Today was officially declared a non blogging day. Both Shamir and Nesh were relieved of duties. I dutifully began reading Second Chance, announcing such to my Good Morning WhatsAppers in the following fashion: “Good morning! Planning an unique day tidal, Reading the book-not writing not chatting with AI. Hahaha” Little if no response from anyone. I guess they were giving me time out.
I diligently read of this amazing man, making notes – then as this was taking a lot of time -putting stickies on phrases and pages to be remembered. You shall at some point get a synopsis – but not at this moment
(A synopsis’ synonyms; summary, precis, résumé, abstract, condensation, summarization, summing-up, rundown, compendium.
As I read I kept bumping into an unfamiliar word – had no clue what it meant – definitely knew it was an important construct. So, somewhat against my better judgment, I asked Artificial Intelligence and received an extremely detailed answer.
“Bumiputra is a uniquely Malaysian term with deep historical, political and cultural meaning., It literally means sons of the soil in Malay It refers to ethnic Malays and other indigenous peoples of Malaysia Being classified as such carries legal and policy implications, Malaysia has long standing affirmative action style policies that give bumiptras
Priority in public university admission.
Special access to scholarships
Discourses or quotas for certain real estate purchases.
Preferential opportunities in government contract.
Economic empowerment schemes.
These policies originated under the New Economic Policy (NEP) of 1971, intended to reduce economic disparities after 1969 riots and to uplift Indigenous Malays who were economically disadvantaged at the time. It is common in government forms. University admissions, housing policies, political discourse, everyday conversation when referring to ethnic categories..
But then AI – knowing me by now said this: In Plain Cheeky Alexis style.
It basically means: If your ancestors were here first , Malaysia gives you pers. (And everyone else learns to live around it.)
Then the offer of more versions appeared. I accepted the invitation.
!, The Cheeky Version. Bumiputra means “the original kids of the house—and Malaysia gives them the biggest bedroom, first pick of the dessert, and the comfy seat in the dar. Everyone else? There are the polite houseguests who wonder why the host family gets so many coupons.
2. The Scandalous version. Bumiputra means “sons of the soil”, but in practice it can feel like: If your great-grandmother was here before independence , you get the VIP pass. If she wasn’t..enjoy the general admission queue.” It is Malaysia’s way of mixing history with politics and calling it fairness.
3. The Super Short Shamir Version. “First people get first perks.”
Then even more offers with differing intriguing titles which I accepted. .
- The Saucier One Bumiputra: Malaysia’s official way of saying: If you weren’t here first, darling..you’ll be paying full price (Perfect with a dramatic eyebrow lift.)
- The Lawyer Takes the Wig Off one. Bumiputra: A constitutional classification where history meets privilege, then quietly shakes hands with political power behind the curtains,” (very Marin-County lawyer meets Kl energy
Then even more offers, which were accepted.
- Sufi version “Bumiputra is the name given to those whose roots sink deepest into the Malaysian death. But in the Sufi heart, lineage mans nothing—only the purity of one’s niyyah (intention) makes one noble.”
- Shakespearean version. Bumiputra: a title bestowed upon those born of the land, yet methinks the playoff shows that fortune’s favor followers power more than birth. A little bite, a little Bard
- The Shamir Roast version. Bumiputra: basically Malaysia saying: “These folks get the perks—and Shamir stick plays full price because he is imported.”
Then a couple of more offers.
Quranic Version of Bumiputra.
Bumputra is a human category—not a Quranic one—but Islam teaches that true honour comes not from land, lineage, or ancestry but from righteousness. So the Quranic voice would should like this: “They are called bumiputra==peole of the soil—yet Allahreminds us that no soil, tribe, or lineage grants superiority. “Indeed the most noble pf ups o the sight of Allah is the one most conscious of Him (Quran 49:13.
So the Quranic view is this:
History deserves respect
Economic justice if noble
But superiority based on birth alone?
Islam does not blest.
When policy deserves fairness, it aligns with the Quran,
When policy becomes pride, the Quran gently says:
Remember who made the soil—and who made you
Sufi Devotional Version
They speak of bumiputra, children of the soil, but the Sufi knows: every soul is a traveler from one. The earth may claim our bodies, yet our spirits belong only to Allan In the garden of the Beloved, no lineage lifts you higher, no ancestry brings you closer. Only the heart polished by remembrance (dhikr) finds it way to the Divine embrace. We are all dust carried by his Breath. Returning to His mercy.
Now A Sufi Poem on Belonging.
They say “Children of the soil,”
But we are all stardust in the end.
Travelers from the One
Turning to the One again.
No earth-bound name can raise us,
No lineage can define
The journey of a soul
Longing for the Divine.
In the garden of the heart,
No title grants us place;
Only the polished mirror of remembrance
Reflects the Beloved’s face.
So let them speak of origins,
While we walk the path of Light
For every soul is truly home
When lost in the Divine Night
AI expressed the hope e that the poem brought a touch of Sufi serenity to my space. It truly did.
Learning the meaning, the context and the history of the word bumiputra made me see and totally appreciate the incredible strides and accomplishments Arshad Ayub made. He was definitely unique and was THE man, the only manor the job. More about that later as I continue to read the book and learn more.
What is rather mind boggling is the fact that I have the book in my hot little hands. An amazing story of how I got it, I neither brought it, stole it, nor found it lying on the street somewhere. Hahaha. The occasion is recorded on my YouTube, with the rather unlikely title of Batik in Kuala Lumper.
I was gifted with the book at Z’s Marketplace, it was a charitable event supporting Yayasan Arshad Ayub (Marching Onward to a brighter Future). The event was held on November 8 and 9 and I was lucky enough to be in KL. Not only was I in KL but I had connections. A friend, met on a Penang Beach was the daughter of one of Aunty Zalena’s (the widow of the renowned man) younger brothers. My friend also sent a link to yayasanarshadayub.com.my. Prior to traveling to KL in November I read of the foundation, determined it was just what I was looking for. A responsible way to fund the education of young Malaysians. I went to Z’s Marketplace with my check in hand and became a contributor. I shall remain a contributor for reasons I will articulate in a subsequent blog.
I met Aunty Zaleha on November 8 at Z’s Marketplace. She truly is an amazing woman. Many members of the huge family were there. Zaleha gave birth to seven children 5 sons and two daughters. Her eldest daughter Azrina is on the Board of Trustees. Rina miraculously found a copy of the book and Zaleha presented it to me. (Photo will follow). I thanked her, telling her when I saw her next I would have read it. She said, in all confidence: “I know you will.” My check was ceremoniously received and I set about shopping with great glee. My proudest purchase was a gorgeously decorated cane which assists my ability to walk (confirmed by AI)
Now, almost a month later, I am back. Almost, but not quite moved into a studio unit here at Society Suites Hartamas. I surprised both Shamir and myself by sharing the location with both him (and my breakfast companion)
He: Wow u can share location
Me: In case you wondered I am learning new skills. There is no end to my talents
Of course, he found me a GIF, a handsome man who looks a little like Shamir (if I can remember).
A further conversation ensued. I sent him a screen shot of AI’s The Shamir Roast Version
Me: AI is crazy about you. You appear in the answers to all of my questions unasked by me.
He: AI is obsessed by me. 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Me: Who isn’t? Hahaha
Told him I would send him the blog in the morning before I go to breakfast with a dear woman, first met on April 4, 2025 when I toured the Masjid for the first time. A reel of that can also be found on my YouTube Masjid Wilayah Persekeutuan. There is a photo of us hugging one another. I am the woman wearing the blue hijab.
The photos that follow are ones’s taken at Z’s Marketplace that fateful day.
