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Malaysia Sacrifices Talent To Keep Malay Race On Top, Says Lee Kuan Yew

Malaysia is prepared to lose its talent through its race-based policies in order to maintain the dominance of one race, said Lee Kuan Yew in his new book which was launched tonight in Singapore.

And although Malaysia has acknowledged the fact that they are losing these talents and is making an attempt to lure Malaysians back from overseas, such efforts may be too little too late, he said.

“This is putting the country at a disadvantage. It is voluntarily shrinking the talent pool needed to build the kind of society that makes use of talent from all races.

“They are prepared to lose that talent in order to maintain the dominance of one race,” he said in the 400-page book called “One Man’s View of the World” (pic).
It features conversations between Lee and his long-time admirer, Helmut Schmidt, former leader of West Germany. They discussed world affairs when Schmidt visited Singapore last year.

In the book, Lee pointed out that Malaysia is losing ground and giving other countries a head start in the external competition.

About 400,000 of some one million Malaysians overseas are in Singapore, according to the World Bank.

When announcing the five-year plan for Malaysia, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said in Parliament in 2011, the government would set up a talent corporation to lure some 700,000 Malaysians working abroad back to the country.

But in his book, Lee said the demographic changes in Malaysia will lead to a further entrenchment of Malay privileges.

He noted that in the last 10 years, since the enactment of the New Economic Policy, the proportion of Malaysian Chinese and Indians of the total population has fallen dramatically.

“The Chinese made up 35.6 percent of the population in 1970. They were down to 24.6 percent at the last census in 2010. Over that same period, the Indian numbers fell from 10.8 percent to 7.3 percent,” he said.

He added, “40 percent of our migrants are from Malaysia.

“Those with the means to do so leave for countries farther afield. In the early days, Taiwan was a popular destination among the Chinese-educated.

“In recent years, Malaysian Chinese and Indians have been settling in Europe, America and Australia. Some have done very well for themselves, such as Penny Wong, Australia’s current finance minister.

“Among those who have chosen to remain in Malaysia, some lack the means to leave and others are making a good living through business despite the discriminatory policies. Many in this latter class partner with Malays who have connections.”

World Bank data for 2012 showed that the island republic has raced ahead of its neighbour, with gross domestic product per capita of US$51,709 compared with Malaysia’s US$10,381.

Najib had said Malaysia is set to become a high income developed nation as early as 2018, two years earlier than the targeted 2020.

Lee said in his book the separation of Singapore and Malaysia in 1965 marked “the end of a different vision in Malaysia on the race issue”.

He added, “Much of what has been achieved in Singapore could have been replicated throughout Malaysia. Both countries would have been better off.” – August 6, 2013.

Source: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/malaysia-sacrifices-talent-for-dominance-of-one-race-says-kuan-yew#sthash.OPmvUQYk.dpuf

October 10, 2014
Reprint of The Battle For Merger Launched

SINGAPORE: A reprint of the book The Battle For Merger – which contains a series of 12 radio talks written and given by former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew between Sep 13 and Oct 9, 1961 – was launched by the National Archives of Singapore on Thursday (Oct 9).

Originally published in 1962, it gives a vivid account of the then ongoing political struggle over the merger. But while the context of the talks was merger, the key focus was to expose the communists – who they were, how they operated and what their real aims were in opposing merger.

Present at the launch was Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Mr Teo Chee Hean, who said that the reprint comes as Singapore celebrates it’s 50th anniversary in 2015 – a significant milestone, especially as the country considers its “precarious and tumultuous beginnings”.

He noted that today the events surrounding merger are no longer at the forefront of the minds of Singaporeans – with the younger generation, especially those born after 1965, having no personal memory of these events. Mr Teo said that he hopes the re-publication of the book will awaken the interest among younger Singaporeans to the events of this period of history, as well as provide a “reality check” to revisionist views.

Mr Teo had pointed out that some revisionist writers have attempted to recast the role played by the communists and their supporters on the merger issue, portraying the fight as a peaceful and democratic disagreement over the type of merger – this while ignoring the more fundamental agenda of the communists to seize power by subversion and armed revolution.

He said the spirit of pioneers to rise above hardships of the moment, including the threat of communism, and focus on making Singapore a better country for the next generation is an inspiration for all Singaporeans. “This spirit, epitomised in The Battle For Merger, is a precious heritage which we all as Singaporeans should honour, recognise and emulate,” added Mr Teo.

Featuring photographs, newspaper articles and other artefacts, an exhibition is also being organised to accompany the re-launch of the book.

Held at the National Library Building, the exhibition is open to the public from Oct 9 to Nov 30. It will then travel to public libraries including Jurong Regional Library and Ang Mo Kio Public Library.

Source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/reprint-of-the-battle-for/1405456.html

October 9, 2014
At Least Two Singaporeans Went to Syria to Join ISIS

SINGAPORE: The escalation of violence in Syria and Iraq over the last three months, as well as the expansion of the Islamic State (IS) threat beyond the two countries’ borders, have raised the security threat posed to Singapore. Two Ministers took turns to address concerns raised by Members of Parliament on Tuesday (Oct 7).

Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Teo Chee Hean shared the Government’s assessment of the situation, while Foreign Affairs Minister, K Shanmugam said that countering the terrorism threat has to ultimately be “in the arena of ideas”.

COUNTERING EXTREMIST IDEOLOGY

Mr Shanmugam said as many as 15,000 people from about 80 countries could have joined IS and other radical groups fighting in Syria and Iraq. This is the largest mobilisation of foreign fighters since the Soviet-Afghan war in the 1980s – the conflict that ultimately created the Al Qaeda terrorist network.

This region is not immune to the threat, with many joining in the fight in Syria and Iraq, he said. To combat the threat, Mr Shanmugam raised three points.

Firstly, international solidarity and action will send a strong signal to the IS that the world has rejected its extremist agenda.

Secondly, IS in both Iraq and Syria must be dealt with as one entity. He said any overall strategy must include a political solution to end the conflict in Syria, and political will to develop an inclusive and tolerant government in Iraq.

Lastly, military force alone will not be enough. “Military force is necessary to blunt IS on the ground but missiles and rockets alone cannot and will not bring peace,” said Mr Shanmugam. “This brings me to my third point – the true fight has to be in the arena of ideas. We have to counter the extremist ideology which is used to recruit foreigners to terrorism and fuel their violent agenda.”

He added that the threat posed by IS was real and everyone must do their part to combat global terrorism.

THE THREAT TO SINGAPORE

Mr Teo elaborated on the threat of the IS closer to home. IS continues to actively recruit foreign fighters – including Southeast Asians – and its brutality is not confined to beheadings of Westerners, but also to the killing of other Muslims and minority communities in Syria and Iraq, Mr Teo told Parliament.

A United States-led coalition of more than 40 countries, including several Arab states, is now taking counter-action against IS, he added.

“We currently have no information of any specific threat to us resulting directly from beheadings of IS and the anti-IS strikes,” Mr Teo said. “However, our assessment remains that the expansion of the IS threat beyond Syria and Iraq has raised the threat not only to countries who are part of the US-led coalition but also to Singapore.”

As with the threat from Al-Qaeda, he said, “even if Singapore is not itself a target, foreign interests here may be targeted. This House may recall that Al Qaeda, working with the Jemaah Islamiyah Group, had planned to bomb the US and other embassies in Singapore in 2002”.

There are also reports that some Malaysians and Indonesians who have fought for IS have formed a militant group called Katibah Nusantara Lid Daulah Islamiyyah, or Malay Archipelago Unit for the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

“If this group expands in Southeast Asia, it will pose a regional terrorism threat like the JI terrorist network, which had also aimed to set up a Southeast Asian Islamic Archipelago that encompassed Singapore, through the use of violence and terrorism,” Mr Teo said.

LOCAL SECURITY MEASURES IN PLACE

The DPM said Singapore’s security agencies are working with its security partners to monitor the situation in Syria and Iraq closely though the exchange of information, and will cooperate with them to counter the threat posed by foreign terrorists to Singapore.

There are also measures to prevent Singaporeans from getting involved in the violence there or from carrying out activities in support of IS, he said, such as co-sponsoring the UN Security Council resolution on foreign terrorist fighters.

“Any Singaporean who assists, supports, promotes or joins violent organisations like IS would have demonstrated a dangerous tendency to support the use of violence. Such a person poses a real threat to Singapore’s national security, and will be dealt with in accordance with our laws,” he said.

“Our approach will be carefully calibrated to the specifics of each case. Where necessary, the Internal Security Act (ISA) will be used in order to pre-empt and neutralise these terrorism threats to the security of our citizens and our country.”

In response to a question by Workers’ Party MP Low Thia Khiang, Mr Teo said that there are at least two known Singapore citizens who have gone to Syria to take part in the fight, though their exact whereabouts are unknown.

He added that authorities will continue to investigate anyone who expresses support for terrorism or an interest to pursue violence.

LOCAL COMMUNITY HAS PART TO PLAY

The Deputy Prime Minister also called on everyone to play a part in protecting Singapore against the terrorism threat. This includes alerting the authorities early to prevent family and friends from becoming radicalised.

There are also various community initiatives to counter IS’ radical rhetoric, he noted. The Religious Rehabilitation Group, for example, plans to produce online videos to debunk IS’ ideology to better reach out to Internet-savvy youths who are most at risk of being radicalised via social media, he said.

Mr Teo also mentioned a meeting was organised in July, with various community leaders, for them to understand what the Muslim community is doing to counter the threat.

“The threat is always there, but it’s something which we have to continue to work hard together, to bring people together, and help them understand the problem, and that our Muslim community is taking proactive and real steps to deal with this issue,” he said.

“All members of the public can also play their part by being alert to suspicious persons, objects and activities. A timely call to the authorities could well save many innocent lives. By working together, we can make Singapore a safer place for everyone,” Mr Teo added.

Source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/rise-of-islamic-state/1401872.html

October 9, 2014
Australian Animal Rights Probe into Mistreatment of Sheep Flown Over For Korban in Singapore

2,200 sheep were packed into wooden crates and stacked into the cargo hold of an aeroplane.

They were destined to face fully conscious slaughter in Singapore — but their suffering began much sooner.

Temperatures became so unbearable on a flight last week, that 174 sheep were found dead upon arrival (www.bit.ly/1xUdeAI).

In their wooden crates, there was simply nowhere these animals could go — nothing they could do — to cool their bodies down. It would have been a horrible way to die.

This is the fourth major incident of animals dying on planes in only the last year.

Both sheep and cattle have endured flights from hell — with ‘deficient’ or ‘inadequate’ ventilation blamed for the horrific suffering of animals who have suffocated to death, or died from heat stress.

Their deaths — like so many others — are just written off as a ‘cost of doing business’ to an industry that knowingly puts animals at great risk, for the sake of profit.

As you read this, our team of investigators are en route back to Australia — bringing with them the stories of the other animals who have suffered terribly at the hands of this industry.

Their evidence will form the basis of significant legal complaints to ensure those responsible for their suffering will be held to account.

Source: Animals Australia

October 9, 2014
Happy Family in the SAF

How I met my mother-in-law

While most people would have first met their wife-to-be, followed by their in-laws, Captain (CPT) Rudie Imran did the reverse. He first met his wife’s mother, 2nd Warrant Officer (2WO) Saloma Binte Johari, as a young lieutenant while serving in the 2nd People’s Defence Force (2 PDF) Training Centre. 2WO Saloma was the Chief Admin Supervisor there.

As fate would have it, his father-in-law, 2WO (Ret) Mawi Bin Mohd, was serving in the SAF too. Yes, it is a little complicated so we let the family do the talking instead.

How did you meet your wife?

CPT Rudie: It was at a unit event celebrating Hari Raya. 2WO Saloma’s daughter (who is now my wife) was one of those who were asked to perform and I was also performing. We dated secretly for a few months before I told 2WO Saloma!

2WO (Ret) Mawi: We knew! People would come up to tell me “your daughter going out with this young lieutenant, you know!” Before Rudie she had other boyfriends too but I told my daughter “now is study time, trust me, you will get a better man.”

What’s the best thing about having family who are also in the SAF?

CPT Rudie: They understand what is going on and why I have to stay late in camp sometimes. But it also means that I can’t lie about having to work late then sneak off to do other things, because my in-laws’ network is so wide, they would surely find out!

2WO Saloma: For my son, Sadali, I used to take him along to unit healthy lifestyle runs on weekends and sometimes I would bring him along to work. So when NS came around for him, I think he didn’t get too much of a shock!

CPT Rudie: During big events like SAF Day and National Day Parade, it can feel like the whole family is involved too. We would call each other and ask for help on certain things.

Does being in the SAF mean that you expect more from your children?

2WO Saloma: Our standards were higher in terms of discipline. We expected them to show respect and also be responsible for their own things.

2WO (Ret) Mawi: I used to set out certain tasks for them which they had to complete daily. If they didn’t do it and went to bed instead, I would wake them up in the middle of the night to finish the task.

How has being in the SAF influenced your family?

2WO (Ret) Mawi: There aren’t any specific SAF influences but we do bring back stories to tell our children. For example, I was deployed to East Timor (now called Timor-Leste) in 2002 and I saw how bad conditions were over there.

When I came back, I told my children about how the people lived in East Timor. I particularly remember the mission: We had to climb mountains to receive satellite signals to call our families.

CPL (NS) Sadali: Hearing these stories makes us appreciate what we have here.

2WO Saloma: The main thing is discipline and knowing the right things to do at the right time. Without these, everything will go haywire. Luckily, our children have been quite easy to manage.

PNR: What is it like having parents in the military?

CPL (NS) Sadali: Like being on Pulau Tekong! People always think that if your parents are in the military, your upbringing must be very strict but it was not that bad, really. In a way, being strict is also a good thing because we all grew up fine.

2WO (Ret) Mawi: How I learnt to relate to my children was through the NS boys (Full-time National Servicemen) and NSmen (Operationally Ready National Servicemen) under my charge throughout my career in the SAF. Getting to know new people all the time was one of the perks of the job.

2WO Saloma: We manage soldiers and we see some of the issues they have, and we can share with the children when we come home.

Source: http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/resourcelibrary/cyberpioneer/topics/articles/features/2014/oct14_cs.html#family2

October 9, 2014