Dinesh contributed this as a comment on my first post on the 2nd First Annual Bolehwood Awards:
First They Came for the JewsFirst they came for the Jews
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the Communists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for me
and there was no one left
to speak out for me.- Pastor Martin Niemöller
Jikon reported that DBKL will no longer issue performing licenses to Instant Cafe Theatre. It is truly a sad sad day for Malaysia.
Most of us don't truly appreciate the role that the arts community has in our society. They're usually tucked away in a convenient corner - somewhere in the lifestyle section, as if it is only important after we deal with errant [insert current bogey] and political mud-slinging event of the day.
The arts community, especially performing arts, acts as an essential indicator of a society's position on the roadmap to continuous development. It is not something that a 'free' country like Malaysia should govern and police to death.
When I went to watch the show on Tuesday night, I prepared myself to be insulted. After reading both reviews (the good and the bad), as well as Sharizal's and Jikon's take on the matter, I didn't know what to expect as each review took differing angles to the show. I tried to go in with a truly open mind.
I was surprised. I honestly felt that the jokes were somewhat tame, and the spicy bits were not pedas compared to what most people discuss among their friends. It was however, honest - very honest, and it poked fun at things I felt we shouldn't be laughing about, mainly because they were serious problems. But maybe that's the effect that ICT wanted, to get the audience on such a high at how funny things are, and to bring us down to the reality of life in Malaysia.
At one point during the show, I nearly shed a tear - as the actors were on stage singing something funny, images of the days the FRU turned itself against women and children and the now infamous image of Anwar's black eye were flashed in the background. This dichotomy that is our nation's reality all of a sudden became all too apparent to me, and I found myself drifting back to the that 'titik hitam' in our history.
It's been several years, but things have not changed much. Just as predicted, some of us forgot about what happened and went on with our lives. Some of us continued to 'fight' on, and some became disillusioned and bitter. ICT's take on Malaysia: they're bitter about where we are now.
But we shouldn't blame them for taking this view, as I am convinced that it is the view of many - perhaps not the majority, but enough for it to be a valid viewpoint that should be put on the table. Maybe that's the role of the arts, to package things in a way that is accurate and clear, and put it out there for us to digest.
Ribena, 'the artist formerly known as Ambrosia', and host of the 2nd First Bolehwood Awards, said at the end of the show that Malaysia is a complex country, that's why we have so many shopping complex like thaat.... We have so many monuments that become our nation's crutch - Malaysia is fine, because we have KLCC. Malaysia is fine, because Putrajaya is beautiful. Malaysia is fine, because KLIA is impressive. Malaysia is fine, because we have the MSC.
My take: Malaysia is not fine, because we clamp on our artists, our social commentators, our political opposition, and those with dissenting or alternative views. But I'm sometimes the hopeless optimist, I think that Malaysia can be fine, if we all speak up and be responsible citizens, the kind that makes an effort to build a country, one where we don't merely 'tolerate' - we understand. Malaysia can be fine, if we don't let our bitterness get the better of us.
Posted by Najah Nasseri at 2003年07月18日 12:27 | TrackBackI hear you, Naja. I am happy to know that there are optimists out there. I hope for a better day too, when we can actually be really 'free'. Keep da faith alive. ..3rd world mentality appears again..thanks DBKL.
Posted by: omecool20 at 2003年07月18日 12:48Najah: "Most of us don't truly appreciate the role that the arts community has in our society."
You're right. Most of us don't give much of a damn about the arts, like me, and never have.
But I can see how the arts -- and I don't mean contemporary music, films, but "art" art --provide a means for society to take a really good look at itself, warts and all.
Unfortunately, not many people here think it's a big deal.
And therein lies the probelm:
Until all of us believe that there is a role for the arts, and want it to play a role in society, the arts would never have that role.
Posted by: Aisehman at 2003年07月18日 12:54Wonder what that bow-tie wearing Minister of CULTURE, ARTS and tourism have to say abt this issue.
Posted by: KaZ at 2003年07月18日 12:59I don't think we need to 'give' that role to the arts community - they are already playing it.
After I went to the show, my mind wandered to places I haven't been to since the days of 'reformasi'. I hadn't thought about these things in a while. I hadn't felt so passionately about my country in a while. I guess I was in a citizenship stasis of sorts, I took the "I'll start caring when elections come" attitude - and that feeling went down hill, till I was reminded of what things are really like, and that deep down inside, I still cared.
That was what the arts did for me, and they didn't need anyone to tell them what their role was, they just played it.
Posted by: Najah at 2003年07月18日 13:02the performing arts are a barometer of our zeitgeist. without it, we will never be able to see ourselves in a different light. as niemoller said, if we do not speak out, we will soon be alone in the void.
this is truly the day when the music died. http://www.alphaque.com/article.php?sid=361
Posted by: alphaque at 2003年07月18日 13:32it's a sad, sad day when the arts suffer in the name of 'sensitivity'. Hah! I didn't see this show so I can't comment about it but I can and will protest the 'gagging' of ICT. Thanks for the good times in KL, folks - now can we have the show in Seremban, Penang, Ipoh perhaps?
Posted by: kate at 2003年07月18日 14:10Najah:"I don't think we need to 'give' that role to the arts community - they are already playing it."
You're right, but you cared, and you were aware of its important role, and what that role means to you and to society.
You needed reminding, and you knew where to go to get it.
If we feel sick, we go see the doctor, because we recognise and acknowledge that we are unwell and that the doctor can help us.
Can we say as much for Malaysians and the arts in general?
Posted by: Aisehman at 2003年07月18日 15:38The music had not died ... it has only been temporarily turned off. It will return ... this is only a small skirmish between different generations. We don't like it but you cannot outlive or outlast the youth of the day. They will return ....
Posted by: Al Cate at 2003年07月18日 16:26We need a new political culture, a new political power. The current people in office are not competent intelectually, they are behind their time, they suppressing the true Malaysian potential and the better Malaysian story. Sigh, sigh sigh sigh sigh sigh sigh,...If I stand for election, will anyone vote for me?
Posted by: fooji at 2003年07月18日 16:28I'm took depressed to say anything substantial, but I agree with everyone and like Najah I too, continue to be optimistic. How not to be with bloggers and us everyday people out there getting angry about this too?
I just hope we can do soemthing about this.
this kind of action by the authorities can only lead to one thing - increased agitation and hopefully more people will be radicalised and want to do more of the same thing. i hope this will all backfire and more support for the arts/creative criticism/ is given by the ppl. its like during the malaysiakini thingy with umno youth and police... its not how high u can jump, its how high u can bounce back
Posted by: frenzia at 2003年07月18日 18:52Jo was my English teacher for a memorable year. I can remember her coaching me on some little stand-up thing I did.
Posted by: sad- at 2003年07月19日 15:14Ah - I see you're linked to Giok. We were the same year, I met her when I was 7?
Posted by: sad- at 2003年07月22日 06:33