In Lee Kuan Yews defence
NashPublished: Mar 22, 2001 7:13 AM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 6:21 PM
I refer to the column written by Lee Ban Chen, [#1]Ketam Lee ajar Malaysia berjalan betul[/#] (21 Mac). In his article, the writer openly criticises the senior minister of Singapore regarding his open education policies that have worked so well in Singapore.
The columnist's knowledge on Singapore and its education system is clearly very shallow (feet level). He refers to Lee as being a banana man who does not appreciate his race nor culture but instead is more Western orientated. Maybe someone should inform him that Lee can speak fluent Mandarin and Teochew. He has always tried hard to enable Singapore youth to appreciate their culture and language. He is non-discriminative in his endeavours.
The reason Lee created a Singapore that is unified with one language - English - is because it would be the only way to promote a true multiracial Singapore. It is unnecessary to have three different types of school, i.e. national, Chinese and Tamil, to keep all races happy. Happiness only comes when people feel respected and are free of discrimination in their country.
In recent years, Singapore has progressed far beyond anyone's expectations. They are the leaders of education in the Asean region. Their economic growth has doubled over the last decade in line with their better marketing strategies and good relations with Japan and the US.
In Malaysia, the different races live together but not in harmony. Discrimination is rampant and will always be. The columnist's remarks merely portray that he is a pro-Chinese and is disgusted with the progress Singapore has achieved by being secular and united. He has ruled out any progress achieved by the hardworking Malays in Singapore, sympathising as he does for the lazy ones. He is obsessed with Chinese education receiving the highest priority. He so easily missed out the plight of Indian students in Tamil schools which are so poorly managed and should be closed down.
Further analysis of his comments clearly indicates that he is an oppositionist. However, it seems that no matter what part of the island you come from, you will make no difference to the people of Malaysia. My advice to the columnist would be to clean up his act before it gets worse. Racism is nothing new in our country but let's spare malaysiakini from it.
The columnist's knowledge on Singapore and its education system is clearly very shallow (feet level). He refers to Lee as being a banana man who does not appreciate his race nor culture but instead is more Western orientated. Maybe someone should inform him that Lee can speak fluent Mandarin and Teochew. He has always tried hard to enable Singapore youth to appreciate their culture and language. He is non-discriminative in his endeavours.
The reason Lee created a Singapore that is unified with one language - English - is because it would be the only way to promote a true multiracial Singapore. It is unnecessary to have three different types of school, i.e. national, Chinese and Tamil, to keep all races happy. Happiness only comes when people feel respected and are free of discrimination in their country.
In recent years, Singapore has progressed far beyond anyone's expectations. They are the leaders of education in the Asean region. Their economic growth has doubled over the last decade in line with their better marketing strategies and good relations with Japan and the US.
In Malaysia, the different races live together but not in harmony. Discrimination is rampant and will always be. The columnist's remarks merely portray that he is a pro-Chinese and is disgusted with the progress Singapore has achieved by being secular and united. He has ruled out any progress achieved by the hardworking Malays in Singapore, sympathising as he does for the lazy ones. He is obsessed with Chinese education receiving the highest priority. He so easily missed out the plight of Indian students in Tamil schools which are so poorly managed and should be closed down.
Further analysis of his comments clearly indicates that he is an oppositionist. However, it seems that no matter what part of the island you come from, you will make no difference to the people of Malaysia. My advice to the columnist would be to clean up his act before it gets worse. Racism is nothing new in our country but let's spare malaysiakini from it.
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