AN integral part of the Malaysian lifestyle is the kopitiam. Kopitiam, in Hokkien, literally means coffee (kopi) shop (tiam).
The typical kopitiam in Sarawak will serve local favourites – among the must-haves are laksa, kolok mee, rojak and of course, coffee and tea.
One other crucial item that most kopitiams here serve is an avenue for coffee shop talk, which usually refers to gossip shared over cups of coffee and bowls of laksa.
While topics for coffee shop talk usually range from football (and other sports), to food, socioeconomic issues and office politics, coffee shop talk at the good old kopitiam is more often than not centred around kopitiam politics.
Politics in its literal sense, that is.
And with the 2012 general elections just around the corner, kopitiams throughout the state, and nation for that matter, are serving up more kopitiam talk.
Kopitiam politics has become so much a part of our culture that even certain political observers and bloggers are using the word kopitiam as their name or part of names for their online sites.
Anyway, back to kopitiam talk. As much as we often dismiss kopitiam political pundit predictions as merely gossip or hearsay, with a little dash of salt, a little pepper, perhaps also some MSG to add flavour and spice, we cannot deny that much of this so-called gossip and hearsay bears some truth.
Even more so when what gets spread around in kopitiams comes from those close to the horse’s mouth.
Of course, with additives for ‘flavouring’, things sometimes get blown out of proportion or are misinterpreted.
Remember how we used to play that game where we had to relay a sentence from one person to another and how the sentence can come out totally different once it reached the end of the line of people?
That happens with kopitiam politics. Politicians often slam kopitiam political pundits for spreading untruths and half-truths. They advise the rakyat not to listen to kopitiam politics, for the mere fact that such information is ‘unreliable’.
Here’s a suggestion – instead of just slamming kopitiam pundits through the media, how about politicians from both sides of the political divide actually take the time to have a cuppa at some of the kopitiams (especially in the urban areas) and pick up on some of the kopitiam talk themselves?
It is as good as going down to the grassroots in urban areas. There, perhaps they can set things straight – if there is any issue to set straight.
And while they are at it, they could actually do some good by getting in touch with the operators and stall owners. Chit-chat with them, have a taste of their servings, support the little guys in their daily earnings.
And while these politicians are at it, they can provide advice where necessary in terms of cleanliness and the running of businesses. Bring along items that the stall holders could use to maintain a nice clean image for the kopitiam – striking red aprons and dark coloured table cloths with the 1Malaysia logo perhaps?
Offer assistance or advice if the operators and stall owners face problems or have grouses. Listen to them.
Urbanites are usually of the opinion that many politicians are too high up and mighty to ‘lepak’ with the ordinary Joe in the kopitiams, and that they are only good at campaigning through organised rallies or extravagant official functions.
Not too long ago, the Eye noticed an elected member of parliament with a cabinet portfolio, hanging out with old friends at the new Kubah Ria food court, like any other ordinary dude – it’s no wonder he was elected by the people.
One cannot deny that kopitiams and politics go hand in hand in this country and real politicians just taking the time to actually participate in kopitiam politics may draw surprising results, especially those who are out to regain seats in the urban areas.