These villagers are only trying to protect themselves by preventing the building of high tension electric cables from being built over their homes.

Imagine if someone wanted to build one of those above your [...]]]> Tomorrow, some very brave villagers from Kg. Terentang in Rawang are going to face down TNB and possible hordes of police.

These villagers are only trying to protect themselves by preventing the building of high tension electric cables from being built over their homes.

Imagine if someone wanted to build one of those above your house? >:( All they want is to be left in peace so they can contribute to society in safety. The land is TNB reserve, but temporary leases were granted under the last state government – in what I understand was a vote garnering ploy, the ramifications of which the villagers are now being left to face alone.

If you’d like to show solidarity, the gathering will be at 7am, 17th March 2010 (Wednesday), at S.R.J.K(C) San Yuk, Kg Sg Terentang, Rawang. YB Gan Pei Nei – one of the best YBs I know – will be there, leading the way.

I think Malaysia’s independent media (MK, TMI) would do well to remind readers of this fact.

So, when you read in [...]]]> I think Najib and gang bank on the fact that Malaysians may be unaware of how the DYMM SPB YDP Agong’s speech in Parliament is actually prepared by the government, and not by the monarch himself.

I think Malaysia’s independent media (MK, TMI) would do well to remind readers of this fact.

So, when you read in the papers that the Agong praised the PM, what is actually happening is that the PM is praising himself.

When you read that the Agong is speaking on the limits of free speech, what is actually happening is that Najib and BN are truly afraid of what Malaysians are actually saying, doing and thinking.

This is not because Malaysians are planning racial violence or any such nonsense (except maybe those in power themselves), as it has been proven time and again that normal Malaysians like you and me have no appetite for that sort of thing.

Rather, it is because Malaysians like you and me are starting to get sick of sloganeering that is so empty that the government has to resort to the monarch to prop up concepts like 1Malaysia with effusive (again, composed by the government, and entirely self serving) praise.

It is because we haven’t been seeing real action behind the rhetoric; because despite all the fancy plans and schemes, there is more corruption instead of less; and because while one hand of the government preaches unity, the other incites hate.

A truly successful PM would let his ‘famed’ walkabouts speak for themselves, and not so shamelessly stoop to having the esteemed institution of the monarch do his public relations for him. I think the PM’s actions here are insulting to both the Agong and to all Malaysians.

I particularly enjoyed the comparison to Pak Lah. It’s amazing that someone could be worse than our famously inept former PM, but it does seem that Najib is headed that way.

He seems to take the [...]]]> I wanted to highlight this piece by John. I think I saw it published online somewhere, but it has since disappeared.

I particularly enjoyed the comparison to Pak Lah. It’s amazing that someone could be worse than our famously inept former PM, but it does seem that Najib is headed that way.

He seems to take the worse from past PMs: Pak Lah’s inefficacy and weak leadership (within his party, and the country in general), coupled with the repressive tendencies of Mahathir (using the police to suppress ceramahs, confiscating books, etc) – which is what I think John refers to when he bequeths Najib with the dubious honorific of Bapa Kezaliman.

John had earlier written about Najibnomics – and how it’s empty rhetoric masked a completely failure to make any significant progress.

I think these things need to be repeated, so do help spread the word around. I think it’s an effective light to constantly cast our present PM in – at least until he shows some real seriousness about reform.

Without further ado, I give you John:

Najib’s Orwellian 1Malaysia

Datuk Seri Najib Razak was supposed to be a better Prime Minister than Tun Abdullah Badawi. But his charm offensive belies his failure to protect our democracy and our institutions. Najib replaced Pak Lah because of the Umno warlords protecting their own interests, rather than those of the country’s; he is a Prime Minister beholden to Umno politicos, not the Malaysian voters.

The biggest problem people had with Pak Lah was that he was weak. He said nice things, but he didn’t have the willpower to see them through. He was a career civil servant, not a politician. So we got Najib—a consummate politician.

But Pak Lah’s weakness was a double-edged sword. He let a lot of people get away with saying nasty things—our nation’s dirty laundry of corruption and racism was aired like never before during his time. But the Sarawak Tribune aside, the Abdullah administration also let people get away with a lot of productive debate. It was a breath of fresh air compared to the Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad regime.

The Najib regime is a return to the era of Mahathir. One of the most pervasive and repulsive examples of this is the insidious 1Malaysia campaign. It’s simply a tiruan ciplak of Bangsa Malaysia or Wawasan 2020—a pretence of vision for the country. Nowadays when I go to official events, the emcees greet us: “Assalamualaikum dan salam 1Malaysia.” This is nothing more than Orwellian propaganda.

Now, I could tolerate propaganda if this amorphous 1Malaysia idea were actually productive. It seems that Datuk Idris Jala has been working his butt off to make it so. But as The Malaysian Insider has reported, Idris’s attempts to redress racial injustices have been rejected by the Cabinet and replaced with vague, token promises of sweet nothings.

Other reform efforts, such as the amendment or abolition of the ISA and our other anti-democratic laws seem to have fallen by the wayside. Despite the fanciful KPIs flying around, the government still cannot convince the public that our law enforcement agencies truly work to uphold justice. In the public’s eyes, the MACC is as tainted and politically biased as ever. The constant foot-dragging in the prosecutions for the death of A. Kugan and the multi-billion ringgit Port Klang Free Zone disaster only suggest that Najib has no intention of meaningfully upholding the rule of law.

Under the Constitution, the same laws apply to all Malaysians: if one Malaysian has the right to peacefully protest, then all Malaysians must have that same right. Only a few days ago, the police stopped a major Pakatan rally in Kuala Lumpur because it was supposedly disturbing the peace.

When a bunch of rabble-rousers held rallies outside mosques across the country in January then—rallies where some people had the gall to call for further torching of churches—that wasn’t disturbing the peace? Apparently not: Najib’s regime protects your democratic rights only when it is convenient.

Now, Najib’s government is going further: it is confiscating books simply because it doesn’t like them. Cartoonist Zunar’s 1FunnyMalaysia is gone—I suppose because the title makes fun of 1Malaysia. Amir Muhammad’s Politicians Say the Darndest Things, which was perfectly acceptable for public consumption a year ago, is now gone from the shelves. Nat Tan and I edited a book on police brutality and custodial deaths, such as Teoh Beng Hock’s; this book, Where is Justice, is now gone too.

Again, forget the rule of law; these books are not officially banned. (Indeed, in some stores, the sales clerk will sell them to you from behind the counter.) What Najib has simply done is intimidate booksellers into taking these books off the shelves, so you do not even realise they exist. Again, the Orwellian parallels are frightening.

What I liked about Pak Lah is that as bumbling as he was, he was an accidental democrat. Under his still-authoritarian regime, we at least saw the beginnings of some productive and open debate. Heck, he even tried to reform the Anti-Corruption Agency and overhaul some of our draconian laws like the ISA before he stepped down. If Mahathir was Bapa Pemodenan, then I daresay Pak Lah could be Bapa Demokrasi.

Najib is set only on protecting himself and the cronies of his regime, democracy and the rule of law be damned. 1Malaysia does not do away with any of the serious injustices in our country; this is not a government for all Malaysians. This is a government for Umno. There is a chance, of course, for Najib to change course, and make 1Malaysia for all; he could, if he wanted to, be remembered as Bapa Reformasi. But unless he takes action, I fear we may well remember him as Bapa Kezaliman.

MARCH 12 — The vibrancy of Malaysia’s art scene never fails to impress and invigorate me. There are few joys like discovering local talent producing first rate work.

In “Rancangan Harijadi Terhebat Adli” (RHTA), I think my first and foremost compliments go to the playwright, Adiwijaya, for a [...]]]> :) My full review, courtesy of TMI:

MARCH 12 — The vibrancy of Malaysia’s art scene never fails to impress and invigorate me. There are few joys like discovering local talent producing first rate work.

In “Rancangan Harijadi Terhebat Adli” (RHTA), I think my first and foremost compliments go to the playwright, Adiwijaya, for a piece brilliantly composed.

It’s not easy to write good humour, but this writer imbued — for lack of a better word — LOLness throughout the play with lines and plot devices that put the situation in situation comedy. It’s the laughing I remember most fondly from the experience.

A good plot is never predictable (I can’t begin to name the Hollywood features that made me want to shoot myself… but if I could, it may start with something like “Avatar”, which — while visually appeasing — to me is the perfect example of how good money can’t buy a good script), and one is often unsure what is really going on in RHTA.

There were a few times when the play dragged slightly in that confusion, but the patient are rewarded with a story that ties up its ends satisfyingly by its culmination.

The play revolves around a group of six friends, all of whom are involved in a film production company, who have taken a trip to Adli’s kampung to celebrate his birthday. Over the course of the day during which the play is set, we are treated to all the fun, intrigue, and sexiness (plus a little gore, even) that makes a perfectly juicy feature.

The characters are conceived in good fun, some drawing on stereotypes in the finest tradition of satire, others an exploration of dark, kinky or in one case, curvaceous sides of human nature.

The titular Adli (Fauzuly Hamdan Tahir) is something of a loose cannon writer, while Musa (Qahar Aqilah) is his old friend from a rich family who owns the production house where all six work. Musa is engaged to marry, in a week’s time, Deliah (Nabihan Yaacob) who is an old time crush of sorts for Adli that he never acted on.

Widayanti (Shamaine Othman) is Deliah’s younger sister, also a writer and somewhat living in the shadow of her “hotter” sister. Brit (Sharon Lam) is a partner and aspiring director in the production house, dating pretty boy Farzan (Redza Minhat).

The actors, all veterans of the local acting scene, let loose without any inhibitions under the able guidance of director Megat Sharizal, and appear to be having at least as much fun as the audience as they intertwine their stories and “muslihat”.

A play of this nature does well with a dash of seriousness to give it some depth, which in the case of RHTA manifests itself very well in a meditation on the sentiment “Aku lebih hebat dari kau!” (I’m better than you!).

There is an exploration of competitiveness, and of the things humans do to one another — out of love, lust, hate, or jealousy.

These themes are universal, and a perfect opportunity for English speakers who seldom venture into more BM-oriented art to take a leap on to the other side.

The play itself is almost bilingual, with surtitles in both languages. I enjoyed how this showed the reality of how Malaysia absorbs culture and language like a sponge, without in any way losing its distinctiveness.

It has long been my hope to see that gap between arts in different language mediums be closed; not as a step to some fictitious 1Malaysia, but in a genuine attempt to appreciate the full spectrum of Malaysian life — most of which is not as inaccessible as we sometimes think.

But all seriousness aside, go watch it — kick back and enjoy yourself.

“Rancangan Harijadi Terhebat Adli” is showing at Pentas 2, Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPAC), at 8.30pm on March 11th, 12th and 13th, and at 3pm on March 14th. See: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=398729805433

p.s. Can I write as a quick aside: Happy Birthday Mom!

I have discussed with many people the impression some have – like me before I came back from studying overseas – that Malaysia is not all that ‘happening’, esp in the arts scene.

This is totally untrue. There’s a bustle of good stuff [...]]]> I strongly recommend to you the play, Rancangan Harijadi Terhebat Adli :)

I have discussed with many people the impression some have – like me before I came back from studying overseas – that Malaysia is not all that ‘happening’, esp in the arts scene.

This is totally untrue. There’s a bustle of good stuff happening everywhere, and I implore you to be a part of it :) I also think there’s a big divide between the BM and English oriented arts, and invite you to help cross that divide – the rewards are many and well… eminently rewarding :)

I greatly enjoyed RHTA. I thought it was brilliantly composed, and I loved the way it made me laugh and constantly caught me off guard.

I have submitted a full review for publication, so will wait on that for a while before saying more – stay tuned :)

In the meantime, please do go watch it!

Details! -

Dates & Times: 10 Mar @ 8.30pm (preview); 11 – 13 Mar @ 8.30pm; 14 Mar @ 3pm
Venue: Pentas 2
Tickets: Min. donation of RM10 (preview); RM35, RM28 (sr. citizens) & RM23 (students & disabled)
Promotion: Adults get 20% off (valid til 4 Mar)

Written by Adiwijaya
Directed by Megat Sharizal
Featuring: Fauzuly Hamdan Tahir, Qahar Aqilah, Shamaine Othman, Nabihan Yaacob, Sharon Lam and Redza Minhat

‘Rancangan Hari Jadi Terhebat Adli’ is the story on Adli, an aspiring playwright. After his best friend Musa decides to marry his secret crush of many years, Adli invites his closest friends over for his 25th birthday party retreat at a kampong far-far away, in an attempt to win the love of Deliah and to impress his friends at the same time. Ambition turns into blind and ruthless obsession as Adli tries desperately to get what he wants, to no avail. Old rivalries are unearthed, and deception runs wild among this dysfunctional group of friends. There is also a birthday surprise for Adli. His friends hope he will like it.

(Performed in Bahasa Melayu with English surtitles)

BOX OFFICE

call or walk in: klpac @ Sentul Park (03 4047 9000) &
The Actors Studio @ Lot 10 (03 2142 2009 / 2143 2009)
walk in only: Axcess @ main office (Jln. Semangat), 1-Utama & Alamanda Putrajaya
online: go to http://www.klpac.org/Welcome.asp?c=whatsontheatreview&theatreID=357&theatrecatID=5

Firstly, I note that when one PKR MP leaves the party, The Star will write “PKR in turmoil”. When two thirds resign from the MCA central committee? “Fresh polls for MCA” :P

It seems that lotsa people are gunning for Ong Tee Keat. Now, I really barely [...]]]> Just a brief note on the MCA saga.

Firstly, I note that when one PKR MP leaves the party, The Star will write “PKR in turmoil”. When two thirds resign from the MCA central committee? “Fresh polls for MCA” :P

It seems that lotsa people are gunning for Ong Tee Keat. Now, I really barely follow MCA politics at all, and people have told me before that it’s because he’s actually trying to bring some semblence of integrity (pursuing PKFZ, etc.. maybe he’s rightfully seeing that MCA will die unless it changes somewhat).

I usually dismiss such notions, but of late I’ve really come to wonder if there might be just a drop of truth in it – especially seeing the way Najib appears to have abandoned him.

Anyway, I really don’t feel qualified to comment much, save perhaps to say: if anyone is truly interested in upholding integrity, then perhaps one should choose political parties based on principles instead of expediency.

All those who have tried to bring goodness to BN (think of so many Umno presidents, Gerakan, etc2), have only been met with bitter disappointment. Maybe Ong Tee Keat should reconsider his options.

Here’s your chance to make a film! The annual KOMAS FREEDOMFILMFEST film competition is back!

All you need to do is submit a film proposal (2-3 page) on any social issue which you are passionate about. The best three proposals will receive a grant of RM6,000 and support form KOMAS to [...]]]> Sounds like it’ll be fun! :)

Here’s your chance to make a film! The annual KOMAS FREEDOMFILMFEST film competition is back!

All you need to do is submit a film proposal (2-3 page) on any social issue which you are passionate about. The best three proposals will receive a grant of RM6,000 and support form KOMAS to produce that film!

Come and join us at the official launch to get more information about the FreedomFilmFest!

Date: 11 MARCH 2010
Time: 8 PM – 10 PM
Venue: Theatrette, Main Building, HELP University College

The launch ceremony will be followed by the premiere screening of KOMAS’s latest documentary, “SELEPAS TSUNAMI” (After The Tsunami)

FILM SYNOPSIS

The 12th general election did not only result in the change of government in four states or the lost of Barisan Nasional two-thirds majority in Parliament.

It brought along many practices never seen before in the government system.

In Selangor a body under the state assembly was formed to monitor the use of public funds.In the federal Parliament the increase presence of opposition representatives has resulted in more serious debates.

Today Umno and Barisan Nasional has started speaking the language of change.

However, the real reform process is not as easy as voting on polling day.

This documentary discusses the meaning behind those promised changes.

For reservation of passes, please SMS to 017-3749887 or e-mail freedomfilmfest@komas.org with the following details:
1) Full Name
2) HP Number
3) Amount of Passes

For competition details, please click HERE.

“We feel it will increase politicking in the local (govt) level.

“We want to improve services for the rakyat. By having the (local government) election, the focus will be more on the political process.

“Those contesting will be more focussed on campaigning,” he told reporters [...]]]> Looks like Najib is wasting no time in the question of local elections.

“We feel it will increase politicking in the local (govt) level.

“We want to improve services for the rakyat. By having the (local government) election, the focus will be more on the political process.

“Those contesting will be more focussed on campaigning,” he told reporters after attending the National Civil Service Convention here Tuesday.

What idiocy.

This represents a fundamental disrespect for the ideals of democracy.

If there is ‘too much’ focus on the political process, why bother with freakin’ elections at all?? Might as well become dictator for life, which will of course give you all the time in the world to focus on ‘improving services’ for the rakyat right?

(I think in Najib’s case, he’s more keen on being serviced by the rakyat :P )

Yes, democracy is flawed and people sometimes spend too much time worrying about votes. But there is a reason people remember Churchill’s “Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others”.

The essence of democracy is competition and choice – the empowering of the rakyat to remove their leaders. Without true democracy, power and impunity (and what impunity we have in Malaysia) continue to corrupt absolutely.

At its best, local elections ensures competitiveness in service delivery, in which as always the consumer benefits the most.

So Dtk Najib, you can take your cronyism and tyranny and shove it.

ps- Why did we stop local elections in the first place?

Local government elections were first held in 1951 before Merdeka but abolished in 1965 during the Confrontation with Indonesia.

The then Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman promised it would be restored after the situation improved.

Yes, and unless I’m very much misinformed, I do believe Konfrontasi is over? Denial of local elections is becoming like the NEP and the ISA – dinosaurs meant for another time.

Observe the headline: “New censorship guidelines to allow local movie-makers more flexibility”

Observe the 2nd para: ““For the first time, scripts can be submitted to the Film Censorship Board before shooting, to be screened for offensive content so that changes can be made accordingly,” said Home Ministry secretary-general [...]]]> You gotta love the mainstream media’s penchant for twisting.

Observe the headline: “New censorship guidelines to allow local movie-makers more flexibility”

Observe the 2nd para: ““For the first time, scripts can be submitted to the Film Censorship Board before shooting, to be screened for offensive content so that changes can be made accordingly,” said Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Mahmood Adam.”

So umm… how does this give movie makers more flexibility? By requiring script approval?

A perfect example of 1Malaysianess – spinning one (usually “liberal”) thing, while blatantly doing the exact opposite. Haihz.