By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUALA LUMPUR, May 14: The legendary expression ‘Anang Malaysia sebaka tebu, manis di pohon, tawal di hujung’ made a comeback to remind Malaysia on importance of unity.
The phrase translates to ‘Malaysia should not be like the sugar cane; sweet at the head but less sweet towards the end’.
Made famous by Iban leader Tun Datuk Patinggi Temenggung Jugah Barieng during the formation of Malaysia in 1963, the expression was once again being declared today but this time by Jugah’s grandson, Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi.
Speaking at the Unity Government National Convention 2023, Nanta, who is Minister of Works, said the expression meant to remind Malaysia not to be “full of promises and sweetness in the beginning but will become nothing or meaningless eventually”.
“We should hold on to Temenggung Jugah’s wise words together.
“We need to maintain the ‘sweetness’ of the formation of the unity government by ensuring continued support among us.
“Thus, I am begging that we all should give this (current) government a chance to function fully to ensure that the development of the country and the well-being of the people can move together under the leadership of Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim,” he said at the Convention held at WTC Kuala Lumpur here today. — DayakDaily
