The Western Culture is doing the same thing again, trying to force its values and trying to teach what is right and what is wrong onto the East. Arguing about how well and how cultured their civilization is and how backward and stupid the East is. An article written by Michael Backman (a moron in my opinion) understates this point. As Mr. Moron had eloquently put it, “Malaysians are still arguing over the race wealth argument that's been running for 40 years. That wealth and race are not synonymous is important for national cohesion, but really it's time Malaysia grew up”. May I remind Mr Moron that the western civilization, and amongst the most advanced countries in the west, are still arguing about the same point. Australians are arguing this matter with the aborigines, Americans with the blacks (or African Americans) and the Red Indians (or Native Americans) on Affirmative Actions. Through the western insecurities, we also hear terms such as War Against Terrorism, Axis of Evil and Nuclear Weapons. What is important to the west must be important to everyone else.
It's a tough world out there and the East can handle its own problems. We don’t really need Western sympathy. What we need is an understanding of the diversity of life in this planet and with diversity comes the need for tolerance, balance and understanding.
Trying to equate these diversities into figures and hoping it will have some check and balance is immature. The science can only be used as a guideline. There are other matters that need to be looked at. One is history. However, I am not here to teach the History of the Eastern Civilization.
It is also a habit of the West to belittle the achievements of the East. Wheatear this is knowingly or unknowingly is not my call. As Mr. Moron had put it, “Most Malaysians are convinced that the eyes of the world are on their country and that their leaders are world figures. This is thanks to Malaysia's tame media and the bravado of former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. The truth is, few people on the streets of London or New York could point to Malaysia on a map much less name its prime minister or capital city.” What makes a world leader, is it fame? Riches? Power? On my many journeys and stays in the west, I have met a lot of people. Some I call friends and some I would prefer not to call anything. I met an Indian working in Canada that had much praise of the former Malaysian prime minister and sees him as a world leader. He sees Malaysia as an example to be modelled after. Sorry, I don’t think this chap was exposed to any of the Malaysian media. Does having recognition by the people of London or New York make a world leader? I think not. Does it matter that probably everyone in London and New York can (maybe) actually point to India on the map? They probably cant do this either. But even if they can, does that make India better than Malaysia? My friends, Americans, English, Australians are mostly ignorant about the world around them. Having been partially brought up in the west, I think I have the right to say that their education system is only biased towards the west. They cant point out to these places on the map because of their ignorance and stupidity. How else do you explain the murder of a Sikh for the sins of an Arab.
The west gets nervous when the East is able to produce or pay their way to progress. Of course the schools in Malaysia need cash, sure, there are other organizations and projects that can better or prepare Malaysians for the future rather than the ones that had been Mr. Morons example. But Malaysia also needs diversity in progression. The Americans still pour a big chunk of their budget into military when there are still people living on the streets and the level of literacy is probably lower than most countries in the east.
Malaysia BOLEH (CAN) and don’t let anyone say otherwise.
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