BKPBM launches www.rajaalihaji.com

Yogyakarta, MelayuOnline.com– In 2008, Balai Kajian dan Pengembangan Budaya Melayu-BKPBM (Center for Research and Development of Malay Culture) shows its enormous commitment to explore, study and preserve the Malay culture. The first launched website, www.melayuonline.com, which is systematically and artistically designed, is the example of the continuation of such commitment. The founder also shows extraordinary work by traveling abroad to search for the data and information to support the references of Malay study. 

Many aspects in the Malay culture such as culture, history, literature, and figure require specific study and systematic classification. So that, the visitors will find it easy to search particular theme in Malay culture, either for academic purposes or glancing over. For that reason, BKPBM tries to accomplish its intellectual task by making new portals: www.wisatamelayu.com, www.ceritarakyatnusantara.com, and www.rajaalihaji.com. Those portals will provide the visitor the abundance information on specific theme. www.rajaalihaji.com was officially launched on March 20^th, 2008.

Why should www.rajaalihaji.com?

Head of Center for Research and Development of Malay Culture, Mahyudin Al Mudra, explained that instead of advanced technology, economic growth or military invasion, the Malay civilization was boosted by its writing art development especially on language and literature. One of the Malays who made substantial contribution to the formation of Malay literature was Raja Ali Haji. His works, which constitute the foundation of Malay language, literature, and knowledge, are many and scatter in all over the Nusantara (Malay archipelago). 

By and large, BKPBM classifies Raja Ali Haji‘s works into several fields namely literature, language, ethic, religion, history, philosophy, and politics. His contribution is evident from the amount of his writings, the number of domestic and international scholars doing research on his thoughts, and the extent of his influence to the generation after. Through his works, it can be seen the original grammar of Malay language which later on becomes the national language of three countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei Darussalam. In Indonesia, his influence was seen from the declaration of Sumpah Pemuda (Youth Oath) stressing that the Indonesian people use one language which is Bahasa Indonesia. Bahasa Indonesia‘s structure and vocabulary are mainly supplied by Malay language.  

Besides, he also made contribution to the political ethic either for all level including Sultan and society. He also encouraged people to fight against injustice which was shown by the Dutch colonialism. It can be said that Raja Ali Haji strengthened intellectual tradition, education, ethic, and belief of Malay society. Indonesian government inaugurated him as National Hero on November 10^th, 2004.

Those are the reasons why BKPBM put the study of Raja Ali Haji in separate portal. Another reason is the absence of specific portal providing comprehensively the information of his thought and legacy. The awareness of studying the Malay legacy and heritage should be developed, so that gives positive influence for the future of the Malay. “Who else will care about the Malay culture preservation” said Mahyudin in his office.

The menus of www.rajaalihaji.com is classified in systematic order so that the visitors will find it easy to explore all of its content. The portal consists of 17 menus: home, news, biography, works, thoughts, academic work on Raja Ali Haji, article, opinion, book review, gallery, links, library, forum, donation, contact us, site map, and about us. Each menu has two language versions, Indonesia and English. Mahyudin hopes that the portal will be translated soon into several other languages such as Arabic, Dutch, French, and Italy. However, it requires extended cooperation with other parties.  

BKPBM recognizes that the study on Raja Ali Haji is an infinite task; many aspects can be explored and developed from his works. The recent article on the portal is part of study. Thus, BKPBM expects to have cooperation with other parties to enrich the information on Raja Ali Haji. (HQ/ter/98/03-08)

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