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
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
