It never fails that when there is an
opportunity to take a swap at Singapore, the Malaysian press are
all prepared to do its part, neverthmind the source is hardly a
reliable nor proven one.
Lately, even the deadly and highly contagious virus has become a
tool of usual trade by them by making accusations that Singapore is
the "exporter" of this diease.
I thought which is one is more unhealthy, the "Spin-docs" in KL, or
the SARS itself ?
At least, the SARS virus doesn't lie about its presence, a stark
contrast with those highly imaginative Berita Harian editors
creation of SARS-infested flights from Changi a/p.
You'll notice that I am not pointing-fingers at this moment, much
less so when I've yet to proof anything yet, unlike what Malaysia's
Berita Harian had attempted to claim, in its 14 May
editorial.
What has come to light, however, is the possible real motives that
drove Malaysia's press to attempt latest slant. Is Malaysia trying
to taint Singapore's international status as a trading hub
considering the negative perception its has on recent S'pore-US FTA
deal and the negative fallout with US in the Iraq war aftermath
?
NST report on another Malay paper columnist does shows a tint of
that....
May 18, 2003,
New Straits Times » Columns
ViewPoints: SARS another irritant in Malaysia-Singapore ties
Balan Moses, Ramlan Said and Lim Chee Wai
=================
Mingguan Malaysia columnist, Maulana, also had his sights on
Singapore, focusing on the republic's free-trade agreement with the
United States.
He said the republic's media and the Asian Wall Street Journal were
portraying the agreement as the US rewarding countries which
supported its campaign in Iraq.
Maulana said: "Although Singapore has stated openly that the US
should not penalise Malaysia, the US threatening action against
Malaysia is welcomed by Singapore, with its media gleefully
reporting the matter."
====================
