When we look at the clearer picture of what Minister Mentor LKY said in his letter to PM Abdullah which was released to the press this morning and all major papers took it as their headlines, there is a inner meaning to all that was professed.
C'mon, use your mind, a man who actually founded the powerful nation of Singapore, the very man who believed in meritrocracy, equal justice for all, and single handed raises a backwater nation to what is a first world in a midst of chaos in South East Asia deserves another look at it. I believe (speaking of my own opinion here) that he meant to raise a direct concern for the malays in this region, don't play play with the Chinese. He would not just say sorry in this manner.
I mean look at the Chinese especially those in MCA or Gerakan (two major political parties that represent the Chinese interests in Malaysia), they are always so accommodating towards the Malay group...in a way, we have to do it, because to survive, that is the only way. We do not want to rock the boat so to speak because racial harmony is so delicate in this country and most of the time, we are reminded over and over again, we need to be sensitive. Yes, I agree that the only way to be safe is to accommodate but until which level? Which level should we travel to? Do we allow all this to go on and then believe that things will be good in the end?
Ok, before I digress from the actual topic, I wanted to highlight that before LKY actually said sorry, he had defended his actions and at the same time, given his side of the story. Please read the following:-
Dear Prime Minister,
Thank you for your letter of 25 September 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 neighbor's both have problems with their Chinese. They are successful, they are hardworking and, therefore, they are systematically marginalized, 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 issues, 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 multi-racial systems 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 so 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.
Your 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 mere fact that Harry actually had to defend his actions and also his insistence on his right to tell the western audience that he was only explaining the real reason on why Chinese in South East Asia had prospered although they were discriminated in many forms. They worked hard, no doubt about that, not being lazy, had education placed at the highest order in their lives and discipline, all this boils down to being a successful race. The fact that the Chinese have a long colorful history dating back to medieval China also contributed the fact that we are survivors. Put any Chinese in any part of the world, and you will see how entrepreneurs they become.
No wonder, the Chinese have been known as the Jews of the East for their ability to handle all kinds of troubles and persecution. Before we forget about the subtle discrimination that exists, look at the larger picture in Indonesia when the local people rose up against the Chinese community there and killed them....why?? Because their only crime is being successful and hardworking than the local people in this case, Malays.
Before we go to the next level to celebrate the 50th year of Nation Building in this country, may I remind the people in power that they have to be responsible about their actions and their actions should be directed to all peoples, not reserved only to one race or religion. I believe that only when we have the common ground to move on, then we will be able to trust each other. I believe that the grassroots level, people to people relationship amongst the races are still cordial, but deep down a resentment does exists. It does, in any multi racial, multi religious and multi cultural nation like ours, it will have to come to a plateau of understanding. I believe we can do it our own way, just that we need some restraining order on those who shout out in the name of religions and race, now, those are the backward people we need to ship them back to some forsaken land and from there, allow them to manifest their craziness...
So, in conclusion, lets hope that meritoriously is widely practiced because if they are not, I really pity our Malay brethren, they will be left out. Just put your shoes on those who had nothing and preserver until the end to make something happen, now that peppered by blood, sweat and guts!
Therefore, my dear fellow Malay brothers and sisters, before you get too comfortable being supported in crutches, wake up as the world will demand more and when it does, you have no choice but to move on. Hence, you really need to wake up to competition...on an equal level before other major races in the world call you as lame ducks!
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