APRIL 13 — There is this story by Sigmund Freud.
A man borrowed a kettle from his neighbour. Later when he returned the kettle, the neighbour complained that it was broken and there were cracks.
The man vehemently denied damaging the kettle — in three ways. First, by insisting that he didn’t borrow that particular kettle at all. Second, by claiming the returned kettle is in perfect condition. Finally, by explaining that the cracks were already there when he borrowed it.
Even the pot would have concluded that something wasn’t right. The very contradictorines of the replies prove the falsity of the man’s denial.
It’s like a man accused of having an affair with his secretary. First, he says he doesn’t, in fact, have a secretary. Secondly, he says okay he has one but he’s never slept with her. Finally, he says yes they did sleep together but it was only once so what’s the big deal? The big deal, of course, is that the difference between Once and Never is Everything (see Note 1).
The kettle story also brings to mind PAS’ response to the "Allah" controversy way back in January 2013. This was the start of suggestions that Pakatan Rakyat was turning into Sekatan Rakyat.
At first, it was no problem: Non-Muslims can use "Allah" (which, really, is like telling an American it’s fine to call his mother Mum). This later evolved to Okay, non-Muslims can use it as long as they don’t abuse it (which is like telling a Brit that he has the right call his PM "David" as long as he doesn’t insult other perspectives of "David"). Then the U-turn came and suddenly the word is exclusively for Muslims (which is like a theologian disagreeing with Webster Dictionary’s definition of the word "the"). But in yet another twist it became: Okay, non-Muslims can use it as long as they believe in one God (which is like telling A&W they can continue serving Coney Dogs as long as this doesn’t violate the "one sausage" rule).
Now look at the recent Pota Bill and Sedition Act amendments. At first it was: We’re going to repeal the ISA. To do so, of course, would entail the ruling regime admitting they’ve been overly draconian in the past, which is about as likely as Isma acknowledging they don’t know as much about the Islamic faith as they imagine.
Later, it’s: We’re not really going to repeal it, we’re just gonna give it a new coat of paint and a new name. This second move sounds like I’m not going to cheat on my exams, I simply plan to run to the toilet, retrieve my smart-phone from behind the sink, do some online retrievals and perform a sync with my real-life answer sheet — isn’t this e-learning?
Finally, it’s evolved to: We’re going to be even more draconian ‘cos we must prevent terrorism and sedition’s been quite severe lately.
A disturbing reality generates its own disharmonious symptoms which, in turn, points to a "truth" of their own. The kettle-borrower could have simply admitted he damaged the kettle and that would be it. But, no, his responses demonstrate that he’s not "there", that something’s wrong.
Alas this is the key difference between Lee Kuan Yew’s administration and Barisan’s. Lee’s PAP draconianism is in-your-face and implemented without apology, excuses or back-tracking. The PAP simply tells Singaporeans they’re going to keep breaking kettles to build a new super-boiler. Our government? Well... they simply try too hard to appear nice, don’t they?
And the greatest symptom of this: The very one who said the ISA would be repealed.
But the bottom line is that the Malaysian people cast their votes two years ago... and have been returned a broken kettle. The next question is: What else is going to break?
Note 1: This quote is from the movie Locke starrring Tom Hardy. Recall that in Speed, everything happens on the bus? In this movie, everything happens in a car.
