LEE KUAN YEW VISITS MALAYSIA

WALKING DOWN MEMORY LANE

Lee Kuan Yew is to visit Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur and tour four Malaysian states, Penang, Perak, Kelantan and Pahang over the next 8days. He will meet PM Najib, his deputy as well as UMNO and BN politicians, businessmen and opposition leaders. I find the timing of the visit surprising and the itineraries extraordinary and perplexing.

MEETING THE OPPOSTION

The visit to Malaysia will bring LKY to the most unlikely places. Visiting Penang and meeting Lim Guan Eng of DAP will surely stoke resentment in some quarters of Malaysia. DAP was reputed to be the ‘illegitimate child’ of PAP when Singapore separated from Malaysia. Meeting Nik Aziz of PAS was unthinkable many years ago because of its religious intolerance. To balance these two meetings, LKY will enter the hornet nest in Perak. There he will meet new MB, Zambry, controversially installed by the Sultan of Perak, which he will also meet. The MB's row is still under the preview of the judiciary. I believe meeting with MB Zambry was a favour to Najib. This is to give some recognition and legitimacy to his appointment. All these meetings are a big puzzle for me. I find this baffling and difficult to comprehend.Imagine Najib visiting Chee Soon Juan or Low Thia Kiang in Hougang.

NAJIB THE BOSS

I salute PM Najib for his political courage to sanction this trip. They tour can bring unintended political repercussion and any slip up can potentially bring embarrassment to Najib and the government of Malaysia. Najib must have weighed the political gain against any fallout. This demonstrates Najib confidence in managing domestic politics and handling all the ‘warlords’ and rightists from UMNO. None of his predecessor including Mahathir would have the guts to approve such an itinerary.

MOTIVES

What are the political motives? Why is LKY making this trip? What can the Malaysian gain? LKY must have a very good reason to walk down this slippery slope.

LEADERSHIP

Authorising LKY’s trip to the Malay’s heartland conveys a message to all Malaysians especially his fellow UMNO colleagues that he is a strong leader with strong political will. This also implies his ability to manage sensitive relationship with Singapore and LKY which his predecessors has failed. It reinforces his image as the biggest ‘warlord’, an unchallenged boss not beholden to any quarters especially Mahathir.

HISTORY

Singapore had been part of Malaysia and LKY was the man instrumental to both joining as well as separation from Malaysia. When Singapore was part of Malaysia, LKY has been the thorn in the flesh for UMNO. UMNO is determined to ensure that it is the Malays who must be the political master under the ‘Ketuanan Malayu’ concept of Malay supremacy. But LKY has different ideas; he wanted a Malaysian’s Malaysia under the principle of meritocracy. The Tunku feared that LKY might succeed and may even become the PM of Malaysia. For that, Tunku forced him out of Malaysia, and Singapore became independent in 1965 by accident.

MUTUAL DEPENDENCE

In the psyche of average Malaysians, Singapore is always seen as a younger brother (adek) who were chased out of the house but still need help and generosity from the elder brother (abang). In the early days, Singapore was highly dependent on Malaysia as a hinterland for food, water as well as commerce.

Now in a globalised world, Singapore is less dependent on Malaysia. Instead, Malaysia is highly dependent on Singapore for investment as well as providing many jobs for Malaysians. Both countries have become mutually dependent on one another and Malaysia had realised that it does not have the political muscle to arm twist Singapore as it wishes anymore. Economically, Singapore has become richer and more successful and highly respected in this world. Najib may have acknowledged this and decides to move on and stop playing brinksmanship as Mahathir did. Such attitude is counterproductive especially when Malaysia's economy is facing the worst downturn in this recession.

UMNO POLITICS

Over the years, LKY was demonised by UMNO at every opportunity. It was fashionable for Singapore bashing and demonstrations against LKY were common. It served many purposes. It promotes Malays unity and superiority; deflects attention in times of domestic problems, and allows politicians a popular platform and topics to capture public attention. And it is cost free.

SINGAPORE THE BASHING BOY

This demonization of LKY and Singapore becomes so apparent during Mahathir’s era. Mahathir even succeeded in convincing the politically apathetic Chinese in Malaysia to become anti-Singapore. Mahathir had found this a useful tool to unite his country and keep his UMNO rightists happy. Many a times he would criticised Singapore for ‘marginalising the Malays in Singapore’ and often praises his Bumiputra policy for improving the welfare of Malaysia Malays. UMNO was protrayed as relevant and very important. And he will continue to warn them if they do not support UMNO, they will end up in similar plight like the Malays in the south. Of course this is outright fallacy, but the rhetoric nonetheless is widely accepted.

TIME TO MOVE ON

It is opportune time to change the negative perception of LKY in Malaysia. The Malaysian is in good position to put a positive spin and cast away any negative image of LKY and Singapore. LKY needs to convince his host that Singapore has no quarrel with Malaysia, especially the Malays, and reiterates that Singapore is not trying to undermine its political system. All is needed is some praises and accolades from LKY, publicly acknowledges Malaysia’s impressive industrialisation and development especially among the Bumiputras. The rest of the propaganda can be left to the government controlled presses in Malaysia.

So here is an opportunity for LKY to redress this perception.

REMOVING THE POLITICAL BAGGAGE

The visit by LKY may be time to unshackle the old political baggage. The bad blood had lasted too long. It is most appropriate for LKY to end this chapter gracefully. The ‘adek’ comes home to visit ‘abang’ to mend ties. This will give Malaysia ‘face’ for closure and allows a new beginning for both Najib and Lee Hsien Loong. It will make the work easier for both PMs. Both are children of respective ex-prime ministers. If Najib can cease this opportunity, then the thorny relationship and difficult issues between Malaysia and Singapore will stand a better chance to be resolved. And both can look forward to better and less contentious relationship.

REMOVING THE MISTRUST

Any wise politicians from both sides of the Causeway are consciously aware that there are too many politically motivated constrains to economic cooperation, both at private and public level. It is time to remove the prejudice, mistrust and undo the propaganda perpetuated and exacerbated by Mahathir. Successfully shedding this anti Singapore attitude will also spur Malaysians and civil servants to be friendlier to Singapore visitors and investors. Najib seems to be aware that there are so much more to gain from cooperation. If LKY can humble himself in the Malay heartland, it certainly can help mend ties with Malaysia. Najib will be able to claim credit for this initiative for improving ties with Singapore. This too can significantly improve Najib’s image as a statesman.

REMOVING THE PREDUJICE

The tour if properly orchestrated and the right words articulated will help clear the mistrust and remove bad blood between both countries. The prejudices from both sides are dampeners to any businesses. Many companies, especially the Malay controlled, fear to tread this political mine field by cooperating with Singapore. No Malays would want to be seen to ‘Kow tow” or cooperate with an ‘enemy’ like Singapore. One classic example was when Mahathir vetoed the sales of a Malaysian telecom company Time Engineering from being bought over by Singtel. Malaysia also banned the sale of sand to Singapore and stop the trading of Malaysian shares on SGX. Mahathir is also vehement in his objection for Singapore to invest in Iskandar project in Johore using racially sensitive argument. Many Malaysian farmers losses business to Singapore when the latter decided to sought food elsewhere after Malaysian constant unhappiness over rising inflation in Johore.

CLEAR THE PATH FOR LEE HSIEN LOONG

Ideally, Singapore should always have a special relationship with Malaysia. We should help one another unconditionally, but under Mahathir, the political climate made it impossible. Now both countries are under tremendous pressure from this unprecedented economic crisis. And it is imperative that both countries should explore every opportunity for mutual benefits. Any business is desperately needed to create jobs for both countries. This new attitudes should override all existing bilateral difficult issues. I believe LKY is in a perfect position to clear the path for his son Lee Hsien Loong. Younger Lee will be visiting KL soon to meet PM Najib, son of LKY’s contemporary Abdul Razak. LKY may be the forward party to negotiate a deal with Malaysia.

SIZING UP MALAYSIA

Officially the news media observe this trip is for LKY to size up and update himself on Malaysia. I thought this analysis unconvincing. Malaysia is an open society and there is no secret to hide. There are no shortage of news and information on Malaysia. Of course, he may have an insight into Malaysian domestic politics after meeting politicians on both sides of the bench.

OUTLOOK

8 days is a long time. During this period, many things can go wrong. I will follow the news of LKY visit and try to make my own interpretations on what was seen, said and most important of all, what was not said. Maybe, there may be some surprises installed for the public.





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