I was just reading an article by Zainul Ariffin in the NST on May 24th, 2009. It begins with an arguement of a ban of a film called Lelaki Komunis Terakhir (The Last Communist) by Amir Muhammad.
My English might not be as good as his, but I’ll try to analyse the article from my point of view.
I am, what you all call, the new generation of Malaysian. Who, you all commonly labelled as did not understand the history of the country and will support a party based on emotional stands, which, I am not. Please note that I did not represent the whole voice of Malaysian’s new generation. But I am just one of the lucky ones that obtained good education, thanks to the government.
Yes, I have studied about Chin Peng and the Communist Party of Malaya during my schoolyears. Maybe not indepth, but still, the history never changed it’s story.
If Zainul argued why the political people, or the ruling elite, banned the film, I want to ask him, why shouldn’t they?
He said he had never watch the film since it was banned, and that the ruling elite had watched it, that was why they decided that they should banned it, so why is he questioning something that even he doesn’t even know?
He said that we should not brush aside the feeling of those who have lost their families during the insurgency days. Then, why the government should not ban the movie? Why should we bring back the dark episode to live?
And this para :
“Nevertheless, since we have elevated this film beyond its artistic merits, perhaps we should put it to the taste test. Not by politicians who claim to act in our best interests, but by those who fought the communist and lost loved ones fighting terrorism.”
Is he meant that the politicians did not fought the communists back in the days? Did he meant that the politicians did not know the true history? Is he saying that politicians nowadays knows nothing about communists and the struggle to fight them? I think that if we put the film to a taste test, those who fought the communists back in the days would only get furious with the government and ask why did the government allow such film to be made? And they will blame the government.
Yes, I agree with Zainul who also said that one of the lessons of this whole controversy is that we have to know our history well. But you have to look at the angle. The Last Communist is clearly has something twisted somewhere. So, why should we confused the people? Especially those who are in the new generation, like me?
And how could he said that was only the Malays’s psyche? Is he not a Malay?
History is no joke, man. For me, Amir should be more sensitve in producing whatever he is producing despite his talent in writing and satirical anecdotes. Even only in titles. This is not about stucking an idea, it is the truth.
We have the example right here right now. The Hindraf leaders who were released by the government recently thought they were big enough to demand ridiculous things from the government. It’s like releasing a trapped crocodile. They will only bite you. Never do any good.
And Chin Peng? Just based on sympathy that certains quarters urged the government to allow Chin Peng to return back to this country? That is preposterous.
If he was allowed to return, he will be welcome like a big-time hero who have fought for the country when the reality is, he was the one who caused misery to the country for years. And what makes they think that Chin Peng did not possessed the communist ideology anymore and setup a new group to stir the country into chaos? Again?
Personally, I am so thankful that the government had decided to ban Chin Peng and the film. Let the dark episode die, and move on.
This is my two-cents. Take it or leave it.
P/S : For me, actually this is not even an issue, it was just being exaggerated.
Eminent Outlook 
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