BERITA HARIAN: HOW THE MALAYSIANS OVERREACTED

I decided not to update my blog for a few days to give way for test 2 and thesis. However, this recent issue of tsunami caricature by Zoy had made me itching to write my opinion of it. In case you had just been released from the jail, here is the summary of the issue:

1 – Following the tsunami and earthquake in Japan, Berita Harian published a caricature of Ultraman trying to outrun a tsunami. That caricature is a work of Mohd Zohri Sukimi.

2 – CNN later published the news. I am not sure about international responses, but Malaysians were quite raged about the issue.

People, people, people! (Anwar Hadi, 2011). I didn’t want to be offensive, but I see there’s nothing wrong with the caricature. Many people accused the editors of Berita Harian as being ‘inconsiderate and distasteful’. Many many more cursed BH with many more vulgar words, of which the words are offensive themselves.

I am not trying to back the wrong side, but take a deep breath and think. OK, first when earthquake and tsunami occurred in Japan, you can see international reactions. Most of them, as usual, exclaiming their condolences and sorrow. But, there were also douchebags from many countries that had made fun of the Japanese tragedy.

See this one, as an example:



These are some of the comments left on a youtube video. 4 out of the 10 comments left were being offensive. What about 30,000 comments? 3 million?

Well, the words clearly depicted how ‘insensitive and distasteful’ these human beings are! Why oh why on the world they didn’t get any bashing from any CNN or BBC, or even from the ever considerate Malaysians? Why they only bashed Malaysia? At least, the caricature have a few things that we can ponder.

Such as, it shows how even powerful the country is, it cannot fight the course of nature. How hi-tech or developed Japan is, they still couldn’t fight tsunamis and earthquakes. Why cannot you see in this aspect? Maybe it was presented offensively, but that was what caricatures should portray. Sharp sense of humour. Cynical, yet witty.

But the comments? Porn stars? Whew, I don’t know if it doesn’t sound offensive. Maybe Ultraman is more offensive to the Japanese than the porn industry. Oh and people. Please go and check youtube. Many comments left by many people was also being inconsiderate about religion. One commenter even wrote ‘If you really believe in God, then you must know that this is his doing’. Hm. Not offensive eh? Berita Harian more offensive?

Oh and when any international media humiliates Islam or Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), why it was nothing more than a case of ‘freedom of speech’? What if Zoy tells the same? This is his freedom of speech, of how he perceive things in Japan, but in a cynical way. I am sure he sympathises the victims, and the caricature does not projecting BH and also his true feelings for the Japanese.

If really BH didn’t sympathise the victims, then they shouldn’t produce any news of them at all. But that was not the case. BH themselves extended their condolences to the Japanese. I am not being racist or whatsoever here, but Japan themselves never ask for forgiveness for their occupation during World War 2. They enslaved the locals, making the locals as their prostitutes. Just ask Koreans how do they feel until now. Their women lost their dignity to those Japanese army.

And even Malaysian women. And did Japan ask for forgiveness? Hm, maybe I am history illiterate, but if you found that one, please keep me posted.

Oh, that doesn’t mean I was being inconsiderate. Those are the facts. I’d love current Japan. Animes, comics. They shouldn’t be punished by what their ancestors had done. But as you can see, Japan themselves were trying to erase their own mistakes. Why shouldn’t we just let it pass? This is just a caricature!

This, has led me to formulate a few reasons why this has become an issue to the Malaysians:

1 – As always, politics. BH is considered as government’s paper. You should see how people suddenly turn their rage to the BN/UMNO. Oh mind you, I am not a BN supporter. And many people who supports opposition are using this issue to condemn the current government. This is the chance, people! Open your eyes!

2 – CNN was playing its part to provoke Malaysians. As you can see, America had interrupted in current situation in Libya. The IMF also interested to ‘help’ Egypt and Tunisia. This is a good chance to deepen Malaysians hatred to their own government, if not causing riot, at least Malaysians will distrust their government more. If really CNN found that caricature offensive, then they should also mention how insensitive their own people are. I am sure America will be so glad to see people rioting in Malaysia. CNN is also like BH. Government ass-licker.

That’s all dudes. I am more disappointed in Malaysians than BH. This had added to one more proof to prove how Malaysians can easily be provoked. Malaysians don’t like to think. Everything people say, especially America, they would immediately believe.

I want to stress again that the caricature might be offensive to some, but for those who have brains, it is an eye opener. It is a cynical image of even though human beings think they are powerful, they cannot fight the force of nature. Which for people who believe in God; will see how fragile human beings are at God’s mercy.