Yogyakarta– Malay soft music drifted across the hall of the Center for Research and Development of Malay culture since the morning, cone–shaped yellow rice and other beautifully prepared dishes were put in the middle of hall. All of which were to mark the first anniversary of MelayuOnline.com which felt on Sunday January 20^th, 2008. At 9 a.m. all crew gathered in the hall to take part in the memorable moment. This first celebration was held in simple but still carried fully significant values. Unlike other celebrations of big mass media held lavishly, the historic moment was used as a means for self-introspection, correction, and expression of better future. The head of the Center, Mahyudin Al Mudra, S.h., M.M. commenced the celebration by cutting the top side of yellow rice as a symbol of thankfulness.  

The session was followed by dropping some comments, critics and raising expectation. All crew were given equal chance and time to utter their hopes and constructive ideas for the better future of MelayuOnline.com. During the discussion, all  reflected similar consciousness to realize the mission of MelayuOnline.com which is to enlighten and unite Malayans across the world. To reach that, commitment, seriousness and continuity were highly needed. The great dream of MelayuOnline.com is still hundred miles ahead, but a single step had been taken.

Many suggestions, critics, and appreciations delivered by various parties from both Indonesia and abroad to MelayuOnline.com. Those were mailed to the editorial staff few days prior to the main day. Many felicitated MelayuOnline.com on its first anniversary, and other expressed their future hope. Those came from  Prof. Dr. Ding Choo Ming (Professor at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM), Drh. Chaidir, MM (Malay cultural expert/Chairman of House Representative of Riau Province), Prof. Heddy Shri Ahimsa-Putra, MA. M.Phill. Ph.D (Professor at Cultural Science Faculty at Gadjah Mada University), Dr. Dewi Utama Faizah (Consultant at UNESCO), Prof. Dr. Sjafri Sairin, MA. (Professor at Cultural Science Faculty at Gadjah Mada University), Prof. Dr. Muhammad Haji Salleh (Malaysian Man of Letter), Fakhrunnas MA Jabbar (Malay cultural expert /Deputy Director of RAPP), Dr. Hj. Mohd Sharifudin Yusop (Lecturer at Modern Language and Communication Faculty, Universiti Putra Malaysia), Rushdie Majiet (Malay cultural expert living in Cape Town, South AFrica), Khalid Shukur Bakri (Head of the Museum of Malay Center Heritage, Singapore), Bambang Budi Utomo (Expert Researcher at National Research Center and Development for Archeology), Alfred (Freddy) Menayang (Manager of Kawanua Family Association).

Those tahniah (congratulations) were “extra fuel” for the crew since what have been done finally received enormous attention from intellectual realm inside and outside Indonesia. Another surprise coming from Ong Hari Wahyu, the well-known art designer in Yogyakarta and the design consultant of MelayuOnline.com, who presented a precious gift: eight pictures of Malay history such as picture of Lingga and Riau Sultane, Badru Alamsyah and his followers (taken in 1867), picture of the fourth Sultan Deli, Maamun al Rasyid Perhasa Alamsyah (taken in 1867), Dorpsgezicht in de Padangsche Bovenlanden, Solok (taken in 1923). All pictures, 12 R in size, were handed over to the head of the Center as a form of appreciation for his long effort to maintain and embrace the Malay cultural heritage. Those pictures, in fact, were gifts from van Jaap Erkelens KITLV – Leiden to Ong Hari Wahyu, but he believed that those historic pictures will be safe in the Center for Research and Development of Malay Culture, Yogyakarta. 

Those tahniah, appreciations, and support constitute a valuable capital to promote the quality of cultural works for rebuilding the Malay culture. For nearly half and hour, Mahyudin asserted the significance of this cultural works of MelayuOnline.com to contribute in creation of human civilization through noble values of Malay culture. “Let‘s go to one earth one family” he said many times. Happy anniversary MelayuOnline.com, Good luck and always be successful. (HQ/ter/87/01-08)

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