KUCHING-born Sim Kwang Yang, more popularly known by his initials SKY when he was an active politician in Sarawak, had 'actually reached the sky' (that's what his supporters said then, anyway) on the DAP Rocket on three consecutive general elections.
Along the way, he also sent a SUPP president and federal minister (the late Stephen Yong Kuet Tze) to premature retirement when Yong was defeated in Bandar Kuching by the incumbent Sim in the 1990 general election.
Sim served as MP from 1982-1995 and is recognised as one of Kuching's most popular and effective MPs in Sarawak's modern political history.
Since retiring in 1995, he has become a freelance writer in the Chinese-language press, and taught philosophy in a local college for three years. He is now working with an NGO in Kuala Lumpur, the Omnicron Learning Circle, which is aimed at continuing learning for working adults and college students.
SKY is also a malaysiakini columnist. His column 'An Examined Life' appears every Saturday.
Today, SKY spoke candidly to Rentakini in a light-hearted interview.
Rentakini: How many years have you been living in Kuala Lumpur?
SKY: I have lived here full time for six years.
Name one thing you hate the most about life in KL?
KL people. Unfortunately, I have become one myself after six years here.
Anything good you want to say about KL?
Sure. KL has the fascination of a brothel. It smells and sounds like one. Sionil Jose once said of Manila as being like all capital cities of the world - it is the asshole of the nation! KL is the asshole of Malaysia!
If you are the KL mayor, name the one most important thing you would like to resolve first?
If I were the KL mayor, I would resign immediately and try to convince the government to have an elected mayor. That the mayor is an appointed bureaucrat is the number one problem that should be resolved first.
You are known to be an avid reader. Why is reading important?
Reading is important, because it prevents me from getting completely insane. It depends on what you read though. What I read in the Malaysian press makes me insane. So I avoid reading them.
Name two books by local authors which you think are a 'must read'.
I cannot name two books by local authors. Local authors are not yet born. I thought of becoming one myself, but why bankrupt the publisher?
How many times have you been to Putrajaya?
I have been to Putrajaya twice in the last six years, for official business.
Do you think Putrajaya is a good idea?
Putrajaya would be a good idea if it is in Sarawak, because then Kuching would be the capital of Malaysia. On second thought, looking at KL now, I hope the capital will stay in KL, and Putrajaya can move to the South China Sea.
Would you buy a house there (in Putrajaya)?
No, I will not! I wonder how those civil servants can stay there in that ghost city. There is no room for fun there.
Give me your views of a sexy woman?
I have no views on any sexy women. I have reached an age where my libido has long gone, and I thank God for that.
Name a celebrity whom you think fits your description of a sexy woman?
I cannot think of any woman who fits my description of sexiness. A decade ago, I thought Ning Baizura was sexy. She had her sexy forehead at least.
Do you think you are sexy?
I think I have a nice butt. It's flat!
Do you know who is Angelina Jolie?
Of course. Do you think I am a sakai ? But I don't have much time for the movies.
She has nice lips. Would you like to kiss her?
Who?
Angelina Jolie?
Why? Is it any different from kissing my dog?
Do you believe in ghosts or evil spirits?
I am not sure what I believe when it comes to the occult. It all depends. When I travel along a dark lonely road, I observe all the taboos, not because I believe the spirits will harm me, but I do it just in case, for insurance. I do know most taboos mind you, just in case.
Have you ever seen a ghost?
Who has seen a ghost indeed! But then, KL is a city of living ghosts, and real human beings are few and far between.
Do you believe in God ?
I am not sure I believe in God or not, at least not the one that these big religions talk about. I will probably die in that state of confusion.
Are you afraid of death?
I am not really afraid of death. It is easy for me to say so, because I am not nearing death yet. Perhaps, when I lie on my death bed and on the brink of confronting the Great beyond and gasping for breath, I will be scared shitless, and ask to be converted to one of those religions that promise eternal life. And then perhaps not. I will wait and see.
Are you prepared for it?
Of course not. Who is prepared for death? Everybody is prepared for life. On the other hand, I have been dying since I was born. Death is prepared for me.
If you are born again, would you still like to be Sim Kwang Yang?
I do not want to be born again. Once is more than enough inconvenience, thank you.
FRANCIS PAUL enjoys crossing swords with the likes of Sim Kwang Yang whenever he's in holiday mood. He can be reached at [email protected]
(Anything But Politics is an occasional column featuring political personalities, activists, intellectuals, about everyone really!)
