Current events in Malaysia reflect some of the world’s problems back at us. How do we keep men from portraying bad stereotypes when the leaders set the precedence?
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It feels like a JG Ballard novel in Kuala Lumpur right now, specifically the Burning World. Confusion and uncertainty abound because of water rationing, a smokey haze hanging over the city, political dirty tricks, and an airliner full of passengers that just somehow disappeared. In response to this, the ruling Malaysian government has a tendency to display numerous traits of the bad guys: homophobia, power manipulation, and an inability to admit mistakes.
Gleaning social media about the missing plane makes it hard to find a nugget of truth. The examples are classic: The bomoh (traditional Malaysian shaman) stunt, terrorist conspiracy theories, and the political extremists of this country using media as a tool of propaganda. All this lends a growing sense of uncertainty at the ruling parties ability to lead the country.
The rationale behind the bomoh’s ritual can be seen. Some people in Malaysia still have a heavy tie to the traditional shamanistic system. In times of crisis it is the shaman’s (bomoh’s) duty to help guide the community through the tragedy and heal the loss. More scientific minded Malaysians and the outside world might look at these traditions and see a sideshow attraction. The men in these leadership roles are just following the stereotype they have been feed. While the citizens are embracing a common acceptance of each other and casting off the old social molds.
In the political circus, sex and homosexuality are being held before the public as a tool for control. Opposition political leader Anwar Ibrahim was found guilty of sodomy. This tracks him back into prison before elections could have brought him victory. The corruption of the government who masterminded this plan shows a high degree of social injustice for our 21st century world. The illegality of a sexual act, the further stigmatization of homosexuality, and the false signifiers of bad masculinity all pull together in this case.
Race lines, religious lines and especially gender lines that allow them to stay on the side of privilege. However, this privilege is cracking.
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The Malaysian ruling government likes lines. Race lines, religious lines and especially gender lines that allow them to stay on the side of privilege. However, this privilege is cracking and beginning to show signs of an inability to handle the direction of the country, which is an important economic hub of Southeast Asia. The world eye turns to Malaysia, and Malaysia reflects back the world’s problems. No country is immune to these same issues. We all know they are there, but why can’t we stop them?
The same social media that can be used to negatively manipulate public opinion fuels the growing sentiment in Malaysia to clean up the government. Bloggers who have gained seats in the government, as well as the Bersih movement, have helped the push for anti-corruption campaigns. Yet more importantly, they have helped bring Malaysians together and offered a common voice for the future of Malaysia.
This is the background against which flight MH370 went missing. There are only a few clear things we know. The plane is gone with the rains. It continued to fly after disappearing off radar. We also know that here in KL there are few, if any, who are more than one step removed from someone on flight MH370. We also know that the feeling of dismay and loss is compounded by the betrayal of a government who only continues to perpetuate the stereotype of the incapable ruler who can do no wrong.
My friend Joyi summed it up best,
“It’s Malaysia, what’s with all the outlandish conspiracy theories? I’m way more inclined to believe multiple levels of incompetence followed by a lot of backpedaling to save face.”
Malaysia has one old foot buried in the stereotype of bad leadership models, and a new foot gaining its hold on the open acceptance of tolerant soil. Again, this small nation reflects common issues being faced globally. How do we weed our way through all the confusion and pull our two feet together? Rational minds should prevail. This is the street level One Malaysia of cooperation, tolerance, and social cohesion.
Photo by emrank/Flickr