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The Prime Minister has been touting his 1Malaysia slogan. But can we co-exist as one when irreversible damage has been done, wonders Fathol Zaman Bukhari.
Those who grew up in the 1960s would certainly recall this 1965 hit song, ‘You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling’ by the Righteous Brothers. It was the number one song on the hit charts in the West. The song did fairly well in Malaysia, although it was not during the best of times. The country was being troubled by communist insurgents and a hostile neighbour bent on crushing the nation and its people. The message in the song has much relevance with the malady that is afflicting the nation today.
Although raised in a kampong, I grew up in a town and was exposed to the bright lights at the tender age of five. Parit Buntar in the 1950s and 60s was simply an insignificant provincial town with basic amenities, at best. Times were bad as the economy had nose-dived due to falling rubber prices. There was not much development. The only buildings that were constructed were a row of shop-houses and a 30-foot tall clock tower, a gift from a former home-town boy who made it big in Kuala Lumpur. The clock tower, built on a tiny roundabout at the entrance to the town, is still standing today but minus its grandeur. Back then it was the town’s only landmark
Kampong roots
In spite of my urban upbringing I did not completely abandon my kampong roots. My brother and I would join our Malay brethren on weekends and during school holidays. Fishing was a form of escapism for me. The many ponds and streams that dotted the landscape were filled with ikan keli, puyu and haruan. I would use my grandmother’s prized fishing rod to fish. Hers was a seasoned bamboo pole with a hook and line on one end. In spite of its simplicity, the rod worked wonders with fish, especially ikan puyu. For bait, a plentiful supply of grasshoppers was available in the idle padi fields behind our house. Catching grasshoppers requires a certain amount of talent, which I acquired after watching the old lady deftly grabbing the insects with her bare hands.
The month of Ramadan was something we kids looked forward to in the kampong. The village’s madarasah would be a hive of activities. We would gather at the prayer house for breaking-of-fast and the tarawih prayers that followed. Moreh (mass-cooked food) would be served to the congregation after prayers. Some of us would remain behind taking turns to beat the giant cowhide-covered drum to alert villagers to the time for sahur.
Hari Raya Puasa Hari Raya Puasa was a time for celebration. Our house would be opened to all - relatives, neighbours and friends alike. I would invite my Chinese and Indian schoolmates over for makan and kuih raya. We welcomed them with open arms. And they would return the favour when their own festivities came around. We considered those from the Christian, Buddhist, Toaist, Sikh and Hindu faiths as friends. Entering, eating and spending the night in their houses were never a problem. There was no distinction separating one race from another and one religion from the other. The issue of halal and tak halal never cropped up. Churches, temples and mosques co-existed harmoniously in the neighbourhood.
Yes, we had our differences but they seldom degenerated into a brawl. Yes, we used our fists to settle scores but we would patch up in a matter of moments. Yes, we called names and made gestures but they were in jest rather than in zest. We were Malaysians in the purest form. We breathed the same air and drank the same water.
Why was this possible? Maybe it was the way we were brought up. Maybe it was the school we went to. Maybe it was destined to be such. The colour of our skin and the faith we practised were irrelevant. We were brothers and sisters, and like brothers and sisters, we played, laughed, fought and made up all at the same time.
Adapting Islamic values
Then came the Iranian Revolution of 1979. From then onwards things began to assume a different dimension. Suddenly, menerap nilai-nilai Islam (adopting Islamic values) became the vogue. Nowhere was this most eagerly pursued than in the armed forces. Beer, liquor and intoxicating drinks once prevalent in messes were removed. Warriors’ Day became a tame affair. No more parades at cenotaphs (except at the National Monument). No more one-minute silence for the dearly departed. No more eulogies to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifices. And, worse, no more partying and merry-making. Soon all these became indelible memories to tickle our conscience.
Haram becomes the buzz word and is bandied about with halal and tak halal. Shaking hands with women not your muhrim (relation) is taboo. Showing of affection at public places is disallowed. Entertaining your non-Muslim friends is considered improper. Sales of beer in Muslim-dominated areas becomes an issue. A cow head is used as an instrument of contempt. Open houses have turned into spurious state-sponsored functions without definitive reasons other than to splurge. Moral policing takes centre stage. And a single mother awaits caning for consuming beer. The charade has reached such levels of idiocy that it makes a mockery of our very own existence. This happens when religion and politics interface and become one. Civility takes a beating.
Irreversible damage Today, Najib is trying hard to relive the past by imploring the rakyat to co-exist as one. But will 1Malaysia ever thrive when irreversible damage has been done? Your guess is as good as mine.
We definitely have lost that loving feeling. What a tragedy. Fathol Zaman Bukhari is part of the Editorial team of Ipoh Echo, a community Newspaper distributed free. The above editorial is reproduced from issue No 82, September 16-30, 2009.
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Aliran Monthly 
I guess I belong to brother Fathol Zaman Bukhari's generation and can easily identify with him and his nostalgic feelings of Malaysia in the 60s. Yes, those days were the true days of 1 Malaysia. The people never had any racial differences and that was the real reason for their unity and closeness. The moment they were classified and favored and disfavored the magic disappeared. Can Najib abolish the term 'Bumi Putera' and 'Non Bumi Putera'? Its really a joke when in reality both the words 'Bumi' and 'Putera' belong to the Tamil language and yet ironically the Tamils are strictly prohibited from using the term on themselves. Can Najib stop the abuse of the special privileges for the Malays? Can Najib stop the ' Rob Peter to pay Paul' practice which is going on for the last forty years to uplift the Malays only?Can Najib allow the Judiciary to function independently?
Can Najib make all schools reflect the true racial balance in the country? Can Najib make the civil service look Malaysian instead of only Malays? Come on, don't take the people for a ride! These are the irreversible damage that has been done all these years by the corrupt and conniving politicians... P l e a s e, UNDO all these and then pursue a ONE MALAYSIA!!!!!!!!and maybe, maybe God's grace will bring back the magic.