The Wilful Sunflower

I finally, finally listened to the Negaraku music video that everybody has been talking about, and then I discovered I can't understand it, because he sang so fast and I don't read Chinese!

The Internet always has the answer. I emailed Bob, who pointed me to an English translation of the song's lyrics.

I think the composer has managed to capture and express the frustration of many Chinese, especially where issues of affirmative action favouring the bumiputera (natives) are concerned. But I'm also uncomfortable with it because of the racial stereotyping. I don't think that's fair.

On the other hand, exaggerations are often used to prove a point. And I do think he's very talented and it's a good effort. But still... I can't wholeheartedly applaud him.

By the way, if you're not Malaysian, you won't get the references to police and kopi (coffee); bribes are often referred to as duit kopi, and it's fairly common to bribe one's way out of trouble when stopped by the police. $50 bribe compared to $300 summons? I call that a powerful incentive. (I just paid a $150 summons and my wallet is crying out in pain.)

I can't decide what I think about the possibility that he might be charged under the National Anthem Act for "disrespecting and lowering the prestige" of the national anthem. On one hand, I think it's what we call "frivolous litigation" -- so many other more serious crimes in this country, and they prosecute a 24-year-old student for making a satirical music video? On the other hand, isn't a crime still a crime, even if it's minor?

Maybe the question should be, should such a thing be considered a crime in the first place...

From another perspective, I didn't even know that such an Act existed, and it's likely he didn't either. I'd have just thought, Hey, I think this is a cool idea. Why not try it and see if it works?. Yet ignorance of the law is no defence -- that's one of the few things I still remember from my years in law school.

I'm trying to imagine the tremendous pressure that must have been brought to bear upon him. How worried his family must have been when the controversy exploded. He's backtracked and apologised for the song when he initially thumbed his nose at his detractors and insisted on standing by what he had sung. He's had to bear the humiliation of being labelled a "naïve young man" in the national press (actually, I think he'd have to be pretty cynical, or at least very aware of what's going on around him, judging from the song content).

I'm also thinking how stupid the government is to have blown up this issue. Do they know that many people who would otherwise never have heard of this video are now intensely curious about it? Do they understand how much publicity they have given this guy, and how much they've helped to build up his career? Do they realise that by their actions, they are actually indirectly aiding and abetting in perpetuating the so-called disrespect to the national anthem?

Oh, the ironies of life under our wonderful elected leaders...