Christmas motifs and decoration in a shopping mall

In shopping malls, shopkeepers and retailers take the opportunity to erect a non-religious motifs such as snow, stockings, Santa and his reindeer. There are also the candy canes and Christmas tree, come complete white, green, red and gold, which are regarded as the traditional colors of the season. All commercial centers and hotels decorated themselves in sync with the atmosphere of Christmas.

Religious Adherents Statistic of 2000, Malaysia Department of Statistics

Christmas in Malaysia also refer to the church gatherings comprising of people of different beliefs (excluding Moslems) to observe the festive spirit. The celebration and the festivity continue till the morning hour.

Sabah will host the Christmas Open House this year at Padang Merdeka here on December 27 and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is scheduled to officiate the event. The concept of ‘open house’ is unique to Malaysia. Such practice is a norm for all religious festivities – friends, families and strangers are welcomed for a visit thus enjoys the delicious feast prepared by their hosts.

Christianity in Malaysia is a minority religion practised by 9.1% of the population. The major Christian denominations in Malaysia include the Anglicans, Baptists, Brethrens, independent Charismatic churches, Lutherans, Methodists, non-denominational churches,  Presbyterian and Roman Catholics. Majority of Malaysia Christians live in East Malaysia (Borneo) consisting 28% of  Sabah population and 42.4% of Sarawakian.

In Malaysia, Jesus too is recognized and loved by other spectrum of the population. The Moslems that constitutes the majority 60.4% of Malaysian, have different perception on Jesus.
In Islam, Jesus (Arabic: Isa) is considered a Messenger of God who had been sent to guide the Children of Israel (Bani Israil) with a new scripture, the Injil (Gospel). The Qur’an, believed by Muslims to be God’s final revelation, mentions Jesus 25 times. It states that Jesus was born to Mary (Arabic: Maryam) as the result of virginal conception, a miraculous event which occurred by the decree of God (Arabic: Allah). To aid him in his quest, Jesus was given the ability to perform miracles, all by the permission of God. According to Islamic texts, Jesus was neither killed nor crucified, but rather he was raised alive up to heaven. Islamic traditions narrate that he will return to Earth near the day of judgment to restore justice and defeat al-Masih ad-Dajjal (“The False Messiah”, also known as the AntiChrist).

Like all prophets in Islam, Jesus is considered to have been a Muslim, as he preached for people to adopt the straight path in submission to God’s will. Islam rejects that Jesus was God incarnate or the son of God, stating that he was a mortal man who, like other prophets, had been divinely chosen to spread God’s message. Islamic texts forbid the association of partners with God (syirik), emphasizing the notion of God’s divine oneness (tauhid). Numerous titles are given to Jesus in the Qur’an, such as al-Masih (“The Messiah; the anointed one” i.e. by means of blessings), although it does not correspond with the meaning accrued in Christian belief. Jesus is seen in Islam as a precursor to Muhammad, and is believed by Muslims to have foretold the latter’s coming.

Christmas is 'almost' a non-religious affair in Malaysia

Muslims believe in the virginal conception of Jesus by Mary, which is recounted throughout several passages in the Qur’an. According to the Qur’anic narrative, Mary had withdrawn into a temple and was visited by an angel an agent of divine action or communication commonly identified in Islam with the angel Gabriel (Arabic: Jibreel) but also with the created spirit from God by which he enlivened Adam. He proclaimed to her the conception of Jesus.

Mary was startled, for she had vowed her virginity to God and intended to retain it. The angel reassured her, stating that such a conception was easy for God, who wished to make from her a sign to men and a mercy from Him. The Qur’an describes the conception as the result of a creative decree made by God, similar to the creation of Adam. Some Qur’anic exegetes describe the event of conception as the angel’s breathing into the cloak of Mary; which, upon putting it on, resulted in Jesus being conceived. Afterwards, Mary withdrew “to a distant place.”

After delivering Jesus, Mary was overtaken by the pangs of childbirth, resting near the trunk of a palm tree. Jesus then addressed her from the cradle, to instruct her to shake the tree and obtain its fruits and also to allay Mary’s fears of a scandal surrounding his conception. She then showed the new-born to her family, and in silencing immodest rumors he declared: “Lo, I am God’s servant; God has given me the Book, and made me a Prophet. Blessed he has made me, wherever I may be; and He has enjoined me to pray, and to give alms, so long as I live and likewise to cherish my mother.” (Resource: Wikipedia)

Technorati Tags: Anglicans, Baptists, Borneo, Brethrens, Catholics, Christian, Christmas, Gabriel, Gospel, Isa, Jesus, Jibreel, Lutherans, Malaysia, Malaysia Travel, Mary, Maryam, Methodists, Moslem, Presbyterian, Qur'an, Sabah, Sarawak

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1. The Fuss over the Name Allah

This is not Muniappan, but a Malaysian Indian nevertheless

One day a tourist from Pike County, USA named Bob has just arrived in Malaysia for a short summer vacation. Anxious to know what Malaysia is all about, he decided to chart a taxi for a short tour in KL before checking-in to the hotel.

The name of the taxi driver that day is Muniappan,  an army retiree. As all other proud Malaysian, Muniappan want to impress Bob with Malaysia rapid development and decided to show the top few landmarks in Kuala Lumpur.

As they arrived at Dayabumi, Muniappan entered his tourist guide mode and started to explaine “Mr. Bob, here we are at Dayabumi, one of Malaysia prominent landmark. This building was completed in 1984 and the first to use all out white marbles finishes”. “Oh, really? interesting! How long they took to complete it?” asked Bob. Muniappan hesitates, but being a proud citizen he didn’t want to be seen as ignorant, so he bluffed,” I heard someone said 11 months”. Amazed by the answer, but reluctant to be seen as so, John replied, “Oh we got building like this back in the States, using the latest in construction technology it would take only took us not more than 7 months”.

After that, Muniappan brings Bob to KL Tower. “On our right side is Menara Kuala Lumpur, currently the fourth highest tower structure in the World, but when it was first completed,it ranked no. 1″. “How long was the construction period?”, asked Bob. Trying to outwit Bob this time, Muniappan answers,”exactly 6 months sir!”. “That’s like forever, the Chicago Sears Tower only took 4 and a half months, but that was like in 1932″, bragged Bob.

So this time Muniappan heads straight to Petronas Twin Towers, but upon arriving he purposedly shut his mouth. Amazed by the elegant architecture as he looked from the window, Bob asked,”So what is this twin building here?”

Muniappan casually replies, “…err I don’t know sir. IT WASN’T HERE WHEN I PASSED THROUGH YESTERDAY!”

Bob was then as silent as a dead corpes until they arrived at his hotel.

A top minister recently slammed Malaysia's taxi drivers, saying they were more of a problem for the tourism industry than the nation's notoriously filthy toilets

Technorati Tags: Dayabumi, KL Tower, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Malaysia Deals, Malaysia Taxi, Malaysia Travel, Malaysian, Petronas Twin Tower

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Multiple keris balancing positions demonstration

As of 8th. September 2009, UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) acknowledged Indonesian Batik into world Intangible Culture Heritage list. This, together with Wayang Kulit (shadow puppet) and Keris (wavy dagger) that were inscribed in 2008 into the same, has been applauded many Indonesian citizens as a win over Malaysia amid recent accusation of Malaysia’s stealing Indonesia cultures. Indonesia’s medias and private blogs exude euphoric belief that the recognition will grant Indonesia exclusive rights in term of property and copyright for the said cultures. So how far this is true?

According to UNESCO’s own definition this would simply means they’ll recognize the effort of safeguarding these cultures in Indonesia. Specifically, it is all about preservation of culture. It was never about about property or copyright. This would also means that the ground is still open for Malaysia and other countries to request the same from UNESCO should they choose to.

Indonesia-Malaysia Wayang Kulit respectively

Indonesia-Malaysia Batik design motive respectively

What is Intangible Cultural Heritage?

According to the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, the intangible cultural heritage (ICH) – or living heritage – is the mainspring of our cultural diversity and its maintenance a guarantee for continuing creativity.

The Convention states that the ICH is manifested, among others, in the following domains:

* Oral traditions and expressions including language as a vehicle of the intangible cultural heritage;
* Performing arts (such as traditional music, dance and theatre);
* Social practices, rituals and festive events;
* Knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe;
* Traditional craftsmanship.

The 2003 Convention defines ICH as the practices, representations, expressions, as well as the knowledge and skills, that communities, groups and, in some cases, individuals recognise as part of their cultural heritage.

The definition also indicates that the ICH to be safeguarded by this Convention:

* is transmitted from generation to generation;
* is constantly recreated by communities and groups, in response to their environment, their interaction with nature, and their history;
* provides communities and groups with a sense of identity and continuity;
* promotes respect for cultural diversity and human creativity;
* is compatible with international human rights instruments;
* complies with the requirements of mutual respect among communities, and of sustainable development.

The ICH is traditional and living at the same time. It is constantly recreated and mainly transmitted orally. It is difficult to use the term authentic in relation to ICH; some experts advise against its use in relation to living heritage (see the Yamato Declaration: English|French).

The depository of this heritage is the human mind, the human body being the main instrument for its enactment, or – literally – embodiment. The knowledge and skills are often shared within a community, and manifestations of ICH often are performed collectively.

Many elements of the ICH are endangered, due to effects of globalization, uniformization policies, and lack of means, appreciation and understanding which – taken together – may lead to the erosion of functions and values of such elements and to lack of interest among the younger generations.

The Convention speaks about communities and groups of tradition bearers, without specifying them. Time and again it was stressed by the governmental experts who prepared the draft of the Convention that such communities have an open character, that they can be dominant or non dominant, that they are not necessarily linked to specific territories and that one person can very well belong to different communities and switch communities.

The Convention introduces, by establishing the Representative List, the idea of “representativeness”. “Representative” might mean, at the same time, representative for the creativity of humanity, for the cultural heritage of States, as well as for the cultural heritage of communities who are the bearers of the traditions in question.

Technorati Tags: Batik, culture, Indonesia, Keris, Malaysia, Malaysia Deals, Malaysia Travel, Malaysian, Wayang Kulit

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Baby orangutans spend more time being reared by their mothers than any other mammal except humans.

Orangutans: The Red Apes

Orang = man
hutan = forest
Orangutan = man of the forest

The word orangutan translates literally as “man of the forest,” from the Malay and Indonesian words orang and hutan.

Orangutans, sometimes called “red apes,” are highly intelligent primates with advanced reasoning and thinking skills. They are tool-using creatures — they poke branches into termite holes, use chewed-up leaves as sponges to soak up water, and use branches or sticks to test the depth of the water before entering it.

Though large, orangutans are usually gentle, and spend most of their lives up in trees, where they’re safe from predators. They bear amazing similarities to humans: baby orangutans cry, whimper, and smile just like human babies, and their facial expressions indicate happiness, fear, anger, surprise, and other emotions. Orangutans and humans share approximately 97 percent the same DNA. Baby orangutans are cared for by their mothers longer than other mammals except humans.

Orangutans typically have long, shaggy reddish brown hair and a heavy body. They have long, strong arms well-suited for life in the trees, and hand-life feet, which aid in their climbing.

In ancient times, orangutans ranged throughout most of Asia. But today, as a result of human encroachment on their jungles, orangutan populations are found only in Borneo and Sumatra, the only areas with large enough forests to sustain a breeding population of these intelligent, gentle creatures.

The precise population of remainining orangutans is unknown, but experts estimate that the number of orangs in Sumatra is about half of what it was in 1993.

Orangutan Facts

• Size of Orangutans;
  Males: about 4 1/2 feet tall and 200 to 250 lbs.
  Females: About 3 1/2 feet tall and 100-150 lbs.
• Orangutan Lifespan:
  Orangutans live to about 35 to 40 years of age in the wild, and into their 50s in captivity.
• Orangutan Babies:
  Female orangutans bear one baby at a time, like humans, about every 6 to 7 years. The female reaches sexual maturity at around 7 years, and can remain fertile for up to 30 years.
• Social Culture:
  Adult female orangutans live with their young, while adult males live alone.
• Diet:
  Orangutan diets consist largely of fruits and nuts, coarse vegetation, insects, small vertebrates, tree bark, and eggs.

This original article about Orangutan can be found www.orangutanisland.org, all right reserved.

Technorati Tags: Indonesia, Malaysia, Malaysia Deals, Malaysia Insider, Malaysia News, Malaysia Travel, Orangutan, wildlife

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For the Muslims worldwide, the true significance of Aidil-adha is to commemorate the historical event when God had asked Prophet Abraham to sacrifice his son Ismael to test his obedience and thanks to his unquestionable willingness to carry out His command, God had later changed the sacrifice for a cow. Since then cow have been very popular in Muslim’s diet, and for the next few days after coming Friday, it would means excessive intake of red meat, usually cooked and eaten with rice, barbequed or made into Satays or other local delicacies.

A communal effort to bring down a cow for Aidil-adha. Image courtesy of aurisshaira89.blogspot.com. All rights reserved

Family members, relatives, neighbors, friends and complete strangers would gather, sometimes through a middle man to jointly sacrifice an animal. In Islam, an animal sacrifice is allowed to be divided into 7 parts (currently one part cost around RM360-400) as to cater for the financially disable. Those with lot of money can sometimes sacrifice a whole cow, if not 2 or 3.

Animal to be sacrificed must first be selected from a good and healthy breed with no deformity and be slaughtered in the name of Allah. One of the interesting Malay’s myth during Hari Raya Korban is that the person slaughtering the animal somehow decide whether it will be meatier or fattier depending on his skill.

Usually it would take a joint effort of 7-15 persons to process the slaughtered animal and is carried out voluntarily based on communal spirit . It is not a secret however that volunteers do have certain priveleges, access to rare parts for special delicacies like the head, testicles, tail, digestion system and other internal organs.  The sacrificial meats are then distributed to neighbors and relatives or prepared for feasting.

There are also politicians using the government money for a larger scale of sacrifice, not uncommon to have between 20 to 30 animal at one go, sometimes with 2-3 exclusive sacrifices with imported camels from Australia or the Middle East. In Islam, it is said that the ‘accepted’ animal sacrifice would help individuals in their far and long journey in the Day After, but since the politicians have their sacrifice at the expense of goverment money, it would be uncertain who would really benefit from the sacrifice, except maybe to fill in empty stomachs.

Only animal that can be eaten can be sacrificed, but not all of them. Apart from cows and camels, other domestic animals such as goats and sheeps can also be sacrificed. Chicken for one is not a sacrificial animal. Horse sacrifice is unheard of. In Malaysia, it is commonly cows.

Sometimes a small function is organized, to gather relatives and friends for a quick congregation. Foods (using the sacrifed animals as main ingredient) and drinks are served to those invited. Animal sacrifice is strict muslims affair only, but Aidil-adha is widely celebrated through-out Malaysia. Ironic? This would simply means that in particular to the sacrificial meat, where it can only be consumed by Muslims, another non-sacrificial meat would have to be prepared separately to serve for the non-muslims. (For a Muslim, a sacrificed animals are supposedly to be treated with respect, even their bones and other wastages are not allowed to be thrown away or eaten by scavengers and have to be buried in the ground afterward, and oh yes, not to be eaten by the infidels, sorry!).

It is more ironic that to the other 3-5% of Malaysia population (the Indian Hindus), cow are a revered and sacred animal. But Aidil-adha is not about being offensive to other religion. The Muslims too believed cows and other domestic animals as sacred, and these are the only animals that can assist in easing the burden of the far and long journey in the Judgement Day. In Malaysia, diversity and religious tolerance have faced the test of time and have proven that different cultures can co-exist with peace and harmony. On the other hand, it would be rather hard and unpractical to ask for a sacrificed animal should Islam being selective and had specified for exotic animals like Pandas, Orangutans, Bengal White Tigers or Alaskan penguins.

Religion aside, Aidiladha would mean another holiday to include into the country’s long list of holidays and breaks.

Technorati Tags: Aidil-adha, animal sacrifice, Eid al-Adha, Malaysia, Malaysia Deals, Malaysia Insider, Malaysia News, Malaysia Travel, Malaysian, Muslim festive

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It was all shame to Kelantan, being defeated by a big gap is bearable, but to have all hell broke loose after the third goal was just too much. The game itself is nothing in particular, the true feat is the presence of an extraordinary number of Kelantan fans, the Red Warriors, almost at 75:25 ratio against Negeri Sembilan’s. An estimation of 75,000 of Kelantan supporters flocked National Bukit Jalil Stadium as early as 3.00 pm ( the game itself only started about 6 hours later). Some even congregated since early morning to create sporadic pockets of red spreading around the stadium. Those that turned out early probably had traveled a night before from hometown Kelantan about 500km away from Kuala Lumpur.

When it comes to soccer, Kelantanese fans are notoriously known for their unrestrained behavior, usually when their team is losing the game. Among many races in Malaysia, the Kelantanese (96% of Malay origin) stand out from the crowd with their own exclusive Malay dialect that has evolved far from the language standard pronunciation. In general, Kelantanese are connected by strong sense of solidarity. This is not inclusive of just Kelantan’s Malay, the Chinese and Indian living in rural Kelantan are affected as well. It is not uncommon for Chinese or Indian in Kelantan to have Malay call name, and they speak fluently in local Kelantan dialect, sometimes undistinguishable with other Malay.

Back to Malaysian soccer, Kelantan FC has faced it worst lost yet; for losing the game, for being the sore loser, and for definitely to be fined by Football Association of Malaysia (FAM). The already financially difficult team is about to hit rock bottom.

Kudos to Negeri Sembilan team, for a good gameplay and for being a momma’s boy crowd.

Technorati Tags: Kelantan, Malaysia, Malaysia Cup 2009, Malaysia Deals, Malaysia Insider, Malaysia News, Malaysia Travel, Malaysian, Malaysian Football, National Sport, Negeri Sembilan

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The coming match between Kelantan and Negeri Sembilan on 7th. November at National Stadium Bukit Jalil will decide which team shall be the next champion of Malaysian Cup 2009. Kelantan FC managed to get through to the final with an easy win 3-1 over Perlis, while Negeri Sembilan also with 3-1 over Terengganu. Top scorers Zaquan Adha Abdul Razak (10 goals) is on Negeri Sembilan side and Indra Putra Mahayuddin (9 goals) is on Kelantan’s.

Tickets already on sale since yesterday and are running out fast. Fans and supporters of both teams are now making all the preparation for the big game. Bukit Jalil will surely be crowded with Red and Yellow jerseys this coming Saturday.

All Malaysian are advised to take precautions during this game to avoid use of violence againsts supporters of each team. Throw away all the bad habits as shown in the previous games such as throwing objects to the players, the field, the opposition side and their mean of transportations. Strictly say no to the fire crackers. Full mineral water bottles travelling at 40 km/h can seriously damage your head after a direct hit.

Let us shake our National Bukit Jalil Stadium with truest sense of sportsmanship and be a good supporter.
On the other side, bad news for Kelantan fans. Quoted from www.stadiumastro.com;

“Kelantan maybe in the finals of this year’s Malaysia Cup, and that match could be the side’s last competitive match for a year.

Four other state sides including Perak, Pahang, Penang and Malacca are also out together with club side Shahzan Muda. UPB-MyTeam and Proton FC who have indicated earlier that they will be forced to pullout due to financial constraints, will miss next season M-League. Sarawak, who initially looked like they will miss out were given a helping hand by the Sarawak state government who have settled all their outstanding debts.

The FA of Malaysia had given all team’s in the M-League until Oct 31 to settle all outstanding debts such as unsettled Employers Provident Fund (EPF) contributions, players salaries and oustanding income tax payments.”

Technorati Tags: Kelantan, Malaysia Cup 2009, Malaysia Deals, Malaysia Insider, Malaysia News, Malaysia Travel, Malaysian, Malaysian Football, National Sport, Negeri Sembilan

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We Malaysian pride ourself for being special. We are people of many identities, many differences while having many similarities. As hippy as it may sound, I like to call us Malaysian as rainbow people. We are multicolored (although usually tend to be yellow) and multi-cultured. They government medias always played that Malaysian are mainly from 3 major races, in particular Malay, Chinese and Indian. Personally I beg to differ, to segment too simply is an understatement. Malaysia and Malaysian are too wonderful to be left in such a way, as I said before we are rainbow people.

Sometimes things are more than meet the eyes. Anything is possible in the Bolehland.

If you happened to be a foreigner and never set your foot in Malaysia, I can guarantee you that Malaysia is an amazing place. Almost all races in the world can be found here, usually come in complete package with all their shame and glory, conflicting between one another. It is so amazing and wonderful how distinguished people can be, sometimes one wonder how Malaysia can survive all this while, being the way she is.

This blog will shine your life with colorful stories of Malaysian, the good, the bad and the ugly from all walks of life. The Naked-Malaysian takes on the world and himself.

Technorati Tags: Malaysia, Malaysia Deals, Malaysia Insider, Malaysia News, Malaysia Travel, Malaysian, Orangutan

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