Malaysia launches Southeast Asia's first space centre
Malaysia launches Southeast Asia's first space centre
Malaysia on Wednesday launched Southeast Asia's first space centre, in a major milestone for the country which will see its first astronaut blast off next year.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi hailed the centre as a boost for national prestige and said it would spur the economy with space-related activities.
"The Malaysia Space Centre is a strategic and important infrastructure which will benefit space technology and further develop the country," Abdullah said in a speech.
"This is an additional step taken to propel the country to a future that is more advanced and to move forward by acquiring more knowledge and technology," he said.
Located just outside the capital Kuala Lumpur, the space centre is a sprawling 400-acre (162-hectare) complex surrounded by palm-oil plantations.
The site, selected for its flat geography and minimal radio interference, houses two communications antennas operating the RAZAKSAT satellite which provides images for environmental assessment and monitoring.
"In the last few decades satellite images have been widely used for various reasons such as monitoring and predicting the weather, landscapes and more importantly to monitor natural disasters such as forest fires and haze as well as oil spills," Abdullah said.
Malaysia's first astronaut and a back-up candidate, chosen from thousands of hopefuls in a nationwide contest, will soon begin training at Moscow's Star City before heading into space on a Russian Soyuz spacecraft.
The project was conceived in 2003 when Russia agreed to send a Malaysian to the International Space Station as part of a billion-dollar purchase of 18 Sukhoi 30-MKM fighter jets.
The new space centre has a "mission control facility" which will be used to communicate with the Malaysian astronaut when he is in space.
The Sun reported that MCA Youth chief Datuk Liow Tiong Lai today (Oct 4, 2006) challenged Umno vice-chief Khairy Jamaluddin to show his sincerity to the Chinese community.
"Show your sincerity, Liow tells Khairy"
"If Khairy had never intended to hurt the feelings of the Chinese community as he claims, then he must do something to show his sincerity."
Khairy had, at an Umno divisional delegates meeting in August, said the Chinese community would try to take advantage of a weak Umno.
Liow said MCA youth repeatedly told Khairy at the Barisan Nasional (BN) Youth exco meeting yesterday (Oct 3, 2006) that his statement had upset the Chinese community.
"He (Khairy) kept insisting that his remarks were taken out of context by the media so now he must act to show and prove his sincerity to the Chinese community," he told reporters after launching the 8th Yamaha Balik Kampung safety campaign.
Under the campaign, Hong Leong Yamaha Motor will have its technicians stationed at Sunway/Puchong, Ipoh, Penang, Johor, Malacca and Pahang toll plazas from today to next Thursday (Oct 12, 2006) to conduct a free 15-point safety check on all brands of motorcycles.
"Time will prove whether he is sincere to the Chinese community or not," said Leow, who declined to say if MCA Youth had accepted Khairy's explanation over the issue.
"We hope Khairy will not make such remarks again," he said, adding that MCA Youth will continue to monitor his statements.
Asked if it was true Khairy's remarks had been taken out of context, Liow said: "Let Khairy himself explain to the media whether his remarks were misconstrued or not."
Yesterday, BN Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said leaders agreed to go the ground to explain Khairy's remarks.
Speak Up - The Sun says " Neighbours must always stay friendly "
It just goes to show what prickly neighbours Malaysia and Singapore have once again become. It was not just Singapore saying something and Malaysia asking for an apology that indicates that all is not quite well between them.
More than that it is the growing disregard for the sensitivities of the other side when making statements that is becoming a problem. For instance Lee Kuan Yew, the venerable grand old man of Singapore, its master politician and mentor, would surely know that what he was going to say would annoy Malaysians and provoke a response from their leaders.
But what is significant is that he said it anyway- that Chinese are marginalised here, callously disregarding the difficult position it would put the Malaysian leaders in. As expected Malaysians reacted and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had no choice but to ask for an apology. For what it is worth Lee apologised for causing Abdullah "a great deal of discomfort". Malaysian leaders, too, seem to find a lot of satisfaction in bashing their rich neighbour. Admittedly things have not yet returned to the days Singapore leaders had referred to as a "period of more troubled bilateral relations", but a few more callous statements and we would be there.
It is unfortunate that both sides squandered much of the warmth that came with Abdullah after he took over as prime minister at the end of 2003. With him came the necessary goodwill that made possible the settling of a long-running dispute over Singapore's land reclamation works in the Tebrau Straits after two years of negotiations.
Both sides were ecstatic and hailed the signing of the agreement settling the dispute as the beginning of "a new era of warm bilateral ties." Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar considered it "a milestone in Malaysia-Singapore relations."
His counterpart George Yeo was even more upbeat and expressed the hopes that the friendly atmosphere that prevailed between them during the negotiations could be extended to resolve other outstanding disputes.
But the euphoria lacked sufficient momentum to resolve the bridge issue. While Malaysia finally abandoned the bridge project it was not before a lot of undiplomatic words were used by both countries to describe each other.
Feelings have been ruffled and it will be sometime before the two sides are ready to try once again. Forty years after they separated in 1965, the outstanding issues between them have still remained outstanding.
They can only return to the negotiating table and begin again in earnest the effort, abandoned in 2002 after Malaysia unilaterally broke off talks, to settle the outstanding issues when things are more settled between them.
For that to happen and for a conducive atmosphere to prevail, the leaders of both countries must from now be more mindful of what they say to each other or about each other.
It was reported in The Jakarta Post that " Indonesia receives response from Singapore over Lee "
Indonesia's Foreign Ministry received a formal response from Singapore regarding former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew's controversial comments on the treatment of ethnic Chinese, a foreign ministry official said Tuesday in Jakarta.
"We have received the Singapore government's response through our embassy in Singapore. Lee Kuan Yew and the Singaporean government said they didn't have any intention of interfering in the internal affairs of Indonesia. They wanted to strengthen the existing relations," Foreign Ministry director for East Asia and Pacific Yuri O. Thamrin told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.
Last week, the Indonesian Foreign Ministry summoned Singaporean Ambassador to Indonesia Ashok Kumar Mirpuri to seek clarification over the senior Lee's remarks. It also sent a note of protest to Singapore through the Indonesian embassy there.
While addressing a forum in Singapore, Lee -- a senior minister in the present Cabinet -- said it was vital for the predominantly ethnic Chinese city-state to stand up to its majority Muslim neighbors, Malaysia and Indonesia.
"Our neighbors both have problems with their Chinese. They are successful. They are hardworking and, therefore, they are systematically marginalized," Lee was quoted as saying.
Both Indonesia and Malaysia lashed out at Lee and demanded an apology.
When asked why President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono didn't receive a letter of apology from Lee, as Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi did, Yuri said Indonesia's President didn't send a letter.
"Since we didn't send a letter to Lee, there was no direct letter from him," Yuri explained.
This was confirmed by the President's office.
"We didn't receive any letter from Lee Kuan Yew," presidential spokesman Dino Patti Djalal told the Post.
In his letter to Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah, Lee said he was sorry for the "discomfort" caused by his claim that ethnic Chinese communities in Indonesia and Malaysia were being systematically marginalized.
Meanwhile, AFP reported Tuesday from Kuala Lumpur that Abdullah was unimpressed with the apology.
Abdullah reiterated that the remarks by Singapore's founding father were "uncalled for and not appreciated" and risked inflaming racial tensions in the multicultural country.
"I have taken note of the apology," he said of Lee's letter, in which the former Singapore premier argued he was only repeating comments he had made many times before.
"Irrespective of whatever reasons he has said, such a statement can incite the feelings of the races," he added. "We have to ensure such a statement should not be made again."
Issues related to race, religion and education are extremely sensitive in Malaysia even after almost half a century of independence from British rule.
Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar had called for an apology from Singapore, saying Lee had overstepped the boundaries.
"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," AFP cited Lee as saying in the letter.
"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," the letter continued.
The Gumption To Say 'No'- News Analysis By Jackson Sawatan (Bernama)
The haze blown over here from forest fires in Indonesia's Sumatra had not yet thickened on Sept 15, the day Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew took to the stage to talk about good governance at a forum here.
It was on that occasion that Lee, now 83, Singapore's founding father and former Prime Minister, said that Singapore needed a government that was firm, stout-hearted, subtle and resolute.
That reminder came after he made the controversial remarks about the way Malaysia and Indonesia treated their Chinese and how that shaped the attitude of both countries towards Singapore.
"My neighbours both have problems with their Chinese. They are successful, they are hardworking, and therefore they are systematically marginalised, even in education.
"And they want Singapore, to put it simply, to be like their Chinese -- compliant".
He went on to say: "You need a government which will not only have the gumption, but the skill to say 'no' in a quiet, polite way that does not provoke them into doing something silly."
That day, before an international audience, Lee had put his thoughts into words. Like the haze that has thickened ever since, the remarks also drew response that grew stronger by the day, especially from Malaysia.
Neighbouring leaders retaliated, saying that those remarks were uncalled for. Some went as far as accusing Singapore of marginalising the Malays in the island republic.
Three weeks after he made the remark, Lee put his words into action and demonstrated to Singaporeans and to a certain extent, his neighbours, what he meant by being firm, stout-hearted, subtle and resolute.
He had also shown in a letter just what having the gumption to say 'no' was all about -- by not backtracking on his remarks which angered Malaysian leaders.
"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," he wrote in the letter in reply to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who had asked for clarification over the "marginalised Chinese" comments.
Lee, as could be gathered from his letter, was at the same time being "subtle and polite", saying "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."
Lee had stood by what he said, saying sorry only for the discomfort his remarks had caused to Abdullah.
"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," he said in the letter.
Some described Lee's letter as an expression of sorry with a broadside, and therefore it was no surprise that Abdullah reacted to it in a cold way, by merely saying that he had taken note of the content of the letter.
"The statement that Lee Kuan Yew made in Singapore is uncalled for and not appreciated," Abdullah said when asked about Lee's letter. "I certainly reject the premise upon which he made the statement."
In a way, it was a non-acceptance of a non-apology, some say.
"It is not an apology. He is just saying that he is sorry for causing the discomfort, not that he is sorry for making (the controversial remark)," Malaysia's Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said.
Internet forums, news portals and blogs were abuzz with the latest development.
Some wrote in forums and comment sections that Lee had gone overboard with his remarks about other countries' internal affairs, while others supported him, arguing that what Lee had said was the truth and there was no need to apologise.
Irrespective of the expression of sorry, "the damage is done," wrote another. Others said "it's now time to move on and let time heal the wounds."
The haze has not cleared up in Singapore. The pollutants service index (PSI) shot up to 73 on Monday, the highest this year. Today, the sky is gloomy and the faint smell of acrid smoke continues to cause uneasiness among the public.
But perhaps the other haze, the political one, has begun to clear up on both sides of the Johor Causeway as both countries have taken positions over the latest twist in their relations.
The irony of it all is that both countries will become more aware from now on of an underlying sentiment that defines their relations -- the gumption to say 'no' to the neighbours.
Interesting enough, a famous Singapore blogger, who made storm in the Singapore island, when she posted her sexy, semi nude, topless images onto her blog 'missizzy' ( 'The Sarong Party Girl ' then) years back, who used to write blog on her relationship and intimate experience with her male partners, has written a very clear and frank opinion in her recent post " Telling the emperor he as no clothes. "
“Our neighbours (Malaysia and Indonesia) both have problems with their Chinese. They are successful. They are hardworking and therefore they are systemically marginalised.”
Those words were boldly articulated by MM Lee Kuan Yew, a very recognised figure in regional politics over the past 50 years. And it was enounced to an international audience in a forum on the sidelines of the World Bank-International Monetary Fund meetings held in Singapore.
It is seditious of Singapore to pass unfavourable remarks on other countries on subjects concerning religion and race. This is especially since Singapore is itself susceptible to racial turmoils resulting from careless tongues.
What can I say? You call a spade a spade. And the premise the commentary takes is wrong anyway because he is not attacking the religion or race of the majority population in both Indonesia and Malaysia. Obviously it is clearly wrong (nor just morally, but scientifically erronous) to state that the indigenous people of these countries are less intelligent and less hardworking. However, it is apparent that the indigenous people of these countries are generally less well off than the Chinese in terms of economic well-being...(more)
Malaysian Muse says,
I think the master Singapore politician had struck a raw nerve in UMNO which may have been contemplating general elections early next year. UMNO's incensed response to Lee gives credence to such a possibility.
Looking at past trends, the ruling coalition adopts an overly sweet approach towards the Chinese before a run-up towards a general election.
Junior Barisan Nasional members - MCA in particular - are co-opted to help spread the message that only UMNO can provide a conducive environment for the Chinese to live and work in Malaysia. Lee's statements make the task of garnering votes harder.
Blogger Jeff Ooi:
From the tone of Harry Lee's left-jab on Mahathir, Singapore would certainly continue to host Abdullah for more golf outings.
Malaysian Rustam A. Sani, says
It appears to me that Lee KuanYew in this case is simply enacting the typical "tit-for-tat" or "the-pot-calling-the-kettle-black" game that has become a favourite among racist politicians here in Malaysia itself..
I thank God that this unnecessary controversy is now over. I (once) said that this kind of controversy would happen every few years in the relationship between Singapore and Malaysia...
Thanks Mr. Harry Lee for your "apology" this time. See you again in another controversy - not too soon, I hope.
Malaysian K. Kabilan says,
Lee Kuan Yew says sorry, attacks Dr. Mahathir and makes Abdullah Ahmad Badawi look good.
Now that Lee's letter is released, guess who comes out smelling like a rose? Who does Lee say is responsible for creating an improved relation with Singapore?
And who is in bitter feud with Dr. M over the cancellation of several major projects? I say there is only one winner here.
BBC's Jonathan Kent, in Kuala Lumpur, says the Malaysian media was quick to hail the letter as a climb-down, but it is in fact someway short of that.
Malaysia Singapore:Mahathir Adullah Ahmad Badawi MM KY Lee Khairy Chinese Malay apology marginalised. money politic
Malaysia on Wednesday launched Southeast Asia's first space centre, in a major milestone for the country which will see its first astronaut blast off next year.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi hailed the centre as a boost for national prestige and said it would spur the economy with space-related activities.
"The Malaysia Space Centre is a strategic and important infrastructure which will benefit space technology and further develop the country," Abdullah said in a speech.
"This is an additional step taken to propel the country to a future that is more advanced and to move forward by acquiring more knowledge and technology," he said.
Located just outside the capital Kuala Lumpur, the space centre is a sprawling 400-acre (162-hectare) complex surrounded by palm-oil plantations.
The site, selected for its flat geography and minimal radio interference, houses two communications antennas operating the RAZAKSAT satellite which provides images for environmental assessment and monitoring.
"In the last few decades satellite images have been widely used for various reasons such as monitoring and predicting the weather, landscapes and more importantly to monitor natural disasters such as forest fires and haze as well as oil spills," Abdullah said.
Malaysia's first astronaut and a back-up candidate, chosen from thousands of hopefuls in a nationwide contest, will soon begin training at Moscow's Star City before heading into space on a Russian Soyuz spacecraft.
The project was conceived in 2003 when Russia agreed to send a Malaysian to the International Space Station as part of a billion-dollar purchase of 18 Sukhoi 30-MKM fighter jets.
The new space centre has a "mission control facility" which will be used to communicate with the Malaysian astronaut when he is in space.
The Sun reported that MCA Youth chief Datuk Liow Tiong Lai today (Oct 4, 2006) challenged Umno vice-chief Khairy Jamaluddin to show his sincerity to the Chinese community.
"Show your sincerity, Liow tells Khairy"
"If Khairy had never intended to hurt the feelings of the Chinese community as he claims, then he must do something to show his sincerity."
Khairy had, at an Umno divisional delegates meeting in August, said the Chinese community would try to take advantage of a weak Umno.
Liow said MCA youth repeatedly told Khairy at the Barisan Nasional (BN) Youth exco meeting yesterday (Oct 3, 2006) that his statement had upset the Chinese community.
"He (Khairy) kept insisting that his remarks were taken out of context by the media so now he must act to show and prove his sincerity to the Chinese community," he told reporters after launching the 8th Yamaha Balik Kampung safety campaign.
Under the campaign, Hong Leong Yamaha Motor will have its technicians stationed at Sunway/Puchong, Ipoh, Penang, Johor, Malacca and Pahang toll plazas from today to next Thursday (Oct 12, 2006) to conduct a free 15-point safety check on all brands of motorcycles.
"Time will prove whether he is sincere to the Chinese community or not," said Leow, who declined to say if MCA Youth had accepted Khairy's explanation over the issue.
"We hope Khairy will not make such remarks again," he said, adding that MCA Youth will continue to monitor his statements.
Asked if it was true Khairy's remarks had been taken out of context, Liow said: "Let Khairy himself explain to the media whether his remarks were misconstrued or not."
Yesterday, BN Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said leaders agreed to go the ground to explain Khairy's remarks.
Speak Up - The Sun says " Neighbours must always stay friendly "
It just goes to show what prickly neighbours Malaysia and Singapore have once again become. It was not just Singapore saying something and Malaysia asking for an apology that indicates that all is not quite well between them.
More than that it is the growing disregard for the sensitivities of the other side when making statements that is becoming a problem. For instance Lee Kuan Yew, the venerable grand old man of Singapore, its master politician and mentor, would surely know that what he was going to say would annoy Malaysians and provoke a response from their leaders.
But what is significant is that he said it anyway- that Chinese are marginalised here, callously disregarding the difficult position it would put the Malaysian leaders in. As expected Malaysians reacted and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had no choice but to ask for an apology. For what it is worth Lee apologised for causing Abdullah "a great deal of discomfort". Malaysian leaders, too, seem to find a lot of satisfaction in bashing their rich neighbour. Admittedly things have not yet returned to the days Singapore leaders had referred to as a "period of more troubled bilateral relations", but a few more callous statements and we would be there.
It is unfortunate that both sides squandered much of the warmth that came with Abdullah after he took over as prime minister at the end of 2003. With him came the necessary goodwill that made possible the settling of a long-running dispute over Singapore's land reclamation works in the Tebrau Straits after two years of negotiations.
Both sides were ecstatic and hailed the signing of the agreement settling the dispute as the beginning of "a new era of warm bilateral ties." Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar considered it "a milestone in Malaysia-Singapore relations."
His counterpart George Yeo was even more upbeat and expressed the hopes that the friendly atmosphere that prevailed between them during the negotiations could be extended to resolve other outstanding disputes.
But the euphoria lacked sufficient momentum to resolve the bridge issue. While Malaysia finally abandoned the bridge project it was not before a lot of undiplomatic words were used by both countries to describe each other.
Feelings have been ruffled and it will be sometime before the two sides are ready to try once again. Forty years after they separated in 1965, the outstanding issues between them have still remained outstanding.
They can only return to the negotiating table and begin again in earnest the effort, abandoned in 2002 after Malaysia unilaterally broke off talks, to settle the outstanding issues when things are more settled between them.
For that to happen and for a conducive atmosphere to prevail, the leaders of both countries must from now be more mindful of what they say to each other or about each other.
It was reported in The Jakarta Post that " Indonesia receives response from Singapore over Lee "
Indonesia's Foreign Ministry received a formal response from Singapore regarding former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew's controversial comments on the treatment of ethnic Chinese, a foreign ministry official said Tuesday in Jakarta.
"We have received the Singapore government's response through our embassy in Singapore. Lee Kuan Yew and the Singaporean government said they didn't have any intention of interfering in the internal affairs of Indonesia. They wanted to strengthen the existing relations," Foreign Ministry director for East Asia and Pacific Yuri O. Thamrin told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.
Last week, the Indonesian Foreign Ministry summoned Singaporean Ambassador to Indonesia Ashok Kumar Mirpuri to seek clarification over the senior Lee's remarks. It also sent a note of protest to Singapore through the Indonesian embassy there.
While addressing a forum in Singapore, Lee -- a senior minister in the present Cabinet -- said it was vital for the predominantly ethnic Chinese city-state to stand up to its majority Muslim neighbors, Malaysia and Indonesia.
"Our neighbors both have problems with their Chinese. They are successful. They are hardworking and, therefore, they are systematically marginalized," Lee was quoted as saying.
Both Indonesia and Malaysia lashed out at Lee and demanded an apology.
When asked why President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono didn't receive a letter of apology from Lee, as Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi did, Yuri said Indonesia's President didn't send a letter.
"Since we didn't send a letter to Lee, there was no direct letter from him," Yuri explained.
This was confirmed by the President's office.
"We didn't receive any letter from Lee Kuan Yew," presidential spokesman Dino Patti Djalal told the Post.
In his letter to Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah, Lee said he was sorry for the "discomfort" caused by his claim that ethnic Chinese communities in Indonesia and Malaysia were being systematically marginalized.
Meanwhile, AFP reported Tuesday from Kuala Lumpur that Abdullah was unimpressed with the apology.
Abdullah reiterated that the remarks by Singapore's founding father were "uncalled for and not appreciated" and risked inflaming racial tensions in the multicultural country.
"I have taken note of the apology," he said of Lee's letter, in which the former Singapore premier argued he was only repeating comments he had made many times before.
"Irrespective of whatever reasons he has said, such a statement can incite the feelings of the races," he added. "We have to ensure such a statement should not be made again."
Issues related to race, religion and education are extremely sensitive in Malaysia even after almost half a century of independence from British rule.
Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar had called for an apology from Singapore, saying Lee had overstepped the boundaries.
"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," AFP cited Lee as saying in the letter.
"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," the letter continued.
The Gumption To Say 'No'- News Analysis By Jackson Sawatan (Bernama)
The haze blown over here from forest fires in Indonesia's Sumatra had not yet thickened on Sept 15, the day Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew took to the stage to talk about good governance at a forum here.
It was on that occasion that Lee, now 83, Singapore's founding father and former Prime Minister, said that Singapore needed a government that was firm, stout-hearted, subtle and resolute.
That reminder came after he made the controversial remarks about the way Malaysia and Indonesia treated their Chinese and how that shaped the attitude of both countries towards Singapore.
"My neighbours both have problems with their Chinese. They are successful, they are hardworking, and therefore they are systematically marginalised, even in education.
"And they want Singapore, to put it simply, to be like their Chinese -- compliant".
He went on to say: "You need a government which will not only have the gumption, but the skill to say 'no' in a quiet, polite way that does not provoke them into doing something silly."
That day, before an international audience, Lee had put his thoughts into words. Like the haze that has thickened ever since, the remarks also drew response that grew stronger by the day, especially from Malaysia.
Neighbouring leaders retaliated, saying that those remarks were uncalled for. Some went as far as accusing Singapore of marginalising the Malays in the island republic.
Three weeks after he made the remark, Lee put his words into action and demonstrated to Singaporeans and to a certain extent, his neighbours, what he meant by being firm, stout-hearted, subtle and resolute.
He had also shown in a letter just what having the gumption to say 'no' was all about -- by not backtracking on his remarks which angered Malaysian leaders.
"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," he wrote in the letter in reply to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who had asked for clarification over the "marginalised Chinese" comments.
Lee, as could be gathered from his letter, was at the same time being "subtle and polite", saying "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."
Lee had stood by what he said, saying sorry only for the discomfort his remarks had caused to Abdullah.
"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," he said in the letter.
Some described Lee's letter as an expression of sorry with a broadside, and therefore it was no surprise that Abdullah reacted to it in a cold way, by merely saying that he had taken note of the content of the letter.
"The statement that Lee Kuan Yew made in Singapore is uncalled for and not appreciated," Abdullah said when asked about Lee's letter. "I certainly reject the premise upon which he made the statement."
In a way, it was a non-acceptance of a non-apology, some say.
"It is not an apology. He is just saying that he is sorry for causing the discomfort, not that he is sorry for making (the controversial remark)," Malaysia's Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said.
Internet forums, news portals and blogs were abuzz with the latest development.
Some wrote in forums and comment sections that Lee had gone overboard with his remarks about other countries' internal affairs, while others supported him, arguing that what Lee had said was the truth and there was no need to apologise.
Irrespective of the expression of sorry, "the damage is done," wrote another. Others said "it's now time to move on and let time heal the wounds."
The haze has not cleared up in Singapore. The pollutants service index (PSI) shot up to 73 on Monday, the highest this year. Today, the sky is gloomy and the faint smell of acrid smoke continues to cause uneasiness among the public.
But perhaps the other haze, the political one, has begun to clear up on both sides of the Johor Causeway as both countries have taken positions over the latest twist in their relations.
The irony of it all is that both countries will become more aware from now on of an underlying sentiment that defines their relations -- the gumption to say 'no' to the neighbours.
Interesting enough, a famous Singapore blogger, who made storm in the Singapore island, when she posted her sexy, semi nude, topless images onto her blog 'missizzy' ( 'The Sarong Party Girl ' then) years back, who used to write blog on her relationship and intimate experience with her male partners, has written a very clear and frank opinion in her recent post " Telling the emperor he as no clothes. "
“Our neighbours (Malaysia and Indonesia) both have problems with their Chinese. They are successful. They are hardworking and therefore they are systemically marginalised.”
Those words were boldly articulated by MM Lee Kuan Yew, a very recognised figure in regional politics over the past 50 years. And it was enounced to an international audience in a forum on the sidelines of the World Bank-International Monetary Fund meetings held in Singapore.
It is seditious of Singapore to pass unfavourable remarks on other countries on subjects concerning religion and race. This is especially since Singapore is itself susceptible to racial turmoils resulting from careless tongues.
What can I say? You call a spade a spade. And the premise the commentary takes is wrong anyway because he is not attacking the religion or race of the majority population in both Indonesia and Malaysia. Obviously it is clearly wrong (nor just morally, but scientifically erronous) to state that the indigenous people of these countries are less intelligent and less hardworking. However, it is apparent that the indigenous people of these countries are generally less well off than the Chinese in terms of economic well-being...(more)
What Say You ?
Malaysian Muse says,
I think the master Singapore politician had struck a raw nerve in UMNO which may have been contemplating general elections early next year. UMNO's incensed response to Lee gives credence to such a possibility.
Looking at past trends, the ruling coalition adopts an overly sweet approach towards the Chinese before a run-up towards a general election.
Junior Barisan Nasional members - MCA in particular - are co-opted to help spread the message that only UMNO can provide a conducive environment for the Chinese to live and work in Malaysia. Lee's statements make the task of garnering votes harder.
Blogger Jeff Ooi:
From the tone of Harry Lee's left-jab on Mahathir, Singapore would certainly continue to host Abdullah for more golf outings.
Malaysian Rustam A. Sani, says
It appears to me that Lee KuanYew in this case is simply enacting the typical "tit-for-tat" or "the-pot-calling-the-kettle-black" game that has become a favourite among racist politicians here in Malaysia itself..
I thank God that this unnecessary controversy is now over. I (once) said that this kind of controversy would happen every few years in the relationship between Singapore and Malaysia...
Thanks Mr. Harry Lee for your "apology" this time. See you again in another controversy - not too soon, I hope.
Malaysian K. Kabilan says,
Lee Kuan Yew says sorry, attacks Dr. Mahathir and makes Abdullah Ahmad Badawi look good.
Now that Lee's letter is released, guess who comes out smelling like a rose? Who does Lee say is responsible for creating an improved relation with Singapore?
And who is in bitter feud with Dr. M over the cancellation of several major projects? I say there is only one winner here.
BBC's Jonathan Kent, in Kuala Lumpur, says the Malaysian media was quick to hail the letter as a climb-down, but it is in fact someway short of that.
Malaysia Singapore:Mahathir Adullah Ahmad Badawi MM KY Lee Khairy Chinese Malay apology marginalised. money politic
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