© 2007 Institute of Current World Affairs
The Institute awards long-term fellowships to develop a deep understanding of an issue, country, or region outside the US and to share that understanding with a wider public.
Institute of Current World Affairs - Home Page

Below is a hobbled text version of a PDF document.
In order to read the actual document please click the link below and register if necessary.
(One-time registration is free and very quick.)
Read article

3/14/1983 - Krishan Jit’ s Pinning by Bryn E. Barnard

INSTITUTE OF CURRENT WORLD AFFAIRS BEB Krishan Jit Pinning Jalan AU5 C Lembah Keramat Ulu Kelang Selangor Malaysia March Mr Peter Bird Martin Institute Current World Affairs Wheelock House West Wheelock House Hanover New Hampshire 03755 U S A Dear Peter Many Malaysians doubt wondered Agung manages medals subjects quickly This Agung The Duli Yang Maha Mulia Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Di Pertuan Agung The King Malaysia In ceremony after ceremony after monarch manages attach various Malaysian medals honor service quick moments Last handful nation citizens found secret As recall I mentioned letters I attend pinning playwright friend Krishan Jit receipt Kesatrian Mangku Negara KMN National Service Medal highest award bestowed person country The KMN prestigious medals ordinary Malaysian From Datukship lowest country titles Moving auspicious ladder receive title Tan Seri finally Tun In Perak there title Datuk Seri Datuk Ser Dr Mahathir Mohamed nation Prime Minister All awards decided through nomination Ministries organizations Dewan Bahana Pustaka Language Literature Authority The Dewan nominated Krishan chagrin Once nomination Prime Minister Department nominee receives letter confirming nomination there turning The award cannot turned Krishan informed Dewan nomination June March ceremony finally place Krishan doesn drive allowed guest I access Halim urned atthe Istana Negara National Palace nominee Mat Salleh Bryn Barnard Institute Fellow studying visual communication Southeast Asia His current interest advertising BEB driver Having driver denoting status Some folks would prefer driver raise salary former being showy thata paycheck Whenever Halim I driving friend somewhere I happen I immediately front friend disembarks misconstrue Halim chauffeur Malaysia independence The protocol regalia created occasion along palace The Istana converted Chinese millionaire residence where Malaysia monarchs spends The other accoutrements office could closely resemble those single Malaysian state Sultans might offended A solution however easily found The Malacca Sultanate wiped Portuguese invaders Century popularly accepted cradle Malay sultanates original tradition which other sultanates derived It government historians artisans protocol officers created office Yangadi Pertuan Aguna To Malaysia position without power The office highest ceremony special royal language theoretical devotiOn Malaysians Power however wielded Prime Minister ceremony Though perhaps Malays understood intricacies royal etiquette today handful royal words menjujung kasih instead terima kasih thank former indicating receipt something above rather equal patet instead I santan instead makan rudiments behavior Non Malays latter taught In palace invited rehearsal before actual ceremony recipients could learn sembah genuflect sembah times sembah They receiving their award menjujung kasih tuanku Malay dress Malays lounge suits formal dresses women No shoulders please The sembah incidentally performed palms together forehead level slightly inclined Indians Chinese gesture their hands chest level their temples Only usually salute The palace protocol officer rehearsal The ceremony appeared finery Halim previous engagement needed impressi conveyance Morris Mini discreet parked sight beyond palace gates borrowed occasion We other recipients guests BEB velvet chairs designated numbers letters waited throne sovereign Spacious ceilinged about meters I0 meters throne paneled carved floral patterns tradftional Malay style Yellow velvet curtains front chamber shaped tasseled attractive symmetrical arrangement The ceiling white plaster heavily molded beamed modern Islamic version Versailles Air conditioning ducts recessed lighting effect somewhat European style multi tiered chandeliers recessed rectangular areas ceiling complemented globular carriage lamps along walls The upper fourth walls devoted mirrors arranged Islamic stars arches Islamic patterns dominate decor design carpet Kufic script above The itself crafted carved gilded floral patterns seals Malaysian states It seven stepped affair three tiered surmounted oversize bronze crown embossed Seal State The ceremony clockwork The police played Negara Ku King Queen Raja Permaisuri Agung walked aisle seated themselves received greetings protocol officer The King dismounted standing handed medals nominees sembah their throne their seats groups But King This ceremony medal recipients awarded June already March He barely finish batch June begin round medal winners Worse Queen She through these affairs doing little She King looked trifle bored Afterwards after ceremony after ritual Islamic prayer after departure King Queen partook coffee traditional Malay cakes We semicircle around Royal Portal This Agung unlike predecessors likes mingle rakat subjects Once properly arranged royal couple reappeared cameras whirred chatted grateful citizenry shaking hands cracking there common Bahasa Malaysia This popular Agung And secret Upon arrival recipient given small hooked piece metal pinned breast pocket region woman blouse This small neatly through medal supporting Thus little target times hundred medal catches No unwieldy safety adhesive strips Such simple stage device without elaborate piece theater would doubt quite Malaysians minor flesh wounds television audience helpless BEB laughter On March I Jakarta Unilever finally letter confirmation document I needed business visit I supposed begin consulting Unilever March Although originally I hoped leave earlier Krishan Jit Tikam Tikam opens He decided against poster still needs Tikam giant wheel fortune delegated A local U1u Kelang woodshop producing wheel stand specifications local metal bearings needed contraption After compl etion I paint adaptation traditional Kelantanese design Tikam affix nails needed characteristic clacka clacka clacka sound wheels fortune I works I Cheers received Hanover