Filed under: broadcast, directing, documentary, film, internet, journalism, new media, The Malaysian Insider, writing | Tags: 1malaysia, amy cheong, DAP, fat bidin, journalism, Keadilan, kuala lumpur, malay, malaysia, new media, ntuc, pas, PKR, racism, racist, singapore, The Malaysian Insider, umno, zan azlee
Will the real racist please stand up?
By Zan Azlee
OCT 19 — I was in Singapore recently to shoot a documentary on one of the Malay world’s greatest music icons, Zubir Said, who composed songs during the golden era of Malay cinema in the 1950s and ‘60s. P. Ramlee considered him a mentor and he even composed the Singapore national anthem. Zubir also submitted three songs for consideration for our national anthem but none was chosen.
But that isn’t the story here. The story that I am about to tell here really is about something that happened in Singapore while I was there for the said documentary. I had bumped into a Singaporean friend on the streets of this first world city-state and the first thing he said to me was: “There’s a story you can write about for your column!”
It was the Amy Cheong issue that was hot in the Singapore media. And spending many a lonely night in a cold hotel room watching Channel News Asia, I was very familiar with the story. A National Trade Union Council employee (Cheong) had posted a racist remark on her Facebook page that insulted the Malays (something to do with noisy and extravagant weddings!).
All hell broke loose and the first-world citizens of Singapore from all races raged against her. Not only that, the NTUC even sacked her. Then the politicians joined the fray, with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong leading the way in condemning Cheong’s behaviour and saying that racial harmony must be maintained.
It played out for a few days and some Singaporeans even started calling for Cheong to be charged by the authorities for what she had said. Then the politicians stepped in again, saying that she had learned her lesson and everyone should move on. And it seems that things have indeed moved on over there.
Now that my shoot is over and I’m back home in my own country, I start reflecting. It seems to me that Singapore, like Malaysia, has her fair share of underlying racial problems. So do so many other countries. Yet, unlike Malaysia, overall, the people of Singapore are quite united in their stand against racism, or so it seems, or maybe I’m just naïve.
The first thing that has to go in Malaysia in my humble opinion is the racial-based politics that has existed in the country from the very first second of its birth. [Click to read the rest of the article at The Malaysian Insider]
Filed under: broadcast, directing, documentary, film, journalism, video blog | Tags: 1malaysia, astro, awani, bapa malaysia, documentary, fat bidin, film, hari malaysia, journalism, malay, malaysia, malaysia day, media, tunku, tunku abdul rahman, video journalism, zan azlee
I co-produced/directed a documentary on Malaysia’s first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, for Malaysia Day with Noor Azam Shairi, an old Kelab Seni Filem buddy who is also now my colleague. The documentary, titled TUNKU, airs today (16 September 2012) at 6:30pm on ASTRO Awani (501). (Click here or the image above to watch the promo)
Repeats will be on:
Monday 17 Sept – 11am
Tuesday 18 Sept – 3:30pm
Thursday 20 Sept – 2:30am
Friday 21 Sept – 11:30am
Saturday 22 Sept – 5pm
It is the iznit of the izzle in the golden drizzle!
Filed under: broadcast, directing, documentary, film, internet, journalism, new media, The Malaysian Insider, writing | Tags: 1malaysia, 31 ogos, bapa kemerdekaan, bapa malaysia, fat bidin, independence, janji demokrasi, janji dicapati, journalism, kuala lumpur, malay, malaysia, malaysia day, media, merdeka, national day, new media, The Malaysian Insider, tunku, tunku abdul rahman, tunku nerang, zan azlee
It was a different Malaysia
By Zan Azlee
SEPT 7 — Recently, I had the opportunity to interview Tunku Ahmad Nerang, the son of the late Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia’s first prime minister. At 79 years old, slightly over six feet in height, and with a booming voice, one could get carried away that one is actually with the former prime minister himself.
My chat with him made me realise many things. I realised that Tunku Nerang and his family feel a sense of pride being of Tunku Abdul Rahman’s lineage. And this should rightfully be. Tunku Abdul Rahman was a great man who contributed and sacrificed a lot for the country.
I also realised that it was a different time then compared to now. It was a time when things were much simpler and happier.
“My father used to say that he was the poorest prime minister and also the happiest prime minister,” said Tunku Nerang.
Although I never met the man, from the stories I heard of him, it sounded like he was a very carefree person, yet very honest and sincere. And because of him, it gave me the impression that the country of Malaysia (or the Federation of Malaya) at that time was one that was carefree, honest and sincere too. [Click to read the full article at The Malaysian Insider]
Filed under: broadcast, directing, documentary, internet, journalism, metropolis, new media, video blog | Tags: boot camp, documentary, dutch, fat, fat bidin, film, gemuk, interview, journalism, kuala lumpur, malaysia, metropolis, netherlands, obesity, overweight, video journalism, vpro, web video, zan azlee
A couple of months ago, I did a report for Dutch TV’s VPRO Metropolis programme about obesity in Malaysia. It finally went on air in The Netherlands and is available to view online. I shed quite a lot of sweat following these… err… big-boned… participants as they shed the kilos! Click here to view the video or on the image above.
Filed under: directing, documentary, film, internet, journalism, lomokino, new media, video blog | Tags: camera, deborah henry. malaysia, doccumentary, fat bidin, film, fugee, fugee school, geneva convention, hipster, lomography, lomokino, refugee, somalia, zan azlee
Oh God forgive me… I’ve turned into a bloody hipster!! Recently, Lomography Malaysia contacted me and offered to make me a Lomo Amigo. They sent me… all the way from Hong Kong… one of their latest products to use before it was in the market… the LomoKino Super 35 Movie Maker. It’s a film camera that shoots moving pictures using 35mm film… and you crank it manually!! Knowing how Lomography hipsters keep harping on and on about great it is to shoot pictures without thinking (it’s so irritating if you ask me!)… that I decided to be the total anti-thesis of that concept. I decided to shoot a short documentary film about refugee children in Malaysia with the Lomokino. Check out my Lomo Amigo page by clicking here or on the the screenshot above. And… you can watch my documentary film below:
The camera is actually really fun to use and it was great that Lomography Malaysia gave me this opportunity.
Filed under: broadcast, directing, documentary, film, film festival, internet, journalism, new media, The Malaysian Insider, writing | Tags: channel 4, documentary, england, fat bidin, film, journalism, malaysia, media, new media, sheffield, sheffield documentary film festival, The Malaysian Insider, zan azlee
Newer new media
By Zan Azlee
JUNE 15 — I’ve always had the idea that multimedia or interactive content meant that it had to be able to be delivered over traditional and also new media. Basically, I thought that if you produce this kind of content, you could have a version on television, radio, print and the Internet at the same time. Many of my documentary projects have been based on this concept and have always been designed so I can adapt the content for any kind of media.
For example, my latest project, which I shot in Afghanistan, appeared on television, the Internet and print media. And to be honest, I think that this particular concept is already quite interesting and innovative. In fact, it has allowed my content to be more widely accessible. But this week, I had this point of view totally transformed. I’m currently attending the Sheffield Documentary Film Festival in England as part of the Malaysian delegation. [Click to read the full article at The Malaysian Insider]
Filed under: film, documentary, directing, broadcast, writing, new media, internet, journalism, lecture, The Malaysian Insider | Tags: 1malaysia, borneo, documentary, dusun, fat bidin, film, GDF, journalism, kinabatangan, malaysia, media, new media, sabah, solo journalism, SUARA, sukau, sungai, The Malaysian Insider, video journalism, web video, workshop, zan azlee
Empowered by video
By Zan Azlee
MAY 18 — One of the main objectives of the existence of the media is to give a voice to normal people, or the rakyat. But sometimes, this objective gets lost when the media themselves get a bit overwhelmed (or big headed?) by all their obligations.
That’s why I always jump at the opportunity to help give a voice to the common folk, or the rakyat. That’s how, last week, I found myself in a small village called Kampung Sukau in Sabah, teaching locals how to tell stories using video. [Click to read the full article at The Malaysian Insider]
Filed under: directing, documentary, internet, journalism, new media, photo essay, press, The Malaysian Insider, video blog, writing | Tags: 1malaysia, ambiga, anwar, bersih, city, conflict, demo, documentary, fat bidin, interview, islam, journalism, keadian, kuala lumpur, malay, malaysia, media, new media, news, pakatan rakyat, police brutality, rally, riot, solo journalism, The Malaysian Insider, video journalism, violence, web video, zan azlee
Violence against Malaysia
By Zan Azlee
MAY 4 — I waited for almost a week before actually writing or posting anything much about the recent Bersih 3.0 rally in Kuala Lumpur. There were so many emotions, I wanted to make sure that I was calm and coherent before actually commenting on it. And now that everything seems ever so slightly clearer to me, the one thing that affected me most that Saturday was the violence that occurred.
The day had started early for me and walking all around the city, I felt the almost party-like atmosphere amongst all the Malaysians that had gathered. Dataran Merdeka, of course, had a heavy police presence. It was cordoned off with metal fencing and even scary-looking barbed wire. But, as I mentioned, the atmosphere was very festive and I guess the intimidation wasn’t working that well.
When the rally was in full force, I was standing alongside the leaders as they were giving their speeches and encouraging the people to sing. Once everyone was as close to Dataran Merdeka as possible, I heard the leaders declaring the rally a success and calling for the crowd to disperse. The crowd didn’t disperse and I made my way behind the barricade and police line with the help of my press tag. [Click to read the full article at The Malaysian Insider]
Click on the thumbnails below to launch the photo essay.
Filed under: broadcast, directing, documentary, internet, journalism, new media | Tags: 1malaysia, bersih, demonstration, documentary, fat bidin, interview, journalism, kuala lumpur, malaysia, media, new media, news, protest, rally, riot, solo journalism, video journalism, web video, zan azlee
I will be covering BERSIH 3.0 live (28th April 2012).
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Filed under: directing, documentary, internet, journalism, new media, The Malaysian Insider, video blog, writing | Tags: 1malaysia, bersih, democracy, documentary, fat bidin, interview, journalism, kuala lumpur, malay, malaysia, media, murakami, new media, news, solo journalism, The Malaysian Insider, video journalism, web video, zan azlee
Democracy. It’s happening!
By Zan Azlee
APRIL 27 — The heat of the general election can be felt. Rumours have been rife about it happening in June, then September, and now back to June again. Squabbles are happening between the political parties. Squabbles are happening among the NGOs and squabbles are also happening among the normal rakyat.
Each political party is claiming itself to be the righteous one. NGOs are pushing their agenda, taking advantage of the heightened social awareness. The rakyat are scattered. Some are just blind faithful to the side they are supporting. Many are on the fence while more just think that there’s really no quality choice.
Then there’s the media. We all know how all these years the mainstream media has always been tightly controlled (or self-controlled) in favour of the party in power.
But it looks like things are changing. Last year, I was a “live” guest on a radio station and I happened to mention Bersih 2.0. I was immediately interrupted and censored. This year, that same radio station, on the same show I was on, actually had a whole episode discussing the upcoming Bersih 3.0 quite openly and honestly. [Click to read the full article at The Malaysian Insider]
Filed under: broadcast, directing, documentary, internet, journalism, metropolis, new media, video blog | Tags: al arqam, arqam, documentary, dutch, fat bidin, film, global ikhwan, interview, islam, journalism, kelab taat suami, kuala lumpur, malaysia, metropolis, muslim, netherlands, obedient wives club, polygamy, sex, sex melayu, video journalism, vpro, web video, zan azlee
Being a correspondent for The Netherlands’ VPRO Metropolis TV means I get to cover loads of interesting stories. Recently, I got to spend some time with the members of the infamous Obedient Wives Club based in Kuala Lumpur, with thousands of members all over the world! Maybe I should get my wife to join them! Muahaha!
(Click on the image above to view my video report or just click HERE.)
Filed under: Afghanistan, directing, documentary, film, GUIDE TO AFGHANISTAN: The Adventures of a KL-ite, internet, journalism, new media, photo essay, The Malaysian Insider, video blog, writing | Tags: afghanistan, ANP, askar, bamiyan, bamyan, blood, buddha, buddhas, buddhas of bamiyan, conflict, culture, defence, documentary, fat bidin, film, history, insurgency, interview, isaf, islam, journalism, kabul, kementerian, kuala lumpur, magazine, malaysia, malaysian armed forces, malcon, media, middle east, military, mindef, ministry, mullah, museum, muslim, new media, news, pertahanan, september 11, solo journalism, taliban, tentera malaysia, terrorism, torah, video journalism, war, web video, yadkawlang, zan azlee
This week is part 10 of my multimedia documentary, Guide To Afghanistan: The Adventures of a KL-ite, which includes video, still photos an text. As you would know, this is concurrent with the 10-part feature on The Malaysian Insider website, of which you can view part 10 here:
Living by the feet of Buddha
By Zan Azlee
FEB 13 — After the days I spent on patrol with Malaysia’s MALCON ISAF 2 in the rural areas of Bamiyan building water filters, educating health officials and saving lives, I was glad to be back in the safety of Kiwi Base in the city of Bamiyan.
Bamiyan is actually one of the safest provinces in Afghanistan and this is due to its population of predominantly Hazarat people who fiercely reject the Taliban. They are Shiites and were terribly oppressed, hurt and killed during the rule of the Taliban. So walking the streets of Bamiyan city is really like a walk in the park compared to in Kabul.
Now that I was feeling a bit secure and safe, I wanted to do something that I had dreamed of since I was 15 years old. That’s right! I wanted to go and see for myself, with my own two eyes, the great Buddhas of Bamiyan.
I was apparently still under the responsibility of the Malaysian Armed Forces, and the commander, Lt Col Rusman Sanip, did not want to allow me to roam outside of the army base on my own (although I had spent all my time in Kabul alone before meeting up with them in Bamiyan!). He was kind enough to escort me together with a couple of security team members. [Click to read the full article at The Malaysian Insider]
Guide to Afghanistan: The Adventures of a KL-ite
Part 10 of 10
‘Living by the feet of Buddha’
Zan fulfills his 19 year dream of seeing the Buddhas of Bamiyan! And he discovers the ultra poor Hazarats living at his feet… literally.
Full Synopsis:
Zan Azlee, a Malaysian KL-ite journalist who has lived all his life in non-conflict zones, travels to Afghanistan to see if he can come up with the best travel guide for the country. With no idea what he is getting himself into, he dodges suicide bombers and IEDs, and even gets embedded with the army, to plan out the best tourist route in Afghanistan. This is a multimedia documentary produced by Fat Bidin Media and directed by solo-journalist Zan Azlee.
To view all the episodes, head to FATBIDIN.COM/AFGHANISTAN.
Click the thumbnails below to launch the photo essay (Part 10).
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- The cave village next to the Buddhas of Bamiyan.
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- The cavity of one of the Buddhas of Bamiyan that was destroyed by the Taliban in 2001.
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- The Buddhas of Bamiyan has been declared a UNESCO heritage site.
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- Visiting the Buddhas of Bamiyan. Right to left: Lt. Col. Rusman Sanip, Rjr Suhaili Saleh, Cop. Muhamad Nahar Yaacob, the writer (me!), fixer/interpreter Ahmad Bilal Raghbat and the site’s caretaker.
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- The writer (me!) at the site of the Buddhas of Bamiyan.
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- The writer (me!) sitting on Buddha’s foot.
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- A little village girl in Bamiyan.
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- MALCON ISAF 2 Commander, Lt. Col. Rusman Sanip with Mohammad Musa.
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- Mohammad Musa in his cave-house.
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- Mohammad Musa and his family outside his cave-house.
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- The view of Bamiyan city from the cave village.
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- The cave village next to the Buddhas of Bamiyan.
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- Cave drawings discovered at the site of the Buddhas of Bamiyan.
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- UNESCO has started restoration efforts on the Buddhas of Bamiyan.
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- The cavity of one of the Buddhas of Bamiyan that was destroyed by the Taliban in 2001.
Sponsorship and advertising opportunities are still available… just give me a buzz if you are interested and we can talk! If you would like to own original FAT BIDIN MEDIA documentary films and books to enhance your coolness factor, visit the FAT BIDIN e-STORE!
Filed under: Afghanistan, directing, documentary, film, GUIDE TO AFGHANISTAN: The Adventures of a KL-ite, internet, journalism, new media, photo essay, The Malaysian Insider, video blog, writing | Tags: afghanistan, ANP, askar, bamiyan, bamyan, blood, conflict, culture, defence, documentary, fat bidin, film, history, insurgency, interview, isaf, islam, journalism, kabul, kementerian, kuala lumpur, magazine, malaysia, malaysian armed forces, malcon, media, middle east, military, mindef, ministry, mullah, museum, muslim, new media, news, pertahanan, september 11, solo journalism, taliban, tentera malaysia, terrorism, torah, video journalism, war, web video, yadkawlang, zan azlee
This week is part 9 of my multimedia documentary, Guide To Afghanistan: The Adventures of a KL-ite, which includes video, still photos an text. As you would know, this is concurrent with the 10-part feature on The Malaysian Insider website, of which you can view part 9 here:
A Taliban ambush
By Zan Azlee
FEB 6 — The next day, we all had to wake up early because our vehicles were supposed to start rolling right at dawn. We were in for another challenging journey and heading deeper into the heartland of Afghanistan. I decided to forego another shower since the temperature in the mountains of Bamiyan were in the single digit in the early mornings.
Before we headed out, we had a security briefing. This is a must since it is when everyone gets information on the journey and also to talk about any emergency plans should there be an attack by the Taliban. After the briefing, we had the mandatory prayers for a safe journey and then we headed out.
This time, the journey was almost twice as difficult. The mountain area we had to go through was higher and rougher. Security was another concern since we were moving further away from central Bamiyan and heading nearer to the border with Daykhundi province, which had a stronger Taliban presence. This time it was serious and I made sure my bulletproof vest was strapped on tighter than ever. [Click to read the full article at The Malaysian Insider]
Guide to Afghanistan: The Adventures of a KL-ite
Part 9 of 10
‘A Taliban ambush’
While embedded with the Malaysian Armed Forces in Afghanistan, Zan and the soldiers encounter a Taliban ambush.
Full Synopsis:
Zan Azlee, a Malaysian KL-ite journalist who has lived all his life in non-conflict zones, travels to Afghanistan to see if he can come up with the best travel guide for the country. With no idea what he is getting himself into, he dodges suicide bombers and IEDs, and even gets embedded with the army, to plan out the best tourist route in Afghanistan. This is a multimedia documentary produced by Fat Bidin Media and directed by solo-journalist Zan Azlee.
To view all the episodes, head to FATBIDIN.COM/AFGHANISTAN.
Click the thumbnails below to launch the photo essay (Part 9).
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- Panjab base.
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- The men having a meal together in Panjab base.
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- Dr Borhan Rahmani, an officer from the Afghan Ministry of Health, along with Lt. Col. Rusman Sanip and Major Dr. Mohd Arshil Moideen briefing the local officers.
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- The main street in Panjab town.
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- Locals in the small town of Panjab.
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- Students of Panjab High School.
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- Students of Panjab High School listening to the briefing done by MALCON ISAF 2.
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- Students of Panjab High School.
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- The students of Panjab High School playing volleyball with the men of MALCON ISAF 2.
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- Major Dr Mohd Arshil Moideen & Corp Mohd Saiful Karim helping the injured Afghan National Police (ANP).
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- Major Dr Mohd Arshil Moideen & Corp Mohd Saiful Karim helping the injured Afghan National Police (ANP).
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- MALCON ISAF 2 assessing the situation of the Afghan National Police (ANP) who were ambushed by the Taliban.
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- A stunned Afghan National Police (ANP) after being ambushed by the Taliban.
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- The entire Malaysian Contingent ISAF 2 (MALCON 2).
Sponsorship and advertising opportunities are still available… just give me a buzz if you are interested and we can talk! If you would like to own original FAT BIDIN MEDIA documentary films and books to enhance your coolness factor, visit the FAT BIDIN e-STORE!
Filed under: Afghanistan, directing, documentary, film, GUIDE TO AFGHANISTAN: The Adventures of a KL-ite, internet, journalism, new media, photo essay, The Malaysian Insider, video blog, writing | Tags: afghanistan, askar, bamiyan, bamyan, blood, conflict, culture, defence, documentary, fat bidin, film, history, insurgency, interview, isaf, islam, journalism, kabul, kementerian, kuala lumpur, magazine, malaysia, malaysian armed forces, malcon, media, middle east, military, mindef, ministry, mullah, museum, muslim, new media, news, pertahanan, september 11, solo journalism, taliban, tentera malaysia, terrorism, torah, video journalism, war, web video, yadkawlang, zan azlee
This week is part 8 of my multimedia documentary, Guide To Afghanistan: The Adventures of a KL-ite, which includes video, still photos an text. As you would know, this is concurrent with the 10-part feature on The Malaysian Insider website, of which you can view part 8 here:
Lending the Afghans a hand
By Zan Azlee
JAN 30 — We arrived in Yadkawlang in the evening after travelling for several hours. Yadkawlang is a small village in Bamiyan province. The Malaysian troops (MALCON ISAF 2) were due to conduct a blood donation drive and also to fit a water filtering system at the village well. When we arrived at the location, which was a school, another group from MALCON ISAF 2 was already there and had set up tents for the day’s event. They had arrived several days earlier and had been staying at the Yadkawlang base.
A group of villagers had already gathered and the commander was informed that the local mullah, Ali Muhammadi, had also arrived. One of the mullah’s men rushed inside the school block to call him. When the mullah came out, the commander greeted him and they proceeded to brief the crowd that had gathered. The main reason the mullah was involved is to convince the villagers that what the Malaysians came here to do is for the benefit of the village.
The local Afghans are actually very apprehensive about foreigners and I can only guess that it must be due to the decades of oppression they have faced from the foreigners that have invaded their country; from the British to the Russians and now the Americans. So it was important that MALCON ISAF 2 implement the proper strategy if they wanted to penetrate and help the local community. [Click to read the full article at The Malaysian Insider]
Guide to Afghanistan: The Adventures of a KL-ite
Part 8 of 10
‘Lending the Afghans a hand’
Zan is embedded with the Malaysian Armed Forces as they patrol the mountains of Afghanistan.
Full Synopsis:
Zan Azlee, a Malaysian KL-ite journalist who has lived all his life in non-conflict zones, travels to Afghanistan to see if he can come up with the best travel guide for the country. With no idea what he is getting himself into, he dodges suicide bombers and IEDs, and even gets embedded with the army, to plan out the best tourist route in Afghanistan. This is a multimedia documentary produced by Fat Bidin Media and directed by solo-journalist Zan Azlee.
To view all the episodes, head to FATBIDIN.COM/AFGHANISTAN.
Click the thumbnails below to launch the photo essay (Part 8).
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- Mullah Ali Muhammadi and MALCON ISAF 2 Commander, Lt. Col. Rusman Sanip.
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- The security detail making sure the site is secure.
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- Capt. Dr Juhanis Safira Johari playing with a local Afghan baby.
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- The men of MALCON ISAF 2 installing the water filter system.
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- A local Afghan donating blood.
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- Mullah Ali Muhammadi checking out the filtered water.
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- Major Dr. Mohd Arshil Moideen demonstrating how the water filter system works.
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- Capt. Mohd Faddillah Ahmad and the men resting at Yadkawlang Base.
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- On the road.
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- The Bamiyan landscape.
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- Capt. Dr Juhanis Safira Johari (second from right) listening to the daily security briefing.
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- Major Dr. Mohd Arshil Moideen leading the team in prayers before heading out.
Sponsorship and advertising opportunities are still available… just give me a buzz if you are interested and we can talk! If you would like to own original FAT BIDIN MEDIA documentary films and books to enhance your coolness factor, visit the FAT BIDIN e-STORE!
Filed under: Afghanistan, directing, documentary, film, GUIDE TO AFGHANISTAN: The Adventures of a KL-ite, internet, journalism, new media, photo essay, The Malaysian Insider, video blog, writing | Tags: afghanistan, askar, bamiyan, conflict, culture, defence, documentary, fat bidin, film, history, insurgency, interview, isaf, islam, journalism, kabul, kementerian, kuala lumpur, magazine, malaysia, malaysian armed forces, malcon, media, middle east, military, mindef, ministry, museum, muslim, new media, news, pertahanan, september 11, solo journalism, taliban, tentera malaysia, terrorism, torah, video journalism, war, web video, zan azlee
This week is part 7 of my multimedia documentary, Guide To Afghanistan: The Adventures of a KL-ite, which includes video, still photos an text. As you would know, this is concurrent with the 10-part feature on The Malaysian Insider website, of which you can view part 7 here:
Malaysia at war!
By Zan Azlee
JAN 23 — Being a journalist, one of my dreams has always been to be embedded with the military in a conflict zone. I had been to and reported on conflict zones before, but always as an external journalist and never embedded, and when I was given the chance to do so, I jumped at the opportunity.
It wasn’t so much of an opportunity that cropped up rather than one that I had to persistently pursue and create for myself for more than a year. I had been writing multiple e-mails and making phone calls to the Ministry of Defence ever since I learnt that Malaysia had started deploying troops to Afghanistan.
But my attempts were never fruitful and I finally decided I would just head to Afghanistan on my own without being embedded in the military, just like the times I’ve been to Beirut in Lebanon, and Patani in Southern Thailand to produce my wartime documentaries and news reports.
I had been in Kabul for almost a week shooting and filing news stories for the TV station that was commissioning me as a correspondent when I thought I would just send a text message to Lt. Col. Salawati Yahaya, the army’s Media Operations Director, in Kuala Lumpur to say that I was in Afghanistan.
Her reply caught me by surprise. Probably impressed (or shocked!) at my ballsy move to just head to Afghanistan on my own, she managed to get clearance from her bosses to actually allow me to be embedded with MALCON ISAF 2, the Malaysian contingent that was currently serving in Bamiyan. [Click to read the full article at The Malaysian Insider]
Guide to Afghanistan: The Adventures of a KL-ite
Part 7 of 10
‘Malaysia at war!’
Zan arrives at the military base in Bamiyan to be embedded with the Malaysian Armed forces in the war in Afghanistan.
Full Synopsis:
Zan Azlee, a Malaysian KL-ite journalist who has lived all his life in non-conflict zones, travels to Afghanistan to see if he can come up with the best travel guide for the country. With no idea what he is getting himself into, he dodges suicide bombers and IEDs, and even gets embedded with the army, to plan out the best tourist route in Afghanistan. This is a multimedia documentary produced by Fat Bidin Media and directed by solo-journalist Zan Azlee.
To view all the episodes, head to FATBIDIN.COM/AFGHANISTAN.
Click the thumbnails below to launch the photo essay (Part 7).
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- Ariel view of Kabul city.
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- Security personnel on the USAID helicopter flight to Bamiyan.
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- Ariel view of Afghanistan’s landscape.
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- Ariel view of Afghanistan’s landscape.
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- Major Dr Mohamad Arshil Moideen, of MALCON ISAF 2
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- Capt. Mohd Faddillah Ahmad leading the mandatory security briefing before heading out on patrol.
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- Saying prayers before heading out on patrol.
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- The view from Kiwi Base in Bamiyan city.
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- The men of MALCON ISAF 2 taking a cigarette break while on patrol.
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- MALCON ISAF 2 commander, Lt. Col. Rusman Sanip, speaking to the local Afghans during a stop for provisions.
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- The writer sharing a laugh with MALCON ISAF 2 commander, Lt. Col. Rusman Sanip.
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- Security personnel, Corp. Mohd Saiful Karim.
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- A routine vehicle check while on the road.
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- Sergeant Azizan Hashim making sure the coast is clear for the rest of the team.
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- The Malaysian flag flying high in the mountains of Afghanistan.
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- Hanging out with a Hazarat boy in Bamiyan city.
Sponsorship and advertising opportunities are still available… just give me a buzz if you are interested and we can talk! If you would like to own original FAT BIDIN MEDIA documentary films and books to enhance your coolness factor, visit the FAT BIDIN e-STORE!
Filed under: Afghanistan, directing, documentary, film, GUIDE TO AFGHANISTAN: The Adventures of a KL-ite, internet, journalism, new media, photo essay, The Malaysian Insider, video blog, writing | Tags: afghanistan, bamiyan, conflict, culture, documentary, fat bidin, film, history, insurgency, interview, islam, journalism, kabul, kuala lumpur, magazine, malaysia, media, middle east, military, museum, muslim, new media, news, oliver, percovich, september 11, simantov, skateboard, skateistan, solo journalism, taliban, terrorism, torah, video journalism, war, web video, zan azlee
This week is part 6 of my multimedia documentary, Guide To Afghanistan: The Adventures of a KL-ite, which includes video, still photos an text. As you would know, this is concurrent with the 10-part feature on The Malaysian Insider website, of which you can view part 6 here:
Skateboarding in Skateistan!
By Zan Azlee
JAN 16 — Merza Muhammadi is one of the best skateboarders in Afghanistan. This 17-year-old is an instructor and mid-level manager at Kabul’s only skatepark, Skateistan, and is looked up to by hundreds of Kabul kids. But Merza hasn’t always been in this positive situation. Only four years before, he was working the streets cleaning cars to help support his family.
“Skateistan has been a real positive influence in my life,” said the ever-smiling Merza.
Started in 2007, Skateistan is more than just an ordinary skatepark. It’s an NGO that aims to bring together the many different ethnic youth in Kabul, whether privileged or not, through the sport of skateboarding.
“Skateboarding really fits the Afghan psyche in the sense that it challenges the local kids to overcome personal fear and limitations in whatever situations,” explained founder and executive director, Oliver Percovich.
Merza had always been interested in skateboarding ever since he saw pictures in a skateboarding magazine, but never had the opportunity to try it out. Not until he met Oliver who was working in Kabul at that time and often skated near an old fountain in a park on the outskirts of the city. That was back in 2007. [Click to read the full article at The Malaysian Insider]
Guide to Afghanistan: The Adventures of a KL-ite
Part 6 of 10
‘Skateboarding in Skateistan!’
Skate or die on the streets of Kabul.
Full Synopsis:
Zan Azlee, a Malaysian KL-ite journalist who has lived all his life in non-conflict zones, travels to Afghanistan to see if he can come up with the best travel guide for the country. With no idea what he is getting himself into, he dodges suicide bombers and IEDs, and even gets embedded with the army, to plan out the best tourist route in Afghanistan. This is a multimedia documentary produced by Fat Bidin Media and directed by solo-journalist Zan Azlee.
To view all the episodes, head to FATBIDIN.COM/AFGHANISTAN.
Click the thumbnails below to launch the photo essay (Part 6).
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- A young Afghan skateboarder.
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- Kids skating at Skateistan, the only skatepark in Kabul.
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- A young Afghan skateboarder.
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- Kids skating at Skateistan, the only skatepark in Kabul.
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- Kids skating at Skateistan, the only skatepark in Kabul.
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- Kids skating at Skateistan, the only skatepark in Kabul.
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- Merza Muhammadi, one of the best skateboarders in Afghanistan and an instructor at Skateistan.
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- Merza Muhammadi, one of the best skateboarders in Afghanistan and an instructor at Skateistan.
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- Oliver Percovich, founder and executive director of Skateistan.
Sponsorship and advertising opportunities are still available… just give me a buzz if you are interested and we can talk! If you would like to own original FAT BIDIN MEDIA documentary films and books to enhance your coolness factor, visit the FAT BIDIN e-STORE!
Filed under: Afghanistan, directing, documentary, film, GUIDE TO AFGHANISTAN: The Adventures of a KL-ite, internet, journalism, new media, photo essay, The Malaysian Insider, video blog, writing | Tags: 9/11, afghanistan, ahmad shah massoud, angkatan tentera, ariana, armed forces, army, askar, bamiyan, buddha, cinema, conflict, culture, documentary, esquire, fat bidin, film, history, insurgency, interview, isaf, islam, jew, jewish, journalism, kabul, kuala lumpur, magazine, malaysia, malcon, massoud, media, middle east, military, mindef, museum, muslim, nato, new media, news, perang, sediq sediqqi, september 11, simantov, solo journalism, synagogue, taliban, terrorism, torah, video journalism, war, web video, zan azlee, zebolon simantov, zebulon
This week is part 5 of my multimedia documentary, Guide To Afghanistan: The Adventures of a KL-ite, which includes video, still photos an text. As you would know, this is concurrent with the 10-part feature on The Malaysian Insider website, of which you can view part 5 here:
Finding Rambo in Afghanistan!
By Zan Azlee
JAN 9 — No matter how much I read and watch the news about Afghanistan, the one thing that always frames my perspective when it comes to the country is its Islamic extremism. And I know that this is how many people around the world perceive it as well. So, during my time in Afghanistan, one of the issues that interested me was the fact that so much of the country’s culture had been suppressed, or even eradicated, by the Taliban during their rule.
And now that the United States has blown the Taliban out of political power, a lot of this culture, which was deemed haram by the Taliban, is making a comeback. I spoke to Ahmad Bilal Raghbat, my local fixer, about this and the first thing that came to his mind was movies.
“I love watching movies but during the Taliban time, cinemas were shut down,” said the big Bollywood fan.
After days of driving and walking around Kabul with Bilal, I noticed that there was actually quite a big cinema in the middle of the city right next President Hamid Karzai’s office. It’s called Ariana and you can hardly miss it due to all the brightly coloured movie posters adorning the walls on the outside. [Click to read the full article at The Malaysian Insider]
Guide to Afghanistan: The Adventures of a KL-ite
Part 5 of 10
‘Finding Rambo in Afghanistan!’
Zan finds Rambo, Nicholas Cage and Dolph Lundgren in the mountains of Afghanistan.
Full Synopsis:
Zan Azlee, a Malaysian KL-ite journalist who has lived all his life in non-conflict zones, travels to Afghanistan to see if he can come up with the best travel guide for the country. With no idea what he is getting himself into, he dodges suicide bombers and IEDs, and even gets embedded with the army, to plan out the best tourist route in Afghanistan. This is a multimedia documentary produced by Fat Bidin Media and directed by solo-journalist Zan Azlee.
To view all the episodes, head to FATBIDIN.COM/AFGHANISTAN.
Click the thumbnails below to launch the photo essay (Part 5).
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- Zan at the National Museum of Afghanistan.
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- Zan with his new buddy (ANP) at the bombed-riddled Darul Aman Palace next to the National Museum of Afghanistan.
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- Ismail Daud of the National Museum of Afghanistan.
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- An old artifact being restored at the National Museum of Afghanistan.
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- Pictures of a recent archaelogical excavation in Afghanistan.
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- A statue of Buddha at the National Museum of Afghanistan.
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- The National Museum of Afghanistan in Kabul.
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- The National Museum of Afghanistan in Kabul.
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- Rambo is alive and well in Kabul!
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- Nicholas Cage in Kabul!
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- Ariana Cinema in the heart of Kabul.
Sponsorship and advertising opportunities are still available… just give me a buzz if you are interested and we can talk! If you would like to own original FAT BIDIN MEDIA documentary films and books to enhance your coolness factor, visit the FAT BIDIN e-STORE!
Filed under: Afghanistan, directing, documentary, film, GUIDE TO AFGHANISTAN: The Adventures of a KL-ite, internet, journalism, new media, photo essay, The Malaysian Insider, video blog, writing | Tags: 9/11, afghanistan, ahmad shah massoud, angkatan tentera, armed forces, army, askar, bamiyan, conflict, documentary, esquire, fat bidin, film, insurgency, interview, isaf, islam, jew, jewish, journalism, kabul, kuala lumpur, magazine, malaysia, malcon, massoud, media, middle east, military, mindef, muslim, nato, new media, news, perang, sediq sediqqi, september 11, simantov, solo journalism, synagogue, taliban, terrorism, torah, video journalism, war, web video, zan azlee, zebolon simantov, zebulon
(Last week, I received news from my friend and fixer, Ahmad Bilal Raghbat, that his father, Abdul Baqi Raghbat, an advisor for the Afghan Ministry of Tribal and Border Affairs, was assassinated by the Taliban in his hometown of Kandahar. May God bless his soul.)
This week is part 4 of my multimedia documentary, Guide To Afghanistan: The Adventures of a KL-ite, which includes video, still photos an text. As you would know, this is concurrent with the 10-part feature on The Malaysian Insider website, of which you can view part 4 here:
The Last Jew in Afghanistan
By Zan Azlee
JAN 2 – I had heard rumours that there was a Jew, apparently the last Jew in Afghanistan, living in Kabul when I was planning my trip there. I knew that I had to make sure I meet this person. Pursuing the story about the last Jew wasn’t meant to be a scoop since it’s been reported before.
But what I was really interested in was to just meet him and listen to his story first hand and to shake his hand myself. So, when I finally arrived in Kabul, and all the 9/11 anniversary hype had died down, I told my fixer, Ahmad Bilal Raghbat, that I wanted to look for Zebolon Simantov.
We walked around Flower Street where Simantov was reportedly living and started asking the people there if they knew of such a person. After a few false alarms, we finally found a restaurant owner who just pointed to a flight of stairs at the back.
We walked up one floor and marched through a narrow and dusty corridor. We arrived at a pastel-coloured wooden door. I knocked. A slightly overweight, middle-aged Caucasian-looking man opened the door. I asked him if he knew Zebolon Simantov.
“Yes, that’s me,” he said in Pashto, which was translated to me by Bilal.
I was finally meeting face to face with Zebolon Simantov, the last and only Jew living in the entire Afghanistan. I introduced myself as a journalist from Malaysia and said that I would like to interview him on camera. He nodded and invited us in. [Click to read the full article at The Malaysian Insider]
Guide to Afghanistan: The Adventures of a KL-ite
Part 4 of 10
‘The Last Jew in Afghanistan’
Zan haggles over an interview price with the last Jew standing in the whole of Afghanistan.
Full Synopsis:
Zan Azlee, a Malaysian KL-ite journalist who has lived all his life in non-conflict zones, travels to Afghanistan to see if he can come up with the best travel guide for the country. With no idea what he is getting himself into, he dodges suicide bombers and IEDs, and even gets embedded with the army, to plan out the best tourist route in Afghanistan. This is a multimedia documentary produced by Fat Bidin Media and directed by solo-journalist Zan Azlee.
To view all the episodes, head to FATBIDIN.COM/AFGHANISTAN.
Click the thumbnails below to launch the photo essay (Part 4).
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- Zan Azlee with Zebolon Simantov.
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- Zebolon Simantov, the last Jew in Afghanistan, holding an old jewish scripture.
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- Zebolon Simantov in his abanoned synagogue.
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- The one and only synagogue in Afghanistan.
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- An old Jewish scripture in Kabul’s only synagogue.
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- Zebolon Simantov, the last Jew in Afghanistan, in his one room flat.
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- Zebolon Simantov, the last Jew in Afghanistan, in his one room flat.
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- Zebolon Simantov with his best friend, a Muslim, Abdul Shukor.
Sponsorship and advertising opportunities are still available… just give me a buzz if you are interested and we can talk! If you would like to own original FAT BIDIN MEDIA documentary films and books to enhance your coolness factor, visit the FAT BIDIN e-STORE!
Filed under: broadcast, directing, documentary, film, internet, journalism, new media, The Malaysian Insider, writing | Tags: ban, censor, censorship, fat bidin, film, home ministry, journalism, lpf, malaysia, media, new media, pas, self censorship, The Malaysian Insider, zan azlee
No more Film Censorship Board. Yay or nay?
By Zan Azlee
DEC 30 — The news that the Home Ministry has decided to do away with the Film Censorship Board has definitely caught me by surprise. Apparently, the ministry has declared that now filmmakers need to practise self-censorship when it comes to their works.
As someone who has been directly affected by decisions made by the board, I’m really not too sure how to react to the news. In the past, I’ve had my films — which to my own eyes were harmless — get ridiculous ratings like 18PL. I even had a film banned two years ago for no apparent reason (by the Prime Minister’s Office, no less!).
So when the government says that the responsibility now lies with filmmakers to make sure that their films do not contain undesirable elements, what do I do? [Click to read the full article at The Malaysian Insider]
Filed under: Afghanistan, directing, documentary, DVD, film, GUIDE TO AFGHANISTAN: The Adventures of a KL-ite, internet, journalism, new media, photo essay, The Malaysian Insider, video blog, writing | Tags: 9/11, afghanistan, ahmad shah massoud, angkatan tentera, armed forces, army, askar, bamiyan, conflict, documentary, esquire, fat bidin, film, insurgency, interview, isaf, islam, journalism, kabul, kuala lumpur, magazine, malaysia, malcon, massoud, media, middle east, military, mindef, muslim, nato, new media, news, perang, sediq sediqqi, september 11, solo journalism, taliban, terrorism, video journalism, war, web video, zan azlee
This week is part 3 of my multimedia documentary, Guide To Afghanistan: The Adventures of a KL-ite, which includes video, still photos an text. As you would know, this is concurrent with the 10-part feature on The Malaysian Insider website, of which you can view part 3 here:
Ahmad Shah Massoud and Martyrdom
By Zan Azlee
DEC 19 — Arriving in Afghanistan in September, and especially on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, it would be foolish of me not to expect anything to happen. On my first full day in Kabul itself I had already stumbled upon a huge street demonstration opposing President Hamid Karzai’s government.
And now, I was told by Ahmad Bilal Raghbat, my fixer, it was also Massoud Day weekend. It’s actually the 10th anniversary of the death of Ahmad Shah Massoud, the great Muhajideen general who fought against the Russians and then the Taliban. He was assassinated by the Taliban two days before the 9/11 attacks, and that date is now a national holiday.
The morning of Massoud Day, I woke up early and waited for Bilal to come pick me up. I hopped into his car as soon as he pulled up and we sped off into the city.
“There will be lots of people gathering at Massoud Square to pay tribute to him,” said Bilal as he drove without regard of any traffic rules, as is the case with all Afghan drivers. “Security is going to be tight so it might be difficult for us to get in.”
I just nodded as my fingers gripped the dashboard in fear. “Funny. I come to a war zone willingly but I’m scared of dying in a traffic accident!” I thought to myself. [Click to read the rest of the article at The Malaysian Insider]
Guide to Afghanistan: The Adventures of a KL-ite
Part 3 of 10 – ‘Ahmad Shah Massoud and Martyrdom’
And they celebrate a hero like they’re going to war!
Full Synopsis:
Zan Azlee, a Malaysian KL-ite journalist who has lived all his life in non-conflict zones, travels to Afghanistan to see if he can come up with the best travel guide for the country. With no idea what he is getting himself into, he dodges suicide bombers and IEDs, and even gets embedded with the army, to plan out the best tourist route in Afghanistan. This is a multimedia documentary produced by Fat Bidin Media and directed by solo-journalist Zan Azlee.
To view all the episodes, head to FATBIDIN.COM/AFGHANISTAN.
Click the thumbnails below to launch the photo essay (Part 3).
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- Zan Azlee at Massoud Square as the crowd is slowy dispersing.
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- An Afghan National Police (ANP) paying his respects to Ahmad Shah Massoud.
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- Afghans pay their respects to Massoud.
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- Afghans pay their respects to Massoud.
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- Representatives from the Afghan National Police and the Afghan National Army pay their respects to the fallen tribal leader at Massoud Square.
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- Parade vehicles decked out with pictures of Massoud.
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- Afghans pay tribute to Massod.
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- Massoud Square in Kabul, Afghanistan.
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- Vehicles decked out with pictures of Massoud.
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- Afghans pay tribute to Massod.
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- Parade vehicles circling Massoud Square with ISAF NATO troops looking on from their perch.
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- Ahmad Shah Massoud was assasinated two days before 9/11.
Sponsorship and advertising opportunities are still available… just give me a buzz if you are interested and we can talk! If you would like to own original FAT BIDIN MEDIA documentary films and books to enhance your coolness factor, visit the FAT BIDIN e-STORE!
