This is not…
Jul 11th, 2007 by Tian
In 1929, René Magritte painted a picture titled “This is not a pipe”. A recurring theme in the paintings of Magritte is to interrogate viewers repeatedly with a rhetorical question: “What, Why & How do we Know?”
We often assume that what we know is being informed by the object we see. However, viewers sometimes see something which is not even there.
Let me invite you to look at the photomontage in my post “French dinner for 3″ once again. Please look within the frame. Who are the people in the picture?
In fact, there is NO Altantuya.
(Some readers did realize earlier that the woman was not Altantuya)
“French dinner for 3″ recaps the narrative of the missing Altantuya. The woman in the picture recalls the intrigue of this case as represented by the mass media.
Ceci n’est pas Altantuya
The face of female in the picture was the image published in the Star on November 11, 2006. And somehow the media had led their readers to believe that the victim was a sexy model.
A vast majority of viewers ‘saw’ Altantuya sitting with Najib and Razak at the dining table. Their impression was certainly not informed by the actual contents of my visual representation.
How do we explain this bizarre phenomenon?
The way we see things is often influenced by our prior knowledge or assumptions about the issue. The mass media plays a big part in ‘programming’ our perception of reality.
However sometimes this ‘programming’ can come off the rails. Don’t we all remember Najib’s statement in Ijok? Yet his denial of knowing Altantuya, echoed through the press and by various UMNO stalwarts, has somehow failed to convince the public, who maintain a different impression.
If I may make a suggestion, Najib should perhaps hire the person who doctored the video of Anwar dancing on stage at Ijok to come up with a video of his statement of denial. Zam can then buy some airtime on TV3 and broadcast this denial every night until the day of the next general election. That will probably reset our collective ‘programming’.
In addition, this can spare Hishamuddin from having to raise his kris and frighten the citizens of our peace-loving nation.
Pelik, kan? Kenapa entah media dan penyokong UMNO-BN melatah tak tentu pasal tentang gambar olok2 kau (yang takde pun muka mendiang Altantuya di dalamnya). Bukan ke UMNO-BN ni lagi banyak buat lawak “olok2″… Gambar Datuk Seri Anwar yg olok2, berita politik yg olok2, laporan ekonomi yg olok2, mahkamah yg olok2, kelulusan PhD-DBA-Masters-MBA yg olok2 (sesetengah pemimpin), malah PM pun ada yg kata olok2 jugak…
What you have done is pretty stupid and there is no use denying over and over again. If what you believe is true and your conscience is clear, why are you repeating that you have “not done such and such” again and again?
As they say, 解释ç‰äºŽæŽ©é¥°!
Clearly, this is a very visible case of defamation!
MCMC said that you could be jailed.
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/stor…4504&sec=nation
Quote:
Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) corporate communications head Adelina Iskandar said the punishment was under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, the paper reported. She said that according to the Act, anyone who used network or application facilities to feature obscene or false articles, photographs or material with the intent to offend can be fined RM50,000, jailed or both.
Firstly, the photo was not obscene.
Secondly, the article in your website, are all facts ( http://www.tianchua.net/en/2007/07/…ch-dinner-for-3 ) i.e. Najib’s denial, Najib’s persistent denial, Anuar’s press conference, and your personal opinions.
Thirdly, the photograph did not offend anyone. If it offended Najib, then why no actions taken on those who uploaded politician photos of Pak Lah sleeping in YouTube, Pak Lah / Najib having a gun in their hands (e.g. http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/78/2014/264/185170/gse_multipart2306.jpg )?
It would be offending if Najib was naked like those photos of DAP. But there is nothing offending in your photo.
BN should ask themselves, is eating dinner together with a model that looks like Altantuya BUT NOT HER offensive ?
Also, remember that Altantuya’s cousin mentioned that Baginda was having dinner with a COUPLE of government officials. So, where is the COUPLE of government officials ?
Also, that photo is not Altantuya.
what’s gonna happen to you next Tian Chua ?
Wish you good luck.
In this country -
A fact is not a fact if it against them.
Regarding the Altantuya case:
I predict -
on paper — sentence to death.
on reality — new identities and live in somewhere.
Clearly, this is a very visible case of defamation!
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If it is so clear, why is najib in hiding? Only his macais are jumping.
in such extraordinary times so shall your extraordinary talents be realised. The time has indeed come Mr Xtraordinary ! look at how some of those UMNO pretenders/hypocrites are shaking & cursing ( their good luck esp KJ/Kerriss whose naked ambitions to knock out Na da Jib seems to be coming soon ). but you got to be very careful, afterall all one never know who their real friends are until it is all over.
Hi Tian,
Ha, ha ha look at this article at:
http://2legit2quit.wordpress.com/2007/07/11/altantunya-was-not-in-fake-photo
Its in defence of you.
Lol,
great message for this good PR move. SMart mate. But that is how malaysian works - Follow blindly, never question the old establishment, follow majority attitude.
Xweing,
whoever you are, you are the plain stupid stooge of the BN. Maybe you think we are as stupid as you not to realise who your political masters are. It is imbecile like you that Malaysia is what it is, filled with corrupt, licentious and bad leaders. Like they said, you got the leaders you deserve. Just remember before long they will also get you if you do not stop them now. You are not a lawyer whereas I am and you cannot defame anybody merely showing them having dinner.
In fact, if truth be known I will and can assume responsibility for the photo posted of Najib Razak having dinner.
How about that? Come and sue me in Australia and I will make sure you will not even have a shirt on your back as I will claim so much damages that you might even have to bend over for Najib to get some money. I am so incessant that as they said in legal jargon if there is no law against GBH I will give you GBH.
Kind Regards,
Teo Loh
A bit off topic… please take note that the girl in your photo is dead. She was a Korean artist who committed suicide a few months ago; think twice before using her picture for future argument.
Race to make that first:
http://malaysiancartoons.blogspot.com/2007/07/racing-to-make-first-report.html
Teo Loh,
I’m happy that so-called lawyers like you do not work in Malaysia. Why on earth would I wanna sue you?
I’m just saying that there are more ways than one for the opposition to make a point and this is not one of them.
You do not speak nor sound like a learned person.
QUOTE XWEING:
I’m just saying that there are more ways than one for the opposition to make a point and this is not one of them.
TIAN CHUA SPEAKS MY MIND MAN, THATS WHAT I COULD PICTURE IN MY MIND WHEN I READ THE NEWS NAJIB WAS IN THE DINNER. AND THATS THE MAIN POINT.
WHAT POINTSSSS YOU”RE TALKING ABOUT??? WHATEVER POINT IT IS, NAJIB KNOWS ALTANTUYA. PERIOD.
TALK ABOUT CONSCIENCE?? PEE ON THE FLOOR AND TAKE A CLOSE LOOK OF THAT REFLECTION, THATS THE CONSCIENCE I THINK YOU NEED BN SCUMBAGS.
TC,
Anyone could see that the picture was a fake if they bothered to look a little closely. Good work!
But, in Malaysia, apa-apa pun boleh. So watch yourself!
But enough said about this topic. PKR has to get its act together to wrest many seats from BN. All the spin coming from BN is not helping.
In the meantime, BN hass started camoaigning and holding health camps in their name.
PKR needs to do more to reach the masses.
Dear YeinJee,
I agree with you. It seems TC loves to use the images of people who has passed on for his political agenda. He posted the doctored picture knowing well tha most people would reasonablt assume the lady is the late Altantuya given the surrounding circumstances. He then tried to justify his action through art (although it beats me how a doctored image can be considered art in the first place). Now he seems to justify it by saying that it is not Altantuya but the korean actreess.
Now he needs to apologise to the late korean actress’ family isnt?
If BN plays dirty(doctored pics showing DAP leaders in Sarawak), it is swept under the carpet.
TC is just showing doctored pics of the DPM, Razak Baginda and girl (not even Altantuya) having a French dinner together, it is blown out of proportions. Offensive…nay…only if someone really has something to hide..
Teo,
(c.c. Xweing)
In reply to your post dated 11th July 2007.
You claimed you are a lawyer. In the premise, I would be grateful if you don’t make assumption such as “whoever you are, you are the plain stupid stooge of the BN. Maybe you think we are as stupid as you not to realise who your political masters are. It is imbecile like you that Malaysia is what it is, filled with corrupt, licentious and bad leaders..†unless you can prove the same or else refrain from making such assumption or else you may not be seen as a learned person.
By the way, how come we cannot agree to disagree on arguments based on its merits or lack thereof. You seemed to be very concerned whether people like xweing or me are BN stooges or supporters. Say if a BN supporters put forth a sound argument or did a good deed, will you discount it simply because he is a BN Supporter? If an opposition member committed a wrongful act, will you justify it simply because he is from the opposition?
I believe I may have misread you since you are a lawyer and being a professional I am sure you will not judge an argument based on who or where it comes from but rather on its merits. I am sure you are not practicing “political apartheid”!
Good day.
to be fair to everyone, if there is really a photo involved don’t you think Altan’s family or whoever has it will produce it by now. There are so many allegations thrown about, they are married in Hong Kong for example, its a simple process of getting a copy of the marriage cert from the HK officials to substantiate the allegation. Till now I don’t see anything. This makes the case for the prosecution weak. I think if better for the family to shut up and stop making baseless nonsense. Walk the talk or else SHUT UP! You are not helping Altan’s case.
This brings me to my next musing. If there is indeed a photo or other damning evidence. can the person holding such said material be keeping it and waiting for the trial to be over then at a later date produce said material to blackmail the shoo in next PM of Malaysia!! Imagine having a PM of a country in your pocket for blackmail. The idea is mind boggling. Stuff of Hollywood movies. Or for that matter what if the CIA or other secret bodies are determined to search and uncover said photos and other damning evidence against you-know-who who is to say they can’t be successful with their limitless resources and monies.
Think about it.
Back to TC’s hare-brain effort presenting the doctored photo. What must you be think or hoping to get out of this caper. Seen too many Adam Sandler’s movies or are you a Ben Stiller’s crone? OMG! I hope your lawyering is better than your Digital Tech.
Cheers.
Dear All,
I have been following the trials of such a dastardly act of the murder of Altantunya. I cried for the death of the rule of law in the land of my birth and the ability for people in high places to commit such a heinous act without compulsion or fear of retribution. As I have said, no amount of words or discussions or even arguments amongst us bloggers will compensate or unwound what had been done. Rather I ask you all to think of the consequences that can flow from such an action, namely the powerful and those in government can order such an act to be carried out. It does not augur well for the future of democracy in Malaysia. The BN govt. continues to set the paradigm in which political discussions are carried out namely using the race and religious cards.
After all these undemocratic personnel that constitute the government including many who are educated in the West feels that they can abuse their powers without fear of sanction. From the servings TC gets, you would think in fact he carried out the murder of the late Altantunya. Even UMNO Youth tries to feign indignant and I would like to quote a wise dictum from the late Robert Kennedy and it would paid heed for those of you who also pretend you are more moralistic and trying to abide by the so-called rules of decency of not offending the dead. Here it is:
“Few men are willing to brave the disapproval of their fellows, the censure of their colleagues, the wrath of society. Moral courage is a rarer commodity than bravery in battle or great intelligence. Yet it is the one essential, vital, quality for those who seek to change a world which yields most painfully to change.” - Robert Kennedy
to be fair to everyone, if there is really a photo involved don’t you think Altan’s family or whoever has it will produce it by now.
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No i do not.
If it was me I would wait until maybe when the trial is over. It`s the malaysian justice system that`s on trial. Already the shenanigans are clear. The pic now would be just defeatist.
In fact I would say there is more than 1 pic. Further, in this digital age there is high possibility of a video.
I forgot to add there also may be docus that point to the victim`s role as translator. Recall her father has said so. I suspect that all this will be released slowly.
The murderers will probably get off, or with light sentences. And then the knife will begin to turn ever slowly - at least I`m looking forward to it.
Dear Teo,
I must admit that I like the contents of your last posting. I agree with and hold the same views in particular your lamentation on the death of rule of law.
However, I must respectfully disagree with your contention when you quoted Robert Kennedy in relation to TC’s act.
I don’t believe the quotation is applicable in this instance. Whilst I agree that TC has the moral courage to stand up for his perceived values and idealism, (some of which I am also beholden to), his act of doctoring the image of deceased does not and will not justify the end. It does not and will not accord well with the ideals of justice, integrity and even rule of law. Hence my many postings to this date. I do hope that you and others can appreciate the thrust of my arguments thus far.
To digress, I am with you and scores of others on the issue of death of rule of law, independance of judiciary, abuse of government machinery, lack of transparency, wastage and ABUSE of public funds, religious fanaticism and intolerance encroaching into private domain etc. These issues are like cancer destroying our nation slowly and surely if we do not translate our disgust and disapproval into voting out the present goverment.
Be that as it may, I sincerely hope there will be capable opposition members who will run the country with integrity and wisdom or else we will have another set of same government like the old BN. That is why my call for TC to apologise to the deceased and her family and in so doing, at least his integrity remains. After all, “to err is human”. But alas, my call has fallen on deaf ears.
Good day!
TC it is not necessary to apologise. Many have seen that pic and think nothing wrong with it. Meanwhile, any info on why Bukit Aman picked up Nathaniel?
Dear All,
In any case, in every common law jurisdiction, the defence against defamation is truth and the public interest. In this case, if anybody were to sue TC, these two elements can be invoked as a defence of defamation. Clearly, as the cousin of the late Altantunya testified, there will be a photo of the three having dinner in Paris. I am trying to obtain where the dinner was held from my contacts in Paris. As they were sitting down the third person will be either a waiter or a diner from the nearby table. They will not forget the dinner if they partake in taking the photograph. I will organise Le Figaro to advertise this fact so that the waiter or diner will come forward.
The other element is public interest. The amount of scatterbug talk going around Malaysia regarding the case and confirm by the bloggers here show that there is immense interest on the part of the public to find out who are behind the killing of a foreign national in such a brazen and heinous way.
All Malaysians morality is on the line as if the govt. or persons close to the govt. can be allowed to carried out such dastardly act, then it does not augur well for the common folks.
I will leave all you poor souls to the fate of these BN govt. and I will be applying for Australian citizenship in the next week or so. I will not step foot ever again in this country especially if the trial ends up as a show trial which it will judging by the appointment of the judge to hear the case. It is extraordinary from my reading of the case from a govt. newspaper even that he did not even disqualify himself from hearing the case when he is related to the defence lawyer. He should be independent and neutral and not be seen even to be independent or neutral. However, like the saying goes, casting pearls before swine, these people are a waste of education and taxpayer money as certainly they must have got their law degree the goyang kaki style. (Sorry for the moral Kelvin Ng, this is subjudicious and therefore I apologise.) My foot, I will as these swines do not deserve any apologies but greatest condemnation.
Good luck and sorry to hear the incarceration of Nathaniel Tan for his effort. Hishammudin I am sorry I have let you down as I would not be coming back to assist my country.
Best wishes.
Teo Loh
The ironic part is that on the date of Altantunya’s cousin testimony before the courts, many people would have probably conjured up in their mind the photo of the dinner whereby the “related” Razaks were having dinner with the misfortunate and late Altantunya.
You have got to label it as a fake photo in the post itself. No use saying it’s fake in another post.
Forget the Law for a moment - Those are the social rules of the Internet!