It’s easy for the Malaysian elite to get upset about the recent Wikileaks exposes. After all, its from a neighbour within shooting range. If not militarily, at least through the use of generous verbal abuse.

But in reality, do the leaks reveal anything new?

Anyone with access to current information, and a little analytical thought would realise that Malaysia was, just after World War II, a country that could cut it with the best. In fact, we were, per capita, wealthier than Japan at one stage.

Verbose exchanges aside, it’s common knowledge that all is not well in Malaysia. Even worse, there are actually indices to measure this. In fact, if you visit the fund for peace website, Malaysia is rated to be more at risk than South Korea as a failed state.

This is despite the fact that, Malaysia has just Singaporean diplomats taking aim. The North Koreans actually use nuclear weapons pointed towards Seoul to prove their point. Which is really better or worse ?

Malaysia has failed institutions. Institutions that have failed to safeguard the basic rights of an individual. Institutions that have failed, even with the grand foresight of a commonwealth upbringing, to enhance the basic rights of society.

Heck, we have institutions that can’t even give us clean drinking water, despite having access and support of knowing what to do.

Let me, for a minute, let you into a psyche of what a protest note does. This is pertinent, since the Malaysian government is protesting against what Singapore has said. In effect, its saying, “Well, everyone listens to what you say, because you are a successful country, but it’s hurt our feelings.”
 
As the old saying goes, the truth often does, well… hurt.