Tap the power of kampong
Professor Tan Sri Dato' Dzulkifli Abdul Razak
My View - The Sun Daily
July 21, 2015
NO matter how you look at it, the kampung has the power to turn cities into ghost towns. Each year, city-dwellers are drawn to the kampung regardless of the distance. Last week more than 1.5 million people reportedly did this within a few days nationwide – a testimony to the power of kampung.
Although kampungs have undergone changes, some more than others, it seems to matter little. It is not just the physical place – after all what is wrong with better amenities and infrastructure – it is rather what represents the bittersweet experiences, the immortal memories of the care-free days which were fun-filled. The proverb, tempat jatuh lagi di kenang, ini pula tempat bermain aptly sums it up. Renowned cartoonist Lat captured many of these elements eloquently.
It makes no difference if there are no huge shopping complexes providing a thousand and one items of choice. It is all right if there are no global brand names to be bandied around because life in a kampung is not pretentious. It is simple and modest. It is self-sufficient and sustainable. Natural foods abound, and the spirit of sharing is strong enough to ensure that no one is left out. The mosque acts as the radar that keeps the congregation in check at all times. It is more than just a house of worship.
The imam and the ketua kampung asserted wisdom based on the principle of "ketuanaan" predicated on trust and stewardship that permeates throughout the kampung. They played the role of servant-leaders, not that of a slave-master that has come to be misconstrued by those who are ignorant of the kampung spirit. The "democracy" of masyuarah and maufakat predates that of Westminster which is now becoming more dominant but not without its own problems especially when another important tenet basic to the kampung is sidelined. This is the concept and practice of budi – a triad of budi bahasa, budi pekerti and budi bicara that are pristine to the Malay kampung. It raises a respectable group of budiman who serve as role models for the younger generation. These are the cornerstones that tighten the fabric of the community in keeping with the spirit of bertolak ansur (tolerance) and preservation of adab (decorum) so that relationships remain vibrant and alive. Regardless of socio-economic status elders and guests are given the highest priority as also required by Islam.
Needless to say, collectively they remain as the attractive attributes of what the kampung stands for, more so during festivities like Hari Raya which is anchored on revitalising relationships and goodwill through the spirit of forgiving and reconciliation, covering the external (zahir) and the internal (batin). It embraces a total process of self-cleansing as a continuum to the act of fasting in Ramadhan – restraining from foods, drinks and carnal activities. Hence, visits to the "open" houses come naturally with the spiritual dimension taking precedence; not the duit raya or exotic foods and dishes. The monetary aspect is a new element that has crept in unwittingly with the tendency to corrupt if not appropriately checked. As for the latter, the concern is about wastage when the host and visitors lose sight of the modest ways of kampung living. Increasingly, it very quickly renders meaningless the lessons and experiences nurtured during the month of Ramadhan.
Putting this in context, the power of the kampung is about creating and maintaining a fine balance as a mark of a simple and modest lifestyle. It potentially can be harnessed to substitute the place of urban living which is undergoing a myriad of challenges making it less and less attractive. Apart from the prohibitive cost of living, the crowded setting further compromises quality of life for example with respect to human security and environmental health. Frequently, it is linked to stress and depression at an earlier age. Let alone the erosion of fundamental values of budi, adab and relationships or silatulrahim. It is no secret that urban and city living lack neighbourliness and the collective ways of the kampung. As a result, life is more often thrown out of sync with probable long term ill-consequences. Given the trend that megacities and sprawling urban development are the way into the future, it is time that the power of kampung be renewed and re-energised as a viable alternative. This would mean that the waning concepts and practices of kampung lifestyles be relearned as the new narrative for the coming generation to make an informed decision. For this we need several jaguh kampung who are at once global champions to contribute to nation-building "in our own mould" come 2020.