There’s More Than Just What Petra Says Plainly
A LITTLE TAFFLER’S ROOM
I had seen many people who have either bashed or expressed total frustration in light of Raja Petra’s (RPK) interview with the New Straits Times early this week. He did underline that he would only grant interviews if any media is willing to take word by word (whatever is said from his mouth), not twisted or manipulated by any other means apart from him. And when this was published in the papers, people and the now opposition, Pakatan Rakyat keeps bash him left and right since to them, Pete was considered a double-dealing son of a bitch, to an extent PKR Sec-Gen called him a blogger hired by UMNO.First thing, I wanted to retrace some history way back.
Frankly speaking, since I started writing in 2007, right after I started having my own internet connection and the confidence to write and blog, I started to love the present habit of cussing and whacking United Malays National Organisation kingdom come for their shear arrogance and blunders. I got to admit that it happened when I started reading his series of things he writes in both columns, and then later during the Permatang Pauh by-election, the funny writings of Hishamuddin Rais even raised my anger up and along the way I started to feel cynical about that damn bloody political party. Along the way, I wanted to meet the man in person so whenever there were any functions or parties just to say how I really enjoyed reading his material, that has occasionally full of wit and sarcasm at times.
And so by chance, I was invited to some soirees / parties / dinner by a mutual friend that from that on, I happened to have some encounters with the man himself. At times the group of people had some food, listening to some interesting things he had to say and it was kind of interesting and great to remember some moments. This went on until the last time I encountered him in person was during the 2009 New Year’s party (he remarked how I was so hungry that I was eating my meal that mad, as I just finished work late) – the next month he left – as I learned of what could happen had he not left. At least from meeting a part of the man’s personality can show what’s said plainly and what’s said indirectly.
In the last three months (or you can go back further if you want), Petra keeps quoting things from Sun Tzu’s Art of War. The first chapter alone had a few things that were quoted. For instance, 1:18-22 says:
All warfare is based on deception. #
18
The truth of this pithy and profound saying will be admitted by every soldier. Col. Henderson tells us that Wellington, great in so many military qualities, was especially distinguished by “the extraordinary skill with which he concealed his movements and deceived both friend and foe.”
19
Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near. #
20
Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him. #
All commentators, except Chang Yu, say, “When he is in disorder, crush him.” It is more natural to suppose that Sun Tzu is still illustrating the uses of deception in war.
21
If he is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him. #
22
If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant
Here we are right now.
If Pete quotes things like that above, then I was certain that there is a definite hidden reason of why he would eventually do the interview with News Straits Times in Singapore. The interview, having read most of it is a duality in nature.
