Political Minion Hishamuddin Hits Out At Lee Kuan Yew Over IDR
The statement by Singapore's Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew that Johor Umno did not welcome Singapore investors to the Iskandar Development Region (IDR) was based on his personal perception which was unfounded.In fact, Umno Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said Lee's perception of the Johor Umno leaders' stand on Singapore's investment in the special economic zone was also influenced by historical factors.
"To accuse that we (Johor Umno leaders) do not welcome (Singapore's investment in IDR), I feel is purely his personal perception and his (Lee's) perception is influenced by history," he told reporters here.
Hishammuddin, who is also the Member of Parliament for Sembrong and the Sembrong Umno chief, said this after the opening of the Sembrong Umno divisional meeting by Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob.
Hishammuddin said Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had repeatedly clarified that the IDR was a national agenda with the federal and state governments welcoming all types of investments, whether local or foreign. The full report in Bernama.
***** Love him or hate him, one cannot deny that when Lee Kuan Yew speaks, it is reported and heard all over the world. For such is his credibility, which was earned not only by excellent service for nearly six decades but also by his erudition and a remarkable consistency in keeping to the facts of any issue he spoke on.
The same unfortunately cannot be said of Hishamuddin as well as most of our pemimpin this side of the causeway. The Umno Youth chief for instance owes his meteoric rise in party and government to favourable family ties and his speeches fluctuate between reasonable democrat and keris-wielding demagogue, depending on the target audience. For him to attempt to find fault with LKY's statements is laughable at best.
Of course you may have your opinion on the matter.
You can access the earlier related posts from HERE.
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Labels: Malaysia - Singapore
posted by The Malaysian. at 7/01/2007 10:01:00 PM
10 Comments:
You are absolutely right; Kerismuddin is not worthy even to tie the shoe laces of Lee Kuan Yew.
The truth can unfortunately be very bitter to swallow.
You don't have to go dig very far to realise there is a lot of suspicion and antipathy on the ground in UMNO against the proposal to bring Singapore based-investors into the consultative process for the IDR. And the entire idea of a Singapore-dominated investment zone is fearful to certain quarters.
The UMNO-related bloggers are all abuzz with cries of "Singapore neo-colonialism", "threats to the NEP" etc. etc.
I find their world-view unbelievably narrow-minded in the context of the global investment economy which Malaysia has to compete in, but their fears are real (to them) and there's enough of the fear to be a real force within UMNO.
Its true that Lee has helped bring up Singapore to the regional powerhouse it is today. And that's what pisses off the UMNO ultras; the fact that a little rock/red-dot of "kaum pendatang" can far surpass Malaysia in terms of efficiency, development, socially (arguable), and economy. Thats why we all act tough when dealing with Kiasuland, but when it comes to arguing with Indonesia, we become meek.
But I wouldn't want a person like Lee running my country. Dissent will be silenced or sued to oblivion, and the people made subservient & unquestioningly loyal. Like drones. We have quite a many of these types here already...
Ha ha thanks for another morning laugh ! When the miserable principleless hopeless useless still trying like hell student meets the Grandmaster what do we expect him to say ?
I personally think Hishamuddin should just shut up because whenever he opens his mouth ... a load of dogpile spews out. I'm ashamed we have such a so-called leader. But then again ... we deserve the people we put into office. Let's just hope all will be wiser the next time around when we cast that vote.
What makes it worse is, that dogpile spewing fella is our Minister of Education!
Jeezz...
Whatever the malaysian government says or does one has to very careful. The Malaysian government has a reputation of moving the goal posts in midstream and also of changing terms of agreements in mid stream. Try to remember the 1997/1998 financial fiasco and other incidents. Remember the number of times the government has moved the goal posts regarding the purchase of land and property by foreigners. Remember the moving of the goal posts regarding the import of Asean cars by delaying the reduction of import duties after the time frame was agreed by malaysia! Remember the Malaysian government trying to force the Singapore government to revise the price of water after the agreement was signed by Malaysia. Where is there any sanctity of contract by Malaysia. NONE.
LKY is right to advise Singaporean to be very careful when investing in Malaysia once bitten twice
Why should the malaysian government be bothered by Singapore? After all "it is not a real country and has only 4.0 million people" according a a government minister.
So why does malaysia need Singapore at all? Malaysia should find real countries to invest in the country and not bother about what is said by a "not a real country".
It is laughable to see the government getting hot and bothered about the statement by LKY. First, decide whether Singapore is a real country or not before getting hot under the collar that Singapore may not invest in Johore.
What else is not deteriorating in this country? Foreign policy now:
Malaysia: from "Prosper Thy Neighbor" to "Insult Thy Neigbor"
Indonesia: "Haze Thy Neigbor"
It's time, Malaysians take an active view on foreign policy. Why do Malaysia bullies one country but has no "balls" to deal with another?
Why can't Hishamuddin just disagree politely like a senior learder of Malaysia should instead of "hitting out" at LKY. Can't he ever be civil once in a while. Why is he always angry at something or other whenever the other fellow happeens to be a Chinaman?.
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