Stride

Archive for July 2014

Thursday 17 July 2014

Day Walker, Night Stalker

No one knows what motivates a person to kill, continually and mercilessly. To this day, we are capable in creating torturing devices that could inflict the most pain on other individuals, but the mind of a serial killer we still dare not to enter or ponder.

More than criminals, today let's dive into these beasts of the bedtime tales. Did your parents tell you stories about serial killers before you fall into a fitful slumber? Parenting done right! Anyway, let's take a look at some of the sickest cutthroats in western countries.

His glare gives you a glimpse of your demise.

"Satanists need to have more faith than Christians, because Christ was seen and felt. Lucifer has never felt the need to be seen, but in everyone's soul he can be felt." - Richard Ramirez

There was no space for love and happiness in him, and not even an ounce of light can be seen in his heart. Texas' Richard Ramirez, a serial killer whose number of victims were uncountable using both hands, and if you're going to count with your toes, save those energy for other activities.

Unlike bomoh Mona Fandey, Richard Ramirez was a Satanist. On some of his victims body, he would carve satanic symbols without remorse as if he was a part time advertiser employed by Satan himself.

On August 24, 1985, Ramírez traveled 50 miles south of Los Angeles to Mission Viejo, and broke into the Mediterranean Village apartment of Bill Carns, 29, and his fiancée, Inez Erickson, 27. Ramírez shot Carns in the head and raped Erickson. He demanded she swear her love for Satan and afterwards, forced her to perform oral intercourse on him.

He was also called 'The Walk-in Killer' for a reason.

On May 29, 1985, Ramírez broke into a house and attacked Malvial Keller, 83, and her disabled sister, Blanche Wolfe, 80, beating each with a hammer. Ramírez attempted to rape Keller, but failed. Using lipstick, he drew pentagrams on Keller's thigh and on the wall in the bedroom.

He walked into houses, and doomed were the victims living inside. Let the word 'house' sink in. Can you imagine the place you call home is no longer a safe haven, but a devil's workshop? That's fucking horrible. Survivor lives to tell the story, but the traumatic experiences are there, forever.

How many tears were shed out of anguish and fear at those times?

Of course, serial killers are not celebrities to be celebrated upon. Satanists and cultists' opinions aside, these are not decent examples of celebrities, yeah I know what you're thinking. It's hard to program my thoughts into yours but there's a critical fact I have to pinpoint after telling you all these stories, that is:

Celebrity or not, no matter how much you honey it with words and whatnot, is perfectly resembled by tiny chip of coin.

The coin wasn't standing, it was about to fall.

Two sides: the good, and the bad. (Ok la, head and tails also la!) It's understandable that the good sides are always looked upon, but it's unfair to justify anything based on just one side.

Here I am, going against the tide of crowds telling me how criminals can't be celebrities. Well, not a shit was given that day. Ready for the next one?

Politician giving out speeches? Looks can be deceiving my friend.

“What’s one less person on the face of the earth, anyway?” - Ted Bundy

He was a real deal. Being one of the most notorious criminal in the late 20th Century, Theodore Robert Bundy, or in short, Ted Bundy, raped and murdered young women in several states. He had a charming look adorned with his noteworthy intelligence, which made women an easy prey for him. His case inspired a lot of films and novels about serial killers. Ain't lying, you can visit the nearest book store and see it for yourself.

Bundy showed an unusual interest in the macabre at an early age. Around the age of 3, he became fascinated by knives.

Can't tell if he was a natural born killer. It's rare to see kids with these weird and dangerous fetishes. However, these traits are not the ones that drew out the darkest side of him.

While a student at the University of Washington, Bundy fell in love with a wealthy, pretty young woman from California. She had everything that he wanted: money, class, and influence. He was devastated by their breakup.

Love lured out his monstrous side. Not convinced?

Many of his later victims resembled his college girlfriend—attractive students with long, dark hair.

This picture says it all. Wew.

He often lured his victims into his car by pretending to be injured and asking for their help. Their kindness proved to be a fatal mistake.

Raped. Murdered. Some might be asking 'Is that all? All criminals you've been talking about are like that!'

Guess what? NO. That's not all. Ted Bundy was also a necrophile. (It means a person who has sex with dead bodies) Oh Lord.

He often revisited his secondary crime scenes to engage in acts of necrophilia and to groom or dress up the cadavers.

So he didn't just had sex with the corpses, he even dressed them up, and put make ups! The victims in these cases were usually found wearing clothes they had never worn; what a gut-wrenching story to be heard, but that doesn't stop him from becoming a celebrity.

His stories don't ensue in silence, because to this day, not even death could stop public's interests with him. You get my point now don't you?

(What a good place to rest your eyes)

So putting local criminals and western criminals into comparison here, we can see these very subtle differences that set them apart, but not away from the term 'celebrity'. (That's not gonna happen, not in this blog.)

Local Celebrities (Criminals)
In Malaysia, celebrities are usually the ones known for their good achievements. The common ones are athletes, actresses, film directors, Youtube celebrities, and so on.

The meaning in the word itself is limited by the general ways of seeing things amidst the Malaysia society. You don't see people making fan pages to commemorate criminals here, unless you think making friends in the cell is a good thing.

Western Celebrities (Criminals)

The freedom of speech is stronkk in US. While celebrities remain celebrities, there are biographies commemorating famous criminals, and books and films still retell the stories of these cold-blooded murderers.

It is arguably true that people in US have widened the border when it comes to defining a celebrity. The cultural differences play a major role here too, with Malaysia being a more conserved country compared to US.

Just remember, a definition for anything is not limited to just a dictionary book, or a search engine. Tapping into the meaning of words is what we do everyday, and it will continue to yearn us fruits.

Brutal force can sometimes kick down a door, but knowledge is the skeleton key.

Until next time?

Reading Materials:

'Richard Ramirez' (2014) The Biography Website. Available online: http://www.biography.com/people/richard-ramirez-12385163#trial-conviction-and-sentencing

[Accessed on 17th of July 2014]

Yushen (2012) 'Richard Ramirez Quotes' Yushen's Lithography. Available online:
http://listography.com/showder/quotes/richard_ram%C3%ADrez [Accessed on 17th of July 2014]

'Richard Ramirez' Murpedia. Available online:
http://murderpedia.org/male.R/r/ramirez-richard.htm

[Accessed on 17th of July 2014]

'Ted Bundy' (2014) The Biography Website. Available online: http://www.biography.com/people/ted-bundy-9231165#video-gallery [Accessed on 17th of July 2014]

Robert, K. (2010) 'The Riverman: Ted Bundy and I Hunt for the Green River Killer' (Kindle ed.) Published by:
New York: Simon & Schuster

Saturday 12 July 2014

Criminal Celebrities. Celebrity Criminals.

If you walk down any street in Kuala Lumpur and suddenly witness a crime ranging from robbery or choppery (chopping someone, literally)happening in front of your naked eyes, rest assured, you're not hallucinating. It's quite common in Malaysia, but not during Puasa month I guess, if you know what I mean.

Fine. Back to the topic. What are the well-known criminals in the history of Malaysia? Some would raise up their hands when questioned and answer "Najib! He murdered the Mongoli-". Oops, not cool...

But let me tell you something. Sensitive issues, don't mean they are not worth mentioning. We live in a world where government would silence us using any resorts but the power of people is best not underestimated. If you need proofs feel free to PM me and I'll flood a good amount of facts right at your face. Don't be a pussy, we all need to stand up and speak up sometimes. I don't care who you are, if you call yourself a Malaysian, you know what I'm talking about. Period.

Grotesque facial expression.

'Mention her name and most people will shudder as they recall the lurid details of their bizarre crime.' - The Star, 2007

Maznah Ismail, or Mona Fandey, also called 'The Bomoh' (witch doctor), murdered Datuk Mazlan Idris, Pahang's assemblyman with the help of her husband Mohamad Nor Affandi and their assistant, Juraimi Hassan.

Victim Datuk Mazlan Idris, ex assemblyman of Pahang

Mazlan Idris sought Mona Fandey for help in his political career. An appointment was made for cleansing rituals to be performed at Mona's house. Mazlan was told to lie on the floor face up while Mona placed flowers on him. She then told Mazlan to close his eyes and wait for the money to "fall from the sky."

What happened next was surprisingly...gruesome.

Juraimi then, using an axe, chopped Mazlan's head off. They also dismembered and partially skinned Mazlan's body. His body was found in 18 parts buried in a storeroom near Mona's house in Pahang.

Need a clearer depiction of what happened?

Dismemberment on a whole new level in Malaysia.

By murdering alone, Mona Fandey gained more notoriety than she had been when she was a pop singer. Oh and yes, before that she was an artist.

Mona's stint as a pop singer was short-lived. It was during this time she adopted the stage name "Mona Fandey" to boost her popularity. Her career did not really take off, but she still managed to come up with one self-sponsored album entitled Diana and made a few television appearances. She was also a water ballet dancer during her youth. - Murderpedia

Sounds like a B-grade horror movie but that's what really happened. Leaping from a singer to a murderer; a celebrity into a criminal that's still a celebrity. Still don't think she was a celebrity?

"So what turns a famous person into a celebrity? The grand answer, on empirical evidence, seems to be narrative." - Neal Gabler

Theoretically speaking, greatness doesn't make a person a celebrity, but if his/her stories draw eyes and ears from the people across the world, I don't see why not.

In essence, being famous and being a celebrity are two different things, and with this at hand, I can conclude that Mona Fandey was also a celebrity when she was labelled as a murderess. Remember, the stories count!

Unforgivable, unforgettable. Now even I'm starting to doubt my sanity for calling her a celebrity... Well, just kidding.

For more information about Mona Fandey, do visit this link: http://murderpedia.org/female.F/f/fandey-mona.htm

(Some eye rest for you before we proceed.)

Despite the shitty quality, he still looked cool.

Do you know who was the most notorious gangster ever known in Malaysia? I'm sure you've heard of him. Wong Swee Chin, a.k.a Botak Chin, committed countless armed robberies and homicide, making a fearsome sight to behold. Back in the 70s, dealing with him was harder than dealing with cancer for the police forces. No joke.

However, based on rumours, the Chinese community respected him a lot, and often regarded him as the modern Robin Hood for sharing his loots from robberies to the poor.

Robin Hood to the Chinese, Robin Crook to the police.

Left school at age 15 and bashed down by his mother's death, he often spent time away from home preferring to live with his friends. Away from his father's watchful eye, he got involved with the local hoodlums where he was initiated into committing petty crimes and joined his first gang; the 360 gang (Sak Pak Lok).

This was when everything took a sick turn. Imagine obtaining a firearm at the age of 18 illegally so he could recruit and form his new gang to expedite his robbery spree.

Imprisonment was inevitable for a young criminal like Botak Chin. Few months upon release from the jail, however, he formed a new gang again and purchased even more illegal gunfires from Thailand.

The gang used a vacant tin mine in Kepong as their shooting range, targeting stray dogs. There were also reports that Botak Chin used to openly display his gun at the Sentul market but nobody dared offend him for fear of being made a victim.

With more 'tools of trade', Botak Chin, along with his friends, Ng Cheng Wong (Ah Wong), Beng Kok Chin (Pangkor Chai) and Teh Bok Lay (Seh Chai) robbed numerous banks across the state, fleeing away with at least RM100,000.

At this rate, don't you find something amiss? Were Botak Chin and his gang that indomitable that not even police forces could stand in their way and pull the trigger? It is said that on his frequent visit to Thailand, firearms weren't the only things he spent his dime on.

It is believed that the reason he managed to successfully evade capture, survive and escape from numerous gun battles with the police is because he wears a very powerful talisman called 'Phra Pidta Tangkal' obtained from a bomoh siam from Thailand.

The plot thickens. So black magic has its part in his story as well. That explains why despite the death of his closest friends and gang members, he remained unscathed from almost all gunfights with the police, well yeah, except for the last gunfight who brought him down for a persecution... and a death sentence.

Last but not least, why do people call Wong Swee Chin with hair 'botak' (bald)?

'The term itself does not describe his locks but rather, it is a Malay acronym that goes 'Bantu Orang Tak Ada Kerja'. (Helping those who are jobless/in need).' - Abu Bakar Juah

Putting all the grandmama's stories aside, does my exemplification clarify the fact that interesting stories make celebrities? You don't need a pretty face or money to become one.

Story + Audience = Fame -> Celebrity

Until next time.

Reading Materials:

Golingai, P. (2007) 'Black Magic Mayhem' The Star online. Available online: http://www.thestar.com.my/story.aspx/?file=%2f2007%2f7%2f25%2flifeliving%2f20070725170304&sec=lifeliving [Accessed on: 12th of July, 2014]

'Mona Fandey' Murpedia. Available online:
http://murderpedia.org/female.F/f/fandey-mona.htm
[Accessed on: 12th of July, 2014]

Gabriel, N. (2001) 'Toward a New Definition of Celebrity' The Norman Lear Center, Annenberg School of Communication, University of Southern California. Available online: http://www.learcenter.org/images/event_uploads/Gabler.pdf> [Accessed on: 12th of July, 2014]

Jimmy 'The Story of Botak Chin: Robin Hood or Robin Crook?' Friends of Star. Available online:
http://www.staroba.my/malaysia/723-the-story-of-botak-chin-robin-hood-or-robin-crook.html
[Accessed on: 12th of July, 2014]

'Where Botak Chin Met His End' The Star online. AVailable online: http://www.thestar.com.my/story.aspx/?file=%2f2010%2f6%2f27%2fnation%2f6554611&sec=nation
[Accessed on: 12th of July, 2014]

1 comment

Wednesday 9 July 2014

Into the Abyss

Into the darkest depths of hell I go; criminal minds. Not that TV series. I'm going to talk about what makes criminals in Malaysia and another country of my choice (which is US) 'celebrity'. I think I have hopped too long on the webpages whose definition of 'celebrity' associates with HQ photographs of glamorous people perambulating on the red carpet. Everything is too star-oriented out there. Boring.

Oh by the way, 'Just because you're famous, that doesn't make you a celebrity' is a total nonsense. By narrowing down the definition for 'celebrity', what else do you do other than nodding that thick skull of yours to every thing majority has to say? I was asked to explore so I could find indifferences or something new in this field. Our opinions are no longer needed if we inherit thoughts from the majority without letting the word 'explore' sink in, right?

Do take my five-star bullshits into consideration.

Data based on the perceptions of

visitors in the past 3 years. So safe, so safe.

In Malaysia, criminals are less well-known compared to western countries but they still manifest in the same forms, including drug-trafficking, homicide, corruption, rape, etc. But that doesn't make Malaysia any safer than other countries because:

"There is an increasingly worrisome trend of violent crimes resulting in grievous harm," - Dr Geshina Ayu Mat Saat, psychologist and criminologist, 2013.

There's no denying to this statement. If we look at the newspaper today (Thursday), we see a beautiful photo of an Estonian model named Regina Soosalu followed by a heart-wrenching headline 'murdered in Pulau Jawa'. Just what ~~the fuck~~ is going on in Malaysia?!

Freelance model Regina Soosalu was initially thought to have drowned when her body was discovered on a stretch of beach along the island on July 1, the day she arrived on the island.

However, the police are now investigating the death as murder under Section 302 of the Penal Code after discovering “suspicious” wounds on her body. - The Star Online, 2014

This case exemplifies a celebrity's demise. Just kidding. So, which one is the celebrity here? I dare say everyone would point their fingers at the model (RIP), but why not both?

Let us take a look at a celebrated criminal in US:

'I may be a fugitive, but first let me take a selfie!'

Born in a poor family marred by alcohols, Colton Harris-Moore, a.k.a the 'Barefoot Bandit' committed his very first crime when he was only 12 (stolen properties), and another year later, he had 3 more.

"He became known as the "Barefoot Bandit" by reportedly committing some of his crimes barefoot, once leaving behind 39 chalk footprints and the word "c'ya!"." - Jackson Holtz, 2010

Harris-Moore is also responsible for almost 100 burglaries across the state, ranging from boats to cash and cars. What made him popular was how he managed to steal and drive a plane without having taught how to. Oh wait...

"It is believed that he learned how to fly small planes by reading aircraft manuals, handbooks, watching a 'How to fly a small airplane' DVD, and playing flight stimulator games." - Robert Lea, 2009

Self-taught, Harris actually stole five planes and crash-landed all of them, unscathed. GENIUS. Later, he became a celebrated criminal with this:

Yes, he left some cash and a note in a pet store after committing a burglary. Not sure why but somewhere inside him still brims one thing criminals do not have - kindness. This has yearned him an upsurge in popularity.

"He also inspired Facebook tribute pages and pro-"Barefoot Bandit" T-shirts for his stunning ability to elude police, and became a bona fide anti-hero sensation." - The Biography Website, 2014

With these at hand, it is justifiable to call criminals 'celebrities'. Care not a bandit's nationality, as long as he is famous, why not?

Still think criminals do not deserve the title 'celebrities'? do drop down a comment and share your thoughts.

We'll take a break before walking deeper into the abyss. On my next entry I'll be talking about some famous criminals carved in the history of Malaysia and other countries as well.

Until next time.

Reading Materials:

Tam, M (2013) 'Violent crimes on the rise, says experts' The Star online. Available online:
http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2013/07/23/Crime-Experts/ [Accessed on 9th of July, 2014]

'Estonian model found dead' The Star online. Available online: http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/07/10/Estonian-model-found-dead-Suspicious-wounds-lead-cops-to-believe-Soosalu-was-murdered/
[Accessed on 10th of July, 2014]

Holtz, J (2010) 'Colton Harris-Moore captured in Bahamas' The Herald. Available online:
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20100712/NEWS01/707129947 [Accessed on 10th of July, 2014]

Lea, R (2009) 'Colton Harris-Moore, the barefoot bandit, outfoxes sheriffs' The Sunday Times. Available online:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article6946030.ece [Accessed on 10th of July, 2014]

'Colton Harris-Moore Biography' The Biography Web.
Available online: http://www.biography.com/people/colton-harris-moore-21075665#sentencing&
[Accessed on 10th of July, 2014]