Poems about democracy now sedition in Malaysia

oceanclub

Malaysia's acknowledged national laureate, A Samad Said, is being investigated for sedition by the police for reading the poem below at the launch of Bersih, an organization looking for electoral reform.

http://www.thejournal.ie/malaysias-national-poet-questioned-over-poetry-recital-164480-Jun2011/



Unggun Bersih | Hujan Pagi

An English translation goes:

The more we hurt, the more we are consumed by anger -
At the same time, we invoke the message of independence:
Democracy is as bright as the sun
A lifelong wish as pure as ourselves.

We have been restless for long – democracy suffers;
We have been suffering for long - democracy hurts.
Proud democracy, we mock;
a strong independent voice, we long for!

Two centuries ago, Sam Adams beseeched:
(in Boston when tea was thrown into the blue sea):
A euphoric and passionate shout is not required,
All that is needed are the flames of purity.
Now burns those sacred flames;
Now that sacred fire spreads.

Here he is reading the poem to guitar accompaniment (quite nice actually):

http://soundcloud.com/a-samad-said/unggun-bersih

P.

dermo888

Not any more - they've got rid of the old regime,

dermo888

Not any more - they've got rid of the old regime,