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The Conference was officially opened by
YAB Dato' Seri Utama Hj Mohamad bin Hasan.
the Menteri Besar of N.S |
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A total of 560 delegates from 11 countries attended
the Conference |
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| The Maori delegates from New Zealand |
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| One of the concurrent sessions chaaired by Dr Makhdzir Mardan |
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| Cultural Show at the Official State Dinner |
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| Lady VIP |
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| 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
16/7/2012
