Update I
KUALA LUMPUR: The Negaraku rap video was meant to be a satirical social commentary on life in Malaysia as a Chinese and it was never meant to be an insult to Islam or the Malays.
This was what Wee Meng Chee, who was featured in the video using the pseudonym "Namewee", said in a telephone interview from Taiwan yesterday.
The mass communications undergraduate studying at the Ming Chuan University in Taipeh is under fire in Malaysia for posting a six-minute video of himself singing the national anthem interspersed with rap on Youtube.
"I was just rapping about things Malaysians talk about all the time," he said.
In the video, the 24-year-old Wee associated the 5am Azan call with a morning call and said the person praying sang out of tune sometimes which made it sound like a rooster’s crow.
Wee admitted it was most probably those verses of his song that people were offended with but urged the public to interpret his lyrics in context.
"Please understand that I was merely describing my experiences in my hometown," said Wee, who is from Muar. "I have always respected the sanctity of every religion. It is not something I would mess with."
Wee said that the rap video was meant to be a satirical take on life as a Malaysian Chinese for the benefit of the Chinese community in Taiwan and China.
"That’s why I rapped in Mandarin, it was just my attempt at humour aimed solely for the pleasure of the Chinese community," he said.
Wee denied accusations that he had changed and distorted the lyrics or melody of the national anthem.
On the demand for a public apology before Aug 31 by Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim, Wee said he was prepared to apologise if his video was found to be offensive to the Malay community.
"Personally, I don’t think I have done anything wrong, but I will apologise if there is a reason to," Wee said.
Wee said he loved Malaysia and planned to return home next year.
Wee’s father, who declined to be named, has expressed support for his son.
"My whole family stands by him. We think the video issue has been blown out of proportion," he said.
"I urge the public to be more open-minded about my son’s video."
The mass communications undergraduate studying at the Ming Chuan University in Taipeh is under fire in Malaysia for posting a six-minute video of himself singing the national anthem interspersed with rap on Youtube.
"I was just rapping about things Malaysians talk about all the time," he said.
In the video, the 24-year-old Wee associated the 5am Azan call with a morning call and said the person praying sang out of tune sometimes which made it sound like a rooster’s crow.
Wee admitted it was most probably those verses of his song that people were offended with but urged the public to interpret his lyrics in context.
"Please understand that I was merely describing my experiences in my hometown," said Wee, who is from Muar. "I have always respected the sanctity of every religion. It is not something I would mess with."
Wee said that the rap video was meant to be a satirical take on life as a Malaysian Chinese for the benefit of the Chinese community in Taiwan and China.
"That’s why I rapped in Mandarin, it was just my attempt at humour aimed solely for the pleasure of the Chinese community," he said.
Wee denied accusations that he had changed and distorted the lyrics or melody of the national anthem.
On the demand for a public apology before Aug 31 by Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim, Wee said he was prepared to apologise if his video was found to be offensive to the Malay community.
"Personally, I don’t think I have done anything wrong, but I will apologise if there is a reason to," Wee said.
Wee said he loved Malaysia and planned to return home next year.
Wee’s father, who declined to be named, has expressed support for his son.
"My whole family stands by him. We think the video issue has been blown out of proportion," he said.
"I urge the public to be more open-minded about my son’s video."
Source: The New Straits Times
Update II: 11/8/2007
Student's passport 'can be revoked'
PUTRAJAYA: The Immigration Department can revoke the passport of the Malaysian student who has come under fire for posting a video of himself singing the national anthem interspersed with rap on YouTube with racist lyrics.
"As far as we are concerned, he has not flouted any immigration rules. However, his passport can still be revoked if the government asked us to do so," Immigration Department director-general Datuk Wahid Md Don said on Thursday.
When a passport is revoked, the holder must return to the country immediately, he added.
Wahid was commenting on the case of Wee Meng Chee, whose lyrics in the video were said to be racially-sensitive.
Wee Meng Chee, who used the pseudonym, Namewee, in the video said in his defence on Thursday that he had intended it to be a satirical social commentary on life in Malaysia as a Chinese and it was never meant to be an insult to Islam or the Malays.
He said he was just rapping about things Malaysians talked about all the time.
Wee, from Muar, is studying mass communications at the Ming Chuan University in Taiwan.
On the possibility of legal action against Wee, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said that his party was ready to offer Wee free legal aid.
When informed about this, Wee’s father, Wee Ann Chee said he hoped there would not be a need to call on it.
"I do not wish for this to become a big issue, let alone a political one," he said.
Source: The New Straits Times
"As far as we are concerned, he has not flouted any immigration rules. However, his passport can still be revoked if the government asked us to do so," Immigration Department director-general Datuk Wahid Md Don said on Thursday.
When a passport is revoked, the holder must return to the country immediately, he added.
Wahid was commenting on the case of Wee Meng Chee, whose lyrics in the video were said to be racially-sensitive.
Wee Meng Chee, who used the pseudonym, Namewee, in the video said in his defence on Thursday that he had intended it to be a satirical social commentary on life in Malaysia as a Chinese and it was never meant to be an insult to Islam or the Malays.
He said he was just rapping about things Malaysians talked about all the time.
Wee, from Muar, is studying mass communications at the Ming Chuan University in Taiwan.
On the possibility of legal action against Wee, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said that his party was ready to offer Wee free legal aid.
When informed about this, Wee’s father, Wee Ann Chee said he hoped there would not be a need to call on it.
"I do not wish for this to become a big issue, let alone a political one," he said.
Source: The New Straits Times
Related Story: Student may face music over ‘Negaraku’ rap video: Namewee
To View The Controversial Video Click Here
The Lyrics as translated from the video:
Source of this translation is from Syokkahwin: Lagu Rap Menghina Lagu Negaraku? National Anthem Negaraku in Rap Music? (Negarakuku)
I Love My Country
Negaraku
(Repeat) Check it out, yo, yo, yo.
(Repeat) Negaraku, Negarakuku.
I love my country, only when you have a country you have a home
Only with a home then there will be me, standing here with you
Loudly singing, don’t be afraid
Even though I curse all the time
My song, is just like the durian
Tough and spiky, only
To see if you dare to open it, to look at the truth inside
It can be very stinky, it can be very fragrant
It only depends on what kind of nostrils you have.
Our police is called Mata
Because they have very shiny eyes
Once it’s New Year, they will be very hard working
Holding pens but they will rarely write you a receipt
Because they are thirsty, they need to drink tea
Also kopi-O, want to add sugar?
If they add sugar, their mouths will sweetly smile at you
When you are leaving
They will even go “Tata.”
Negaraku
Tanah tumpahnya darahku
Rakyat hidup bersatu dan maju.
This phenomenon, doesn’t need any improvements
Neither does it need strengthening, the police and the people work together
A cup of coffee keeps our relationship temperate
I so very suka
At least I won’t go home and receive a saman (fine or ticket)
My dad would sure be pissed
I would also kiong kan (swear word in Cantonese for “get raped”), with no car to drive
What to do, this time so very kao lat (an expression, something like aiyo)
With no car, how do I go out and play?
With no car, how do I wage “wild war”? (I don’t know what it means but I assume it has something to do with a girl)
With no car, how do I go and watch ah kua? (transvestites)
This country, I like it very much.
5 in the morning
There’s even a morning call to wake me up
Sometimes a few of them will sing together
When you listen to it, it’s like a love duet
The voice ululates like an R&B song
Even though sometimes they sing until it’s out of tune
Even though sometimes they even sing until their voices break
Some sound like cockerels, but they wake up earlier than them
This way we can know the time to get ready for class and for work
Don’t blame, the government only takes cares of the natives
Don’t blame, we don’t receive equal care
Only this way we can prove that we Chinese are not afraid of hard work
Only this way we can train ourselves to find a solution during hard times
Don’t feel weird about their standards
Because this only shows that we are smart (or capable)
Children who are not spoilt will not be dependant
Because you see some children are still not weaned off breast-feeding.
Rahmat bahagia
Tuhan kurniakan
Raja kita
Selamat bertakhta.
People who hide in government departments are even better (even more capable)
They can do everything so slowly
Even when people are queuing, are cursing stinky lelai (what’s that?)
They’re chill and unfazed
Sometimes they even bring out their kuih
They eat their nyonya kuih
More people will continue queuing up
Even when you curse stinky lelai it doesn’t matter
Because the guard at the side is dreaming
And he won’t scold you one lah.
They wrap up their heads; walk slowly and cross the road slowly
When you pass in the car you even have to let them pass first
The most important thing is to live happily; the most important thing is to live comfortably
Don’t be like the Chinese
Busy the whole day, very tough
We really cannot NOT admire this spirit”
Because this is their attitude in life.
(Attitude, attitude)
I’ve been saying good things in this song
I believe those of you who are pissed at me will like this now
The world is peaceful, and full of hope
No one is hurt, there aren’t any riots
You’re so classy, you’re so elegant
Your shit is fragrant, and you don’t curse
You guys are the most high class, every day it’s just romancing
Listening to Guang Liang Pin Guan (this local Chinese artiste)
But he already ran to Taiwan
Private school students graduate
It’s so very tough to get admitted into local universities
Actually we don’t have to get pissed about this issue
Actually this is the a very noble plan by the government
They want us to explore the world, to find new opportunities for ourselves
To learn things and come back and repay the country
This is plan is so great, I can’t quibble about it
All over the world you can see Malaysia’s children
They’re like refugees, so very shiok (expression for orgasm or high)
2007, Malaysia’s having Visit Malaysia Year
The Chinese culture is brought out and paraded
The government doesn’t even care about private school students
The certificate is thrown into the longkang (ditch), just like me
Graduated and went to Taiwan
Learned about things, and got ready to come back to repay my country
I stood on the streets of Taipei with my guitar
But my mouth still sings.
Rahmat Bahagia
Tuhan kurniakan
Raja kita Selamat bertakhta.
No comments:
Post a Comment