A particular Minang’s Ode.

Takuruang nak dilua, taimpik nak diateh

The Minangs or Minangkabau people have played a prominent role in Malay economics. In the history of Kuantan where I stay, the earliest traders and merchants were Minangs. I still buy my songkok from a famous minang shop in Kuantan, Haji Ahmad Gundal. Some of the restaurants in Kuantan are owned and operated by Minangs.

The minangs are an economically driven Malay sub group.

Bumi sanang padi manjadi,
padi diladanglah manguniang,
padi disawah lah masak pulo.
Rangkiang panuah dek isinyo.

The prosperity of the nation lies at the root society's wellbeing.

The Minangs are the world's largest matrilineal society. In such a society, property devolves to female heirs. The descendants of Minang exist in large number in Negeri Sembilan. Rais Yatim , our Minister of Information is a Minang. Listen to how he speaks.

Adat biaso kito pakai,
limbago nan samo dituang,
nan elok samo dipakai
nan buruak samo dibuang.

Because of this matrilineality, some people believed it's the main cause why Minang males become robust people. As early as 7 years old, boys are sent to stay at suraus to learn the way of religion and culture. When they become teenagers, they are encouraged to leave their hometowns in search of fortune. They are instructed to learn and wise up and contribute their thinking to run family and nagari when the take their place in councils. Due to their culture that stresses the importance of learning, Minang people are greatly-represented in the educated professions. Some like Rais Yatim becomes a minister.

Minangs are also renowned as merchants. It is said the minang can give the Chinese a run for their money at business. A Minang peddler would trade his wares as that of the e finest quality- mari mari tuan tuan dan puan, barangan saya ini yang terbaik. Kalau di lambong gerenti tidak pacah; kalau tarampas ia berdarai.

One of the earliest saying I learnt from my minang fried was this saying- don't know whether its spelt correctly: - taka taka sapuluit, bila bertanak ia berdarai. .

I therefore salute the Minangs for their tenacity. I enjoy their songs and their food and some other things.

Unfortunately, one particular minang is veering dangerously into the list of people, not only I, but many others despise.

This particular Minang's life philosophy is as follows:-

1. Kalau kono Korong, nak kek lua
   
2. Kalau jalan beduo, nak jalan kek tongah
   
3. Kalau tarimpit, nak kek ataeh
   
4. Jangan mencuri kecuali tepakso
   
5. Jangan bezina, kecuali beselero.
   

This particular minang wants to win and profit at all cost. He cares about himself only.

I hear people talking about this powerful retiring KSU for a long time. Why don't we start with the Information Ministry first. I hear, the KSU there is even more powerful than the minister who changes modes often and adopts the above philosophy of a minang.

There is market talk that his KSU and he are planning to propose giving out 1,000,000 e books or laptops to people. If each e book is sold at RM 1200, that will amount to 1.2 billion baby. Imagine some Croesus amount of money serving as retirement gratuity.

Burn baby burn!