I got this from my sis (Iffah) who got it from my mum who get it from my dad who got it from his friend. I hope you enjoy it as I did:
Dato Seri Samy Vellu finally and officially resigned from his post as the longest MIC President ever, after leading the party for almost 31 years. The Malaysian Insider has its story, here . Frankly, I will miss him very much especially for all the funny quotes he made all these years. Like what our Prime Minister said in the 2010 Barisan Nasional Conference, “We will miss DS Samy Vellu because he add a lot of color … sometimes a bit too much color”. Therefore, as a token of appreciation, I just wanna share so me of the more famous quotes ever made by the one and only, Samy Vellu.
1. Samy Velu quoted on Pos Laju:
"Besoh kirim, hari ini juga sampai"
2. On one TV news when he tried to say he felt very ashamed:
"Ini prekara sangat memalukan saya dan kemaluan saya sangat-sangat la besar"
3. Samy said in one of his “ceramah”:
"Kita akan bina satu jambatan wuntuk worang2 kampong di sini." Then one pakcik asked, "Datuk, sini takde sungai, buat apa bina jambatan?" And Samy gloriously replied, "Kalao takde sungai, kita bina sungai"
4. Samy's most favourite quote on the news for the decade is this:
"Toll naik sikit, banyak marah saya. You worang ingat semua ini toll saya punyer bapah punya kah!”
5. During water crisis:
"Semua worang diminta jangan membuang aiyerr!"
6. On social society's problem:
"Worang2 muda sekarang banyak suka hisap dade"
7. During blood donation's program at Sungai Siput:
"Marilah kita semua menderma dare"
8. His welcome speech in most of his functions:
"Selamat datang saudara-mara semua" (It should have been “saudara-saudari”)
9. During the height of the Al-Arqam's saga, he said in a press conference:
"Saya gumbira bahawa didapati tiada pemuda MIC terlibat dalam kes
Arqam"
10. At an opening ceremony for a new building:
"Mempersilakan Datin Paduka Rafidah Aziz naik dari pentas wuntuk membuka kain"
And of course the world's greatest joke of all times:
"Kita akan bina roket pigi matahari." One of the reporter responded,
"Tapi Datuk, matahari terlalu panas untuk didekati." Samy replied,
"Itu tade masalah. Kita hantar waktu malam"
There you are folks. For DS Samy Vellu, we wish you all the best!
Showing posts with label Current Issue. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Current Issue. Show all posts
Friday, January 7, 2011
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Hikmah Piala AFF 2010
Tahniah pasukan bola sepak Malaysia kerana menang piala AFF Suzuki! (dan kami dapat cuti! hehe)
Safee Sali, Top Scorer AFF Cup 2010
My choice for best player: Khairul Fahmi
M. Nasuha berjaya merampas spotlight dari penyerang ternama GonzalesApapun kita sebagai penyokong cukup terhibur dengan permainan kedua pasukan. Semua drama, caci maki, rusuhan dan tunjuk perasaan akhirnya berakhir dengan keputusan yang penuh hikmah. Ketika Malaysia menang di Kuala Lumpur, Indonesia menyalahkan laser yang tak pasti ulah siapa. Buat beberapa hari airmata pun tumpah, berbalas sumpah seranah, batu menyergah dinding rumah. Doa berbalas doa sampai tibalah 29 Disember 2010, semua mata terbuka. Buat Malaysia, kita kagum dengan sikap matang Indonesia yang tidak membalas ketidakmatangan penyokong Malaysia pada leg I dan tetap unggul di tempat sendiri. Rakyat Indonesia pula sedikit sebanyak akur dengan kesungguhan pemain Malaysia. 2-1 buat Indonesia adalah tanda kemenangan, dan agregat 4-2 diharapkan dapat memberi kehormatan buat pemain Malaysia yang saya rasa sudah berusaha sebaik mungkin demi membanggakan negara mereka.
Allah ada perancangan-Nya. Cukup kita berusaha dan bersyukur dengan nikmat-Nya.
-IMAN NAILAH 2010-
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Just finished SPM! Yahooooooo! NOW WHAT?
1. Define your own future
- This is definitely not the end but the beginning of a new stage of life. You are entering the ADULT life where there's nobody will (or should) tell you what you should do. It's you who makes the decision. So decide who you will be in the next 15-20 years. (Still it's important to seek advices from the more experienced people such as your parents before making the decision).
2. Discover yourself
- What do you like or talented to do? What you can produce for everybody's benefit? How can you develop these talents of yours? If you want to be a lawyer, ask yourself can you convince people? Can you analize problems and bring to the people the truth? If you are not sure, train and test yourself! Go to self-building camps, take English classes, make connection with people!
3. Turn your assets into gold
- See where you are going? Now to have something you have to give first. What do you have? Money? Freedom? Knowledge? Time? Let me suggest. I guess the best thing you can invest in is your time. It's free, it gives you freedom and your knowledge will increase by investing in it. So make it your greatest asset to build your castle of dream. Never waste a minute of it.
4. Take the trip of your lifetime
- You are going to KL for example. How will you bring yourself to the destination? By bus or train? Maybe by airplane? Which way will you take? The highway? The state roads? This is called strategizing. List all the options you have and use pro and cons.
5. Collect beautiful pebbles along the way
- Don't focus too much on your destination until you forget to enjoy the scenery along your trip. Capture it in your camera. Learn big from small things. Savour the moments!
Whatever the result is, remember there is no winner that never fails. And a winner becomes a failure when he stops with the success. And the most important, remember that Allah seeks for efforts, not the result.
Happy tripping to success ^_^-IMAN NAILAH 2010-
Saturday, November 20, 2010
PKR Tergugat?
Sekilas melihat kes Dato' Z yang bakal meletakkan jawatannya keluar dari PKR, ini seakan lakonan ulang suatu babak yang pernah kita lihat lebih sedekad lalu yang terjadi di antara Tun Dr. M dan Tan Sri AI. Cuma kali ini Tan Sri AI bertukar peranan, dari si 'pengkhianat' menjadi yang 'dikhianati'.
Kali ini juga lakonan Dato' Z tak berapa menjadi untuk menandingi 'kehangatan' babak terdahulu kerana kurang plot yang lebih mengancam. Kalau dulu AI dilucutkan jawatan, Datuk Z terpaksa melucutkan sendiri jawatannya kerana AI kurang responsif, tak seperti Dr.M. Kemudian Dato' Z mencuba lagi dengan menyuarakan segala keburukan atasannya (seperti mana AI menyemarakkan semangat menentang Dr. M), namun sekali lagi AI bukanlah Dr. M, dan dia berdiam diri tanpa membuat tuduhan-tuduhan berbaur seksual dan menjijikkan.
Boleh jadi ini bukan percubaan menandingi mana-mana babak, tapi sekadar kebetulan yang sudah menjadi ketetapan Tuhan untuk sama-sama kita renungkan. PKR tidak suci, dan Dato' Z tidak 100% salah. Adakah ia untuk menunjukkan kelemahan PKR? Ya mungkin, agar mereka membuka mata bahawa mereka bukanlah di kerusi yang selesa hanya dengan 5 negeri (4 sekarang) di bawah pemerintahan mereka. Ada yang perlu dikaji dan diperbaiki seandainya mereka betul-betul masih berpegang dengan visi keadilan mereka. Jangan sampai jadi "Parti Khianat Rakyat" sudah...
Kali ini juga lakonan Dato' Z tak berapa menjadi untuk menandingi 'kehangatan' babak terdahulu kerana kurang plot yang lebih mengancam. Kalau dulu AI dilucutkan jawatan, Datuk Z terpaksa melucutkan sendiri jawatannya kerana AI kurang responsif, tak seperti Dr.M. Kemudian Dato' Z mencuba lagi dengan menyuarakan segala keburukan atasannya (seperti mana AI menyemarakkan semangat menentang Dr. M), namun sekali lagi AI bukanlah Dr. M, dan dia berdiam diri tanpa membuat tuduhan-tuduhan berbaur seksual dan menjijikkan.
Boleh jadi ini bukan percubaan menandingi mana-mana babak, tapi sekadar kebetulan yang sudah menjadi ketetapan Tuhan untuk sama-sama kita renungkan. PKR tidak suci, dan Dato' Z tidak 100% salah. Adakah ia untuk menunjukkan kelemahan PKR? Ya mungkin, agar mereka membuka mata bahawa mereka bukanlah di kerusi yang selesa hanya dengan 5 negeri (4 sekarang) di bawah pemerintahan mereka. Ada yang perlu dikaji dan diperbaiki seandainya mereka betul-betul masih berpegang dengan visi keadilan mereka. Jangan sampai jadi "Parti Khianat Rakyat" sudah...
Friday, June 26, 2009
Kalian Bertengkar, Mereka Tepuk Tangan
Orang Luar : Hahaha...
Orang-orang : Kenapa?
Orang Luar : Tak sangka ada orang bodoh macam diorang ni!
Orang-orang : Suke sebab orang lain bodoh?
Orang Luar : When people around you look stupid, you’ll look brilliant.
Orang-orang : Siapa diorang?
Orang Luar : Adik-beradik dua orang tu laa…
Merekalah si kakak; Indonesia dan si adik; Malaysia. Mereka selalu bertengkar dan cemburu terhadap diri masing-masing, tapi kenyataannya mereka tak dapat berpisah. Mereka perlukan satu sama lain.
Sejak zaman perjuangan mendapatkan kemerdekaan lagi, adik-beradik ni dah mula bertelagah. Si kakak kata, jangan pergi, yang adik nak bawa haluan sendiri. Si pengadu domba mula memasang jarum dan jerat, akhirnya si adik pergi membawa diri. Kakak marah, tapi apa boleh buat. Dasar adik keras kepala.
Hidup diteruskan. Mereka berhubung lagi masa ke masa, kadang saling tolong-menolong, bertukar cerita dan bersatu pendapat, tapi seperti ada kerenggangan bila mengingat sejarah masa lalu.
Kakak yang awalnya senang dan teguh, tiba-tiba krisis ekonomi melanda dan efeknya cukup besar buat si kakak. Si adik juga terkena tempiasnya, tapi tidak tau kenapa dia bangkit kembali, dan malah lebih berjaya dari kakaknya. Adik makin lupa diri, malah terkadang menganggap kakaknya lebih rendah dari dirinya.
Akhir-akhir ini bara lama menyala kembali. Hal-hal kecil saja dapat menimbulkan rasa marah si kakak yang sensitif. Maklumlah, orang agak berumur memang begitu. Si adik pula acuh tak acuh, menganggap kakaknya cuma membesar-besarkan kerana cemburu dengan dirinya.
Pulau Ambalat, Lagu Rasa Sayang, Manohara, sedikit demi sedikit semakin memanaskan dada si kakak. Sudahlah dia lupa diri, nak ambil pula yang dia tinggalkan dulu. Padahal bagi si adik, itukan memang miliknya dari dulu. Lagipun, kakak dah ada banyak pulau, kenapa kisah sangat pasal yang satu (Ambalat) ni?
”Manohara..”, kata si adik, ”alah, itukan masalah rumah tangga orang. Tak payahlah kita masuk campur…”.
“Eh, masalahnya raja kamu tu mendera rakyat kami!” sangkal si kakak.
Akui saja. Kalau ada rakyat kita dibunuh di negara orang lain oleh rakyat negara tu, kita juga akan berang. Tapi itu kes bunuh, memanglah patut. Cuma dalam kes ni, si adik kenalah faham, kakak awak ni sensitif. Si kakak pun, janganlah sebab nyamuk seekor, langsung kelambu dibakar. Cuba bawa bincang.
Kalian adik-beradik, macam mana benci dan banyaknya dendam, air dicincang tak akan putus. Sedar tak yang semua ni hanyalah propaganda luar yang mau kalian bercerai-berai supaya tak lagi bekerjasama, sebagai satu rumpun Melayu dan sebagai saudara seIslam. Sebab mereka tau kalianlah yang paling kuat. Malaysia merupakan salah satu negara Islam termaju dan Indonesia pula negara dengan penganut agama Islam yang paling ramai di dunia.
Hilangkan salah faham dan iri hati. Jatuhkan ego dan rasa lebih baik. Kalian asalnya sama. Harusnya kalian lebih memahami kerana asal yang sama, sifat yang mirip, dan pegangan yang satu.
Mari raikan PERSAMAAN untuk PENYATUAN.
Jadikan PERBEZAAN serta PERBEDAAN suatu KEKUATAN.
Catatan penulis : Saya menggunakan perkataan ’kalian’ dan bukannya ’kita’ walaupun saya sebahagian dari ’kalian’, sebagai cara menunjukkan sifat neutral dan tidak berat kepada mana-mana pihak. Sebagai warganegara Malaysia yang menuntut ilmu di Indonesia, saya merasa terpanggil untuk menyeru penyatuan dua negara yang saya cintai.
IMAN NAILAH 2009
noradrenaline2001@yahoo.com
Orang-orang : Kenapa?
Orang Luar : Tak sangka ada orang bodoh macam diorang ni!
Orang-orang : Suke sebab orang lain bodoh?
Orang Luar : When people around you look stupid, you’ll look brilliant.
Orang-orang : Siapa diorang?
Orang Luar : Adik-beradik dua orang tu laa…
Merekalah si kakak; Indonesia dan si adik; Malaysia. Mereka selalu bertengkar dan cemburu terhadap diri masing-masing, tapi kenyataannya mereka tak dapat berpisah. Mereka perlukan satu sama lain.
Sejak zaman perjuangan mendapatkan kemerdekaan lagi, adik-beradik ni dah mula bertelagah. Si kakak kata, jangan pergi, yang adik nak bawa haluan sendiri. Si pengadu domba mula memasang jarum dan jerat, akhirnya si adik pergi membawa diri. Kakak marah, tapi apa boleh buat. Dasar adik keras kepala.
Hidup diteruskan. Mereka berhubung lagi masa ke masa, kadang saling tolong-menolong, bertukar cerita dan bersatu pendapat, tapi seperti ada kerenggangan bila mengingat sejarah masa lalu.
Kakak yang awalnya senang dan teguh, tiba-tiba krisis ekonomi melanda dan efeknya cukup besar buat si kakak. Si adik juga terkena tempiasnya, tapi tidak tau kenapa dia bangkit kembali, dan malah lebih berjaya dari kakaknya. Adik makin lupa diri, malah terkadang menganggap kakaknya lebih rendah dari dirinya.
Akhir-akhir ini bara lama menyala kembali. Hal-hal kecil saja dapat menimbulkan rasa marah si kakak yang sensitif. Maklumlah, orang agak berumur memang begitu. Si adik pula acuh tak acuh, menganggap kakaknya cuma membesar-besarkan kerana cemburu dengan dirinya.
Pulau Ambalat, Lagu Rasa Sayang, Manohara, sedikit demi sedikit semakin memanaskan dada si kakak. Sudahlah dia lupa diri, nak ambil pula yang dia tinggalkan dulu. Padahal bagi si adik, itukan memang miliknya dari dulu. Lagipun, kakak dah ada banyak pulau, kenapa kisah sangat pasal yang satu (Ambalat) ni?
”Manohara..”, kata si adik, ”alah, itukan masalah rumah tangga orang. Tak payahlah kita masuk campur…”.
“Eh, masalahnya raja kamu tu mendera rakyat kami!” sangkal si kakak.
Akui saja. Kalau ada rakyat kita dibunuh di negara orang lain oleh rakyat negara tu, kita juga akan berang. Tapi itu kes bunuh, memanglah patut. Cuma dalam kes ni, si adik kenalah faham, kakak awak ni sensitif. Si kakak pun, janganlah sebab nyamuk seekor, langsung kelambu dibakar. Cuba bawa bincang.
Kalian adik-beradik, macam mana benci dan banyaknya dendam, air dicincang tak akan putus. Sedar tak yang semua ni hanyalah propaganda luar yang mau kalian bercerai-berai supaya tak lagi bekerjasama, sebagai satu rumpun Melayu dan sebagai saudara seIslam. Sebab mereka tau kalianlah yang paling kuat. Malaysia merupakan salah satu negara Islam termaju dan Indonesia pula negara dengan penganut agama Islam yang paling ramai di dunia.
Hilangkan salah faham dan iri hati. Jatuhkan ego dan rasa lebih baik. Kalian asalnya sama. Harusnya kalian lebih memahami kerana asal yang sama, sifat yang mirip, dan pegangan yang satu.
Mari raikan PERSAMAAN untuk PENYATUAN.
Jadikan PERBEZAAN serta PERBEDAAN suatu KEKUATAN.
Catatan penulis : Saya menggunakan perkataan ’kalian’ dan bukannya ’kita’ walaupun saya sebahagian dari ’kalian’, sebagai cara menunjukkan sifat neutral dan tidak berat kepada mana-mana pihak. Sebagai warganegara Malaysia yang menuntut ilmu di Indonesia, saya merasa terpanggil untuk menyeru penyatuan dua negara yang saya cintai.
IMAN NAILAH 2009
noradrenaline2001@yahoo.com
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Hasil Pemilu 2009 : Masa Depan yang Tak Pasti?
Pilihanraya 2009 selesai perhitungannya semalam.
| 1. | PARTAI DEMOKRAT | 19.6% | suara | |
| 2. | PARTAI GOLKAR | 14.9% | suara | |
| 3. | PDI PERJUANGAN | 14.5% | suara | |
| 4. | PKS | 7.6% | suara | |
| 5. | PAN | 5.7% | suara | |
| 6. | PKB | 5.5% | suara | |
| 7. | PPP | 5.2% | suara | |
| 8. | GERINDRA | 4.5% | suara | |
| 9. | HANURA | 3.7% | suara | |
| 10. | PBB | 1.9% | suara | |
Hasilnya tak banyak berubah dari hasil pemilu 2004. Ya, dulu Partai Golkar(Golongan Karyawan) yang menjuarai, PDIP(Partai Demokrasi Perjuangan Indonesia) mengekor dari belakang, Partai Demokrat di tempat kelima. Dulu PKS(Partai Keadilan Sejahtera) di kedudukan keenam sekarang naik dua anak tangga. PKB(Partai Kebangkitan Bangsa) dan PAN(Partai Amanat Nasional) jatuh sedikit dari kedudukan selesa mereka lima tahun lalu. Kita tunggu lagi Pemilihan Presiden yang dijangkakan berlangsung bulan Julai ini.
”Pemilihan presiden? Takde maknanya. Dari keputusan Pemilu DPRI dan DPRD dah tau dah takde sangat pun yang akan berubah.” kata seorang individu tak bernama.
”Harga minyak mesti naik lagi.
Kadar kemiskinan tetap meningkat.
Pengangguran bertambah banyak.
Korupsi terus berlanjut.
Semuanya bertambah, meningkat, naik dan lanjut. Baguslah tu...”
Jangan pesimis dulu.
Nasib kita tak terletak seluruhnya pada hasil pilihanraya. Nasib kita terletak pada diri kita sendiri dan izin-Nya. Allah tak muram terhadap doa-doa hamba-Nya. Ada hikmah di sebalik tiap yang tersurat, silakan cari yang tersirat. Ini bukan waktu untuk kecewa, tapi untuk memperkuat usaha, menyusun strategi baru, dan mengibar semangat perjuangan baru. Islam tidak akan mati, apalagi mundur tidak sekali.
Perjuangan kita bukan semata-mata memenangkan pilihanraya. Kita bermatlamatkan kesejahteraan dunia yang berlandaskan hukum Islam. Ia suatu hasil yang terlalu mahal untuk kita buat main-main. Jadi ayuh kerahkan segala potensi yang ada!
Anak muda, pertajam ilmu dan kemahiran.
Orang lama buka minda dan lakukan pembaharuan.
Orang-orang berpengalaman kongsikan pengetahuan.
Kita tak mampu hidup sendiri, apalagi berjuang di bumi penuh mehnah dan racun hati.
Masa kita tak lama. Hari pengakhiran akan datang juga.
”Pada hari ketika tiap-tiap diri mendapati segala kebajikan dihadapkan (di mukanya) begitu (juga) kejahatan yang telah dikerjakannya. Ia ingin kalau kiranya antara ia dengan hari itu ada masa yang jauh.” - Ali-Imran : 30
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Joget Pemilu
Dua minggu yang lalu, aku sempat terbeliak melihat sebuah iklan di saluran terkemuka TV Indonesia. Bukan tak biasa disaji dengan dangdut dan joget di kaca TV, cuma jadi luar biasa bila menyedari yang mempromosi itu bukanlah syarikat-syarikat telekomunikasi atau sabun cuci, tapi sebuah promosi parti. “Marilah mengundi parti kami!”. Rupanya agenda politik yang
Lebih tiga tahun di
Maaf, terlalu kasar agaknya bila menggunakan kata ‘ketawa’.
Bukan tak simpati, malah empati. Empati melihat anak-anak jalanan yang tak pasti masa depannya, si tukang beca yang berpanas dan lenjun demi sesuap rezeki, dan si penderita kanker yang tak punya wang untuk membeli ubat pelancar buang air.
Ahh, terlalu sedih mengenangkan mereka tapi tak mampu berbuat apa-apa.
Cuma mengetawakan segelintir manusia yang terlalu larut dengan keinginan sampai buta dengan keperluan dan kebenaran.
Liputan berita menayangkan sekitar kempen yang berlangsung di seluruh Indonesia. Masih itu-itu juga. Kalau tak dijaja dengan perempuan berkemban bergoyang sakan, lagu-lagu cintan dari band-band ternama jadi bahan tarikan. Tak jauh beza pun dengan konsert di kampus-kampus, cuma kali ni ada pemimpin dan calon-calon parti ikut berjoget di atas pentas. Sambil joget sambil baling duit. Terlompat-lompatlah pengikut setia mereka di bawah berebut wang. Mereka yang kelihatan sangat riang dan bangga menyarung baju sedondon warna parti, menari terhinjut-hinjut mengikut rentak lagu dangdut. Bila selesai perhimpunan, si anak muda yang semangat mengibar bendera parti ditanya apa manifesto para calon, dia hanya tersengih seperti kerang busuk.
Beberapa hari sebelum pilihanraya Indonesia berlangsung, hati ini resah.
Resah dengan nasib anak-anak muda yang terus lemas dalam hiburan. Resah dengan masa depan negara yang majoriti rakyatnya muslim.
Normal kan, bila kita tertanya-tanya siapa yang bakal memegang pemerintahan di negara tempat kita mencari ilmu?
Normal kan bila kita peduli dengan nasib orang-orang seagama kita?
Yang tidak normal bila rasa peduli hilang untuk agama dan negara sendiri.
Kadang pelik dengan orang yang tak kisah dengan politik.
Takpe kalau ada alasan yang kuat.
Takpe lagi kalau tak faham. (It’s not the first priority. I get it.)
Takpe juga kalau tak sempat. (Mungkin sibuk urus suami dan anak-anak 12 orang).
Tapi ada yang nampak dan rasa sengsara, tapi malas dan berputus asa. Sedihnya bila ada sesetengah orang boleh ber’shopping’ di Bandung di hari pilihanraya, bila ditanya kenapa tak pergi mengundi, jawabnya: ”Tak dapat surat undangan mengundi”. Hmm...
Tahun ini 44 parti disorongkan kepada rakyat. Pilihlah!
Penuhlah jalan raya dengan poster-poster pilihanraya. Ada 44 parti, satu parti ada sampai 10 orang calon. Hasilnya dari 1001 wajah dengan beragam gaya dan janji, rakyat jadi pusing nak pilih yang mana. Susah-susah sangat, kita bercuti ke Bandung jelah!
P/S: Sebenarnya nak post entry ni a few days before pemilu, tapi takpelah...just to make a point, even at the wrong time.
IMAN NAILAH 2009
noradrenaline2001@yahoo.com
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Support Earth Hour 2009
Switch off the lights in your home only for ONE HOUR starting 8.30pm (20.30) today (Saturday, March 28th, 2009).Stop global warming. Give the earth a little space to breath. It's the ONLY earth we have. Would we hesitate?
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Mengubur Bahasa Sendiri
Beberapa petikan wawancara Harakah dengan Prof. Dr Ir Wan Abu Bakar Wan Abas dari Jabatan Kejuruteraan Bio Perubatan, Fakulti Kejuruteraan Universiti Malaya yang mengajar subjek kejuruteraan dalam bahasa Melayu di universiti.
Apa pandangan Prof terhadap dasar PPSMI yang dilaksanakan oleh kerajaan?
PROF DR IR WAN ABU BAKAR: Bahasa Melayu patut diberikan peluang untuk berkembang sebagai ilmu terutama ilmu sains dan teknologi. Seandainya kita tidak menggunakan lagi bahasa Melayu untuk menguasai atau belajar, maka ilmu bahasa Melayu itu akan terbantut perkembangannya. Saya rasa suatu hari nanti bahasa Melayu akan ketinggalan dibandingkan dengan perkembangan ilmu. Ini sekali gus akan membunuh bahasa Melayu itu sendiri. PPSMI ada orang anggap ia penting tetapi budak-budak yang diberi peluang untuk menerima ilmu ini dengan baik sepatutnya dilakukan dalam bahasa yang mereka fahami.
Asasnya Kementerian Pelajaran meneruskan PPSMI ini kerana bahasa Inggeris amat
sesuai untuk bidang sains dan matematik khsusnya dalam era teknologi masa kini. Pendapat Prof?
Semua bahasa sesuai untuk bidang matematik dan sains, malah kalau kita lihat kekuatan bahasa Inggeris sendiri bukan pada sains dan teknologi. Tetapi kekuatannya adalah pada sasteranya. Itulah kekuatan sebenarnya bahasa Inggeris. Sains dan teknologi tidak pentingkan sangat bahasa apa yang digunakan. Sebaik-baiknya dalam bahasa yang kita fahami. Bahasa Melayu juga sesuai seperti bahasa Inggeris. Kedua-duanya sesuai. Sama sahaja tidak ada lebihnya. Dengan syarat kita terus bangunkan bahasa Melayu dengan perkembangan ilmu seperti yang kita lakukan sebelum ini. Kita buat istilah, buat sainstifik dalam bahasa Melayu. Asalkan kita boleh mengajar dalam bahasa Melayu dan tidak akan timbul masalah.
Sejauhmana berkesannya pengajaran sains dan matematik dalam bahasa Inggeris? Sedangkan kalau kita lihat negara seperti Jepun, Jerman, Perancis yang menggunakan bahasa mereka akhirnya boleh maju juga...
Saya hidup di Kuala Lumpur dan Petaling Jaya. Memang anak-anak saya tidak ada masalah untuk bercakap bahasa Inggeris seperti mana mereka bercakap bahasa Melayu. Tetapi kalau kita pergi keluar Lembah Klang dan bandar-bandar besar, budak-budak kita memang akan merasa terasing jika kita ajar matematik dan sains dalam bahasa Inggeris. Sudahlah ilmu itu bukan ilmu yang senang, asing dan bukan sebahagian daripada budaya mereka.
Ulasan lanjut Profesor Dr Ir Wan Abu Bakar Wan Abas berkenaan isu ini boleh dibaca pada Harakah Bil 1420 (Edisi Jumaat) bertarikh 6 - 8 Mac. Saya secara peribadi bersetuju dengan jawapan Profesor Wan pada soalan yang terakhir. Kiranya kita tidak mementingkan diri tentu kita dapat membayangkan anak-anak orang asli, anak-anak India di Estet, anak-anak Penan dan anak-anak Tionghua di pedalaman. Selalunya 'pejuang PPSMI' bercakap bagi pihak dirinya sendiri tanpa memikirkan manfaat untuk umat, bangsa dan nusa secara keseluruhan.
Dipetik dari: http://tehranifaisal.blogspot.com/2009/03/ayuh.html
Apa pandangan Prof terhadap dasar PPSMI yang dilaksanakan oleh kerajaan?
PROF DR IR WAN ABU BAKAR: Bahasa Melayu patut diberikan peluang untuk berkembang sebagai ilmu terutama ilmu sains dan teknologi. Seandainya kita tidak menggunakan lagi bahasa Melayu untuk menguasai atau belajar, maka ilmu bahasa Melayu itu akan terbantut perkembangannya. Saya rasa suatu hari nanti bahasa Melayu akan ketinggalan dibandingkan dengan perkembangan ilmu. Ini sekali gus akan membunuh bahasa Melayu itu sendiri. PPSMI ada orang anggap ia penting tetapi budak-budak yang diberi peluang untuk menerima ilmu ini dengan baik sepatutnya dilakukan dalam bahasa yang mereka fahami.
Asasnya Kementerian Pelajaran meneruskan PPSMI ini kerana bahasa Inggeris amat
sesuai untuk bidang sains dan matematik khsusnya dalam era teknologi masa kini. Pendapat Prof?
Semua bahasa sesuai untuk bidang matematik dan sains, malah kalau kita lihat kekuatan bahasa Inggeris sendiri bukan pada sains dan teknologi. Tetapi kekuatannya adalah pada sasteranya. Itulah kekuatan sebenarnya bahasa Inggeris. Sains dan teknologi tidak pentingkan sangat bahasa apa yang digunakan. Sebaik-baiknya dalam bahasa yang kita fahami. Bahasa Melayu juga sesuai seperti bahasa Inggeris. Kedua-duanya sesuai. Sama sahaja tidak ada lebihnya. Dengan syarat kita terus bangunkan bahasa Melayu dengan perkembangan ilmu seperti yang kita lakukan sebelum ini. Kita buat istilah, buat sainstifik dalam bahasa Melayu. Asalkan kita boleh mengajar dalam bahasa Melayu dan tidak akan timbul masalah.
Sejauhmana berkesannya pengajaran sains dan matematik dalam bahasa Inggeris? Sedangkan kalau kita lihat negara seperti Jepun, Jerman, Perancis yang menggunakan bahasa mereka akhirnya boleh maju juga...
Saya hidup di Kuala Lumpur dan Petaling Jaya. Memang anak-anak saya tidak ada masalah untuk bercakap bahasa Inggeris seperti mana mereka bercakap bahasa Melayu. Tetapi kalau kita pergi keluar Lembah Klang dan bandar-bandar besar, budak-budak kita memang akan merasa terasing jika kita ajar matematik dan sains dalam bahasa Inggeris. Sudahlah ilmu itu bukan ilmu yang senang, asing dan bukan sebahagian daripada budaya mereka.
Ulasan lanjut Profesor Dr Ir Wan Abu Bakar Wan Abas berkenaan isu ini boleh dibaca pada Harakah Bil 1420 (Edisi Jumaat) bertarikh 6 - 8 Mac. Saya secara peribadi bersetuju dengan jawapan Profesor Wan pada soalan yang terakhir. Kiranya kita tidak mementingkan diri tentu kita dapat membayangkan anak-anak orang asli, anak-anak India di Estet, anak-anak Penan dan anak-anak Tionghua di pedalaman. Selalunya 'pejuang PPSMI' bercakap bagi pihak dirinya sendiri tanpa memikirkan manfaat untuk umat, bangsa dan nusa secara keseluruhan.
Dipetik dari: http://tehranifaisal.blogspot.com/2009/03/ayuh.html
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Krisis Gaza Kian Tegang
Ayat 82 Surah Al-Ma’idah : ”Sesungguhnya kamu dapati orang-orang yang paling keras permusuhannya terhadap orang-orang yang beriman ialah orang-orang Yahudi dan orang-orang musyrik.”
27 Disember menyaksikan perang di Gaza bermula. Darah panas Israel yang membuak-buak tak tertahan lagi dengan terjahan roket dari tentera Hamas singgah di tanah mereka. Selama lebih satu dekad, perang yang turun naik kini memuncak dengan tindakan nekad Israel menyatakan perang mati-matian terhadap Palestin. Mereka menyusun beberapa fasa bermula dengan fasa pertama: Serangan Udara. Selama 6 hari, Israel melancarkan bom dan tembakan secara rawak dari udara menggunakan helikopter. Pada 3 Januari 2009, fasa kedua : Serangan Darat dilancarkan. Kereta-kereta kebal dan tentera Israel berbondong-bondong melangkah masuk ke tanah Gaza dan menanam peluru ke dada wanita dan kanak-kanak Palestin. Seperti yang dijangkakan, bukan hanya Hamas yang menjadi mangsa serangan Israel, tetapi rumah-rumah penduduk, ambulans, masjid malah universiti dijadikan sasaran peluru dan bom mereka. Pada 6 Januari, perang ini mengejutkan dunia apabila sebuah sekolah di bawah seliaan Badan Bersatu (United Nations) di Jabalya menjadi tempat berlabuh bom Israel. Akibatnya, 43 orang dengan sebahagian besar terdiri dari murid-murid sekolah tersebut meninggal dunia, 100 lagi cedera. Seluruh dunia mengecam tindakan Israel yang dianggap tidak berhati perut itu dan menggesanya menghentikan serangan terhadap orang awam. Israel memberikan alasan bahawa serangan itu ditujukan kepada dua orang tentera Hamas yang dikatakan didapati berada berdekatan sekolah tersebut.
Tidak sampai dua minggu, lebih 700 nyawa telah terkorban dan kurang 10 daripadanya adalah rakyat Israel. Perang masih berlanjut, walaupun pelbagai usaha untuk menghentikan atau sekurang-kurangnya mengurangkan kesengsaraan rakyatnya telah diusahakan oleh pihak-pihak ketiga. Sekatan bekalan makanan, ubat-ubatan dan segala keperluan asas melalui udara, laut dan darat menjadi strategi penting Israel dalam melemahkan lawan mereka. Dalam masa 5 hari sahaja, rakyat Palestin sudah merasai penderitaan yang dimaksudkan. Pada 7 Januari, Israel bersetuju menjalankan genjatan senjata selama 3 jam yang dinamakan ’Humanity Corridor’ sebagai tanda kemanusiaan terhadap rakyat Palestin supaya mereka dapat mendapatkan keperluan asas hidup dalam waktu singkat tersebut. Tak seideal namanya, ruang kemanusiaan kelihatan terlalu minimal untuk sekadar ’hidup’. Dari memandangnya sebagai mendapat 3 jam yang tenang, ia seperti mengambil 21 jam dari 24 jam. Bagaimana sebuah lori minyak boleh menyelesaikan perjalanan yang seharusnya mengambil masa 7 jam dalam hanya 3 jam? Ia seperti memberikan satu ’tupperware’ penuh udara, ia tidak akan cukup untuk anda bernafas. Atau seperti memberikan kad ATM untuk akaun bank yang tiada simpanannya, tampak pemurah, tapi tiada gunanya. ’Humanity Corridor’ ini hanya bertahan selama beberapa hari.
Tunjuk perasaan berlangsung di seluruh dunia dengan bermacam suara. Dari majoriti yang menentang peperangan dan kekejaman yang berlaku, banyak yang simpati dan menyeru penghentian serangan terhadap Palestin, tidak kurang yang menyokong tindakan terkutuk Israel. Pertubuhan Badan-badan Bersatu yang merasa bertanggungjawab menghentikan perang ini mengadakan banyak pertemuan dan rundingan dengan pihak Israel dan Hamas, namun tidak banyak yang mereka sumbangkan. Usaha perdamaian melalui orang tengah Perancis dan Mesir juga tidak berhasil malah perang menjadi semakin tegang. Kedua-dua pihak tidak menunjukkan sebarang tanda untuk mengurangkan tekanan terhadap pihak musuh.
Kini ia mencecah hari ke-17, 919 rakyat Palestin terkorban, 40% darinya terdiri dari wanita dan kanak-kanak. Lebih 4000 lagi cedera. Tenaga medik sudah tidak menang lagi tangan dengan jumlah ini, bekalan ubat-ubatan semakin berkurang, dan hospital-hospital tidak mampu lagi menampung pesakit yang mengalir tanpa henti. Lebih buruk, sebuah hospital utama di Gaza terpaksa ditutup akibat runtuh. Kekurangan bekalan air, elektrik dan makanan semakin menyiksa rakyat Gaza. Israel mengakui mereka semakin menghampiri matlamat mereka, namun tekanan Israel terhadap Gaza semakin Israel terus membedil rakyat Palestin dengan pengemboman Zeitoun melalui udara mengakibatkan 30 orang maut. Beberapa buah rumah penduduk hancur dengan penghuninya meninggal akibat hentaman bom, perdarahan yang tak berhenti dan ditimpa runtuhan bangunan. Hati hancur mendengarkan kisah seorang remaja lelaki 16 tahun yang menyaksikan sendiri ibu dan 4 orang adik-beradiknya tewas di depan matanya. Bedilan ketiga yang singgah di rumahnya menyebabkan adiknya berdarah banyak tak berhenti. Kemudian letupan seterusnya meledakkan ibu dan adik-adiknya yang lain. Dia menceritakan kisahnya tanpa dapat mampu menahan air mata. Dia cuma seorang dari ribuan lagi yang mengalami nasib yang sama. Israel apabila ditanyakan tentang serangan-serangan ini, mereka mengangkat bahu kelihatan keliru. Sekali lagi, mereka menegaskan yang mereka tidak tahu apa-apa berkait serangan terbabit. Sepertilah kita semua bodoh.
Pemimpin Hamas, Ismail Haniya berkata mereka akan tetap tegar melancarkan roket ke Selatan Israel walaupun Presiden Bush sempat menggesa mereka menghentikan pelancaran roket sebagai satu jalan penyelesaian dalam menghentikan peperangan ini.
Surah Al-Ma’idah, ayat 42: Mereka itu adalah orang-orang yang suka mendengar berita bohong, banyak memakan yang haram[418]. Jika mereka (orang Yahudi) datang kepadamu (untuk meminta putusan), maka putuskanlah (perkara itu) diantara mereka, atau berpalinglah dari mereka; jika kamu berpaling dari mereka maka mereka tidak akan memberi mudharat kepadamu sedikitpun. Dan jika kamu memutuskan perkara mereka, maka putuskanlah (perkara itu) diantara mereka dengan adil, sesungguhnya Allah menyukai orang-orang yang adil.
Saya tak mengerti apa sebenarnya yang dirisaukan oleh pihak Israel kerana di atas kertas lagi, mereka sudah menang. Mereka menguasai ekonomi dunia, mereka memiliki teknologi ketenteraan yang paling canggih, mereka mempunyai pengaruh besar dalam PBB dan memiliki sekutu-sekutu besar seperti Amerika Syarikat dan British yang akan menyokong san melindungi tindakan mereka. Jelas, kehancuran umat Islam adalah matlamat mereka. Bukan Palestin, tapi umat Islam. Kita. Dan kita merasa simpati dan sayu melihat saudara-saudara kita di Gaza. Memang rasanya tidak sama seperti ibu kota negara kita sendiri yang diserang, di mana kita merasa tidak aman, kita merasa seperti rumah kita yang hancur, kita akan menentang pihak musuh bermati-matian. Semangat nasionalisme mengalahkan semangat persaudaraan sesama Muslim, doa kita untuk mereka tak sepanjang doa untuk diri kita sendiri, tangisan kita tidak sesendu tangisan ibu Palestin yang kehilangan anak kecilnya, hangatnya tahi ayam lebih menyengat dari panas marahnya kita.
Sekarang kita kisah, kita baca, lihat dan bercerita. Sekarang kita marah, kita boikot. Sekarang kita simpati, kita sumbang. Jangan hanya emosi yang mengetuk kita. Kita punya ilmu dan paling penting kita punya kebebasan untuk bertindak. Bangkitlah! Bersatulah! Istiqamahlah dalam pejuangan ini! Ini seruan Allah kepada kita untuk bangun dan lakukan sesuatu. Biar sedikit, tapi bermakna.
Lawati laman web www.aljazeere.net/english untuk maklumat terkini tentang krisis di Gaza atau untuk pelanggan Astro, tekan 513 untuk siaran Al-Jazeera.
IMAN NAILAH 2009
noradrenaline2001@yahoo.com
Saturday, May 17, 2008
SAVE MALAY LITERATURE!
Malay lit under threat- A. Samad Said
Sources: http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=20962 By: Bissme S.
National Laureate Abdul Samad Muhammad Said, better known as A. Samad Said, has 65 books to his credit, from short stories to poetry. His popular novels include Salina, Hujan Pagi, Cinta Fansuri and Langit Petang. The state of serious Malay literature in the country, however, makes the writer sad, angry, and frustrated. He tells Bissme S. he has given up all hope of it getting the recognition and support it deserves.
What is the biggest challenge you face as a Sasterawan Negara (National Laureate)?
To get real recognition, to have all your work accepted, especially in school. As a writer, you usually want your books to be accessible to students, who will be your audience in the future. There was recently a news report that two years from now, books by national laureates would not be included in the school curriculum.
What is your opinion on this matter?
Some clever guys in the Education Ministry have said Sasterawan Negara books shouldn’t be included in school because they are difficult. During my school days, we studied William Shakespeare, George Bernard Shaw, John Buchan’s The 39 Steps and Lord Byron. They were hard. But we had good teachers as intermediaries ... to help us understand the text. When you are 18 or 19, you already know these famous literature figures. So you don’t agree with the move? I think what they are doing is insulting. Usman Awang, Keris Mas and Shanon Ahmad have been writing for almost 50 years. You cannot just say all the work of Sasterawan Negara are difficult. There are bound to be one or two books that are suitable. You can say my poem Al-Amin is very difficult. But I have another poem Kita Ini Tetamu Singgah, which has been made a song. That poem is easy. You must have teachers to help you understand the text, so you have some knowledge of good literature. When Anwar Ibrahim was the Education Minister, and then when he was Finance Minister, he took care of this. He respected literature. He remembered writers. He even sent me books ... good books ... to read. He would invite Sasterawan Negara to read poems and their work for his office functions. This is rarely done now. He even invited W.S. Rendra from Indonesia to read poems for his functions. He encouraged reading.Even in Tun (Dr) Mahathir (Mohamad)’s time, he sent me books. He wrote "Samad, you should read this." They (Mahathir and Anwar) created situations where you love literature, where you loved writers.
Do you think these situations no longer exist?
Yes. It is very clear from what they are doing. Some people say you’re angry because you’ll get less in royalties when your books are not used in schools. I am 72 now. I don’t need a lot to survive on. I just need a small amount of money. I don’t even have a car. So I don’t have to worry about petrol and road tax. It is not about royalties. I don’t mind that they don’t want to use my books.
So you believe fewer youth will develop the reading habit as a result of the move?
Yes. With the help of the Education Ministry, this will happen. Just think of these students two decades from now. They are not exposed to good literature. If you start saying the work of Sasterawan Negara are difficult at school level, then don’t expect them to touch these books when they leave school. You are sending out a clear message - do not read the work of Sasterawan Negara. Everything should start in school. We are not creating a situation where people will read good literature. In America the students are studying To Kill A Mocking Bird, and in England they go for Lord Of The Flies. All are difficult books. If you want simple books, then just read ABC all the time.
Are you sad at the situation?
I used to be. But not anymore. I am angry now. They should be respecting Sasterawan Negara. But they are not. What is your hope for serious Malay literature? What changes would you like to see the government make? I don’t want to visualise anything anymore. I have no more hope. I will leave the situation the way it is. There is a small group of people in the ministry who are so clever, let them go on being clever. If they want it like that, let it be. I want to make them happy.
It appears that you have given up?
Yes. I have given up. I am sick of it. I don’t care any more. I am defeated. What is your view of Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP)? They have no tongue. (Writers association) Gapena (Gabungan Penulis Nasional) has no tongue now. They have not shown any reaction to this school situation. Their silence shows that they agree with what the ministry is doing.
The last time we spoke, you said you were trying to get from DBP the copyright for your books so you can publish your own books. Did you succeed?
Not all. They have given me the rights to 12 books, but not to seven others ... the most important ones ... the ones I want.
DBP always says the work of Sasterawan Negara is difficult to sell. When you ask for your copyright, they don’t want to give it to you.
I think it is the right time to give me the rights to all my books. What is the point of keeping the copyright for my books if people are not interested in reading them?
Is it your opinion that we do not appreciate Malaysia’s literature figures?
I believe so. I have just returned from Korea after attending an Asia Africa Literary Festival. I was there for nine days. It was wonderful to see how they loved books and writers.There was a special segment on me on TV. I was so inspired that I have written 68 poems and will compile them into a book called Soneta Pohon Ginkgo (available in the market in April). My poems were recently translated into Bangla and launched in Bangladesh. It appears that I am beginning to be appreciated in other countries. So I don’t worry that my country doesn’t appreciate me.
Do you think the country will ever learn to appreciate you?
When you are no longer here, then they will appreciate you. They will sing praises of you. They will say we have lost a shinning star from the sky. They will say you are so good. They will say hilang tak dapat diganti. (what is lost cannot be replaced)
You constantly criticise DBP. But they gave you your first big break. They launched you into stardom by publishing your books. Some might say you are biting the hand that feeds you.
Yes. I bite the hand if I see the hand doesn’t really give me good things (laughs). It is wrong to say DBP gives me anything. The people give tax to the government and the government goes through DBP and then DBP gives the money to me. It is people’s money that published my books. If I owe anything to anyone, I owe to the people who paid taxes. I don’t owe DBP. It is their mission is to see what allocation they have and give the money to the authors who they think can give back to the country. The money is not from the DBP director’s own pocket. Some people think I might have grudges against DBP. But that is not the case.
What kind of roles do you like to see DBP play in promoting literature?
I don’t want to complain about DBP anymore. What is done is done. What I care about now is just give me back my copyright and I will be happy.
How do other Sasterawan Negara feel about the situation?
Maybe I am the only one who is not happy with what is happening. Maybe the others are happy. I should not represent them.
What do you think of your own writing and your own work?
I keep meeting people who ask me about the same book I wrote almost 50 years ago. I wrote it when I was 23. I’m going to be 73 in April and people are still taking about Salina (his first novel). It is as if they don’t know that I have written 65 books. I have gone into short stories, novels, essays, poems and plays. But people keep coming back with the same book. Yes they know me, it doesn’t necessarily mean they read my work. I believe they read my work only when they are in school. (Salina is a school textbook) Only those who want to be writers read all my books later.
How do you know people don’t read your other books?
I know when people read my work. When I ask questions about my books, they grope in the dark. Reading is not easy. Unless you have cultivated the habit, you will not read. Things are becoming easier with the existing graphic novels. Now they can see pictures only. The intellectual groups always complain that my books are difficult to read, my books are difficult to study.
So why don’t you make your books easy to read like popular fiction?
I am always moving up. I should not go down. They (readers) should also go up. If they don’t understand me, it doesn’t mean I am wrong. I am 72 and I have been through all sorts of experiences. I don’t just make a sentence. I care about every word I write, whether it is reasonable, whether it is beautiful. Schools must help them come to that level. Instead they just say the books are difficult, so let us run away from them.
You could write in English. Why don’t you write in that language?
People have in the past advised me to write in English, so I will get a bigger audience. But I want to create Malay literature. When I die, I want to leave behind a khazanah Melayu (Malay heritage). You can have my work in English after you translate it. A lot of writers in the world write in their mother tongue and have their work translated into English. Some say you see English as a colonial language and as a result dislike English and refuse to write in it. (feigning disapproval) Yes. I dislike the English language. Yes, I don’t like it that you write in English ... You have no alternative because English is the language of the world. Most of what I have read is also in English. As I said earlier, I want to create Malay literature.
So why haven’t we translated your work as well as that of other Sasterawan Negara in English so the books can be sold in the overseas market?
You should ask this question to DBP and the National Translation Institute. That is their work. I wonder what the function of the institute is if they don’t translate work. Do you think the media is supportive of serious Malay literature? They are not helping. Malay newspapers do not have a specific literary editor ... I don’t know about English language newspapers. As a result, good books get ignored. Bad books get advertised and supported. Good literary events don’t get reported.
Do you think you have come to a stage where critics are afraid to criticise your work and say what you have produced is the work of a genius?
We do not have good critics. I don’t worry about that. But there are people who still say I write rubbish. There have been arguments before this on why a book like Salina, in which I write about prostitutes in Singapore, should be promoted in school. They say the topic is not suitable for students. But in America students read To Kill A Mockingbird, which is about racial discrimination. They want to explain to students about racial discrimination.
How would you like to be remembered?
As an A. Samad Said who was always unhappy with what was happening around him. Why this unhappiness? I want different things. I dream of a caring society, where there is peace, where we respect each other, where we will always smile always, where we shake hands and hug each other. We don’t get that in Iraq or Pakistan or Indonesia, and we don’t get that in Afghanistan. But this is the world, This is not heaven. You get that only in heaven.
Some people believe this is zaman kejatuhan (the era of the downfall) of serious Malay literature. Do you agree?
I do not think literature has jatuh (fallen). There are still new young writers such as Faizal Tehrani and Nisah Harun who are writing serious literature. If I can fall down, they too can fall down. But I always tell them to continue to write no matter what. But there is no appreciation for what you have given them. I would say this is zaman kejatuhan penulis (the era of the downfall of writers).
Did you ever imagine that serious literature would be in the doldrums when you first started writing?
Never. When I started writing (in his 20s), I thought the writing scene would have a vibrant and marvellous future. But I was wrong. If they don’t want to read my books, what can I do? If they don’t want to read books, what can I do? They will be stupid because they don’t read.
In the current situation, how do you motivate yourself to write?
There are times when I want to give up writing altogether. But when I pray, I feel peaceful and I become inspired. Lately, I have been painting and drawing. I held an exhibition recently and sold 20 paintings. I got more than for what I write.
Seeing the present state of serious Malay literature, do you ever wish you could turn back the clock and had never chosen to be a writer?
I would still want to be a writer, even knowing this would be the ending. I will not change the fact that I am a writer. Writing is in my blood. What is your advice to budding writers who want to dabble in serious Malay literature? I have no more advice for writers. They no longer need my advice. They know Malay literature will not be supported.
~PLEASE SUPPORT MALAY LITERATURE! SAVE OUR HERITAGE!~
~IMAN NAILAH 2008~
noradrenaline2001@yahoo.com
Sources: http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=20962 By: Bissme S.
National Laureate Abdul Samad Muhammad Said, better known as A. Samad Said, has 65 books to his credit, from short stories to poetry. His popular novels include Salina, Hujan Pagi, Cinta Fansuri and Langit Petang. The state of serious Malay literature in the country, however, makes the writer sad, angry, and frustrated. He tells Bissme S. he has given up all hope of it getting the recognition and support it deserves.
What is the biggest challenge you face as a Sasterawan Negara (National Laureate)?
To get real recognition, to have all your work accepted, especially in school. As a writer, you usually want your books to be accessible to students, who will be your audience in the future. There was recently a news report that two years from now, books by national laureates would not be included in the school curriculum.
What is your opinion on this matter?
Some clever guys in the Education Ministry have said Sasterawan Negara books shouldn’t be included in school because they are difficult. During my school days, we studied William Shakespeare, George Bernard Shaw, John Buchan’s The 39 Steps and Lord Byron. They were hard. But we had good teachers as intermediaries ... to help us understand the text. When you are 18 or 19, you already know these famous literature figures. So you don’t agree with the move? I think what they are doing is insulting. Usman Awang, Keris Mas and Shanon Ahmad have been writing for almost 50 years. You cannot just say all the work of Sasterawan Negara are difficult. There are bound to be one or two books that are suitable. You can say my poem Al-Amin is very difficult. But I have another poem Kita Ini Tetamu Singgah, which has been made a song. That poem is easy. You must have teachers to help you understand the text, so you have some knowledge of good literature. When Anwar Ibrahim was the Education Minister, and then when he was Finance Minister, he took care of this. He respected literature. He remembered writers. He even sent me books ... good books ... to read. He would invite Sasterawan Negara to read poems and their work for his office functions. This is rarely done now. He even invited W.S. Rendra from Indonesia to read poems for his functions. He encouraged reading.Even in Tun (Dr) Mahathir (Mohamad)’s time, he sent me books. He wrote "Samad, you should read this." They (Mahathir and Anwar) created situations where you love literature, where you loved writers.
Do you think these situations no longer exist?
Yes. It is very clear from what they are doing. Some people say you’re angry because you’ll get less in royalties when your books are not used in schools. I am 72 now. I don’t need a lot to survive on. I just need a small amount of money. I don’t even have a car. So I don’t have to worry about petrol and road tax. It is not about royalties. I don’t mind that they don’t want to use my books.
So you believe fewer youth will develop the reading habit as a result of the move?
Yes. With the help of the Education Ministry, this will happen. Just think of these students two decades from now. They are not exposed to good literature. If you start saying the work of Sasterawan Negara are difficult at school level, then don’t expect them to touch these books when they leave school. You are sending out a clear message - do not read the work of Sasterawan Negara. Everything should start in school. We are not creating a situation where people will read good literature. In America the students are studying To Kill A Mocking Bird, and in England they go for Lord Of The Flies. All are difficult books. If you want simple books, then just read ABC all the time.
Are you sad at the situation?
I used to be. But not anymore. I am angry now. They should be respecting Sasterawan Negara. But they are not. What is your hope for serious Malay literature? What changes would you like to see the government make? I don’t want to visualise anything anymore. I have no more hope. I will leave the situation the way it is. There is a small group of people in the ministry who are so clever, let them go on being clever. If they want it like that, let it be. I want to make them happy.
It appears that you have given up?
Yes. I have given up. I am sick of it. I don’t care any more. I am defeated. What is your view of Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP)? They have no tongue. (Writers association) Gapena (Gabungan Penulis Nasional) has no tongue now. They have not shown any reaction to this school situation. Their silence shows that they agree with what the ministry is doing.
The last time we spoke, you said you were trying to get from DBP the copyright for your books so you can publish your own books. Did you succeed?
Not all. They have given me the rights to 12 books, but not to seven others ... the most important ones ... the ones I want.
DBP always says the work of Sasterawan Negara is difficult to sell. When you ask for your copyright, they don’t want to give it to you.
I think it is the right time to give me the rights to all my books. What is the point of keeping the copyright for my books if people are not interested in reading them?
Is it your opinion that we do not appreciate Malaysia’s literature figures?
I believe so. I have just returned from Korea after attending an Asia Africa Literary Festival. I was there for nine days. It was wonderful to see how they loved books and writers.There was a special segment on me on TV. I was so inspired that I have written 68 poems and will compile them into a book called Soneta Pohon Ginkgo (available in the market in April). My poems were recently translated into Bangla and launched in Bangladesh. It appears that I am beginning to be appreciated in other countries. So I don’t worry that my country doesn’t appreciate me.
Do you think the country will ever learn to appreciate you?
When you are no longer here, then they will appreciate you. They will sing praises of you. They will say we have lost a shinning star from the sky. They will say you are so good. They will say hilang tak dapat diganti. (what is lost cannot be replaced)
You constantly criticise DBP. But they gave you your first big break. They launched you into stardom by publishing your books. Some might say you are biting the hand that feeds you.
Yes. I bite the hand if I see the hand doesn’t really give me good things (laughs). It is wrong to say DBP gives me anything. The people give tax to the government and the government goes through DBP and then DBP gives the money to me. It is people’s money that published my books. If I owe anything to anyone, I owe to the people who paid taxes. I don’t owe DBP. It is their mission is to see what allocation they have and give the money to the authors who they think can give back to the country. The money is not from the DBP director’s own pocket. Some people think I might have grudges against DBP. But that is not the case.
What kind of roles do you like to see DBP play in promoting literature?
I don’t want to complain about DBP anymore. What is done is done. What I care about now is just give me back my copyright and I will be happy.
How do other Sasterawan Negara feel about the situation?
Maybe I am the only one who is not happy with what is happening. Maybe the others are happy. I should not represent them.
What do you think of your own writing and your own work?
I keep meeting people who ask me about the same book I wrote almost 50 years ago. I wrote it when I was 23. I’m going to be 73 in April and people are still taking about Salina (his first novel). It is as if they don’t know that I have written 65 books. I have gone into short stories, novels, essays, poems and plays. But people keep coming back with the same book. Yes they know me, it doesn’t necessarily mean they read my work. I believe they read my work only when they are in school. (Salina is a school textbook) Only those who want to be writers read all my books later.
How do you know people don’t read your other books?
I know when people read my work. When I ask questions about my books, they grope in the dark. Reading is not easy. Unless you have cultivated the habit, you will not read. Things are becoming easier with the existing graphic novels. Now they can see pictures only. The intellectual groups always complain that my books are difficult to read, my books are difficult to study.
So why don’t you make your books easy to read like popular fiction?
I am always moving up. I should not go down. They (readers) should also go up. If they don’t understand me, it doesn’t mean I am wrong. I am 72 and I have been through all sorts of experiences. I don’t just make a sentence. I care about every word I write, whether it is reasonable, whether it is beautiful. Schools must help them come to that level. Instead they just say the books are difficult, so let us run away from them.
You could write in English. Why don’t you write in that language?
People have in the past advised me to write in English, so I will get a bigger audience. But I want to create Malay literature. When I die, I want to leave behind a khazanah Melayu (Malay heritage). You can have my work in English after you translate it. A lot of writers in the world write in their mother tongue and have their work translated into English. Some say you see English as a colonial language and as a result dislike English and refuse to write in it. (feigning disapproval) Yes. I dislike the English language. Yes, I don’t like it that you write in English ... You have no alternative because English is the language of the world. Most of what I have read is also in English. As I said earlier, I want to create Malay literature.
So why haven’t we translated your work as well as that of other Sasterawan Negara in English so the books can be sold in the overseas market?
You should ask this question to DBP and the National Translation Institute. That is their work. I wonder what the function of the institute is if they don’t translate work. Do you think the media is supportive of serious Malay literature? They are not helping. Malay newspapers do not have a specific literary editor ... I don’t know about English language newspapers. As a result, good books get ignored. Bad books get advertised and supported. Good literary events don’t get reported.
Do you think you have come to a stage where critics are afraid to criticise your work and say what you have produced is the work of a genius?
We do not have good critics. I don’t worry about that. But there are people who still say I write rubbish. There have been arguments before this on why a book like Salina, in which I write about prostitutes in Singapore, should be promoted in school. They say the topic is not suitable for students. But in America students read To Kill A Mockingbird, which is about racial discrimination. They want to explain to students about racial discrimination.
How would you like to be remembered?
As an A. Samad Said who was always unhappy with what was happening around him. Why this unhappiness? I want different things. I dream of a caring society, where there is peace, where we respect each other, where we will always smile always, where we shake hands and hug each other. We don’t get that in Iraq or Pakistan or Indonesia, and we don’t get that in Afghanistan. But this is the world, This is not heaven. You get that only in heaven.
Some people believe this is zaman kejatuhan (the era of the downfall) of serious Malay literature. Do you agree?
I do not think literature has jatuh (fallen). There are still new young writers such as Faizal Tehrani and Nisah Harun who are writing serious literature. If I can fall down, they too can fall down. But I always tell them to continue to write no matter what. But there is no appreciation for what you have given them. I would say this is zaman kejatuhan penulis (the era of the downfall of writers).
Did you ever imagine that serious literature would be in the doldrums when you first started writing?
Never. When I started writing (in his 20s), I thought the writing scene would have a vibrant and marvellous future. But I was wrong. If they don’t want to read my books, what can I do? If they don’t want to read books, what can I do? They will be stupid because they don’t read.
In the current situation, how do you motivate yourself to write?
There are times when I want to give up writing altogether. But when I pray, I feel peaceful and I become inspired. Lately, I have been painting and drawing. I held an exhibition recently and sold 20 paintings. I got more than for what I write.
Seeing the present state of serious Malay literature, do you ever wish you could turn back the clock and had never chosen to be a writer?
I would still want to be a writer, even knowing this would be the ending. I will not change the fact that I am a writer. Writing is in my blood. What is your advice to budding writers who want to dabble in serious Malay literature? I have no more advice for writers. They no longer need my advice. They know Malay literature will not be supported.
~PLEASE SUPPORT MALAY LITERATURE! SAVE OUR HERITAGE!~
~IMAN NAILAH 2008~
noradrenaline2001@yahoo.com
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