Erti Sebuah Kemerdekaan (3)

Erti Sebuah Kemerdekaan (3)

Apalah ertinya sebuah kemerdekaan
Pada tukang karut
Di pentas dikir barat
Apabila kebebasannya telah dirobek
Untuk menyatakan sesuatu yang indah.

Apalah ertinya sebuah kemerdekaan
Pada sang editor
Apabila kebebasan kewartawanan
Hanya cantik di atas kertas
Dan dewan kuliah menara gading.

Hanya manusia seni yang bisa mentafsirkan
Kebebasan terobek di mana-mana
Usahlah sinis pada Amnesty International
Aduhai
Kita sedang mengukir pagar besi
Memenjara diri kita sendiri

Ramli Abdul Rahim
Hotel Sri Malaysia Sepang
31 Ogos 1999

The above poem was published by DEWAN SASTERA, January 2000.

The free translation is as follows:

The Meaning of Freedom (3)

What is the meaning of freedom
for the leader
of dikir barat
when his freedom is torn everywhere
to utter something pleasant.

What is the meaning of freedom
to an editor
if his press freedom
it is only beautful on papers
and lecture room at the ivory tower.

Only those who can percieve beyond facial value can define
freedom is marred everywhere
you don't have to be cynical with the Amnesty International
Alas!
We are building our own iron fence
to imprison ourselves.


Ramli Abdul Rahim
Sri Malaysia Hotel, Sepang
31 August 1999