Apa Khabar Orang Kampung
Encyclopedia
Apa Khabar Orang Kampung (English title:Village People Radio Show) is a 2007 Malaysian documentary
by Amir Muhammad
. It was produced by Da Huang Pictures
. Like its predecessor The Last Communist
, it was banned in its home country but screened in several international film festivals. It premiered at the Berlinale in 2006.
The title is a reference to a famous song by Sudirman Arshad
that is used in both the opening and closing credits. It literally means "How are the villagers doing?"
In the propaganda war, the government made much of the fact that the CPM comprised mainly ethnic Chinese members and adopted an 'atheistic' political philosophy. As the nation is mainly Malay-Muslim, these were effective scare tactics in dissuading the population from having any sympathy towards the communists.
However, a large and influential division of the CPM, the 10th Regiment
, comprised Malay-Muslim members. Many of its leaders such as Abdullah CD
, Rashid Maidin
, Abu Samah, Shamsiah Fakeh
, Kamaruzzaman Teh and Suriani Abdullah were iconic figures of rebellion and resistance. These men and women had no trouble reconciling radical left ideology with Islamic faith.
The 10th Regiment began a strategic retreat across the border into South Thailand in the mid-1950s. Many of the members would not see their home villages again for five decades.
From secret jungle hide-outs, they conducting guerrilla warfare against the armed forces of the day. When the government of China began diplomatic relations with Malaysia in the early 1980s, aid from Beijing stopped and life became more difficult. A formal ceasefire was signed in 1989.
This documentary takes a look at the present-day lives of the 10th Regiment figures who are still living in a village in South Thailand. (Others had either died or opted to return to Malaysia). They earn a living by farming and are no longer engaged in politics.
Almost everyone in the village is either above the age of 60 or below 15. This is because the middle generation often had to be sent out for adoption as children would have been inconvenient in secret guerrilla hideouts.
The children in the village will grow up as Thai citizens and soon the emotional link to Malaysia will be lost. School lessons are in Thai rather than Malay. Life here is tranquil and slow-moving; it rains often and the chickens roam freely.
Through interviews with the elders, we hear of how life in the jungle was like: the food, the battles, the acupuncture. But the narrative keeps breaking up. There are audio and visual disruptions. History refuses to be contained or told so neatly.
In the background, a Thai radio soap opera is heard. It tells the story of a king who suspects his pregnant wife of adultery, and so jails her.
Documentary
A documentary is a creative work of non-fiction, including:* Documentary film, including television* Radio documentary* Documentary photographyRelated terms include:...
by Amir Muhammad
Amir Muhammad (director)
Amir Muhammad is a writer and independent filmmaker based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He was born on December 5, 1972 in Kuala Lumpur and was educated at the University of East Anglia. He has been writing for Malaysian print media since the age of 14, notably the New Straits Times.In 2000, he wrote...
. It was produced by Da Huang Pictures
Da Huang Pictures
Da Huang Pictures is a Malaysian film production company. It was established in 2004 and its members are Tan Chui Mui, James Lee, Liew Seng Tat and Amir Muhammad...
. Like its predecessor The Last Communist
The Last Communist
The Last Communist is a 2006 Malaysian film described by director Amir Muhammad as a "semi-musical documentary". It is inspired by the leader of the disbanded Malayan Communist Party, Chin Peng and the Malayan Emergency during which more than 10,000 Malayan and British troops and civilians lost...
, it was banned in its home country but screened in several international film festivals. It premiered at the Berlinale in 2006.
The title is a reference to a famous song by Sudirman Arshad
Sudirman Arshad
Dato' Sudirman Haji Arshad DIMP, JMN, AMN, AMP was a Malaysian singer and songwriter. He was known as the 'Singing Lawyer', the 'People's Singer' and the 'Elvis of Malaysia'.-Early life:...
that is used in both the opening and closing credits. It literally means "How are the villagers doing?"
Plot
The precise role of the Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) in Malaysian history is still a controversial and hotly contested one. It was a player in the anti-colonial struggle against occupying Japanese forces (from 1942-5) and later the returning British administration (1945-1957). However, its continual commitment to armed struggle in the post-Independence era depleted much public support.In the propaganda war, the government made much of the fact that the CPM comprised mainly ethnic Chinese members and adopted an 'atheistic' political philosophy. As the nation is mainly Malay-Muslim, these were effective scare tactics in dissuading the population from having any sympathy towards the communists.
However, a large and influential division of the CPM, the 10th Regiment
10th Malay Regiment
The 10th Malay Regiment, established May 21, 1949, was the only predominantly Malay regiment of the Malayan National Liberation Army . Other regiments of this armed wing of the Malayan Communist Party were predominantly Chinese. The regiment fought against the British occupation of Malaysia after...
, comprised Malay-Muslim members. Many of its leaders such as Abdullah CD
Abdullah CD
Abdullah CD was the Chairman of the Communist Party of Malaya .He was born in October 1923, in Parit, Perak. His involvement in politics was sparked by interests in the Maharajalela Wars against the British...
, Rashid Maidin
Rashid Maidin
-Early years:Rashid Maidin was a senior leader of the Communist Party of Malaya . He was born in Kampung Gunung Mesah, Gopeng, Perak. He is the eldest brother of 7 brothers and 1 sister. He received his early education at the Gunung Panjang Malay School and the Kampung Gunung Mesah Madrasah, which...
, Abu Samah, Shamsiah Fakeh
Shamsiah Fakeh
Shamsiah Fakeh was a Malaysian nationalist and feminist. She was the leader of Angkatan Wanita Sedar , Malaysia's first nationalist women organization and a prominent Malay leader of the Communist Party of Malaya ....
, Kamaruzzaman Teh and Suriani Abdullah were iconic figures of rebellion and resistance. These men and women had no trouble reconciling radical left ideology with Islamic faith.
The 10th Regiment began a strategic retreat across the border into South Thailand in the mid-1950s. Many of the members would not see their home villages again for five decades.
From secret jungle hide-outs, they conducting guerrilla warfare against the armed forces of the day. When the government of China began diplomatic relations with Malaysia in the early 1980s, aid from Beijing stopped and life became more difficult. A formal ceasefire was signed in 1989.
This documentary takes a look at the present-day lives of the 10th Regiment figures who are still living in a village in South Thailand. (Others had either died or opted to return to Malaysia). They earn a living by farming and are no longer engaged in politics.
Almost everyone in the village is either above the age of 60 or below 15. This is because the middle generation often had to be sent out for adoption as children would have been inconvenient in secret guerrilla hideouts.
The children in the village will grow up as Thai citizens and soon the emotional link to Malaysia will be lost. School lessons are in Thai rather than Malay. Life here is tranquil and slow-moving; it rains often and the chickens roam freely.
Through interviews with the elders, we hear of how life in the jungle was like: the food, the battles, the acupuncture. But the narrative keeps breaking up. There are audio and visual disruptions. History refuses to be contained or told so neatly.
In the background, a Thai radio soap opera is heard. It tells the story of a king who suspects his pregnant wife of adultery, and so jails her.