Sunday, December 9, 2012

Tenancy Agreement for Residential Properties



TENANCY AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT is made the dayst day of month, year between LANDLORD’S NAME, ( NRIC No : ) of current address ( hereinafter called 'the Landlord' ) of the one part and TENANT’S NAME, ( NRIC No : ) of current address ( hereinafter called 'the Tenant' ) of the other part.

WHEREBY IT IS AGREED as follows: -

1. The Landlord let and the Tenant takes a tenancy of the whole of the double storey house known as premises’ address at property adress. ( hereinafter referred to as 'the said Premises' ).

2. The term of this tenancy is for a fixed term of two (2) year, commencing on the dayst day of month, year and terminating on the dayst day of month, year.

3. In consideration of the sum of Ringgit Malaysia amount ( RM ) only now paid by the Tenant to the Landlord, the receipt hereby the Landlord acknowledges being two (2) months rent deposit, one (1) month rental payable in advance and the balance of RM being water & electricity deposit; which said deposit shall be retained by the Landlord as security for the due performance and observance by the Tenant of the covenants and conditions herein contained and shall not be taken to be treated as payment towards rental and shall be refunded without interest to the Tenant.

4. The Tenant covenants with the Landlord as follows: -
a) To pay the reserved rent on the days and in the manner aforesaid.

b) To pay the way of additional rental a proportionate sum of any increase in the quit rent and or assessment over and above that payable at the date of this Agreement in respect of the building in which the said Premises form a part.

c) To pay all charges for the supply of water and electric energy to the said Premises.

d) To observe and to comply with all by-laws and regulations affecting a Tenant of the said Premises which are now in force or which may hereafter be enacted.

e) To keep the interior of the said Premises including all window glass and all electric wiring and fittings and other fixtures and property of the Landlord in upon and belonging to the said Premises in good and tenantable repair and condition ( fair wear and tear and damage by fire storm tempest riot and any other cause beyond the Tenant's control excepted ).

f) To keep the said Premises clean both internally and externally.

g) Not to injure cut or alter any of the walls partitions timbers or floors of the said Premises without the Landlord's previous consent in writing nor without the like consent and if necessary of the local authority to make any structural or other alterations or additions to the said Premises or any part thereof provided always that any such alterations made with the Landlord consent as aforesaid shall be made at the Tenant own cost and expense and any damage caused thereby must be made good by the Tenant.

h) To permit the Landlord their agents or workmen at all reasonable times to enter upon and view the condition of the said Premises and to take inventories of the Landlord fixtures therein and to do structural or external repairs to the said Premises or to the portions of the said building of which the said Premises form a part or to any contiguous building not conveniently accessible otherwise than from or through the said Premises. The Landlord may serve upon the Tenant notice in writing specifying any repair or work necessary to be made or done to comply with the Tenant's covenants to repair herein contained and require the Tenant forthwith to execute such repairs or work or make such replacements and if the Tenant shall not within ten (10) days after the service of such notice proceed diligently with the execution of such repairs or the making of such replacements then it shall be lawful for the Landlord to enter upon the said Premises and execute such repairs or work or make such replacements and the cost thereof shall be a debt due from the Tenant to the Landlord and be forthwith recoverable by action.

i) Should any damage be done to the said Premises or any part thereof by the installation use or renewal of any plant machinery sign or other fittings to repair forthwith and make good such damage to the satisfaction of the Landlord.

j) Not to do or permit or suffer to be done anything whereby the policy or policies of insurance on the said Premises against damage by fire may become void or voidable or whereby the premium may be increased and to repay to the Landlord all sums paid by the Landlord by way of increased premium and all expenses incurred by them in or about any renewal of such policy or polices rendered necessary by a breach or non-observance of this covenant.

k) Not to use or permit the said Premises or any part thereof to be used other than as a shop or Restaurant purposes only.

I) Not to assign sub-let or otherwise part with the possession of the said Premises or any part thereof without the previous consent in writing of the Landlord.

m) Not to keep or permit to be kept on the said Premises or any part thereof any materials the keeping of which may contravene any local ordinance, statute, regulation or by-law or in respect of which an increased rate of insurance is usually required.

n) Not to use or permit the said Premises or any part thereof to be used in such manner that it may be or become a nuisance or annoyance to or in any way interfere with the quiet occupation and comfort of occupants of neighbouring buildings.

o) At the expiration or sooner determination of this Agreement peaceably and quietly to yield up the said Premises to the Landlord with all fixtures ( except Tenant's Fixtures ) thereon in good and tenantable repair and condition in accordance with the covenants hereinbefore contained and to replace any plate glass which has been permanently marked by the Tenant in any way.

5. The Landlord covenant with the Tenant as follows: -
a) Except in so far as the same are payable by the Tenant under the terms hereof to pay and discharges all existing and future rates taxes assessments and outgoing payable in respect of the said Premises.

b) So long as the Tenant shall pay the rent hereby reserved and perform and observe the several Agreements stipulations and covenants on its part herein contained the Tenant shall peaceably hold and enjoy the said Premises during the said term of this Agreement without any interruption by the Landlord or any person or persons lawfully claiming through or under the Landlord.

6. Provided always and it is hereby agreed between the parties hereto as follows: -
a) If the rent hereby reserved or any part thereof shall be in arrear and unpaid at any time for seven (7) days after becoming due whether formally demanded or not or if any covenants stipulations or Agreement on the part of the Tenant hereby contained shall not be performed or observed or if the Tenant or other person or persons in whom for the time being the term hereby created shall be vested shall have a receiving order made against it or him or shall become bankrupt or shall make any assignment for the benefit of or enter into any arrangement with its creditors or if the Tenant shall permit any execution to be levied on the said Premises then and in any such cases it shall be lawful for the Landlord at any time thereafter to re-enter upon the said Premises or any part thereof in the name of the whole and thereupon this Agreement shall absolutely determine but without prejudice to the Landlord right of action in respect of any breach of the Tenant's covenants herein contained.

b) If at any time during the tenancy the said Premises shall be destroyed or damaged so as to become unfit for occupation or use by fire tempest or other inevitable cause except when such fire shall have been caused by any act or default of the Tenant whereby payment of the policy moneys under any policy of insurance shall be refused then the rent hereby reserved or a fair and just proportion thereof according to the nature and extent of the damage sustained shall be suspended and cease to be payable until the said Premises have been again rendered fit for habitation and use. The Landlord shall not be bound or compelled to rebuild or reinstate the same unless the Landlord shall in their discretion think fit and in the event of the Landlord shall decide not to rebuild or reinstate the said Premises then the rent hereby reserved shall cease and determine from the happening of such destruction or damage as aforesaid and the Tenant shall peaceably and quietly surrender leave and yield up to the Landlord possession of the said Premises.

c) If the Landlord is desirous to terminate the tenancy or to sell off the said Premises thereof the Landlord shall give three (3) months notice in advance to the Tenant and the Tenant shall yield up the said Premises to the Landlord.

d) The stamp duty of this Agreement shall be paid for by the Tenant.

e) Upon terminate of the tenancy, the Landlord shall grant to the Tenant a further tenancy of one (1) year that is from dayst day of month, year to dayst day of month, year at rental to be agreed upon in accordance with the market rate of rental prevailing at that time.

f) Any notice in writing required to be served hereunder shall be sufficiently served on the parties hereto if addressed to and left at or sent by post to the parties' respective addresses above-stated. A notice sent by post shall be deemed to be given at the address to which it is sent.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have hereunto set their hands the day and year first above written.

SIGNED by the said Landlord )
LANDLORD'S NAME             )
in the presence of :-               )          ………………………………………
                                                                LANDLORD'S NAME



………………………………………
Witness,
Name: WITNESS’S NAME
NRIC : WITNESS’S NRIC




SIGNED by the said Tenant )
TENANT’S NAME               )
in the presence of: -            )         ………………………………………
                                                               TENANT’S NAME




………………………………………
Witness,
Name : WITNESS’S NAME
NRIC : WITNESS’S NRIC



Friday, November 16, 2012

Malaysia's World Heritage Sites


The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity. This is embodied in an international treaty called the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, adopted by UNESCO in 1972.

The Convention sets out the duties of States Parties in identifying potential sites and their role in protecting and preserving them. By signing the Convention, each country pledges to conserve not only the World Heritage sites situated on its territory, but also to protect its national heritage. The States Parties are encouraged to integrate the protection of the cultural and natural heritage into regional planning programmes, set up staff and services at their sites, undertake scientific and technical conservation research and adopt measures which give this heritage a function in the day-to-day life of the community.

The prestige that comes from being a State Party to the Convention and having sites inscribed on the World Heritage List often serves as a catalyst to raising awareness for heritage preservation.

In the case of sites included on the List of World Heritage in Danger , the attention and the funds of both the national and the international community are focused on the conservation needs of these particularly threatened sites.




Today, the World Heritage concept is so well understood that sites on the List are a magnet for international cooperation and may thus receive financial assistance for heritage conservation projects from a variety of sources.

Sites inscribed on the World Heritage List also benefit from the elaboration and implementation of a comprehensive management plan that sets out adequate preservation measures and monitoring mechanisms. In support of these, experts offer technical training to the local site management team.

Finally, the inscription of a site on the World Heritage List brings an increase in public awareness of the site and of its outstanding values, thus also increasing the tourist activities at the site. When these are well planned for and organized respecting sustainable tourism principles, they can bring important funds to the site and to the local economy.


Malaysia’s World Heritage sites

1. Kinabalu Park
Date of Inscription : 2000
Brief Description :
Kinabalu Park, in the State of Sabah on the northern end of the island of Borneo, is dominated by Mount Kinabalu (4,095 m), the highest mountain between the Himalayas and New Guinea. It has a very wide range of habitats, from rich tropical lowland and hill rainforest to tropical mountain forest, sub-alpine forest and scrub on the higher elevations. It has been designated as a Centre of Plant Diversity for Southeast Asia and is exceptionally rich in species with examples of flora from the Himalayas, China, Australia, Malaysia, as well as pan-tropical flora.

2. Gunung Mulu National Park
Date of Inscription : 2000
Brief Description :
Important both for its high biodiversity and for its karst features, Gunung Mulu National Park, on the island of Borneo in the State of Sarawak, is the most studied tropical karst area in the world. The 52,864-ha park contains seventeen vegetation zones, exhibiting some 3,500 species of vascular plants. Its palm species are exceptionally rich, with 109 species in twenty genera noted. The park is dominated by Gunung Mulu, a 2,377 m-high sandstone pinnacle. At least 295 km of explored caves provide a spectacular sight and are home to millions of cave swiftlets and bats. The Sarawak Chamber, 600 m by 415 m and 80 m high, is the largest known cave chamber in the world.

3. Melaka and Georgetown, Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca
Date of Inscription : 2008
Brief Description :
Melaka and George Town, historic cities of the Straits of Malacca have developed over 500 years of trading and cultural exchanges between East and West in the Straits of Malacca. The influences of Asia and Europe have endowed the towns with a specific multicultural heritage that is both tangible and intangible. With its government buildings, churches, squares and fortifications, Melaka demonstrates the early stages of this history originating in the 15th-century Malay sultanate and the Portuguese and Dutch periods beginning in the early 16th century. Featuring residential and commercial buildings, George Town represents the British era from the end of the 18th century. The two towns constitute a unique architectural and cultural townscape without parallel anywhere in East and Southeast Asia.

4. Archaeological Heritage of the Lenggong Valley
Date of Inscription : 2012
Brief Description :
Situated in the lush Lenggong Valley, the property includes four archaeological sites in two clusters which span close to 2 million years, one of the longest records of early man in a single locality, and the oldest outside the African continent. It features open-air and cave sites with Palaeolithic tool workshops, evidence of early technology. The number of sites found in the relatively contained area suggests the presence of a fairly large, semi-sedentary population with cultural remains from the Palaeolithic, Neolithic and Metal ages.



Source : http://whc.unesco.org/en/


Friday, October 5, 2012

Administration Divisions of Sarawak


1st Division - Kuching

1839 – James Brooke found Cochin ( Kuching )
1841, September  24th – Pangeran Muda Hashim and James Brooke signed a treaty, ceding Kuching to Brooke, from Tanjung Datu to Kuala Sungai Samarahan.
1842, August 18th  - James Brooke declared Rajah of Sarawak.
1853, Sultan Omar Ali Saifudin of Brunei ceded Samarahan and Sadong to Brooke.

1873, June 1st – Establishment of First Division, along with Second Division and Third Division.
1876 – Kuching upgraded to Town status

1983, August 11th  - Establishment of Padawan Sub-District
1986, July 24th – Establishment of  Samarahan Division.   Simunjan, Serian and Samarahan Districts alienated to Samarahan Division. 
1988, August 1stKuching upgraded to City status.



2nd Division - Sri Aman

1873, June 1st – Establishment of Second Division, along with First Division and Third Division.

1957 – Establishment of Lubuk Antu District

1973, October 21st –Sri Aman Declaration, a peace treaty with PARAKU ( Party Rakyat Kalimantan Utara, a communist party ) signed.   Simanggang renamed Sri Aman.

1986, July 24th Establishment of  Samarahan Division.  Sub-District Sebuyau realigned to Simunjan District within Samarahan Division.

2002, March 26th – Establishment of Betong Division.  Saribas and Kalaka Districts realigned to Betong Division.


3rd Division - Sibu

1853 – Maling ceded to Sarawak
1859 – Mukah ceded to Sarawak

1873, June 1st – Establishment of Third Division, along with First Division  and Second Division.  Maling renamed Sibu.

1901 – Wong Nai Siong lead Foochows from China.
1949 – Establishment of Kanowit District

1973, April 2nd – Establishment of Sarikei and Kapit Divisions.  Sarikei, Binatang, Matu-Daro, Julau Districts and Pakan Sub-Districts alienated to Sarikei Division.   Kapit, Belaga and Song Districts alienated to Kapit Division

2002, March 1st – Establishment of Mukah Division.  Mukah and Dalat Districts alienated to Mukah Division.


4th Division - Miri

1861 – Kidurong ceded to Sarawak
1882 – Brunei alienated Bintulu and Baram to Sarawak
1885, Jul 28th – Establishment of Fourth Division 

1910, August 10th – Shell began oil-digging operation in Canada Hill.
1912 - Administrative center of Miri Division shifted from Marudi to Miri.
1953 – Subis Sub-District established within Niah District.

1987, January 1st – Establishment of Bintulu Division.  Bintulu and Tatau Districts alienated to Bintulu Division.

2005, May 20thMiri ungraded to City status.


5th Division - Limbang

1882, June 19th – Claude town found
1885 – Alfred Everett bought Sg Pandaruan
1885 – Trusan ceded to Sarawak
1890, March 17th – Sg Limbang & Pengkalan Tarap ceded to Sarawak

1901 – Brunei sold Lawas to North Borneo Company
1905, January 5th – Lawas bought from North Borneo Company
1913 – Sg Panaruan bought from Alfred Everett

1933 - Establishment of Fifth Division

1991 – Baram renamed Marudi



6th Division - Sarikei

1955, January 1st – Sarikei upgraded to District
1967 – Binatang upgraded to District

1973, April 1st – Julau upgraded to District ; Pakan upgraded to Sub-District within Julau District.
1973, April 2nd – Establishment of Sarikei DivisionSarikei, Binatang, Matu-Daro, Julau Districts and Pakan Sub-Districts, alienated from Sibu Division.

1984, January 24th – Binatang District renamed Meradong District, Binatang town renamed Bintangor.

2002, March 1st – Establishment of Mukah Division.  Mato and Daro Districts alienated to Mukah Division.
2002, March 1st – Pakan upgraded to District.


7th Division - Kapit

1973, April 2nd – Establishment of Kapit DivisionKapit, Belaga and Song Districts alienated from Sibu Division.


8th Division - Samarahan

1901 – Sadong District was established, covered Simunjan and Serian.
1955 – Serian upgraded to District.  Sadong renamed Simunjan.

1983, August 19th – Muara Tuang upgraded to District.  Pekan Muara Tuang renamed Kota Samarahan, and the District named Samarahan. 

1986, July 24th – Establishment of  Samarahan Division.   Simunjan, Serian and Samarahan Districts alienated from Kuching Division.  Sub-District Sebuyau from Serian District of Sri Aman Division realigned into Simunjan district.

2002, January 1st – Sub-Districts Asajaya ( Samarahan District ) and Sadong ( Simunjan District ) combined to become a new Asajaya District. 


9th Division - Bintulu

1861 – Bintulu ceded to Sarawak
1867, September 8th – First Council Negri meeting held in Bintulu

1978, July 8th – Establishment of Bintulu Development Authority.

1987, January 1st – Establishment of Bintulu Division.  Bintulu and Tatau Districts alienated from Miri Division


10th Division - Mukah

1911 – Establishment of Mukah District, within Sibu Division

1973, April 2nd – Establishment of Matu-Daro District within Sarikei Division
1973, April 7th – Establishment of Belawai Sub-District

1987 – Matu became a Sub-District of Daro District

1990, August 8th – Matu upgraded to District
1991, May 5th – Daro upgraded to District

2002, March 1st – Establishment of Mukah Division.  Mukah and Dalat Districts alienated from Sibu Division.  Mato and Daro Districts alienated from Sarikei Division.


11th Division - Betong

1948, January 1st – Establishment of Saribas District
1948 – Establishment of Kalaka District
1991, January 1st – Saribas renamed Betong,
1991 – Kalaka renamed Saratok

2002, March 26th – Establishment of Betong Division.  Betong and Saratok Districts alienated from Sri Aman Division


Monday, September 17, 2012

Sarawak - A Brief History


Sultan Tengah

1598   - Sultan Muhammad Hassan of Brunei appointed his brother, Pengiran Muda Tengah Ibrahim Ali Omar Shah ( Raja Tengah ), as Sultan of Sarawak.

1599   - Sultan Tengah visited Pahang.  On his return, his ship wrecked and stranded in Sukadana ( Kalimantan, Indonesia ), and married Puteri Surya Kesuma.  Then, he left for Sambas River, where they landed at Kuala Bangun.

1630   - went to Matan ( Kalimantan, Indonesia ), married a Matan princesses.

1641   - went back to Sarawak.  Died and buried at Batu Buaya in Santubong, Sarawak.


Brunei Sultanate

For few century till 19th century, Sarawak was under the loose control of the Sultanate of Brunei.

1839  - It was when Sarawak was chaotic and lawless, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin II ( 1827-1852 ), the Sultan of Brunei, ordered Pangeran Muda Hashim to restore order.   Pangeran Muda Hashim asked for James Brooke’s assistance in the matter.


Brooke Dynasty ( 1841 – 1846 )

James Brooke ( 1841 – 1868 )

1841 – Appointed Governor of Sarawak.
1841, Sep 24th - Kuching and Serian ceded to Brooke.  
1842, Aug 18th - James Brooke officially Rajah of Sarawak.
1846, Aug 23rd – Territory between Sadong and Oya Rivers ceded to Sarawak
1848 – Established S.P.G. Mission School in Kuching
1948, Sep 29th – Sarawak Flag hoisted

1850, Apr 26th – Rentap defeated and killed at Nanga Skrang
1850, Oct 24th - USA recognized Sarawak sovereignty
1853 – Lower Rejang Basin ceded to Sarawak
1854 – British naturalist, Alfred Russel Wallace visited Sarawak
1856 – Borneo Company Limited registered
1858 – Sarawak Dollar introduced

1860, Apr 15th – Sherip Masshor defeated at Igan
1861 – Kidurong ceded to Sarawak
1863 - British recognized Sarawak sovereignty
1865 – First meeting of Council Negri, the Sarawak legislature council


Charles Anthony Johnson Brooke ( 1868 – 1917 )

1868, Aug  3rd - Charles proclaimed Rajah succeeding James Brooke
1869 – Sarawak postage stamps issued.

1870 - Charles built Astana
1870 – Sarawak Gazette published
1871 – Civil Marriage introduced
1971, Dec 15th – First census
1872 - Found Sarawak Rangers
1873, Jun 1st – Established First, Second and Third Divisions

1882, Jun 19th  – Baram ceded to Sarawak
1883 – Abolishment of slavery
1885, Jan 3rd -  Sg Trusan basin ceded to Sarawak
1885, Jul 28th – Established Fourth Division ( Kidurong-Trusan )
1888, Jun 14th  - Sarawak became a British Protectorate

1890, Mar 17th – Limbang ceded to Sarawak
1891 - Established the Sarawak Museum.

1901 – Wong Nai Siong brought Foochows from China to Sibu.
1903 - founded Government Lay School, ( SMK Green Road )
1904, Nov 30th – Adopted Straits Dollar
1905, Jan 5th – North Borneo Company ceded Lawas to Sarawak

1910 – Oil discovered by Shell on Canada Hill in Miri
1914 - Shell built oil refinery
1915, Aug 18th – Railroad opened in Kuching, Sarawak.


Charles Vyner Brooke ( 1917 – 1946 )
1917, May 24th– -Vyner proclaimed Rajah of Sarawak

1924, Jun 1st – Registration of motor car and drivers 
1924 – Sarawak Penal Code introduced.

1933, Mar 31st – Sarawak Government Railway closed
1933, May 4th – Fifth Division incorporated in the Fourth Division
1938, Sept 26th – Kuching Airport opened.

1941 – Japan invaded Sarawak.
1946, Apr 15th - Vyner resumed the administration of the state.
1946, Jul 1st - Vyner ceded Sarawak to British as a crown colony.


Anthony Walter Dayrell Brooke 

1937, Aug 25th - Appointed Heir Apparent. 
1939 – 1940  - Administering Sarawak between in the absence of the Rajah. 

1940, Jan 17th - Deprived as Heir Apparent 
1944 - Restored as Heir Apparent
1945, Oct 12th – Deprived as Heir Apparent, again
1946 - Opposed the cession of Sarawak to British. 

1951 – Renounced any claim to the title of Rajah of Sarawak.





Japanese Occupation

1941, Dec 15th -Japanese forces landed in Miri and Seria ( Brunei )
1941, Dec 23rd - Japanese forces captured Santubong
1941, Dec 25th - Japanese forces captured Kuching

1945, Jun 10th - Australian Army landed in Labuan and Brunei
1945, Sep 10th - Japanese surrendered



British Military Administration

1945, Sep 11th – BMA established
1946, Apr 1st – BMA ceased


British Crown Colony

1946, May 17th – Sarawak’s Council Negri passed Act of Cession
1946, May 22nd – British parliament passed Sarawak (Act of Cession )
1946, Jul 1st – Sarawak become a British Colony
1949, Dec 3rd – Sir Duncan Steward, 2nd Governor assassinated in Sibu

1953 – Malaya And British Borneo Dollar introduced

1963 – Independence



Independence
1963, July 22nd– Independent Commonwealth country


Malaysia

1961, May 27th – Tunku Abdul Rahman, Prime Minister of Malaya proposed formation of Malaysia

1962, Jan 17th – commissioning of Cobbold Commission 
1962, Jun 21st  – Cobbolt Commission recommended the joining of Sarawak along with Malaya, Singapre and North Borneo to form Malaysia
1962, Aug 14th – 18-Point memorandum signed

1963, Jan 20th - Indonesia launched Konfrontasi 
1963, Jul 9th – Malaysia Agreement signed at London
1963, Jul 31st – Malaysia Act 1963 enacted
1963, Aug 8th – Brunei rejected the proposal
1963, Sep 16th – Federation of Malaya, Singapore, Sarawak and North Borneo formed Malaysia

1965, Aug 9th – Singapore ceased to be a state of Malaysia

2012, Sep 16th – Malaysia Day made Public Holiday




Monday, August 6, 2012

Negaraku


La Rosalie

La Rosalie” was composed by Pierre-Jean de Béranger ( 19th August 1780 – 16th July 1857 ), a French poet and songwriter.  “La Rosalie” being a popular tune in French, soon spread to her colonies, including Seychelles.  

Seychelles was first occupied by French in 1756, named after Jean Moreau de Séchelles ( 1690 – 1761 ).  Between 1974 and 1810, the British contested control over the islands.  British eventually assumed full control over Mauritius in 1810, formalized in 1814 with the Treaty of Paris.  Seychelles became a British crown colony in 1903.




Perak State Anthem “Allah Lanjutkan Usia Sultan

After the signing of the infamous Pangkor Treaty on 20th January 1874, Perak came under British’s protectorate.  Raja Abdullah was acknowledged as the legitimate sultan to replace Sultan Ismail.  James Wheeler Woodford Birch ( 3rd April 1826 – 2nd November 1875 ) was appointed as the first Resident in Perak on 4th November 1874.

On 2nd November 1875,  a local Malay chief Dato Maharajalela speared J.W.W.Birch to death while he was in the bath-house of his boat, SS Dragon, in Pasir Salak.

In the aftermath of the assassination, Sultan Abdullah was deposed and sent to exile in Seychelles. His arch-rival Raja Yusuf ( 1876 – 1887 ) was made regent, officially crowned Sultan only on 7th October 1886.   Sultan Yusuf died less than 1 year later, and succeeded by Sultan Idris.

Sultan Abdullah and his entourage left Singapore on 21st July 1877 onboard steamship Cotherstone.  They arrived at Mahé, Seychelles on 31st August 1877. 

Seychelles was then a French colony.  It became a British Crown Colony in 1903. 

In Mahé, Sultan Abdullah’s eldest son, Raja Mansur became fond of a French song “La Rosalie”.  He then rewrote the lyrics and presented as Perak state anthem during his visit to England with Sultan Idris Murzhidul’Adzam Shah ( 1887 – 1916 ) for Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1887.

The Perak state anthem “Allah Lanjutkan Usia Sultan” was made official during Sultan Idris coronation in Kuala Kangsar in 5th April 1889.

Sultan Abdullah was believed to be pardoned and returned to Perak in 1894 where he lived his remaining years in Kuala Kangsar.  He died on 22nd December 1922 at the at the age of 80, and buried at Kuala Kangsar.

Allah Lanjutkan Usia Sultan

Dilanjutkan Allah usianya Sultan
Adil dan murah memerintah watan
Ditaati rakyat kiri dan kanan
Iman yang saleh Allah kurniakan
Allah berkati Perak Ridzuan
Allah selamatkan Negeri dan Sultan.




Terang Bulan” 

“Terang Bulan” was a popular song back in 1920s and 1930s in Indonesia.  It became a well-known evergreen, played at parties and cabarets. 

Yet, after Malaysia adopted the song as her national anthem,  Indonesian government had on 1st September 1957 banned the public performance of the tune, out of respect for Malaysia.

Terang Bulan

Terang di pinggir kali
Buaya timbul disangkalah mati
Jangan percaya mulutnya lelaki
Berani sumpah 'tapi takut mati

Waktu potong padi di tengah sawah
Sambil bernyanyi riuh rendah
Memotong padi semua orang
Sedari pagi sampai petang

Waktu potong padi di tengah sawah
Sambil bernyanyi riuh rendah
Bersenang hati sambil bersuka
Tolonglah kami bersama sama


A Dutch singer, Zangeres Zonder Naam recorded a Dutch version of “Terang Bulan”, but the meaning of the lyrics is entirely different from the Indonesian version.

Terang Boelan

Terang boelan, de maan schijnt over Java
En aan 't strand zit Nonja heel alleen
Ze denkt nog altijd aan haar toean landa
Die met z'n schip zolang van haar verdween

Hij had beloofd dat hij terug zou komen
Maar wat hij zei, dat bleek helaas niet waar
Ze zijn voorbij, haar mooie toekomstdromen
Haar hart doet pijn, het leven valt zo zwaar

Toch is er iets dat haar nog vreugd kan geven
Dat is haar kind, met ogen hemelsblauw
De zon, die straalt weer even in haar leven
Als 't kindje zegt: "Ik blijf voorgoed bij jou"

De zon, die straalt weer even in haar leven
Als 't kindje zegt: "Ik blijf voorgoed bij jou"




Malaysia National Anthem “Negaraku

In 1956, a competition was held to create a national anthem for the soon-to-be Federation of Malaya.  A total of 514 songs received from around the world, yet none of them deems fit to the selection committee.  The Jawatankuasa Pemilihan Lagu Kebangsaan was headed by then the Chief Minister and Minister of Home Affairs, Tunku Abdul Rahman.

The committee then invited some established composers to compose the anthem.  Their songs were also rejected. 

Then, the committee decided to choose from the existing state anthems.  Finally, on 5th August 1957, Perak state anthem was selected as Federation of Malaya’s national anthem.   New lyrics were written by Saiful Bahri.

“Negaraku” was first presented to the public on 31st August 1957, at Padang Kelab Selangor.

With the formation of Malaysia on 16th September 1963, the song was adopted to become Malaysia’s national anthem.  The performance of national anthem is enshrined in the Akta Lagu Kebangsaan 1968 ( National Anthem Act 1968 )

Today, the melody is still Perak state anthem.

Negaraku

Negaraku,
Tanah tumpahnya darahku,
Rakyat hidup, bersatu dan maju,
Rahmat bahagia, Tuhan kurniakan,
Raja kita, Selamat bertakhta!
Rahmat bahagia, Tuhan kurniakan,
Raja kita, Selamat bertakhta!


In 2003, Malaysian 4th Prime Minister, Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, change the beat of the song to a vibrant pace.  The rentak baru version ( new beat ) was first made public on 30th August 2003, at the celebration of eve independence. 




Other Versions

“Mamula Moon” performed by Felix Mendelssohn & His Hawaiian Serenaders, in their album Paradise Isle released in 1947

“Mamula Moon”

One day I walked along
A moonlit island shore
And soon I heard a song
I never heard before

I said who can it be
To sing so tenderly
And saw a dust he made
With lonely serenade

Mamula moon
Shine high above the southern sea
And like my love
Say form again to me

We said goodbye
Beside the blue lagoon
Alone am I
With you mamula moon

I waved my hand
The grey ship sailed across the bay
On golden sand
That might I melt to pray

That I might see
My love returning soon
Still true to me
And you mamula moon




 “I Shall Return” performed by Anne Shelton ( 1923 – 1994 ).  The song was complied in album Wonderful One released posthumously in 2008






Thursday, July 5, 2012

三教九流

三教九流,泛指古代中国的宗教与各种学术流派,是古代中国对人的地位和职业名称划分的等级。也泛指社会上各种行业、各色人物。在古代白話小說中,往往含有貶義。

「九流十家」的「九流」與「三教九流」的「九流」不同。


三教

西汉《白虎通·三教》:“教所以三何?法天、地、人,内忠、外敬、文饰之,故三而备之。”

汉代儒学家认为夏代崇尚忠、商代崇尚敬、周代崇尚文,他们把夏、商、周三代所崇尚的这些道德规范与礼仪文饰,总称为“三教”。这是关于“三教最早的说法”。

东汉初年,佛教传入中国,与本土儒教、道教发生论战。公元573年,北周武帝亲自召集百官及沙门道士等“辨释三教后”问题,最后作出了“儒教在先,道教次之,佛教在后”的结论。从此后人说三教通常即为


九流

民间按社会地位,将“九流”分为“上九流”、“中九流”、“下九流”。

上九流 :
帝王、圣贤、隱士、童仙、文人、武士、农、工、商。
佛祖、天、皇上、官、阁老、宰相、进、举、解元。
佛祖、仙、皇帝、官、斗官、秤、工、商、庄田。
佛祖、仙、皇帝、官、燒鍋、當、商、客、庄田。

中九流 :
舉子、医生、相命、丹青、书生、琴棋、僧、道、尼。
秀才、医、丹青、皮、弹唱、金、僧、道、棋琴。
舉子、医、风水、批、丹青、画、僧、道、琴棋。
舉子、医、风水、批、丹青、相、僧、道、琴棋。

下九流 :
师爷、衙差、升秤、媒婆、走卒、时妖、盜、竊、娼。
高台、吹、马戏、推、池子、搓背、修、配、娼妓。
打狗、卖油、修脚、剃头、抬食合、裁缝、伶、娼、吹手。
巫、屠、抬、梆、剃、吹、伶、街、販。
巫、娼、大神、流帮、剃头、吹手、戏子、叫街、卖糖。

末九流 :
举子、医、星、卜、堪舆、相家、书、画、琴棋。