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1595'. Henry QM! Colour, Feng Shui And The Malaysian Press

Colour, Puzzles, Feng Shui and the Malaysian Press...2; Deeper Roots to Co-ops Scandal...9; Heart to I-leart...1l; Framing War...15; New Europe Embracing Old Bigotry...l6; Thinking Allnwed...18; Leers...24; Dangerous Slereotypes...3l; C|u'rent Concerns..33; US Military Presence Vital?...40 t

After a brief d~on of certain characteristics of the Malaysian p~ and how it is muzzled, MUS­ TAFA K ANUAR and FRANCIS LOH KOK WAH share with us their views on its ''new look". They argue that the chan­ ges introduced recently are merely cosmetic. In fact, some of these changes are a result of increasingly ag­ gressive competition among newspapers for the advertis­ ing ringgit. Accordingly, there has also occurred a subtle shift by the dailies to project themselves as pos­ ~ng, and to attract, a more upmarket readership.

Characteristics ofthe Muuled A c:ritie~~l review of the PM's tenure in office signalled the demise of the Malaysian Press Minggutm Walrtu. It was with grave concern that DAP' s application for a declaration tions since, under the Act, all are we learnt of the government's that the condition imposed by the required to possess a publishing revocation of Mingguan Waktu's Home Minister was null and void pennit that has to be renewed an­ pennit to publish . The fact that was on the basis that the imposition nually. All of us can recall how the it had carried a critical review ofthenewconditionwasinkeeping pennits of four newspapers were of the Prime Minister's tenure with the law. This decision is most suddenly revoked in 1987 follow­ disappointing for all who value ing Operation Lallang when 106 in office in 1ts first issue is most democracy. people were detained. One of the telling. Equally disconcerting is The law in question is, of couse, newspapers had developed that a new condition has been im­ a the Printing Presses and Publishing reputation for investigative report­ posed upon the publishing pennits its ofRocket and 1/arakah, respcctive­ Act 1984, which was amended in ing. !twas not until a reshufne of ly,the organs of the opposition par­ 1988 to disallow judicial review of editorial staff and re-organization ties, the Democratic Action Party the Home Minister's decision in of ownership, I hat it was allowed to (DAP) and Parti Islam Se­ revoking or suspending a penn it if republish. Since then it has lost all Malaysia(PAS): their distribution. he considers it preJudicial to public semblance of its fonner liberal henceforth, is to be restricted to order. It hangs like Damocle's staff. party members. The recent ruling sword over the editors of Apart from the use of the Act, by the High Court dismissing the newspapers and regular publica- editorial control is nowadays also

Aliran Monthly 1992:12 (1) Page 2 F\111ity Ia "Ying to dewlop aiticlll thinking hough the NST: UMNO a., own.wt\lp ...,,_ that the n\lliM1r'Mm rnecill ci...mlnatM what the gowmrnent deem8 fit tor COMWnption. of Shin Min Daily News. On to themselves as well as trivia. Shrinking the democ:falic ..-: .,. RocJrM its part, the MCA owns and Scandals and issues, including in­ i• now ,..tricted to memberw only, • .. .at controls Star Publications ternal conflicts detrimental to the 0 ..perty orgM8. which publishes The Star, government's or ruling parties' exerted through direct ownership of Tung Bao, and several magazines. reputation are rarely reported. all the major newspapers by the In tum, the three Tamil dailies fall Secondly, and in contrast to the Barisan Nasional component par­ under the control of present and above, negative news of the opposi­ ties. It is now common lmowledge past MIC leaders. tion is widely reported, and often, that UMNO Baru through Fleet The net effect of the Act and sensationalized. Facts are even dis­ Holdings, and now Renong, owns such ownership by the ruling par­ torted to paint the opposition par­ and has the editorial say over the ties is almost total control over the ties and sometimes, public interest New Straits Times Press (NST) major newspapers. Consequently, societies as well, in bad light. This stable of publications which in­ there are several noticeable charac­ was clearly evident in the 1990 cludes the New Straits Times and teristics of Malaysian newspapers. elections. Apart from such news of Berita Harlan. Through Hume In­ Firstly, apart from important these groups, there is a dearth of dustries, it exerts the same control foreign news, the major stories of information about them and their over the Nanyang Press. The above the day are matters pertaining to the activities. is in addition to its control of the government and the ruling parties: Finally, there has been next to Utusan Group of publications and these range from news favourable no investigative reporting on the various scandaJs and serious problems that besiege the govern­ ment from time to time. Neither is there critical commentary and analysis of important political and economic issues. A/iran Monthly has critically commented on all of these aspects of the muzzled Malaysian press in past issues. In the following articles we investigate what seems to be a new tum in the development of local newspapers resulting in more colourful and quite attractive repackaging. Docs this signal some Tengku Rauleigh ..,..._on hi8 ~tion of w...... 2020 .. ., fundamental or merely cosmetic Alinn-«gMiz.ed Mminlll: 'There Ia a dMtth of lntonnation about oppo8ition change? 0 poltldaM and 1heir activltiM in the mainstream media.

A.Unut Mof&lllly 1992:12 (I) Pall~ .J Old Wine in New Bottles Superficial Changes in the Malaysian Press

ver the last one year

Alinul Molflhly 1992:12 (1) Par• 4 stories about fashion, family and educational matters, regional stories as well as the comics. A monthly "special" is also presented focussing on some aspect of everyday, usually urban life. In January, for instance, the special was on mini buses - the operators, commuters etc. Compared to the other three newspapers, therefore, it appears that there is a lag between them and Utusan Malaysia insofar as the latter has stiU not reorganized itself into clear-cut sections. ill Camouflage t. But why the need for these changes? For one, it is quite possible that, to a cer­ tain degree, political and socio-economic constraints have made it urgent and necessary for the newspapers concerned to make some changes, no matter how cos­ metic they may be, so as to boost their image and credibility. In other words, these changes are to make up for the newspapers' weaknesses­ primarily as a result of an erosion of democratic space in the larger society - in the crucial area of investigative journalism and incisive and illuminating commentaries. Contputitr»s tor the comput• buft, Lif•tyM tor 1M t.hiONible:The 'iMovalions' prove Such wealcnesses can make a to be .... aubetanc:e than form. difference between an regional editions, has two main sec­ yet authoritative newspaper and a tions, namely one section on na­ As in the past, the broadsheet semi-political party organ. The tional and international news and continues to have a major body and situation is particularly acute since features, and Section 2 which· a separate section called Panca. it is a fact, and public knowledge, covers regional news, TV and The main body includes national that these four major newspapers musical matters, sports and clas­ and international news and fea­ are owned and controlled by the sified advertisements. tures, regional and sports news, TV component parties of the ruling In response to the BH's recent and radio highlights, art and enter­ Barisan Nasional. changes, Utusan Malaysia too has tainment stories, crossword puzzle Another reason is that these assumed a "new look". It too util­ contests, economic news (mainly papers are profit-malcing ventures, izes more colour in its front, back stock-market and business mat­ and hence they have to fmd ways and inside pages. But it does not ters), classified advertisements and and means - within their political appear to have re- packaged itself a forum (letters) section. and economic constraints -to max­ into clearly demarcated sections Panca usually carries news and imize profits. Advertisements are

Alinm Monthly 1992:12 (1) PtJge 5 the major SOW'Ce of revenue for symptomatic, peripheral and in­ these newspapers. The creation of consequential. various sections, and also regional editions, in some of these Investigating When> It Does newspapers is one way of segment­ Not Hurt ing the audience for the benefit of Of course, there still exists the advertisers and, of course, the some measure of "investigative owners of the newspapers con­ reporting", but this is likely to be cerned. confmed to those that consciously The factor of market segmenta­ belittles the Opposition and other tion becomes all the more sig­ minority groups. As for anlyses, a nificant when one looks at the kinds few of tllese, such as V.K. Chin's of editorial sections tJ1at have been of The Star tend to be predictably established. Whilst these sections and uncontrollably pro-govern­ make reading relatively easy for ment and, at times, border on most readers, they - such as those ludicrousness. Perceptive analyses touching on the arts, literary mat­ of individuals who are indeed criti­ ters, education, computer and com­ cal of the government normally get munication technology, travel etc­ into the pages of these newspapers are by and large designed to appeal only when the stand taken by tllese to the upper and middle-class analysts are seen to coincide with readers and, hence, their purchas­ that of the government, in par­ ing power. {See the following ticular regarding issues of interna­ At the end of the cllly, the much-touled story.) tional - not local - matters. c:Mng• lo the meclli ... diNppointingly coemetic. Finally, in a situation where a These changes notwithstand­ particular newspaper is part of a ing, what is also apparent in today's particular tlle vernacular ones, are business conglomeration whose in­ newspapers is that news and views inclined to disseminate information terests span from hotel, media-re­ of the Opposition, government and views pertaining mainly to the lated activities and information critics and minority groups have specific ethnic groups concerned, technology, the formation of such become very scarce indeed. These thereby possibly obstructing the sections can play a vital role in views are, at best, muffled and, at opportunity for greater inter-ethnic promoting the interests of certain worst, made out to be an aberration. communication and understanding. sister companies. For instance, the Certain aspects of tlle This somewhat ethnicizcd ap­ New Straits Times Press (M) Ber­ newspaper revamp are however en­ proach is compounded by the fact had has a wholly-owned sub­ couraging, of which one is the that the political imperatives of the sidiary, Bisofware Sdn Bhd, that is strengtllening of tlle arts and owners of the respective involved in computer systems literary sections of the newspapers newspapers often demand that tlle designing and software develop­ concerned. There is certainly, if needs of one particular ethnic ment. The Computimes section of managed judiciously and com­ audience override those of the na­ the NST has become a convenient petently, some space for criticisms tional community. vehicle to mobilize information of sorts and a certain level of intel­ Thus, before we get unduly technology-related activites {NST lectual discourse and nourishment overwhelmed and starry-eyed by 28 Dec 1991) in which this par­ in these sections. But here the the colour and wizardry of the ticular subsidiary is heavily in­ danger arises when these sections "changed" newspapers, it would be volved. are over-emphasized in such man­ most instructive to remember tlle What are the implications of all ner as to neglect or displace the cautionary note of the former NST these aiainly technical changes in socio-political and intellectual sig­ Editor-in-Chief, tee Siew Yee: " ... the newspapers? The seeming mar­ nifican~e of investigative reports Yet in the end it is the content, not ginalization, if not annihilation, of and penetrating analyses. In short, the packaging, not the hardware, investigative journalism and in­ this shift of editorial stress can be that determines the worth and cisive analyses of matters of politi­ unhealthy. quality of a paper. {NST 4/3/91)" cal, social, economic and cultural Futhermore, in their obsession For unless tlle real and substantial significance would have the with their targeted audience or change is made now, we inevitably cumulative effect of diverting the readership (for the benefit of their bear witness to the sign of the times. public's attention and interest from advertisers), these newspapers, in 0 tlle serious and vital to tlle Battle for the Advertising Ringgit

here were claims and COWlter­ Chinese language newspaper. machine, camera and so on. On the clairns some months ago over Whichever the case, the public basis of these findings, the NST for T which are the leading should keep in mind that reader­ instance has unabashedly declared newspapers in Malaysia. According ship figures are different from cir­ to potential advertisers thus: to Survey Research Malaysia's culation ones. A securities *71% upmarket coverage of (SRM) Media Index for 1991, Berita company has reported these cir­ professionals, executives and Harian (BH) continues 10 have a culation figures for the following senior government officers; larger readership than Utusan newspapers in April 1991: Berita *57% coverage of the urban Malaysia (UM). The Index also indi­ Harian 280,000;New Straits Times segment; cated that these two Bahasa Malaysia 180,000; and Shin Min 45,000. *an affluent readership with newspapers were still the two widest When these circulation figures are 67% of its readers living in read dailies in the whole COWltry. matched to the readership figures households with a monthly income These findings were undisputed. presented in the SRM Index for of above $1,000. A further finding that Tamil 1991, we discover that the multi­ Nesan remained the leading Tamil plying factors for the newspapers Burgeonil!g Ads' Revenue language newspaper was also un­ are, respectively, 6.2, 3.7 and 4.4. Meanwhile, advertising expen­ challenged. In other words, it is estimated that diture in Malaysia has grown at a There were disputes, however, an average of 6.2 persons read each rate of more than 20% per annum: with regard to the leading English copy of the BH in circulation; an according to one source, from and Chinese newspapers. Accord­ average of 3.67 persons each copy $383.8 million in 1987 to $740 mil­ ing to the SRM Index, The Star had of the NST; and so on. lion in 1990. Growth has been so overtaken the New Straits Times The public should also be aware rapid that the managing director of (NS1) as the leading newspaper for that these estimates are based on a one of the major advertising agen­ the twelve months ending June limited sample of people inter­ cies remarked that it had con­ 1991. However, SRM also viewed. The numbers involved in tributed to a "serious clutter of produced fmdings from a four­ the above cases are not known. But advertisement on TV, radio and months survey (March to June in the case of the Frank Small and other media" which, he warned, 1991), conducted on behalf of the Associates survey, only a total of could impede the industry's NST, that the NST had surged 3,410 people were inten iewed. Not growth. In addition to the advertise­ ahead of The Star over those four surprisingly ,the company acknow­ ment of products like toiletries, months. This surge was related to ledged "an error margin of plus or beverages, cigarettes, cameras, the NST's new format, introduced minus 30,000 readers". But an error electrical goods and the latest films in March, and intense television ad­ of such a size would have tipped the playing in :he cinemas which have vertising. In response, The Star scales the other way! become common place, the public revamped its own format in Sep­ The point is that the public now encounters many other new tember 1991. Citing different sur­ should be wary of such readership advertisements. vey fmdings, the two newspapers claims. For they do not ten us any­ The new advertisers include have gone on 10 claim that each is thing substantive about the banks and fmancial institutions the leading English language newspapers themselves. However, (selling their credit and charge newspaper. they are extremely important for cards), insurance companies, hous­ The SRM Index also indicated the newspapers concerned in their ing developers, airlines, tour and thatNanyang Siang Pau (NYSP) is pursuit of the advertising ringgit. travel agencies, makers of designer the widest read Chinese language Indeed, the detailed fmdings of shoes and apparel, supermarkets newspaper. However, this finding the SRM survey are keenly sought (announcing their never ending was disputed by Sin Chew lit Poh after by advertising agencies. This grand sales), fast food chains, (SCJP. Citing the results of a two­ is because readership figures are automobile companies, producers month survey on Chinese language correlated to data about the readers of computers and other electronic dailies conducted in July and themselves, such as urban/rural goods like mobile phones and fas­ August 1991 on its behalf by Frank background, monthly household cimile machines, educational in­ Small and Associates, SCJP income, ownership of motorcar, stitutions of all varieties, and claimed that it is the leading colour TV, refrigerator, washing cigarette producers which now,

AIWn Monthly 1992:12 (1) Page 7 13.5% to others, by 1990. TV's share had increased to48% and that of newspapers reduced to 43% (with the remaining 9% going to others). Projecting one's self as the Number One newspaper and/or with an upmarket readership would certainly help to draw in the adver­ tisers. Promoting Materialism In conclusion, let us note that there exists fierce competition among the newspapers today. However, this competition for wider readership is not conducted on the basis of which among them conducts better investigative reporting. Neither is it one over which of them provides com­ prehensive commentaries and analyses. Still less is it over which more consistently champions the cause of freedom and justice. In­ stead, it is a struggle to attract the ristianDior advertising ringgit plain and simple. For this reason the muzzled press has repackaged itself into colourful new sections and special supplements. A newspaper's pride of place is now the extent to which its reader­ ship may be considered upmarket. Unfortunately, as advertisements begin to clutter our newspaper, and as they become more colourful and attractive, newspapers begin to in­ fluence the readers in a new materialistic way. Without access to important political news, Malaysians have already developed tidakapathy. With the muzzled newspapers taking on this new corporate look to chase the ad­ vertisement ringgit, readers are un­ abashedly treated, and encouraged to become materialistic consumers as well. There is a real danger that Consumers ION in the battle tor the advertising ringgit u the noo~e of the newspapers and their adver­ materialism tightens its grip around them. tisers will succeed.+ however, also advertise themselves large proportion of advertising ex- through sponsorship of sporting penditure is siphoned off by the (Editor's Note: We shall carry ar­ events and concerts. Newspapers television networks. Whereas in ticles on the Chinese language, therefore are hoping to cash in. 1987 some 47% of all advertising and Sabah and Sarawak However, competition is stiff. expenditure went to the newspapers in the next issue.) Not least because an increasingly newspapers. 39.5% to TV and

A/iran Molllhly 1992:12 (1) Page 8 Ethics Deeper Roots To Co-ops Scandals

The scandals surrounding the co-operative movement can be traced to the involve­ Kee, Wang ment of political parties in the·co-operatives move­ ment. In this artide, B K ONG argues that the invol­ held on vement of these parties rep­ resents a violation of one of the fundamental principles of the co-operatives move­ CBT charge ment: autonomy. ~ ~ l?g8 f .s:f.-:- By R.V. VEERA KUALA LUMPUR, Tues. - Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Wang Choon Wing ot too long ago there was the and for mer MCA Youth chief spectacular collapse of Mul­ Datuk Kec Yong Wee were tipurpose Co-operative. Now among three Komuda board N m embers arrested today in we are told officially of the 100 mil­ connection with misa~tpro· lion ringgit debt of Kobena - the Na­ priation of co-operative funds amounting to $1 million. tional Youth Co-operative. No The other board membe:: ar· w~rthe~rntiv~of~yare rested was Komuda secretary associated with scandals and shame - Koh Kim Swee. They were released on something quite far removed from $500,000 police bail each about what the idea of what a co-operative noon today and are expected stands for! This article intends to as­ to be charged In court tomor· row. sess the problems behind our scan­ CID Director Datuk Haj I Ah· dal-prone co-operatives and mad Maulana Haji S.M. Bab· · jee said that all three were ar· hopefully suggest some sensible rested by officers from the solutions. Commerlcal Crime Division A clue to the co-operatives' at Buklt Am an this morning In connection with criminal problem is that most of the scandal­ breach of tr u.st of $1 million be· ridden ones are linked to political longing to Koperasi P emban· parties (e.g. Multipurpose to the g unan Ekonoml Pemuda Mala ysia (Komuda). MCA) or a government department Datuk Kee, 51, who was the (e.g. Kobena under theY outh Min­ former Deputy Trade and In· dustr y ·Minister, Is Komuda istry). This contradicts one of the chair man, and Wang. 46, Is the seven offici:p principles of WANG lrPA~llrPr nf thP rn-nnPr,.liVP Malaysia's co-operative movement viz. autonomy! (The other prin­ NST r.port of 1& o.c.mber 1188: PoiiUclll plll1iM 8piiWI'I the mo.t ac.ndlll.ftdden cooperativ... cipl~ are: democracy, voluntarism, justice, mutual aid, universalism and evolutionism). Autonomy has quires at least 100 members to be group need 100 members to start or been lost in many ways - the main present at the inaugural meeting of run a co-operative? {'This should be one being a 1976 amendment to the a prospective co-operative before it included as another unique feature Cooperatives Act 1948 which re- can be registered. A sensible person of 'Fascinating Malaysia'!). Many would probably ask: why must any genuine co-operatives are therefore

Allra1t MOIIJ/tly 1992:12 (1) PDge 9 "... failing denied registration and all other as­ 1976, is one where a promising sociated facilities they are entitled co-operatives are means of allowing people to or­ to as legal entities. finally 'rescued' or ganize themselves is strangled by Co-operatives which get 'aided' by the State control. From this, it can be registered or at which satisfy the said that unless the Government is above condition tend to be ones government using willing to reliquish such control formed by political parties which taxpayers' money ... and return autonomy to coopera­ have a ready mass membership to tives, the cooperatives' malaise tap into. The intervention of politi­ from political parties and will continue for quite a while yet. cal parties which possess a fun­ societies/associations with an extra In practice, co-operatives are en­ damentally competitive orientation benefit of appearing non- political. couraged to run as any other com­ will surely distort the original ob­ So the co-operative-political nexus mercial venture with the additional jectives of these co-operatives is not coincidental. benefit of mass membership to which is to provide consensual It is obvious that co-operatives whom interested parties can exploit mutual aid. Instead of painstaking as autonomous bodies which for proselytizing their politics or evolutionism, party-influenced promise a consensual, egalitarian spreading their patronage network. cooperatives tend to promise quick and mutual aid alternative to our From this perspective, any group profits in the form of handsome competitive, capitalistic ethics which wishes to run a co-operative dividends for their members- thus were not spared in the crackdown seriously needs to start by educat­ the proliferation of deposit-taking on all autonomous or independent ing its membership about the co­ co-operatives and their commercial social forces in Malaysia then. The operatives organizational structure orientation. Even where service to crackdown was carried out in the as a desirable alternative to the con­ membership is stressed, most mem­ wake of a major upsurge by stu­ ventional, hiernchical, top-down bers of cooperatives view their dents and peasants movements in approach. This may take some time membership as a foon of cash the previous years. In fact. a major but the result in the longer run will savings only. Thus, cooperatives principle of co-operative move­ prove to be more beneficial to the are distorted into becoming nothing ments on the international front, organization (through the adoption more than investment companies. viz. the principle of non-dis­ of a more liberated organizing In fact, there is even a legal crimination which includes politi­ method). It will also be in a better 'loophole' for cooperatives to set cal discrimination, was specifically position to ward off official pres­ up subsidiary companies which are dropped in 1976 to facilitate the sure to distort the very nature of the beyond the Ministry's control (all involvement of political parties in cooperative itself. There are ob­ cooperatives are required to co-operatives. In this age of co-op vious benefits to also campaign register under the Cooperatives scandals - coop directors/political against restrictions such as the 100 Development Department of the hacks enrich themselves through members requirement for coop Ministry of National and Rural fat directors' fees or perks e.g. registration - in the framework of Development). This loophole is the Kobena directors get $500 to attend the struggle to widen the space for one which is supposed to be a meeting each time - one could be people to organize themselves. In tightened under a new amendment excused for thinking that the word fact, there is an obvious irony in - after it has been exploited to the coop short for 'coopted'! that registering a commercial com­ full. The cynicism over politically pany is much less cumbersome Of course, the problems go distorted co-operatives is complete compared to registering a co-op! deeper than 'control' by the Minis­ when failing co-operatives are Last but not least, to understand try. When political parties are relied finally 'rescued' or 'aided' by the the magnitude of the co-op problem upon for registration and other re­ government using taxpayers' : by 1988 there were some 2,915 quirements for a co-op'.s operation, money - witness the Multipurpose officially registered coops in they tend to exploit these co-opera­ case and very soon the Kobena Malaysia with a membership totall­ tives in order to spread their respec­ case. The numerous members of ing 2.8 million, collected capital of tive brands of politics • especially these co-operatives may receive $1.376 billion and total assets considering a situation where help in getting their deposits worth over $6 billion. Co-ops have dividends, loans and other goodies refunded but the 'show' goes on - been registered in this country since are distributed to a mass member­ whether any culprit has ·been colonial days under the Co-opera­ ship as provided by cooperatives. prosecuted or not. tive Society Enactment of 1922. + Indeed, co-operatives provide an The story of Malaysian important means of registering a cooperatives, especially since legal body mass membership apart

Aliron MonJhly 1992:12 (I) Pag• 10 Heart to Heart Kong-Si, Kong-Si Ni oday.atlheleiUloogmatet.I jl_!; ,.. - A saw many pretty children's ~ ~ Tdresses with red and yellow ' _.....,~~r--- fiowers trimmed in gold against a white bockground. Those dresses were similar to the ones worn by my friends, Molly and Beng Choo, one Chinese New Year day, about thirty years ago. I remembered my mother sewing the same type of material to make dresses for me and my sister, the same year, for Hari Raya which followed a day after Chinese New Year. I recalled feeling so happy twirling around in that dress that more value than now and it was Britain, or we went through the pic­ day. much appreciated. tures in the pink "bukan tikam I suppose this Chinese New The cookies were gone even ekor" belonging to Ah Ee, where if Year many a young girl would be before Molly and Beng Choo you dreamt of a snake you looked parading prettily in the same type of prepared to return to their homes to up the number under the picture of dresses visiting their friends. replenish their tray in order to send the snake. Chinese New Year for us then more cookies to yet another neigh­ When noon-time came, we meant lots of groundnuts and kuaci bour. returned home for lunch. to munch. We received quite a At about 10.00 a.m . when we My sister and I had to attend number of kuih bakul from our figured the sending of kuih was Qu'ran-reading classes at 2 p.m. Apck Kopi, Apek Minyak, Ah over, my sister and I made our way After the session we clambered Seng's mother and Amy's auntie to Molly and Beng Choo's house. over to Molly and Beng Choo's whom I called Ah Ee,justlike Amy There we'd be treated to a house which happened to be next did. whole variety of dried fruits, nuts door to the Qurnn-reading place. It also meant a lot of A 1 aerated and fresh oranges to be washed The other children from the class water to drink - orange crush, sarsi down by Al bottled drinks. We also also joined us. and ice cream soda. had our fill of kuih kapil and kuih "You're sure your Mak won't At about 9.00 a.m. Molly and bakul. scold. ah?" we asked Molly and Beng Choo,looking so beautiful in After that we went over to Beng Choo. who brought out more their frilly dresses and red ribbons, Amy's house where we had more New Year goodies as soon as we came to the house with a tray of kuih bangkit and A 1 drinks. After seated ourselves in the chairs. kuih kapit, kuih bangkit, kuih eating, Amy's brothers, Ah Tat and "Aiamak, don't worrylah. kacang and a kuih baku/ with a red Ah Tee, brought out some cards or Today is Chinese New Yearlah. paper circle placed in the middle. · pakau. We played "tan" where we Chiak/ah," they replied. My sisters, brothers and I would had to be the first to have 3 pairs of When the sun was less biting we crowd round them ooh-ing and aah­ cards, each pair totalling 10, in made our way down to the sandy ing away at how pretty they looked. order to win. If one card was "10" yard in front of Molly's house. Mother transferred the cookies then you parted it with a ten. If it We decided to play "toi'' first onto another plate and replaced was the joker, king or queen, you before we proceeded with "police them with about a cup of sugar for had to pair that with the same kind. and thieves." Molly and Beng Choo to take When we got tired of playing Asmah, Hussin, Hashim and home. She also gave them an ang. cards we read the comic books, Seng Bah made up one team pow each. At that time 20 cents had Beano and Dandy, imported from whereas Molly. Beng Choo, my

Alinur Monlltly 1992:12 (1) Pat' 11 sister and I made up another. There Anna, our Indian friend, where Anna, Asmah, Russin and was a Jot of"la-la-li-tamplong" and managed to come out to join us after Hashim are because all of us have "ont-two-som," to decide who her evening bath and prayer. moved to other places. should join which group and then Molly and I decided to be the Perhaps, they all spend Chinese who should be the defenders and go-between in Anna and Asmah's New Year watching special TV the attackers. dispute over masak-masalc the day programmes or video cassettes. I also learnt the verse "chui lah before. We climbed over to Perhaps, their children are doing chui ping-ping, chui. chui chialc Asmah's house where we studied the same. pah cho lang ping. chui lah chui the Quran and told her that Anna AU I know is that this Chinese chat chat, chui chui chialc pah cho would like to be her friend again. New Year will see me visiting lang chat." We had to go through "If you want to be friends you friends from primary school days this procedure in order to decide must 'pull' the forefmger," I said. up to USM days. who should be the police and who "If you don't want to be friends, With the tune ofKong-si,Kong­ should be the thieves. then you cabut the little finger." si, Kong-si ni in my head I wish all When that had been decided As we expected, Asmah pulled of you a Peaceful Year. pandemoniwn was let loose. There my f

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Alinut MtHflltly 1992:12 (1) Pot•12 INFLATION CATCHES UP WITH ALIRAN A/iran Monthly price goes up w.e.f. 1992 Dear Reader,

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scientifc and cultural insights into knowledge of his own spiritual na­ In this piece, LATIF one distinctive essential har­ ture. It reminds us that the way man KAMAL UDDIN, a par­ moniously integrated principle of looks at himself, his conception of ticipant in the recent anti­ universal growth. The fust step his own nature, governs his percep­ war art exhibition called towards lasting peace must then be tion of and reaction to the world seen as educational. Man must pro­ around him. Tile show calls for a ''Framing War'' bdd in the vide for a perception and realiza­ carefully detailed and planned at­ Penang Museum and Art tion that it is the moral, intellectual tack upon man's psychology. It for­ Gallery reports upon the and spirituality of mankind that ces us to rethink the problem ofhow need for a spiritually- based matters. He must address the prob­ man measures his life-force in the peace consciousness. lem of education for world civiliza­ course of its expression through the tion. various fields. It tells us that a vital FRAMING WAR is an artistic reorientation of personality/con­ expression of the living reality of sciousness has not yet taken place. AR is an expression of separatentss, whether of in­ It does not allow us to forget for one fragmentedness. It is that dividuals or of nations. Tile show moment that we are still in the W manifestation of con­ has tried to deliver the all important clutches of narrow negative at­ sciousnees that refuses to see beyond message that War is based on a titudes and feelings. Finally it fonn. Form here is taken to mean the certain psychological attitude. It is pleads for a collective perception, world as a particular entity as OJ}­ an attitude that bases itself on the the final realisation that peace posed to it as an indivisible whole. assumption that man stands against means the putting into practice of We fail to comprehend our existence man, nation against nation and the eternal truth - the oneness of all as being interelaled and intetdepen­ man-nation against the environ­ beings.+ denl We instead are inclined to dis­ ment. associate overselves from the FARMING WAR beckons us to This statement has been inspired realization that true living means put­ reflect upon what happens when by the writings of Swami Nitya­ ting into practice that one etemaJ man fails to find fulfillment in the Swarup Ananda. truth that there is a oneness oC all beings. WAR occurs when man fails to understand that progress on the scientific and technological plane must run parallel to the spiritual. It must involve the extension of the spiiit on social, economic and political levels. This encompasses a new orientation in nurturing a con­ sciousness of human progress as a co-operation commonwealth. We must wake up to the need for an underlying continuity in all that we seek to achieve at all levels of human life and thought. We must learn to integrate the different

A limn MonlltiJ 1992:12 (1) PagelS Ethnicity

New Europe Embracing Old Bigotry: Obsession With Racial And Religious Purity By a correspondent In Paris s European politicians settle under James Callaghan (1974- Former French president down to discuss the future 1979) adopted a series of immigra­ Valery Giscard d'Estaing, and ' A composition of a 'new tion controls aimed at closing leader of the centre right Union Europe' - whether it should become effectively the door on Common­ Pour Ia Democratic Francaise broader, encompassing the newly wealth immigration. The theme (Union for French Democracy), has democratized States of central and was taken further by the Conserva­ caused a political storm in Europe eastern Europe or a deeper political tive prime minister, Margaret by suggesting that in the future, and economic federal uruon -a less Thatcher. She was able to make French nationality should be savowy side of the 'new Europe' is White British fears of 'being defined along racial lines. At coming closer and closer into view. swamped by alien culture' a major present, anyone born in France can The new Europe is obsessed with theme in her successful 1979 elec­ claim to be a French citizen. Gis­ racial and religious purity; in this tion campaign. card d'Estaing proposed that respect, it is remarlcabl y similar to the With a major regional election citizenship should become 'a right 'old' one. Although today's coming up in the key southern of blood not a right of ground,' and secularized political agenda prevents province of Alpes-Maritimes - the has spoken of 'giving France back them from saying so oulright. the scene of rioting this summer by to the French,' an echo of the new Europe, be it 'deeper' or deprived north African youths- fol­ British National Front's slogan of 'broader,' will amount to a modem lowed by a general parliamentary 'Britain for the British.' Using the rearticulation of the pre- nation State election within 18 months, authoritative French dictionary Ut­ EID'OpcaJl ctuistendom ofthe Middle mainstream French parties are en­ tre, d'Estaing attempted to distin­ Ages. thusiastically following the lead guish between 'immigration' As European ministries are given by Le Pen's National Front. defmed as 'an arrival of foreigners starting to work out a single im­ who wish to settle in a country' and migration policy, the political 'invasion' defmed as 'the act of agenda in the member-States of the entering a country suddenly and European Community (EC) is in­ spreading' of non-European im­ creasingly being set by a newly re­ migrants into France. France offi­ spectable racism and xenophobia, cially has four million immigrants primarily directed at Muslims. (Le Pen claims I 0 million), 85 per­ In France the rise of Jean Marie cent of whom are Muslims, mainly Le Pen's racist National Front party Arabs from north Africa and the has shifted the political centre fann­ Levant, Turks and Muslim black ly towards the extreme right. A Africans. D'Estaing, who con­ similar phenomenon was observed ducted a particularly royal and in Britain during the late seventies grandiose style of presidency and early eighties. Although the (1974-1978), is said to be desperate British National Front was always to return to the Elysee Palace. a marginalized force in British Jacques Chime, the Gaulist mainstream politics, its presence leader, praised d'Estaing's 'com­ enabled the mainstream parties to mon sense.· Not surprising for one Margaret ~cher won .,. election adopt increasingly racist measures. pa.ying on BriU8h ,..,. of "being who himself has earned a five per­ Thus the last Labour government awamped by en alen culture". cent jump in the opinion polls after

Atwn Monthly 1991:12 (l) Page 16 eighties a number of the majority of them being Muslim measures including 'vir­ Turks. ginity tests' were used to The pecking order for entry into establish the difference a future 'broader' EC is now as between legal and illegal follows: frrst the Scandinavian immigration. countries, Switzerland and Austria; Meanwhile in the next the central European States of reunified Germany, in Hungary, Poland and Czechos­ what was communist lovakia. The newly independent East Germany, the racist Baltic republics of Latvia, neo-Nazis are contribut­ Lithuania and Estonia (formerly ing to a dramatic in­ part of the Soviet Union) come crease in violent and next; and way down the list come sometimes murderous the Balkan States of Bulgaria, racial attacks. Five Romania and whatever comes out hundred Germans, of the disolution of Yugoslavia. 'mostly ordinary Italy's murderous treatment of Al­ people,' recently banian refugees and the EC's gathered outside a prevarication over the crisis in refugee hostel in Yugoslavia makes it clear that Saxony, fire-bombed it, Balkan States are absolute rank out­ and pelted it with stones. siders in the race to join the new While neo-Nazi thugs Europe, and the EC's identity as a are prominent in the at­ kind oflatter-day Holy Roman Em­ tacks, there is disturbing pire, centred on western as opposed evidence of police com­ to eastern 'Byzantine' or plicity in many attacks; 'Orthodox' Christendom, seems 250 refugees and dozens assured. of foreign workers were Greece, a Balkan State already evacuated from the town part of the EC, was assured a place last month, after police in the new Europe by virtue of the and local authorities west's sentiment for classical stated that they could no Greece as the 'birth-place' of Form• fNnch Preeldent GiK8I'd d'&taing tiiiUd longer guarantee their western civilization, and the key of "giving Fr.nce back 1o "• fNnch". safety. role played by the emerging Greek speaking about an 'immigration Among the victims nation-State in abolishing Uth­ overdose. • In June, Chirac talked of in one week in September were an maniyyah power from Europe. French citizens being 'angered by almost-due pregnant Vietnamese Euro-racism seems set to be­ the noise and smell of immigrants.' woman in Dresden, who was kick­ come an integral part of the new (A complaint for 'incitement to ra­ ed and beaten within an inch of her Europe, and Muslims are increas­ cial hatred' has been lodged in Or­ life by a gang armed with iron bars, ingly being set up as aunt Sallys for leans where he made the speech.) A and a 25 year-old Ghanian student, any jumped-up European politician month later, the socialist prime who was killed in an arson attack on seeking to tweak his or her ratings minister, Edith Cresson, stated that a hostel in Saalouis. in the poDs. she was considering arranging spe­ With 96 percent of Germans op­ Andrew Smith, director of the cial flights for the forced repatria­ posed to the immigration of so­ right-wing Western Goals Institute, tion of 100,000 'illegal' called economic refugees (who are set up in 1984 and committed to the immigrants. Legal and illegal im­ used as a pool of 'disposable' defence of nationalism and white migration has always been a porous labour to do dirty and underpaid cultural identity, has invited Le Pen term in France as elsewhere. The jobs), German interior minister to speak at the institute's annual distinction can boil down to the Wolfgang Schauble has proposed dinner in London at the end of the subjective judgements and grudges amendments to the anti-fascist year. Although Muslims are the of police and immigration officials, post-war constitution in order to principal target of Le Pen's brand and often serves tragically to split curb immigration and the rights of of Euro-racism, no Muslim or­ whole families. In Britain in the refugees. Germany has 5.3 million ganization has seen fit to concern immigrants and 220,000 refugees, itself with this issue.+

AlinJtt MoltiJely 1991:12 (1) Page 17 an the lfOUI"k that as a people's •qaeeenlative, he WIS eqxJCiied k> donale to charities. reJisious functions, weddings and funerals. Don't we all? To be fair, a good number ci (U' MPshave an:adY assisted the Thinking proceeJinp in Plriamcnt by rarely openinJ their mouths for allowed which we are unsure whether to be pate(ul or otherwise. But seriously, few people would grudge the pay increase if our MPs were more accounlable in their duty. Most of us are just diJmayed that more tax money will be going into the pockets of people who have vinually turned the Dewan Rakyat info a great hall of echo by lhe mannea- they aye! aye! after lhe JBtY whip MORE COSTLY iDWittale their points. dwugh one w1pOpUia' lepJalion RUBBER-STAMPS • Making~ which lhcy after 1116Chc:r. Why should we pay have liUie inaention ci keeping. more for what R after all, liale en, OW' MPs are giving • Speaking in Bahasa Malaysia more lhan rubber-llamps? Wthemselves a bigger pay so broken that the national cheque. Their pqxl8ed pay rise, language ~ has k> be are.d ranging from 40 to 100 per cent, is for fractures at the end of each • • • generous, compared to the eight to ParliamemaJy session, 10 per cent increase in salary for • Wheelin& (not to becoofuled GLOBALONEY civil servants. So generous in fact, with driving) and cbling lheir that it has caused some civil ser­ way to a fat bank acoount. '1"\.e Minillly ollnlernational vants to reach the conclusion that Our

Aliran MonJitly 1992:12 (1) Pare 18 Dr Mahathir's wilder ideas - for of a northern state. The occasion ••• example, that the West's interest in was one of those touristy program­ democracy, human rights and mes that have become such a part KOOKY THINK-TANK forests is a mere pretext to keep the of OlU recent lives. The political HE ECONOMIST (the tMd world poor". trio, VIP guests at the event, T magazine that spouts right­ decided to put that "caring society" wing opinions with undeniable touch (others attributed it to the style and eloquence), in a rather • • • spirit of opportunism) to the eve­ interesting guide to the world's ning by each wheeling a disabled child into an amphitheatre where a think-tanks, rated (on a ~ of 1 LISTEN TO THE BIRDS to 5) Malaysia's Institute of ula~ Layang Layang, a stage show lay in wail Strategic and Infemational Studies Pnewly-disrovered atoll off Those watching the YIPs (ISIS) as follows: the coast of Sabah was the recent wheeling (not to be confused with * 2 marks for being Clever (a topic of a radio programme the dishonourable act of wheeling good score is synonymous to promoting tourist destinations in and dealing) their way into the intellectual depth, its antonym this lovely land of ours. The amphitheatre were visibly being pedantty), Tourist Development Corporation touched. How caring, thought· • 4 marks for being man being interviewed that morn­ everyone, including the wheelers. Well-Connected (Syn. political ing said the atoll would attract spe­ The caring mood prevailed until a influence; Ant. irrelevance), cial interest tourists wanting to sudden downpour. Immediately • 4 'marks for being Canny experience nature at its most pris­ umbrellas were rushed to protect (Syn. a flair for publicity; Ant tine. It offers adventures such as the heads of the YIPs who obscurity), scuba- diving, snorkeling, ftshing continued to enjoy the show, while • 3 marks for being Cushy and bird-watching. Nine species of the rain pelted down onto the (Syn. comfortable SWTOWldings; birds have also been detected on wheelchair-bound children seated Ant poverty), the atoll. The TDC man added that just in front of them. Finally • 4 points for being Kooky visitors, as they approached the several onlookers, unable to bear the sight of the drenched (Syn. a streak of eccentricity; Ant. santuary of the birds, would be conventionality). treated to the "symphony ofnoises wheelchair occupants, rushed to Overnll, ISIS did not fare too and sounds of the birds as if they wheel them out of the rain. The well compared with some 20 other were ttying to shoo away visitors". sham was embarassing, in fact, think-tanks worldwide though I could not have put it any better shameful. The God- fearing there were a few other far worse than the TDC man -or the birds for among the onlookers that evening ones. The reviewers did not think that matter. regarded the incident as a divine ISIS was that clever but could not Jesson for political opportunists. deny its influence on the Jaded voters saw the episode as yet powers-that-be. 1ky also thought • • • another comical repeat of it to be rather canny which is not politicians tripping over their own exactly a compliment, if one INSINCERELY YOURS insincerity. As for the cynics understands the understatedness of among us, they have but their usual A part from echoing and rub­ dark humour to contribute: Never British humour. It was also among ~er-stamping, many the most kooky, one of those trust a politician with your politicians are rather ac­ wheelchair. words in the English language complished actors. They can be which means precisely the way it ugly racists before one audience sounds. and ardent advocates of human • • • ISIS's chief egg-head Noordin rights before another. Their range also "credited" Sopiee was by the ofroles is quite astonishing and has magazine for his role in crafting Dr ABSENT-MINDED to be seen to be believed. But as PROFESSORS M"s Vision 2020 and as Dr M's they say, you can't fool all of the speech writer. One thing which the peopte all the time, and this was ,.,..e departure of university reviewers were not quite clear of more than aptly demonstrated in .I. brains (a term used here with was "whether ISIS also provides the case of three top political guns great presumption) for greener the intellectual input for some of

Alinm Molflhly 1992:12 (1) Page 19 . pastures in the priva&c sector and care less" about helping thernsd- '\ foreign tertiary institutions has ves. Some, he claimed, were un- prompted the Ministry of Educa­ willing to participate because they', tion to quickly dish out a number were&WmeddbeinglabeUedas \. \ of stop-gap measures. Academics poor folks. A sheep-rearing • are however, apprehensive that JXl)gramme ((X' the poor turned ~~... -...L one ofthe remedial moves- that of inlo a "pets JX'08l3lllRIC" because enabling more JXO(esD'S to be ap­ the poor grew so auached to the' pointed - may lead to a prolifera­ animals that they were reluctant to • tion of "absent-minded part with them. .... profeBn". These professors are The MB's half-baked theories not to be mistaken with those who about poverty suggest a poverty of / / / usually get so caught up in intel­ mind on his own )Wt He ought to lectual ptD'Sllits that they some­ start looking mae closely at those times cannot find their reading implementing the programme glasses perched on their foreheads. instead of scolding the miserable The sort of "absent-minded recipients. Many government profeBn" we are taDcing about projects, though well- meaning in here are 1hose whose heads seem their intention, have failed because to be absent ofminds. They neither of the lack of commitment, like executives when the new look carry out any research na do they capability and experience of f

Alirtut MonJhly1992:12 (1) Page 20 homes. They are afraid he may try ful time. The state had 134 cases of Museum, which would bring its to spruce up their shabby image by prostitution last year followed museum tally to 18! It is said that making them put on ghastly closely by Kuala Lumpur with 126 the section concerning the hiskxy neck-ties for their tapping rounds. cases. Both states have been vying of the Malacca people in the year foc the top pla;es the past three 1991 (also known as Malacca's yea-s followed closely by Perak. very own Operation Desert Storm) ••• Penang and Selangor. How sordid! is to consist of but one brief and Prostitution is largely an urban so­ diplomatic statement -a dry tap. "CHILD ABUSE" cial poblem and is very much re­ It was also repOOed that plans DOWN SOUTH lated to the tourism and for an Umno Museum have been en1ertainmentsectorinto which the aborted to avoid getting oathsome habits do have a govenunent has pumped so much · "embroiled in a political issue". way of catching on. The L tax money in recent years. It looks That was quite adroit on the part of ruling party in a southern island like irmocent tax-payers like us the Chief Minister although he state wants to slash certain services have been indirectly promoting the could have easily side-stepped the from opposition-controlled wards flesh trade all this time. potential ocrimony by having two after a general election which saw museums- Umno Museum A and them with a declining command of Uruno Museum B. After all, what popular votes. Those who vote~ ••• is one more museum in this land or position, the pmy has decided, museums? cannot have their cake and it eat Meanwhile, the rest of us are too. Kindergarten classes, free AMUSING MUSEUMS ith the drought now but a growing rather restless for the legal and medical advice will be earlier proposed Museum of among the first to go off the freebie Wdry and dusty chapter of the past, the Maiacca government Judicial History. But we hear that list The ruling party will reduce by the state goverrunent is hopping SO per cent, kindc'lgarten classes in can now fully devote its attention to its quest for the most museums about in circles trying to track opposition- controUed wards. As down three suitable kangaroos for in the country. The state is now usual, when elephants stampede, it some crucial exhibits. It seems no is those in the grass below who are preparing to set up a People's trampled. In this case, it is the in­ nocent children who have little to do with their parents' political choice. Such tactics are childish, petty and spiteful to say the least and hardly speaks weD for a nation that prides itself as a leader in the Asian region. The little dragon of the East stiU has a lot of growing up to do. • • • STATES WORTH SPENDING A THOUSAND AND ONE NIGHTS ontinuing our national fas.. Ccination for the highest, the biggest and the ~ ... Johor has topped the list of pta;es where one can have a naughtily wonder-

Aliran Monlhly 1992:12 (1) Pt~ge 21 kangaroo worth his pouch is keen certain Minister who has been presentlPduring the controversial to get involved in any kangaroo making an earnest spectacle of Bar EGM of three years past. The court. even if it's only an exhibit. himself in the Dewat Rakyat to Minister, then on the othel side of Good 'ole Skippy- they may be show his loyalty to a regime that he the political fence, was said iO have animals, but they certainly seem to had at one time renounced. The waved both hands in the air in possess more principle than some Minister was among those who support of the Bar motion. It can humans. joined Seman gat '46 during the only be surrnisOO .th:lt the chap has hurty-burly days of Team A and been "born again" with no memory Team B. He was not there long whatsoever of his past ••• before he made a well-calculated leap back into the anns of Umno. ALL TALK AND NO His record jwnp won him a Mini- • • • WORK sterialship after the last general election. DRMGOES TheDeputy PM, in yet another He is now among the most MOUNTAINEERING of his provincial homilies, reliable and eager of the coterie of has advised Malays to make better political elites in government to s incc the mountain would not use ofall those seminars, conferen- lash out at the opposition and other come to Mohamad, ces and workshops they have perceived enemies and critics of Mohamad went to the mountain ... grown so fond of organising, be it the government. A former hence, Dr Maha&Nr' s 10-day unof- to discuss why they are still not practising lawyer, the Minister has ficial (whatever that means) visitto top-notch businessmen or why been vocal on some of the more Japan. The visit was specifically to they are still not as rich as others. questionable JX3Ctices of the Bar open the new Malaysian Embassy. Such gatherings, he said, were not (well, he should know). More Our PM was anxious to stress that entirely useless, but participants recently, he crossed velbal swords he was NOT trying to impress must make it a point to practise with his legal brotheJ's over the upon the new Japanese Premier what they had learnt In fact, the Lord President issue which he, for Kiichl Miyazawa (hopefully, he'll straight- talking Wanita Umno reasons of his own, chose to be around longer because of late, chairwoman had previously ob- exhume after it had been near just as you have memorised one served that her community folks forgotten by short-memory toogue-t.visting name, it's time to seemed to enjoy endless seminars Malaysians. learn another) the importance of to tell all and sundry about their In the sanctimonious tone the EAEC, which though a highly problems and weaknesses. Unfor- much favoured by those of the worthwhile concept, is in serious tunately, for most participants of "born- again" species, the Minister danger of ending up on a dusty, seminars and conferences (and advised the Bar to repair their cobwebbed shelf without Japan's they are not only confined to relations with the judiciary, endorsement. One cannot be Umno) that are usually held at particularly Tun Hamid Omar • blamed for trying to read more into great cost in star-strung hotels, whom the Bar has snubbed outside Dr Mahathir's Japan visit which what is discussed usually goes the court. The Minister, unable to was just prior to the Asian tour of through one ear and out the next comprehend that Tun Hamid is the World Number I Policeman, a that even before their expensive part of the judiciary but that the tour has turned out to resemble lunches are digested. judiciary is not Tun Ham1d, a Wild, Wild West quest to open new frontiers and opportunities for impbed that Bar members were hypocrites since as they had no American goods. • • • qualms ab.:>ut appearing before Tun Hamid in the Supreme Court. BORN-AGAIN • • • POLmCIANS However, an opposition MP . AND ANWAR GOES politicians are well-known to and owner of a memory cf some be ruther dangerous animals durability, reminded the Minister ON THE MOUNT who become even more menacing that he had been among hundreds ~g about the Wild, Wild if they are of the "born-again" of lawyers supporting the Bar st, the Minister of breed as evident in the case of a Council's position against the Finance fell off his high-horse

Alinm Monlhly 1992:12 (1) Page 22 recently (every pun iniCnded). The holiday spirit must have got to our very own Urban Cowboy for this VIP to take time off from his super-tight schedule to horse around. He found 10 his diSmay that getting an unpredictable animal to obey hiin was not • easy as ordering his party toadies to carry out his commands. He ended up with a real pain in the neck (no pun intended this time) as evident from the photogJ:aph of him on the front page of a newspaper. Hope­ fully the fall is no premonition oC political things to come his way • • • • QUACKING INTO THE NEW YEAR an men really be blamed for Ctheir frivolous treabnent of women? I am having serious doubts after reading the New Year resolutions of some women in­ cluding a singing star, a lOp civil servant and a high !IOCiety lady in the papers. They wished. more than anything else in 1992, to lose weight (it would only be fair here to mention that a fat man also told the interviewer the same thing) for the pathetic reason ofbeing able to look more fashionable (and to think that I thought the only excuse for dieting was poverty). It was obviously not the fU"St time they were resolving thus for one of them looks beyond redemption. Another woman just wanted to shop, shop and shop while another wished she could between the lines. but I shan't her forecast of Imelda Marcos stay at home to potter around her The New Year is also the time opening a chain of boutiques in garden. Still, none of the women for conte~pporay NostnKJarnuscs 1991 had not materialised. looked as silly ~ the a. Council to make their two-sen worth of AciUalJy, her forecast was not as JftSident who not only Wished to pedictions and for skqJtics to late quackish as one would think, so on a boozing binge with the sadistic pleasure in pointing out because Imelda Marcos IS a PM. but also wanted to end up failed prophecies for the year walking boutique. hugging and kissing him! I am before. For instance, a certain tempted to teU you what I S:lW in psychic was cruelly reminded that bJNNP

Aliron MofllhJy 1992:12 (1) Page 23 pearing at such an alarming rate. The tropical rainforests of Sarawalc repre­ LErrERS sent the last few of the remaining vir­ gin forests in the world. H statistics is anything to go by, then we should stop pointing accusing fingers at developed nations and instead start greening our own baclcyard first. The main culprit of deforestation is Sarawalc's logging, be it legal or otherwise. The Sarawalc state govern­ ment claims that the logging industry provides jobs to 400,000 people in the state. This only goes to show that the state government is only inter­ ested in short-term benefits without ever taking into consideration its long­ term effects. If the forests are gone due to deforestation, where are the The Latest? fairplay. I'm sure all of us will really 400,000 people going to fmd jobs in be proud of him if he could do this. the near future? H the state govern­ ay I offer you the latest riddle? This will further enhance his image in ment is sincere, then it should diver­ M Ada Menteri gila naik kuda, the eyes of the world. sify its economy now and should not ada Menteri gila naik pang kat, ada By allowing the ruling political depend heavily on the logging in­ Menteri gila naik gaji. Berapa parties to gain access to the world of dustry. Tropical rainforests are not so Menteri gilajagafaedah rakyat? fmance through favouritism, he is in easy to be replaced. J.Hood fact practising a form of corruption. Tunber concessions are given out JOHORBARU There are many people who join the in Sarawalc according to the whims political parties not to serve the and fancy of certain state leaders. people, but to gain influence and posi­ There are cases of nepotism, cronism tion for self-interest. and string-pulling. These people who Umno Baru Should Not Be Dr Christopher Cheah claim to champion the rights of the In Business ALORSEfAR people are only interested in feather­ ing their own nests. e read with in&erest about Does it ever occur to them that W what was said during the logging threatens the livelihood of recent UMNO Baru General Assembly. Rainforests And others? One glaring example is the I support whole-heartedly the idea that Threatened Uvellhood Penans. The rainforest has long been the royalty should not compete with a place which purveys them with the common people for business pennits our numerous articles regarding basic necessities such as food, and tenden. Y the environment in the past few medicinal roots and herbs as well as The same rule should apply to issues of Aliran Monthly arrested my shelter. Logging has robbed them of UMNO Baru's influential people. attention. these ba~ic necessittes. Therefore, the UMNO Baru being the dominant It's very distressing to note that timber tycoons are actually earning at partner of the ruling party, should the rainforests of Sarawalc are disap- the expense of others. 13ke the lead in this aspect. All political parties should dis­ sociate themselves from any form of active business. It is difficult to check: the abuse of power without fear or favour in this area if one is not in­ volved. Malaysia is one of the very few countries practising democracy that allows ruling political parties to have vast interests in business. (In fact, I can't recall other democratic countries allowing such a thing to happen.) In order to achieve Vision 2020, our Prime Minister should be fum in Colec:tion point for logs on the e.r.m River: s.r.w.k's logging Industry is the the concept of rule of law and culprit of its npid detor..1ration.

A/Jrun MonJhly 1992:12 (1) Page 24 I find it hard to comprehend how livelihood for others. By not doing so, Freemasonry· Documents the Sarawalc state government can in it will be a disservice and gross injus­ one breadth claim to champion the tice to posterity. Required rights of the people and in the next A ConctrMd Sarawakian would appreciate it very much if justify the fact that they allow the KUALA LUMPUR livelihood of others to be threatened. I you could help me verify and Bewildering contradictions! obtain the sources quoted by Su.laiman The state government pretends to Mohd Daud in the article "Freemasoruy - Should It Be Banned?" (AM, show for to the Penans. So much Let There Be No Bias publicity is given regarding efforts to 1991:11(10) pp 12 f.) I am especially interested in those uplift their living standard. They try ttitudes shown by certain people to do this under the pretext that set­ documents in which the different A baJI1e me a lot Racialism seems Christian dominations/Churches in tled life is better than the nomadic life­ to be displayed outwardly or implied the West censure Freemansory (viz. style. This need not necessarily be so. subtly. This was clearly demonstrated Talce the case of the estate workers. the Catholic Church. the Church of How do they fare? England, the Methodist Church and Why is it only now that the the Free Church of Scotland). Sarawalt state government is showing R~. Ong Hwoi Ttilc concern for the Penans? They should JPOH have in fact done so during the last25 (Editor'• N•: We had written to years or so. It is obvious that they En. Sulaiman Mohd Daud on 30 have vested interests. If the state Novembu 1991 requesting him to government is really sincere, th.en malL available tilL informaJion that is they should gazette th~ traditional ~ing soughJ so that we could carry it land belonging to the natives as na­ togethLr with R~. Ong's letter. Unfor­ tive reserves. tunalely, En. Sulaiman has not Though the logging industry respotukQ) provides jobs, it accounts for a high percentage of industrial accidents in the country. What's the point of having jobs with the risk of being killed or maimed? It is also immoral Freemasonry- Take Action for the timber tycoons to get the lion's share of the money while the have just returned from the United backbone of any industry, the I Kingdom and wu passed a copy of o.p.1mentlll Store firecr.:br your magazine (AM, 1991:11 (10)) workers, get a pittance despite having chpllly betore am.. New v.. : No to face the risk of being killed or eimbr hocHWI during o..p.vali issue. I want to congrawlate the writer maimed. 8IMCka of racial biM. of the letter on "Freemasoruy - Should Logging also causes serious • it be Banned?" He has brought into the problems such as soil erosion and pol­ during the festive season of Deepavah. open a sinister movement which lution. Fishermen who depend on the Many of my peers and I have operates under a cloak of seaecy. The rivers for their hvelihood are also noticed that during festivals such as mere fact that Freema.soruy insists on being threatened. Soil erosion causes Hari Raya and Chinese New Year strict secrecy is in itself evidence that it silting and thus flooding. Ask anyone most shopping complexes and super­ has something to hide and invites in Kapil. Sarawalc and they'll tell you marlcets put up banners of greetings a questions as to its purpose and that it toolc less than a day for the rain few weeks before the occasion. How­ objectives. Historically, it is known that m Belaga (the upper reaches of the ever, for Deepavali this IS not the Freemasons have exerted influence in Rejang River) to reach Kapil in the case. Some business concerns do not the politics of a country and have form of muddy water which pre­ bother to put up any and some only protected their own lcind. It is also viously toolc at least a week. put them up a few days before the fes­ known that they have shown Tropical rainforests also serve as tival. favouritism towards their own lcind and water catchment areas because of This bias is clearly shown even in exercised influence in the latter's their water retention. With logging, TV advertisements. Why is this so? favour. the surface run~ff will be increased. This may seem lilce a small issue Their influence in the United May the Malacca water fiasco serve but everything starts small. Why Kingdom is now shown to be con­ as an eye-opener to the people of should racialism be shown even in trary to the public interest so much so Sarawale. such a trivial manner? that the local authonties have initiated Finally, as a citizen of Malaysia Friday 13th moves to actively discourage its of Sarawale origin. I am duty- bound KUALA LUMPUR employees from being members. This to repulse any policy, project and ac­ is especially so in the case of police tivity that threatens the environment force and other agencies of the law which is our heritage and the basis of and the judiciary. The established

Aliran MonJhly 1992:12 (1) Page 25 churches of the UK have also strong­ out". He was an outstanding student pointment are true i.e. clients' com­ ly condemned the Freemason move­ at the Arts faculty of the University of plaints qainst lawyers will be at­ ment In short, Freemuory is now New South Wales (scoring higher dis­ tended to fast and fairly by the seen to be inimical to the interest of tinctions in many subjects), despite Attorney-General who is to be ap­ the country and the church. There is a his many commitments to human pointed Bar President, then clients growmg current in the UK to dis­ rights, peace and environmental would be very happy. courage and disallow Freemasory. groups in Australia. Complaints against lawyers wl.ll UK has greater and tonga- ex­ An articulate speaker, Kamal be resolved as fast as the BMF fraud perielfce of Freemasonry and if i't is recently met Australian Minister for was settled: as quickly as the scandal taking action against that movement Foreign Affairs, Gareth Evans, face to of the blue-film videos was turned there is no reason for Malaysia to let face at a recent demonstration against into beautiful colours, as humedly as Freemasonry flourish in our country, Australia's foreign policy. Evans as­ the many tenders given arbitrarily to especially, when the official retlgion sured Kamal personally that a satisfac­ UMNO Baru-

AUra" MonlltJJ 1992:12 (I) Page 26 fighting corruption, it is the public The root problems of the Orang that becomes the victims. It is not Asli community must be addressed in enough to discipline the civil servants order to provide true development Is­ through various courses. We also sues pertaining to land rights, and the need strong institutions to fight cor­ debt trap must be addressed. The ruption. Orang Asli are often victims of un­ Free the ACA. Create a corrup­ saupulous middle-men or traders. tion-free Malaysian society by the They also have problems obtaining year2CXX>. lo1111 from fmancial inllitutions as RMuniandy they do not have the needed collateral PUU.U PINANG (which is linked with the issue of land titles). These 250 welfare workers should seek to develop a community Address the Root Problems oriented approach to poverty allevia­ tion in the model of Amanah Ilchtiar read with great interest the Malaysia. A majority of these workers I govenvnent's decision to create must be members of the Orang Asli

A Semlli boy poeee In lronc of tM. mllkMhift hut: Powrty • not oonlnlid to eny one ethnic community. Prime Minister's Vision 2020 which promises to build a more just and caring society? I am not a racist but a true Malaysian. The fund should be made available to aU poor Malaysians, if the government is sincere in its inten­ tion of building a more just society. Dr A X Jayakumar KLANG

FreetheACA

nce again our Prime Minister Ohas spoken against corruption. An Onng Mil cammunley pro c •••• hil rice: A neglecW OORMnUnhy, often .. As Dr Mahathir said in the recmt the mercy of ...... Md middle-men. UMNO Baru assembly, corruption is 2.50 welfare officers • posts for the 280 community in order for them to be one of the major hindrances to Onng Aslj ldtlernents. This is indeed more effective in creating greater achieving Vision 2020. But our leaders praiseworthy and timely. The Orang community awareness and mobilizmg .-e not sincere enough to wipe out Asli have been a neglected community them for appropriate development oorruption even though they may speak in Malaysia and this provision will These newly appointed workers ag~ it As usual, corruption is very further enhance the development of this must be welfare/community workers rampent and it prevails in every sphere convnunity. rather than be seen to be and function of our society. However, I express great concern as religious welfare workers. To thiS Aliran has stressed on numerous that thC selection and training of these end a broad-based training occasions that the Anti-Corruption workers is to be done by the programme and selection and co-or­ Agency (ACA) must be freed from Religious Affairs Department and the dination process is essential in order executive control. In order for the Orang Asli Department. nus is for these workers to work alongside ACA to become a viable inslltution to counter productive and negauve. the community. curb and control corruption and It will be more effective to link Denison Jayasooria nepotism, it must be directly these workers with the Department of KUALA LUMPUR answerable to Parliament. Social Welfare which is more oriented But all these words have fallen on towards Social Development and Na­ deaf ears. tional Unity. If the government is not sincere in Compulsory car nealth, if it is taken for granted, we people were picked up from the Accessories would only regret it when we are talcen streets and were registered as home­ ill. This slalement of his reminded me less. This sorrow is compounded by an uttaly disgusted thll six car of the three years' experience I got from the government's plan to build a I IIXleSSOries were mlde rnandltory my stay in Singapore. Like many multi-million ringg1t stadium in Bukit by the Ministry of International Trlde thousands of others who wmt on 111 Jalil Estate in K.L. About 100-odd or ratha' by Mahathir' s UMNO exodus in search of employment in the homes were served with eviction Baru-dominat.ed cabinet. mid-eighties, I too went to Singapore. notices without any compensation. Is Caring Society? Yes, caring for To date, tha'e are more than 1OO, this how the govenunent plans to EON's and HICOM's money, but Malaysians working in Singapore. I develop this country - at the expense squeezing the last drop of our sweat was very disappointed in certain of the rolcyat? The senior citizens of and blood. Malaysians there who spoke ill of Singapore have no worries over hous­ How can Mahathir and his MalaysiL Being a patriotic Malaysian, I ing or money matters because they cronies be so heartless? tried to defend my oountry, my tanah have sufficient savings in the Central CMl1ttd Again tumpah daroh ku, but was always at the Provident Fund (CPF). The contribu­ PENANG losing end for Singaporeans joined this tion towards CPF in Singapore is group of Malaysians in attaclcing 22..5% and 16..5% for employees and MalaystL It is very disheartening to employers respechvely. This is rela­ know that there are people who tively h1gh compared to Malaysta's Stop the Destruction berpaling tadah towards our homeland. rates. Singapore is very proud of its The main criticisms raised by the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) which he loging of tropical forests has Singaporeans are on the subjects of costs about S$5 billion, which was Tbrought in a oonsidenble oorruphon and bribery. Is 1t true thai the financed by the CPF fund. This is a IIJlOWlt of foreign exchange which is Malaysian Police can be easily bought? smart way of avoiding forei'" debts. needed for development But there are If not, how did the news travel across Malaysia, to date, has a foreign debt other better ways to improve the the causeway? Remember, there's no of $41 billion. A hefty 20% of the economy. smoke without fire. The discipline of Federal budget is spent on servicing The continued destruction of Malaysaans compared to Singaporeans the debt This represents an enormous forests hu raised widespread protests is very alarming. Singapore is going all drain on the country's revenue. especially from the western world. It out with its no-smoking campaign with Singapore's present Prime Mini­ has continued to hurt the feelings and a ban on smoking in aU air~nditioned ster Gob Chok Tong can always be sentiments of the people of Europe places. Why isn't Malaysia taking such seen wearing very casual clothes. who would like the tropical forests to action? For a start, we Clll advcnise the This sight reaches straight out to the be preserved. hazards of smoking over TV. Isn't it Ill hearts of the people for they see him Once they are destroyed. there eye-sore to see people smoking in such as one of them and this deepens their will be no tropical forest left in this enclosed places like in a bank? Bank love for their country. But lo and be­ part of the world. Sirnpanan Nasional in Johor Baru, hold! Here comes Samy VeUu with They want to preserve wildlife which is localed on the growxl floor of his $2,(XX) Italian-made Zegna suit 111d Nature. The Orang Utans need Wisma Maria, has even installed ash whtch ts nearly enough to sponsor a the forests. No one should attempt to trays in their bank for the convenience university student for one year. Samy snatch the forests from them. Once of their customers instead of pasting Vellu must have regretted getting that the forests are destroyed, wildlife wiU "no-smoking" stickers on the wall. suit after it raised much public atten­ become to extinct What would you expect a tion but we must be aware that the All the wealth accumulated in this Singaporean·s comment to be when he human race is such that the bad is al­ world cannot bring back to life an ex­ sees this and compares it with the banks ways highlighted and the good will tinct species of wildlife. in Singapore? So would you blame me only be remembered when they are Obviously, this elementary lesson for bemg on the losing end in our no more around. It can't be denied has not been learnt due to deep­ discussiOns? that Samy Vellu has brought a lot of rooted, unsatisfied greed 111d Singapore since its breakaway development to the Indian community materialism. from Malaysia in 1965 has gone but his advice to increase the popula­ LuBokStong through drastic changes and tion of Indian Malaysians is most un­ called for. Does he fear that a small BUKIT MERTAJAM developed a respectable status under the leadership of Lee Kuan Yew. In ethnic group may not be able to sur­ the opinion of the Opposition, he is a vive here? This defeats the goal of na­ dictator and controls the government. tional unity and deepens ethnic But look at the changes he has grievances. VIsion 2020: Mere brought. Every Singaporean is well It's a known fact that Malaysian Procrastination taken care of. They are all guaranteed newspapers cannot be brought into a home as a result of proper planning Singapore but Singaporean papers r Mahalhir recently stated that by the Housing Development Board. can be brought into Malaysia. Not Dno one should take their In KL. during the flfSt few hours of knowing why, I asked a few Sin­ citizenship for grv~ted. Like good Census Day on 14 August 1991,15 gaporeans. They believe the Sin-

A.linut Monlhly 1992:12 (1) P11g• 28 &apore ~ss is controlled and so the country. We can use many methods bustle of urban life - it •s a free choice. news is safe to be brought out but used in foreign countrieS' to improve However, I would lilce to correct Malaysia has a free Press and the Malaysia. May this article be an eye the misconception that there are no release of its news may tarnish the opener for all Malaysians, particularly opportunities in the plantation in­ country's image. Remember the time those who are keeping an eye closed. dustry, and that its workers are when The Star was suspended for a May God bless Malaysia. doomed to live in a state of perpetual few months but later allowed to PrablwS poverty. resume only after some serious condi­ KUALAWMPUR A visit to a well run plantation tions were imposed. So much for the may swprise many people. I lcnow of freedom of the Malaysian Press. at least one estate in Johor where While I was in Singapore I carne flowers grow around the workers' across a strong, wealthy, powerful Heavenly Justice houses; cars are parked beside many welfare body called the Community of them; and inside, well fed and Chest. Each caring and generous per­ was glad to reld in your latest issue clothed children watch television in son would sign an agreement with his I that your readers have kept the neatly furnished living rooms. There respective Nnk to deduct a small swn issue on the dismissal of the former must be many such estates all over from their monthly saluy td be paid Lord President alive. the country. to the Community Chest for the There is a Hindu saying which Opportunities also aboWJd for the benefit of thousands of needy people when translated literally goes as fol­ ambitious worker. For example, a per­ in their SHARE programme. A lows: "Tilere is delay in God's house sonal friend of mine who started off similar welfare body could be set up but there is justice in God's house." as a weeder is today an esllite in Malaysia to help those in need in­ Those who benefited from our manager! As for those who don't get cluding the .aged, the mentally Lord Prestdent's dismissal will be that far, well - even five years ago, retarded, orphans and so on. Every punished by God. Let this be a warn­ there were many oil palm harvesters working adult could donate a mini­ ing to those who participated in his who were in the income tax braclcet; mum of $1 a month towards this expulsion. there must be even more today! Need programme and all donations would JSSidhu I say more? be tax-exempted. This, I feel, would PENANG Poverty, of course, is always with be more than enough to help us, and this applies to the plantation thousands of WJfortWJat.e Malaysians. sector as much as anywhere else. I believe everyone who cares will Such poverty is not always the result defmitely join in and share. PlantatJon Paradise! of low wages. Very often, it is the Recently Malaysians were intro­ result of other social problems, for ex­ duced to a new identity card (IC). We hen I returned from a holiday ample the lack of family planning in are fortWJate and should be proud 10 W recently, a friend brought my estates. have an IC to show that we are attention to a letter in The Star ( 19 Saij Astrel citizens of Malaysia. Some western October 1991). which I read with KUANTAN countnes tncluding the US don't have interest. It would be pointless to get into ICs. Their citizens are identified a long, acrimonious correspondence on through birth certificates or driving this issue. Some enjoy the peace and the licences. I'd like to suggest that our tranquility of the countryside, while EAEC: Japan Subservient IC numbers be used for all purposes others cannot do without the hustle and to US Interests i.e. for passports, EPF accoWlt num­ bers and others. SlllCe every in­ he llalement by Japan dividual bas his own IC number I T Aslociation of Corporate don't see why our passport number Executive OWnnan Masaru Hayami must be different. Our personal iden­ !hal Japanese businessmen fear that the tification has to be standardized. East Asian Economic Caucus (EAEC) After Visit Malaysia Year 1990, proposed by Malaysia could drive the the government is planning a similar United StaleS and the European feat in 1994. Before that year I hope Community into forming blocs shows that a very serious social disease in thal JipaD is a country that is KL can be eliminated -begging. A subservient 10 Western interests. Even walk to Pudu Ray a will reveal many though the JllpllllCSC Government has people sitting and begging along the not mllde an offiCial stand, this staircases. I hope the Ministry con­ statanena should be taken seriously by cerned will take positive steps to curb East Asian COWltriCS. this. The EAEC has been proposed so Finally, I'm not in any way that countries in this region will be degrading Malaysia for I love my T..,.,..: Notal pl8ntation woti(.. able to enhance their economic country very much. Mine is only an dwell in miHry. cooperation through consultation. individual's opinion to improve our

Alirun Monlhly 1992:12 (1) PaRe 29 They will be able to speak up with contractors. Wa1er remains clogged at Memall and May 13: one voice on their economic plight sevmal places along the road-cide Double Standards when dealing with their trading drains; while Wldergrowth covers the partners in the North. It is a legitimate filly back-lane drains. refer k> a report in TilL Slilr (21 group and there is no ruson for Japan Why all .he hoo-ha about Acdea I November 1991) entitled "Osmlll or the US (which has been pressuring when the place is not kept clean by calls for ICiion against PAS". Japan not to join the Caucus) to fear workers? It is surprising that the Kedah Mentri Besar Osman Aroff it Just as the US has the freedom to MPSP (the town council) has given "bas called for police action qainst form a group such as NAFTA to the job to contractors whereas this PAS for attempting to revive the 1985 protect its economic interests, East work is carried out by MPSP workers Kampong Memali bloodshed." Asian countries too do have the right at Seberang Jaya where there are I support the Mentri Besar's call to proteCt theiJ' own interests. fewer mosquitoes and cleaner drains. for police action. Businessmen from Japan have no in­ Since the by-election, we have But, what about certain UMNO tention of helping their neighbours be­ not seen V. Muthusamy or his repre­ Baru and Barisan leaden who remind come prosperous. Rather, they prefer sentative coming around this place. the public of the May 13 incident to serve their own interests and those Perhaps he only visits the market area whenever there is a general election of their ally, the US which is well which is more important to him. or a by-election in the country? known for its double standards. As a We hope that representatives from Is Osman Aroff aware of this? result, developing economies in East the Health Department and the MPSP, Dr Mahathir threatens the ralcyat. Asia will always be dependent on the and V Muthusamy himself will come by asking them to vote for the G7 for their well- being. to inspect the drains and back-lanes m Barisan, in order to avoid another Ronald all Benjamin Joseph this areL Do they expect people to May 13. IPOH live in houses which are more like I will support and back Osman cages with wire netting covering all Aroff if he calls for police action the windows? agamst Mahathir and hiS followers for A Resident "attempting to revive" May 13. No Sign of Muthusamy PRAI But I don't think Osman bas the guts to do that any people who visit aw J Apalasamy M Leng Parle (in Prai) call it the CAMERON HIGHLANDS dirtiest housing scheme. Why? Because of its road-side and back-lane drains which hove not been cleaned since the removal of refuse was privatized to

The etec:tion h• been won, bu11he drains rem.ut clogged. Where!. Muthuumy?

Alirtut Mottlltlyl992:12 (1) Pill• 30 Religion DANGEROUS STEREOTYPES Akbar S Ahmed here are signs that Islam is Iamie injunctions for balance, com­ beginning to be seen as the passion and tolerance are blotted T main counter-force to out. The holy Qur'an has said. Western Civilization, the major "Your religion for you and mine for enemy after the collapse of Com­ me". munism. For Muslims, God's most cited This is full of perils in the and importand attributes are the present world crisis. Western media Benificent and the Merciful. images of Muslims as threatening This is forgotten by those who only help to further reinforce Is­ dislike Islam. More important. it is lamic rejection of the West. Not forgotten by Muslims themselves. being able to understand Islam Chaining and blind-folding fully, the West considers it defiant hostages - however compelling the in its refusal to conform to Western reasons - do not reflect compassion values and practices. Some com­ and mercy. Nor does the killing of mentators assume that Muslim Armenians in the USSR or Chris­ societis are becoming ever more tians in Sudan, nor the brutality of like Western ones, moving along a despotic leaders. But brutal despots materialist trajectory to a con­ are not exclusive to Muslim sumerist Utopia. countries. Pinochet, Ceausescu, The Rushdie affair illustrated SWeolypina: ...._.. Ruehdie'a book Marcos, their regimes were charac­ how easy it was for the Western .,...... In~ end ..... terized by murder, torture and un­ lluelim civlludon .. oondemMd. liberal mind to slip into stereotypes. paralleled corruption. Because of a single act of book­ humility. These underline the burning committed by specific moral content of human existence, Horseback Charge people in Bradford an entire world they suggest security and stability The burning of books may yet civilization was condemned. in family life, in marriage and a care do us all a service because it ex­ Islam was ridiculed and pil­ for the aged. Recent signs in posed the great gaps in under­ loried in the media It became a Western societies indicate that per­ standing between Islam and code word for "fanatic" and "dis­ haps the time is ripe to readmit care Western civilization, the violent ruptive". Muslims were p

Alinua MOIIIJI/y 1992:12 (1) P11g~ 31 All this created in Europe an image of a threatening and aggressive Is­ lamic wotld. The second encounter was briefer - lasting perhaps a century - and ferocious. It was symbolized by the spectacle of Muslim tribesmen recklessly charging disciplined European regiments formed into squares. At the end of this second encounter there was an obvious dif­ ference between a triumhant Western civilization surging for­ word and a Muslim civilization racked with loss of intellectual con­ fidence. Burning books is just one symptom, the symbolic equivalent s..cs.n... 8ft .....me echool: ...... not,..., llbout bombe­ of the 19th-century charge on book-bumlng." horseback. into the vacuum have stepped the under the body, requires loose gar­ The only hope· for Muslim prejudices and stereotypes of the ments. Tight jeans would be sheer civilization is for its leaders to media. lumbar agony. Simple theories of awake to the crisis facing their Westerners can fmd a simple racial superiority based on colour societies and create an awareness of clue to Muslim society by looking or nationality are no longer tenable. their own Islamic destiny - the lack at our differences in dress. Jeans, People are moving slowly but inex­ of which would push Muslim which in the West represent a orably towards a recognition of a groups further away from the rest of levelling of class have failed to win conmon humanity . In today's the world, making global hannony mass popularity in Muslim world we can glory in our cultural difficult. countries. Islam is specifiC about differences. The variety enriches. A great deal will depend on modesty in men and women. A Your_jeans for you, but robes for those who can build bridges be­ dress which look best when skin­ me.U tween the two civilizations. Unfor­ tight, and is meant to indicate the tunately many intellectuals seem to contours of the torso, violates this Source: FOR A CHANGE, VOL 3 have abandoned the role of inj~ncion. Besides, the sitting NO 10/NOV 1990 transcending the differences, and prayer position, with legs tucked

OWing to a printing fallt, we ...... wt the cartoon on pege 34 of AM 1H1:11 (12): THE LIGKTER SIDE OF CURRENT EVENTS

Alinua MoniiJy 1992:12 (1) P•r• 32 to state aaeemblymen; state exco members u well aa the menteris be~ar and chief ministers. Our con­ cern is based on the following five reaaons. Firstly, this increase is eo big when compared to the less than 10 percent increase in salaries that was awarded to moat other public sector employees. Secondly, in the case of parlia­ ment members, most ofthem have other full time jobs. To raise their current tax-free allowance of $3,000 to $4,800 appears to be ex­ tremely extravagant. If this in­ crease is to be justified, we should insist that they all become full time parliamentarians and take their duties more seriously. We should have longer parliamentary sessions where issues can be debated in full and attendance is made compulsory. Thirdly, in the case of the min­ isters and deputy ministers we are CURRENT told that what they are getting is far less than what their counter­ parts in Singapore get. Com­ parison has also been made with CONCERNS salaries of chief executives in the private sector. However when the meagre 8 percent increase in public sector salaries was an­ nounced, no comparison was made to the much better pay en­ joyed by public sector employees in Singapore. This smacks of double. standards: one for elites and another for ordinary people. Fourthly, such a large quan­ tum of increase would deal a psychological blow to the fight against inflation which is becom­ ing our number one economic problem. In the past, our political leaders have often asked workers both in the public and private sec­ tor to moderate their pay demands to keep inflation under control. For a government that preaches about leadership by ex­ ample, it seems tO have set the P8y l'lliM joy for our Minist.. ?: Not lor therakyat lllrMdy etrugging with the wrong example. Perhaps our stlrinldng ringgit. leaders should look east towards Japan where leaders in both Extravagant Increase In salaries and allowances for mini­ private and public sectors take either small increases or no in­ Pay for Politicians sters and members of parliament. Not surprisingly, state govern­ crease in their pay during in­ liran wishes to express its ments having taken the cue are flationary periods. A concern at the huge inCT"eases rushing to award similar increases Finally, given this large in­ ranging from 60 to 100 percent in crease in pay for our politicians,

Aliran Monthly 1992:12 (1) Page 33 we believe that they should show cal and constructive comments a corresponding increase in their and di ..nt to appear at least in responsibilities. In this connec­ publications other than those col­ tion, Aliran wishes to renew its lectively owned by the ruling call for the declaration ofassets by Barisan Nasional. all politicians holding public of­ BesidM, a published critical fice. This is to ensure their ac­ comment should, in the spirit of countability to the public which encouraging intellectual dia­ pays for their salaries and perks. coune and, in the proee11, build­ They can also show that respon­ ing a knowledgeable society, sibility by not rushing through in receive an intellectually indecent haste the bill that in­ stimulating and eloquent creases their salaries within this rejoinder - not a knee-jerk sitting of the parliament. In fact reaponM. we urge all MPs to defer the bill to The muzzling of the the next sitting so that the public Minggwn Waktu is indeed a grim can have more time to debate and reminder to thoee who care for discuss this iMUe. After all, public democracy and freedom of expres­ sector employees have waited for sion. This is particularly so in the nearly three years for their miser­ wake of the recent Federal ly 8 percent increase. Politicians government ruling imposed on wm not suffer much if they have opposition parties such u the to wait for another three months! PAS and DAP, that they conf:me the circulation of the Harakah TM ExecUJive Commiuee and TM Roclrd to their respective 27 December 1991 members only. Both the ban and the limita­ tion on the party organs' circula­ tion have the cumulative effect of Hwdcore pov.-ty exist. Mtong •II Permit Revocation of further narrowing the democratic ethnic groupe. Mlngguan Waktu space available and depriving the However Aliran feels that hard liran views with deep eon­ general public of its legitimate core poverty could best be reduced cern the recent revocation of right to know the policies and through the provision of better A positions of the opposition parties the publishing permit ofMingguan facilities such as schools, health Waktu by the Home Ministry for concerned regarding i•ues of centres, reasonable low cost hous­ this constitutes a blow to the public importance. ing, the creation of job oppor­ democratic right of expression of Needless to say, criticism, dis­ tunities especially in the rural Malaysians in general. sent and opposition are part and areas. The mere handing over of The Ministry's official reason parcel of a democratic life and money for investment in the ASN for the ban that the Malay weekly therefore must be, and seen to be, scheme to those classified within had published lies and criticism of given their appropriate and the hard-core poverty group will the Mahathir administration is legitimate place in our society. not eradicate poverty. In fact it debatable. might create a dependency For one, lies - if indeed they TM EucuJive Committee psychology. For as the old adage were fabrications in this case - 31 December 1991 goes, if we give fish to a hungry should not be handled in this man­ man, he lives for one day but if we ner as it may instead create teach him to fish, he will not know curiosity and unneceasary Helping the hunger all his life. suspicion. In a democratic society, Morever, hard-core poverty ex­ lies can and should be challenged Hardcore Poor? ists among all the various ethnic in other ways that are more per­ liran welcomes the efforts by groups and a more positive ap­ suasive -end instructive, one of Athe government to reduce proach towards solving this prob­ which is to bring the publication hard-core.povertyin Malaysia. Un­ lem is to implement policies that concerned to court. And if found doubtedly this is a serioua problem will benefit all Malaysians guilty, the party concerned should in Malaysian 80ciety. According to regardless of ethnic background be compelled to maklf a public the NDP which forms part of the who are in this category. apology, as was done by the Kelan­ Second Outline Perspective Plan tan government recently. (0PP2) from 1991 to 2000, there The EucUJive Committee, As for criticisms, the govern­ are about 143,100 households clas­ 8 January 1992 ment should be liberal and sified as hard-core poverty democratic enough to allow criti- household.

Allnut MottlltlJ 1992:12 (1) P11g1 34 The INII'ginlllized in h Phlippinee: A centwy of US domirwtion owr IMI'IY Mpecta of~ ... U.ln pwtl.cl to 1he dlslntegnition Md economic •t~gnatlon of 1M country.

economic organization and complisbment. He argues that it change the world so that more just, management. the entrepreneurial ''bas largely created tbe in­ equitable relationships develop be­ skills of their people and so on. This tegrated world in wbicb we now tween all nations and peoples. It is is why even after the US withdrew live, and it would be utter mad­ utterly selfiSh to expect the vast its preferential treatment, the ness to let it crumble after the majority of hwnankind to ac­ economies in question have con­ Cold War bas been won." quiesce with such an unjust world tinued to flourish. simply because a few East Asian In any case, our point is that the What integrated world, one may states (including Singapore) have US military presence per st has ask, which marginalizes such a been integrated into it. been of little consequence in ensur­ large segment of humanity? More ing the impressive economic than a billion human beings live in 3. One oftbe reasons wby Lee growth of East Asia - Wlless one absolute, abject poverty. Nearly is pleased witb tbis integrated believes that communist China three million children (the world is because it places Asian (John Foster Dulles's 'yellow equivalent of Singapore's total security in American bands. For peril') would have gobbled up population) die each year from im­ be is afraid that ''iftbe Americans Japan or South Korea or Taiwan or munizable diseases. 180 million are not around the Japanese can­ Hong Kong if it had not been for the children suffer from serious mal­ not be sure wbo will protect their US navy or air force in the region. nutrition. At the same time, a billion oil tankers." They will want to Most analysts today including adults cannot read or write. become a military power. some who once subscribed to the It is a world divided between the myth of the yellow peril, acknow­ 'haves' and 'have-nots', the rich No one should dismiss- without ledge that since the ftfties China has and the poor, the powerful and the serious consideration - the sugges­ not displayed any covert or overt powerless. It is a world in which 77 tion that Japan might one day desire to dominate and control the per cent of the population earn only decide to become a military power rest of Asia. It has been - as it will 15 per cent of total incomes. Such once again and dominate Asia. The continue to be in the forseeable fu­ a world can hardly be described as Japanese occupation of large parts ture - engrossed in its own 'integrated'. It is, in fact, a highly of South-East Asia during the economic and social transforma­ polarized world. Second World War is, after all, a tion. It would be completely immoral part of the bitter memory of this 2. Lee commends 'American to perpetuate such a world order. It continent. power' for yet another ac- would be perfeclly sane to try to Besides, when an industrial su- to an active military role for Japan in regional and interna­ tional politics constitute a sub­ stantial segment of Japanese society. Anti-war, pro-peace sentiments are strong, especial­ ly amongst the post-1945 generation. The Japanese ruling class cannot afford to ignore their feelings. This is partly be­ cause Japan, all said and done, is a democratic society which Jlllcarta streetsc:.pe; .._,.,.... tnde holds public opinion in high es­ minion: Aaia's meteoric economic growth eM be •lributed to l\lt dynamic teem - which again is one of the work Ioree .nd rn.nagern.nt eldlls, not facets of contemporary Japan pret..,.tlal us natment of Its exports. which makes it so different from the Japan which went to war in the 1930s and 40s. There is a third factor that perpower with an extensive, ever­ military role for Japan know that one should keep in mind. Would it expanding economic empire Jacks even if the Americans are not be politically possible for Japan to vital natural resoW"Ces essential for around. there would be no immedi­ re-arm, to equip itself with a highly sustaining its dynanism, it may be ate threat to trade and commerce sophisticated arsenal, at a time tempted to assert its will in an ag­ along the Pacific and Indian ocean when arms control and arms reduc­ gressive manner - if forced to. In highways. It is more likely that they tion are becoming important items other words, Japan may choose to would press for a military role for in almost every regional and inter­ develop powerful military muscles their country if the United States' national tete-a-tete? What this in order to protect its gigantic trade war against Japan which has means is that in the post-Cold War economic belly. Japanese intensified in recent years hurts its era, it is going to be very difficult nationalism, which has always economic interests or injures its na­ for another military superpower to been such a potent force, will un­ tional pride. At that point, Japanese emerge. doubtedly provide the desired im­ decision-makers may be persuaded . In any case, regardless of petus to the state's military goal. that the nation's sovereignty and whether Japan becomes a military It should also be observed that prosperity arc best protected by threat to its neighbours or not, there in the last two or three decades severing its military ties with the is no justification for a continued there have been elements in the US and striking out on its own. US military presence in the region. citadels of J apancse corporate busi­ While this is one possible For the US military presence- even ness who, on occasions, have indi­ scenario, we cannot forget that far­ if we forget for a while its occupa­ cated that they would like to see reaching changes have taken place tion of the Philippines - has caused their country develop the military in Japan and in its relations with immense pain and suffering to mil­ capacity to safeguard its economic the rest of Asia since the Second lions of human beings in Asia. gains. Within the ruling Liberal World War which could dissuade There is no better p-ooi of this than Democratic Party (LOP) there are its elites from indulging in any the US annihilation of more than also groups which favour a military military adventure in the future. For two million Vietnamese in the most role for Japan in international af­ one thing, Japan's economic links lr.lgic war fought in Asia since the fairs. Some would even argue that with olher Asian countries today end of the Second World War. those who are inclined this way are SQ rich and rewarding that it The Vietnam War revealed how whether in politics or economics may not want to jeopardize them by little the US understood the genuine are getting more and more vocal. seeking to establish its military aspirations of Asian peoples for in­ Nonetheless, contrary to what dominance over the continent. dependence and autonomy. This is Lee thinks, it is unlikely that they Needless to say, military why it went to such extreme lengths would demand a military role for dominance in whatever form is to snuff out a liberation struggle Japan simply because the US - let bound to create a great deal of which, by all accounts, was more us say - is forced to withdraw its resentment amongst Japan's neigh­ nationalist than Marxist Though security forces from Asia in the bours. the US was defeated in Vietnam, it near future. For the advocates of a Besides, those who are opposed continues to manipulate leaders,

AUran Monlhly 1992:12 (1) Pag1 36 ,j An integr.ted wottd through "Arn.tc.n poww"?: A bilion human beings live in ebjec:t poVIIfty. subvert governments, de-stabilize Lee Kuan Yew should be arguing India or Indonesia should initiate a societies in different parts of Asia for nuclear disarmament. control conference on Asian collective motivated by one overriding aim: to over arms production and arms security and peace. The time has secure an environment in Asia sales, the phasing out of foreign come for such a meeting. The which would be more conducive to bases, the termination of military proposed conference should ad­ US domination and control. Trade pacts and the promulgation of non­ dress a whole variety of security and aid, blackmail and bribe have aggression treaties. issues ranging from border disputes been used to ensure compliance Towards this end, some big, im­ to foreign bases in the region. It with the demands and dictates of portant Asian country like China or would be ideal if the conference . US power. culminated w1th the signing of Seen in tlus light, condoning a a collective secunty and peace US military presence in Asia is, in treaty - a treaty which would a sense, endorsing our own ser­ be endorsed by each and every vitude and subservience. It is Asian state. For the treaty to demeaning, it is degrading to sug­ work, it should also provide gest that a nation which is not part modalities for resolving con­ of Asia is most qualified to protect flicts which impinge upon the security of Asia. Such submis­ peace and security. sive swrender to alien domination A conference of this sort, betrays our dignity, violates our in­ it is granted, will have to tegrity. deliberate for years and years. The security of Asia should be But that does not matter. For the responsibility of the people of what is important, as the an­ Asia. With the end of the Cold War cient sage of China. Kung Fu­ and a peace settlement in Kam­ tse, once told us is to take the puchea, we should seize the oppor­ first step. As he put it, "A tunity to advance the cause of peace VWidon In Vletn.'\ao ...... , town: American journey of a thousand li begins preeence brought .:~erything but peece to that in our c'ontinent. Asian leaders like country. with the ftrst step."+

Alirrm MonJhly 1992:12 (1) Pllf6 37 No Need for BIG BROTHER

he lransfer- of 1he US Navy's with global economic trends." nineteenth century onwards. The Seventh Fleet logistics China is yet another huge nation Dutch, for instance, were con­ Toperations conunand frun which wants to be integrated into vinced that if they did not extend Subic Bay in the Philippines 10 Sin­ the world economy. And Japan, as direct colonial control over the gapoce 1.-serious implicaaions for subservient as ever to the US, whole of the Indonesian ar­ the future weD-being of Chis region. seeks to adjust to the lat1er's chipelago someone else would What it means is that Sin­ demands on trade and invest­ and the Javanese and the other na· gapore will now become the ments. lives would be all the poorer for it. fulcrum of American military H these are the trends - lrends The vacwm theory, in short, is a power in South-East Asia. This which show that cmflicts, and the vacuous lheory, without an iota of not only perpetuates a f«eign potential for future conflicts of a credence. military p-csence in tbe regim but cer-tain kind have receded - why H anything, that theory ex­ also impedes the growth of a zone is it necessary to perpetuaae an poses the a motive behind 1he of peace, freedom and neutmlity American military ~e in us atlempt to perpetuate its (Zopfan) in Southeast Asia which South-East Asia via Singapcn? military presence in South-East has been the ASEAN dream for US leaders argue that it is to ensure Asia. As the only military super­ the last 20 years. The transfer of "peace and stability in the region." power around, the US is deter­ the Seventh Fleet's logistics com­ The assumption is that the US is mined to use its colossal strength mand to Singapore is in fact a somehow crucial for peace and to ensure that every part of the severe blow to the long struggle of stability in Southeast Asia. planet is under its political control. Southeast Asian states for genuine And yet the evidence shows Establishing effective regional political independence and nation­ something else. A hundred years security networks with the help of al sovereignty. of American military presence in its allies is part of the plan. The One would have thought that the Philippines has brought aim is to tell nations in the region after the Philippines Senate as­ neither peace nor stability to that that the US (and its ally or allies) serted the sovereignty of the nation. On the contrary, the will not tolCl!lle any challenge to Filipino people by asking the US American presence is one of the its hegemony. Singapore for its Navy to leave Subic Bay, other factors responsible for the chaos part believes that if "Big Brother" ASEAN states would show their and misery that have overtaken the is behind her, no one in the region appreciation by at least refusing to republic. For more than a decade, will dare to take liberties with her. host those facilities which Subic the American military was present There is no reason why the provided. Such a stand would have in Viemam. The result the mas­ peoples and governments of demonstrated the real meaning of sacre of more than two million South-East Asia should acquiesce ASEAN solidarity. VietDamese strugglins for inde­ with this crude endeavour to per­ A principled demonstration of pendence from colonial nde and pertuate US hegemony. Citizens' ASEAN solidarity with ZOPFAN neo-colonial domination. poups, in particular, should make in mind would have made a lot of US leaders and a number of it crystal clear to both the US and sense particularly at this juncture Singapore's elites, have also ex­ Singapore governments that their of history. The Cold War has pressed the view that ifthe US was military tie would only exacerbate ended. The Soviet Union has dis­ not around there would be a power intra-regional relations. Some of appeared from the map of the vacuum in the region which would Singapore's important neighboms world. A peace setdement has be failed by someone else. The could beCome increasingly suspi­ been achieved in Kampuchea. "vacuum theory" is a typical cious of the city-state's real inten­ Laos is seeking admission into colonial justifiCation for domina­ tion, especially at a time when ASEAN. Vietnam is pursuing tion and control. The British, the long-s&anding conflicts in the economic policies aimed at in­ Dutch and the French had all used region and elsewhere are being tegrating the country into the in­ the same hollow argwnent to jus­ slowly resolved. Mutual suspicion ternational system. India is also tify their colonization of different and distrust could lead to an inten­ changing course "to harmonize parts of South-East Asia frun the sification of the arms race in

Alinut MOiflltly 199l:ll (1) P.,• J8 South-East Asia. This would be ENDORSERS OF THE 53. Dr Latif Kamaluddin disastrous for the millions and ABOVE l.ElTER 54. Sdr Munawar Ali millions of ordinary men and 55. Sdr Mohamed Hussain women in a comer of the world 1. Sdr Abdul Karem Hassan 56. Sdr Mmohara where standards of living are just 2. Sdr S. Asamaley Subramaniam beginning to improve. 3. Sdr Abdul Mulok Daud 57. Sdri Manjit Kaur Rather than allow this to hap­ 4. Sdr Abdul Rahim Karim 58. Dr Mustafa K Anuar 5. Dr Ariffm Omar pen, we should seize the oppor­ 59. Sdri Maznoor Buchanan Kanbalan tunity afforded by some of the 6. Sdr 60. Sdr S. M. Mohd ldris changes in regional and interna­ 1. Dr M.S. Abdul Gafoor 61. Sdr Mohideen tional politics to revive ZOPFAN. 8. Sdr Ahmad Chile Abdul Kader With the end of superpower rival­ 9. Sdr Anil Netto 62. Sdri Meenakshi Raman ries the time has come for regional 10. Dr Badriyah Hj. Salleh 63. Dr Maznah Mohamed 11. Sdr Bruno Pereira groupings to give serious con­ 64. Sdri Mariam sideration to ways and· means of 12. Sdr Collin Nicholas Mohd Hashim enhancing their own security 13. Sdr Chang Yii Tan 65. Sdri Mohanarani Rasiah 14. through their own efforts. S~t~­ Sdr Chua Tian Chang 66. Sdr R. P. Nathan East Asia does not need a B•g 15. Sdr Chong Ton Sin 67. Dr Nasir Mohd. Hashim Brother'' to look after its security. 16. Dr Cecil Ng 68. Sdr Othman Baba We do not need a superpower to 17. Dr Chandra Muzaffar 69. Sdr Omar Othman protect our seas and skies. In any 18. Sdr David Anthony 10. Sdr N. Patkunarn 19. Sdr Edmund Gnan case, superpowe~ protecti~n. of 71. DrP. Ramasamy 20. Sdri Edda de Silva whatever ideologiCal hue, IS sel­ 12. Sdr Rozli Omar dom benign. 21. Sdri Evelyne Hong 73. Sdr P. Ramakrishnan The long and chequered his­ 22. Sdr Fajar Bin Omar 74. Sdr R. Rajamoorthy 23. Sdr Francis Cheong tory of the nations and co~­ 75. Dr Sanusi Osman munities that compnse 24. Sdr Fan Yew Tcng 76. Dr Sanusi Osman contemporary South-East Asia . 25. Dr Francis Loh Kolc Wah 77. Dr Syed Husin Ali shows that they were most stable 26. Ustaz Fadhil Noor 78. Sdr P. Selvam and most secure when they were 21. Sdr K George 79. Sdri Saleha Hassan on their own, when they did not 28. Sdri Gulrose Karim 80. Sdri Suguna Popachan have to align to some big power or 29. SdrGan Kong Hwee 81. Hj. Subky Latif other. 30. Sdri Goh Beng l..an 82. Sdr Sivarasa Rasiah In view of aU this, we the un­ 31. Sdr Habib Rahman 83. Sdri Shakila Manan dersigned appeal to the Singapore 32. Dr Hamima Dona Mustafa 84. Dr Subramaniam S. Pillay government not to pursue any fur­ 33. Sdr A. Halim Ali 85. Dr Tan Liolc Ee ther the plan to transfer the US 34. Sdr Ismail Mohamed 86. Sdr Tan Choon Kooi 35. Sdr S.M. Iqbal Navy's Seventh Fleet logist~s 87. Dr Tan Chee Beng operations command from Sub1c 36. Sdr Ismail Nor 88. Sdr M. Thayalan to Singapore. This will force the 37. Dr Ishak: Shaari 89. Datulc Usman Awang American government to cancel 38. Dr Ikmal Said 90. Sdr Victor Paul the entire plan. 39. Sdr Ismail Hashim 91. Sdr Wan Chik Finally, as a South-East Asian 40. Sdr Ismail Mydin 92. Sdr Wahab bin Mohamed nation, Singapore should be 41. Sdr Johari Abdul 93. Dr Wong Soalc Koon aware of that ancient South-East 42. Sdr John Kim 94. Sdri Wan Zailena Noordin Asian saying, "When two 43. Sdri Joan Shori 95. Sdr YusoffMohamed elephants fight, the grass dies." It 44. Dr Joban Saraval\amuthu 96. Sdr Yem Ahmad was during the Cold War that our 45. Dr Jayalcumar Devaraj 97. Hj YusofRawa people realized the wisdom of that 46. Sdr Krishna 98. Sdr Zainuddin Karim saying. Now there may be only 47. Sdr Koh Swee Yong 99. Sdr Zuklifli Ahmad one elephant roaming as it likes. 48. DrKhooJoo Ee 100. SdrZaharom NainO But we South-East Asians know 49. Sdr Kassim Ahmad that the grass is going to get 50. Sdr Khoo Khay Jin trampled. 51. Sdra S. Karunakaran 52. SdrLim lee Yuan

AIU-un MonJJaly 1992:12 (1) PtlJe 39 Regional Politics US Military Presence Vital? Will US President George In an interview published Bush, in the course of his Asian in a local daily recently, tour, apologise to the Filipino Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew, people for the terrible injustices done to them through more than stressed tbe importance of a four decades of direct colonial sub­ US economic and security jugation? After all, this is a season presence in East Asia for apologies. Japan was pressured which, be argued, was vital into offering its 'profound for the continued apologies' to the people of South­ prosperity of tbe region. East Asia for the atrocities it had perpetrated against them. Surely, DR CHANDRA MUZAF­ the US which parades the world FAR disagrees. In this stage as the champion of human essay, be methodicaUy tears rights and democracy can do as apart the arguments used much, if not more. by Lee to justify a US Perhaps Lee was not thinking of the Philippines when he spoke of military presence in this "An Asia in which co-operation zone of peace, freedom and and competition increases neutrality. everyone's well-being, peacefully and without recourse to arms, has been the norm". Perhaps he had n his latest attempt to justify a ''East Asian prosperity" in mind - continued US military presence the much-lauded prosperity of"the I in Asia (New Sunday Times, 15 Japanese, Koreans, Taiwanese, December 1991), Lee Kuan Yew Hong Kongers and the Sin­ raises a number of points which gaporeans". deserve closer scrutiny. domination engenders that the Leaving aside the fact that in Philippines has failed to develop a almost aU these societies, an under­ 1. He suggests that tbe strong industrial, scientific and class of some significance, mired in economic well-being or Asia, or technological base of its own. poverty, has emerged, it is impor­ tant to distinguish 'US military tbe Pacific depends upon an Indeed. if the colonial conquest American security presence in of the Philippines in 1899 marks the presence' from easy access to the the region. beginning of the US military huge US market, as a factor ex­ presence in Asia, Lee would do plaining their limited economic A lot of people in that one well to remember that its auspi­ success. It is of course true that country in Asia which knows what ciousness was underscored by the preferential treatment of manufac­ an American security presence extermination of thousands and tured exports to the US from a means, would beg to disagree. The thousands of · freedom-loving couple of East Asian economies helped them in the early stages of economic stagnation and disin­ Filipinos. An immensely popular industrialization. Nonetheless, it tegration of the Philippines is due, mass movement for independence in part alleast, to the overwhelming which had already proclaimed the was a factor of far less importance compared to their dynamic system military, political, economic and freedom of the Filipino people at cultural domination by the United Malolos, was brutally crushed by of production, their effiCient States for almost a century. It is US military might. So much for the because of the economic and leader of the free world's commit­ ... continued on p~~ge 35 psychological dependency which ment to freedom!

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