opinion

They’re not racist, you are

K. Anand

Next to politics, corruption and the government – all inevitably linked – racism is a favourite topic of conversation among Malaysians.

Racism is such a monster that when it rears its ugly head, many an otherwise rational person might easily get caught in the wave of thinking that one has a right to agree with, or even express, a prejudiced view, without a tinge of doubt or regret.

There are two glaring examples of this in the past week that are flooding Facebook walls and daily conversation.

The one that irks me more is over a movie that has brought together the nation in these difficult times. The movie is of course, Ola Bola, and it reflects all that Malaysia and Malaysians can be proud of – pride and unity in our diversity.

In case you are unaware of what so many Malaysians have been watching in cinemas nationwide the past three weeks, spending more than RM12 million at the box-office, Ola Bola is a movie that is inspired by a famous win by the national team against South Korea in an Olympic qualifying match in 1980.

Malaysia defeated South Korea 2-1 to qualify for the Moscow Olympics, a sporting event which was eventually boycotted by more than 60 countries over the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan the year before.

In the game played on April 6, 1980, Malaysia needed to beat the Koreans for the place in Moscow. They did that after James Wong scored the winning goal five minutes from the end. Bakri Ibni had given Malaysia the lead in the 13th minute and the Koreans equalised in the 58th.

I have been reading statuses shared by a few friends on their Facebook wall about how the movie is part of some propaganda by those in power, and that it is intentionally misrepresenting the events of the actual match.

This is such a false accusation against the Ola Bola director and producers.

First and foremost, the movie was never sold as a historical drama, nor was it stated anywhere that it is "based on a true story".

Ola Bola was, from the very beginning, a movie about a period from Malaysia's past when we had a good football team, and the inspiration came from the 1980 game. It is also about Malaysians coming together behind a team that was as diverse as the population.

Yes, it is packed with nostalgia, especially for those of us who remember that match and what it meant to get (back) into the Olympics after failing qualification in 1976, and the simple life Malaysians lived back then, but there is nothing more.

I was, therefore, shocked to read about how the movie is supposedly "wrong" and driven by a political agenda in having a player named Ali score the winning goal instead of "Balak" Eric, a player from Sabah.

The complaints on the movie boil down to this, that Eric is supposed to be representing James Wong, who is from Sabah, and Ali is supposed to be Khalid Ali. Wong and Khalid were strikers in the team.

"So, why is Ali scoring that winning goal, when it should be Eric?" is the oft-asked question in the complaints.

Some of those complaining are from Sabah, while others are Malaysians living in the peninsula.

Why aren't those making these lame accusations talking about the fact that Wong was never a reserve goalie as the Eric character is depicted in the movie. Or how about the coach - the real one was German Karl Weigang, but it is an Englishman, Harry Mountain, in the movie.

Then, we have the lead character Chow Kwok Keong, who is the captain. Also nicknamed "tauke" in the movie, he is supposed to represent Soh Chin Aun, the captain of that famous team.

So, did Chin Aun also tap rubber at his family estate, and work in a funfair as in the movie, all while still playing for the national team? Did he quit the team in anger? Most definitely not. If anything, Chin Aun was the cool, collected leader in the national squad. That is the direct opposite of the Chow character.

Oh, by the way, the score in that actual match, as mentioned above was 2-1, but in the movie it was 3-2.

What is crazy is that such racist views are being spread and shared, and worse, with the suggestion that the movie should be given a miss for its "wilfully wrong interpretation".

So, listen up folks… Ola Bola is just a MOVIE, and a damn good one at that. Please, don't criticise for criticism's sake.

Being racist works both ways. So what if the movie has Ali scoring instead of Eric. They are both Malaysians.

Stop talking about who scored and coming up with dumb non-existent agendas and just enjoy the movie.

Racism is definitely prevalent among Malaysians, but I find it very ironic when those who cry victim then speak in a racist tone, or practise prejudice against the same people they accuse, and also on others who are at best, different, and at worse, perceived as "inferior".

I won't expand on the "others" here, but just read up anything on Facebook or in online news portals which relates to the number 1.5 million and you will see the ugly Malaysian at their worst. – February 17, 2016.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer, organisation or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.