A conversation with two Malaysians over the Alvivi Bak Kut Teh case

Whilst I was in Malaysia, I was supposed to have met up with Alvin Tan at last and hung out with him - instead, he got arrested and well, you guys know as much as I do as it has been all over the papers. Luckily I do have other friends in KL to hang out with and I couldn't resist talking to them about this case and see what their point of views were as Malaysians. Both my friends are in their mid-20s, male, Chinese-Malaysians and have good jobs. 'Sabah' is from Kota Kinabalu and works in advertising whilst 'Penang' is from Georgetown and works in banking. Both have been educated in the West but have returned to work in KL.

Limpeh: So what did you guys think of the case so far?

Limpeh in KL

Sabah: Chinese Malaysians have always been discriminated – they accept their status as second class citizens. This is clear is all aspects of our lives here, the laws are designed to protect the rights of the bumiputras and if you are Chinese or Indian, then it can be pretty tough you know. Many Chinese Malaysians just give up on the local education system and send their children abroad instead to get a better education.

Penang: Many Chinese Malaysians have the long term plan to leave, not to some kind of Chinese majority place like HK or Singapore but rather for the West. I have relatives in many countries who have done just that and maybe one day, we will leave too. There are just so many things we are frustrated with here, with life in Malaysia. Especially after we have lived in the West, to return here and be expected to fit in... it was a big challenge to say the least after having enjoyed a more liberal lifestyle in the West. 

Limpeh: Did Alvin accidentally stumble across the line in the sand or did he do it as a gesture of protest? He is too intelligent to make a silly mistake. I know he is not stupid. Recently, Alvin very intelligently argued in Vivian’s defence after she was mugged, on the issue of crime and responsibility...

Sabah: I don't know - on one hand, yes we know he is a law student... well, former law scholar. On the other hand, it did come across as an incredibly stupid thing to do you know. Sure amongst we Chinese Malaysians, we make jokes, say inappropriate things to each other sometimes - but we would never put it online and give someone evidence to arrest us and charge us with an offence like that. That is just asking for trouble.

Limpeh: What is the intended consequences of the actions of the Malaysian authorities, is it to scare others into self censorship? Or am I reading too much into it?

Penang: I don' think Malaysians need to be reminded where the line is and that they should not cross it. There are plenty of others in the past, over he years, who have crossed that line and got into trouble for it. It is a political gesture, to score points if you like - to show the people that they are in charge and there are plenty of people who want to see Alvin and Vivian thrown in jail and this was just the right kind of opportunity to show them who's in charge.

Sabah: Is Alvin trying to get Malaysia to be more like Singapore, a more liberal ASEAN country? 

Limpeh: So you think that Singapore is more liberal than Malaysia?

Hahaha, my Malaysians friends think Singapore is liberal...

Sabah: Yes, definitely. Take the Pink Dot event in Singapore for example, that would never ever happen in Malaysia, not in my life time. There is a part of me that believes that he was trying to make some kind of political statement, or that the stunt was some kind of political experiment, to show how far you can push the limits before you get into trouble. Clearly, he didn't get what he wanted - he got into trouble. He wanted attention but not trouble.

Penang: Or is the whole thing just one big stupid mistake? Maybe he did it without thinking this one through?

Limpeh: How much is Vivian Lee being dragged along? Is she a willing participant? 

Sabah: Some of us believe that she has no mind of her own and was dragged along, but that is mere speculation. If some friend of mine wanted to involve me in a prank like that, I would say wait a minute, this is a bad idea. I would tell my friend not to do something like that.

Penang: There are Muslims in Malaysia who do say nasty anti-Chinese rhetoric and they never get into trouble, but the moment a Chinese person like Alvin crosses the line, he is in big trouble. There is an element of double standards going on here – the majority vs the minority, it is no different from Singapore where some groups like the pinoys have no protection against racism. It's pretty bad I'm afraid...

Sabah: Malaysia is actually a divided country – KL is very modern and progressive whilst the kampong countryside is very backward and conservative. Some of the more rural parts of Sabah where I come from are sill really backwards and those living there are also very backwards in their thinking. Maybe modern KL folks are far more liberal, but Alvin failed to take into account his actions within the context of the country as a whole.

Limpeh: Alvin had set himself up for an easy target and the moment he crossed the line, the government knew that they could make an example of him as he would have few supporters/friends. Well his supporters would clearly by liberals like myself who support him on he principle of free speech and liberalism - but clearly, liberals are in the minority in Malaysia as we can see by the reaction in social media...

Penang: Whilst many Malays were offended by the Bak Kut Teh suggestion, many would have been satisfied with a slap on the wrist and an apology and even those who were offended were shocked at the way he was treated like a dangerous criminal. Many actually felt that he was sufficiently punished for his sex blog already by losing his scholarship and the public shame, so they are surprised that he is being charged for it as a crime at this stage, many months later. It's like... why now? Why not last year when this first emerged, you know?

Sabah: Many also feel that his guilt is a foregone conclusion given he was denied bail and that he will not get a fair trial... There is a mixed reaction: nobody condones his stupid joke, some people have accepted his apology and want to move on, most people feel that he is being unfairly dealt with in an overly harsh manner. Many also acknowledge that he is just a kid really, he is barely an adult – but he is also very intelligent and confident, a potent mix to create a cocky young man who can get into trouble with the law in a place like Malaysia.

Limpeh: Many younger people feel the need to rebel, be it against their parents, against their teachers, against authorities or any equivalent – this is because they resent being told what to do, what rules to obey, the expectations imposed upon them etc. This is just another gesture of protest that went too far, or at least one that has gone badly wrong. Now he is granted bail – will he be given a fair trial? 

Sabah: No. Sorry, no, this is Malaysia. He should leave the country eventually. 

Penang: No, he will definitely go to jail, the question now is for how long and for how many of the three charges he will be found guilty of. Yes I do feel sorry for him, but really he should have known better. The same goes for Vivian as well.

Limpeh: Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts with me guys. Terima kasih.

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