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What did history taught us over these years? The victor will always end up writing history in favor of himself. Think about it, after the world war 2, who won? Who wrote the history? The allies of WW2, particularly, the Americans wrote the history of World War 2 in their favor. They achieve victory both in Europe and over the pacific.
Closing into the 20th century, war films and fiction about World War 2 is getting more popular say one of the most famous film was Saving Private Ryan which showed the heroic and bloody battle on the shores of Normandy. Countries like USA, Britain, France, China, Australia and even my beloved country, Malaysia (Malaya back in the 1940s) has made films or shows about the heroic fights and bravery during the war. However, have you ever seen an International film about Germans, Japanese or Italians bravely fighting the Allied soldiers?
I doubt so. I guess it’s politically wrong for them to produce such a show. They are deemed as the ‘bad-guys’ of the war. The allied are the ‘good guys’ and the eventual ‘winner’ of the war. Let me tell you stories from a typical Chinese WW2 film, there is surely a Jap raping a chinese chick. How about an American film, maybe a Jap torturing an Allied soldier? Even this show called “Enemy at the gates”, yeah, a bunch of British people acting as Russians, weird. Anyway, the film shows how brave the Red Army were against the Nazis. Did you know the Red Army used to be allies of the Nazis? Another historical fact was the Americans GIs raping Japanese woman even a 65 year old lady when they hit the shore of Japan’s shore during the Allied occupation and other war crime they’ve done. See how they are trying to tell a story that manipulate your mind indirectly.
The Axis is stereotyped as the ‘bad guys’. Why? Simply because the ‘boss’ say so. *USA & Britain* But if we look back in time, the Japanese and Germans did what they had to do. They are poor and hungry. I am not trying to say what they did was right, but they did that out of desperation. Starting a war is surely not a solution but that’s the best they can come out with.
We all know, in war, no one is the winner or loser, ‘good guys’ or ‘bad guys’. Everyone did suffer lost and casualties but I guess no one really understand what’s going on the mind of the parents when they receive a letter saying their son ‘fought bravely and die in honor for his country’. I am not trying to belittle the effort and strength of the armies that fought during the war. I am very honored to have them protect the land we now stand on.
Second Lieutenant Adnan bin Saidi, 7th Platoon, Company C, 1st Battalion, Malay Regiment. He bravely fought the Japanese troops till his very last breath. I salute you, sir. Rest in peace. In conjunction of ANZAC day, a day when OZ and Kiwis pay tribute to the Australian New Zealand Army Corps, I pay my tribute to those fallen soldiers of the WW2. No matter which side you are on, I know, you’re just doing your job. For that, I pray for you as your effort results in a peaceful country and era. The World War 2 definitely left a scar in many people’s heart. Not just pain, blood and tears but the memories of the haunting past. Deep down in my heart, I guess, the war ended with a new start for everyone to look forward. 50 odd years on, those who fell will never be forgotten.
post-script : manage to speak to this war veteran, apparently, he fought the Vietnam war and his father was in the New Guinea campaign of WW2.
Cheerio,
Hanjun
The more I think about it, I realised, what all the advertisement about Malaysia in foreign TV is quite true. Zoo told me once when he was in US, he saw the tourism based advertisement about Malaysia. Malaysia-truly asia. He thought it was funny. Indeed it was. Come on, we do have all kind of asians in Malaysia. Let me break it down to you about the people that came from all around Asia.
China – Have you heard of the term ‘Chinese sisters’? Recently, a bunch of young chinese girls were tricked into being “masseuse” all around Malaysia leading to husbands getting lost at night.
India – Kathir, my best buddy since middle school. He is one of the many examples.
Bangladesh – Yet another rumor. Old lonely Datin finding for gigolo while Datuk finding for chinese sisters.
Pakistan - Hatim Harun.
Sri Lanka - Kathir’s grandmother was from there. According to kathir, he knew a few family that moved from Sri Lanka long time ago due to the conflict back in Ceylon.
Actually Indians, Bangladeshis, Ceylons and Pakistanis can be classify as one. It’s just that instead of silently cursing the leader of the state like Taiwan and Hong Kong, they actually have the balls to quit.
Japan – Seen a few japanese, they even have an international japanese school here. So, surely there a quite a few number of Japanese.
Korean – My future apartment is currently rented out for a Korean family. Apparently, the father of the family is here to teach Uitm in shah alam.
Mongolia – I think there a few here. Either bombed into pieces or testifying in court. Guess what’s the top hit when you search for ‘mongolia malaysia’ on google.
Brunei – Stuck within malaysia, not surprise if they cross the border every now and then.
Burma, Loas & Cambodia – I got a feeling there are a bunch of them but I never met one. Will tell you if I ever met one of them.
Indonesia - In the day, maids, hard labour workers and toilet washer. At night, snatch thief, rapist and robber. Judge them at your own risk.
Philippines - English speaking maid. E’s maid. She is so nice to all of us. She can even speak a bit of spanish.
Singapore – A cleaner, english-speaking, more kia-su and richer Malaysians.
Thailand – Have you been to the exotic Siam? I guess the transexual culture spread from the north.
Vietnam – Good morning, Sungai Besi. I love Vietnamese food actually.
Iran – My lecturer at UTAR and Uncle Joe from futsal.
Nepal - This dude I met in city harvest. Apparently, there are a few of them in Malaysia. With a bachelor degree of Security guarding (Hons), Jane.
Middle East – When you’re covered with hair over your face or with a veil , I doubt I’ll know what gender you belong to, let nationality. Yet, I assume, middle east I guess.
Central asia, countries with suffix ‘tan’ like Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan aka Borat-land. – I am not sure whether you guys are Europeans or Asians. Sorry. Somewhere in between maybe.
The term Malaysia, truly Asia. The bad habits from all around Asia ended up here. Sad. Yet, I still love my beloved country. Hard to believe, right? Believe me.
post-script : It’s not all that bad to be on the worst list because if you are, you know that there is only one way, which is going up as in improving. *Unless you get kicked out from the list.
Sorry nad, no prepaid credit left,
H A N J U N
Little malaysia. Not as in a place that reminds me of the hometown I long to be in. It’s more of a metaphor for people, culture and noises in the Hilton Kuala Lumpur to the back alley of Bukit Mertajam. Hah, it’s just so funny how I look back and think of the things going back in Malaysia. It’s just so unique. Politics, soccer and makan-makan are just the mere surface of the colorful country we live in. There is no where like Malaysia. I am just wondering when will I be back again. To see those smiling faces again, kan?
I got the inspiration from ‘Little Britain’. It’s so funny yet freaking disgusting. Seriously. How can you not get sick after watching it.
I wonder why I suddenly feel that twist in my thought, I guess it’s the BBQ I had. Laila was really nice that invited me. I just had this funny feeling that crawl into the back of my coat as I walk in there. I have no idea why but my spider-sense is tingling. What could it be? Maybe it’s just the sore legs of mine after a game of futsal yesterday. Honestly, I felt like a loser during the game. I have not been in my best lately. I think I tore my muscle. I hit a shot towards the top corner just to see it agonizingly miss out by a few inches.
I don’t know but sometimes everything in life just doesn’t add up, I just couldn’t rest my mind. I always wish I am better at things. Sometimes I see people like JT, being good at what he does, academic-wise, I start to wonder what am I capable of. Lying down beaten yet again by a much accurate and powerful shot. After the KM tragedy of 2008, I felt worse but it didn’t effect me much. I couldn’t even withstand coldness. I cannot outrun other players. I couldn’t kick as hard and powerful as him. I am not a good musician than most of them. Honestly, I don’t think I am good at anything, maybe just being stupid and naive. Silently, I slept.
I guess I couldn’t please myself that easily anymore. It’s true in life we just need some motivation. I just need generally you, it could have been you, it might have you, it should have been you.
There I was spekaing to a mainland chinese girl, I don’t understand most of the word she speaks, She don’t understand what the heck is coming out of my mouth. I reckon, I suck at mandarin so much that, the world record of chinese people will eliminate me from the list.
Speaking about translation, I don’t see myself lost actually. Just misguided. So far, havent’ met any Malaysian in class yet, except one, but she’s a she. So, I don’t talk much to her, just following Van K’s law of attraction. I’ve met a few guys in lecture, this are the guys I’ve met on orientation day. My orientation is not that fantastic. My group was all local except me. So, you can guess who I talk to more these days. There is this 2 particularly, Tim Drake and Jak Allen, that’s all. This are the 2 guys I talked to the most. That’s all I think. Yeah, there’s one more, in Earth System, but I couldn’t remember his name. So, you see, these are the only friends I have here. I had to speak to them in their slang, not just the accent they have but also the words they use here. Totally different from Malaysian english.
It’s difficult. Trust me, it is. It doesn’t matter whether your english good or not in Malaysia. Here, it’s a whole new thing. It’s like “lost in translation” where the characters scralet and bill played, lost in a world that speak a totally different language.
post-script : Lost in translation, Owh, I hope Scarlet will appear anytime soon.
Ryan, you lucky bastard,
Han
