Indonesians in Sarawak find ‘second home’ spirit during Hari Raya

KUCHING (March 19): For many Indonesians residing in Sarawak, the physical distance from their homeland is often eclipsed during festive seasons by the deep-rooted cultural ties and ‘shared spirit’ of Borneo.

While the nostalgia of traditional Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations back home remains for many, modern technology and the warmth of local hospitality has made Sarawak a convincing second home for the diaspora.

From the ease of video calls to the discovery of local traditions, many Indonesians find that while they may be away from their provinces, they are never truly far from the feeling of home.

Yasfitha Febriany Murthias, who has lived in Kuching for four years, said that modern connectivity makes it easy to stay closer to family.

“With the technology we have now, I can contact my family and parents easily. It is not a big deal for me, because I have many Indonesian friends here,” she shared with The Borneo Post when met during a breaking of fast event organised by the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia with the media.

She added that adapting to the local atmosphere here in Sarawak was not difficult.

“It is not so different — we can eat Indonesian food here easily,” she said.

For some of the diaspora who have spent more than a decade in Sarawak, the sense of community has only strengthened over time.

Aris Pratama, who hails from Kampar Hulu, Riau and works with the consulate’s social and cultural information department, noted the most significant change he experienced in his 10 years in Kuching was the growing number of friends he celebrates festive occasions with.

“In my hometown, the thing I remember most is gathering with family. That was the happiest thing,” he recalled.

Aris said he continues to maintain his roots through food.

“There is a special food from my village called ‘keropok basah’, which I still specifically order from Indonesia because it is not available locally,” he explained.

While many miss the unique ambience in Indonesia — including the tradition where youths parade through neighbourhoods with drums to announce the arrival of Hari Raya — they find comfort in the similarities of Sarawak’s celebration.

For a newcomer like Louis, a Semarang native who has only been in Kuching for three weeks, the festive season is an opportunity to take in the local spirit.

“First of all, I want to see the traditions here in Kuching,” he said, adding he already considers the city his second home.

This sentiment was echoed by some, who said they now rotate their celebrations by spending one year in Indonesia and the next in Sarawak.