All good things…

5

We satisfy our endless needs and
justify our bloody deeds,
in the name of destiny and in the name of God

Eagles, The Last Resort

Fear, I have found out, especially over the past two and half years or so I have been writing this column, does different things to different people.

For many of us, irrespective of whether it is fear of a real threat or a perceived one, it has a paralysing effect, virtually immobilising us, holding us back or making us flee from the cause.

Then, of course, there are those who fight back, sometimes lashing out frantically, desperately, holding their ground, believing in the need to do so, whatever the consequences. Convinced, indeed, that yielding – or even fleeing – would make matters worse.

The third group, by and large, tends to rationalise. Quite likely, they will quickly adapt, learn to rationalise and, of course, compromise.

‘It’s all a matter of survival’, they say, `and we really need to move on’.

But, of course, for this third group, there often is a need to justify all this. Often out of guilt, often to enable them to hold their head high, especially  in an increasingly critical and enlightened society.

And what better way can there be than to appeal to a higher order?

I say all this at this juncture as a way to begin expressing my gratitude for the fact that, all in, my column was butchered only once these past 30 months, when the editor was away on medical leave, and totally spiked twice, both happening over the last three weeks.

Yes, my experience over this period of time has made me feel just that little bit optimistic for the future of the sycophantic and crony-owned mainstream media in this country, whether in the Peninsular or across the South China Sea.

In these past couple of years or so writing for thesundaypost, I have had a couple of really brilliant, brave and professional editors who may not have agreed with the things I said but, nonetheless, published what I wrote.

Indeed, I remember when I was first invited to contribute a weekly column to this paper, I was told that I could write what I liked about the social and political developments in this country.

Whatever ‘editing’ that needed to be done, I was assured, would be the responsibility of the editors.

Fair enough, I told myself. After all, this is Malaysia, and I’d been given similar advice before writing for other daily newspapers in the Peninsular in earlier times.

Also, you must remember that this was hardly a year after the March 2008 Malaysian General Election.

It was – as it always tends to be after such an event – a period of transition, a period of some openness, a period of hope.

So, it was gratifying for me to be able to write what I did – from the condemnations of the racist, fascist groups like Perkasa and their leaders who, I feel, will always be the true enemies of this land and its people, to the critiques against powerful people, often politicians, who, I believe, are bleeding this abundant country dry.

But, of course, I was always aware that writing such things, however truthful, would have its repercussions.

Indeed, I was chastised once by, I’m sure, a well-meaning  God-fearing person, who quoted me the following:  Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. -Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)

But then, unwholesome talk’ can mean different things to different people.

Indeed, I know that while many politicians and their carma (cari makan) toadies may have read my writing as ‘unwholesome talk’, many others who have written and spoken to me have indicated otherwise.

And I think such differences of opinion, different points of view, is a healthy sign, indicating a society that is becoming more critical, more questioning, accepting of different viewpoints.

But these are sensitive and worrying times for some. Especially when the next General Election is just around the corner and scandal after scandal is being unearthed.

And so, at a time like this, it is perhaps for everyone’s good that I take my leave.

Yes, sad though it may be for me, this is my last column for thesundaypost.

I have enjoyed immensely trying to reach out to my fellow Malaysians – often marginalised, often forgotten – across the South China Sea.

I thank everyone who’s bothered to read my ramblings and those in the paper who have provided me the space all this while.

Of course, I will continue writing since I think I still have something to say. So, if you’ll forgive the shameless plug, my column now comes out every Thursday on the web portal, Malaysiakini.

And yes, for those who may still fear, especially those who fear mere mortals, however powerful they may project themselves to be, let me return a favour that I owe by referring to another (Biblical) passage: “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. – Matthew 10:28 You may also refer to Matthew 23 (NIV). Adieu.”