Ezra directed me to this video by a Fahmi Reza of Malaysia entitled "Sepuluh Tahun Sebelum Merdeka" (10 years before independence). Looking at the current state of affairs and relations between the races in Malaysia (what with the recent protest in KL by Malaysian Indians), this show strikes me as rather sad. Sad, because of what might have been.

On one hand, you had the (then) somewhat pro-British UMNO with a rather limited constitution for the Malayan Federation (enforced in 1948) that saw Malaya continuing as a British protectorate with not much political rights. And on the other, you have the People's Constitution drafted by a group of left-leaning parties under the banner of PUTERA-AMCJA that was so much more progressive.

Not only did this constitution demanded independence, it gave everyone equal political rights and equal citizenship, provided for an inter-racial council that was tasked to screen and filter out racially discriminating laws and policies, and surprisingly, created a new nationality called "Melayu" that would apply to everyone regardless of race. This last bit was whole-heartedly endorsed and accepted by Tan Cheng Lock (representing the Chinese community) with no questions asked.

I really wonder what Malaysia (or maybe even Malaya) would be like today if PUTERA-AMCJA had succeeded in getting through their constitution.

But as anyone can tell, the People's Constitution was unfortunately consigned to the wastebasket of history. And not only that, the British jailed or banished members of the PUTERA-AMCJA under the pretext of fighting communism.

There's so much that could be said about what could have been, but I guess it's too late for that now. And perhaps, I guess HINDRAF has a point when they wanted to sue the British government for their historical complicity in the present plight of the Malaysian Indians.

Anyway, if you have the time, do watch the show below. It has been very enlightening for me, even as a Singaporean.

Labels: history, malaysia, politics, singapore, uk

About four days ago, the UK along with its political establishment began activities commemorating the end of the slave trade on 25 March 1807 when the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act was passed in parliament. This act finally led to the 1833 emancipation of African slaves that were formerly traded in the UK for forced labour in many of its colonies.

It's been 200 years since then, and commemoration activities of this bicentenary were held in the UK and other countries connected to the trade to mark this day - such as a walk led by the Archbishop of Canterbury (Dr Rowan Williams) and the Archbishop of York (Dr John Sentamu) where some 250 walked in chains, a modern version of those that held the African slaves back then.

However, controversy has dogged this day. For example, Prime Minister Tony Blair was blasted for not formally apologising for the UK's leading and principal role in the slave trade even though he did express deep sorrow and regret. And a protestor by the name of Toyin Agbetu interrupted a commemorative service at Westminster Abbey by shouting demands for an apology at the Queen and Tony Blair and condemned African Christians for taking part. It is interesting to note that his feeling was shared by quite a number of Africans who were attending the service.

It is hard to gauge the lasting effect of slavery on the descendents of the slaves living in the UK and other parts of the world. And I can't even begin to imagine how this burden of history and oppression has affected them. But it is undeniable that a lot of the riches and splendid buildings and manors in the UK exist as a result of the slave trade.

Anyway, while I was surfing Apple's Quicktime trailer site just now, I came across this interesting movie starring Ioan Gruffudd. Entitled "Amazing Grace", it's about William Wilberforce (1759 - 1833), an MP in the British parliament who became the spokesperson and prime mover of the act that finally ended the slave trade.

The title of the movie is taken from the hymn of the same name written by John Newton (1725 - 1807), a former captain of a slave ship who later became an Anglican pastor and mentor to William.

Despite its heavy religious and church-y feel, which I am sure will be milked for all its worth by the more... how should I put... independent and neo-con evangelical churches with political aspirations, the trailer makes it seem very powerful and moving. But leaving religion aside, I think it's a good attempt at dramatising the person who practically changed history with his relentless effort for 30 years in parliament. I guess it would have taken a shorter time if he wasn't such a clumsy political strategist.

Of course it's easy to make William the hero of the abolition movement, but it is an undeniable fact that a lot of other people (known or unknown) contributed to the eventual end of slavery. And as a matter of fact, it was a combination of factors within and without Westminster and the UK that finally made the passage of the act possible.

And before we make William out to be some infallible hero, we need to remember that he is human with his own foibles too; such as his religious conservatism, which ironically led him to his work in trying to end slavery.

200 years later, his work and the work of his contemporaries are still not complete.

Labels: history, movies, uk