In search of a better life

EVERY human being is entitled to the liberty of life, a better life than it is, if possible. If there is a will there is a way. There will be life after this. So the reasoning goes.

Depending on the circumstances, one way of achieving this is by moving to a new place altogether.

Look at the thousands of people from Africa and other countries risking their lives on boats across the Mediterranean Sea in order to get to Europe. Look at the thousands of Mexicans trying to get to USA – just to get away from home in search of a better life, in their case, in the United States of America. And those on the rickety boats bobbing up and down in the ocean in order to get to Australia? All for safety reasons. In other parts of the world, people are constantly on the move for a variety of reasons, best known to themselves. It is said that a man is the architect of his own fortune. Life on earth is short anyway.

Experts on human migration have traced the DNA of the NZ Maori and found markers among the native Taiwanese; they have found DNA of Africans in the Americas. There are stories of holy people moving places – Moses from Egypt to Israel, the ‘land overflowing with milk and honey’. The Muslims attach great significance to the hijrah from Mecca to Medina by their Prophet Mohammed in his mission to spread his religion, Islam, for whose decision millions of his followers are grateful.

Back to the recent past and present and to a tiny corner of the globe. Supposedly ‘native Kuchingites’ can trace their ancestry to the early migrants from countries all over the world – China, India, Europe, all of the islands, and elsewhere. Sometimes their surnames are a clue as to where their ancestors came from many years ago. You add on to the list.

Internal migration

This is often referred to as the rural-urban migration. In Kuching, many years ago, the rural-urban migrants were considered a liability by the ‘townies’!

The present generations of Kuching residents can trace the homes of their parents and great-grandparents to Santubong, Samarahan, Sadong, Sebuyau, Bau, Serian, Simunjan, Lundu, Simanggang, Betong, Saratok, Sarikei, Binatang, Mukah, Balingian, Matu, Daro, Sibu – the list goes on, as far as Kanowit, Song, Kapit, Belaga, Bintulu, Miri, Limbang, even Brunei and, of course, adjacent Kalimantan.

I notice that there has been some change in the attitude of the townies towards rural urban migrators; in the past, townies had looked down on the new arrivals from ‘outstation’ as something bad for the towns and cities.

“Hah, they only want access to the modern facilities, medical health and other facilities transport, schools!” townees scoffed, conveniently forgetting that they lived in town exactly for those reasons.

A score of years ago, one neighbour at Chawan Road told me that his neighbours were dirty, uncouth and “they speak a different language from ours, you know”. I refrained from telling him that I was from Lundu, and at home I spoke a different language too!

Migrant mentality is good 

Migration can be good for the individual – a change in the environment, new challenges, culture shocks, adapting to new circumstances. But the most important acquisition is the art of survival in a city or a new and different environment: no money, go and work, like everybody else. Learn to speak the local lingua franca, even adopting their habits (good ones).

Reasons for internal migration 

There can be any number of reasons why people move out of their places of birth. A longhouse dweller wants to to see the world. Freedom. For an Iban this is a natural thing. Culturally, the young men are fond of bejalai for the purpose of earning money and getting prestige. The same with other migrants – everyone has a reason for leaving and living in another place.

In the city, the migrant has to learn how to survive, no longer dependent on the parents or relatives for help. No longer free midin, or mushrooms, or tapioca leaves, or jerin, or bamboo shoots. No river fish or wild game. These are found in the supermarkets. Money is absolutely necessary to get them.

Over time, a rural-urban migrant has to adopt a new attitude. His life begins to have a definite direction. His vision and mission – earning a living and leading comfortable life – owning a house, having children going to school and saving part of the wages for the rainy days. That’s progress.

Migrant’s contribution to the local economy

I have noticed that for the past two decades, eateries and shops in Kuching have relied on boys and girls from the rural areas to help run their businesses. At Gawai times, many coffee shops in Kuching are closed because their workers go back to their villages to celebrate the occasion and be with mum and dad and other relatives. They bring gifts and money back – all from the hard work in town. Many boys work as mechanics, carpenters, and plumbers. Many have started their own businesses. Is that not progress?

The other migrants – don’t forget. The forefathers and foremothers of these Kuchingites had come from many countries and places in Sarawak itself. Name their original home countries: Arabia, China, England, Germany, France, India, Pakistan, Ireland, Scotland, New Zealand, and even Switzerland.

These are no longer foreigners or transit visitors. They are here to stay and may die here.

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