Do you know how much cab drivers talk when they have a passenger in the car? I find it amusing how much cab drivers want to talk to you. Some of the things they talk about are just hilarious and some are just plain boring. Sometimes though they give strong opinions on current issues. Some ask where your heading and comment on your looks. I often get drivers asking me where I work! But for me, its a great chance to talk to working class Malaysians. Because when I think back these people spend their whole day driving a car around. You can just imagine the loneliness they feel throughout the day.
Just a few days back, on the way to Pyramid I had a very interesting conversation with this unique taxi driver. He was quite a big fellow, chinese, wearing a typical white sleeveless shirt. The imiediately thing I did once I entered the car was look at his IC no. The first 2 numbers were 46, which makes him 60 years old. He started talking with a near-perfect english which was fine by me because I love it when non-malays talk to me in English.
Anyways, I dont know how, but somehow the topic went to something about the Military. He told he was in the Army when he was a young man. He use to drive his Commanding officer around back then. Then there was silence. I was pondering the issue. A chinese rarely enters the army back in those days, especialy when the Communist Emergency was ongoing. I debated with myself wether to ask him or not. Then I decided what the heck. I asked why he joined the army.
He answered because food was so scarce, the only way he could ever feed his family was to join the army. The army threw away leftover food, so he took them to feed his family. Just dont get caught he said. Then he laughed, even though the food tasted bad, they would still eat since they were so hungry.
He progressed about telling me the communist's history. Throughout his story, he seemed more of a pro-communist rather a soldier. He spent 10 years in the jungle, but in those 10 years he never shot anybody. These communists he said, consists of not only Chinese, but theres also quite a number of Malays and Indians. They were his brothers he said, how can you kill them? It touched me when he said they were his brothers. He continued that everytime his platoon was in a battle, their commanding officer, a british will never throw himself to the fight. Instead he'll just stay somewhere safe i.e at the bottom of the hill ordering the soldiers to attack. Now here comes the hilarious part: what they did was shoot at trees and leaves to make it sound like theres a big battle going on.
He argued, that the communists were fighting for Malaysia's freedom and hated the British as much. He also recounts his experiences in New Zealand to undergo basic training. The British he told me, looks down so much on Asians. They call the the soldiers "Asian bastards"- he said that with a british slang, which I laughed. All this only spark more hatred towards the Brits.
Then I hit the needle in the head with this question: so why didn't you join the communists instead? He laughed and replied: Then the british would kill my family! And everybody else in my kampong! I joined his laughter. Pondering on it again, I thought to myself what a stupid question I just asked. The answer was so obvious.
When we were about to reach pyramid, I told him that every Malaysian should remember the Malayan Emergency. The communists insurgency is a very important part in our history, one that many have strong feelings about. He agreed.
In the end, I paid the fare and thanked him for the talk. I've always wanted to speak to a war veteran. This was by far one the best stories I ever heard in a cab. I may not agree with all the things he said but I truly apreciate for him to share his stories.
The most basic of all human needs is the need to understand and be understood. The best way to understand people is to listen to them-Ralph Nichols
