One man’s traitor is another man’s patriot

There appears to be a debate raging around Mat Sabu. I really don’t know what it is he said. I was not there and neither have I seen the video recording of what he said. Anyway, while we wait for the jury to come back to rule on whether Mat Sabu was out of line or not, let us deliberate on the definition of patriot and traitor.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

There appears to be a debate raging around Mat Sabu. I really don’t know what it is he said. I was not there and neither have I seen the video recording of what he said. Anyway, while we wait for the jury to come back to rule on whether Mat Sabu was out of line or not, let us deliberate on the definition of patriot and traitor.



George Washington was a traitor. He committed treason. And yet he was also a patriot and they named the capital of the United States of America after him. The only thing is the British were not able to capture him and put him to death. So, fortunate for him, he went on to become the First President of America.



Jose Rizal was a traitor. He committed treason and so they put him to death. And yet he was also a patriot and is now considered the Philippines’ national hero. If you were to smear his name while on a visit to Manila, they would probably have to send your body home in a coffin, if there is anything left of you by the time they finish with you.



Tok Janggut was a traitor. He committed treason. So they killed him and hung his body upside down along the banks of the Kelantan River and left it there to rot. And yet he is also a patriot and the Kelantanese revere his name.



Gandhi was a traitor. He committed treason. The British would have loved to kill him if they dared do so. But they did not dare do so because he was so popular. So the British decided to give India independence and take a slow boat back to England with their tail between their legs.



Joan of Arc was a traitor. She committed treason. So they captured her and burned her alive at the stake. And yet she was also a patriot who rallied the French against the English who had illegally occupied French territory.



Mary Queen of Scots was a traitor. She committed treason. So Queen Elizabeth I arrested her and put her to death. And yet she was a patriot who opposed the Queen’s inquisition where thousands of Catholics were rounded up and burned alive for what the Church of England considered heresy.

Nelson Mandela was a traitor. He committed treason. So the Apartheid government of South Africa jailed him on an island for 27 years while many of his comrades were either jailed together with him or were assassinated by the police. And yet he was a patriot who fought for South Africa and went on to become the first post-Apartheid President of that country.

Yes, I can go on and on and write pages and pages about traitors who committed treason who were also patriots. But I think my point has been made. And that point is one man’s traitor is another man’s patriot.

So, whether you may think that so and so is a traitor or a patriot, that is your point of view. It all depends on what point of time in history you are looking at the event and which side of history you are looking at it.

So, whether Mat Sabu is a traitor or a patriot, that is left to be seen. It depends on who you are and where you stand on the matter. It also depends on at what point in time you are making this judgement.

Moses, Jesus Christ and Prophet Muhammad were also traitors who committed treason as well as Prophets who guided mankind. Again, it depends on who you are and at what point of time you are judging Moses, Jesus Christ and Prophet Muhammad.

I take it now you get my point.