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Does Malaysia fear globalisation?
Former NST editor’s blog sparks debate on Singapore’s role in the Johor project. Malaysia Today.
Jun 2, 2007
The article that started it:
“Straits Times says we fear Globalisation”
By A Kadir Jasin, former New Straits Times editor
OUR fellow debater, thegreatteadrinkerdownsouth is kind enough to draw my attention to an article published in the Singapore Straits Times today, June 1.
Since the report mentioned our ongoing discussion on the cooperation between Malaysia and Singapore in the development the Iskandar Development Region (IDR), I would like to re-post the great tea drinker’s comment for general reading.
I thank the great tea drinker for alerting us. The following is his full and unedited comment, which also appears in the comment section of the posting entitled “When Diplomat Speaks Like Politician” dated May 19.
He said: “Salaam, Dato' Please be informed, in case that you don't already know, that Janadas Devan (the son of a late former President of Singapore) has written a stinging op-ed piece ("The paranoia of suspicious minds") which is published in the Spore Straits Times on June 1.
He has postulated the thesis that the root of S’pore's bilateral problems with Malaysia and Indonesia is caused by a disconnect between the thinking of Malaysian and Indonesian leaders (such as Pak Lah and SBY) and what a large segment of their population feels. And, Dato', he has specifically criticised you in his commentary.
I quote: "It is impossible to believe that educated Malaysians do not know that a 'consultative' body cannot possibly have executive powers.
After all, Malaysia itself has had consultative bodies before - including the famous National Consultative Council (NCC).
"That was formed in January 1970, in the aftermath of the 1969 race riots, to involve various groups, including opposition parties, in the effort to find 'permanent solutions to our racial problems', as a contemporary report put it.
"Everyone, including opposition politicians, knew the NCC had no executive powers. That was vested in the National Operations Council, led by then-deputy prime minister Tun Abdul Razak.
“He was prepared to consult all and sundry, but nobody doubted that his willingness to do so did not imply his ceding control over 'operations'.
”No Malaysian, not even the non-English speaking ones, confused the National Consultative Council with the National Operations Council.
"So how is it possible for someone like Mr A. Kadir Jassin, a former group editor-in-chief of Malaysia's New Straits Times Press, to suggest that the Malaysia-Singapore JMC (Joint Ministerial Committee) may affect Malaysia's sovereignty?
"It cannot possibly be because he thinks Mr. Lee's (Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong) use of the word 'consultative' means that the JMC will be a bilateral 'operations council'.
"Mr Kadir, a crisp writer in English, is too smart to believe such nonsense.
"But he, like many other in Malaysia, have raised this canard because, one, it carries a political percentage on the ground, and two, because they genuinely fear globalisation.
”The ridiculous fuss over the JMC's purpose is a stand-in for a generalised fear that the policies that must be put in place to ensure the IDR's success will threaten entrenched privileged domestic groups......
"Prime Minister Abdullah and his senior colleagues understand what is at stake. They know that China and India are breathing down Asean's neck.
“They have a clear-sighted vision of how the IDR should succeed. But that understanding, knowledge and vision run counter to what plays on the ground.
“This is a contradiction that Singapore cannot possibly resolve, no matter how much goodwill it manifests. The IDR, if it thrives, will benefit both countries, but only Malaysians can ensure its success...."
And the great tea drinker asked: "Well, Dato' - can we expect a suitable riposte from you? Something that will be published unedited and unexpurgated in the S’pore Straits Times?
"And, for the record, do you "genuinely fear globalisation"? Maybe this is another canard which you should forcefully rebut?”
Comments (excerpts)
Malaysia Today
raven1958:
What a load of nonsense. Consultative body (has) no executive powers in our setting, yes. but ever heard of influence. And what happens if you don't scratch my back. Legalities carry virtually no value.
The NCC will have its way, otherwise the money will be yanked out double quick and there is nothing illegal about that, and Badawi would have added yet another bilateral issue for the next generation to sought out. You really want to play ball with these guys...think twice
Quest:
Too confusing to understand. Whatever goodwill S'pore may have, I can't wait for the time when the water contract with S'pore expires. Then we talk.
bbmars:
People still live in the dream past. When the water contract expires, it does not really make any difference any more as the SG gov’t already have got the mandate from its citizens to go for the various water sources it now has, including Newater - no thank you to Malaysia for often raising the bar for water against this little red dot so many calls.
No long news any more, go find out what they are doing to their water resources. Come 2012, they will be 100% sufficiency on its own. No need to buy any more water from any one else. This is also no news as they had been building up for more than a decade and has advance to what they call, to even supply this installation to other countries, Australia being the latest.
Don't know why people still ignorance about it.
malaysia08:
The two populous nations, China and India, are marching forward and with great strides! Unless we change our mind-set and take a POSITIVE attitude and take on the world in the educational, economical and technological fields; and prepared to put our shoulders to the wheel, we shall be moving backwards or standing still, while the world passes us by....
Dr Syed Alwi (Singaporean):
Dear Mr. Jasin,
I fully agree with Janadas Devan. I myself do NOT support the IDR. You know why? Because of the attitude of the Malaysian Malay.
Frankly I would not want Singapore to invest in Malaysia. No need for Singapore to invest in Malaysia. You can keep your Jalan Wong Ah Fook in JB.
We Singaporeans are quite happy with our Orchard Road. No need for your IDR. You can keep it your land and your Article 153 - we Singaporeans do NOT want our Government to get involved in Malaysia.
I would be very happy if Singapore pulls out ALL its investments from Malaysia.
Go and get other countries to invest in you. I for one - feel that Singapore should NOT invest in Malaysia since after all, Singapore is not welcome there.
No hard feelings, my ASEAN neighbour!
bbmars:
It appears to me it’s more diplomacy than anything else that SG is to invest IDR. Anyway, if they really find synergy and make it, else, given the opportunities everywhere.
Just look around in the region, there are so many countries seeking out SG assistance to manage so many things. Why stay near its backyard when the earlier opportunity, which had already slipped like the Golden triangle formed between SG & Indonesia's Batam, Bintang and Riaus Island. See what happen now.
I said this before, I really find it too late for such a thing, But if the Government really decides to do so, then be it. Let's hope its not dumping money into the drain.
rwoo:
Mr. Jasin, it is true you fear globalisation as even a fair level playing field for profession like law, you still feel there is a need of "NEP", what more globalisation.
I am disappointed to have people who are smart, capable like you who sincerely need to see continuity to the expired NEP.
Seriously, dismantling of NEP soonest is our actual first step to globalisation..
..Another point to note, I have been hearing that GLC looks for capable bumi or above average ones. Failing which they would move on to look abroad for expats. Trust there are also capable Malaysian non-bumi first!
muhibbah:
I think it's not globalisation that they fear.
They fear UMNO members might not be happy. They are too concern on their personal gains instead Nation building. Maybe, Badawi has to change UMNO mindset that Nation should come first instead UMNO members’ prosperity.
Bigjoe99:
Nothing is ever straightforward with Malaysia-Singapore. So all this simplification of factors and reasons are mere shades of truth and spins. In that case, is it wrong of Singapore government to have their own spin? If you believe in crutches then no, if not then it must be yes.
What is the truth? The IDR cannot succeed if Singapore don't buy into it. Singapore wants IDR to work because it has limited space even for the things it want to focus on only.
However, Singapore doesn't need it, not badly anyway. Malaysians don't need it but the price to Pak Lah and UMNO is bigger than to Singapore.
So? The PM is doing the smart thing with this. All these talk of rights and benefits are meaningless if the IDR don't take off.
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