[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index
][Thread Index
]
EDITORIAL: Malaysia and S'pore mus
- Subject: EDITORIAL: Malaysia and S'pore mus
- From: suriya@xxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sun, 08 Nov 1998 01:22:00
Subject: EDITORIAL: Malaysia and S'pore must let go of past
Editorial & Opinion
EDITORIAL: Malaysia and
S'pore must let go of past
THE surprise visit by Singapore Prime
Minister Goh Chok Tong to see Malaysian
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed on
Thursday and the amicable atmosphere
achieved for both nations to work together
to improve ties are much welcomed,
especially as they come ahead of the
important Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation (Apec) leaders' meeting in 10
days' time in Kuala Lumpur.
Both leaders are known to have a good
rapport with each other but events in recent
months were beyond their personal control.
Emotional outbursts were the order of the
day over a host of issues ranging from
airspace to location of a customs and
immigration checkpoint.
The recent launching of Singapore Senior
Minister Lee Kuan Yew's memoirs that
delved into a series of political and
personality differences leading to the
island's breakaway from Malaysia also did
not help.
The list of differences between the two
countries is long. But what is vital now is
that the leaders of both countries must
exercise rationality and vision if they are not
to damage each other or harm the unity of
Asean.
Kuala Lumpur, especially Mahathir and his
senior politicians and bureaucrats, must
look ahead rather than back at the dark old
days of colonialism or the immediate
post-colonial era in guiding Malaysia
forward. Mahathir will go down in history as
the leader who successfully propelled the
Malays forward with good education and
proper place in society.
With that step achieved, it is no longer
necessary to continue to give Malays more
privileges than other races who reside in
Malaysia especially the Chinese. The
political domination of United Malay
National Organisation, the state's
suppression of the press, and the
draconian laws have become built-in
anachronisms that underlie personal and
national paranoia. Malaysian people's
dignity and role in the world now requires
them to live and engage in a level-playing
field because they are already just as good
as anybody.
Likewise, Singapore leaders should try to
end fuelling their people with a sense of
political, economic and social insecurity. It
is not unusual to hear of Singaporeans
living in constant hype and fear that they
could become an island of refugees if they
do not work hard or follow their leaders
without questions. Such conditions are
hardly catalysts for having amicable and
harmonious thoughts towards neighbouring
countries.
But both countries are active players
regionally and internationally. It is these
broader visions which must transcend the
ongoing quarrels. It must begin with leaders
of both countries setting their internal
conditions right. It requires an open and
transparent system so that no one is kept
suppressed and paranoiac by unbecoming
and unseen activities affecting their lives.
All of these things may seem illusive and
difficult to grasp. In a way, it is about
changing paradigm or ideology. Another is
to let go of the haunted past. The new
generations of leaders of both countries
seem ready to do so. The disputes
between Malaysia and Singapore are
leftovers from the past which both are not
willing to let go. They must if they are to live
together. The choice is theirs.
The Nation