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There’s something about this television series that makes you both a) want to reach for the remote control and turn off the television, given the bloody, violent scenes - but yet, at the same time, b) want to watch the remaining episodes because you’re eager to know what happens next.

Back then as a 17-year-old who did ‘Lord of The Flies’ by William Golding under the English Literature subject, there was barely anything I understood about the novel. (Un)fortunately, I was lucky to get acquainted with that novel only because I leaned more towards English Literature than anything else (Okay, Malay Literature comes in at a close second… but still, it’s literature). Even if I had Internet access then, the Internet was not as vast and powerful as what you have today.

So, it was eye-opening for Golding’s novel to be featured and used as a reference point throughout the series. Even then, after gaining a new perspective on the novel, I don’t think I’ve the guts to stomach Golding’s work – even if all the profanity were to be removed. Sorry, Golding.

With bullying, ragging being a social issue that’s still rife today, shows like this couldn’t have come at a better time. As a viewer, you’ll learn that these secondary schoolkids, as portrayed in the series, are a product of imperfect/dysfunctional families/backgrounds.

The bulk of the television series screams of one’s “tahap kejantanan”. Perhaps this quote by Stefanos Sifandos, (a behavioural scientist popular on the Internet) sums it up best for you: Boys aren’t born afraid of emotions; they’re taught to be.  

All these acts of violence actually stem from the characters’ own insecurities – both the students as well as the students’ parents – because of what they’ve been conditioned to believe, no thanks to societal expectations.

Metaphors and messages about violence, brotherhood, leadership, and fear are discussed in Golding’s novel, not an easy task for readers to unravel. Yet, these very same messages are the ones that help inform and shape much of the actions of these secondary school boys, part of an after-school organisation that holds nocturnal activities – the High Council.

I actually kind of liked the perspectives of both the English and Science teachers, in the series. Towards the later part though, I began to favour the perspective of the Science teacher (who also doubles as the school hostel’s warden) more though. 

Through the TV series, you’ll also pick up the effects of the country’s education policies on staff and students, which I believe have been quite accurately portrayed and done. So, this is where I started to have a shift in perspective on the show.

Many of the characters in the TV series are quite likeable and relatable, even Prakash and Ayam, although of course, the focus is much more on Naim and Fakhri, the two siblings separated by their parents’ divorce and re-marriage (only to… okay, never mind).

So, I went from being disgusted by the series, to being “OH, FORTUNATELY I STAYED ON for the ending”. Oh, not sure if it’s just me, but I could often hear the melody of ‘Zombie’ by The Cranberries lingering in places throughout the series. My research tells me that The Cranberries’ lead singer Dolores O’ Riordan wrote ‘Zombie’, a protest song in response to the Warrington bombings that saw the demise of two children and 56 other people, initiated by the Troubles, part of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA). So, the placement of this song in this series is surely significant. It’s no wonder fans are craving an extension to this 10-episode high school drama/thriller.

There’s quite a lot of boarding school/gangster lingo in this series, alongside dialects of Malay, although in a school setting - a more formal use of the Malay language is adopted amongst school students and teachers/some other staff members.  There’s also quite an extensive use of English, with a few scenes containing Tamil, due to Prakash being the only Indian student of Hindu beliefs.

Kolej Ungku Deramat (KUDRAT) is the fictional college in focus, where all the action takes place. A closer look into the college’s acronym will lead you to uncover its deeper meaning – something out of God’s determination or power and strength.

The TV series is among the Top 10 for now on Netflix Malaysia, although its distributor is Astro Shaw and it is one of many Astro Originals. Pasal Productions is also credited.

Project/Projek: High Council (2023) is a continuation of Project/Projek: Anchor SPM (2021), which is also currently streaming on Netflix.

And no, I don’t want to know about Kahar: Kapla High Council the 2024 film yet please.

Note: English Literature is offered as an elective in selected schools at the upper secondary levels.