KUCHING: The Book on Customs of the Sarawak Malay Community Based on Islamic Syariah is an important document that can ensure the customs and traditions of Sarawakian Malay community are understood.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said that these traditions are manifested in the book written by the late Mohd Hasbie Sulaiman.
Meanwhile Irwan Zulkarnain Muhammad Hasbie, representing the family of the late Mohd Hasbie Sulaiman said that the book was produced as a result of a collaborative effort driven by the Premier’s desire to safeguard these traditions.
“It is driven by the Premier’s desire to ensure that Malay customs and culture are not lost to time in this era of globalisation and technological advancement.
“The new version of the book includes significant enhancements to the original manuscript, offering insights into the history of Islam’s introduction to the Nusantara, the influence of James Brooke’s rule, and detailed accounts of customs related to childbirth, marriage traditions, visiting etiquette, and death,” he said at the launch of the book by the Premier at Hikmah Exchange Event Centre today (Jan 20).
He added that the new manuscript of their late father’s book was typed-written by the writer, with some parts handwritten in Malay, interspersed with Quranic verses related to Malay ceremonies and customs.
Earlier, Irwan shared a bit of an info regarding their late father, Mohd Hasbie Sulaiman, born on March 4, 1927, returned to the mercy of Allah on April 16, 2019.
“The manuscript of the book “Adat Resam” was handed over to my elder brother Datuk Benjamin Hasbie before his passing.
“The writing on the customs of the Sarawak Malay community is the result of his experiences, involvement, and observations throughout his life, spanning nearly a decade.
“In fact, our father’s original work, titled “Konsep Perkahwinan Masyarakat Melayu Sarawak Menurut Syariah Islam,” began as a journal in the Malaysian Historical Society, Sarawak Branch, in 1986.
“Later, my father was invited by the National Unity Department to compile the article “Adat Resam Perkahwinan Masyarakat Melayu di Sarawak,” which was printed in 2004, reprinted in 2006, and translated into English for tourists visiting Malaysia,” he said.
Recognising this, Irwan added the Premier requested Mohd Hasbie Sulaiman to create a special book on the customs of the Sarawak Malay community which led to the Book on Customs of the Sarawak Malay Community Based on Islamic Syariah.
For the records, Mohd Hasbie Sulaiman also authored several notable works, including Perjuangan Anti-Cession Sarawak, Rangkaian Pantun Nabi Adam, Nabi Ibrahim dan Nabi Ismail (A.S) and Rangkaian Pantun Keagungan Rasulallah SAW.
