Republic of virtue, 4/08

Republic Cyber-Malaya: A 100-year history

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Sunday, 06 April 2008 09:37

The political system has become very corrupt; the crime rate has increased and environmental degradation has continued. Political dynasties proliferate. Few families are controlling the nation's economy – for their own political gains. Huge real estate projects are created, benefiting those few and their international partners. Dr. Azly Rahman http://azlyrahman-illuminations.blogspot.com/ Bloggers-in-arms, I wrote this piece almost 3 years ago and would like you brilliant bloggers out there to contribute to the critique of the events as well as to add value to the discussions of "nostradamic proportions". I want to especially invite high school/secondary school students to participate in this dialogue, in whatever language you are comfortable with. I think you have great ideas to share and to celebrate the promise of the blog. Let's chill for a few a week on this piece and have fun with the shape of Malaysian things to come. Will we see a "republic of virtue" sooner than a hundred years? Look forward to a critical and creative but ethical discussion that will educate us further on the nature of transformations we wish to see. ----------------------------------------------------------------- "May 13, 1969: Beginnings " The nation was in ruins. As a child in Sekolah Temenggong Abdul Rahman in Johor Bahru, I was saddened and baffled when my favorite Math teacher who liked me a lot suddenly threw my exercise book out of the door one morning. I cried. A child's horrible experience. I was puzzled and afraid. She is Chinese. I did not notice she was that; since my beloved aunt is an adopted Chinese girl given to my grandfather during the Japanese Occupation. I was about 7 then. I heard of a few Malays in red headbands in great numbers - from Muar, Batu Pahat, Johor Bahru, and Pontian rushing to Kuala Lumpur. I heard the words 'Kampong Baru, KL'. That sounded like 'Kampong Melayu Majidee' to me - a place where I grew up. I heard the words "curfew" and darurat (emergency) for the first time. I heard that Kuala Lumpur was burning. I was scared. It took me many decades to understand what is possible after May 13, 1969. May 13, 2019: Age of corrupted machines Fifty years ago, Malaysia was devastated by the death of hundreds of people predominantly Malays and Chinese. It was May 13, 1969. Whatever the reason for the bloody racially-motivated conflicts, the nation has come together to build a strong sense of multi-culturalism out of the ruins of colonialism. Malaysia became a laboratory of social experimentation in race relations and communal politics. The 22-year reign of former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad provided the structure for hegemonic formations and the creation of a few ethnic Malays, Chinese, and Indian who were rich. Fifty years into the darkest moment, May 13th was remembered by a National Day parade of towering Malays consisting of mountain climbers, a solo trans-Pacific sampan sailor, Petronas Twin Tower parachuteers, and a child who scored 20As in a high-stake state testing. The towering Malays were paraded at the foot of the towering twin towers of Petronas. Fifty years into the darkest moment, bright professors from Malaysian universities either fled the nation to teach in Beijing or Nairobi, or were jailed without trial for being too bright and suggesting too much to correct the gap between the digital haves and have-nots. The gap was too much for the nation not to notice. Too many people were getting filthy rich out of the blood, sweat, and tears of the poor. Fifty years into the darkest moment, books were banned, 19,500 National Service 'deserters' were arrested, tried and put in a special juvenile detention camps build in all the 13 states, beside National Service training camps. Perlis was the first state to be humiliated. The case of the Ahmad Harizal from Perlis was just the beginning of a great witch-hunt. In public universities, vice-chancellors were wrestling with each other to be recognised as the next minister of education and hopefully the next prime minister. University students continue to read less, think less, and act less on matters of social justice concern - there were not enough jobs to go around. Thousands were jobless, young and old. The case of two university lecturers who were fired for refusing to sign the Akujanji in 2004 became finally too much for the academic community not to rebel against the moronism of the higher education leadership. Through the minister of education's unique interpretation of higher educational philosophy, they can get their Bachelors degree in two and a half years and their Masters in eight months. Malaysia's Age of Biotechnology has progressed; sanctioned by the idea of 'Islamic Biotechnology'. It is not clear if stem-cell research into the creation of the Master Race has become secretly started. It is not clear what kind of Master Race is to be produced. What has proliferated is genetically-engineered crops produced for the world market. The political system has become very corrupt; the crime rate has increased and environmental degradation has continued. Political dynasties proliferate. Few families are controlling the nation's economy – for their own political gains. Huge real estate projects are created, benefiting those few and their international partners. Old political foes continue to squabble to settle old scores. The climate of real political consciousness has been clouded. There is no transparency even on the real issues of the ongoing tedious arguments. The government continues to mistrust its people and belittle their intelligence. The people begin to mistrust the government and belittle the leaders. Time waits for no nation. "May 13, 2019: Revolutions" Gradually, something happens. In the process of the creation of towering Malays, the major squabbles over national schools, the emergence of more and more racially-motivated youth political parties, more raids on Zouk-like clubs, and more jailing of 18-year olds who missed the National Service, something happens. A revolution in thinking takes place in virtually all spheres of Malaysian life – a spectre is haunting Malaysia. A Maya/Virtual Prince who revolutionised the minds of the Malaysians using the power of the broadband is spreading the revolution like wildfire. A nice, peaceful revolution that began with the idea that "… all men are created equal and endowed by the Creator the inalienable rights to life, liberty, social justice, and happiness" and that "man is born free… and everywhere he is in chains" and the idea that "the revolution must begin with the conviction that the wealth of the nation is to be shared equally regardless of race, ethnicity, color, creed, and national origin". Affirmative action has became a buzzword and a well-implemented one. The revolution is so sweet it permeates the mind of the prime minister, would-be prime minister, government servants, servant of the Sultans, university professors, vice-chancellors, university students, labour unionists , school-children, and people on the street. It is simply revolutionary to think that one could design an economic system that is colour-blind and one based on the meeting of needs more than wants. Free public education is extended to universities. Knowledge and power are finally understood. Gradually, as the idea of ethics, creativity, and social reconstructionism gained momentum, even children in school begin to learn to share and to look out for each other regardless of race, ethnicity and national origin. To display wealth with arrogance is a sin in this new Malaysian republic. The gap between the rich and the poor is almost gone. People begin to leave the urban areas and live in pastoral areas, living a life of pastoralism. They sharpen their senses daily with Nature as their teacher. They become good thinkers. Citizens do not watch the idiot box called TV; they write poetry and perform in village theatres. Local government rules. There are no war toys in their children's possession. They do not need the National Service to prepare for war. They are prepared for perpetual peace, through a politics of trust and guided by a universal philosophy. The Malays begin to intermarry. Interfaith dialogues become a favorite topic of conversation after dinner. There is less mention of the setting up of an Islamic state as people are now well-attuned to the beauty of philosophies across cultures - transcultural philosophies. It is a must to learn philosophy in schools. There is a programme called Philosophy for Malaysian children. Social status is abolished. People's desire for conspicuous consumption is curbed and controlled through humanistic and peace education. "Aug 31, 2069: A Utopia" A new government came into being today. Classes, caste systems, and vestiges of colonialist thinking have been abolished through decades of mental revolution. People are called 'citizens', instead of Datuk, Dato' Seri, Tun or Cendiakawan. Each citizen is a vice-regent of God on Earth. The idea of the divine rights of kings has become a big myth. Because the country is oil-rich, the nation's wealth is equally shared. No more is spent on building more twin towers. Citizens have decent homes. There are no more golf courses. The citizens decided that these were merely playgrounds for those seeking huge contracts to get richer and richer. The golf courses have been replaced with nice homes for the poor - befitting human dignity. There is a council of multi-ethnic vice-presidents of the nation, headed by a brilliant Orang Asli woman -modeled after the female leadership of the Native American Council of Iroqui League; a peaceful system of governance before the arrival of the conquistador Christopher Columbus to America. Each leader helps rule for only five years. It is felt that the longer one is given power, the more corrupt one will become. Corruption might also run in political families. Schools no longer fight over the national-ness of the character of it. The children spend time helping children of new immigrants adjust to the new Malaysia and to help them overcome poverty. Children of Bangladeshi, Thai, Indonesian, Filipino - of those whose parents served the needs of the more affluent Malaysian - are thoroughly aided to excel and become good, towering Malaysians. University students spend time designing and carrying out research projects that will continue to meet the needs of the poor. They are well-versed in the inner workings of neo-colonialism and the predatory nature of the Word Bank and IMF agenda. These students are well-versed with the intentions of the supporters of the World Bank policies. They are even smarter than those supporters, having been exposed to the work of progressive social theorists. Such is the notion of a new brand of citizenship. "A brave new world." Let us be reminded of the Iranian Ali Shariati's notion of the ideal man one who: " ... holds the sword of Caesar in his hand and has the heart of Jesus in his breast. thinks with the brain of Socrates and loves God with the heart of Hallaj. He is a man who understands the beauty of science and the beauty of God. He listens to the words of Pascal and the words of Descartes. Like Buddha is delivered from the dungeon of pleasure-seeking and egoism; Like Lao Tze reflects on the profundity of his primordial nature; Like Confucius, meditates on the fate of society; Like Spartacus, is a rebel against slave owners; Like Abu Dharr, scatters the seed for the revolution of the hungry; Like Jesus, bears a message of love and reconciliation; Like Moses, is the messenger of jihad and deliverance." Such ought to be a definition of a towering Malaysian - who emerged 100 years after May 13, 1969 in new nation called Republic of Cyber-Malaya. Let us revolt with the end in mind WRITTEN: May 2005 Comments (12) ... written by Bill Gates, April 06, 2008 09:51:16 Good write up and futuristic opinion. It is too good to be true but ... it is doable when the gap between reality and expectation can be narrowed. Yes, Pakatan Rakyat is the first step towards closing the gap and making the expectations of Dr Azly a reality. report abuse disagree 2 agree 11 ... written by cubi76, April 06, 2008 11:09:33 The vision that Dr Azly has, is indeed already a reality in some developed nations, eg Canada, Australia, etc. Forget about the tainted image that local Malaysian media gave to those mainly so-called 'western' countries, they are actually very multi-racial, respectful to human-rights. Learn from them. Their society, their system, their mistakes and lessons, their thinking. I do not propose anyone to worship these countries -- for they made their mistakes too -- but learn the things that is better than ours. Remember that they dont benefit from us progressing and advancing, the benefits are ours, are Malaysian. Utopia... that's everyone's dream. You dream of something, go get it! Period. -- In Pursuit of HappYness report abuse disagree 0 agree 6 ... written by singam, April 06, 2008 12:03:28 Without a dream, what is there to come true? Syabas Dr Azly. You have crystallised a utopia for us to work towards. Today it may seem impossible. But the reality of today is made up of many impossibles of yesterday. Let us stride forward with hope in our hearts and a spring in our steps. report abuse disagree 0 agree 4 ... written by RitchieLow, April 07, 2008 01:42:43 Hmm you have foresight if not clairvoyant. Nostradamus says the world end on Dec 21 2012, so your 2019 revolution won't happen then. Wait, it had occurred on Mar 8 2008, 11 years sooner. We are now just one month ahead of the "revolution" and things are already happening as you've forecasted somewhat and yes, we do need an education reform to raise the level of awareness and consciousness of the people to be more critical and universal in outlook. The Utopia will probably start after the apocalypse in 2012 when the old ways are gone for good and in it's place, divine republic of virtues' spring up in abundance all over the world, headed by the almighty God-Head nonetheless. To utopia and beyond. report abuse disagree 0 agree 2 ... written by skc, April 08, 2008 13:37:34 Dear Dr Azly, Great dreams, but sad to say they are just that, dreams. Then again do not let me stop you, why not go further, why only Malaysia ? Why not the world ? If we can achieve Utopia, how would the rest of the world look at us ? Same way as Hitler look at the Jew ? Be careful of what you wish for, it might just come true. report abuse disagree 1 agree 2 ... written by joeawk, April 08, 2008 17:17:31 Right on, the youngs shall share their thoughts. I would like to know too. There will be no end of the world, at least not so soon. For the trash that mankind has created, nature would let mankind suffer much longer in the hope that mankind will repent. Utopia may not be far away, if we change. Change, change, change. Pakatan is change. UMNO is antique. report abuse disagree 0 agree 2 ... written by cruzeiro, April 08, 2008 22:44:55 report abuse disagree 0 agree 1 ... written by Su Dhanoa, April 09, 2008 12:44:24 Dr Azly, when I read yr writeup, for once I thought I was somewhere far far away from this evil that surround us here. It is really fantastic!! I relly pray that it will happen some day sooner than mentioned. The ball has started rolling and sincerely hope that it does not end here. Each one of us will have to raise oneself up first before we can push any other perosn. It is time we all stopped pointing fingers at others and start to move forward- sedikit-sedikit, lama-lama menjadi bukit. As far as I can say for myself, I am for it to happen. I think our dear Raja Petra has infact started the ball rolling for us to begin with. For new Malaysia!!!! report abuse disagree 0 agree 2 ... written by ORIENT, April 11, 2008 13:45:10 TDM,u have vicious tongue...u really can attack, defend, with your sharp tongue which will not stop till the day you return to Almighty God. U hv lied all yr life even till now...u said that Pakatan ARE CONSPIRATORS - because u said Karpal urged you to refrain fr criticising the present PM... Why should you be worried and be defensive when u are the person asking for it...as u are already retired, so enjoy your last few years...in quiet..u talk so fiercely..u hv no worries that your verbal attacks can do worse for the country and also for yrself..but u couldnt care less because it has been your habit to do so..not only in Malaysia..but u are known all over the world for your occasional stupid jibes...just that the press in malaysia didnt publish other countries criticism on yr stupid talk. like the malay proverb: BERANI KERANA BENAR, TAKUT KERANA SALAH... if you are RIGHT AND TRUE...why should you fear??? you said DSAI will be a Good Prime Minister of Israel. but i think you will be most ideal to be a PM OF AFGHANISTAN...u can lawan the terrorists....UN SHOULD APPOINT YOU TO A SPECIAL ENVOY to fight terrorism in this planet... report abuse disagree 0 agree 1 ... written by lokenpal, April 21, 2008 03:38:40 Hope the transformation via a nice, peaceful revolution takes place. The appended text is a song, that seems relevant. God don't make no promises that He don't keep. You got some big dreams, baby, but in order to dream you gotta still be asleep. When you gonna wake up, when you gonna wake up When you gonna wake up and strengthen the things that remain? Counterfeit philosophies have polluted all of your thoughts. Karl Marx has got ya by the throat, Henry Kissinger's got you tied up in knots. When you gonna wake up, when you gonna wake up When you gonna wake up and strengthen the things that remain? You got innocent men in jail, your insane asylums are filled, You got unrighteous doctors dealing drugs that'll never cure your ills. When you gonna wake up, when you gonna wake up When you gonna wake up and strengthen the things that remain? You got men who can't hold their peace and women who can't control their tongues, The rich seduce the poor and the old are seduced by the young. When you gonna wake up, when you gonna wake up When you gonna wake up and strengthen the things that remain? Adulterers in churches and pornography in the schools, You got gangsters in power and lawbreakers making rules. When you gonna wake up, when you gonna wake up When you gonna wake up and strengthen the things that remain? Spiritual advisors and gurus to guide your every move, Instant inner peace and every step you take has got to be approved. When you gonna wake up, when you gonna wake up When you gonna wake up and strengthen the things that remain? Do you ever wonder just what God requires? You think He's just an errand boy to satisfy your wandering desires. When you gonna wake up, when you gonna wake up When you gonna wake up and strengthen the things that remain? You can't take it with you and you know that it's too worthless to be sold, They tell you, "Time is money" as if your life was worth its weight in gold. When you gonna wake up, when you gonna wake up When you gonna wake up and strengthen the things that remain? report abuse disagree 0 agree 0 ... written by justice, June 30, 2008 15:50:46 testing... report abuse disagree 0 agree 0 ... written by justice, June 30, 2008 15:51:36 testing, pls delete... report abuse disagree 0 agree 0 Write comment This content has been locked. You can no longer post any comment. You must be logged in to a comment. Please register if you do not have an account yet.

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