Topic: Three Pivotal Trends Propelling Political Evolution in Malaysia
Speaker: Dr. Michael Heng
(Former student activist, part-time columnist, former associate editor of Asia360 weekly, with academic affiliations in universities across Australia, China, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Singapore, and Taiwan)

Date: Sunday, 11 October 2015
Time: 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Venue: AGORA, Block 28 Sin Ming Lane, #03-142 Midview City, Singapore 573972

Description:
Malaysia has taken center stage in the global spotlight for both commendable and concerning reasons. The media has been abuzz with discussions surrounding the 1MDB scandal, the vibrant yellow and red shirts demonstrations, Mahathir’s relentless bid to displace Najib, the schism within PAS leading to the formation of the dissident group Amanah, Pakatan’s transformative realignment, the tightened reins on university students, and the plight of Anwar Ibrahim behind bars. Beneath these captivating headlines lies a deeper narrative rooted in several potent forces and trends that have ushered Malaysia onto the intricate path of political metamorphosis. These forces are urbanization, shifts in demography, and the resonating impact of events in the Middle East.

Join us as Dr. Michael Heng, a versatile figure who boasts a history as a student activist, a part-time columnist, and a former associate editor of the Asia360 weekly, brings his unique perspective. With academic appointments spanning across universities in Australia, China, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Singapore, and Taiwan, Dr. Heng is equipped to paint a comprehensive picture of these transformational trends.

Through this engaging session, we will explore the dynamic interplay of these trends, unravel their influence on the political landscape, and gain fresh insights into the future that awaits Malaysia. While cognisant of the challenges that lie ahead, Dr. Heng’s discourse presents an optimistic outlook on the unfolding political evolution in Malaysia.

Topic: “Youthful Idealism of the Pioneers Club”
Date: 4-6pm, Saturday, 23 May 2015
Venue: AGORA
Block 28 Sin Ming Lane
#03-142 Midview City
Singapore 573972

They are Social Work and Sociology graduates from the University of Singapore in 1979. The memory of Geylang Catholic Centre need not be associated with Operation Spectrum alone. Besides being a centre reaching out to foreign workers, it was the location of the Crisis Centre, which aimed to help people in urgent need of temporary shelter. And behind the enthusiasm of volunteers of this Crisis Centre, there is a story of youthful idealism for the betterment of our society through the Pioneers Club.

Speakers:

• Dr. P J Thum, National University of Singapore (History)
• Dr. Loh Kah Seng, Sogang University (History)
• Dr. Imran Tajudeen, National University of Singapore (Architecture)

Chair: Dr. Hong Lysa
Date: Saturday, 11 January 2014
Time: 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Venue: Muse House, 22 Marshall Road, Singapore 424858

Description:
In recent times, a wave of writings has surfaced, delving into the history of Singapore’s leftwing movement and its untimely cessation following Operation Coldstore in 1963, alongside subsequent suppressive actions. However, this leads us to ask, what’s next? What untold historical narratives can further enrich our comprehension of the recent past?

Operation Coldstore marked more than the conclusion of post-World War II political pluralism in Singapore; it catalysed an entirely new historical trajectory. Beyond Coldstore, there are extensive realms of uncharted histories – the era of the one-party state, propelled by foreign investment-driven industrialisation, the evolution of landscapes and nature, and the intricate process of shaping individuals into citizens.

The pursuit of bold, innovative research doesn’t culminate with Coldstore; it is, in essence, just the beginning. This workshop aims to initiate a discourse on the future pathways for uncovering Singapore’s historical tapestry.

As an added treat, we are honoured to have Artist and Cultural Medallion Recipient Teo Eng Seng guide us through his captivating art installation titled ‘History Without, Lesson Within’. This artwork provides a visual articulation of his perspective on post-1965 Singapore within the PAP era. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to engage with history and art in tandem.

Topic: Ending the Silencing
Speaker: Putu Oka Sukanta
Date: Tuesday, 5 November 2013
Time: 8:00 – 9:30 p.m.
Venue: Muse House, 22 Marshall Road, Singapore 424858

About the Speaker:
Putu Oka Sukanta, born in 1939, stands as one of Indonesia’s prominent literary figures. His journey into the world of writing commenced at the age of 16, a period marked by the tumultuous pages of Indonesian history. In 1966, he was subjected to detention and torture by authorities, a consequence of his writings and affiliation with Lekra, a left-leaning artists’ association.

Emerging from over a decade of incarceration in 1976, Putu Oka ventured into an acupuncturist career while maintaining his literary pursuits. His writings have echoed the experiences of former political prisoners who faced discrimination in employment opportunities. The post-Suharto era, commencing in 1998, allowed Putu Oka to share his works both within Indonesia and on the global stage. Notably, his literary portfolio extends to encompass traditional health, herbal medicine, acupuncture, and acupressure.

Collaborating with emerging Indonesian filmmakers, Putu Oka has brought to life six documentary films capturing the tumultuous events of 1965-66. His influence has reverberated across various countries, where he’s been invited as a guest lecturer, participating in seminars, readings, and study tours centered on literature and alternative health. This international outreach includes destinations like Australia, Malaysia, Thailand, Britain, Germany, Singapore, and the USA.

The significance of Putu Oka’s endeavors has been acknowledged through numerous awards. In 2012, he was honored with the Hellman/Hammett grant by Human Rights Watch in recognition of his courage in the face of persecution.

In this session, Putu Oka Sukanta will illuminate the power of breaking the chains of silence, offering insights into his personal journey as a writer, activist, and advocate for truth and justice.

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Writing is media to struggle against dehumanization

Dehumanization process started when the militia and military started hunting and killing suspected communists in October 1965.

Writers and artists accused as members of  Lekra, a  cultural association, would be put in the prison or exiled if he was lucky enough not to be killed.

There was no protest to this mass killing from the West as well as Non-aligned Countries.

I was detained for 10 years without trial (1966-1976), and endured terrible conditions, malnutrition and diseases. I was terrorized mentally on a daily basis and prohibited from having a pencil or book throughout my imprisonment.

They moved me from prison in Jakarta to Tanggarang in West Java and back to Jakarta again. I was moved from small cells to the prison of my own country. I was subjected to discriminatory regulations set to dehumanise Ex-Tapols ( ex- political detainees) and their families (Instruction Education and Culture Ministry,No.138/1965, TAP MPRS no.25/1966, Internal Affairs Instruction 1981,no.30). The process of dehumanization works systematically and structurally.

As a writer, I use writing as a media to fight against the dehumanization process in order to be human again. The past is my backbone. In the beginning, some national newspapers accepted my writings, but later, I was barred because of political reasons.  As a writer, I use peaceful ways to pursue my career. I won the Environment Story Teller award organized by Indonesian Government, and an international (NEMIS) short story competition organized by the Chilean Embassy in Jakarta. I was invited to International Popular Theatre Workshop in India, conducted regular literature readings in Goethe-Institute in Jakarta (the only public space for me), read my poems in universities in Australia, Malaysia and Europe, and published my works through alternative publishers. Some of my short stories and poems have been published in several international anthologies.

As an acupuncturist certified by the Department of Health, Indonesia, I started work with grassroots communities to increase their awareness of the rights and obligations in health, and shared my knowledge and skills of acupressure and herbal medicine.

For those activities, I had to pay a price too. The Soeharto regime detained me in July 1990 for ten days after a trip to West Germany organised by Goethe Institute. I was tortured with electrodes. They suspected that communist international organizations supported me. My health foundation and clinic were banned. But that never stopped me from working although the intelligence service strongly controlled my daily activities. The hard challenges forced me to work harder and harder.  My life was tense and full of stress, but I continued to write, and was active as motivator and instructor of health, humanity, HIV/AIDS and gender equalization programs. My works in many fields have enriched my writing about the life of marginalized people. I have also made many new friends.

After the fall of Soeharto, military surveillance was visibly reduced. The first thing I did was to publish a novel “Merajut Harkat  in 1999 which I started in 1979, as well as a compilation of poems “Perjalanan Penyair.” These books were inspired by my experiences in jail. The mass media took a sudden notice of my work: they were eager to discuss the books and know about me as a writer. Without any rest, I continued to write and publish health books. Since 5 years ago, I have worked with some friends to produce documentary films about the Tragedy of 1965/66 and its devastating impact on society. My human dignity is regained even though the discriminatory regulations still exist. As a writer, I continue to fight against the dehumanization process everywhere, produce films and involve myself in human rights issues.

They gave me.
they gave me a lump of courage
flowing through my veins
they gave me a shaft of light
shining within my eyes
they gave me a glass of bile
strengthening my every step
they gave me a piece of stone
which I crushed and made a road
they gave me a whip
witch tightened the muscles at the base of my tongue
what  else can you give me
to test my self-respect?

(from book The Song of Starling, 1986, translator Keith Foulcher)