. The ceremony ended with a traditional food-and-handcrafts exhibition, and a Sports Fun event was held for families from the Iban Association and members of the public.

Source: www.brunei-online.com (21 Juni 2007)

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Orangutans Flee Illegal Loggers in Indonesian Parks

Jakarta - Indonesia‘s efforts to crack down on illegal logging are holding out some hope for endangered oranguntans, the red-haired apes that inhabit the Indonesian rainforest, the UN Environment Programme says. But hundreds of orangutans have fled their homes and ended up in "refugee" camps as illegal logging rapidly destroys the last remaining rainforests of Southeast Asia.

UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner says, "Indonesia cannot and should not have to deal with this issue alone."

International support and regional cooperation, especially from timber importing countries, is essential to preserve the remaining orangutans, the rainforests of Southeast Asia, and the people whose livelihoods rely on these ecosystems, he says.

In recent weeks, Indonesian authorities have stepped up action against the illegal timber trade, arresting six people and seizing 30,000 cubic meters of processed wood in Nunukan, East Kalimantan province on the island of Borneo.

Another 40,000 cubic meters of processed wood was confiscated in Kutai, East Kalimantan and several more arrests were made.

The seizure of 70,000 cubic meters of illegal wood represents around 3,000 truck loads of timber, but Steiner points out that by some estimates illegal logging is clearing 2.1 million hectares of forest in Indonesia worth an estimated $4 billion every year.

"This may equate to several hundred thousand truckloads - corresponding to a continuous line of trucks from Paris to Bangkok," said Steiner, speaking at the conference of Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, CITES, that concluded Friday in The Netherlands.

More wardens on the ground as well as improved policing and customs operations are needed, he said.

Investigations by the UN‘s Great Apes Survival Project, GRASP, its network of nongovernmental partner organizations, and CITES have found that hundreds of orangutans are being rescued and kept in "rescue" or "rehabilitation" camps as the forest is cut or burned, straining the resources of many NGOs.

A UNEP Rapid Response report released in February, "The Last Stand of the Orangutan" presents evidence that logging companies, employing heavy machinery and armed personnel, are operating in Indonesia‘s national parks in defiance of the law.

While the Indonesian government has stopped illegal logging in some parks by the use of police and military force, the companies, prompted by the growing demand from importing countries, continue their illegal operations in others.

Satellite images, together with data from the Indonesian government, indicates that illegal logging is now taking place in 37 out of 41 national parks and that suitable orangutan forest habitat may be gone in a little as a decade.

The rate of loss of these forests outstrips a previous UNEP report released in 2002 at the World Summit for Sustainable Development.

Experts then estimated that most of the suitable orangutan habitat would be lost by 2032. New satellite imagery reveals that the illegal logging is now entering a new critical phase with the rainforests of south East Asia disappearing 30 percent faster than previously thought.

The burning and clearing of rainforests for palm oil plantations to produce biofuels is a new source of pressure on orangutan habitat.

The greenhouse gas emissions generated from the damage to forests may entirely off-set the gains in emission reductions when the biodiesel produced from palms planted there is substituted for petroleum as a transport fuel, UNEP warns.

Melanie Virtue, who leads the GRASP project at UNEP, said, "We are observing illegal trade in live orangutans as a bi-product of the illegal logging. When the forests are burnt or cut down, mothers are often killed, while the juveniles are caught to be used as pets, or sold on to zoos or safari parks."

Female orangutans only give birth every six to eight years. Often, their mothers are shot and juvenile apes then captured, said Virtue. In some cases, orangutans are sold for as little as $100 and locally even cheaper. As the forest is cut down, more orangutans move into farmlands in search for food and are then either shot or captured.

CITES Secretary General Willem Wijnstekers said, "It is very clear from what is jointly conducted by CITES and GRASP, that there is a highly organized structure of illegal trade in orangutans. Consequently, there needs to be much higher law enforcement priority allocated to combating this destructive criminality."

"Such priority needs to come not only from Indonesia, but from the countries importing illegal timber and orangutans," Wijnstekers said.

The number of orangutans sold and exported is unknown but is believed to be in the hundreds. Rescue or rehabilitation centers in Borneo contain around 1,000 orangutans and one has over 400 individuals.

Recently, illegally obtained young Bornean orangutans have been found in zoos in Thailand and Cambodia.

Christian Nellemann, a lead author on the UNEP Rapid Response report, said, "The rate of decline of the forests is the most alarming we have seen yet anywhere in the World. The real blame lies on the countries buying the timber and wood products from illegal sources."

"The stepping up of law enforcement in Indonesia is a very encouraging step indeed," said Nellemann, "but governments in importing countries bear a direct responsibility for the crisis."

UNEP says consumers can help by choosing wood products that are certified and labeled as being sustainably harvested.

Orangutans are intelligent and have the ability to reason and think. They closely related to humans, sharing 97 percent of the same DNA. The orangutan is the only strictly arboreal ape and is the largest tree living mammal in the world.

Indigenous peoples of Indonesia and Malaysia call these ape Orang Hutan, or "People of the Forest." In the past, they would not kill orangutans, which they viewed as persons hiding in the trees, trying to avoid having to go to work or become slaves.

Source: www.ens-newswire.com (21 Juni 2007)

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