Part I
I was browsing through the papers today. Something hit me hard and inspire me to continue to live on a dream to be someone who is financially successful, rich with social obligations, the man with caches of money in Swiss bank and the father who leave royalty for their offspring as payroll. Try to figure that out. That is one dream that is hard to achieve. The first two element is the easiest although I would say it is the hardest thing to come by.
Financially successful means to obtain legitimate income after clearing my tax off. This is in form of cash money and easy to liquidise properties. I surely have no interest in bond and stocks. This list will not even comprehend what the liabilities are, what more to list it here. I will not be rich my stating all the names of my debtors and their values.
Social obligation means an obligation to build a platform and to bring excellence to the group of people we have selected to be part of. In this particular obligations, I shall obligate myself to develop and spearhead the Dayak toward a better future both socially and financially. I shall create a non-profit and non-political group to stand up this challenge and contributes to these success. All these attributes of success shall expand through time and nature.
Caches of money will be something I shall have which are contributions from financial success and shall be made from legitimate source and declarable at anytime whenever is necessary.
A father who leave royalty as their heir and heiress payroll is another dream of my own. Regardless the situation and passage will be, I have made ready a royalty for my offspring before and after my passing to ensure the development of my generation goes steadily. This is of course different than what is known as last will.
I seem that I have written a decree for myself. Well at least there is something to hold on and as principle of life.
Part II
So are Dayaks a natural born Mogul? Yes, they are. They are a natural born mogul in all sort of field, however the Dayaks are the less fortunate people. They have been working hard all these years to reach certain point in life. Nevertheless, this is just the beginning. Compare to other natives around, Dayaks have leap further throughout the years and advance far ahead in various field. The younger generation revolutionized and embrace themselves for the upcoming challenges.
Talking to some of the Dayaks will leave a very deep impact on you. Do not be fooled by their appearance which seems to be timid and very reserve. They are watching you and learning from you without you noticing it. They are also one of the best in mimicking and a profound imitator around. Due to this, they have been one of the preferred workers for most of the local company due to their nature of being very hardworking. After a while of hardship, they are deemed to be the asset of the company and labor on administrative and supervisory level. Besides, their way of life has never change. They earn merits and credits from hardship and wisdom. I would not say they all but most of the Dayaks earn their rights in their career slow but very prudent. At the end, they excelled and outdone most of their colleagues and comrades of different race.
The development of the Dayaks considered as a rapid development. It is not an enhancement if one want to compare to the other part of the world. Seventy years back, they are still wearing their '
chawat' or loincloth and moving around with their machete and hunting is their prime activity. Contrast to current situation where most of the youngster speaks in their mother tongue at home. Outside, in the public areas; you will be amazed to hear them speaks really good English to an extend sometimes with certain British and American (black or whites) accents. They are now have slingshot to be the leader of the pack in most of the technological and engineering division. They speaks less mambo jumbo like certain other group of natives who filled their day with jokes and pranks. Most of them also detest dirty and sleazy talks as well as polygamy.
They are clearly no nonsense group of people. They do not indulge in unprofitable conversation and acts like others do. They also do not condoned racism like others do. They stick by the general rule of "Making your own money". These are the peoples who are also quite good in keeping their income source. They have vast savings but alas, sometime the bank account saving, bonds and paper saving is less profitable.
Part III
The Bidayuhs are one of the most independent Dayaks you can find. They hardly own large size land due to their nature of living close by. Besides, they have been involved in plantation rather than fishing and hunting in the jungle during the older days. They are fortunate group of people where they are quite exposed to trade and commerce earlier than the others but this create their biggest setback. They have learn the trade and have the appropriate skills and know-how but they are hindered from excellence due to financial constrain. They hardly come up with enough money as a capital to start a business. They do not have any collateral to offer the financial institution for financial assistant.
Some may say that they should go to the government for assistant but many of the Dayaks refuses if not reluctant. When you ask them why? They will say the same thing over and over. They are the second class natives of the country and why bother. Is that true? I deem this is true since many have tried and failed in applying for financial aid. Instead of giving financial aid to the Dayaks who start a good workshop for cheaper service fee and create a competative markets, the Government back the other natives with their Coconut Bun business which have no significant except to fill their munching machine like esophagus in their bellies.
These are the issues that have been a nightmare for every Dayak. Instead they resume their career and advanced through the organization. Most Dayak prefer to work with the Chinese since the Chinese are peoples who give merits to people who deserved it. The Chinese hardly employ the other natives beside the Dayaks. The Dayaks are the people who are reserve and give less resistant when an legitimate work order is out. They carry out the task in resilient as they know they are benefiting it as part of their resume.
Part IV
Years ago, the some Chinese labeled the Dayak cynically as tapioca eater. Now, some of the Chinese realize that the Dayaks are now has fully mature and start to pressure them into a very competitive market. The technical and services fee is getting lower as the Dayaks press on the pressure to win the market. This has actually effecting the Chinese from business side of view where they can not cope with small margin. Most of the Chinese maintain their business but heavily rely on other sort of income which the Dayaks are keeping up with.
Many Chinese salute the Dayaks for their advancement compare to the other native. The Dayaks are the people who accomplish their task on time, great precision and with quality. They are also labeled as peoples who do not boot-lick their bosses. They have been very straight forward or sometime they just keep all those petty problems to themselves.
Besides, sometime the Dayaks are use to the Chinese advantages but also to the Dayaks benefits. The Chinese will appoint a technical and tactical Dayak front man of the company. This allow a bumiputera or native front man to held talks and meetings with the other native representing the client. The Dayak front man benefited a lot as he was educated and equipped with valuable knowledge to handle their counterpart. All the education and free practice offered by the Chinese company gives the Dayak front man previously are the tools he need when he
start his own business some day. Unlike others who are purely proxies without knowledge.
Part V
Months ago, a young man whom I knew from my previous project shows me that a Dayak is natural businessman. He started as a worthless kid who hardly do anything. He is a lazy young bummer after school days. I believe he has lack of direction due to the condition of his village. He is a crossbred Dayak and most of the time he hang out the other type of native. He never make up to the grade. Previously he work as a tent builder where he install tent for weddings and occasion. It is a tiring work. He got another job because another Dayak need a bike ride to work. As he usually send his friend to work. After a while, the Chinese boss invites him to work. He started the work as goofy assistant to the company.
But I found out that he is quite a nice guy. I first him at my project site which is far away from his home. The project site is at another state actually. He admits that he do not know anything about electrical and hopefully I do not mind as well. He is just an assistant and only do a few simple wiring before. Throughout the project, he showed his willingness to learn new things. I thought him a few installation techniques which he have never did before. I always yelled," Do not even try to bring shame to the Dayaks. You, A Dayak must be smart and competent". I am not so sure if my words has effected him totally.
I ask him if did not mind the condition of the temporary dwelling area. It is a store with no ventilation fan and no electricity. The room will be hot throughout the night since it is facing the sunset. He slept on boxes. He told me he is doing this for his family and he traveled the distant to ensure he will be taught on most installation. That is his express ticket to know everything in the fastest span of time. It proves to be true and he have to do most of the installation. He choose a situation which enable him to work and pressure him with workloads. He survived it and he learned most of the wiring techniques. Anyway, he was not a goofy electrician. Instead a smart Dayak try to get more out of free education.
I bid him farewell and then I met him once back home. To my surprise, he is doing the trade I taught him earlier. In only one occasion, he learned all the trade and have just finished installing goods at a commercial building. It was the Sarawak Security Building. I caught him with a tool box and a ladder alone. He is doing it without an assistant. I am happy that at least someone is benefiting what I have taught them.
I met him for another time. The project site is about to commission. He was specially flown down to check all the work. He is so impressive, he is now talking about forming a company with another Dayak engineer back home. He has climbed to another level of business trade. He will be in charge of technical installation. He talks about commission and pricing. This is no simple trade, we are talking about general wiring, sub main cabling, CCTV installation, sound system and IT socket installation as well as server configuration. The government agency who maintain the client's server offered him a good job in front of his boss which pissed his boss very much. He learn the whole trade in two years. Can you believe it, the project last longer than the duration he need to learn everything in his trade? Does he show that like most Dayaks, they strive for excellence? It shows that Dayak are smart and competent people.
Part VI
I am talking about one particular individual. You will cross over many others highly educated engineers and technical personnel who seat on high position before they even reach their 30s. However, as I have always stress in this article; the Dayaks can not make it any higher due to financial constrain, mistreated and down graded by government policies. I am not putting any blame but this is the real scenario in the country. The Dayaks are competing with some other natives who are sitting duck and others who are just proxies who earn their money as they play golf. This is not royalties from copyrights income. You go and figure it out. Foreigner, I can help you in digesting this whole article and the Dayaks' oppression.
I must say it is a bad state of governing the Dayaks. Dreams are made from the worst one's can get. I can write a whole book in formulating the Dayak success but it means nothing. It is a struggle more than books, formulas, grant and so on. We can have a chamber to assist but without funds to appropriate individual and organization also means nothing. It is about hands on battle against our self ignorance and exposure to the global world.
Once we fight against our self ignorance, we will see and understand the true picture of the whole reality. When we fight against our ignorance, we will look at our side and assist our brothers to propel forward.
Exposure to the global world ive sufficient knowledge in revamping new methodology to cater our knowledge and knowhow to be the best player of at local scene and competitive player of the world market.
I have seen a lot but I have yet to feel any Dayaks have gone through the margin of being a Millionaire in their own field. Millionaire due to inheritance is another story. I have the feeling that in 10 years time when things start to go well, the Dayaks will business Moguls especially in technical and management field. They have the genetics of being a mogul. Let us put a stop in their financial constrain and unleash them as challenger to the local scene, they will be almighty good.
Part VII
Mr. Idris Jala. He is doing it well in Malaysian Airlines and previously in Shell. He have a method of doing things the right and appropriate way without loosing his composure. He love to strum his guitar and a generous man who donates a lot to his church. A good example for most Dayaks, as he came from Bario; a small village at the plateau.
Imagine if only Mr. Idris Jala got the financial opportunity to start a company dealing with Aircraft now. What would happen? Minus all the red tapes? He will excel and I believe Sir Richard Branson will not only give him the right to copy his business method but he possibly have embarked on a business partnership with Mr. Idris Jala.
Others? Needless to say, PROTON says it all. I guess my friend Veronica agrees. She have gone through hard time dealing with her new PROTON New-O. Scandals, MV Agusta and more.
Why? I remember once, The Kelabit ranks the seventh smartest ethnic in the world.
Part VIII
Politics is nothing but a crap shit in our country. It shows that many have sold their soul to get into politics. Is there any benefit for the Dayaks in these particular arena? I have yet to see any impact directed to the Dayaks.
Dayaks have been idling for years, waiting for financial aid. What do the Dayaks get from politics? Let me say it out loud. Monkeys, Proboscis, Macaques and a few gunny sack of peanuts. Do not laugh when I am saying this.
Are our politician progressive? They may be but they are sealed from anything somehow. When we look at the Dayaks Ministers in the cabinet lineup, they are highly qualified people with professional accreditations and highly experienced. Where does this bring them to? They not even in the playing zone with the other natives who are merely non-commercial degree holders and even worst, no better than a retired primary school teacher.
Most of them have no charisma and they are bubbly at most time. They speak no sense, they speak about IT when IT have proven to slap their face at the last round of General Election. What are they talking. Have they talk about the upcoming recession six months ago? I have well prepared myself for this round of recession. I have increment and project to hold on to for two years. Most of them have superficial knowledge and they will submit in any forum. Who make fun of themselves. Read the papers and you know that a number of
smart-fool-ful people are governing you.
If this is the scenario, what are left for the Dayaks who are deemed to be the key in building the current government's election fortress. What do we get after we fortified their fortress. Free beers during the Gawai Dayak and that is the most. Next year, year 2009; there will be no more state level Gawai Celebration. Are we not fools? Our royalty from gasoline is stuck at the federal fund and now we would not be given any privilege to conduct our cultural celebration?
I think younger Dayaks maybe on the way to rebellion. I beg you not to start a rebellion. There is no point in having a rebellion. The Dayaks should be aware that they will not be entertain for any any demand. Do not even give a slightest thought of having the legislation change and uphold your right.
Just remember that, you have the upper hand in the national economy. You can use it if you know how to use it. What is a battle when every warlord having disputes over a well for bathing and drinking water? It would be an insult for the history book. I can assure some small time politicians and leaders as well who fought for us, hardly handle their credits. They bow to those superior in economy just to pay their bill. They have not yet taste what 'lavish' is, so are you sure they will help you through this turbulence period?
The Dayaks are well versed with trading and technical services. Use these skills to the Dayaks advantage. Anyway, economy is the main attribute to politics. You are the master of your ponies. The politicians are your ponies. Ride them and if they have broken leg, you either can slaughter them for meat during the cold or you can just let it die at the stable. I believe you would slaughter them for some good meat.
The Dayaks must not be involved deeply in politics. Look at the Jews, they are influential in politics and respected by law makers because the whole economy is within their reach. The Dayaks must follow this trend. Hold the economy and the legislator will bow to your feet.
I have not teach you any illegal method of distorting the government, for the future is near. Concentrate with the economy. I would like to see the Dayaks having their own influential Moguls around. A few in electronic medias, productions, trading, banking and finance and hopefully a play maker who have close ties with the rich outside the country.
These moguls must keep one thing in mind and that is empathy.
A mogul should build more institutions for non educational curricular in assisting values for the future crops. A special financial body must be made available to help the Dayaks kids. Dayak inner circle of commerce to ensure the money is circulated and generate healthy economy within. Lastly, a strong torrent of liquidized money during urgency within the community.
If Malaysian Ringgit pegging is allowed, why not we replicate a scenario similar to this. For example, business and trading with the Dayak merchant only. We can create rule for ourself and it is not illegal. This is what we called as "
INITIATIVE".
Part IX
I have started a website and a group called the DAYAK TRADERS. This non-political group is another way for me to contribute all my knowledge and share my dream to have all the Dayaks moving forward and to excel.
I know it takes time but I have started the small steps. I am now currently looking for options and institution which can finance the Dayak. Dayaks have been oppressed and a victim of civil war during the Great Brunei Era. We fought among ourselves. The British did labeled us as a free mercenaries. I feel insulted when I read our history. I do not want our future generation to read things that symbolized our stupidity.
We have ushered in into an era where we are oppressed by our so-called legislation. The Dayak should not complaint since it had effected us clearly after Tunku Abdul Rahman steps down as a Prime Minister after being forced down by two scheming snakes which he have dearly entrusted.
Let me remind you that our misery should be our weapon of choice. Sealed and tucked nicely, element of surprise should be the next move. These are my words for your thought.
» Learn your enemy and do not underestimate them.
» Camouflaging is far better than intelligence.
» Form your own alliance and not partners.
» Forge your chariot bearing and feed your horses and not your spears, since it bring you no distance during war but burden.
» Fight during the dark with blow pipes instead risking yourself running amok with Machete and heavy wooden shield. Your strength is your last resort as you need it for your journey.
» The best way to attack a city is to depress their people since morality is key to defeats.
» Never fight your opponent from your hill side instead prowl into caves and climb toward the peak of the mountain where your opponent waits your attack from their hill side.
» Never bring back fresh head home and smoke instead, let the burning fire smoke the skull as you attack the next enemy stronghold. Time is of the essence.
» Sell the worthless skull when it starts to drought, instead decorate the your rival paramount leader's skull with ruby and sapphire when abundant. You can trade it for a boat.
» Once you deprive your enemy's leader, bring that colony with you. Do not torture or enslave them instead call them your younger brother. Make them your wife and tell them your story.
Follow these advice and the Dayaks will be Moguls soon. By then, you know the feeling of being superior than others.
