Speaking during the Harmonious Night gala dinner organised by the Federation of seven Clans Association in Sibu last Sunday night, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said mixed marriages among the various races in the state have become the norm.
He described the offspring of mixed marriages as the hybrid generation, which reminds me of my family and close relatives. My parents are Malaysian-born Chinese, and my brother’s wife is Korean. Our nephew is married to a Kadazan Muslim and a cousin’s sister has a Caucasian husband.
Interracial marriages are no issue when partners practise the same faith. Race, language and culture are no barriers for those who are truly religious, but many politicians shamelessly try to gain popularity by fighting for their race in the name of religion.
Abang Johari rightfully said those outside Sarawak are impressed with the state’s uniqueness and unity, as people of different cultural and religious backgrounds can come together as a family.
Forty-five years ago, when I was a tourist guide in Kuala Lumpur, I often met large Sabahan families who flew to Subang airport on MAS Golden Holidays and transferred them to a city hotel using a mini tour bus.
I was amazed with what I saw, as some looked distinctively Chinese while others were less so. I later learned they were Kadazans. I grew up in Peninsular Malaysia with most Malays and Chinese easily identifiable, but Indians can be as different as Tamils and Punjabis.
In school, I admired the so-called Eurasians as many of them were of mixed parentage such as Indian and Chinese, making them good-looking and smart because of diverse parental genes. Conversely, inbreeding produces children that are weak in all respects.
Later, with the influx of foreign workers, initially from Indonesia and later from Myanmar, Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan, it was still possible to tell their differences most of the time from their behaviour.
However, it can be challenging to distinguish Malaysians from Sabah and Sarawak with long-time Indonesian workers in Peninsular Malaysia. But race and nationality were least of my concerns as all are human beings who deserve respect.
Generally, most people are good, bad or somewhere in between. What we must watch out are those evil such as selfish politicians who take the easy path by condemning or pushing others down instead of working hard to lift their own race or religion.
Politics and societies in much of Peninsular Malaysia have often been ugly, but Sarawak is blessed with beautiful people. My first trip to Kuching was love at first sight, as I felt it was like finding my soul place on earth.
On hindsight, where else in the world can you find a local population accepting a white man as ruler or rajah for several generations? Sir James Brooke was the first “White Rajah” from 1841 and was followed by five others in the Brooke family.
The dynasty ended only after the Second World War. By then, what it means to be a Sarawakian had taken root.
The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the New Sarawak Tribune.
