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Salient. Official Newspaper of Victoria University of Wellington Students Association. Volume 40, No. 5. 27 March 1977

[Letter from W. Wongsarot to Salient, Volume 40 Number 5. March 27 1977]

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Dear David,

With reference to the criticisms of the International Evening sketch. Firstly I would like to say that their point is taken. But in response I would like to ask the people who wrote in, a few questions:
1.Are you so gullible as to be incapable of differentiating between serious drama and a lighthearted sketch, for that was what it was intended to be.
2.Are you so badly brainwashed as to see everything in a political light, unable to laugh at a joke and forever looking at everything negatively?
3.Where is the assured self-confidence that goes with the knowledge of our rightful place in the world, our third world conciousness, that should enable us to feel strong enough to laugh at ourselves. Where is it my friends?
4.Do you people really think that you are the only ones that have the monopoly on saying that vou can identify with the common people. That everything MSA does, as one of you put it "A deliberate attempt to distort and exaggerate the true picture". From my observation as an outsider, MSA people are a group of well-intentioned and sincere people, who are determined to do something positive for the common overseas students here.

It is a democratic association, to if you are not happy with it why not contribute something by turning up at the next meeting and be there on election day, do something constructive rather than negatively criticising everything MSA does. And when you do, come up with some alternatives.

You have the power to change the Association!

All of us, I am sure, realize the true situation in Malaysia and the third world in general. I don't think we should be overly concerned that one mere sketch will destroy the understanding of our cultures by N.Z. students. Give them some credit for being intelligent enough to realize it's only a crazy sketch, nothing more!

The hawkers back home would probably be the first to appreciate this point for they understand the value of laughter in the face of pressures, for how else could we keep our sanity.

Also my advice to the person that wrote 'don't you get hurt when a kiwi friend tell this to you, "We have too many idiot overseas students here. Look at the Malaysian sketch, how can they come to universities with that civilization", is to:
1.Ignore the ignoramus for he is obviously not worth knowing.
2.Or ask him whether he would take something or someone like Fred Dagg as a serious representation of his civilisation.

I say to you, get out of your political shell, don't keep seeing the trees and missing the Forest. They love Malaysia just as much as you do, give them a chance.

W. Wongsarot

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