bobjots : redux

I am a product of mission schools - a La Sallian mission school to be exact; being the third generation in my family to attend the same school. Interestingly, I don't recall being made to sing hymns or "church songs" during assembly. There was the national anthem, a few patriotic songs like Aku Anak Malaysia, Malaysia Berjaya etc, and the Alma Mater's Call (the school song which somebody was thankfully unsuccessful in his attempt to change to a tuneless rendition named SMJK St. Anthony).

I also remember prayers being said during school assemblies .. nope .. not the Pater Noster .. I think that tradition died off with my father's graduating class of '68 - at the very latest since the last La Sallian Brother who was posted as principal, Rev. Bro. Oliver Rogers, vacated the position in 1977. We did have a pretty halal rendition of the doa selamat in which non-Muslim students like me (who during my time made up the majority of the student body) would respectfully keep a moment's silence; or at least try. Hey .. we were teenagers after all.

In my time, the chapel was still around (is it still?) although it was moved from its old location next to the school library to a more remote location that once used to house the Brothers' Quarters. The photo on the right shows the biology lab where the chapel used to be located (note the arched doorway with the crosses and the circular ventilation holes where swallows used to nest) - the chapel was relocated further down the verandah to the left. In fact, we still called that section the Brothers' Quarters despite having the chapel moved there. It was maintained voluntarily by the school's Young Christian Students (YCS) and Valiant Vanguards (VV) chapter under the watchful eyes of Mr. John Amaladasan. The YCS was later renamed the Young Concerned Students for some inexplicable reason. Regrettably both these movements no longer exist in the school.

Anyway, I think I digressed too much already. The point is that while a lot of the blogosphere's response to the 2 MPs was basically to call them morons (Morons of Parliament to be exact), I would beg to differ. These people are not stupid. I suspect they made very calculated statements to elicit a few different reactions :

• Awe and support; particularly from the conservative Muslim heartland; that they dared to take on these "un-Islamic" cultural icons;
• Outrage; particularly from the non-Muslim communities, so that folks who may have reason to question UMNO's hegemony can be labelled anti-Malay and anti-Islam; or worse .. Crusaders;
• Dismissiveness; in case none of the above work; they can rest safe knowing that their antics would be considered buffoonery and ignorance and they wouldn't have to answer for it irregardless because none of those who are complaining reside in their constituencies anyway

So, I'd say .. call their bluff and pass the word down to their constituents that they are being represented in the nation's highest law-making body by two unprincipled men who would risk inter-communal tensions to further their political careers. Of course, there are very few UMNO MPs who would have scruples doing so .. so I rest my case.

To close, a wonderful anthem from my school days ..

All through our classes a voice is resounding,
Promptly respond to your duty's sweet call.
Hearken each one for the trumpet is sounding,
Your Mater's proclaiming her watchword to all.

    Forward, her children dear,
    Ever with heart sincere,
    Render with joy to your Mater her due;
    All that is vile reject; Heaven will e'er protect,
    As faithful Anthonians in Heaven your trust.

Charity Unfeigned your motto upholding,
Forward with courage in ways that are just
True to your standard be doing and daring,
Sons of St. Anthony's valiant and true.

    Forward, her children dear,
    Ever with heart sincere,
    Render with joy to your Mater her due;
    All that is vile reject; Heaven will e'er protect,
    As faithful Anthonians in Heaven your trust.