Monday, July 16, 2012

International Conference on Malay-Polynesian Ancestral Nations: 5 & 6 July, 2012

The Conference was officially opened by
YAB Dato' Seri Utama Hj Mohamad bin Hasan.
the Menteri Besar of N.S
A total of 560 delegates from 11 countries attended
the Conference


The Maori delegates from New Zealand



One of the concurrent sessions chaaired by Dr Makhdzir Mardan


Cultural Show at the Official State Dinner

Lady VIP

Delivering the Summing-Up Address at the Closing Ceremony of the Conference
THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE MALAY-POLYNESIAN ANCESTRAL NATIONS HELD AT KLANA RESORT SEREMBAN NEGERI SEMBILAN ON JULY 5 & 6, 2012
______________________________________________________________


   The Conference was mooted in a cruise ship in the the Bay of Islands New Zealand in September 2011 when a delegation of Malaysians made up of representatives of Sendi Pertiwi Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd, Unit Adat Perpatih Lembaga Muzium Negeri Sembilan, LESTARI of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, MASA College visited New Zealand to get to know our Maori friends. Recognising that:  

+ there is a significant population of Malay-Polynesians  totalling around 350 to 400  millions living in 33 countries (Belau, Brunei Darussalam, Cocos, Cook Islands, Easter Islands,  Guam, Hawaii, Hooru, Indonesia, Kiribati, Malagasy, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue Island, North Marianas, Philippines,  Pitcairn, Polynesia, Samoa, Singapore, South Africa, South Myanmar, South Thailand, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tonga, Tokelu, Tuvalu, Ueva and Vietnam (Highlands) extending in the Indian and Pacific regions;

+ having common biological, cultural and language link

+ and the needs to bring these ancestral nations together
the Conference was organised with the following objectives :
     .To promote the uniqueness of ‘Adat Perpatih’ in Negeri Sembilan to the Malay-  Polynesian peoples

·         To share the common cultural values, practices and customs of Malay-Polynesian in daily life

·         To compare the similarities of culture, language, traditions among the peoples in these countries

·         To strengthen cultural, trade, tourism networks within Malay-Polynesian countries

·         To create closer relationships among the peoples of Malay-Polynesian.

  . The Conference was organised in conjunction with Pesta Persukuan Adat Perpatih N.Sembilan and organised jointly by Pertubuhan Adat Perpatih K.Lumpur, the N.S State Government, the Ministry of Information, Communication & Culture and the Lembaga Muzium Negeri Sembilan. The Organising Committee was headed by Colonel Prof Dato’ Dr Kamarudin Kachar. It has attracted the participation of 560 from 11 countries and 35 papers were tabled for information and discussion.

Opening Ceremony

   In the glittering traditional ceremony, the Conference was officially opened by YAB Dato’ Seri Utama Hj Mohamad bin Hasan, the Chief Minister of N. Sembilan.  In his opening address, YAB Dato’ Seri Utama indicated that the Malay-Polynesian communities were divided by the imperialists – the Spaniards, the Dutch, British and Portuguese and gave the undertaking that the State Government will continue to support the efforts to bring the Malay-Polynesian peoples together in sharing knowledge, education and economic activities that will mutually benefit them.

  The keynote address by YAM Tunku Zain Al-‘Abidin ibni Tuanku Muhriz gives a Y Generation and scholarly perspective of the Malay-Polynesian issue and highlighted the many definitions and description of  of a Malay by orientalists for the administrative and political purposes. He posed the question, is the present discussion on Malay – Polynesia an effort to establish a Malay superstate.  Efforts in this direction had been made over the years such as Maphilindo, Indonesia Raya. YAM advocates the establishment of an international body for Malay-Polynesian Association to strengthen blood ties, expand opportunities in transborder trade, education and as a force that can tie us together and inculcate the ‘merantau’ spirit.  This initiative should be a private sector driven.

Highlights of the Papers Presented

  The papers that were invited for presentation cover the categories of: 1. History, 2. Society and Culture, 3. Economic, Trade and Tourism Development, 4. Education and Manpower Training, 5. Politic and Law, 6. Agriculture and Industrial Development, and 7. Health. 

   Prof Nik Hassan Suhaimi, in his well researched paper, provided insight of the origin of the Malay World, which has existed for around 60 000 years and that the Malays were also known interchangeably in historical writings as Austronesians or Malay-Polynesians. More recently a Malay has been given many definitions. There is the UNESCO and the Malaysian Constitution versions.  There were two theories as to the migration routes of the Malay-Polynesian communities.  One theory propounded that the migration was from the north, initiating from Taiwan and moving south to Philippines, Peninsular Malaysia and subsequently to the myriads of islands in the Pacific Ocean.  The second theory is the migration from Africa.

     The details on the way of life (adat) of the Malays was propounded by Prof Dato’ Dr Zainal Kling and he expressed concern that many factors such as the liberal market economy and the individualistic spirit of the West are eroding the Malay traditional cultural systems.  However, he is happy to see positive efforts in Malaysia to rejuvenate and enhance traditional culture and custom of the Malays by  modernising the Malay language with the establishment of the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka and the creation of many cultural institutions such as museums, R&D centres, training centres for such skill as traditional craftsmanship, metal works, carvings, painting etc     

   Dato Maharajalela provide in his half-an-hour highlights the Adat Perpatih. AP is not wholly Minangkabau but incorporated the adat from Siak and the Indigenous people of Negeri Sembilan. He also discussed the hierarchical leadership within the Luak, Suku, Perut, Ruang and Rumpun.

   Mr Robert Willoughby representing Maoridom, shared with the delegates who were predominantly Muslim Malays from Malaysia, the Maori way of life which are guided by the following six principles as encapsulated in Mautaranga Maori    

a. The principle of Tikanga Mauri is about life essence and creation, the  connectedness of all things

b.     The principle of Tikanga Whanaungatanga is about kinships, relationships,family and genealogy. Our connections to each other in benevolence and goodwill.   

c.     The principle of Tino Rangatiratanga is about sovereignty, common good and self-determination.   

d.    The principle of Tikanga Kaitiakitanga is about the guardianship of creation & resources, exercising stewardship and maintaining harmony and balance.

e.    The principle of Tikanga Manaakitanga means generosity toward others, hospitality, giving of our best.  

f.     The principle of Tikanga Hau is about the spiritual basis of reciprocity in relationships and economics.



  The early sessions of the Conference were devoted to country reports. It is evident that in countries where the Malay-Polynesian communities form a minority group such as in South Africa, Singapore, Thailand and Sri Lanka, they are marginalised and face many challenges.  Whilst many in the communities wish to continue practicing the ancestral heritage in culture, language and customs, national policies in each respective countries however restrict them.  There is progressively less and less in number especially among the young speaking the language, practicing the culture of their ancestors         

  Two papers cover education and manpower training.  Fauziah Fauzan El-Muhammaly, well-known for her educational institution in Padang. Indonesia discussed the potential of Educational Tourism which is already flourishing in the Malay-Polynesian countries.  Prof. Wan Rafaei A. Rahman and Siti Maimon spoke of the educational opportunities for young people especially at the tertiary level at the higher institutions in these Austronesian countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and New Zealand.

  The key paper in the category of Economic and Trade was presented by Dr Ridzuan, who discussed the prospects of the maritime industries in the Malay-Polynesian nations.  Many of these countries are island nations with extensive archipelagos extending the Pacific and Indian Oceans. The seas surrounding these island nations are rich in marine biodiversity- the fishes, the corals, the sea animals – that  need to be inventorised and conserved.  The marine ecosystems are of socio-economic importance as they provide an important source of food and opportunities for eco-tourism such as sports fishing, whale watching, scuba diving, sailing etc. The vast sea areas may also have fossil fuel reserves in the seabed which remain to be surveyed and identified.  Farming the seas for supply of food is the industry of the future as the global expansion of population will put pressure on food production.

   On health only one paper was submitted. Dr Hashim A. Wahab examined traditional medicines as practiced among the Malay-Polynesian communities. He focussed his attention to the practices of traditional medicines among the Malays in Malaysia, the Indonesians, the Maoris and the Rotumans which, he observed, have many similarities.  The approach is holistic, incorporating the elements of physical exercises, prayers and chants, abstinence (avoiding certain foodstuffs, fasting) and consuming traditional medicines made from a mixture of herbs, wildlife parts, marine products such as sea cucumber and minerals.  He also indicated that traditional medicines is widely practiced in the world and that in Malaysia, it is incorporated in the national health system where traditional medicine units are established in a number of hospitals.  Traditional medical products is widely marketed through the internet.      

  Other papers touchéd on traditional architecture, international relations and proposals to establish a coordinating international body for the Malay-Polynesian communities that will provide the networking to facilitate the exchange of information, strengthen cultural and customary bonds, educational and manpower training, economic and trade, development of maritime industries and traditional medicines.

   Finally, the Conference participants were enthusiastic to see the continuation of the efforts to reenergise and revitalise the ancestral link among the Malay- Polynesian communities and accordingly, endorsed the following Resolutions              



                                                                    RESOLUTIONS



1.       PREAMBLE

THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON MELAYU-POLYNESIAN  ANCESTRAL NATIONS HELD ON THE 5TH AND 6TH OF JULY 2012 AT KLANA RESORT  SEREMBAN, NEGERI SEMBILAN, MALAYSIA   PARTICIPATED BY 670 DELEGATES FROM 11 COUNTRIES WITH THE OBJECTIVES OF



I.                             To promote the uniqueness of ‘Adat Perpatih’ in Negeri Sembilan to the Melayu-Polynesian ancestral peoples;

II.                   To share some basic common cultural values, practices and customs of Melayu-Polynesian in daily life;

III.                 To compare the similarities of culture, language, traditions, customs and heritage3 of countries originating from Melayu-Polynesian Ancestral Nations;

IV.                 To strengthen cultural, educational, trade and tourism networks within the Melayu-Polynesian countries; and

V.                   To create closer relationships among the 387 million peoples of  the Melayu-Polynesian Ancestral Nations.



AND ON RECOGNIZING  THE NEEDS  TO RESESTABLISH AND REVITALIZE  CULTURAL COMMON GROUNDS AND GLOBAL RELATIONSHIPS AMONG THE 384 MILLION PEOPLES IN 33 COUNTRIES THE CONFERENCE HEREBY RESOLVED THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS:



1.    TO ESTABLISH AN INTERNATIONAL BODY  “THE WORLD MELAYU-POLYNESIAN COMMUNITY  SECRETARIATE” THAT WILL INITIATE THE PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF RELEVANT ACTIVITIES MUTUALLY BENIFITTING THE 384 MILLION  MELAYU-POLYNESIAN ANCESTRAL PEOPLES IN 33 COUNTRIES COVERING CULTURE, LANGUAGE, EDUCATION,  TOURISM, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, AGRICULTURE, TRADE, TRADITIONAL MEDICINES AND OCEANAGRAPHY.

THE SECRETARIATE WILL LATER BE UPGRADED TO A LEGAL IDENTITY CALLED   “ORGANIZATION”: “THE WORLD MELAYU-POLYNESIAN COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION”



2.    THIS SECRETARIATE/ORGANIZATION WILL :



I.         ESTABLISH A COMMUNICATION PORTAL TO ENSURE THE NET WORKING FOR THE ABOVE PROPOSED ACTIVITIES.



II.       ESTABLISH A VOLUNTEER TEACHING SERVICE CORP TO PROMOE MALAY LANGUAGE AND MALAY CULTURE ESPECIALLY “ADAT PERPATIH” –PERPATIH CUSTOMARY LAW.



III.     IDENTIFY ESTABLISHED UNIVERSITIES  FOR PLACEMENT OF MELAYU-POLYNESIAN CANDIDATES FOR HIGHER DEGREE PROGRAMMES AND POST GRADUATE STUDIES



IV.     ESTABLISH A  NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM/ HERBAL GARDEN THAT WILL PROVIDE RAW  MATERIALS FOR THE MANUFACTURING  OF   TRADITIONAL MEDICINES.



V.       TAKE INVENTORY OF THE BIO- DIVERSITY OF THE FAUNA AND FLORA IN THE TERRESTORIAL AND MARINE ECOSYSTEMS; AND TO CONSERVE THE BIO-DIVERSITY.



VI.     ESTABLISH AN EMPLOYMENT BUREAU TO ASSIST YOUNG GENERATIONS IN GAINING EMPLOYMENT ALL OVER THE WORLD.



VII.   ESTABLISH A THEME PARK FOR MELAYU-POLYNESIAN VILLAGE



VIII. ESTABLISH A BUSINESS ENTREPRENEURSHIP BUREAU TO ENCOURAGE AND ASSIST MELAYU-POLYNESIANS IN TRADE AND COMMERCE



IX.     PROMOTE AND DEVELOP THE SPIRIT OF “MERANTAU” ( VENTURING  TO OTHER COUNTRIES SEEKING FOR KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, EMPLOYMENT AND WEALTH ) AMONG THE YOUNG GENERATIONS.



X.       ESTABLISH AN ONLINE  COMMON MELAYU-POLYNESIAN CULTURAL MUSEUM



XI.     ESTABLISH A PORTAL FOR ALL CENTRES OF MALAY LEARNING THROUGH OUT THE WORLD



XII.   ESTABLISH AN INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MELAYU-POLYNESIAN HERITAGE AND DEVELOPMENT



3.     The Secretariate will be located at Negeri Sembilan State Museum Board, Jalan Sungai Ujung 70200 Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, MALAYSIA

Tel.606 763 1149 Fax. 606 761 5355 HP 012 3209965








Hashim bin Abdul Wahab
Email: hashim.abdulwahab@gmail.com

16/7/2012























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