Penang Watch

Dropped in the Ronggeng Merdeka presentation at Reservoir Garden this evening and found the presentations energetic, refreshing -but with some disputable points made about the `merdeka' Malaysia. Eg the oft repeated MIC club (Malays, Indians, Chinese) to be a bit exclusive -there are many Malaysians eg those among the 100 or so audience, who would be missed out if we keep up the myth of this MIC club in Malaysia.

There is always a big problem to present history without succumbing to the victors' version. The Ronggeng showed the `Malayans' threw out the Japanese, Communists -but not the British coloniser. Why the less than subtle change in language ?  While the show criticised the British for crime like divide and rule it is said to be a `bijak' /`smart move by the British. Is the Ronggeng really free to speak or there is some `donggeng' mixed in ?

In retrospect : if the Ronngeng threw out the Colonisers, and then the racial parties who were `favoured' politicians of the colonisers, using the same dance routines then Malaysians would truly be `merdeka' !

The lack of continuation of the balance of the `50 years' after the Merdeka seems a bit like avoiding the more sensitive recent history. So already `merdeka' ?

The kids were lovely and the actors & actresses were doing wonderful performance -hopefully the crafter of the performance can pay more attention to the historical points made. Afterall the performance was made with hugh public resources and energies contributed by so many. So despite the problems mentioned this author still recommend readers here to pop in to their last show at Armenian St come next weekend-check out the details in the calendar, and see for yourself.

 Ong BK