ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS FROM NATIVES PERSPECTIVE IN NOVELS WRITTEN BY JONG CHIAN LAI

Indigenous people are very ethical in their interactions with the nature. Their daily routines are filled with elements of love and respect towards the environment. The forest and the natural world not only becomes their place of living, but also as a source of food, medicine, drinking water and other basic necessities of daily life. Not only that, nature has also become the manifestation of their practice, belief s and reverence for the spiritual world. This study will analyse on how the ethical interactions between the indigenous community in Sarawak and nature are translated into creative literature. This analysis will make use of eco criticism, involving three novels by Jong Chian Lai, entitled Gugurnya Langit Hijau Nanga Tiga (1990), Pindah (1988) and Suara dari Rimba (2008). In this study, the ethical practice in their interactions with nature is examined in their relationship with the natural world (the flora, fauna and the physical component of nature), their relationships with other human beings and the deceased, and their connections with the Creator. Based on the analysis of the texts, it is found that the indigenous people values great importance on the harmonious relationship with nature in their daily lives. This ethical relationship between the indigenous communities in Sarawak is featured by author Jong Chian Lai in three main forms of interaction, namely, interactions between the indigenous community and nature; interactions between the indigenous community and the spirit and God, including respect towards their ancestral places of burial; and also interactions between the indigenous community and other outside communities. This relationship exists because the indigenous community needs to maintain the preservation of nature in ensuring the continuity of their lives, and also driven by their practice, belief and principles in life. The existence of the elements of nature in creative works, particularly in novels, forms an extensive range while presenting a more challenging summary of Malay literature specifically.