— Tan Teck Huat
The Malaysian Insider
Dec 12, 2011
DEC 12 — If anyone wants to know the chameleon nature of the Najib government or perhaps even the prime minister, you just have to look at the government’s attitude towards Singapore.
On one hand, Najib talks about closer ties with Singapore and his upcoming retreat with Lee Hsien Loong, where some great announcement is going to be made about a joint announcement in Iskandar.
We are supposed to be good pals after years of difficult ties. But before anyone starts celebrating, there is Najib’s good friend, Senator Ezam Noor, warning undergraduates that the DAP is bent on turning Malaysia into Singapore!
Let there be no illusion about Ezam’s close connection to the establishment. A political maverick like Ezam can only be accepted back into the system and be appointed as a senator only with the blessings of the prime minister.
His job designation is clear, attack Anwar Ibrahim and the Pakatan Rakyat and in that order, and do and say anything which will make the electorate frightened of the opposition.
That is why a few days ago he was allowed to speak to undergraduates and took up the Umno message of demonising the DAP. The only difference was that he dragged in another bogeyman: Singapore.
Singapore equates to Chinese equates to bad.
Don’t expect Hsien Loong to do or say anything to defend Singapore. He and his wife don’t have the gumption or the fight of Lee Kuan Yew and will roll over and play dead for a few deals. In that regard, Najib is smarter than Hsien Loong.
He knows that Hsien Loong treasures cordial relations with Malaysia with a few deals like the railway land issue thrown in and will not kick up a fuss even though the government’s attack dogs are making Singapore a bogeyman. As such, Najib will continue with his chameleon-like strategy, of talking up bilateral ties and allowing his soldiers to paint Singapore in less than desirable light.
A bit like praising the Chinese for their diligence and then allowing Perkasa to hammer the Chinese. Or like visiting the Vatican but allowing Umno to belittle Christianity.