The Malaysian Insider

MARCH 8 —When Zhou Enlai was asked in the mid-20th century what he felt about the French Revolution of 1789, he replied: “It is too early to tell.”

I do not propose to wait until the mid-23rd century to offer meaningful comment on March 8th, but I think it’s safe to say it will take at least until the 13th General Election to truly know how much of an impact was made.

In the meantime, I think there are still clear signs of change in Malaysian society that stem directly from this historic event.

MARCH 2 — Within mere hours of the news breaking, a steady stream of comments condemning YB Tan Tee Beng for his resignation appeared on both the Insider’s and Malaysiakini’s reports.

Commentators almost unanimously berated Tan and others like him with statements like “Good riddance” and “Trash belongs in the trash bin.”

It is premature of us to judge entire public opinion based on early online comments, but I am certainly heartened by the early trends which indicate the conviction of the rakyat that the movement must be put above individual interests and that Malaysians will not abandon hope for change just because a few people aren’t willing to stay the course.

FEB 12 — Part 1

“Your Grandfather’s Road” is a groundbreaking attempt to redefine not only Malaysian films, but film-making itself.

An initiative by an old and dear friend of mine, Manesh Nesaratnam and his production house Sunny Stories, “YGR” is no attempt to out-budget “Puteri Gunung Ledang” or anything of the sort. Rather it seeks to turn the whole concept of storytelling on its head.

Perhaps the operative word in the title is “Your.” As the website (www.yourgrandfathersroad.com) puts it: “Your Grandfather’s Road” is about turning YOUR stories, experiences and ideas into a movie BY the people, FOR the people.

FEB 5 — Why do people with good hearts even bother anymore with politics in Malaysia?

There’s a story about gambler and card sharp Canada Bill Jones, who was one day losing his entire bankroll at a crooked game of Faro. His friend asked, “Hey Bill, why don’t you walk away while you can — don’t you know the game is crooked?” Canada Bill sighed and replied “I know, I know,” and added, “but it’s the only game in town.”

Sometimes those who work for a better Malaysia can’t help but get the feeling that they’re always playing against a stacked deck, and I can’t blame them.

JAN 11 — It is a truth, universally acknowledged, that a fanatic in possession of a historical adversary, must be in want of a fresh fight.

The controversy surrounding the usage of the sacred word “Allah” has become, literally, a burning issue.

Those on the most extreme ends of this debate identify with two groups that have often been in conflict throughout their existence. The baggage of Muslim-Christian animosity goes back to the Crusades and beyond, and sadly, has become immensely relevant in modern day Malaysia.