YOURSAY ‘Even if artworks were disrespectful, it was the work of one man.’

Curator defends 'rear view' in art attack

Bemman: Why the attack on the whole of the Chinese community? If artist Vincent Leong, who happens to be a Malaysian of Chinese origin, has really done something wrong, he alone, not the entire Chinese community, is to be held responsible for his action.

What this shows is that the racists are always on the lookout for opportunities to whip up racial sentiments.

David Dass: I really do not have a view of Leong’s artwork. It does seem odd to me. I am not sure what the artist intended to convey.

Like Bemman, I nevertheless find Isma's diatribe ridiculous. Even if the works were disrespectful, it was the work of one man. How can the whole Chinese community be made responsible for the work of one man?

And what is this reference to 'tribes' (puak)? Is tribe synonymous with primitive? That would be offensive to all tribes in general but to attempt to reduce the Chinese community in that manner is ridiculous. They have a civilisation dating back thousands of years.

And the reference to the Japanese occupation? I am sure that there were many valiant Malay soldiers who fought to defend the nation. But to suggest that the Chinese were cowards is to show ignorance of our history.

Many soldiers and policemen of all races fought to defend our people with great courage and valor. Who are these little people in Isma?

Myrights: This is what extremism is about. They incite hatred against an entire race or religion just because they felt offended by the work on one artist who happens to be from another race.

Now, we can assume that AG (attorney-general) and IGP (inspector-general of police) will not act on this act of extremism. And, of course, the PM will stay quiet as usual.

SRMan: Ismaweb's chief editor rained criticism on the Chinese, whom he referred to as "puak-puak (tribes)" for their "fondness" in disparaging the Malays.

I do not understand why this organisation is being so sensitive. Isn't the king also the king of all Malaysians? Isn't the PM also the PM of all Malaysians? And for all I know, art is something which is creative and imaginative.

And Isma, do not call others names. If the people (like you said) who has strong economic presence indicating strong economic progress are called tribes, then what are you?

Fair Play: The truth is that the ‘ketuanan’ Umno Malays and their cohorts have been under a siege mentality for some time now. They know slowly but surely they are losing their grip on the Malay-Muslim Malaysians, in particular from the rural areas.

They had already lost the support of the urbanised Muslim Malaysians. Leong might have his reasons to do what he did. And he will be a target when he returns to the country.

As always, the Chinese Malaysian community is their convenient punching bag, this time thanks or no thanks to Leong.

David: If only the same can be said of cartoonist Zunar's work. Most of his work are related to Malay leaders of the nation too.

Swipenter: Have they, Isma, Perkasa, PAS and the Malay chauvinists/racists ever heard of "sook ching" carried out by the Japanese on the Chinese in Singapore and Malaya during WW2?

I guess not because it is a Chinese term for genocide. Why only the Chinese? Because they refused to bow to the Japanese invaders and formed resistance groups to fight and defend Malaya and Singapore, unlike those who bowed and were ready to serve the Japanese.

This is historical fact that was hidden and erased from our history books.

Debater: Ismaweb editor should consult experts on the history of the Japanese invasion of Malaya before mouthing off.

The non-Malays, particularly the Chinese Malayans, formed guerrilla groups to fight the Japanese. Many sacrificed their lives to defend Malaya and Singapore. In fact, there are memorials in Singapore that are dedicated to them.

Fairplayer: Dear Isma, do you know that many Dayaks lost their lives fighting the communists in Malaya? Please stop your stupid ‘ketuanan Melayu’ claims.

Dizzer: These people are a total embarrassment to the Malays. They have no concept at all of what constitutes art and very little notion of their own country's History.

It's pretty widely known that the Chinese (MPAJA) and significant numbers of British Indian soldiers were the only real opposition to the Japanese. The Malays either left or collaborated with the invaders.

Not that I blame them for that - they were happy enough to exchange a European coloniser for an Asian one.

Abasir: The artist is simply depicting the view of all loyal citizens who respectfully follow their leaders ... from the rear.

Only those who arrogantly consider themselves equal or superior to those blessed to lead will find this perspective questionable.

Hplooi: So predictable for Isma to break out in apoplexy. No different from the tribe threatening fire and brimstone to all and sundries for (real and imagined) slights to race and religion.

Such mindsets are fertile grounds for those disaffected from common society (spiritually, materially and physically) to embrace a nihilist ideology of wholesale misanthropy.

Siang Malam: And once again and as expected, the PM Najib Razak is as quiet as a church mouse...

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