Indian Community Weaves A Harmonious, Vibrant Thread Through Sabah's Rich Tapestry

By Rohana Nasrah

KOTA KINABALU, Nov 21 (Bernama) --  Their numbers may be small, but Sabah’s Indian community stands as a powerful testament to resilience and the ability to thrive within a harmonious, multicultural society, which is the very cornerstone of the state's identity.

The presence of this community in the 'Land Below the Wind' goes beyond strengthening unity; it adds a vibrant new thread to the rich tapestry of Sabah's culture, which is home to over 30 ethnicities and hundreds of sub-groups, such as the Kadazan, Dusun, Murut, Rungus and Bajau.

For Indians who have called Sabah home for three decades, the state is far more than just a place to earn a living or build a career. It is a true "home" that has welcomed them with open arms, allowing the community to integrate seamlessly, adapt to local customs and forge deep and lasting friendships.

Malaysia Hindu Sangam Sabah chairman, Datuk Dr G Mohan, highlighted that many from the community have built lives and families with locals, beautifully weaving together two distinct traditions and cultures for their children.

"Sabah is truly unique. Its people are incredibly friendly, hospitable and possess a profound level of tolerance. I see the 'Truly Asia' concept alive and well here. This state is the finest model of racial harmony and unity we have," he told Bernama.

Recalling the first time he set foot in Sabah back in 1990, reporting for duty as a medical officer, Dr Mohan, a Johor native, said he was welcomed with a warmth that far exceeded any expectation. 

“I never anticipated being posted to Sabah. I was serving at Muar Hospital in my home state of Johor. Initially, I had no desire to leave and repeatedly appealed the decision, but was rejected as doctors were urgently needed here.

“I thought I would only be here for six months to a year, or less than two years. And now I hardly even notice that I’ve been living in Sabah for nearly three decades,” he reflects with a smile.

Dr Mohan served at several hospitals across the state, including holding the position of director at the Ranau and Tuaran Hospitals, before opting for early retirement in 2023.

His first placement was at the Duchess of Kent Hospital in Sandakan, where, as fate would have it, he met Vina, a Dusun nurse from Ranau, who later became his wife. The couple married in 2004 and has been blessed with three children.

As president of Persatuan Peranakan Masyarakat India Sabah, Dr Mohan has a bold vision to grow its membership from just 50 to 500 in the coming years.

His goal is to forge a powerful, unified body that represents the generation of children born from unions between the Indian community from the Peninsula and Sabahans.

Meanwhile, for 60-year-old retired teacher Grace Subramaniam, Sabah has held a special place in her heart from the very moment she was posted to the interior of Keningau 29 years ago.

“They brought us food. They brought coffee, boiled yams. They showed us such affection and care. Ponsikou (thank you), Sabahans. I love the people of Sabah,” said the Perak native, whose love for the state is a family affair, with her two children, now 32 and 35, having also grown up there.

Similarly, 61-year-old R Shanmuga Nathan, affectionately known as Shan, initially planned his stay in Sabah to be temporary, expecting to return to the Peninsula after a three-year posting.

But the former senior lecturer of Gaya Teachers' Education Institute, also originally from Perak, says the genuine warmth of the local community and a deepening sense of belonging year after year compelled him and his family to make the life-changing decision to put down permanent roots in Sabah.

“All three of my children were born here and proudly call Sabah their home,” he says, a sentiment seasoned by his acquired love for local delicacies like hinava and kuih cincin.

In his retirement, Shan has channelled this passion into an Indian restaurant that has become a beloved crossroads of cultures. It draws a diverse clientele, including visitors from the Peninsula who often remark on their admiration for the renowned warmth of the Sabahan people.

Adding to this tapestry is entrepreneur S Thiagarajan, 58, who shares the charming story of how he became 'bound' to Sabah.

It began with a chance meeting at a bank with a Kadazan woman who would later become his wife. Their union, blessed with two children, cemented his place in the state.

He now finds the local cuisine completely familiar, relishing any dish served at community gatherings, especially the native vegetables.

"Even my language is a delightful mix now. I can chat a little in Kadazan like 'isai ngaran nu?' (what is your name?) 'ngaran ku Rajan' (my name is Rajan)," he laughs, saying this ability to adapt is one of the greatest rewards of building a life in Sabah.

-- BERNAMA