Mahathir’s words

HARD TRUTHS
By Dr. Mahathir Mohamad on February 10, 2011 1:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (9) | TrackBacks (0)

///1. A new book on Lee Kuan Yew has appeared with the title “Lee Kuan Yew – Hard Truths To Keep Singapore Going.” It is a collection of 16 interviews with Lee Kuan Yew by Singapore journalists.

2. What is the hard truth which will keep Singapore going? It is, according to Lee Kuan Yew the vulnerability of Singapore. Without saying so in so many words, Lee Kuan Yew believes that the island’s neighbours would war against it if it has no military capacity to defend itself. The United Nations would not help Singapore in the event of such an attack.

3. Even America would not defend Singapore despite the Security Framework Agreement. America went to the aid of Kuwait because of oil, but Singapore’s problem is water. ///– Mamakthir

The statements by LKY are reasonable and based on facts and right perception. Singapore had problems in water until Malaysian leader in the person of Mamakthir convinced them that they should not depend on water from Malaysian rivers.

///4. Kuan Yew blamed me for stopping sand supply from Malaysia. I was quoted as saying, “Even at their present size they are trouble, you let them grow some more they will be more trouble.” Rhetorically he then asked the journalist present, “We’ve got friendly neighbours? Grow up.” ///– Mamakthir

Mamakthir equated sand with land and claimed that selling sand was like selling land. So, the sale of sand has been politicised. Jealousy against Singapore achieving its planned development, as Mamakthir said in his unguarded moment was the real cause. Indeed the issue of linking sand and land helped to divert attention, particularly corruption in the country which has resulted in Malaysians exporting 888 billion ringgit in illegal transfers to foreign countries.

///5. I may have said that, though I cannot remember. But is that an indication that we intend to invade Singapore?///–Mamakthir

There is no difference in the technique used in the RCI on Lingam tapes when Mamakthir chose the moment to claim amnesia. It was not an issue of whether Malaysia under Mamakthir had the intention to invade Singapore; the issue is capability to do so.

///6. Singapore had been taking large quantities of sand from the sea-bed east of Johore and also in the Strait of Malacca. As a result the coast has been eroded in places. Taking one billion cubic meters more of sand in these seas would cause serious erosion.///– Mamakthir

One billion cubic meter of sand at one meter dept needs an area of 30 KM square. That must have been the argument of butterfly effect should there be erosion on the coast line of Johore. Mamakthir was fond of using environmental argument to justify his case. He claimed that the bridge to replace the Causeway was out of concern for water to move across the cross way. It would be cheaper to pump the water across the cause way for that.

///7. In addition the fish-breeding ground will be destroyed and this will affect Malaysian fishermen. ///–Mamakthir

The loss of income through fisheries out of 30 KM square will take a hundred years to match what is gained through sale of sea sand. The breeding ground would recover soon enough by throwing in disused tyres.

///8. As to the trouble caused by Singapore; in the 22 years of my premiership I was not able to resolve any of the problems with Singapore. These are the Central Provident Fund, the railway land, the operation of the Malayan Railway in Singapore and the water price. Additionally the reclamation in the Tebrau Strait was affecting the deep water shipping lane for ships to and from Pasir Gudang Port. The only problem solved was the unilateral decision of Malaysia to give up the naval base in Woodlands after Singapore kept raising the lease payments. Malaysia did not ask for even a single cent as compensation for the facilities it has installed at the base.///–Mamakthir

So the problems lie with Mamakthir. Najib solved the railway land issue in less than two years.

///9. As for Singapore’s military planes flying over Malaysian air space, Malaysia had the right to disallow such flights for many reasons. Singapore would certainly not like to have Malaysian military planes flying over Singapore. ///–Mamakthir

Mamakthir exercised what he claimed to be his rights as well as what is not his rights too.

///10. When we wanted to build a bridge to replace the congested causeway Singapore was not forthcoming.///–Mamakthir

When Singapore wanted to fly Singapore military planes over Malaysian air space, Malaysia was not forthcoming too.

///11. All this while Malaysia had been supplying raw water at 3 sen per thousand gallons. Even to Melaka, Johore is paid 30 cent per thousand gallons. Negotiations to raised the price of water failed repeatedly. The first agreement will end this year. We will continue to supply raw water at 3 sen per thousand gallons until 2061 under the second agreement.///– Mamakthir

Mamakthir failed as a PM to negotiate a revised price for water when the contract specified the time to do so, in the 1980s. Having failed that, Mamakthir can only cover up his failure by resorting to arguing that the price was unfair. The deal is based on contract and Malaysia can take Singapore to international court, like the case of Pulau Batu Blanca.

///12. Yes, we buy treated water at a subsidised price of 50 cent per thousand gallons. We are willing to forego the supply and treat our water ourselves. ///–Mamakthir

If giving up the right to treated waters was voluntary, Singapore would be willing to oblige. But as a term for negotiation, the offer depends on the wishes of the other party.

///13. It was Malaysia which suggested that both countries submit claims to Pulau Batu Puteh to the international court. The court decided that the rock belongs to Singapore even though it is nearer Malaysia. But two other rocks further from Malaysia but nearer Singapore were awarded to Malaysia.

14. Malaysia’s willingness to go to the International Court is hardly in keeping with a country which harbours the intention to invade Singapore.///–Mamakthir

The few rocks are hardly worth fighting when there is no guarantee that invasion would work. Mamakthir only knows how to bully, and intention means little.

///15. Kuan Yew cried when Singapore left Malaysia. We thought that it was the separation which had saddened him. But now he tells us that it was because “I left behind tens of thousands of people who had joined our rallies”. Kuan Yew might remember that despite the huge crowds attending the PAP rallies, the party won only one seat.///– Mamakthir

If the leaders of Sabah did not go down in the small plan carrying 6 state ministers in Sabah in 1966, they would have shown Mamakthir that the support people have for LKY as a PM for Malaysia was not limited to only one seat the PAP gained. The success of Singapore compared to the level of corruption in Malaysia and the dysfunctional government institutions in Malaysia making Malaysians the lowest income earners in South East Asia make many a Malaysian including Malays wonder how we have missed the chance to make Malaysia a second Japan. That opportunity was removed by Malay ultras Jafar Albar who created riots in Singapore in 1964 during the procession celebrating Prophet Mohamad’s birth day. Khutty brought the worst gift to Malaysia if Ling Liong Sik is allowed to restate what he thought of Mamakthir now that LLS is being charged because Mamakthir could be claiming amnesia during cabinet meeting and that LLS failed to remind him that as Finance Minister Mamakthir had himself decided on the land price for PKFZ.

///16. The PAP supporters immediately formed the DAP to fight the cause promoted by the PAP after the separation. The DAP is alive and well today in Malaysia. In fact it now rules Penang state.///– Mamakthir

The fact that DAP remains a responsible political party shows that dirty games do not succeed all the time.

///17. But the rump UMNO left in Singapore could not survive in the hostile atmosphere created by the PAP Government. For that matter no other political party has been allowed to function properly in Singapore.///– Mamakthir

It is difficult to believe that the person who said that is a medical doctor and much less a Prime Minister. It just shows that Malaysians are simply unfortunate to have such leader ruling the country, and for two decades. What is worse is his influence lives on with the succeeding Prime Ministers

///18. Kuan Yew claims all these opposition people are duds and must not be allowed to rule Singapore or even to be in the opposition. This is a frank admission that he determines who should represent the people of Singapore, not the people themselves as in a democracy. If there is any more proof needed that Singapore is a totalitarian state, this admission by Kuan Yew confirms it.///– Mamakthir

Mamakthir cannot be so naïve that opposition parties in Singapore has disappeared when LKY said they were useless. There are regular elections in Singapore, and they did not use postal votes like here in Malaysia. Besides Singapore leaders did not play politics with race and religion to get elected. If government elected through elections is not democratic, how different is Malaysia when it claims it practises democracy?

///19. Now Kuan Yew is urging Muslims not to hold to the teachings of Islam too strictly. Most Muslims are in breach in their practice of Islam. But it is not for others to tell the Muslims that they should renege on their practice of Islam to facilitate integration in Singapore. In Malaysia we try to live with our differences. Our integration is not perfect because we are sensitive to the sensitivities of our people. We do not ask people to forsake their religious practices so we can integrate.///– Mamakthir

Dead body snatch to be buried in the place the religious department decides only happen in Malaysia. Mamakthir claimed that Malaysia is tanah Melayu and non-Melayu, should forgo their culture. That is worse than LKY telling Muslims not to hold the teaching of the religion too strictly. When the term too strictly is used, it means that it is not the normal way the religion is practised. When one suggests not to hold too strictly to certain practices, it just means that one should not be doing things in excess, veer too much to be an extremist. That might be too much for Mamakthir to comprehend.

///20. Malaysia has no intention to attack Singapore even if it is militarily weak. Even in my time there was no such intention. In fact we wanted to continue to supply Singapore with water, but at a fair price. I don’t think my successors harbour any intention to do harm to Singapore. These are the hard truths. Competition in trade and shipping does not mean war, or a threat of war.///– Mamakthir

Trade can certainly end in war. When Singapore buys military hardware, they are worth every cent paid. Malaysia bought the initially un-submersible Scorpene submarines and paid some 500 million ringgit to a service contract, most probably irrelevant. Malaysia is spending a billion ringgit a piece for patrol boats. These machines can’t match the power of military hardware Singapore had.

///21. But one thing is certain: if Singapore treats Malaysia and Indonesia as its enemies then you must expect them to prepare for their defence. Even if it may not lead to war there will be tension and there will be an arms race. And much money will be wasted.///– Mamakthir

It is wise to hope for the best and prepared for the worst. The examples of UMNOputras bullying Malaysians are for all to see. With that track records Malaysia gives the impression that it is ever ready to bully given the chance. It is sensible to treat people as potential enemy until they prove themselves friends.

///22. It would be far better if Mr Lee, the Minister Mentor of Singapore stop thinking about being vulnerable and that its neighbours harbour the intention to invade it. As with Pulau Batu Puteh, Sipadan and Ligitan our preference is for negotiation, arbitration or an international court’s decision. ///–Mamakthir

If Mamakthir’s is really neighbourly, he would not have distorted the fact that Malays in Singapore live up to the expectation of good citizens whom the late Tun Dr Ismail would be proud of, that they do not belong to the special position where assistance such as those given to the endangered species was needed. Mamakthir tried to incite Malays in Singapore to hate the government, and yet he advises LKY not to feel vulnerable. Did Malaysia under him harbour good intention towards Singapore?

///23. Remember Malaysia gave up Singapore peacefully. We did not try to use force to keep Singapore or to suppress its people. ///– Mamakthir

Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak together with Malaya formed Malaysia. It is natural that Singapore leaves peacefully when the arrangement could not work out. It was Tunku who had the right perception of the issue. Malaysia did not give up Singapore as though Singapore subordinates to Malaysia. It is the thought that Sabah and Sarawak are subordinates to Malaysia that the natives of Sabah and Sarawak are treated as second class people classified as the protected species under article 153.