MALACCA is full of the old world charm dating from historical times of the 1400s and 1500s, with its famed A Famosa, outstanding red-bricked Dutch building landmark, its proud Portuguese colony, and its delightful, delicious chin-ca-lok, did I get the spell(ing) right?
Now it is also originating a lot of myth, (no) thanks to its CEO, who often gets a lot of media spotlight, for mostly the wrong reasons. Ah, with politicians, the thing is to get that 15 minutes of publicity, the name sticks in the public mind, and the votes will come flooding in?
I dedicate this poem to Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam (the modern Robin?) ,and his Skondeng squad of snoops (the Hoods?)
If Truth Be Told
In a land not far, far away
So near you hear its heartbeat every day
Once the minister of televisiondeclared
"We'll manufacture a local series to outclass Dallas!"
After decades and much murky water
Had flowed under the Bridge of Scandals
Leaders continue to exhort of the populace:
"Don't watch blue movies or VCDs, it's a social evil."
Meanwhile, they yamseng till the break of dawn
And under the cover of darkness chieftains plundered
Yet others plucked the flowers
Off under-aged virgin girls.
Politicians and court jesters are so creative
This land needs no fiction writer writers
'Stead of soap operas, TV offers wayang and sandiwara
Their juiciness surpassing the Collins' wildest imagination.
There's the saga of one with millions headed Down Under
Apparently he'd not heard of cheques or Amex
Poor chap -- onetime a graduate teacher -- he landed up in court
He hardly understood "that darned bastard immigration" form in Inggeris.
Then another made a girl full of body
Claimed the fruit was donated by a best friend
Well, in typical Asian cheer, the reluctant host must not decline
The guest's bosomy generosity in any kind.
Live episodes entertain the people more than Hollywood's Dynasty
Proving true blue that "Fact is stranger than fiction"
When naked Truth is revealed, sometimes ingenuously concealed
Of under-cover trails and trysts in KL's penthouses.
When lesser sould are caught in similar bind with their pants down
In cheap lodging houses, or even just holding hands in public parks
They charge the poor blighters with khalwat (close proximity)
While upper classes continue to frolick with impunity and immunity.
(Composed by Y.L. Chong mid-2003)
I was glad to read in yesterday's papers (March 23, 2005) that some 280 non-governmental organisations and individuals have launched a campaign against moral policing by the State and they want certain laws to be repealed.
They insist that morality is a matter best dealt with by individuals and their families and any attempt to regulate a person's conscience, faith or private life, has grave implications for all citizens.
They referred to the recent events involving the "discrimination against women during a raid by FT Islamic Religious Department at a nightclub in January", and the setting up of a spy squad by Malacca 4B Youth (incidentally, launched by Malacca CEO Ali Rustam).
Among the NGOs listed are the Sisters in Islam, Malaysian Aids Council (MAC), Women's Aid Organisation, and Suara Rakyat Malaysia. I also applaud the presence of Kota Baru MP from Barisan Nasional, Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, at the press conference in KL on March 22 to launch the campaign, calling for, among others:
* The repeal of provisions in religious and municipal laws that deny their fundamental rights; and
* The strengthening of pluralism through community dialogue on morals in society.
I also put on record the bold attendance of Puteri UMNO representative Haezrena Begum Abdul Hamid, who, according to theSun report yesterday, said the movement cannot give its its full endorsement as it does not agree with the call to repeal the laws. She added that the laws are still relevant as they are meant to curb social ills, among others, but the way the enforcement is done should be corrected or reviewed.
Marina Mahathir, of MAC, disagreed with Haezrena's argument, saying it does not make sense.
I did not record here the names of individuals present but I stress that their role is not any less important in this progressive initiative, which I fully endorse.
I mentioned Zaid and Haezrena for standing up to be counted, and they represent a new generation of leaders coming from the ruling government who dare venture with NGOs and opposition leaders to take part in endeavours that surely must cross party lines. It's good to see this joint effort in raising Malaysia to developed nation's mentality and cultural mindset, in tandem with its superb physical infrastructure. And we await a corresponding First World response from the Federal Legislature members. We have hope yet for meaningful dialogue, where Malaysians can be agreeable in their disgreements.
Syabas to the initiators of the anti-moral policing movement, and I hope all concerned citizens -- across all ethnic origins and religious backgrounds -- will lend a helping hand.
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