The following is a report in Malaysian newspaper which showed
that MM Lee's speech to the IMF was rather racial and uncalled
for.
Such speeches will not help Singapore to build better relations
with its neighbouring countries.
QUOTE: BANGI: Malaysia can do without scathing comments from its
neighbours, especially if the statements made are inaccurate and
have political implications, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib
Tun Razak said.
He said that a recent statement made by former Singapore Prime
Minister Lee Kuan Yew on the status of the Chinese community in
Malaysia and Indonesia was seen as naughty.
I do not know the reason he made such a statement but it should
not have been made at all. Its a comment that we can do without
and it is not appreciated at all, he said after launching and
presenting the Amanah Saham Bumiputera (ASB) Sejahtera aid to the
hardcore poor yesterday.
On Sept 15, Reuters quoted Lee, who is Minister Mentor for the
island republic, as saying it was vital for the predominantly
ethnic Chinese state to stand up to its bigger, majority Muslim
neighbours, Indonesia and Malaysia.
OFFICE VISIT: Najib having a discussion with Wolfowitz at his
office in Putrajaya yesterday. Bernamapic
Lee, who was speaking at a forum on the sidelines of the World
Bank-International Monetary Fund meetings, had also said the
attitude of neighbouring Malaysia and Indonesia towards Singapore
was shaped by the way they treated their own ethnic Chinese
minorities.
Lee had said that Singapores neighbours had problems with their
Chinese communities because they were successful and hardworking
and therefore, they are systematically marginalised.
Najib said Lees comment, apart from having political implication,
was also not accurate and did not represent the actual scenario in
the country.
We do not sideline the non-bumiputra in this country. What are in
place are efforts to create a balance between the bumiputra and the
non-bumiputra,'' he added.
Asked if Malaysia would send a diplomatic note to protest Lees
statement, the Deputy Prime Minister said: I dont know about
that. It is up to Cabinet to decide.
On another matter, Najib, who met Paul Wolfowitz at his office in
Putrajaya yesterday, said the World Bank president had asked what
was the key to the nations socio-economic and political success
and had wanted Malaysia to share its success story and experience
with foreign ministers of 18 African nations.
We are glad to share our experience and impart the factors that
have made us successful. But I informed Wolfowitz that Malaysia
does not want to be seen as 'preaching' to them what to do.
We will give the facts and it is up to them to consider what can
be used, accepted, modified and implemented in their respective
country, he added. UNQUOTE
So will PM Lee exercise his leadership as PM to stop MM Lee from
making similar speeches.
