Malaysian Muse
Sunday, September 02, 2007
Prime Minister says sorry to Indonesia
The Jakarta Post reported Friday, that the Malaysian Prime Minister formally apologised to Indonesia after four plainclothes policemen beat up a handcuffed Indonesian karate referee about a week ago. I have not read the local papers in the last two days but I daresay that this significant bit of information may have been omitted by our mainstream editors in order to minimise any damage to the Prime Minister. Of course, I stand to be corrected if indeed, Abdullah Badawi's apology to Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono were indeed printed in the local papers.
Why an apology by a Prime Minister who is frantically being described by the grovelling mainstream media as a man who can do no wrong? Don't forget, he also offered an apology to the Indian government after the inexcusable abuse local authorities inflicted on legitimate Indian workers back in 2003. Would he be so apt to offer an apology like this to Bangladesh or Sri Lanka if one of their own was abused and humiliated by the Malaysian police? The fact is, Malaysia is fast losing ground on the world stage to Indonesia and of course India, two growing Asian countries with large legitimate interests in Southeast Asia. It is striking that since Badawi took over the mantle of the Prime Ministership, the Indian Prime Miniser has not made an official visit to Malaysia despite official invitations by Wisma Putra. Indonesia is also showing good economic growth in recent years, a development of significance, which has given a dose of self-confidence and swagger to this large nation decimated by decades of authoritarian rule.
Will an apology be enough for the abuse that rogue policemen inflicted upon karate referee Donald Luther Colopita? If indeed, the Prime Minister has admitted wrongdoing, shouldn't the matter of compensation also be raised and subsequently offered by the Malaysian government? There has been countless calls by many parties here to reform the police force but which has fallen on deaf ears. This recent shameful episode can be added to the litany of long-standing complaints against the police force. ¶ 3:16 PM 0 Comments
Why an apology by a Prime Minister who is frantically being described by the grovelling mainstream media as a man who can do no wrong? Don't forget, he also offered an apology to the Indian government after the inexcusable abuse local authorities inflicted on legitimate Indian workers back in 2003. Would he be so apt to offer an apology like this to Bangladesh or Sri Lanka if one of their own was abused and humiliated by the Malaysian police? The fact is, Malaysia is fast losing ground on the world stage to Indonesia and of course India, two growing Asian countries with large legitimate interests in Southeast Asia. It is striking that since Badawi took over the mantle of the Prime Ministership, the Indian Prime Miniser has not made an official visit to Malaysia despite official invitations by Wisma Putra. Indonesia is also showing good economic growth in recent years, a development of significance, which has given a dose of self-confidence and swagger to this large nation decimated by decades of authoritarian rule.
Will an apology be enough for the abuse that rogue policemen inflicted upon karate referee Donald Luther Colopita? If indeed, the Prime Minister has admitted wrongdoing, shouldn't the matter of compensation also be raised and subsequently offered by the Malaysian government? There has been countless calls by many parties here to reform the police force but which has fallen on deaf ears. This recent shameful episode can be added to the litany of long-standing complaints against the police force. ¶ 3:16 PM 0 Comments
Saturday, September 01, 2007
Merdeka yesterday but what about tomorrow?
Malaysia celebrated 50 years of independence yesterday with pomp and ceremony. The glitze aside, are we truly a country that all Malaysians can be proud of? I think the question many right thinking Malaysians are likely to ask themselve or express privately amongst friends is "why did we waste countless opportunities in the last 50 years and fail to be a true Asian powerhouse?" After 50 years, the judiciary, which is suipposed to be the cornerstone of any civilized nation is still operating under a heavy shadow of gloom, brought about by questions of its independence. The education system which has forced many talented Malaysians to the brigher shores of Singapore is still leaking talent overseas due to perceived racial discrimination and preferential treatments, consistent of long-term government policies.
Racial polarisation has deepened - the recent SMS fiasco alleging racial riots in Johor got a lot of people riled up. There were no such thing but just a few simple keys into a mobile phone, was all it took to shatter, once again, the weak illusion that UMNO has created, that all is well on the racial unity front. It is poetic that this incident happens on the eve of Merdeka. But will this symbolism dawn upon UMNO, the decision makers? I don't have that confidence that things will change anytime soon.
I am happy and thankful to see Malaysia celebrate its 50th Merdeka anniversary and may there be many many more such occasions. I love this country and I want Malaysia to succeed. But past formulas which has brought great benefits to UMNO cannot be repeated for the future. It is bound to fail miserably. Already, its control on the news agenda is already severely undermined by the new media. Its nasty bark in recent times should be a reminder to UMNO that the new media is likely to set the news agenda in the future and not the other way around, however hard it tries to demonise the new media. UMNO must make changes on all fronts - political, economical and social - in order to remain relevant in the long-term. IF a 61-year-old political party thinks the world owes it a living, then the realities of the flat world will soon overpower it and render UMNO irrelevant. ¶ 5:52 PM 0 Comments
Racial polarisation has deepened - the recent SMS fiasco alleging racial riots in Johor got a lot of people riled up. There were no such thing but just a few simple keys into a mobile phone, was all it took to shatter, once again, the weak illusion that UMNO has created, that all is well on the racial unity front. It is poetic that this incident happens on the eve of Merdeka. But will this symbolism dawn upon UMNO, the decision makers? I don't have that confidence that things will change anytime soon.
I am happy and thankful to see Malaysia celebrate its 50th Merdeka anniversary and may there be many many more such occasions. I love this country and I want Malaysia to succeed. But past formulas which has brought great benefits to UMNO cannot be repeated for the future. It is bound to fail miserably. Already, its control on the news agenda is already severely undermined by the new media. Its nasty bark in recent times should be a reminder to UMNO that the new media is likely to set the news agenda in the future and not the other way around, however hard it tries to demonise the new media. UMNO must make changes on all fronts - political, economical and social - in order to remain relevant in the long-term. IF a 61-year-old political party thinks the world owes it a living, then the realities of the flat world will soon overpower it and render UMNO irrelevant. ¶ 5:52 PM 0 Comments
