#4 The Family Contract: A Day of Clarity and Commitment

The 9 Acre Revival project has always been about more than just land. It’s about legacy, family, and most importantly, our Matriarch’s peace of mind. Today marked a truly pivotal chapter, moving beyond the drafting table and into heartfelt family discussions and formal commitment. I’m pleased to report that much of this mission was accomplished today.

From Proposal to Preparation

As agreed with my knowledge holder uncle the week earlier, I had prepared a draft agreement and shared it with him. Shortly after, my uncle informed me that another close family member was interested in buying approximately 2 acres of the land. While this came as a surprise, I was happy with the news. This acquisition would mean our Matriarch would earn more cash—some from my proportionally reduced rent (since I would now be renting approximately 5 acres instead of 7) and some from selling the land to this family member. I quickly revised the draft agreement to exclude the 2-acre land from my rental plan to respect the wish of this family member.

However, a few days later, a phone call with my father, the Local Manager, hinted that there might be a problem. He mentioned an informal discussion with my uncle where I was not present, and it seemed the land issue was more complicated than I thought. The family member who wished to buy the land had also retracted her offer. I was confused. Before proceeding further, I told my father that we would discuss everything once I returned home the next weekend. When I arrived back in Malaysia, my parents explained the situation over breakfast. The plot of land the family member wished to buy is actually a swamp, and there is a few to no palm oil trees there. So it is a risk to proceed, since the projected productivity will be lower. After a moment of brief thought, I informed my parents that this is not a problem and we would find a solution. My core intention remained unwavering: to make our Matriarch happy. I decided to proceed with the original plan and revised the draft agreement to include all 7 acres of palm oil land and the 2.5-acre fruit orchard.

A Day of Meaningful Conversations

Unfortunately, my knowledge-holder uncle fell ill and was admitted to a hospital. To allow him to focus on his recovery, I decided not to burden him with the agreement. Instead, I approached my eldest uncle, a highly respected family elder, and requested that he serve as the witness and representative for our Matriarch. With my parents by his side, we recapped the journey of this project, explaining the intentions behind the 9 Acre Revival and the details of the draft agreement. Amidst warm hospitality, complete with tea and delicious food, we had a wonderful discussion about family. This elder graciously signed the agreement, expressing deep appreciation for this effort to bring clarity to the land’s status and, most importantly, to bring happiness to our Matriarch.

Immediately after, we visited the Matriarch’s home. After heartfelt greetings, we turned to the business at hand. I carefully explained the contents of the agreement we were about to sign. There was an attempt by another family member to interject, but I gently paused, emphasizing the importance of first hearing any questions or thoughts our Matriarch might have.

Indeed, she had two crucial questions. Her first concern was regarding the RM 20,000 rental payment. While this sum might not be considered vast in today’s economy, for our Matriarch, this money holds profound significance. She wanted to know if she was truly free to use it as she wished, as she had been told by other family members that the money was solely for her basic needs. Her primary concern, it became clear, was her beloved village home and having spare funds for unforeseen repairs, like a leaking roof. I assured her that the money is unequivocally hers, and she has the freedom to use it for whatever reasons she believes are important. I gently suggested she clarify this matter directly with the family members involved to alleviate her concerns. Her second important clarification was about the local caretaker. She was concerned about his future role, understandably, given their close ties. I explained that his official contract with her had expired in 2021, and since then, his management had been unofficial. I clarified that from now on, I would be managing the land for the agreed three-year period and committed to discussing the transition path with him during my next visit to Malaysia. This explanation brought her considerable relief, signifying a well-received resolution. With her concerns addressed and seeing her relief, our Matriarch then proceeded to sign the agreement, marking a profound moment for the project.

Unexpected Turns and Unwavering Intentions

Then came a moment of unexpected tension. A family member raised a significant concern: what if the fruit orchard thrived after three years of our agreement? Would it not be a pity for the land to revert, especially since there was a prior verbal understanding that this orchard would eventually be inherited by another family member? Her concern, rooted in this prior understanding, is absolutely valid and needs to be acknowledged.

My intention for this project has always been clear: to develop all the leased lands. While specifically addressing past complaints about the orchard’s high maintenance costs, my broader goal is to honor the cherished memories I hold from spending time there with my late grandfather and Matriarch. More than just seeing revival and prosperity, my deepest purpose is to ensure these sacred lands, so dear to our Matriarch, are finally stewarded with the care they deserve, bringing her profound happiness and peace in her golden years. Recognizing the rising emotions, I suggested we pause the discussion for the evening and celebrate the successful signing of the contract. It’s crucial not to make rushed decisions when emotions are high. We agreed to revisit the orchard discussion in the coming weeks, approaching it with calmer minds.

Looking Ahead: Clear Demarcations for Better Management

Beyond the immediate discussions, we also outlined a crucial next step for the land itself. Given that the project involves five scattered pieces of land (which overall makes up the 7.19 acre palm oil estate), the plan is to clearly mark their demarcations. This was a point of significant relief for our Matriarch, as until today, the exact boundaries of her lands were not very clear. This will be done by involving the proper authorities, a step that my mother was very happy about, agreeing it’s the best way forward for better long-term management of the lands. Despite the challenges, today was a success. The agreement is signed, and the project is officially moving forward. Family discussions, while sometimes difficult, are an integral part of this journey, and I remain committed to transparent communication and the best interests of the land and our Matriarch. Stay tuned for more updates as we transition from legalities to on-the-ground work!

Reflections on the Journey

This chapter of the 9 Acre Revival was a powerful reminder that navigating any project—especially one involving family—requires as much heart as it does strategy. I’ve taken away a few key insights from this experience:

• Always listen first: In every discussion, pausing to truly hear the Matriarch’s questions was the key to addressing her most pressing concerns. Her worries were not about the legalities, but about her personal finances and relationships.
• Remain flexible in negotiations: The unexpected discovery about the swamp land and the retraction of the other family member’s offer required a quick pivot. Being adaptable and returning to my core intention was the key to finding a solution.
• Clarity is kindness: While conversations were sometimes difficult, bringing clarity to issues like the caretaker’s expired contract and the land’s boundaries ultimately brought relief and a sense of security to the family.

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