First experience meeting a Malaysian playwright – Kee Thuan Chye

As a stranger walked into the lecture hall, my mind was telling me, “This guy looks familiar!” I could not recall where I’ve seen him but Samantha told me he was on the series Kopitiam. I also found out towards the end of the session that he acted as Tan Cheng Lock in Hati Malaya. Cool. A journalist, an actor, a playwright and a writer. Wow. That’s 4 in 1!


I felt privileged to meet our very own Malaysian writer, Kee Thuan Chye. He was very frank in telling us about himself. This session has been beneficial especially in my understanding of the play The Swordfish, Then the Concubine. I see a manipulation of two historical events in highlighting the issues that we are facing in this modern era. Kee Thuan Chye also informed us that he has revised his manuscript again! Some parts in the version I have read has been changed and new issues have been added. He will only stop revising when he is satisfied with his writing. But when will that be? This shows the perfectionism in writers who intend to write their best.


Kee Thuan Chye also brought up issues that are worth thinking about. The truth that we read in newspapers, are they the real truth? We should never read from one source only. Reading about an issue from several perspectives gives better insight towards the issue discussed and we can judge better and decide which stand we want to take.


Politics is complicated. It is filled with power crazy people who have their own agenda and will not hesitate to bring others down to reach their goal. Are the charges that Anwar is accused of true? Or is it just a way to smear his good name, to take away the trust that people have for Anwar? How much of what is written in the newspaper can we trust?


History. After the session, I am confused. Can history the Malaysian history we read be trusted? History is written by people. Kee Thuan Chye thinks that the movie Hati Malaya is UMNO’s propaganda. How about our history? Can it be manipulated to influence us to think in the way that is intended?


Before the session ended, Kee Thuan Chye read an essay from his book March 8 TheDay Malaysian Woke Up. It is written by a student in Monash University. I admire him for having such far insight, such a dream for Malaysia. He looked beyond his race and hoped for a united Malaysia. Can every Malaysian be like him? Perhaps the politicians should stop politicizing racial issues and focus on more important issue for a progressive Malaysia.


When I opened the book March 8 TheDay Malaysian Woke Up, I realized that Kee Thuan Chye’s children’s names are very special. Soraya Sunitra Kee Xiang Yin and Jebat Arjuna Kee Jia Ling. I think that KeeThuan Chye has a strong reason for naming his children in such. It shows his belief in Bangsa Malaysia. A hope for a better future, a better Malaysia.