Once again as the nation is gearing up to the beat of another by-election, Malaysians in Kuala Terengganu are entrapped between the hues and cries of the many forces of political campaigns and the responsibility of ensuring a good and sound government is installed.
There are many conflicts in the hearts of these voters which hinder wise thinking. So let voicesfromfar share some food for thoughts with you.Its parts of some excerpts which has some relevance to our local scenario.Though there are some small degree of variance in the issues discussed but nevertheless lessons learnt are good enough to ponder/emulate.
Subject: Excerpts from Special Lecture by Lee Kuan Yew
*Lee Kuan Yew*
... Let me start by outlining how I see the world. Singapore survives and prospers only if there is international order, regional peace and stability, and growth instead of wars and conflicts. The region has grown in the last 50 years because there was an umbrella that provided that security and enabled countries to live peacefully together…
*Gordon Wilson*
Minister Mentor, For someone who was frequently in Singapore in the 1960s and 1970s and returning there now 40 Years later, the prosperity and dynamism are phenomenal.The change into a prosperous city state is extraordinary. Has there been a price to be paid?
*Lee Kuan Yew*
I start from first principles. What I have to do was to turn this improbable country into a country and eventually a nation? It took me a very long time. We were a disparate group of people rioting with each other just a few years before we became independent, because Malay extremist forces stirred up problems. You have to work from first principles and to pay no mind to what political scientists say in terms of doing this or that, following this prescription,with free-market democracy according to Fukuyama. I needed a stable,peaceful society, so I had strict laws against inciting racial or religious tensions. At the same time, I made quite sure that everybody is treated equally. Religions were respected…
We also mixed everybody up in high-rise buildings, no longer in enclaves. We have no ghettoes or qasbas. Every constituency has its quota of the less successful.Everybody has the same chances in education and we chose a neutral language – English... After a few years, parents discovered that having English as a first language led to better job opportunities, so that solved itself.
These are basics that you have to get right: a level playing field and a meritocracy regardless of race, language or religion.That is part of our national pledge.
Now we have arrived, why do we not run a liberal democracy? Why should we? I got a clear mandate. The lowest turnout we had was 60% of the electorate. Nobody alleged chicanery or malpractice.
*Gordon Wilson*
Is there as much freedom of expression as perhaps could be allowed in a modern state, as we have today?
*Lee Kuan Yew*
People wondered whether the press was controlled. Everything can be reported, but no crusading is allowed.The internet is there and you can do what you like, but we try to prevent becoming sidetracked. Western political scientists, NGOs and even some US Government officials believe in a prescribed route for success.
We have a coherent Singapore. Do we want an incoherent Singapore and have the whole thing fall apart? Think about it carefully. At every election, I used to tell people to think carefully: 'In the next five years, do you want your homes to be worth more or less?' The smallest taxi driver or hawker has a home worth S$150,000. They are stakeholders. If they vote the wrong government in, property prices drop and they are in trouble. If you produce the right government, there will be more infrastructure and connectivity, a better environment and clean water, thereby allowing you to improve your assets. Why should we change that? The western media and political scientists say that that is wrong, but is it?
The day we become dishonest, ineffective or incapable, we are out.
HOW VERY RIGHT-IF YOU VOTE THE WRONG GOVERNMENT IN, EVERYTHING IN PLACE WILL FALL APART. And now..LET US SEE THE RELEVANCY OF THIS PRINCIPLE IN KUALA TRENGGANU !!!
Just take for example the Chinese community itself in Kuala Terengganu-how have they benefited from the Barisan Nasional government? Not counting the past developments that had taken place, but just for 2009,amongst which we see :-
1. Some RM2.7 million in cash was distributed to about 9,000 needy and elderly Chinese on the 5 January 2009 by BN government. The RM200 to RM300 handout per person is an annual event which usually happens either a week before or after Chinese New Year.
2. The Menteri Besar Ahmad Said has pledged RM3.3 million for the construction of a hall for the Chinese community in Bukit Kecil, with the ground breaking ceremony slated for January 13.
3. Another RM110,000 was allocated to 40 Chinese religious organizations.
4. The Terengganu State government further approved RM2.8 million for the upgrading the hall of SJK (C) Chung Hwa Wei Sin, Kuala Terengganu. The school’s brass band will receive another RM200,000.
5. The state MCA has obtained federal allocation worth RM205,000 for two temples
6. Education Minister Hishamuddin Hussien on Jan 5 announced a RM2,926,000 allocation for 10 Chinese schools in the state.
7. The 583 Terengganu based Malay contractors were offered contracts valued at RM15.8 Million in infrastructure works in the Kuala Terengganu area.
The local community regardless of race and religion,are the stakeholders and know what is best for the country and Kuala Trengganu. Listern to your hearts -Why should you risk the change? Let the words of our neighbouring Minister Mentor be wisdom to you when you are excercising your rights.
THINK ABOUT IT CAREFULLY ! Don`t let racial or religious issues incite you anymore ! We are one Malaysians ,united in voice and strength , and we can ride through the economic and political storm together with the BN government
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