Hence, conscientious efforts must be made to instil good values like promoting good relationship, preserving good moral values and promoting feeling of humanity and appreciation of values of customs and traditions among the people, the young people in particular.
The people on their part must be ready to assume the responsibility to preserve all good values that can contribute toward strengthening peace and harmony in the State and country. They must appreciate that economic development can only raise their standard of living if they can preserve goodwill and harmonious relationship among them and work together in the common pursuit for greater progress and prosperity.
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| Baram Regatta |
In other words, the people, in spite of their diverse ethnic and religious background must continue to work together to enjoy the benefits of development as the state moves forward in a migration from the medium income to high income economy towards the year 2020 and beyond.
In this respect, the people whether they are Ibans, Malays, Chinese, Bidayuhs or Orang Ulus must remain able to come together in the spirit of harmony and cooperation in the common pursuit for greater progress and prosperity. Besides, they must share the common desire to relive the rich local customs and traditions and make them to become richer through confluence and not absorption. The rich local customs and traditions manifest very attractive elements in the lives of the people whether they are Chinese, Malays, Ibans, Bidayuhs, Orang Ulus or any others.
Regrettably, in the last State elections, Sarawak witnessed the emergence of a new culture in politics that was quite alien to the local way of life. The people from outside tried to introduce a new culture in politics that was detrimental to the traditional harmony and goodwill of the local people.
Undoubtedly, the new culture was completely strange to the local way of doing politics. Hence, the local people must assume the responsibility to curb the spread of the negative influences of the new culture in order to preserve their traditional goodwill and harmony. Otherwise, the new culture may bring a new kind of politics, which bring a lot of sadness to the people.
Rightly, the State has been preserving the legacy of Baram that could be traced back to the event that happened about 100 years ago. Then efforts were made to hold the first meeting between leaders of the various warring tribes or sub-ethnic groups in the Orang Ulu community in Baram region, with the objective to seek peace and harmony among them. All leaders whether they were inside Sarawak or those in Kalimantan, Indonesia, were invited to attend. In the meeting, all leaders agreed to have a big race using fast paddling boats.
Their decision to hold a big race heralded a new era of peace and harmony among the people, who had been fighting tribal wars among them; the big race is now world renowned as Baram Regatta. They decided not to continue with the leadership which did not have a clear direction for the people. Obviously, the Baram Regatta sparked a new kind of leadership that motivated the people to concentrate their efforts towards the attainment of greater prosperity, joy and happiness in their life.
They decided to discard the belief of showing bravery and courage among them. The spirit of competition to preserve peace and enrich their way of life is the best way to move forward and not the spirit of showing who is stronger. For this reason, the people in Baram have been able to enjoy peace and tranquillity in their life. Besides, they have been able to preserve their rich customs and traditions; even Sape has become very popular world wide.
Chief Minister, Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud, in his speech to launch the recent Baram Regatta, believes that the objective to popularise the rich and colourful local customs and traditions of the people can be realised through Baram Regatta, which has been held regularly with the enthusiastic support of the local people.
Undoubtedly, Baram Regatta has roles to play in promoting the economic potentials of Baram to the world. For example, the rich and diverse customs and traditions of the local people should be able to attract more visitors to the region in the development of local tourism. Now Baram is being connected by roads, which have been repaired, and can boast of huge tracts of lands that have been developed as estates and better facilities for communication.
Pehin Sri Abdul Taib says works are in progress to construct roads to Ulu Baram, which is being earmarked as the site for the third hydroelectricity project in Sarawak. The proposed Ulu Baram hydroelectricity project has the capacity to generate 1,000MW. The cost is not finalised yet but it is expected to be very high.
He says the development of Baram hydroelectricity project will develop the potentials of Baram, which is still considered as under-developed region, to become more prosperous and progressive in future. However, the people must appreciate that economic development can only raise their standard of living if they can preserve goodwill and harmonious relationship among them. Obviously, they must assume the responsibility to preserve all the good values that can contribute toward strengthening development and peace and harmony in the State and country.
The good values like promoting good relationship among members, preserving good moral values and promoting feeling of humanity and the appreciation of values of local customs and traditions. Our daily life can become very lonely even in the midst of a growing population if it is devoid of good social values.
He praises efforts of leaders of the Orang Ulu community that reflect strong commitment to preserve the customs and traditions of the community so that the members will not lose their identity. Undoubtedly, efforts to revive the spirit of Baram Regatta help to ensure that development does not only give wealth to the people but enhance and sustain their strong cultural identity.
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| Baram Idol 2011 |
Generally, the people whether they are Ibans, Malays, Chinese, Bidayuhs or Orang Ulus share the common desire to come together in the spirit of harmony and cooperate among them in the common pursuit of greater progress and prosperity. Besides, they share the common desire to revive culture to become richer through confluence and not absorption. They manifest very precious and attractive elements in the lives of the local people.
Pehin Sri Abdul Taib believes Baram Regatta can be considered as the best forum to show the determination of the local people to preserve their way of life to move forward. The Baram Regatta, which exudes exemplary spirit of joy and happiness, must also serve as the occasion to renew strong commitment of the people to preserve all the good values that can make life becoming more meaningful even in the growing population of the future.
benuasains
*Photos Source:
http://kampongboy-labulabi.blogspot.com/
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