Eternal torment: The Search

Tuesday, August 08, 2006

Ok, so back from watching Yaacob Ibrahim and that has left me fuming. I don't wish to alienate my English readers but please bare again with me for a few lines.

Flu Burung? Landskap? Adakah ini bahasa Melayu kita ataupun Bahasa Inggeris yang di"melayu"kan hanya untuk kemudahan? Cikgu Arif Ahmad, saya menunggu surat Cikgu.

Selsemah Unggas. Suasana. Tidakah ini bahasa kita? Kepada mereka yang bertanggungjawab atas kesilapan besar ini, saya hanya mampu memberi maaf. Akan tetapi, saya risau jikalau pelajar-pelajar muda kita terikut-ikut Bahasa Melayu "moden" ini.

Basically, that was a response to the words used in the Malay version of the rally. I had issues with certain words. It was as though some bugger directly translated the speech without making the necessary adjustments. I find it highly ironic that while I defend the correct usage of the Malay Language, I still am guilty of butchering it up. Well, in speech anyways. It's been a long time since I've even used Malay as a form of communication. And that reminds me...why is it weird to use Standard Malay? (Bahasa baku) The mindset needs a complete revamp- we need to start using Bahasa Baku lest people in the region don't understand us, although I find that hard to believe. Still, use it as it's meant to be used. It's more "correct" so to speak, akin to using Standard English.

Anyways, this year's speech was rather short. I am wetting my pants (figuratively speaking of course) as I await the much anticipated rally.

This year's speech in a nutshell said that we need to adapt to the world around us. Singapore wants the current wars to end. (But it isn't doing anything is it? If those darn terrorists in Indon wants to go, I say, let them. That way Indon will have less trouble on their hands, don't they? Not to mention it'll solve the crisis to a certain extend, considering the talks are at a standstill and not made any progress) If the Doha trade talks fail, then our economy may be affected (prepare for retrencement of the masses ala '97...not so sure) And we need to seperate fact from fiction while on the Internet. (A thinly disguised dig at the buffons who can't detect sarcasm and the lies) And the youths of today need to feel responsible for the nation, to rise and lead. (We need more young PAP members. Join...NOW. Applicable to figureheads only. Cynics and critics and the dumb need not apply)

And have a happy National Day.

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Sorry to burst the bubble, honey. But thing is, according to a recent survey, our youths are far more likely to emigrate. And I intend to follow suit. As much as I like this red stain, I can't help but feel a sense of restrain. Freedom of speech can only go so far here. And society is still as bloody conservative as it was a gazillion years ago. Singapore, it may seem like paradise with its clean and green image but look closer and you'll notice the terribly well hidden signs of a crumbling society.

Heh. Told you I'm terribly cynical today. Must be the reds and whites. Does anyone realise the impact of August 9? It seems somehow sick to celebrate with jubilation when countless of people died and million others suffered the effects of the A-bomb. Still, it's part and parcel of history.

So while we celebrate our nation's separation from Malaya, we should also not forget to remember the innocent Nagasaki people who died. (Well, mostly innocent)

Transmitted on 5:47 AM

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