Abstract
Punk subculture is rooted in alternative music and fashion yet it has a strong tradition of anti-establishment politics and opposition to the dominant capitalist system. Thus many countries, Malaysia especially, regard punk culture negatively, as it is considered a form of moral deviation. This article aims to balance that view by connecting punk with positive political action. This article focuses on Rumah Api, the main base for the punk community in Kuala Lumpur, and a site recognised by the Malaysian and overseas punk community. Symbolic of subculture, cultural non-conformity, and counterculture, Rumah Api can be understood as an expression of opposition to authority and capitalism. Its role as a symbol of counterculture also serves as a method by which to build individual and collective identity. Research on Rumah Api therefore provides insight into how punk subculture empowers the inner-self, but also the political, economic and social contexts that underpin our society. The political actions of the Rumah Api community are seemingly influenced by the principle of “do-it-yourself” (DIY), anarchy, and freedom. However the Rumah Api community direct their energies into positive socio-political campaigns, not morally subversive activities. This can be seen in organised activities such as the Really, Really Free Market, Food Not Bombs, campaigns against the Highway Sungai Besi-Ulu Kelang (SUKE) development, “Lepak Anarki” and Federasi ANTARA, as well as various workshops, exhibitions and discussions. Small-scale concerts (gigs) have also been held to highlight current issues. Most recently, they have become more active in protests and street demonstrations, for example, which have caught the attention of the authorities. Therefore, this article suggests that Rumah Api epitomises the best example of a punk community that transcends music and fashion.
| Original language | Malay |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 107-133 |
| Number of pages | 27 |
| Journal | Kajian Malaysia |
| Volume | 34 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 2016 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Cultural Studies
- History
- Sociology and Political Science
Cite this
Punk dan budaya penentangan : Kajian kes rumah api, Kuala Lumpur. / Annuar, Sharifah Nursyahidah Syed; Ismail, Muhamad Takiyuddin; Febriansyah, Muhammad.
In: Kajian Malaysia, Vol. 34, No. 1, 2016, p. 107-133.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Punk dan budaya penentangan
T2 - Kajian kes rumah api, Kuala Lumpur
AU - Annuar, Sharifah Nursyahidah Syed
AU - Ismail, Muhamad Takiyuddin
AU - Febriansyah, Muhammad
PY - 2016
Y1 - 2016
N2 - Punk subculture is rooted in alternative music and fashion yet it has a strong tradition of anti-establishment politics and opposition to the dominant capitalist system. Thus many countries, Malaysia especially, regard punk culture negatively, as it is considered a form of moral deviation. This article aims to balance that view by connecting punk with positive political action. This article focuses on Rumah Api, the main base for the punk community in Kuala Lumpur, and a site recognised by the Malaysian and overseas punk community. Symbolic of subculture, cultural non-conformity, and counterculture, Rumah Api can be understood as an expression of opposition to authority and capitalism. Its role as a symbol of counterculture also serves as a method by which to build individual and collective identity. Research on Rumah Api therefore provides insight into how punk subculture empowers the inner-self, but also the political, economic and social contexts that underpin our society. The political actions of the Rumah Api community are seemingly influenced by the principle of “do-it-yourself” (DIY), anarchy, and freedom. However the Rumah Api community direct their energies into positive socio-political campaigns, not morally subversive activities. This can be seen in organised activities such as the Really, Really Free Market, Food Not Bombs, campaigns against the Highway Sungai Besi-Ulu Kelang (SUKE) development, “Lepak Anarki” and Federasi ANTARA, as well as various workshops, exhibitions and discussions. Small-scale concerts (gigs) have also been held to highlight current issues. Most recently, they have become more active in protests and street demonstrations, for example, which have caught the attention of the authorities. Therefore, this article suggests that Rumah Api epitomises the best example of a punk community that transcends music and fashion.
AB - Punk subculture is rooted in alternative music and fashion yet it has a strong tradition of anti-establishment politics and opposition to the dominant capitalist system. Thus many countries, Malaysia especially, regard punk culture negatively, as it is considered a form of moral deviation. This article aims to balance that view by connecting punk with positive political action. This article focuses on Rumah Api, the main base for the punk community in Kuala Lumpur, and a site recognised by the Malaysian and overseas punk community. Symbolic of subculture, cultural non-conformity, and counterculture, Rumah Api can be understood as an expression of opposition to authority and capitalism. Its role as a symbol of counterculture also serves as a method by which to build individual and collective identity. Research on Rumah Api therefore provides insight into how punk subculture empowers the inner-self, but also the political, economic and social contexts that underpin our society. The political actions of the Rumah Api community are seemingly influenced by the principle of “do-it-yourself” (DIY), anarchy, and freedom. However the Rumah Api community direct their energies into positive socio-political campaigns, not morally subversive activities. This can be seen in organised activities such as the Really, Really Free Market, Food Not Bombs, campaigns against the Highway Sungai Besi-Ulu Kelang (SUKE) development, “Lepak Anarki” and Federasi ANTARA, as well as various workshops, exhibitions and discussions. Small-scale concerts (gigs) have also been held to highlight current issues. Most recently, they have become more active in protests and street demonstrations, for example, which have caught the attention of the authorities. Therefore, this article suggests that Rumah Api epitomises the best example of a punk community that transcends music and fashion.
KW - Budaya penentangan
KW - Keakuran
KW - Punk
KW - Rumah api
KW - Sub-budaya
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M3 - Article
VL - 34
SP - 107
EP - 133
JO - Kajian Malaysia
JF - Kajian Malaysia
SN - 0127-4082
IS - 1
ER -