A State of Denial

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Your multiethnic Peoples Pact alliance includes socialist and Islamic parties. How hard is it to keep them under the same umbrella?
Since the election we've shown we can work together. The management of the states we now run is far superior. With any suggestion of irregularities, the leadership takes immediate action. We have no problem helping the poor rural folks, and we had no problem with the Muslim Malay community when we decided to support a big, modern pig-farming program in Selangor state.

When do you think you ' ll become prime minister?
Patience is a virtue. That will depend on the support of members of Parliament [and] the Malaysian public.

Prime Minister Abdullah ' s government has won international praise for making the hard decision to cut fuel subsidies. Why did you oppose that?
There is no inkling that they understand the impact it had on the poor. Ours is not just a populist position. I'm in favor of a market economy and I want to discard the government's heavily interventionist New Economic Policy. International economists may not appreciate just how our domestic economy, particularly the poorest segments, could be adversely affected.

How would you describe Malaysia ' s place in the world?
Malaysia has a great story. Not only are we a multiracial country and an emerging economy, but we could also become a beacon of democracy and human rights in the Muslim world. We are a majority Muslim country and, like Turkey, for example, can remind the world that there is no incompatibility between Islam and democracy. We can show the world that Muslims can live alongside Christians and Hindus and Buddhists, and demonstrate the enormous benefits that come from mutual acceptance and respect. Where in the world do you have a population that can speak Malay, English, Tamil and Chinese? Where do you have so many faiths thriving together? We can be a great example as a small developing country.

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Posted By: Diren @ 08/06/2008 11:45:09 AM

In Malaysia students fight for allowing to go to university WITHOUT headscarves, whereas in Turkey students fights for the right TO WEAR heandscarves in universities. It's silly to compare the two. Turkey has been secular for 80 years, while Malaysia is still trying to lay the foundations for a secular state order. In Turkey religion does not interfere in the legal system or the courts, whereas in Malaysia, there are still Islamic courts. Let's not mix things up.
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Posted By: nagoyafrog @ 07/16/2008 7:49:26 AM

Poor nawawimohamad. You are dangerous. Grow up! The comments from chongyeeyap may have upset you but all you did was abuse him & call him names. Most obviously, you did address or deny any of his charges against Malaysia - maybe because deep down, you know what he writes is true. Malaysia may be good in many ways - my family and I love to holiday there - but racial discrimination is legal there and is enshrined into the constitution. Do not delude yourself. And do not stand up for your country just because it is your country. Otherwise this world will never improve. And I really hope it will, but it will not happen if we do not face the truth and it will NEVER happen if we continue to call people names and argue irrationally.
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Posted By: nawawimohamad @ 07/14/2008 12:07:20 AM

To chongyeeyap, you can say whatever you want. You are a coward, selfish, self-centred and has contributed nothing to society and in particular to the place where you were born by running away from it. You are only thinking about your own well being. You live in this world just for money, money and money without considering the welfare of others and you own dignity.You have not put in the slightest effort to improve the situation in the place you once called home but instead you ran like a dog with its tail between the hind legs. So please shut your F@#$king gap. I am only replying to your comments to put in some sense in yout thick skull! You are shameless! Australia, this guy is not patriotic to you or to any country in the world and should be deported out after you have squeezed all the juice from him!