Daulat Tuanku – Happy 2009!

I’m greatly moved by all your messages of condolence. Thank you!

I was extremely fond and have many affectionate memories of my late uncle. To be able to “sembah” him from the age of 4 till 44 has been a privilege.

I would like to offer my heartiest and warm congratulations to my first cousin Tuanku Muhriz, the 11th Yang DiPertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan. It has been a long wait indeed.

There has been some media interest in the appointment of the Negri Sembilan Yamtuan. Here’s an extract from my late father’s biography (Tunku Abdullah – A Passion for Life):

“On 14th April 1967, Tuanku Munawir, the Yang DiPertuan Besar passed away at the Istana Hinggap, the Perching Palace, in Seremban. The Tunku and his brother had been particularly close. The two had similar interests, the Tunku enjoying the frequent parties the Yam Tuan held at Istana Hinggap and Cahaya Negri, the government VIP house in Port Dickson. Although the Yam Tuan was frequently ill from diabetes, he ignored his illness and continued to indulge himself. With news of the death, the royal family converged on Seri Menanti for the funeral.

Before the funeral could take place, however, as part of the Negri Sembilan royal tradition, the next ruler had to be elected. At the time of Yam Tuan Iman’s death in 1869, the territorial chiefs could not agree on whether to appoint the Tunku Ahmad Tunggal or Tunku Antah to the throne and, after two days in the humid heat, the Ruler’s body had started to give off an odour. Perhaps this prompted the chieftains, at that time, to quickly appoint the wife of the Ruler, Tunku Ampuan Intan, as regent whilst the problem was sorted out. Thus this tradition ensured a new ruler was always quickly found.

So with the death of Tuanku Munawir, the territorial chiefs or Undangs met to appoint the next Yam Tuan. The heir apparent was Tunku Muhriz, son of the dead Ruler. On the day before the announcement of the new Yam Tuan, Tunku Abdullah received a phone call from the Chief Minister of Negri Sembilan. The Chief Minister of Negri Sembilan asked “Is Tunku Ja’afar in Seri Menanti?” Tunku Abdullah replied in the affirmative. The Chief Minister quickly added “ . . . and, of course, you all must be there.” You all was a reference to the Four Royal Princes who might be selected as the new Yam Tuan, although, from the phone call, Tunku Abdullah now suspected that Tunku Ja’afar would become the next Ruler and he told his brother so …

So the Four Undangs came to the balai, the royal hall, in Seri Menanti, to announce who would become the new ruler. The royal family and other dignitaries gathered there and seated themselves. All Four Royal Princes – Tunku Nasir, Tunku Ja’afar, Tunku Abdullah and Tunku Muhriz – had to memorise the acceptance speech just in case he was called on to become Yam Tuan. The senior Undang then announced to those gathered that Tunku Ja’afar had been elected. A sharp intake of breath was heard from many of those present, Tunku Muhriz, Tuanku Munawir’s son, was expected to become the next ruler, instead the crown was passed to Tuanku Munawir’s younger brother.”

A similar scene played out only a few days ago. The result was entirely different this time. Also, this time round, but don’t quote me on this, the four candidates were already told of the results before hand.

Tuanku Munawir and Tunku Abdullah (right)

Negri Sembilan has a unique system in choosing the next ruler. It is more democratic in that the Undangs themselves are chosen by a greater number of Lembagas who in turn are elected by a still greater number of Buapaks who are in turn elected by the people. I have put together a chart that explains this in my forthcoming book A History of Malaysia – A Children’s Encyclopedia.

It’s quite interesting when history becomes relevant to the present day. What’s more, history is continually being created.

I do wish everyone a Happy 2009!

My Uncle, may he rest in peace

I’ve just received a SMS from my brother to advise me of the passing of my uncle, HRH Tuanku Ja’afar. It is a sad day for us.

My uncle has been the Yamtuan of Negri Sembilan since I was a boy and so for me he has always been Ruler.

With my uncle’s passing, all the male children of Tuanku Abdul Rahman (the first King of Malaya) are gone. His eldest son, Tuanku Munawir passed away in 1967. My father, his youngest son, Tunku Abdullah, passed away only four months ago. And now Tuanku Ja’afar is gone. It is the end of an era.

Tuanku Ja’afar has always been good and kind. He was a sportsman and loved golf. He was a family man. Though I have not seen much of him these past years, I will miss him dearly.

Before becoming the Ruler, he was a Malaysian diplomat and was about to take up his post as the Ambassador of Japan when fate stepped in and he became the 10th Yang DiPertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan.

I remember visiting the Istana with my mother when I was 9 or 10 and played the electric organ. He praised my playing as any good diplomat would. He also said that I looked a bit like him when he was a boy!

Thoughts will undoubtedly turn to who will be the next Yamtuan of Negri Sembilan. Unlike other states, in Negri Sembilan the eldest son does not automatically become the ruler. The Undangs have to elect from the Four Royal Princes.

My thoughts turn to his immediate family, to Tunku Ampuan Najihah, his six children and many grandchildren.

Holiday Season Can Kill

That’s right. Just ask the family of those killed by the Santa gunman in Los Angeles on Christmas Eve. He slaughtered eight people, including his ex wife and her parents, before turning the handgun on himself.

The murderer was dressed as Santa Claus. He knocked on the door where there was a Christmas party going on and when it was opened by an 8-year-old girl, he shot her in the face.

Other than the deranged proximity of the two ideas (celebration and presents v. cold-blooded murder), what drew my attention to this sickening incident was that the killer was a year older than I.

What were his thoughts? What drove him to this madness? Was there no hope, no sign of light amidst the suffocating evil that embraced him?

In the back of my mind is the thought that he had seen this in a movie somewhere. It gave him the deadly idea. It validated his vengeful desire.

I wanted to wish everyone a Merry XMas and a Happy New Year. I started writing the post and ended up with this horrible story. It is the horror writer in me. My apologies.

As our thoughts turn to 2009, let us hope for a better year, a peaceful one where madness and death is conquered and where happiness reigns.

Have a safe holiday season and enjoy the festivities.

Pengat Pisang

When I was last in KL, I reacquainted my taste buds with Pengat Pisang and I loved it!
So I googled it, found a recipe and have since made it twice.

Here is my version:

1. Slice 5 bananas. (You can do it thickly or thinly in any shape you like depending on the outcome you seek.)

2. Heat 1 cup of water in a saucepan and add a quarter to half a cup of sugar (depends on how sweet you want it, you can add more sugar later). Allow sugar to dissolve. Add a pinch of salt.

3. Add in the bananas.

4. Add 2 cups coconut milk or coconut cream. (I prefer the tin variety over the powdered variety. If watching your weight, use the light version of coconut milk.) Bring it to boil until the bananas are soft. Serve warm.

I love it. I hope you do!

P.S Do visit my encyclopedia website if you haven’t done so already.

Win a FREE Children’s Encyclopedia

Someone one mentioned that if I include the word FREE in an advert or post then it would get a lot more attention.

Having hung around the web awhile, I tend to be suspicious when I see the word FREE. But I hope you’re not as cynical as I am!

Since you’re here, I thought I’d let you know that the History of Malaysia – A Children’s Encyclopedia website is up and running. It’s at:
www.historyofmalaysia.net

And yes, there REALLY is a chance of winning a FREE book.

As long as you’re under 18, you could win a copy not only for yourself and also for your school. And if you’re over 18, then you can put in an entry for your child, nephew, niece, younger friend etc.

So hop over to the official website and tell me what you think of it.

Finally, A Cover!

Finally, I’ve decided on the cover for my new children’s encyclopedia. Not only on the front cover but the back cover too.

Here it is …

I commissioned a professional illustrator to produce the main image of the front cover. It’s taken many hours to produce the cover layout.

You might notice from the back cover that I’ll be donating RM5 for every copy sold to the Children’s Home of Hope. It’s part of the National Cancer Society of Malaysia and the Home provides accommodation for children with cancer whilst they are seeking treatment at the General Hospital in KL. I think it’s a worthy cause.

I hope you like the cover.