Kelab Seni Filem Malaysia
Jan-Apr 2006 Program
Jan 9 Mon La Haine (Hate) (Mathieu Kassovitz, France, 1995) AF
Jan 16 Mon Hidden Blade (Yoji Yamada, Japan, 2004)
Jan 20 Fri A Poet (Puisi Tak Terkuburkan)(Garin Nugroho, Indonesia, 2000)
Jan 23 Mon The Corporation (Mark Achbar, Canada, 2004)
Feb 6 Mon The Servant (Joseph Losey, GB, 1963)
Feb 13 Mon The Day a Pig Fell into the Well (Hong Sang-soo, Korea, 1996)
Feb 20 Mon The Wall (Le Mur) (Yilmaz Guney, France, 1983) AF
Feb 27 Mon Umberto D (Vittorio de Sica, Italy, 1952)
Mar 6 Mon La Reine Margot (Patrice Chereau, France, 1994) AF
Mar 13 Mar The Battle of Algiers (Gillo Pontecorvo, Algeria-Italy, 1965)
Mar 20 Mon Malaysian Shorts free admission
Mar 27 Mon Malaysian Documentaries free admission
Apr 3 Mon Time Regained (Le Temps Retrouve)(Raoul Ruiz, France, 1999) AF
Apr 11 Tues Accident (Joseph Losey, GB, 1967)
Apr 17 Mon Don Giovanni (Joseph Losey, Fr-Italy, 1979)
Apr 24 Mon Sherman's March (Ross McElwee, US, 1985)
=All screenings at 8.00pm at HELP Univ College, Pusat Bandar Damansara, KL.
=Membership: RM60 1 year (students half price); RM40 6 months; RM30 4 months.
=Free reciprocal admission for members to KSFM & Alliance Francaise screenings (for info on AF film programs, logon or call www.alliancefrancaise.org.my / 03-26947880/ 03-20931735. AF above indicates films contributed by Alliance Francaise.
=Free admission for HELP University College students to all KSFM & AF screenings.
=Enquiries: 012-2255136 / kelabfilem@yahoo.com/Website: kelabsenifilem.tripod.com
Highlights of the new season
1. Three films by Joseph Losey, the versatile and eclectic American director who chose to work in Britain in the later part of his career - two of which (The Servant & Accident) are scripted by Nobel literature laureate Harold Pinter.
2. A classic of Italian neo-realism Umberto D by Vittorio de Sica, director of Bicycle Thieves.
3. Four outstanding films from the Alliance Francaise - La Haine, The Wall, La Reine Margot & Time Regained) - all favourites of the arthouse circuit.
4. Gillo Pontecorvo's classic Battle of Algiers - powerful, unflinching, and so realistic it's like watching a documentary.
5. Garin Nugroho's A Poet - a lesser film in his oeuvre but nonetheless of great political importance. Kelab plans to bring Garin to Malaysia in 2006 tog with a program of his films.
6. ...and of course new editions of Malaysian Shorts & Documentaries.
7. Other special programs to be announced in due course.
Saturday, December 31, 2005
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Manila 2005
Hari pertama, 4 November 2005, Ahad
Mengapa Manila?
100 peso = RM7.15
1000 peso = RM71.50
Manila telah sekian lama menjadi destinasi pilihan yang ingin aku kunjungi dan jika ada yang bertanya mengapa Manila? aku sudah bersedia dengan jawapan-jawapannya. Pertamanya Manila secara khusus dan Filipina secara amnya merupakan negara terpenting di rantau Asia Tenggara dan merupakan 6 buah negara pengasas ASEAN (sebelumnya MAPHILINDO). Namun begitu Filipina dan masyarakatnya dirasakan amat jauh sekali terutamanya kepada rakyat Malaysia yang menetap di Semenanjung. Jadi, kunjungan ini lebih untuk mengetahui dengan lebih dekat lagi segala aspek tentang Filipina dan masyarakatnya (sambil bercuti dari kesibukan kerja).
Keduanya adalah kerana masyarakat Filipina majoritinya adalah Melayu (sebangsa dengan aku)tetapi bukanlah seperti di negara kita yang secara perlembagaan automatik Islam. Di sini majoritinya masyarakatnya beragama Kristian dan yang beragama Islam hanyalah minoriti dan majoriti daripadanya menetap di selatan Filipina yang sentiasa bergolak. Oleh sebab itu aku ingin mencari buku-buku yang boleh membantu aku untuk mengetahui dengan lebih banyak lagi tentang sejarah Filipina, masyarakat Melayu Kristian, Melayu Islam, Mindanao dsb.
Faktor ketiga adalah disebabkan temasya Sukan Sea yang baru saja tamat semalam. Sebagai peminat segala macam sukan (tidak terhad kepada bola saja), ritual untuk ke gelanggang-gelanggang acara sukan sudah menjadi budaya yang tersemat kukuh sejak dari Sukan Sea 1989 di KL. Ini merupakan pengalaman pertama aku menghadiri acara sukan di luar negara dan ianya sesuatu yang sukar dilupakan.
Faktor terakhir yang tidak kurang pentingnya adalah syarikat penerbangan tambang murah, Air Asia yang menjadikan impian ke Manila menjadi kenyataan. Dengan kos RM342 pergi dan balik, aku berjaya menjejakkan kaki ke Manila yang mana jikalau menaiki MAS sudah pasti mencecah 4 angka. Terima kasih kepada Air Asia yang sudi menerbangkan pesawatnya ke Manila dan diharap selepas ini berjaya mendapatkan hak mendarat di semua bandar di Asia Tenggara serta China dan Hong Kong. Hidup Air Asia! Hidup Tony Fernandes!
Perjalanan bermula
Aku bertolak dari rumah tepat jam 5 pagi dan tiba di KLIA pada pukul 5.45 pg. Terima kasih kepada adik dan abang aku yang sudi menghantar dan mengorbankan tidur mereka. Flight AK32 yang aku naiki berlepas tepat jam 7.20 pg dan selamat mendarat pada pukul 11.15 pg waktu Manila (sama GMT dgn kita). Selepas bersarapan dengan mi segera Mamee dan Nescafe yang bernilai masing-masin RM6 dan RM4, aku tidur sepanjang perjalanan kerana aku tidak tidur semalamnya.
Selesai urusan imigrisen dan pengambilan bagasi, aku terus ke kaunter khas bas Philtranco (khusus untuk penumpang Air Asia) untuk ke Manila yang masih 80 km jauhnya dari Clark Airport yang merupakan bekas pengkalan tentera Amerika.
"Clark got its name from Maj. Harold M. Clark, of the U.S. Army Signal Corps, the first American to fly in Hawaii. Clark died on 2 May 1919 in a seaplane crash in Panama and is now buried in the Arlington National Cemetery
Clark Air Base was the largest overseas US military base in the world, with 156,204 acres. The base grew up around the old cavalry post's large parade field, surrounded by wide, magnificent trees. The 13 th Air Force Headquarters occupied buildings that went back to the early part of the 20 th Century. There were about 30,000 military and civilians at Clark when the base was active. The climate alternates between hot and dry, or hot and wet.
By April 1991, magma flowing beneath Pinatubo caused thousands of small earthquakes and by June, the volcano was spitting out deadly sulfur dioxide gas. The Air Force started evacuating people from Clark to the US Navy base at Subic Bay by 10 June. On 12 June, Philippine Independence Day, Pinatubo erupted.
It was the second-largest volcanic eruption of the 20 th century. The ash fall devastated Clark and Angeles City. In November, the Air Force lowered the Stars and Stripes and transferred Clark to the Philippines.
The American departure did force a culling of the businesses in the local economy. Gone was more than $1 million-a-day the base poured into Angeles City. Today there are fewer businesses. Now only the best survive".
Tambang yang dikenakan sebanyak 300 peso jika ingin turun di SM Megamall dan 350 peso jika turun di Pasay Terminal. Aku turun di Pasay kerana ia lebih hampir dengan lokasi hotel yang aku akan menginap untuk dua malam.
Di dalam bas aku bertemu teman baru dari Indonesia yang bernama Santoso dari Yogyakarta dan sepanjang perjalanan masa aku dihabiskan dengan berbual tentang sejarah, politik, demokrasi, kemiskinan, pembangunan, Suharto, Sukarno, komunis, SBY, Mahathir, Anwar, orang Jawa,harapan dan segala macam Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapura, Thailand dan Filipina. Kami membuat kesimpulan bahawa kita adalah "One Heritage, One Southeast Asia" yang menjad tagline Sukan Sea Manila. Apa yang lebih menarik adalah pak Santoso ini lebih kurang sebaya ayah aku sahaja. Sedar tak sedar kami tiba di Pasay dan gambaran awal agak menakutkan juga kerana suasana di terminal Pasay dan kawasan sekitarnya tidak ubah seperti di Jakarta. Dengan beg yang agak besar dan jelas seperti pelancong, aku mengambil sikap berhati-hati dan berlagak seperti orang lokal (tak susah sbb muka sama jer).
Alhamdulillah segalanya ok dan aku selamat tiba di Hotel New Solanie kira-kira jam 2.30 ptg setelah menaiki LRT1 dari EDSA ke Pedro Gil. Nasib baik aku sudah mengkaji sistem pengangkutan LRT Manila terlebih dahulu dan ia memudahkan lagi pemahaman aku setibanya di sini. Sistem LRT di sini dimulakan lebih awal darikita di KL iaitu pada tahun 1984 dengan pelancaran LRT1 dan sehingga kini sudah mempunyai 3 laluan. Namun begitu suasana di dalam tren agak sesak walaupun koc yang disediakan agak banyak dan kawasan platform agak panas. Tidak lupa juga setiap kali ingin menaiki LRT pemeriksaan beg dan badan akan dikenakan dan ia turut dilakukan di kebanyakan tempat seperti pusat membeli-belah dan bangunan-bangunan pejabat.
LRT1
Metrostar
bersambung.....
p/s: baru saja membaca berita kekalahan PAS di Pengkalan Pasir, takziah PAS dan tahniah BN! Pengundi hantu? Tunggu dan lihat sajalah.
Hari pertama, 4 November 2005, Ahad
Mengapa Manila?
100 peso = RM7.15
1000 peso = RM71.50
Manila telah sekian lama menjadi destinasi pilihan yang ingin aku kunjungi dan jika ada yang bertanya mengapa Manila? aku sudah bersedia dengan jawapan-jawapannya. Pertamanya Manila secara khusus dan Filipina secara amnya merupakan negara terpenting di rantau Asia Tenggara dan merupakan 6 buah negara pengasas ASEAN (sebelumnya MAPHILINDO). Namun begitu Filipina dan masyarakatnya dirasakan amat jauh sekali terutamanya kepada rakyat Malaysia yang menetap di Semenanjung. Jadi, kunjungan ini lebih untuk mengetahui dengan lebih dekat lagi segala aspek tentang Filipina dan masyarakatnya (sambil bercuti dari kesibukan kerja).
Keduanya adalah kerana masyarakat Filipina majoritinya adalah Melayu (sebangsa dengan aku)tetapi bukanlah seperti di negara kita yang secara perlembagaan automatik Islam. Di sini majoritinya masyarakatnya beragama Kristian dan yang beragama Islam hanyalah minoriti dan majoriti daripadanya menetap di selatan Filipina yang sentiasa bergolak. Oleh sebab itu aku ingin mencari buku-buku yang boleh membantu aku untuk mengetahui dengan lebih banyak lagi tentang sejarah Filipina, masyarakat Melayu Kristian, Melayu Islam, Mindanao dsb.
Faktor ketiga adalah disebabkan temasya Sukan Sea yang baru saja tamat semalam. Sebagai peminat segala macam sukan (tidak terhad kepada bola saja), ritual untuk ke gelanggang-gelanggang acara sukan sudah menjadi budaya yang tersemat kukuh sejak dari Sukan Sea 1989 di KL. Ini merupakan pengalaman pertama aku menghadiri acara sukan di luar negara dan ianya sesuatu yang sukar dilupakan.
Faktor terakhir yang tidak kurang pentingnya adalah syarikat penerbangan tambang murah, Air Asia yang menjadikan impian ke Manila menjadi kenyataan. Dengan kos RM342 pergi dan balik, aku berjaya menjejakkan kaki ke Manila yang mana jikalau menaiki MAS sudah pasti mencecah 4 angka. Terima kasih kepada Air Asia yang sudi menerbangkan pesawatnya ke Manila dan diharap selepas ini berjaya mendapatkan hak mendarat di semua bandar di Asia Tenggara serta China dan Hong Kong. Hidup Air Asia! Hidup Tony Fernandes!
Perjalanan bermula
Aku bertolak dari rumah tepat jam 5 pagi dan tiba di KLIA pada pukul 5.45 pg. Terima kasih kepada adik dan abang aku yang sudi menghantar dan mengorbankan tidur mereka. Flight AK32 yang aku naiki berlepas tepat jam 7.20 pg dan selamat mendarat pada pukul 11.15 pg waktu Manila (sama GMT dgn kita). Selepas bersarapan dengan mi segera Mamee dan Nescafe yang bernilai masing-masin RM6 dan RM4, aku tidur sepanjang perjalanan kerana aku tidak tidur semalamnya.
Selesai urusan imigrisen dan pengambilan bagasi, aku terus ke kaunter khas bas Philtranco (khusus untuk penumpang Air Asia) untuk ke Manila yang masih 80 km jauhnya dari Clark Airport yang merupakan bekas pengkalan tentera Amerika.
"Clark got its name from Maj. Harold M. Clark, of the U.S. Army Signal Corps, the first American to fly in Hawaii. Clark died on 2 May 1919 in a seaplane crash in Panama and is now buried in the Arlington National Cemetery
Clark Air Base was the largest overseas US military base in the world, with 156,204 acres. The base grew up around the old cavalry post's large parade field, surrounded by wide, magnificent trees. The 13 th Air Force Headquarters occupied buildings that went back to the early part of the 20 th Century. There were about 30,000 military and civilians at Clark when the base was active. The climate alternates between hot and dry, or hot and wet.
By April 1991, magma flowing beneath Pinatubo caused thousands of small earthquakes and by June, the volcano was spitting out deadly sulfur dioxide gas. The Air Force started evacuating people from Clark to the US Navy base at Subic Bay by 10 June. On 12 June, Philippine Independence Day, Pinatubo erupted.
It was the second-largest volcanic eruption of the 20 th century. The ash fall devastated Clark and Angeles City. In November, the Air Force lowered the Stars and Stripes and transferred Clark to the Philippines.
The American departure did force a culling of the businesses in the local economy. Gone was more than $1 million-a-day the base poured into Angeles City. Today there are fewer businesses. Now only the best survive".
Tambang yang dikenakan sebanyak 300 peso jika ingin turun di SM Megamall dan 350 peso jika turun di Pasay Terminal. Aku turun di Pasay kerana ia lebih hampir dengan lokasi hotel yang aku akan menginap untuk dua malam.
Di dalam bas aku bertemu teman baru dari Indonesia yang bernama Santoso dari Yogyakarta dan sepanjang perjalanan masa aku dihabiskan dengan berbual tentang sejarah, politik, demokrasi, kemiskinan, pembangunan, Suharto, Sukarno, komunis, SBY, Mahathir, Anwar, orang Jawa,harapan dan segala macam Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapura, Thailand dan Filipina. Kami membuat kesimpulan bahawa kita adalah "One Heritage, One Southeast Asia" yang menjad tagline Sukan Sea Manila. Apa yang lebih menarik adalah pak Santoso ini lebih kurang sebaya ayah aku sahaja. Sedar tak sedar kami tiba di Pasay dan gambaran awal agak menakutkan juga kerana suasana di terminal Pasay dan kawasan sekitarnya tidak ubah seperti di Jakarta. Dengan beg yang agak besar dan jelas seperti pelancong, aku mengambil sikap berhati-hati dan berlagak seperti orang lokal (tak susah sbb muka sama jer).
Alhamdulillah segalanya ok dan aku selamat tiba di Hotel New Solanie kira-kira jam 2.30 ptg setelah menaiki LRT1 dari EDSA ke Pedro Gil. Nasib baik aku sudah mengkaji sistem pengangkutan LRT Manila terlebih dahulu dan ia memudahkan lagi pemahaman aku setibanya di sini. Sistem LRT di sini dimulakan lebih awal darikita di KL iaitu pada tahun 1984 dengan pelancaran LRT1 dan sehingga kini sudah mempunyai 3 laluan. Namun begitu suasana di dalam tren agak sesak walaupun koc yang disediakan agak banyak dan kawasan platform agak panas. Tidak lupa juga setiap kali ingin menaiki LRT pemeriksaan beg dan badan akan dikenakan dan ia turut dilakukan di kebanyakan tempat seperti pusat membeli-belah dan bangunan-bangunan pejabat.
LRT1
Metrostar
bersambung.....
p/s: baru saja membaca berita kekalahan PAS di Pengkalan Pasir, takziah PAS dan tahniah BN! Pengundi hantu? Tunggu dan lihat sajalah.
Friday, December 02, 2005
Aku tak setuju!
Selepas membaca kolum Epilog Akmal Abdullah yang bertajuk "Pertahankan definisi, jati diri filem nasional", aku ingin menyatakan rasa tidak bersetuju terhadap pandangan yang dilontarkan beliau. Pada pendapat aku, semua filem yang dihasilkan dan diarahkkan oleh pengarah dari Malaysia wajib diiktiraf sebagai filem nasional dan bahasa serta budaya yang digunakan di dalam filem tidak sepatutnya menjadi isu. Sama ada ingin memanggilnya filem Malaysia (kerana terdapat watak dominan yang terdiri dari bangsa yang berbeza seperti Sepet), filem Melayu Malaysia, filem Cina Malaysia, filem India Malaysia, filem Iban Malaysia dan sebagainya itu terpulang kerana yang penting ianya tetap layak diiktiraf sebagai filem nasional.
Sebagai sebuah negara multi kultural, isu seperti ini seharusnya sudah selesai dan tidak dibangkitkan lagi. Walaupun definisi filem nasional ketika ini ialah filem yang berteraskan bahasa nasional iaitu Bahasa Malaysia, itu tidaklah bermakna ianya statik dan tidak boleh dipinda. Jika orang muda zaman ini mempunyai sudut pandang yang berbeza dan mahukan definisi usang ini serta Dasar Kebudayaan Kebangsaan disemak semula supaya sesuai dengan latar masyarakat Malaysia kontemporari, biarkan proses demokrasi yang menentukan. Tidaklah perlu diugut dan ditakutkan dengan tindakan-tindakan yang bersifat undang-undang.
Kepada saudara Akmal Abdullah yang saya sentiasa ikuti tulisannya selain daripada Norazam Shairi di Utusan, aku tetap akan menyanyangi bahasa kebangsaan iaitu Bahasa Malaysia sampai bila-bila tetapi bukan dengan cara anda. Fakta yang jelas, Bahasa Malaysia yang majoritinya digunakan oleh masyarakat Melayu masih dianggap bahasa kelas bawahan di negara ini kerana penuturnya masih lemah di dalam bidang ekonomi. Lazimnya, sesuatu masyarakat hanya akan memandang tinggi bahasa yang digunakan oleh kaum yang maju bukannya kaum yang masih lemah. Namun di dalam masa yang sama janganlah menganggap semua penutur bahasa-bahasa lain terutamanya Bahasa Inggeris sebagai bijak dan hebat. Ini kerana terdapat juga di antara mereka yang hanya pandai bertutur tetapi kosong isinya.
Berdasarkan pemerhatian aku, Bahasa Malaysia bukanlah faktor yang sangat penting di dalam menyatu padukan masyarakat Malaysia terutama di bandar-bandar besar seperti di Lembah Klang kerana penggunaan Bahasa Inggeris yang agak meluas. Apa yang lebih penting adalah minat, sikap dan kualiti yang ada di dalam diri setiap rakyat Malaysia yang menyatukan sesama kita.
Selepas membaca kolum Epilog Akmal Abdullah yang bertajuk "Pertahankan definisi, jati diri filem nasional", aku ingin menyatakan rasa tidak bersetuju terhadap pandangan yang dilontarkan beliau. Pada pendapat aku, semua filem yang dihasilkan dan diarahkkan oleh pengarah dari Malaysia wajib diiktiraf sebagai filem nasional dan bahasa serta budaya yang digunakan di dalam filem tidak sepatutnya menjadi isu. Sama ada ingin memanggilnya filem Malaysia (kerana terdapat watak dominan yang terdiri dari bangsa yang berbeza seperti Sepet), filem Melayu Malaysia, filem Cina Malaysia, filem India Malaysia, filem Iban Malaysia dan sebagainya itu terpulang kerana yang penting ianya tetap layak diiktiraf sebagai filem nasional.
Sebagai sebuah negara multi kultural, isu seperti ini seharusnya sudah selesai dan tidak dibangkitkan lagi. Walaupun definisi filem nasional ketika ini ialah filem yang berteraskan bahasa nasional iaitu Bahasa Malaysia, itu tidaklah bermakna ianya statik dan tidak boleh dipinda. Jika orang muda zaman ini mempunyai sudut pandang yang berbeza dan mahukan definisi usang ini serta Dasar Kebudayaan Kebangsaan disemak semula supaya sesuai dengan latar masyarakat Malaysia kontemporari, biarkan proses demokrasi yang menentukan. Tidaklah perlu diugut dan ditakutkan dengan tindakan-tindakan yang bersifat undang-undang.
Kepada saudara Akmal Abdullah yang saya sentiasa ikuti tulisannya selain daripada Norazam Shairi di Utusan, aku tetap akan menyanyangi bahasa kebangsaan iaitu Bahasa Malaysia sampai bila-bila tetapi bukan dengan cara anda. Fakta yang jelas, Bahasa Malaysia yang majoritinya digunakan oleh masyarakat Melayu masih dianggap bahasa kelas bawahan di negara ini kerana penuturnya masih lemah di dalam bidang ekonomi. Lazimnya, sesuatu masyarakat hanya akan memandang tinggi bahasa yang digunakan oleh kaum yang maju bukannya kaum yang masih lemah. Namun di dalam masa yang sama janganlah menganggap semua penutur bahasa-bahasa lain terutamanya Bahasa Inggeris sebagai bijak dan hebat. Ini kerana terdapat juga di antara mereka yang hanya pandai bertutur tetapi kosong isinya.
Berdasarkan pemerhatian aku, Bahasa Malaysia bukanlah faktor yang sangat penting di dalam menyatu padukan masyarakat Malaysia terutama di bandar-bandar besar seperti di Lembah Klang kerana penggunaan Bahasa Inggeris yang agak meluas. Apa yang lebih penting adalah minat, sikap dan kualiti yang ada di dalam diri setiap rakyat Malaysia yang menyatukan sesama kita.
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Borders @ The Curve dibuka Khamis ini
Borders is opening at The Curve, Mutiara Damansara on 1st December 2005
Bergambar kenangan sebelum stor dibuka secara rasmi
Second Borders Franchise Opens in Malaysia
Come and check out our great opening specials and entertainment in-store on 3rd and 4th December 2005:
-free RM20 vouchers for the first 100 paying customers* on each day from store opening until 4th December 2005
-free Starbucks coffee for early birds*
-free balloons & candies for kida*
-kids' story time and coloring contest from 3pm to 5pm
-join in the fun and excitement brought to you by our DJ, and lots of freebies to be given away*
-free RM15 voucher when you purchase RM100 and above thtoughout the Christmas promotion period
-15% off full priced books and 10% off multimedia with cut-out coupon during Christmas promotion period. Terms & condition apply
*Promotions are valid on a first-come-first basis, and while stock last
Berjaya Times Square
Lot 01-66 & 02-49, 1st & 2nd floor, East Wing, Berjaya Times Square, No. 1 Jalan Imbi, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tel : 03-2141 0288 Fax : 03-2144 5037
bordersbts@bordersstores.com
The Curve
Lot G16, G16A-C & 114A, Ground & ist Floor, The Curve, No. 6, Jalan PJU 7/3, Mutiara Damansara 47800 Petaling Jaya,Selangor Darul Ehsan
Tel : 03-7725 9303 Fax : 03-7722 5037
www.bordersgroupinc.com
www.borders.com
www.bordersstores.com
www.bordersunion.org
p/s: bermula minggu lepas sehingga pertengahan bulan februari 2006, aku akan bertukar sementara ke cawangan The Curve, so janganlah cari aku kat Times Square
Borders is opening at The Curve, Mutiara Damansara on 1st December 2005
Bergambar kenangan sebelum stor dibuka secara rasmi
Second Borders Franchise Opens in Malaysia
Come and check out our great opening specials and entertainment in-store on 3rd and 4th December 2005:
-free RM20 vouchers for the first 100 paying customers* on each day from store opening until 4th December 2005
-free Starbucks coffee for early birds*
-free balloons & candies for kida*
-kids' story time and coloring contest from 3pm to 5pm
-join in the fun and excitement brought to you by our DJ, and lots of freebies to be given away*
-free RM15 voucher when you purchase RM100 and above thtoughout the Christmas promotion period
-15% off full priced books and 10% off multimedia with cut-out coupon during Christmas promotion period. Terms & condition apply
*Promotions are valid on a first-come-first basis, and while stock last
Berjaya Times Square
Lot 01-66 & 02-49, 1st & 2nd floor, East Wing, Berjaya Times Square, No. 1 Jalan Imbi, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tel : 03-2141 0288 Fax : 03-2144 5037
bordersbts@bordersstores.com
The Curve
Lot G16, G16A-C & 114A, Ground & ist Floor, The Curve, No. 6, Jalan PJU 7/3, Mutiara Damansara 47800 Petaling Jaya,Selangor Darul Ehsan
Tel : 03-7725 9303 Fax : 03-7722 5037
www.bordersgroupinc.com
www.borders.com
www.bordersstores.com
www.bordersunion.org
p/s: bermula minggu lepas sehingga pertengahan bulan februari 2006, aku akan bertukar sementara ke cawangan The Curve, so janganlah cari aku kat Times Square
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Sukan Sea Manila 2005
Selamat berjuang Malaysia!
Laman web rasmi
Ia datang lagi setelah 2 tahun (dwi tahunan), Sukan Sea adalah di antara temasya sukan yang aku sentiasa nantikan selain daripada Sukan Olimpik, Sukan Asia dan Sukan Komanwel. Di temasya sebeginilah semangat patriotik kita sebagai rakyat Malaysia teramat mudah untuk dizahirkan kerana adanya penyertaan peserta dari negara kita. Mendengar lagu Negaraku berkumandang apabila atlit kita memenangi pingat emas sahaja sudah menaikkan bulu roma setegak-tegaknya.
Namun bagi mereka yang tidak meminati acara sukan tidaklah bermakna semangat patriotik mereka dipertikaikan. Cuma aku berpendapat melalui acara sukanlah semangat cintakan negara kita ini begitu mudah dirasai dan ditonjolkan tanpa sedar. Semangatnya agak berbeza di dalam hal-hal lain seperti seni, politik, ekonomi dan sebagainya yang kadangkala semangatnya hanya dapat dizahirkan secara dalaman sahaja.
Apa yang pasti, Insya Allah aku akan menyertai kemeriahan temasya yang berlangsung kali ini di Manila pada dua hari terakhir dan berharap dapat menyaksikan acara bowling, lumba basikal kriterium, ping pong dan acara penutup. Malaysia boleh!
Pilihanraya DUN Pengkalan Pasir
ihsan Shin Shin
Pertandingan Tiga Penjuru Di Pengkalan Pasir
Lebih 20,000 iringi calon PAS
WEBLOG Pilihanraya Kecil Pengkalan Pasir N.12
Lamanweb Pengkalan Pasir
Malaysia Media Monitors' Diary
Aku akan berada di Manila semasa hari pembuangan undi berlangsung dan amat berharap agar parti PAS dapat memenangi pilihan raya ini atas beberapa sebab. Salah satunya supaya Barisan Nasional/UMNO sentiasa sedar bahawa parti mereka itu tidaklah sekuat mana dan jika ia berlaku akan membuatkan pimpinan UMNO terutamanya bersikap lebih terbuka dan mendengar pandangan rakyat seperti mana yang sudah mula dilakukan perlahan-lahan oleh Pak Lah.
Alasan lain adalah kemenangan PAS akan membuatkan semangat parti pembangkang meningkat semula setelah momentumnya jatuh merudum akibat kekalahan teruk berdasarkan peratusan kerusi (bukan undi popular) di dalam pilihan raya umum 2004. Aku amat berharap agar barisan pembangkang termasuk DAP dapat bersatu padu semula untuk memberi tentangan sengit kepada BN di dalam pilihan raya umum yang akan datang sekurang-kurangnya untuk meningkatkan bilangan kerusi dan jika boleh menafikan majoriti 2/3 BN (nak menang janganlah harap).
Walau apapun politik di negeri majoriti Melayu seperti Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah dan Perlis tidaklah begitu penting bagi diri aku kerana ia hanyalah politik PAS atau UMNO yang mana kedua-duanya bukanlah parti yang sesuai dengan jiwa aku. Komposisi dan pemikiran masyarakatnya juga tidak sama dengan wilayah yang aku membesar, menetap dan berbangga dengan pasukan bolanya. Sokongan aku seperti sebelum ini pasti tetap diberikan kepada parti pembangkang dan di Pengkalan Pasir ianya adalah PAS. Hidup PAS! Hidup pembangkang!
Selamat berjuang Malaysia!
Laman web rasmi
Ia datang lagi setelah 2 tahun (dwi tahunan), Sukan Sea adalah di antara temasya sukan yang aku sentiasa nantikan selain daripada Sukan Olimpik, Sukan Asia dan Sukan Komanwel. Di temasya sebeginilah semangat patriotik kita sebagai rakyat Malaysia teramat mudah untuk dizahirkan kerana adanya penyertaan peserta dari negara kita. Mendengar lagu Negaraku berkumandang apabila atlit kita memenangi pingat emas sahaja sudah menaikkan bulu roma setegak-tegaknya.
Namun bagi mereka yang tidak meminati acara sukan tidaklah bermakna semangat patriotik mereka dipertikaikan. Cuma aku berpendapat melalui acara sukanlah semangat cintakan negara kita ini begitu mudah dirasai dan ditonjolkan tanpa sedar. Semangatnya agak berbeza di dalam hal-hal lain seperti seni, politik, ekonomi dan sebagainya yang kadangkala semangatnya hanya dapat dizahirkan secara dalaman sahaja.
Apa yang pasti, Insya Allah aku akan menyertai kemeriahan temasya yang berlangsung kali ini di Manila pada dua hari terakhir dan berharap dapat menyaksikan acara bowling, lumba basikal kriterium, ping pong dan acara penutup. Malaysia boleh!
Pilihanraya DUN Pengkalan Pasir
ihsan Shin Shin
Pertandingan Tiga Penjuru Di Pengkalan Pasir
Lebih 20,000 iringi calon PAS
WEBLOG Pilihanraya Kecil Pengkalan Pasir N.12
Lamanweb Pengkalan Pasir
Malaysia Media Monitors' Diary
Aku akan berada di Manila semasa hari pembuangan undi berlangsung dan amat berharap agar parti PAS dapat memenangi pilihan raya ini atas beberapa sebab. Salah satunya supaya Barisan Nasional/UMNO sentiasa sedar bahawa parti mereka itu tidaklah sekuat mana dan jika ia berlaku akan membuatkan pimpinan UMNO terutamanya bersikap lebih terbuka dan mendengar pandangan rakyat seperti mana yang sudah mula dilakukan perlahan-lahan oleh Pak Lah.
Alasan lain adalah kemenangan PAS akan membuatkan semangat parti pembangkang meningkat semula setelah momentumnya jatuh merudum akibat kekalahan teruk berdasarkan peratusan kerusi (bukan undi popular) di dalam pilihan raya umum 2004. Aku amat berharap agar barisan pembangkang termasuk DAP dapat bersatu padu semula untuk memberi tentangan sengit kepada BN di dalam pilihan raya umum yang akan datang sekurang-kurangnya untuk meningkatkan bilangan kerusi dan jika boleh menafikan majoriti 2/3 BN (nak menang janganlah harap).
Walau apapun politik di negeri majoriti Melayu seperti Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah dan Perlis tidaklah begitu penting bagi diri aku kerana ia hanyalah politik PAS atau UMNO yang mana kedua-duanya bukanlah parti yang sesuai dengan jiwa aku. Komposisi dan pemikiran masyarakatnya juga tidak sama dengan wilayah yang aku membesar, menetap dan berbangga dengan pasukan bolanya. Sokongan aku seperti sebelum ini pasti tetap diberikan kepada parti pembangkang dan di Pengkalan Pasir ianya adalah PAS. Hidup PAS! Hidup pembangkang!
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Searching for Peace in southern Thailand
A Public Forum
co-organised by
Asia Forum for Human Rights and Development (Forum-Asia) and Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM)
Background
The southern Thai provinces of Songkla, Narathiwat, Yala and Pattani were once part of the ancient kingdom of Pattani. At the start of the 20th Century, these territories were annexed by the Thai Kingdom but grievances of these Muslim-dominated provinces formented until it exploded into a 20-year movement for independence in the 1970s.
But the fragile calm soon passed with several incidents including that of the massacre of Tak Bai. Since January 2004 more than a thousand people have died, hundreds have fled to the Malaysian borders seeking refuge and there has since been a deterioration in the diplomatic relations between Malaysia and Thailand. Various attempts to ameliorate the restive south have seemingly failed. In the recent Thai general elections, the south rejected the ruling party and those who were perceived as Thai-centric candidates.
Is there an option for peace in southern Thailand or will the iron-gloved reactions by Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra provoke a new civil war and a revived impetus for independence in South East Asia? Is there truth in allegations that Islamic jihadists have a hand in the starting and continuing the conflict? What roles can civil society organisations and the inter-governmental regional body - ASEAN play in light of ceaseless acts of violence?
This public forum presents Mr. Sunai Phasuk, a human rights activist and expert on the subject of south Thailand, who will give his insights into the situation there and the political future of those living in the south; and Mr. Yusri Mohammad, President of ABIM, will provide perspectives of the Malaysian public opinion and observations made during ABIM's humanitarian missions there.
Speakers:
1. Sunai Phasuk, Consultant on Thailand, Human Rights Watch
2. Yusri Mohammad, President, Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (ABIM) and Lecturer, Faculty of Law, International Islamic University (IIU)
Moderator:
Dr. Yeoh Seng Guan, Chair of Secretariat, SUARAM.
Details of the Public Forum
Date: 25 November 2005, Friday
Time: 8.30 pm - 10.00 pm
Venue: Hotel Istana, 73, Jalan Raja Chulan 50200, Kuala Lumpur
There are no admission charges to the public forum.
For reservations and further information, please contact SUARAM at 03-7782 0357 or suaram@suaram.net
A Public Forum
co-organised by
Asia Forum for Human Rights and Development (Forum-Asia) and Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM)
Background
The southern Thai provinces of Songkla, Narathiwat, Yala and Pattani were once part of the ancient kingdom of Pattani. At the start of the 20th Century, these territories were annexed by the Thai Kingdom but grievances of these Muslim-dominated provinces formented until it exploded into a 20-year movement for independence in the 1970s.
But the fragile calm soon passed with several incidents including that of the massacre of Tak Bai. Since January 2004 more than a thousand people have died, hundreds have fled to the Malaysian borders seeking refuge and there has since been a deterioration in the diplomatic relations between Malaysia and Thailand. Various attempts to ameliorate the restive south have seemingly failed. In the recent Thai general elections, the south rejected the ruling party and those who were perceived as Thai-centric candidates.
Is there an option for peace in southern Thailand or will the iron-gloved reactions by Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra provoke a new civil war and a revived impetus for independence in South East Asia? Is there truth in allegations that Islamic jihadists have a hand in the starting and continuing the conflict? What roles can civil society organisations and the inter-governmental regional body - ASEAN play in light of ceaseless acts of violence?
This public forum presents Mr. Sunai Phasuk, a human rights activist and expert on the subject of south Thailand, who will give his insights into the situation there and the political future of those living in the south; and Mr. Yusri Mohammad, President of ABIM, will provide perspectives of the Malaysian public opinion and observations made during ABIM's humanitarian missions there.
Speakers:
1. Sunai Phasuk, Consultant on Thailand, Human Rights Watch
2. Yusri Mohammad, President, Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (ABIM) and Lecturer, Faculty of Law, International Islamic University (IIU)
Moderator:
Dr. Yeoh Seng Guan, Chair of Secretariat, SUARAM.
Details of the Public Forum
Date: 25 November 2005, Friday
Time: 8.30 pm - 10.00 pm
Venue: Hotel Istana, 73, Jalan Raja Chulan 50200, Kuala Lumpur
There are no admission charges to the public forum.
For reservations and further information, please contact SUARAM at 03-7782 0357 or suaram@suaram.net
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Highlight Minggu Ini!
ADA APA DENGAN INDONESIA?
a documentary by Amir Muhammad
Venue: Auditorium of HELP University College BZ-2 Pusat Bandar Damansara, 50490, Kuala Lumpur
Date & Time: Fri 18 - Sun 20 Nov 2005 (Fri: 8.30pm; Sat & Sun: 3pm, 6pm & 8:30 pm)
Tickets: RM10
Further enquiries: 012 3700 207 (Raymond)
Synopsis:
"Ada Apa Dengan Indonesia?" is the newly extended remix of Amir Muhammad's documentary "The Year Of Living Vicariously". In it, Amir follows the filmaking process of the Indonesian epic "Gie" (directed by Riri Riza and starring Nicholas Saputra) in mid 2004. During the time that Amir was there, Indonesia was also having it's first direct presidential elections.
Candid opinions from the cast, crew and extras are therefore sought on the politics, culture and myths of modern Indonesia. A split-screen, fast-talking ride that will make you say "Asik banget, dong!"
74 min. Bahasa Indonesia with English subtitles.
A review in Malay by Fadz can be read here:
http://tontonfilem.blog-city.com/aadi.htm
SEXPO Singapore 2005
Venue: Singapore EXPO Hall 4
Date & Time: Fri 18 - Sun 20 Nov 2005
Tickets: Adult Ticket:* S$14 (Adult aged 21 or above), Minor below 21 Ticket: S$2 Children below 12: Free entrance to Living Room section
Further enquiries: http://www.ticketcharge.com.sg/
Official website : http://www.sexpo.com.sg
Astro A1 Grand Prix of Nations (Round 5)
Venue: Sepang Circuit
Date & Time: Fri 18 - Sun 20 Nov 2005
Tickets: free admission 18th November except for pitwalk, Mall Grandstand - RM200 K1 Grandstand - RM100 K@ & C2 Hillstand - RM30 (ticket are for entry both Saturday & Sunday) Pitwalk passes - RM150 per entry (Friday or Saturday only) please call 03-77262002 for more info or click here
Official website : http://www.a1gp.com
ADA APA DENGAN INDONESIA?
a documentary by Amir Muhammad
Venue: Auditorium of HELP University College BZ-2 Pusat Bandar Damansara, 50490, Kuala Lumpur
Date & Time: Fri 18 - Sun 20 Nov 2005 (Fri: 8.30pm; Sat & Sun: 3pm, 6pm & 8:30 pm)
Tickets: RM10
Further enquiries: 012 3700 207 (Raymond)
Synopsis:
"Ada Apa Dengan Indonesia?" is the newly extended remix of Amir Muhammad's documentary "The Year Of Living Vicariously". In it, Amir follows the filmaking process of the Indonesian epic "Gie" (directed by Riri Riza and starring Nicholas Saputra) in mid 2004. During the time that Amir was there, Indonesia was also having it's first direct presidential elections.
Candid opinions from the cast, crew and extras are therefore sought on the politics, culture and myths of modern Indonesia. A split-screen, fast-talking ride that will make you say "Asik banget, dong!"
74 min. Bahasa Indonesia with English subtitles.
A review in Malay by Fadz can be read here:
http://tontonfilem.blog-city.com/aadi.htm
SEXPO Singapore 2005
Venue: Singapore EXPO Hall 4
Date & Time: Fri 18 - Sun 20 Nov 2005
Tickets: Adult Ticket:* S$14 (Adult aged 21 or above), Minor below 21 Ticket: S$2 Children below 12: Free entrance to Living Room section
Further enquiries: http://www.ticketcharge.com.sg/
Official website : http://www.sexpo.com.sg
Astro A1 Grand Prix of Nations (Round 5)
Venue: Sepang Circuit
Date & Time: Fri 18 - Sun 20 Nov 2005
Tickets: free admission 18th November except for pitwalk, Mall Grandstand - RM200 K1 Grandstand - RM100 K@ & C2 Hillstand - RM30 (ticket are for entry both Saturday & Sunday) Pitwalk passes - RM150 per entry (Friday or Saturday only) please call 03-77262002 for more info or click here
Official website : http://www.a1gp.com
Sunday, November 13, 2005
Jangan lupa ke HELP!
Kelab Seni Filem Malaysia
Presents
MALAYSIAN SHORTS: edisi Nov 2005
Curated by Amir Muhammad
Special Thanks: Red Communications & Bernard Chauly.
Monday, 14 November, 8pm.
HELP University College Auditorium, Pusat Bandar Damansara KL.
Admission is FREE!
Vote for your favourite shorts of the night!
The third and final Malaysian Shorts installment of 2005 sees yet another multilingual package by students and new directors. The naughty and nice will mingle to create a smorgasbord to savour. Q&A with the directors will follow after the screening. Jangan lepaskan peluang ini!
10 shorts (out of 22 entries).
Total running time: 1 hour 45 minutes.
1. AL-BAQARAH by Saiful Razman (7 min, Malaysia, in Malay).
Enigmatic urban odyssey where people literally never say what they seem to. Named after a part of the Quran.
* Teluk Intan-born Saiful Razman, 25, is a visual artist who recently completed a year-long stint at the Rimbun Dahan Arts Residency.
2. JOB INTERVIEW by Khoo Eng Yow (5 min, Malaysia-Singapore, in Chinese)
A Malaysian goes down to Singapore for a job interview. But first the question of water needs to be resolved…Commissioned and screened as part of the Singapore-Malaysia Short Film Exchange at The Substation last year.
* Khoo Eng Yow was once a Petronas scholar. Now he is a professional editor, director of the documentary ‘Ah Kew the Digger’ as well as the forthcoming fictional ‘The Old House’.
3. SIKKAL by Kannan Thiagarajan (21 min, Malaysia, in Tamil)
A tutor, beset by post-collegiate ennui, experiences temptation. As Dustin Hoffman once wondered aloud in The Graduate: “Are you trying to seduce me?”
* Kannan Thiagarajan teaches at MultiMedia University. His first short “Chitappa’ charmed many at a previous edition of Malaysian Shorts. “Sikkal” is his second short.
4. WICKED by Aaron Chung (3 min, Malaysia, no dialogue).
Does TV cause violence? The answer might be eye-popping. Shot on film and not for the squeamish.
* Kuching-born Aaron Chung is a graduate of Akademi Filem Malaysia. He does his own stunts.
5. GOING HOME by Chong Yew Fei (14 min, Malaysia, in Chinese)
Sometimes, they come back.
* Chong Yew Fei’s script for this short received a Special Mention in the Shortcuts Short Film
Competition this year.
6. JIDAH by Sheikh Munasar (4 min, Malaysia, in Malay)
Odd little thing ostensibly about a man who misses his mother, even though she seems not too perturbed.
* Sheikh Munasar, 22, is a producer at Leo Burnett Advertising. His earlier work “Keluarga Saya’ got a lot of attention at a previous edition of Malaysian Shorts.
7. LIFE THROUGH LINES by Joseph Liu (19 min, Malaysia, in Chinese)
Striking ensemble piece in which an ancient art-form achieves contemporary relevance in the concrete jungle,
* Joseph Liu’s previous short was the rather different ‘Mini Stardust’ which starred his little nieces and a host of special effects.
8. HUNGRY? By Hardesh Singh (3 min, Malaysia, in English)
Consumerism in the face of all the world’s problems. It’s a dog’s life.
* Hardesh Singh is one of Malaysia’s busiest composers, having scored Chemman Chaalai, The Big Durian, Tokyo Magic Hour and Monday Morning Glory as well as the upcoming Gubra and Lelaki Komunis Terakhir, all in the space of 2 years. “Hungry?” is his directorial debut.
9. CAPTIVATION by Tan Meng Yoe (7 min, Malaysia, in Chinese)
Can you fall in love with someone whose face you glimpsed for only a second?
* Tan Meng Yoe is a student at Monash University in Sunway.
10. HARI MENUNGGU by Arif Rafhan Othman (21 min, Malaysia, in Malay).
Romantic opportunity, chance encounters, violence and even an insurance salesman all play their part in the circular events of a lazy Sunday.
* Arif Rafhan Othman is better known as Apan, His first short “Ptuihhh!” was an audience favourite when we screened it last year. This is his second short. More info on him can be found at www.outphace.com
TAMAT.
Kelab Seni Filem Malaysia
Presents
MALAYSIAN SHORTS: edisi Nov 2005
Curated by Amir Muhammad
Special Thanks: Red Communications & Bernard Chauly.
Monday, 14 November, 8pm.
HELP University College Auditorium, Pusat Bandar Damansara KL.
Admission is FREE!
Vote for your favourite shorts of the night!
The third and final Malaysian Shorts installment of 2005 sees yet another multilingual package by students and new directors. The naughty and nice will mingle to create a smorgasbord to savour. Q&A with the directors will follow after the screening. Jangan lepaskan peluang ini!
10 shorts (out of 22 entries).
Total running time: 1 hour 45 minutes.
1. AL-BAQARAH by Saiful Razman (7 min, Malaysia, in Malay).
Enigmatic urban odyssey where people literally never say what they seem to. Named after a part of the Quran.
* Teluk Intan-born Saiful Razman, 25, is a visual artist who recently completed a year-long stint at the Rimbun Dahan Arts Residency.
2. JOB INTERVIEW by Khoo Eng Yow (5 min, Malaysia-Singapore, in Chinese)
A Malaysian goes down to Singapore for a job interview. But first the question of water needs to be resolved…Commissioned and screened as part of the Singapore-Malaysia Short Film Exchange at The Substation last year.
* Khoo Eng Yow was once a Petronas scholar. Now he is a professional editor, director of the documentary ‘Ah Kew the Digger’ as well as the forthcoming fictional ‘The Old House’.
3. SIKKAL by Kannan Thiagarajan (21 min, Malaysia, in Tamil)
A tutor, beset by post-collegiate ennui, experiences temptation. As Dustin Hoffman once wondered aloud in The Graduate: “Are you trying to seduce me?”
* Kannan Thiagarajan teaches at MultiMedia University. His first short “Chitappa’ charmed many at a previous edition of Malaysian Shorts. “Sikkal” is his second short.
4. WICKED by Aaron Chung (3 min, Malaysia, no dialogue).
Does TV cause violence? The answer might be eye-popping. Shot on film and not for the squeamish.
* Kuching-born Aaron Chung is a graduate of Akademi Filem Malaysia. He does his own stunts.
5. GOING HOME by Chong Yew Fei (14 min, Malaysia, in Chinese)
Sometimes, they come back.
* Chong Yew Fei’s script for this short received a Special Mention in the Shortcuts Short Film
Competition this year.
6. JIDAH by Sheikh Munasar (4 min, Malaysia, in Malay)
Odd little thing ostensibly about a man who misses his mother, even though she seems not too perturbed.
* Sheikh Munasar, 22, is a producer at Leo Burnett Advertising. His earlier work “Keluarga Saya’ got a lot of attention at a previous edition of Malaysian Shorts.
7. LIFE THROUGH LINES by Joseph Liu (19 min, Malaysia, in Chinese)
Striking ensemble piece in which an ancient art-form achieves contemporary relevance in the concrete jungle,
* Joseph Liu’s previous short was the rather different ‘Mini Stardust’ which starred his little nieces and a host of special effects.
8. HUNGRY? By Hardesh Singh (3 min, Malaysia, in English)
Consumerism in the face of all the world’s problems. It’s a dog’s life.
* Hardesh Singh is one of Malaysia’s busiest composers, having scored Chemman Chaalai, The Big Durian, Tokyo Magic Hour and Monday Morning Glory as well as the upcoming Gubra and Lelaki Komunis Terakhir, all in the space of 2 years. “Hungry?” is his directorial debut.
9. CAPTIVATION by Tan Meng Yoe (7 min, Malaysia, in Chinese)
Can you fall in love with someone whose face you glimpsed for only a second?
* Tan Meng Yoe is a student at Monash University in Sunway.
10. HARI MENUNGGU by Arif Rafhan Othman (21 min, Malaysia, in Malay).
Romantic opportunity, chance encounters, violence and even an insurance salesman all play their part in the circular events of a lazy Sunday.
* Arif Rafhan Othman is better known as Apan, His first short “Ptuihhh!” was an audience favourite when we screened it last year. This is his second short. More info on him can be found at www.outphace.com
TAMAT.
Saturday, November 12, 2005
Islam's forsaken renaissance
By Mahathir Mohamad
CHILDREN often play a game where they sit in a circle. One whispers something to his neighbour, who then whispers that information to the next child, and so on, around the circle. By the time the last child whispers the information to the first, it has become totally different from what was originally said.
Read more...
By Mahathir Mohamad
CHILDREN often play a game where they sit in a circle. One whispers something to his neighbour, who then whispers that information to the next child, and so on, around the circle. By the time the last child whispers the information to the first, it has become totally different from what was originally said.
Read more...
Azahari: Death of an Extremist, Not a Martyr
By Farish A. Noor
Though some were sceptical at the beginning, it now seems increasingly clear that the Malaysian academic-turned-militant Dr Azahari Husin has been killed in a shoot-out with Indonesian security forces in the East Javanese town of Malang. Azahari’s death, we have been warned, does not signify the end of terrorism in Southeast Asia – if anything, it is just as likely to prompt other martyr-wannabes to come to the fore to sacrifice their lives and the lives of others for their own exclusive sectarian ends. The ‘moderate’ Muslims in the region may rejoice at his passing, but their celebrations are hasty and laced with a touch of dread: the dreadful thought that in the months and years to come there will be other Azaharis creeping out of the woodwork to carry out their bloody labours in broad daylight.
One question, however, remains: Why is it that the moderate Muslims of the region were so evidently impotent in the face of this threat? After all, Azahari was not merely a threat to the security of ordinary civilians in Indonesia, but to the image of Islam and all Muslims in general. Why were the heads of state of so many Southeast Asian countries so slow in condemning the man and his deeds; why were the famed religious scholars of ASEAN so slow to denounce his actions; and why were the moderates of the region so lame in their critiques?
Perhaps the reason for this lies in the fact that Azahari was seen as ‘one of us’. He was, despite everything, a Muslim, a Malaysian and a citizen of an increasingly wired-up and connected ASEAN region. In this regard, he was almost a proto-ASEAN citizen whose identity was not shored up by parochial bonds of nationality and local belonging. He had a vision for ASEAN, however twisted that vision may have been. The moderate intellectuals, leaders, scholars and activists of ASEAN, however, lacked the same all-encompassing global vision that drove Azahari to the heights and depths that he reached.
But before we get carried away with these observations, a few cautionary qualifications are called for:
Despite his aim to create a singular, united ASEAN region, Azahari’s vision of a Pan-Islamic ASEAN state was a limited one. His was a view of the world that did not recognise the difference between nation-states, but one that merely replaced territorial divisions with an even more repressive authoritarian model of a sectarian religious state that favoured one faith community – Muslims – above others. No, Azahari was not an advocate of a pluralist, multicultural ASEAN that celebrated its religious, cultural, ethnic and linguistic difference. He envisaged a singular ASEAN state that was homogenous, uniform, conformist and modelled after a narrow interpretation of Islam that hailed from the drier climes of the Arab world instead. Azahari did not celebrate the historical inter-connectedness of ASEAN and its rich legacy of cross-cultural borrowing with and from India and China: If anything, he denounced the region’s pre-Islamic Hindu-Buddhist past as something archaic, corrupted and un-Islamic.
Despite his violent tirades against the authoritarian political culture and repressive regimes of ASEAN, Azahari was not a democrat or a friend of democracy. Like many of his ilk, his chaffing at the yoke of political repression did not lead to a cry from more freedom and equality. He did not preach or believe in the equality of the sexes, races, or religious communities; nor did he militate for more pluralism and diversity. Azahari sought and fought to replace the political authoritarianism of ASEAN today with an even more repressive form of religious dictatorship instead, one where power was even more centralised though less arbitrary, bound as it was by the dictates of religious orthodoxy that was based on a non-negotiable discourse of absolutes. The man was no freedom fighter or democratic revolutionary; Che Guevara he certainly wasn’t. His vision of order and stability was rather underpinned by a fear of political contestation and the overwhelming desire to tame that political ‘chaos’ with the stamp of religious dogma instead.
And despite his claims to have laboured and sacrificed for the sake of Muslims, the man was hardly a friend and ally of Islam or Muslims himself. If anything, his actions have only sedimented even further the stereotypical view that Islam is a religion of violence and that all Muslims – even those like him who were the product of secular education at Western universities – are essentially irrational, violent demagogues and tyrants. Azahari was no friend to Indonesia either, for he cared little about the damage that he was doing to the image of Indonesia in the wake of the 1997-98 economic crisis. Here lies the greatest irony of all: while countless Indonesian workers have come to Malaysia to help in the construction of the Malaysian economic miracle, Azahari was a Malaysian who had come to Indonesia to do precisely the opposite: stir up chaos and strife and to complicate life for millions of ordinary Indonesians instead.
In short, Azahari was exactly the opposite of the ASEAN dream of creating an ASEAN by, for and of the peoples of Southeast Asia themselves. He lived and died at the most extreme antipode of ASEAN’s collective dreams and imaginings. If his ghost is to be remembered, it should be as the alterior face of ASEAN itself, not what we want to be, but what we need to avoid at all costs. ASEAN may not know where it is heading and what it wishes to be in the future, but at least now we are a tad wiser and we know what we should not be and where we should not be heading. Anything but that, anything but another monster like Azahari.
Those who call themselves ‘moderate Muslims’ must now pause and take a good, close look at themselves. Azahari was the bugbear that haunted our conscience while he was alive, and with his death his followers and admirers will undoubtedly praise his efforts and sacrifices as laudatory. Yet we all knew that the man was a radically contingent factor who placed himself outside the equation of Islamic social dialectics and represented something far more extreme and radical that most of us would care to admit. This was the man who did not hesitate to label the moderates ‘kafirs’, ‘traitors’ and ‘hypocrites’, and for whom the killing of ‘moderate Muslims’ and ‘non-Muslims’ went hand-in-hand. Lest we miss the opportunity and allow his passing to be transformed into a modern myth by the die-hard extremists, we have to speak up now and condemn the man for what he was: a murderer, a fanatic and an extremist, plain and simple.
End.
By Farish A. Noor
Though some were sceptical at the beginning, it now seems increasingly clear that the Malaysian academic-turned-militant Dr Azahari Husin has been killed in a shoot-out with Indonesian security forces in the East Javanese town of Malang. Azahari’s death, we have been warned, does not signify the end of terrorism in Southeast Asia – if anything, it is just as likely to prompt other martyr-wannabes to come to the fore to sacrifice their lives and the lives of others for their own exclusive sectarian ends. The ‘moderate’ Muslims in the region may rejoice at his passing, but their celebrations are hasty and laced with a touch of dread: the dreadful thought that in the months and years to come there will be other Azaharis creeping out of the woodwork to carry out their bloody labours in broad daylight.
One question, however, remains: Why is it that the moderate Muslims of the region were so evidently impotent in the face of this threat? After all, Azahari was not merely a threat to the security of ordinary civilians in Indonesia, but to the image of Islam and all Muslims in general. Why were the heads of state of so many Southeast Asian countries so slow in condemning the man and his deeds; why were the famed religious scholars of ASEAN so slow to denounce his actions; and why were the moderates of the region so lame in their critiques?
Perhaps the reason for this lies in the fact that Azahari was seen as ‘one of us’. He was, despite everything, a Muslim, a Malaysian and a citizen of an increasingly wired-up and connected ASEAN region. In this regard, he was almost a proto-ASEAN citizen whose identity was not shored up by parochial bonds of nationality and local belonging. He had a vision for ASEAN, however twisted that vision may have been. The moderate intellectuals, leaders, scholars and activists of ASEAN, however, lacked the same all-encompassing global vision that drove Azahari to the heights and depths that he reached.
But before we get carried away with these observations, a few cautionary qualifications are called for:
Despite his aim to create a singular, united ASEAN region, Azahari’s vision of a Pan-Islamic ASEAN state was a limited one. His was a view of the world that did not recognise the difference between nation-states, but one that merely replaced territorial divisions with an even more repressive authoritarian model of a sectarian religious state that favoured one faith community – Muslims – above others. No, Azahari was not an advocate of a pluralist, multicultural ASEAN that celebrated its religious, cultural, ethnic and linguistic difference. He envisaged a singular ASEAN state that was homogenous, uniform, conformist and modelled after a narrow interpretation of Islam that hailed from the drier climes of the Arab world instead. Azahari did not celebrate the historical inter-connectedness of ASEAN and its rich legacy of cross-cultural borrowing with and from India and China: If anything, he denounced the region’s pre-Islamic Hindu-Buddhist past as something archaic, corrupted and un-Islamic.
Despite his violent tirades against the authoritarian political culture and repressive regimes of ASEAN, Azahari was not a democrat or a friend of democracy. Like many of his ilk, his chaffing at the yoke of political repression did not lead to a cry from more freedom and equality. He did not preach or believe in the equality of the sexes, races, or religious communities; nor did he militate for more pluralism and diversity. Azahari sought and fought to replace the political authoritarianism of ASEAN today with an even more repressive form of religious dictatorship instead, one where power was even more centralised though less arbitrary, bound as it was by the dictates of religious orthodoxy that was based on a non-negotiable discourse of absolutes. The man was no freedom fighter or democratic revolutionary; Che Guevara he certainly wasn’t. His vision of order and stability was rather underpinned by a fear of political contestation and the overwhelming desire to tame that political ‘chaos’ with the stamp of religious dogma instead.
And despite his claims to have laboured and sacrificed for the sake of Muslims, the man was hardly a friend and ally of Islam or Muslims himself. If anything, his actions have only sedimented even further the stereotypical view that Islam is a religion of violence and that all Muslims – even those like him who were the product of secular education at Western universities – are essentially irrational, violent demagogues and tyrants. Azahari was no friend to Indonesia either, for he cared little about the damage that he was doing to the image of Indonesia in the wake of the 1997-98 economic crisis. Here lies the greatest irony of all: while countless Indonesian workers have come to Malaysia to help in the construction of the Malaysian economic miracle, Azahari was a Malaysian who had come to Indonesia to do precisely the opposite: stir up chaos and strife and to complicate life for millions of ordinary Indonesians instead.
In short, Azahari was exactly the opposite of the ASEAN dream of creating an ASEAN by, for and of the peoples of Southeast Asia themselves. He lived and died at the most extreme antipode of ASEAN’s collective dreams and imaginings. If his ghost is to be remembered, it should be as the alterior face of ASEAN itself, not what we want to be, but what we need to avoid at all costs. ASEAN may not know where it is heading and what it wishes to be in the future, but at least now we are a tad wiser and we know what we should not be and where we should not be heading. Anything but that, anything but another monster like Azahari.
Those who call themselves ‘moderate Muslims’ must now pause and take a good, close look at themselves. Azahari was the bugbear that haunted our conscience while he was alive, and with his death his followers and admirers will undoubtedly praise his efforts and sacrifices as laudatory. Yet we all knew that the man was a radically contingent factor who placed himself outside the equation of Islamic social dialectics and represented something far more extreme and radical that most of us would care to admit. This was the man who did not hesitate to label the moderates ‘kafirs’, ‘traitors’ and ‘hypocrites’, and for whom the killing of ‘moderate Muslims’ and ‘non-Muslims’ went hand-in-hand. Lest we miss the opportunity and allow his passing to be transformed into a modern myth by the die-hard extremists, we have to speak up now and condemn the man for what he was: a murderer, a fanatic and an extremist, plain and simple.
End.
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