SORRY PADDY BOWIE,

but you got it mostly wrong.

This is my second CRITIQUE ON A CRITIQUE. The first was my critique on Bakri Musa's, but today's is more controversial because I am engaging with a writer for the first time. Bakri was a different cup of tea; I had gotten to know him a "bit/byte" as I had exchanged Emails with him going back some years.

With someone named PADDY BOWIE -- I gather she's Malaysian, a Public Relations consultant or in a profession good at wordsmithry, like Desi-lah! -- so here goes the fun-D! The source of this controversy is the well reported statement by Singapore's Minister Mentor LEE KUAN YEW, and following is the key point as summarised by media reports:


"At a dialogue for good governance in Singapore on Sept 15, Mr Lee said while answering a question that it was important for Singapore to have a government that was "really firm, stout-hearted, subtle and resolute." He noted that the attitude of Malaysia and Indonesia towards the Republic was shaped by the way they treated their own ethnic Chinese minorities.

Mr Lee said: "My neighbours both have problems with their Chinese. They are successful, they're hardworking and therefore they are systematically marginalised, even in education."

The original critique/writing by Paddy Bowie is reproduced here and appears in BOLD (like THIS OK!) while my critique is in italics like this.If I seem to be insulting thy intelligence, I am, abit/byte, but it's worth the price you pay for reading because I spent/invested a lot of Internet cafe time penning this (it gave soem pening to my kepala too:). There is no need to tender any APologies even if you put a gun-nysack to-over my head. I don't like people saying "Sorry" to me because I once watched a gal dying of some terminal illness (cancel Nurse, my AP, I'm dying!)in a movie making now the immortal remark ~~ LOVE IS NEVER HAVING TO SAY YOU'RE SORRY.And I love people. Maybe just a bit/or byte. Even those I have not met. But I also have some enemies -- wolves in sheep's branded attire. Does the Devil Read Pravda?

From page 23> OPINION
NEW SUNDAY TIMES



COMMENT:
By Paddy Bowie

Sorry Minister Mentor, but you got it all wrong
01 Oct 2006


ONE often encounters foreigners who, on the strength of having been here six months or six years, think they know all there is to know about Malaysia.

Even after half a century I would not so presume, being constantly reminded that it is still possible to be taken totally by surprise. As happened recently.

DESI: I won't say that foreigners, be they tourist, journalist, or legal or non-legal, alien worker, cannot form good opinions or valid first impressions of NegaraKu, and I would be foolish to dismiss such sources as reliable indicators. No, they can't deem themselves as experts, but how many local can claim to be experts on Our Country? Even after half a century I too would not presume that my neighbours won't catch me by their remarks -- but it's up to me, the recipient, to digest it whichever way I like -- right, left, centre and all the position in betwen, Yes?

The source was our nearest neighbour, who should have known better. I thought verbal histrionics were the prerogative of this side of the Causeway, especially of late. But Lee Kuan Yew’s latest broadside, extraordinary and preposterous as it was, took most of us by surprise. To say that I was floored is an understatement.

How could anyone say our Chinese are "marginalised" and "compliant"? Coming from such an outright authoritarian state, it was almost impertinent. They seem capable of the most staggering obedience.

DESI: Coming from a special species unique in this www, the one and only Minister Mentor of Singapore therefore did not catch Desi by surprise at all with his assessment of the citizens made up of quite diverse "peoples" of Malaysia. I am of a substantial minority (about 30%?) they classify as "Chinese" though I resent this classification. I deem myself Malaysian. Period.

Lee Kuan Yew's political view that "..." only made Desi sit up with some focused attention; then I just let IT pass. Frankly, there's nothing to it except the fact It was spoken by a present-day leader of my neighbouring nation which WAS ONCE PART OF THE LARGER MALAYSIA. The 14th state, do we remember?

The answer is not far to seek and goes directly to the Minister Mentor, He Who Must Be Obeyed (with apologies to John Mortimer). Lee is perceived to have inherited the Mantle of Heaven, which in the Confucian ethic inspires the utmost allegiance, for which read compliance. Newcomers on first acquaintance with that well-ordered, disciplined city state are apt to exclaim, "But it’s just the West with palm trees". This it is decidedly not. It is a Confucian Chinese society with its own special brand of kiasu, to boot.

DESI: As I said earlier, no apologies are given as I write this CRITIQUE -- I enjoy any writing exercise that works my grey cells, as I believe that many fellow Malaysians spend lots of time playing Computer games, indulge in four-letter words that start with F***, but some start with S*** enjoined with B***; okay an example since this won't offend BullShit!


Where is the relevance of your point about Kiasuness and Palm Trees, Miss Bowie, if I may ask a direct question?
Frankly, as far as I know, most of my freinds don't care a damn how you describe Singapore -- like "Newcomers on first acquaintance with that well-ordered, disciplined city state are apt to exclaim, "But it’s just the West with palm trees". This it is decidedly not. It is a Confucian Chinese society with its own special brand of kiasu, to boot."


But we all acknowledge that Sin-land is now proudly displaying its "sin" of having arrived at "developed nation status", while on the other hand (land), only one of 13 Malaysian states, Selangor (drum roll!), attained that enviable position just last year (Or was it this year? I could NOT recall exactly because there was no fan or fun-fair marking the greAt occasion.)

And Ms Bowie, don't be so dismissive about Confucian Chinese okay, because a substantial section of Malaysians would feel slighted when you word the remark in association with 'kiasuism', a trait which does not really belong, IMHO, as far as I know a little of Chines culture and the people's proud roots and traditions.



But not the Malaysian Chinese. Has Lee not heard of Francis Yeoh (about to send in a bullet train to his island and other daring ventures)? You just cant keep them down, our commercial warrior class.

After all, if they hadn’t ventured, their ancestors would not have left China in the first place. And successful they are now, the backbone of our economy.

Robert Kuok, Lim Goh Tong, Quek Leng Chan, Teh Hong Piow can testify. The roll call is endless of all those who have responded with the work ethic and the success ethic to the business opportunity Malaysia gave them, and now have overtaken most of the rest of us.

DESI: I have heard of Francis Yeoh and his recently-announced plans for a bullet train from KL-Singapore. I've heard lots too about "Sugar King" Robert Kuok and his brothers, Genting boss-cum-philanthropist Lim GT, Hong Leong Group's chief Quek LC and his brothers, Public Bank boss Teh HP (Will his empire follow the footpath of Sothern Bank, just an aside question, aloud, yes?), and others on the roll call, oh yes, Tan Sri Vincent Tan was mentioned, that Paddy Bowie implied at. First, may I borrow a saying she must be familiar with, that "A SWALLOW DOES NOT A SUMMER MAKE". I know she had mentioned several swallows. Paddy's argument is to persuade us that the named Eminent Malaysians' success debunks the Minister Mentor's claim in that these named personalities towered above the Malaysian landscape and therefore proved "baseless" LKY's assessment of the Malaysian Chinese being "marginalised".

My contention is that her citation in fact precisely proved the first point in the sentence of TWO PARTS ::("They (Malaysian Chinese) are successful, they're hardworking and therefore they are systematically marginalised, even in education.")::that despite officialdom of discrimination and hence marginalisation, the Chinese have succeeded against the odds and prospered.



Kiasu is what Lee seemed to be exercising in his unprovoked remarks. And as for being marginalised, Singapore’s minority race is arguably the most qualified for this.
As for the Chinese being "compliant", we may be forgiven for thinking this was some kind of joke. I can hardly say I have noticed this in my own irrepressible colleagues and friends. Is Lee unaware of Lim Kit Siang? Latterly, we may cite Mathias Chang, hardly quiescent, or Tian Chua in Keadilan. The Opposition in Parliament is led by DAP and very vocal they are, too. One is reminded of the well-worn joke about a fishing contest either side of the Johor Strait. The Malaysian caught all the fish, the Singaporean none. The explanation — on this side the fish are allowed to open their mouths.

DESI: 'Compliant' description is a joke to thee, Ms Bowie, I take exception to your description, can I? I believe many of my EsteemedReaders share my less than happy reception fo thy joke. You want oto reduce a serious subject to triviality? Than send it to 'Mad' magazine, not one of our esteemed national dailies.
You mentioned Opposition Leader Lim KS; but does he agree with you. He was quick in "affirming" the Minister Mentor's views, you mmissed that, did you? (Maybe te NST Editors can send thee a copy from their Archives?) And frankly, please don't demean us with citing Matthias Chang who only came on the scene 'lately', and he's a loaded potato, is he not? AS for Tian Chua, again, I believe his wavelength is closer to Lim KS's than yours, but I stand corrected on this since I had not read any statement from Keadilan's Tian. I may sound him out when I meet him, accidentally or incidentally, for Malaysia is a very small world indeed. As for the joke about the fishes, can I say many of my irrepresible friends like the one about there breing more crocodiles ('buaya') than fishes in the seas north of the Sin-border...



If being "marginalised" produces a Vincent Tan, I have probably not understood it. In any of those fashionable rankings of our richest citizens there is hardly a non-Chinese among them. We need to contrast this with Singapore where the most glaring phenomenon is what has happened to their local private sector.

Now the latter is dominated by MNCs (once 70 per cent of the corporate sector) now joined by GLCs. It would appear that it is their entrepreneurs who have been marginalised, to the point of extinction, except for a few hardy family businesses in construction and finance.

And the non-compliant also tend to disappear. Where are Francis Seow and J.B. Jeyaratnam? The late Devan Nair, the late James Puthucheary, the late Sandra Woodhull were disgraced for non-conformity — two went to jail, then were dispatched across the Causeway where they were allowed to be independent and became prominent members of the community.

DESI: Again, it proves the first part of the well-quoted remark from Minister Mentor that kicked up such a fuss. "They (Malaysian Chinese) are successful, they're hardworking and therefore they are systematically marginalised, even in education."

As for non-compliant Malaysians, those who chose/choose to fight in the political field, many went into Kamunting Camp where they serve thee good curry rice, at tax-payers' expense, which is a saving grace, in hard economic times-lah! (This A-bode, not the blogosphere, has become a Second University for the more determined like Sdr Lim Kit Siang, and Dr Syed Husin Ali, for the Opposition Leader obtained his law degree while the latter wrote a Book, during their productive sojourns, there!) Further, many non-compliant Malaysians have taken one option by walking away with their feet from Malaysian shores. Maybe Ms Bowie would counter the Lee regime was equally "repressive" On this score, and also Many Singaporeans also have chosen the 'migration' option. I completely agree with her. See, we can even be agreable some times.

The Chinese this side are taken care of in another way — their educational privileges. We kept the Mandarin schools, the only country in the region to do so. Singapore did not. Besides the linguistic advantage for our Chinese, it allows them to preserve their traditions and pride of race.

Nor can one even begin to consider that the Malaysian Chinese are politically marginalised. On our side they are recognised by a very Malaysian form of proportional representation in government that has yielded six Chinese ministers in Cabinet, 13 Chinese deputy ministers and five parliamentary secretaries. Singapore is lucky to have one Malay in the Cabinet.

Here there is a sizeable contingent of Chinese in Parliament on both the government and the Opposition benches. Altogether they are accorded a place in the political scheme of things commensurate with their share of the population and their interests are well catered for.

This is thanks to our unique political coalition formula. The Malays, despite having the strategic vote and a clear majority, choose to share power in an inclusive system, accommodating Chinese parties like the MCA or Gerakan, and their political brothers in Sabah and Sarawak. One state is controlled by them — Penang — with a Chinese chief minister.

DESI: This will be a "fun" comment (as I anticipate 100% of my intelligent readers here would think Bowie's comments under scrutiny here an A-joke!) to debunk all of Bowie' PR-ish promotion on behalf of the Barisan Nasional -- also its components UMNO, MCA, Gerakan --official ines. I won't dignity it with any elaboration because it's precisely these 'chosen' leaders have stood up to mis-present the Chinese community who mostly did NOT vote for them in their constituencvies during the General Elections! It is a myth that MCA President Ong Ka Ting and Gerakan overstaying chief Lim Keng Yail would nosily chorus like roadside medicine pedlars. But such medicine sellers now use PCs and the MLM system, no more chorusing UMNO's songs to safeguard their butts. Ooops, the seats their butts are on. One must be precise in one's writing before my tired hands misrepresnt my thoughts.

~~~~~~~~~~~ (DESI: MS BOWIE'S KEY MYTH SHE WOULD PERPETUATE FOR THE COMING DECADE) ~~~~~~~~~~~

But where Lee got it most seriously wrong relates to the comparative social and economic standing of the different communities. Our "marginalised" Chinese have exceeded the 40 per cent of the corporate wealth allocated to them by the NEP (the lion’s share, I may point out), while the Malays have yet to reach 20 per cent, let alone the targeted 30 per cent. There is an embarrassing income disparity — the average income of the Chinese being 1.64 times that of the Malays.

DESI: By coincidence, yesterday I had reprised a point exactly debunking this MYTH Bowie tries to perpetuate, mainly started, revived, and strongly-thrown at un-willing citizens, by UMNO, especially its Youth wing. I reprised from "Mondae faces blues" ~~Citing the Bursa Malaysia Corporate Equity's 2005 statistics, the (The "Corporate Equity Distribution" report by ASLI)report said the estimated volume of bumiputra equity ownership was 45% of the RM715.4 billion of total stocks on the stock exchange, or RM325.08 billion.

However, the government's estimate in the 9MP of bumiputra equity ownership is only 18.9%.
My contention then is that Ms Bowie takes UMNO's propaganda as the gospel truth with regards to information pertaining to NegaraKu -- why? I have a petinent question to demand an answerr of her: Are you paid for this piece of PR writing?


But back to Lee and what possessed him. Was it a fit of pique or was there a hidden agenda in bracketing us with Indonesia? The Chinese there are different.

They are disguised Chinese to begin with, having had to assimilate. Only three per cent of the population, they are irrepressible economically, with 70 per cent of the corporate wealth, a cause for resentment, and periodically they are set upon for it.

Is there a fear factor here? Does Singapore see itself as in a precarious position — this tiny Chinese enclave squeezed between two larger Malay neighbours?

It ought rather to align itself with Malaysia as an oasis of mature democracy, economic development and stability in a region currently in turmoil.

DESI: Why is it writers like to ask about Agendas whenever there is a controversy?
Of course every writer or/and speaker has an Agenda, or he wouldn't be wasting his/her time! YL Chong has his agenda writing this Critique. Ms Paddy Bowie has an agenda writing hers.
Ms Bowie's advice to Singapore that 'It ought rather to align itself with Malaysia as an oasis of mature democracy, economic development and stability in a region currently in turmoil' must surely rank as another Joke, yes? To me, why should Singapore want to use Malaysia as a model when it's at least a decade ahead in economic advancement? At the end of the day, Economics would have to enjoy a higher priority than other needs and wants oin any nation, especially in a small (land plus population-wise) nation's striving for survival and prosperity in an increasingly competitive world, a fact that Malaysia likes to ignore like an ostrich ...

And in all this we claim for Malaysia a unique status as a role model. Its competitive edge is its diversity, a microcosm of the future globalised world.

Instead of marginalising any one race it aims for an interracial synthesis that respects the culture and integrity of each community and strives towards the ultimate of that diversity — a Bangsa Malaysia.

But what will the world believe? In a situation where true identity is based on reality and image on perception — perception drives. Lee carries the legend. This writer feels like David tilting at Goliath but dare not hope for the biblical outcome.

We need to get our story out.

DESI: Yes, I agree we have diversity indeed in Malaysia's cultural, religious and other facets deriving from our different ancestral origins. I believe we need to adapt to changing demands of a fast, globalising world. But is Ms Bowie saying that Malaysia is better prepared in this race among Asean countries in setting leaderrship for growing a truly multi-racial, multi-cultural, multi-thinking society tah other neighbours, including Singapore and Thailand, for instance? Yes, I agree we need to get our story out. But whose and what story? Your story? A public relations practitioner's story? And this piece is just the run of the mill in the longer exercise? Then I say, as another Malaysian (I presume THOU ART A MASLAYSIAN, yes?), I beg to differ. No, not defer just because you pen for an MSM. I write for Blogsworld, and I don't get a sen for my writing. YOu do receive a cheque for your effort, I believe. Correct me if I am wrong, for I wish not to get my educated guess wrong. Thanks for listening. I hope someone of connection and influence gets this message to Ms Boiwe.

PS:
Can Desiderata add his own ...? THat's a rhetorical Q because I own Desiderata's Place, don't I, and I can A-buse it further with just one more paragraph.
CONCLUSION: As I was saying, Minister Lee's statement would not have raised many eyebrows, including a little of mine, had it not been for a fact that Singapore fo 4milliuon people had once been linked by an embilical cord to this more sensitive larger brother named Malaysia of 25million people. Some claim it's 26million, but Desi says that extra million are "alien" conveniently adopted by a subclass of felllow Malaysians. Am I digresing too much? It's okay, that's a Blogger's privilege to A-buse, I'm not writing for The NST, most self-esteemed MSM of them all because it ranks the oldest in age. And in Asian societies, age is the only and sole determinant in many areas of actitvities. I am cognisant of the last fact, even if I disagree with its stance. This piece is writ in that age-old spirit promoted by VOLTAIRE: 'I may disgaree with what you say, but I will defend, to the death, your right to say it".