6 old friends seated around an oversized table, last night's discussion was terribly enlightening and disturbingly frightening. stuck on a seesaw between kee's world of local pun, kampung boy mat and sustagenius ads versus hot belle (who chose the beast), slutty (when hypnotised by ja'afar) princess jasmine and sexy ariel ( who can sing underwater), the waitress must have heaved a huge sigh of relief to see off a group of noise leave too late into the night.
it is no startling fact, but this heightened awareness contrived by a ruthless discussion on the Malaysian government- it is a gnawing feeling of distrust enshrined by negative international press, secrets unveiled and underlying racial tension only discussed behind closed doors.but who is to determine what is right?
by what standards do we aspire the authority to abide?
has there been and will there ever be a utilitarian framework of ethical judgements and shining transparency put to practice?
if anything, precedence breeds today's subtle but somewhat unsuccessful concealing act. unless there is a local jason bourne to save the day?
it is the same the world over.
agreed. humanity, in general, is too smart for the loopholes on the road. we all rejoice over public holidays, recoil at rising tax rates and rekindle the love for juicy tabloids. we take pride in luxurious cars, blaze through the city with anticipation of the vibrant nightlife, and take up that symbolic cheer of teh tarik over dented plastic tables.
i grew up with the loveliest "dik, nak tumpang ke..?" makciks as neighbours, a superstar athlete bestie who could beat me at the 100m sprint in her tudung and tracks, the fiercest indian jokers who made you laugh till you had stomach cramps, and a full-fledged (half) banana volleyball team who could not understand our competitors' mandarin. i still think ning baizura is beautiful, and that the enthralling performing arts industry in underrated.
in some weird and obscure way, i might have been affected by the admittedly biased NEP. along the way too, i realized it didnt really matter so much if i had a roof, some pocket money, an education, good fun and the bestest of friends. point is, i grew up happy.
i wouldnt trade the experience for the world, political injustice or not. im still going home.
i grew up with the loveliest "dik, nak tumpang ke..?" makciks as neighbours, a superstar athlete bestie who could beat me at the 100m sprint in her tudung and tracks, the fiercest indian jokers who made you laugh till you had stomach cramps, and a full-fledged (half) banana volleyball team who could not understand our competitors' mandarin. i still think ning baizura is beautiful, and that the enthralling performing arts industry in underrated.
in some weird and obscure way, i might have been affected by the admittedly biased NEP. along the way too, i realized it didnt really matter so much if i had a roof, some pocket money, an education, good fun and the bestest of friends. point is, i grew up happy.
i wouldnt trade the experience for the world, political injustice or not. im still going home.
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7 comments:
hey banana.
I grew up happy too! Growing up in Malaysia is such an awesome experience. Man, I miss those Milo trucks and Merentas desa experiences!
Glad to know you've made your decision. Clarity is such a wonderful thing.
Malaysia is a wonderful place filled with lots of wonderful people.
Sad to say I won't be back for a while, or indefinitely.
yours truly,
the half-banana.
i miss the flavour of our region so badly... (not just the food).. the colour the pace the edginess..
so.. been asking this heaps but.. does this mean you'll be back in KL by december? :D
I believe that some people return because they truly care for the country. And some leave because they believe the grass is greener in the other side, which may not necessarily be true. We may just feel more emotional when it's a situation in our country because this is the place we call home.
Political Analysis from a S'porean...Hee.... love talking abt politics.
It was always gonna be the case for racial tensions to raise in Malyasia due to the bias nature of its policy to a single group of people.
This then allows the unpriviledged group to no longer be engaged into the vision and future of a nation. Much like how team members dun care for a team if they're not getting out what they want.
Even the priviledged group become complacent and will naturally demand rights that in the long run will make the country (team) ineffective. In time, even demanding that the law be lax for them. This example then spreads to the remaining of the population (priviledged or not), signalling that integrity, fairness and being law abiding is not important.
How then can the authority govern when they are the genesis for the lawlessness?
All in all, the leader of that country will find it hard to engage and mobilize that nation unless a distinct threat is present or religious frevour is utilized.
Yes... seems to be, shooting yourself in the foot is an apt description.
Joachim
P.S.I wouldn't want a Jason Bourne to save the day, I'd prefer a Bobby Kennedy (read him up).
i wont start on malaysian politics because i can definitely go on (joachim can attest to that :P) but ill say i miss malaysia a damn big lot... after Melbourne, Belarus and now maybe Bahrain, Malaysia is definitely my 3rd or 4th favourite home :)
hi,
you were featured in 19th September 2007 The Star (Malaysia) youth section.
check it out.
http://thestar.com.my/youth2/story.asp?file=/2007/9/19/youth2/20070918175656&sec=youth2
hello half-banana,
i hope dinner at il gambero cheered you up a bit, all that conference talk will come to goos use someday=]
Clarity is indeed a wonderful thing. and you have to go back to msia every now and then, even if for quick visits only!
aaron: december is earlyyy, it seems unlikely at this point. maybe jan, possibly feb. and yourself?
razzberry: cute pic! agreed, all that you said.
joa: never knew you were so into politics..? you have your points, but i believe that every government has room to improve. engaging a nation is no easy task, and it certainly doesnt help with the (publicly) undiscussed bias.
all the same, it is different in every state- and it stems down to how you were brought up. the more obstacles they are, the stronger you will be.
ah wells, every one has the power!
lx: only 3rd or 4th? i thought it was way up there! heh, you're at home anywhere you. wish i could be in your place, somewhere far away, somewhere new.
maniacz: thanks for the update- i was fairly shocked to see that photo up! jo and meldee are the best.
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