crime and media

On Saturday, mainstream media carried reports from Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Aziz stating that the media is to be blamed for the rising crime rate in the country. Perhaps this is in response to the senseless attack on the wife of the Deputy Speaker of Kelantan State Assembly.

Immediately following his outburst, newsmaker wannabes have responded with cries of utter disbelief over what Nik Aziz has said. Not only that, Umno and media officials have also retaliated to protect the right to socially responsible journalism.

I don't blame them for voicing out their disappointment. When I read the report, I was also truly ashamed that in a progressive and modern Malaysia, there exists still people who look at the world through their tiny peepholes.

On the defense

But while we are quick to condemn Nik Aziz for blurting out his thoughts, there seemed to be another issue boiling. Now, I have not seen this advertisement yet on TV, but from the descriptions I read from the written reports, it seems to be a witty and effective advertisement. And yet again, the so-called "protectors of Malay culture" decided to view it as a racial issue. Several BN representatives wished for the advertisement to be withdrawn from national TV, claiming that it distorted the good name of the Malay race.

I lift the following passage from New Straits Times:

Datuk Rosli Mat Hassan (BN-Dungun) wanted the advertisement to be withdrawn as it did not accurately reflect what an educated young Malay man was like.

Mohd Alwi Che Ahmad (BN-Ketereh) agreed. He said the advert had noble intentions, in that, it wanted to tell Malaysians that they should be courteous, but the delivery was offensive.

"I don't know what the motive is. The ill-mannered young man is a Malay, when we know that Malays are generally polite people."

The comments made by the BN officials have triggered angry responses from the public here, here and here. The general argument is that Parliament members should spend their time debating on more important matters instead of dwelling over trivial issues such as TV advertisements. Moreover, there was clearly nothing racist about it. Apparently, these people still can't see Malaysians as Malaysians. They feel the need to label every Malaysian by the names Malay, Chinese, Indian, and my favourite Lain-Lain.

In the end, the government reluctantly gives in (at least there are still some sensible people sitting in the Parliament).

Hypocrisy, double-speak

Notice that when Nik Aziz says the media is to be blamed for rising crime rates, and suggests to censor the media by only reporting all the good news and suppressing all the bad news, the government is quick to condemn him.

But when the government contemplates censoring a mere TV advertisement for its so-called "racism", they don't even blink.

So it's OK for the government to show only the good side of Malays, but at the same time it's not OK for Nik Aziz to show only the good side of Malaysians. Should I say it again?

You can do it any way, as long as it's my way.