THE SARAWAK

Last Thursday, I attended another session of Gerakan’s Teh Tarik Forum.

The theme of the forum was titled as “Why was Sarawak spared from the 308 political tsunami?” Dunstan Chen, my brother-at-laws, was the speaker.

The session was fantastic. The speaker really gave his “true and fair views” on the political developments in Sarawak, and it was an eye-opener, for the people at the Peninsular.

For the brief account on the forum, please read here. My brother-at-blog, Romerz, has given his brief account on the talk.

And I have something to add on.

Romerz asked, “How well do we know our horn bills (Sarawakian)?“

Let me rephrase it and ask, “How well do we know about each other as a Malaysian?“

I began to know about “Malaysian”, after my trip to Sarawak.

I used to be biased, against other ethnics, since I was born and bred in a total Chinese-environment. I went to Chinese schools for 12 years, and it was a cultural shock to me when I furthered my tertiary education in a private college.

My prejudices on others were removed, after my trip to Sarawak 9 years ago.

I was representing the state of Penang, in a National Unity Contest. The final was held in Sarawak.

Before we departed to Sarawak, all the contestants were gathered a Kuala Lumpur. And, this is my first time to have a Malay’s roommates.

After the contest was over, all the contestants were obliged to participate in a fostering program. We were sent to a Malay’s village, an hour from Kuching.

I can not recall the name of the village, but I remember majority of the villagers is pineapple farmer.

I was fostered by a Malay’s family, and the village only has a few Indian’s families. My fostered parent is 70-years-old grandma, and the eldest son is a Magistrate.

The two days spent with my forstered family, really opening up my mind. The experience learnt , in these two days, made me understand the Malays more as compared those I learnt from my 12-years-schooling.

I will share more in future when time is permissible. Just a moment of sharing.