I'm not sure if you have seen this version of the Malaysian national anthem on youtube. Just do a search on youtube and you will find it. One of the award winning documentaries at the FFF in KL, Project X, showcased the aftermath of the video release - and the shockwaves it sent through the community. Malay Muslims were incensed. The Chinese agreed with the sentiments expressed by Namewee, the brash and obviously talented singer. As a Singaporean Chinese, I find the clip laugh-out-loud funny, although Namewee makes a quick reference to "ah kuas", but this is not a transgender issue, so let's not make it one.
What's interesting is his in-your-face parody of Malaysian community life became a catalyst for the FFF documentary, which focussed on music as a medium of socio-political expression, and sparked a scintillating debate between Islamic scholars and the educated elites on freedom of expression within the country. Certainly, Malaysia is divided on the issue along religious and ethnic lines - but if the divide did not exist in the first place, a mere video would not have exposed the faultlines.
Some may argue that the Chinese are oppressed in Malaysia, others feel the bumiputera policy merely protects the interests of the Malay Muslim community. Yet the most important takeaway for me, having watched the documentary and participated in the discussion thereafter, is that regardless of the deeply divided viewpoints, we must at least allow everyone to have his/her say on the matter.
And that is the beauty of Malaysian politics - that there is actually tremendous freedom of speech in the country. Apparently, Namewee returned to Malaysia to visit his family and he was not detained. And they have also asked him to be involved in some government propaganda, it seems.
What a colourful, vibrant, chaotic country! And what a pity the culture of creative expression does not translate into treating its transgender minority with the understanding and respect it deserves.
So this is a transgender issue after all.
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Many years ago, I was shown a photograph of a girl. She was so beautiful that she looked like a Hong Kong actress. She had beautiful long tresses, very attractive big eyes with long lashes, full sensuous lips and full breasts. I was asked whether I wanted to meet this girl. I said yes. You know what. It turned out to be my neighbour Paul. I though Paul to be a little quirky. But I never knew that he would be so beautiful. He put many girls to shame, with his skilful make-up techniques. More than 40 years later, I am still hoping to meet Paul again. I want to see what has 40 years done to Paul. Has he gone for a sex-change operation, perhaps?
I like the way you frame your fascination with Paul - possibly Pauline now? Slightly whimsically, with a hint of regret. I hope you meet "Paul" again in this lifetime.
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