| Where is freedom -- after the March 2008 Revolution? |  |  |  |
| Posted by admin | |
| Sunday, 19 October 2008 12:49 | |
| Azly Rahman - dr.azly.rahman@gmail.com http://azlyrahman-illuminations.blogspot.com/2008/10/my-speech-at-harvard-university-march.html (Notes for a speech at a Malaysian forum at Harvard University, Man is born free, but everywhere he is in chains Man has no nature, what he has is history - Ortega y Gassett When I was invited to this gathering of young thinkers, movers and shakers, and public intellectuals, I was writing about hope. The Malaysian Revolution of 2008 was about hope materializing. It was about 'freedom' fought and won. How Malaysian do we want to become? How free do we want to be? How much can we in turn be imprisoned by the newfound freedom? These, I believe are strange philosophical questions that is peculiar-sounding at a time when the machinery of the previous regime is being de-constructed and dismantled piece by piece after being captured in a revolution that is aided by the force of cybernetic technology. For those who believe in divine intervention, the revolution or the "Asian implo-volution" (a combination of "implosion" and "evolution") as I would coin, the event was god's will carried out by the general will of the people. The enabling technology of this "Asian implo-volution" is the will of the Internet – of technological determinism. Are we at a second phase of Merdeka/Independence? Who were we fighting against? If 50 years ago, it was against the British imperialists, who are the neo-colonialists amongst us now? If in the 1950s, we had a multicultural struggle in the form of the "hartal", are we seeing a similar version of it now in the form of rallies such as of the Hindraf and Bersih? Again, what is freedom and independence? How has it changed? Where does freedom lie? How do we feel and taste freedom? What are the manifestation so of the structure of freedom? What do we wish to be free from? Free of? Freed by? These are the questions all of us must answer as a country of various nations evolving? Can one be free to shout "Fire... Fire...Fire" in a full packed theatre? Can one be free to pull his or her keris/dagger/Samurai sword out and shout "Tak Umno hilang di dunia? and not annoy the nation? Can Abdullah Ahmad Badawi be free to allow the younger ones to run the nation, after the humiliating defeat? Can our Malaysian universities be free to do whatever they like to students, especially to intimidate those who wish to be set their minds free? I have some thoughts on what freedom as it relates to what independence might be; thoughts that must be translated into practice. Independence and freedom are not a slogans but an existential state of mind and a condition of 'lived democracy', one in which citizens are aware of how oppressive systems are cultivated. We cannot be independent until we arrive at these historical junctures, and until we do the following: 1. Free the human mind from all forms of dogmas, superstitions, mental chains, hegemonic formations, and transitional levels of totalitarianism. Our educational system at all levels must strengthen the scientific and philosophical foundation of its curriculum and practices to effect changes in the higher-order thinking skills of the next generation. We should not tolerate any forms of bigotry, racial chauvinism, and retarded form of democracy in our educational system. 2. Understand the relationship between the 'self and the system of social relations of production' and how the self becomes alienated and reduced to labour and appendages and cogs in the wheels of industrial system of production, a system that hides under the name of the corporatist nation and any other term that masks the real exploitation of the human self. 3. Make ourselves aware that our social systems, through the rapid development of technology and its synthesis with local and international predatory culture, have helped create classes of human beings that transform their bodies into different classes of labour (manual, secretarial, managerial, militarial, intellectual, and capital-owning) that is now shaping the nature of class antagonism locally and globally. 4. Understand how our political, economic, cultural institutions have evolved and are created out of the vestiges of newer forms of colonialism, institutions that are built upon the ideology of race-based interpretations of human and material development that benefit the few who own the means of cultural, material, and intellectual production. 5. Understand how ideologies that oppress humanity works, how prevailing political, economic, cultural ideologies help craft false consciousness and create psychological barriers to the creation of a society that puts the principles of social contract into practice. 6. Be aware of how our physical landscape creates spaces of power and knowledge and alienates us and how huge structural transformations such as the Multimedia Super Corridor or those emerging corridors that create a new form of technological city-scape (technopoles) that benefits local and international real estate profiteers more that they provide more humane living spaces for the poor and the marginalised in an increasingly cybernated society. 7. Be fully aware of the relationship between science, culture, and society and how these interplay with contemporary global challenges and how we clearly or blindly adopt these rapid changes and transform them into our newer shibboleths of developmentalism – one such policy being the National BioTechnology Program. 8. Put a halt to the systematic stupefication of academicians and students in our public universities by first incorporating Academic Freedom Clauses in their mission statements and next enculturalising intellectualism in these learning environments. The public universities must be restructured based on a new paradigm of leadership. Leaders that enable the ability of our students and faculty to think must be removed and replaced with those that pay allegiance to truth. "Veritas!" or "Truth!" as Harvard University slogan decries. 9. Design an economic system founded upon socialistic principles that meet the needs of the many and curb our enthusiasm to consume conspicuously and consequently create a society divided by classes and a postmodern caste system. Rethink the progressive dimension of nationalization instead of pursuing the excesses of privatization. What good would Malaysia do if its leaders are siphoning the nation's wealth by the billions, stashing them in places such as Switzerland and the Cayman Island? 10. Restructure the entire education system that would not only create some variant of a classless society but also one that would evolve into a reflective one instead of being rushed to death along the path of Wall Street by those who owns the means of production. First things first Of course the first thing to do is to bring this "Asian implo-volution" to a conclusion and honor the people's hope to bring the power abusers of the old regime to justice. This is a daunting first step in the process of acquiring power, maintaining it, and next consolidating it. But power here means the power to transform the lives of others for the better. We must educate Malaysians on the nature of "inter-locking directorates" or the link between business and politics that helped brought the end to the old regime. Soon, this must become a lesson learned. In the meantime, I am keen in exploring the possibilities of the social philosopher Rousseau's ideas of 'social contract' and crafting a new definition of Malaysian multi-culturalism. We wanted a revolution, we got an "implo-volution". What then must we do?
http://azlyrahman-illuminations.blogspot.com/2008/10/my-speech-at-harvard-university-march.html
Comments (9)  ... written by Margeemar, October 19, 2008 12:51:42 No one can claim supremacy over another through a concoction of Umno in the form of the SOCIAL CONTRACT. Umno on it's part has cleverly shielded itself behind the Triangulation of the Royalty, Islam and Malay Rights to remain in power till today. Due to this, Umno gets away from doing anything that is unjust and evil because whoever questions Umno will be accused of questioning the Royalty, Islam and Malay rights...More http://margeemar.blogspot.com report abuse disagree 0 agree 22 ... written by asguard, October 19, 2008 13:09:00 BN time is gone after 51 years they have fail... now the new future belong's to opposition party together we shall build a better future.. where everything is better off than under bn's rule.... report abuse disagree 0 agree 6 ... written by michael chick, October 19, 2008 13:31:01 The sad truth is, UMNO will continue to stay in power, unless people do something about it. You can do so many things without resorting to arms or bloodshed. You can always stop feeding the government. Stop hiding behind your desks in the office, scampering away like mice when someone knocks on the door. Malaysians are simply not hungry enough for things to change. "As long as I still have my 3 meals a day, nasi Kandar, and the occasional holiday, I'm fine". Typical. Afraid to take any positive action. "That is the job of others", or "There are so many people doing it already" seems to be the most common excuse. I'm equating UMNO with the dark evil Khmer Rouge here in Cambodia. They are now "weeding out the worms from the body" using the ISA. So sit back, do nothing, and await your arrest. It's sooner or later for you. Those interested can Google S-21, Khmer Rouge, Tuol Sleng, Cheoung Ek, Killing Fields, Pol Pot Regime, Sihanouk, and so on to see the clear-cut similarities. report abuse disagree 0 agree 13 ... written by DreamLady, October 19, 2008 14:57:23 In my opinion, the royal highnesses mean well. The very statement made stressing on the rights of others are included in the constitutions. It would be advisable for the King and the rulers to make the speech crystal-clear in simple, day-to day English or bahasa malaysia to make things easy for average Malaysian to understand what the royal highnesses are driving at.. This is the loop hole that gives way to UMNO evil goons to speculate the contents of the royal announcement. The goons themselves are not as well-versed in law language, but they never hesitate to take advatage of any situation when they see one. It would be much better if the King appears on TV123, and provides a clean- cut message thereby all malaysians could understand the actual content of his speech. Thus, manipulation of words could be avoided.. report abuse disagree 1 agree 4 ... written by educationist, October 19, 2008 15:30:56 No, the answer is obvious, there is no extra freedom after the March 8th elections, in fact we are moving backwards towards a more autocractic regime. Dr Azly's suggestions are excellent but sadly, the UMNOputras will not want to implement them!! report abuse disagree 0 agree 5 ... written by lynn, October 19, 2008 15:53:35 dr azly, you will find Atheists offensive but i tried very hard since my teens, to believe in God. i am fully convinced there is no Almighty God who created the world in less than a week.since you talk abt freedom here, how abt going into freedom of the mind, freedom from religion? why do people need religon? do you need religion to tell you right from wrong? your piece surprised me report abuse disagree 1 agree 4 ... written by lynn, October 19, 2008 16:08:41 michael chick, umno will always remain in power because the majority hv been brainwashed & it's impossible to reverse the damage. Most people cannot think for themselves, so they accept the official versions issued by the govt. Don't u see, always coming out with this threat in the MSM: "don't question the rights of the Malays" - this utterance served two purposes - to unite the Malays against the non-Malays who are now regarded as enemies, and to threaten the other two races to shut up or else....... As long as the malays regard the non-malays as enemies, umno can control/remain in power. The key to bringing down umno is to unite all the races, educate them abt corruption & abuse of power in bolehland, list out all the cases that had taken place since dr M's time. I propose we make a corruption corner here in MT which covers all cases incl. abuse of pwoer, inflated prices, am sure it will be the most interesting site in Asia & it will have millions of hits a day. You can get some great stories from MGG Pillai's website. report abuse disagree 0 agree 8 ... written by Motherchell, October 19, 2008 20:19:17 Azly your writing is a gem ! i learn so much from you -- you dig my vaulting ambitions -- you make me ponder the varied natures of our quotient. But its a pity --- your writings all Greek to the Corridors of Power here. They rather appease the "Talibans" , and little Napoleans for their own vested interests. No wonder we are sinking in the corruption Index with shackles unlimited tied to young bright minds ! They can never fathom the euphemisms of great minds as yours Azly! Insouciance !!! (something we miss daily as citizens of a land called Malaysia) is a fact UMNO will never inculcate, as it works against their pocket expenses. Albozo just got got rid of a beat base, fearful the cops may be in danger -so the question arises -- where did all the multi billion dollar arms and Star Wars weapon purchases go ??????? Oh !! maybe sold by some 40 thiefs to the Somalian rebels by a Third UMNO Reich ??? So we have what is utmost in the substantia gresia of the Corridors of Power here -- their priorities!!! The moment they touched our RPK--- they displayed their debase and showed where our freedom was !!!! Yet they live in a hut full of denials !!! Nazis!! Should we not apologize to Myanmar , North Korea, Zimbabwe, Congo , Somalia,etc for the freedom they enjoy ?? report abuse disagree 0 agree 7 ... written by born2reign, October 20, 2008 01:12:35 lynn, I believe that God made the world and all in the world. He put man in charge to be the leader but Adam stood by, while listening to the serpent (Satan) tricked his woman, and ate the apple that God told him not to eat. That very act means that Adam chose to follow Satan instead of God and hence, this earth is rule by Satan. Adam gave up his blessings, rich and eternal life, for obeying Satan. So you find that in this world the evil and crooks govern the finances, education, health, religion, marriage, TV, media etc. Man has Adam's fallen nature-irresponsible, wimp, no authority, abuse his family and environment, perverts, lack of love, etc God will never force you to obey Him. Only man-made religion will force their brothers to be in a certain religion against his will. God does bless His children, only those who hear His voice and act it out. You don't hear of God's blessings because you may be looking at newspapers and TV(Satan-owned). The world will grow darker and more evil. Prepare yourself and seek refuge under His wings.  report abuse disagree 0 agree 4 |
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