Najib buckles under racist pressures
'Najib, being the consummate politician, will play to the gallery of the Malay majority even at the expense of doing the right thing.'
Ex-US envoy launches broadside at M'sia's racism
Anonymous_3f96: The adverse publicity that this article will garner is bad for our FDIs (foreign direct investments). The article was published in Wall Street Journal, which is the staple global business newspaper.
I bet you that almost all Fortune 500 CEOs and Asian/European CEOs will be reading this article. So will countless bankers, equity managers and decision-makers around the world. The Wall Street Journal is also translated into many other languages. Malaysia will now be known globally as a country that practises racism.
That's the unfortunate label that will stick in the minds of global leaders - Malaysia equals racism. Let's thank Perkasa, Utusan Malaysia and our leaders for this great accolade. And from now on, any attempt to attract FDIs would be a joke.
Multi Racial: What former US ambassador to Malaysia John Malott said is nothing new as we all knew about it. Of course, what Malott said has greater impact than all of us saying it together. I suppose PM Najib Razak's blue eye boy who is now Malaysia's ambassador to US (Jamaluddin Jarjis) must be jumping up and down.
I suppose after serving as US ambassador for several years, Malott too has come to love this country. He must be frustrated to see a country with rich resources and a large number of educated citizens going to waste, which could otherwise be a force to be reckoned with.
Look at Singapore - they share common history with us and having the same multiracial citizenry. But they have nothing in term of natural resources. They don't even have enough land. But in spite of that, they are miles ahead of us. Why? One chooses the merit approach, while the other, the race approach.
Not Confused: I think most right-thinking Malaysians will echo John Malott's sentiments, which is obviously based on his experience as ambassador here. Unfortunately, things have deteriorated further since his tenure in Kuala Lumpur ended.
As many others have commented, we can now expect the Perkasa goons to be out on the streets on Friday with their silly banners. Should make for some entertainment.
AkuMelayu: This is not the first time John Malott has voiced his displeasure against the Malaysian government. And in every occasion, he tried to dictate how the government should be run.
John, we the true Malaysians who love our country knows your real intention. You can keep on howling until the cows come home but your friend Anwar Ibrahim will never be the PM of Malaysia. If you can understand the Malay language, hear this, "Pergi berambus" or should I simply put it, "Get lost".
Clearwater: Malaysia reaching developed status by 2020 was always a pipe dream without far reaching economic, social and political reforms. Malaysians reaching totally fed-up status by 2020 is a real possibility.
If the middle class cannot make ends meet because of rising costs of living, if the young have no future and no meaningful jobs, if corruption and waste continue and if public institutions fail in their duty to educate, protect, administer and defend democratic freedoms.
Focus: I only care for truth, not race. Malott is a Mat Salleh, not my type. But it does not bother me a bit that he continues to speak about my beloved country. Speak, Malott, speak, for the world outside is hearing you.
This is truth over race. This is a universal law, and like all universal laws they can't be changed for the Creator of this universe has decreed them. Malott, thank you for this privilege for I love my country more than any race, including mine.
Paach: Mr Malott forgot one more thing where the DPM (Muhyiddin Yassin) said that he is a Malay first and then a Malaysian. BN can say anything they want because they have enough voters to vote them into power.
JBGUY: John, you are absolutely correct in your assessment of the situation in Malaysia but Najib cannot be blamed for preferring to pander to the majority Malay population who would prefer to be parasites of the government initiatives.
If Najib begins to talk about meritocracy or universal values of justice and fairness, the Malays especially those within Umno will ensure his political demise. So Najib, being the consummate politician, will play to the gallery of the Malay majority even at the expense of doing the right thing.
Meranti Kepong: Malott is observant and well-informed about the intolerable racial relationship in this country at the expense of minorities such as the Chinese and Indians.
These bona-fide Malaysians are never treated as equals in employment and in entry into post-secondary institutions. There is hardly any non-Malay in both the police and armed forces. The head of every government department is always a Malay and never a Chinese or Indian.
So it is not surprising than more than a million Malaysians - all well-educated and highly motivated - have left the country for foreign lands and this exodus will continue until the end of time.
Anonymous_40dd: Every Malaysian knows the negative effects of racism on the future of the nation and its people. But our national leaders have their priorities elsewhere. The hard-hitting comments from Malott, though well-intentioned, will not go down well in the power circle of our government.
Anonymous_3e4b: As if Najib cares. As long as Petronas can feed him and his cronies, he don't care a damn about Malaysians at large. However throughout history, a dictatorial and corrupted government will be brought down when the bulk of the majority race can't have enough food on the table for their family.
The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paid subscribers can post comments. Over the past one year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now.

