Born in Malaysia, 曹格 (Gary Cao, Cao Ge) did not intend on becoming a singer but considered becoming a teacher or landing a stereotypical job. It was only after listening to “Superwoman” whilst studying in Canada at nine years of age, that he began to be interested in music.

In 2002 Chaw left his home in Malaysia to go to Taiwan with hopes of joining the entertainment show business. He purchased a one-way plane ticket and brought with him only around RM1,600 (about HK$4,000). He tried to get into numerous record companies who criticised him harshly for being ugly and lacking talent. After many failures Chaw became an alcoholic, battled insomnia, unemployment, suffered from severe depression, loss of friends and confidence.He soon hit rock bottom.

One day he went out to Shilin Night Market and stumbled across a homeless cat with no owner. He took this cat home and raised it since they both were unwanted by society. He named it “Lin Lin” and wrote a song for the cat “The world’s only you” (世界唯一的你). From then on, his career completely changed. After three years of hard work, he signed with Rock Records.

After his move to Taiwan, he began composing his own songs, which were eventually well-accepted, not without hardships however. Many music producers criticized his style of music, stating that no artist would sing his songs. After monitoring the movement of various music styles, he slowly moved from a very western R&B style to what is now a mix of R&B and oriental style of music.He once commented during the course of music creation: “I started writing music because I wanted to sing songs that are beautiful and nice.”

Last.fm | Wikipedia

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SPRING 2012 CSEAS SPEAKER SERIES
A Presentation by Dian Abdul Hamed Shah, a doctoral candidate at the Duke University Law School

Constitutionalization of Rights in Severely Divided Societies: A Comparative Perspective
Location: Tokioka Room, Moore 319; UHM
Monday, February 27, 12:00 P.M.

Severely divided societies are societies divided across national, ethnic, racial, religious or linguistic lines, where ethnic identities have a high degree of salience, and where there is history of inter-group antipathy. The existence of hostility and potential for violent conflict in such societies, as well as the tendency to exclude minorities, pose a significant challenge for fundamental rights, the protection of which is a cornerstone of a liberal democracy. The task of ensuring that rights are protected and respected is also complicated by the fact that ethnicity and religion are both politically salient and jealously guarded to protect inter-ethnic sensitivities. This session will offer a critical insight into the state of human rights in these societies, by explaining several controversial cases that highlight the conundrum between commitments to fundamental rights on the one hand, and maintaining order and preventing conflict on the other. The focus will be on comparing domestic constitutional discourses, especially on the role of “public order” in restricting rights in divided societies, and how ethnic politics may affect the metes and bounds of rights. This comparative project yields interesting insights into the patterns of judicial policies, governmental practices, and socio-political dynamics on these issues.

Dian Shah is a doctoral candidate at Duke University Law School. She graduated with an LL.B (Warwick University) and an LL.M (Duke University) in 2008 and 2009 respectively. She previously taught at the University of Malaya, where she remains a Fellow. Her research interests span the fields of comparative constitutional law and design, and international human rights, with a focus on ethnically divided societies. She has worked on issues ranging from national security and personal liberty, to religious freedom and freedom of expression. Her most recent publications include “Freedom of Religion in Malaysia: A Tangled Web of Legal, Political, and Social Issues” (with Azizuddin Sani, in North Carolina Journal of International Law), and “Religious Freedom in Malaysia: Debates on Norms and Politico-legal Issues” (book chapter, October 2011).

Center for Southeast Asian Studies
For more information, please contact The Center for Southeast Asian Studies at cseas@hawaii.edu.

William S. Richardson School of Law, & Muslim Societies in Asia and the Pacific (MSAP)

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HUJAN – Formed in early 2006, this wave-worthy band from Malaysia consists of Noh on vocals and 2nd guitar, Dimas on bass, AG Coco on 1st guitar and Ambobzeela on drums. Influenced by a diverse range of bands which include the likes of The Strokes, Butterfingers, and even Pot Amir Radiostaq (ROSIN), Hujan prefers to classify their music as alternative rock and has no qualms about delivering their material in Malay. Living and breathing the element they take their name after, their music alternates between the light, heavy and the torrential storm a reflection of the many stories, moods and agendas embedded in their songs. They sing about everything from love, God, family and to the happenings of the world. -last.fm

Official Website | Facebook | Last.fm | MySpace | Blog Review

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Momo Makarim also known as Momo Latif (born 1921) came from Singapore and was a Malay singer / film actor of the 30′s to 70′s who often hummed the songs on the radio in Malaysia and Singapore. She also acted in many contemporary films with P. Romlee at a later age. She was awarded the Star medal winner of the Governor of Sarawak, Sarawak, the Tun Abang Muhammad Salahuddin Abang Barieng, at a ceremony in conjunction with the 86th Anniversary of the State President in Mukah on 8 September 2007. -taken from Wikipeida

Film Credits
Topeng Syaitan (Filem pertamanya) (1939), Buluh Perindu (1953), Pendekar Bujang Lapok, Mat Lanon, Mat Toyol, Si Tanggang (1961)

Music Credits
Merpati Dua Sejoli (Momo Latif & P. Ramlee), Tudung Periuk, Semenjak Berpisah (Momo Latif & P. Ramlee), Tak Jemu Menunggu, Jangan Main Mata, Kita Bersumpah (Momo Latif & Aziz Satar), Siti Zawiyah (S.M. Al Idrus & Momo Latif),
Berdendang Ria (P. Ramlee, Momo Latif & Lena Abdullah), Tinggal Kenangan, Takut Dimadu (Momo Latif & Jasni), Rayuan Mandolin, Saat Bahagia, Taat Setia, Tari Selendang (Momo Latif & Jasni), Gemala Hati.

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Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr. P Ramlee, PSM, AMN, DA(P) (Sarawak) (22 March 1929–29 May 1973) was a Malaysian film actor, director, singer, songwriter, composer, and producer. Due to his contributions to the movie and music industry and his literary work, he is often considered the icon of Malay entertainment in Malaysia, Singapore, and Sumatra (especially in Aceh due to his ancestry).

P. Ramlee was born Teuku Zakaria bin Teuku Nyak Puteh, on the first day of the Eid festival, which fell on 22 March 1929. His father, Teuku Nyak Puteh, was a sailor from Aceh, who later married Che Mah Hussain. He attended Sekolah Melayu Kampung Jawa (English: Kampung Jawa Malay School) and Sekolah Francis Light primary schools. Then he went to the famous Penang Free School secondary school until the second World War broke out. During the Japanese Occupation years in Malaya, he continued his studies at the Japanese Navy Academy. When the war ended, he resumed his studies in Penang Free School. He was very active in sports.He died 29 May 1973.

In 1947, he won the first place in a song competition organized by Penang Radio. Seven years after his acting career started, P. Ramlee directed his first film Penarek Becha. In 1957, P. Ramlee appeared in the first of his Bujang Lapok comedic films, in which he acted along with Aziz Sattar and S. Shamsudin, and which are still popular among modern Malay film watchers. During his career he directed and acted in sixty-six films, and had more than 360 songs to his credit. He returned permanently to Kuala Lumpur after years with Shaw Brothers in Singapore; however, he would never have expected that his permanent return would mark the beginning of his downfall. His final film was Laksemana Do Re Mi in 1972 and his last song and lyrics before his death in 1973 were Air Mata di Kuala Lumpur (Tears in Kuala Lumpur). In his last song, the lyrics depict his crushed feelings and series of disappointments and setbacks upon returning to Malaysia after years in Singapore. -taken from Wikipedia

P. Ramlee Cyber Museum | IMDB | Last.fm | Facebook Fan Page

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cris yong, Stylist (website)

Stylist, designer, consultant, cris yong has been personally responsible for malaysia’s fashion rebirth and it’s current love affair with the risque side of fashion. A fashion rebel and a trendspotter and trendsetter in his own right, it is down to cris’ fearless and fun attitude towards fashion that he ‘s managed to clear a catwalk sized path for every other stylist with tude after him. His talent and determination has been recognized and rightly so.

Awards/Previous Clients

• 2002: Wella Sebastian
• 2003: Zouk / Singapore Fashion Week, Best Fashion Stylist Nominee at MIFA
• 2004: Best Fashion Stylist Nominee at MIFA
• 2005: L’Oreal Hair Concert, Christian Lacroix / French Art Festival 2005
• 2006: MIFA Show Presentation, Melium
• 2007: Mini Cooper, L’Oreal Hair Concert, The Gardens Mall, Tang’s studio
• 2008: Honda Jazz, Martell VSOP Rising Personalities 2008, Miss Astro Chinese International
• 2009: ‘Chivas’ bottle design by Alexander McQueen, MAXIS innovation Collection at M-iFW 09
• 2010: L’Oreal Inoa, Fahrenheit 88 Mall, Absolut Vodka Rock Edition

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Shahir AF8, or Ahmad Shahir Zawawi, (born September 5, 1988 in Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia), is a Malaysian singer, who rose to fame after winning the eighth season of Akademi Fantasia. Shahir’s winning of the Akademi Fantasia, Season 8 finale concert is the first winning in the history of Akademi Fantasia for a student who formerly was eliminated and then accepted back to Akademi Fantasia by using the method of AFMASUK.

Shahir’s father’s name is Mr. Zawawi Abdullah (54 years-old) and a teacher by profession. His mother’s name is Mrs. Mahanum Othman (45 years-old) and a housewife and baby-sitter as profession. Shahir is the first child from 5 siblings. He is residing in Kampar, Perak, Malaysia and his hometown is in Gopeng, Perak, Malaysia. Shahir formerly studied at Sekolah Kebangsaan Kampar, Kampar, Perak from Year 1 until Year 6 and then he studied at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama Slim River, Slim River, Perak from Form 1 until Form 5. Prior of audition in Akademi Fantasia, Season 8, Shahir was an engineering student at Centre of Foundation Studies, International Islamic University Malaysia. He is also former member of Saujana’s nasyid group.

Shahir competed against twelve other contestants to win Season 8 of Akademi Fantasia.
Throughout the competition, Shahir remained safe when the voting session was closed at the end of every concert, but in week 7 concert he was eliminated after received less votes from voters. In week 8 concert, the AFMASUK vote was introduced and in Debaran Week 8 Concert he was accepted after received the highest votes. At the end of the finaleconcert, he was crowned as the eighth winner of the show, beating 4 other students. He took back the winner crown from previous winner seventh season’s Hafiz. Shahir became the first student in the history of Akademi Fantasia to took the crown as champions after being eliminated before and then accepted back as student of Akademi Fantasia by the method of AFMASUK votes.

Official Site | Official Blog | Facebook Page | Twitter | Fan Page | Akademi Fantasia

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For more employment, funding, internships, and professional networking opportunities, please join the CSEAS Alumni & Community Linkedin Group!

Photography by sam4605 via flickr.com

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