by Syed Zahar
Malaysian Digest
We are living in interesting times. Here and now is a crucial episode in Malaysia’s modern political history, where things can go either way. To put things in perspective, it is a national duty of writers and media practitioners to feed Malaysians with the lowdown on the political situation in this post-March 8, 2008 era. And one writer has stepped up to the plate since even before the historical 12th General Election to do Malaysians a big favor by helping us make that informed decision come poll day.
Following his March 8: The Day Malaysia Woke Up (2008) and its sequel, March 8: Time for Real Change (2010), veteran journalist Kee Thuan Chye’s latest book is aptly titled No More Bullshit, Please, We’re All Malaysians. It’s a compilation of his trademark straightforward commentaries on Malaysian politics that were published in various print and online media (including Malaysian Digest) as well as the author’s past speeches, political plays, poems and interviews with various media.
Malaysians now can be categorized into four political mindsets. To put it simply, there are the staunch Barisan Nasional (BN) supporters, the fence-sitters, the strong Opposition supporters and then those who are more than willing to vote for the Opposition for the sake of change and to get the two-party system going. I would say Kee belongs to the last category as we can see from the following excerpt from his new book:
“It may be difficult to trust the old hands in the Opposition team, or to put much faith in some of their newbies, or be certain that their company won’t fall apart because their ideologies are different, but if we want to retain this situation of two coalitions battling for our benefit, we have to nurture it. It sure beats having a monopoly. We have to keep the March 8 spirit alive.”
“If people were to ask me how I’d vote at the next GE, this is what I’d say – why vote in the people who have been taking us for a ride and robbing us blind? They may actually bring about a slew of reforms just before the elections in order to win our hearts and minds… well, let them. We can accept that, like some voters who accept money, and still vote them out. Why not let in a group of people and see what they can do? At least at the beginning, they will be so blunt on winning our approval, they will bring us a further slew of reforms – until they get corrupted or prove to be incompetent. If that happens or if they don’t come up to our expectations, and the other salesmen clean up their act, we can choose anew at the following GE.”
“That’s a simplistic way of looking at it, of course. More importantly, I think we need to get in fresh government because the old one has become too entrenched in its ways. They know the system too well to use it to their corrupt advantage. What’s more, we need to undo the damage that has been inflicted to our country by the man who outshines Avatar. We need a massive spring cleaning.”
– Kee Thuan Chye, No More Bullshit, Please, We’re All Malaysians
Although Kee regularly participates in political rallies doesn’t see himself as an activist but more of an observer who wants Malaysians to be more politically conscious. Back in his days as a fulltime journo for several mainstream papers (namely, New Straits Times and The Star), Kee had gained notoriety for his provocative articles. You see, most journalists in this country have accepted the shameful reality that they have to submit to the political interest of the owners of the organizations they work for. Kee is a rare breed for he is not one of them, and this had landed him in trouble with his editors in the past. As he said in No More Bullshit when talking about how the media have willingly restricted themselves since the Mahathir (the person he refers to as the man responsible for messing up the country and to whom have dedicated a special section to) era, the only thing worse than censorship is self-censorship.
Despite having gained a reputation as a ‘troublemaker’ in various editorial departments during his younger days, it is only lately (after 2008) that Kee stumbled into his newfound fame mainly for his candid and honest political commentaries that were published on various non-mainstream media. Kee has not held back his punches in No More Bullshit as his commentaries would still be considered provocative, for Malaysian standard anyway. This is a writer who wants the Opposition to win so bad because he truly believe that making this possible would benefit rakyat in the long run. In fact, at times, he almost sounds desperate for change as he’s had enough, and this defiance is not for the sake of dissent but for the love of the country. As quoted by Kee in one of the opening pages in No More Bullshit:
“Dissent is the highest form of patriotism.” – Howard Zinn, American historian, academic, author, playwright and social activist
Notwithstanding his hope for a change of government, the author is pessimistic about the Opposition winning in the coming election though, deep inside, he looks forward to be pleasantly surprised.
O editors of our msm, they SOLD their souls n principles 2 UmnoB/BN cheats n plunderers
WHERE got ‘NO MORE BULLSHIT’ 1?
Ah CHEAT kor n UmnoB currently SHROUDED by piles of shit/dung fr NFC
‘Fidlot’ – Apa itu? Another obvious bullshit bastardised BM istilah
Indeed those can write, like journalist Kee Thuan Chye- can do their part to “feed Malaysians with the lowdown on the political situation”. Another ex-journalist –who fights the Malaysian Cause – is of course Lim Kit Siang. The problem there are also many who can write, do so to make the Malaysian situation with specific reference to our racial divide, worse in service of the “political interest of the owners of the organizations they work for.” They are not confined to journalists or ex journalists. One was a medical doctor. Writers is one thing, the other the reader/recipients of what they write. Can their mindset be changed? Can it be explained why there are so many who visit and give their support to the content of Che Det . com and undying adulation to the “person (Kee Thuan Chye) refers to as the man responsible for messing up the country”? There are more visitors/commentaries there than this Blog that supposedly fights the Malaysian Cause! This does not augur well for the future. No wonder, writer Syed Zahar commented in conclusion – “Notwithstanding his hope for a change of government, the author is pessimistic about the Opposition winning in the coming election though, deep inside, he looks forward to be pleasantly surprised.”
Kee is a courageous and principled journalist who would not give in to political threat. His reports are ripe with truth, both ugly and beautiful. It is rare to find this breed of journalists in Bolehland these days.
Thousands belonging to the last category will vote for change…for they are all sick of those UMNO b crooks who can bullshit with eyes wide open.
Thousands belonging to the last category will vote for change….for Malaysians are sick of crooked tongue twisters.
Remember this. Umno is a dinasour – a huge monster. It will take more than just one blow to floor that monster. 308 was the first strong left hook to its chin. It was a mighty strong hook. But not enough to down umno. But going by prevailing indications, come GE13 a stronger, this time, right hook will be delivered. Umno has been weakened considerably by the first blow. Can it withstand another blow? We dont know. A desperate man fighting for his life can be utterly vicious and very dangerous still. But we must not be perturbed. We must continue to deliver the blows. We must keep on going not stop until umno the monster is down on its knees and then flat on the floor.
The fight seems difficult. But the end could be nearer than you thought.
For 50 odd years, Malaysia continues to wear the same diaper. So much so that the hardened excreta now thinks it is a major part of the body!
Of course, it is hard to remove the soiled diaper that is now practically attached to the backside, for some at least.
Its time to take Malaysia to the surgery table and perform the necessary operation to removed the malignant tumour that is now engulfing the rest of the patient. Time is running out and Idris Jala has already predicted that the patient will expire by 2019.
http://zorro-zorro-unmasked.blogspot.com/2012/03/why-najib-will-not-call-for-ge13-this.html
If he calls it this year, he will lose the election and the UMNO assembly will not be as kind to him as they were to Badawi.
If you want real change, you need to change the government NOW.
When the oil runs out, many ordinary people will suffer from decades of corruption and gross mismanagement.
But for short term gains, the people in position of trust, power and influence, don’t care!
That’s why it’s important for a core of party workers/members of all the PR parties to fan out to the “fixed deposit” areas of UMNO/BN to reset the mindset of Malaysians, especially the rural folks.
Show them the scams and scandals of the Federal government.
Take along cuttings from the MSM dailies itself, like those of the Star where the shenanigans of the Feds are at least mentioned.
There should be no shortage of such records.
Show them what the PR has achieved in the few short years they have governed.
Also take along any cuttings from the MSM to support the argument, if possible.
Do a comparison for the people you are trying to reach.
Finally, try to get them to give an undertaking to vote for the PR, a party that will give them a better future.
No more bu…lhisting…..UMNO b will dig their own grave.
Can anyone tell me why johor education dept demanded that all schools emailed them all the detailed info of the teachers & staffs including their voting centres by 12 noon on 21/3/12. Is this going to be one of ways to intimidate all teachers in giving their votes ‘carefully’ in this coming election!!!!
There you got the answer finally.Anyway thanks for enlightening.That’s the Umno’s best weapon:intimidation and oppression.
But Umno’s best weapon(intimidation & oppression) will not cow a courageous and principled man like Kee Thuan Chye.
Umno is now busy using its second best weapon(judiciary) to clean up bullshit at NFC feedlot and condos as well to make sure ‘no more bullshit’ to be heard again.