The Three Tasks of Puteri Gunung Ledang

The legend of Puteri Gunung Ledang (the Princess of Mount Ledang (aka Mt. Orphir)) is
known to all Malaysians for not only has it been the source for several films and plays, but a
film version (PGL) in 2004 that was remade for the Kuala Lumpur stage (2006) became the
countrys most popular musical. Although there are many variations of the tale, they all
involve the fifteenth century Sultan Mahmud Shah of Melaka who, desiring to marry the
Princess Gusti Putri Raden Ajeng Retno Dumilah, sends his loyal warrior Hang Tuah to fetch
her from the mountain. She, unwilling to marry the Sultan, gives him seven impossible tasks,
the last being the blood of his heir. The KETEP version comically adapted the PGL musical
that featured the love story between the Princess and the Sultans emissary, Hang Tuah.
KETEPs version was presented in 2011 by the Drama Department at ASWARA, Malaysias

premier arts institution. The participants took two weeks to translate, make shadow puppets,
and practice the play in the bangsawan style of broadly-acted stock characters. They also
suggested the three tasks: the demise of Malaysias sea turtles from the illegal sale of their
eggs; the uncontrolled growth of palm oil plantations destroying large swathes of forest; and
the increase of plastic rubbish that clogs the Kuala Lumpur drains during monsoons and
causes greater flooding in the city built on the confluence of two rivers. Both the names of a
local celebrity and that of a bankrupt company mentioned in the text can be updated or
altered. It was performed outside at ASWARAs restaurant during the lunch hour. Many of the
characters were double cast, reducing the number of lines each actor had to memorize in the
short time.

Cast:
Sultan Mahmud Shah
Hang Tuah
Gusti Puteri
Maid 1
Maid 2
Maid 3
Servant I
Servant II
Fish Seller
Slime Doby Representative

The Three Tasks of Puteri Gunung Ledang

Scene I Sultans Palace
Sultan:
Ah, what a glorious day! The sun shines golden on me and my kingdom. The
flowers bloom, butterflies fluttering, the fruits ripen, and the garden glistens
with last nights rain. Everything is fertile, multiplyinggetting it on, you
know.
Tuah:

Your Majesty is unusually poetic this morning.

Sultan:

Im feeling good, very good, younger than my years.

Tuah:

Your Majesty is not many in years, yet we always take delight when he is a
salubrious mood.

Sultan:

Salubrious? Yes, salubrious, hah! You get my meaning!

Tuah:

Your Majesty?

Sultan:

What could be more salubrious than a new wife!

Tuah:

What indeed! Our ministers always have on hand an up-to-date list of

available princesses. Would your Majesty like to

Sultan:

No, none of those. Ive decided on the Gusti Putri Raden etc. etc.with a
name like that, she has to be one hot chick. Ever since I heard her beauty
surpasses all others, I havent been able to sleep. Then last night, she came to
me in a dream and afterwards I slept like a babe. You will go to Gunung
Ledang
and persuade her to accept me.

Tuah:

Me? Im a warrior, Your Majesty, not a sweet-tongued courtier.

Sultan:

Hah! You have a way with words. And I know that girls with spirit like
adventurous men. Tell her of some of your exploits and shell be impressed
and want to be queen over a land of such men.

Tuah:

Wouldnt it be better to send a portrait of yourself. Your handsome face would

be the quickest way to the princesss heart.

Sultan:

Youre right. Youll take my portrait with you. Your words and my looks will
win her over for sure.

Tuah:

The journey is long. Perhaps you should send a younger man.

Sultan:

What! A rival! And have her fall in love with him! No way. I know Im safe
with you. Youre loyal and wont lose your head over a woman. No, youre
the perfect go-between. Now, go, between us, and be quick about it. (Black
out)

Scene II Gustis Palace

Gusti:
Im so bored. How I envy the birds that can fly where they want. Look how
cheerfully they fly, hear how joyously they sing.
Maid 1:

But theyre always threatened by the hunters net or arrow, or an

attack by larger birds.

Maid 2:

Or starvation.

Maid 1:

A birds lifes not easy. Always searching for food, feeding itself and its
young ones, escaping dangers, finding a mate.

Gusti:

Oh yes, finding a mate. I knew you would get around to that again somehow.
Always finding a mate. But do I get to find one myself? Even in that the
birds are luckier than me. At least they choose each other.

Maid 1:

Im sure youll be lucky in love.

Gusti:

I havent been so far. What a miserable lot of suitors have come my way
pampered princes who cant even dress themselves, playboys, businessmen
who just want to use my connections, proud men who just want to add me to
their collection of jewels, ugh! And then theres my brother eager to sell me
off to the highest bidder. I am beginning to think theres no such thing as love.
Its a poets lie, a trick capture girls hearts with foolish romanticism. Only
when theyre caught and married do they wake up and see the trap.

Maid 1:

Only one who hasnt loved could speak like that. Your turn will come.

Gusti:

Then help me go out and find him. I know other princesses like Busba have
dressed like a man and gone to find Panji. Help me disguise myself and
escape!

Maid 2:

Do you dare?

Gusti:

Yes. I must. Whether you help me or not, I will do it.

Maid 3:

(enters ) Gusti Putri Raden Ajeng Retno Dumillah.

Gusti:

I know when you call me by my full name you have bad news. What is it?

Maid 3:

An emissary from Sultan Mahmud Shah of Melaka has come. He has heard of
your beauty and spirit and wants to marry you.

Gusti:

I wonder which one of his neighbors is attacking him so that he needs my

brothers help. What a nuisance. Im like some not-so-secret weapon they
barter between themselves. Well, I refuse.

Maid 3:

You refuse to see him? Hes waiting outside.

Gusti:

Drat! What a nuisance. You dont give me much choice, do you? Well, lets
entertain ourselves at his expense. Show him in.

Tuah enters, they fall immediately in love, then quickly recover, the princess is haughty, Tuah
shy and humble.
Gusti:

You come from the Sultan of Melaka?

Tuah:

Yes, Your Majesty. He has heard of your

Gusti:

.outstanding beauty and cant wait to possess it.

Tuah:

sagacity and spirit and is eager to be better acquainted with it.

Gusti:

The reputation of my sharp tongue hasnt daunted him?

Tuah:

My king loves a duel between experts, admires an honorable adversary, and

Gusti:

and in the end expects complete devotion and submissionsuch as youve

given him.

Tuah:

The Sultan has earned my complete loyalty and respect. I give it freely.

Gusti:

Is that why he sent you? Are you his best emissary for the job?

Tuah:

(laughs) No, there I protested. Im out of my element.

Gusti:

Which is?

Tuah:

Im a warriorof some repute.

Gusti:

Ah yes, a most valued commodity, the kings teeth and claws.

Tuah:

We do not expect beautiful young women to understand such things

Gusti:

Well they do, even if theyre kept ignorant and imprisoned like I am. We do
understand and we do not approve. Well, go back and tell your master, Ill
none of him or you either until he fulfills my three demands.

Tuah:

Three? I thought there were seven.

Gusti:

Three impossible demands are as sufficient as seven, arent they? Why waste
each others time. Im economical, ecological and efficient. Tell him (Fade
out)

Scene III
Sultan:

Sultans Palace
Well, whats she like?

Tuah:

Smart, witty, and clever with words, great sense of humor

Sultan:

Her looks, man! Is she as beautiful as Ive heard?

Tuah:

Yes, beautiful.

Sultan:

Well, describe, describe!

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Tuah:

Words would not suffice, especially not mine. Ive done better. Ive got her
photograph. (hands it to Sultan)

Sultan:

Show me! Ah! Not touched up, is it? Really her?

Tuah:

Yes, Your Majesty. In fact, it does not do her justice.

Sultan:

Well, Im willing. What does she want? Jewels? Clever, you say? Books?

Tuah:

I believe she loves nature.

Sultan:

Excellent. Shell love my garden. Shell be the flower par excellence in my

bower. Ill send her every kind of bloom and guarantee it will open just as you
arrive at her palace. Theyll release their beauty and fragrance representing my
love.

Tuah:

Very imaginativeand romantic, Your Majesty. But shes named her own
conditions.

Sultan:

Well, what are they? Why do you hesitate? Embarrassed? Now youve
aroused me. Kinky, are they?

Tuah:

Very difficultto accomplish.

Sultan:

A test! A quest? Tell me, Im ready. I love a good challenge!

Tuah:

One hundred trays of live leatherback turtle hatchlings.

Sultan:

Goodness all mighty, whats that?

Tuah:

Endangered turtles, Your Majesty. A gentle animal almost extinct because of

getting entangled in fishermans nets. Their eggs are being sold and eaten by
too many villagers, and tourists

Sultan:

No, no. I mean how many hatchlings per tray?

Tuah:

A good point, Your Majesty. Though I assume she means the regular size that
all diplomats use to offer their presents to you.

Sultan:

B5?

Tuah:

A little larger.

Sultan:

(sighs) Well, go on.

Tuah:

A hundred swimming pools of river water from the last flood without rubbish.

Sultan:

Before or after the smart tunnel?

Tuah:

She doesnt specify.

Sultan:

Well, there was probably more rubbish before the tunnel was built. It should
be cleaner now.

Tuah:

Oh, pardon, Sire, in the small print, it says, from the Sungai Gombak and
the tunnel only deals with water from the Sungai Klang.

Sultan:

Always read the fine print, Tuah.

Tuah:

My apologies. My eyes are getting bad.

Sultan:

Well, go on with the next.

Tuah:

This one is the most difficult of all, Im afraid.

Sultan:

What? The blood of my only son? Im brave, let me have it.

Tuah:

Collecting and cleaning the so-called green clothes of Slime Doby.

Sultan:

Slime Doby. Sounds like a shady character.

Tuah:

Yes, she says when the green clothes are properly exposed and cleaned in the
sun, theyll turn transparent.

Sultan:

Not much good as clothes, then, are they? Does he have a nice body, this
Slime Doby. Should I be jealous of him?

Tuah:

Your Majesty has much foresight, not to mention, acuity. I think shes
giving you a covert warning, that indeed, he is so powerful he endangers your
rule, and that only by undressing him, will you make him a more lawful
subject.

Sultan:

I knew thered be a man in it somewhere. Are you sure she isnt telling him
the same thing about me, and secretly hopes to do me in, or both of us?

Tuah:

I dont think thats her intention, Your Majesty.

Sultan:

Well, I have my doubts. But go on.

Tuah:

Thats all.

Sultan:

All? I thought there were supposed to seven demandshearts of mosquitoes,

bridges of gold and silver, etc. etc.

Tuah:

Shes modernized; economical, ecological and efficient, Id say.

Sultan:

Hmmm, I dont agree. These are beyond kinky. They sound suspiciouslike
plot to destroy the economy.or my reputation. Whoever heard of a king
messing around with turtles and rubbish? But they are impossible, arent they?

Tuah:

Difficult, but not impossible.

Sultan:

Shes trying to tell me I dont have a chance. This is an indirect rejection, isnt
it? And if I try to comply with her demands, Ill ruin our economy. How dare
she interfere with our internal affairs. No! She mocks me. Buckle on your
sword, Hang Tuah, we are going to war. No female treats me like this.

Tuah:

Your Majesty! I dont think she means either dishonor or rejection!

Sultan:

Huh?

Tuah:

Her demands are difficult but not impossible. They test the will of the leader,
and his ability to lead and educate his people. They are a test of character and
determination. Your Majesty can pass the test with flying colorsif you truly
want to.

Sultan:

To win her?

Tuah:

Yes, and to improve your country, the life of your people.and its other
inhabitants.

Sultan:

Improve! Melaka is the richest kingdom in the world. Watch your words Tuah
or Ill try you for treason.

Tuah:

I only meant that our economic prosperity has come at a heavy cost to our
natural environment. A sustainable balance is already technologically
achievable, what we need now is only the will and the leadership to put it into
practice. Your Majesty can use her test as a great opportunity.

Sultan:

Are you sure you dont want a war instead? Tuah, youre getting old, this
might be your last chance for a good fight. Getting soft, are you?

Tuah:

Youre right, I am older, but a mature man prefers a battle of wits to that of
arms.

Sultan:

Very well. I put you in charge of fulfilling the Princesss requests. Report back
to me in two weeks.

Tuah:

B-b-b-but Your Majesty, Im only a poor soldier.

Sultan:

Enjoy the challenge to your wits. Dismissed, and on your way out, tell the
steward I am ready for lunch!

Scene IV Tuahs Office

Tuah:
(he sits deep in thought, his food untouched, the servant takes away food)
Servant I:

You didnt touch your food. Thought needs food as much fighting does.

Tuah:

I cant eat until I make a little progress. Ive started with the easiest task,
finding a few leatherbacks, but it seems that if theyre not already extinct,
theyre too few to reproduce. If I dont act fast, theyll all be gone.

Servant I:

Ah turtles. How much I loved eating their eggs as a boy. Wed roast them on
the beach. Delicious. I havent had one since I moved to Melaka.
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Tuah:

I forgot you were from Terengganu. Plentiful were they? You used to steal
them from the beach, even when it was illegal?

Servant I:

I confess, sometimes, we did. But other times my mother just bought them in
the market.

Tuah:

In the market? They were readily for sale?

Servant I:

Sold to locals and tourists alike.

Tuah:

When it was illegal?

Servant I:

(shrugs his shoulders) It was common.

Tuah:

Do you think theyre still being sold in the markets?

Servant I:

Probably. Where there are buyers, there are always sellers.

Tuah:

Youll go immediately and find some.

Servant I:

B-b-b-but Sir, I dont know anyone there anymore. I-I-I-I-

Tuah:

Go! (Black out)

Scene V Market in Terengganu

Seller:
Fresh fish! Fresh shrimp!
Servant I:

Hey Lilah, remember me?

Seller:

Who are you? I see now youre Rosman, the show-off who went away to the
big city to get rich. What are you doing here? Lost your job, have you? Come
back in shame?

Servant I:

No, I work in the Palace.

Seller:

Oh, big man now, is it?

Servant I:

But I need your help. I need turtle eggs.

Seller:

No problem. You pay big bucks.

Servant I:

Moneys no problem. But they need to be live eggsI need to hatch them.

Seller:

Not eat them? Ahh, I see, youre going into business, very clever. Turtles
almost gone, you raise some hatchlings and sell the eggs for big profit when
no one else can get them. You sell to Sultan, is it? If I find some, we go 50-50,
okay?

Servant I:

That wasnt my plan. Its not a bad one except that it wont work. Turtles
migrate and only lay their eggs in a favored place. The hatchlings have to
swim to sea and learn to migrate too.
8

Seller:

But theyll learn to adapt if it means their survival, everyone does. Look at me,
I used to work for (use the name of business that went bust in Malaysia) and
here I am selling fish to survive. Ill scour the market and see what I can find
for you. Come back tomorrow.

Servant I:

One more thingthey have to be live leatherback eggs.

Seller:

Now he tells me. Thats impossible. We havent seen leatherback in two years.
Theyre gone.

Servant I:

Gone! Then so is my head. Why did I ever open my big mouth!

Seller:

(sighs) Come back tomorrow. If youre offering gold, usually something can
be done. (Black out)

Scene VI Tuahs Office

Servant II:
Sir, why are you so sad? You havent eaten or changed your clothes in days.
Let me get you a fresh sarong.
Tuah:

Go away, leave me alone. All is rubbish. Every night I have the same
nightmarein the next flood of the Sengai Gombak, the houses will be
covered in mountains of rubbish. I see nothing but rubbish from fast food,
cheap clothes, plastic bags, plastic bottles, plastic packaging on everything.

Servant II:

Ah, yes, so convenient, plastic. In my childhood we had nothing but banana

leaves or old newspaper to wrap things. Plastic is so much better.

Tuah:

Why is it better? A banana leaf you could toss over your shoulder when you
were finished, and a week later, it would be gone, ground into the soil. The
plastic lasts for a thousand years, clogs up the sewers, makes the floods worse.
People have become accustomed to living in rubbishthey dont even see it
anymore, except when it blocks the drains and floods their houses.

Servant II:

Its more convenient. Not so many banana leaves in the city. Plastic is
everywhere, and it doesnt leak. I remember the juices dripping out of the
leaves and staining my sarong. Such a nuisance.

Tuah:

Yes, plastic is everywhere. Thats the problem. We have to convince people to

use it less and not create so many items from plastic in the first place.

Servant II:

But its so cheap.

Tuah:

Much too cheapyou think its free. Ill tell the Sultan he must tax all plastic
then people will think twice about using it once and throwing it away.

Servant II:

The people will hate you, and besides, the Sultan wont dare. It would make
him the most unpopular Sultan in history.

Tuah:

We must persuade people to change their views and habits, but

education takes so long, and we dont have time! (notices her for the first
time) Whats that nonsense youre wearing?
9

Servant II:
(shes wearing plastic jewelry, makeup or fashion made popular by a
celebrity)
Oh, everyones wearing it nowadays, sir.
Tuah:

Why? It looks ridiculous.

Servant II:

Its the latest fashion (from Japan or Korea?) and (name of popular singer)
wore it at her last concert and now everyone wants it.

Tuah:

Fashion, you say? When a celebrity does something ridiculous, everyone

imitates it. When you do something sensible, no one pays attention.

Servant II:

If it appears in the right magazine or TV show, people will follow.

Tuah:

Hmmm, mass media, fashionperhaps I can use these.

Servant II:

Jewelry, shoes and clothes are all made out of plastic. And fashion comes and
goes faster than the moon changes. Thats why we like italways something
new and different, at a low price.

Tuah:

What you love one week, you throw away the next. These disposable
habits are ruining the country. We throw away everything.

Servant II:

But good for business, stimulates the economy. Always buy, buy, buy. If
cannot go shopping every week, what to do on day off?

Tuah:

Growth like a cancer thats out of control. When resources are depleted even
business cant make something out of nothing.

Servant II:

But sir, advertising been doing that for years!

Tuah:

Right! I need a good poster child for the other side. Someone super popular,
like Bono for Africa, Paul McCartney for animals. We need a star. I know!
Anna Rafalli! (any celebrity can do)

Servant II:

But what will she do, sir?

Tuah:

Do? Shell appear in a stunning dress. The latest fashion

Servant II:

Huh?

Tuah:

remade from one of her mothers old kebayas. Remake will become the new
fad. Retro, not copies, but the real thing. Accessories made from bamboo,
plastic-looking but not real plastic. Shell redesign her grandmas beaded
slippers, elegant new shoes. Shell carry one of those famous I am not a
Plastic Bag bags. The elegant new no wastemodel!

Servant II:

But sir, there will still be mountains of plastic bags and bottles.

Tuah:

Bottled water is an unnecessary fad when our water boiled is safe to drink. A
two ringgit tax on all plastic water bottles. Plastic bag production will stop
immediately. Every family will be given a set of carry-all bags that can be
10

washed after use, and used over and over again. No more waste, no more
stopped up drains and
gutters, well clean our rivers. (claps his hands)
There, that wasnt so difficult, was it? Anna will be our poster girl of
the new campaign. Ill create a website where people can see the progress
made on the rivers as they grow cleaner and fish return. In a year, we will look
back at this dark time and wonder why we lived in this filth for so long. We
create it, we can stop it.
Servant II:

It will take more than one celebrity and a little tax.

Tuah:

Not if I actually enforce the new rule. And I will enforce it absolutely. No one
who breaks it will go unpunished.

Servant II:

Not even the giant Slime Doby.

Tuah:

Ah yes, Slime Doby, one of the villains who masquerades as a charitable

organization. The public only knows the pretty face and not the deeds behind
it. Very clever, Slime Doby, I will make you the cleanest greenest dude in all
land. You must pay penance for your nefarious deeds. Go get me our KPA
(Malaysias Environmental Protection Agency) team.

Servant II:

Ah, I think hes taking a nap, sir.

Tuah:

Well go wake him up. (servant goes) The KPA team must make a report of
Slime Dobys occupation of tribal forest lands and see whether hes been.
bending the laws to suit his purposes.

Servant II:

(returns) Sorry, sir, hes on vacation.

Tuah:

Vacation? An important public servant?

Servant II:

Yes, paid vacation to Timbuctoo.

Tuah:

So theres no one?

Servant II:

No one for this job.

Tuah:

Then go get me the representative of Slime Doby. (servant goes) I will see
how he defends his record and it may give me some clue as to where to begin
the undressing and clean up. (Black out)

Scene VII Tuahs Office

SD Rep
We have an excellent record in environmental protection, and we have brought
prosperity to thousands of people.
Tuah

Your shareholders.

SD Rep

The working people in rural areas.

Tuah

Your laborers are mostly Indonesians. Your palm oil plantations have
destroyed enormous sections of forest in Sabah and Sarawak. You have

11

disrupted rural practices and forcibly removed entire communities as well as

endangering wildlife.
SD Rep

So? No gain without pain.

Tuah

Those who suffer the pain are not receiving the gain.

SD Rep

Who are those? A few elephants and monkeys? Hah hah, very funny. You
want me to open a bank account for them? You know, we started the adoptan-orangutan program.

Tuah

If you hadnt cut down the forests there would have been no need for such a
program. That is just the sort of green clothes I have to undress. You cut fatal
wounds and then cover with green band aids, and pat yourselves on the back.
Whats wrong with you people? Have you no traditional values of loyalty,
honour or integrity? You only think in terms of money and profit, and often
you dont even manage those affairs very well.

SD Rep

Tuah, forgive me for saying so, but youre too oldfashionedyour virtues are
for childrens textbooks, not for the financial reports that make adult reading.

Tuah

Its because I have lived a long time and remember the past and can see into
the future that I know you are on a path of destruction.

SD Rep

Ah yes, you want us to return to a Golden Agethat never existed except in

your textbooks. We are looking forward to 2020 and making Malaysia a First
World country.

Tuah

With expensive First World problems. Why must we imitate its destructive
ways? We stood up to the IMF and World Bank. Power, not based on long
term sustainability, is doomed to collapse. Your palm plantations ravage the
forest.

SD Rep

The government backs us 100%. Palm oil is the way of the futurewhen it
was declared a biofuel, our stock skyrocketed. Soon well be supplying not
only our own Protons, but the cars, trucks and planes of the world. We are a
global player. Moreover, we have just donated 5 million ringgit to UKM for
climate change research. We have impeccable green credentials.

Tuah
me!

More green clothes! You must have a guilty conscience, but you dont fool

SD Rep

Fool? We arent trying to fool anyone. Our company stands on the five YSD
pillarsEducation, Youths, Sports and Recreation, Arts and Culture,
Community Development, Conservation of the Environment, Protection of
the Ecosystem. We have established a three-year program to study climate
change and are inviting experts from all over the world.

Tuah

All that is merely to make you more effective in your production, and covering
up your destruction. Youve made us a mono-crop country. We need not only
biodiversity but economic diversity. Covering the land in oil palms is a recipe
for disaster.
12

SD Rep

Youre not telling me anything new. We are far ahead of you with our Big 9
campaign in which we fund the preservation of the 9 big animalssun bear,
orangutan, pygmy elephant, cloud leopard, hornbills, banteng, proboscis
monkey, Borneo Sumatran rhino and Malayan tiger. Weve already
collaborated with the National Geographic Channel to show our work and
conservation efforts in the Tabin National Wildlife Reserve in Sabah. This
year alone, we established the Stability of Altered Forest Ecosystems (SAFE)
to protect the rainforests.

Tuah

SAFE! Hah! Altered ecosystems, hah! First you destroy them and then claim
to protect them. These acronym projects are just a cover for your cutting down
more forest. How do you go about protecting your Big 9 when you are more
quickly destroying their habitat? That is quite a magic trick. You can fool the
public with such publicity stunts but not me.

SD Rep

All right. If you are so smart and virtuous, what would you have us do?

Tuah

Stop cutting immediately.

SD Rep

S-s-s-s-top c-c-c-cutting! Impossible!

Tuah

Instead of spending token money to undo the damage you are doing, just stop
doing the harmful cutting until a more comprehensive study can be made. Its
simple.

SD Rep

Its not so simple. The market for palm oil is growing by leaps and bounds.
We can hardly keep up with it already.

Tuah

What if I told you I have a secret weapon that could bring all those plans
crashing down in one year.

SD Rep

Impossible. The government will do everything to protect us. We arent

foreigners, you know; everybody has a stake in us, from the highest to the
lowest. Even the common people appreciate us. Theyre against the
environmentalists from the city telling them that the forest is betterto leave
everything alone and be poor.

Tuah

Eco-tourism is taking off. People come from all over the world to see the
pygmy elephants and orangutans.

SD Rep

A pittance compared to the fortune weve made in palm oil. Besides, were not
in the tourism trade. Now, that I have made our position clear, I have a golf
tournament to attend. Too bad you never learned the game; I think you could
have been a good player. Exchange your kris for a club.

Tuah

I mentioned I had a secret weapon.

SD Rep

Youre going to fine us for not following some obscure law? Oh, Im
afraid. Shoot me! Shoot me! We are more than happy to pay a few small fines
to keep the environmentalists off our backs. The prize for the golf tournament
will be higher than the fine! Good day.
13

Tuah

Ill give you a clue. Dutch elm disease.

SD Rep

The Dutch! Enemies of Melaka? You are bringing them back! No way. No
foreigners will help you. Foreigners have no say in our internal affairs.

Tuah

Not even foreign investors? Think about it, my friend. I give you one week to
get back to me. Now go hit a little white ball around the grass. But dont
forget, what Dutch elm disease did for America and England, BSR could do for you.
Good day! (Tuah leaves)

SD Rep

BSR? What the hell is he talking about? Secret weapon? What do the Dutch
have to do with us nowadays, little pot-smoking ex-colonial country. Never
mind, Ill check on Wikipedia. Tuah, your saber-rattling doesnt scare me.
(Black out)

Scene VIII Slime Doby Office

SD Rep
(tapping on a computer) We donate in all directionssports, art, education, no
one will complain. That Hang Tuah is so out of touch. He cant threaten us
over a few elephants and monkeys in Sabah and Sarawak. Why kids in KL
hardly even know where those places are, let alone care about what happens
there. Some foreign environmentalists have been needling him so he had to
look strong. I know the game. Some journalist will run a few stories about the
destruction of the forest, the disappearance of animal species, and the removal
of a few backward indigenous people. Theyll huff and puff, and soon the
whole thing will blow over, and then its back to bigger and more profitable
business as usual. Lets see, Wikipedia, BSR. Basal Stem Rot, lethal and
incurable to oil palms. (Fade out)
Scene IX Sultans Palace
Sultan
Well, Tuah, times up.
Tuah

Your Majesty, Ive done my best, but failed. I face death with peace in my
heart knowing that Ive done some good.

Sultan

Drat! The princess will think Im worthless. My reputation stinks. Well, show
me what youve got and Ill decide whether its worth showing her anyway.

Tuah

I think she would be pleased and might soften her resistance. We set up the
turtle sanctuary. Devoted naturalists are rescuing turtles, nursing them to
health and re-leasing them. I have posted special police to guard the beaches
against poachers. Ive set up a training program for tourist guides so that they
do not let tourists approach the turtles when they are laying eggs. Many of the
necessary rules had already been made by Your Majesty

Sultan

Me?

Tuah

Yes. They just needed stricter enforcement. Fishermen in the area are now
required to use nets that have special escape routes for turtles, marine
mammals and large endangered fish. We inspect the nets and their catch. They
must report any unusual sightings.

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Sultan

They will complain to me.

Tuah

I dont think so. Good fishermen know they need to sustain the balance in
order to continue fishing. Once we gave them clear guidelines, they were
willing to cooperate.

Sultan

Well, no hatchlings then?

Tuah

The refuge center and the fishermen are working together to tag hatchlings
once they have reached the sea. They count them when they leave and then see
how many return. It will require many years because the turtles are so few. But
we have hope in other examples

Sultan

Such as?

Tuah

The bald eagle.

Sultan

That American bird?

Tuah

Yes, it was almost extinct in 1970s, but strictly enforced laws have helped
them reach sustainable numbers. It is a success story we can follow, but only if
we are consistent and vigilant.

Sultan

Can I send her at least one grown leatherback? Theyre big and one will fill at
least three trays.

Tuah

I suggest you send her these photographs of our new efforts instead. I
think that is what she wants more than the hatchlings themselves.

Sultan

Youre reading between her lines? I hope youre correct.

Tuah

And Im happy to report, a miracle has occurred. Puteri Rantau Abang, a 32year-old princess arrived on the shore.

Sultan

Another princess? 32 is a little old. Is she still pretty?

Tuah

Beautiful, Your Majesty! She is the first leatherback turtle to arrive on our
shores and lay her eggs since 2006, and then there were no hatchlings. So we
must pray for these eggs to hatch and grow to maturity.

Sultan

Assign a special guard to the Puteri Rantau Abangs nest!

Tuah

I have already found the perfect guards. Bring them forth. (The seller Lilah
and servant are brought on.) These two were caught buying eggs; they will
now be responsible for protecting them.

Sultan

Your lives depend on the safety of Puteris children. Do you understand? Go!
Now, the next task.

Tuah

The question of river water unpolluted with rubbish is both easier and more
difficult.

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Sultan

Please Tuah, no riddles. Just tell me what you have done.

Tuah

The math is simple. If each of the 28 million Malaysians uses only one plastic
bag a day, they create rubbish of 10 billion plastic bags in one year. In KL
alone, we produce 7 million tons of rubbish a day, much of it is
unbiodegradable plastic that takes 1,000 years to decompose.

Sultan

Burn it. But not near my palace.

Tuah

No, burning it creates toxic gasses. Getting rid of the plastic rubbish is not the
answer. We must reduce its use and move toward eliminating it altogether.
Since the rubbish is created by everyone, everyone must be responsible in
cleaning it up.

Sultan

Even me?

Tuah

Especially youyou are the leader. People follow by your good example.

Sultan

This does not sound fun. What must I do now?

Tuah

I have placed a tax on disposable plastic bottles. Stores will cease offering free
plastic bags. Instead, everyone will be issued free non-plastic reusable bags.

Sultan

Free? Who will pay for them?

Tuah

You, and the new tax. Which do you think is cheaper? Issuing the reusable
bags to everyone or spending millions in clearing the rubbish after each flood
and repairing flood damage? Its our addiction to use-only-once disposable
goods thats the problem. We must take pride in what we make and not be so
eager to throw everything away. This new bad habit is only one generation
long. We must encourage people to change, and if they dont, fine them.
(sultan has fallen asleep and is snoring) As I was saying, Your Majesty

Sultan

What? Oh yes, very good, very good. So, how many swimming pools full
have we got so far?

Tuah

According to my calculations, in five years we can

Sultan

Five years! I cant wait that long. Besides a new party might be in power and
then all plans can be obstructed.

Tuah

But you, Your Majesty, are constant even when political leaders come and go.

Sultan

True, true, but I doubt shell wait that long. How about the last one?

Tuah

Well, I didnt realize that Slime Doby was a friend of yours

Sultan

Friend of mine? Ive never heard of him.

Tuah

He has many faces and fashions and you know him by his other disguises. I
bring you some, but not all, of his green clothes. The UKM-YSD Climate

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Change Chair, The Big 9 Campaign, the Stability of Altered Forest

Ecosystems project.
Sultan

Ah, yes, now I remember, the Slime Doby LPGA? You arent going to change
that, are you?

Tuah

It will continue as a charity eventto replant the forest with a variety of

native species and allow the return of indigenous people who wish to remain
on their land.

Sultan

Hell be responsible for every broken twig, eh?

Tuah

I have employed one hundred more scientists for the KPA to persistently
monitor

Sultan

What? One hundred more bureaucrats to be paid out of my coffers?

Tuah

Public money, Your Majesty.

Sultan

Thats what I said, my money. What if I put them on trays and offer them to
Gusti? Think shell accept them?

Tuah

I think shell appreciate them better if they are here doing a good job.

Sultan

Well, all of this has turned out to be a bit of a bore, not at all as exciting as
building a bridge of gold. If she likes all this, Im not sure shell turn me on.

Tuah

Your Majesty could write a love poem.

Sultan

Excellent idea. You write it and Ill sign it, and then go to her tomorrow with
the complete package. On your way out, tell the steward, Im ready for tea.

Tuah

(leaves) Why do I always open my big mouth. Lets see, love poem. I must be
able to find one somewhere. Persian, maybe, French perhaps (Fade out)

Scene X Gustis Palace

Tuah
Dear princess, Sultan Mahmud Shah offers you this bouquet of roses and a
poem expressing his sincere devotion.
Gusti

(reads aloud poem) The more of my poor heart you take

The larger grows my heart!
My heart to yours sounds but one cry:
If kisses fast could flee (Tuah is speaking the words silently to himself)
By letter, then with your sweet lips
My letters read should be!
If kisses could be writ with ink,
Then you would know before you read
What your loving Sultan thinks!
Hmmm, he wrote this, did he? Very romantic, your Sultan. Now what about
my tasks?

Tuah

I have prepared a DVD with full account of our attempts to fulfill your wishes.
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Gusti

Attempts are not good enough. Sorry.

Tuah

The Sultan took the opportunity of your demands to implement many

improvements. He appreciates your insight, and values even more the chance
to have you by his side to guide him further. I think you will be impressed
with our progress and view our efforts in good faith

Gusti

You speak well on behalf of your Sultan, you would have better luck to speak
for yourself.

Tuah

I dont understand, Princess. I am the Sultans loyal servant...

Gusti

I know this poem was written by you, and all the work was done by you. I
have admired you from afar and now I find you even more worthy than your
legend.

Tuah

You love me? (Black out)

Scene XI On Gunung Ledang

Gusti
Hurry Tuah, you are so slow. We have to get to the summit of Mt. Ledang
before nightfall or the weretigers will get you.
Tuah

My knee is giving me a little trouble. (he stops to write something)

Gusti

What are you doing now? Throwing your famous Taming Sari into Sungai
Duyung?

Tuah

No, writing a letter to the Sultan. Ive heard of a beautiful Chinese princess
niece of Hang Li Pohe might be interested in her

Gusti

(she pulls him by the ear) Still acting as the masters go-between? Come
along, or Ill (Fade out)

18