RIFLE RANGE BOY: As old as history of mankind

Dukun (Witch Doctor, Malay; 2018)
Director: Din Said

In the early 1990s, the news of a gruesome murder appeared in the headlines of most Malaysian newspapers. The story of a politician chopped into pieces, of black magic, a small-time singer turned shaman with the elixir of immortality (she had claimed to be close to 100 years old), a smiling poser with something sensational to say during each court appearance was enough to excite the nation. Internet was restricted to the science fiction genre then. Hence, there was a dire need to whet the appetite of the general public who were looking for tabloid-like news to pass their time. The trial of Mona Fandey fitted the bill nicely.

An up and coming politician wanted to go places. Mona Fandey, who was a rave among certain circles, promised him invincibility through the sciences of the occult. He paid a deposit but what he got back was a severed head, his own. Enjoying being in the limelight, Pandey savoured every exposure to the camera flash. Without much fanfare, she was found guilty. Her appeals were rejected, and pardon from the royalty was denied. She was subsequently hanged in 2001.

Enjoying every minute of the limelight
Mona Fandey

The only things remaining of her legacy are her not-so-appealing songs, the memory of the murder she was convicted and this film, Dukun. Dukun was supposed to be released way back in 2007. Due to opposition from family members and the national film governing body, FINAS, it only hit the screens some ten years later with a caption that it is a work of fiction.

The fascination with Malaysians to the world of dark arts and black magic goes way back to a time before Abrahamic religions and its ideology of fearing the One God hit its shores. The National Museum realised this about ten years ago when it curated an exhibition on the 'Ghosts of Malaysia'. The board procured so many exhibits and paraphernalia towards this end. Just a couple of weeks into the exposition, it received orders from the religious bodies to stop the display immediately. The authorities were worried that the laypeople would be confused and hence deviate from their faiths as busloads after busloads of the curious public arrived in droves from the four corners of the country. That was the first and last time the National Museum had drawn such a crowd.