Pakai Tulis #7

Looking back at your Facebook feed, you will realise it's been more than a year people have been going back and forth discussing @ bickering about Jawi. 

Not gonna dive deep into the intricacies, histories and the intersection of Jawi with culture, history and national identity, that deserves a space on its own. 

Let's look at contemporary issues regarding Jawi. 

The three-page Jawi on textbooks implementation was met with opposition. 

The mandatory Jawi signage was met with rejection too. 

Is it because people are afraid of Jawi? I mean, it's only 3 pages. 

Or is it because people just don't like things to be forced upon themselves? Why forced business owners to put up signage with the Jawi writing script? Will that help my business? 

Of course, people who questioned about the implementation will meet with opposing voices too. 

"Are you anti-Malaysia" 

"Jawi is part of Malay @ Malaysian culture, learn it, it's no big deal!"

"You are not patriotic, leave this country"

And then, the cycle never ends. People continue to debate, to quarrel, tear each other, all because of Jawi, a writing script. 

I can say Jawi is a writing script. But some sees Jawi as part of Islamisation, and some, their dignity. Friend told me some indeed are not happy when Rumi was preferred over Jawi. 

Looking from their POV, I am forced to ask myself whether their claim is justified. Chinese have 汉字，Indians have Tamil, why we (Malays) have to resort to a colonial writing system? Why we have to compromise and in the process, lose our identity while others able to preserve theirs? I guess that is something many could not comprehend which is why when they saw or heard others opposed Jawi, whether it was valid or not, they are quick to react and unhappy about it. 

That's how the cycle starts and repeats. 

To end, here is a food for thought. How can the state promote Jawi in a way that people, non-Malays specifically are able to actively engage with it willingly, and not shove it to their throats, and definitely not passively promote it and nobody gives a shit about it? 

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Can someone tell me why the state regulates signboards? I'm in awe with the signboards in Dotonburi and I feel we can have beautiful signboards too! Just imagine signboards with beautiful khat, hanzi and Tamil calligraphy. Isn't that a better way to promote our colourful writing scripts and cultures?