Having found out about this Emergency Festival from u-jean, I decided to check it out, since I have time to spare. Emergency festival is actually a 16 days exhibition of history of the first Malayan emergency from 1948 to 1960. It’s held at Annexe Gallery, Central market, KL from 16th to 26th October 2008, 11am-5pm. The Emergency Festival Exhibition is free for the public to see.
For those who are Malaysian history illiterate, or has been sleeping and drooling their heads off during history classes in school, I suggest you make a trip to this particular event to learn more about our history. One forewarning though, the exhibition and presentations during the emergency festival has nothing to do with textbook. This event gives great insight on history in a rather alternative way. Bottom line, it’s quite thoughts provoking if you really spend time to think and reflect on what’s presented and exhibited during the Emergency Festival.
After attending this Emergency Festival, I would never view our history in a straight line ever again, as I’ve learn from this festival that the victor takes the spoil of war and dictates history while the loser will be buried and fade away with time. There’s actually an underlined message in the whole Emergency Festival. However, for security reason, I would not write the real underlying message that has been send across in various exhibition material. Most artist who have in depth knowledge on Malayan history, would know what it means and relate it to the current political environment, though. You can try and guess if you want.
Emergency Festival exhibition hall has been split into a few rooms, where each room exhibit different material. Below are the pictures taken last Saturday during the exhibition.
The picture above is the first exhibition room during the Emergency Festival. It’s called the ‘Propaganda Room’.The entire room was littered with thousands of papers. This is not just a normal mess. The artist is actually trying to imitate the situation during the Malayan Emergency where throughout the 12 years of emergency, Malayans were constantly bombarded with propaganda materials, by both British and communist alike. Propaganda were spread through both print and broadcast media. The ‘mess’ on the floor is actually propaganda leaflets.
British have more advantage in spreading their propaganda in Malaya, as they are the ones who colonized Malaya and have access to more facilities than the communist. Between the 1948 to 1960 time period, the British air-dropped over 500 million propaganda leaflets in over 2,500 locations in Malaya.
For the British, psychological means were taken into consideration to keep the people in check. Psychological ways such as constantly bombarding the public with propaganda leaflets that instill fear and terror in the minds of the citizens were executed. Different levels of sophistication in the propaganda were employed and targeted at specific Malayan communities.
Posters that offers handsome rewards are plastered all over in Malaya back then. Whoever provide the information that leads to the capture or death on certain people who are considered as the ‘enemy’ by the British would definitely be laughing their heads off all the way to the bank. $150,000 is a large sum of money back then. I guess no matter in which time or era we’re living in, money would always be offered in exchange of loyalty and devotion.
Kill all the ‘rumours’, and you will kill the enemy. One question though. Is all rumours our enemies? How do we differentiate between rumours and truth? Sometimes, ‘rumours’ are ugly truth that some people would love to bury.There’s an important message that should be noted here, which is in order to control people’s mind, we should not have any bad words spreading around against us or else, it would undermine our leadership as our credibility would be questioned. British had successfully ‘killed’ the rumours through their propaganda with the help of the citizens who were more than pleased to provide information about the communist in exchange for the rewards offered.
In the midsts of hunting the communists, the people’s lives are affected. During the course of Malayan Emergency, more than 500,000 people were forced to leave their homes and land and were relocated into 450 guarded camps/village. The British claimed that it’s for the citizen’s security reason. But the real reason behind that is to restrict the citizen’s contact with outsiders as well as keeping them under strict control.
That brings us to the next exhibition room that is built to replicate the camps/village. It’s called The New Village Room.
The ‘New Villages’ were introduced under the Briggs Plan back in 1950. The purpose is actually to defeat the communist by cutting off their sources of support amongst the people. Most of the New Village communities were relocated several times before settling on a permanent location. Note that the perimeters of the New Village’s replica is full of barbed wires, symbolizing tight and extreme security by the British.
Extreme securities means that the New Village was observed by the British soldiers 24/7. The replica of the security tower that was built by the exhibitor is trying to tell us that no one was able to escape the British observation during that time.
The exhibitor encourage people who came to the exhibition to participate in the Emergency Festival by moving and rearrange the house around in the New Village room. Symbolic of the relocation and impermanence during the New Village plan that was implemented by the British to achieve their goals.
The British not only relocate the citizens in New Villages during the Malayan Emergency, but they also introduced a form of identification to differentiate the civilians and the communist. They introduced IC to the Malayans. That brings us to proceed to the next room, which is the ID Room.
Above is the exhibition material that was exhibited in the Identification Room. Various replicas of IC were imprinted on large piece of glass and was hung on the wall for viewer’s viewing pleasure. One of them were the first IC issued by the British, which belonged to Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj. I did not manage to get the picture of it though, as the room was too dark and was unfriendly to my camera.
IC ( Identity Cards) were first introduced during the Emergency to seperate the communists and the general populace. The content of IC were used to discriminate its holder during the frequent checks and searches conducted by the British.
In 1952, the Jus Soli, granting of citizenship gave the IC as secondary purposes and its holder an official nationality. Dear precious readers, IC may have evolved and gone through several changes and upgrades, however, something remains the same since the Malayan Emergency, which is its holder still have no say or control over what’s written in their own identity cards.
In the times of uncertainties where British was desperate to chase away the communist from the land that they colonize, innocents were killed. And that, dear readers, brings us to the next exhibition room which is the Batang Kali Room.
The 24 pair of clothes that’s exhibited here is used to described the Batang Kali massacre that took place on 12th December 1948 where 14 members of the Scots Guards captured and shot dead 24 unarmed civilians in a line up and set fire to the village.
At that time, the Batang Kali massacre was claimed the most successful anti-bandit operation during the Emergency. As I see what’s exhibited, some questions came into my mind, which is who were those civilians? And what did they do to deserve death by shooting? Since they were unarmed, were they ‘enemies’ that spread the ‘rumours’? Their homes were burn, why did the British do that? Were they trying to destroy some evidence or they are merely trying to instill terror in the civilians minds?
Unfortunately, no one can answer my question as the truth was all but buried.
Fake tombstone was built by the exhibitor, symbolizing the death of the 24 innocent civilians. Honestly, I felt that the Batang Kali Room was haunted, as I felt that I was watched by unknown forces even though I was alone. The room really gives me the creep and goosebumps on my skin. The booklet in front of the tombstone described the Batang Kali Massacre, but did not explain why it happened.
After the Emergency was declared, there were campaigns, operations, movements and plans made all over Malaya to provide security to counter offense or to seek freedom. So that brings us to the next room, which is the Planning Room.
While the plans made and executed were claimed to be made in the interest of the people, the ones who were affected are the civilians, no matter how small the decision that was made by the leader.. Note the colours used for the exhibition material in the Planning Room. White is representing the British and a certain Malay party that soon will claim independence from British while the red is representing the communists.
Never look only at the surface when it’s regarding to history. While the leaders were planning and negotiating, things happened underneath as depicts in the picture below.
Beneath the surface, violence were ongoing and countless lives were sacrificed while the leaders were planning and talking. People were suffering.
I have to admit that history was not my strong point, and I’ve slept in my history class more often than staying awake as the way the teachers taught history was very boring. They were merely feeding us facts and dates and never provoke us to think in a different perspective. History, in most classes were always a straight line, where one side is bad and another is the hero. But after going to this exhibition, I do not feel the same, and learn that despite 51 years of independence from British colonization, there are things that still haven’t change. Some things are still implemented the same way as it was before.
Despite of being sponsored by various local agencies, including Kementerian Perpaduan, Kebudayaan, Kesenian dan Warisan, this Emergency Festival does not attract much locals. Instead, there are more foreigners who are interested in our history. Young man and woman from England flooded this exhibition and seems to be fascinated with the whole thing. Sad to see that Malaysian youth these days are not concern about out history, instead, they prefer to loiter around doing God knows what during weekends.
Cleffairy: To control a country, one would have to control the mind of the people. To cripple the enemies, one would have to work together with people that we dislike in order to achieve our goals. In any era, any country, the victors will claim the spoils of war while the defeated fades away and buried. The one’s who were buried were silenced forever.
This British style of divide and conquer. Wah, 150k reward, fatt tatt lorrr!
i been to sentosa island and there’s this history of malaya and singapore in their museum. sometimes when i read back and ‘experience’ all these histories, i felt like im in those moments. It’s really a very tough time for the folks living during those era. we should be grateful that we don’t have to experience it now!!!
Pete, yeah, their style is divide and conquer, same like U.S. And in some ways, same like our ongoing administration too, I guess. We’re divided and classified by races and religion even though we’re under one nation.
Chrisau, I’ve never been to Sentosa Island before, and honestly, I’m a bit history illiterate and I think I have a lot to learn about history. Sadly, there’s not much sources about the colonial times besides the very boring textbook. 🙁 I seriously cannot imagine how it’s like to live in the time of chaos. You’re right, we really should count our blessings, but we also should maintain peace and harmony in Malaysia so that history would not be repeated. If we’re not united ‘outsiders’ would easily take advantage on us.
Wah summor awesome pics from our Cleff! KL very “happening” place not like Penang LOL. In the “old” days history was more interesting .. we learnt more .. history of the world not just Malaysian history which seems to change at the whims n fancies of our education system. U said “if we’re not united “outsiders” would easily take advantage of us” .. hehe .. who the heck wud be interested in taking advantage of this mini “nation” .. what have we got to offer compared to bigger/smaller more progressive SEA countries. However, I do agree we have to be united .. it is the “internal” forces that are a danger to us not “outsiders” 🙁
Fergie, lol. KL Happening? Okay la, not bad. Those ‘good’ happenings that’s also educational are quite hard to come by in KL. A lot parties for youngsters only, those are not suitable for me, and I’ll choose sleep any day than attending those. I seriously would like to learn more about the colonial times. My great grandmother used to tell stories about it, but since she’s gone now, I’ve lost my sources. LOL. Read text book? I think I’ll fall asleep first.
LOL… yalohh, think back and see, you’re really right lah. Who would want to take advantage or conquer us all over again? After all, they will inherit more problems than the advantages. LOL. 😛
Aiyo Cleff .. you heard stories from you GREAT grandmother??? OMG .. don’t lah make me sound so OLD pleez!!!!
The whole idea of history being taught is to change the perspective and to indoctrinate people with an ideology. that happens in many countries including Malaysia. Is our history really the way our history books put it to be?
Well, when I was young I hated history so I studied hard to be in the science stream… as I grow older I find history fascinating as it teaches us a lot of things… things gone wrong and that we are not to repeat it again but then again, the source is very important.
Lately, Sultan of Perak suggests that they teach Social Contract in school!!!???? BTN at work during the child’s tender years????? I smell a rat!
@KevinP
me too, when i was in school, i fail history.
but now, i found that i do like history a lot. it is somehow related with our country situation now.
anyway, since i also got go to this art event, i might write about it as well about what i see from the artworks.
Replied form Kennysai’s blog.
Of course dawn yang is plastic. You mean you don’t know she did plastic surgery on her face or maybe perharps body? Her first surgery is when she’s 18 years old. She’s ain’t a natural beauty. Lol.
we dont get these promos and exhibits here in kuantan. aiya…so damn boring lar. but since i’ll be coming to kl this weekend, and the exhibit is till 26th, then i’ll go and see. more input into this thick skull of mine, before our degenerate govt spoil everything in sight. 😛
we gotto make an outing 2gether lar. me, you, pete and the others, kinda like the nuffnangers…not like them lar. we makan2 and take cock..hhahaha. we form our own groupie with our spouses. would be fun dont you think?
i believe the exhibits are as good as real, hope they will showcase it here,in penang.
ya remember Batang Kali, dont let history repeat itself.
chill and the weekend is here
yeah i would like to attend the exhibition if i were in malaysia~　ｓｉｇｈ．．．
oops…mispelled. talk cock not take cock…hahahah. dont think dirty!! 😛
ah jie, hey, this sounds like a cool exhibition huh? but time is too much of an essence i m afraid i hv to skip this. only b bk for 3 days. but history was one of my fav subjects altho i find that a lot hv been twisted. Now, it is an essential to make my travellings more meaningful altho I really hv time to do it now. Having said this, i really need to make a mental note to bering along my lonely planet before i ciao again huh?? hehe. i personally think the CPM should be given due recognition in the Merdeka issue and i seriously think that their agenda is more nationalistic than the others. I hate people who rewrite history but welcome those who gives brand new fresh air, but by then one will never know what’s real and what’s not. one of the biggest ambiguity lies with the americans actually….hehehe.
very nice. am impressed with the presenters and their take on the subject. very creative. i like the table – overneath and underneath thingie. and the propoganda room.
i was there during the orang asal protest to regain back their rights. nice place.
Fergie, yeah, I heard stories from my great grandmother, and my grandmothers. But now that they are gone, I have no more nice resource on life during the colonial times.
Kevin, lol, that’s why it’s commonly known that the history is actually written by the winners to their advantage. To put images and ideals in people’s mind. 🙁 I also used to hate history. Found it boring and insufferable. But as I grew up, I too found it very interesting as history is also full of deceits and one sided story tellings. Well, on the Sultan of Perak’s suggestion, I smell something fishy too, and it stinks!
Garfield, you must have skip history classes or you slept in history classes since you failed your history. LMAO.
AhFu, too bad you’re not in Malaysia. 🙁 If not you can go and see it too.
Calvin, aiyo, long weekend la, I tell you. I hardly get a breather this weekend. 🙁 When I finally manage to get some rest, I’m already flat on the bed. If you have chance, maybe you can go and see la. But at first glance, the exhibition is rather dull and boring, until you figure out what their real message is supposed to mean. LOL. Then only it’s intriguing. Yes, yes, we should get together sometimes, and maybe we should get Pete to feed us, ahahaha…ask him belanja since he always makan-makan everywhere, sure got know some tauke wan, can get discount. We should hang out la, but of course, we’re not like the Nuffnangers. Nuffnangers is like for youngsters who are not married la… for old folks like us, where got suitable got for their parties and sleepover. Wait our spouse flare up! Eh, in case you want to visit or anything or want to go out to talk cock when you’re in KL next time, just drop me a line in my email at [email protected].
Eugene, I think the message that’s the exhibitor is trying to send across is quite clear la. Relating what it was like back then to how it’s like now. Batang Kali episodes would not be repeated unless racial tension has been stoke badly again in Malaysia, where no one can walk around feeling safe and unprejudiced towards each other.
KTX, of course the CPM should be given some credit. They were the ones who made the Malayans feel patriotic by fighting off the Japanese when the British cowers during the Japanese occupation. The history had us believed that CPM is ultimate evil… but, why were they evil? Because at that time they did not cooperate with the Brits? They actually fought off Japs for Malaya, if I recall the lessons correctly. Den, Brits came back to reclaim their ‘land’, and when they did not manage to do that on their own, they team up with the locals to do so by promising them ‘power’ and independence. If the CPM are considered ultimate evil, then the rest should be considered evil and hypocrites too. After all, it’s all fair in love and war. The only difference is, the victor gets to tell his side of the story.
Amoker, yeah, I was impressed too with their exhibition material. Clearly they’re trying to send some message across. i did not notice it at first until I sat down on the chair that’s part of the exhibition material. 😛