Midnight Thoughts #13: Stop ‘Kowtowing’ to Zealots

Image taken: Freelancer Fisshy

Weeks ago, a play stirred controversies among the right-wing Muslim groups due to the word ‘Sex’ on the title of the play. Although the title had been altered since (‘Love’ in Georgetown City), it was forced to cancel amidst continuous protests and threats from those bigots, online and offline, even there are no pornographic elements after thorough inspection. The far-right Islamic party, Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PIS) chimed in as well with the Penang Youth division insisted the play must be cancelled because such play will lead to immoral activities. Worse yet, instead of taking action against those who threatens, possibly incite violence on those who involved in the play, the state police advised the victimized party to cancel the play because it creates ‘confusion’ among these people. The only way to explain such confusion is because their low proficiency of English or sheer ignorance. 

 

Two words, snowflakes and bullies. Image taken: Sayuti Zainudin, Malaymail Online

 

Protest without even knowing the content. Image taken: Facebook

     

This is not the first time organizers in Penang, out of all the states where population of the non-Malays are substantially higher than the Malays, were forced to strip off a production due to such threats. Back in August 2018, when portraits of a transgender activist, Nisha Ayub and a LGBT activist, Pang Khee Teik which were displayed at the George Town Festival began to circulate online, the homophobic and transphobic of the far-right threw offensive and bigotry remarks towards them. While Khee Teik is seated in front of the Jalur Gemilang while holding the pride flag, it is important to note that the pride flag is nowhere to be seen in Nisha’s portrait. 

So called promoting 'LGBT culture'. Image taken: Malaymail Online

One thing led to another, minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Mujahid Yusof Rawa ordered both portraits to be taken down, explaining the government does not condone the promotion of the ‘LBGT culture’. While there is no such thing as a ‘LGBT culture’, one could analyze such move as a way to appease the alt-right to prevent more uproar among the group. 

Then in October, when the government opened up the idea of ratifying ICERD, a convention that commits to eliminate racial discrimination and strive for equality among all races, these groups rise up again to oppose the convention with alternative facts and misleading information. They even manage to host an Anti-ICERD rally and the Suhakam’s Human Rights Day celebration had to make way for the rally and postponed it to the next day. 

 

A rally to oppose anti-racism attended by one former Prime Minister, who introduce the idea of 1Malaysia.
Image taken: The Sun Daily

Time and time again the officials and relevant parties ‘kowtow’ to those zealots, time and time again it emboldens them. Think of them as babies, which it is not difficult to imagine at this point. When babies throw tantrums and parents just give them what they want, they will soon realize they could just cry and make a scene if things did not go their way. A pampered child will have attitude problems and cause a major headache for the parents and the people around them. This is the same as many of us have to stomach when respective authorities were forced to give in demands and protest by alt-right groups. 

WAAAAAAA! Image taken: Pixabay

Every time we make a step forward, we are squeezed into a corner and threatened to take three steps back. How can we move forward as a progressive state if the toxic cycle is repeated again and again? While others are moving towards a more inclusive society, by appealing oppressive laws and provide safe space for all groups, we have encourage a part of our own society to hate others obsessively and a sense of entitlement, that their voices should be heard and revolve around them. Our country is built on the idea that our differences makes us a stronger and more colorful than other countries. By now, we should aim more than tolerance and celebrate our differences. However, as we kept backpedaling on progressiveness, we are stuck behind and continue to allow such buffoonery to exist. We can't even get thru SEX for crying out loud!

At this point, allowing a play which featured the word 'sex' in Malaysia would be counted as progressive.
Image taken: NST

It would not be a surprise that in the future these groups will make more ridiculous demands such as banning cinemas, concerts and entertainment sites, opposing martial rape, child marriage and pedophilia laws. Will the government stand firm on their ground despite the pressures or instead, cater to their requests?  

It is already 2019 and under the ‘New Malaysia’, such nonsense must be stopped. Art scenes should be prospered and developed without interference and censorship. Marginalized and discriminated groups must be given a safe space and fundamental rights. More importantly, never back down against bigotry and fanaticism.

     

And sure enough, people started to fight back. Arts and cultures groups and arts activists issued statements in solidarity of the performance. Move Creativ also started a petition to call out relevant parties should not let actions of the extremists go unchecked and continue to let them interfere our arts and creativity. The petition has gathered more than a thousand signatures at this time of writing and everybody is encouraged to sign on it.           

Facebook user, Freelancer Fisshy, also drew and uploaded comic strips so people could understand better about the fiasco and make their own judgement.



One can only hope arts and creativity will never be suppressed and put down by extremist and fingers crossed if there is a 'Sex in Petaling Street' in the future, it could go on smoothly without any interference.