YB J’s NEW POLITICS
A SHORT STORY By Chamil Wariya published in Mingguan Malaysia 12th Oct 2008
Translated by Y W Yeoh, Press Secretary
Restless morning. YB Josephine, who is more fondly known as YB J was fidgety. All along the journey to the Cha People’s Assembly Hall in the capital city, her thoughts were troubled. The accusations that she was anti-Islam and anti-Malay really haunt her from the previous night. Why only now she was like this, she herself did not know. She was also not sure whether her driver, Ahmad, was aware of her troubled spirits at the time. Even if he knew, so what?, she whispered to herself.
The driver was already aware of her political stand regarding her ethnic community’s interests vis-a-vis the Malays. And she knew Ahmad respected her views, even if anti-Islam and anti-Malay, as basic rights of living in a democratic nation. Were not fundamental freedoms guaranteed by Article 5 to Article 13 of the Federal Constitution? However YB J acknowledged that the democracy was less than perfect and often abused by the authorities. However this fact did not hamper the people giving the opposition a place in the Dewan Rakyat. YB Josephine was one of them.
Ah, the accusations that she was anti-Islam, anti-Malay were pointed and reckless, and appeared to consume her. The accusations were also baseless, her inner voice told her. She was convinced that the statements that she made in the name of diverse ethnic communities to champion the interests of her own community, were not racist. Amnesty International, the international human rights organisation would agree. Also with the United Nations. The Opposition Leader, in Parliament also never viewed her as racist. Those who viewed her as racist were only the Malays in the Malay People’s Party (POM).
“I am also not anti-Islam. I am not anti-Malay” the two-term YB who represented the People’s Action Party felt. She had been a party member since being a student even though the Universities and Unversity-Colleges Act forbade students from being involved directly in any political organisation. In any event, the enforcement of the law was not serious. Moreover, this was an archaic law, YB J said.
She felt “I am only championing the interests of my ethnic community, just as the Malay leaders in POM fought for the interests of their community, the same way the leaders of the Muslim People’s Party (POI) fought for their community using the cover of religion.
Indeed, YB J felt her boldness in championing the interests of her community had help her win her parliamentary seat for the second time. This time with a bigger majority. What made her prouder was her cause which was viewed as anti-Malay and anti-Islam now was supported by Malay voters in that electoral constituency. Initially, she herself was surprised when told that a large portion of the Malay voters who represent 20 percent overall of the registered voters in the Alam Maya parliamentary constituency had voted for her.
“This was an extraordinary development. It is not possible that they supported me”, she felt. But when she was informed by her party workers that the Malay voters of all ballot boxes had switched to supporting her, she accepted this with an open mind. Very good if the Malays supported her ‘New Malaysia’ struggle.
Not content with the monologue with her own feelings, YB J spontaneously turned towards Ahmad, her driver who was all along focussing on his work.
“You think I am anti-Islam, anti-Malay?
Question
Ahmad who was approaching retirement did not answer, as if he did not hear the question. His eyes were fixed on the road. His job was to ensure that YB J got safely to the gathering that she wanted to attend. And punctually. This gathering was important as YB J would dialogue with the younger generation of her ethnic community who were studying overseas but happened to be in the country on vacation. Ahmad himself was unsure if the student who had ridiculed the anthem Negara Ku while studying at an overseas university was in the group. Even if he was, YB J’s driver was not bothered. The boy was rude. Was it right that Negara Ku was deemed Negara Kuku (cuckoo in English) meaning mad? His rude action was rationalised with creativity. Only Ahmad felt that if everyone was allowed to debase the National Anthem with lyrics that ridiculed the lives of Muslims in the name of creativity, there will be a negative impact on race relations.
Ahmad did not know what really bothered his boss from earlier on. She was rarely like this. Ahmad could sense that YB J was different that morning. He could read the restlessness and listlessness of YB J. As if there was something not right although he was unsure what was churning within YB J. As far as Ahmad remembered, YB J had never discussed politics with him, much less current issues – other than giving instructions relating to a trip or work schedule. YB J also did not ask if he voted for POM or whichever party in the recent elections.
Usually, all along a journey, whether to the office or to other official or unofficial functions, YB J would spend her time reading the newspapers or study files. But that morning, YB J was just different. She look listless. Restless. Her thoughts seemed clouded. Whatever she did seemed not right. Now, she would study the key address to be delivered shortly, analysing the ‘New Malaysia, New Politics’ plan that she pioneered. Then, she would read the newspapers that as a rule, accompanied YB J wherever she went.
Ahmad tried to guess at the possibility that YB J’s restlessness was connected with the national political temperature that was heating up. The heat was felt everywhere. POM itself was faced with a serious leadership crisis. Different party factions were struggling. If not for the weakened government political position after the loss of the two-thirds majority, likely an Operasi Lalang such as that of 1987 would long ago have been carried out. Possibly, under the present leadership, the government took a more liberal view of its critics.
Ahmad also thought of the possibility that YB J’s feelings were disturbed by the action of unknown persons in throwing petrol bombs into the family home of the Member of Parliment of Sepohon Beringin, Su Lan. Maybe, Ahmad thought, YB J was worried that a similar incident may happen to her or her family.
Who knows, his boss, YB J could be the victim, after Su Lan’s family. And what were thrown were really bombs. Even exploded. Isn’t YB J doomed? Suddenly, Ahmad thought of the suicide bombing incident that occurred in Damascus, Syria that he watched on the TV3 Prime Bulletin a few days ago. If the incidents that were a daily occurrence in Iraq, Israel, the West Bank, Gaza or Afganistan spread to this country, how unfortunate this blessed counrty would be. We need the protection of 44 angels, Ahmad felt in his heart.
But Ahmad thought, it is dangerous if the warning was not heeded. He remembered the story of what happened on 13th May 1969. His father told the story of the tragedy after the 10th May elections how Malays and Chinese killed each other. The fight to deny the Malays and other Bumiputra races their special rights as guaranteed by the Federal Constitution, was unacceptable to them. The inappropriate and insulting words used by the supporters of the opposition parties while having their huge victory celebration processions in Kuala Lumpur and other major towns after the 1969 elections could not be stomached by the Malays anymore. Machetes that had been left blunt all these years were sharpened. In this terrible scenario, strife broke out that resulted in Parliament being suspended and emergency rule declared. The country was placed under curfew. Ahmad himself was not born yet. Not long after, power was transferred from Tunku Abdul Rahman to his deputy, Tun Abdul Razak.
“Mat, am I anti-Malay and anti-Islam?,” YB J abruptly repeated her question when there was no answer from her driver.
Ahmad, who thus far had been silent answered impassively: “Perhaps not, YB.” He gave a veiled answer. His meaning: Perhaps so, perhaps not, depending on the beholder.
“What do you meant perhaps not?”
“This is a question of perception, YB”. That’s the perception. The fact is YB does not hate Malays nor hate Islam. YB is merely fighting for the interests of YB’s community. It is not wrong for YB to do that. If YB did not fight for the interests of YB’s community, then for whom? But YB’s ways are perhaps misunderstood”.
“You mean …?” asked YB who was still unclear.
Depends
“Yes, this depends who’s evaluating. Not only amongst Malays but also amongst non-Malays. YB should remember that even amongst non-Malays, not all accept YB’s ‘New Malaysia’ politics. If not, how is it that a monoethnic party such as the Chinese People’s Party (POC) is still sustaining?”
“What do you mean… I am not so clear?”
“Yes, to YB, your fight is for all ethnic communities. However, by YB’s actions, it is not obvious that you are fighting for all. YB wants to eradicate the Jawi script and replace that with Chinese characters. To others, this is not a fighting for all ethnic communities. This is fighting for one ethnic community. If it is true that YB is fighting for all, YB should defend the Jawi script”, Ahmad answered, emboldened.
Sensing that his boss wanted to hear more of his views, Ahmad said: “If YB really wanted to fight for all ethnic communities, the interests of Malays should not be cast aside while YB is focussing on the interests of the Chinese community. YB should fight for both ethnic communities at the same time. I am sure the response would be different. YB would be seen as wanting to protect the interests of YB’s ethnic community but at the same time without denying the rights of the Malays.
That was the fight of the POM and POC, YB J “grunted” in her heart. I am fed up with this Ahmad, she told herself. I am pioneering new politics and do not want to be bound to an old political framework, she told herself.
YB J’s conversation with her driver ended there. She did not wished to hear her driver’s nonsensical views anymore. She wanted to pander to her feelings. I believe in the ‘New Politics’, the ‘New Malaysia’, she reiterated to herself. Every citizen, regardless of origin, should be given equal rights under the law. No ethnic community should be given special treatment. No citizen should be given second class status. We are all Malaysian people.
YB J did not want to entertain Ahmad anymore. Instead she studied the Utusan Malaysia newspaper which was officially boycotted by her party. Her attention focussed on an article entitled “Don’t Erase the National Legacy” that was written by a younger generation Chinese who rejected the ‘New Politics, New Malaysia’ thesis.
Ah, another propaganda to despise my ethnic community, YB J felt. Perhaps this article was written by a Malay. They still consider my community as immigrants. The new generation is “useless’, YB J felt. Her heart told her: It is true. My forebears travelled to this blessed land to seek their fortune, to free themselves from poverty and miseries of life in China. That was then. Present generation Chinese were Malaysian citizens and they should be treated as Malaysian citizens.
Awoken
As YB J was immersed in her daydreaming, she was aroused by her driver’s voice that said, “We have arrived, YB”
Waiting outside for her were the organisers of the dialogue that would soon commence. One of them opened YB J’s car door, greeted her and introduced her to other members of the organising committee. Accompanied by them, YB J proceeded to the stage. According to her estimate, there were about 500 people in the hall that morning. She was proud that there were so many people of her ethnic community who were keen to meet her. It was a source of great pride to YB J that these people studied overseas on their own funds, not with government aid.
After the welcome speeches were over, YB J was invited to give her speech. This was the moment that YB J had waited for. Her ‘New Politics, New Malaysia’ plan would be announced to the world. She remembered Kee Thuan Chye’s book entitled “March 8th – The Day Malaysia Awoke”. The momentum of the Malaysian people or more correctly, the non-Malay Malaysian citizens who had awoken must be enhanced. That morning, she was determined to do so.
But, unbeknownst to YB J, amongst the 500 younger generation people, there were some who did not agree with her political views. One of them was determined to correct YB J’s political deviation in his own way.
When YB J stood up to go to the speaker’s rostrum, a young person from backstage walked calmly towards her direction. YB J smiled at the youth. She thought the young person of her ethnic community wanted to accompany her to to the rostrum or to greet her.
YB J extended her hand. All of a sudden, YB J was bewildered and stood frozen. She could not believe what she was seeing. Gripped tightly in the hands of the youth who appeared be intent on embracing her outstretched hand was a pistol of the Revolver type that was aimed directly at YB J’s chest.
Without uttering a word, the youth released a few shots. One of the shots hit YB J’s heart exactly. She collapsed to the floor.
The audience started to panic. Those on the stage were also bewildered to see what had happened. The situation became confused and chaotic. The organisers who had not expected this unfortunate incident did not know what to do. A few police personnel in civilian clothes, who were uninvited guests at the function, dashed towards the stage. Their uniformed colleagues who were on duty outside rushed into hall.
But before they could do anything, a few more gunshots were heard. This time, it was the youth who collapsed.
When the police arrived at the place of the incident, both of them – YB J and the neatly-dressed youth were dead.
While the body of the unknown youth was being examined, found hidden on the body was a note, neatly typed in the national language.
It read: YB Josephine is a threat to harmony. Better that her life be ended so that the multi-ethnic people can live in peace in this blessed land. I sacrifice for the future
Malaysian Press Institute CEO, Datuk Chamil Wariya with such a honorable title and prestige turn to an outrages stupidly and foolishness of dignity and lose of respect with his in despicable judgment for not being able to discern what is the true and evil in nature.
Furthermore as a elite and in a leadership position Datuk Chamil Wariya is so vulnerable to the political pressure and emotional instability which result ignite this coup action diminishing his mental intelligent and hence made him unfit even to hold that CEO position to uphold the integrity of press and freedom without biasness, siding to any skewness of political influence to certain extend even his own believe.
It takes further a humble to admit that he has done a very great wrong in the eyes of the people, community and even deceiving his faith itself.
But unfortunately the writer did not end the story as it continues further. Many will rise up as it is now to overcome the true of the deception of the present government. Many people had already lost hope and trust in the avenue of the government managing the economic efficiently. The storyline is not consistence with the actual fact of the real life situation. The strategy of creating this story is to gain a minority group of simple minded kampong people which may not overall involve in the totality political scenario happening in Malaysia.
Fishing for votes they are as a desperate attempt to get support and strength for the UMNO party.
The real reason is that they do not know by doing this people will further come to deduction of instilling more hatred and unprofessional amongst the fellow party in handling this situation maturely.
This hence will cause them, UMNO more damaging rather that patching up the situation towards their advantages. Apart from that we wonder who is controlling the marketing and PR establishment of their party.
The cerpen is deceiving them with the thought of corrupting the people. Thus swing back the curse back to them on a malicious ground which the nations understand.
Even right now the UMNO party try to strategies their motive to win the war has been unfruitful. This is remorse from their guilt without apology and humility.
Title: Perjuangan Josephine.
Author: Anonymous.
Disclaimer: This is a fiction material.
________________________________________________
“Josephine.”
“Josephine.”
“Josephine…”
Kedengaran suara tekad yang memanggil namanya.
Ya, itu panggilan ayahanda.
Suara hati Josephine mendesaknya.
Bangun Josephine. Bangun.
Badannya lemah, tidak mampu menggerakkan anggota tubuh badannya mahupun membuka mata. Namun di sebalik ambang kematian, Josephine sedar bahawa ini adalah takdir Tuhan yang Esa. Dia tidak berputus asa dan berdoa bahawa inilah ujian yang dikurniakan oleh Tuhan. Jiwanya terperangkap didalam susuk tubuh badan yang bagaikan tidak bernyawa.
Sejuk.
Sepi.
Dianiaya.
Dikurung.
Tuhan sentiasa merahmati insan-insan yang tidak berdosa.
Insan-insan yang tidak menginsafi kelakuan berdusta dan berdosa di dinuawi bakal diadili di akhirat kelak.
Disaat-saat terakhir mengharungi penghujung riwayat hidupnya, Josephine, seperti insan-insan biasa, mengimbas kembali dosa serta dusta yang pernah mencemari jiwanya.
Insaf.
Ya, insaf.
Bumi mana yang tidak pernah ditimpa hujan.
Namun, insaf.
Ya, insaf.
Tuhan telah mentakdirkan segalanya.
Sebiji bola logam yang diledakkan ke arah organ jantung seorang insan yang tidak berdosa; telah disekat oleh rantai suci yang dipakai oleh Josephine sejak kecil lagi. Peluru tersebut sekadar terbenam dibahagian tulang rusuknya.
Josephine bersyukur.
Perjuangannya belum berakhir.
Masih jauh perjalanan di hadapan.
Riwayatnya yang kurang dari setengah abad hanya merupakan permulaan.
Masih banyak jasa bakti yang perlu ditabur demi perjuangan negara dan bangsa.
“Abang, jangan risau.”
Kedengaran suara ibunda..
“Kata doktor, saat genting telah berlalu. Josephine perlu berehat sehari dua sebelum sedar semula. Josephine akan pulih sepenuhnya.”
Josephine mahu bangun memeluk ibubapanya.
Ibunda, Josephine disini.
Ayahanda, Josephine disini.
Josephine akan meneruskan perjuangan ini.
Dua blok jauh dari wad Josephine pula, seorang pemuda terbaring di atas katil dan diperhatikan oleh sekumpulan pegawai.
“Pernah membunuh sebelum ini?”
Pemuda itu mendiamkan diri. Seminggu yang lepas, dia berada di dalam keadaan koma.
Sepanjang tempoh tujuh hari tersebut, jiwanya tidak pernah tenteram. Tangannya dicemari dosa yang paling mudarat.
Penganiayaan.
Pembunuhan.
Dosa.
Namun, riwayatnya belum ditamatkan.
Masih banyak dosa yang perlu ditebusnya.
Insaf.
Ya, insaf.
“Ingatkan dah mati. Dua-dua masih hidup pula.”
Mata pemuda tersebut terbeliak.
Josephine masih hidup?
Apakah ini takdir Tuhan?
Tiga das tembakan dilepaskan olehnya.
Hanya tembakan pertama terkena tulang rusuk Josephine manakala dua lagi das tembakan tersasar. Satu lagi das tembakan diarahkan ke arah kepalanya sendiri.
Namun peluru tersebut sekadar hinggap di tengkoraknya.
Ini tidak mustahil. Pemuda ini tidak pernah menjalani sebarang latihan menembak.
Malah, sebelum ini dia tidak pernah memegang sepucuk pistol benar.
Senjata jenis Revolver yang dipegangnya pada hari tersebut dihulurkan oleh seorang dalang.
“Nota ini kamu yang tulis?”
“Tak.”
“Habis, siapa yang tulis?’
“Bos gua kasi.”
“Siapa bos kamu?”
“K.”
“K siapa?”
“K Yoyo.”
“Gay Toyol? Model Syarikat Botos?”
“Ya. Bos bayar lima ribu.”
“Kerana wang lima ribu kamu sanggup membunuh?”
“Gua tak mau bunuh!”
“Habis tu?”
“Bos tak paham.”
“Jadi kamu jelaskan!”
“Gua orang miskin.”
“Miskin tak meghalalkan pembunuhan!”
“Lepas SPM, gua kerja sepuluh tahun kat KL, tapi gaji sembilan ratus sebulan.
Duit sewa, makan, minum, petrol semua naik.”
“Mana ada kaitan dengan semua tu!”
“Ini tahun, bos tak mau gua. Satu tahun talak kerja. Part-time jadi jaga, gaji gua lima ratus sebulan. Anak, bini mau makan, minum, sekolah. Gua satu hari makan satu kali. ”
“Jangan merepek jauh!”
“Gua pinjam Ah Long, lima ratus. Ah Long mau gua bayar lima ribu.”
“Itu salah kamu sendiri!”
“Kerja talak. Duit talak. Ah Long ada. Gua tak mati pun susah..”
“Jadi kamu bunuh untuk wang Ah Long?”
“Gua tak mau bunuh…bos gua kata mau tolong…mana tau bos gua jugak Ah Long…”
“Siapa bagi Revolver tu?”
“Runner bos bagi.”
“Siapa?”
“Kamilo.”
“Kamilo siapa?”
“Kamilo Waya.”
“Chameleon Wayang? Orang Utusan Merepek?”
“Ya.”
“Macam mana kamu kenal dia?”
“Itu hari bos gua suruh beli penyapu. Itu penyapu bos kasi sama Kamilo.”
“Kamu jangan merepak jauh. Kami sekarang akan menahan kamu dibawah Akta Keselamatan Semua Negeri.”
“Apa tu bos?”
“ASA!”
“Apasal bos?”
“Sebab pihak kami ada maklumat dalaman bahawa nyawa kamu berada di dalam ancaman!”
“Tapi doktor cakap gua sudah OK….”
Sebulan kemudian, Josephine telah pulih sepenuhnya dan kembali menyambung perjuangannya yang termasuk membebaskan pemuda tersebut dari tahanan ASA.
Pemuda yang telah insaf tersebut dijatuhkan hukuman penjara 20 tahun.
Namun, dalang-dalang seperti Gay Toyol dan Chameleon Wayang serta konco-konconya masih berleluasa. Josephine akan memastikan keadilan terus diperjuangkan.
Ayuh, berilah sokongan padu kepada perjuangan Josephine.
-END-
Dear YB Tes,
I can understand your uneasiness as regard to the tone of the ‘cerpen’ by Chamil Wariya.However,let us view this ‘cerpen’ in the light of The Satanic Verse and a Dane’s cartoon i.e a work of art and the freedom to express oneself.
Putting fear on an opponent is a game played by desperate men. What do one expects from lowdown s**mbags. They are just displaying their talent of what they know best!
YB,
A person like the writer of the short story is the product of NEP and croynism by the Mahathir era. It is not surprising therefore to see the ‘professional’ results of the years of ‘apatheid’ practised in Malaysia. However, I have to clarify that due to good muslims in the country, this insipid writer is not the example of muslims but the deviant who chooses to twist facts and create disharmony. So be it, if this government wants to see the country turn into another “Lebanon” or some other “Rwanda” the people who elected the government will have to question themselves and no one else!
If this joker thinks this action is acceptable in Malaysia, it is wrong. Murder is against the law. Killing someone innocent is unforgivable in the laws of God and man.
If this joker of a writer is proud of his work, he should find suitable vacancies in the eventfully journalist cycle around Palestine, Pakistan, Lebanon, Columbia, Afghanistan. Such senseless and violent act has no place in Malaysia.
If this is not sedition, I don’t know what is.
both
Gerakan, “the conscience of BN”
MCA want to become “Gan Nu Gan Yuen” (dare to be “angrt” and voice out)
are quiet about this matter.
When the shocking story is covered with a very thin veil
We all can easily trace it’s identity through its trail
It’s sad when author picks on excuse that’s totally frail
To advocate extreme violence with the evil intention to kill
(C) Samuel Goh Kim Eng – 151008
http://MotivationInMotion.blogspot.com
Wed. 15th Oct. 2008.
Malaysian is praying for you. All those difficult time somehow put you in a situation. Life is like a seasons……cold…dry…hot…but there is always summer…..
Flowers and seeds grow everywhere. Malaysia can be a place where rainbows shine in the sky.
Why worry so much as is there not enough trouble in the world? Fight for malays and malaysian freedom…love and light will set them free….if they know how???????
Malaysian will fight for freedom from corruption.
Malaysian will fight for rightenous.
Not drinking water from bitterness and hatred.
prefect retort
http://jelas.info/2008/10/17/cerpen-balasan-chamil-wariya-hikayat-datuk-c/
Chamil Wariya sounds like a Javanese name. Probably from the same kampong as Khir Toyo. I looked up his website. It’s quite obvious where this chap is coming from. He was among the first generation to reap the benefits of the NEP, graduate from ITM in journalism, and so on. There are so many like Chamil Wariya embedded in every government-sponsored institution – kampong boys who made good under the NEP, quickly promoted, and eventually appointed heads of all sorts of white elephant agencies. Of course, they have been enjoying the perks of Malaysian-style apartheid and many are totally puffed up with pride at their own achievements, blissfully unaware how mediocre they actually are. This is one of major pitfalls of “affirmative” racist policies: those who win prizes and positions can never be sure whether they truly deserve it, and this nagging insecurity often festers and turns into passive aggression. Better that they be allowed to ventilate in Utusan Malaysia than to sharpen their parangs. True, the proverbial pen is mightier than the sword because it can destroy as well as heal.
This Chamil Wariya character was expressing Utusan Malaysia’s fury at being sued for RM30 million by our feisty and sassy MP. So they resort to what I call “voodoo journalism.” Better to sue them (since you have access to good lawyers) than for more censorship laws to be enacted. If you win the case Utusan Malaysia will be declared bankrupt – and, quite honestly, few of us will mourn its passing. Indeed, we would be relieved to see this jingoistic rag buried along with its political masters, who refuse to step out into the light from under their self-serving ‘tempurung’ of unmitigated mediocrity and mendacity.