For Justice, Freedom & Solidarity
For Justice, Freedom & Solidarity PP3739/12/2007 ISSN 0127 - 5127 RM4.00 2007:Vol.27No.5 Aliran Monthly : Vol.27(5) Page 1 COVER STORY Malaysia at 50: Things fall apart? In these trying times, the best sadly lack all convictions, while the worst are full of passionate intensity by Johan Saravanamuttu s one being dramatic to II quote Yeat’s poem III (which also gave the ti- tle to Chinua Achebe’s celebrated novel) on the eve of the 50th Anniversary of Merdeka in Malaysia? Can one not be for- given for thinking that things are not looking too good and that the Malaysian multicultural nation is fraying badly at the sides? Cer- tainly, one could well surmise in poet’s phrase, that in these times in Malaysia, the best lack all convic- tions, while the worst are full of pas- sionate intensity. All too often we have seen this happening. Just to take a mun- dane example, I happened to watch the parliamentary report on television the other night and it was appallingly clear that the deputy ministers and parliamen- tary secretaries who were re- sponding to queries and ques- tions totally lacked conviction. Turning and turning in the widening gyre Nay, some of them could barely The falcon cannot hear the falconer; read the prepared texts! Their Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; bosses, the ministers, assuming Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, they could fare any better, were The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere conspicuous by their absence. The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all convictions, while the worst Lies, damn lies Are full of passionate intensity.
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