Je suis Jaguh Kampung
Professor Tan Sri Dato' Dzulkifli Abdul Razak
My View - The Sun Daily
November 11, 2015
IT was reported that the deputy prime minister recently urged Malaysian youths not to be "village champion" (jaguh kampung) but must be an international or "global champion". This is a sensible suggestion which we often hear, and this time while celebrating a winner in the 2015 World Skills Competition in San Paolo last month.
Indeed, Malaysians must strive to go beyond their own confines and reach out even further to the world at large. In urging so, the term jaguh kampung has often been used in a condescending way, giving the impression that jaguh kampung is close to nothing. In fact, it is "shameful" to be one.
This is so because kampung is associated with a location, a backward one in comparison with cities, it is ulu. No one wants to be part of it, not even a champion. Due to the small-mindedness, the physical and external dimension of a kampung has become prevalent. Many would be surprise to note the word "compound" (kŏm′pound′) in English takes its root around the 1670s for kampong (as spelled then). And kampung is suddenly catapulted into the global arena as in "global village" – how much more international can it get?
This is not all. Kampung has its inherent superior values too beyond just the physical externalities as noted previously (My View, July 21). Renowned cartoonist Lat has captured much of these intangibles that were internalised as living heritage of the kampung. It becomes the place synonymous with the practice of budi – a word so profound and sophisticated that we cannot find its translation in any other languages, no matter how international.
Budi is what makes the kampung what it actually is, amidst the rustic environment. Without the former, the latter is no more than a sleepy hollow, which is what is being observed today, thanks to physical progress that buried budi as part of modern development. Whereas the two must go hand-in-hand to create the ambiance of sejahtera (crudely rendered into "well-being") that has multiple nuances beyond just the physical ones by which, we always take notice, and judge.
Sejahtera is multi-layered covering both the microcosm and the macrocosm – one reflecting upon the another. The idea is universal, even "heavenly" as in the salams made mandatory to Muslims. Its richness envelopes that whole kampung community, and more, as one holistic entity that builds on humility and respect for values and cultures so refined that is peaceful and harmonious. Diversity and differences are celebrated, not just among members of the community, but also with the mega-diverse natural environment that surrounds it. The concept is so profound that the South Korea has invested US$20 million (RM87 million) in establishing a Sejahtera Centre with a Sejahtera Forest adjacent to it in the city of Tongyeong in the southern coastal kampung of the peninsula (My View, May 26). This centre aims to conduct and develop research on sustainable leadership to shape the future communities of the world – "The future that we want." Once again, it cannot be more international than that when such a centre is not even contemplated in Malaysia although it was locally inspired!
With this in mind, when one read about the planned development of Kampung Baru, the traditional and heritage enclave in the heart Kuala Lumpur valued at more than US$1 billion, many questions spontaneously pop up: what will happen to the budi and sejahtera – which are the essences of any kampung worth its salt? Will they be buried under the modern (an anti-thesis to 'traditional') high rise structures that are being showcased? Where indeed are the humility of the kampung? Or will there be just a small part meant for display like a "reservation" of sort for the paying tourist to sample? A sure signal that the tradition is up for sale and is on its way out once the novelty fades. A tell-tale indicator as to the fate of the local cultures, norms and values once the elders are gone. It is no wonder reportedly the kampung elders have turned politicians and their developers away several times before insisting that there can be no price-tag attached to it.
It would be most ironic if Malaysia, noted for its Chinatown and Little India as integral part of its culture diversity, has no kampung in real sense of the word to boot. After all, the multi-kampung enclave has survived more than a century, full with historical and culture legacies to be unlocked and shared with future generations of Malaysians. Thus, "dismantling" its deep-rooted traditional heritage is just inconceivable.
In a nutshell, viewed comprehensively from a holistic perspective, it is better to be jaguh kampung steeped with budi and sejahtera rather than scandalous global celebrities whom we often read about.
To this I say, Je suis Jaguh Kampung!