"CHANGE" You Lah! Grrr...

I hate advertising! OK, I don’t. But I hate Malaysian advertising. I can live with all the ridiculous rules, restrictions and their so-called censorship. But it’s the inconsistency with the censorship that’s bothering me.

Hey, why Marie-France Bodyline and all the other slimming agencies can post up beautiful women with skimpy swim suits on their full page ads but not mine? On top of that, my pic is off-center which means you can hardly see anything but the legs. Even so, it got censored. Now I gotta use a pic with some chick wearing jeans and a pair of hideous-looking boots.

Furthermore, the first part of our 4 series ads was published today on page 28 The Star, Nation section. The original header reads “Fuck the Status Quo”, but of course, it will be censored lah, so mah change lor, into “F@#K the Status Quo”. Even so, it wasn’t allowed. OK, fair enough, still very vulgar. From there, it became “STUFF The Status Quo”…which is kinda dumb already…and of course, being them, they decided to censor us anyway. Grrr…now, you would think it couldn’t get any worse…but I could and it did. Now, it’s “CHANGE the Status Quo”. Moreover, the body copy had to be changed as well…

From…

“Our apologies if you are offended. Please don’t be. We just wanted to get your attention to focus on what’s been happening.

The classical form of property advertisements (yes, that’s what this is all about). A splash of pictures. Pricing. Facilities. Features. Location Map. Interiors. The obligatory promise of a better lifestyle. Blah, blah, blah. And by the time you’ve read through the ad, if you are indeed a property buyer, chances are you’ve still not have made up your mind based on what a piece of paper had illustrated. Considering most properties being in the hundred thousand Ringgit category, we thought it’d be a tad too dangerous to let a RM15k press ad do the talking for us.

So, we’d actually like to get you to call the number below and let the Sales professionals actually earn their keep. We’re sure they’ll do a better job. Plus you get to hear a voice. And speak to an actual person.

They will tell you about the accolades. Like the company’s Golden Award at the Malaysian International Landscape & Garden Festival 2004. Or the numerous Quality ISO certificates. We’re sure they’ll also mention that this upcoming project is the first of its kind. A mixed development to cater to all the needs of the home buying public. With some interesting & innovative features too. All from a developer with an extensive track record with developments covering nearly every nook and cranny of the Malaysian peninsular. With over RM 1 billion in assets (to ensure a secured investment). And operations stretching as far away as Australia.

End of the day, a different kind of development deserves a different kind of approach. Make the call and experience the difference. More information available when you call...(XX-XXXXXXX)”

Into…
Hmm, well, it’s too sickening to have it posted. So just go read it on the papers lah. Page 28 :)

There’s 2 more coming up plus one full colour finale ad which is heavily censored as well. I will post it up when it’s released. Sickening.

I can hear Lim Kit Siang’s 1995 DAP rally on Tanjung Bungah echoing in my head…
“Today, we burn The Star, burn The Star!”