Fight for free speech in Malaysia
Poh Si Teng, dressed in her graduation robe, walks by the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Photo by JUSTIN MOTT
By POH SI TENG
Now that you’ve graduated, are you going home? Will you do journalism in Malaysia?
These two questions crept up several times during graduation week in May. And every time someone asked, I felt like pulling my hair out.
My mother, filled with anxiety about which non-conventional or radical path I would choose, wanted to know. My professors at San Francisco State University and journalism mentors, who taught me to seek truth, do no harm and protect my sources at all costs, wanted to know.
I wanted to know.
But there was no easy answer because while I loved Malaysia very much, I also loved the freedom and opportunities in the United States.
When Americans ask why I came to the “Land of the Free” (which really isn’t free at all), I always say it was for the First Amendment in the U.S. Constitution, which guards and enshrines free speech and expression.
They always smile when I say that. And if I’m up for a debate, I’ll respond, “If you love your freedom, be aware of the free speech cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and bills before legislators. Because if you don’t take notice, you might just lose all the freedom that you hold so dear.”
All Malaysian journalists know it’s no fun having Big Brother tell you what you can and cannot report.
While in the United States, I managed to write about a pastor who preached to gang members in Columbus, Ohio, and Ecstasy culture among hip-hoppers in the San Francisco Bay Area. I also had the opportunity to document a speed addict who used acupuncture to treat his addiction, and two lesbians who connected with each other and their country roots at a gay rodeo.
Would it be possible to cover similar stories in Malaysia?
There is a big possibility that they will never see the light of day in local mainstream media. But not to worry as such “controversial” issues will find a comfortable home frequented by many visitors in cyberspace.
And so in June 2005, my friend Ng Khai Lee and I founded theCICAK, a political and pop culture magazine. It is staffed by passionate and driven young Malaysians who want a more democratic, transparent and inclusive country. There is nothing too controversial for theCICAK and we would like to keep it this way.
We now have a space that we can call our own. And a growing network of journalists, social entrepreneurs, web programmers, economists and law students who are willing to work together for a collective benefit - a better Malaysia. These aren’t folks who only rant and go rah, rah, rah. They are young Malaysians who walk the talk and make a difference, either through their line of work or through side-projects such as creating opportunities for local musicians, selling T-shirts for non-profit organizations and pressing their peers to register to vote.
In addition, these young leaders write solid opinion-editorials about gerrymandering, homosexuality, religious freedom, racial equality and all things supposedly too sensitive them. They are not easily fooled and not readily belittled.
Malaysia is changing very fast. It’s heading 130 kilometers down the highway, with the speed our generation is going. We may not have freedom of speech set in our constitution. Not just yet. But you can sure bet that we will fight to the end so that it becomes a reality for our children.
It’s an exciting time to be Malaysian. And I really want to come home. But I can’t just yet, due to commitments and promises made abroad. But it’s OK because one thing is for sure - I’ll never stop being Malaysian. Not now, not ever.
An edited version of this article appeared in The Star.
–
POH SI TENG is the director and co-founder of theCICAK.
Poh Si came to the United States in search of free speech and expression. Last summer, she interned as a science reporter for The Columbus Dispatch in Ohio. She has written for the Oakland Tribune, the Vallejo Times-Herald, the Duluth News Tribune in Minnesota and the New Straits Times in Malaysia. She will be interning as a multimedia journalist at The Virginian-Pilot this summer and The Miami Herald in the fall. Visit her site.
If you liked this article, here are some related posts:
Responses || Discussion || Debates || Commentaries
Post your opinion
Does your comment encourage responsible, intelligent discussion?
All comments are moderated for impersonations and defamatory, racially, sexually and religiously offensive content.
By the way... since you're sharing your comments, get paid for it.
- The rise of left-wing politics in Malaysia
- Fuel price hike in Malaysia: Bane or blessing?
- Malaysia’s first LGBT weblog
- Kick the overspending, underachieving habit, Malaysia
- The best thing Pak Lah has done: Drastic reduction of petrol subsidies
- FFF2008 announces competition winners!
- Different races all loving each other?
- Part 2, Analyzing Malaysian Parties: Should DAP compromise its principles?
- Why I’m for Tibet being part of China, and against the Chinese Communist Party’s actions
- Is Islam, Judaism and Christianity still relevant today?
Subscribe via RSS
Latest News
Register to receive the best articles, comments, and competitions in your inbox!
Part 1: Creating a new manifesto for Malaysia
Malaysia has a government that treats the constitution as nothing more than the toilet paper that adorns your bathrooms. They run roughshod on it, treating it like joke, a document of whimsy and games. Thus, as a result...Young Malaysians, here are ten steps to become better citizens
A very basic list of things that twenty-something’s can do as citizens.The hunt for subversives: Malaysian Government arrest Bersih, Hindraf activists and lawyers
Does the "Malaysian way" condone detention without trial, arbitrary arrests, tear gas, water cannons, violence and lies?Adultery does not justify battery
How far would you go if your lover cheated on you? Be honest.
Comment of the week
I defend my right as a Malaysian to talk about anything that concerns Malaysia.
Powered by FireStats
pohsi, i’m glad that you’ve posted the original version here. the version published by the star was gutted, making the transitions abrupt.
Was this a good comment?
i understand what you are going through right now. when in doubt trust your heart, at least thats what the fortune cookie said
Was this a good comment?
now I know that this is going to sound weird, but please, please, don’t come back….
yet. At least, not until (or even if) I make it into parliament.
And as long as you know and remember that you are Malaysian, no matter what our Higher Education Minister has said in the past, you are still a patriot. One thing I have always admired about you was the fact that you had the balls (pardon) to actually come up with this gecko website.
Congrats on your graduation, and continue to preach and practice what you preach.
Was this a good comment?
I read about this lizard on The Star two days ago. And you have no idea how amazed I was.
I haven’t realy gone through the web, I’ve just got onto this site today, but no worries, we will have a long acquaintantship.
I’ll try to do whatever I can, though introvert I may be, I wanted to stand out someday as well. The way this web makes it, I’ll say that’s not impossible.
Do keep updating, at least you know you’re attracting more and more youngsters to the site. And one thing for sure, you have just gotten yourself a new fan.
Was this a good comment?
it is easy to talk about wanting freedom of speech and expression. but it is never easy to feel motivated to fight in the long run. people may not have the stamina to keep up. however, do keep fighting.
the biggest challenge is when you come across situations where you have to choose between doing what pleases the political masters and doing what is right. however, there are things in Malaysia that can never change. staying on in the country will then have to be like falling in love….i.e. acknowledge the positive aspects of this country and at the same time accepting its shortcomings.
Was this a good comment?
The reason why free speech in the media is still not as accessible here as it is the United States is due to the fact that unlike the U.S, the Malaysian government is determined to keep racial unrest at its minimum.
In the U.S, even if a group wanted to show their hatred towards a minority, oh lets say, the immigrants, they have the rights to do so openly. In fact, there are even publications that are dedicated towards their cause. All they needed to do is pledge the First Amendment.
Think about it, when was the last time you heard about any serious racial turmoil here in Malaysia? Perhaps the last time any of this occurred on a massive scale was during the May 13 incident in 1969. How did that conflict occur? Irresponsible men in power dissing each others race in open…
Despite what one may think, the state of racial unity in Malaysia isn’t as solid as what one may like to believe. Racial division is still very much alive. Case in point, each ethnic group still has its own societies to protect its own rights (UMNO, MCA, MIC etc.) Each of these ethnic groups still pledge their loyalties to that of their own race. Even parents today do not fail to instill discriminating bigoted thoughts in their young children’s head.
For example, one of the known media of free speech online regarding Malaysian issues is the site Malaysiakini. Perhaps it does allow free speech by highlighting controversial issues, but as we can also see, the site is also filled with hateful words written in the comment section by the majority of its readers. Heck, even Malaysiakini goes through some regulation by the government. Imagine if this situation were to be implemented in by the conventional mass media. True, we may gain free speech but the price would be the lost of our fragile racial harmony.
So instead of fighting for free speech, maybe we should first fight our racist tendencies, because, denied it as you may, deep down inside, it has already been instilled.
Was this a good comment?
Congrats upon your graduation. Know yourself and live accordingly. Just follow your heart.. Best wishes always.
Was this a good comment?
Good job to you Poh Si. I felt like the frog under the coconut shell right now. We are being monitored closely of what we are expressing in the public. I am afraid that there are many things that has it printed on our constitution has yet to be fulfilled. For example Freedom of Speech and the Article 11, in this case referring to Lina Joy.
Khai Lee, if you are reading this as well, Congratulations to you and you sure did our alma mater proud of you. Certainly it wasn’t a mistake at all for me to know you.
Was this a good comment?
Hey there “still a nobody hence commenting anonymously”, i actually believe that the lost of free speech right now is the cause of racial harmony. It’s impossible to voice out the problems so that they may be looked at and fixed if we have no voices.
Racial turmoil??? Well you certainly wouldnt see it in the media now would you? And how would you ever know how much there really is??? There’s is racial tension everyday and yes it’s not solid. Even in highschools gangs and social groups are pretty divided by races. You should see the amount of fights in schools and out of schools. I’m not saying that there is no racial harmony at all. I’m just saying that it’s sad that this is a daily occurence and it never reaches the media but is seen as everyday life among many.
Truth is there is oppression in Malaysia and free speech might be the only way to end that oppression and finally enable us to reach true racial harmony… given that we all start acting like adults especially those in parliment…
Was this a good comment?
Responsibility comes with every privilege that we are blessed to receive. The practice of free speech without a conscience is an abuse and has negative repurcussions. I believe that free speech for the sake of free speech, without consideration of how one’s words might affect another, is NOT what Poh Si is advocating here.
Malaysia will do well with freedom of expression so that we may openly discuss the issues that bother us - why we feel the way we do, why we disagree, what we disagree about, why we feel undermined or persecuted, why we feel separate from our brothers and sisters. What can we do to overcome these conflicts, how can we best serve each other, how can we work together for a better country and to secure a better future?
The lack of openess only forces us to keep things bottled up. The passage of too much time leads to the build-up of violent emotions, and soon, we burst and fume over the many issues unjustly left unsaid.
I don’t believe that we can fight our racial prejudices without open discussion; it’s impossible to see another’s point of view if that other isn’t allowed to speak freely, and if we only seek counsel with those who are agreeable.
Hate and violence (physical and verbal) can only beget more hate and violence. We need to communicate openly with patience and understanding. As long as we each come from a place of love for each other, and if we resolve to work together for a positive outcome, we’ll fare much better as a country and as members of the human race. We can then write a history that our children will inherit and be proud of.
Was this a good comment?
Awww… your not coming back D:
Well live your life as you will. Come back and visit though
Was this a good comment?
Hi!
I saw your piece about the lesbian couple at the rodeo. Its very cool - the topic covered and the multimedia used to express it. Love it.
Was this a good comment?
hey girl
take it easy… you can still cover those stories, but of cos in m’sia the censorship board prefers to think of such stories as only western.. or if not so… local FICTION.. =P…
keep up the great writing.
Was this a good comment?
Dear readers,
Thank you so much for your warm response.
We will continue to publish more articles on key issues that need our attention. Watch this space.
I appreciate your support very much.
Was this a good comment?
It is easy to feel patriotism when abroad. I think being a Malaysian is such a cliche. what is the meaning of it? The notion feels like that we have to always be in Malaysia and accept whatever the government tells us. Please do whatever is best for yourself and do not feel obligated to “come back”. The government will invite the selected few to return home. If they do not knock on your door, I say keep living your life the way you want it to be. You can still be a malaysian wherever you are.
Thanks for the wonderful website. Finally there is something that is not sugar coated for me to read!
Was this a good comment?
This is the very first time that i think Malaysia still stand a good chance in developing a better future. I am really proud to be around these whole gang ambitious and passionate youngsters, who do best to set the world. My best wishes to us all.
Was this a good comment?
wow. i never knew there was such site. i truly share your ideals and support it. well i will surely stick around. thanks for letting me know that i m not alone
Was this a good comment?
i am thoroughly impressed by your writing and this website. and by hat you do.
cheers
Was this a good comment?
[…] POH SI TENG Published in theCICAK and The […]
Was this a good comment?
[…] POH SI TENG Published in theCICAK. An edited version of this article also appeared in The Star (Malaysia). Notice what they […]
Was this a good comment?
[…] 22nd, 2007 in The Star (Malaysia), Articles on Malaysia Commentary By POH SI TENG Published in theCICAK. An edited version of this article also appeared in The Star (Malaysia). Notice what they […]
Was this a good comment?
malaysia is going to be 50 years old. are we not mature enough to think for ourselves? do we still need gov to regulate information from us?are we not mature enough to know and think what is right and what is wrong?
Was this a good comment?
actually there are a set of freedom of speech in the consti
Was this a good comment?
Freedom of speech ! OMG… I really hope it’ll be for real ! Our prayers will finally be answered !
oh, and many thanks for putting the original over here : there were words all over the Star edition and I couldn’t read it properly.
Was this a good comment?