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RAIS: FOOTAGE OF COMMUNISTS' ACTIVITIES EFFECTIVE

(Bernama) - Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said the re-screening over Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) of photos and documentaries about the communist movement in the country had proven to be effective.

He said since the screenings began in the middle of last month, awareness about the dangers of communist ideology leading to deaths and suffering among the populace then had a deep effect on the people, especially on the younger generation.

"The effect has been very good, and we do not want to go overboard screening the films, but I see understanding of the matter," he said here today.

Rais reminded society, especially the young, not to look at communism as something that was noble and had values.

"The communists in the country were betrayers, killers, and they will be remembered as such.

"We have to look back at history and remind people that the country became independent and prosperous not through communism, and that the communists were traitors," he added.

Rais cautioned the young to not be obsessive with the proposal to allow Malayan Communist Party leader Chin Peng to return as it would unsettle the races.

"Chin Peng can't return as there is no basis for it; this is the final decision of the government and the issue does not arise," he said when asked about the possibility that the former communist party chief would be given permission to return.

On former Malaysian student in Australia, Wee Meng Chee, 26, who used the national anthem in a rap song in 2007, Rais said the ministry would get the opinion of the attorney-general for follow-up action.

He said the National Anthem Act does not provide any provision to punish a citizen of the country for making fun of the national
anthem.

"We will see in this development whether action should be taken according to the law under the Sedition Act or the Penal Code for scorning or belittling the national anthem," he said, urging people to condemn the action of the student for not respecting theNegaraku.

*http://mt.m2day.org/2008/content/view/22979/84/

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I watched a film titled 'Bukit Kepong' on RTM2 last night with my family. My dad was flicking through the channels and saw it being played, and immediately summoned the entire family to come and watch.

For many who don't know what Bukit Kepong is, read.

Me and my family watched the film with concentration and emotion.

Not that it was a superb piece of work. The film was probably shot and released during the time when the Malayan film industry was not very sophisticated, most likely the post-Emergency years.

It was the theme and the way the film was acted out that hurt us.

The film did not distort any truths or facts. Even if it did we did not finish the film to know about it. Besides, being 'the younger generation', I was not familiar with the incident's bloody details.

However, I questioned the manner in which the film was carried out. History, they say, can be interpreted in and from many ways. History is also written by victors, by winners of the Game. This mean that if the Communist Party of Malaya(CPM) had won the battle, 'Bukit Kepong' the movie would be directed in a very different way. It is really up to people themselves to evaluate history.

There is no point to debate about history, however. Leave that to politicians or, preferably, neutral historians, if any. I am just questioning the sincerity of the Government to foster and promote racial unity, while at the same time showing this controversial movie in a mainstream media.

What will happen to our PM's '1Malaysia' concept? Will this movie help to realise 1Malaysia? For one, I don't think that Malays and Chinese are able to sit in a cinema together and 'enjoy' watching 'Bukit Kepong' together. If I am correct, what is the benefit of playing it?

Is the recent Chin Peng issue the reason why the Government decided to dig out its old files? Since Najib had already made it clear that he is not coming back, the issue should be lay to rest and do so peacefully.

No use denying or trying to cover up; Bukit Kepong DID happen. Communists and police force personnel and even civilians perished. But is showing this going to help Malaysia in her turbulent times, when racial unity is most critical?

Or will it help to strengthen certain quarters' position by playing the racial card?

What the nation and the government of the day should focus is the present. We are occupied enough by more pressing issues that are staring Malaysia in the eye.