Beyond Rangoon

A country of the people, by the people, and for the people. 'Beyond Rangoon', directed by John Boorman, is based on a real-life event, the Democracy Movement of Burma (now Myanmar) by its people, against the Junta system. Every soul with senses will be touched by the spirit of the Burmese in this 140 minutes long movie.
Awe-inspiring, touching yet containing numerous violence scenes, this movie describes a widow, Dr. Laura Bowman (acted by Patricia Arquette), who had just lost her family to robbers seeking for peace in the west. Her heart has nowhere to go but her dead husband and son.
Yet, the political unrest makes her trapped in the country as she lost her passport. Confronting with the brutal repression by the Junta, she flees into the jungle for her life, but nothing else more. Moment between life and death, there is where the inspiration comes from in this movie.
Professor Aung Ko, her tourist guide before the massacre happens, is the figure of justice in the whole movie.
"Seems like all they(the birds) know is the cage", he says as his opening dialogue with Dr. Laura when she freed a bird she bought for good deed but ended with the bird flew back into the cage. He is implying the need of Burmese to free themselves from the cage, with courage and knowledge, rather than follow the rule set by the Junta blindly.
Upholding Aung San Syu Ki's democracy principle, this folk fight for liberty, with non-violence movement, willing to sacrifice his life for his people. But there is no match comparing to Aung San Suu Kyi courage to stand in front the guns, serenely.
Aung San Syu Ki, the daughter of the late General Aung San, a western-educated scholar, a democracy figure to all Burmese, a Noble Peace Prize winner, is nothing more than the hope of all Burmese.
I was much intrigued of what Myanmar now is, as my colleague back in a small Dim Sum restaurant in Penang were mostly Burmese. I asked them why they left their country, but due to literacy problem, they just kept on repeating 'Aung San Su Ki' and 'ho liao' (in hokkien, means incredible'). They failed to give me a good perception as Immigration Commission always comes unpredictably, hunting those illegal immigrants down, and send them back to their respective country not until I watched this movie.
Thank god Malaysian government treats them friendly and nice, provides them with ample food, shelter and free transportation back to their hometown. Again, not until just now, I would never know why after being sent back, they keep on smuggle back here.
Malaysia is a heaven for them! Is a place where human dignity is valued. A place where every human being is respected. Lest forget about the fair or unfairness of the government, but our people, the Malaysians undoubtedly are so nice and friendly people, like me!
Ever imagine if you are in such circumstances where leaders rule with fear, by inflicting pain on you to gain respect and obedience? You can hop on a flight to Tripoli if you really want to experience it!
You need not to do so if you're a Malaysian, since as long as Malaysians are still Malaysians, this will never happen. Lets say, what if, what if it really happens? Just remember this phrase by Mr. David Chen (for Penangites, familiar right? David Chen Garden huh??), "Community and nation above all, and step forward in unity. If anyone could embrace this vision, how possibly could an enemy be successful in weakening us?" For the sake of this phrase, a communist bullet penetrated his chest on his way to Chung Ling High School as a Principal half century back then. Rest in peace my hero.

Inspiring movie for a young spirit is highly recommended. That's is why I'm watching movie instead of studying for tomorrow's test. And also writing this post so that you too, could know about this movie, and share the same sentiment after watching 'Beyond Rangoon'.

Hope that differentiation tomorrow will be easy *fingers tightly-crossed
P/S: but nothing comes easy in life, not even sex. DAMN!

A Penang Perspective

Recently, I am reading a book 'A Penang Perspective' written by Mr. Khor Cheng Kee half century ago. He is the legend in Malaysia journalism. He is the pioneer. He highlighted the Penangites lifestyle with a very unique approach. As I still find most of the values, that he jotted down, still relevant, perhaps I may say, very accurate to describe we Penangites. Time to get your ass off from Facebook and catch up some readings in State Library, thou!

Here's his masterpiece:

The other face of Penang

Is Penang really all that wonderful? A KL (Taman Setapak) reader, who signs herself Miss Non-Penangite, isn't so sure.
She has been here a few times, admires the island's beauty and agrees the hawkers' food is tops. Yet she feels Penang and Penangites must have "some imperfections to speak of."
Of course we have. But before we consider what they are like, let's give miss Non-Penangite her say:
"I should like to make it clear from the start," she writes, "that I am a 'Penang Perspective' fan and I think your Saturday column is super.'
"But I see (and you can't deny this, can you, honestly?) that you are a susceptible Penangite. I mean to say, you fall with a bang for Penang's charm."
"And you think, don't you, Mr.Khor, that there are no nicer people in the world than your Penangites."
"Come, Sir, face up to it. Admit that Penang and Penangites aren't all that wonderful. I bet they have some faults and failings, like the best of us."
"How about telling us there shortcomings, for a change?"
"To be frank, I like Penang and I think it's quite marvellous. I have nothing against it or its people. Only we KL people would like to see also the other side of the picture."
"Why not give your 'Penang Perspective' wider perspective? Why not tell us also what's wrong with your Penang?"
Why not? I am an unrepentant Penangite but, I hope, not a blind one. So, Miss Non-Penangite, let's see the other side of the picture...
To begin with, you can't be anonymous in Penang. You cannot lead a personal life here. Everybody knows everybody else. Everybody talks about everything.
Penangites are undoubtedly friendly. But they are also curious people. They are interested in you. They know who you are, what you do, with whom you do it, where you go, with whom you go where.
As some one once told me; you are too exposed in Penang. There is no privacy. You cannot be nameless. You cannot be lost in a crowd.
And the gossiping that goes on- in the street, at the market, in offices and club, at the hair-dresser's, in your backyard.
No wonder time stands still whole Penangites chit-chat. No wonder life moves slowly in the Island. So does the traffic.
If there is anything that is disorganised in Penang, it is the traffic. Cars crawl in front of you. You keep sounding your horn, but they don't give way.
When they do, sure enough, it's and old codger at the wheel, looking every bit as ancient as his bone-shaker. As you pass him he gives you a look of pained surprise, which says clearly you have no business overtaking him.
And if this isn't enough, you have taxis, buses, motorcycles, trishaws, bicycles, hawkers' tricycles, even the few bullock carts left in Penang, merrily weaving in and our of your path- a veritable hazard to all road users, except themselves.
If you tell a Kuala Lumpurean or a Singaporean you dare no drive in their city because their traffic is so heavy and confusing, they will tell you it's worse in Penang.
To be sure, KL and Singapore have a lot more vehicles than Penang. But their drivers have a lot more road sense. They are quick and quick-witted. Avoiding accidents in Penang, onthe other hand, is largely a matter of luck and guess work (you have to guess where all the cyclists and pedestrians are going, and trust to luck).
Coming to Penang itself, the Penang that the overseas tourist and the outstation visitor coome to see, a non-Penangite says one can see all there is to see in Penang- in one day.
Indeed, he reckons a few hours should be enough to cover everything in Penang. The beaches, the hill, the Gardens, the temples, the Kongsi houses, the factories, the shops.
Ah, yes, the shios. What can they offer you in Penang Road, Campbell Street or Bishop Street that KL and Singapore haven't got? There, the emporiums, the big complexes, the supermarkets, sell anything and everything under one roof. You can spend a whole day going round them, section by section.
In Penang there is little choice, even less variety in shops, and practically no competitiveness.
The sights, too, won't take up much time. You drive round the Island, you laze on the beach. You go up Penang Hill. You climb up Penang Hill. You climb the steps of Ayer Itam pagoda. You see the fish at the Aquarium, and the snakes at Sungei Kluang. What else is there, asks the non-Penangite?
Not much more- if you don't know your Penang. The lovely, serene side of Penang, that, like a certain mint, is too good to enjoy in a hurry. It has to be savoured slowly.
All in all, despite her failings and imperfections, Penang is still doing find. I will Stick to her. There may be two sides to the picture. I like them both.
Does this answer your question, Miss Non-Penangite?

Saturday, September 37, 1975

To be frank, Penang infrastructure wise has changed immensely in the past few decades, we have now more than three shopping complexes on the island itself (note: Penangites for this instance refers to those live in the Island). We already have our Penang Bridge, the longest bridge in Southeast Asia region, and still planning for second link, and even third link project which is the underwater canal from Gurney Drive to northern Butterworth.
Old, shabby Penang Hill cable car is now a display on the hilltop and it was replaced with a new one when I was a kid.
Penang is changing in a changing world, at a rapid pace, to keep us competitive in this globalized world.
Looking Penang from another angle, Penangites never change. Still as busybody as we were, talkative and annoying as usual. Bump into an old pal in a shopping mall and we will have endless stories for the rest of the day in a 24-hours Old Town. An authentic Penangite will then take an excuse to the washroom and secretly buy the bill before another does. That's the spirit that dies hard.
We, the kedekuts, will try to cut our expenditure to minimum. However, we will not hesitate when it comes to good food as long as we feel the price is reasonable.
Every business might go bankrupt in Penang except delicious food. We don't mind go all the way to Pulau Tikus for a lok lok session or Balik Pulau for Nyonya Char Kuey Teow, Masjid Kapitan for Nasi Kandar, or coconut shake plus mee sotong at Esplanade. Every alley we conquer, leave no corner unturned, just for food.
We are Tam Chiak (greedy for food), we want Ho Chiak (nice food). We value food as part of our life more than rat race and paper chase.
Don't misinterpret me, Penangites are not lazy. Contrary to that, Penang is the state of Malaysia with the most human talent availability!
Who is the fifth PM of Malaysia? Penangite!
Who is the charismatic opposition party of Malaysia? Penangite! (Anwar Ibrahim)
Who is the Health Minister of Singapore? Penangite!
Who is the ex-Health Minister of Malaysia? Penangite!
Who is the first Malaysian to be a Mayor in UK? Penangite!
Who is the no.1 badminton player in the world? Penangite! (Dato Lee Chong Wei)
Who is the no.1 squash player in the world? Penangite! (Nicol David)
Who is the no.1 shoe designer in the world? Penangite! (Jimmy Choo)
Who is the legendary actor that you will never bored watching his film repeatedly? Penangite! (Tan Sri P.Ramlee)
Who is the no.1 lawyer who can convince you that black is white? Penangite! (Karpal Singh)
and more.....

Oh ya, last but not least, who is the owner of this blog?
Undoubtedly, a Penangite-very-proud-to-be!