bidayuh dotcom [Suara DBNA]

VOLUME 6

NOVEMBER 2000

PERMIT NO. PPK 231/4/2001

LET US CHANGE OUR 'SIKAP'

By TEMENGGONG DATU STEPHEN JUSSEM

I WISH TO THANK THE Suara DBNA sub-committee for inviting I me to write this message for the first edition in the 21st Millennium. For a long time I wanted to say something in writing about ATTITUDE that is SIKAP in Bidayuh. I have said it often during my dialogues with the people on the ground about the importance of attitudinal change (nukar sikap).

The success and failures of a person depends much on his or her SIKAP, actually. A person or community must work together collectively towards attitudinal change, "menggubahkan SIKAP untuk sumbangan lebih berkesan kepada kaum dan negara" in order to make meaningful contribution to society, community and country. It takes a long time to change one's SIKAP. It needs patience, persistence and art.

In the case of the Bidayuh Community, this behavior or SIKAP is one of the stumbling blocks to its progress. Everyone of us should well realise it by now, before the situation gets much worst, all of us particularly the educated group and the teachers, must make extra effort to find ways and means to help changing this SIKAP from the negative SIKAP to that of the positive. Consider how hard it is to change yourself and you will understand what little chance you have of trying to change others. But we must determine to change our SIKAP before things get out of control and beyond salvaging.

It is not easy to change SIKAP overnigth because it is already in us, inherited through our surroundings and environments in our kampongs, longhouses and villages, through our daily observation and closeness to our parents and associates whose SIKAP is also full of negative rather that positive elements. All these had been observed by us during our early days. In view of its deep rootedness and influence the SIKAP of a person is difficult to alter, but it is not impossible. The process of changing must begin from the young in schools and in the homes.

It takes courage, it is a sacrifice and a meaningful contribution to the community for a doer to undertake, yet there is no other better alternatives for the Bidayuh to choose from. Attitudes would affect persons' life and that is why we must have a good look at it, all of us, and start the changing process.

With the dawn of this 21st Millennium therefore, let us together make an effort towards this SIKAP - changing, starting from the leadership at the grassroot level of the Ketua Kampongs, the JKKKs, the church leaders and of course the parents who should know well the parts they play in the families, in the village churches and in the community in general as leaders at those levels.

The next stages from where the SIKAP changing process must seriously begin are the classrooms and religious classes. The teachers and the Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) play vital roles in moulding the characters of these upcoming leaders of tomorrow. We should be observant enough to notice from our daily life experiences that children who are well brought up by their parents, tend to behave well, but those neglected and left much to themselves are usually troublemakers and delinquents. They often end up in misery, unless mysteries happen to change their SIKAP.

This situation also reminds us that education of the younger generation is not just the responsibility of the parents, teachers, or even the students themselves, but lies in the hands of the community, as well as in our case, the DBNA Education Sub-Committee and Parents- Teachers Association (PTA) hold heavy responsibilities. The many social problems faced by the Bumiputeras today, the Bidayuh in particular, stem from the lack of proper education and proper supervision by parents at home, because they have not realised that education is the KEY to progress. It is therefore very important that parents must change their SIKAP as well and work diligently hard to provide their children with adequate education and guidance.

Parents must always support and encourage their children in school activities and show appreciation when their children do well and awarded with some prizes. They should take the initiative and apportunity to attend whatever ceremonies in connection with the school events.

I would also like to take this opportunity to call upon the educated section of our women in the community to come out and lead our illiterate women folks without shame or fear because if you don't the Bidayuh women will be left behind shamefully and miserably by their counterparts

in other communities. The critics would put the blame on the educated section of the community for neglecting them and for their uncared SIKAP towards their illiterate sisters.

I believe that there are enough models and motivation from women leaders in the country and in Asia to look at. Women leaders and aspirants like Anson Chan of Hong Kong, Megawati Sukarnoputri of Indonesia, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo of Philippines, President Chandrika Kumaratunga of Sri Lanka and Aung Sang Suu Kyi of Myanmar, to mention just a few, are great personalities and characters. There and many more women leaders in the country and abroad to study from. The most notable one is Dr. Devaki - a women ahead of her time and was a blazing tred that many women of today can envy. She is the first Malaysia Indian to carry the title "Tan Sri" when she was conferred PSM by the Yang Dipertuan Agong Tuanku Jafaar in 1995. A lady from a community and from an era where it needed a special zeal to rise above all odds, Dr. Devaki has this simple message to fellow women.

"Be educated, move socially but keep up your feminine dignity, stand on your own feet and not to rely on others. Don't gossip and don't talk ill of others. Do social, religious and political work. Train other women to come up in life. Help the poor, needy, handicapped, blind, the old and the children. Take care of your home and family first."

Educated Bidayuh women should not fall on the government service only in order to earn a living but should also venture into business and politics. Think about it expeditiously and pluck your courage. For educated Bidayuh, it is quite understandable to be self-centred and to accumulate wealth comfort, but this SIKAP should not be made to last for too long because the community needs you.

If you are a Christian, you might have come across this passage at 2 Coirinthian 8:7, 9-15 as the scripture say: "The man who gathered much had none too much, the man who gathered little did not go short."

So, do not be worried to assist the community with your knowledge, education and experience. We cannot afford yet to rest on our laurel, because the so-called well educated and elite group is still small in the community.

It is also understandable that intellectual egos do exist among individuals in our midst, but I really appeal to such group to forego this SIKAP, at least for the time being when all communities are vigorously making preparations to face the new Reality and Vision 2020. This should worry us, because we can see the outcome, even now the way things are moving.

Let us meditate on the community's predicaments in terms of politics, economic and social, and look around. We see that there still pockets of miseries, poverty and sadness here and there in the community. We must continue to work hard to consolidate our support for the Barisan Nasional government under the dynamic leadership of YAB Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud to ensure continued political stability and development in the community and State in general. We must see where we could meaningfully contribute. We must not leave the community's problems only to political leaders and our other leaders alone, but all must their part for the community in their respective kampongs, longhouses and villages. Contribute a bit of your time or even money for social activities. Your Kampongs always need your help in whatever forms. Your sound advice, your wise guidance are always welcome and I am sure appreciated. Criticism and instigation (ngasut) should not be made the topics of the day.

Actually we should never entertain that kind of SIKAP from any quarters. So far, our Bidayuh leadrs have realized and are aware of this sort of SIKAP and that is the reason why they are also cautious about their own behaviour. It has never been easy to be a leader of any category. One can be careful about one's conduct but at the same time he may make a blunder on his talks through the words he utters or the manner he says it. That is why it is wise and important to observe first the prevailing situation, the surroundings, the mood of the target group and the humane sensitivities before action. Sometimes simple diplomacy and patience can save your day.

To the youths including the students both in towns, in the kampongs and elsewhere, I have these to say and remind that you are facing the greatest challenges ever in this millennium. Those of you who are on the road to acquire education or are already in Institution of Higher Learning must bear in mind that you are the ambassadors of your community in your own particular fields.

You are to cultivate the culture of modeling and excellence in the fields of your endeavour and try to eliminate the "SIKAP of tidak apa" or never mind attitude.

Also remember that you are spending the money obtained through the sweat and blood of your parents and benefactors. Whatever you do, do them well. To uphold the semangat of "Malaysia Boleh" and "Bidayuh Boleh" coupled with the spirit of volunteerism through gotong-royong is not easy but is not impossible to pursue.

To the exhausted pensioners, I say "relax" but do not do it too much. You should continue to be mentally, physically, and spiritually active and be ready to be of service to your community and people. You have a lot of experience behind you, use it, do not store or hide it under the bushel or else one day you will have to account for it before your Creator. Use it to improve things in your own Kampongs, in your villages, in the JKKKs, in your PIBGs and in social organization in your area. Should your long absence from your kampongs or community cause problems to you, consult your Ketua Kampongs, Penghulus in your area or a District Officer in you district. You ought to trace your root and return to contribute something.

You are what you are because of the community and origin. You may argue that you have worked hard and talented that you had achieved so much and had climbed so high, but the fact remains that the name of the community also contributed to whatever your achievements are. You ought to continue learning and must move in tandem with changes happenings around you. No doubt that you should be proud of being a pensioner because you had happily completed your sterling service and good record with the government establishment or in the company's employment, but the fact that you should also continue to demonstrate fine example as senior citizens remains. The young generations is watching our SIKAP right now.

With regard to our Association the DBNA, to me this is a great Association, the legacy of our past leaders, and which the Bidayuh community cannot afford not to support. Many world communities and business bodies survived and eventually flourished because of the Association and the undying support the association enjoyed from members and communities. It is the Bidayuh pride to own, and duty to give strong support to it. Both registred and non-registered members should come forwards proudly to give support to the Association and to whoever leads it. It is not only our pride and symbol of unity but as you have noticed all this while it is also a training ground for eadership. Do not therefore feel indifferent towards it but please do come and give all your support to it.

The Heads of the Association Branches must do their part dutifully. They should open plans for activities to raise funds in order to get the activities going and the branches active. Whoever leads the branches must take their responsibility seriously because time and fashion changed. They wait for no man.

Holding post in the Association is a responsibility and not just for name's sake but for work and planning. Like the role played by the Ketua Masyarakat at the grassroot level and the parts played by DBNA branches throughout Sarawak, they are similar. The two groups usually compliment each other. We confidently hope that the leaders in the two groups will have the correct SIKAP to co-operate so as to help change the Bidayuh SIKAP in general, to face the New Reality.

To the Bidayuh who are still employed in the government service, companies and elsewhere, my humble message of advice is that they must follow the current General Orders and other directives closely. You cannot afford to be indifferent and arrogant or to play "safe". You must be courageous and do what you are expected to do. The important thing to recognize is that it takes a team, and the team ought to get credit for the wins and losses. Successes have many fathers, failures have none. May I also remind you here that the steps to height is hard and slippery. To reach the pensionable age of 55 years with unblemished record requires a lot of endless caution, patience and is like tending an ailing child. The moment you reach the age (55) then you may say "Thank God I have made it." And you at this juncture are quite sure to receive your full pension. So SIKAP here is highly important and must be of high quality. If you are required to work smart, productively and proactively, do so, with a spirit of "Bidayuh Boleh" but when you are up "There", do not isolate yourself from your community. Be humble and be yourself. Help your fellow Bidayuh to move up as well. Avoid and means of unjust attitude within our community. I believe the first test of truly great man is humility. Concentrate on each task, whether trivial or crucial as if the only thing that matters.Also nowadays people often talk of Excellence, Quality and Quality Control.

In my opinion, to achieve all these, SIKAP (attitude) again plays an important role, so excellence is therefore not an act but a habit which constitutes SIKAP and quality is never an accident, rather it represents

the wise choice of many alternativeness, also is SIKAP. You must have the SIKAP to practise a high level of ethics to ensure quality services which will not only benefit the people, the government and private sector, but will also help carry you to higher position and add sweet aroma to your community as well.

The rapid changes of today have improved to certain extent the people's manner of thinking, therefore they are now able to evaluate the government capability and your capability better because of education and their readiness to change their SIKAP. As such, the people have higher expectation from you as a civil servants including those of you who serve at lower level. To face the situation you must possess integrity and avoid putting your own needs above those of the people while executing your duty.

Your should also avoid making communication gaps at all cost because these may create misunderstanding, delays, frustration and anger. Instead you must go to the very root of the matter when dealing with any problem. For those of you who served at lower levels of administration in the Divisions and Districts, I experienced that the above approach is crucial.

The general SIKAP of the Bidayuh community especially the educated group towards the Ketua Masyarakat, TKs, etc. appears to be like something for which the people have the right to demand from the Ketua Masyarakat. People tend to put the blame on them, especially on the Ketua Kampongs whenever something goes wrong in the Kampongs or when there are some communication gaps between the people and the Government agencies. Very often the poor and helpless Ketua Kampong gets pressure when something needs to be done fast, withour realizing that the duties of Ketua Masyarakat are not fully appreciated in terms of monetary consideration.

The SIKAP of the Bidayuh public towards the Ketua Masyarakat should be that of consideration and sympathy and not the "look-down- on" sort of SIKAP. This category of people (Ketua Masyarakat) are frontliners in the battle fields. They are useful in all kinds of situation. especially so during the elections. For instance, after the AI-Ma'unah arms robbery on July 2nd 2000, in the two military camps in the Gerik, Perak, our State Minister for Housing YB Datuk Celestine Ujang appealed to all community leaders including Ketua Masyarakat to go to the ground and emphasise on racial hormony and religious tolerance. Any incident of this nature in the country, including elections Ketua Masyarakat are always the first people to be approached and rightly so, because they are the grassroot leaders.

We notice here that SIKAP from the parties concerned plays very important roles. If the SIKAP from the Ketua Masyarakat and the people is negative, the objectives cannot be achieved. This clearly shows that all parties must learn to change and have the SIKAP of "give and take" - a compromising SIKAP.

The general tendency on SIKAP among the Bidayuh parents seems to be that when their children are graduated from the Universities with degrees and so an, they opine that these graduates know everything in the world. Parents submit to them completely. This is not the correct SIKAP of parents and the Bidayuh people to adopt. No doubt we feel very proud of our graduates slowly emerge from among our community. Parents should and must always encourage their children to study hard. This is a top priority nowadays.

On the other hand, Bidayuh leaders should be very concerned about the gradual disintegration of the Bidayuh culture and identity because in the absence of a strong conviction to nurture, from the graduates especially, this disintegration would be inevitable. The Bidayuh graduates and intellectuals must have a hard look at the community's identity and culture from a holistic perspective and start doing something now.

The SIKAP, as graduates, should be to know that apart from being trained for your profesion, you must also contribute and serve the best interests of the community. Our graduates should be very careful not to lead the community to lose their values. Do not be aggressive and arrogant for the wrong cause but utilise this SIKAP to propel the community to better economic advancement as well as to improve its social and physical development.

The elements of SIKAP in one's life are unavoidable factor. If your SIKAP is to consider yourself highly educated and avoid mixing freely with people, there are others who are more educated than yourself to show. If you think that you are rich and show off, there are people who are richer than yourself and have more. If you think you are poor and won't dare to mix with people because you feel inferior, there are others who are poorer still and will never mix much in life and left unnoticed. A man who trims himself to suit everybody and every situation will soon himself whittle away. So don't be afraid of shortcomings, because they are what will make you better person. Stay on the right track, continue to pray and things will surely work out for you.

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