The keris is here to say

By Helen Ang

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The title of this post is a poke at The Star’s ‘Hisham: The keris is here to stay’ published Nov 26, 2006. Please imagine a cartoon strip panel and a blank speech bubble ensuing from Hishamuddin Hussein’s wide-agape mouth. Now what do you hear him say?

In 2006 too MGG Pillai, regarded as the Father of Malaysian online journalism passed on, and yesterday April 28 was the second anniversary of his death.

Steven Gan, in remembering Pillai recalled what this journalism great had once commented about ‘corruption in his profession’: “In the 70s, the journalists’ motto was ‘when in doubt, check it out’. In the 80s – ‘when in doubt, leave it out’. In the 90s – ‘when in doubt, wait for hand-outs’.”

The Umno Youth chief’s apology was a handout, and again mainstream media exhibited its cue journalism, i.e. the habit of awaiting nod and nudge from the powers-that-be. For three years, MSM had not dared ask Kerisham to say sorry but instead made excuses for him.

Pillai had in the form of the Net, adapted a new medium to his old school journalism of probing queries. Netizens taking over his mantle are asking the questions which MSM’s pathetic apologias omit.

The people ask (and Pillai would approve):

(1) Would Kerisham have ‘apologised’ if BN had not lost its 2/3 majority?

(2) His apology was couched in conditional terms. He’s sorry “if” the minorities found the keris-brandishing offensive. Well, if they were NOT offended, why bother?

(3) He gave a banana split, saying one sorry thing to Malays and another to other races. What’s his point, really?

(4) The Education Minister gave us not one, not two but three stinging slaps to teach us a lesson. Had he not felt apologetic after each strike?

(5) If he is willing to apologise, why is he not willing to say he won’t do it again? Even a six-year-old knows how to promise not to repeat an offence.

In my 2006 Malaysiakini column titled ‘Stabbing at our intelligence’, I wrote: “the Keris and Make Up episode is possibly this year’s gravest insult to our collective intelligence”, “Instead of clearly labelling the gesture as offensive, the wing’s unabashed apologists in the mass media would have you believe that the party’s preferred symbol is as harmless as a fruit peeler.”

Now we have the Sunday Star editorial two days ago, ‘It takes a big man to apologise’ – another such stab at the intelligence of Malaysians. It takes readers to be incredibly credulous. And you thought MSM would at least begin the process of reform!

The self-branded ‘People’s Paper’ says “Plaudits are due to Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein for apologising …”

The paper says: “The apology, despite its qualification, is still commendable because humility is generally a vastly under-rated virtue among our politicians.” [the Umno politicians, why don’t you say so]

The paper says: “For now, it’s best that the issue of keris-wielding be put to rest with the apology.” [A-ha! We get to the heart of the matter]

Although Kerisham’s antics earlier made for rich political capital, Pakatan Rakyat can afford to move on whereas the ‘apology’ shows a beleaguered side backpedalling.

In 2006 because of MSM’s deafening silence, I’d written: “There are still those who do not hold the recent high jinks as requiring censure despite the clear and present danger posited by the Umno groupthink beamed live into their living rooms”.

Now looking ahead, let’s challenge the Umno groupthink which is continually shoved down our throats. The Ministries headed by the two-keris wielding cousins – Education and Defence – had mooted a national integration programme. Many believe it is the schooling system that should be up to the task, not boot camp.

The Education Minister once before promised a review of the National Service. The Star claims for him the virtue of ‘humility’. The paper tells readers that the Minister with his apology “has enhanced his reputation as someone who is willing to take responsibility and make changes to remedy the situation”.

Will Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein (as The Star addresses him) carry out his promise to review the NS programme? To take responsibility, to make changes. Concerned parents are waiting.