a merdeka thought

The sheer intensity of the recent uproar and controversy over Sepet's win at a national level film award has totally caught me by surprise; apparently, some members of our film industry does not approve of the jury's decision to bestow the highest award to the movie Sepet.

Many of my friends who have watched the movie said that Sepet is the only truly Malaysian movie produced so far; having watched the movie myself, I find myself in total agreement with them.

Sepet is a movie that any normal, self-respecting Malaysian could relate to. It bears completely to the audience the honest albeit uncomfortable truths of the realities of life in Malaysia. Granted, some of the potrayals in the film might be 'enhanced' to increase its impact on the audience, but the potrayals draw their basis from real life facts.

Therefore, for the movie to receive such intense opposition is beyond me. If the detractors for the movie felt the potrayals in the film repulsive, then they should re-examine and introspect their own self and ideals rather than channelling their disgust at the images reflected in the film itself.

Besides, cleaning one's reflection on a mirror will not make one's face any cleaner. Could it be that the truth hurts so much that we couldn't bear to see and stare at our own reflection?

I realized that some might oppose to the Sepet's win purely because it triumphs over big-budget movies such as Puteri Gunung Ledang; some people felt that the fact PGL is a big budget movie alone makes it worthy to reap the top prizes. Such reasoning only typifies the prevailing yet misguided Malaysian attitude of the 'most expensive is always the best.'

However, we cannot deny our own reflection just as we cannot run away from our own shadow; either we confront it face-on or it will haunt us forever. Therefore, I believe that we can no longer remain ignorant to the slow decay of our country and its people.

We must wake up to the harsh realities of the state of our country; we must be willing to have a good stare at ourselves - our successes and our failings; we must seek ways to root out the endemic problems that have been gradually entrenched into the notion of a properous and harmonious nation initially propounded by our founding fathers.

The awareness must come swiftly and actions taken immediately before it incurs irreparable damage on the well-being of our country and its people. However, I believe that a sustained and concerted change could not occur without the realization of two things.

First, the creation of an equal playing field in all aspects of economy, education and social issues which allows a person to advance based purely on his merits rather than his connections. The world may not be flat but the playing field between all Malaysians should be.

Second, an unwavering commitment towards transparency, integrity and accountability in every level of society - from the country's top leaders to a lowly janitor. After all, if one is working solely for the betterment of one's country and the people one serves, why should there be anything to hide to begin with?

In Malaysia, those who discussed these kinds of things will eventually find themselves bumping into a wall called 'affirmative action for the Bumiputra' - a series policies put in place to safeguard and secure the political, economic and social position and well-being of the Bumiputras.

But is the wall really that insurmountable? Does it really impede the efforts to reinvent the Malaysian society for the betterment of the country?

I believe that the real cause for the affirmative actions have been betrayed. Coupled this with the inherent apathy among the Malays, the policies have not managed to produce the targeted results even after being put in place for nearly 20 years.

The aim to create a class of independent, resourceful and towering Malays have only increased their appetite for subsidies, loans and govermental assistance. True to its name, Melayu have indeed become Me-LAYU.

To stem such decay, Malays must be willing to reflect on their qualities and failings besides being prepared to come out of their comfort zone. They must be willing to change themselves.

Some Malays might balk at such suggestions, but they need to realize that it is their future which is at stake. More importantly, it is our country's future at stake as well.

If the Malays then are willing to give the Chinese and Indians citizenship during the pre-Independence era, then the Malays now must be willing to initiate a radical make-over of themselves in order to ensure the survival of our country and the other races.

The Malays must be willing to make some sacrifices or pengorbanan just like their forefathers had done.

Of course, to lead and rally the Malays to make such a move requires an honest, firm and enlightened leader who puts the long term gains of the country before the his own short term political gains. He must not only preach but also practices the ideals he espouse.

After all, one could not freely preach others while at the same time be living in sins. That said, Malaysians must also be courageous enough make our leaders accountable for their words and actions.

Indeed, some might point to the historical and social inertia which continually prevents us from embracing change. It is one thing to remember our past so as to not lose our head but it is another thing altogether to use our past as a convenient excuse not to change.

We may be known by our races now but it need not be the case in the future; for instance, I look forward to the day when we need not worry about not having enough Malay or Indian influence or dances in a cultural perfomance. Rather, a Malay can happily look at an Indian dance and say, 'That's a Malaysian dance' and that should be good enough for all of us.

But for now, a true Malaysian is a lonely person.

Kassim Ahmad, a thinker and philosopher mentioned in his recent interview with the Sun that nearly 30 years have passed and no fundamental change have occured in our country and unless anything is done soon, we're doomed.

Judging from the reaction received by Sepet, I too have a reason to be apprehensive about Malaysia's future and the direction our country will take. But then again, Kassim Ahmad has been around for nearly 70 years while I am still 20 years old with a lot of more years to spare, God willing.

I can only pray that I won't be repeating his gloomy forecast about our country's future when I reached his age.

Selamat Hari Merdeka Malaysia...