22 years: silence, or

“He articulates the views of the silent majority and hopefully with this book, the majority will decide to be silent no more.”
-Marina Mahathir
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For the moment:
The Way I Are (Remix) – Timbaland feat Francisco & Keri Hilson
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I read the rear cover of the new book I bought, In Good Faith by Zaid Ibrahim. I read something I find either fascinatingly annoying, or confusingly amusing.
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There are four quotes by public figures from Malaysia. I refer specifically to the quote that came from Marina.
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It is difficult for lecturers to get university students to verbally participate in class. On top of the not-outspoken nature of most Malaysians, most of those from the generation that are currently in universities, went to 11 years of a compulsory education system. This is where they were perpetually and relentlessly told to ‘SENYAP!’
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I call it the ‘11 Years of Conditioning SENYAP.’
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I don’t quite blame my peers for their lack of will or inclination in verbally participating in class discussions. It is quite a task to change someone or change by own self after 11 years of being conditioned to do the opposite.
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For 22 years, Malaysians have been conditioned to be silent. Either that, lose your job and/or be incarcerated. Quite an irony under a leadership led by a leader, globally known to be vocal on various issues. So much so that when he rebelliously spoke against the developed nations, on behalf of his developing brethren in Rio de Janeiro (1992 UN Conference & Declaration on Environment & Development), word around the campfire was that there was a plot to assassinate him for his courage.
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While I am not a big fan of either the present or his predecessor, it was a shame that when the people were allowed to speak up, (a Malaysian milestone that took place in 2003,) it was looked upon as a sign of weak leadership. And not sheer practice of a democratic right that was infringed and denied of for 22 years. The conditioning that distorted the Malaysian understanding of the concept of proper democracy, good governance and fair leadership.
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Indeed no one person is perfect. I don’t blame anyone for labeling me a cynic who “decide to be silent no more” as our politicians and public figures alike insult the intelligence of my fellow citizens. And while undeniably Marina has done some good work, suffice to say, I have a kind and pleasant remark to share with you regarding what she said about Zaids recently published book.
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Bollocks.