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There's a saying "bagai melepaskan batuk di tangga". This is what lky is doing. After all the issue is not considered so serious by our govt anyway - otherwise how could lky be considered just "naughty" after a week lapse, and letter written to him after a good fortnight.

And no zam zam, no keris, no protest at s'pore high comm gate...sigh..

LKY will always be LKY, forever pragmatic and will never heistate to say sorry though without gaining some calculated "grounds" first.

It is no point speculating LKY's actual intention in uttering those controversial statements. Whether they were directed at Singaporeans or the "foreigners" accross the straits or sea is immaterialnow. The most important thing is that LKY has made his point clear and loud.

I don't think I like LKY personally but I can't help respecting his leadership and integrity.

If only our leaders have certain per centage of LKY's above qualities. If only...

This is what i conclude from Singapore's veteran journalist above.."Mr Lee Kuan Yew is the most intelligent and professional Singaporean there is because in order for him to send out patriotic message to us (fellow Singaporeans)he will have to insult the neigbouring countries. Only this way, we smart Singaporeans can understand what he wants us to be. And that is the dumbest crap ever..Mahathir is right.Small country..big mouth...stamp sized brain and mind..

Pardon me for rep[osting comments I have already posted in the commnets section for "What's The NST's stand on Harry Lee?"

Alamak! ALAMAK!!

(Stooping to pick up my jaw from the floor... after it dropped off in utter surprise.)

There IS hope for Lee Kuan Yew. A balanced and reasonable reply, including a "sorry" for the "discomfort" that what he "said has caused" Pak Lah.

Not for the actual statement that Chinese in Malaysia and Indonesia have been "systematically marginalised" but for "the discomfort" the statement caused.

There have been times when I do not think highly at all of the MM, but I must say his "apology" statement is most balanced and fair.

With a pointed concluding point which is a beauty:

"After a decade of troubled relations with your predecessor, it is the last
thing I wanted"

While his comments were entirely true, he did offend certain parties here.

LKY did the sensible thing. Apologised to those who felt 'discomfort'.

Like anakmalaysia, i wonder if our leaders would have done the same instead of the usual "kamu tak suka, keluar dari malaysia!", "I've been misquoted by the press" and other notorious responses

Will Pak Lah accept this old senile man statement?

Is it an apology by Oxford standard?

I am dissapointed LKY had to apologise for something that is a reality in malaysia.
The malays have evolved my sons. They have [ DELETED ]

What a sad ending? With this action, nothing has or will be achieved. The marginalisaton will still continue unabated...sad, very sad.

This is classic LKY; a deliberate and calculated letter. No denials about what he said-just put it in its proper context. Even had time to sneak in some concealed punches at an intended target while scratching the back of the audience. In other words, an apology that was not.

All at the same time, he took the opportunity to re-publish his statements at the dialogue session so that you and I can now judge for ourselves whether his comments were proper in its original context and setting. Not at all a compliant customer, a masterstroke, I'd say?

This is almost like a prosecution lawyer trying to drive through a fictional point to the jury.

The defendant lawyer objects loudly.

The prosecution then accepts the objection and sits.

But the point is already taken by the jury.
Subconciously, they know of the information.

He needn't but did. They needed but didn't. That is the difference between a statesman and boys. LKY and Umno youths.

True enough, kiasu-ism is ugly. Especially when you deal with them singaporeans. Theirs is a country of brokers and pr-men. But they're also strategists and pragmatists. If not for these vices, would they time and again have rebounced from the vicissitudes of an open economy? No, they would have collapsed quickly because it is so easy for their own citizens to migrate to cheaper places and live like dukes. Some already have. And that could be the reason why their leaders, starting with LKY, are so paranoid about nation-building. Even if it meant conveying to their own youths how fragile is their standing in this part of the world because it is a world where a big populace wields political power to chastise the Chinese as migrants whenever it conveniently suits them. Especially when their own kitty needs some replenishment. Inspite of these migrants already being sixth-generation, law-abiding citizens and pillars of the respective societies of the countries which their forefathers had already called homes.

Malaysia and Singapore are anomalies. In fact, it is a historical tragedy that one country split into two has developed two systems which appear to work against both from a sovereignty point of view. It needn't be so. A bit more of their kiasu-ism to displace this country's laidbackness, and some of our take-it-easy to polish their abrasiveness and domineering nature. Now, that would make for good neighbourliness. And a more prosperous Malaysia.

Many of you will disagree with me when I say we should have less of the paddy-form of nationalism (Datuk Bowie will be reading this tonight, but has she been to a new village?). We don't need that average-intelligence approach to all things malaysian. You know, that pat, easygoing, ignore-the-ugly-side, don't-rock-the-boat, dondang-sayang, tomorrow-another-day, thingie. And if you don't know, too bad.

Maybe that was what had gravitated LKY to say in so few words that our neighbour relations have no rhyme nor reason. Given the byzanthine background of the bridge, who can blame him for being puzzled at such kerfuffles? In fact, who can blame the world for tittling at the cost of that boondoggle which incidentally people like you and me will have to bear until the next ice age?

Our politicians seem to be good at asking people to apologise, especially when it suits them. Yet these same voted flounder in public when they should do some apologising themselves for raking up racist comments against the very community that has become the subject of this international debate. LKY would have smirkly noted this, probably with his own callous brand of self-satisfaction. However, in our eagerness to deny him that pleasure, shouldn't we also take note of the cost to us? That what he has said could be right, but for a poor choice of words, and if we repel his statements, wouldn't we be attracting those very causes of that problem to continue their policies of political marginalization of the Chinese in southeast asia, as a prelude to social, economic and educational marginalizations? Propelled by an agenda to coerce the Chinese communities to vacate Malaysia and Indonesia, and fill-up Singapore, thereby achieving both ends?

Indeed, we have seen how unproductive it has been for the Chinese community here when the MCA is handcuffed again and again into 'consensual discussions' with Umno. Never once have you heard and seen a positive result for the interests of the community come out of this arrangement. It's all lip-service, haven't you agreed by now? The give-and-take here is actually you-give-i-take. And your reaction after that, determined by the laws I shall promulgate, is quieta non movere. In other words, shut up and eat your porridge.

Mr Badawi said that Islam preaches one to keep one's promise. Let's hope that he keeps his word to increase the 9th Malaysia Plan budget and approval for more Chinese vernacular schools and teachers.

That would be some reassurance that the Chinese are not marginalized in Malaysia, wouldn't it?

Don't ever think again all Chinese are well-to-do, rich, non-marginalized and engaged. Don't ever think again all Malays are poor, marginalized and disengaged. It is more of both in between. And not recognising the facts does not good policies of fair moderation make.

For the future of all countries in this region, take heed.

Come, sit next to me.

i agree with leithaisor. thank god LKY did not apologised for the remark 'chinese are marginalised' but apologised for causing discomfort to pak lah. this is a great, intelligent man, like the pope, speaking. (pope too apologised for hurting the muslim, not for his quote, which he didn't agree too anyway).

it takes a real man to apologise - in whatsoever means they do but look at our homegrown UMNO boys, khairy and hishamuddin, no guts to apologise. they will not go far.

well think lky's reply is well scripted and perhaps this serves reflection on how best we should conduct ourselves, not being a hyprocrite.

It’s so entertaining and hilarious that politicians nowadays tend to shoot foolishly and then apologizing in order to make themselves be famed and be seem caring. Those who neglects to make apology is either an extremist or a radical politician. Smart one like LKY knows how to "transfer flower via transplanting stem." Who is who is making fool or good, is only can be read by those citizens with adept political compass!

ROFL.

Apparently Harry Lee "apologies" is not apology at all.

But Bolehland media portrait it out of context and hope to fools people to think that Harry Lee retract the marginalisation claims.

Ayam sabung berlaga sahaja,
Tin kosong bunyinya bising,
Budak racist emosi dikipasnya,
Tak minta maaf macam samseng.

LKY has no right whatsoever to interfere in Malaysian politics. Although he seems to have his bandwagon of supporters in Malaysia, it is pathetic to see some Malaysian bloggers supporting his outrageous comments. This goes beyond doubt to prove UMNO needs to lead Barisan Nasional as then at least other minorities will not be marginalized. Badawi is not dumb to fall into LKY's trap.

Alamak Jeff.

Apa ni "Or is someone thinking that he already has Abdullah in his pocket?"

I think Pak Lah, though he may well be somewhat disadvantaged when it comes to duelling with the likes of Dr M and Kuan Yew, two masters of cut-throat politics , is not someone whom I would consider to be in the pocket of anyone like Kuan Yew.

At most, I would think it is possible, even likely, that allies be sought and cultivated by Pak Lah, especially in these days of troubled waters. And LKY may well be eager to side with Pak Lah, given his admitted difficult encounters with Dr M. Tambah angin in Pak Lah's sail is fair enough.

But I would not consider notions of the PM being in LKY's pocket.

Lee Kuan Yew's letter to Abdullah Badawi dated Sept 29

THANK you for your letter of Sept 25, 2006.

I made the remarks in a free-flowing dialogue session with former US secretary of treasury Larry Summers before many foreign delegates attending the IMF/WB meeting. To put what Reuters reported into context, I set out the transcript of the relevant passage:

'Let me sum it up nicely, why you must have a government in Singapore which is really firm, stout-hearted, subtle and resolute. My neighbours both have problems with their Chinese. They are successful, they are hardworking and, therefore, they are systematically marginalised, even in education. There are quotas to prevent you. So, you've got to make money to go abroad or go to one of the private universities which are being set up. And they want Singapore, to put it simply, to be like their Chinese, compliant. So, every time, we say 'No' to some scheme to knock down the Causeway and build a bridge, he says, 'Oh, you're not cooperative, you're only thinking of yourself.' For no rhyme or reason, we knock down a causeway, nearly 100 years old, which served us well. He wants to build a bridge because it looks pretty and he says ships will sail and his containers can move from the East Coast to the West Coast via this. But we saw no... So, we said, 'All right, if you give us commensurate benefits, we'll agree'. But you need a government who'll be able to, not only have the gumption, but the skill to say 'No' in a very quiet, polite way that doesn't provoke them into doing something silly.'

On the bridge and the half bridge to remove the Causeway, you made the position of your government clear; that Malaysia respects legally binding agreements and acts in accordance with international law. This made unnecessary a reference to ITLOS and the International Court of Justice that would otherwise have been unavoidable. This respect for the law is the basis for sound long-term relations between us.

I was explaining to a liberal audience of Westerners who wanted to see a stronger opposition in Singapore, why Singapore needs a strong majority government, not a weak coalition that will hamper us in defending our national interests.

Singapore needs a strong government to maintain good relations with Indonesia and Malaysia, and to interact with Indonesian and Malaysian politicians who consider Singapore to be Chinese, and expect Singapore to be 'sensitive' and comply with their requests.

On numerous occasions UMNO leaders, including Dr Mahathir and many others, have publicly warned Malaysian Malays that if they ever lose power, they risk the same fate as Malays in Singapore, whom they allege are marginalised and discriminated against (see Annex*). And from time to time, when Malaysian politicians attack Singapore fiercely over some bilateral issue, some of them tell us privately that we should just accept this as part of Malaysian politics and not react to these attacks.

Singapore understands the reality of Malaysian politics. We have never protested at these attacks on our multiracial system or our policies, except to clarify our own position when necessary. But we have to explain to our people the root cause of these difficulties in our bilateral relations. Otherwise, Singaporeans will believe that their own government is doing wrong, either to our own people or to Malaysia.

As for the international audience, with so many foreign embassy staff and foreign correspondents reporting on Singapore and Malaysia, plus tens of thousands of expatriate businessmen working in our two countries, these people will come to their own judgment of the true position, regardless of what I say.

I have not said anything more than what I have said many times before. In fact, I have said less than what I had written in my memoirs published in 1998. I had no intention to meddle in your politics. Indeed I do not have the power to influence Malaysia's politics or to incite the feelings of the Chinese in Malaysia.

Since you took over as Prime Minister in November 2003, relations between our two countries have much improved. Singaporeans, and I believe, Malaysians too, appreciate this.

I am sorry that what I said has caused you a great deal of discomfort. After a decade of troubled relations with your predecessor, it is the last thing I wanted.

Yours sincerely,
Lee Kuan Yew

PS: The fact that you have written to me is now well publicised. As I have been asked about my reply, I will have to release my letter to the media after you have received it.

* The Annex lists numerous media reports on Malaysian leaders talking about the alleged marginalisation of Singapore Malays.

Annex to Lee Kuan Yew's letter

MINISTER Mentor Lee Kuan Yew has been strongly criticised in Malaysia for his recent comments on Chinese in the country. In a letter yesterday to Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi, MM Lee explained the context of his remarks and said sorry for the discomfort he caused Datuk Seri Abdullah.

The Minister Mentor also noted that on numerous occasions many Umno leaders, including former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, had alleged that Malays in Singapore were marginalised and discriminated against.

His letter contained an annex listing several occasions when such remarks were made:

No: 1.

Date: 3 Sep 06

Who: Umno Youth Deputy Chief Khairy Jamaluddin

Where: China Press

What: Khairy was reported to have said that the Malays in Penang faced the same fate of being marginalised as those in Singapore and that many of them were forced to move elsewhere.

No: 2.

Date: 28 Aug 06

Who: Deputy Health Minister Abdul Latiff Ahmad

Where: The Star

What: This article reported that at the Bukit Mertajam Umno delegates' conference, the Bukit Mertajam Umno division called on Penang Chief Minister Koh Tsu Koon to give up the Penang Water Supply Corporation Sdn Bhd Chairman's post to Umno. The division chief alleged that Dr Koh had 'snatched' the chairman's post away from Umno.

Deputy Health Minister Abdul Latiff, who opened the conference, said that he sympathised with Penang Malays because 'I understand they do not want to end up becoming like the Malays in Singapore'.

No: 3.

Date: 29 May 05

Who: Former PM Mahathir Mohd

Where: Mingguan Malaysia

What: After a visit to Palestine, Mahathir was asked what advice he had for the younger generation so that they would understand the Palestinian crisis.

Mahathir replied that when he was Education Minister, a Palestinian professor had told him that Malaysians should be grateful for their good fortune. Mahathir added: 'Let us not go far. Look at Singapore. Do we want to be like Muslim Malays in Singapore? Yet we are not grateful and have not taken steps to ensure that our country will not suffer the same plight'.

No: 4.

Date: 3 Oct 02

Who: Then PM Mahathir Mohd

Where: Bernama

What: At a dialogue held in conjunction with the third 'Malay and Islamic World Convention' in Malacca, Mahathir said that Malaysia's Malays might become a minority group like the Malays in Singapore if they continue to quarrel among themselves and do not work hard.

On 3 Oct 02 in Bernama, he was quoted as saying that there were groups that claimed that the Singapore Malays were better off than Malaysian Malays, 'but the fact as can be seen now is that Singapore Malays are not given the opportunity to hold high posts in various fields such as the military.'

He said that Malays in Malaysia were at one time nearly reduced to the same fate as Singapore Malays, a minority race, but that they were saved by the economic depression in 1930, when many Chinese and Indians returned to their home countries.

No: 5.

Date: 26 Aug 02

Who: Then PM Mahathir Mohd

Where: Bernama

What: At a Puteri UMNO information session, Mahathir warned that if the Malays continued to be disunited and questioned every move the government made, they would be marginalised, not just in Penang but all over the country. He said a worse fate would befall them if they were also lazy to improve their standard of living.

He said: 'This will lead to the degradation of their race, not just in Penang but all over the country.' He added that 'The Malays in this country must not forget. At one time we were almost like Singapore and we must remember that in the 30s the migrants formed the majority of the population.'

However, Mahathir denied the claim that few economic opportunities had been given to Malays. He said that 'we have given them substantial economic opportunities...but sometimes what we gave them, they gave to other people instead.'

No: 6.

Date: 11 Dec 00

Who: Then PM Mahathir Mohd

Where: Bernama

What: In response to Suqiu (Malaysian Chinese Organisation's Election Appeals Committee) call for equal rights and meritocracy, Mahathir said that meritocracy was used as an excuse for blocking and oppressing native people of their rights by immigrant communities as seen in what he described as an 'immediate neighbouring country and other nations'. He added that '...we've seen how natives of the land become marginalised, impoverished and have no role in the government in the name of so-called equal rights ad meritocracy.'

Following Mahathir's remarks, Utusan Malaysia (UM) carried a front-page article entitled 'Singapore Deliberately Weakens The Malays' based on Lily Zubaidah Rahim's 'The Singapore Dilemma: The Political Educational Marginality of the Malay Community', which claimed that the Singapore Government had over the years actively marginalised the Malays in Singapore. This was followed by a spate of comments by Malaysian politicians on the issue, for example:

12 Dec 00: Mohd Ruzi Jamil (President of the Kedah Federation of Peninsular Malay Students) said that Singapore Malays' weakness in education and the economy was caused by political pressure imposed by the Republic's leaders. He stressed that many of the Malay rights have been withdrawn and they are not given equal opportunities to compete with other races in the country.

14 Dec 00: BN Senator Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman said in Parliament that 'by keeping quiet, PAS wants the Malay community in the country to face the same fate as the Malays in Singapore who have been neglected by the republic's government although the Singapore Constitution demands that the rights of the Malays in that country be protected'.

21 Dec 00: Tan Sri Aziz Tapa (UMNO Veteran and former Malacca State Assembly Speaker) said that 'I think that there is no need for a dialogue because we know the motives of Suqiu are the same as DAP: to turn Malaysia into something like Singapore.'

No: 6a.

Date: Dec 00 to Jan 01

Who: Various

Where: Various

What: During the Suqiu controversy, following Mahathir's comments as listed immediately above, there was also a media campaign in the Malaysian papers attacking Singapore for marginalising the Malays. Reports that were published included those listed below:

* 13 Dec 00 - UM - 'Singapore Marginalises the Malay Community'

* 13 Dec 00 - UM - 'Singapore Malays' Weakness is due to Political Pressure'

* 16 Dec 00 - UM - 'Suqiu making Malays Here Have the Same Plight as Malays in Singapore'

* 19 Dec 00 - New Straits Times - 'Meritocracy comes under Attack'

* 21 Dec 00 - UM - 'Living in Isolation in own Country'

* 26 Dec 00 - UM - 'Penang Malays follow Singapore's footsteps'

* 5 Jan 01 - UM - 'Suqiu: Learn form [sic] Singapore's Problem'

No: 7.

Date: 23 Aug 98

Who: Then Special Advisor to UMNO Jelebu Division

(Note: He is now Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage)

Where: UM

What: He accused Singapore of 'denying the right of Malays to hold senior positions in the SAF.'

He also said that 'the issue of Malays being neglected in such a way actually is not a diplomatic issue but is an ethnic issue which insults everyone who calls themselves a Malay. Now we can ask, what has become of the meritocracy policy which is shouted by Singapore all this while?'

what is y'r cover wander?

The annex items are telling. It seems that while it has been alright for us, to wit Umno, to cast aspersions on the treatment of Singapore malays, it is not alright for LKY to make mention of the plight of the Chinese in Southeast Asia.

This holier-than-thou approach to foreign relations is only partisan to the misplaced cause of some notion of regional malay supremacy.

Singapore has walked away from all these because it has realized that it could not be party to incoherence and inconsistency in policy-making, what more policy-implementation.

If the tables had been turned, one would expect that we too, if wisdom be exercised more fully, would have done no less.

What could have gone through LKY's mind when he said what he said could have been his memory of the hundreds of Malaysian chinese students who yearly enrol in Singapore colleges and universities simply because they have no equal offers from our own institutions.

Sure, people will say if you're offered a scholarship to study the course of your choice in a university deemed better than that at home, especially when back home a vice-chancellor can pooh-pooh improper investigation into a student-body clash, then no one would refuse such an offer.

But we know too many have been denied what they've earned by the sweat of their intellectual brow in the misguided belief that meritocracy exists, fairness is practised, and promises are kept.

After all, these youngsters argue, don't their parents vote for the Barisan and wouldn't the government honour the trust of the voters?

And therefore that Umno must continue to lead the Barisan so that these poor smart students won't feel marginalized by their home country in a rejection letter, an offer letter to some unknown course in some unknown university, total silence on their application, whether for place or for scholarship, while their classmates from the Umno family, are up and about in the best of Europe, all paid for from taxpayers like us at the pleasure of their majesties, the princes of umno?

Who is marginalizing who that we are talking about here? Who is not marginalizing who that we are not talking about here?

Even if you polish the card with diamond dust, a spade will remain a spade, so no amount of pressing the arousal button of national loyalty can wipe away what is wrong in order to deny what could be better.

Are we the only country on this planet that has achieved fifty years of self-entrapment by the skill of denying faults through the most creative possible means?

With so much help towards that, is it any wonder that the malays of this country cannot aspire to improve their own lot without the need of artificial crutches? The straight road has become crooked, and the crooked road has become a chain of short-cuts, all leading nowhere.

Come, sit next to me again.

What is all the fuss about???

How come we don't see KJ doing the same ie apologising for his stupid racist remark? How come nobody dares to demand an apology from KJ for his racial remarks now? Has the MCA been told to shut up and keep quiet and let the matter rest? Seems to me Harry's right afterall.

Funny, not a sinsle newspaper printed the Annex copy of LKY answer. In fact, the mainstream newspaper has censored it.

Apparently, both AAB and LKY are not losers.

But some others are.

To a simple folks opology is an apology. we are not oxford gradautes to understand the enlish and dissect it.
LKY is smart he took the winds out of the sail by an opology .man is not senile.
so we malaysian can go on and on .

Dear Caress,

If I read you right, you are saying that the storyboard is somewhat like this.

LKY speaking, as it were ......

(1) I said what I had to say to our youngsters here in Singapore. I wasn't instigating any community in Malaysia or elsewhere. Moreover, I simply do not have any influence over their thinking.

(2) I am sorry if I upset you, Mr Prime Minister. It has never been my intention to cause you discomfort. I deeply thank you for the good relations you have extended to us since you took over.

(3) With regard to whether what I said was nonsensical, it really does not matter. All rational people will know the answer. They can judge for themselves. They can experience it for themselves.

(4) Incidentally, have you noticed that throughout all previous occasions when various Malaysian people directly accused us of marginalising our Malays, we have never complained? We bit our tongues, and remained silent and respectful of the fact that things and situations in Malaysia are looked at very differently. And are made sense of very differently. And are ultimately responded to very much differently too. We know your sentiments, and we understand your expressions. The annex says it all.

AAB, don't have double standards!!! While I agree that what LKY said is uncalled for and not appreciated, what about what your son-in-law said about chinese taking advantage of a weak UMNO? What about when UMNO talks openly abt Malays being marignalized in Penang? What about reprimanding a MCA leader for bringing up an honest issue while keeping mum on the criticisms of Penang CM? ALL THESE ARE UNCALLED FOR AND NOT APPRECIATED BY THE CHINESE COMMUNITY WHICH YOU ARE ALSO THE PM FOR!!! Be fair, reprimand those who makes racial remarks in Msia and you will get my respect for reprimanding LKY.

LKY, you are not much better by playing the racial cards too! Shame on you!

You've summed it up well, child-of-the-universe. In fact, your pseudonym sums up what should be the whole rubric of positioning in this flat-world. We should all be children of the universe, assimilating what's best of the world and tailoring them to fit into our respective age-worned framework of local values, not try to resist change by championing our notions of nationalism, mostly extemporized from the shifting political agendas of the day formulated by politicians who are only out to make hay for themselves.

Let me tell you why. Of late, there has been an increase in incidents to pin the blame for the woes of the malays on the chinese. The indians have been left out because they are already marginalized. This is no doubt a well-used ruse to shift attention.

My point is that in a flat-world, it is best to assume from the outset a globalized mindset, not a nationalistic mindset defined by elements of a political party whose agenda keeps coming back to zero-sum games of "i win only if you lose"; carried to its conclusion, that agenda defines 'marginalization', and it gains momentum everyday when more and more malays get onto the dole because the policies that have been used to help them so far have been subverted to benefit a few at the expense of all; in fact, in a flat-world, anything that adds 10-30% undertable commissions to the cost of a service or a product is already a failure so that when the cost of doing business in a country is noncompetitive, one may expect investors to move to other juicier spots.

Without brainpower, capital, technology and market, there is no way progress can be made; without progress, policies get quagmired, and desperate measures will have to be taken only to ultimately destabilize societies.

That is why when people like KJ says he wants to see more bumiputra MSC companies, he doesn't seem to subscribe to common sense. You can create more bumi companies but if there's no demand for their services from the world, they won't survive for long, and all the money you've poured in to help them will only leave them with the feeling that they have failed.

The only way then is to do the right things defined by global forces so that industries can competitively froth to the top in a flat-world, creating more opportunities for everyone, not just the malays.

Singapore is ahead of us in terms of connecting to the flat-world. They have the mechanics of globalization. Let me give you an example. Why were they so concerned in the beginning regarding the bridge? For the same reason that they wanted to reclaim land in that narrow passageway to prevent ships from crossing it to berth at Tg Pelepas, which if it were to succeed, would have presented a threat to their own Keppel harbour. Revenues aside, the point about being a harbour hub is that you will get to see the consignment forms. In those forms are details of the consignment shipped. Including sources of supply. Information on supply sources is paramount for networking. In this region modelled for the future as a materials hinterland, who can supply what to whom is strategic information for brokering deals. Deal brokering is what the Singaporeans are good in. Without any natural resources, that's what operating in a flat-world is all about. Value-adding to increase one's selling proposition to earn more income by controlling the acquisition and flow of business information. That aside, they must have finally concluded it was a hairbrained scheme since no ship could pass under the second link, for to pass under it would mean it will also have to be demolished to make way for a higher bridge. While these snafus of planning are twirling around, expect then in a flat-world there will be other surprises; like a canal being built across the kra isthmus. Why were the singaporeans so at pains to p-r the southern thai's? To prevent it.

So we have taken a roundabout way this early morning to come back to what i wanted to say at the beginning. There will be no problem with what LKY has written if we had subscribed in the very beginning to a global mindset. Subscribing only to a nationalistic mindset will only draw out local response. So far, local responses have only been defined by elements of one party. Whose performance record vis-a-vis the other communities inasmuch national competitiveness have been abysmal. If a global mindset is subscribed from the outset, then there will no problem with accepting what is wrong in order to work solutions to rectify and correct policies to make the business and societal environment better. If one continues to believe that the policies are all that are necessary to make the societal environment better, then..why are..we..commenting..in such blogs day in, day out? why are there so many complaints out there?

This thread is not about an octagenarian making a divisive remark. It's really about tackling the future arrived today by dint of a global mindset that will help one to re-fashion right policies and actions in honest modes in order to help everyone, malays as much as chinese as much as indians as much as.., get up again and do better with their lives in reenergized economies.

After all, one would think that in the other matter of citizenry and sovereignty, at least fifty percent of the Singaporeans are either malaysians renaturalised, or malaysians with roots in both sides of the causeway. So talks about apologies and nationalism and who owns what should be bordering on bunkums.

Come, sit with me?

Bnaipal said: "LKY has no right whatsoever to interfere in Malaysian politics. Although he seems to have his bandwagon of supporters in Malaysia, it is pathetic to see some Malaysian bloggers supporting his outrageous comments. This goes beyond doubt to prove UMNO needs to lead Barisan Nasional as then at least other minorities will not be marginalized. Badawi is not dumb to fall into LKY's trap".

Hello, ever wonder why there are people supporting what LKY had said? Because it is true! Also, LKY is not interfering with Malaysian politics he was talking to Singaporeans and other foreigners in Singapore. How did LKY interfered? Did he teached how BN and UMNO especially should do this and this? or how to run the country?

Ha! It was exactly a UMNO led BN that had others marginalised...in education,in business, in govt service, etc.

Funny some people cannot see the trees from the elephants...could it be heredity?

LKY wrtote: "...On numerous occasions UMNO leaders, including Dr Mahathir and many others, have publicly warned Malaysian Malays that if they ever lose power, they risk the same fate as Malays in Singapore, whom they allege are marginalised and discriminated against (see Annex*). And from time to time, when Malaysian politicians attack Singapore fiercely over some bilateral issue, some of them tell us privately that we should just accept this as part of Malaysian politics and not react to these attacks".

Proves beyond a doubt about what LKY says. When Malaysia attacks Spore about marginalising the Malays there and using Spore to win over the Malays here in Malaysia, Spore did not ask Malaysia to apologise. When Spore does the same, Malaysia jumps about demanding an apology! Hmmmmm, sounds like UMNO and MCA eh?

Sorry, when we get to hear both sides of the story, I cannot help agreeing with LKY and feels that he has not done wrong....and talking about marginalised Malays in Spore, that is not true as I was in Spore that day and got to speak to a couple of Malays from Jurong. They feel that our Malaysian Malays here are backward. Those handful of Malay Sporeans that might want to be Malaysian PR or citizen here are merely the lazy ones that want to get bumi status and govt handouts!

And, as for Mahathir...I totally have lost all respect for him. He is a bitter old man who doesn't know his time is over. Come to think of it, he has build too many white elephants and wasted too much of the country's money. I am glad that AAB has cancelled building that stupid bridge. Kudos AAB!

Credit to ABDULLAH without calling for a retraction of the offending remarks.and let the matter rest. His respect for the law (in the bridge dispute) augurs well for the sound long-term relations between Singapore & Malaysia.
It seems a great deal of confusion arises over the inability of the Malay papers to distinguished between “sorry and apology” in their translations. Utusan and Berita. headlined "mohon maaf" to the PM. And reading only these papers , the Big Shots in UMNO welcomed, praised and accepted the “apology” until late evening, Syed Hamid pointed out the “apology” was fake. Read details at:
http://powerpresent.blogspot.com/2006/10/confused-reactions-to-harry-lees-reply.html

CAKAP TAK SERUPA BIKIN.

For a start, Pak Lah should ask his education minister to apologise first. You must earn your credibility among the rakyat of Malaysia before you deal with bilateral/ international relations with other countries. You can't have double standard and close one eye when dealing with domestic issues and open both eyes when dealing with foreign issues.

From The Sun
3 Oct 2006

Truth is out, says vindicated Tee Keat
by Giam Say Khoon

PETALING JAYA: Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Ong Tee Keat
feels vindicated over the Chinese school repair issue, but he said he
is not rejoicing as "something ugly had occurred".

"I thank God for the development in this issue; that the cause had
been identified and that it has been resolved quickly. This is for the
benefit of the country, not individuals," he said in his first public
statement on the issue since his reprimand by the cabinet for
interfering in another ministry's affairs.

"I was accused of being a liar but whether I was lying or not, it is
clear now." Ong did not want to say who his accuser was.

The moment of truth came when Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu
said on Sunday there was irregularity in the repair undertaken at the
SJKC Kung Yu in Muar. The work done amounted to only RM3,000, but
about RM30,000 was paid out.

Referring to the recent incident where he was accused of criticising
the Education Ministry over management of funds for the repair work,
and later reprimanded by the cabinet for it, Ong said: "I never
pinpointed anyone as I was only raising the issue and merely giving a
suggestion in reply to the grassroots who mentioned it."
He spoke after attending the University of Cambridge International
Examinations' award-giving ceremony.

Asked about the abuse of student visas by foreigners who come here to
work instead of study, he said the ministry is collaborating with the
Immigration Department to streamline some procedures and
discrepancies.

"We need to cross-check with the Immigration Department on the
statistics of the number of student visas issued," he said, adding
that only immigration has power to issue visas but the ministry can
revoke colleges' foreign student intake licence.

Ong, who is the MCA vice-president, said party leaders had also been
discussing the proposal by the Johor liaison committee to postpone the
party polls next year until after the general election.

http://www.sun2surf.com

No wonder I couldn't find the full text of old man Lee's letter & appendix in any local papers.

He totally kicks the keris wavers butts & points out their hypocracy.

In malaysia the truth hurts.
did the oford grad say the truth as he percieved it??. did Lky say the truth???
why then are our leaders in denial mode.
did the head of dept who ordered his men to shoot the dog in the school compound causing such distress to the young students .was he right in saying HM ordered the killing.whaterver happened to his "oTak" malaysian state of affairs are so pathetic..so what is wrong with us.will we are reach the 2020

Senior Minister Lee apologised but his apologies showed us how stupid and degenerate we Malaysians are.

The truth hurts... so we go on as Malaysians living next door to a neighbour we will continue to look at in awe (but maybe not in respect).

Read stewpid's post in rockybru's blog:

http://tinyurl.com/kwc5a

'nuff said.

What LKY said is a plain fact. And yes, the chinese and indians in this country are compliant to the ruling party and hence there is little if any protest to the injustice done to them. And of course, our UMNOputeras expect Singapore to be compliant as well.

LKY's letter together with the enclosed annex showed what a bunch of hypocrites we have as our leaders. As the saying goes, "people who live in glass houses dont throw stones". Padan muka!!

Dear Caress,

If I may say so my dear friend, you have first class intelligence, insightful depth, clarity of thinking, and superb rationality.

My, my ... this reminds me that one should also say the same about somebody else, shouldn't we?

The boys have been simply outdone by the men. No, No .. I am absolutely wrong! The truth is this. All the boys – big and small --have always been elegantly managed by one man !!

caress: "Many of you will disagree with me when I say we should have less of the paddy-form of nationalism (Datuk Bowie will be reading this tonight, but has she been to a new village?)."
____________________________

Does anyone know much about this Paddie character? I remember her writing some similar right-wing propaganda in Expat magazine last year. Something about UMNO being so wonderful and gracious as to deign to share power with other races. And guess what - she invited expats to come and learn about Malaysia from her in a workshop! I shudder to think what she tried to teach those expats that attended her workshop - that the chinese are so blessed they should not complain because they have been able to keep their names all this while perhaps? If she had made comments like that in her native UK, she'd be laughed off the street!

As for being able to keep chinese schools - does she not know that not all Chinese want to keep Chinese schools? Unfortunately, the national school system had changed so much it's no longer attractive. And citing a few billionaires as representative of 6.5 million of so Chinese is simply ludicrous. As for dividing political/economic power, should the % of Chinese population change in the future, should their share of ministers/economy go up and down as well regardless of their merit like a yo-yo? So silly!!!

to Banjaran:

A commenter to my Critique on Paddy Bowie's Comment in New Sunday Times has this to offer:

"Let Google do the trick. She is a Datuk Dr. and currently writing/consulting for YTL (hence that explains why she mentioned about the bullet train thingy, kasi toady boss sikit lar). Taken from the YTL website:

Paddy as she is more commonly known is Managing Director of Paddy
Schubert Sdn. Bhd. a business consultancy group she set up in 1980.

Graduating on a scholarship from Oxford University, she left the
United Kingdom and moved to live in Malaysia for the past 45 years. She is now a Malaysian citizen. She is also a writer and political analyst and her views are highly sought after by the international media. She is a frequent speaker on the
Conference circuit notably the Economist Conferences and the
Pacific Rim Forum in the US, Australia and most East Asian countries.
:
:

By Howsy, at 11:53 PM "

Just sharing ~~ YLchong

Thanks for the tip Desi.

maybe we have read it all wrong. perhaps this is what kuan yew means about meritocracy and marginalisation...

http://www.feer.com/articles1/2006/0610/free/p018.html

also, if people felt so marginalised in malaysia , why do they dutifully return the BN every 5 years (this is particularly directed at the indian and chinese voters).