Koon Yew Yin
When Theresa Kok's video clip for the Chinese New Year first appeared, I saw it as a cleverly done piece of political satire. It was funny, original and thought provoking. I thought the references to various personalities and public issues of concern captured some of our recent political controversies in a refreshingly irreverent and comical way. The clip brought back to me memories of that hugely popular and successful British television series, “Yes Minister” which first ran in the 1980's and has been recently revived.
At the same time that I appreciated the black humour and wit in the “ONEderful Malaysia!” video, I was concerned that it would be viewed the opposite way by the Government and UMNO's political supporters and would become ammunition for them to hit back not only against her, but also the DAP and the opposition parties as a whole.
Clearly the video was intended to draw attention to issues of public concern. It was also meant to draw attention to Theresa Kok as a politician and to enhance her public image. But what if the Government or its supporters twisted it around and concocted elements of racial or religious discord to smear the DAP and Pakatan coalition? I was especially concerned that the targeting of the video to a Chinese audience and timed for the Chinese New Year period was strategically unwise and could backfire.
My worse fears have now proven correct. Muslim groups have seized on the video clip to engage in a new round of frenzied opposition and DAP bashing. Besides engaging in the now standard practice of stomping on banners and portraits of their political opponents, these groups have gone a step further by smearing the banners with blood from freshly slaughtered chickens – an unprecedented act of violent symbolism. Further they have also upped the ante by offering a reward to any of their supporters willing to slap Theresa – an invitation that could easily lead to a more violent outcome should some fool hardy supporter decide that a slap was not sufficient to restore their lost 'dignity and honour'.
This response by the political enemies of Theresa and the DAP has been rightly condemned by both sides of the political divide in the country. Action has also been called for the authorities not only to investigate the alleged seditious content of the video clip but also the response by the Muslim groups to it.
What's happening appears to be a spiraling of the country towards greater racial and religious strife and enmity which can only have a disastrous end result. A number of other groups and organizations have also viewed with increasing alarm the deterioration in our political situation. For example, a petition campaign has been launched by academics from Malaysian and abroad calling for the renunciation of violence by political leaders and parties. Everyone needs to sign on this petition. There have also been calls made for the National Unity Consultative Council to move more quickly in its work of national reconciliation so that whatever measures it is recommending is not too little too late. More groups and individuals should come out to provide constructive suggestions on how we can restore “muhibbah” and inter-racial solidarity.
Speaking as a Malaysian Chinese, I would like to appeal to our Chinese leaders to think twice or three times or even more before engaging in any political publicity especially aimed at the Chinese electorate because it is so easy for the other side with its dominance of the Malay and official media to distort or spin its message and intentions. We all should know that there are double standards in this country and of course this is something which is deplorable and runs against the grain of any democratic system. However, we have lived with these double standards for a long time and we must learn to live with them a little longer and be more circumspect and strategic in our opposition. We must understand that the final break with these double standards will not come about as a result of the Chinese leaders putting up such video clips aimed at the Chinese community.
Finally, it is not difficult to find a solution to this particular episode of racial tension.. All that needs to be done is for Theresa Kok to say that she is sorry if she has offended anyone's sense of racial or religious honour as she had no intention of doing so.
At the same time, Prime Minister Najib Razak should say that he has found the video clip quite funny and well acted, even if he thinks it is inaccurate and wrong in its insinuations. He may want to note that the “Yes Minister” programme was Prime Minister Margaret Thacher's favourite programme!
You must realize that we have been enjoying peace for so long. Just look at all the Muslin countries especially in the Middle East where there is daily suicide bombers hoping to meet 72 virgins. Malaysia is relatively peaceful and let us not spoil it.
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we need to be mindful of we write and what we talk. Tun Ismail (the late ) once said there is no absolute democracy but controlled democracy (to suit the powers to be ). Thailand is good example ( where over politicking )led to martial law.
Malaysian ( Chinese , Malays or Indians ) need to careful with their words. it can come back & haunt (you)in an unexpected manner. just be logical and argue with facts. the truth will always prevails.
You can cheat (lie) once but you cannot cheat (lie) forever
2014-06-16 15:05
Malaysian politicians have little sense of humour, least that of the self deprecating kind. What many have is an exaggerated sense of self importance. Add in misplaced pride and deep seated insecurities and you have a totally potent mixture in these types. When their moral authority is questioned, as in the Teresa Kok satire, you can have a potential conflagration in the making.
2014-06-16 15:31
Advise to All Politicians. Always Remember the Following:
"THE RAKYAT RULES YOU, YOU DO NOT RULE THE RAKYAT"
"DONT BE CORRUPT AS IT IS SO TEMPTING TO BE SO"
"DO NOT BEHAVE & ACT ARROGANT, JUST DO YOUR JOB AS A HUMBLE SERVANT TO SERVICE THE RAKYAT"
"SINK YOUR POLITICAL DIFFERENCES & WORK TOGETHER FOR THE GREATER GOOD OF THE PEOPLES WELFARE AS TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE"
2014-06-17 19:25
There is absolutely nothing offensive in the video clip for Theresa kok to say sorry about, although there is a good dose of sarcasm. It is time for the Malaysian society to be critical vocally about the misdeeds and abuses in the country. I congratulate her for her courage to make that clip. To prosecute her will make Malaysia the butt of a joke internationally and incompatible even with the lowest democratic standards.
2014-06-18 01:40
If not trying to impose your belief that Onewonderful is nothing offensive. What do majority malays think about it should be thought out. Its malays culture to ask for forgiveness evendo you did not do anything wrong. Theresa Kok should publicly say sorry evendo its just a sattire clip. But refusal to do so and continue to blame ruling government offend the malays to a point of no return. Involving PM Najib into this mess wont help either. Theresa Kok need to understand malay culture better or else Teluk Intan will be repeated in GE15.
2014-06-18 02:18
Do not mask the truth simply with malay sensitivity. The problems are there and do not just ignore. In a democratic society, (particularly in one that aspires to be developed nation status in just 6 years)criticizing the government, including the PM, even in a satirical way, is nothing unusual and nothing wrong. Najib is being "involved" not because he is a Malay but because he is the PM. Please understand the difference.
2014-06-18 09:38
BTW, I am amused by the fact that "Alvivi" have got off the hook for wishing the Muslim Selamat Berbuka Puasa by eating bak gut teh in a video clip. Even I, a non muslim Chinese, find what they did very naughty and offensive to the muslims and they should have been punished in some way and not let off.
2014-06-18 09:58
A piece of advice to he potential suicide bombers from Malaysia that the quota for the 72 virgins have already over-subscribed by 100000 times. So stop joining the suicide bomber training programme and start investing in KLSE for a better returns.
2014-06-18 12:13
sunztzhe
“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”
2014-06-16 14:46