Hitting the books

Get on the couch, read!

After what seemed like an eternity, a drought, rather, I finally got back to reading. And in a week, finished three books. An upliftment, to say the least. What was I thinking, leaving the books aside for such a long time. Weeks, months? I'm not sure, its unacceptable, that's what it is.

The three are a mix of the known, the recommended and that which fell pleasantly on my lap. The known was Orhan Pamuk - Silent House. I love his style of writing and how the characters tell the story and weave the complex details seamlessly. Its his second book, written in 1983 but was apparently only recently translated. Its class struggle, its love, its wastefulness, ego, death, causes with no real meanings. Potent mix for conflicts. I must get his The Museum of Innocence next and actually go to the museum in Istanbul next.

The recommended title was really the one that got me high. If not for work, I would have been finished reading it in a day. The Golden Boy by Abigail Tarttelin It was gripping, vivid, and real. Its a coming of age story that introduces the conflict right at the start and then goes on an intense and suspenseful, yet innocent, journey. So well written, mesmerizing. My friend, Tazeen, who recommended the book, has reviewed it much better than I would - and I agree with all she says:-)

The unknown is a collection of Georgian short stories, titled Contemporary Georgian Fiction, by 19 writers in the post-independence era. The lengths vary, some more succint and powerful than others. Lots of pain, liberation, agony, disappointment, suicide and anger in the stories but gives an insight into places I have never looked before - geographically and metaphorically.

Lots of introspection especially with Tarttelin's Golden Boy, but also in the anthology.

"Mika thinks a person's life is but a slight ripple on the surface of existence. A few faint circles and then - gulp! - eternal invisibility...." (From Real Beings, by Teona Dolenjashvili)

I'm back on track. 

Chin Peng, the end of an era of insecurity for Malaysia

Yesterday I attended the wake for the late Chin Peng, one time secretary general of the defunct Communist Party of Malaya (CPM). He died earlier this week, at the age of 88. To me, his death represents the death of a part of Malaysian history, which never got a chance to be discussed and debated adequately.

 I felt it was my duty to attend not because I believe in the communist ideology, but because I believe the negative consequences of distorting and erasing history will be the weapon that kills us as a nation. Never having to face the fears openly will only come back to bite us. 

Some point to the fact that security forces and civilians were killed during the communist insurgency. Others hypothesise what the country could have become had the CPM come into power. On the latter, why bother? The what ifs and could haves are of no use when we can't face the reality.

The loss of lives was not exclusive during the colonial-led battle against the communists, in which an emergency period was declared between 1948 and 1960. Thousands were killed during the Japanese Occupation between 1942 and 1945. Dr. Kua Kia Soong touches on this in his commentary piece here and I won't get into detail. Court cases have been filed against the Japanese by families of those victimised during WWII. No one in the Malaysian political scene gives two hoots about that. And for years, diplomatic and business ties with Japan, and former colonial power, Britain - showing that we have the capacity to forgive, forget and move on.

So, what is this hang up with Chin Peng and the CPM? The Malay ministers and NGOs keep raising the issue of how the return of Chin Peng, and his ashes in his death, would stir the emotions and unhappiness of those who suffered in the hands of the communists. I would even argue that its the ruling government that is to blame for not allowing an honest open dialogue and reconciliation, and left the victims of all conflicts to nurse the wounds themselves. And this is because the politics of the country belongs to the elites, they do not care about the poor, many of whom gave their lives in the independence struggle.

I believe in the role played by the CPM against the Japanese, and they were prepared to be brought into the mainstream of politics during the struggle with the returning British colonialists. He and the CPM have a rightful place in the history books, written accurately of course. Whether or not he is a hero is besides the point. Well, the British Crown did recognise Chin Peng's role and awarded him an honour at the end of the second world war.

There is nothing else but political expediency by the UMNO-led politicians in continuing to demonise Chin Peng, even at his death. It is a reflection of how insecure they are, or have been, of their own role in nation building. Dr. Kua rightfully asks - who among the leaders of BN today stood the ground and for the colonialists? No one worthy of the title.

We should really let him rest in peace. But I am glad in a way that ghosts of the past are so successful in haunting UMNO and its followers. So, they will never get out of their shell, when everyone else is and has been, moving ahead.

-- ends----

Other reports on Chin Peng's death:
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/chin-peng-contributed-to-merdeka-argues-dap-parliamentarian

http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2013/09/22/Chin-Peng-Family-Denies-Malaysia-Day.aspx