Locked and Loaded
The extent to which a writer is allowed to go is something that all creative Malaysians grapple with. How racial is too racial? How violent is too violent? How political is too political?
During my recent signings in Kuala Lumpur, I got into a public discussion about censorship, revisionism, and the need to confront the darkest recesses of our past.
Think Magazine has an extensive overview of this event.
Comments
Interesting. I know how you feel. I wrote a short story set during the events of May 13, 1969, but for obvious reasons nobody has seen the story. Sad, isn't it?
Posted by: Jordan | August 9, 2005 03:27 PM
Quite right.
Personally, I have had to resort to using other locations (Bosnia, Kosovo, Cyprus, etc) as metaphors for Malaysia, instead of addressing Malaysia directly.
But hey, do drop me a line. I would love to see that story, if you still have it. =)
Posted by: John Ling | August 9, 2005 03:53 PM