The Dilemma
Everytime ancient Melaka is being mentioned, the two things that come to my mind is:
1. The founding of Melaka under the Melaka Tree;
2. The "Malay dilemma" of Hang Tuah and Hang Jebat.
Point 1, is obviously something of a legend. Come on, where got kancil so powerful one? I am pretty sure the mousedeer in our zoo would be eaten by the wolves should they be kept in the same compound.
Point 2 however, is something worth thinking. I always believe that different cultures produce different sets of values that they embrace. Those interested in the Hang Tuah-Hang Jebat Battle please read this post that I wrote eons ago.
Before Hang Jebat died, he said, "Raja adil raja disembah, raja zalim raja disanggah". In simple terms, if the ruler is a wise and noble one, he would be respected with loyalty. If he is an asshole, however, he should be overthrown and rebelled against.
Sadly, Hang Tuah felt that as a Malay, he should not betray his ruler no matter what happens, "Takkan Melayu menderhaka kepada rajanya."
I am not here to say who is right and who isn't. Obviously such answers would be a 见仁见智 one. But it reminds me of a lot of supposedly "dumb" and loyal ancient Chinese warriors/scholars, people like 扶苏 and 岳飞 who would die just because they were told to without any complaints.
WHICH in turn reminds me of the people I meet everyday in school. Copy and paste without using their brains. Upholding everything their boss/superior/chairman/project head says with utmost importance that cannot be challenged. The kind where you told them to jump, instead of asking you why they simply ask HOW HIGH...
Come on lah, walau eh tengok hadapan leh... Sudah 21 century. Surely we are different from the 15th century...?
1. The founding of Melaka under the Melaka Tree;
2. The "Malay dilemma" of Hang Tuah and Hang Jebat.
Point 1, is obviously something of a legend. Come on, where got kancil so powerful one? I am pretty sure the mousedeer in our zoo would be eaten by the wolves should they be kept in the same compound.
Point 2 however, is something worth thinking. I always believe that different cultures produce different sets of values that they embrace. Those interested in the Hang Tuah-Hang Jebat Battle please read this post that I wrote eons ago.
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| 汉惹拔要死了，说："Abang, you must jaga my son!" |
Before Hang Jebat died, he said, "Raja adil raja disembah, raja zalim raja disanggah". In simple terms, if the ruler is a wise and noble one, he would be respected with loyalty. If he is an asshole, however, he should be overthrown and rebelled against.
Sadly, Hang Tuah felt that as a Malay, he should not betray his ruler no matter what happens, "Takkan Melayu menderhaka kepada rajanya."
I am not here to say who is right and who isn't. Obviously such answers would be a 见仁见智 one. But it reminds me of a lot of supposedly "dumb" and loyal ancient Chinese warriors/scholars, people like 扶苏 and 岳飞 who would die just because they were told to without any complaints.
WHICH in turn reminds me of the people I meet everyday in school. Copy and paste without using their brains. Upholding everything their boss/superior/chairman/project head says with utmost importance that cannot be challenged. The kind where you told them to jump, instead of asking you why they simply ask HOW HIGH...
Come on lah, walau eh tengok hadapan leh... Sudah 21 century. Surely we are different from the 15th century...?
