myAsylum nominates Akmal Abdullah as new FINAS Director General

Technorati tags: Malaysia, Film, Commentary

In his weekly column Epilog in Berita Harian, Malaysia's foremost arts fascist critic, Akmal Abdullah, wrote about who should take over the now vacant post of FINAS (Malaysian Film Development Authority) Director General, after the resignation of Hj. Fauzi Ayob last Monday (according to Akmal's column).

If we had the power to do so, myAsylum would nominate Akmal himself. Why? Well, this post explains it all, not in Walski's words, but mainly through an excerpt of what el Fascismo wrote (translation and emphasis by myAsylum), jumping to the gist of what he has to say:

Beberapa siri kontroversi yang berlaku dalam Finas dan perfileman negara sejak kebelakangan ini harus menjadi perhatian pengurusan di agensi itu untuk memulihkan keyakinan warga filem serta masyarakat bahawa Finas adalah satu amanah besar untuk memartabatkan maruah filem nasional. Finas menjadi imej kepada pembinaan industri filem yang berhemah mengikut acuan, wajah dan kehendak Malaysia. Ia seharusnya merangsang pertumbuhan sahsiah dan jatidiri bangsa. Finas juga harus bertanggungjawab untuk memelihara survival filem Melayu yang kini menjadi teras perfileman nasional.

The recent series of controversies within Finas, and the national film industry, should be the focus of the agency's management, in order that the industry players', as well as society's, confidence in Finas as a body responsible for enhancing the honor of national films, is restored. Finas is the blueprint for building a cultured film industry based on the mould, identity and demands of Malaysia. It (Finas) should furthermore encourage the development of national personality and self-image. Finas must also be responsible for ensuring the survival of Malay films, which form the backbone of the national film industry.

Dalam usia 25 tahun penubuhannya, Finas harus menjadi lebih matang dalam soal mengendalikan dana dan infrastruktur yang diamanahkan terhadapnya, selain mengelak bersekongkol dengan kegiatan yang tidak mencerminkan keperibadian dan nilai murni bangsa sebagaimana beberapa insiden sebelum ini.

Having been established for 25 years, Finas should be more mature in handling the funding and infrastructure that has been entrusted to it, besides avoiding being involved in activities that do not reflect the distinctive character and noble national values, such as with a few recent incidents.

Kita mahukan industri filem Malaysia berkembang mengikut kehendak dan aspirasi nasional, bukannya sekadar menghasilkan kerja kreatif atas nama artistik dan berpegang pada mazhab filem Barat semata-mata yang boleh menyentuh sensitiviti perkauman atau agama di Malaysia. Finas harus menjadi perantara yang bijak untuk mengelak ada unsur memanipulasi kerja kreatif dan kreativiti seni tetapi di sebaliknya tersirat agenda protes sosial, tentangan politik, perosak budaya, mengelirukan hukum agama dan mempromosikan pemikiran liberal melampau yang tidak boleh diterima majoriti rakyat Malaysia.

We want the Malaysian film industry to develop according to national demands and aspirations, and not just produce creative work solely for arts' sake and not totally mimic film movements of the West, which can ignite racial or religious sensitivities in Malaysia. Finas should be an intelligent intermediary to avoid elements manipulating creative works and artistic creativity to promote hidden agendas of social and political protest, cultural demolition, confusing religious dictates, and promotion of extreme liberal thinking, which is unacceptable to the majority of Malaysians.

Akmal goes on to propose a few people (of course, from a certain ethnicity ONLY) whom he feels are qualified for the job. The last line of his weekly feature underlines his obsession with keeping culture static:

Kata orang, seni filem kalau disalahgunakan akan merosakkan maruah bangsa dan negara

As people say, the art of film, if misused, will destroy the honor of race and nation.

Whose nation, Akmal? And who are these mysterious "people" you keep referring to? Malaysia is Walski's nation too, and God forbid that it should become the myopic, fascist and retarded nation you are so hell-bent on as your ideal. (The original aricle (in Malay) can be found at the end of the post.)

Well, based on his know-it-all verbal diarrhoea above, Walski thinks that there is no better person to head Finas than Akmal Abdullah himself. Here are myAsylum's Top 10 Reasons why Akmal may want to consider the nomination seriously - drumroll, please. (in the full post)

10. Golden opportunity to ensure that Malay films are made to his (and his masters') liking

9. To eradicate, once and for all, creativity which is so damaging to our culture

8. To eradicate any form of liberal ideas from tainting Malaysian cinema

7. To finally realize his life-long dream of Cumi dan Ciki: The Movie

6. Today Finas , tomorrow - global domination!

5. So that Malaysian history can be rewritten through film

4. No Erra Fazira, no script approval

3. Ability to restore Malay films to their 1960's slapstick, moralizing, and nation-building glory

2. Globalization? Not on my watch

And the Number 1 reason why Akmal Abdullah should be the next Finas Director General....

To promote Malay films as the champion of cinematic mediocrity

Since, with Akmal being the Finas DG, the sensitivities of those-who-must-be-appeased will be handled with kid gloves, he should really seriously consider nominating himself.

Besides, Akmal knows it all anyway; how to keep the Malay Malaysian film industry pristine, pure, and bereft of any reason for Walski to ever watch their produce, this also serves as a golden opportunity for him to shoo away any aspiring trouble film maker that dares offend his sensibilities. Go to Singapore, you worthless heathens. Don't peddle your trash here in my film industry.

Now, Akmal, wouldn't that just be the perfect cum-dream cum true?

Epilogue: Full text of Akmal's column (in Malay) below:

Epilog: Ketua Pengarah Finas baru patut jaga imej kerajaan
Oleh Akmal Abdullah

SEJAK Isnin lalu, Fauzi Ayob, sudah berhenti memegang jawatan Ketua Pengarah Perbadanan Kemajuan Filem Nasional Malaysia (Finas). Dia sudah balik ke tempat kerja lamanya di Matrade dan desas-desus mengenai dia akan terus kekal memegang jawatan itu nampaknya tidak benar.

Kini, jawatan itu sudah kosong. Fauzi menjadi Ketua Pengarah Finas paling pendek berkhidmat atas nama jawatan itu dan peletakan jawatannya dikatakan ada kaitan dengan tekanan pihak atasan kementerian berkaitan yang dihadapinya selama hampir enam bulan berkhidmat dalam agensi perfileman nasional itu.

Kementerian Kebudayaan Kesenian dan Warisan sebelum ini dikatakan memujuk beliau supaya meneruskan khidmatnya di situ. Fauzi pada mulanya berminat dan mempertimbangkan untuk memegang jawatan itu. Namun, atas faktor lain mungkin beliau ‘tidak makan pujuk’ dan tetap dengan pendiriannya untuk tidak mahu lagi memegang jawatan itu. Kita hargai sumbangan Fauzi walaupun dalam tempoh singkat tetapi ada hasilnya juga sepanjang dia berada di Finas.

Peluang Fauzi kembali ke Finas bergantung pada situasi dan perkembangan semasa. Khabarnya dia masih berminat tetapi berikutan jawatan itu hanya sekadar kontrak, menyebabkan beliau ‘kurang selesa’. Jika perubahan pada sistem perjawatan diubahsuai, kebarangkalian Fauzi kembali di situ tetap ada. Apapun, kita lupakan dulu episod Fauzi.

Kini, siapa Ketua Pengarah Finas baru sedang menjadi buah mulut warga filem. Ramai yang menanti penuh suspen siapa bakal duduk di kerusi panas itu. Ada beberapa individu khabarnya menghantar resume untuk mengisi jawatan itu. Entah, siapa yang akan dapat kita tidak pasti.

Kita tidak kisah siapa yang bakal menduduki kerusi itu selepas Fauzi. Paling penting, ialah fungsi Finas sendiri harus mempunyai hala tuju jelas dalam mengangkat imej filem nasional berteraskan semangat jati diri dan imej Malaysia. Kita mahu Ketua Pengarah Finas baru nanti seorang yang rasional, tahu menjaga imej kerajaan dan negara selain mementingkan kehendak masyarakat dalam membawa filem nasional ke tahap yang dikehendaki.

Beberapa siri kontroversi yang berlaku dalam Finas dan perfileman negara sejak kebelakangan ini harus menjadi perhatian pengurusan di agensi itu untuk memulihkan keyakinan warga filem serta masyarakat bahawa Finas adalah satu amanah besar untuk memartabatkan maruah filem nasional. Finas menjadi imej kepada pembinaan industri filem yang berhemah mengikut acuan, wajah dan kehendak Malaysia. Ia seharusnya merangsang pertumbuhan sahsiah dan jatidiri bangsa. Finas juga harus bertanggungjawab untuk memelihara survival filem Melayu yang kini menjadi teras perfileman nasional.

Dalam usia 25 tahun penubuhannya, Finas harus menjadi lebih matang dalam soal mengendalikan dana dan infrastruktur yang diamanahkan terhadapnya, selain mengelak bersekongkol dengan kegiatan yang tidak mencerminkan keperibadian dan nilai murni bangsa sebagaimana beberapa insiden sebelum ini.

Kita mahukan industri filem Malaysia berkembang mengikut kehendak dan aspirasi nasional, bukannya sekadar menghasilkan kerja kreatif atas nama artistik dan berpegang pada mazhab filem Barat semata-mata yang boleh menyentuh sensitiviti perkauman atau agama di Malaysia. Finas harus menjadi perantara yang bijak untuk mengelak ada unsur memanipulasi kerja kreatif dan kreativiti seni tetapi di sebaliknya tersirat agenda protes sosial, tentangan politik, perosak budaya, mengelirukan hukum agama dan mempromosikan pemikiran liberal melampau yang tidak boleh diterima majoriti rakyat Malaysia.

Berbalik pada jawatan Ketua Pengarah Finas, kita melihat ada beberapa nama sesuai yang boleh menggantikan Fauzi. Antara individu yang rasanya boleh menerajui jawatan itu seperti Dr Anuar Nor Arai, Dr Abu Hassan Hasbullah, Dr Mahadi J Murat, mahupun Dr Samat Salleh, Dr Wan Zawawi atau Dr Hatta Azad Khan. Malah, Dr Asiah Sarji atau Dr Naim Ahmad juga barangkali mungkin sesuai untuk dicalonkan ke jawatan itu.

Namun, berdasarkan pengalaman dalam pengurusan seni dan budaya, rasionalisasi dan reputasi, kita rasakan orang paling sesuai ialah Ketua Pengarah Balai Seni Lukis Negara sekarang, Dr Shahrudin Ismail yang dilihat mempunyai kecenderungan baik terhadap seni filem, selain pengalaman meluas dalam pentadbiran di kementerian berkaitan dan pengurusan produk seni. Itu pun kalau Dr Shahrudin berminat!

Sesiapa pun calonnya nanti yang dipilih Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim untuk jawatan Ketua Pengarah Finas yang baru, ialah individu itu harus daripada kalangan yang ada ketahanan kuat dari segi semangat, fizikal, mental dan kebijaksanaan dalam menghadapi sepak terajang industri filem Malaysia yang banyak ragam, banyak kerenahnya. Orang itu mestilah rasional dan ada pegangan murni untuk menjaga maruah filem nasional.

Kata orang, seni filem kalau disalahgunakan akan merosakkan maruah bangsa dan negara

Click here for the full post......

Merrily skipping down the path towards Fascism

Technorati tags: Politics, Malaysia, Fascism, Commentary

In doing the research for myAsylum's Da Vinci Code post yesterday, I came across a discource on Fascism in relation to the Opus Dei movement.

The article, entitled What is Fascism was written by Chip Berlet, a senior analyst at Political Research Associates, in Boston. While Berlet's article centers around the definition of Italian Fascism and similarities that Fascism has with Nazism, Walski couldn't help but notice some disturbing similarities with the politi-social environment here and now Malaysia.

As you read the rest of the post, ponder for a moment what similarites you see (or don't see).

First, Berlet states that Fascists particularly loathe "the social theories of the French Revolution and its slogan: 'Liberty, Equality, Fraternity' ", and goes on to elaborate the three slogans and what the Fascists find loathesome (emphasis by myAsylum):

*** Liberty from oppressive government intervention in the daily lives of its citizens, from illicit searches and seizures, from enforced religious values, from intimidation and arrest for dissenters; and liberty to cast a vote in a system in which the majority ruled but the minority retained certain inalienable rights.

*** Equality in the sense of civic equality, egalitarianism, the notion that while people differ, they all should stand equal in the eyes of the law.

*** Fraternity in the sense of the brotherhood of mankind. That all women and men, the old and the young, the infirm and the healthy, the rich and the poor, share a spark of humanity that must be cherished on a level above that of the law, and that binds us all together in a manner that continuously re-affirms and celebrates life.

Berlet then lists several characteristics where Fascism and Nazism are similar (or where they differ); and this is where it gets a little more interesting. The text in this color is by myAsylum, pointing out Walski's own observations. (the 11 characteristics and more in the full post)

1. Nationalism and super-patriotism with a sense of historic mission.
The idea of patriotism, vis-a-vis Malaysia, always implores the love and devotion of the Government, as opposed to the proper definition of patriotism (which is the love and devotion to one's country)

2. Aggressive militarism even to the extent of glorifying war as good for the national or individual spirit
This, thankfully, we don't have at present - but is what the U.S. is experiencing.

3. Use of violence or threats of violence to impose views on others
Flashback last Sunday in Penang; while the disruption was not Government sponsored, there are allegations that the police were in collusion with the mob of protesters. This is not the first time a mob (purportedly acting on behalf of "the people" have disrupted peaceful discussions, solely to suppress a differing point of view from being discussed. In other words, using (or threatening to use) violence to impose their view on others.

4. Authoritarian reliance on a leader or elite not constitutionally responsible to an electorate
Sound familiar? In Walski's opinion, the attempts to impose moral policing and the authority of the religious departments border on this characteristic of fascism

5. Cult of personality around a charismatic leader
This, in fact, underlines the foundation of our entire political party system, if you were to ask Walski

6. Reaction against the values of Modernism, usually with emotional attacks against both liberalism and communism
There are enough similarities here in recent events. Liberal = Bad... etc. Or how advancement of the arts "damages" culture (yes, we had to find a way to fit AA in this post!)

7. Exhortations for the homogeneous masses of common folk to join voluntarily in a heroic mission; often metaphysical and romanticized in character
IMHO UMNO/BN uses a hell of a lot of this type of rhetoric, particularly when talking to their grassroots support

8. Dehumanization and scapegoating of the enemy; seeing the enemy as an inferior or subhuman force, perhaps involved in a conspiracy that justifies eradicating them
Same observation as in comments to point #7 - but echoed by many others in positions of authority (i.e. not necessarily only the elected officials)

9. The self image of being a superior form of social organization beyond socialism, capitalism and democracy
Self-evident in certain aspects of political rhetoric from certain "green" parties calling for Islamic statehood

10. Elements of national socialist ideological roots, for example, ostensible support for the industrial working class or farmers; but ultimately, the forging of an alliance with an elite sector of society
In the local context, this would probably be identifying with a certain politically well-connected bunch, big business in particular

11. Abandonment of any consistent ideology in a drive for state power
While the Government has laid out (several) long-term ideological targets, these frequently get side-tracked for the sake of political expediency

Now, Walski is no political scientist, but as a thnking citizen, there are just way too many similarities to brush off as being coincidental. Mind you, Malaysia is not unique in having a sociopolitical climate that can be identified as fascist. The same could be argued about the United States of America, today, under Dubya. And many other so-called democracies.

So, what do you, dear reader of myAsylum, think? Is Malaysia slipping towards fascism? Or is Walski thinking too damn much?

Or, worse, are we already there?

Click here for the full post......

The Da Vinci Code: Catholics & Albinos up in arms

Technorati tags: Film, Da Vinci Code, Religion, Dogma, Albino

Caution: Film plot spoiler ahead (not that you already didn't know the whole story by now)

World unrest issues (Iraq, Iran, Middle East, etc.) aside, the Da Vinci Code is perhaps one of the most talked topics of late, more so with the movie adaptation release (today, May 18, 2006 in Malaysia). The book was published back in 2003, and caused much discomfort in the Christian world. Acclaimed by some, and reviled by many, the book, a work of fiction based on fact (as it claims), has its theme surrounding the de-deification of Jesus, and the supposed conspiracy by the Church in obscuring the truth about Jesus.

The Da Vinci Code (both book and film) has had many Christians up in arms, as it challenges the very dogma that the Christian faith is based on - that Christ was God incarnate, and part of the Trinity of God.

The film had its world premiere yesterday at the Cannes Film Festival, but already protests against the release of the film have been reported worldwide. But one of the most prominent protests comes from India. So much so that the Indian government has decided to put the film's release on hold.

The affront on Christians revolves around the centuries old secret about Christ fathering a child through his marriage with Mary Magdalene. This in essense, is damaging to the Christians' view of Christ's divinity, and thus the concept of the Trinity of God.

Many consider that the Trinity was invented by the Council of Nicene, in 325 AD. This, according to history, appears to be incorrect, as the concept of God to the Christian to be 3-in-1 existed long before the Nicene Creed was first produced. What the council did produce is the dogma that the Trinity of God was the only truth, and any other interpetation was heresy. Such as that of Arius, that God did not beget Jesus, and that he was a mortal - a great mortal, but a mortal nonetheless). And so, the dogma of the trinity was thus established.

Brown, though, go as far to say (in the book) that "Almost everything our fathers taught us about Christ is false." Very contentious words. His reason for writing the book, though:

My hope in writing this novel was that the story would serve as a catalyst and a springboard for people to discuss the important topics of faith, religion, and history.

And Christianity, indeed, does have a long and complex history. As do just about any world faith; Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, and Islam, to name a few.

The Opus Dei, a real Catholic religious movement prominently featured in the book and film, has issued numerous statements condemning the movie, particularly about how the organization is portrayed - in a very sinister fashion. The Opus Dei (lit. Latin, meaning "the Work of God"), a Catholic prelature, was founded by a Spanish priest, St. Josemaria Escriva in 1928. Escriva was Cannonized, i.e. made a saint, by Pope John Paul II, on May 17, 1992. The film's premiere in Cannes, therefore, comes exactly 14 years after Escriva's cannonization! This could possibly be another reason why the Opus Dei is opposed to the film. (more in the full post)

But the sinister portrayal of Opus Dei in Da Vinci's Code is not entirely without basis. The organization, since its inception, has had its opponents, both inside and outside the body Catholic. Apart from Opus Dei's official homepage, there exists an unauthorized and unofficial Opus Dei resource site. Here you can find numerous references and background information on the organization, including this FAQ. Among other criticisms is the fact that Escriva's The Way, the book on which much of the organization's teachings is centered on, contains elements of fascism and intollerance. Much of the organization's true nature is kept a secret and is known only through former members, and those personally familiar with Escriva, like Maria del Carmen Tapia, whose book Beyond the Threshold: A Life in Opus Dei, provides an interesting insight into the founder of the Opus Dei.

In all, Christiandom's protest against the film can be termed, as Akram's Razor put it, "the Christians' version of the Danish cartoons". It has definitely gotten them riled, although, fortunately, not in the violent manner Muslims in some parts of the world protested the Jyllands Post cartoons.

Meanwhile, yet another group of people are upset with the film's release: albinos (don't laugh).

Their resentment is in the portrayal of one of the key characters in the book and film, the murderous hooded monk, Silas, played by actor Paul Bettany. Albinos, apparently, have had their (un)fair share of being portrayed as villians in many motion pictures over the years.

Michael McGowan, himself an albino and head of the National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation (NOAH), was quoted in this report:

Also, while not planning a protest or boycott, members of the National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation expressed unhappiness with the film's heavy, a monk-assassin, being an albino, as described in the book.

Michael McGowan, an albino who heads the organization, said "The Da Vinci Code" will be the 68th movie since 1960 to feature an evil albino.

The "Da Vinci" character "is just the latest in a long string," McGowan said. "The problem is there has been no balance. There are no realistic, sympathetic or heroic characters with albinism that you can find in movies or popular culture."

He said the group aims to use the movie's popularity to raise awareness about the realities of albinism. People with albinism have little or no pigmentation in their skin, eyes and hair.

In Malaysia, we will get to see this contentious movie uncut and in its entirety - two of Walski's prerequisites for spending money at Malaysian cinemas - as confirmed by a report in today's The Star.

So, is the movie worth watching? Walski hasn't finished reading the book, but definitely intends to watch film. However, critics worldwide have panned the movie. Numerous reports can be found online, but we've provided you with links to reviews from CNN, Fox News and the Associated Press.

In the final analysis, good or not, the film has become a worthy successor to the book, at least in stirring up controversy. Dan Brown is definitely not one of the world's better writers (Walski has read his other books), but the subject matter of The Da Vinci Code is intriguing enough to warrant a trip to the cineplex closest to you.

Whether or not your faith will be in jeorpardy by watching this film is something only you can answer. Best advise is: go watch it anyway. Then answer the question.

Click here for the full post......

The Obligatory Occassional Football Post

Technorati tags: Football, FIFA World Cup, Poll, Deutchland 2006, Liverpool, FA Cup

Yes, Walski loves the Beautiful Game. So, here are two football related posts rolled into one.

First, an update on the FIFA World Cup 2006 Deutchland poll that was launched on May 3rd. So far, only 9 persons have voted, and the results, resoundingly say that Brazil will take the championship home, again. 89% of you voted for the Samba boys, while the remaining 11% say it will be hosts Germany. Disagree? Well, take the poll, then (you can find it on the sidebar). Unfortunately, the poll only allows 5 choices, so we had to pick myAsylum's top 5 contenders. If your favorite-to-win is not listed, leave a comment, or drop Walski an e-mail.

Second, and you should've seen this coming: (in the full post)

Liverpool have won the 2005/2006 English FA Cup.. YEAH!

It wasn't a pretty game, and penalty shoot-outs are always a lousy way to decide, but a win is a win, and this fan will take it any which way it comes. Reina may not be the best goalie in open play, but boy does this bloke have the penalty saving skills!

Okay, done with the obligatory footie post. Until June, at least. And we all know what's gonna happen then, don't we?

Click here for the full post......

Offbeat Travelogue: Bigfoot Located!!

Technorati tags: Offbeat Travelogue, Humor, Bigfoot

myAsylum's intrepid batallion of CRAP (Cybernetic Remote Autonomous Para-roaches), first introduced in a previous post, has once again struck the jackpot! We have found the elusive Bigfoot!

The localized Malay term for this mythical creature is Mawas. Not to be confused with

whose popular name is similarly spelled, but is significantly less hairy.

While the various teams, local and international, have thus far been unsuccessful in locating Bigfoot/Mawas, our CRAP team has managed to capture documentary evidence that of its existence. (picture in the full post)

Yes folks, apparently Bigfoot/Mawas has been busy hibernating. This, too, comes as no surprise. If the entire world is looking for you, and you don't want to be bothered, wouldn't you hibernate too? Bigfoot/Mawas

Once again, myAsylum scores a first in bringing Malaysia exclusive grassroots coverage, no matter how useless the news is in the big picture...

Disclaimer: The picture above is not Walski or any of his relations.

Click here for the full post......

Star Trek 2.0: Check out Spock's Crib y'all

Technorati tags: Star Trek, Spock, G4TV, Humor

The first Star Trek 2.0 post, featuring the karaoke stylings of Mr. Spock got a few Trek purists riled, or one at least.

It's a shame we don't get G4TV here in Malaysia. Star Trek 2.0 looks really goofy, but in a cool, hip and irritating way - exactly the Molotov mix that Walski savors.

Check out this clip, with Spock showing off his crib (for you unfortunate dialer-uppers, hit pause to let the clip load):

More Trek 2.0 in future posts...

Click here for the full post......

Morally Upright Citizen: "Public Display of Affection will lead to Terrorism"

Technorati tags: Malaysia, Morality Police, Idiocy

Not having Internet connectivity at home is real pain. This post would have been out sooner, but wait Walski must.

This post comes courtesy of Aliran, that posted a commentary on a letter written to The Star, that appeared on Sunday, May 7. It was submitted by someone with the pseudonym "Morally Upright Character" (and hence the title of this post), and is so ludicrous, that it really deserves immortalization on myAsylum. A sterling example of how loony tunes some of us Malaysian's can be. (Emphasis on silly parts of the letter are by myAsylum)

Indecent today, criminal tomorrow

EFFENDI Azmi Hashim talked about the confusion and ill feeling brought about by the current flare-up over moral policing (The real value of progress, A Yuppie's Progress, StarMag, April 30). Maybe we need to look at it from the viewpoint of the authorities.

I disagree that moral policing is not needed. In fact laws that exist should be enforced without fear or favour. Where was everyone when the law was enacted, why only complain now?

I fully support the proactive action taken by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) in policing our gardens and lakes so that no hanky-panky takes place. In fact, I suggest all gardens and the lakeside be closed down so that all those who even dream about hugging and kissing in public will not have any place to go so that they have to go to hotels and inns which in turn will boost their business.

The recalcitrant youngsters who break the so-called “decency” laws now are those who grow up to be criminals, bribe-givers and takers and anti-social elements. Who knows, they might also grow up to be terrorists.

Best nip all this in the bud by coming down on them hard and giving them a tough time now so that they grow up to become good citizens. I am sure if you were to interview those rotting in prison for all sorts of reason, they must have started off by hugging and kissing in the public. I am sure those who pollute rivers, park indiscriminately and engage in corruption all started with breaking the decency laws.

DBKL and other local councils must have learned all this from their overseas (lawatan sambil belajar) trips.

I also suggest that separate queues be introduced in all government offices and there is segregation between males and females in the civil service and private sector.

Restaurants, cinemas and supermarkets must have separate sections according to gender or have different usage times. All this will reduce the incidents of immoral acts taking place.

I take my hat off to these enforcers for their forward thinking and wisdom. Bravo!

Morally Upright Citizen, Kuala Lumpur

Hmmm, yeah. Taken at face value, this has to be one of the most undeniably inane letters to the press that has made it into the newspapers.

Or was it... cynical satire? (more in the full post)

Let's assume for a moment that it's serious. Who, in their right mind, could ever have made the correlation of someone who hugs and kisses in their youth would grow up to possibly become a terrorist? Or that every crime known to mankind (it seems) has its roots in hugging and kissing (in public or otherwise)? Or that eating in the same restaurant with the opposite sex is a sure path to shagging in the streets, and planting bombs while screwing your brains out.

It almost seems like this Mortally Uptight Citizen comes from a different planet. Planet Kelantan, perhap? Where life is pristine, free from pollution, vice and crime - except for the occassional rape (but that's okay, 'cause the victim asked for it since her tudung was not wound tightly enough around her head).

However, I almost tend to believe that it was a satirical letter taken to be serious. It's almost something Walski would have written (myAsylum promises you it wasn't Walski).

So, what do you think? The jury's out on this one... Serious or Satire?

Click here for the full post......

EPI ate my LOG: Akmal Abdullah's Secret Film Rating System

Technorati tags: Humor, Film, Malaysia, Satire

Yes, Akmal Abdullah is on Walski's shit list. So, what better way to get back at someone than to lampoon them, n'cest-ce pas? Thanks to myAsylum's network of Cybernetic Remote Autonomous Para-roaches (or CRAP, for short) that have been mobilized to conduct clandestine surveillance on him, AND through the time-tested scientific analysis method of pure conjecture, here then is Akmal Abdullah's film rating system, applicable to any film, but probably more applicable to Malaysian, er sorry, locally made ones.

AA's Secret Film Rating System (in the full post)

Director's Ethnicity:
The director is of the Malay ethnicity
Score: 10 points (10 point bonus if the director is Raja Azmi)

The director is one of those dreaded bangsa asing (i.e. anything other than Malay)
Score: -10 points

The director is of the Malay ethnicity, but portrays in the film elements that may be detrimental to the Malay culture, religion, or may cause discomfort to the stereotypical Malay, no matter how trivial the element is. A Malay character speaking a language other than his/her mother tongue will also fall under this category
Score: -20 points

The director is Malay but is not recognized by either the PFM (Malaysian Film Producers Association) or PPFM (Malaysian Film Workers Association), or does not share either organizations' myopic views of the industry
Score: -25 points

Film's Subject Matter/Content:
Film contains stereotypical modern-day Malay movie elements, such as cinta (love), putus cinta (heartbreak), dengki (jealousy), nostalgia zaman dolu-dolu (nostalgia of a bygone era), main characters in full suits or leather jackets (regardless of how humid the climate), stupid slapstick humor (the more stupid the better)
Score: 30 points

Film contains realistic elements of Malaysian life, but which may somewhat deviate from the Malay ideal (like mixed-marriages, how other ethnicities live, campur-ation [mixture] of languages, Malays entering or eating at non-JAKIM approved establishments, etc.)
Score: -15 points

Film features the celebrity du jour or members of Scenario.
Score: 15 points (5 point bonus if either Erra Fazira or Awie is featured, or 10 bonus points if both are)

Film does not feature any recognizable celebrity, OR celebrities Akmal doesn't like
Score: -15 points

Hero/Heroine in the film is Malay
Score: 10 points

Casting of non-Malays is kept to a bare Muhibbah minimum of the token Chinaman (or woman), ethnic Indian, or the dan lain-lain ("and others") ethnic group. All main characters are Melayu.
Score: 10 points

Akmal has seen the film for himself
Score: N/A (he's a firm believer in criticizing and condemning something purely on conjecture and hearsay)

Plot/Storyline:
Boy meets girl, girl is the daughter of a filthy-rich Datuk (or Tan Sri) but is already promised or engaged to a spoiled and philandering rich kid - son of the Datuk's (or Tan Sri's) business partner - boy and girl fall in love (preferably at the Lake Gardens or some other scenic spot), rich fiance gets wind of this and hires the local neighborhood triad (preferably cast with Chinese-looking Malay actors), boy and triad battle it out in a feiry kapcai chase-scene, boy gets seriously injured and lies in a coma. Then, girl is forced to marry rich fiancee but ends up being abused by husband, and girl also finds out husband is actually seeing someone on the side, girl eventually runs away back to the parents, and eventually files for divorce - which takes forever, since she has to go for counselling first. Other non-consequential and incidental sub-plots allowed. Meanwhile, boy wakes from his coma, several years later, gets heartbroken but bounces back in the next 5 minutes, a determined new man, becomes successful businessman. One year later, boy accidentally bumps into girl (already divorced, finally) at the local mini market, tears of joy erupt, cue end-theme (sung by Siti or Mawi), roll credits, fade to black. The End. Or slight variations thereof.
Score: 50 points

Film contains a multi-layered, allegory-filled, intellectual discourse into human relationships, with multiple and sometimes intricate or parallel/non-intersecting storylines, or if characters are too true to life, speak in a too-true-to-life way, and show Malays entering a non-Halal eating establishments, or shows intimacy between couples (married or otherwise), contrary to the ideal that sex is only for breeding and no other purpose, or focuses on persons/ideas that a certain Youth organization may be uneasy with. Or, any movie that Akmal doesn't understand. Or documentaries.
Score: -60 points (Akmal gets very confused very easily, and thinks "international acclaim" is nothing more than thinly disguised neo-colonialism)

Historical film sub-genre: focus must be on Malay historical figures, no matter how radical, because no other ethnicity Malaysians have a place in this country's history. Or probably existed.
Score: 20 points if Malay, 10 points if pseudo-Malay, -30 points if non-Malay

Horror film sub-genre: focus must be on Malay mythical horror figures, no matter how stupid-looking or un-scary, because no other ethnicity ghouls have a place in this country's psyche.
Score: 20 points if Malay, -30 points if non-Malay

Adult film sub-genre: any film that depicts the womans anatomy above the knee, beyond the elbow or below the neck, shall be considered pornographic. Any foreign or art film trying to pass itself off as artistic, but has actual nudity shall be considered pornographic, and therefore must be banned. FINAS approval doesn't count, because only Akmal's point of view matters.
Pornography: -250 points.
Pornography with actual nudity: -500 points

Miscellaneous Criteria:
Film must be released in Malaysia before released elsewhere. This shows that the film's director and producers are true-blue patriotic Malaysians.
Complies with requirement, score: 5 points, doesn't comply, score: -10 points

Film must be easily categorized and recognized as identifying with a particular ethnic group. Otherwise it will confuse Akmal.
Easily categorized, score: 20 points
Not Easily categorized (i.e. confusing): -20 points

A truly Malaysian movie must have representation of every single ethnic group, no matter how obscure a minority (example: Sikh, Iban, Kadazandusun or Orang Asli). Nevermind that it embodies aspects of life that are uniquely Malaysian in flavor, despite from the perspective of a particular ethnic viewpoint.
Score: N/A (no film has been able to meet Akmal's stringent criteria of a "Malaysian" film)

So, there you have it. Akmal's secret rating system for the world to see. The next time you think a Malaysian locally made film deserves to be watched, be sure to run it by Akmal Abdullah's Rating System - if it scores 0 or more, it's safe to watch. Otherwise, you may be at risk of endangering your myopic view of the world. And we can't have that now, can we? Rest assured, Akmal Abdullah knows best!

Click here for the full post......

"Lelaki Komunis Terakhir" Ban: Will Somebody Please tell the Ministry of Home Affairs that Berita Harian IS NOT the voice of Malaysia?

Technorati tags: Film, Censorship, Racism, Malaysia

After Gubra, Amir Muhammad's "Lelaki Komunis Terakhir" is the only other local film that I have been looking forward to for 2006. It was, that is, until the Ministry of Home Affairs decided to ban the film despite having been passed, without a single cut, by the Malaysian Censorship Board. What a big, big, disappointment.

The whole saga is well documented in Amir's blog, so do go there and read the background and build-up to this stupid, stupid ban.

But the reason for the ban? Supposedly because "the people" were against the film being screened. And who are these "people" that Berita Harian, the main batu api (agent provocateur), is speaking for?

For one, the Severely Mentally Challenged Fucking Retard Youth Club issued a protest statement sometime in April 2005 (reported in Utusan Malaysia; English translation can be found here), after getting the slightest whiff of Amir's production.

Then, just prior to the film being released, came a barrage of articles, three days in a row, in Berita Harian (which you can read here, here and here, in chronological order). Obviously, this was a concerted campaign by "the people" to prevent the film from being released, despite being approved by the Censorship Board.

And if you have read the Berita Harian reports, you'll know that it reeks of racism. Amir, being Malay, is being condemned (for lack of a better word) for making a movie about Chin Peng (an Malaysian Communist of ethnic Chinese descent), and not a Malay hero.

I quote from the May 5 article, a statement by Ruhani Abdul Rahman, president of the Malaysian Film Producers Association (Persatuan Pengeluar Filem Malaysia). Emphasis by myAsylum:

“Tidak adakah wira Melayu yang boleh Amir angkat menerusi filem dokumentari. Kita belum ada filem dokumentari mengenai tokoh kita seperti Datuk Onn Jaafar, Tunku Abdul Rahman malah tokoh radikal seperti Ibrahim Yaacob atau Dr Burhanuddin Al-Helmy? Kenapa pilih Chin Peng?"

Translated into English:

"Aren't there any Malay heroes that Amir can promote through documentary films? We have not had a documentary about our figures (implying Malays figures) such as Datuk Onn Jaafar, Tunku Abdul Rahman, or even radical figures such as Ibrahim Yaacob or Dr Burhanuddin Al-Helmy? Why choose Chin Peng?"

Why Chin Peng? Because, you ignorant buffoon, as much as your racist mind cannot accept it, Chin Peng did have a role to play in the history of this nation. Chin Peng and the CPM played a role in the fight against Japanese occupation during World War II, and later a thorn in the British Colonialists' side - yes, those same colonilists you and your like probably have a deep-seated hatred for.

If it were left to Walski to compile the Thinking Malaysians' Entertainment Public Enemy No. 1, heading the list would have to be a certain Akmal Abdullah, assistant Entertainment Editor of Berita Harian. This is the same f***ing moron that outright condemned Sepet and Gubra in the now infamous TV1 talk show program.

And the best part is Akmal Abdullah is guilty of the worst crime a journalist can commit. He condemns without the decency of even viewing the work that he lambasts. This is definitely not the first time. And of course, being the Assistant Editor, the Entertainment section of Berita Harian will follow suit - sheer uninformed reporting, purely out of sentiment. And might I add, racist sentiment at that.

Akmal Abdullah epitomizes 'the BLIND leading the STUPID'. To Walski, Akmal Abdullah is BOTH.

The following (in the full post) is an excerpt of what Akmal wrote in the May 4 article in Berita Harian (emphasis by myAsylum):

"Kelahiran filem berjudul Lelaki Komunis Terakhir yang mendapat bantahan pemimpin dan veteran politik negara, tokoh sejarah dan ahli Parlimen itu bagaimanapun diberi kelulusan Lembaga Penapisan Filem Malaysia (LPF) dan bakal ditayangkan di Malaysia pada 18 Mei ini di pawagam terkemuka di Kuala Lumpur dan Pulau Pinang, iaitu kawasan majoriti penduduk Cina serta satu tayangan amal di Ipoh pada 19 Mei ini.

Kita harap selepas ini, Amir dan pengarah Melayu generasi baru lain lebih prihatin kepada perjuangan tokoh nasionalis bangsanya sendiri seperti Ibrahim Tok Janggut, Tun Perak, Datuk Maharaja Lela, Mat Kilau, Datuk Bahaman, Tok Gajah, Dol Said, Mat Salleh, Tok Naning, Rosli Dobi, Temenggung Jugah, Abdul Rahman Embong, Tengku Kudin, Long Jaafar, Datuk Sagor, Sultan Abdullah (Perak) dan Sultan Abu Bakar (Bapa Johor Moden) mahupun Datuk Onn. Mungkin, Amir tidak kenal mereka ini."

Translated into English:

"The birth of 'Lelaki Komunis Terakhir' that has received opposition from our leadership, veteran political figures, historians, and Members of Parliament, however, received approval from the Film Censorship Board and is slated for release in Malaysia on May 18 in premiere cinemas in Kuala Lumpur and Penang, the majority of whose population is (ethnic) Chinese, plus one charity benefit screening in Ipoh on May 19.

We hope that after this, Amir and other new generation Malay directors become more sensitive to the struggle of nationalist figures of their own race, such as Ibrahim Tok Janggut, Tun Perak, Datuk Maharaja Lela, Mat Kilau, Datuk Bahaman, Tok Gajah, Dol Said, Mat Salleh, Tok Naning, Rosli Dobi, Temenggung Jugah, Abdul Rahman Embong, Tengku Kudin, Long Jaafar, Datuk Sagor, Sultan Abdullah (of Perak) and Sultan Abu Bakar (Father of Modern Johor) or even Datuk Onn. Perhaps Amir is not familiar with them."

Why in Kuala Lumpur and Penang? Maybe because the movie theaters there are the best equiped for this movie, you retard, chauvinist dimwit? It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out where Akmal Abdullah is coming from. The sentiments embodied in what he wrote is unequivocally racist. No ands, ifs or buts.

And as Amir wrote in his blog (emphasis by myAsylum):

"The decision to ban the documentary was based on the series of articles in Berita Harian. I need to emphasise this point: No one in Berita Harian has seen the documentary. And no one interviewed by Berita Harian had seen it either"

And so the voice of "the people" has won this round. "The people" who in no way represent the viewpoint of the entire population, but have access to cohorts in Jalan Riong to further their racist views and sentiments. myAsylum did not invent these news reports. "The people" through Akmal Abdullah and his staff at Berita Harian wrote these pieces. We leave it to you to draw your own conclusion who the real batu api is.

So what can you do, as a thinking Malaysian, who prides himself or herself in artistic works of Malaysians? As one who would like to see the Malaysian film industry flourish? Write to the Press.

Amir, you have myAsylum's commitment that, other than to blog it here, we will definitely write in to the newspapers, under Walski's real/secret identity, of course.

Let's hope that the voices of rationality, equality, and creativity, will be heard, loud enough so that the unjustified, racism-motivated ban of Amir's film can be overturned.

And if you are listening, the powers-that-be in the Ministry of Home Affairs - BERITA HARIAN DOES NOT SPEAK FOR ALL MALAYSIANS. It is merely the mouthpiece of chauvinist embiciles who fantasize that they rule the land.

Click here for the full post......

Conscience or Party Line? Take The Star poll

Technorati tags: Politics, Malaysia, Conscience

The Star has started an online poll to gather opinions on whether Members of Parliament (MPs) should vote with their conscience or strictly along party lines.

This poll is partially as the result of Datuk Shahrir Samad's resignation as BN Back Benchers Club (BBC), over his support for an Opposition resolution. myAsylum will not get into the nitty-gritty of this latest political saga, but backgrounders can be found at many places. In particular, check out Sandiwara? Take the Teflon® Test (Part 6, and the other 5 parts) at Jeff Ooi's Screenshots, Aisehman's posts here and here, AND Brand New Malaysian's post.

But the real reason why this poll has emerged is Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's statement relating to the matter: "toe the line!" (see full Star article in the full post)

Pak Lah issues directive to all Barisan reps to toe the line

By SHAHANAAZ HABIB and ZUHRIN AZAM AHMAD

KUALA LUMPUR: Toe the line. This is the order from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to all Barisan Nasional legislators when it comes to voting in Parliament.

Abdullah sent out this order after chairing the Umno supreme council meeting here yesterday.

He made the order following the controversial decision by former Backbenchers Club (BBC) chairman Datuk Shahrir Samad to support an Opposition motion to refer a Barisan MP to the Parliamentary Rights and Privileges Committee.

Jasin MP Datuk Mohd Said Yusoff was said to have asked the Malacca Customs Department to “close one eye’’ over a timber consignment from Indonesia which had contravened regulations.

The other Barisan MPs, however, did not back Shahrir, who later resigned as BBC chairman.

Abdullah said even if Shahrir had not resigned, he would have been dropped from the position.

“But he (Shahrir) had already anticipated the action that would be taken against him, and so he resigned.”

Abdullah also said any move by the BBC to re-elect the Johor Baru MP as chairman would not be welcome.

“There is no need to pressure him into accepting the post back. He has made his decision and we should respect that,” he added.

The Prime Minister’s order puts paid to an appeal by a group of Barisan MPs yesterday to allow them to vote in Parliament according to their conscience on matters that do not affect the Government’s legislative position.

Abdullah, who is also Umno president, said this sort of voting was not possible for Barisan MPs because they must abide by party rules.

“Everyone knows the rules and not only must they understand them, they must also abide by them,” he said.

“There will not be any leniency (on the rules) or exception to anyone to do whatever he or she wishes,’’ he said.

When pointed out that democracies in developed countries such as the United States allowed representatives to support an Opposition motion, Abdullah replied: “We have our own democracy. We have survived on the basis of what we have been practising before, and we will continue with this practice.”

“That has not caused us to suffer any kind of problem. I still believe party discipline is very important, and all party members have to observe it.’’

Abdullah said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Nazri Aziz would meet the BBC today to seek an explanation.

Earlier, before the Prime Minister's press conference, Shahrir, who is an Umno supreme council member, expressed to reporters his willingness to be re-elected as BBC chairman.

So, what do you think? Take the poll - and it will be interesting to see if the results get publishd or not. Walski has taken the poll and has said his piece... your turn to do so now!

Click here for the full post......

myAsylum in semi-hiatus - until the #$@*!!* phone line gets installed

Technorati tags: Moving House, Hiatus, Miscellaneous Rants

Yes, folks, the dreaded house move has happened, and because of that, myAsylum may be a bit sluggish with the new posts. BECAUSE we now don't have a phone line yet, and as such no Streamyx® (Broadband) - as much as Streamyx® sucks from time to time, having sucky broadband is better than no connectivity at all. So this update comes courtesy of the office network (during lunch breaks and such). At least for the next month or so (sigh).

Initially I thought of documenting the move on my digital camera, but since there was A LOT of work to be done, this didn't happen. It was stressful enough without having to keep track of where the camera was, battery levels, etc.

And because packing it such a dreary job, we got a little creative in labelling some of the boxes prior to the move.

Would it be nice if you really could store all your hang ups and social ties neatly in a cardboard box, eh?

Finally, we are 65% settled in, as evidenced by our first meal in the new house - Maggie® instant noodles with chicken floss (in the full post).

The remaining 35% is still in boxes, or just not there yet - including Astro® and Streamyx®. Life without TV or Internet access is... BORING. Funny how you take these amenities for granted, until you are in a situation without 'em. To make matters worse, the sound system's still in the box - but fortunately my bathroom radio isn't, and that's about the only entertainment we have for now.

So, until myAsylum is back in full-broadband-stereo broadcast, don't touch that dial!!

Click here for the full post......

The film that has Gubra-fied a nation

Technorati tags: Film, Gubra, Malaysia, Commentary

"Gubra" (or 'Anxiety' in English), Yasmin Ahmad's second film, has been a talking point in the media, as well as in the Malaysian blogsphere. It's been labeled a wide variety of things: from brilliant to blasphemous, from insightful to insulting; indeed it has had a far reaching effect on those that have seen it, as well as those who haven't, but whom have formed their own opinions based on what they've heard, read and gleened from the TV talk show that discussed Yasmin's work (Fenomena Seni, on TV1).

It has opened the eyes and hearts of some, while for others it has reinforced them shut. In other words, the movie has made Malaysia Gubra-fied. You probably won't find this word in Webster's, Wiki, or Dewan Bahasa. But I reckon you catch Walski's drift.

By now, unless you've been living under a rock, would know the general synopsis of the film, so I won't bother repeating it here. If you have been living under a rock, you can read what the movie's all about (story-wise) here and here (in addition to the film's website).

From a technical movie-making viewpoint of a movie buff (i.e. Walski), there are a few areas that could have made Gubra a better film. There could have been a tad bit more soundtrack use to buffer to too-long pregnant pauses between dialog lines. The editing could've been tighter, and the acting, while brilliant overall, had its occassional pitfalls. Pete Teoh's soundtrack was superb, but there just wasn't enough of it. To put things into perspective, though, that's just one Walski's opinion.

But Gubra is not just about a movie from a technical viewpoint. It is a lot, lot more than that. It is a film that speaks volumes in the multi-layered messages it projects through the dual storyline; in itself the parallel stories mirror the duality of life - what we think/know we are in our own eyes/mind, and the persona we show the rest of the world. And sometimes the twain don't meet - just like the story lines.

The literalist Islamist and tradition-bound Malays have criticized this film as being insulting to Islam and Malays, particularly young Malay females. Among other things, they've criticized the fact that the character of Bilal should've acted like the stereotypical religious official and done something harsh about the lifestyles of Temah and Kiah, two "working girls" that are central to one storyline. That the Bilal should have set the religious authorities upon them, and therefore the character of Bilal neglected his Islamic responsibility of "amar ma'ruf, nahi munkar" (Arabic, lit. 'doing good, [and] forbidding/preventing evil'). While not the real or literal meaning, "amar ma'rauf, nahi munkar" to me has developed the connotation of moral policing. And it is the lack of this very connotation that has gotten the knickers of our literalists-Islamists bandied up in a painful knot, strangling the family jewels of their literalist view.

The most scathing 'review' (to use the term very loosely) has to be from author Faisal Tehrani, originally written on his eponymous blog - "Gubra Yang Sesat Lagi Menyesatkan" (translation: 'Gubra, lost and misleading' - lost & misleading from a religious p.o.v). In fact, it has become the definitive anti-Gubra rhetoric, quoted by Islamist bloggers such as Pakdi and MENJ, and even reproduced on Harakah online. God is beneficient and merciful - that's how the film opens - in His name. Faisal Tehrani, though, reminds us of the vengeful and wrathful characteristics of God - the view of God that many literalist-Islamists seem to accept more readily. But at least Faisal Tehrani has seen the film.

In treating the characters of Temah and Kiah, Yasmin's message here is crystal clear: women do not enter into prostitution because of their loose morals. Not because they are "gatal" (slutty). It is something they reluctantly engage in, either by circumstance or by force. Why or how the two are prostitutes is not revealed, and remains a question mark. What is clear, though, is that Bilal and his wife are sympathetic to their particular circumstance.

It is also this sympathy and tolerance that has gotten the literalist-Islamists riled up. But never does Bilal encourage them. And neither does his caring, and dare-I-say feminist, wife, Maznah. Probably something a bit too deep for sheep to understand, perhaps. They would have preferred a more uncompromising, heavy-handed, fire and brimstone Bilal... not the caring humanitarian and loving husband portrayed in the film.

Another point of contention is the claim that the character of Orked is an insult to Malay women. Interestingly enough, no one even mentioned what a total hypocritical bastard her husband is. Why? Perhaps it's because Orked does not fall into the fatalist mentality a traditional Malay wife is supposed to have.

According to some, as a "good Muslim wife" she has to accept her husband's remorse. But it is obvious that his remorse is not so much because he knows he has done Orked wrong, but because he got caught. It is perhaps this two-faced attitude that the trapped-in-tradition Malay mind chooses to ignore.

Was Orked too unforgiving? Perhaps. But she saw the real stuff her husband Arif was made of, and decided "that's not the kind of man I want to spend the rest of my days with". Especially when he agreed to degrade his "Pensonic client", in Orked's presence, so as to win Orked back. Remember the phrase "Hell hath no fury like a woman's scorn"?

On a slightly humorous off-topic note: my mental image of Pensonic will never be the same again!

Another characteristic of Orked that did not go down too well with many is that she keeps the memory of Jason; her love for him never dies. In the view of the tradion-chained minds, once you are married you leave your past behind as if it never happened. But the reality of it is that as humans, we don't leave it all behind. The tradition-chained mid would have preferred this cherished, loving memory to have been swept under the carpet.

One interesting personal observation Walski made, and perhaps only meaningful to Walski: the Malay man in the hospital, who (presumably) died at the end. His bed number was 42 - the answer to the ultimate question of Life, the Universe, and Everything. Maybe sheer coincidence, but if it isn't, then the ultimate question to Walski would be:

What is the one thing that all mankind will experience at some point in their life, regardless of race, status, or religion?

Answer: We die

Okay, that was probably a bit of a stretch. But it did makes sense to Walski. And it is an eventuality for all of us, regardless of whether one is a holier-than-thou bigot, a pig-eating infidel, or a secularist who believes in God. Eventually, we all die.

And so, is Gubra a movie to be feared? Is it a film that will corrupt the mind of the Malay traditionalist? Or the literalist Islamist? These were the questions posed by Fenomena Seni in their broadcast some weeks back. And to me the answer is YES. YES, that is, if you're a literalist Islamist Malay caught in the chains of tradition.

Which is probably not a bad thing. At the very least, Gubra will activate those dormant brain cells and make us THINK. To use that God-given intellect, so long dormant because we've been expected to behave like sheep. To be led, and to follow, without question. We've been taught from young that to question is to doubt, and to doubt is to sin. And that has for so long been ingrained in our psyche, to the extent that any afront to the ideal of being sheep is met with violent opposition.

myAsylum's verdict: it is a film that may not be perfect, but for a Malaysian, it is a must-see. It may have its flaws, but these mirror the many flaws we have as human beings. It may not a comforting film to watch, but it is indeed meaningful.

To Yasmin - thank you for making us think. Thank you for showing us that Islam may just be a tad bit more than just the fire and brimstone stuff. Thank you for for showing us that piety and love are two sides of the same coin. Thank you for reminding us that life is both ugly and beautiful, frequently at the same time.

And this last one's specifically from Walski: Yasmin - thanks for that wonderful Pete Teoh song "Who for You?" that was chosen for the closing credits. The haunting Nick Drake-ish song to underline the fact that in joy there can be sadness, and in sadness there can also be joy. Such is the duality of this life. A duality that has Gubra-fied the nation.

Click here for the full post......

Poll: FIFA World Cup 2006 Deutchland

Technorati tags: FIFA World Cup, Football, Poll

I guess this is a good time as any to start this poll. While not a blog focused on football per se, Walski likes the footie game.

Who do you think will win the FIFA World Cup 2006?

myAsylum has created a straw poll (see sidebar), and whether you are a football fan or not, go ahead and take the poll, just for the heck of it.

And if you don't know which teams are in the tournement, click on the Germany 2006 logo above, or here, to take a glimpse of the 32 teams which have made it. I have my personal favorites, but I'm not telling who they are (yet).

The poll will remain active until the start of the first/opening game, which is Germany vs. Czech Republic, on June 9, in Munich (3am Malaysia time... urghh!).

Disclaimer: This poll is not affiliated with the Bank Ah-Long Bhd or any of its affiliates and/or subsidiaries.

Click here for the full post......

Bank Ah-Long Bhd: 15-day loans for your FIFA World Cup betting needs!

Technorati tags: Football, World Cup 2006, Betting

I didn't realize how close the FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 was, until I saw this today, littered all over the sidewalk near my office.

Get your World Cup loan at only 73% p.a.

Now, it's no secret that the bookies work overtime in overdrive mode every time this tournement comes along. And it's no secret that the stakes get ridiculously high.

Personally, I don't gamble. Morals aside, it's just that I got way better things to do with my hard-earned moolah. I don't give a rat's behind if others are willing to risk their hard-earned moolah for this high-risk money pit investment.

But I do draw the line when perfectly good kopitiams (coffeeshops), with real tasty Penang-style Asam Laksa and Char Koay Teaw, get put up as collateral. It just pisses me off to no end. And when that coffeshop gets disposed off, the good stalls disappear, too, usually.

3% for 15 days, works out to... what? About 73% per annum? Sheesh... I've I had the spare cash, I'd be a loan shark, too. You don't get returns any better than this!

Click here for the full post......

A Dimwit View of the World and its Women Inhabitants

Technorati tags: Politics, PAS, Parliament, Insensitivity, Dimwit

This post comes several days later than it should, and thanks to Mack Zulkifli's reminder, I'm finally getting around to doing it.

Note: Some of what's posted here was originally posted as comments to Mack's post a few days back, so if you're a Brand New Malaysian reader, it may be somewhat of an ulang-tayang (lit. Malay - meaning 're-run').

There is a Member of Parliament (MP), representing Rantau Panjang, Kelantan. Politically, his affiliation is with PAS (Pan Malaysian Islamic Party), whose English acronym, spelled backwards, is PIMP.

But that's beside the point. For all I care, it might as well be PRICK - because that's exactly how this particular MP behaved in Parliament last week (to be exact, on Wednesday, April 26th).

His name is Abdul Fatah Harun, and this is the furor that he created in Parliament (taken from a New Straits Times report). The juicy bits are highlighted in this color:

At the Dewan Rakyat yesterday: 'Gatal' remark riles women MPs
27 Apr 2006
Reports by M.K. Megan, Azura Abas and Ranjeetha Pakiam (NST online - April 27, 2006)

A PAS MP got the Dewan Rakyat, especially the women MPs, all riled up when he accused divorced women of being "gatal" (promiscuous).

In one voice, the women MPs protested and demanded that he retract the derogatory remark. They were joined by several men.

The target of their ire was Abdul Fatah Harun (Pas-Rantau Panjang) who said divorcees were "gatal" and this was the main reason for the large number of failed marriages.

"We must analyse whether the problems resulting in divorces were caused by men or women," he said.

"Divorcees are easily spotted at functions through their ‘gatal’ behaviour.

"It is as if they have no regrets over their divorce. Widows do not behave in such a flirtatious manner. They are sad and quiet."

Fatah said this when Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil was winding up the debate on the Ninth Malaysia Plan.

Hearing Fatah’s remarks, Shahrizat shot back: "My God. I am ashamed of what we have just heard. I order him to retract what he said."

Fatah stood up and said his remarks did not apply to all divorcees.

"I would say a large number of them. From the way they behave at functions we know that the women, not their husbands, are to blame for the divorces."

Shahrizat said only those who were shallow in their religious knowledge could have such thoughts.

"I don’t know if he is talking from his own experience. I am surprised... Where did you meet these kind of women? I know the BN MPs respect women," she said.

She reminded the House of a Malay saying that "heaven is at the feet of a woman".

Tan Lian Hoe (BN-Bukit Gantang) said it was inappropriate for an MP to accuse divorced women of being "gatal".

"You have to retract what you have said," she said, adding that men were also responsible for divorces.

"Come on... be a gentleman... retract what you have said. Your remarks paint a wrong picture of divorced women. We have to correct this misperception in the House."

DAP MP for Bukit Mertajam, Chong Eng, was also offended.

When more women MPs joined in and demanded that Fatah retract his statement, Deputy Speaker Datuk Lim Si Cheng ordered all to sit and asked Shahrizat to continue with her speech.

But Shahrizat refused, saying she wanted to deal with the issue.

She said she had always defended Malaysian men whenever she travelled abroad.

"I think I will have to retract that. I have to say that men from Pas are not that great after all."

Lim Bee Kau (BN-Padang Serai) joined in the fray: "We women collectively protest."

Datuk Idris Haron (BN-Tangga Batu), Datuk Zaid Ibrahim (BN-Kota Baru) and Datuk Abdul Ghapur Salleh (BN-Kalabakan) supported Shahrizat.

Idris said Fatah had made a sweeping statement. "We should not forget our mothers are also women. We should avoid such statements. Divorce cases are rampant. There are many reasons for divorce and we cannot attribute it to the promiscuous behaviour of women alone," he said.

Ghapur said "gatal" was a rude word to be used in the House and should be retracted.

Zaid said Fatah must have attended many parties to have noticed the divorcees’ "promiscuous" behaviour.

"The word (gatal) should not be allowed in the House. Otherwise, we are setting a dangerous precedent."

There was also a suggestion to postpone the winding-up speeches to discuss the issue, but this was rejected by the Deputy Speaker.

Fatah finally withdrew the word "gatal" from his remarks, but stood by his accusation.

Now, to be fair, PAS did later issue a few statements chastising Fatah's remarks in Parliament. But, really, wouldn't any political party do a similar damage-control exercise?

The problem that I have with PAS in general, and even some in BN, (as do many others, I'm sure) is the attitude exhibited by some of its members, particularly when it comes to how women in society are viewed. And as always, they claim that their views are from the "Islamic perspective".

I realize that one person does not represent the opinions of an entire group. But it's the arogance and sheer stupidity-in-sheeps-clothing that I simply cannot stand. After all, he stands by what he said, minus the "gatal" reference. Stands by "his facts", in his own words.

This attitude can be generalized as, the "blame women for the wrongs in society" point of view. Or, as I would put it, skewed perspective driven dimwittery. In this particular case, the implicit point being made by Fatah is that many failed marriages are likely the fault of the women.

Like Bigfoot, the source for Fatah's facts remains a mystery. One clue, however, is his observation that "divorcees are easily spotted at functions through their 'gatal' behavior". Interesting hypothesis. Of course, what type of functions, where, when, and details of his scientific G-scale are not immediately know.

SPOT ANY DIVORCEES HERE?

Never mind that in many cases, it's the man that leaves the wife and brood behind for "greener pastures", either divorcing her, or leaving her in limbo (since, of course, it's his perceived right to have four concurrent wives), refusing to grant her a divorce.

Never mind that in a lot of cases, the "poor" man gets away scott-free from the obligation to pay alimony. Scot-free because the various state religious departments rarely go after the alimony man, for reasons they and God alone know. Sure, they get subpoenaed to the Syariah court - and some even bother to show up - but the alimony still goes AWOL.

What Fatah said was both irresponsible and slanderous. The fact that he "stands by" what he said (as he only retracted the "gatal" reference), is in itself telling of his attitude towards women, which to me is not an Islamic view, but is of the Arabism ideals that he (and I think many in PAS) is so bent on emulating.

When Islam was revealed, through the Quran, it set a ground-breaking FRAMEWORK for gender equality, taking into account the attitude of the time. Ground-breaking FOR ITS TIME. After the death of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), many unfortunately reverted back to the cultural placement of the status of women in society.

The word FRAMEWORK has been emphasized for a reason - in my own view, the basis for gender equality was set forth in the Quran as a general framework, and it is the responsibility of Muslims to work within this FRAMEWORK, and adapt them to the realities of time and place.

Many Muslims today, unfortunately, take the notion of "religion for all time" to mean going retro and making it such that society must adopt Arab norms as they were a millenium ago. This literalism is practiced and exhibited by many of its followers, and is among the reasons, I think, that makes Islam a sometimes reviled religion.

This is the skewed perspective from which Fatah's slander comes from, as exhibited in parliament last week. And unless I'm proven wrong, is also how I think PAS views what Islam should be. PAS and anyone whose purpose in life is to turn Malaysia into a puritanical state, based on a rigid, literalist, and anachronist Islam.

In my personal view, the Quran was revealed in Arabic because Arabic was a living language then and God, in His infinite wisdom, knew that it would be a living language today. The original revealed word would survive, without the risk of corruption through translation (albeit unintentionally).

However, many Muslims see this (the Arabic factor) instead as a justification for the necessity to become Arabs and adopt the Arabic culture in toto - the good, the bad, and the ugly. This is the literalism that has led to Fatah saying what he did, shaped from his rigid view of Islam.

Perhaps this incident is yet another reason why we should have live Parliament broadcasts. It would make our MP's behave more intelligently in session. But then again, since intelligence is not a pre-requisite for entering into the political arena... who knows? At the very least, there will be some quality entertainment on terrestial TV, for a change.

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