Usman Awang (1929-2001) the People's Poet by Dr Syed Husin Ali

PP3739/12/2001 ISSN 0127 - 5127 / RM3.00 / 2001:21(10)

PEOPLE'SPEOPLE'S POETPOET Aliran Monthly 21(10) Page 1 COVER STORY

Usman Awang (1929-2001) The People's Poet by Dr Syed Husin Ali

sman Awang looms very tall in any conver- UUU sation, writing or study on modern Malay literature. Also very well-known as Tongkat Warrant, he used about a dozen nom-de-plumes to write poems, dramas, literary criticism and even a series of essays on Malay courtesy (budi bahasa), especially in the earlier part of his career. But almost all of his outstanding poems were written under Tongkat Warrant, while his views on Malay courtesy were usually expressed, most appropriately, under the pseudonym Manis.

Just Beautiful

Usman is popularly considered, and most justifiably too, as perhaps the best poet in the Malay language. Most important, he is accepted without question as a people’s poet. Writing since 1955, Usman did not produce a very large corpus of poetry, only about

Aliran Monthly 21(10) Page 2 EDITOR'S NOTE

alaysia mourns the passing of Usman CONTENTS Awang, the people’s poet. In this issue, we MMM feature tributes by Dr Syed Husin Ali and Amir Muhammad. They speak of his im- COVER STORY mense contribution not only to Malaysian literature ••• People's Poet 222 but to society as a whole. ••• Rereading Usman's Poems 777 ••• Death Of A Patriot 111111 Dr Wong Soak Koon takes another look at several of Usman’s well-known poems, highlighting his care- FEATURES ful selection of details and images. She describes ••• Judiciary Under Scrutiny 141414 the poet’s life-long concern for justice and fairplay and his empathy for the suffering of the poor, the ••• New AG 171717 marginalised and the oppressed. Take time to ap- ••• 10 Good Reasons Penang preciate these poems reproduced inside. Does Not Need Third Link 191919 ••• How Ferry Service Scaled Down 212121 The other focus of this issue of AM is the proposed • What Penangites Say 222222 Third Link for Penang. We present a series of arti- ••• Parking Lot Of The Orient 242424 cles arguing that a more comprehensive and sus- ••• STOP Memorandum 272727 tainable transport policy must be developed for ••• Penang Needs LRT 292929 Penang. ••• Aftershocks That Will Shake Us 303030 Ganesh Rasagam gives us 10 reasons why the Third ••• Aliran President Speaks 343434 Link is not needed. We also report on what several Penangites have to say. Anil Netto warns that REGULARS Penang is already turning into a huge expanse of ••• LettersLettersLetters 323232 tar and concrete. He asks: Where is the transpar- ••• Current Concerns 363636 ency in the preparation of feasibility studies and ••• Heart To Heart: Herb Feith 383838 the EIA report? Have the people been consulted? Finally, we reproduce a memorandum to the authori- OTHERSOTHERSOTHERS ties from a newly established network called STOP (Sustainable Transport Options for Penang). We ••• Subscription Form 181818 hope that you will support this endeavour.

We wish all readers Selamat Hari Raya, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and belated Deepavali greetings too! Let us celebrate our differences, but Published by let us also remember those detained under the ISA. Aliran Kesedaran Negara (ALIRAN) 103, Medan Penaga, 11600 Jelutong, ALIRANALIRANALIRAN is a Reform Movement dedicated to Penang, Malaysia. Justice, Freedom & Solidarity and listed on the Tel : (04) 658 5251 Fax : (04) 658 5197 roster of the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. Founded in 1977, Aliran welcomes Homepage : http://www.malaysia.net/aliran all Malaysians above 21 to be members. Contact the Hon. Secretary or visit our webpage. Printed by Angkatan Edaran Enterprise Sdn. Bhd. Lot 6, Jalan Tukang 16/4, Seksyen 16, 40000 Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan.

Aliran Monthly 21(10) Page 3 200 of them. But the man, his per- gle. The most well known among Usman’s compatriots, young and sonality, his poetry and his ideas them is “Duri dan Api”, a title old alike, loved most of his poems. have a much deeper and wider in- which he used for one of his an- In the fifties, not long after fluence than that number would thologies. After more than a Usman’s works appeared in pub- suggest. Many of his poems are hundred days, the strike was de- lication, a wave of interest devel- simple, clear, oftentimes romantic, feated and almost all the strik- oped, especially in schools and and just beautiful. He was a mas- ing staff lost their jobs. Said was among students, to hold public ter at weaving words into strik- detained in Singapore for 17 declamations of Malay poetry. It ing phrases, sentences and verses years. later spread far and wide to all that are of exceptional classical kinds of literary competitions and beauty and sometimes appear to Secondly, Usman was very sup- cultural functions. Usman’s po- be nostalgic and even escapist. portive of the Palestinian struggle ems, such as “Bunga Popi” and for liberation. He formed and led “Pak Utih” became prominent fea- Although the forms of Usman’s the Malaysia-Palestine Friend- tures in such declamations. The aesthetic creations are strongly ship Association. He was invited wave subsided in the seventies traditional, yet in content they ex- to a Palestinian conference led by and eighties, when there was press many ideas and ideals that none other than Yasser Arafat. more emphasis laid on material- are very modern. Usman was There he recited his poem in hon- istic economic development. deeply against feudal and colo- our of the Palestinian struggle, nial domination, which in his “Salam Benua”, a title also used But in the nineties it was revived. view strangles freedom and for another of his poetry collec- Recently, when a government- progress. Particularly in the early tions. controlled television featured po- part of his career he strongly op- etry reading before its prime news posed poverty, which he saw as Because of the ideas expressed in time, the first poem recited to in- the product of exploitation; and many of his poems, Usman was augurate this short programme he deeply empathised with the considered and even branded as was by Usman. It was recited by desire and attempts to alleviate the a leftist. But Usman was never in- another well-known poet-novelist conditions of the disadvantaged volved directly with party politics, and also national literary laure- and the marginalised. He was although he was very politically ate, A. Samad Said, who regards against class, ethnic and gender conscious. Indirectly he was very Usman as one of his earlier men- discrimination, and in his own close to leftist politicians like tors. There is no doubt that Usman artistic way he always fought for Ahmad Boestamam, Ishak Haji is not only a people’s poet, but also equality, inter-social harmony Muhammad (Pak Sako) and Lim a very popular one. No wonder, a and national unity. He was Chin Siong. He was even support- number of his poems have been against war and always longed ive of them as well as the parties translated into almost a dozen for- for universal peace. All of his emo- that they led, like the Partai Rakyat eign languages, including Eng- tions and ideas on these matters (in Malaya then) and Barisan lish, Russian, Chinese and Ara- are effectively expressed in his Sosialis (in Singapore). In fact, for bic. writings, not just his poetry. a long time, until his health af- fected his creative activities, he As a person Usman was sweet, Duri Dan Api even acted unofficially as edito- gentle, sensitive, humorous, kind, rial advisor of many of the PRM’s hospitable and yet sometimes firm In two cases, Usman combined publications. But Usman did not to the point of being recalcitrant. both poetry and action. The first reserve his kind help only to his All kinds of people from various was when, together with Said leftist political friends. He was al- ethnic and religious backgrounds, Zahari and Tajuddin Kahar, ways ready and willing to extend from school children to senior Usman led a long strike to de- a helping hand to anybody who ambassadors, loved to meet and fend Utusan Publications from sought it, including those in or befriend him. And Usman was being taken over by the ruling close to government, especially ever ready to receive and entertain political party then. During the the young burning with aspira- them. He had the help of a most strike Usman was productive in tions of becoming a famous writer wonderful wife, Hasnah Din, writing poems about their strug- like him. whose delicious cuisine was al-

Aliran Monthly 21(10) Page 4 ways a great joy to their guests.

In fact they also had the patience A Wonderful Human Being to entertain some stragglers, relatives or friends, who came to stay Aliran joins the nation in mourning the passing of Usman much longer in their hospitable Awang, the renowned poet and novelist who stood out as a home. I stayed with them for giant among Malaysia’s literary figures. nearly a year when I was an “un- employed and floating” graduate. Usman was a great patriot and a wonderful human being. So too with poet-artist Latiff His sense of humanity transcended ethnic considerations. In Mohidin, some time later. In 1974, a society where interethnic friendship too often remains an when the police were seeking to ideal rather than reality, he was a consistent and true friend arrest some students, of all communities. Hishamudin Rais, Yunus Ali and others sought refuge with Tongkat His writings always reflected deep and sincere concerns for and Kak Senah, as they were of- the common man. He will be remembered not just for his liter- ten affectionately referred to. They ary achievements but as a ‘poet of the people’. extended their generosity even when they were facing financial We in Aliran have a special reason for missing him. Usman difficulties. served as a member of Aliran’s Trust Board for a number of years beginning when the Board was established in 1985. Synthesising The Good May God shower him with His blessings. Like his poetry, Usman’s person- ality embodied both tradition and Aliran Executive Committee modernity. He was traditional but 29 November 2001 not conservative, modern but not westernised. He seemed to have succeeded in synthesising the desire and attempts, as a minor- Mahathir Mohamad in 1995. But good in both. His life and his ity group, to survive colonialism at that time, he and many of his outlook seems to have been influ- and struggle for freedom and former leftist friends too, were en- enced by three main factors, progress. In Utusan Melayu, thused by Mahathir for adopting namely, his early background, his where he worked and interacted apparently a firm position against immersion into the lower strata of with many, particularly A. Samad neo-colonialism and for taking up Singapore society, and his close Ismail, who were involved in the the just cause of Palestine. interactions with his colleagues, fight for independence and social Mahathir was echoing forty years especially in Utusan Melayu. justice through that well-known too late what the left had fought newspaper, Usman matured as a for, and for which many were ac- He was born within a poor rural man, an intellectual and a liter- cused of mouthing so-called pro- family in Sedili, near Kota Tinggi, ary figure. There is no doubt that, Communist slogans and as a re- Johor. When still a teenager and when his economic life improved sult some were jailed under the during his early twenties, he a great deal during his stay in ISA. In this poem, Usman praised served as a forced labourer under Kuala Lumpur, Usman was not as Mahathir for his rather progres- Japanese military, and also as an actively involved with left politics, sive stand on certain international office boy and a policeman under which anyhow had declined in issues. Actually, long before this, British colonial rule. He knew ex- the eighties and nineties. But he Usman had also written poems actly what poverty and the strug- remained committed to his former dedicated to Ahmad Boestamam, gle to live really meant. ideas and ideals. Hasnul Hadi. Said Zahari and Dr M.K Rajakumar, following their When he worked in Singapore, he I know that some of his friends detention without trial under the was immersed into the predomi- were very disappointed when draconian Internal Security Act nantly proletarian Malay society Usman wrote and read a poem in (ISA). There is nothing special in there. He became one with their praise of Prime Minister Dr Usman’s praise for Mahathir.

Aliran Monthly 21(10) Page 5 DSAI

When Anwar Ibrahim was sacked as DPM and Deputy President of Usman’s Last Poems UMNO, Usman was dumbfounded. He immediately visited Anwar to express his deepest con- JENTAYU YANG LUKA (Untuk Wan Azizah) cern and sympathy. He planned to compile an anthology of poems Tiba-tiba dia bangkit in honour of Anwar. Actually Dengan kelembutan yang tetap sopan there had been a long and special Berdiri di barisan paling hadapan relationship between the poet and Sebagai pahlawan keadilan the politician. When Usman was recovering from his bypass sur- Lama dulu wajahnya tersembunyi gery, Anwar and Wan Azizah vis- Di belakang pemimpin berani sang suami ited him. Usman arranged to take Mengintip dengan mata kecilnya a group photograph of his family Segala tingkah dan senyuman pura-pura with them. For a long time the Si pengampu yang bermuka dua photograph of the group deco- Si penyembah yang berjiwa hamba rated the lounge in his house. Si pengemis segenggam laba When Usman became less mobile, he transferred the photograph to Dia adalah jentayu yang luka his own bedroom. Terbang mengepak menyonsong gumpalan awan Mencakar menjeritkan kebebasan dan keadilan Usman was concerned that his Mencabar dunia yang semakin kejam. deteriorating health and the slow response from fellow poets were delaying his project. Anyhow, SAUDARA ANWAR IBRAHIM with his determination and the (Selamat Hari Lahir) help of Prof Muhammad Haji Salleh, another national literary Palu telah dijatuhkan laureate, and others, Usman man- Lama sebelum tanganmu terikat ke belakang aged to produce, under his and S.S. Dino’s editorship, an anthol- Kau gegar aras kayangan ogy called Dari Derita Bangsa Kekuasaan yang mula tergoncang (From the Sufferings of a Nation). It contains works from 21 promi- Sekali tanganmu terancung ke udara nent local poets. The most signifi- Sejuta teriakan menyambutnya cant thing is that the anthology is Sekali suaramu terpancar ke angkasa closed by two poems by Usman, Sejuta gelombang gema menyahutnya “Jentayu Yang Luka” (Wounded Phoenix), dedicated to Wan Azizah, and “Saudara Anwar Demi sumpah perjuangan Ibrahim”, for the occasion of his Demi maruah keadilan birthday. Tabah dan gagah Tidak pernah menyerah. In them Usman expressed his can- did support for their struggle to es- Demi sumpah perjuangan tablish justice, freedom and truth. Demi maruah keadilan They were his last poems. I know Tabah dan gagah they came from the very depth of Tidak pernah menyerah. Usman’s sincere heart. q

Aliran Monthly 21(10) Page 6 COVER STORY Rereading Usman's Poems A lifelong concern for Justice and Fairplay by Dr Wong Soak Koon

t is sad that very often we are impelled teristic wit, he then refers to his own mortality III to reread a poet’s works because he is and in so doing, may have reminded the more II no longer with us, when the best acco- sensitive among his listeners in the august Ban- lade one can give a writer is to read quet Hall of Parliament House that death lev- his creations, enjoy them as well as critique them els all, the honoured and the unsung, the pow- while he is with us and can give us fresh feed- erful and the powerless. back. In rereading some of Usman Awang’s words, I was first drawn to a paragraph in his Usman Awang’s life-long concern for the acceptance speech when he was awarded the poor, the oppressed, the marginalised is “Anugerah Sastera Negara” (National Literary found not only in his poems but in his short Award) in 1983, which reads: stories, essays and drama as well as his novel. Some of his closest friends may feel that he Such is the case that when I have attained was a socialist at heart but it is unnecessary half a century, I am almost inudated, by all to attach a label to a concern for social jus- sorts of honours which are suddenly heaped tice that was culled from lived experiences upon me (dikejutkan oleh berbagai-bagai and not from a political manifesto or party penghormatan yang bagaikan tiba-tiba politics. Usman Awang’s “politics” were born bertimpa datangnya). Many odd questions of a deep empathy for the suffering of a poor arise. Have I done something wrong? Have farmer like Pak Utih, or a rebel in the jungle I erred? Have I ceased to be the voice of the awaiting violent death, or an ice-cream seller poor and the oppressed? Or, is it because I hawking his wares in the heart of a busy have, not only high blood pressure, but prob- metropolis. In fact the idealism and, in some lems with my heart, that it is felt that some- poems, the romantic sentimentality, is the thing ought to be given to me before the very opposite of the hardened practicality blood stops flowing and the heart stops beat- which must guide politicians, government ing? and opposition alike.

So much of the man is conveyed in these few A master of the well-selected detail and the lines. Foremost is an unrelentingly honest self- sharpest metaphor, Usman Awang continues the scrutiny which prevents him from simply bath- “protest” tradition which, for some, began in ing in the glow of yet another accolade. His the Sejarah Melayu, or Malay Annals, where in- word bertimpa even connotes a sense of of the justice was notnotnot passively endured by the rakyat. burden and weight of these numerous honours. In clever language usage (innuendoes and The questions he asked himself reveal a keen sarcasms), in subtle acts of defiance or outright sense of the danger of public honour eroding accusations (e.g. the peasant women who pro- private integrity. Can and will a Sasterawan tested loudly when their cooked rice was sto- Negara (National Laureate) continue to speak len by members of the defeated King’s retinue out against the authorities in the cause of jus- after the fall of Malacca), the people in The Malay tice and fairness or will he become another alat- Annals, aristocratic or common folk, indict in- alat negara (a tool of the state)? With his charac- justice.

Aliran Monthly 21(10) Page 7 In the oft-recited poem, Pak Utih, (Father Utih, Rereading Usman Awang’s Bunga Popi, 1955 1954) Usman Awang uses simple language to (Poppies) in this season of violence and war as expose unfulfilled promises of “freedom” un- the war-mongers fan emotions in America and der the newly-independent nation state. Pak other places and the blood of both the inno- Utih still waits for better medical care while he cent and combatants in places like Palestine and pays the medicine man (or Pak Dukun) from the Afghanistan colour the soil, we are reminded meagre store he has earned by the sweat of his of the horrors unleashed by men: brow. The juxtuposition of the rural citizenry with those in towns who too readily wave their From blood, from pus that hands as leaders pass in their limousines rots in the soil thematises the poet’s recurrent concern with the from skeletons that have lost rural-urban divide. Banquets, feasting are ac- their lives tivities of urban, bourgeois citizens who have the result of war maniacs forgotten the contribution of the peasant (petani who kill love, yang berjasa), and thus do not care to know of the red flowers bloom beautifully, his suffering. requesting to be adored.

An independent nation with such uncaring The poppies, so bright and beautiful, are the leaders and citizens is really directionless be- emblems of war, soil enriched by human blood neath its surface progress and development. and pus. The final line: “Where are the leaders going in their limousines?” aptly sums up the general In Salam Benua, 1970, (“Greetings to the Conti- lack of a political will to effect change for the nent”), Usman Awang’s ability to transcend po- likes of Pak Utih. No wonder then that 20 litical and ethnic boundaries so as to respond years later in 1974 when Usman Awang wrote to a common humanity resonates like a clarion Pak Utih (2), Pak Utih is in a worse state with call to us to ask important questions. Who gains his land mortgaged, his grandchildren, very from the division, the boundaries erected? Who likely, destined for the lock-up, either because dictates the borders of the so-called new world of their own criminality or, more likely, be- order? With characteristic insight, he says: cause of their agitation for reform as a younger generation impatient for justice so long de- they rob us with their laws nied. The poem ends poignantly with the im- sending bullets wrapped in dollars ages of death and decay as the starving grand- forcing us to choose children die from feeding on the ubi gadung, and choose we must but there is an ominous warning of future un- there is no other way. rest in the final lines: “Bullets wrapped in dollars” is an arresting Now and then in the still of the night image pointing to the fact that “war” can also from the hill-top on the jungle fringe be waged, away from battlefields, in Stock Ex- a voice comes chanting: changes, in the neo-colonialism of foreign aid. dandle high dandle low And to combat this subservience to the Big the parang has been sharpened Powers of the world, some defy even their own once you’ve set to have a bath national leaders who have capitulated. These let the water really flow. defiant ones are themselves propelled into vio- (alang-alang mandi biar sampai basah) lence having “chosen guns and bullets.” And so, divisions remain as violence begats violence The patience of the Malay peasants may no and “little children sling on their weapons.” The longer work to constrain their wrath and a song poem nonetheless ends on a note of hope, how- to lull children becomes a rallying cry to action ever slim, as the poetic voice greets his fellow in the fight for justice. men with a vision of a world withoug visa, pass-

Aliran Monthly 21(10) Page 8 port or concern for colour and creed. Usman Awang’s views on the role of Father Utih the intellectual or the literate person in societies where many are still il- III literate centres on the role of the public intellectual. The intellectual must immerse himself in the daily lives of He has one wife - whom he embraces until death the poor, the oppressed, rural folk five children who want to eat everyday and not simply enjoy the bourgeois an old hut where an inherited tale is hanging comforts of an urban milieu. (See a piece of barren land to cultivate. Peranan Intelektual or The Role of the Intellectual). All too often, the bour- The skin of his hands is taut and calloused geois’ intellectual can be co-opted and so becomes complacent or even accustomed to any amount of sweat indifferent. Usman Awang repeat- O Father Utih, the worthy peasant. edly counsels them to experience in person the hardship of the op- But malaria comes hunting them pressed, the poor and allow their even though he offers a million prayers five senses, mind and heart to learn and Mother Utih calls the village medicine man lessons not learnt in the universities. for magic formulas, curses repeatedly chanted. The reference to learning from the poor, the oppressed is very important for it necessitates humility; we The medicine man with his reward goes home must realise that our book-learning, with money and a pullet tied together. our myriad economic theories are not the only answers. In speaking of the IIIIII writer’s movement, Angkatan’50 (The 50’s Group), for example he says: In towns the leaders keep shouting We of the Angkatan’50 do not of elections and the people’s freedom have a wide and robust under- of thousand-fold prosperity in a sovereign state standing of the many ills in our a golden bridge of prosperity into the world hereafter. society. And we must acknowl- edge that what we have thus far When victory brightly shines articulated about the people’s suf- the leaders in cars move forward, fering has come from our own view-point, from the angle of vi- their chests thrust forward sion of the middle-class. O! the beloved subjects wave their hands.

This brief survey cannot hope to do Everywhere there are banquets and festivities justice to the rich legacy Usman Awang delicious roast chicken is served leaves us but we hope that it will en- chicken from the village promised prosperity. courage people to read his works if they have not done so or to reread them. But above all, Usman Awang’s Father Utih still waits in prayer life-long concern for justice, fairplay where are the leaders going in their limousines? and for the lot of the oppressed must continue to energize us into action. 1954 (Translated by Adibah Amin) That would be the best “monument” we can erect to honour him. q

Aliran Monthly 21(10) Page 9 PoppiesPoppiesPoppies Greetings To The Continent III They separate us From blood, from pus that rots in the soil, the passports visas frontiers all names for barriers from skeletons that have lost their lives, they rob us with their laws sending bullets wrapped in dollars snatched by weapons, forcing us to choose the result of war maniacs who kill love, and choose we must the red flowers bloom beautifully, requesting to be there is no other way adored. IIIIII Friend, you have chosen guns and bullets many leaders prefer their dollars for this you must soak your clothes Those who live on are remnants of life, full of red grass, red river sufferings, children’s weeping the blood of the exploited wizened, bent, deformed, maimed and blind, war in retrospect is full of horrors; IIIIIIIII You squeeze cactus and grind stones they remember now, in bitterness, in solitude. to make food and drink girls toil decorated in dust little children sling on their weapons you darken the sky with exploding pipelines Others lost children, husbands and sweethearts, others sing in prisons lost their sources of support, their livelihood, for the freedom of Palestine they live in starvation, IVIVIV thousands widowed, thousands disappointed, We strive in drying rice fields thousands tormented; daring peasants have begun to clear the virgin jungle millions of orphans live on, and beg. small beginnings in a cloudlike calmness a calmness that nips us in the bud we the few are still learning from all your experiences, The war maniacs have killed all love! and our own war raged and found profit in colonial lands! we shall consolidate the May eclipse war raged and killed babies in their cradles! at the true target war raged, and destroyed cultural values of this archipelago

VVV Greetings Poppies are the flowers of fallen soldiers, without visa passport flowers drenched red with blood, full of horrors, golf we hate war, full of killing! colour we cry for a never-ending peace! to humanity, people, of all continents.

1955 (Translated by Adibah Amin) 1970 (Translated by Muhammed Hj Salleh)

Aliran Monthly 21(10) Page 10 COVER STORY Death Of A Patriot by Amir Muhammed

ith the passing of Usman WWW Awang, Malaysia is left with one less person who knows what matters. He is one of the very few Malaysian writers whose appeal could cut across racial and cultural barriers, and he maintained right to the end the spirit of questioning those in power. (“spirit of exposing social injustice” - The Star)

Several of his poems, plays and short stories are comfortably en- sconced in the collective imagination of two generations of Malaysians. Equally important is the image of the man himself, whose integrity, humility and open-heartedness have served as gency, he was compelled to arrest but his immersion in the univer- inspiration to many. many people but later said, “I sity of life - as policeman, journal- don’t know why they were caught. ist, editor, and activist - made sure He once recounted an early expe- They seemed to us to be good peo- that his works were grounded in rience that served as a guiding ple, teachers, shopkeepers, work- the social verities of their time. His principle for the rest of his life. ers . It was only gradually that I early poems such as the anti-war During the Japanese Occupation started to learn the truth about the “Bunga Popi” (1955) burned with he was a forced labourer for the political situation, detentions, a commitment to universal hu- invaders before managing to es- police action and so on.” Another manity and a hatred of brutality cape with the help of a Tamil formative experience was when and discrimination. His “Pak clerk, who hid him in his house. he was assigned to guard a politi- Utih” (1954) is the ballad of a ne- The clerk’s wife told him, “Treat cal congress; listening to the left- glected farmer that ends: this as your own house, Usman. wing nationalist leaders like We are all the same. Regardless of Burhanuddin Helmy, Shamsiah Pak Utih masih menanti dengan doa, race, we all have the same red Fakeh and Ahmad Boestamam Bapak-bapak pergi ke mana di mobil blood. People are divided between were invaluable in shaping his besar? the rich and the poor, the bad and social conscience. the good.” He wrote a second poem called “Pak War and poverty had cut short his Utih” in 1974 which underscored the As a policeman during the Emer- formal education at Standard Six fact that independence from our colo-

Aliran Monthly 21(10) Page 11 nial masters nevertheless left the ru- The theme so captured the public was no ethnocentric bigot. His ral poor as poor as ever, but with per- imagination that “Matinya poem “Sahabatku” (1983), dedi- haps a different set of problems: Seorang Pahlawan” has become cated to his friend Dr. M. K. one of the most performed of local Rajakumar, contained his vision Tiba-tiba Pak Utih pandai menulis plays. His musical “Uda Dan of a united nation: Ditulisnya huruf-huruf sebesar Dara” (1972), which is due to be batang kelapa: restaged in a big way next year, is Bilakah semua warga negara I-N-F-L-A-S-I not just a love story but a socialist mendapat hak protest against class barriers and layanan dan keadilan yang sama In his later poems, the undoubted capitalist exploitation. Dikenali dengan satu rupa nama: strength of his convictions became Bangsa Malaysia? tinged with irony and satire in- A handful of his short stories will stead of mere righteousness. also survive as testaments to his It’s no accident that among the “Bagaimana Kalau”, “Benarkah dramatic acumen and moral rig- eight men who have been Ketam Mengajar Anaknya our. “Sebuah Khemah Didirikan” awarded the title of Sasterawan Berjalan Betul?” and “Surat dari (1961) commemorates the Utusan Negara (National Laureate), his is Masyarakat Burung Kepada Melayu strike when journalists easily the most widely-read and Datuk Bandar”, all written in from that newspaper were trying recognized among non-Malays. It 1979, are brilliant socio-political valiantly to save it from political was wonderful to see artists from so critiques cloaked in fun and mock- interference. In its depiction of the many language streams pay tribute ing laughter, although his lan- lonely struggle of maintaining integ- to him at Salam Benua, an event or- guage remained as supple and un- rity and self-worth against the lure ganised in 1998 by the privately- pretentious as ever. of easy money, it is one of the finest owned Actors Studio, which is most short stories written in this coun- commonly associated with English- Not all his poetry revolved around try. Equally powerful is “Matinya language theatre. the theme of social injustice. Seorang Perem-puan” (1959), in “Kekasih” (1971), with its sensuous which the murder of a woman be- Even Usman’s tenure as editor in metaphors and seductive rhythms, comes the catalyst for a boy to realise Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka in the remains one of the greatest expres- just how dangerous his politician fa- 1970s is fondly remembered as a sions of romantic love in the lan- ther is. time when the institution was guage; its popularity is proven by the open to, and encouraging of, par- fact that it has been set to song sev- He was a man imbued by princi- ticipation from writers and cul- eral times. ples of justice and equality but he tural figures from all races. The knew how to have fun. Pictures of official notion of cultural space be- Although best-known as a poet, him from his early days show a came narrower and more exclusionary he did make some important con- striking dandy, and anecdotes after he left. The cultural bureaucrats tributions to other genres. His abound of his romantic pursuits. of today should perhaps read deeply groundbreaking verse-play His appetite for life included in it into the closing stanza of his “Salam “Matinya Seorang Pahlawan” an antipathy for the corrupt and Benua” (1970): (1961) helped to popularise the the exploitative - in other words, idea of 15th century Malaccan people who would be most likely Salam warrior Hang Jebat as the real hero to reduce the quality of that life. tanpa visa in his fight against Hang Tuah. paspot Jebat was recast as a fierce ideal- He was a fierce defender of the golf ist who valued truth and friend- Malay language and wrote warna ship above feudal allegiance to an “Keranda 152” (1967) to com- kemanusiaan rakyat unjust king: memorate the occasion in which seluruh benua. language activists protested Raja adil raja disembah against the continual marginal- Although ill health reduced his crea- Raja tak adil raja disanggah! isation of Bahasa Malaysia, but he tive output to a trickle in the last dec-

Aliran Monthly 21(10) Page 12 ade of his life, he remained an important icon frequently consulted or visited by younger writers. Rather than Usman Awang Deceived? be bought over by the comforts of the establishment, he preferred to be au- tonomous and remained a champion of the underdog: Two of his last poems, written in 1999, were called Jentayu Yang Luka (Untuk Wan Azizah) and Saudara Anwar Ibrahim. They are collected in Dari Derita Bangsa (2001), a book of protest and humanitarian poems that he helped to compile. Following Usman Awang’s function. Usman was equally death, some of the government- surprised that Utusan Publica- Usman Awang - a good writer controlled media have been re- tions, of all things, considered with a few great works, a lover of peatedly showing clippings of it appropriate to take it upon truth and life, a scourge of the false Usman with Prime Minister Dr themselves to proclaim him as and the rapacious - is emphati- Mahathir Mohamad, which Seniman Agung (Great Artist). cally a credit to the burgeoning were taken during a function He was given RM5,000, a sum Malaysian race that he helped to organised by Utusan Melayu. too small compared with such create. q a high-sounding title, which Two years ago Zainuddin was ceremoniously handed Mydin who was then Chief over by the Prime Minister. Editor of Utusan Melayu A radically censored/ group organised a poetry read- It so happened that during that “edited” version of this ing function apparently to time Mahathir was feeling the piece appeared on page 3 honour Usman Awang. strain of the implied attacks by of The Star on 30 Novem- national literary laureate, ber 2001 where even According to Syed Husin Ali, Datuk Shahnon Ahmad, phrases like “the lonely Usman told him that through his notorious novel struggle of maintaining in- Zainuddin persistently per- Shit. Both Mahathir and tegrity and self-worth suaded him to attend the func- Zainuddin appeared to be against the lure of easy tion. Usman gave all kinds of looking for the support of the money” were deleted. Any excuse so as not to go - his highly respected Usman. phrase suggesting that the health, his inability to walk up authorities can be ques- steps and to sit long through According to Syed Husin tioned was similarly such occasions. But again, after that unfortunate snipped. The phrases de- Zainuddin was insistent and occasion Usman told him leted are shown in italics. he promised Usman to take all that he felt very sad because measures necessary to make he thought he was “deceived” We reproduce this piece him comfortable. Being the (terpedaya). He never imag- both as a tribute to Usman magnanimous person he was, ined that anyone could take Awang’s courage and, Usman did not have the heart advantage of him in order to ironically, as an illustra- or strength to ignore the pleas, help a leader whose political tion of the kind of “edit- even from a person he was not credibility was under ques- ing”/ self-censorship terribly easy with. tion then. Much later, Usman practised by the main- gave an interview to a young stream media. To Usman’s surprise, artist friend to express his Mahathir also attended that sadness.q

Aliran Monthly 21(10) Page 13 JUSTICE Judiciary Under Scrutiny The future direction of the judiciary is once again becoming uncertain. by Raja Aziz Addruse

Dzaiddin in overall charge.

His call to his judges was to be independent and to decide according to the evidence and facts. He was not one to order or request his judges to decide in a particular way, as seemed to have been done by his predecessor according to the revelation by Justice Mohamad Kamil in his recent judgment in an election petition. In the atmosphere created by Tan Sri Dzaiddin, judges were seen to perform their function with hen asked recently how judge losing his temper in court more confidence. The decisions WW he thought the judiciary for contrived reasons. Except for of the Federal Court in the Zainur WWW had performed since he a very few who seem to feel the case, of the High Court at Shah became the Chief Justice need to remind those who appear Alam in the habeas corpus case of Malaysia late last year, Tan Sri before them that they are judges, and of Justice Mohamad Kamil in Mohamed Dzaiddin Abdullah the rest have no identity-problem. the election petition are cases in replied that it was not for him to Because of that we hardly hear or point. Each is supported by the say but for the people to judge. To read of reports of judges taking of- facts and the law of the case. Then lawyers, who are in the best posi- fence over inconsequential issues there were the decisions of the tion to judge, the answer is plain. and committing all and sundry Court of Appeal which have put During that short period, confi- for contempt on the flimsiest of back some sense of proportion dence in the judiciary is beginning grounds. into the award of damages in defa- to be restored. mation cases. What has brought about this no- Judges, who had previously been ticeable change? As Tan Sri Now We Have sidelined by the former Chief Jus- Dzaiddin himself said after his A Problem tice, are now free to perform their appointment, it is a question of functions as judges. The alloca- leadership. Unlike his predeces- These developments were wel- tion of chosen cases to certain sor, Tan Sri Dzaiddin leaves each comed by the Bar. The judiciary judges to hear has been discon- tier in the hierarchy of the judici- was seen to be on the road to full tinued. Judges now appear to ary to operate independently of recovery. But the question lingered work together as part of that team each other with the head of each in the minds of lawyers as to called the judiciary. Rarely does to be responsible for the judges whether this change for the better one now hear or read about a under him, but with Tan Sri was going to be allowed to con-

Aliran Monthly 21(10) Page 14 tinue. An indication that the judi- directive, the Government’s stand to discipline judges following re- ciary was coming under the close on the issue was seen to shift. The cent “judicial quips” made by scrutiny of the Executive was Prime Minister took the judge to judges when they made their de- given when senior ministers of the task saying that he had, by mak- cisions. After all, it was the Chief Government publicly criticised ing the disclosure, “tarnished” Justice who “holds the whip. You Justice Mohamad Kamil for dis- the image of the court by dragging can’t whip from outside.” closing in his judgment referred it into public controversy and to above, that his superior had “now we have a problem trusting In the light of these statements by given him a directive over the tel- the court” Particular emphasis Ministers of the Government, the ephone to strike off the election pe- was given by the Prime Minister future direction of the judiciary is titions he was to try. to statements the judge had made once again becoming uncertain. in the judgment expressing his Whether the judiciary was to pro- Initially, the Government’s posi- frustrations over a personal mat- ceed on the road to full recovery tion on this alleged interference ter involving his child. The would depend on who was to be with the judge’s exercise of judi- Deputy Prime Minister seemed appointed to fill a vacancy in a cial discretion was one of concern also to be unhappy with the way senior judicial post created by the because of the adverse effect it judges were going about improv- retirement of Justice Lamin bin would have on the independence ing the image of the judiciary. His Mohd Yunus, the former President of the judiciary. The Minister in advice was that members of the of the Court of Appeal, in March charge of law in the Prime Minis- judiciary could by all means im- this year. The logical choice for the ter’s Department, Datuk Dr Rais prove their image, but they should Court of Appeal post was Tan Sri Yatim, thought that the disclo- not go beyond their responsibili- Wan Adnan bin Ismail, the Chief sure, having been made by the ties to prove a point to the Gov- Judge, Malaya. That seemed to be judge in his judgment, must be ernment and the people. What dictated by both seniority and taken seriously by all parties, and that means was not clear. What merit. If that happened, the ques- he himself would take necessary was clear was that a scenario like tion of interest was who was to measures to ensure that the dis- that which preceded the events of succeed him as Chief Judge, Ma- closure was investigated. Ex- 1988 and which resulted in the in- laya? If the image of the judiciary pressing the hope that such inci- tegrity of and confidence in the was to continue to improve, the dents would not recur, he said: judiciary being undermined, was successor must be one who satis- ‘The country is known for its ju- being created. As in 1988 when fied generally accepted criteria for dicial independence and we must the Prime Minister said that it the appointment of judges. These make it clear that nobody should was up to the head of the judici- require the most senior to be the violate our judicial system.’ ary (then Tun Mohd Salleh Abas) first choice unless another is more to admonish judges (in that case suitable by reason of:- After Tan Sri Dzaiddin’s pred- for making public their political ecessor voluntarily owned up that views), it was publicly announced • merit, he was the person who had tel- by Datuk Dr Rais Yatim that the ephoned the judge, but denied Government was willing to give • legal ability (in the sense of that he had given him the alleged extra power to Tan Sri Dzaiddin professional qualification, ex-

Where appointments and promotions are made in disregard of acceptable criteria it is not the confidence of the public in the judiciary alone that is undermined. Good judges, too, will feel no pride in being part of a judicial system where neither merit nor seniority is recognised.

Aliran Monthly 21(10) Page 15 perience, knowledge), charac- coram which heard and dis- ary alone that is undermined. ter) missed the Malaysian Bar’s ap- Good judges, too, will feel no peal against the decision of the pride in being part of a judicial • character (by reference to hon- High Court to restrain the hold- system where neither merit nor esty, integrity, open ing of an extraordinary general seniority is recognised. mindedness, diligence, com- meeting of the Bar (convened to mon sense, temperament) discuss allegations of impropriety It looks as if the much-welcomed against the then Chief Justice and decisions of the courts given • personal skills (in communica- a sitting judge of the Court of Ap- since Tan Sri Dzaiddin became tion, language, analytical, peal). The Court of Appeal had Chief Justice have rung alarm mental agility, leadership dismissed the Malaysian Bar’s bells that the judiciary is becom- skills, ability to accept criti- appeal on, amongst others, the ing too independent. We may be cism) ground that the Federal Constitu- in the process of seeing history re- tion prohibited any discussion on peating itself. The country will be • Awareness of what is required the conduct of judges except in the loser once again if it does. It is of a judge (meaning that he Parliament. While these cases indeed a great pity. Instead of go- must be apolitical, secular in were decided on facts peculiar to ing forward, we have now taken approach, fearless and themselves, the principles in- one step back. uninfluenced by personal dif- volved were universal, particu- ficulties or views, and inde- larly those pertaining to funda- Now that Tan Sri Dzaiddin has pendent) mental liberties. That Justice “decentralised” the judiciary, Ahmad Fairuz has been chosen the responsibility for the per- over Justice Abdul Malik in spite formance of the High Court in On these criteria, there could be of the implications of those deci- Malaya will fall squarely on Jus- no dispute about the most suitable sions is worrying. tice Ahmad Fairuz’s shoulders. candidate. The obvious choice Just as Tan Sri Dzaiddin has was Justice Malik Ahmad. He was Many will also remember the been subjected to close scrutiny the senior most Federal Court highly controversial decision of by the Bar since his appointment judge after Justice Wan Adnan, Justice Ahmad Fairuz in the as Chief Justice, Justice Ahmad and his merit as a judge was be- election petition case brought Fairuz will equally be. Having yond question. against Wee Choo Keong in witnessed the recent improve- 1995, where, after holding Wee ment in the performance of the Alarm Bells (then a member of the DAP) to High Courts of Malaya, any have been disqualified from change indicating that the judi- But when the appointments standing as a candidate in the ciary may be retrogressing to the were announced on 6 Septem- Parliamentary election, had re- pre-Dzaiddin days will be im- ber, 2001, it was Justice Ahmad turned the losing candidate as mediately noticeable. Fairuz who was named as the a Member of Parliamant without new Chief Judge, Malaya, to requiring the process of holding It is hoped that that will not hap- succeed Justice Wan Adnan a by-election to be gone through. pen. q who became the new President of the Court of Appeal. With the appointment of the new Chief Judge, Malaya, the appre- Many will recall Justice Ahmad hension felt by many members Raja Aziz is a former Fairuz’s involvement in the Court of the Bar that the improvement chairman of the Bar of Appeal decisions in the con- in the judiciary was to be short- Council Malaysia. This tempt cases of Murray Hiebert lived appears justified. Where article first appeared in and Zainur Zakaria, the latter of appointments and promotions Insaf the journal of the which was recently resoundingly are made in disregard of accept- Bar, in September 2001. reversed by the Federal Court. Jus- able criteria it is not the confi- tice Fairuz also presided over the dence of the public in the judici-

Aliran Monthly 21(10) Page 16 JUSTICE

Appointment Of New AG Aliran Utterly Dismayed Justice itself has fallen victim with this appointment.

liran is utterly dismayed and disap- “It is blackmail and extortion of the highest cul- AAA pointed with the appointment of Datuk pability and my greatest disaapointment is that a Abdul Gani Patail as the new Attorney- once independent agency that I worked with some General succeeding the current holder 25 years ago and of which I have such satisfying of the post, Datuk Seri Ainum Mohd Saaid. It is memories has descended to such levels in the crea- an appointment that is not likely to enhance the tion and collection of evidence. To use the death prestige of our system of justice or encourage threat as a means to the extortion of evidence that public confidence in the fairness of prosecution. is otherwise not there (why else make such a demand?) It is unforgivable and surely must in Abdul Gani comes with a dark cloud hanging itself be a crime, leave alone a sin, of the greatest over his head regarding his controversial con- magnitude. Whether his means justify the end duct concerning the Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that he seeks are matters that Dato Gani will have and Nallakaruppan cases, as alleged by Manjit to wrestle with within his own conscience.” Singh in his hand-delivered letter to then At- torney-General Tan Sri Mohtar Abdullah on 12 Further, the Federal Court in the Zainur Zakaria October 1998. case never cleared or exonerated Gani and in fact raised very serious concerns about According to this letter (which is on public prosecutorial propriety. record and easily available and reproduced in Aliran Monthly, Vol 21(6) pp 7-8), it was alleged His appointment begs the question: What is in- that Abdul Gani was involved in a question- tegrity all about? Does it amount to anything able attempt to elicit evidence against Anwar in our system of justice? A person without a Ibrahim in a way that would prejudice his case. tainted character would be the best person It is suggested that Abdul Gani had wanted qualified to hold this high position. Such a per- Nallakaruppan to bear false witness against son would bring respect to his office and win Anwar Ibrahim. the confidence of the public.

A totally-shattered Manjit agonised in his letter: Justice itself has fallen victim with this appointment. Whatever hope there may have “I was shocked that Dato Gani even had the been for change has been brutally reversed. gall to make such a suggestion to me. He Sadly, it is back to the bad old days. This ap- obviously does not know me. I do not appointment has starkly emphasised the gov- prove of such extraction of evidence against ernment’s complete contempt for public opin- ANYONE, not even, or should I say least of ion and for our shared values in the notion all, a beggar picked up off the streets. A of fairness and justice. man’s life, or for that matter even his freedom, is not a tool for prosecution agencies P. Ramakrishnan to use as a bargaining chip. No jurispruden- President tial system will condone such an act. 20 November 2001

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Aliran Monthly 21(10) Page 18 SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT

10 Good Reasons Why Penang Does Not Need The Third Link by Ganesh Rasagam

1.1.1. Will the Third Link reduce urban traffic congestion and travel delay?

NO!NO!NO!

Traffic modeling shows that with both the Penang and Butterworth Outer Ring Roads in place together with the Third Link, traffic congestion and travel delay will be much worse than at present. New roads, especially bridges, attract more traffic that in the case of Penang will be mainly single Pulau Jerejak (left) and Batu Maung on Penang island : occupancy private cars and mo- significant impact on coastal zones torcycles. The road networks at the exit and entry points to the Third sediments and waste generated points and increased exposure to Link will not have adequate traf- by the seabed construction and noise and air pollution will in- fic dispersal capacity to cope with land reclamation activity. The crease driver frustration and have this increase in vehicles as shown widening of access roads and con- an adverse health impact. The av- by the experience in the Klang struction of new overhead passes erage length of driving trips will Valley and in many parts of the will lead to visual intrusion and increase resulting in a higher risk world. community severance in estab- of road accidents. lished residential districts. 2.2.2. Will the Third Link improve 4.4.4. Will the Third Link increase the quality of the urban envi- 3.3.3. Will the Third Link improve public transport usage? ronment?ronment?ronment? travel safety and comfort? NO!NO!NO! NO!NO!NO! NO!NO!NO! The Third Link will significantly There will be increased air and An increase in private vehicle us- increase private vehicle owner- noise pollution from vehicular age normally results in higher ship and use and will further emissions and more residential rates of deaths and serious injury erode public transport usage. neighbourhoods will be exposed from road accidents especially for to traffic generated pollution. the more vulnerable road users 5.5.5. Will the Third Link facilitate There will be significant impact such as motorcyclists, cyclists and sustainable landuse? on the coastal zones, the marine pedestrians. Delays due to traffic ecology and the port from the congestion at the entry and exit NO!NO!NO!

Aliran Monthly 21(10) Page 19 notoriety of the Japanese financial system there is more than enough reason to worry about whether the financial viability of this project has been properly ana- lysed.

9.9.9. Will the Third Link enhance Penang’s economic competi- tiveness?tiveness?tiveness?

NO!NO!NO!

The usual arguments of reducing The Penang Bridge can be widened to three lanes as was originally planned. travel times and delay costs do not hold in this case as traffic conges- The Third Link will intensify ur- flated traffic volume projections. tion will still be a major problem. ban sprawl, generate longer, more However, this simplistic economic On top of that, land freight costs expensive and inefficient com- evaluation will not include the will increase, as both bridge tolls muting trips and establish exten- external environmental and social will inevitably need to be raised sive, unsustainable urban costs of the project that will be substantially to pay for the Third landuse and travel patterns. The borne by the people of Penang. Link. As for tourism, the traffic pattern of urbanization will be Japanese loans are normally tied to congestion, urban sprawl and based on a car centric road net- Japanese consultants, contractors and decline in quality of life will cer- work that will require substantial equipment suppliers who will only tainly erode the attractiveness of land allocations for road and leave the crumbs to the locals. Ironi- Penang. It is rather unlikely that parking space at the expense of cally, at a time when Japan has tourists will arrive in droves to coastal community recreational fa- decided to switch focus away from visit the “Titanic” in the middle of cilities, parks and open spaces. roads and bridges to investments the Third Link! in public transport systems, Japa- 6.6.6. Will the Third Link enhance nese firms are actively pursuing 10.10.10.Is the Third Link the only or quality of life for the people these projects overseas to be built best option? of Penang?Penang?of using Japanese funds and suppliers so that more Japanese cars and NO!NO!NO! NO!NO!NO! motorcycles can be sold. Optimising the efficient use of the With increased traffic congestion, 8.8.8. Is the Third Link financially Penang bridge through widening pollution, destruction of natural sustainable? and implementation of intelligent coastal and marine eco-systems, traffic management systems, ex- urban sprawl and stress, there NO!NO!NO! panding the ferry service and in- will be an obvious decline in the troducing an integrated lightrail quality of life for both residents The estimated cost of RM 2.3 bil- transit (LRT) based public trans- and visitors to Penang. lion appears to be unrealistically port system are far more sustain- low considering the complexities able and cost effective solutions 7.7.7. Is the Third Link economi- of undersea tunneling and the fact in the long-term. q cally feasible? that the relatively simpler Penang Bridge cost almost RM 1.0 billion tably conclude that the firm that around 20 years ago! In any case, Ganesh Rasagam is a traffic gets the toll concession will enjoy the next two generations of planner based in Penang. a positive return on investment Malaysians will be indebted to the based on revenue from grossly in- Japanese for this loan. Given the

Aliran Monthly 21(10) Page 20 How The Ferry Service Was Scaled Down

The old collapsed (see arrow) terminal that was never repaired

NO. OF FERRIES AND TOTAL CAPACITY DURING PEAK HOURS

YEAR Early 70s 1975 1985 2001 Type of Ferry * VP VP DD VP DD VP Ferries Available 7 7 3 7 6 6 Ferries running during peak hrs (A) 6 6 3 6 5 5 Single Ferry capacity (vehicles) (B) 2 8 2 8 5 5 2 8 5 5 2 8 No. of trips/hour (approx) (C) 2 . 5 2 . 5 2 . 5 2 . 5 2 . 5 2 . 5 Total Vehicles ferried/hr (AxBxC) 4 2 0 4 2 0 4 1 2 4 2 0 688 3 5 0 Total Vehicles ferried/hr (all ferries) 4 2 0 8 3 2 1108 350

* Type VP : Vehicular/passenger ferries -Lower deck: 28 vehicles (excluding motorbikes). Upper deck: passengers Type DD : Double-decker vehicular ferries -Lower deck: average 33 vehicles. Upper deck: average 32 vehicles Note : Vehicles excludes motorcycles and bicycles Notes: • An additional ferry terminal for FERRIES IN USE THROUGHOUT THE DAY double-decker vehicles ferries was built in the mid-1970s. Normal Days Weekends & Public • The Penang Bridge was completed in 1985. The ferry service was at its peak (no. of ferries) Holiday (no. of ferries) then. • In the late 1980s, the old terminal 6.30 am – 10 pm 5 5 collapsed and was never rebuilt. The old passenger-vehicle ferries were discarded 10 pm – 12 midnight 2 3 while the top-decks of the vehicler ferries were hastily converted to carry Midnight – 1 am 2 2 passengers. (picture above) • By end 2001, there were 3 vehicular / 1 am – 6.30 am 1 1 passenger ferries and 2 double decker vehicular ferries in service.

Aliran Monthly 21(10) Page 21 SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT What Penangites Say Former ferry crew member with 25 years of experience working on the ferries:

n the 1970s, when I II joined the Penang Port III Commission, there were seven vehicle-cum-passenger ferries (of which about six were in service) that docked at the old terminal. These were Pulau Pinang, P. Langkawi, P. Aman, P. Tioman, P. Lumut, P. Redang, and P. Pangkor.

Just before I joined in 1975, a new terminal was built (on both the mainland and the island). At first, Long queues at the Butterworth ferry terminal: When this picture was taken at mid- day, only 4 of the 6 ferries were running. there were three double-decker vehicular ferries - Pulau Talang- were converted to vehicle-cum- Some people still prefer using the Talang, P. Rawa, and P. Undan passenger ferries. ferries – much depends on where (built in Hong Kong) - using this they are coming from and their new terminal. Three more of these The number of ferries in service ultimate destination. ferries were acquired later: P. dropped from about 11 to 5 after Rimau, Pulau Kapas, and P. the collapse of the old terminal. There might be a need for a third Angsa (built in Pasir Gudang). link perhaps after five years or ten Currently, out of the five ferries years. But I don’t think there is a The ferries used to come at a fre- operating daily, only two operate need for a new link now. For now, quency of 5-10 minutes. It was after 10 p.m. and just one from 1 you need to increase the number operating dengan lancar (very a.m. until the early morning. On of ferries and rebuild the old ter- smoothly). weekends and public holidays, minal. I hear there are plans to there is usually an extra ferry in bring on two new double-decker So at the time of the collapse of the service from 10 pm until midnight. ferries later this year. old terminal, there were six vehicle-cum-passenger ferries (out of The long queues of vehicles at the Improve the ferry service first and seven available) and five double- ferries terminals are sometimes then assess the traffic situation to decker vehicular ferries (out of six due to ferries being out of order. see if there is still a need for an- available) in service. So you have these five ferries in other link. service, and if one or two of them When the old terminal collapsed are out of order, the waiting time Jeweller, B'worth: in the late 1980s, the seven old becomes longer. These ferries have vehicle-cum-passenger ferries been operating for more than 20 The third link is a waste of money. were disposed of. The six newer years, so I guess their engines are We need to improve the ferry serv- double-decker vehicular ferries not at their best. ices. A lot of people are put off by

Aliran Monthly 21(10) Page 22 the ferries now as they have to Tokong roads are wait such a long time. They so crowded al- should bring back the (double- ready. Kedah decker) vehicular ferries. If we people want to go were a rich country, building a there all, will Third Link wouldn’t matter – but flood that place. we are not. The problem is the gov- And the condo- ernment is not listening to the peo- miniums all com- ple. ing up in Tanjong Bungah. They Guard, B'worth: should stop building condo- My friend, a retired teacher, thinks miniums in the third link will be good as a Penang - too back-up just in case the Penang many already. Let Bridge collapses. But to me, the the people come Penang Bridge and the ferries are over the main- enough. Just improve the ferry land and stay. They have the (an opportunity). service. A RM2 billion bridge-tun- Penang Bridge and the ferries, they nel project is not necessary. We all can just cross over. These politicians have lubang, know why they like these big con- some more the land they buy at a tracts (rubs the tips of his thumb and Make better roads, tar the hous- cheap price, after they sell at an index finger together). ing estate roads, I see the roads in expensive price, got lubang one- Penang already worse, congested lah all these politicians; we all got Homemaker, B'worth: you know. Cannot-lah… So what no lubang only; we pay the toll do you think? The Third Link is only. Before we can start paying, I think Penang people will suffer not worth it ah? It’s not worth it. they have already earned back the if they have the Third Link. If the People will get more stressful on money. Third Link comes, then Penang the other side. will be flooded with cars-lah. At I think next time they will change the moment, you just see those Repair Shop-owner, the ferries, they will change to roads in Penang, peak hours, B'worth: small ferries like the ferries to crawling here and there…They Pulau Langkawi, can take just 100 say Penang Bridge congested, Third Link? This one ah? (laughs) passengers, small ones, so very congested,. But when they go over Ten years-lah (to complete). Not fast - take 5 minutes to reach to Penang, that side so congested so fast-lah. It will take 10 years be- Penang. The old ferries remain as also. I think the ferries, they should fore you can see anything. Now double decker but only all for ve- expand-lah. They should do you cannot (see anything). They hicles, better-lah - efficiency. something to the ferries. But a lot haven’t started. It will take a few of people are against the second years…drag here, drag You want to go to Penang, you just bridge. Even the (traffic) police there…afterwards half way, they park your bike there and take the chief was saying that day, it’s no say the economy no good, then small ferry, faster-lah, 5 minutes point building the Third Link they stop again. I think 10 years you can reach Penang. The big fer- when the roads there are not com- above-lah. ries they should keep that just for pleted. The main thing is to com- cars. plete every road facility, then only I think they need it (a Third Link). you think of the Third Link. The Bridge there quite jammed al- Some more they can earn money. ready. The government will do it. After give licence to this and that But I think the Third Link They have loan from Japan one…semua kawan dapat duit lah. shouldn’t come up. Congestion. now….they can collect back (from Kita ta’ da lubang, we pay the toll At the moment the Tanjong tolls), some more they got lubang only. q

Aliran Monthly 21(10) Page 23 SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT The Parking Lot Of The Orient If the authorities fail to look at more sustainable transport options, the Pearl of the Orient will soon turn into a huge expanse of tar and concrete by Anil Netto

t was only on June 1 that Works Minister Samy III Vellu declared that the government was determined to push ahead with a RM2.3 billion nothern link: a 9.2 km bridge-tunnel from Bagan Ajam on the mainland to Bagan Jermal on Penang Island. The decision, he said, was “final”. The ferries still transport large numbers of people

Obviously, not “final” enough. fers a 20 km southern link - from sessment for the either the north- Within days of Samy Vellu’s an- Hujung Bukit on the mainland to ern link or the southern link has nouncement, all sorts of objections Batu Maung on the Island, argu- so far been made public. and counter-proposals surfaced - ing that these areas were under- from the state’s traffic chief who developed. So does the Penang So far, the debate in the media has was concerned about the traffic Development Corporation, which been restricted to the choice of lo- implications to politicians with has land banks in the south that cation for a new link - whether a vested interests in having the link it wants to develop. We are not northern link or southern link near their constituencies. quite sure how these land banks would be more appropriate. There were acquired, how much was has been little public discussion The head of the Penang Port, for paid for them and whether the on whether the Third Link is re- his part, said the port would be sellers received a fair price. ally necessary in the first place. implementing a multi-million (The First Link is the ferry service ringgit dangerous cargo terminal All these reservations and coun- while the Second Link is the 8.5 on a 50ha reclaimed site, just be- terproposals make a mockery of km-long Penang Bridge, com- side the proposed area of the the federal government’s feasibil- pleted in 1985.) northern link. It also had plans to ity study for the northern option, dredge the channel to make it which - to put it mildly - has been Samy Vellu’s northern option, deeper – from the present 11.5 found wanting and lacking in about 8 km away from the ferry metres to 15 metres. The proposed public participation and transpar- terminals, was to have been in the northern bridge-tunnel would ency. What kind of report is this? form of a 9.2-km bridge-tunnel. It make such dredging work impos- The firm that prepared the feasi- would have started start as a sible. bility report also obviousy failed bridging until it reached two arti- to adequatelyadequatelyadequately consult all the rel- ficial islands before mid-channel Then came murmurs that a south- evant parties. on either side: these would have ern link might be more suitable. been the starting points of a mid- The Penang state government pre- No Environmental Impact As- channel 2-km long tunnel that

Aliran Monthly 21(10) Page 24 would allow shipping traffic to glected but still functional, still vehicular-cum-passenger ferries. and from Penang’s ports to pass popular ferry service in the north unhindered. linking Butterworth on the main- The original vehicular-cum-pas- land to George Town on the is- senger ferries that once docked at But this northern link appears to land. the old terminal were gradually be history as the state government discarded, drastically reducing is now gung-ho about a longer Certainly, the Penang Bridge is the total number of ferries opera- southern link: a bridge without rapidly reaching its maximum tional and their overall vehicle- any tunnel. carrying capacity, especially dur- carrying capacity. ing peak hours. Traffic grinds to a But the lingering question re- standstill every time there is an At present, cross-channel com- mains: is a new link really neces- accident on the bridge. muters pay 7-ringgit (1.8 dollars) sary? Or is it merely to provide in toll charges per car - the ferry “jobs for the boys” - lucrative con- But much of the Penang Bridge’s toll was hiked to make it on par struction contracts for favoured traffic snarls could have been re- with the Penang Bridge toll - and firms? lieved had the ferry service not toll is only collected on the main- been neglected since the bridge’s land side. Once on the island, com- Aliran categorically opposes the completion in 1985. The frequency muters can opt for either the Third Link, whether it is in the of the ferries has fallen sharply Bridge or the ferry for the toll-free north or in the south. Penang can- since then (see table). ride to the mainland. not afford more traffic congestion, which is what another road link Where Have All The More often than not, impatient to the island will lead to, choking Ferries Gone? commuters on both sides give the the state’s already narrow, con- ferry service a miss - when they gested streets even further. Al- Only five out of six available fer- see the long queues outside the ready, the vehicle density on ries ply the channel now. When ferry terminals on both the island Penang’s roads is higher than that one or two of these ferries break and the mainland - and head for of Singapore and Hong Kong. down, commuters are left with the bridge. only three or four ferries and not Officials are talking about Third surprisingly, long queues of vehi- Critics allege that the terminal Link, but so far nobody has men- cles snake out of the terminals was never rebuilt and the ferry tioned how much the proposed waiting up to an hour before service was scaled down so as to toll rate would be. Come on, give boarding. All this is a far cry from maximise toll collection on the us an indication of the likely toll the 11 ferries, including five dou- new Penang Bridge. Port authori- rate. Why the silence on this? ble-decker vehicular ferries, oper- ties, for their part, have argued ating in 1985, when the ferry serv- that the ferries are outdated and It is likely that the toll rate will be ice was at its peak, just before the running at a loss. It is likely, how- even more than the astronomical Penang Bridge was completed. ever, that the losses are due to the rates imposed for the much shorter ferry terminals not being used to Second Link between Johor and In the late 1980s, the old ferry ter- optimum capacity resulting in in- Singapore. minal on the mainland serving sufficient gross profits to cover both passengers and vehicles col- fixed overheads. More than 15 years after the lapsed and was never rebuilt. Penang Bridge was opened, com- That terminal had operated side- Whatever the case, frustrated muters are still paying RM7 in by-side with the existing terminal, commuters have deserted the bridge tolls for the ride from the built in the mid-1970s. ferry service in droves. Not sur- mainland to the island. prisingly, the rise in traffic on the The existing terminal used to ca- Penang Bridge has surpassed The Penang Bridge, which pro- ter to the five double-decker ve- even the planners’ expectations: vides easy access to the Bayan hicular ferries that provided fast, the original toll booths proved to Lepas Free Trade Zones and the efficient service. When the old ter- be grossly insufficient to cater to Penang International Airport, minal collapsed, these vehicular the expanding traffic volume and complements the decades-old, ne- ferries were hastily converted to new toll booths had to be added.

Aliran Monthly 21(10) Page 25 Show Us be more than the RM2.3 billion trams, trolley-buses, light rail The EIA Report ringgit mentioned in press reports trains, and monorails. bearing in mind that the Penang Bridge (without any tunnel) cost Meanwhile, non-motorised trans- Responding to the concerns over RM850 million some 20 years ago. port modes like cycling and walk- the environmental impact of the ing should be extensively pro- proposed Third Link, Works Min- Possible Solutions moted. Pavements and traffic-free ister Samy Vellu has said the gov- zones need to be expanded. ernment would go ahead with the Penang doesn’t need another road project as it gave priority to com- link for now and all that is needed The key to avoiding congestion is muters’ convenience. is a less costly, urgent upgrade of an effcient integrated public trans- the ferry service to immediately report - the approach should be to He said the Environmental Impact lieve congestion on the Penang move people not vehicles. It would Assessment (EIA) studies had Bridge. The authorties recently be even better if there could be been conducted earlier and the added two more dedicated ve- thoughtful accessiblity planning findings were submitted to the hicular ferries to their fleet, result- to reduce the need for people to Science, Technology and Environ- ing in a dramatic drop in waiting commute long distances for work ment Ministry before the design time and shorter queues. Imagine and leisure. for the proposed link was drawn if more such ferries are added! up. “There will be no adverse ef- Congestion on the Penang Bridge But before all this can happen, fects to the ecology system as we would immediately vanish. So there has to be greater political will take into account many as- more ferries (which cost only will and coordination in improv- pects before construction work RM14 million each) and terminals ing public transport. It is vital to starts,” he said. are desperately needed - but the have a state-level public transport authorities would rather spend body to improve public transport But the state traffic police chief has billions on a massive new bridge in Penang. warned that planned new ring rather than give the Penang Port roads on the island would have the RM125 million it says it need One wonders whether the reluc- to be completed first before the to upgrade the ferrry service. tance to improve public trans- new link is completed. This is to port has anything to do with the cater for an expected surge in car Those with long memories may government having one eye on traffic pouring into the island, remember there were pledges to the sales of Proton and Perodua which is about half the size of Sin- widen the Penang Bridge from cars, which could be jeopardised gapore. two to three lanes each way, as if more public transport alterna- was initially planned. The extra tives are available. The huge Even establishment personalities lane could have served as a dedi- road/bridge construction con- involved in heritage conservation cated buslane. tracts and potentially lucrative and the Penang Port have ex- toll collection are other factors pressed reservations. Heritage In the long term, the state should that are likely to make govern- activists are concerned about the be looking at more sustainable ments less interested in sustain- impact of additional traffic on transport modes, including Light able transport. Penang’s efforts to be listed as Rail Transit systems (on both the world heritage site. island and the mainland) with But by failing to plan for afford- cross-channel links (high-speed able sustainable transport op- It is a fact that the number of cars passenger ferries, hovercraft, or tions, the government reveals its will rapidly fill up additional road even an LRT link). Constructing lack of concern for the quality of space provided by the new roads new ferries and running a vastly the people’s everyday life. Such and the proposed Third Link. expanded ferry service would recklessness may one day come One wonders if there will be an provide hundeds, even thou- back to haunt us. But it might be open tender in the selection of con- sands of new jobs in Penang. too late by then for Penang. “The tractors if the Third Link is bull- Pearl of the Orient” would have dozed through. In any case, the Sustainable transport options morphed into “The Parking Lot of Third Link’s final cost could well overland could include electric the Orient.”q

Aliran Monthly 21(10) Page 26 SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT S. T. O. PPS. (SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT OPTIONS for PENANG) Memorandum to:

Datuk Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamed Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon Prime Minister Penang Chief Minister

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu Deputy Prime Minister Works Minister The Proposed Third Link In Penang

public transport in the State. In- stead, transport planning and in- frastructure development have overwhelmingly supported the use of private vehicles creating a car-dependent population and, in the process, marginalising those without private cars. Car Ownership Trends

The JICA Urban Transport study in 1981 had projected the per capita vehicle ownership for e are an alliance of non- sociation of Penang, Sahabat Penang to be 6.1 persons per car WWW governmental organiza- Alam Malaysia, Aliran, the and 5.7 persons per motorcycle by tions in Penang which Penang Heritage Trust, Sustain- the year 2000. However, these lev- share a concern over the able Transport Environment els were surpassed even before lack of a comprehensive sustain- Penang, Sustainable Independent 1990 and ownership levels in able transport policy in the State Living and Access, Angkatan Penang are comparable to devel- including the suitability of the Belia Islam Malaysia (Penang Di- oped countries with 3 persons per proposed Second Link to Penang. vision), and the Malayan Trades car. Thus, in the year 2000, Penang We are of the view that this new Union Congress (Penang Divi- had 321 cars per 1000 persons proposed link should be regarded sion). compared to 96 for Singapore and as the 3rd link between the main- 49 for Hong Kong. land and the island, given that the Overview Of ferry service is the original first Transport Concerns Vehicular Density link. It is very clear that since the 1960s, While the total road length in the We consist of the Consumers’ As- little has been done to promote State increased by about 38% be-

Aliran Monthly 21(10) Page 27 tween1990 and 2000, the total of various modes (road/rail/wa- d) Finally, in any proposed solu- registered vehicles in the State inter) and interchanges, the role of tion, the traffic congestion in creased by 107%. non-motorised transport and the the city and on Penang Bridge management of environmental must be considered as part and Vehicle density thus increased by and social impacts. Its objective parcel of the same problem. 1.5 times, while the number of ve- should be equitable and efficient hicles per 1000 persons almost access for the people, not only Transparency And doubled. Hence, the pace of road motorcars. Accountability development in Penang is not keeping pace with the rapid We firmly believe that the State In view of the Government’s growth of motor vehicles. requires a comprehensive sustain- commitment to transparency able transport policy that is fun- and accountability, we urge the During 1991-2000, traffic volume damentally committed to public Government to initiate public on the major primary roads in the transport and discourages private consultations on these issues. State increased by around 10% motorized transport. Such a trans- We also request that all the pre- per year largely attributed to port system must be economically, vious studies relating to growth of private vehicles (cars ecologically and socially sustain- Penang’s traffic problems and and motorcycles). able. the feasibility of the ‘Third Link’ be open for public scrutiny and Accidents And Other Concerns About The debate. Health Hazards Third Link To Penang We look forward very much to be- An analysis of Penang’s road The purpose of the Third Link ing provided with these studies safety records shows that between seems to be to solve the frequent and reports so that we may un- 1991 and 2000, the rate of increase gridlock of motor vehicles taking derstand better the rationale and in road accidents (deaths and in- place on the present Penang basis for the proposed Third Link. juries), is significantly higher than Bridge. the average for the entire country. We record our deep regret over the The number of accidents per We believe that: - statement by the Public Works 10,000 persons in Penang is al- Minister, Datuk Seri Samy Velu most four times the national aver- a) This problem cannot be ad- that public consultation is unnec- age in 2000. dressed by simply facilitating essary as this is a Federal Govern- access for more private cars ment project. [The Star, 17/3/ The contribution of vehicle emis- and vehicles on another 2000]. sions to the overall air pollution Bridge when the problem is load is also a major concern. Pri- the mobility and access of We trust that you will give this vate cars, which constitute around people. appeal your utmost consideration 30% of the total number of vehi- and would provide us with the cles, contribute more than 67% of b) This solution also cannot be information we have requested the total emissions of particulates. adopted without first consid- for. We also look forward to hav- ering its effect on the already ing a meaningful public consul- Lack Of Integrated serious traffic problems exist- tation and dialogue with you in Transport Planning ing on Penang Island. this regard.

We are of the view that urban c) In view of its enormous cost, We look forward to your urgent transport planning needs to be we believe that other options response. comprehensive and integrated such as upgrading the ferry instead of being ad hoc. It must services or a rail link should S.M.Mohamed Idris take into consideration the roles also be considered. (for and behalf of S.T.O.P)

Aliran Monthly 21(10) Page 28 SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT Penang Needs LRT System

he state government’s made public. panded as a short-term solution. plan for a New Gurney Why has there been such a deaf- TTT Drive promenade is just We maintain that another road ening silence from the government a red herring to divert at- link to the island is not necessary. on the ferry service? Why can’t we tention away from the issue at Instead, we should be looking at have more modern, faster ferrries hand. Does Penang really need ways to curb the volume of traffic for now? Is that too easy and too more another link to allow more and stop traffic pouring into the cheap a solution compared to the traffic to pour into the island? island, which has a limited carry- mega bucks it is willing to pump ing capacity. What we badly need into the Third Link? Don’t tell us A “New Gurney Drive” will not is a light rail transit system sup- the ferries are not economically be the same. The existing Gurney plemented by and integrated to an viable but a RM2.3 billion bridge- Drive - known for its sumptous efficient bus service. This we do tunnel will be. And please tell us food-stalls and relaxed atmos- not have. Such an integrated sys- the proposed toll rate for this phere - and Penang are almost tem should cover the main com- bridge-tunnel now so that the synonymous. While it is arguable muter routes on the island and the public can have a better idea what whether a new promenade farther mainland. If possible, there they are in for. Surely there would out will capture the same charm, should be a train-link or high- have have been an assumed toll let us not forget why the existing speed ferry service across the rate in the financial feasibility fore- historical Gurney Drive sea-front channel connected to the LRT ter- casts for the new link. is endangered: to make way for minals on the island and the feeder roads leading to the pro- mainland much like Vancouver’s Lessons have not yet been learnt posed bridge-tunnel link (the Sea Bus ferry service, which is from the last financial crisis. The Third Link). linked to its Sky Train elevated rail government seems to indulging service. again in mega projects, the latest Indeed, the Third Link will cre- idea being a fancy new building ate new arteries cutting across Where to find the money for an to house the state assembly (the the island and along the sea LRT system? Scrap the plans for present building looks perfectly fronts. The additional traffic from the RM2.3 billion bridge-tunnel adequate and dignified) and all these new arteries will spill into link as well as the Penang Outer government departments. Funny George Town’s inner city area Ring Road (PORR) and the how there is always a shortage of and other residential areas, fur- Butterworth Outer Ring Road land for low-cost housing but not ther choking Penang’s already (BORR), which will likely cost a for such mega projects like this. narrow streets. The state traffic further couple of billion ringgit. chief has rightly pointed out that Incidentally, how did the govern- Give us faster, more frequent fer- without additional roads on the ment arrived at the price tag of ries and an LRT network and island and mainland, the Third only RM2.3 billion when, to our spare us more traffic, pollution Link will add to Penang’s traffic knowledge, there has not yet been and tolls. Penang has been known woes. But if more roads are built, an open tender for the new link? as the Pearl of the Orient. Don’t the additional traffic and pollu- The money saved from these turn it into an Island of Misery. tion will destroy what’s left of projects can be used to build the Please scrap the bridge-tunnel Penang’s charm and dim George LRT network. project. Town’s hopes of gaining recognition as a world heritage site. We We reiterate our call for the First Aliran Executive Committee demand that the EIA report be Link - the ferry service - to be ex- 7 August 2001

Aliran Monthly 21(10) Page 29 INTERNATIONAL Aftershocks That Will Shake Us All by Fred Halliday

A new international order may in the first few months: rejection Russia has, with its own benefits not have emerged from the caul- of Kyoto, stalling on OECD regu- in mind, consolidated a strategic dron of 11 September, but it is not lation of tax havens, sliding out and political collaboration with too early to discern the outlines of of chemical warfare conven- Washington: it has given the green the emerging world. tions, NMD, sneering at the UN, light to a temporary stationing of to name a few. US forces in Central Asia, and is September did not change every- offering itself as a long-term part- thing: the map of the world, the The events of 11 September have ner in the energy market, an alter- global pattern of economic and forced the Bush administration to native to the unreliable Persian military power, the relative distri- reverse some of these policies and Gulf. China, too, to the alarm of bution of democratic, semi-au- stall on others. But in two impor- some in the Middle East, who look thoritarian and tyrannical states tant ways there has been major to it as the only permanent mem- remains much the same. Many of change. Within the US, the crisis ber of the Security Council not to the problems which are least sus- has produced a radical strength- have a colonial past, joined the ceptible to traditional forms of ening of the power of the Presi- counter-terrorist campaign. Ger- state control (the environment, mi- dent: no leader in US history, with many and Japan have, in some gration, the drugs trade, Aids) the possible exception of measure, sloughed off their post- long predated 11 September. Roosevelt in wartime, has had the 1945 pacifism. control over Congress, his own Yet this recognition of continuity party, the military establishment, A Countervailing downplays the degree to which and public opinion that Bush en- Balance the attacks on the US ‘homeland’ joys. Inept on his feet he may be, have reshaped, or promise to re- but the US President does know Against this, however, lies the shape, our world. how to build a coalition and that third of the outcomes of 11 Sep- is what he has done at executive tember, the consolidation, to a de- First, there has been a marked and political levels. gree latent but not present before increase in the focus and asser- that date, of a global coalition of tion of United States power. The At the same time the crisis has led anti-US sentiment. Just as US lib- US was, prior to 11 September, much of the rest of the world to eral writers have talked in the the dominant world power in work more closely with the US. 1990s of the importance for US every significant index. Yet it When the call for co-operation dominance of ‘soft’ power - in was uncertain as to how to ex- from Washington comes, it has media, language, lifestyle, tech- ert this, wavering between a proven hard to refuse. Here lies nology - so the opposition to US multilateral approach, tena- the second of the great changes power is forming above all in this ciously pursued by the Clinton brought about by 11 September: domain. administration, and the unilat- some US allies, notably Saudi eral - which is not the same as Arabia, have moved further away, This has highlighted a change in the isolationist - policy favoured but the overall diplomatic balance the nature of power in the mod- by Bush. The signs of that uni- sheet has been to America’s ad- ern world. The basis of much or- lateralism were evident enough vantage. thodox international relations

Aliran Monthly 21(10) Page 30 theory is the concept ‘balance of Venezuela, are pressing their case. rhetoric of cultural conflict, a re- power’: this means not an equal The Return Of siling from a commitment to uni- distribution of power, but a self- The State versal standards on human correcting mechanism, whereby, if rights, intervention by OECD one state becomes too strong, oth- The most important economic states to offset an anticipated re- ers form a countervailing alliance. shift is that, above all, 11 Septem- cession. Yet that date marks a This version of balance of power ber has brought the state - and not rupture in modern history. It takes did not work in the period since least the US state - back into the years to assess the consequences the end of the Cold War: there was management of the world of major earthquakes: 11 Septem- no countervailing bloc. Rather, economy: neo-liberal faith in the ber will be no exception. The everyone seemed to ‘bandwagon’, market, already frayed, has now broader seismic impact can, how- to join the US bloc and its associ- been further eroded as govern- ever, be discerned. ated international institutions like ments promise to subsidise ailing Nato and the WTO. sectors, use fiscal adjustment and Source: The Sunday Observer, lower interest rates to offset the November 25, 2001 However, if states bandwagon, crisis. One open question is how popular opinion does not neces- all this will affect the euro sarily follow. At the level of popu- changeover next January: the sta- lar feeling, and not just in the bility pact is already under pres- Fred Halliday is Professor Muslim world, a countervailing sure, and George Bush is not of International Relations balance is taking shape. Hence the likely to worry about what hap- at the LSE. His new book opposition of much of Latin pens to this rival to the dollar. ‘Two Hours That Shook the America to support for the US World: 11 September 2001, campaign, widespread objections Some of the changes that have be- Causes and Consequences’ in East Asia and in, normally come evident since 11 September is published this week by anti-Muslim, India. were already incipient: the asser- Saqi Books, London. tion of US power by Bush, the These shifts in the distribution and character of power are com- pounded by changes in the man- Haven’t We Learnt A Thing? agement of the global economy; 11 September has depressed certain Nip it in the bud, linger not a moment more, important sectors of the market - Perchance it triggers off a major holocaust. airlines, tourism, oil, insurance. Hurl no longer, explosive cocktails, Over demarcation lines of a fanatical few. It has diffused a wider lack of con- Stop the insane massacre, end the senseless slaughter fidence on the part of investors Of innocent lives snuffed out mercilessly and consumers, accentuating the And of those embroiled in the dispute. trend towards recession. It has pushed down global demand for Dwellings that once were, are razed to ruins, reduced to ashes; oil - there is now surplus capac- In the smithereens there’s no place to rest the weary head. ity. This has precipitated not only a fall in oil prices, but also led to a And you motley crowd of onlookers and insipid bystanders, price war between OPEC and the Show compassion with an unprejudiced mind; lend a help- main non-OPEC producers. ing hand. Refrain from adding fuel to the fires of speculation, There is renewed concern to re- Of unsubstantiated accusations, wild insinuations and propa- duce dependence on oil from the ganda. Gulf - the site of two thirds of the Haven’t we learnt enough after two World Wars world’s reserves, but now felt to And countless conflicts, the madness of it all? be a region of enduring instabil- ity. Non-Gulf producers, notably Noel F. D’Oliveiro Russia, the Caspian states and

Aliran Monthly 21(10) Page 31 The Other September 11

Monday, 11 September 1893. The first ever World Parliament of Re- ligions welcomed representatives of all religions of the world to Chi- cago.

Amongst the delegates to this parliament was a young man who represented nothing and yet eve- rything. He belonged to no sect, but India as a whole. He was the great Swami Vivekananda.

This was the first time this young Hindu monk spoke before such an Letters should be no more than 250 words and must include assembly. He had prepared noth- the writer's name and address. Pseudonyms may be used. Send ing, while other speakers read letters to : Editor, ALIRAN MONTHLY, 103, Medan Penaga, from written textx. Each of the 11600 Penang, Malaysia or e-mail to : [email protected] other orators spoke of his God, of Views expressed need not reflect those of Aliran. the God of his sect. Vivekananda alone spoke of all their Gods, and embraced them all in the Univer- Kabir An Electic Mystic It's Self-explanatory! sal Being, in The One.

I refer to Hamdan Mohammad’s I refer to Hamdan Mohamad's e- Vivekananda called for an end to letter on Kabir. For his informa- mail, 'Misleading Quote?' You all superficial religious and sec- tion, Kabir, the 15th century impress by printing it with a mute tarian differences. The Parliament uwahhid (believer in the unity of defence. I am so amused I cannot of Religious gave him a standing God) was a founding father of resist responding. Whoever ovation. He said, Sant Mat (Path of the Saints). The Humayan Kabir was, I believe we quote in Aliran Monthly that seems are NOT to take his words liter- 'Sectarianism, bigotry and its to have perturbed Hamdan is not ally. humble descendant, fanaticism, to be taken literally. Kabir is re- have long possessed this beauti- puted to have been an electic mys- Read their meaning as a whole for ful earth with violence, drenched tic who was intent on exposing it's his way to say that God is ALL it with human blood, destroyed the futility of the externalities of encompassing and is everywhere. civilizations and sent whole na- religious fervour. The quote is tions into despair. Had it not been meant to illustrate the mystical Would Humayan be so naive to for such horrible demons, human awareness of the omnipresence of say (and to believe) that the Mus- society would be far more ad- the Almighty. Should Hamdan be lim God lives in Mecca? It was just vanced than it is now. But their interested he could refer to Char- to show man's narrow thinking. time has come; and I fervently lotte Vaudeville’s A Weaver Named Did not he continue that 'He who hope that the bell that tolled this Kabir (Oxford University Press, made the world lives not in a city morning in honour of this conven- 1993 and 1997). Wasallam made by hands'? This should be tion may be the death-knell of all self-explanatory! fanaticism, of all persecutions Latif Kamaluddin, with the sword and the pen, and School of Social Sciences, USM Sipisi of all uncharitable feelings be- via e-mail Klang tween persons wending their way

Aliran Monthly 21(10) Page 32 to the same goal!” sia and your fight for justice and Once, before Operasi Lalang in human rights. Recently I read 1987, the corporate culture of It is indeed very sad that on 11 news that some churches in Ma- The Star was somewhat creative September 2001, the 108th anni- laysia were burned. This is a very because MCA which owned it versary of Vivekananda’s Chicago serious matter and I hope that wanted to moderate whatever Address, the 'horrible demons' he Aliran will play its part again. excesses that UMNO at times referred to once again reared their And please act fast before things reflected. Since then, MCA ugly heads and demonstrated get worse. In the past, I read news appears to have forgotten or their handiwork on the New York of Indonesian Chinese being failed to play that role. World Trade Centre. In response killed but sadly Aliran took a long to these inhumane attacks, an- time to publish news about them. As for the broadcast media, other class of demons targeted in- I wish you all the best. I will con- largely owned by the nocent Muslims of America in the tinue be an Aliran subscriber. Government, its related name of patriotism and revenge. agencies or parties closely Sean linked to them, discerning No superpower, however great, via e-mail Malaysians know the situation: can end sectarianism, bigotry and Media Owners the less said the better! fanaticism. It is to the power and And All That … weapon of Love, to which Swami Hence, the print and broadcast Vivekananda often alluded in his Wong Kok Keong’s article, ‘It media in Malaysia are little more speeches, that the world needs to Matters Who Owns the Media’, than propaganda machines for turn in order to end violence and (AM, e1, 8) was well written and the powers that be, or businesses terrorism. highlighted the idealist concept of that generate income for their ‘absolute objectivity’. By owners. K Puvirajan implication, it drew our attention Bukit Mertajam to the realist concept of ‘relative Look, for instance, at the objectivity’. reporting in The Star of the ongoing MCA leadership crisis I agree that ownership of print which centred on the party’s and broadcast media is acquisition of Nanyang Siang important because it greatly Pau and China Press against the influenced the line or stance popular will of the Chinese taken by journalists. In short, the community. It illustrates the owner’s agenda is writ large in tendency of top management, in any media organisation, ‘the such situations, to ignore or needs of nation-building’ even doctor the views of those having no place to their opposed to their interests. operations. If those needs are Journalists operating under addressed, their definition such conditions must abide by becomes the jealously guarded the decisions taken by these top turf of the top politicians in the managers to protect their own National Front. jobs.

It is well known among senior This is lamentable. Malaysians journalists that the corporate should rightly expect to get a diet Arson Attacks culture of The New Straits Times, of relatively objective news at their On Churches Berita Harian and their associated breakfast table, not news tainted dailies and periodicals is by sycophancy. As an Aliran Monthly subcriber, I conformist, mainly because they would like to thank you all for are owned and controlled by B.C. Tan your coverage of issues in Malay- UMNO. Penang

Aliran Monthly 21(10) Page 33 ALIRAN'S AGM We Will Not Settle For Crumbs We want the full menu of rights P Ramakrishnan's speech at Aliran's 25th AGM

riends, when we last met Beginning from April the state FF a year ago, I was very apparatus were used in a very FFF elated. I really felt de- high-handed fashion to arrest mocracy was on the and detain critics and dissidents march. There were clear evidences under the ISA without addusing for this jubilation. a single shred of evidence to im- plicate these unfortunate activists. The gathering at the Kamunting The BN has imputed a lot of un- Detention Camp then had at- substantiated and violent activi- tracted more than 2000 active and ties to them to justify their arrests spirited citizens. and incarceration. But those ac- cused and locked away have been The Kesas Highway gathering denied their fundamental right of now thumbs his nose at the was another high point for de- defence. They were not accorded Americans, claiming that he had mocracy. In a fantastic show of this natural justice. been right all along in using the defiance, tens of thousands ISA in curbing violence and fight- turned up to demand for their To strengthen the BN’s argument ing terrorism. I’m sure he couldn’t rights. for the continued existence and contain himself when Congress the use of the ISA, we were inun- passed some obnoxious laws to Attendances at the various dated with tales of Malaysian curtail freedom and invade per- ceramahs was impressive. Mujahidin running wild with the sonal privacy. But just because intention of toppling the elected America passes these laws, it There was at least a semblance of government through violent doesn’t turn the ISA into an ac- unity and cohesion in the Barisan means. ceptable and just piece of legisla- Alternative. tion. It is still immoral. Let’s not Recently we even heard the ri- forget that. But all these encouraging trends diculous claim that this so-called and signs have crumpled in the Malaysian Mujahidin were plan- If Mahathir harps on the fact that onslaught of the state. ning to attack some American sail- he still needs the ISA to contain ors. Again no evidence was pro- violence, it is legitimate to ask While elsewhere, individuals duced. how many people are there run- who were fighting governments ning around violently to over- and nations for their rights were Unfortunately for the Americans throw his government? Have we rightly or wrongly termed as ter- but fortunately for Mahathir, the witnessed any rioting in this rorists, right here at home it is the September 11 tragedy had to hap- country? Have we had any indus- state that has turned terrorist pen as if to strengthen Mahathir’s trial strikes that threaten the well against the individuals. It is the hand - indeed it has strengthened being of the nation in a long spell? state in this country that is terror- his hand. ising activists who stand up for While he focuses the nation’s at- certain rights. In a self-serving stand Mahathir tention on a small minority who

Aliran Monthly 21(10) Page 34 may pose a challenge to his po- Mahathir’s policies or offer an ef- a freer and fairer media so that the litical leadership by branding fective alternative. It is a shame tainted image of journalism will them as threatening the peace of and such a disappointment that be redeemed. the country, he cunningly takes the Barisan Alternative is in such away the rights of the majority. shambles. DAP has dropped out. We will continue to oppose the 3rd PAS with its unbending views on link between the mainland and People lose their rights, while he the Islamic State has disillusioned the island because it means more points an accusing finger at the the vast majority of the non- pollution, congestion and night- minority as being culpable of caus- Malays. The merger between mare for those on the island. ing mischief. KeADILan and PRM has been deliberately aborted. Some well- We will not be cowed or broken When he denies a political party known personalities in the by those who do not mean well a permit to hold a ceramah, he is KeADILan are stepping down for us. As long as there is a will, not only crippling a political party from the leadership. And the mad we will prevail. activity, he is actually denying the scramble for party posts is on majority of the people their right which rather than strengthen I am amazed that we have sur- to listen to differing views. KeADILan will weaken in. vived 25 years, in spite of the op- pression, in spite of the ISA, in When he restricts a political par- It is in this perspective that we spite of the printer problems, in ty’s publication only for its mem- have to view our role in society. spite of media blackout, in spite bers, he is in fact denying the peo- To expect political change the of growing old. ple’s right to information. through political parties - either from the ruling or opposition par- I have no doubt we will be around And when he lands hard on the ties - is an impossible dream. for the next 25 years - with or with- few, he sends cold shivers to the They are only interested in posi- out me! many. this is why this year’s ob- tions and power. servance of Operation Lalang was Nothing can deter us, as long as such a subdued affair. The crowd Our role is all the more crucial. We the spirit is willing, as long as our wasn’t all that big; there were no must continue to do what we are faith is strong, as long as our heart fiery speeches or spirited chant- doing with even more determina- is throbbing. ing of slogans. They were not al- tion. lowed anywhere near the camp It is said, “There is in this world but were stopped some 3km away The educative role that we play no such force as the force of a man from it. through the Aliran Monthly will determined to rise. The human continue to focus on issues that are soul cannot be permanently And when they dispersed and vital to us as a nation. The various chained.” went into shops for refreshments, concerns that need to be addressed 48 of them were picked up. I sup- will be given due attention. We will not be bought or bribed or pose they were picked for not riot- appeased by Mahathir’s token ing! We can only be effective when our gestures or proffered concessions. readership expands and we are Our stand is clear. But the message is clear. Even if able to reach out even further. We you are peaceful, they will go af- need to talk about this later to for- Let me conclude by quoting Arch- ter you as long as there is any form mulate new strategies to achieve bishop Desmond Tutu; who viv- of gathering that is seen as pro- this. idly illuminates this stand: test against the government. The intention is to intimidate and dis- Our citizen’s Health Initiative “I am not interested in picking courage the people from rallying will continue to speak up for an up crumbs of compassion around any cause. effective and just healthcare for thrown from the table of some- all. one who considers himself my It is unfortunate that there is no master. I want the full menu of visible politics to counter Our Charter 2000 will struggle for rights.” q

Aliran Monthly 21(10) Page 35 logic?

Lamin would have been honest and to the point if he had argued that Raja Aziz’s view questions the Prime Minister’s ability in choosing the right candidate and the PM’s wisdom in deciding the candidate’s suitability. In fact, this is what Raja Aziz’s view is tantamount to: It is a criticism directed at the Prime Minister. His Majesty is not part of the controversy or the cause of it.

One wonders whether Lamin was A record of Aliran'sAliran'sAliran's stand on current affairs. being mischievous in what appears to be an attempt to drag the good name of the His Majesty into Ridiculous And Federal Court, who “shall be ap- this controversy by deliberating Absurd Reasons pointed by the Yang di-Pertuan distorting Raja Aziz’s intention in Agong, on the advice of the Prime highlighting a perceived injustice Aliran is shocked at the absurd- Minister, after consulting the Con- in the appointment of the new ity of retired Court of Appeal ference of Rulers.” (Article 122B Chief Judge of Malaya. president Tan Sri Lamin Yunus’ (1)) reasoning in responding to Raja What other inference could be Aziz Addruse’s remarks regard- Lamin had stated on March 2, drawn when one studies Lamin’s ing the appointment of Justice 2000: “The intention of the Arti- judgment of 2 March 2000 con- Fairuz Sheik Abdul Halim as the cle is clear i.e. the Yang di-Pertuan cerning Datuk Hj Moktar bin Hj new Chief Judge of Malaya. Agong must act on the advice of Sidin’s eligibility to be part of a the Prime Minister.” quorum to hear Dato’ Seri Lamin had claimed that Raja Anwar's appeal. Aziz’s view was “tantamount to In other words, His Majesty does criticising the ability or inability not choose the candidate or decide Lamin referred to Clause (1A) of of the King to appoint a suitable on the suitablity of the candidate Article 40, which states: person.” for appointment. The choosing and deciding is the prerogative of “In the exercise of his functions He carries this ridiculous argu- the Prime Minister. His Majesty under this Constituion of federal ment further by stating, “If such a merely fulfils a constitutional re- law, where the Yang di Pertuan criticism in public is allowed to quirement and discharges a per- Agong is to act in accordance with pass, it simply means that the functory duty that is required of advice, on advice, or after consid- King’s integrity can be questioned him. ering advice, the Yang di-Pertuan in public.” Agong shall accept and act in ac- How can Lamin justify his con- cordance with such advice.” We are disturbed beyond belief tention that Raja Aziz’s view was that Lamin has shown such dis- “tantamount to criticising the abil- He then concluded, “Clearly respect to law and logic. We are ity or inability of the King to ap- therefore the Yang di-Pertuan dumbfounded that he has forgot- point a suitable person”? How Agong must act upon the advice ten his own ruling in the appoint- can he even argue that the King’s of the Prime Minister. The advice ment of Judges of the High Court, integrity was being questioned? envisaged by Article 40 (1A) is the of the Court of Appeal, and of the What is the basis? Where is the direct advice given by the

Aliran Monthly 21(10) Page 36 recommender and not advice ob- alty to country and duty that Tan This insult to Koo’s memory hon- tained after consultation.” Sri Koo Chong Kong was hon- ouring his valour and bravery, oured by a grateful state for his cannot be obviated by merely stat- Lamin further emphasised the services and sacrifices in combat- ing that the City Council’s road- prerogative of the Prime Minister ing the communist terrorists. naming committee “felt it was which he contended must be bind- What would have been a better proper and suited current times” ing. “So in the context of Article tribute to the late Perak Police to rename the road. 122B (1) of the Constitution, where Chief than to perpetuate his the Prime Minister has advised memory by naming the road lead- Aliran would like to ask this road- that a person be appointed a ing to the state police headquar- naming committee whether it Judge…, legally the Prime Minis- ters? This tribute was meant to be would condone or tolerate a deci- ter can insist that the appointment part of our history in living sion by some road-naming com- be proceeded with.” memory and inspire others to mittee to rename roads like Jalan emulate this gallant example of Tunku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Tun It is therefore very clear that it is service to country and duty. Razak, Jalan Tun Sambanthan the Prime Minister who is respon- and Jalan Tun H S Lee, in keeping sible for causing a particular per- The 24 councillors who decided with “the current times”? It is un- son to be appointed. to revoke Koo’s name and replace thinkable. No one should even it with another name - which has contemplate an idiotic idea like If Lamin had intended to defend no significance whatsoever - have that! the newly appointed Chief Judge shown no sense of history or dis- of Malaya, he should have argued played any notion of gratitude. By It is only fitting that this asinine rationally and legally to justify their thoughtless action they have decision be rescinded and the this appointment and not pull a sullied Koo’s name and slurred name of Koo be restored to its right- red herring to hit at Raja Aziz. his honour and brought anguish ful place and left there in to his family. perpeturity. In the circumstances, it is in order to demand that Lamin apologises They have callously ignored the All road-naming committees must to His Majesty for unnecessarily fact that the nation’s peace and heed and be guided by this sim- dragging in his good name. He prosperity enjoyed today is ple advice: Before you pull down also owes an apology to Raja Aziz largely due to gallant people the fence, find out why it was put for imputing things that were like Koo and others in the pub- up in the first place. clrearly not meant to be. lic force and the army who had sacrificed their lives in the true P. Ramakrishnan P Ramakrishnan spirit of dedication and patriot- President President ism. 27 November 2001 13 November 2001

Rescind And Restore Koo's Honour

It was an asinine decision to replace the name of a national hero who had laid down his life for his country. It was an insensitive and unthinking decision which mocks the decision-makers and makes a mockery of honour and patriotism.

It was in recognition of his loy-

Aliran Monthly 21(10) Page 37 HEART TO HEART : "What comes from the lips reaches the ear, what comes from the heart reaches the heart" - Arab proverb Remembering Herb Feith (1930 -2001) Scholar, activist, teacher by Francis Loh

erb Feith, 71, a leading dents – a Who’s Who of nesians viewed the New Order. HH Indonesianist, was Indonesianists - from all over the Herb was also very concerned HHH killed in a traffic acci- world. The book Democracy in In- with the New Order’s treatment of dent that occurred while donesia in the 1950s and 1990s East Timor and West Papua, and he was on his way home from (1994) edited by David Bourchier thought deeply on how to solve Monash University, Melbourne, and John Legge is a tribute to this the conflicts there. Indeed, in his on 14 November 2001. While outstanding scholar. latter years, Herb developed a pas- crossing the railway lines, Herb sion for peace studies and was was knocked down by a train. But Herb was always more than a active in the peace movement. It scholar. He was the first Austral- was due to people like Herb that Herb’s major works included The ian volunteer in Indonesia in the peace movement in Australia Decline of Constitutional Democracy 1951 and played an instrumental took a rather different turn from in Indonesia (1962), which was role in developing the Volunteer its counterparts in the United based on his Cornell University Graduate Scheme which sent States or Britain, for instance. For PhD dissertation, and Indonesian Australian volunteers to Indone- in Australia peace issues clearly Political Thinking 1945-1965 sia. A fore-runner to the US Peace went beyond concern over nuclear (1970) which he co-edited with Corps programme, this pro- proliferation and strategic affairs. Lance Castles. He served in gramme lives on today as the Aus- With the Asia-Pacific region as Monash University for over 30 tralian Volunteers International backyard, Australia’s peace years and for a while held the post which sends thousands of Aus- movement, influenced by people of professor of politics, which he tralians to work in developing like Herb, was directly related to subsequently vacated to devote countries. In the 1990s, Herb and the questions of development and more time to research and writing. his wife Betty returned as volun- democratization of developing His students, many now distin- teers to Indonesia after their countries as well. guished Indonesianists, included retirment; for almost 10 years Herb Harold Crouch (who previously served as Visiting Professor of It was in this connection that taught in Universiti Kebangsaan Politics in Gadjah Mada Univer- Aliran first developed close ties Malaysia), Ulf Sundhaussen, sity in Jogjakarta. with Herb. We were honoured by Krishna Sen, David Bourchier, Jim his presence in a seminar The Schiller, Richard Tanter, the late His love for Indonesia did not pre- Arms Race which we held in Rex Mortimer, Ichlasul Amal and vent him from criticizing Penang in July 1983. His address Dewi Anwar Fortuna. Suharto’s New Order. Based on his to us is contained in the book study of contemporary Indonesia, which we subsequently pub- When he retired, a major confer- he developed the notion of the re- lished. Following that seminar, ence was held in Monash in 1992, pressive-developmentalist regime, Herb continued to correspond bringing together Herb’s col- which influenced the way many with us and whenever he dropped leagues, friends and former stu- young Indonesiansists and Indo- by to visit his Penang relatives —

Aliran Monthly 21(10) Page 38 In trying to communicate simply consider their contribution better with his students, to the research report, for many Herb evolved a particular the end product of learning. He style of teaching based on stressed, equally, the process of Freirean pedagogic princi- learning. Accordingly, apart from ples, among others. Hence awarding marks for the final es- he sought to relate teach- say, he invited the students to as- ing-learning to the outside sess themselves as well as others world on the one hand, in their cells based on one's con- and to break down the tribution to the group. He organ- ‘banking’ notion of educa- ized his Peace Studies course very tion (wherein the teacher much the same way and in both ‘deposited’ knowledge cases motivated the students to into the minds of his/her think about international devel- students) on the other. opment and peace affairs, and to do something about them.There For his large classes, Herb was some magic to all this as Herb would always prepare one engaged his students. to two sheets of notes on a particular topic. Students Likewise, when he supervised his picked up these notes as graduate students – and I was his daughter Annie having mar- they walked in. For the next 10 privileged to co-supervise several ried a Butterworth boy — he minutes, they would read. Herb with him – he read and listened would oblige us with a talk, or at would then entertain questions. intently to what they had to say. least drop by the office to share All were encouraged to ask. On He would then pose his questions. his latest thoughts. other days, Herb would show a Questions, and more questions, it movie, or invite a speaker. Again, appeared lay at the core of his It was my privilege to interact there would be questions. Before teaching and learning method. closely with Herb for some four the session ended, Herb allowed years in the late 1980s when I took students to make announcements Not only did Herb influence the up a lecturer’s position in politics about upcoming events, a talk, a Indonesianists therefore, he in Monash University. I learnt a film, a demonstration, etc. There touched young volunteers, under- great deal from him about Indo- was much learning to be gained graduate and graduate students, nesian politics and about peace. from outside of the classroom. the peace movement, and much It was during this time too that I beyond. I will treasure not only discovered what an inspiring His tutorials were broken down having learnt so much from him teacher he also was. into smaller groups that he called while I was in Monash, but also ‘cells’. These cells were required the times we went jogging on the As I was scheduled to inherit the to meet separately outside of the beach in Batu Feringghi, looking course Rich World Poor World, an formal lectures and tutorials. Herb for vegetarian food all over introduction to the politics of de- would attend these cell meetings Penang, and the picture of Herb velopment, which Herb had occasionally. Herb was turning catching a mid-day snooze in my taught for more than a decade, I the normal teaching-learning office. thought that I should sit in for a process upside down. Learning few classes and pick up some was to be conducted through Aliran extends its deepest condo- tips on how to teach the course questioning; knowledge was to be lences to Betty, his wife, and their the following year. In fact, I was sought through co-operative three children – David, Annie so enthralled with how he rather than individual effort; and and Robbie, and several grand- taught the course that I ended there was much to learn outside children. We thank them for hav- up following his course the en- the ivory towers of academia. To ing shared this wonderful person tire semester. assess the students, he did not with us. q

Aliran Monthly 21(10) Page 39 NONO

ToToToToTo ThirdThirdThirdThirdThird LinkLinkLinkLinkLink

Full story pages 19 - 29

Batu Maung: Proposed site of Third Link (Southern Option) Aliran Monthly 21(10) Page 40