Will Quah Dot Com

But I am not.

Regardless of the fact that I write for the Malay Mail (after all, my only article in this weekend’s issue was actually talking about the sanctity of sex, instead of cheapening it, unfortunately), I still think that what they did was nothing to be sorry about.

So, what precisely is the great crime? They talked about sex. They talked about sex in a frank and adult manner, discussing things that most Malaysians discuss anyway, and tried to educate people not on how to have sex, or on the benefits of sex, but merely on the fact that talking about sex makes the “forbidden pleasure” of it go away, and thus, helps immature Malaysians grow up and move on.

We are told that Malaysians are horrified by the taboo of talking about sex. The government gets up in arms about it. Yet why isn’t the public crying blue murder over the cases of grandfathers raping their own grandaughters? Or uncles assaulting their nieces? I read about this all the time, usually not even on the front cover. I don’t see the politicians personally campaigning against this, so why should they make a point of rallying around something as innocent as this?

As for the public outcry, well, the story was based on fact, a survey. And 100% of the survey takers said they think sex should be something that Malaysians discuss without feeling like it’s something dirty. Even if it were not 100%, considering what goes on with elections both here and the world over, I would not have thought that any government would be bold enough to question a formal poll. For god sakes, we live in a country where girls still think they’re dying when they get their first period, and where sex crimes are still on the rise. If this is what comes of not dscussing sex, I cannot imagine that discussing it will make things any worse. And the people causing a fuss? I’m sure that some politicians receive far more SMS’s from their mistresses discussing sex than they did from the public over yesterday’s issue, and that’s besides the point. We are educating the public. Does the gorvernment ever stop what it’s doing because the public don’t like it? Not that I can recall…

Ranting aside, I understand that there is a limit. We don’t want porn on the streets, or paedophilia, or sex crimes, or even incest. But we have to realise that it is here, and in some cases, it’s on the rise, and far worse than in other countries. Obviously our policy of “don’t talk about it, and it won’t happen” isn’t true. People are sex crazed nutters regardless of whether they read about it clinically in the newspaper, or whether they, and some other guys from the kampung, are dragging their pre-pubescent niece down to the TNB station for an illegal frolick. What we should be striving towards is an enlightened, sexually aware public, who lead normal, healthy, sexual lives, without fear (or desire) of the unknown.

After all, if we knew why the fruit was forbidden, we may not actually want it.

Who’s your daddy?
WillQ.

I am not a parent (and judging by my wonderfully absent loving caring skills when it comes to something as simple as a pet, I doubt I should ever be… unless I have another half to take care of it til it’s 18, or a great nanny), but I’ve managed to capture some of that parental joy and pride over the last few days as a GUEST EXAMINER for my partner in crime, Naomi’s college class.

I’ve seen the kids (he says, despite being younger than some of them) before, when I got to guest lecture them on creativity (for which I prepared nothing, instead being madly creative during the hour and a half – read: lazy), and they were a cool bunch. So I leapt at the chance to help guide the impressionable young minds of tomorrow for 2 hours on a Tuesday and Wednesday. Joining a very American Idol like panel, with the cool dude on one end, sweet encouraging Naomi in the middle, and mean old slightly British sounding me on the other end. Some of the presentations were not exactly up to par, but then again, I’ve seen so called professionals in the field who would definitely do worse, and they have stable nine to five jobs. On the other hand, some of the stuff was absolutely fantastic, and I really mean it. They were bold, imaginative, creative, innovative, and all sorts of other things ending in -ive. They made me proud to be Malaysian, to be in this industry, and to have been a part of these kids’ futures. They, will be the leaders of tomorrow (or more likely, the over-used, over-talented, under-paid and under-appreciated talents of tomorrow) and they give me a newfound confidence in this country. Extra special shout outs go to Ariz and Clarence’s groups (if they ever read this, good job).

Manipula… err, educating the children of tomorrow is such a joy. Especially since some of them are cute (mmm, freshmen).

Dulce de Lecher
WillQ.