The journey of a Sri Lankan Malay from soldier to “Bumiputra”

By M.D (Tony) Saldin – 260 pages with photographs

In this book the author Tony Saldin takes the readers on a captivating journey of self-discovery that is set against the backdrop of Sri Lankan history and culture. The book is divided into three parts: Roots, Branching out and Flowering.

In Roots, the author talks about his family’s origins, tracing them back to Enche Pantasih and Sitti Sumba Warnil from the ancient Kingdom of Sumenep, Madura, East Java around 240 years ago during Dutch rule of the East Indies which is present day Indonesia. He talks about his paternal great-great-great grand-father, Enche Pantasih who was recruited by the Dutch East India Company as a soldier to serve in the Free Javanese Company of the Dutch Army in the garrison town of Mullativu in Eastern Sri Lanka.

Saldin explores the history of the Sri Lankan Malays who are descended from exiled Princes and soldiers recruited by both the Dutch and British East India Companies. The book also delves into the community’s martial traditions, achievements, culinary and folk culture and how it became entrenched in Sri Lankan society during the 19th century.

Branching Out is a departure from the previous section as the author shares his personal experiences as a working man, in a premier Japanese Trading company or Sogo Sosha. Starting from the bottom as a tantoo (staff) in 1976 and rising up through the ranks, he was appointed the General Manager of Nichimen Corporation and subsequently Sojitz Corporation of the Sri Lankan branch office in 1999 until his retirement in 2013.

Nichimen/Sojitz was one of the pioneering Japanese companies to invest in the Ceylon Ceramics Corporation – Mosaic Tile plant and Lanka Walltiles Ltd and to register three of their cargo vessels under the Sri Lankan flag to avail themselves of various tax benefits. They also invested in Asia Power (Pvt) Ltd., a 51MW and Sojitz Kelanitissa a 165MW power plant in Sri Lanka, and were the export agents of initially Daihatsu and subsequently Mitsubishi motor vehicles to the Sri Lankan market. The book shares rare experiences of the author in his business experiences with the Japanese.

In Flowering the author explores various aspects of Sri Lankan history and culture that have piqued his interest. He writes about Malays in Sri Lanka, Sri Lankan Kaffirs, Saradiel and his band of robbers, Warriors of Japan, Captain Noordeen and his fatal encounter with King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe, Keppetipola Dissawa and the 1818 Rebellion and local place names in his hometown Wattala. The highlight is his account of Ananda, the one-legged tree-cutter.

Throughout the book, Saldin’s inquisitive mind leads him to research his past and explore his identity. He is not content with knowing that he is a Sri Lankan Malay; he wants to know more about his community and its roots. He is proud of his community’s service to Sri Lanka and its development as full members of society. He takes the readers on a journey thorough time and exploring Sri Lankan history and culture while also sharing his personal experiences and insights.

This book is a testament to the power of self-discovery and the importance of embracing one’s identity.

The book is scheduled to be launched at the National Library & Documentation Services Board Auditorium, 4, Independence Avenue, Colombo 7 on Sat March 2, 2024 at 10.00am with the Chief Guest being the Indonesian Ambassador Her Excellency Dewi Gustina Tobing and Guest of Honor His Excellency Badli Hisham Adam, the High Commissioner for Malaysia in Sri Lanka.

The two keynote speakers are Professor B.A. Hussainmiya and Lt. Commander (Rtd) Somasiri Devendra. The book will be available for cash sales at Rs: 1,800/- on the day of the launch and thereafter at Expographics Bookshop Pelawatte, Havelock City Mall, Colombo City Centre and The Barefoot Bookshop.