Today, 19th October 2009, is 30th Shawal 1430H. This year Shawal is among the several memorable ones I ever celebrated. The Eid celebration captured several joyous occasions. I spend meaningful time with old acquaintances and relatives that I had lost touch for many years. Majority of these countless happy moments happened during "Salam Lebaran 2009" organized by Persatuan Bawean Singapura (Singapore Bawean Association) or PBS in short, on 17th October 2009 at Grassroot's Club in Ang Mo Kio. The President of PBS, Mr Faizal Wahyuni, made the opening speech followed by a speech from the guest of honour, Mr Hawazi Daipi, MP for GRC Sembawang and Senior Minister for the Ministry of Labour, who is also the advisor of PBS.
(The arrival of Mr Hawazi Daipi )
"Salam Lebaran" is PBS yearly event in the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr celebration during the month of Shawal. "Salam Lebaran 2009" was organized with the aim to foster close ties among Singaporean Baweanese simultaneously, preserving the Baweanese heritage and culture through stage performances by Baweanese celebrities such as Aziz Satar, Mahadi Shor, Imran Ishak and Hj Basri Alang. The Baweanese culture of helping out one another was projected in this event through Student Aid awards amounting to S$5,000/- sponsored by Lee Foundation given out to students from Kent Ridge Secondary, Bedok Green Primary and Madrasah Al' Ma'arif.
("Pokolan" the Silat Bawean performed by Mr Hj. Basri)
(The local Baweanese celebrities in Black)
The objective of this Eid gathering is also to recognize the achievements of several individuals within the Bawean community in Singapore. Every year several title awards are given out to several outstanding Singaporeans of Baweanese descent. This year award for the title Bawean Teladan goes to Hj Salleh Suhaimi; Bawean Budiman - the late Hj. Buang Bin Masadim; Bawean Cermerlang - Hjh Rohanah Bte Pagi and Nur Sarah Aqila bte Jamil; Bawean Jasawan - Hj Ismail (Basri) bin Alang, Ustazah Hjh Mariam bte Rauf and Hj Abdolah bin Lamat.
(Kassim Selamat, Hj Basri and Mr Morni)PBS Salam Lebaran 2009 left me with many good memories. This is my first experience attending such event. It had given me rich insight of the present day PBS; how it had transformed into a well established modern association (that I am proud to introduce it to the world) with preserved Baweanese culture without losing its roots and heritage; very different from the early days of its operation way back in 1960s through 1980s -the period I grew up among the Pondok people.
(A group photo with Dato' Aziz Satar)I am amazed to see the positive transformation of PBS, paving its way towards modernization, keeping up its pace in-line with the progress that is happening in cosmopolitan city-state Singapore. PBS is now as advance as its country, thanks to its members which consist of young professionals guided by the veterans; collaborating their abilities in continuing the efforts started by their forefathers.
(This post is dedicated to PBS. Thank you for the well organized event. I have no regrets attending it. Personally, I think all Baweanese descents should make the effort to attend the function. )
