Winning the Battle Against Racism in Malaysia

This is a mighty effort and many other blogs have already featured this recent story and embedded video. As someone who lives and works away from their home country, I cannot help but feel like part of a minority at times - at least statistically speaking, this is a reality.

Although there are certain levels of racism and cultural divide in every country in which I travel in Asia, generally speaking Singapore is a great place to live (and I'm feeling more and more like a local every day). What Pete Teo and these 'Malaysian Artistes for Unity' have done here is nothing short of amazing, and their music is extremely powerful and fun to listen to.

Enjoy the music video - the multilingual lyrics and a banner link to 'Malaysian Artistes for Unity' can be found at the bottom of this blog post.


"WATCH THE MUSIC VIDEO"

(Be sure to pause the 'O Singapura' stream on the left of this blog before playing this video)

"WHAT'S IT ABOUT?"

Pete was juggling tomatoes. Bored. So he telephoned a few friends. “How about getting together to make an anti-racism national unity song and music video?” All said yes without hesitation. not because Pete threatened them with a sharp and rusty knife, but only because they love Malaysia.

The contingent swelled to 52 people a few days later. It included filmmakers, dancers, singers, producers, musicians, actors, entrepreneurs, designers, footballers, activists, celebrities, students and a florist. Nobody would be paid. Yet they were enthused. Not because they were high on speed, only because they love Malaysia.

They gathered to record the song. It had a catchy chorus and was able to induce a mass sing-along. Everyone was happy when it was done. They named it ‘here in my home’. Then more people joined. The party now included more than 120 people, but the budget remained exactly zero. It seems even the spreadsheet loves Malaysia.

Everyone turned up for the video shoot. Much fun was had and friendships made. Video editors went to work after the shoot was done. Both the recording and the video would be given away for free. A gift to the nation from those who love Malaysia, to those who feel the same.

Did you ask what this is all about?

It’s about love. :D

MULTILINGUAL LYRICS

"HERE IN MY HOME"

Verse 1
Hold on brother hold on
The road is long. We’re on stony ground
But I’m strong. You ain’t heavy

Verse 2
Oh there’s a misspoken truth that lies
Colors don’t bind, oh no.
What do they know? They speak falsely.

Chorus
Here in my home
I’ll tell you what its all about
There’s just one hope here in my heart
One love undivided
That’s what it’s all about
Please won’t you fall in one by one by one with me?

Verse 3
Push back sister won’t you push back?
Love won’t wait. Just keep pushing on.
Yes I’m strong. You ain’t heavy.

Verse 4
Oh don’t you worry about that…
What we have shadows can’t deny
Don’t you know it’s now or never?

Rap
[Bahasa Malaysia]
Bertubi asakan berkurun lamanya
Hati ke depan mencari yang sayang
translation: Years of fears and years of tribulation
The heart keeps searching for that endless devotion

[Mandarin]
手牵手大家一起走，我代表华人开口未来就没有丢走
phonetics: shou qian shou da jia yi qi zou
wo dai biao hua ren kai kou wei lai jiu mei you diu zou
translation: Hand in hand we’ll march like blood brothers
I speak for my people we’ll find peace forever

[Tamil]
இந்த பயணம் பயணம்.. என் வெற்றி தாகம்,
அந்த கனா காலம்.. நம் வெற்றி ராகம்,
நண்பா.. நண்பா..
phonetics: inthe payanam payanamm yen vettri thaagam
anthee kaana kaalam naam vetri raagam...nanba nanba
translation: May the road ahead quench my thirst for success
May the road behind echo a song of the blessed

[English]
Yes I feel it in my bones and I will let it be known
No matter where I roam this is home sweet home
Sing!

- Words & Music by Pete Teo featuring rap by KLG Sqwad & Altimet
- Reprinted by permission. © 2008 Redbag Music. All Rights Reserved.