tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47498061527257424062024-03-13T20:52:36.317-07:00M E I C H E R Nmeichern.blogspot.comMei Chernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09827194994928632793noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4749806152725742406.post-72050589820506697192012-11-04T07:44:00.001-08:002012-11-04T07:44:31.223-08:00George Town Literary Festival 2012Georgetown, Penang is such a great place to hang out these days, what more with lots of festivals going on in this historic town. I will be playing at the Georgetown Literary Festival, the weekend of 23rd Nov 2012. Do come by if you're in Penang!<br />
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More info at:<br />
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<a href="http://www.gtlfestival.blogspot.com/">http://www.gtlfestival.blogspot.com/</a><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sQeZ-iqrZeU/T9l0X-X2-lI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/q0-fwJBb8IQ/s320/GTLF+poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sQeZ-iqrZeU/T9l0X-X2-lI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/q0-fwJBb8IQ/s400/GTLF+poster.jpg" width="294" /></a></div>
<br />Mei Chernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09827194994928632793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4749806152725742406.post-55504087135550604692011-04-02T05:03:00.000-07:002011-04-02T05:06:21.777-07:00No more secrets, please<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; "><table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="100%" class="tsTable" style="text-align: justify;"><tbody><tr><td class="tsBody" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-size: 10pt; ">A GOVERNMENT that implements a law that puts itself to account speaks a lot more than one that spends public funds to advertise itself. Come April 28, we may finally have a law that promotes government accountability and transparency; the Selangor state government tables its final draft of the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill. It is worth noting that feedback from civil society was taken into account in its Select Committee’s amendments.</span><p style="font-size: 10pt; "><span>We must ensure this momentum of questioning an archaic assumption whereby information held by governments are to be secret by default, but that it is the government’s obligation to ensure the public’s right to that information.</span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; "><span>The lack of information is an impetus for weak public discussions. In the case of the Klang Valley MRT, certain media or individuals made it out to be a simplistic debate of rich vs poor. The use of stereotype-based accusations must be the easiest manner in which to derail meaningful public discussions. This is further made worse by access and quality of information that is ultimately decided upon by the state.</span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; "><span>Being able to limit or control the kind of information to be released can influence public perception. Is it acceptable that the state – whom we as taxpayers fund – in turn can arbitrarily decide what we know, or don’t know? Except for narrow exceptions (for example, military secrets) the public should have every right to information held by governments, such as those concerning public transport, land deals and water concessionaire agreements.</span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; "><span>We waste a lot of time in trying to access information to make informed decisions. The Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) has promised to consider all feedback obtained during the three-month period before proceeding with the MRT project. A transparent process and longer period for feedback would certainly enable communities to better organise themselves; a factor perhaps deemed as a hindrance if one needs to expedite a project.</span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; "><span>Despite the less than favourable conditions for communities to take part in meaningful ways, residents associations in parts of Klang Valley have come together to make a united stand and petition at<i>http://kvmrtwatch.blogspot.com/</i></span><span>, calling for a responsible implementation of the MRT and outlining reasons why it should go underground. We must engage and hold decision-makers to account.</span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; "><span>Questions surrounding the appointment of American consultants in relation to the MRT project were raised by Chua Tian Chang in Parliament, who also revealed the disposal of valuable land parcels to certain companies at below market value. If we had an FOI Act in place, anyone – not just MPs – will have the right to request for such information that are of public interest.</span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; "><span>Eighty-five countries including India and neighbouring Thailand have implemented some form of FOI Act. In the United Kingdom, FOI requests were made from how their government spends on media and PR relations, to documents revealing serious safety issues in one of their atomic power stations in 2006.</span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; "><span>Man-made disasters are aided by the lack of accountability in decision making processes. Who and how was it decided that a rare earth plant was to be built in Kuantan that would generate radioactive waste? As with plans to build nuclear plants in Malaysia, there are too many questions for projects alleged to be economically advantageous but present great risks to the people. The energy, green technology and water minister saying that the "government will not do it (build nuclear plants) secretly without informing the public" does not mean a thing if decisions are made without transparent due process and genuine public consultation.</span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; "><span>While it may be a long way before an FOI law is implemented nationwide, the passing of the Selangor FOI Bill will be a historic and important step towards accessing information that rightly belongs to us.</span></p><span class="Apple-style-span"><i></i></span><p><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></p></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tsBody" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=59177">http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=59177</a><br /><span class="tsTextSmall">Updated: 09:34AM Fri, 25 Mar 2011</span></td></tr></tbody></table></span>Mei Chernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09827194994928632793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4749806152725742406.post-66767762977783747632011-02-12T19:07:00.000-08:002011-02-12T19:18:21.389-08:00Racism - The Semantics<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>The following is a letter to editor (The Sun) which was not published. The writer then sent it to me. With the writer's permission, I'm reproducing the letter in its entirety here:</i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span">---</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span">I have followed KK Tan's articles on racism in The Sun (July 29, Aug 26, Sept 15, Sept 24) and despite Zalifah Azman's letter (oct 4) I can only agree with the views of Leow Mei Chern(Sept 30) that redefining terms doesnt help and may be even more damaging.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span">The meaning of a word depends on the way it is used by the people who speak the language - and dictionaries record and describe this in their definitions. The meaning of a word cannot be what an individual thinks the word ought to mean. Everyone has a right to one's own opinion; but if you redefine a word in your own way you are going to be linguistically incorrect, and not calling a spade a spade! The words racism and racist appear regularly in the media and as far as I can see they have been used appropriately to mean what they do in Malaysia and the rest of the english speaking world. Racism refers to dislike or unfair treatment of people based on a belief that one's own race is best, rather than K.K Tan's insistence on a 'systematic oppression of one or more races by another'.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span">When a section of a crowd at a football game in some European countries verbally abuses a player because he is black, this is despicable and it is racist, even though you wouldn't call it systematic oppression of a race. Hence Fifa has a campaign to kick racism out of the game. The slogan is 'kick racism', not 'kick out racial chauvinism', which has the virtue of being accurate as well as shorter and snappier. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span">One can readily acknowledge that some forms of racism are much, much worse than others, but racism is racism whatever the degree. Stealing a million dollars is worse than a thousand dollars, but both are theft. Poverty in Malaysia is no where as bad as other places in the world but we still talk about eradicating poverty. The difference between manslaughter and murder, however, is not one of degree. The former is unintentional killing. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span">There have been a couple of wilful misinterpretations here:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span">1. No one has denied that racism experiences by black people as slaves in America or under apatheid in South Africa was worse than racism experienced by others. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span">2. I don't think anyone has accused Tan of trying to excuse or downplay a problem or of pretending it doesn't exist - its just that and danger of this happening through redefinition should be avoided.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Tan is surely well intentioned (at least in his first two articles) and the sad thing is that the 'seven sins' he describes, and the proposed public declaration may deserve to be read and considered carefully, reflected upon, and discussed. But I feel that all the good work done is undermined by the redefinition issue.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Any attempt to impose or prescribe one's own definition of an accepted term can only bring confusion and obfuscation which is unhelpful for an honest and correct analysis of a social problem.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span">-Linguistic Observer</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Mei Chernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09827194994928632793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4749806152725742406.post-30488435771265410872010-12-08T04:40:00.000-08:002010-12-08T04:50:57.356-08:00Celebrating Women’s Wisdom Festival<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Dec 18th! Join </span><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><strong><span style="font-family: arial; font-weight: normal;">IWP's <a href="http://womenforpeaceandjustice.org/resources/announcements/celebrating-womens-wisdom-festival/">Celebrating Women’s Wisdom Festival</a> in Chiang Mai:<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span></span></strong></strong><h4 style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><strong>We welcome everyone to our center in a rural village surrounded by rice fields for a time of relaxation, rejuvenation, and joy.</strong></h4> <h4 style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><em>Schedule of Events for Saturday, December 18:</em></h4> <h4 style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><em>2-4:30 pm simultaneous workshops including belly dance (led by Kristen Beifus), body and energy awareness (led by OmSunisa Jamwiset), Kundalini yoga (led by Faeng), and community theatre (led by Ann). Learn more about yourself, your body, a new move or two!</em></h4> <h4 style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><em>5:00 Women and Spirituality keynote by Dhammananda Bhikkuni, Thailand’s first female monk</em></h4> <h4 style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><em>6:00 delicious meal</em></h4> <h4 style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><em>7:00-11:00 concert under the stars, featuring:</em></h4> <h4 style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><em>Mei Chern, singer/songwriter from Malaysia</em></h4> <h4 style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><em>Fagan Shephard, singer/songwriter from the USA</em></h4> <h4 style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><em>dance performances, including Shan Kinneri and sword dances, belly dance, modern dance</em></h4> <h4 style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">and so much more!! A community bazaar with a wide range of local and handmade products will run throughout the event. Booths offering a tantalizing assortment of services, like foot massage, reiki, face masks and more will please your body and soul.</h4> <h4 style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Delicious snacks, organic coffee, and shakes will be available for purchase, and the ticket price includes dinner.</h4> <h4 style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">~ guests also have the option of spending the night, in dorm or tent accommodation, and joining us for morning yoga and breakfast.</h4> <h4 style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">coming and going: trucks will depart from the front gate of Wat Suan Dok at 1:00 pm on the 18th and return there after the concert. For people staying the night, trucks will leave the center at 10 am on the 19th to return to the city.</h4> <h4 style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">pricing: ticket price includes workshops, keynote, concert and dinner, 500 baht. For guests spending the night, 800 baht. truck service to come and return to the city: 100 baht/round trip</h4> <h4 style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The Celebrating Women’s Wisdom Festival is a fundraiser for IWP and a new program we are organizing in 2011 called Buddhist Education for Social Transformation. All workshop leaders and performers have generously donated their time, skills and services for the concert. We heartily thank them for their kind support and willingness to share their talents.</h4> <h4 style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><strong>contact us to reserve your ticket: ginger@womenforpeaceandjustice.org (english); info@womenforpeaceandjustice or 086.944.3989 (Thai)</strong></h4>Mei Chernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09827194994928632793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4749806152725742406.post-22754478041197882992010-11-19T00:45:00.000-08:002010-11-19T00:54:54.567-08:00Ops Bilang*<div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><object style="font-family: arial;" width="350" height="250"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/g3vm1tdMRno?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/g3vm1tdMRno?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="350" height="250"></embed></object></span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Ops Bilang* was an artistic response to 12 contentious issues explored in a newly launched English-Malay e-forum called "Let's Talk About..." or "Bicara Pasal..." Organised by the Centre for Independent Journalism, Ops Bilang invited 12 artists to give a take each on those issues that are often hushed up or riddled with myths. It was held on 26 October 2010, at Annexe Gallery, Central Market Kuala Lumpur, to a capacity crowd, with not even standing room left!</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">An eye for an eye is one thing, but a life for another? Contemplating on the death penalty, singer-songwriter Mei Chern penned and performed this song to ask what we hope to get when we send another human being to their death. And what we really get:</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Cold night, at midnight</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Is this the closure we fight for?</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">So careful and measured</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">some kind of way to make it better</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Is it any better?</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">We're ordinary people</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">who cannot see another</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">with the games they play from hell</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">to this calculated spite.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">So caught up in the circle</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">with monsters that will blind you</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">keeping you beside</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">when nothing's left inside.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Cold night, at midnight</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Is this the closure you fight for?</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">So careful, and measured</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">some kind of way to make things better</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Are we any better?</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Are we any better?</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">More arguments against the death penalty here: <a href="http://www.blogger.com/LetsTalkAbout.cijmalaysia.org">LetsTalkAbout.cijmalaysia.org</a></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">*Bilang: Malay word for "count, "to tell"; also a play on "Lalang", to commemorate that other operasi launched by the State under the draconian Internal Security Act on 27 October 1987. A total of 106 people were arrested and four news publications closed down within days, creating a long-lasting climate of fear when it comes to the exercise of our citvil liberties, especially freedom of expression. Hence, Ops Bilang is a way of reclaiming that space to speak up on issues that affect us as citizens.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Bilang 1 - hitung (satu demi satu), jumlah, congkat, campur, kira</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Bilang 2 - bercakap, katakan, sampaikan, khabarkan, ceritakan, adu, beritahukan, nasihatkan</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Mei Chernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09827194994928632793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4749806152725742406.post-49524603873458033522010-11-19T00:41:00.000-08:002010-11-19T00:45:17.365-08:00Racism, racialism or brownwashing?<div style="text-align: justify; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:100%;"><strong>IS</strong> the language used by Malaysians to reflect their aspirations being diluted in recent years? Words like unity and inclusiveness are now used like never before, but seem to mean even less. These aspirations can be diluted by co-opting the language used, or in some cases re-defining it. <p align="left">A possible example is a recent article that highlighted the different forms of racism; the "systematic oppression supported by an ideology on the inferiority of the victims based solely on race" (eg those experienced by Jews and African slaves) – in which is exclusively termed "racism", and that which is "mere racial prejudice, racial chauvinism, etc to be called "racialism". It was argued that it was politically and morally incorrect to use "racism" in our Malaysian context, but that what we have is "racialism".</p> <p align="left">It was suggested that by appreciating our problem to be not as bad, then we would be able to address the issue better. But in our Malaysian context, redefining terms this way doesn’t help and may even be damaging. We do not need to reduce a problem before addressing it. Are Malaysians supposed to be less concerned because our Asian experience of racial prejudice isn’t as bad as those oppressed by the Nazis? </p> <p align="left">If the aim is to reduce divisiveness and demoralisation among people; mature dialogue, and having those in power able to manage the situation aptly and justly would help, not by diluting the message and telling people to appreciate their problems to be less than the Holocaust. </p> <p align="left">It was also suggested that by using the term racism in our Malaysian context, we belittle the terrible sufferings of those it defined as "real racism", whitewash past atrocities, and insult the historic struggles of great leaders such as Martin Luther King.</p> <p align="left">I believe Malaysians have no interest in "whitewashing" or belittling the terrible sufferings of holocaust victims or African slaves, nor to my knowledge have oppressed groups raised this concern. But by attempting to redefine racism as used by Malaysians to be "racialism" and "not so bad", isn’t that akin to "whitewashing" (or since we are Asians, shall we say "brownwashing") the racial problem in Malaysia? </p> <p align="left">If King were alive today, I’m guessing he will not be so hung up on the term, but would rather empower us to recognise the prejudice that, if encouraged and allowed its space in society, can manifest into its worst forms.</p> <p align="left">Most definitions today define "racism" and "racialism" to be the same, and some even define "racialism" to be a neutral term as an "emphasis on race or racial considerations, as in determining policy or interpreting events." Why further dilute and confuse what we mean to say? Perhaps a quote from a historian and friend sums it up well: "You do not need to gas a whole community before calling it racism."</p> <p align="left">Re-defining terms the public have been using (and that which is widely used) but authoritatively stating it as fact, is a tad insidious in diluting the message when people are speaking out against an injustice. </p> <p align="left">We can collectively and proactively address the issue, but not by immature reactionary measures, PR campaigns that gloss over issues, or by redefining terms that dilute public discussions. It would, however, help if we can acknowledge and deal with whatever prejudices there are in our society, and we can do so responsibly without making things worse when we ourselves are mindful of our own prejudices.</p><p style="font-style: italic;" align="left"><span class="tsTextSmall">Published in <a href="http://sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=52354">The Sun</a>, Wed, 29 Sep 2010 </span></p></span></div>Mei Chernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09827194994928632793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4749806152725742406.post-80694863136795031542009-12-12T07:03:00.000-08:002009-12-12T08:00:29.672-08:00Solidarity Night : Dari Rakyat Untuk Rakyat<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-weight: bold;font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; font-weight: normal; font-size:12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; font-family:Times;font-size:16px;"><div style="text-align: justify;border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; width: auto; font: normal normal normal 100%/normal Georgia, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre-wrap; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-family:arial;font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; white-space: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-family:Times;font-size:16px;"><div style="margin-top: 8px; margin-right: 8px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 8px; font: normal normal normal small/normal arial; ">If you've not heard the songs on Meor's latest album <a href="http://www.pestajiwa.net/pembelian-album-secara-pos-drur/">'Dari Rakyat Untuk Rakyat' (DRUR)</a>, you can listen to some of them at Amnesty's Human Rights Day at the Annex at Central Market on the 13th Dec.<br /><br />I was glad to sing one of the songs on DRUR. Because there aren't many, if any, songs that embody the progressive voice of Malaysians. 'Dari Rakyat Untuk Rakyat' is such an initiative by some Malaysians, with songs written by individuals from civil society and put into song by singer-songwriter Meor. DRUR reflects real issues and expresses aspirations of a politically awakened Malaysia; from human rights lawyer Amer Hamzah's song on ISA, activist/blogger Amin Iskandar's lyrics on the Memali Massacre, Rahmat Harun's poem on Shamsiah Fakeh, lyrics by Hishamudin Rais' and notable poet PyanHabib, to Meor's 'Sampai Bila' reflecting Malaysia's longing for democracy and justice. <br /><br />I'll be singing Aapi (Awasi Api Perempuan Ini- lyrics from Rahmat Harun's poem on Shamsiah Fakeh), and perhaps a song or two of my own, at the 'Solidarity Night : Dari Rakyat Untuk Rakyat' on the 13th Dec. Details below:</div></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; width: auto; font: normal normal normal 100%/normal Georgia, serif; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; width: auto; font: normal normal normal 100%/normal Georgia, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre-wrap; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-family:arial;font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: bold; white-space: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-family:Arial;font-size:16px;"><a href="http://aimalaysia.wordpress.com/2009/02/04/the-program/">Human Rights Day Celebration</a></span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; width: auto; font: normal normal normal 100%/normal Georgia, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre-wrap; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-family:arial;font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; white-space: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 1px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 1px; font-family:Arial;font-size:12px;"><p align="center" style="text-align: center;padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size:12px;"><strong style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; color:#800000;"><st1:date month="12" day="13" year="2009" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span style=" padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family:Arial;">13 December 2009</span></st1:date></span></strong></p><p align="center" style="text-align: center; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; "></p><div style="text-align: center;">The Annexe Gallery, 1st Floor, <br /></div><span style=" padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family:Arial;"><div style="text-align: center;">Central Market<br /></div></span><st1:city style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><div style="text-align: center;"><st1:city style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><st1:place style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span style=" padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family:Arial;">Kuala Lumpur</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style=" padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family:Arial;"> </span><br /></div></st1:city><span style=" padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family:Arial;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.centralmarket.com.my/contact.aspx" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; color: rgb(53, 98, 99); text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; "><strong style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; color:#356263;"><sub style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">http://www.centralmarket.com</sub></span></strong></a><br /></div></span><p></p></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; width: auto; font: normal normal normal 100%/normal Georgia, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre-wrap; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-family:arial;font-size:13px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; width: auto; font: normal normal normal 100%/normal Georgia, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre-wrap; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-family:arial;font-size:13px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; width: auto; font: normal normal normal 100%/normal Georgia, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre-wrap; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:13px;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; width: auto; font: normal normal normal 100%/normal Georgia, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre-wrap; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; width: auto; font: normal normal normal 100%/normal Georgia, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre-wrap; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre-wrap; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-family:arial;font-size:13px;"><br /></span></div></span></span></span></span>Mei Chernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09827194994928632793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4749806152725742406.post-22418039152367724942009-11-04T06:27:00.000-08:002009-11-04T06:31:18.168-08:00Prisoners in their own land<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">SOMETIMES, we miss the forest for the trees. Often, we fail to humanise those different from us; something that must be reflected upon after watching Prisoners of a White God which was shown at the FreedomFilmFest KL 2009. In this documentary, Czech researcher Tomáš Ryška investigates wrongdoings against the Akhas – a small mountain ethnic tribe in the Thai and Laotian mountains. </span></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><div align="justify"><br />The film documents the change experienced by the Akhas over two years and their reality with forced relocation, cultural genocide and many other unjust violations by certain missionaries and developmental projects. These were dramatically captured and narrated, giving an insight into the realities faced by indigenous people and marginalised groups.</div><div align="justify"><br />However, concerns with issues of objectivity and dramatic techniques used in this film were raised during its post-screening discussion, with some misgivings over the accuracy of its title. While it is good to be discerning and critical regarding the reliability of certain scenes in the film, perhaps the more pertinent issue to be discussed was about religious aid, or developmental projects in relation to the reality faced by people they are supposed to be helping.</div><div align="justify"><br />Prisoners of a White God is an apt title, because it beautifully encompasses the gist of the film by also referring to the capitalistic and western development that the mainstream all aspire to. It is essentially about bigotry and how sometimes so-called good intentions can cause harm. The relevance of this film giving insight into the reality faced by indigenous or marginalised groups is so much more urgent than, say, whether the way it was filmed was too dramatic or not.</div><div align="justify"><br />It would be unfortunate if this insight were to be understated, as public opinion is such that it is so easy to overlook the rights of indigenous peoples, and how convenient it is to accept the justification of "development" without consideration of how marginalised groups are harmed in the process. Common simplistic assumptions that indigenous groups just do not want "progress" or that they do not know what’s good for them, are still very much alive. Malaysians are no different in this indifference, and we need all the help we can to awaken our public consciousness to truly understand why some are "prisoners in their own land".</div><div align="justify"><br />This film is also a reminder of how we ought to be careful in the charity that we do, or with making public or private entities accountable for what they preach. Planting trees, being "green", and using popular lingo like "sustainability" and "unity" not only makes good advertising under the guise of corporate social responsibility or campaigns, but also distract us from the reality of any wrongdoings that may occur; if a company publicly appropriates an environmental cause, are its business practices really green and are they committing or allowing human rights violations to occur? Entities, be it companies, politicians or governments, that appropriate and ride on popular causes for cheap publicity, while performing hypocritical or unjust acts on the other hand, are deceitful to the public and further restrict our democratic space by usurping and diluting the language used for a cause. </div><div align="justify"><br />Prisoners of a White God is a beautiful documentary to be appreciated for its ability to engage and the honesty of its agenda, which is the well-being of the Akhas, and in doing so exposes the dangers of bigotry or the perceived infallibility of certain organisations. It is also an important reminder that perhaps we should all be more critical about our own perceptions of how things "should be" and the nature of help that we support or give others.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;">The writer believes that police and state resources should be used to fight crime instead of monitoring film screenings. Prisoners of a White God is found online licensed under a Creative Commons Licence.</span></em></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></em> </div><div align="justify"><a href="http://sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=39732"></a> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;">Published Tue, 03 Nov 2009 Freespace, The Sun, </span><a href="http://sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=39732"><span style="font-size:85%;">http://sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=39732</span></a></span></div>Mei Chernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09827194994928632793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4749806152725742406.post-21705997171584191172009-10-07T20:36:00.000-07:002009-10-07T21:14:04.929-07:00CD on tour with FreedomFilmFest09 in PG, Kuching, JB<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Thanks to the FreedomFilmFest2009 KL team and volunteers for a great weekend! </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">For those in Penang, Kuching, and Johor, don’t miss it and book your free passes asap. Dates and venues below: </span></span></p> <ul style="margin-top:0cm" type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list 36.0pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">9-11 OCTOBER 2009, Han Chiang College, Penang</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list 36.0pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">23-25 OCTOBER, Sek. Men. Chung Hua No.1, Kuching</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list 36.0pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">30 OCTOBER-1 NOVEMBER, Tropical Inn, Johor Bharu </span></span></span></li></ul> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">More details, film synopsis, and location maps on </span><a href="http://freedomfilmfest.komas.org/?page_id=723"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">FFF website</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">For reservations of passes, please email </span></span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><a href="mailto:freedomfilmfest@komas.org"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">freedomfilmfest@komas.org </span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">or call 017-3749887, with the following information: </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Name, Contact tel. no and email, Title of film/time of session that you would like to watch, Number of passes needed, In which state (KL, PG, JB, or KUCHING)</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">My CD will also be on sale at the screening venues, along with Meor's new album</span><a href="http://freedomfilmfest.komas.org/?p=898"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> 'Dari Rakyat Untuk Rakyat'</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> where I sang on one of the songs written by Ramat Harun, ‘awasi API perempuan ini’. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Don't miss it!!!</span></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Mei Chernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09827194994928632793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4749806152725742406.post-83098247743097303572009-09-30T10:31:00.000-07:002009-09-30T10:57:17.247-07:00Freedom Film Fest 2009 weekend!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yn3LAfte_eA/SsOYji0PJsI/AAAAAAAAAIA/uOsfuA-DABw/s1600-h/poster_final_fa2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387317315673990850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 283px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yn3LAfte_eA/SsOYji0PJsI/AAAAAAAAAIA/uOsfuA-DABw/s400/poster_final_fa2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yn3LAfte_eA/SsOXn-FLcrI/AAAAAAAAAH4/lvLMe8u-ZvU/s1600-h/head.jpg"></a>Freedom Film Fest is back this weekend! I may be playing a song or two on saturday if I can make it for the awards night, but am definately attending most of the films. Full listing here:</div><div><a href="http://freedomfilmfest.komas.org/?p=700">http://freedomfilmfest.komas.org/?p=700</a></div><div> </div><div>Apart from the FFF winning films on the theme of 'real change', do watch out for 'prisoners of a white god', Burma VJ, Nia Dinata's 'at stake', Flow, Carbon connection, and a host of other excellent docos that has garnered awards from Sundance, Full Frame, etc.<br /><br />Looking forward to get my yearly dose of human rights docos. See you there!</div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yn3LAfte_eA/SsOXbL1rvKI/AAAAAAAAAHw/IXHiyuiPpOM/s1600-h/head.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div>Mei Chernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09827194994928632793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4749806152725742406.post-5228390618896862012009-07-02T19:53:00.000-07:002009-07-02T20:14:33.522-07:00Malam Seni Rakyat & GadohI should have updated this blog much earlier, but there you go. Guess I'm far from being a serial updater.<br /><br />I'll be playing 2 songs tomorrow night at a gig organized by Meor and friends. It's in Kajang so do come along if you can. It's slightly experimental since I'll be singing a song written by Rahmat Harun and put into a song by Meor. Well, basically it is written in Malay so do excuse the accent if it sounds confused :)<br /><br /><a href="http://cakaprakyat.blogspot.com/2009/06/malam-seni-rakyat-4-julai-2009_29.html">http://cakaprakyat.blogspot.com/2009/06/malam-seni-rakyat-4-julai-2009_29.html</a><br /><br />Have missed quite a bit of gigs lately, including urbanscape, being away travelling on the tibetian plateau. Heard it was good along with a packed screening of <a href="http://komas.org/gadoh/index.htm">Gadoh</a>. If you haven't seen it, do catch it at the next screening; it's well worth the watch for every Malaysian.<br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354066016907846242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yn3LAfte_eA/Sk12rOHIYmI/AAAAAAAAAHo/DcO2jJodmOI/s320/nangqing.jpg" border="0" />Mei Chernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09827194994928632793noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4749806152725742406.post-78619160693627799982009-04-03T22:37:00.000-07:002009-04-03T22:58:22.634-07:00Who gets paid every time you flush your toilet?<div style="text-align: justify;">So long as laws and a system that curtails freedom of information- or that which prevents our right to know important information that affects us- continues, any claims for change remains as just another insidious plan at shallow rebranding, and attempts to further restrict our democratic spaces by usurping and appropriating language used to express our aspirations. As such, efforts to make known crucial information that affects us is even more important. The following are important info for the state of Selangor, and Malaysians in general as it may determine how a big chunk of our tax money is being spent: </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">visit </span></span><a href="http://www.airuntukrakyat.com/" target="_blank" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">www.</span></span></span><span class="il" style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 136); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">airuntukrakyat</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">.com</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> which has all the relevant information and facts on the much publicised Selangor Water Restructuring Exercise.</span></span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial;">or for a neat summary <span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; font-family:Georgia;">by Nat <a href="http://jelas.info/2009/03/20/water-scandal-summarising-bns-massive-conjob-or-how-you-are-making-the-super-rich-rozali-ismail-even-richer/">here -</a><a href="http://jelas.info/2009/03/20/water-scandal-summarising-bns-massive-conjob-or-how-you-are-making-the-super-rich-rozali-ismail-even-richer/"> </a><a href="http://jelas.info/2009/03/20/water-scandal-summarising-bns-massive-conjob-or-how-you-are-making-the-super-rich-rozali-ismail-even-richer/">Water Scandal: Summarising BN’s massive conjob (or: how you are making the super rich Rozali Ismail *even* richer)</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Spread the word!</div>Mei Chernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09827194994928632793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4749806152725742406.post-83527806705104990612009-03-09T23:33:00.000-07:002009-03-13T02:46:25.391-07:00FREEDOM FILM FEST 2009 & The Retrospective in London<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/DmQRqgYNvr4&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/DmQRqgYNvr4&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br />FFF is back this year with the theme 'Real Change?' which is timely as we need to know how recent political changes affect our lives as Malaysians. </span><span style="font-size:100%;">It's a great chance to win RM5,000 to make a film about your/a story of change in Malaysia, or win RM2000 for an existing film </span>(Deadline- April 15,2009).<span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">For more details about the competition, see <a href="http://freedomfilmfest.komas.org/competition/competition/">here.</a> You can also email freedomfilmfest@gmail.com or call 03-79685415 for more info.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">I've written about <a href="http://meichern.blogspot.com/2008/09/freedom-film-fest.html">FFF</a> last year when it first screened in east Malaysia. This year, FFF will be going to London for a <a href="http://freedomfilmfestlondon.blogspot.com/">'Retrospective'</a> </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><strong>on the </strong><span style="font-weight: bold;">28 March 2009 </span>at</span><strong style="font-weight: normal;"></strong> <span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);"><a href="http://www.gardencourtchambers.co.uk/contact_us/" target="_blank">The Garden Court Chambers</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">,</span> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">where the screening will present its films from 2004-2008 for Malaysians and friends in London. If you're in London, it's a great chance to attend the screenings and </span>catch up on the different issues which have been raised by Malaysian activists over the years.<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"></span><br />FFF London is made possible and organized entirely by Malaysian volunteers and friends in London. For more details or if you’re interest to be a volunteer, please visit<br /><a href="http://freedomfilmfestlondon.blogspot.com/" onmousedown="'UntrustedLink.bootstrap($(this)," target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><span>http://freedomfilmfestlond</span><wbr><span class="word_break"></span>on.blogspot.com</a><br />or email komaslondon@gmail.com<br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Mei Chernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09827194994928632793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4749806152725742406.post-58579641161271422692009-03-03T08:20:00.000-08:002010-06-15T06:49:22.935-07:00Hope sinks in limbo land<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">WHILE some are busy debating morality, our constitution and ethics over recent fiascos, a section of Malaysians know very well how political changes can directly impact their lives in what could be very real and lasting manner.</span></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><div align="justify"><br />Watching a video interview of some Perak-ians recently, I saw the immense disappointment in their eyes as they spoke of the political turmoil in the state.</div><div align="justify"><br />"Macam orang gantung pada langit", a man described how they have never felt Malaysian for the past 51 years; the orang asli in Perak have been denied their rights to their land and a chance to live as equals ever since Malaysia gained independence.</div><div align="justify"><br />In finding an urban parallel, I imagined a foreigner telling me that I have to leave my home because it belongs to them according to "their" new set of laws. Then the house they claimed from me is sold or used for immense profit. In the meantime, these powerful people decide to do "good" by running a programme and hire me to work in the house for RM400 a year. Anyone in their right mind would revolt at the injustice. But such is the situation of a marginalised community with little access to recourse or opportunities. They live at the sidelines, without a voice, and pushed around as and when someone else with the power and money want the land they have been living and toiling on.</div><div align="justify"><br />Imagine their sense of hope, when what had not been achieved in 51 years, was done in a short span of 10 months since the last general election. Systems were put in place to assure their voices were heard by the state, and the process of ensuring their right to their ancestral lands were started; they showed that when given a chance, they could work hard to exercise their rights, to live as equals, and hope for the future. (For more info, see:<br /><a href="http://thenutgraph.com/orang-asli-in-perak-apprehensive">http://thenutgraph.com/orang-asli-in-perak-apprehensive</a>).</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">But the recent fiasco in Perak has left them worried – with mixed emotions of quiet anger and hatred – at those responsible for the political turmoil that could mean a permanent end to whatever progress made since March last year.</div><div align="justify"><br />One wonders if some middle-class Malaysians whose emotions run high because they feel like "2nd class citizens" have spared a thought for the orang asli, and perhaps include them in their demands for justice? One wonders also if those who thump their chest in anger because they feel besieged or "challenged" by those who questioned the manner of Perak’s takeover, have considered the orang asli community whose lives may be relegated back to how their rights have been trampled on for 51 years? </div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Land-grabbing is happening right under our noses, under the glare of our media, preoccupied with sensationalising private lives of politicians. Aside from stunting the progress of civil society, such gutter journalism supports the malicious intent of those bent on discrediting one of the few politicians who makes a firm stand based on just values. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Threats against politicians like Elizabeth Wong are a threat to her country at large which will continue to inherit the kind of processes that put profit above lives, should her kind of work not continue. We don’t need politicians who allow landslides to happen, only to appear at the next tragedy site when people die to donate money and shed some tears for the press. We don’t need state policies that continue to marginalise certain communities, and then do so-called charitable work from fat profits off the land taken from the very people whose rights were denied. </div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">We surely don’t need politicians – no matter how articulate – to opine or justify their hypocritical actions, along with tabloids disguised as newspapers, for these irritatingly distracts us from the reality on the ground that speaks for itself.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">(published 02 Mar 2009 </span></em><a href="http://sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=30588"><span style="font-size:85%;">http://sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=30588</span></a>)</div></span>Mei Chernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09827194994928632793noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4749806152725742406.post-47618250862616401652008-12-16T06:44:00.000-08:002008-12-16T07:15:26.891-08:00Question The Brand<div style="text-align: justify;">Finally, I found something else to wear for my performances besides my signature white shirt!<br /><br />My friend Jo created his own brand of t-shirts - 'Question the brand'; it fits well, and I felt really comfortable wearing it on stage!<br /><br />It's also a great alternative christmas gift ;)<br />(only 80 in circulation)<br /><br />Check it out at <a href="http://questionblogs.blogspot.com/">ht</a><a href="http://questionblogs.blogspot.com/">tp://questionblogs.blogspot.com/</a><br /><br />---<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kFq7ctoTYMk/STlLTJFcowI/AAAAAAAAAAo/jVMKT7fNi4o/s400/blog1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 318px; height: 131px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kFq7ctoTYMk/STlLTJFcowI/AAAAAAAAAAo/jVMKT7fNi4o/s400/blog1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="border-collapse: collapse;"><p><span><span style="border-collapse: collapse;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kFq7ctoTYMk/STlNaW3WLRI/AAAAAAAAAAw/NhZVoBLsWD8/s320/behindblog1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 129px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kFq7ctoTYMk/STlNaW3WLRI/AAAAAAAAAAw/NhZVoBLsWD8/s320/behindblog1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br /><p><br /></p></span><br /></div>Mei Chernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09827194994928632793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4749806152725742406.post-27138151011470670272008-12-03T21:58:00.000-08:002008-12-21T06:44:12.645-08:00Tourism Malaysia 2008 commercial<p align="center"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/isyA-5Azpb8&hl=" width="425" height="344" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" fs="1&rel="></embed></p><p align="center">I recently did the vocals for this commercial made as part of the Tourism Malaysia 2008 Campaign for South/West Asia. It's quite different from the previous Malaysia Truly Asia ads; this one has a touching story to it. </p>Mei Chernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09827194994928632793noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4749806152725742406.post-86244234656502348322008-10-24T04:01:00.000-07:002010-11-19T01:27:28.692-08:00Writings<ul><li><a href="http://meichern.blogspot.com/2008/10/album.html">Album</a></li><li><a href="http://meichern.blogspot.com/2008/09/freedom-film-fest.html">FREEDOM FILM FEST</a></li><li class="archivedate expanded"><a href="http://meichern.blogspot.com/2008/08/michigan-womyns-music-festival.html">Michigan Womyn's Music Festival</a> </li><li class="archivedate expanded"><a class="toggle" href="http://meichern.blogspot.com/?widgetType=BlogArchive&widgetId=BlogArchive1&action=toggle&dir=open&toggle=MONTHLY-1214895600000&toggleopen=MONTHLY-1222844400000"></a><a href="http://meichern.blogspot.com/2008/07/posters-cds-and-michigan-womyns-music.html">Posters, CDs, and the Michigan Womyn's Music Festi...</a></li></ul><br />Published writings:<br /><br /><ul><li class="archivedate expanded"><a href="http://meichern.blogspot.com/2010/11/racism-racialism-or-brownwashing.html">Racism, racialism, or brownwashing?</a></li><li class="archivedate expanded"><a href="http://meichern.blogspot.com/2009/11/prisoners-in-their-own-land.html">Prisoners in their own land</a></li><li class="archivedate expanded"><a href="http://meichern.blogspot.com/2009/03/reality-amidst-crap.html">Hope sinks in limbo land</a><br /></li><li class="archivedate expanded"><a href="http://meichern.blogspot.com/2008/10/i-found-my-home.html">I found my home</a></li><li class="archivedate expanded"><a href="http://meichern.blogspot.com/2008/09/were-all-swimming-to-other-side.html">We're all swimming to the other side</a></li><li class="archivedate expanded"><a href="http://meichern.blogspot.com/2008/06/at-what-cost-justice.html">At what cost, justice?</a> </li><li class="archivedate expanded"><a class="toggle" href="http://meichern.blogspot.com/?widgetType=BlogArchive&widgetId=BlogArchive1&action=toggle&dir=open&toggle=MONTHLY-1204358400000&toggleopen=MONTHLY-1222844400000"></a><a href="http://meichern.blogspot.com/2008/03/aliens-have-landed-what-now.html">Aliens have landed! What now?</a></li><li class="archivedate expanded"><a href="http://meichern.blogspot.com/2008/03/bigger-picture.html">THE BIGGER PICTURE</a></li><li class="archivedate expanded"><a href="http://meichern.blogspot.com/2008/03/times-are-changing.html">Times are a-changing…</a></li><li class="archivedate expanded"><a href="http://meichern.blogspot.com/2008/03/on-being-ornamental-passive-or-pacifist.html">On being Ornamental, Passive, or a Pacifist</a></li><li class="archivedate expanded"><a href="http://meichern.blogspot.com/2007/12/funny-reactions.html">Funny reactions</a></li><li class="archivedate expanded"><a href="http://meichern.blogspot.com/2007/10/at-sidelines-of-independence.html">At the sidelines of Independence</a></li><li class="archivedate expanded"><a href="http://meichern.blogspot.com/2007/08/purpose-of-education.html">Damned if you do, damned if you don't?</a></li><li class="archivedate expanded"><a href="http://meichern.blogspot.com/2007/08/purpose-of-education.html">The purpose of education</a></li><li class="archivedate expanded"><a href="http://meichern.blogspot.com/2007/05/want-changes-do-something.html">Want changes? Do something!</a></li><li class="archivedate expanded"><a href="http://meichern.blogspot.com/2007/04/convenient-deception.html">A convenient deception</a></li><li class="archivedate expanded"><a href="http://meichern.blogspot.com/2007/03/beauty-of-rituals.html">Beauty of rituals</a> </li><li class="archivedate expanded"><a class="toggle" href="http://meichern.blogspot.com/?widgetType=BlogArchive&widgetId=BlogArchive1&action=toggle&dir=open&toggle=YEARLY-1167638400000&toggleopen=MONTHLY-1222844400000"></a><a href="http://meichern.blogspot.com/2007/02/it-wasnt-me.html">It wasn't me</a></li><li class="archivedate expanded"><a href="http://meichern.blogspot.com/2007/02/who-will-air-your-dirty-laundry.html">Who will air your dirty laundry?</a></li><li class="archivedate expanded"><a href="http://meichern.blogspot.com/2007/02/in-chinatown-everyone-is-bruce-lee.html">In Chinatown, everyone is Bruce Lee</a></li><li class="archivedate expanded"><a href="http://meichern.blogspot.com/2007/02/hope-were-not-lost-cause-too.html">Hope we're not a lost cause too</a></li><li class="archivedate expanded"><a href="http://meichern.blogspot.com/2007/02/build-not-burn-bridges.html">Build, not burn bridges</a></li><li class="archivedate expanded"><a href="http://meichern.blogspot.com/2007/02/love-petai-love-malaysia.html">Love petai, love Malaysia?</a></li><li class="archivedate expanded"><a href="http://meichern.blogspot.com/2007/02/on-being-exotic-squatter.html">On being an exotic squatter</a> </li></ul>Mei Chernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09827194994928632793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4749806152725742406.post-90722357129088797682008-10-17T00:34:00.000-07:002008-10-17T09:13:50.797-07:00Upcoming Shows<span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" > 25 Oct 2008, 20:30 08:30 PM - Jaya One</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:arial;" > <br />31 Oct 2008, 20:30 08:30 PM</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:arial;" > - </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><span style="font-family:arial;">Jaya One</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Doppelganger - tbc<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">Suaram's Human Rights Concert - tbc</span></span><b style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /><br /><br /></b></span>Mei Chernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09827194994928632793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4749806152725742406.post-87210994141656431322008-10-07T10:15:00.000-07:002008-10-07T11:27:25.093-07:00Lyrics<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yn3LAfte_eA/SOup1XGvgaI/AAAAAAAAAHE/MOUSIrYYczg/s1600-h/cd+back_black:white.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yn3LAfte_eA/SOup1XGvgaI/AAAAAAAAAHE/MOUSIrYYczg/s200/cd+back_black:white.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254480124458271138" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >1. <a href="http://meichern.blogspot.com/2008/10/good-intentions.html">Good intentions </a></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >2. <a href="http://meichern.blogspot.com/2008/10/sleeping.html">Sleeping </a></span><a href="http://meichern.blogspot.com/2008/10/sleeping.html"><span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span class="on" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Add_Image" title="Add Image" onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="addImage();" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);;ButtonMouseDown(this);"></span></span></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >3. <a href="http://meichern.blogspot.com/2008/10/sunny-days.html">Sunny Days </a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >4. <a href="http://meichern.blogspot.com/2008/10/beautiful-days.html">Beautiful Minds</a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >5. <a href="http://meichern.blogspot.com/2008/10/my-time.html">My Time</a> </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >6. <a href="http://meichern.blogspot.com/2008/10/do-you-see-me-like-you.html">Do you see me like you</a> </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >7. <a href="http://meichern.blogspot.com/2008/10/feels-like-falling.html">Feels Like Falling</a></span><a href="http://meichern.blogspot.com/2008/10/feels-like-falling.html"><span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span class="" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_CreateLink" title="Link" onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);FormatbarButton('richeditorframe', this, 8);ButtonMouseDown(this);"></span></span></a></div>Mei Chernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09827194994928632793noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4749806152725742406.post-15054048704532352492008-10-07T10:14:00.000-07:002008-10-07T10:15:02.645-07:00Feels Like FallingI fall asleep at night<br />Thinking you’d be there tomorrow<br />And I’ll Kiss you<br />Like I kissed you for the first time<br />When I awake I’ll find you<br />Waiting by my driveway<br />Smiling, and singing<br />Songs that make me cry now<br /><br />So tell, tell me<br />Do u mean what u say<br />Cuz I’m tired, I’m tired<br />of the games we play<br />Baby baby<br />Do u know If this means<br />Goodbye<br /><br />Here we go again<br />And it feels like falling<br />And I’m wondering where I stand<br />Before you go again<br />I’m gonna say it loud<br />I don’t need you now<br /><br />With your life as such<br />Sometimes u don’t even know<br />How the snow<br />Can make me smile so much<br />Then you turn around and say<br />That it would be okay<br />But your empty words<br />Mean nothing to me, nothing to me nowMei Chernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09827194994928632793noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4749806152725742406.post-21230043857356937132008-10-07T10:13:00.000-07:002008-10-07T10:14:02.089-07:00Sunny DaysHands are frozen<br />Still we’re standing here<br />Look for the stars<br />They’re just not there tonight<br /><br />When nothing’s right<br />And you cannot hide<br />You’re weak to fight<br />All the ghost inside<br />Your head now<br /><br />It’s so cold now<br />Why can’t we leave this place<br />And run away<br />To someplace better<br /><br />When all I can do to make things right<br />is sing you this song<br />cuz It won’t be long now<br /><br />Till one day<br />Our roads may cross<br />Maybe we’ll be standing still<br />You will see<br />Sunny days will come your way<br /><br />When nothing’s right<br />And you cannot hide<br />You’re weak to fight<br />All the ghost inside<br />You cannot fight<br />All the fears inside<br />Your head now<br /><br />Sunny days will come your wayMei Chernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09827194994928632793noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4749806152725742406.post-61659133560817158402008-10-07T10:11:00.003-07:002008-10-07T10:11:48.226-07:00SleepingAnd I’ll work tomorrow<br />And drown my sorrows<br />I’ll pay my bills and fake a smile<br />We’ll talk about it<br />And laugh about it<br />How we slept our life away<br /><br />(bridge)<br />So time can change your mind<br />And he can break you down<br />Do you wake up sleeping?<br /><br />(Chorus)<br />Make a decision now<br />Maybe it’ll be alright<br />If we put our heads together<br />Or would you disappear<br />On a desert island<br />To find your own peace of mind<br /><br />So we’ll talk about it<br />And laugh about it<br />How we slept our life away<br /><br />(bridge)<br />(Chorus)<br />So we’ll talk about it<br />And laugh about it<br />How we slept our life awayMei Chernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09827194994928632793noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4749806152725742406.post-36966290161028096292008-10-07T10:11:00.001-07:002008-10-07T10:11:15.507-07:00Good intentionsLights are low<br />No one’s here<br />It’s tomorrow<br />Do you fear<br />All that’s certain<br />And all that’s plain to see<br />If all that’s real isn’t even me<br /><br />You read my mind<br />Like a mirror<br />Do you wonder<br />How we feel?<br />Do you shiver in the night<br />When you just don’t know what is right<br />Are you safe from your uninformed thoughts and good intentions?<br />If nobody knows anything at all<br /><br />You think you know<br />You think you feel<br />Well aren’t you one in a million just like everybody else<br />I say take it if you can<br />And read the writing on the wall<br />See the truth in every lie<br /><br />Before the day you die<br />If nobody knows anything at all<br />If nobody knows anything at allMei Chernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09827194994928632793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4749806152725742406.post-26323280179835688842008-10-07T10:10:00.001-07:002008-10-07T10:10:22.536-07:00My TimeOh no, oh my<br />It’s another day in time<br />Please wait for me<br />Do I have to fight alone<br />When my world came tumbling down<br /><br />I’ll wait for my time<br />But I won’t let this pass me by<br />Hold me, I’ll survive<br />But I won’t let this pass me by<br />I’ll never let this pass me by<br /><br />Once more maybe twice<br />We can even reach the stars<br />How much is enough<br />When will all this ever ends<br />When the walls came tumbling down<br />When your world comes tumbling down<br /><br />So I’ll wait for my time<br />But I won’t let this pass me by<br />Hold me, I’ll survive<br />But I won’t let this pass me by<br />I’ll never let this pass me by<br />never let this pass me byMei Chernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09827194994928632793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4749806152725742406.post-61405756356902119712008-10-07T10:09:00.001-07:002008-10-07T10:09:32.307-07:00Do you see me like youAll I want<br />Is some room to be heard,<br />Speak, live, and breath<br />Have you seen<br />Some kind of truth<br />What, this they called it?<br />Do you see me, do you see me like you<br /><br />Big things, bright lights<br />What do you choose to fight<br />Poor things, not right<br />Do you give a damn<br />If you don’t see me like you<br /><br />(Chorus)<br />Oh it’s a shame<br />To say it’s ok<br />You wash your hands<br />It’s not your life<br />It’s easier<br />If you don’t see me like you<br /><br />(Bridge)<br />What does it take,<br />To push and break this down<br />What fools we make<br />The circle goes around<br />Around and on<br /> <br />(Chorus)Mei Chernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09827194994928632793noreply@blogger.com4