Kassim Baba's novel interpretation of our literary classic, Hikayat Hang Tuah, forced me (and I hope also others) to look differently at our culture and world. I felt a sense of grand wonderment after reading his work, as if a thick veil had been lifted off me. Kassim whetted my youthful rebellious spirit. It fortified me to challenge the certitudes forced upon me by my culture. In the process, I saw the beauty and elegance of the world and of my culture. At the same time, I also became painfully aware of the ugliness of that world and my culture.Today, decades later and presumably much wiser as well as more accepting, I am still filled with wonderment on reading Kassim’s masterpieces, but for different reasons.Here I am in the Mecca of capitalism and fully embracing as well as benefiting from free enterprise, full of admiration and respect for this man who is an ardent and committed socialist.I believe firmly that free enterprise is the best avenue for achieving individual and as well as society’s fulfilment, while Kassim is fully committed to the egalitarian ideals of socialism. Our utopia is the same: a just, caring and prosperous society where citizens are free to pursue their personal ideals and dreams.While I am separated from Kassim by the vast knowlegde that he has, and philosophically even further away from him, yet I feel intellectually close to him. I greatly appreciate his works and welcome his views and ideas. I admire the man for his courage, talent and commitment. I respect him even more for such qualities are rare, and even rarer is the combination.In Malaysia, today, specifically in Malay culture, we remain deeply divided over trivial differences. We do not hesitate labelling each other as traitors for inconsequential political differences. With impunity, we denigrate each other as infidels for simply daring to express minor differences in interpretation of our faith. Our leaders disparage our young as being ungrateful for boldly asking uncomfortable questions.It is as if we expect Malays to be clones of one another.
In our culture, we are told to loathe and ostracise the black sheep. In doing this we implicitly compare ourselves to a flock of sheep, mindlessly following the shepherd. Indeed leaders especially those with a dictatorial bent would like their followers to be like sheep.It is well to remember that while a benevolent shepherd would lead his flock to greener pastures, a blind one could just as easily lead them off the cliff, and a deaf one to the wolf’s den.I have been exchanging views and letters with Kassim Ahmad for quite some time. The medium of the Internet brings us closer together as if we were in nearby villages. If a core capitalist like me and a staunch socialist like Kassim can be respectful of each other’s views and be welcoming of each other’s contributions, I fail to see why our larger community remains unnecessarily divided into liberal and fundamentalist Muslims, UMNO and PAS politicians, or monarchist and republican Malays. It pains me immensely, and I am certain Kassim too, to see our country thus polarised. Our diversity is our strength, not our weakness. It is our prized asset, not a cursed liability. We are humans, not sheep; we should expect and indeed welcome differences in taste, views and choices.
In the classic epic, the two heroes Hang Tuah and Hang Jebat could not resolve their differences. Their conflict consumed their friendship, and ultimately their honour and lives. It also divided and destroyed their community. There is no reason why modern day Hang Tuahs and Hang Jebats have to follow suit and allow that to happen to themselves and their community. If we must battle it out, let it be in the battlefield of ideas, and only there.
Anak Yang Soleh (The Prodigal Son)
When growing up, my Bahasa Malaysia teacher Mr Om Kumar(the Best BM teacher i had ...i was his Murid Kesayangan in SMk St Paul) used to tell me stories of Anak Yang Soleh (The Prodigal Son),knowing how much i loved politics in my school goin days.As the individual who would do society good. His reasons for relating such stories were obvious, as expressions of teaching duty as well as hope.Living in an alien world away from my familiar culture, these three provide my anchoring stability that bonds me to my traditions and values.In my view, Kassim Ahmad is one anak yang soleh. It pains me greatly that our society has chosen to ignore this man. Kassim however would prefer this state of affair. The last time the authorities paid heed to Kassim, he ended up in jail under the Internal Security Act! When members of the Islamic establishment read or claimed to have read Kassim’s works, they labelled him anti-hadith.In time, those establishment ulama will disappear with their pension, but Kassim and his ideas will endure. Thanks to insight of Kassim, our grandchildren and their grandchildren will still be debating Hang Tuah and Hang Jebat, and learning useful lessons from the discourse.I am always amused when my friends sarcasticly compliment me for my “courage” in expressing my views in a topic nodody gives a damm of.My response; I live in a society that prizes individual freedom; besides, I am beyond the reach of the ISA(harap harap laa). In truth, it is individuals like Kassim Ahmad who are truly courageous. They have felt the wrath of the authorities and yet continue to speak out against injustices and tyranny.Kassim Ahmad rejoined UMNO in 1986. He is a severe and persistent critic of the Malaysian brand of “politics as usual”, in particular political shenanigans and blatant corruptions. Nonetheless, he can be generous in his praises. In this interview as well in his earlier essays, he spoke warmly and favourably of Tun Mahathir. This led many to the mistaken belief that the man had “gone soft” or worse, become an apologist for the status quo.
An original narration i had from Mr Om when I was in Form 5 Basilian,yr 2005..Thank u Sir..for enlightening me...
Rewritten for Humanity and the New Breed of Young Malaysians by Kavinash...
No comments:
Post a Comment