DEC 28 — One very Malaysian trait, besides bringing tupperware to government open houses, is passivity. It has served us well in one regard, though: racial and religious violence. Rather than participate in civil disobedience, the average Malaysian would prefer to sit at home and complain about poor Astro reception. With the newly-introduced free Astro packages, now everyone can complain.
You see, as a nation, we have become so cowed by our oppressive laws that the very idea of riots like the ones in London would make most Malaysians shudder. I am sure Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad would take that as the proof of the ISA’s effectiveness and its important role in ensuring Malaysians are good, biddable citizens.
I’m sorry, Tun, but all you’ve really created is a nation of cows. Not that I dislike the animals (please do not call upon Lord Ganesha to visit his wrath upon me) but they are not creatures worth emulating.
Someone needs to tell that to the civil servants though. The last time I visited the Putrajaya immigration office, I felt as though I was visiting a pasture. Of the many counters on hand, only two were open. The other civil servants were in a corner, not manning the desks but sat around chatting to each other languidly despite the people waiting.
Visit the average public university lecture hall. Witness the docile nature of students who dutifully study the “notes” that their professors have prepared for them that also include a copy of the presentation slides for the entire semester. Their idea of preparing for a lecture is getting dressed. Why read the textbooks or take notes when the lecturers will happily provide everything from notes to anticipated exam questions? Be a good little university student, get extra marks for attendance and forget the outside world exists. Like cows, Malaysian university students aren’t expected to do much but ruminate.
Speaking of cows, have we already forgotten the “cowhead incident” of August 28, 2009? I suppose those individuals thought to incite the fury of those who venerate the animals. Apart from the poor dead cow, no blood was shed. A certain minister did prove himself to be no better at independent thought than the average cow.
I am not expecting, nor am I asking, Malaysians to rise up and overthrow the government. Anarchy is profoundly annoying and would likely deprive me of my beloved Unifi and fast YouTube downloads. What I would like more Malaysians to see is that having a spine is not a bad thing.
We are not cows that need to be kept in a pasture for our own good. We need to exercise more than our stomachs. As citizens, we have become far too placid and far too willing to let those who do not have our best interests at heart interfere in what should be private concerns.
It should not be a government’s job to safeguard a religion. Religion, as it has proven over centuries, is perfectly capable of taking care of itself. It is a ludicrous proposition to try to bureaucratise what is, essentially, god’s job. Let Him protect his faith and followers.
As the New Year approaches, I am hoping that as a country we become more discerning citizens. Let us care more for one another and our collective well-being because it is quite obvious that no one else will. Especially those nasty people who keep trying to make us eat grass when they’re sipping Chardonnay (and decreeing it haram for the rest of us).
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