Date | Details |
Feb 1 | UMNO’s Pulau Betong assembly person Muhammad Farid Saad accuses the myBalikPulau newsletter of “twisting history and insulting the Malays”. He claims the newsletter contains incorrect historical facts and illustrations that “insult” the Malay community. He implies that the current State government is behind this publication and it is an attempt to mislead the younger generation. |
Feb 2 | Presiden Alumni Institut Pendidikan Guru Malaysia (IPGM) Kampus Pulau Pinang, Abdul Said Hussain, repeats the accusation that myBalikPulau newsletter is distributed by the current Penang government to sideline the Malay contribution in the opening of Southwest district of Penang Island. CM Lim Guan Eng denies the current State government is the sponsor of myBalikPulau newsletter. He points out the publication is funded by the previous State government and published under the Federal Government. He accuses UMNO and Utusan Malaysia of creating tension and social unrest in order to attack the current State government. |
Feb 3 | Utusan Malaysia carries another report calling the myBalikPulau newsletter dangerous. |
Feb 5 | CM Lim Guan Eng reiterates that myBalikPulau newsletter is sponsored by UMNO and the Federal government. He accuses Farid of playing a racial game. He also demands the latter to withdraw his allegation and issue an open apology for defaming the current State government. Balik Pulau MP, Yusmadi Yusoff, urges Farid to stop politicizing the myBalikPulau newsletter. He points out the newsletter is published by Arts-ED and defends Arts-ED as one of the very few NGOs that is active in the revival and development of arts and culture in Balik Pulau. Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa Malaysia (Perkasa) Pulau Pinang urges for a clarification from the publisher of myBalikPulau as well as historical references used in the writing of Balik Pulau history. |
Feb 6 | Muhammad Farid blames Utusan Malaysia for twisting his words. He also denies for accusing the State government of sponsoring and distributing the allegedly controversial newsletter. Nonetheless he continues to question the legitimate use of the State logo on the publication. He also refuses to apology and retract his previous statement because he insisted he was merely pointing out factual errors and did not blame any party for the publication. |
Feb 7 | The Penang Education Council (PEC), one of many funders of Arts-ED denies any role in the publication of myBalikPulau. Seri, the secretariat of the PEC also claims it has no relations with the actual work of Arts-ED. Executive director of SERI, Liew Chin Tong points out that the myBalikPulau newspaper was funded prior to March 8, 2008, although it was only published in 2010. |
Feb 8 | CM Lim Guan Eng repeats the statement that Penang government has nothing to do with myBalikPulau newsletter. The project was funded by the previous administration. Arts-ED releases a press statement, clarifying that myBalikPulau newsletter is a showcase of the collective efforts of the children and the community, with no intention to be an authoritative history of Balik Pulau. Arts-ED also expresses regret if the contents of the newsletter had touched on any sensitivities and stresses that the purpose of the publication remains apolitical. |
Feb 9 | A Gabungan Bela Hak Insan Islam consists of 4 Penang-based Islamic NGOs requests the State government to ban myBalikPulau newspaper and take action against its publisher-Arts-ED. The 4 NGOs are Persatuan Anak Jati Melayu Pulau Pinang (Pajim), Badan Anti Islam Liberal (Badai), Islamic Provocation International Society (IPIS) and Sekretariat Dakwah Pulau Pinang. Gabungan later sets fire to copies of the publication, warning that if no action is taken by the State, they will seek the attention of the Federal government. |
Feb 10 | Penang State government announces it will file a defamation suit against Muhammad Farid Saad for failing to apologize and withdraw his comments, which have gained much coverage in the Malay language dailies controlled by UMNO. Arts-ED lodges a police report because a group of unidentified individuals visited the office under forged identity to request for myBalikPulau newsletter and other organization collaterals. |
Feb 11 | Balik Pulau MP Yusmadi Yusoff condemns the “racist, destructive and parochial approach” to the myBalikPulau issue. He admits that there are certain limitations in the newsletter and encourages further research and resources to help rectify the problems. He again expresses his support for Arts-ED effort in promoting arts and heritage in Balik Pulau. Arts-ED releases another statement stressing that the myBalikPulau newsletter is not intended to be a definitive history. It only presents oral histories as recounted by residents of Balik Pulau, as well as including information on the area from published sources, which were available to the researchers at the time of writing. Information not available at that time to the researchers was not included. Arts-ED also states that “the oral histories represent stories from persons who were interested and willing to share their stories… care was taken to engage with all community and ethnic groups”. Arts-ED includes their historical references together with the statement. A Penang local historian, Khoo Salma, claims the myBalikPulau newsletter as “a wonderful community history effort by the arts education group”. She points out the fact that everyone acknowledges Arts-ED’s genuine effort in encouraging young people to take an interest in their history and heritage. She also addresses the debates raised regarding the opening of Balik Pulau and says that the omission of certain historical facts is not done deliberately, and that other historical facts in the newsletter are valid and appropriate. Kelab Warisan Malaysia (KERIS) Penang branch urges Universiti Sains Malaysia to take action against its staff member who is involved in the publication of myBalikPulau. The organization accuses the newsletter for using sensitive words such as “pendatang”, “pelarian” etc. |
Feb 12 | Five Arts Centre expresses its concern over the extreme reaction to the myBalikPulau newsletter. The group supports Arts-ED’s effort in facilitating children to interact with elders in the myBalikPulau oral history project. The group testifies the significance of oral histories as “eyewitness accounts of those who lived through both significant and everyday events”. Five Arts Centre urges the myBalikPulau newsletter to be saved for future generation and encourages every Malaysian to read it and engage in dialogue ad discovery. |
Feb 13 | Fellow Arts-ED participants speak up for the organization. - U-Jean writes to the press and applauds the organization for being an active agent in promoting the learning of local histories through creative ways. “Through them, I learned the value of local history”. She claims that Arts-ED is the only NGO “who gives a voice to young people, who works in creative ways, who educate for free, who believe that everyone has a right to tell their story…” - Nur Faizah J. Jayakumar in her facebook says projects of Arts-ED really stress on tolerance for cultural differences. It provides a platform for her to interact with friends from different cultural background. She also acknowledges Arts-ED’s creative approach in promoting the learning of local histories. - Natasha Khanum shares her experience and stresses that race and religion has never been an issue in Arts-ED. “Arts-ED is a remarkable effort to educate youths about our history and gives us a sense of identity… We learn maturity, independence and most importantly, we learn unity.” |
Feb 14 | 4 police reports have been made against myBalikPulau newsletter: Kelab Cabaran Pulau Pinang (KCPP), Kelab Warisan Malaysia (KERIS) Pulau Pinang, and 2 individuals. They also challenge the Chief Minister to take action against Arts-ED. Arts-ED lodges police reports because the office was disturbed by a group of hostile and unidentified individuals. |
Feb 15 | Setiausaha Sekretariat Perhimpunan Melayu Pulau Pinang calls for other “concerned” individual to make police report and request for investigation egarding the publication of myBalikPulau. Police says they are not sure which Act to follow in the investigation of myBalikPulau publication. They will study all information and facts regarding the publication before further action. |
Feb 16 | Another NGO, Pertubuhan Suara Anak-Anak Malaysia, submits a memorandum to the inspector-general of police, including “evidence” linking the State government to the publication of myBalikPulau. Content of the “evidence” remains unknown. The organization claims to send the other two memorandums to the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister respectively. Four more NGOs lodges police reports against myBalikPulau newsletter: Pertubuhan Seni Silat Gayung Pulau Pinang (PSSGPP), Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa Malaysia (Perkasa) Pulau Pinang, Persatuan Belia 4B Permatang Pauh and an individual, Johari Ahmad. The Penang Heritage Trust (Persatuan Warisan Pulau Pinang) releases a press statement to clarify that it is not related to the other NGO “Kelab Warisan Malaysia Pulau Pinang”. The latter had lodged a police report against Arts-ED on 14 February and was falsely mentioned as “Persatuan Warisan Pulau Pinang” by TV3. PHT stresses that it is supportive of the efforts of ARTS-ED as an NGO that has worked to raise heritage awareness among young people and the community. PHT describes the ‘MyBalikPulau’ newsletter as “a collection of oral histories on the stories and past incidents narrated by elders from the multi-racial community residing in Balik Pulau and its vicinities, and compiled by young people, and published without alteration. If there are any differences in the interpretation, they should be proven academically and dealt with in a rational manner, and if necessary, alterations can be made.” |
Feb 17 | Pertubuhan Suara Anak-Anak Malaysia insists to hold the current State government responsible for the publication and distribution of myBalikPulau because the State logo is printed on the newsletter. The organization challenges the CM to take action against Arts-ED. Former facilitator Nurdiyana Md Aini in her blog shares her experience of involvement in the myBalikPulau project 2005-2008. “The participants come from various background…different race, different religion but Arts-ED able to gather them in one group to do a program”. “The impact of this Arts-ED effort is larger…the kids/participants know their roots…” 4 more NGOs lodges police reports against myBalikPulau newsletter: Pertubuhan Kebajikan dan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia (Pekida) Seberang Perai Selatan (SPS), Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa Malaysia (Perkasa) SPS dan Gerakan Belia 4B (GB4B) Nibong Tebal and Individual: Suhaimi Abdul Rashid, 42. Janet Pillai (Chairperson of ARTS-ED) and Kuah Li Feng (project staff) called by ASP Azhar from Timur Laut to help for investigation. |
Feb 18 | 3 more NGOs lodges police reports against myBalikPulau newsletter: Pertubuhan Pribumi Malaysia (Perkasa) Pulau Pinang, Gerakan Belia 4B Pulau Pinang and individual, Firus Che Man, 37 |
Feb 20 | Arts-ED received a letter from Kementerian Dalam Negeri, Unit Kawalan Penerbitan dan Teks Al-Quran to attend a meeting at KL on 21 Feb 2011, 2pm on the issue. |
Feb 21 | Investigation by ASP from Timur Laut regarding the 15 police reports lodged against myBalikPulau newsletter. Investigation session with Arts-ED chairperson, Janet Pillai was carried out for 2 hours at ARTS-ED office at 19, Cannon Street. The investigation was witnessed by Kuah Li Feng, Arts-ED’s staff. During the session Janet defended the 8 issues as summarized by ASP from the 15 police reports: 1) the term “pelarian politik” 2) the use of s.a.w. for Prophet Ibrahim 3) Illustration showing monkey pointing at man climbing tree 4) Illustration of slaughtering during Hari Raya Korban 5) Illustration of WWII- bombing of George Town 6) Illustration of Chettiars lending money to Malays and Chinese 7) Historical facts on the founding of Masjid Kongsi 8) Historical facts on Stanley Stewart as ADO |
Feb 22 | Penang police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Wira Ayub Yaakob said to the press that an investigation was ongoing and said those unhappy over the Interlok novel or the publication of ‘My Balik Pulau’ could go through the proper channels to voice their dissatisfaction. |
Feb 23 & Feb 27 | ARTS-ED call for a meeting with concerned NGOs and individuals for updates of events, briefing and strategies for further action. |
March 3 | A press conference regarding issues on myBALIKpulau newsletter was held on 2nd March 2011, 11am at Arts-Ed office (19, Cannon Street). There were approximately 40 people attending the press conference, including Dato’ Dr. Toh Kin Woon (former State Executive Councilor for Education, Janet Pillai (Chairperson of Arts-ED), representatives from various organizations, parents, facilitators, participants as well as supporters of Arts-ED projects. Dato’ Dr. Toh made several clarifications related to Arts-Ed and the myBALIKpulau newsletter. Chee Sek Thim (Reka Art Space) read out a joint statement endorsed by 58 arts, heritage and civil society organizations and groups Also speaking up for Arts-ED during the press conference were Joanne Khaw (heritage tourist guide and Arts-ED’s supporter), Nordiyana binti Md Aini (facilitator of Arts-ED’s project) and Fidel Ho (parents of Arts-ED’s participant). |
Isnin, 28 Februari 2011
Chronology of Disputes Over Mybalikpulau Newsletter
Media Watch 28 February 2011
UTUSAN MALAYSIA
Melayu P. Pinang tewas dengan maklumat, teknologi?
http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2011&dt=0228&pub=utusan_malaysia&sec=Rencana&pg=re_08.htm&arc=hive
Rabu, 23 Februari 2011
Kenyataan akhbar / 文告/ Press Statement Arts-ED 11 Feb 2011 & 8 Feb 2011
Kenyataan Akhbar oleh Persatuan Pendidikan Seni Pulau Pinang (Arts-ED)
11 Februari 2011
Vaughan
Risalah kami “Balik Pulau ku” (myBalikPulau) merupakan risalah berita untuk masyarakat yang diterbitkan dengan hanya satu tujuan: untuk melibatkan warga tua dan muda serta masyarakat tempatan untuk berkongsi ingatan, pengalaman dan kisah-kisah lalu dan legenda.
Arts-ED ingin menjelaskan bahawa risalah myBalikPulau TIDAK bertujuan untuk mengubah sejarah. Kami TIDAK PERNAH dan TIDAK BERNIAT untuk menjadikan risalah ini setaraf dengan buku sejarah.
Risalah ini hanya bertujuan untuk membentangkan sejarah lisan turun-temurun seperti yang diceritakan oleh penduduk tempatan di Balik Pulau. Risalah ini juga membentangkan sumber-sumber tulisan dalam terbitan buku yang dijumpai semasa kerja penyelidikan dijalankan. Informasi yang tidak dapat diperolehi pada masa tersebut jelasnya tidak dapat dibentangkan.
Sejarah lisan merupai pandangan dari individu-individu yang berminat serta sudi berkongsi cerita-cerita mereka. Dalam proses penerbitan risalah ini, langkah-langkah telah diambil untuk melibatkan ahli masyarakat dari pelbagai kaum. Ada
Sejarah lisan merupakan refleksi ingatan, pengalaman serta cerita yang diturunkan dari generasi ke generasi. Ia merupakan artikulasi pandangan si pencerita tersebut. Arts-Ed berpegang kepada penglibatan sosial dan percaya setiap individu berhak untuk menceritakan sejarah serta pengalaman mereka dari satu generasi kepada generasi yang lain.
Sumber sejarah Balik Pulau yang digunakan dalam risalah myBalikPulau:
1. Asal-Usul Penghuni
Semasa penerbitan risalah myBalikPulau, penolong penyelidik ARTS-ED hanya menjumpai sejarah lisan yang diterbitkan oleh Pentadbiran Pejabat Daerah dan Barat Daya dan Tanah, Daerah Barat Daya.
Dalam terbitan tersebut didapati sebuah artikal bertajuk “Sejarah Penghijrahan Penduduk-Penduduk Awal Balik Pulau” oleh Ruhana Ahmad. Daripada cerita-cerita lisan yang dikutip daripada penduduk di Balik Pulau, beliau membuat rumusan yang berikutan:
“Hampir keseluruhan penduduk-penduduk asal yang ditemui di sekitar Balik Pulau mengakui bahawa asal-usul keturunan mereka ialah dari Pattani, Satul, Yala, Kedah dan Perlis”. (pp. 14)
2. Penghijrahan/Pelarian Beramai-ramai
Informasi tentang penghijrahan beramai-ramai pada zaman 1820-an dalam risalah myBalikPulau didapati daripada sejarah yang diterbitkan di buku-buku tersebut:
i) Haji Buyong Adil. (1980). Sejarah Kedah. Kuala Lumpur: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka & Kementerian Pelajaran Malaysia (pp. 53-71)
ii) Andaya, B. W. and L.Y. Andaya (1982). A History of Malaysia London
3. Informasi berkenaan dengan kejadian sejarah, biografi tokoh dan bangunan dikumpul khasnya dari penduduk tempatan Balik Pulau, dan dari penerbitan yang dikeluarkan oleh institusi tertentu.
__________________________
Baru-baru ini dalam Februari 2011, selepas penerbitan dan pengelilingan risalah myBalikPulau, Arts-ED telah diberitahu tentang sumber sejarah lisan yang baru. Arts-ED sangat berdedikasi untuk mengumpul sejarah lisan dan mengalu-alukan informasi baru dan percayai bahawa ianya patut disebar kepada orang ramai dan ditambah kepada sumber koleksi sejarah lisan.
Penerbitan tersebut ialah Vaughan
Artikel Vaughan diterjemah dalam satu laporan kajian USM 2006 bertajuk “Sejarah Awal Pulau Pinang”, diperolehi online (http://eprints.usm.my/4843/1/Sejarah_Awal_Pulau_Pinang.pdf)
“Dengan dasar sedemikian, permintaan untuk membuka tanah terus diterima oleh orang Melayu dan bukan Melayu. Orang Melayu yang datang bersama-sama Francis Light dari Kedah diberikan tanah percuma di kawasan Datok Keramat, mungkin kerana pengaruh Datok Setia dari Kuala Muda yang memiliki tanah di kawasan tersebut sejak awal lagi. Kapten Scott diberikan kawasan di Gelugor dan membuka tanah untuk penanaman lada hitam di kawasan tersebut. Seorang saudagar Inggeris bernama Bacon membuka Ayer Itam. Beberapa orang Melayu juga disebut membuka beberapa kampong di bahagian barat daya. Pah Kechil dari Batu Bara (Indonesia) bersama-sama Jamaluddin dan nakhoda Che Salleh dari Lingga membuka Permatang Damar Laut, Nakhoda Seedin dari Deli dan Panglima Long dari Setul membuka Teluk Kumbar, dan Lebai Tampak dari Deli membuka Balik Pulau (pp.38-39)”
Artikel asal oleh Vaughan, J.D:
“The Malays that came over with Light got free grants of land and they cleared the jungle where Datu Cramat now stands. Seven years after the English came, a person name Danbie Chand cleared the land about Batu Lanchang. Two years after a Captain Scott cleared the land at Glughore; he was assisted by a man named Mahomed Prie of Sungora. Nacodah Intan cleared Batu Uban. A year after an European named Raboo(?) assisted by a Malay named Hakim Tudoh cleared Sunghie Nibong. A Malay named Loh Munu cleared Sunghie Kluang. Haji Mahomad Salleh three years after this, or about twelve after coming to Pinang, settled at Bayan Lepas with a man named Long Syed…(cont.) Nacodah Seedin, a native of Delhi, and Panglima Long of Sittool first settled at Tellok Commber. Tukong Ko of Purlis and Lebbi Tampak of Delhie, cleared Bali Pulo. (pp.174 -175)”
8 Februari 2011
Risalah kami “Balik Pulau Ku” (My Balik Pulau) telah menerima beberapa komen di akhbar akhir-akhir ini. Kami ingin menjelaskan bahawa risalah ini adalah himpunan kisah-kisah lisan dan temuramah hasil sumbangan daripada mereka yang dewasa, yang lebih berusia, dan murid-murid sekolah yang tinggal di sana
Risalah berita untuk masyarakat diterbitkan dengan satu tujuan: membolehkan kanak-kanak, orang dewasa serta sejarahwan tempatan berinteraksi, berkongsi ingatan, pengalaman dan kisah-kisah lalu dan legenda. Cerita-cerita ini terkumpul selepas beberapa tahun dan setiap kisahnya bersifat tulen pada pengalaman dan persepsi si pencerita; di samping itu, ia juga digabungi dengan maklumat tambahan yang dikumpul semak daripada sumber-sumber yang diterbitkan oleh pembantu-pembantu penyelidik Persatuan Pendidikan Seni pada masa itu.
Hasrat utama kami adalah menampilkan usaha-usaha kolektif kanak-kanak dan masyarakat setempat, tanpa sebarang tujuan menjadikan risalah ini sebagai autoritatif mengenai sejarah Balik Pulau. Sejarah menjadi salah satu tema dalam risalah ini; tema-tema lain ialah senibina, makanan dan tokoh-tokoh.
Bagaimanapun, kami menyedari bahawa format persembahan dan alih bahasa risalah telah mengakibatkan interpretasi yang berbeza, maka kami kesali sekira ianya mungkin menyentuhi sensitiviti-sensitiviti tertentu.
Kami ingin menyampaikan ucapan terima kasih kepada masyarakat Balik Pulau, pihak penaja-penaja serta penyokong-penyokong kami atas kemurahan hati dan bantuan bernilai mereka dan ingin menyakinkan mereka bahawa hala tuju kami tetap bersifat awapolitik (apolitical) dan sentiasa berhasrat membantu masyarakat melahirkan hasratnya seperti menjanakan perbincangan mengenai aset-aset atau milikan budayanya.
Menyedari tentang had-had yang terdapat pada risalah My Balik Pulau, maka pihak kami, terlebih maklum, mengalu-alukan maklum balas, sumbangan positif dan sivil demi memperkayakan arkib milikan masyarakat.
Letter to Editor by Fidel Ho, parent of an ARTS-ED's program participant
22 February 2011
I have been following closely on the news on the My Balik Pulau newsletter and I personally feel that those who brought up the issue are just trying to pull a political stunt, maybe because election is near. It is very sad that our country is made up of politicians who resort to such despicable and degrading act.
Even my 15 years old daughter asked me why is it such a big issue of a project with the pure intention to document the history of the community, by the community and for the community when there is so much controversy in our history books. Won’t the history books pollute the minds of millions of our innocent children? She even asked me a simple question, “ Does establishing who occupied the land first bring our country forward as a nation? If yes, then we are doing a great injustice to the orang asli.” A fifteen year old can understand a simple concept like this, what’s wrong with us adults?
I have written a short article about Arts-Ed entitled ‘Heboh way to unity” which was published by The Star on 3 May 2007. It was about one of the biggest program by Arts-Ed, “Heritage Heboh” which brought together children from Penang to tell the story of how Penang started. Not only did it bring together children from different races but also children from different backgrounds. There were children from normal families as well as from homes. My children learnt that not everybody is as fortunate as them and also learnt how to make friends with people from different background without hurting their feeling. The most important thing is they learnt to be more appreciative. This is the moral lesson we want our children to learn, not memorizing the definition of thirty six moral values from the textbook and spill it out word by word in the exam. The most comical thing my children told me about the moral exam paper is the definition must be hundred percent same with the text book if you want to score. The ironical part is it doesn’t matter whether the students understand the importance of the value. Good luck to our education system and look what is happening to our society now.
Also I mentioned how my two children were “stranded” in a Malay friend’s party whom they got to know from Arts-Ed. They were the only Chinese there and most of the guests were pakciks and makciks. When they told us about it over the phone, our immediate reaction was to ask them whether they wanted to leave immediately. We were spendidly surprised when they said no as the pakciks and makciks were so nice to them and they were enjoying the party. I felt like the luckiest and proudest mother at that moment. Frankly even for us adults, we would want to “cabut” if we were in a room full of strangers not only not our kind but many times not our age.
I am forever grateful to Arts-Ed especially the founder Janet for helping to shape my two lovely children into teenagers who are colour blind as far as race is concerned. They actually have a “love-hate” relationship with her. They hate her when they get scolded by her during the training but end of the day they love her for learning so much from her. Her style of teaching is so different from school. She gave space to the children to explore themselves. My children joined many camps but none can create such an impact. In fact my son’s exact words recently,” If not for Arts-Ed, I would still be a typical “kiasu” and “kiasi” Chinese nerd who doesn’t bother to have friends from other races.” Thanks to Arts-Ed, he has transformed from an introvert to a cheerful, caring, daring boy who always makes me laugh until I cry and cry until I laugh. He is now actively involved in his university’s activities and enjoying every minute of it.
The first time I sent my children to Arts-Ed camp was in 2005. I still remember how they refused to get out of the car when we reached the place. After much persuasion they finally went in. When we went to pick them up later, my husband and I were surprised as both of them were busy chattering about the camp, new friends they made and how they look forward to the next session. The whole of the following week, all they talked about was the camp. On the day of the next session, they got ready without my usual nagging and made us go there early. We met the organizers, coordinators and facilitators. They were from all races, all ages and most of them were volunteers. Even though they were not paid or paid a minimal amount, they were very passionate about their jobs. They made the children felt at ease especially the younger ones. I can still remember my daughter was so attached to a Malay and an Indian facilitator even though she couldn’t speak much Malay or English yet. I was so impressed with how Arts-Ed runs their programs until I became one of their volunteers and later a part-time employee. They promote racial integration by indirectly making them feel less conscious about their race but more of a Malaysian or rather a Penangite. That is the true 1 Malaysia spirit and it works. Children learnt indirectly how to respect others regardless of their religion and race and they learn to accept and understand that people are different. Of course there were occasions whereby the children would argue over something but it was never over anything racial. Furthermore their programs were all very interesting and most of them were free.
After becoming their volunteer, only I realized how the organization runs on a skeleton staff and budget. One can imagine the challenging and daunting task of getting sponsors, planning and organizing. As a mother, I can imagine the challenges of dealing with so many children especially the hyperactive ones.
To say Arts-Ed is a racist organization is sheer nonsense. Those who make police report s against the newsletter are people who have nothing better to do or rather they think the police have nothing better to do. Police should be doing what they are supposed to do which is primarily taking care of the safety of the citizens. But thanks and no thanks to a certain group of ignorant people, they have to spend their time handling all this time wasting and no value add cases. Worst still, it creates disharmony among the people. I wonder what is their real objective. One just need to get feedback from those especially the Malays who have participated in the program or those who have worked with Arts-Ed to find out what Arts-Ed is all about and all the great job they have done for the community.
I personally feel we need organization like Arts-Ed to revamp our education system. Once again I would like to thank Arts-Ed for being there and doing what they are doing . Please do not quit because of some ruthless politicians. Hang in there. You are one of the genuine NGOs that really care about the community and the future of our children. The truth will prevail.
Fidel Ho
Stories from the People: ARTS-ED by Suzy Sulaiman
Feb 22 2011 by Suzy Sulaiman
When I received news from fellow artists about the plight with Arts Ed's MybalikPulau newsletter, I knew I had to say my two cents before the matter became further distorted by political figures solely out to for their own image and popularity.
My working experience with Arts Ed came through an invitation to work on a collaboration between my research team and their organization. This was to produce a heritage architecture trail brochure. It was designed as a brochure for tourists that gives information about heritage architecture within a section of George Town.
In 2008, my team spent two weeks in Penang; as we are KL-based; to work on the production of a prototype version of the brochure. We were introduced to the neighborhood and were also equipped of basic research skills of conducing interviews by Arts Ed. Arts-Ed arranged for graphic designers, testers and even a heritage architect; to come over and discuss my team’s proposal. They came across as very dedicated, driven and hard-working individuals. It was a fantastic learning experience for the team and I as we got to work closely with the local communities and hear the `untold’ stories of the people.
Above: Drawings produced by my research team about the neighborhood architecture in George Town. (Picture Credits: Author)
What I can summarize from Arts-Ed’s initiative is historical empowerment through community engagement. Children and youths are trained to be gate-keepers of their own heritage as they learn the methods of conducting research. We want to make everyone feel that their stories matter. No person exists in a vacuum and their foot paths can be traced back to a certain beginning. Every voice adds to the collection of our oral heritage.
All great and robust cities are cosmopolitan. They consist of a population from different races, religions and languages. And everyone matters, because it is in their differences that create symbiotic relationships crucial for economic survival. It is high-time that we acknowledge every groups of people; especially those who had migrate to Malaya in search of better opportunities because they have helped build this country in some small way. From the colonial master's gardener to the colonial master himself; must be brought forward. Strength in unity through diversity; is what I feel Arts Ed is about.
It is very disheartening to know that the works of Arts-Ed; that champions educational empowerment through artistic endeavors; is being portrayed so negatively in the recent turn of events. All of their sleepless nights, toil, sweat and tears are going down the drain simply because ruthless parties want to manipulate this into an issue to get political leverage. To those irresponsible parties; I suggest that instead of bickering and burning a newsletter; why not focus on more constructive efforts like better quality education or basic amenities for Balik Pulau?
Suzy Sulaiman holds a diploma in Architecture and masters in Digital Media from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM). In 2005, she founded a designers' collaborative known as `Responsible Community Architecture + People (re-cap.org) that is dedicated towards community-building through new media and architecture.She has lead research projects for private and non-government organizations like Rapid Penang, Arts Ed., Anak-Anak Kota and the Heritage Trust of Malaysia. Suzy also lectures extensively in subject of architecture, culture and theory.
Selasa, 22 Februari 2011
Media Watch ( 21 Februari 2011 )
MERDEKA REVIEW
Merungkai kekeliruan myBALIKpulau
http://www.merdekareview.com/bm/news.php?n=11567
THE NUT GRAPH
Speaking up for Arts-ED by Natasha Khanum
http://www.thenutgraph.com/speaking-up-for-arts-ed/
Merungkai kekeliruan myBALIKpulau
http://www.merdekareview.com/bm/news.php?n=11567
THE NUT GRAPH
Speaking up for Arts-ED by Natasha Khanum
http://www.thenutgraph.com/speaking-up-for-arts-ed/
Isnin, 21 Februari 2011
Media Watch ( 18 Feb 2011 )
UTUSAN MALAYSIA
Risalah My Balik Pulau: Empat lagi laporan polis dibuat
http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2011&dt=0218&pub=utusan_malaysia&sec=Utara&pg=wu_04.htm&arc=hive
Risalah My Balik Pulau: Empat lagi laporan polis dibuat
http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2011&dt=0218&pub=utusan_malaysia&sec=Utara&pg=wu_04.htm&arc=hive
Tiga lagi laporan polis mengenai 'My Balik Pulau'
http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2011&dt=0218&pub=utusan_malaysia&sec=Terkini&pg=bt_14.htm&arc=hive
光华日报
谴责出版《我的浮罗山背》责任推给前朝政府, 大马儿女之声赠槟首长“神秘礼物”
Ahad, 20 Februari 2011
MyBalikpulau Program
MyBALIKpulau, is one of two community-based arts and heritage education programs organized by Arts-ED. A similar project entitled Anak-Anak Kota is conducted in the World Heritage site of George Town. MyBALIKpulau program has involved hundreds of young residents aged 10-20 from BalikPulau since 2005. The program is designed to help young residents connect with their community heritage by discovering, mapping and interpreting their natural and cultural assets through various creative approaches/initiatives. Young residents use photography, computer technology, illustration and interviews to map and document their cultural heritage such as buildings, trades, food, crafts, lifestyle, people, family’s history, agricultural produce, history etc.
Since 2005, the myBALIKpulau program has published a Discover Balik Pulau Trail Map, Touring of Pictorial Exhibition of Cultural Assets of Balik Pulau and History, Cultural Heritage Walking Tour and published a myBALIKpulau community newsletter.
See the project in slideshow format
http://www.arts-ed-penang.org/images/aak/balikpulau/bpulauslides.htm
Media Watch ( 19 Februari 2011 )
19 Februari 2011
Utusan Malaysia
My Balik Pulau: 3 lagi laporan polis dibuat
Berita Harian
Tiga lagi laporan polis isu risalah myBalik Pulau
http://www.bharian.com.my/bharian/articles/TigalagilaporanpolisisurisalahmyBalikPulau/Article/
http://www.bharian.com.my/bharian/articles/TigalagilaporanpolisisurisalahmyBalikPulau/Article/
Malaysiakini
PAS: Penang increasingly tense with racial politics
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/156406
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/156406
Khamis, 17 Februari 2011
Media Watch (17 Feb 2011)
17 Feb 2011, Media Watch
MERDEKA REVIEW
Arts-ED: Kami tidak bertujuan untuk mengubah sejarah
MALAYSIAKINI
Indian Muslims join 'My Balik Pulau' war
学者警告种族关系濒临崩溃, 政治人物再不收敛爆发冲突
THE MALAYSIA INSIDER
Heritage body says Guan Eng salvo fired by imposter
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/heritage-body-says-guan-eng-salvo-fired-by-imposter/UTUSAN MALAYSIA
My Balik Pulau: Pertubuhan Suara Anak-Anak Malaysia serah bukti
Empat lagi buat laporan polis berhubung pengedaran risalah My Balik Pulau,
Guan Eng dihadiahkan ros hitam oleh Suara Anak-anak Malaysia
Blog Article by Nur Diyana Md Aini, former facilitator of ARTS-ED
Nur Diyana Md Aini
17 Februari 2011
**Pls noted tht MyBalik Pulau program NOT have any hidden agenda such as mentioned by Azman Hassan, NO RACIST, NO POLITIC,it just purely to educate youngster to get know their own living area, to understand the culture & it based on the Oral history from the old folks**
For those who think that I am pro BN or pro DAP/PKR you are absolutely wrong.
I am a NORMAL Malaysian who born in Malay Culture & love Malaysia.
For those who think that I am pro BN or pro DAP/PKR you are absolutely wrong.
I am a NORMAL Malaysian who born in Malay Culture & love Malaysia.
Ya Allah, how silly they can act about it, the issue been politicized by the individual/party who do not know anything what is MyBalik Pulau Project. MyBalik Pulau is a one part of project runs by Arts ED, Arts ED is a NGO run the education program for a youngster to give them awareness about the heritage by using arts as the methodology of teaching.
Arts ED had work with childrens in rural & town area, schools, teachers & community. The participants come from various backgrounds around Penang, different race, different religion but Arts ED able to gather them in one group to do a program.
I hope this post able to help them to clarify a thing before it’s getting worse.
I am one of the facilitator/asst coordinator for the MyBalik Pulau Phase 2 fully involved & occasionally in phase 1 & 3. MyBalik Pulau had 3 phases, start from 2005 till 2009. All the phase is a process to invent MyBalik Pulau & Heritage trail Map for a tourist to come to Balik Pulau. We had gone thru long processed to make it happen.
I am one of the facilitator/asst coordinator for the MyBalik Pulau Phase 2 fully involved & occasionally in phase 1 & 3. MyBalik Pulau had 3 phases, start from 2005 till 2009. All the phase is a process to invent MyBalik Pulau & Heritage trail Map for a tourist to come to Balik Pulau. We had gone thru long processed to make it happen.
The programs start with implant them the skills on writing, photography, interviewing & get them know elements of arts. Basically, to get them know their family history, their origin & Collecting Balik Pulau history from the old folks & community who born & live there. It just not that, it’s also recognize the trade that had only in Balik Pulau such as the goldsmith uncle & nutmeg farm, the traditional kuih/food s, the building includes Malays Traditional House, traditional shop houses & many more.
The impact of this Arts ED effort is larger than the time we had spend with the participants. The kids/participants know their roots, even they become much better on the study, the focusing & they had a new idea of their life path. Balik Pulau is consider rural area, orang yang bertanggungjawab menjaga sesuatu tempat adalah orang yang tinggal ditempat itu sendiri, dan kanak-kanak adalah antara individu yang paling sesuai untuk ditanamkan jatidiri sifat menyayangi tempat kelahiran mereka & berbangga menjadi penduduk tempat terebut.
And out of nowhere suddenly ‘Hero’ come out & said that the MyBalik Pulau is a ‘dalang’ for DAP/PKR, jatuhkan maruah melayu, hina melayu & macam-macam isu yang cuba di politikan seolah-olah macam tiada modal atau kehabisan idea untuk berkempen. I do understand that BN really want back Penang from DAP/PKR or what so ever, I pun harap that BN win (if BN win on the next election, it can stop all the non sense issue) because I memang tak sanggup tengok Racist Issue in our country.
I dunno who start to fire up this MyBalik Pulau issue. Untuk makluman semua semasa kami menjalankan temubual pada 2005 – 2008 dengan pendudk sekitar, bahkan dengan pejabat daerah sendiri, bertemu muka dengan YB (Pulau Pinang adalah semasa itu jajahan BN), YB yang bertanggungjawab juga adalah BN, bukan DAP/PKR, tidak pula mereka ceritakan yang membuka Balik Pulau ini adalah polan si polan,
Soalnya KENAPA SAAT KAMI BERPANAS, BERTAHUN-TAHUN MENGUMPUL BAHAN TIDAK ADA SEORANG PUN YANG TAMPIL MEMBERI CERITA YANG SEBENAR, KENAPA BARU TAHUN INI MAHU DIBESARKAN ISU?seperti yg disebut oleh YB Farid, mana Mohamed Nordin Mohd Nor masa itu? Mana Azman Hassan? Mana Abdul Said Hussain? Dimana ANDA-ANDA semua?
Semasa 2005-2008 saya sendiri tak pernah dengar nama Lim Guan Eng & YB Yusmadi (sedangkan semasa pelancaran MyBalik Pulau 2009, YB Yusmadi dtg minta kami print T shirt pun saya tak kenal , malah kami melayan beliau sama dengan orang awam yang lain yang mahu kami buat silk print pada baju putih yang kami buat secara percuma semasa hari pelancaran) mana hujah yang kata Arts ED is dalang for DAP/PKR? dan DAP/PKR also blaming the kerajaan negeri about this. Pada saya ini bukan tindakan bijak. Ini contoh yang saya berikan, dalam cerita AI (Artificial Intelligence) manusia buat robot untuk manusia, dan manusia lain blaming the robot sebab robot itu menghapuskan manusia, kenapa mahu di hukum robot itu? Kenapa tak di tanya kepada manusia yang invent robot tu? Dalam situasi Arts ED, kenapa BN atau DAP tidak bertanya pada Arts ED sendiri. Kaji apa & siapa Arts ED sebelum buat tuduhan yang melulu & tidak berasas.
Ada seorang hamba Allah kata, kesal kerana melayu dikatakan pelarian, dimana sanggup menggadai tanah untuk perkahwinan, maka dengan tidak semena-mena muncul berbagai persatuan-persatuan yang tidak pernah dengar wujudnya dulu, sekarang berbondong-bondong mendabik dada ‘kami membantah MyBalik Pulau’ dan membakar risalah berunsur pendidikan itu.
Ada juga yang marah, kenapa ditunjukkan gambar orang melayu memanjat pokok kelapa dan dibawahnya adalah monyet di dalam peta MyBalik Pulau – see how silly they can get? For your information, is not illustrate, it is a photo taken while we do interview & walk around the Balik Pulau. When we always think negative, we will always get negative. How about this explanation, melayu panjat pokok kelapa, adakah hina pekerjaan tu? Hinakah sesiapa yang bapanya memanjat kelapa dan menjual kelapa untuk untuk mencari nafkah? Mungkin monyet yang di bawah itu adalah penolong pada tuannya & tuannya ingin mengajar monyet itu supaya lain kali monyet tu boleh tolong dia untuk buat kerja atau mungkin it’s a turn to that monkey to rest & tuan dia pula kena kerja. Monyet tu bukan makhluk tuhan jugakah yang perlu rehat macam kita? Enough said…I rasa kalau diberi sejuta contoh yang positif kalau pemikiran masih negative, mana arah untuk kebaikan?
Adakah 1 Malaysia yang diwar-warkan itu cuma mimpi? Sampai bila mahu berbalah? Kalau mereka-mereka berkenaan bijak tangani emosi kenapa tidak ditanya dulu, betulkan kami jika kamu rasa kami salah, bukan tuduhan melulu yang tidak berasas, gambar orang melayu bergotong royong menyiapkan majlis kenduri tidak pula digemburkan? Tak banggakah melihat kampung-kampung di Balik Pulau itu, penduduknya masih amalkan budaya bergotong royong, tidak seperti kamu-kamu dibandar yang sudah mengamalkan catering bila mana2 majlis?
Saya masih ingat ketika Pulau Pinang di wartakan sebagai Tapak Warisan Dunia, under UNESCO, my former lecturer Janet Pillai (Liyana Pillai Abdullah) she’s the core person together with the few friends of her, playing an important role to get Penang as World Heritage & they been work hard on it, during that time banyak yang pandang mencemuh, mengata termasuk kerajaan, tetapi saat diraikan di Kuala Lumpur rombongan kami diketepikan dan kerajaan negeri mendabik dada pergi menyambut? Apa perasaan anak-anak yang terlibat sama? Can ask my students & friends how they feel about it.
Peristiwa berulang kali, Arts ED ditindas sekali lagi, email yang dihantar pada saluran berita tidak langsung di hiraukan, Arts ED dikecam habis-habisan, tersepit dengan perbalahan politik yang isu yang tidak munasabah. Jangan diapi-apikan soal perkauman. Penat usaha Arts ED menyatukan kaum. Tetapi ini natijahnya. Tanyalah sendiri kepada anak-anak yang bersama-sama menjayakan MyBalik Pulau, apa yang mereka rasa? Kebanyakan mereka berjaya, ada yang berjaya ke asrama penuh, adakah mereka benci Melayu? adakah yang Melayu membenci Cina? atau yang India rasa terpinggir? Tidak, sama sekali tidak.
Alangkah kejam & taksubnya mereka terhadap sesuatu yang dikatakan mencari NAMA & KUASA.
Find us at this link, getting to know us (although ARTS ED had produced very talented person in many years since the ARTS ED setting up) www.arts-ed-penang.org
this is Marion d'Cruz from Five Art view, Five Art located in KL
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/breakingviews/article/no-to-political-interference-marion-dcruz/
Penang Heritage Trust
16 February 2011
SURAT KEPADA EDITOR
Persatuan Warisan Pulau Pinang adalah sebuah pertubuhan bukan-kerajaan yang telah didaftar oleh Jabatan Pendaftaran Pertubuhan Malaysia.
Kami mendapati bahawa nama Persatuan kami termuncul dalam laporan temuduga En.Azman Hassan dengan TV3, dimana beliau dilaporkan sebagai Setiausha Persatuan Warisan Pulau Pinang. Laporan ini boleh ditontoni di laman web TV3 : http://www.tv3.com.my/beritatv3/berita_terkini/Persatuan_Warisan_Pulau_Pinang_Cabar_Guan_Eng_Buat_Laporan_Polis.html
Kami ingin menjelaskan bahawa En.Azman Hassan tidak pernah menjadi ahli Persatuan kami atau Setiausha Persatuan kami.
Persatuan Warisan Pulau Pinang ingin juga merakamkan sokongannya kepada badan-badan yang menjalankan usaha-usaha pendidikan dan kesedaran warisan, khususnya di kalangan muda-mudi kita. Usaha-usaha oleh ARTS-ED, misalnya program warisan Anak-Anak Kota dan drama musikal "Kisah Pulau Pinang" telah dan harus disambut baik, demi penyebaran budaya dan sejarah di kalangan pelbagai kaum di Malaysia.
Penerbitan ARTS-ED "My Balik Pulau" adalah hasil usaha anak-anak muda dalam bidang Sejarah Lisan. Sejarah Lisan yang dikumpulkan oleh anak-anak muda adalah melalui catatan dan rakaman cerita-cerita dan ingatan generasi tua dari pelbagai kaum di sekitar kawasan Balik Pulau terhadap sesuatu peristiwa masa lampau. Isi kandungan sejarah lisan ini diterbitkan tanpa perubahan. Jika ada pentafsiran yang berbeza, ini perlu dibuktikan secara rasional dan perubahan boleh dibuat, jika diperlu.
Sekian, terima kasih.
Khoo Salma Nasution
Persatuan Warisan Pulau Pinang
16 February 2011
Dear Editor,
PRESS STATEMENT BY PENANG HERITAGE TRUST
Persatuan Warisan Pulau Pinang or the Penang Heritage Trust (PHT) is a legally-registered society with the Registrar of Societies. Our society was quoted in a TV3 report at a press conference by Encik Azman Hassan where he was addressed as the secretary of the Penang Heritage Trust. The link is as follows: http://www.tv3.com.my/beritatv3/berita_terkini/Persatuan_Warisan_Pulau_Pinang_Cabar_Guan_Eng_Buat_Laporan_Polis.html .
We wish to clarify that Encik Azman Hassan is neither a member nor is he the secretary of our society.
The Penang Heritage Trust is supportive of the efforts of ARTS-ED as an NGO that has worked to raise heritage awareness among young people and the community. Youth projects like ‘Anak-Anak Kota’, musical stage show ‘Kisah Pulau Pinang’ etc conducted by ARTS-ED are exemplary in promoting the understanding of the culture and history among the various communities in Malaysia.
Their newsletter ‘MyBalikPulau’ is published as a collection of oral histories on the stories and past incidents narrated by elders from the multi-racial community residing in Balik Pulau and its vicinities, and compiled by young people, and published without alteration. If there are any differences in the interpretation, they should be proven academically and dealt with in a rational manner, and if necessary, alterations can be made.
Thank you very much. We hope that you can help us to publish the above press statement.
Khoo Salma Nasution
President
See also Penang Heritage Trust's statement in
THE MALAYSIAN INSIDER, February 17, 2011
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