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Tag: Walid J. Abdullah

  • Walid J. Abdullah: What Would Malay Community Feel About Affirmative Action-President?

    Walid J. Abdullah: What Would Malay Community Feel About Affirmative Action-President?

    Some people have made the point that having a Malay president would be a good sign to the rest of the world, and that when people of other countries see a Malay as a President of a non-Malay majority country, it looks good for both Malays and Singapore. Which is a fair point.

    However, looking at the matter a bit deeper, one could perhaps see some flaws in that line of argumentation. Firstly, how many non-Singaporeans really care about (the ethnicity of) our President? And secondly, for those who do, would they not be aware that the President was there by legislation, and not after a fair electoral battle with people of other ethnicities?

    But more importantly, the Presidency – it needs to be reiterated – is a symbolic, ceremonial post: not one with significant powers. Having a Malay Foreign Minister, one who deals with other countries perhaps only less than the Prime Minister, would be a far greater achievement, for example. A Minister, in a parliamentary system like Singapore’s, wields more influence and has more responsibilities than the head of state.
    (Incidentally, most of our Foreign Ministers have been Indian, perhaps to highlight the avowed multi-racial nature of our nation.)

    And i cannot help but wonder how the non-Malays in our country would actually feel about the President. Would they have genuine respect for that person, or would they – consciously or otherwise – feel that she, err i mean he/she, is there only because of affirmative action.

     

    Source: Walid J.Abdullah

  • Walid J. Abdullah: Thank You To The Malay Community For Your Quiet Sacrifice And Compromises

    Walid J. Abdullah: Thank You To The Malay Community For Your Quiet Sacrifice And Compromises

    As someone of Indian descent, i would like to thank my Malay friends. In spite of them being the indigenous people of Singapore, they have welcomed the rest of us with open arms. Indeed, they rarely ever mention the fact that our constitution explicitly recognizes their indigenous status. They almost never mention their ‘sacrifices’ to us. Now that, my friends, is truly in line with the multi-racial spirit.

    And I hope we all can be wary of people who play the race card.

     

    Source: Walid J. Abdullah

  • Walid J. Abdullah: World Has To Deal With Failings Of American Democracy

    Walid J. Abdullah: World Has To Deal With Failings Of American Democracy

    Perhaps 2016 will teach us not to adopt a holier-than-thou approach towards those who disagree with us. Dismissing everyone who is a Trump supporter as a racist, xenophobic idiot evidently did not work out well.

    Sure, there are racists and deplorables amongst them. But there were people with genuine concerns that were not addressed, and instead of having their sentiments understood, they were dismissed as racists. Of course they would turn to Trump afterwards!

    The media especially has blood on its hands. In spite of not being a Trump fan, i found the media coverage – particularly by Huffington Post – to be absolutely disgusting. Clearly one-sided. If i were an undecided voter, the media coverage would push me towards Trump. I hope the liberal media is proud of itself now.

    Trump has won. Whether we like it or not, those are the rules of the game. We have to deal with a President Trump.

    Unless you’re the US government (democrat or republican). Then you don’t have to respect other people’s aspirations. Just dismiss them as Islamic fundamentalists and then engineer a coup.

    For peasants like the rest of the world, we have to deal with the failings of American democracy.

     

    Source: Walid J. Abdullah

  • Walid J. Abdullah: Muslims Are Biggest Victims Of Terrorism

    Walid J. Abdullah: Muslims Are Biggest Victims Of Terrorism

    Immigration Officer:

    First time you’re presenting at a conference?

    Me: No, but it’s the first time i’m being checked like this even after telling immigration i have a conference.

    Him: Are you nervous?

    Me: No, i’m disappointed.

    Him: Why? I’m just doing my job.

    Me: You didn’t check anyone else, so please don’t tell me this is random.

    *eons later*

    Him: You can have your passport back.

    Me: Can i ask why it took so long?

    *directs to another guy*

    Other officer: Err, we had another name like yours, with same surname too.

    Me: From Singapore? I can guarantee you there is none.

    We both know why it was only me who had to go through this, and no one else. Let’s not pretend.

    ——

    The reality is Muslims are the biggest victims of terrorism, whether directly or otherwise.

     

    Source: Walid J. Abdullah

  • Walid J.Abdullah: Iraq Invasion Precipitated ISIS’ Rise, Widespread Condemnation In Order

    Walid J.Abdullah: Iraq Invasion Precipitated ISIS’ Rise, Widespread Condemnation In Order

    The Chilcot Inquiry has concluded that Blair’s invasion of Iraq was unjustified, and completely unnecessary. Basically, the report stated the obvious. But it’s still great to have it in black-and-white.

    The Iraq War is a direct, enabling factor for the rise of ISIS, and we are bearing the brunt of that perverted group’s rise.

    Now, i hope those who have been quick to comment on and condemn terrorism will react with similar alacrity in finally condemning Blair and Bush in engineering the bogus war in Iraq, which have had irreversible consequences for Iraqis and the rest of us.

     

    Source: Walid J. Abdullah