Nilai-Nilai Murni | Virtues (13th Jun 2011)

Nilai-nilai Murni Campaign

The campaign was initiated by the government, and later was instilled through the school curriculum in Malaysia. It was seen as appropriate to today's environment for the benefit of the future. 

Nilai-nilai Murni Campaign is one of the government's initiative to adopt and inculcate moral values into the realm of the mind, heart and soul of Malaysians, at all levels. The campaign aims to re-instill the sense of self esteem and the dependability of the community. 

The virtues are values that allows an individual to be respected and play an active role in ensuring a harmonious society as well as contribute to the growth and development of society. 

1. Love

Feelings of love, compassion and a deep and lasting affection born out of a willing heart. 

2. Hardworking

Continuous effort filled with the spirit of diligence, perseverance, initiative and dedication id doing things.

3. Courteous

Kind, honorable, gentle and polite deneanour.

4. Mutual Respect

Appreciate and value individuals and social institutions to provide a decent service. 

5. Independent

The ability and willingness to do something without depending on others. 

6. Awareness

Not being extreme in making judgements and actions whether in thoughts, speech or behavior without ignoring the importance of self and others.

7. Kind Hearted

Attitude of constant and genuine concern about the feelings and welfare of others.

8. Thankful

Genuine feelings and behavior for the blessings and happiness aobtained. 

9. Living in Harmony

Willingness to do things with a sense of belonging based on mutual interests to create harmony in society.

10. Integrity

Attitude and behavior that demonstrate good faith, trust, and honesty without expecting any reward. 

Setem Ku (24th Apr 2011)

Kraftangan / Handicraft

Wood carving, a traditional Malaysia handicraft is one of the classical Malaysian art that is still growing. 

Bunga Raya

Bunga Raya, commonly known as hibiscus is the national flower of Malaysia and can be found in abundance throughout the country. 

Wau Bulan

Wau Bulan is a famous traditional kite, richly decorated with colourful patterns of flowers and leaves. 

Durian

Durian, known for its unique aroma and thorn-covered husk is a favourite among the locals. 

Artifak Warisan Negara | Artifacts of National Heritage (11th Apr 2011)

On 14^th February 2009, 10 artifacts owned by Jabatan Muzium Malaysia were listed in the National Heritage Register. These artifacts have been categorized as Obvious Objects are amongst 173 heritage objects proclaimed as National Heritage. The National Heritage Register is a Register that contains the list of the details of national heritage under Section 23 National Heritage Act 2005.

Pending Melayu / Malay Belt Buckle

The pending is an ornamental belt buckle which was worn by Malays as part of their ceremonial costume to secure the sarong or sarong as early as the 15^th century. The Malay Buckle featured is embossed with a plaited wire design with granules and lotus flower motif. The entire buckle is studded with a variety of coloured gems.

Duit Kijang Emas / Gold Coin (Deer)

The coin is the obverse of the gold coin (deer) believed to have been used during the 16^th century depicts a deer. On the right is the reverse of the gold coin which inscripted in Jawi “Malik Al Adil”.

Tepak Sireh / Sireh Set of Sultan Abdul Samad, Selangor

The sireh set featured belongs to Almarhum Sultan Abdul Samad, Selangor (1859-1880) made of silver and plated with gold. The casing is embossed with the design of “ketumbit” flowers, butterflies and the state seal. The receptacles placed inside and the shears are also plated with gold.

Duit Emas / Gold Coin Sultan Muzaffar Shah, Johor

The coin featured is minted form gold and was used during the reign of Sultan Muzaffar Shah, Johor (1564-1570). On the left is the obverse side of the coin with the name of Sultan Muzaffar Shah inscripted in Jawi. The reverse of the coin is depicted on the right with the title of the Sultan as “Khalifatul Mukminin” also inscripted in Jawi.

Arch Buddha Duduk / Arch of Sitting Buddha

This statue of sitting Buddha made of terracotta was found at Pengkalan Bujang, Bujang Valley in the South of  Kedah. It is estimated to be dated between C1000-1100 CE.

Celepa Diraja Terengganu / Royal Terengganu Tobacco Box

The custom of chewing tobacco was introduced in this country centuries ago. Tobacco boxes were an important part of the Malay regalia particularly among the royalty and noble men who wore tobacco boxes suspended from a chain around the waist.

The gold tobacco box featured belongs to the Terengganu royal family approximately during the 18^th century is an excellent workmanship by Malay craftsman. It is made in the shape of a ten-pointed star with multi-petal motif designs. In the middle bears a flower design with inlaid with a red ruby with red glass stones surrounding it.

Duit Emas / Gold Coin Sultan Alau’udin Riayat Shah, Johor

The coin features is minted from gold and was used during the reign of Sultan Alau’udin Riayat Shah, Johor (1527/28 – 1564). On the left is the obverse side of the coin with the name of Sultan Alau’udin Riayat Shah inscripted in Jawi. The reverse of the coin is depicted on the right with the title of the Sultan as “Khalifatul Mukminin” aslo inscripted in Jawi.

Loceng Dong S’on / Dong S’on Bell

This bronze Dong S’on bell was found in a village named Kampung Percu, Muar. The designs and patterns of the bronze bell indicates that it originates from Don S’on, North Vietnam. It is dates sometime during the 15^th century that is during the Funan Empire.

Duit Emas / Gold Coin Sultan Zainal Abidin II, Terengganu

The coin featured is minted from gold and is used during the reign of Sultan Zainal Abidin Shah II. On the left is the obverse side of the coin with the name  Sultan Zainal Abidin Shah II (1793-1808) inscripted in Jawi. The reverse of the coin is depicted on the right with the title of the Sultan as “Khalifatul Mukminin” in Jawi.

Patung Avalokitesvara / Statue of Avalokitesvara

This status of Avalokitesvara was found in a tin mine that belonging to Anglo Oriental, at Bidor in erak in 1936. It is made of bronze and has eight arms of which however, one hand is broken. It is dated sometime between the 7^th and the 12^th centuries AD, when the culture of the region was Hindu-Buddhist. The statue weighs 63kg and stands as 93cm height.



Rempah Ratus | Spices (28th Mar 2011)

The use of spices existed since as early as 7,000 years ago. Traders from India, influenced by the Portuguese and other sailors, brought with them a variety of spices to South East Asia including Malaysia Spices come in many forms, including as leaves, seeds, berries, roots and nuts and are used mainly as a flavoring agent. Today no meal would be considered complete without the addition of at least pepper.

In Malaysian cuisine, spices are almost essential ingredients that provide additional aroma and flavor to each dish. Many of these spices, including turmeric, which is often used in Malay and Indian cuisine, also possesses medicinal properties and have been used as such for generations.

Malay cooking today utilizes a wide variety of spices and ingredients, the most popular of which include the ‘rempah empat beradik’, loosely translated as the ‘four spices siblings’ essential to Malay cooking. These are the star anise, cinnamon, cardamom and clove. The actual combinations and quantities of ingredients used are varied according to their meat, fish, or seafood or other dishes. Other common spices used in Malay cooking include fresh and dried chilies, ginger, onions, shallots and garlic.

Spices are used more sparingly for Chinese cooking. Five-spice powder, a mixture of five spices namely star anise, cloves, Sichuan pepper, cinnamon, and fennel seed, and encompassing all five flavors of sweet, sour, bitter, pungent and salty is popular in Chinese cooking mainly for seasoning meat and also for frying vegetables.

Spices play a major role in Indian cooking. Indian cuisine is best known for its wide and liberal use of spices and this could include up to a dozen for a single dish. Spices such as cumin and coriander seeds are used in many spice mixtures, curries, vegetable dishes and pickles. Cinnamon adds a sweet and mellow flavor while cloves provide a strong, pungent and sweet aroma and is used in many meat dishes, marinades, pickles and ‘garam masalas’. Dishes often vary depending on the quantity or combination of spices used resulting in similarly named dishes seldom tasting the same.

Other Malaysian communities have also developed a taste for and use a variety of spices in their daily cooking. However, most of these spices are used in dishes today enjoyed by all Malaysians regardless of their cultural backgrounds.

The 60sen stamp feature Cinnamon; cinnamomum zeylanicum. The bark of the tree which is stripped off and dried and is used n variety of ways including in smaller pieces in curries or ground up in pastries, cakes and desserts.

The 90sen stamp feature Star Anise; illicium verum. A small fruit originating from China and has a taste similar to that of liquorice.

The RM1 stamp feature Cardamom; elettaria cardomomum. These seeds are used in the cooking of a variety or aromatic rice dishes such as ‘berianis’ as well as in curries and more. Cardamom is often added to hot milk tea to create ‘masala tea’, a fragrant concoction best enjoyed after meals

The miniature sheet features an assortment of spices including fennel seed, star anise, candlenut, fresh turmeric root, dried chilly, coriander and cinnamon laid out on a ‘batu giling’ or traditional grindstone.