May 13 film: ‘Govt’s fear-mongering tool’


Anisah Shukry | August 8, 2012
Free Malaysia Today

Analysts say that that the upcoming film’s depiction of the May 13 riots will spark unhappiness among the public and can be seen as a move to cow Malay voters.

PETALING JAYA: The government-backed film Tanda Putera is Barisan Nasional’s way of instilling fear into the hearts of the rakyat during the run-up to the country’s 13th general election, according to a political analyst.

The film was originally slated for release on Sept 13 but was now expected to reach cinemas in November following controversy over its depiction of the May 13, 1969 riots – an incident largely seen as a stain on Malaysia’s multiracial history.

“There are definitely political motives behind the movie, in terms of it being released near the general election,” political analyst Ong Kian Ming told FMT.

“One of the primary reasons for the release of the movie is that it is part of a larger picture involving fear-mongering – to create a sense of fear among the Malay community that if BN was to lose the next general election, it would lead to a repeat of the May 13 incident,” he said.

The race riots four decades ago had been sparked off by an election setback for the Malay-dominated ruling alliance. The riots lasted several weeks, with the death toll said to be 196.

But the USCI University lecturer stressed that Malaysians had largely moved on from the incident and it would have little impact on urban voters in particular.

“In the urban areas, voters are more sophisticated, so the affect would not be big.

“But once the movie filters down to rural voters, there would be greater political impact as they have less sources of information to turn to,” he said.

The rural vote, comprising mainly of Malays, was largely seen as Umno’s stronghold and a major variable in winning the next general election.

BN had managed to remain in power during the 2008 general election due to winning the many small rural parliamentary seats that made up the numbers in Parliament.

‘Malaysians unhappy over film’

Meanwhile, James Chin, who heads the School of Social Sciences in Monash University, predicted that many Malaysians would be “very unhappy” with the film due to its depiction of the riots.

“A lot of people would be very unhappy with this movie, given that it would an represent official version of events,” the analyst told FMT.

“This movie is sponsored by the government, so people would make the assumption that the authorities have approved the contents and that it represents official history,” he pointed out.

The film’s director, Shuhaimi Baba, had recently told New Straits Times that she did “a lot of research” to make sure the scenes were backed by historical facts.

She added that the film’s intention was to “educate young Malaysians about 1969.”

“But in Malaysia, contemporary history is much disputed for the simple reason that there are two sides to a historical event. This is especially true for controversial events such as the May 13 incident,” said Chin.

The official government view on May 13 was that racial tensions were incited by communists, while the Chinese-dominated DAP further heightened the conflict by holding a victory march through Malay-dominated areas after gaining in the May 10 1969 elections.

But opponents to the interpretation claimed that a Malay elite led by then deputy premier Abdul Razak Hussein orchestrated the unrest as a pretext to cement Malay control.

Abdul Razak, who is Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak’s father, became the nation’s second prime minister in the aftermath of the riots.

‘Film may backfire on BN’

Meanwhile, Ong also said that the film could potentially cost the ruling government precious votes if its depiction of Malaysian history was clearly slanted towards one party.

“If the movie is seen as blatantly one-sided, and they only show propaganda and the film itself is historically inaccurate, then it can easily backfire, especially among the non-Malays,” he said.

Lending credence to Ong’s view was the response the film had received from cyber citizens.

A Facebook page calling for the boycott of the film was also set up last month under the name “We boycott ‘Tanda Putera’ for being a political puppet of BN.”

The film’s trailer, which was available on YouTube, had received 4,541 “dislikes” compared to 491 “likes” as of today.

Ong said if the government was truly serious about the May 13 issue, it should organise a dialogue rather than allow the film to be released and create fear among the public.

“The government should have made a more concerted effort for a dialogue, where all stakeholders and those affected by the tragedy are allowed to voice their thoughts,” he added.

  1. #1 by yhsiew on Wednesday, 8 August 2012 - 7:45 pm

    ///if BN was to lose the next general election, it would lead to a repeat of the May 13 incident….///

    That is untrue as the head of PAS is Malay and the head of PKR is also Malay. If PR takes power, Anwar (Malay) will be the PM. Then, how can there be a repeat of May 13 incident?

  2. #2 by Winston on Wednesday, 8 August 2012 - 9:19 pm

    So, they are extraordinarily scared of losing the next GE.
    So, they are trying very hard to make a salt fish swim again!!!!
    They even rehash their evil deeds throughout their long reign and try to hang them onto the PR!!!
    And one Chinese component party of BN came out to revile Hudud laws even though they are non-Muslims.
    Are they frightened for their Muslim cohorts in the alliance?
    These scums will stop at nothing!
    They’ll even flog a dead horse or whatever to stave off their impending defeat.
    As for those in the urban and better educated areas, this film is one strike against these SOBs.
    For the rural areas, this is where the Malays in the PR can come into the picture.
    PR should plan the campaign well and have them help by disseminating the truth to their kin folk in these areas.
    Same applies to the natives of East Malaysia.

  3. #3 by undertaker888 on Thursday, 9 August 2012 - 8:00 am

    Ah itu minister tiga suku yatim sama the two hoodins
    Sponsor sama itu movie may thirteen
    Tak payah tengok pun tahu tujuannya scare mongering
    Apa nak buat minister itu semua Otak kering

    Hai minister minister tiga suku
    Buat lah movie you help me I help you
    Atau movie cinta you lap me I lap you
    Nak hilang kuasa baru nak buat movie takut orang Melayu

    Nak pegang kuasa dua pertiga memang senang
    Hanya perlu buang sikap angkuh dan tradisi makan wang
    Jagalah semua rakyat Tak Kira agama atau bangsawan
    Barulah rakyat bagi mandat pada you orang

    Tapi sudah tahulah perangai orang umno dan bn
    Rakyat hanya tunggu itu movie tunjuk The End
    Bila nak mati baru nak Tarik nafas perkauman
    Rakyat Tak Bodoh lagilah ditipu kamu sekalian

  4. #4 by undertaker888 on Thursday, 9 August 2012 - 8:02 am

    Hai, kena moderate lagi oleh LKS. Isssshhh!

  5. #5 by Jeffrey on Thursday, 9 August 2012 - 8:02 am

    “One of the primary reasons for the release of the movie is that it is part of a larger picture involving fear-mongering – to create a sense of fear among the Malay community that if BN was to lose the next general election, it would lead to a repeat of the May 13 incident” – Ong Kian Ming. I don’t think so. The more likely scenario is to create a sense of fear among and send that message to the Chinese community! May 13 is a national trauma in relation to which denial, repression, and dissociation operate on at both social as well as an individual level. A lid has always been kept on the event and much public knowledge of it is based on the “official” version, which may not be the balanced true version. To bring it to the level of arts and theater by those overzealous to serve the ruling coalition’s propaganda objectives, such a film will open the Pandora Box. It provides the avenue and pretext for those who question and have evidence and alternative version of this event to present them in he public realm under the guise of criticizing merits and historical accuracy of a work of art/film which surely will contradict the official version hence back firing on those who have skewed the facts/interpretation for last 43 years! As usual those who want to bodek power-that-be can’t see the larger boomerang effect!

  6. #6 by dagen wanna "ABU" on Thursday, 9 August 2012 - 8:11 am

    What do you do when you are trapped, scared and desperate?

    Just scream: “ada hantu”.

    So you see, it is now obvious that umno’s dying kicks are really more than ridiculous and funny for they are absolutely childish too.

    I suppose rowen atkinson could draw a few useful silly ideas from umno for his next series of mr bean.

  7. #7 by Jeffrey on Thursday, 9 August 2012 - 9:26 am

    Can someone make another film on May 13 to give the other truer aspects? Surely if film censors only allow Tanda Putera and not the other version, then it proves Tanda Putera is a propaganda piece. I must say BN propagandists have improved their art one notch higher in using films to propagate a political point. They copy from Hollywood’s collaboration with US Department of Defense. Take for eg some of the War films showing how America fought for democracy around the world. Pentagon offered its technology/military assets to the filmmaker by providing movie studios with planes, tanks and other assets. In the film “Act of Valor” the Navy’s Special Warfare Command was actually commissioned and the lead roles were played by active-duty military personnel. The Navy hoped the film will help recruit new Navy SEALs. A film maker wants to make the money with least cost so whats wrong getting either subsidies from govt to or assets borrowed from a section of govt (Army/Navy/Air force) and quid pro quo help push its message? As I said before the ethical standards are such that when it comes to money and personal benefit, few care for truth or larger well being of others.

  8. #8 by Cinapek on Thursday, 9 August 2012 - 10:20 am

    This video goes beyond fear mongering.

    This video and the recent articles in Utusan and other incidents points to a very disturbing trend. It seems to be a page out of Nazi Germany’s propaganda campaign waged by its infamous Propaganda minister, Goebbels. Reminiscent of Nazi Germany, it is an incumbent Govt (read BN), that despite all its might and control of the machineries of Govt, still need to demonize any opposition to its rule.

    It is more than a fear of losing power or elections. It is more than fear mongering of the people. It is laying the groundwork for something more sinister.

  9. #9 by monsterball on Thursday, 9 August 2012 - 11:07 am

    UMNO b simply cannot stand being defeated’
    Too many skeletons in the closets and billions unaccounted for.
    Najib in particular cannot afford to be defeated…..yet it is himself that will contribute to the defeats.
    What has 1969 May 13th events to do with present times….only UMNO b knows.
    Is it a warning?
    Remember that incident followed by Emergency Rule for few years under General Ibrahim.
    Is Najib thinking of Emergency Rule to avoid defeat?
    You bet it is and once Malaysians are aware of this tricks…he will not dare to do it.
    For one reason….he does not have full confidence the Police and Military will support a Commander that clear shows power for a political party and not protecting citizens at all.
    Relax and enjoy the show.
    Najib and his ministers are desperate lot.

  10. #10 by Winston on Thursday, 9 August 2012 - 11:40 am

    There’s a very simple solution to the whole problem.
    Just let these scums carry on stripping the country bare of all wealth.
    And let their off-springs carry on their legacy.
    Then, we can have peace and poverty!
    How’s that?

  11. #11 by PoliticoKat on Thursday, 9 August 2012 - 11:45 am

    I find it odd that the malays would fear May13. When that happen, the chinese were on the receiving end.

    Is BN going to rewrite history and make the Malays the victims of May13?

  12. #12 by bennylohstocks on Thursday, 9 August 2012 - 11:54 am

  13. #13 by artemisios on Thursday, 9 August 2012 - 1:37 pm

    Race, race, race, race….
    Soon the Rakyat will grow sick of this.

  14. #14 by machiavelli on Thursday, 9 August 2012 - 1:48 pm

    There is a lot of fear among these cretins who strive promote this atmosphere of fear and distrust among the populace.

    They fear losing power which in turn leads to the loss of the opportunities to pillage the wealth of this nation for themselves.

    Most of all they fear the day of reckoning when they will be called upon to answer for all the abuses, miscarriage of justice, dereliction of duties, corruption, nepotism, cronyism………

    The Rakyat will demand this.

    Bangun Rakyat Malaysia!

  15. #15 by sotong on Thursday, 9 August 2012 - 5:24 pm

    Another May 13?

    If they want trouble, the criminals will find ways to cause trouble….but things are very different now.

    We, all races, have a responsibility to deal with it now….or your future generations will continue to live in fear and ” leaders/politicians ” will continue to instil fear, hate and distrust to exploit the ordinary people.

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