This update is one month overdue. But my tardiness is excusable. As some of you might have heard, my life has been seriously mad in the last couple of months.
If you haven’t the foggiest what I am talking about - here is the skinny: I initiated an anti-racism national unity project a couple of months ago called ‘Malaysian Artistes For Unity’. It involved the making of a multi-artistes song and music video entitled ‘Here In My Home’. Both the song and the video were released as free downloads in mid-May.
I won’t describe the project in detail here [please go to the official project site for that]. Suffices it to say that the project has taken the country by storm and we’ve been inundated by emails since it went public. Numerous people admitted to weeping with relief when they first heard the song and hundreds offered help with anything we might require. Meanwhile, radio stations put the song on hourly rotation, tv stations broadcast ‘the making of’ nationwide, telcos and music portals climbed onboard to help with distribution, the official site alone transmitted 120,000 downloads in a month, and the project video became the third most viralled video in the world for a week.
Not bad for a zero budget production.
Yet, in one of the most astonishingly out-of-touch bit of journalism I have ever read, a youth magazine called All The Rage claimed that there is no racism in Malaysia – at least not enough to justify our effort to address it – and therefore the project was no more than an excuse for a bunch of desperate celebrities [who were inexplicably deemed ‘overseas educated’ and therefore have no legitimacy] to get ‘their 15 minutes of fame’.
Perhaps the writer [one Ian Yee] has taken in too many ‘Malaysia Truly Asia’ ads. Fact is, whatever apologists might call it, race discrimination has been institutionalized in Malaysia for decades. We have politicians who sprout race supremacist rhetoric and racist editors who viciously attack films about inter-racial romance on grounds of ‘race purity’ [very reminiscent of Nazi rhetoric]. Hell, just look at how people sit separately by skin color next time you go to an office canteen. Or read the racist hatred [‘Malays are pigs!’] sprouted on numerous Internet forums by Chinese or Indian students aggrieved by how the government’s scholarship programs have been executed.
No racism in Malaysia?
Or is it a case of racism becoming so insidious and internalized over the years that some people have taken it to be unexceptional and unworthy of address - as in the case of many South Africans who were conditioned to believe Apartheid was absolutely normal?
I don’t know. Perhaps the writer’s problem is simply that he does not like the idea of homegrown artistes attempting something with verve and social significance [it’s ok when foreign pop stars do it, of course]. Either way, I do hope he was being flippant when he said he was stupefied by how positively the Malaysian pubLic has embraced the project. I can only add that I was far more stupefied by the nonsense he’s written.
Thankfully, that sort of sheltered fantasy was untypical of the feedback the project received. The overwhelming majority acknowledge and decry the existence of racial prejudice fostered by racial polarization and bigoted politics in Malaysia. Yet they are willing to arise above it [or are trying to] to grasp the crucial importance of racial unity. These varied from kindergarten kids, to college students, to MPs and media editors as well as political analysts [including Wong Choon Wai, the chief editor of The Star, a group that ironically owns All The Rage]. Thus, much as folks have claimed that our project has given them hope, it is perhaps more correct to say that they have given all of us hope with the depth of their love for our country despite her many flaws.
Inevitably, there were genuine doubters too. Some view any talk of racial unity in Malaysia as nothing more than government propaganda, and others merely feel helpless [and hopeless] about the situation. Through it all, the undeniable fact is this: after 50 years of independence, many Malaysians still don’t feel they ‘belong’ in Malaysia. It is not hard to feel a sense of unease over this – particularly as this group tends to be racially defined - yet the question remains: what have we done as a nation to make such race-based alienation possible? Perhaps it is a clear case of ‘hard to love a country that doesn’t love you back’?
Be that as it may, the project has pretty much come to an end for me. By that, I mean I have taken it as far as I can and it is now up to the community to keep it going. There is only so much a song and a video can do anyway. You see, beyond the hype and media feeding frenzy, the project is ultimately about us taking ownership of our own fate as a nation. We can’t be strong without unity yet unity won’t happen unless enough people are wiling to do their bit to make it happen. And none of it would happen unless people take ownership of this issue.
It only remains for me to to convey my thanks and admiration to the tireless Albert Law [without whom none of this would be possible], the hundreds of people who contributed their time and effort to the project, and the hundreds of thousands of Malaysians who took it to their hearts. Perhaps one day we will get to the point where the song does not need to be sung anymore. But till then, each of us owe it to ourselves to put in a little effort.
You reap what you sow.
Always.
If this is your ‘little bit’ of contribution, I’d like to be there when you do you ‘big bit’.
Thank you and well done.
p.s. And Please don’t pay attention to idiots like the guy who write that silly piece. If he is any good, he won’t be writing that that rubbish rag. Ha ha.
what is that ian yee guy on about? does he ever get out of bangsar? no racism my ass. if that passes for journalism, then our ass is grass. what a load of crap. he sounds like one of those idiots who have been apologizing for the shit politicians dish out to justify their utter incompetence for decades. someone please slap him.
Didn’t I say once that very time you stay quiet for a while, something big is coming? Was just wondering when you’ll update us on this crazy project of yours last night. I am so proud of you!!! Love the song!!!
This Ian - wat is he on?? - I want some oso. Dia mabuk ke?
Pete, you champion bro!
mebbe he jus wanna be famous la. haha.
love MAFU p.
PETE兄，不必和小孩记教。MAFU rock!
I agree with you Pete..by the way, this one of the way to unite all Malaysian here. This is the beginning and we all need to keep on doing things to make all of us feel home. We dont know what will happend in the future,therefore it is the time we need to do something for better life
Genius, Mr Teo. We owe u a debt. Thank you thank you.
beautiful project executed with the verve of a genius pro.
u are the man bro.
hats off!
I feel compell to write here because I wanted to convey my deepest appreciation and admiration for Here in my Home, especially your contribution to it.
Your song and video could not have come at a better time. Despite detractors offering idiotic comments (like it is BN propaganda and no racism in Malaysia by Martians, not Malaysians, of All the Rage), the whole project is an excellent way for Malaysian artistes to contribute and, maybe, even lead the way (especially among the young) to promote and cultivate a new Malaysian politics and culture that moves beyond the race based politics of fear spawned by the events of May 13, 1969 and cynically manipulated by the BN all these donkey years.
As we marched forward to create a new Malaysia, we all need to create a new language for it, one that is rid of the baggage of old, one that is inclusive. I am thus so glad that you and fellow artistes have taken a stab at it and have come up with such a wonderful result even with a zero budget. As I think you already know, more needs to be done (by everyone) for the new Malaysia to take root and flower so that detractors, like the aforementioned variety, will soon find what they are trying to pedal simply is out of step with the rest of Malaysia. I thus look forward to more of such endeavors from you and fellow Malaysian artistes.
Finally, let me also say that when I first saw the Here in my Home video, I too was moved to tears…tears of joy and hope…. Many thanks. .
I cried too. Its been so long since I feel hopeful about this country. Thank you Pete and all the people who contributed to the project. You guys have done more than a million idiots like Ian Yee.
Who fuck is he anyway? Does he ever go out other than to the mall? Or read the papers?
Mr. Ian Yee - if you are reading this - before you write another nonsensical article and make a fool of yourself, try going down to Campbell complex on the Saturday afternoon and see youths with swastika patches on their T-Shirts or tattooed on their arms. Then go to their forums where they wrote semi-literate hate-filled rants on how to get rid of Chinese people. After that, consider the entire Ketuanan Melayu diatribe sprouted by no less than an ex-prime minister. Then tell me there is no racism in this country.
Not only is he blinkered about racism in Malaysia, he seem to think the only worthwhile causes to support are disasters or wars. What the fuck? And what’s this 15 minutes of fame shit? Ning Baizura, Awie, Tony Fernandes and many more of the MAFU contributors have been famous for over a decade… 15 minutes? What the hell is he talking about?
This is Star’s youth magazine?
I’ll stick to Malaysiakini thank you.
Nitwit.
its is ignorance that will bring failure to this country, malaysians should by now, willingly accept that racial discrimination has existed for as long as this country was institutionalized, i am enraged by the mere fact that the various “persons” who deny racism in our country to the rest of the world aswell as in our own country, that is truly embarassing (do they actually take the rest of the world aswell as our malaysians to be fools).
Here in my home is an inspiration, this project is a necessity and i hope you guys, who are the voice for those who cannot speak up do not give up. keep your chin up and look forward, we are only striving to make a difference, even if it is small, that might just be enough to bring about change.
Great project Pete! Proud of you.
Ignore the idiot.
Not so different from holocaust deniers this guy.
hahaha
Well done for the project. Again, for once, I’m proud to be a Malaysian.
Hand in hand, we can make a difference. The tiny little effort, begins from everyone of us. All of us, in unity, can make a huge impact.
Keep it up! =)
wish I was in it.
but i can’t sing. hahahaha
well done pete!
abang pete. i love malaysian. i love your work. you and your friends make me so proud of malaysia. may god bless you.
This man Ian, is he on drugs?
waiting to scrap malay, chinese and indian and combine as Malaysian
I’m not chinese, I’m malaysian… hopefully everyone here can be comfortable saying it in public…
If there’s no racism, there will be no party politics for malays/chinese/indian. There’s no Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Rakyat. One party for all.
nuff said.
‘Overseas educated’ and therefore no legitimacy.
What a silly point. Even worse than ‘there’s no racism here’. The poor sod has at one stroke de-legitimized all of the ex-prime ministers (and probably all their cabinets) of Malaysia - except Dr M.
Wait a second…
Ah! Nowi t makes sense.
adoi - nothing ‘poor’ about him. more like stupid.
Joon Liang said: I’m not chinese, I’m malaysian… hopefully everyone here can be comfortable saying it in public…
I agree with Joon Liang..Like in Indonesia,people there are also multiraces like we do but they all namely as Indonesian..so why not we too proud to call ourselves as Malaysian instead we stated as malay,chinese,indian n sort of? And like Joon Liang I have no shame to say it loud in public
That must be the most deluded article I’ve read about Malaysia for a long time. Somebody should tell Wong Choon Wai that having idiots like that working for the magazine will not re-gain the credibility the Star has lost. What a waste of space.
Take it easy people…
Youth mag. Chip on the shoulder. Doesn’t know shit…
Probably a pimply kid.
my pimply kid knows there’s racism in Malaysia…
he is just …
words failed me.
well done pete!
proud of ya.
assalamualaikum to all…
nuff views bout the racism thingy…everyone (except maybe the said writer, whats-his-name-cause-he-aint-important-i-forgot?) knows its a sad thing that is happening here…and something needs to be done about it…
i find one paragraph quite funny. it may looked like a typo, but i have a stinkin feeling u did it intentionally..heh heh…with pun intended…i caps locked it…
“Either way, I do hope he was being flippant when he said he was stupefied by how positively the Malaysian PUBIC has embraced the project. I can only add that I was far more stupefied by the nonsense he’s written.”
peace…
is overrated
Hi everyone - I was ‘overseas educated’ so I am not entitled to say anything about my home - and so I won’t. Thanks for saying it for me though.
Ahmad - ha. well picked out. typo corrected - reluctantly, it has to be said. ‘Pubic’ has more edge to it… So I left the ‘L’ in caps in your honor.
Ahmad is right, let’s leave the racism behind and do something about it…each in our own way.
As for the one whose name i have already forgotten, leave him be cos he is likely to be a college kid being contrary for contrary’s sake. We must be more magnanimous la…
even to idiots.
oops.
thanks for the honor, tho i doubt i am worthy of it…im no writer…hahaha…
but yeah, PUBIC does have an edge to it…
kudos on the video…i really really REALLY love it…
maybe u shud do a follow up or another version. just take a view cam, go to the public, and ask them to sing it out…but dubbed it later laa…kang tak sedap lak…
u know, something like dirty little secret video?
it’s here—> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHd3ck6fHBw
Good idea mate. Have several other variants that I might do in time. But first, have to do a few things that actually put food on the table. Meanwhile, u guys take over la. I go lepak for a bit.
love your talent
love your audacity
love your courage
love your smarts
love your sense of humour
even love your shyness
u da best!
please keep doing that makes us better!
Let me tell you something about racism. As far back as I can remember, racism in schools are not that bad. But in university (not all but certain ones) it is terrible! There is also a case where the lecturer blatantly ask students to sit according to races. I was really shocked but not much can be done. And the writer even dares to say there is no racism? I guess people just don’t dare to talk about it or we will be arrested as a “threat” to the nation. We just tend to bury it behind us. But in this case ignorance is not a bliss. I seriously do not want to see another repeat of 13th May.
This project came along and I was glad! Finally some sunlight! I am really happy that we are finally doing something for unity! And I love it! I really believe if we unite as one, our country can progress much much further.
But what that worries me here is that, that writer writes for a youth magazine. It is possible that youths might view that article differently and worsen the already terrible racism scenario in Malaysia.
One question to ponder though.
In our religious beliefs, we always believe that god created humans. But, all around the world, we go around harming other humans that are of different colors and belief. Are we defying the teachings of god then?
P.S : sorry for my long-winded comment. Peace out!
YH,
thanks for the long post and your observations.
i am convinced that the majority of our countrymen would not choose to be racially divided. but although malaysians are decent peace loving people, there will always be bigots amongst them. they exist everywhere. the key is for us not to let the bigots think they can have a free ride, that’s all.
as such, if enough people speak up and do their little bit, then we’ll be fine. whatever else wrong with malaysia, it does have a by-and-large functional democratic system in place. this means the people do have ultimate power over politicians. we must exercise that right in a peaceful and creative manner.
as for that article, i wouldn’t worry too much about it. trust in the people’s instinct to see a lie and an untruth, especially when its content simply does not fit with the experience of most people. it is also mean spirited and bitter. other than people poking fun at it, it’ll be ignored.
I love the song and the video so much. Have not stopped listening to it for weeks. Always makes me feel good. Well done Pete. I think you made a lot of people hopeful. May God bless you.
v heavy stuff…..lets hope there is some awakening and realisation about where its all going. Too many examples in history of what can happen if it remains unchecked. Al the best - Nick
Very well written piece. Good stuff. Enjoyed reading it.
cool bro.
Critics are everywhere. I’ve been told, that for every 4 articles journalists publish about something, there has to be one article that criticises it, or they’ll be perceived as not being objective, and biased.
If that’s true, and the only major critic MAFU has is this one ridiculous article, kudos man… Who’s going to take this Ian watchamacallit seriously?
Hats off to the entire MAFU crew. You guys really did a fantastic job.
Super project. Well done!
Never heard of this Ian Yee guy. Bet its a pseudonym. Probably some confused, spoiled brat fed on too much corruption derived loot.
Not so surprised that the youth mag of the Star could publish such deluded trash though. I still haven’t forgiven them for the disgraceful way they covered pre-elections.
Hi I am Kumi. I saw you in Tokyo last year. I love Here In My Home. I hope your country will be alright. Please come to Tokyo again soon. I miss your live!
Well done. With you all the way!
Hi Pete,
Congrats on the success of the MAFU project. Very happy to be part of it although it’s been a bit embarassing cause strangers have come up to me and said… “Was that you on TV?”… still, gratifying no less that people care enough to ask.
I read the Ian Yee article, which is more of an opinion piece than proper journalism. Though he has a right to say whatever he wants to say, you’re right. For him to claim that the problem of racism does not exist in Malaysia… that’s just preposterous.
The NEP for instance, is glaring proof of institutionalised racism. To give one ethnic group special privileges and preferences even when they don’t deserve it (sorry, but the Malays were not here first — the Orang Asli communities were here first, and they have it worse than all the other ethnic groups).
Such racist policies do not help anyone.
Did the NEP help those who needed it most? For a select few, perhaps. But for most, nada. Why is it that the majority of Malays in this country still feel they’re economically inferior to the Chinese, even though the Chinese have never received any substantial financial assistance from the government? Because the NEP was a political ploy by those in power to hoodwink the people to keep them in power… by promising the people empty promises (i.e. “You vote for us, we’ll give you money.” but actually what it means is “If you don’t vote for us, we’ll take away your so-called right to the money.”)
That’s racist politics in a nutshell.
In everyday situations too, there’s racism all over the place.
One example, that ubiquitous question: “What race are you?”
A wonderful human rights activist and friend Toni Kasim who recently passed away made a most interesting remark about the whole construction of race in this country. Most people are really uncomfortable when they don’t know what race you are, compelling them to ask “What race are you?”
Now I’ve gotten this question so many times. I get it when I go to events, when I meet new people, here in KL, back home in Sabah, when I’m overseas, one time when I was getting massaged (ha ha ha), even in gay chatrooms… unbelievable…
Toni deconstructed the question it by drawing out the relationship between race and the hierarchy of power. At the top (in this country anyway) is the highly educated upperclass Malay man, preferably with royal lineage. At the bottom is the Indian woman single mother divorcee in the rubber estate. Even lower: you can find the invisible women of Orang Asli and refugee communities.
It’s such a subconscious and somewhat insidious thing we do. When we ask what race someone is, we’re positioning them within that hierarchy, basically so that we can strategically target who we can befriend/use to get ahead in life. And that’s really Darwinism. Because we’re primates and primates are opportunistic social climbers.
We probably can’t escape the question (for now, anyway) knowing how intertwined race, identity and power are in this country (and everywhere else), but it pays to realise what we’re doing when we ask that question and its effect on race relations. When we realise what we’re doing we have a choice to pursue this kind of discourse with a bit more sensitivity.
I for one believe I’m a Malaysian… it took a while to come to that point… but as a product of so many things: intermarriage, Eastern and Western education, Malaysian food (as you may already know, this is where the lines have really blurred in an amazing way)… that I could only be Malaysian, nothing more, nothing less.
Anyway…
I don’t know what country Ian Yee lives in. Definitely not Malaysia. Or at least not the Malaysia that I live in.
Cheers, JK
Hey Pete,
This post may have come a month late or so, but I tell you it comes with a bang!
I couldn’t disagree with you any lesser on the subject of such discrimination.
Ian, as I would assume, talks the talk of ’self denial’ like the many of them in power….and gosh, one would wonder where the hell has he been?!
I believe, the effort used to put together the video is what that makes it great. And the people watching it would have teared, smiled and have that warm fuzziness, because energy is created in unison. Good energy. Instinctively, human beings are wired to pick up good energy that vibrates from good intentions.
If there is one thing the song did for the country, or I would say the human race, was to create HOPE. And I suppose, that is enough to start a wave of energy, one of the same frequency that would inevitably spark more possibilities for higher good of the nation.
Thank you Pete. And to all who contributed to making that difference.
Cheers…
I am Malay, Chinese, Indian & ‘Lain-lain’.
I am Malaysian
The government = sucks!
Ian Yee = clown
MAFU = best!
u make us proud brother!!
Like i said…
This is just the beginning…
If there is any other more projects to reunite us, can i be one of the team? I want to give full support to make it works!~
Jerome - of course Ian Yee has a right to his opinion. BUT if you have shit opinion, then expect flak.
Anyway, it follows that I also have the right to mine opinion. And it is:
He is arrogant and bitter for some unknown reason.
He’s got so many holes in his argument he might as well not bother
He is one of those who talks and does nothing
He normally writes fluff anyway so he is waaaayyyy over-reaching here…
Conslusion?
He is a deluded idiot.
amazing project Pete. don’t let the bastards take you down.
love the song.
love the video
well done people!
if only ‘here in my home’ could replace the old ‘negaraku’ and be the new national anthem… sigh……….
I had to read the Ian Yee article twice to believe what was being said. Does he even live on the same planet? Does anyone know him? Is he really a clueless brat irl? Or is he just stupid when he writes?
no need to worry about him. i know him. just an attention seeking, immature brat.
The song still makes my heart skip a beat each time it’s played…can’t explain the sentiment it stirs up..sadness, joy, hope & faith… well, sadness cos no one should be judged or treated differently because of colour or creed…joy, hope & faith cos (for those who appreciates your team’s project) so many came together to celebrate & hail such a simple call for the unification of humanity…
For those who don’t ‘get’ this project..then it’s just sadness.. for you…
Good job Pete. I am still floored by your ability as a songwriter to swing from ‘niche’ at one moment to ‘populist’ at another. How the hell do you do it?
You are the best, my man.
Thanks, everyone, for the support.
Paolo - the trick is to sniff a lot of glue. LOTS.
LOL
Wow. That Ian Yee guy sure is deluded. Is he serious?
Hahahaha! Anak tu giler ke? No racism my ass!
MAFU rocks!
Rome wasn’t build in a day Pete! the seed of unity has been sown. We the ppl will water it.
Maybe a new breed of M’sians will be born from hereon. The ones who knows how to rise above.
There will be no progress if the people chose to stay in their “tempurung” & accept things are they are.
If M’sia is to progress, it’s ppl must change.
I’m impressed with all this progress you’ve been making ever since I approached your first album. Syabas !
The real reason I crawled up to your blog to post this comment is because of the surprise of seeing you being cast as the zombie guy in Visitors on Astro Kirana, lol (a very satisfying local horror movie, by the way).
Ian Yee is a clown. He should spend some time in my neighborhood and see if that changes his mind about racism in the country. Out of touch little boy should stay with his toy. Stupid.
Pete u did a great thing.
you still sniffing glue eh? I thought u stopped! heee heee
good stuff! =]
Oh come on, even though the national service fail to unite all the races, and my brother told me that his trainer said:” you all chinese, don’t think this is your country, we gave enough for you”.
Visit Juststudent now to make more friends with students from different country and gather more information of your education here.
Ian whatever. What a freak. Was he paid to write that rubbish? Next thing you know he’ll deny the holocaust ever happened. What a creep.
well done man.u do a great job
Hi
I am Khai, QuaChee’s assistant. I am here to share the good news on the 50 1 Malaysia book.
1. Firstly, the book is now out. We are giving a copy of this book back to each Contributor - including yourself!
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