There is a huge lesson to be learnt from Indonesia following the past week of political chaos and upheaval. Watching how the Indonesian media reported the week’s past event has been interesting. They have been following the unfolding events very closely, just like all of us here in Malaysia.
With different intrepretations and analysis. That is how connected we are. Finally, Pak Jokowi’s warm telephone call to our Prime Minister on Sunday night. There was an unhurried, precise adab and adat in that phone call. Opening with the official title by which Pak Jokowi addressed Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, till it gave way to more familiar address.
In Indonesia, culture is a huge driver of decorum, governance and economic power. From its highest office to its small time operators, culture is in everything they do. I once met a wayang kulit master, Pak Ari of the House of Wayang artisan shop in Jogjakarta, located within the vicinity of the Sultan’s Keraton.
Pak Kipar, our beca man took me there. We had travelled slowly since morning, through cobblestone back roads, with the Merapi in the distance. Pak Kipar constantly shared anecdotes and stories of different parts of his city, a genuine love for it evident. Beautiful villas made way to busy streets, we stopped by the silversmith and batik art shops.
As we arrived at the House of Wayang Kulit , there was a mini lecture on-going, with five in the audience. I could hear better as we walked in, surprised to note that the talk was conducted in French. The explanation of their cultural philosophies is so important they have experts in Bahasa, French and English. They were aiming to provide guided tours in other Asian languages as well.
Pak Ari then came out to greet us, and we settled down to chat. “Here in Jogja, it is all about culture,” Pak Ari told us. "Culture first. With culture, we strengthen ourselves. Our identity. Culture is the bind that keeps us all as one. If we are not strong, how can we do anything?”
This conversation comes back to me time and again as I think about my beloved Malaysia. Today especially, in the aftermath of a crisis that was barely contained and the disunity that threatens to prolong it.
The saving grace was our unshaken loyalty and belief in our King, Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong, a true legacy from our ancestral forefathers all the way to the promise made between Demang Lebar Daun and Sang Sapurba Paduka Sri Trimurti Tri Buana, the great grandson of Puteri Onangkiu of Gellangui (believed to be present day Johor) so deeply ingrained in our DNA memory, triggered to help us maintain calm.
Indeed, we believe that going against this promise made would ultimately lead us all to ruin and chaos. We will also recall how Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa taught us, no matter the chaos, we must still steadfastly seek out our sovereigns to steer the kingdoms justly.
Unlike other book of kings, the Sejarah Melayu and Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa did not shy away from lessons from bad rulers and how to deal with them. Kedah is one of the oldest monarchy in the world to survive to present day, so it would pay to heed to these warnings and lessons of old.
All in all, in the past week, we have seen the biggest upheavals and unprecedented jostling for power that was almost ludicrous - Today I want you out. Tomorrow I support you. The next day I support somebody else entirely. The day after that, I support you again. Everyday a different story.
Even at a kindergarten playground, this would have been considered farcical. Perhaps our country took a wrong turn somewhere. Our rapid economic growth has created a hollow culture that is hungry for power and money. Now faced with a stuttering economy, many of our leaders regressed into a horde of shallow power grabbers.
All those involved should hang their heads in shame, they were entrusted to lead our Malaysia into a new era of nationhood. Instead, they have exposed our cultural deficit. They have been exposed as people who live in their past. They are people who stay in the same house, but live in their own room.
There is too much emphasis in our country on winning and losing. This is a foreign culture that belongs in “dog-eat-dog” places like USA and UK. You may find this oblique “Kiasu” behaviour south of the Johor causeway, but it has no place here in the land which shares a deep sense of grace and culture that spans over a millennia.
Bahasa Melayu. Adab dan Adat. Taridra of Makyung and Mek Mulung. Literature. Traditional orchestras like gamelan and caklempong. Traditional games like wau and gasing. Craft work that should go back to artisans and craftsmen like silversmiths, woodcarvers, keris makers, -batik artisans and more. We must bring them back into our lives especially the lives of our children. We may perhaps have already had two generations excluded from this tradition.
These legacies can and should shape co-curriculum activities and bring our children together in national schools and enhance creativity. Schools shape future citizens and should embrace our national identity and reflect our diversity. Children that play together will grow up understanding and loving one another better.
Ancient knowledge and hikayat are our legacy. To unlock thousands of Malay manuscripts in Malaysia and in renowned museums and libraries in more than 60 countries worldwide, encourage Jawi to be taught to all Malaysians.
Have Mandarin and Tamil as electives in national schools. Arts and culture must be popularised. Remember those National Youth Orchestras - you will find the grown ups who left them very fond of their diverse groups. This is a good formula for pursuit of excellence through national schools.
When you create beautiful art together, there is a bond you share that is very resilient. I propose a transformation anchored on the culture, heritage, and character to achieve sustainable socio-economic development.
To build harmony among our people, there must of course be shared prosperity. Unesco supports this through the Sustainable Development Goals of which culture is a critical success pillar. The Vision of Shared Prosperity 2030 can be a framework that can be enhanced to achieve this.
We must move on from irrational and unjustifiable hatred and vengeance in politics. We can embrace our culture that emphasises nation-building through the politics of togetherness to reverse this cultural vacuum. Look at our thousand year old heritage imbued with character and values for inspiration.
Only then can we build a great and civilised nation.
The writer is an award-winning Malaysian author, writer and poet, specialising in Malay Hikayat and Asian legends