Unforgivable!

The name 'Namewee' and the title 'Negaraku Ku' are not strangers to us. Recently, they stole the limelight from the preparations for our 50th Independence Day when they repeatedly appeared on the front page of the newspapers, before the limelight was again stolen by the fatal bus accident that took 22 lives.

The controversial video clip "came under fire for mocking the national anthem and making statements many found offensive". It purportedly "[created] anti government sentiments and [fanned] racism". To sum it all up, it simply meant that it had shaken the fundamentals of our society. Oh, wow! 50 years now and the fundamentals of our society are so easily shaken? I for one did not realise that our fundamentals were so fragile, so much so that a six-minute rap created by a 24-year-old can have such significant impact on our society that should, by now, be well-established.

Confession time: I watched the video clip on YouTube, but I do not think that my opinion of it bears much significance. Hence, I shall not elaborate on it right here. However, when a minister was asked why this clip was considered to be a mockery of the national anthem, he said that it was because the national anthem should be sung in a respectful manner and should not be sung as a rap. Besides that, according to the minister, the word 'Ku Ku' in 'Negaraku Ku' can also mean 'cuckoo' and therefore is a form of insult.

Frankly, I find the explanation hilarious. National anthems can't be a rap? What if ten years from now the young people of today who will eventually be the leaders of tomorrow decide to have a rap song as the national anthem? Why should their creativity be stunted? The genre of the music does not affect the message that the song bears, does it? 'Ku Ku' = 'cuckoo'? I thought there is a word in the Kamus Dewan with the same spelling and pronunciation. Does it mean 'cuckoo' too?

Don't get me wrong. I am not saying that what Wee Meng Chee did was right and acceptable. In fact, it was legally wrong and unjustifiable. The lyrics of his song had indeed encroached on issues which are considered to be 'sensitive issues' in the constitution. As Malaysians, we have a duty to uphold the constitution and to honour it, whether or not we agree to its contents. This is because our forefathers had agreed to it, and therefore, it is only appropriate that we give them due respect.

However, I still think that various parties have unnecessarily kicked up a fuss over this issue. He "[made] statements many found offensive". Please define 'many'! The whole population of Malaysia? I don't think so. And what about those who found it offensive and yet felt that it was unnecessary to kick up such a fuss over the immature actions of a 24-year-old?

Well, I was personally offended by the remarks of the parliamentarians who insulted not only the female population in the country, but also the womenfolk in their own families. Yet they were let off the hook with a mere apology. Oh well, they didn't really mean what they said. Hmm... I sure am not creative enough to come out with any other interpretation of their words, except to take it at face value.

It sure brings us to question why the inconsiderate remarks of people who are supposed to be leaders of the country can be so easily forgiven, when the immature actions of a 24-year-old cannot be forgiven and must be brought to court.

Well, it "[fanned] racism". This is not acceptable in a multi-racial country like Malaysia. Ah, I see. What about politicians who fuelled racial sentiments for their own political gain? They can be let off the hook but not a 24-year-old who did not even know the trouble he got himself into?

You know, Mummy always says that if someone says something untrue about you, and you know that it is untrue, the best way to shut them up is to turn a deaf ear to them. Well, of course, if what is being said is true, it is a different story altogether. Crows don't like looking into the mirror because they don't like what they see.

Ironically, the exact opposite is just being carried out. With all the publicity the mass media is giving to the video clip, more attention is drawn to it. Curiosity is sparked and people like me, who would not have come across the video if not for the reports in the papers, watched the video clip on YouTube out of sheer curiosity. Now, even school children are singing the song and they even know the lyrics by heart. So much for discouraging mockery of the national anthem!

Such an act is not prevented by merely bringing the young man in question to court as a warning to all. Instead, respect for the country should be instilled by teaching them to discern between right and wrong. Penalising the current culprit is just a stopgap measure. Young people do not have to be told what is right and what is not by being spoon-fed certain stereotype mindsets and shutting them up whenever they are perceived to be wrong. Certain values need to be instilled so that they can discern for themselves between right and wrong. Then in that case, it does not matter what is being posted on the web, as it will not be able to sway the principles and values that are deeply inculcated and ingrained within the spirit of a true Malaysian.