Author Archives: wcw

School race

POLITICIANS and academics against vernacular schools are struggling to accept that Chinese primary schools have become more multiracial than some national schools.

They only need to see the process for themselves and talk to the parents, especially the non-Chinese, to find out why they’re sending their children to Chinese schools particularly.

This decision wouldn’t have been easy for these parents. For starters, they won’t be able to help their kids in their schoolwork if they can’t read or write Chinese.

Teachers in these schools are demanding and results oriented. It’s common for parents to be summoned if their children perform poorly in exams.

The benefit though, is parents are assured that their children will get a strong grounding in mathematics and science.

There’s another crucial reason why Chinese schools are popular – parents understand they need to invest in their kids to be sure they’re fluent in Mandarin since it’s an asset.

It’s not just Malay and Indian parents who understand this, but also Chinese parents who never went to Chinese schools and now realise their disadvantage when they need to deal with mainland Chinese.

I can name Umno politicians, Malay celebrities and government officials who have enrolled their children in Chinese schools.

They surely don’t expect these schools to be breeding grounds for racial extremism, as some ignorant and over-imaginative politicians like to assume.

The syllabus is, after all, approved by the Education Ministry, and the teachers are of various races. Also, Bahasa Malaysia and English are compulsory subjects.

After the six years of primary education, these students move on to national schools.

Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Teo Kok Seong, who has landed in hot water, probably assumed that Chinese and Tamil schools are mono-ethnic, like they used to be during his time. On the contrary, it’s national schools which are now more mono-ethnic. Yes, the truth can be stranger than fiction.

Even in 2020, according to statistics from Chinese education groups, non-Chinese pupils made up 19.87 % of the student population, an increase from 11.84% in 2010.

Then Education Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Radzi Md Jidin had said Malays comprised 15.33% of the total student population in Chinese schools, compared to 9.5% in 2010. Meanwhile, Indian student enrolment rose to 2.75% of the total student population in 2020 versus 1.67% a decade ago. These figures are based on 1,200 Chinese primary schools and 523 Tamil primary schools.

“Due to the rising number of non-Chinese in these schools, the total number of ethnic Chinese has dropped to 80.25% this year (2020) from 88.16% in 2010,” said Putrajaya MP, Radin, of Bersatu.


Valuable asset: One of the reasons why Chinese schools are popular with parents of all races is that many want their children to be fluent in Mandarin. — Sin Chew Daily/ANN

The decline is also due to the shrinking Chinese population, with parents preferring to have only one or two kids.

These Chinese primary schools may one day see Malays and Indians dominating the enrolment!

I’m sure Prof Teo means well since he wants our schools to be filled with children of all races and religions. He has said that ethnic relations in Malaysia have remained poor because of multi-stream schools.

But if some quarters need to take the rap for poor race relations, then pin it on the politicians who continue to turn it into a twisted narrative. Prof Teo should call out these recalcitrant lawmakers instead.

Well, there used to be English-medium schools in Malaysia, which were viewed as the neutral ground for everyone.

Now, they exist in private and international schools where only more affluent families can afford to send their children to. They include many Malay political elites, of course.

Those who’ve opted for this expect their children to acquire a globally recognised education, and they believe an English-medium education will provide them a more liberal, open view of the world. Add to that the stronger chance of pursuing tertiary education in the United States or Britain.

It’s open to debate but Chinese schools are perceived as dogmatic and stringent, so some parents don’t want their kids’ world view to revolve around only China and Taiwan.

Prof Teo, currently under police investigation, is entitled to his views and actions of lodging police reports, but we don’t subscribe to his undemocratic idea.

There was nothing seditious in what he said compared to the shenanigans of other rabble rouser politicians.

Like Prof Teo, I’m what the Chinese-educated call a banana – one who is yellow on the outside, being Chinese, and white inside, denoting someone who subscribes to Western views.

I studied in a Catholic school for my primary and secondary education, so I never grasped reading Chinese or speaking Mandarin.

I studied Malay literature and Islamic history for my Sixth Form examinations, and at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, I enrolled in the Malay Letters Department during my first year.

My father comes from a Peranakan family, and likewise my grandparents and mother, who wears the sarong to this day.

Prof Teo and I have similar backgrounds, as he also taught in UKM, where, as a Kelantanese, he displayed a profound love for the Malay language.

But growing up in a thriving port like Penang, which provided greater exposure to diverse cultures, presumably made us different.

Much has changed in Malaysia, like the world itself. England is no longer an economic powerhouse. The power has shifted to China. Our young Malaysians, regardless of their race, must be able to speak in Mandarin if they want to remain competitive.

Senior citizens like Prof Yeo and myself surely must have wished that we, too, could speak the language fluently.

Likewise, our kids should be able to speak Bahasa Indonesia, Arabic and better still, Tamil and Hindi. A strong command of English remains imperative because it’s still an international language.

Hopefully, educationists can invite Prof Teo to their schools and let him be updated by the students and parents.

Chinese schools take education seriously and many parents like it because the teachers are focused and committed.

The Federal Court has already declared vernacular schools to be constitutional, and everyone should respect that decision and move on. Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek has also assured Malaysians that the government remains committed to vernacular schools.

Why not make Chinese a compulsory third language in our national schools, since our school education system should evolve to be better?

Truth be told, it’ll never work if it’s merely an optional subject with no requirement to pass.

Enough has been said. There are bigger fish to fry, yet unfortunately, Malaysia continues to be weighed down by inconsequential debates on issues reeking of race and religion, with us only being seen by the world as shooting ourselves in the foot.

Swift sentence


Concert coup: Swift performing on stage during a concert as part of her Eras World Tour in Sydney on Feb 23. Singapore and Japan were the only Asian stops for the popstar. – AFP

SINGAPORE has pulled a rabbit out of the hat by having American singer Taylor Swift perform exclusively there, reaffirming itself as an entertainment hub.

Music tourism is a low-hanging fruit which can contribute significantly to a country’s economy.

The island republic has no reason to be apologetic to its aggrieved neighbours. In fact, these sour grapes should be asking themselves why this concert wasn’t a consideration.

Philippines lawmaker Joey Salceda reportedly said the Singapore deal was not “what good neighbours do,” adding that “our countries are good friends. That’s why actions like that hurt.”

Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin alleged that the Singapore government had offered Swift millions if she agreed her performances in South-East Asia would only be on their turf.

The bottom line is that it was a straightforward business deal between Swift and Singapore. The quantum of her payment is undisclosed for obvious reasons, but it’s likely an amount that sparkled in Swift’s eyes.

The competition for tourist dollars is serious. Asean countries must compete head-on with their attractions, and concerts are one of them.

Basically, the industry will become more ruthless as Singapore positions music tourism as a growth driver.

Swift’s concert flew over the heads of powers that be here because our Members of Parliament have been indulgently trading verbal blows over bak kut teh and new villages – “issues” mired in the routine race and religion narrative.

Depressingly, organising concerts involving international acts is a tedious, frustrating, expensive and risky business in Malaysia.

Organisers have long complained about the red tape. And what’s even more unfortunate is that concerts in Malaysia often end up being turned into religious issues.

Karyawan president Datuk Freddie Fernandez told FMT news portal that although calls for concerts to be cancelled or disallowed had thankfully been ignored by the authorities, the publicity generated in the international media has had a detrimental effect.

The complaints are often from the usual suspects, namely PAS and groups or individuals aligned with the party.

Although show promoters must deal with the respective authorities to get a permit, the Singapore government has sweetened the deal by providing financial aid to concert ventures.

While we’re not expecting our government to provide grants for performances, at least make it easy for our promoters then.

Credit where it’s due, we must commend Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for openly endorsing the recent Coldplay concert.

It’s unnecessary to pander to PAS and its supporters because they don’t support the Pakatan Harapan government, and entertaining their demands won’t garner any votes either.

Analysts in the region are now attempting to tally Singapore’s returns from the Swift concert with estimates touching US$400mil (RM1.8bil).

According to Straits Times, Singapore’s Minister of Culture, Community, and Youth Edwin Tong said the benefits encompassed direct economic advantages, including increased tourist arrivals who spend on tickets, flights, accommodation, as well as entertainment, retail, and dining in Singapore.

Interestingly, the broadsheet reported that Tong personally led a multi-agency team on an exploratory trip to the United States in February 2023, which ultimately secured the run of six shows at the National Stadium.


Swift’s fans, known globally as Swifties, taking photos as they arrive for the pop star’s Eras Tour concert at the National Stadium in Singapore on Thursday. — AFP

Singapore was clearly bent on hosting the concerts and beating everyone in Asean.

Swift’s concerts are projected to generate S$350-500mil (RM1.2 to RM1.7bil) in tourism receipts, assuming approximately 70% of concertgoers were flying in from overseas, according to Erica Tay, director of macro research at Maybank.

vneexpress.net reported that following the announcement of the concert dates, Singapore hotel bookings for March 2024 surged by 10%, according to data from hotel analytics company Smith Travel Research.

“Both Singapore’s flagship carrier Singapore Airlines and budget airline Scoot reported increased demand for flights to Singapore in March, particularly from Southeast Asia.

“Jetstar Asia also confirmed a roughly 20% surge in demand for routes connecting destinations like Bangkok, Manila, and Jakarta to Singapore, CNBC reported.

“In July 2023, UOB, a Singaporean regional bank, recorded an average increase of 45% in daily credit card applications in Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam after Swift announced her performances in Singapore. The surge was attributed to UOB cardholders gaining early access to concert tickets.”

The Straits Times reported economists’ estimates of a boost of up to US$500mil (RM2.3bil) in tourism receipts.

If Singapore has upped its game, then so has Indonesia. Malaysians who failed to get their tickets for Coldplay, flew to Indonesia instead. While there were protests there as well, the show still went ahead.

In an interview last year with The Star, the Sultan of Selangor said concerts brought in a lot of revenue.

He said it was up to politicians to explain that when these events were rejected, it meant a loss in revenue.

“That is why (because of all these protests) all the good concerts go to Singapore and Jakarta,” Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah had said.

Saudi Arabia has hosted many top concerts including those by BTS, Alicia Keys, Pharrell Williams, Mariah Carey and Blackpink. PAS might be gobsmacked to learn that men and women are allowed to dance together there.

The party even opposed Ed Sheeran’s show because of his support for LGBT culture.

If we go by PAS’ logic, the party leaders won’t be able to fraternise with many world leaders from the United States and Europe because they all endorse the LGBT cause. And watching football shouldn’t be an option either because many footballers support it, too.

Meanwhile, back in Malaysia, there was an angry response from some MPs that bak kut teh was among the 10 latest dishes added to Malaysia’s heritage food list.

Granted that the herbal pork rib soup is not halal, but it’s still a Malaysian dish. Also, many non-Muslim Malaysians enjoy it.

A bulk of Chinese tourists come to Malaysia for two main foods – our durians and bak kut teh.

Just patronise the Michelin-star Ah Hei Bak Kut Teh restaurant in Bukit Bintang and check out the long queue of Chinese tourists.

Many restaurants have, in fact, opted to serve seafood and chicken as replacement to pork, so options abound.

Sorry YB Akmal (Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh), but Chinese fried rice is not a national heritage because it’s available in almost every Chinese restaurant from China, through to India and Africa. It’s preposterous to even suggest that for inclusion.

So, if we want to remove bak kut teh from the list, I’m sure Singapore is ever ready to claim it as theirs, even if its version is horribly too peppery.

And since we’re on this subject, why isn’t my favourite and preferred food, nasi kandar, which originates from Penang, not on the list yet mee goreng mamak is?

The bottom line is music and food tourism sell, so let’s see these as products for the sake of the economy.

It’s surely food for thought although it may not be sweet music to some.

Let’s not turn everything into racial and religious polemics. Can our politicians please evolve with the times?

The bottom line is music and food tourism sell, so let’s see these as products for the sake of the economy.

No nonsense


On point: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim reminded the Members of Parliament that as lawmakers, they were expected to comply with the rules they made. — Bernama

IF His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, had his way, his maiden speech when opening the new Parliament session last week would have been much shorter. With the rigmarole of formalities and salutations, and background information with statistics, it dragged on a little longer than scripted.

But it was certainly a drastic departure from the approach of previous Kings, who preferred longer speeches, albeit mundane ones.

However, the country’s new King is a man who likes to keep his address precise, brisk and on point.

The Johor Ruler is reputed to be a man who doesn’t mince his words. By his standards, his recent speech was tame.

After all, as he said to the lawmakers, it was his first speech in Parliament, so it was more cordial compared to the one in Johor.

“I asked for your understanding so that no one is offended, but be careful in the future,” he warned.

He reminded the Members of Parliament that as lawmakers, they were expected to comply with the rules they made.

“Therefore, I hope all MPs will set a good example. When in this noble house, will maintain decorum and discipline and use polite language, and not abuse others.

“If you look at the behaviour of Members of Parliament before, I feel ashamed to enter this House.”

Indeed, His Majesty has been gentle in his speech because in an interview in December, he was quoted as saying “when I hit in my speech, I hit. If not, the MPs behave like monkeys.”

“There’re 222 of you in Parliament. There are over 30 million outside. I’m not with you. I’m with them (the rakyat),” he said, adding that he intended to make his presence felt in Kuala Lumpur, both for the government and others.

In case any of the MPs missed the article in Singapore’s Straits Times, he repeated it in his speech in Parliament with a twist, by saying “in my eyes, the success or failure of this country does not rest solely on the Prime Minister, but all 222 MPs who have been entrusted by the people as their representatives in the government.”

“All parties should be aware that my priority is the lives of more than 33 million Malaysian citizens out there. Therefore, I hope all honourable members will focus on efforts to defend their lives, not for the sake of political parties or themselves.”

There was one more reminder – political parties shouldn’t waste time plotting to topple the unity government led by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim because our new King won’t entertain requests that threaten the political stability of the country.

Essentially, no political leader should be trying to collect statutory declarations to overthrow the PM – like in the alleged plot in Dubai – or seek an audience with His Majesty.

“All parties must accept reality and respect the unity government that has been formed. If anyone wants to play politics, wait for the next general election.”

It’s obviously the clearest and sharpest speech by any King when opening a Parliament session. It was definitely refreshing and invigorating, which is why his listeners remained attentive.

To politicians unclear of the concept about what His Majesty meant, it’s best not to take his words lightly, or worse, challenge him by crossing the line.

As he has said, no more Mr Nice Guy the next time around. He’s a very well-informed man, that’s for sure.

Politicians and others who continue to play on sensitive issues involving the Rulers, race, and religion, were duly warned to refrain from fanning the flames of controversy because this despicable behaviour clearly hasn’t stopped.

If these politicians continue with such narratives under the guise of safeguarding the interest of their community, it will only encourage their supporters to do likewise.

They have continued to whine that the positions and rights of the Malays and Islam have eroded or been questioned. And more recently, certain figures have even dared challenge the Rulers.

Inaction against such politicians will only spur them to exploit these sensitive areas to win votes. If what is being bandied on social media is a gauge, then these toxic rants seem to have only increased.

Last week, the Sultan of Selangor singled out Marang MP Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang over an open letter urging the Rulers, among others, to defend Islam in the country, labelling this an affront to Malaysia’s royal institution.

In a statement released via the Selangor Royal Office, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah was extremely disappointed with Hadi’s statement.

He warned Hadi, who is PAS president, to be more careful with future remarks on the topic.

“Hadi’s cynical remarks indirectly connecting the Sultan’s decree to the attitude of Rulers who must be concerned with the afterlife and not to pursue worldly interests alone, was the most inappropriate and ill-mannered, given the Malay culture to always be respectful and polite when expressing views and advice to the Malay Rulers,” he said.

In 2023, Hadi declared he would continue to deliver sermons in mosques or suraus despite the Sultan of Terengganu’s ban on politicians delivering political speeches in these places of worship.

The Terengganu Islamic and Malay Customs Council (Maidani) had issued an order prohibiting religious lectures, talks and political activities by politicians in all mosques and suraus statewide.

Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor is already facing accusations of sedition with his case now being heard at the High Court in Shah Alam.

He faces two counts of sedition under the Sedition Act 1948, over a political speech last July. He is accused of uttering a seditious statement that could incite disloyalty against the Rulers.

Whether it’s corruption or sedition, it’s safe to assume that if the King has his way, he’ll make the Attorney-General’s office a hive of activity this year.

Simply sacred

ALL our Members of Parliament are required to take their oath of office and allegiance before sitting in the Dewan Rakyat or Dewan Negara.

This practice is also mandatory for Ministers and Deputy Ministers before they exercise any functions of the office.

They must swear to faithfully discharge their duties to the best of their abilities, to bear true faith and allegiance to Malaysia and, most importantly, to preserve, protect and defend the Federal Constitution.

Marang MP Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, PAS’ president, is no exception to the rule.

He has, in fact, raised his hand seven times to pledge his backing for the Federal Constitution.

So, were his pledges hollow words bereft of sincerity and only a show for his fellow lawmakers?

He’s now hinting at doubts about the Federal Constitution, which is the supreme law of the nation.

Hadi, in his Facebook post, insists our Constitution was drawn up by the British colonists and aimed at depriving Islam of authority. These are certainly loaded words. The statement in Bahasa Malaysia sounds even stronger.

Truth be told, I’m no law expert, but having majored in history and politics in university, I have a keen interest and training in these areas.

Our Federal Constitution came into effect in 1957 as the Constitution of the Federation of Malaya and was amended to be the Constitution of Malaysia in 1963, following the formation of Malaysia with Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore.

So, it’s the supreme law of Malaysia. Without doubt, the Reid Commission, which drafted the legal framework, included constitutional experts from fellow Commonwealth countries with a working party appointed by the British, the Conference of Rulers and the Government of the Federation of Malaya.

According to the article “Contextualising constitutional Islam: The Malayan Experience” by Kristen Stilt, published in the International Journal of Constitutional Law, the drafters included two Muslim judges – one from India and another from Pakistan. Justice Abdul Hamid from Pakistan had the experience of working on his country’s constitution.

The Commission received 131 written reports from individuals and organisations which included Persatuan Agama Islam Se-Malaya, or PAS, as it’s now known, she wrote.

The panel visited each state and the Settlements, as Melaka and Penang were called, and met the Sultans, the officials, and British representatives, and held hearing sessions across the peninsula to get feedback from individuals and representatives of parties and organisations.

Basically, the views of all segments were sought, and naturally, they were as diverse as they were varying, but in the end, compromises had to be made, and understandably, there were many.

Our first prime minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, certainly knew what he was doing in his negotiations with the British. Our Malay Rulers, who endorsed and approved the Constitution, certainly understood it, too.

Our founding fathers, particularly Tunku, clearly knew that Malaya, and then Malaysia, needed a multiracial compromise and appreciated its relevance.

He didn’t forget the importance of Islam, and the Federal Constitution supported the establishment of the syariah courts in the states.

List II Schedule 9 of the Federal Constitution delineates the powers of the states to constitute, organise and set out procedures of such courts within the state over persons professing the religion of Islam.

Fast forward to 2024, as columnist Mohsin Abdullah wrote in FMT, “the Federal Constitution which Hadi has questioned and criticised has benefited the Islamist party by enabling them to take part in elections, capturing a few states and even holding government positions.”

Prominent lawyer Datuk Joy Appukuttan wrote that “this Constitutional Oath is sacrosanct, since without which, Ministers and the respective Speakers of both Houses cannot take office, while Members of Parliament will not be allowed to take their seats in Parliament.

“This oath becomes even more prevalent since the Federal Constitution is expressed as the supreme law of the nation.

“Hence, the oath to preserve, protect and defend the Federal Constitution means the Executive as well as Parliament must uphold the concept of accountability, transparency and good governance and the failure to do so will surmount to breach of the constitutional framework.”

The position of Islam is clearly defined in the Constitution as the country’s official religion. But other religions may be practised in peace and harmony in any part of the federation.

There is growing concern among the people about empowering syariah courts. Many of the penalties, such as fines, may possibly be outdated and need to be adjusted, but ignorance and prejudice shouldn’t lead anyone to jumping the gun.

It’s best that the issue be left to the National Council of Islamic Religious Affairs, which is currently chaired by the Sultan of Selangor.

Certainly, I have my trust and faith pinned on the Majlis Kebangsaan Islam (MKI), headed by a Ruler and comprising experts, rather than relying on politicians who exploit religion.

Tunku understood that Malaysia is a multiracial country and, in most disputes, whether civil or criminal in nature, will most likely involve people of different races and religions.

Syariah laws can’t be invoked in criminal offences which clearly come under federal laws.

As Appukuttan rightly put it, “Such is our current state of affairs that it is opportune now to be reminded of these basic principles.

“To conclude, it is held that ‘Every legal power must have legal limits, otherwise there is dictatorship.’

“Such tyranny is avoided through the adherence to the Constitutional Oath of office. Paying lip service to this oath will only erode the protection envisaged in the Federal Constitution.”

As the late Lord President Tun Mohamed Suffian Hashim wrote in his book An Introduction to The Constitution of Malaysia, in Malaysia, only the Constitution is supreme.

“Clearly, the legal doctrine that applies in Malaysia is not that of Parliament or any other body is supreme but that the Constitution is supreme.”

That’s clarity at its finest.

Quality, not quantity

EARNING a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) heritage accreditation for a place drives many countries to seek it because of its economic value to tourism as it offers international recognition.

It creates jobs and business opportunities, helps tourism promotion and marketing, and often improves the quality of local lives.

But more importantly, world heritage sites are places regarded as important to and belonging to everyone, no matter its location.

They comprise monuments, groups of buildings, sites – archaeological and cultural – and natural features and geological formations which are important from the science, conservation or natural beauty perspectives.

So, before we make bids for sites, it’s best we do our homework. There’s nothing more embarrassing than having a high-profile pitch ultimately rejected. Yes, we’ve had that egg on our face before.

Controversy has rumbled over Local Government and Housing Minister Nga Kor Ming’s announcement in seeking Unesco heritage endorsement for the new Chinese villages in Selangor.

The proposed bid has hit a brick wall, though, with resistance coming from groups which are predictably arguing from the race perspective rather than employing academic, persuasive and rational approaches.

There’s a fundamental question that needs answering by those supporting the Unesco Heritage Site submission plan; do the 400-odd new villages, which were historically internment camps created during the Malayan Emergency in 1950 to round up ethnic Chinese to contain the communists, fulfil the criteria for recognition and do we truly stand a chance? Of these, 77 are in Selangor.

No doubt the new villages have an appealing story of perseverance against blatant discrimination by the British, who cruelly locked up the Chinese community for fear they were supporting the communist cause.

Many prominent Chinese tycoons grew up and lived in these villages as they worked their way to the top.

But even without the strong resistance towards Nga’s proposal, it would be tough selling the proposal to Unesco.

The new villages are only about 50-odd years old, a glaring contrast to other contenders, which are mostly many centuries old.

It’s not easy drawing Unesco’s attention.

The political lesson to be learned here is, Nga should have consulted the leaders of the unity government for their consent before making the announcement. The unfortunate reality in Malaysia is that everything is political and inextricable from the warped sense of race and religion.

It’s disappointing that the debate over the new village proposal has invariably degenerated to one with racial overtones.

That’s how the politics of consensus works in a government, and it’s probably harder for DAP leaders, who are now learning that component leaders shouldn’t be caught unawares by arbitrary pronouncements, regardless of the initiatives’ nobility.

So, now we have these pointless arguments over the gambit, which in the end, may just come to a premature conclusion.


Coveted status: Tourists throng Armenian street in the George Town heritage area during the holidays. Unesco’s recognition as a World Heritage Site can provide economic value to tourism as well as create jobs and business opportunities. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star

For a dose of reality, even the iconic limestone hills at Batu Caves housing the Lord Murugan temple, one of the most popular Hindu shrines outside India, failed in its Unesco World Heritage Site bid.

Despite its cultural, geological and ecological arguments, Batu Caves was deemed unfit for consideration.

It was reported that it didn’t even meet one of the 10 criteria listed, with Unesco claiming that the illegal structures in the caves weren’t harmonious with the surroundings of the 400-million-year-old limestone rock formations.

Unesco is very clear that a site must have universal values that transcend the importance it holds for a single nation.

Ethnic or religious considerations are moot points if Unesco’s selection committee accords recognition.

In the queue for Unesco endorsement from Malaysia are Taman Negara National Park, FRIM Selangor Forest Park, Gombak Selangor Quartz Ridge, Royal Belum State Park, Sungai Buloh Leprosarium and the Niah National Park.


The Niah National Park is expected to be listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site this year. — Tourism Malaysia

Places in our country which have Unesco World Heritage Site status include George Town and Melaka, Gunung Mulu National Park, Kinabalu Park and the Lenggong Valley.

Melaka and George Town are cities which have earned recognition because they comprise historic urban centres with 500 years of cultural and trade exchanges between the East and West.

It’s surely more beneficial for us to provide greater resources to support and promote these chosen sites, especially the Lenggong Valley’s archaeological heritage site, which has the oldest relics of human settlement outside Africa but is unfortunately unknown and neglected.

The Perak Man, the oldest human skeleton found in South-East Asia, settled there almost two million years ago.

However, reports suggest that the sites are in disrepair, with rotting signs and broken boardwalks.

I hope this is old news, but if these places have received due attention, then trumpet it. Travellers will research their destinations online, so it’s imperative they get the latest updates.

There are other sites which deserve Unesco endorsement, including the 115-year-old Masjid Jamek located at the confluence of the Klang and Gombak rivers.

Then, there’s the Kek Lok Si temple in Penang, the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia and built in 1891, making it 133 years old.

There’s also the beautiful 19th century Cheong Fatt Tze, the Blue Mansion building in Penang, which won Unesco’s Asia Pacific Heritage Award for Cultural Heritage Conservation. I wonder if it’s possible to take this a step further to have it upgraded to a full-fledged Unesco Heritage site.

Anyway, while we may feel passionate about the many historical sites in Malaysia, regardless of their ethnic and religious backgrounds, it’s essential for our leaders to understand the criteria that need to be fulfilled to ensure a bid’s success.

The lush and tranquil Penang Botanic Gardens, set up in 1884 by Kew-trained botanist Christopher Smith, remains a favourite spot, but older Penangites would know that it’s in dire need of more attention to boost the collection of plants and flowers there. The place was certainly a prettier sight before.

Let’s prepare our cases and efforts to add to the list of Malaysian spots on the Unesco list, but we need to make sure to spend equal time in ensuring that these places are well maintained and promoted.

Like the rest of the world, Malaysians often complain about politicians who twiddle thumbs, but let’s hope they don’t do more damage instead.

Reduced sentence ignites sparks

IT’S understandably a decision that has angered Malaysians, with many expressing their discontent on social media.

This follows the Pardons Board’s decision to shorten Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s jail sentence from 12 to six years as well as reduce his fine from RM210mil to RM50mil.

Malaysian social media has exploded since the Board’s decision was made known on Friday, with many demanding the government justify the move.

The former prime minister’s family and Umno supporters are not happy either.

They expected a full pardon and for him to be released immediately as they insist Najib has done nothing wrong.

Naturally, there has been a backlash against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the Unity Government.

But the Prime Minister has reminded everyone that Najib, like all prisoners, has the right to seek a pardon.

His appeal was rejected by the Pardons Board but that can’t stop Najib from submitting a fresh appeal to the new King.

All prisoners are entitled to a remission and those who are well behaved are most likely to have their jail term reduced.

It remains unclear if Najib could walk out of jail by August 2026 or even as early as 2025 for good behaviour.

But of course, he’s no ordinary prisoner since his case has captured international attention and the Pardons Board’s decision will surely ignite controversy, if not get roundly criticised, especially if he’s perceived to have been let off, escaping from a scandal of tectonic proportions.

The multibillion-dollar 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal has generated tremendous global attention and Najib is still on trial for multiple cases related to it.


As the debate rages, Najib will have to be back in court tomorrow, a reminder that his problems aren’t over. — Bernama

While he was acquitted of audit tampering in connection with 1MDB, he hasn’t admitted guilt or shown remorse over the entire fiasco.

He has relentlessly said he had been misled and squarely blames businessman Jho Low for what has transpired, accusing him of masterminding the scheme from the start.

While the decision to trim his sentence was made in the name of the Pardons Board, the views of the Sultan of Pahang, the previous Yang di-Pertuan Agong, most likely carries the most weight.

The meeting on Monday at Istana Negara was chaired by Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, the previous King.

The board members included Dr Zaliha Mustafa as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of the Federal Territories, the Attorney-General and two other officials.

The King has discretionary powers to pardon convicted offenders or reduce their sentences, as provided under the Federal Constitution.

The respective Sultans also enjoy the same authority in pardoning convicts who had erred in their states. Also, it has never been the Pardons Board’s practice to explain its decisions.

Prisoners who were pardoned or had their sentences reduced, were those who displayed exemplary behaviour, were of old age or had health issues.

In Najib’s case, the media came up with many speculative stories alluding that the former Prime Minister would be pardoned, but of course, that didn’t happen.

Najib applied for a royal pardon in 2022, shortly after his conviction and sentence was upheld by the Federal Court.

Like it or not, the Pardons Board has made its decision. It’s not required to publicly reveal the reasons for its decision.

It also doesn’t need to provide details of how the board deliberated on the issue or whether it was unanimous, a majority decision or what the final say of the previous king was. The then king chaired the meeting of the board.

Article 42 (1) of the Federal Constitution is clear, stipulating the King has the power to decide on the matter and the decision cannot be challenged in court.

However, the timing of the Pardons Board’s announcement has come under fire, with some questioning why it was not announced immediately after the meeting.

Many citizens, including the media, have yet to understand the process involved. After the meeting, the AG is required to officially inform the heads of the prisons, for example, Kajang Prison. Then, the prison would need to notify the prisoners and their families. All this is through official letters and not mere phone calls.

It’s reasonable to think that the meeting discussed clemency for other prisoners, too, and not just Najib. The others could be pardoned, or have their sentences reduced, similarly, on grounds of good behaviour or health concerns.

So, those who are demanding for the board to explain its decision are going to be left disappointed.

But Anwar has correctly emphasised that the decision of the Pardons Board on any punishment by the courts is “beyond the ambit of the prime minister and the government of Malaysia.” In simple English, he’s saying, “Don’t blame us because it’s out of our hands.”

The public, however, is unlikely to understand this legal jargon or swallow the simpler explanation either and will only blame the government for this.

Anwar said the decision made by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong should be respected as it was undertaken after due process.

Anwar made this remark when asked for his comments in an interview with Al Jazeera’s Arabic channel following the announcement of the decision by the Pardons Board’s secretary on Friday.

The Sultan of Pahang, who ended his reign as King recently, had earned much respect, popularity, and goodwill from the public, but that has changed overnight.

Criticism is rife, but as Anwar said, His Royal Highness must have taken “all the considerations” and “then, the king, after listening to the board, finally decided to reduce the sentence by 50%.”

But as the debate rages, Najib will have to be back in court tomorrow, a reminder that his problems aren’t over.

While his jail sentence has been reduced, and even if he doesn’t get a full pardon, Najib’s political career must surely be over because he won’t be eligible to run for elections or hold any positions.

In any case, while he is still very much an influential figure in Umno and has a strong following, an active return to politics won’t help the Unity Government.

Najib has had his jail sentence and fine reduced, but it’s Anwar who must deal with the potential loss of support, even if he has no part or say on the issue.

To visit the South Pole, head to the “End Of The World” first


An adult penguin looking after its chicks at Jougla Point in Antarctica. — Polar Latitudes

Just the thought of eventually seeing it sent a tingle down my spine. The point was not lost on me that I was about to see one of the most pristine parts of our planet, a view most absorb only through National Geographic and Animal Planet documentaries, and their ilk.

It took almost two years to plan my trip to Antarctica as unlike other places, it’s not quite a hop, skip and a jump away. And neither is it about getting on a plane and flying straight to the White Continent.

The seventh continent remains the remotest and coldest place on Earth and the summer months of December through to March are the best to experience this breathtaking landscape.

Visitor numbers may have increased over the years, but only a few operators specialise in the South Pole.

The missus and I opted for an expedition ship – MS Seaventure – that could board about 130 passengers, a company which included Malaysia’s most famous adventurer Yusuf Hashim, and some other Malaysians.

This was a crucial decision because its relatively smaller size provided us with special access to most of the possible land stops, so we didn’t have to merely sail past The Ice.


Sailing on the MS Seaventure at Paradise Bay. — Polar Latitudes

The typical luxury megalithic ocean liner with thousands onboard is prohibited from landing on many of the islands that are teeming with wildlife. It’s near impossible to organise a non-stop landing for a ship with 3,000 people because a maximum of 10 passengers in a single zodiac (inflatable boat) is allowed to travel to the islands.

With numbers strictly regulated, only about 100 people get to land on an island at a time to see the animals up close. Yes, patience is a virtue, but coming face-to-face with penguins and seals in their natural habitat is an exhilarating experience that’s worth the wait.

Polar Latitudes, the Britain-based company we chose for our sea adventure had scientists and naturalists on board the ship. There were daily lectures on climate change, the formation of islands and wildlife. Sure, that may seem like a far cry from the extravagance and luxuries of having a casino or dance club, but a trip to Antarctica is purely for the devout.

The trusty tank was home to us for three weeks, beginning from Ushuaia in Argentina, through to the country’s southern tip, the Falklands, South Georgia and then Antarctica.

Of course, en route is the treacherous Drake Passage, with its violent waves.


The tail fluke of a whale seen above water. What a sight to behold. — DR ALEX TAN

On our return to Ushuaia, dubbed the “End Of The World” (being at the southern-most tip of South America), our ship rocked and rolled through the two nights. Not for the faint-hearted or those with queasy stomachs.

Antarctica is an unpredictable place where anyone and everyone is at the mercy of the weather. The winds and choppy sea can change landing spots overnight and sometimes, within hours. Nothing usually goes to plan, but that’s part of the fun.

It also means getting wet when the zodiac ferries people from the ship to the islands, but all that is forgotten when standing among hundreds of thousands of penguins and seals, with the birds and mammals right beside them.

The scents of nature

What does Antarctica and the islands at South Georgia smell like? As expected, ice and snow are scentless but the smell of guano, or penguin poo, is thick in the air.

It has even been reported that a series of brown smudges against the vastness of the White Continent is clearly visible from space. I got used to stepping on puddles of what seemed like mud but were actually penguin poo. Nauseating for most people but this is part of the adventure.


The writer (left) keeping warm at Brown Station in Antarctica with Malaysian adventurer Yusuf Hashim. — FLORENCE TEH

Also, there are no toilets on the Antarctica islands. Older folks are advised to wear disposable adult diapers. In urgent cases, they are taken back to the ship; while the penguins can leave their waste anywhere, humans are reminded to leave nothing behind, take and touch nothing. We are only allowed to take with us photographs and of course, the priceless memories.

What a pity that many travellers choose to spend 10 days for the long trip, yet skip South Georgia, regarded as the gateway to Antarctica and located in the Southern Ocean, about halfway between the south-east coast of Argentina and Antarctica.

The remote island, which takes at least two days to reach by sea, is synonymous with Antarctica travel even though it’s technically not part of the continent. However, it must be included in any itinerary to this part of the world.

The Serengeti of the Antarctic, as South Georgia is known, has boundless and stunning wildlife, spectacular landscapes, and rugged coves. More than 100,000 breeding pairs of king penguins live there, regarded as the largest creche in the world. Seeing their trademark yellow head markings on a screen is one thing but seeing them in the flesh is something else entirely.


A seal pup possibly looking for its mother. — DR ALEX TAN

This is also the home to the southern elephant seal, the largest seal species in the world. It’s amazing that they have no fear of human beings, and the only predators are themselves, with seals or birds, for example, preying on baby penguins.

What I saw at Fortuna Bay was beguiling to the eyes. The greatest artist of them all is Mother Nature herself.

Watching whales and orcas swimming just a breath away past our boats was another sight to behold. So, all those animal documentaries never exaggerated with CGI or camera tricks – this is truly the living world’s creation.

It was awe inspiring to watch numerous whales swimming close to our ship and the zodiacs in their natural habitats as they flip their wide tail flukes up and down several times, with some even leaping out of the water.

Climbing snow-covered hills and getting on and off the zodiacs sometimes proved daunting, so I’m glad I decided to travel to Antarctica while my knees and legs still allowed me to walk and hike through these rough terrains.

A trip to Antarctica isn’t cheap with our ringgit continuing to depreciate and air travel becoming pricier. It’s unfortunate that not many people can take three weeks off from work to head to the Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica.

Once in a lifetime

So, how does a Malaysian traveller get to Antarctica? I flew from Kuala Lumpur to Istanbul (Turkiye) on Turkish Airlines and then straight to the Argentinian capital, Buenos Aires.


The writer at Brown Station, Antarctica. — FLORENCE TEH

After a night’s stop, we took a three-hour flight on Aerolineas Argentinas, Argentina’s local airline, from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia.

Flight delays and cancellations are normal, but they are anxiety-inducing because they affect connecting flights. Keeping a cool head in moments like these is imperative.

A voyage to Antarctica is not for the timid or those who want to remain “plugged in” on the ship because these “necessities” are limited and expensive. But it’s a once-in-a-lifetime trip.

In a near four-decade career, my journalism job has been kind enough to accord me the visit to more than 60 countries, but seeing Antarctica is the mother of them all. As they say, you should only see Antarctica after you’ve seen everything else because nothing will ever compare.

If you’re afraid of the cold, then just live vicariously. Even though it’s accessible only during the South Pole’s summer, there was still light snow, and the temperature was around 1°C and 0°C.

Sure, there were tricky moments during the trip. Taking pictures while riding for two hours on the zodiac proved arduous, especially when I had to remove my gloves and endure the biting cold from the wind, but the snapshots are worth a lifetime.

However, by being properly attired for the weather, using merino wool material for thermal wear, things should be fine.

The most important reason to go to Antarctica is simply because it remains the last untouched place on Earth, a locale which belongs to no country or government. So, just enjoy the vastness of the place and appreciate that the human race is but a speck in this world.

Antarctica remains the only place on Earth not only with no government, but no citizens, no population, police, army and legal system, and for sure, no politicians. This is definitely Heaven on Earth.

As someone from the tropics, the sights of the giant floating icebergs and glaciers, including the A23a whopping block of ice, which is 4,000sq km big and 400m thick, is nothing short of staggering. After all, it’s said to be three times the size of New York City, and over double the size of Greater London.

But more importantly, the trip left me with a commitment to sustainable living and a renewed passion to save this unique ecosystem and our beautiful planet.

Time is running out, unfortunately, and that’s what drove me to see Antarctica. As it happens, it’s now almost impossible to see polar bears in the North Pole. Not acting now will come at our peril.

Stone of contention


Need to know: The Royal Commission of Inquiry into how Malaysia lost the strategic Batu Puteh to Singapore will hopefully reveal why we did not pursue the matter following the International Court of Justice’s 2008 decision. — Filepic/The Star

MALAYSIA may never regain Batu Puteh following the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) decision in 2008 to award the islet to Singapore, but the setting up of a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) will help answer some important questions.

Top of the agenda is surely the decision of then prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to drop a review application to the ICJ.

It’s crucial for Malaysians to know the reason for the decision because it was as good as waving the white flag before even going through another round of battle at the ICJ. Never mind if the Singapore legal team had a superior argument and better preparation than our side, the dispute had not been resolved yet.

New evidence was discovered supporting Malaysia’s case, but the opportunity was lost when the Pakatan Harapan government led by Dr Mahathir at that time chose to drop the suit.

So, the lingering question is whether the decision to drop the case was solely Dr Mahathir’s.

What were the dates on which he signed off the documents to call off the case, and did he seek the opinions of his Cabinet members before making his decision?

If not, then this is surely a case of gross negligence since it involves national sovereignty.

The people of Johor, and the rest of Malaysia, surely want to know whether Dr Mahathir consulted the Sultan of Johor before he made the decision not to pursue the case, and if not, what was the rationale behind that because Johor is obviously a stakeholder.

Was Johor’s sovereignty insignificant to the government at that time, or was His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar’s opinion irrelevant, or was this just Dr Mahathir’s prejudice towards palace views showing? All loaded-gun questions that surely need answering.

Setting up the RCI is the right step after the special task force, put together by the Federal Government, reviewed the actions and legal issues regarding Batu Puteh and nearby Batuan Tengah and Tubir Selatan.

Then PM Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had commissioned a special task force headed by former attorney general Tan Sri Apandi Ali to review the case.

The task force was given six months to reveal its findings and recommendations to the Cabinet for further action.

In 2022, Ismail said there may have been “possible negligence” when the former Pakatan government decided to withdraw the appeal, implicating Dr Mahathir.

When Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim took over as premier, he instructed the then AG, Tan Sri Idrus Harun, to review matters pertaining to the Batu Puteh claims so that negotiations with Singapore on the issue could be more fruitful without affecting bilateral ties.

He had also asked the AG to study the impact of the ICJ decision to award legal jurisdiction of Batu Puteh to Singapore.

Idrus had said that based on the report of the special task force, the Cabinet viewed the act of withdrawing the review application as “not in order and improper”.

Let’s hope the composition of the RCI will be revealed once the incoming Yang di-Pertuan Agong begins his five-year reign on Wednesday.

We definitely want to know the decision-making process, and as Pasir Gudang Member of Parliament Hassan Abdul Karim said, if the decision to withdraw the review application was made by Dr Mahathir alone, then the ex-PM has committed treason, betraying the nation in his personal capacity.

Treason may not be a criminal offence, and no one has been charged with such an act as far as I know, but surely no person of standing, especially Dr Mahathir, would want to go down in history as having betrayed the nation. Putting treason into context, it was once deemed a crime punishable by death in many parts of the world.

The investigations of the RCI will certainly be revealing, if not contentious, as it’s almost certain Dr Mahathir will be summoned to attend the hearing to defend himself for his decision to drop the legal pursuit.

So who was responsible for waving the white flag over the Batu Puteh legal appeal issue? Shouldn’t we have planted the Jalur Gemilang on that rock instead?

Training to lift standards


Leading the way: (From left) HRD Corp chief programme officer Soffian Mohammed Amin, Sim, Human Resources Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Khairul Dzaimee and Shahul at the soft launch of NTW 2024.

THE 2024 National Training Week (NTW) has got off to an early start following a soft launch last week by Human Resources Minister Steven Sim.

This year’s NTW will take place from June 24 till June 30 nationwide with free training programmes offered through the initiative based on five pillars – life skills, future skills, creativity and innovation, financial and sustainable development.

Building on the success of the inaugural NTW last year, the Human Resources Development (HRD) Corp has set a target of providing over 25,000 free training courses to 150,000 Malaysians nationwide.

Last year, NTW saw 21,473 training courses offered involving 129,312 participants and recorded 503,572 training hours.

It’s a feat that HRD Corp can be proud of as it was an inaugural event where it only set a target of 5,000 training courses for 125,000 participants involving 500,000 training hours.

But HRD Corp has outperformed itself with the support of its partners ranging from registered employers, trainers, training providers, academics, government agencies and the various ministries, as well as non-government organisations.

The training offered during the week included physical classroom, e-learning, remote online training and hybrid training.

Other ancillary activities included skills competition, open interviews, career talks and career coaching.

As a supporter of NTW, and a certified trainer, I have personally observed and followed closely the broad programmes initiated by HRD Corp.

In the case of the media industry, it has generously supported courses to upskill and re-skill journalists, especially on digital and social media skills.

Certainly, newsmen, like every worker, want to know how artificial intelligence (AI) will affect them and hope they can embrace AI skills.

The support of HRD Corp has helped media companies, which have understandably focused on revenue in an increasingly challenging business environment.

Such training provides career development opportunities, as well as the ability to provide better income to journalists.

It is important that HRD Corp continues to work with partners to provide more high value courses and programmes and, deliver high impact events and activities to all levels of Malaysians.

This is important for HRD Corp as the custodian of the nation’s human capital development efforts. For the past 31 years, it has worked hard to ensure every Malaysian employer and their employees are given sufficient support to up-skill and re-skill through the HRD Corp levy.

Given the large amount of levy it has collected, involving 82,00 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) out of 1.2 million employers, HRD Corp will always be evaluated by stakeholders, and rightly so too.

But NTW isn’t just all about workers and employers. It has always intended to involve Malaysians at all levels from all backgrounds, from students to retirees, across the nation. That has made NTW so special.

Last year, HRD Corp’s chief executive Datuk Wira Shahul Dawood, noted that beyond community-based learning and outreach, NTW partners offered some high value tech-based training programmes centred on AI and machine learning, data analytics, social media marketing and content creation that proved to be extremely popular amongst participants.

In fact, the top-10 courses from NTW were all in these key areas.

This is in line with industry demands and the prevailing view that “data is money”, and having the skills to extract and analyse data and turn them into actionable insights for crucial business decision-making is key.

Shahul also noted that HRD Corp has gone through a significant digital transformation journey in the past few years, investing into new technological solutions and infrastructure designed to improve the organisation’s efficiency and enhance stakeholder experience.

Having led the way in this area, he is pleased to observe its stakeholders moving in the same direction as reflected in the high value courses offered through NTW.

“We realised that efforts at the governmental and organisational levels alone are insufficient. We must encourage and inspire Malaysians to learn in order to improve their capabilities to earn.

“Training programmes offered must be aligned to what the market needs, and right now there is a strong need for digital technology and future skills.

‘’More than individuals, lifelong learning should be a collective culture that Malaysians want and will embrace. This is what the NTW is all about and we are pleased to have the support of our new minister YB Steven Sim Chee Keong to drive NTW this year,’’ he said at the soft launch of NTW 2024, last week.

The message from HRD Corp is that it wants Malaysians to know that nothing can stop them from seeking knowledge to upgrade themselves from cradle to grave.

Training is a necessity and not a luxury, and even though NTW is merely a week old, HRD hopes the ripple effect will continue to boost our lifelong learning aspirations and create a continuous culture for upskilling in the long term.

There’s also a target from the minister – NTW will be a launch pad for Malaysia’s training industry to develop Ivy League gold standards as well as put us on the path to be a regional training hub.

Lost legacy

MANY Malaysians are annoyed by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s remarks, which question the loyalty of the Indians and Chinese because of their supposed failure to assimilate into Malay society.

In a way though, I feel sorry for the former prime minister, who’s in the twilight years of his life.

Without doubt, those of us who were present during his 22-year tenure as PM will remember him fondly and proudly for building Malaysia into a nation clearly on a path to modernisation. He put us on the world map with the construction of the Petronas Twin Towers and bringing Formula 1 racing to Malaysia.

Under his stewardship, we enjoyed double-digit economic growth, and he inspired Malaysians by instilling confidence in us.

Many of us even chose to adopt a more lenient outlook then as Dr Mahathir tore down reforms and civil society the way we knew it as he moved pieces in the judiciary system, including sacking the Lord President then, and diminishing the powers of our Rulers.

During his tenure, his dissidents were arrested and jailed and newspapers which refused to toe the line were temporarily shut down.

But worst of all, he undermined every single one of his successors. In his eyes, none of them were fit to be PM.

Unfortunately for him, his legacy is now firmly consigned to the history books.

Malaysians have stopped according him the respect he likely desires.

He should know that by now, right? Or has someone forgotten to give him that memo? After all, he managed to garner only 4,566 votes, which is 12.5% short of the vote threshold to retain his deposit to hang on to his Langkawi parliamentary seat.

Incredibly, he was quoted saying he doesn’t understand what contributed to his disastrous defeat.

The reason was staring at him, but his sycophants probably didn’t have the heart to tell him.

Malaysians, including the predominantly Malay voters of Langkawi, essentially just want Dr M to retire for good.

He had 22 years as PM and even came back for a second hurrah as PM at the age of 92, and he was certainly back with his usual combative style of politics.

Plus, he was also glaringly out of sync with how things worked in the modern age. Dr Mahathir was a man caught in a time warp as he talked about policies and formulas which sounded archaic.

We can forgive him for believing he’s still a political icon and legend.

After all, ours is a society which accords respect and reverence to the elderly, especially our leaders.

Many of us will still request wefies with the nonagenarian, but let’s hope he doesn’t get carried away with delusions of grandeur.

His time ended some years back. A new Prime Minister – Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim – has been in power for a year.


Crumbling record: Tun Dr Mahathir will always be credited for putting us on the world map with the construction of the Petronas Twin Towers, among others. However, he is fast losing respect with his recent remarks and antics. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star

Dr Mahathir barely has any clout, but like all politicians, he, too, thrives on publicity to prove his imagined relevance. He knows the controversies, including his nasty remarks, earn column inches and attention.

The media should just ignore him, though. His divisive sound bites don’t make Malaysia better, but instead, unnecessarily generate discontent. Instead of dedicating his time to writing elder statesman-like essays to share his experiences and wisdom on nation building, he has opted to continually spew toxic race and religion narratives.

Loyal Malaysians including Malays, Chinese, Indians, Sikhs, Ibans, Kadazans and others are the ones who toiled for our beloved country.

The disloyal Malaysians are the corrupt leaders who have stolen, plundered and looted from our nation’s properties and coffers, including government-linked companies, and perpetrators include many cronies, too. Malaysia had bled profusely long before the 1MDB scandal, and this was the final straw for our people.In our history’s national fiascos, many of those implicated, unfortunately, are elites with political connections, including those from the time of Dr Mahathir’s reign.

So he has no moral standing to lecture us about loyalty to Malaysia, where most of the people born and raised here would surely desire to die in this country as well. Our loyalty should never be questioned.

Malaysia is what it is today because of the contributions every single one of us has made.

Some of us may have linguistic inadequacies and the inability to integrate, but our hearts and minds are truly Malaysian, and that’s what matters most.

With due respect, Tun, please stop talking about loyalty and calling us pendatang.

In case you’ve forgotten, this is 2024.