Written by lainie at 12:25 PM on May 7, 2009 in Rants.

Before I head out. Anyone who asks me about this black tshirt (and it does attract questions) will most likely be told about Najib's administration and the fucking arrests going on in my hometown.

1BLACKMalaysia!

Written by lainie at 04:20 AM on February 19, 2009 in Rants.

In case you've been living under a rock the past week (or even Tokyo - hi Annu!), you will know Selangor exco Eli Wong's privacy has been majorly messed with (The politics of decency - The Nut Graph) recently.

We were talking about the Eli Wong case earlier, at work. Mostly about how language has been used in relation to it. It's an interesting exercise, deciphering how different newspapers / websites have been describing the case.

Take, for example, Malaysiakini's article, titled "The political rape of Elizabeth Wong".

Are such terms like "rape" used because Eli Wong is female?

What one colleague asked was: Would they have said "The political rape of Chua Soi Lek"?

To which my editor replied: How about "The political buggery of Anwar"?

[ If Malaysiakini looks like it gets the brunt of my criticisms, I should declare it has the dubitable honour of being the only local news portal I frequent, besides The Nut Graph (for obvious reasons). ]

On a side note: Of all actions that can be put upon a female, rape seems to be the most common device used to symbolise violence. Take for instance, the Zapiro rape cartoon, along with the long-winded defenses on measures taken to ensure its relevance. I'm not saying the illustrator meant evil, I'm just asking what the portrayal reflects about the norms.

I am greatly upset and angered by what's been happening in our country lately. The rot goes deep. And perhaps, by working for a political website, where we receive way more rumours and conspiracy theories than the norm, I feel extremely under-informed about the wealth of potential key issues we may be facing.

I join the chorus of voices that say what Eli Wong does in her own private time is her business, and I do not want her resignation accepted. Given the reasons, she has offered not to be a liability by tendering her resignation. However, I think she's done no wrong and it's up to Pakatan to suck it in and stand up for Eli.

My logic is loosely based on the idea that a good employer stands up for the employee when she has done no wrong.

Anyway, this is an email I'd like to share, sent out by the band Panda Head Curry?, especially the bit at the bottom (under "Serious Stuff"):

Woo Hey Kiddies!

We’ve got some FUN STUFF and SERIOUS STUFF in this posting. The FUN STUFF details our up and coming gig at The Actor’s Studio, in Bangsar Shopping Complex, this Friday, 20 Feb 2009 at 8:30 pm.

The Serious Stuff is Panda Head Curry?’s take on the recent scandal to hit our only favourite politician, Elizabeth Wong. Make sure you scroll down to read this, kiddies.

Fun Stuff

We had a ball of a time at the Central Market Annexe Gallery in Valentine’s Day! Well, we’re scheduled to perform at another gig this week,

The Actor’s Studio Gala Farewell Gig!!!

 We were made to understand that the Actor’s Studio in Bangsar Shopping Complex will be renovated and turned into a genetic engineering farm, where human clones will be grown in vats, and their organs harvested when necessary. Anything not used, will be sent to the nearby rendering factory.

We are very honoured to be asked to perform at this ultimate series of shows to mark the historic tenure of this theatre by The Actors Studio, Joe Hasham and Faridah Merican's famous drama company.

For the record we, The Panda Head Curry? have never been invited to perform at this venue, ever. Never, Ever.

In fact, The Actor’s Studio have no idea we’re performing, they think some lame gloom folk goth singer songwriter, 13 Voices In My Head, will be performing 360 Degree Head Rotation Covers. We shall be hijacking their sorry ass black garbed set.

The Singer songwriter Performances consist of three shows featuring 18 acoustic artists to mark the final, regretful curtain of this wonderful and legendary theatre. 

However, of these 18 acoustic artists, only one is really relevant, The Panda Head Curry?.

Format: Songwriter Death Match

All shows are free and begin at 8.30 pm so do turn up to support this beacon

Each show will consist of 2 sessions. For each session, three performers will be put on stage. Only one survivor will exit and claim the prize, a sheep/ virgin.

Fri 20: Markiza and Peter Brown, Tan Sei Hon,  Ida Lisa, Jerome Kugan, 13 Voices in My Head (The Panda Head Curry?), Tony Leo.

Sat 21: Blister, Ariff Akhir, Wani Ardy, Azmyl Yunor, Edwin & Albert, Silent Scenery.

Sun 22: Otam, Ian Chow, Jasemaine Gan, Izzy Mohamed, Kevin Broken Scar,Rashdan Harith.

Plus guests: Frid 20: Priya K, Pang Khee Teik Sat 21: to be confirmed

Sun 22: Farah Rani.

HURRY LIMITED PASSES AVAILABLE

Call The Actors Studio @ BSC at 03-2094 1400 / 0400 now!

Serious Stuff

Firstly, I’d like to clarify that The Lord Panda, his alter-egos and his companies have no affiliation or affinity for any political organization. Off stage and out of character, we don’t align ourselves with turbanistas, paranoid supremacists with massive inferiority complexes or directionless cults of personality. We believe Malaysian politicians are generally less evolved than blue green algae. With one exception. Elizabeth (Eli) Wong.

I met Eli through a mutual friend and interacted with her a lot when she was helping the music community back 2006. Eli, along with Sonia Randhawa, Jac Kee and many others helped the independent music community TREMENDOUSLY during Goat Gate fiasco and the Paul’s Place shooting incident, boosting morale, and advising many of those unfairly persecuted during these incidents of their rights as Malaysian Citizens.

Unlike most of the morons we’ve put (or didn’t put into office), Eli’s got to be the most honest, down to earth, capable committed and passionate politicians I’ve ever met. Unlike a lot of individuals who entered the political arena to enhance of their business, Eli’s always seemed to be one of those tree-hugging, whale watching, greenies who lives slightly above the poverty line. I don’t think she even had a car before becoming an assemblyman, she’d rush from the Parliament on public transport just to help at a Paul’s Place press conference, or bum a ride to go for a gig.

An image that will forever stay etched in my mind is her petite form standing at the gate of the Brickfields Police Station, 2006 New Years Eve, over 300 patrons of a hard core punk show detained in the courtyard for being “Devil Worshippers”. She looked at the cops at the gate and inside the compound and screamed at them, DEMANDING to see the OCPD and telling them not to FUCK with her, and to release the kids immediately.

All but 8 detainees were released in a few hours.

 Panda Head Curry? like to ask you show your SUPPORT for Eli Wong, as you are probably aware of by now, been thrust into a pretty moronic scandal, which amongst other things, is a waste of tax payer’s money.

I, The Lord Panda, request all of you to stand with Eli, put up your middle fingers, firmly tell the Toyos and other morons, “Don’t Fuck With Eli”.

What can you do? I’d start by just dropping off a nice message to her at her website:

 http://elizabethwong.wordpress.com/

 Here’s a Facebook group with more information:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=55123906845

Go to the PKR website and tell them you want to see her ass back at work. Go to the BN website and tell them “Don’t Fuck With Eli”. I’ve never been to either of these websites, but I’m sure you can find then if you Google it.

The Lord Panda.

Written by lainie at 03:19 AM on February 7, 2009 in Rants.

In March 2008, I was watching tv with my mother, dreading the idea that unlike Penang, Kedah, Kelantan, and Selangor, my own hometown Perak would not be an opposition state. I didn't want Ipoh to be left behind. It was a huge sense of relief for me when BN lost Perak.

Now, it looks like BN has wrested the state away from Pakatan through defections (read: Perak must not fail).

I'm dismayed, but I also think this is what happens when you field any ol' candidate. It's a pity better people weren't put forward. And since Pakatan was playing the crossover game earlier, there goes their moral highground.

Do I like Pakatan Rakyat? I have my reservations. Here's one of many reasons, courtesy of Mkini:

Don't be 'pondan', Umno told

Andrew Ong | Feb 6, 09 10:55pm

An articulate Perak Menteri Besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin revealed his combative streak and colourful vocabulary today by challenging Umno to a duel.                     MCPX "If Umno is jantan (a man) then battle it out with Pakatan Rakyat through elections," was his challenge. "Tapi Umno dayus dan pondan sepenuh pondanya," was his conclusion during a press conference at the menteri besar's official residence this evening. 'Pondan' is the colloquial term for effeminate men while 'dayus' can be loosely translated as a coward.

I hate their homophobic and sexist rhetoric. I edited a video of polling day in KT for work, and at 1:07 of the video, you'll see a huge poster blown up. It says "Puteri Umno tagih seks". It was some PAS members, jeering at the Puteri Umno group across the road by waving the poster at them.

Yeah, nice.

When you blatantly brandish sexist posters like that, you really think I'd want to vote your group into anything next time? As long as Pakatan is inhabited by sexist, homophobic goons running free, they'll always be the less-than-ideal BN alternative to me.

Don't get me wrong though. I don't like Barisan Nasional any better (in fact, I have more reasons to dislike BN).

And by the way, Malaysiakini: The next time someone uses the word "pondan", don't call them articulate. It's insulting and base, from both Nizar and you.