Thursday, 28 March 2024
Kampung That Malaysian Thing From out of Tunku's shadow, she flies
From out of Tunku's shadow, she flies PDF Print E-mail
Written by straits-mongrel   
Monday, 30 August 2010 22:59

Last year, during the same Merdeka period, an article in The Star gripped the nation and turned viral on the internet. One specific portion was copied onto blogs, emailed and floated in local internet forums as thousands praised its simple level-headed message. More recently, we caught up with the author,

SHARYN LISA SHUFIYAN, to discover the person behind the article


Sharyn3NOT so very long ago, exasperated and outraged, she threw a punch at a security guard inside a mall. Socked him hard on the shoulder. Made him look small - "he needed that" - and put him in his place as a fellow human being.


"We were selling chocolates at a stall, my friend and I," says Sharyn Lisa Shufiyan. "Just earning honest pocket money - we'd do that all the time during college breaks. My friend has a little disability, which that particular guard at the mall noticed and started teasing her about it. He was incessant. She was hurt, made overly conscious of her 'blemish', which really isn't one.


"We ignored him at first, until she couldn’t take it anymore and stormed off to make a report. I tried talking to him, numerous times, told him to back off. But here's the sad bit - no-one was listening to a 'lowly' salesgirl even if you're a 'lowly' security guard yourself. And gender discrimination is apparent. The guard said to me, 'Mak kau tak ajar budi ke?' (Your mom didn’t teach you manners?) to which I snapped back, 'Because of my mom I’m like this!' adds the 25-year-old former student of Convent Bukit Nanas.


"That moment, I decided 'Enough'. I got mad, balled my fist, and threw one at the guard. Push me too far and I can be biadab too, especially if you mess with people I care about."


You listen to the story, you study the figure telling it, and there's a mild disconnect. Sharyn is Let-It-Be gentle, compassionate and thoughtful. You may say she's peramah, definitely not someone who eats men for breakfast. Not unless they ask for it.


But the Tunku would've grinned broadly, wouldn't he? This was, after all, his great grand-daughter giving a remedial lesson on Respect 101.


Sharyn Shufiyan is honoured to share the same bloodline as Tunku Abdul Rahman, Bapa Merdeka and the nation's first Prime Minister, but she doesn't wear that on her sleeve.


"It's an honour, yes, but in the end, so what? Honour and respect is something you earn as an individual. We don't inherit those. I certainly don't want to. I want to earn my stripes," she says.


Sharyn1This Independence Day, even as the media blares the Tunku's seven shouts of "Merdeka!" at the historic event, Sharyn is herself articulating her own independence.


"I am my own person," she says in her gentle tone. It's measured, but you sense a real spine in the delivery. She's done her share amongst the Common and is very much common, having worked as a salesgirl, waitress, barista and mailroom runner.


"I'm a 21st century Malaysian woman, thinking, feeling and digesting with my own senses and judgment. I am constantly forming my own position on issues," says Sharyn. "I understand my great grand-dad's position in the context of that era, and I appreciate them. I don't necessarily agree with all of them in today's context. Our society has changed."


"Compared to the Tunku, I may seem to be more left-leaning. But please, I don't mean terrorism nor bloody revolution! I know some parties will be quick to jump on that. I mean a civil society struggle towards less class distinctions, certainly less ethnic distinctions, and increased empowerment."


She's interested in grassroots activism, she goes on to tell. A good deal of this came from observations and experiences while completing her studies in Media Studies and Anthropology in New Zealand.


"Studying in New Zealand definitely opened my eyes. Wellington - where I was - is a beehive of social activism. Protests and demonstrations are accepted as a right to free speech and assembly. It's not just empty words in the Constitution. It's just so different than in KL.


"And the classes I took when in college - the Humanities courses like Sociology and, Social Psychology, Philosophy - they weren't textbook-frozen. They were living discussions and dialogues on contemporary issues and core values. I’m interested in reading Philosophy. Those were important for me. They sparked my interest in people's movements, the grassroots claiming their voice," says Sharyn, who has been part of Wild Asia's Communications and Editorial team not long after returning home.


"I came home late 2008, after the Tsunami at the last Elections. It was a time for reflection. People thought things would change after such a resounding message by the voting populace. They didn't. The nation was embroiled. Factions deepened; they got ugly. I hope to do my part in the healing. Perhaps once I was complacent, but not anymore."


Sharyn_2Sharyn is also a citizen journalist, trained by Malaysiakini, where her dad works. She uses citizen journalism as her platform to highlight issues that she thinks is of national interest and also to play her part in building a democratic and free media environment.


Citizen journalists are your everyday individuals picking up a pen or a camera, and highlighting stories usually left in the dark by mainstream media. They are the alternative news provider,” she explains.


"I work at Wild Asia because I believe that my work has to mean something. The place I choose to work has to be uplifting. I can't work in a place that contributes to the despair of people's lives. At Wild Asia, I help handle the website content and write pieces every so often for special projects. Ultimately i like social work. One of the most memorable assignments was being in Sarawak interviewing the Iban smallholders in their rumah panjang. I learned a lot."


There is a brief pause, her eyes study the rim of the coffee mug.


"The Orang Asli and natives of Sabah and Sarawak, these are the original Bumiputras, but where are they in the scheme of 1Malaysia? It's a disheartening picture," she says. "There is no real effort to get them empowered. They are given some pittance allowance, ad-hoc assistance in terms of food or electricity, foodstuff, and made to feel indebted to a tuan. But they are dumbed down. Well, as consolation perhaps little gestures at showcasing some of their handicrafts. Otherwise, real opportunities to higher education, infrastructure, healthcare, economic sustainability, they are left high and dry when it comes to these.


"And a large majority does not understand the Orang Asli, nor do they understand community development. Some people think moving them out of their land giving them brick houses is ‘developing them’ but that’s not how it works. That is not understanding their needs. This is not what caring for the citizenry is about."


You think you noticed black spots of outrage darting about in her eyes as she details this part of the interview. But in a blink they're gone. Sharyn is tempered, more forged these days. Yet one is reminded of that episode not so very long ago in a mall, when a friend was bullied. You know it's still very much in her to stand up for things she cares, though the zest of a punch is now more sublime, more creative. That's bad news for bad people.


Because this Merdeka, the Tunku's great grand-daughter wants you to know she is now her own person. She is independent, stepped out of the shadow of her fond ancestor. With her pen and cam, equality and justice has a fresh ally. Stay tuned, civil society.


Sharyn's ready.

 


NOTE:

Sample of Sharyn's work at Citizen Journalism, click here. Or for the full team of Citizen Journalists, click here.

On Aug 31, Kosmo! also carried an interview with Sharyn. You can be read the published version here. The full text of the interview in Bahasa Malaysia, with Sharyn's consent, can be read here.


Pictures / Nandakumar Haridas

Comments
Search RSS
Only registered users can write comments!
Edward  - GM |2010-08-31 15:50:27
Yes it is pathetic even a lady is mistreated in Msia nowadays and we still love Msia eventhough it doesnt treat us rite on the non-muslim.
But no matter what we are Msian and we hope that this will change in near future.
May God Bless Msia from harm.
Happy National Day Everyone.

A Msian from Far away.....
Edward
Huang Siew Hock  - Her quiet contribution will be immense |2010-08-31 15:51:01
Her quiet contribution will be immense, her background not withstanding. It needs guts to stand up and be counted! More so, when it is a lady. Let her words of active journalism bring light to the darkening age that Malaysia faces.Shouts of "MERDEKA" by Tunku in 1957 will have meaning when racism and racists are wiped out on the face of this Motehr Earth. They have no place in this multi-racial, multi-religious society.

May I wish her the best in her long journey of activism to help the poor and teh downtrodden.
ku  - A plus to Charm |2010-08-31 16:16:21
Something to be said and praised for her kind of toughness and tenacity to think good.

She certainly has leadership qualities and a zest for continuity.

Having the right ancesterol links can work wonders in this country.There's more, there's the will and the knowhow.

With that kind of pedigree, let's wish her well for the future.

Hope she is able to initiate some project for the neglected Orang Asli with perhaps interested young malaysians joining in?

Would be hard to resist such a 'fair' leader, with acres of charms!



charlie |2010-08-31 22:55:21
Dear Sharyn',

You are what all Malaysian should be....'A True Malaysian' without Fear or Favours from the Govt.
Tunku Badlishah Tunku Adnan |2010-09-01 00:31:51
I've been stopped and questioned by security guards a couple of times but the guards got a handful when I showed him my true 'royal' id... guards will be guards don't take heart.

P/S Tunku Abdul Rahman is my grandpa's Tunku Kassim brother btw
Concerned Malaysian  - Malaysia will be blessed with more people like you |2010-09-01 07:21:54
:cheer:

:cheer:

I am color-blind in the community sense. And I am blessed to read about you. Please keep writing and caring as most Malaysians do. We do not want racism anymore in our beloved country
Rama |2010-09-01 08:08:00
wow, what a hot babe and feisty too !
Eddie Loh  - Nil |2010-09-01 12:28:28
:cheer:

:cheer:

I have full respect for you !
Anonymous |2010-09-01 14:30:47
equality and justice has a fresh ally? There appear to be a misnomer here nased on the western view of justice. Does equality equals justice? And inequality equals injustice? Then we are doomed to infinite injustice as there can never be an equal world be it in the pass, present and future. To understand what is justice see Islamic defination of justice and don't just blindly follow some western world definition.
D Lim |2010-09-08 18:29:53
:confused:

:confused:

just because it's 'western thought justice' as you put it, does not mean it is lesser or better than 'islamic justice'. I do not profess to know what 'islamic justice' is all about but I believe the word 'justice' in any language means applying fair, balanced and without prejudice to the issues. The application of 'equality' demands a sense of justice ie balanced and fair. They are related but not necessary dependent on each other. Now you tell me what is 'islamic justice' and how different the word 'justice' is in your and other eyes.
D Lim  - Mrs |2010-09-08 18:22:24
:)

:)

Good on you Sharyn. It'll be great to know that there are more younger generation of Malaysians like you. Chilli padi with a heart and soul. I am sure our late beloved Tunku would nod approvingly.
Greg Lopez  - From out of Tunku's shadow, she flies |2010-10-17 12:24:15
D Lim wrote:
:)

:)

Good on you Sharyn. It'll be great to know that there are more younger generation of Malaysians like you. Chilli padi with a heart and soul. I am sure our late beloved Tunku would nod approvingly.
Seet Lip Teng |2011-06-24 15:00:46
:cheer:

:cheer:

Good for you, wish there are more Malaysians like you. If you do come by Ipoh, pl call on me and a teh tarik will be waiting for you
:)

:)

always victory |2011-07-27 23:30:39
To be honest, it is time for a new Declaration of Independence from the despots, and the time is Now!
Sam Goh |2013-06-07 00:04:18
:kiss:

:kiss:

After staying in China for 12 years and back to my beloved Country ,Malaysia and after GE 13 I was really saddened by those corrupted ,rasicts and arrogance MPs of this ruling regime.after reading many websites I manage to read yr article and I,m really impress of what you did to that security guard, hope to read more of yr posting Best of luck Sharyn and made yr granddaddy proud
 

Your are currently browsing this site with Internet Explorer 6 (IE6).

Your current web browser must be updated to version 7 of Internet Explorer (IE7) to take advantage of all of template's capabilities.

Why should I upgrade to Internet Explorer 7? Microsoft has redesigned Internet Explorer from the ground up, with better security, new capabilities, and a whole new interface. Many changes resulted from the feedback of millions of users who tested prerelease versions of the new browser. The most compelling reason to upgrade is the improved security. The Internet of today is not the Internet of five years ago. There are dangers that simply didn't exist back in 2001, when Internet Explorer 6 was released to the world. Internet Explorer 7 makes surfing the web fundamentally safer by offering greater protection against viruses, spyware, and other online risks.

Get free downloads for Internet Explorer 7, including recommended updates as they become available. To download Internet Explorer 7 in the language of your choice, please visit the Internet Explorer 7 worldwide page.