Friday, October 17, 2008

Politik Baru YB J

YB J’s NEW POLITICS

A SHORT STORY By Chamil Wariya published in Mingguan Malaysia 12th Oct 2008
Translated by Y W Yeoh, Press Secretary

Restless morning. YB Josephine, who is more fondly known as YB J was fidgety. All along the journey to the Cha People’s Assembly Hall in the capital city, her thoughts were troubled. The accusations that she was anti-Islam and anti-Malay really haunt her from the previous night. Why only now she was like this, she herself did not know. She was also not sure whether her driver, Ahmad, was aware of her of her troubled spirits at the time. Even if he knew, so what?, she whispered to herself.

The driver was already aware of her political stand regarding her ethnic community’s interests vis-a-vis the Malays. And she knew Ahmad respected her views, even if anti-Islam and anti-Malay, as basic rights of living in a democratic nation. Were not fundamental freedoms guaranteed by Article 5 to Article 13 of the Federal Constitution? However YB J acknowledged that the democracy was less than perfect and often abused by the authorities. However this fact did not hamper the people giving the opposition a place in the Dewan Rakyat. YB Josephine was one of them.

Ah, the accusations that she was anti-Islam, anti-Malay were pointed and reckless, and appeared to consume her. The accusations were also baseless, her inner voice told her. She was convinced that the statements that she made in the name of diverse ethnic communities to champion the interests of her own community, were not racist. Amnesty International, the international human rights organisation would agree. Also with the United Nations. The Opposition Leader, in Parliament also never viewed her as racist. Those who viewed her as racist were only the Malays in the Malay People’s Party (POM).

“I am also not anti-Islam. I am not anti-Malay” the two-term YB who represented the People’s Action Party felt. She had been a party member since being a student even though the Universities and Unversity-Colleges Act forbade students from being involved directly in any political organisation. In any event, the enforcement of the law was inconsistent. Moreover, this was an archaic law, YB J said.

She felt “I am only championing the interests of my ethnic community, just as the Malay leaders in POM fought for the interests of their community, the same way the leaders of the Muslim People’s Party (POI) fought for their community using the cover of religion.

Indeed, YB J felt her boldness in championing the interests of her community had help her win her parliamentary seat for the second time. This time with a bigger majority. What made her prouder was her cause which was viewed as anti-Malay and anti-Islam now was supported by Malay voters in that electoral constituency. Initially, she herself was surprised when told that a large portion of the Malay voters who represent 20 percent overall of the registered voters in the Alam Maya parliamentary constituency had voted for her.

“This was an extraordinary development. It is not possible that they supported me”, she felt. But when she was informed by her party workers that the Malay voters of all ballot boxes had switched to supporting her, she accepted this with an open mind. Very good if the Malays supported her ‘New Malaysia’ struggle.

Not content with the monologue with her own feelings, YB J spontaneously turned towards Ahmad, her driver who was all along focussing on his work.

“You think I am anti-Islam, anti-Malay?

Question

Ahmad who was approaching retirement did not answer, as if he did not hear the question. His eyes were fixed on the road. His job was to ensure that YB J got safely to the gathering that she wanted to attend. And punctually. This gathering was important as YB J would dialogue with the younger generation of her ethnic community who were studying overseas but happened to be in the country on vacation. Ahmad himself was unsure if the student who had ridiculed the anthem Negara Ku while studying in an overseas university was in the group. Even if he was, YB J’s driver was not bothered. The boy was rude. Was it right that Negara Ku was deemed Negara Kuku (cuckoo in English) meaning mad? His rude action was rationalised with creativity. Only Ahmad felt that if everyone was allowed to debase the National Anthem with lyrics that ridiculed the lives of Muslims in the name of creativity, there will be a negative impact on race relations.

Ahmad did not know what really bothered his boss from earlier on. She was rarely like this. Ahmad could sense that YB J was different that morning. He could read the restlessness and listlessness of YB J. As if there was something not right although he was unsure what was churning within YB J. As far as Ahmad remembered, YB J had never discussed politics with him, much less current issues - other than giving instructions relating to a trip or work schedule. YB J also did not ask if he voted for POM or whichever party in the recent elections.

Usually, all along a journey, whether to the office or to other official or unofficial functions, YB J would spend her time reading the newspapers or study files. But that morning, YB J was just different. She look listless. Restless. Her thoughts seemed clouded. Whatever she did seemed not right. Now, she would study the key address to be delivered shortly, analysing the ‘New Malaysia, New Politics’ plan that she pioneered. Then, she would read the newspapers that as a rule, accompanied YB J wherever she went.

Ahmad tried to guess at the possibility that YB J’s restlessness was connected with the national political temperature that was heating up. The heat was felt everywhere. POM itself was faced with a serious leadership crisis. Different party factions were struggling. If not for the weakened government political position after the loss of the two-thirds majority, likely an Operasi Lalang such as that of 1987. would long ago have been carried out. Possibly, under the present leadership, the government took a more liberal view of its critics.

Ahmad also thought of the possibility that YB J’s feelings were disturbed by the action of unknown persons in throwing petrol bombs into the family home of the Member of Parlimen of Sepohon Beringin, Su Lan. Maybe, Ahmad thought, YB J was worried that a similar incident may happen to her or her family.

Who knows, his boss, YB J could be the victim, after Su Lan’s family. And what were thrown were really bombs. Even exploded. Isn’t YB J doomed? Suddenly, Ahmad thought of the suicide bombing incident that occurred at Damascus, Syria that he watched on the TV3 Prime Bulletin a few days ago. If the incidents that were a daily occurrence in Iraq, Israel, the West Bank, Gaza or Afganistan spread to this country, how unfortunate this blessed counrty would be. We need the protection of 44 angels, Ahmad felt in his heart.

But Ahmad thought, it is dangerous if the warning was not heeded. He remembered the story of what happened on 13th May 1969. His father told the story of the tragedy after the 10th May elections how Malays and Chinese killed each other. The fight to deny the Malays and other Bumiputra races their special rights as guaranteed by the Federal Constitution, was unacceptable to them. The inappropriate and insulting words used by the supporters of the opposition parties while having their huge victory celebration processions in Kuala Lumpur and other major towns after the 1969 elections could not be stomached by the Malays anymore. Machetes that had been left blunt all these years were sharpened. In this terrible scenario, strife broke out that resulted in Parliament being suspended and emergency rule declared. The country was placed under curfew. Ahmad himself was not born yet. Not long after, power was transferred from Tunku Abdul Rahman to his deputy, Tun Abdul Razak.

“Mat, am I anti-Malay and anti-Islam?,” YB J abruptly repeated her question when there was no answer from her driver.

Ahmad, who thus far had been silent answered impassively: “Perhaps not, YB.” He gave a veiled answer. His meaning: Perhaps so, perhaps not, depending on the beholder.

“What do you meant perhaps not?”

“This is a question of perception, YB”. That’s the perception. The fact is YB does not hate Malays nor hate Islam. YB is merely fighting for the interests of YB’s community. It is not wrong for YB to do that. If YB did not fight for the interests of YB’s community, then for whom? But YB’s ways are perhaps misunderstood”.

“You mean …?” asked YB who was still unclear.

Depends

“Yes, this depends who’s evaluating. Not only amongst Malays but also amongst non-Malays. YB should remember that even amongst non-Malays, not all accept YB’s ‘New Malaysia’ politics. If not, how is it that a monoethnic party such as the Chinese People’s Party (POC) is still sustaining?”

“What do you mean… I am not so clear?”

“Yes, to YB, your fight is for all ethnic communities. However, by YB’s actions, it is not obvious that you are fighting for all. YB wants to eradicate the Jawi script and replace that with Chinese characters. To others, this is not a fighting for all ethnic communities. This is fighting for one ethnic community. If it is true that YB is fighting for all, YB should defend the Jawi script”, Ahmad answered, emboldened.

Sensing that his boss wanted to hear more of his views, Ahmad said: “If YB really wanted to fight for all ethnic communities, the interests of Malays should not be cast aside while YB is focussing on the interests of the Chinese community. YB should fight for both ethnic communities at the same time. I am sure the response would be different. YB would be seen as wanting to protect the interests of YB’s ethnic community but at the same time without denying the rights of the Malays.

That was the fight of the POM and POC, YB J “grunted” in her heart. I am fed up with this Ahmad, she told herself. I am pioneering new politics and do not want to be bound to an old political framework, she told herself.

YB J’s conversation with her driver ended there. She did not wished to hear her driver’s nonsensical views anymore. She wanted to pander to her feelings. I believe in the ‘New Politics’, the ‘New Malaysia’, she reiterated to herself. Every citizen, regardless of origin, should be given equal rights under the law. No ethnic community should be given special treatment. No citizen should be given second class status. We are all Malaysian people.

YB J did not want to entertain Ahmad anymore. Instead she studied the Utusan Malaysia newspaper which was officially boycotted by her party. Her attention focussed on an article entitled “Don’t Erase the National Legacy” that was written by a younger generation Chinese who rejected the ‘New Politics, New Malaysia’ thesis.

Ah, another propaganda to despise my ethnic community, YB J felt. Perhaps this article was written by a Malay. They still consider my community as immigrants. The new generation is “useless’, YB J felt. Her heart told her: It is true. My forebears travelled to this blessed land to seek their fortune, to free themselves from poverty and miseries of life in China. That was then. Present generation Chinese were Malaysian citizens and they should be treated as Malaysian citizens.

Awoken

As YB J was immersed in her daydreaming, she was aroused by her driver’s voice that said, “We have arrived, YB”

Waiting outside for her were the organisers of the dialogue that would soon commence. One of them opened YB J’s car door, greeted her and introduced her to other members of the organising committee. Accompanied by them, YB J proceeded to the stage. According to her estimate, there were about 500 people in the hall that morning. She was proud that there were so many people of her ethnic community who were keen to meet her. It was a source of great pride to YB J that these people studied overseas on their own funds, not with government aid.

After the welcome speeches were over, YB J was invited to give her speech. This was the moment that YB J had waited for. Her ‘New Politics, New Malaysia’ plan would be announced to the world. She remembered Kee Thuan Chye’s book entitled “March 8th - The Day Malaysia Awoke”. The momentum of the Malaysian people or more correctly, the non-Malay Malaysian citizens who had awoken must be enhanced. That morning, she was determined to do so.

But, unbeknownst to YB J, amongst the 500 younger generation people, there were some who did not agree with her political views. One of them was determined to correct YB J’s political deviation in his own way.

When YB J stood up to go to the speaker’s rostrum, a young person from backstage walked calmly towards her direction. YB J smiled at the youth. She thought the young person of her ethnic community wanted to accompany her to to the rostrum or to greet her.

YB J extended her hand. All of a sudden, YB J was bewildered and stood frozen. She could not believe what she was seeing. Gripped tightly in the hands of the youth who appeared be intent on embracing her outstretched hand was a pistol of the Revolver type that was aimed directly at YB J’s chest.

Without uttering a word, the youth released a few shots. One of the shots hit YB J’s heart exactly. She collapsed to the floor.

The audience started to panic. Those on the stage were also bewildered to see what had happened. The situation became confused and chaotic. The organisers who had not expected this unfortunate incident did not know what to do. A few police personnel in civilian clothes, who were uninvited guests at the function, dashed towards the stage. Their uniformed colleagues who were on duty outside rushed into hall.

But before they could do anything, a few more gunshots were heard. This time, it was the youth who collapsed.

When the police arrived at the place of the incident, both of them - YB J and the neatly-dressed youth were dead.

While the body of the unknown youth was being examined, found hidden on the body was a note, neatly typed in the national language.

It read: YB Josephine is a threat to harmony. Better that her life be ended so that the multi-ethnic people can live in peace in this blessed land. I sacrifice for the future



Source: Teresa Kok Sassy MP

***

Chamil Wariya, I remember all those things that you wrote and wanted me to remember. I will remember. Oh, don't worry too much about YB J and those others whom you hate; we 'll be okay as much as you are. We know how to take care of ourselves as much as you do and we know you and your coterie and cadres. Trust me, we know how to take care of ourselves.

***

33 comments:

Anonymous said...

besides certain arab countries, i guess malaysia is the first here in asia to encourage murder in newspaper.

we are going towards taliban, suicide bomber and militant style countries. it's just a matter of time.

for those that wanted to emulate arab so much, it's your dream come true.

Anonymous said...

let us all boycott utusan! such pathetic newspaper.

Jefus said...

Mave,

Do you think there will be show cause letter on why Utusan's latest beliggerance?

Responsible?

We are being told, in our faces, that there is double standards in this country,.... we are being told, one party can say anything they please but only be slapped with a suspension when pressed, ...... one new paper can print anything they can fabricate / twist / insinuate / insult,....and get away with it BUT not the rest of us.

We will be detained, harassed and even threatened with trumped up charges....is this the new leadership of the whole country? Can this be the new leadership? Can this party jail everyone that goes against them?

What will be our standing in the golbal community?

Anonymous said...

Like Camil Wariya & Syed Hamid, those who eat shit should learn to keep their mouth shut...

"KL area 'unsafe', so police base closed" and "The presence of criminals also posed a threat to the safety of the police officers"

... boasted Syed Hamid Albar

~~~ anti-camil, anti-botak

Anonymous said...

what's with chamil's gripe about malaysian chinese studying overseas?

chamil, what kinda name is that? You're from down south, across the sea, aren't you? Peaceful M'sians don't go around bombing places & shooting ppl!

Anonymous said...

i don't see any bad faith of the "cerpen", it's just typical essay about intolerant politician and an extremist and their reaction for self-reflection. and it's "freedom of speech and expression" ....

it serves lesson that malaysia should not down to this state, that's all.

Anonymous said...

What a balls carrier??? Looks like this balls carrier is getting over board.

Based on his name, do you all think is a Malay???

Anonymous said...

denzook,

ahmad ismail is also practicing 'freedom is speech', and so is hindraf. RPK also did that, and i wonder where is he now.

moo,

he is an indonesian, with a malaysian paycheck. in term of genetics, they are the same as malay, that's why malaysia welcomes them. don't forget that the parameswara guy came from indonesia.

yes, the only other extremist country that worst than malaysia. it's very common thing for them to do there. It's a cultural exchange thing.

Anonymous said...

hindraf practicing "freedom of speech" ? you must be joking - they smashed properties and whacking polis, it this confined to freedom of speech ?

what the author did is just similiar with rpk, while i respect rpk for his story telling, this cerpen is just another story telling of a "push-hard" politician and an emo fanatic. you have choice to read or ignore it, but to majority malaysians, many will lament what's becoming of this "fictional" malaysia down to this state - it's self-reflection and avoidance.

Anonymous said...

Nicely put by the author~!

KIMHO8 said...

Maybe we can give Chamil Wariya and his short story a sympathy evaluation.

The essence of blame,hatred and punishment.

Arena Green said...

Are we waiting for something bad to happen to Teresa or her family members before action is taken against those who actively incite hatred and bodily harm against her?

Khir Toyo, the Utusan journalist and this Chamil Wariya - why are they so above the law compared to the Sin Chew reporter, RPK and Teresa herself?

We ALL know the answer, don't we? Malaysia is getting to be a dangerous place to live in. And the Botak doesn't even deny it anymore.

Anonymous said...

denzook,

when did hindraf whack police? if they did they will be already in prison for hurting police officer. that would be amount to criminal acts already. no need ISA for them.

why are only a few leaders in ISA for disrupting of national unity.

they did organise 'illegal' gathering, and police crackdown on them, but did they destroy cars or other properties in the process? what did they destroy?

they just stood them defiant when the police shot the tear gas and water at them, they didn't throw stone or home-made bombs.

they want to bring their message across in a gathering. not that i agree with them but you must be joking if you think they are a threat, by whacking people and etc, like a rebel gangs.

what the author did is not like RPK, the author is out to incite hatred towards certain individual.

Anonymous said...

Tlesa kioq nothing to worry, we all have a no., if it's up there's nothing we can do about it.

Anonymous said...

f*ck Utusan.

Maverick SM said...

Jefus,

We need to understand the political reality and be courageous to face the given situation. At the same time we need to be rational and remain sane.

Denzook,

Maybe, you are not the person being threatened or implied to be. However, think if you are in the position of the others.

Moo,

It doesn't matter who Chamil is; it matters that he is concocting a sin and tried to threatened the others.

Denzook,

I am surprised that you made such wild allegation against Hindraf. Did they whack police or were they whack by? Did they smash properties? Who throws the Molotov on Teresa's home? I think you have lost your sense of rationality and prefer to concoct facts to justify your own cognitive insane delusion.

KIMHO8,

That's not the question nor the essence. The essence is empirical and factual.

Anak Merdeka,

That's the essence of the story and the political reality.

Unknown said...

chamil wariya. who is he before printing this YBJ article? he is nobody then, and also nobody now. FYI, he earns a peanut salary of 5,500.00 per month from Utusan that has been surviving indirectly from NEP and Tax Payers monies. chamil has to write all the BS to get year end bonus... he is just considered senior DBKL officer; he needs attention and it is fin e to give him listening to his tantrums. drawing so little as that, couple with intelligence mind in him, suicidal act as such is required to survive in government-donated organization. chamil is asking for our pitiness. don't we all pity Utusan Malaysia, Chamil especially.

bayi said...

Perceived veiled threats won't help UMNO. Everyone knows Utosan is UMNO's extended mouthpiece.

Anonymous said...

chamil wariya. is that a pen name or is he another pendatang?

Maverick SM said...

Tai-Choon-Toi,

This Chamil is a Datuk and the Chairman of an organization.

Bayi,

That wasn't the issue. The issue is that Utusan has always being stirring the racial thing all along and no actions had been taken against it while other newspaper had been suspended and even a reporter were ISA-ed.

Abu,

He is a pendatang from Indonesia but now could have naturalised and become Umno member.

Anonymous said...

he is the voice of silent majority in peninsular, legal & illegal immigrants and more across the straits.

Anonymous said...

Maverick,

The correct title of my book is "March 8: The Day Malaysia Woke Up".

Can it be corrected, please?

Kee Thuan Chye

Anonymous said...

denzook

cybertrooper like you, go get a life.
money earned fom such activities are not to be consumed.

Maverick SM said...

Kee Thuan Chye,

Yes, I can make correction. Where do I correct?

Anonymous said...

This is an INFORMATION for you all.. DO YOU KNOW THAT BAHASA MELAYU IS WRITTEN IN JAWI BEFORE THE COMING OF BRITISH???

Maverick SM said...

Iskandar,

Thank you for the info. Would it mean that we should remain as at before the British coming?

Do you also know that Siam rules Malaya before the British came? Do you also know that Malacca was ruled by the Indian who later converted to Islam? Do you also know that Britain is ruled by the Vikings? Do you also know that this is 2008 and not 1500?

Mohd Shahrizal said...

Iskandar and Maverick SM
before both of you touch anything regarding malay history, pls go back and study first... both are wrong....
For your easier understanding, you can refer to few blog in the net

www.sejarahnagarakedah.blogspot.com
www.merahsilu.blogspot.com
www.berpetualangkeaceh.blogspot.com

etc...

Pls (100X) don't talk abt history if you don't really clear....

Thanks

Maverick SM said...

Mohd,

Thank you for the links. I can assure you that I have many links and books on the history of Malaya too. Read the context of my comment to Iskandar and tell me where I am wrong; or else, don't accuse others as if you know much more. Maybe, you have preferred choice of news on the history of Malaya as observed from the links you provided.

Mohd Shahrizal said...

Dear Maverick,

"Do you also know that Siam rules Malaya before the British came"
- Yes, because siam is part of nusantara and malay archipelago.. And the siamese is not the Thai's (Ayyuthya). Malaya was never exist before British.

"Do you also know that Malacca was ruled by the Indian who later converted to Islam"
- Parameswara is non-indian, however he can be a Hindus, he's a Hindu who converted to islam (by your reference),However, his bloodline is from King of Samudera who ruled the malay region with islamic law as early as 1211 AD.

Pls refer to Sejarah Melayu/ sulalatus salatin (Tun Sri Lanang, 1612), Undang-Undang Kedah (Dato' Sri Paduka Tuan, 1660 AD), Tuhfat al- Nafis (Raja Ali Haji, 1885 AD) and Hikayat Raja-raja Pasai. All these can get fr Perpustakaan Negara... But pls be reminded (not mean for you, but for other malay in this forum), history of one race only can be explained by the race itself, not others. Malay history written by other than malay is not really welcomed.

I believe your experienced is well enough to talk abt history. And my experience is too little compared to you... But if you understand on what Iskandar mentioned, it is abt BAHASA MELAYU NOT BAHASA MALAYSIA, and Bahasa Melayu issue is directly connected with Malay history itself, not malaya history....

By the way, i'm a Malay Muslim who are non-BN and non-UMNO. I'm a certified professional engineer in practise and not full-time historian.
My comment earlier is not to offend yourself or other non-malay, but just to share what should be shared...

Mohd Shahrizal said...

BTW, the earlier given links/blog address is for your "easier searching and understanding" which means, for somebody who don't know, and need to start to see the "surface", and no time to do a "site visit".
If you are somewhere at advance level, where you suppose to go for further details, than you can check into the old malay manuscript which i mentioned then....

Thanks a lot...

Mohd Shahrizal said...

Sorry, its me again...
Just to make some correction on above comment....

"Do you also know that Siam rules Malaya before the British came"
- Yes, siam did rule semenanjung (up to Beruas in Perak). However, many can't differentiate between siamese and Thai's (Ayuthya), Siamese is part of malay archipelago, people of nusantara, they were muslim and ruled by muslim Siam King (Nai Long Jaafar @ Sultan Jaafar Muadzam Syah,1876, the last emperor of siam empire before taken over by Rama V Chulalongkhorn, Thai/Ayyuthya)

Again, its history of malay, not Malaya...

Anonymous said...

f*ck utusan

Anonymous said...

This is only a piece of literary work. I am doing literature as my minor. Even Cecil Rajendra was once criticized for being a controversial poet.