Thinking Allowed, Thinking Aloud

[Cool Hand Luke]

Jeff - I like your line. I read this in the Star (18 July 2003) and immediately your line comes to mind. Are we allowed to even think aloud? 21st Century infrastructure in almost everything, from information technology to communication, and get this, uncensored Internet.......... and we still have kissers (I censore the profane word which comes before 'kissers') who stoop low enough to do this:

City Hall: No more performing licence for Instant Cafe Theatre

KUALA LUMPUR: City Hall has decided to no longer issue any performing licence to Instant Cafe Theatre Company (ICT) after the group refused to follow an order to revise the script of its sell-out show “The 2nd First Annual Bolehwood Awards 2003 – The Director’s Cut.”

It had ordered ICT to change the script after finding that some parts of the show were deemed “sensitive” following a complaint in a letter published in Utusan Malaysia on July 11.

City Hall public relations officer Sarifuddin Ibrahim told The Star that ICT was asked to delete some parts of the script.

He said ICT was also advised to conduct its performance in a more “ethical and decent manner and not to cause uneasiness to the public.”

However, Sarifuddin pointed out that ICT did not comply, and City Hall had no choice but to issue the theatre company with a show-cause letter.

“Since Instant Cafe Theatre did not abide by the directive, it will no longer be given a licence to perform, effective today,” he said.

At its final show last night, City Hall enforcement officers served a compound notice on the show's producer Adeline Tan for performing at Twelve SI in Jalan Sultan Ismail without a permit.

The “Bolehwood” show ran from July 8 to 13 at the Actors Studio Bangsar and continued at Twelve SI in Jalan Sultan Ismail until last night.

In the letter to Utusan, a reader complained that the performance was rude and uncivilised, with utterances of profanity.

He also criticised the show for being insensitive to Islam, apart from making fun of politicians.

In its advertisement, ICT publicised the show as the “spoofs (of) everything under the Malaysian sun and no one, no institution, no project, no cultural norm is spared.”

Show director Jo Kukathas expressed shock at City Hall's decision.

She said it had informed her last Saturday to cut out five elements from the script including government policies, government agencies and the mention of anyone dead or alive, including Tan Sri P. Ramlee.

“This basically entails the entire show which is about society and government policies. It was too late to stop the show that night.

“City Hall also told us we must comply or else we had to pay a RM10,000 fine.

“After we thought it through and consulted our lawyers, we decided to continue with the show without any amendments because if we did, there would be no show,” she said in an interview.

Arts and culture activist Kathy Rowland in her letter to Utusan on Wednesday defended the “Bolehwood” show, explaining that since its inception in 1989, ICT had been performing satires even at official government functions.

“This shows Malaysian poli-ticians are mature enough to appreciate a comedy such as “Bolehwood,” an indication that Malaysia is a democratic country,” she wrote.

............................

Note the important line - because of "following a complaint in a letter published in Utusan Malaysia on July 11". Our boys are quick, aren't they? To think of the tons of complaints sent on garbarge collection, traffic congestions, dirty water from the taps and so on - and never get a response.

[Timo]

I find it quite amusing that one of the 'reasons' for taking away ICT's licence is that it 'makes fun of policians'. If that's illegal, 99% of the public deserves to be in jail. AND probably all politicians too. They are the ones making a mockery of the word 'politician'.

And about being 'insensitive to Islam', well, I am very strongly against ANY religious institution, but I will spare everyone from my heated comments. All i have to say is that if you are confident about your religious practices and your faith, would you care if anyone was making fun of you?

So, let's all take the ICT gang as good examples of people who do not cave in to the nonsensical authorities.

[saml]

I have attended their shows before and I find it pretty amusing. They make fun of anything under the sun. If politicians are afraid of being made fun of then they should conduct themselves in a manner which befits a person with high standing and not make asses of themselves with all the nit witted comments and expect the journalists, if you could call them that to paint them in a good light. But that is what malaysian journalists have stooped to, well most of them anyway. They end up being balls polishers and if it is not too shiny they even put their own spit in it to make it shine!Already most of the local media is state controlled and the only independent ones are one the net or official party organs. There is nothing on the air and when the artistic crowd lampoons them, they get offended.

[lord]

If they really want to get these performing art guys for their outspokeness or whatever, they should actually go after Indi & Nada, the 'lawyers'. They really go after the politicians and touch on religion at a very detail manner, trust me, I haver seen them once too many!

Just bcoz' somebody didn't like it and voiced in Utusan, doesn't change jacksh*t. I read a lot of complains in the Star and Times and don't see a single action! Why is that?

Malaysia Lagi Boleh! Mesti Boleh punya!!

[joker2107]

can somebody pls draft a complaint to dbkl about lat poking fun at local politicians. his satires are published in print and circulated and read by the hundreds of thousands, including the young and vulnerable. by golly, thats really alot of heads to poison!. pls tell dbkl to flex its muscles to ban the media carrying such inappropriate sick pokes at politicians, at least in kl. (that will give me reason enuf ot move to s'gor, assuming that my dear toyo friend does not opick up the same cue). for all the fun i get from toyo in this forum, i should, in the minds of dbkl, be checking my mail box for a summons from the sgor state sec. hmmmm. hten again, its only too true that the postal service in my area has been terribly off the mark. tho' i don't think it happened by design ot save me.
o ya can dbkl also pl ban political campaigning (or better still the political parties tehmselves) for publishing, again in print media, caricatures which make fun of living politicians? hey man, the poor victim politican must definitely have his own pride too and dbkl is a god sent protector of dignity, right. pls dato bandar, ban the media which carry such unsporting cartoons which take advantage of some unfortunate politicans' occupational hazard.
ah, i can imaging living in the city again...

[Cool Hand Luke]

From Utusan:

Bolehwood Awards teater komedi yang melampau
Saudara Pengarang,
APAKAH sebenarnya yang ingin disampaikan oleh sekumpulan pelakon daripada Instant Caf Theatre Co. (ICT) melalui persembahan komedi The 2nd First Annual Bolehwood Awards - The Directors Cut?

Saya adalah pencinta teater dan setia mengikuti perkembangan teater semasa, terutamanya yang berbahasa Inggeris. Salah satu cara sebenarnya untuk membaiki dan meningkatkan mutu bahasa Inggeris selain minat yang mendalam tentang nilai artistik.

Persembahan pembukaan yang bertempat di Actors Studio, Bangsar, mengisahkan tentang acara penganugerahan Bolehwood Awards kepada `penggiat filem' bermacam kategori di Malaysia.

Maka bergemalah suara-suara yang lahir daripada perasaan kecewa, marah, terkilan, dengki, ketidakpuasan hati tentang pentadbiran negara serta pembaharuan yang ingin dan sudah dibuat oleh kerajaan baik dari segi politik, ekonomi, agama maupun sosial. Juga cemburu terhadap kemajuan yang dicapai oleh Malaysia. Itulah yang dapat saya simpulkan daripada persembahan pembukaan itu.

Yang saya tidak faham, kenapa dan bagaimana mereka ini boleh cemburu dan mengkritik secara berlebihan tentang kemajuan yang dicapai oleh Malaysia sedangkan mereka sendiri adalah rakyat Malaysia? Atau adakah mereka ini sering berulang-alik daripada Malaysia-London. Dengan kata lain, menjadikan Malaysia seperti tempat persinggahan sahaja? Ataupun mereka tidak menetap di Malaysia sama sekali dan hanya mempunyai visa pelancong?

Jika benar tanggapan saya, maka saya tidak hairan golongan ini boleh mempermain-mainkan atau memperlekehkan beberapa negarawan/tokoh politik negara dengan selamba. Mereka perlu faham atau setidak-tidaknya tahu dengan jelas dan sahih tentang kronologi/keadaan sosio-politik negara, sebelum mereka lahir sehinggalah merdeka dan seterusnya pada masa kini. Barulah boleh untuk mengkritik, itupun biarlah secara sihat berlandaskan kata-kata yang berlapik.

Bahasa yang digunakan pada malam pembukaan adalah tidak sopan dan tidak beradab, diselang-seli dengan bahasa carut dalam bahasa Inggeris. Lebih sesuai untuk American stage ataupun Western stage.

Sekiranya di London, anda dialu-alukan untuk mencarut pada bila-bila masa dan kepada sesiapa juga yang anda mahu kerana ia adalah kelebihan kebebasan bersuara di negara itu. Tetapi, sekiranya anda datang ke Malaysia, anda tidak boleh mencarut di khalayak umum. Ini kerana ia bertentangan dengan adat resam dan tatasusila kami, bukan sahaja orang Melayu tetapi semua kaum di Malaysia. Jadi, tugas anda mudah. Anda perlu mengenalpasti khalayak anda. Bukankah anda ingin mempersembahkannya secara umum dan bukannya untuk kaum keluarga anda saja?

Saya seorang yang berfikiran terbuka. Saya tidak nampak apa salahnya menonjolkan adegan mak nyah dalam sesebuah persembahan teater. Saya tidak nampak apa salahnya mengadakan adegan seorang rahib perempuan naik ke pentas untuk menerima anugerah. Saya juga tidak nampak apa salahnya dengan pakaian beberapa pelakon yang dikenakan pada malam itu walaupun ia terlalu seksi pada masa-masa tertentu.

Tetapi, apabila hampir kesemua pelakon itu menyentuh isu sensitif seperti agama Islam, hukum hudud yang digambarkan seperti tidak bertamadun, saya tidak boleh menutup mata dan memekakkan telinga sahaja.

Walaupun saya bukan penyokong parti pembangkang yang heboh memperjuangkan hukum hudud, tetapi saya berasa sungguh jelik kepada para pelakon ini yang telah mempermainkan hukum hudud seperti potong tangan dan sebagainya.

Apa perlunya mengejek/menyindir orang-orang tertentu atau parti politik tertentu secara melampau? Apa perlunya mewujudkan skrip yang mengandungi unsur lucah untuk dipertontonkan kepada umum?

Saya kira sesuatu persembahan itu akan tetap menarik walaupun tanpa bahasa-bahasa sedemikian. Actors Studio perlu lebih peka dengan senario ini. Jangan jadikan pentas di Malaysia ini tidak ubah seperti di West End, London di mana segala yang lucah dan maki-hamun dianggap seni artistik yang tidak ternilai harganya.

Sekiranya tidak puas hati dengan pentadbiran politik, Polis Diraja Malaysia dan Lembaga Penapisan Filem di Malaysia ini, sila buat kritikan yang membina bukannya emosional atau tidak rasional sama sekali - baik secara sindiran ataupun andaian.

Akhir sekali, saya menjemput Datuk Shahrizat Jalil (kerana nama Datuk ada disebut) malah tokoh-tokoh politik yang lain termasuk PAS untuk sama-sama menghayati karya The Instant Caf Ensemble ini. Ia berlangsung sehingga 13 Julai 2003, bermula jam 8.30 malam.

Satu pengalaman yang tidak boleh dilupakan begitu sahaja dan patut dikongsi bersama. - PENGKRITIK MELAYU YANG SEBENAR, Kuala Pilah.

Comments by Jikon Lai
http://www.jikonlai.com/

The end of satire and parody in Malaysia

Just when I thought the ruckus over the Instant Cafe Theatre (ICT) had blown over, the Star's front page today reported that Kuala Lumpur's City Hall has decided to no longer issue any performing licence to the theatre company. In addition, it has issued ICT with a show-cause letter demanding that the company explain why it didn't comply with earlier directives to revise the script of its Bolehwood show. City Hall has also served a summon on the show's producer for performing at 12SI without a permit.

All this because one "liberal/open minded" individual wrote a letter to the Utusan Malaysia a week ago.

I can't say that I am surprised. But of course, that does not mean that I am not dismayed at the state of our society and the level of "progress" we have supposedly made in the last five years. We may built cyber-cities, we may have super-corridors, and we may construct the tallest buildings in the world. But in my view, we have yet to change our social-cultural circumstances. Well, no...correction, maybe there has been some change, but if so, it's certainly not in the direction I had hoped our society would go. The irony of this episode is that this is precisely the comment ICT was making in their Bolehwood show.

I now wonder where this will all lead. Will it be swept under the carpet and open/liberal minded Malaysians will lose yet another outlet for political, social and cultural expression? Or will it instead raise the affair to greater prominence and hopefully spark a more intelligent and rationale debate on social-cultural aspects of our society? Or am I investing more optimism here than this country warrants?

You can read the Star's report here. There may be similar reports elsewhere and I will post links if and when I find them. Of course, the newspaper that sparked it off, Utusan Malaysia, did not bother to report on the latest developments, at least not in today's edition.

[xweird]

We can only criticize politicians who are not part of the ruling coalition :eek:

We can only praise politicians who are part of the ruling coalition :rolleyes:

We can only hold concerts/talks/debates sponsored or supported by the ruling coalition.

We must reject concerts/talks/debates sponsored or supported by the opposition.

:( what is our country coming to...

[Cool Hand Luke]

Read comments from people on this issue:

http://www.najahnasseri.org/archives/000725.html

[Cool Hand Luke]

From Utusan Online (26 July 2003)

Seni terjebak didalam politik
Hashim Poirot
6:27pm Wed Jul 16th, 2003

Adanya seorang hamba Allah yang mahu dikenali sebagai ‘Pengkritik Melayu Yang Sebenar’ dari Kuala Pilah, telah menulis sepucuk surat kepada Utusan Malaysia tentang persembahan Instant Café Theatre (ICT) - The 2nd First Annual Bolehwood Awards: The Director’s Cut.

Alkisahnya, persembahan teater ini yang "cemburu dan mengkritik secara berlebihan tentang kemajuan yang dicapai oleh Malaysia" telah amat melukai perasaan wira Melayu sejati ini.

Wira Melayu terakhir ini mengaku bahawa dia sememangnya "berfikiran terbuka" terhadap penampilan isu mak nyah dan pakaian seksi para pelakon, tetapi tidak boleh terus "memekakkan telinga" apabila para pelakon menyentuh isu ‘sensitif’, iaitu hukum Hudud.

Saya sendiri telah menonton persembahan teater ini dan saya ingin menegaskan di sini bahawa saya langsung tidak bersetuju dengan wira Melayu ini. Pertamanya, ini adalah satu persembahan komedi tentang Malaysia.

Dari segi itu, saya berpendapat bahawa ICT telah berjaya sepenuhnya untuk menggelikan hati para penonton tentang isu-isu yang selalunya dibincang secara serius di negara ini. Itulah objektif sebuah komedi, wahai pengkritik Melayu, dan ICT memang telah berjaya mencapai objektif ini.

Keduanya, saya amat berbesar hati kerana barisan pelakon sememangnya satu kumpulan yang muhibah. Mereka terdiri daripada pelbagai kaum dan agama. Malah, bilangan pelakun wanita juga mengimbangi bilangan pelakun lelaki.

Juga, gaya pertuturan mereka mencerminkan realiti pertuturan masyarakat berbilang kaum di Malaysia. Lucah? Isu sensitif? Telinga saya lebih berdesing di pejabat saya sendiri apabila mendengar percakapan majikan Melayu saya yang beragama Islam apabila dia membuat andaian-andaian bersifat perkauman terhadap para pekerja yang bukan Islam atau bukan Melayu.

Ketiganya, para pelakon semua nampaknya amat menjiwai watak yang mereka pegang. Walaupun teater ini berbentuk satire, tetapi cara persembahannya langsung tidak memperlekehkan jiwa Malaysia kita.

Malah, jelas kelihatan bahawa para pelakon walaupun menyindir, tetapi menyindir dengan penuh hormat dan kasih sayang. Macam kartun Lat yang saya amat gemari. Tetapi saya akui, jenaka ICT ini lebih bersifat politik daripada kartun Lat.

Oleh itu, saya tidak bersetuju dengan komen si wira Melayu ini. Bak kata orang putih – no sense of humour. Walaupun begitu, saya faham bahawa kita semua mempunyai tahap intelektual yang berbeza, dan saya mengajak si wira Melayu ini untuk membuka mindanya sedikit dengan lebih banyak membaca dan mendalami sejarah perkembangan tanahair kita ini.

Tetapi apa yang lebih memeranjatkan saya ialah selang sehari selepas munculnya surat wira Melayu ini, Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) telah "melawat" kru produksi ICT! DBKL telah menuntut pemotongan beberapa babak sekiranya ICT mahu meneruskan persembahannya. Kalau tidak persembahan tersebut akan diharamkan dan ICT akan didenda.

ICT telah akur dengan perintah DBKL ini. Apa nak buat? Artis-artis sejati di Malaysia kena cari makan. Lainlah pula kalau artis-artis ini mengibarkan panji BN secara terang-terangan.

Tetapi inilah yang amat menyedihkan saya. Nampaknya bidang seni di Malaysia hanya akan "maju" sekiranya para penggiat seni mengambil pendirian yang pro-pemerintah. Karya para penggiat seni yang ingin mengkaji isu-isu berat secara kritikal akan terus disaring.

Maka, perkembangan intelektual rakyat Malaysia akan terus terbantut kerana tidak didedahkan kepada perbincangan yang lebih mencabar. Mungkin DBKL dan si pengkritik Melayu ini bukannya tersinggung oleh penampilan isu "sensitif" seperti hukum Hudud oleh ICT, tetapi tidak mahu dicabar tentang realiti kelemahan pelaksanaan dan pempolitikan hukum Hudud yang telah ditonjolkan oleh ICT.

Oleh itu, saya rasa tindakan DBKL ini amatlah mendukacitakan. Kerana ia bermaksud bahawa DBKL tidak mahukan penampilan karya-karya yang bermutu di Kuala Lumpur.

Kenapa, DBKL? Kerana karya-karya ini menyinggung perasaan rakyat Malaysia secara amnya, atau kerana ia menyinggung perasaan sesetengah rakyat Malaysia yang mempunyai kepentingan tersendiri?

Atau kerana karya-karya ini merupakan tuduhan yang tidak berasas, atau kerana ia kena tepat pada sasarannya?

Hujah si pengkritik Melayu seolah-olah hujah orang yang takut menghadapi realiti dunia. Tetapi, tindakan DBKL seolah-olah perbuatan orang bersalah yang cuba menutupi kesalahannya dengan menyerang pihak-pihak yang telah menyaksikan perbuatannya itu.

[Cool Hand Luke]

A bunch of jokers...........

'The Star' Wednesday, July 23, 2003
ICT free to perform show, says mayor

KUALA LUMPUR: Instant Cafe Theatre (ICT), embroiled in a controversy over a theatre satire last week, is free to perform its show at anytime, Datuk Bandar Datuk Mohamad Shaid Mohd Taufek said.

In a twist of events, Mohamad Shaid said he was in the dark over the entire episode and did not know about the directive not to issue a performing licence to ICT.

“Of course not every decision is referred to the Datuk Bandar. I don't know who said that (the directive) and now that it has come to my attention, I'm telling you 'no' (we are not banning ICT).

“If ICT wants to perform the show again even tonight, it can. I am giving the permission. The permission is from me,” he said.

He also said there would be an overhaul of City Hall's licensing procedures and, from now, he would personally deal with the issuance of licences to theatre groups.

The Star had reported that City Hall decided not to issue a performing licence to ICT after it did not comply with a directive to take out five elements in the The 2nd First Annual Bolehwood Awards 2003 – The Director's Cut.

A City Hall official had said that ICT was asked to revise its script after an irate reader wrote to Utusan Malaysia, questioning how the show could be approved when it contained profanity, insulted Islam and poked fun at persons and races.

The theatre company first ran the show from July 8 to 13 at the Actors Studio in Bangsar and continued its run at Twelve SI in Jalan Sultan Ismail from July 15 to 17, during which licensing officers issued it with a compound notice for not having a licence to perform at the venue.

The mayor called for a press conference yesterday after media reports slammed him and City Hall over the ICT ban. Mohamad Shaid said that it was out of good intention that City Hall's licensing department issued ICT a six-day licence to perform at the Actors Studio although it did not submit a script but just a one paragraph synopsis.

“This licence was never withdrawn. After the letter in Utusan Malaysia, we had to act. “The compound notice was issued because ICT performed without a licence. Never at any point did we disrupt the show or confiscate anything,” he said, adding that ICT was taking a risk when it performed without a licence as this meant that it did not pay the 25% federal tax.

Mohamad Shaid said the issue was blown out of proportion due to “misperceptions.” He said he was scrutinising the licensing department and changing certain things. Each application by theatre groups would now be reported to him and each application must include full scripts.

He said he had watched ICT performed several times and enjoyed the performances. He added that Bolehwood was “harmless, except for one or two words which were not so nice to the ears.”

“As a whole we can approve the script, with a little bit of change,” he said.

[jeffooi]

Should we show who is the master to these "public servants"?

For example, elect them every three years.

Keep them if they are goog. Throw them if they are no good.

Ya... cool hand luke... just thinking aloud. ;)

I am working with some friends to organise a Seminar on Local Governance.

Venue could be Subang Jaya. Date somewhere late August.

Hope to get Tan Sri Harun Hashim to be the keynote speaker.

Hope you all could lend us a hand.. if this is possible.

[Cool Hand Luke]

Jeff - Sure thing. Let me know.

[jeffooi]

an announcement will be made after the loose strings are tied together. Hang on for now.

[xweird]

Barely days after the ICT fiasco had ended (on a good note)... Malaysians are again insulted by the Censorship Board for expressing eagerness to ban (http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2003/7/30/nation/5951772&sec=nation) the latest Jim Carrey comedy "Bruce Almighty" because it insults the Muslim faith...

I'd like to see how this debate is played out.. I do not hope for much, though. After all, they did ban "Daredevil" for some even stupider reasons...


Incidentally, go have a read of TV Smith's take (http://www.mycen.com.my/duasen/300703_righteous.html) on the issue

[Sungkai]

Now...with my eyes close...imagining what would i feel if someone is making jokes about my mother........

[xweird]

I've just had a chat with my Muslim friend (masam2) and he'd shed some light on the whole issue from a Muslim point of view.

Needless to say, I regret my earlier posting (which I thought to be rather tactless); yet I remain adamant that the show should go on (because it's purely entertainment, not heresy).

Elaborating from there on, I respect the need to respect the Muslim belief. However, in addition, I also respect the need to respect the freedom of choice granted to individuals.

How do we keep ourselves in pace if the country is not providing clear enough explanation to the masses? Only through conversations with friends are we non-muslims able to learn the gist of the teachings that so clearly prohibit this kind of blatant "tangible portrayal" of their most supreme God. Yet the best the Board can come up with is "it insensitive or can confuse the people".

Naturally you can expect less than favourable responses to this kind of simplistic explanation. I'm not saying I disagree, but I also feel that we are entitled to better insight into the Muslim religion and beliefs that are so offended by the movie.

We want to know why and now what...

I will now close by expressing my regret for my earlier tactless message. Sungkai, I never meant to make jokes about your "mother".

Peace.

[jericho]

Honestly I do not see any problem with the film. As Aizuddin Danian (http://www.aizuddindanian.com/voi/archives/000659.html) puts it correctly the definition of God is not the monopoly of Islam. In fact, honestly, the definition of religion is also not the monopoly of Islam.

I'm so glad there are still wise Muslim like Aizuddin around.

[Cool Hand Luke]

Ban Nemo

I move that we ban 'Finding Nemo' because it is misleading for our children that fish can talk. And besides, I do not like the way Nemo moves its eyes. Ban it.

[Cool Hand Luke]

Ban Life!

I just remember. When I was driving home from work this evening, I saw this billboard at the Jalan Kewajipan/Murni. I cannot remember what it is now. But I am sure I didn't like it. You know, the colours are all wrong....... Ban it. I say, ban it!

[xt900]

By doing so, we shall live in a peace and harmony country with no religous, politics, sexual and any other bad influence which can contaminate our mind. They won't be any anti government parties, no robbing, stealing, raping, killing, conning, corruption activities, no insulting any religious faith, no.....

Even news can influence us. News showing riot and war will give ideas to fellow Malaysian to start one themselves. What about documentary? Wildlife documentary showing how animal killing other animal in order to survive? WOW!!! Those are free lessons on "How to hunt your enemy".

Cartoon? Don't have to elaborate more, worst!!! Children and even adults will start to fantasize about some wonderland that will never exist.

What's left? You tell me. :mad:

[xt900]

Another reason why people buy pirated.

[yoonggin]

WHY NOT, WHEN CORRUPTIONISm TAKES PLACE anything can happen.........$$$$ is the word, got it......

[Cool Hand Luke]

Yoonggin - For the heck of it, I really do not understand your post. What are you trying to say? :)

[Timo]

When I first heard the ban I was completely shocked as the movie seemed totally innocent, the censors would find no excuse to ban it...

But then I read that it was 'insensitive to Islam', which I find a total cop out.

And then I get the biggest shock of all, as I found out some people actually support this ban!

Could someone please explain to me the logic behind this?

[Joecool]

Actually there are so many things that can be banned. Take X-Men for example. Mutant having almost god-like powers? Or how about Tomb Raider? Surely it must be suggesting the existence of some super power? Might mislead some people. Of course everyone knows Bruce Almighty. Ban everything. Ban Datuk Michelle Yeoh's movie - Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Surely a man cannot fly? Might mislead people. Hey - why is she still a Datuk?

[Cool Hand Luke]

1) The following movies should be banned:

All Walt Disney's movies
All animation movies
All romance/love movies
All horror movies
All thriller movies
All science fiction movies
All drama movies
All history movies
All adventure movies
All musicals

Better still, ban and close down all cinemas. Ban selling of VCD and DVD recorders. Ban selling of PCs. Ban selling of VCR.

2) The following TV shows should be banned:

Simple. Ban all TV channels and Astro

3) The following books should be banned:

Ban and close down all bookshops

4) The following countries should be banned (from us visiting):

Why? Because you can still go abroad and watch a Mickey Mouse movie in Singapore or Thailand. Ban all travelling. Stop issuing all passports and collect back all existing passports.

5) Internet

Serious here. Ban it. Shut it down completely.

6) Other Forms of Communication

Serious too. Radios, telephones, faxes etc. Ban them. Shut down Telekoms. Shut down all other providers.

7) Conclusion

What else is there to ban? Ban talking. Don't talk to each other in case you poison others' minds. Stop talking. Be quiet. All families must be isolated. All individuals within the family. We will all sit in our chair in our little room staring out of our little window. Mmm... that makes a great movie plot. Oops... we cannot talk about movies, can we?

Ahhh...... there is nothing else left to ban.

[Joecool]

Not left to ban except banning itself I guess. Anything in this world is offensive to one person at least. Just like gay marriages. We detest them? What about in the view of a gay? Heterosexual relationship may be disgusting?

[bslee]

Hey CHL,

Incidentally, Afghanistan under the Taliban regime had banned most things you described..
China and was in a similar situation under Mao.
N.Korea???

Most things banned, this country could be be branded as having a rogue regime.
BS

[Cool Hand Luke]

Agghh. Am I allowed to think for myself???

Malaysiakini published this letter from a reader on 31 July 2003:

All should support Abdul Hamid’s ‘Bruce’ ban proposal
Muzammil Daud, Bayan Baru, Penang
3:03pm Wed Jul 30th, 2003

I am referring to Tunasing's reply to the proposal by Abdul Hamid Zainal Abidin to ban the 'Bruce Almighty' movie.

Tunasing is right to say the minister should not propose the ban just because the movie is deemed insensitive to the teachings of Islam, since non-Muslims do not care about this.

In my opinion, all Malaysians who believe in God must support the minister's proposal not because it is insensitive to Muslim belief, but because the movie makes fun of God.

And since all Malaysians believe in God (the first principle of the Rukunegara is ‘belief in God’), the proposal should be supported by everyone.

How could one come up with such an idea of a human being acting as God for a few days? Isn't that insensitive to not only Islam, but also to other religions since all promote God as Almighty? How would Buddhism, Hindu, Christianity, Sikhism view the idea?

Would any religion allow God to be the object of fun and jokes? I don't think so.

................

On the contrary, my man, on the contrary. There is a difference between fun and humour and malicious intent and of course, it takes some to know the difference and others to know nothing.

Agggh. Just lighten up. And the whole world would lighten up with you. We have enough miseries in this world. Do not add to it.

[Joecool]

what about religions that believe in demi-gods and major gods? What about religions that believed that a god started off as a man? what about a religion that believes that God became man to die as atonement for the sins of man? What about religions that believed that their god once visited earth in the form of man? What about religions that believed there is no god but extra-terrestial beings and these beings built the pyramid? Hmm Maybe that's why the show StarGate has been pulled from our TV screening. What make these men think they know what we want and act like god themselves?

[Timo]

I bet if someone added up all the deaths caused by religous fanatics, it would end up being more than all the wars in human history added together.

I suggest the first to go under the banned list are people who take their religion too seriously. You guys have caused too many deaths already, please do not kill humour (or common sense for that matter).

[Cool Hand Luke]

I am following on from Joecool's earlier post on homosexuality. Please allow me to indicate that I do not have any strong view on homosexuality - in other words, I do not support it and neither am I against it. I do not yell 'way to go man' and neither do I condemn it. I do not hold any religious viewpoint on homosexuality. Here is a letter written in to Malaysiakini on it. Please be reminded that homosexuality does not necessary mean a man-man relationship but also a woman-woman relationship. Here it goes....

What Some Religions Say About Homosexuality

Gay Malaysian
4:48pm Thu Jul 31st, 2003

I would like to provide further comments on the letter by Onyos Felk. I am a gay Malaysian currently studying in England, practising in the Zen Buddhist tradition and in a homosexual relationship.

First off, I would like to point out that the three main Buddhist traditions - Mahayana, Theravada and Vajrayana - are generally (though not always) quite tolerant of homosexuality, particularly so here in the West.

To provide a sample viewpoint from a Theravada Buddhist in Malaysia, I quote from a letter written by Ven Dr K Sri Dhammananda in response to a gay Singaporean:

"The third of the five precepts we recite in daily Buddhist practice is: undertake the training rule to refrain from sexual misconduct. By misconduct, it is meant behaviour which harms the person who does the act or the other party

"This in a way means that if both parties are consenting adults, there is no harm done. In Buddhism we do not consider any action "sinful" in the sense that we transgress a divine commandment. We act wrongly because of ignorance and therefore we commit an Akusala Kamma (unskilful action) which delays or interferes with our spiritual progress.

"In this connection, Buddhism does not recognise that marriage is a divinely ordained institution which suddenly makes sex okay ... Sex is caused by a craving just like craving for food, liquor, drugs, wealth, power. Attachment to any of these constitutes Akusala Kamma. Buddhism does not see homosexuality as wrong and heterosexuality as right. Both are sexual activity using the body, both are strong expressions of lust which increase desire for life and therefore trap us longer in Samsara.

"We do not condemn homosexuality as wrong and sinful, but we do not condone it either, simply because it, like other forms of sex, delays our deliverance from Samsara.

(Dr K Sri Dhammananda is a very well known and respected Buddhist leader in the Malaysian Buddhist community and is the leader of the Sasana Abhiwurdhi Wardhana which manages the Buddhist Maha Vihara, founded by the Singhalese community in Malaysia. He is also the senior religious adviser to the World Buddhist Sangha Council, the president of the Malaysia Singapore Sri Lankan Sangha Council as well as religious adviser to over 50 different Malaysian Buddhist associations.)

Most Western Buddhist teachers who are dharma heirs (ie trained and qualified to pass on the teachings of the Buddha) of their Asian Buddhist teachers are accepting of homosexual relationships, as long as they are consensual, monogamous and based on compassion.

Therefore a man who has a family and children and indulges in an occasional fling or two without the knowledge of his wife (something that is perhaps accepted in some parts of Malaysian society) is considered in Buddhist terms to be less ethical than a man who stays committed to another man (or woman to another woman) in a life-long monogamous relationship.

From a Christian viewpoint, the debate on homosexuality is far more intense, particularly in the West, and has been on-going for over 20 years.

A very good example is the recent controversy in the Anglican Church (the Church of England) which has more than 70 million members worldwide, where the current Archbishop of Canterbury (the head of the Church) Dr Rowan Williams nominated an openly gay but celibate priest, Dr Jeffrey John to be the bishop of Reading, but later had to ask him to resign because of intense protests from conservative church branches, particularly in Africa.

Having being a Christian in Malaysia for many years, my experience is that the large majority of Christians in Malaysia are from the ‘conservative’ group which advocate a direct, literal reading of the bible where homosexuality is clearly prohibited.

This however is not the only viewpoint on the interpretation of the bible, and there are many ‘liberal’ scholars, bishops and clerics in the West that make an alternative interpretation which welcomes monogamous, loving homosexual relationships.

For example, in the US there is a large schism in the Presbyterian Church and the United Methodist Church regarding this issue and other issues like the ordination of women clergy.

I would like to stress that I am not advocating or promoting homosexuality, rather stating some facts on this issue from both the Buddhist and Christian viewpoint.

There is ample quality material available on the Internet that debates this issue from both supporting and dissenting views for all other religions such as Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism and Bahai. There are also religious groups that involve gay people from all faiths in the West, even including Islam. (For example, al-Fatiha)

Last but not least, it is interesting to note that the Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong has admitted in an interview with Time magazine that Singapore has begun employing homosexuals within the government, in a reversal of its previous policy. However, they have still not considered decriminalising homosexuality due to pressure from religious groups.

[Cool Hand Luke]

Back to the issue at hand - the proposed ban of 'Bruce Almighty' Here is a comment from a reader in Malaysiakini

Offended by Bruce, but wouldn’t Propose Banning it
Perak Man
4:31pm Thu Jul 31st, 2003

I am a Muslim who might be offended by the content of the film ‘Bruce Almighty’. However, I don't support calls to ban the movie as non-Muslims do have the rights to enjoy making fun of their gods.

This is not so for Muslims who honour their vows as Muslims and believe in the sanctity of their creator. I believe the fair action for Muslims and non-Muslims is for the Muslim religious authorities to declare their fatwa on those who see the film and those who are involved in its distribution as a warning to Muslims about the legality of their action.

The same analogy can be made with alcohol consumption. Non-Muslims in this country do have the rights to enjoy alcohol as well as making fun of their gods.

[xt900]

Remember Pendidikan Moral, those 16 values we learnt during primary school and high school? Government should start making documentary based on those values and show it 24 hours a day, nothing else, not even ads.

[Cool Hand Luke]

Star (1 August 2003)

KUALA LUMPUR: The Film Censorship Board never intended or even recommended for Jim Carrey’s latest flick Bruce Almighty to be banned after viewing it for the first time, said Deputy Home Minister Datuk Chor Chee Heung.

The current generation of Malaysians should not be underestimated as not being able to tell the difference between comedy and serious issues, he said.

Many of them were well educated and far more exposed, he said.

He said the movie was given the nod several days ago but he stopped it from being screened just yet after Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Abdul Hamid Zainal Abidin had wanted it banned.

“I told the board I wanted to watch the movie first before it was released for public viewing. Since it was a minister who had brought it up, I thought it was only right for the movie to be reassessed to see if it was offensive,” he told reporters after attending Munchy Food Industries Sdn Bhd’s “Give Me A Chance, Give Me A Home” campaign yesterday.

Chor said the board had stipulated that the movie, which was expected to be shown next week, be rated as 18PL.

There are diverse views about the movie, though.

Deputy Information Minister Datuk Zainuddin Maidin said he was more worried about the Malays watching Misteri Nusantara over TV3 on Mondays.

“Misteri Nusantara which highlights strange practices, happenings and negative attitudes in the society is being watched by three million people. It has elements of tahyul.

“I don’t think anybody’s faith can be swayed by watching Bruce Almighty,” he said.

Film producer Raja Azmi Raja Sulaiman who saw the movie in Jakarta said with the current situation where deviant teachings were rampant, movies like Bruce Almighty should not be screened.

“The issue discussed here is religion. It’s not about Islam, Christianity or any other religion. I think questioning the existence of God whether in jest or otherwise is no laughing matter. It’s rather extreme to ridicule or make a mockery of God,” she said.

Raja Azmi is afraid that viewers, especially the young, would be influenced.

“It is true the movie did not make a mockery of Allah but it was insensitive to make a movie which made fun of God. In fact, I think Bruce Almighty is worse than Daredevil. If the board is serious about instilling religious values, they should just ban it,” said the producer of the recently banned VCD Jembalang Yang Hilang.

For director A. Razak Mohaideen, Bruce Almighty is just another comedy.

“Though there is one part in the film which touched on wahyu (divine revelation), it’s more entertaining than anything else,” he said.

He added that the movie contained many values and there was no blasphemy against Islam, but there were parts that should be censored.

Last Monday, Abdul Hamid called for a ban because the protagonist assumes the power of God.

He said the movie had strayed from Islamic convictions as it equated man with God.

[Joecool]

Strange. We are supposed to be able to practice a lot of freedom in religion yet if a movie is not seen right by the major religion, it is banned. Maybe our cinemas should have another rating which should be not suitable for those who are weak in their faith. With the election coming, I guess religion will become a daily news fodder.

[Cool Hand Luke]

The Star (5 August 2003)

Airing Dramas can lead to Marriage Break-ups, says Hadi

KUALA TERENGGANU: PAS has blamed television stations for airing dramas, which it claims has created an unconducive family environment leading to marriage break-ups.

Its acting president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang also accused the mass media of being immoral in giving prominence to divorce cases involving artistes and VIPs.

“Divorce is already immoral in Islam and as such there is no need to give much prominence to it,” he said.

[Cool Hand Luke]

The Star (5 August 2003)

Ban on Social Dancing in Terengganu

PETALING JAYA: The decision to ban social dancing by the PAS-led Terengganu government has drawn flak from the MCA leadership who called the move an infringement on the rights of non-Muslims to practise their way of life. The MCA leaders also expressed unhappiness over the imposition of stringent guidelines against non-Muslim groups planning to hold cultural dances.

In describing the move as “narrow minded,” “fanatical” and “an opposition against the Chinese way of life,” MCA vice-president Datuk Dr Fong Chan Onn said: “Non-Muslims believe that it is their right to have social interaction and dancing is a way of life for the Chinese. I am offended by the restriction. The MCA will oppose the move as this is an opposition against our way of life,” he said.

The criticism came following a recent report that all Chinese cultural dances involving men and women at the state-owned Primula Beach Resort in Terengganu must first obtain approval from the Kuala Terengganu Municipal Council while all forms of disco and social dancing were banned.

Cultural dances performed there also had to adhere to strict guidelines.

Kuala Terengganu MCA division chief C.Y. Toh said yesterday that the Chinese in the state found it difficult to rent government community halls due to the council's harsh requirements.

Wanita MCA head Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen questioned the move yesterday and voiced fears that it could lead to further infringements on the rights of other communities. “Some social dancing is a form of cultural promotion. It could be a form of exercise and recreation for everyone. I fear that the move could result in the state government becoming more inward-looking,” she said.

In Rompin, Culture, Arts and Tourism Minister Datuk Paduka Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir said the issue should not be blown out of proportion as the foreign media might use it to give the country a bad image. He said the foreign media could manipulate the situation and tourists might think the regulation on dancing applied to the entire country.

“If the foreign media were to blow up the matter, we would be at the losing end as the tourists would not know where Kuala Terengganu is,” he said.

[lady-o-leisure]

What drives a person to take onto religion so fanatically till they don't see anything else in this world but the 'book' which they probably misinterpret most of the time and blow it out of proportion?

[lord]

There is an oooooooold saying which I follow without fail,

If you want to soar
like an eagle,
Don't think like
a Turkey!!

My 2 sens!!

[Joecool]

I guess we are human after all. We still have our flaws and we intepret what we read based on our capacity to accept what is true and what is possible. Also what is allowed. For example I believe that in the Bible's Old Testament there is a mention that we should not consume blood as it is the live of the animal. There is no new text after that which says we can but I don't think that is stopping today's Christians from eating ayam panggang which still have blood in the bone marrow. What is practical and what is truly forbidden by religion is I guess up to the modern man to intepret. For example there is no such thing as the Internet in the time of Moses. Should we use it? Or is it the forbidden fruit from the Garden of Eden which brings to us the knowledge of the world but brings us into sin as well? Sorry if this sounds a bit heavy.