The book written by Lee Kuan Yew, with the title "Lee Kuan Yew: Hard Truths To Keep Singapore Going" is selling like hot cakes in Singapore. Both languages edition of English and Chinese have been sold out. Why his book is so "laku"?. Still remember what he said about Penang, some time ago, which raised some critic from Malaysian public. The book also disclosed some of his views on the neighboring countries and his personal views. The senior Lee is still sharp, with the age of 90s, the man still considered a wise man, not only in Singapore; but also by the world. The superpowers listen to his views, many politician want to know what is in his mind, about the outlook of Asia, about the future; not only about the Singapore.
You like him or hate him, he had proved it for you, what Singapore have become; you like his way or not, Singapore is a country that many in the world admired, you cannot deny it....This man must have wisdom...you cannot deny it....
MM Lee's remarks on Singapore Muslims in the book "Lee Kuan Yew: Hard Truths To Keep Singapore Going", launched on Jan 21, have evoked concerns among members of the Muslim community in Singapore.
In the book, MM Lee said that "Muslims socially do not cause any trouble, but they are distinct and separate". On how Muslims could integrate, he said: "Be less strict on Islamic observances and say, 'Okay, I'll eat with you.'"
The Association of Muslim Professionals issued a strongly worded statement to seek clarification on whether MM Lee's comments on the Muslim community reflected the thinking of the Government.
His son, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the views on Singapore Muslims expressed by Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew in his new book are his personal opinions, and not those of the Government. Speaking to the media on the sidelines of a community event at Yio Chu Kang Community Club, PM Lee said that MM Lee's views were based on his experience of watching Singapore's society evolve over more than 50 years.
PM Lee added that despite a global trend of people, including Singaporeans, becoming more religious today than 50 years ago, the Muslim community here "has made great efforts to integrate with the other communities and with Singapore society to join the mainstream".
At the same time, PM Lee said that Singapore should be careful to not let changing social and religious norms "evolve so that differences in food, dress, customs, and so on keep us apart or reduce our common space".
He said that MM Lee's opinions were also based on other societies around the world that faced challenges in integrating as a nation and community, as well as the risks Singapore faces if its people are not careful.
"But my own perspective on how things are in Singapore is not quite the same as MMLee's," he said, adding that his view is shared by the Government.
Ultimately, this is MM Mr Lee's personal opinion.
But there are some critic from Malaysia.....
Is that some truth in MM Lee's views?....
Looking at Penang, when I was in school in the 60s & 70s, there is no problem for us to go to mamak stalls or kopitiam, regardless of race. We respect each others, and know the limitation and restrictions.We have happy hours together. No problem.
When I was in Kelantan, Trengannu; no problem. Malay patronized Chinese kopitiam, and Chinese went to Malay warong, and Indian's mamak stall or Indian banana leaves rice shops. No problem. We can have satay breakfast in the morning in either Malay warong or Chinese kopitiam in Kuala Trengganu, we can have nasi dagang, nasi kelabu, nasi laut(or lauk)...in kopitiam or warong in Kota Bahru. No problem in any places in Trengganu and Kelantan.
But when I moved to Pahang in 80s, and returned to West Coast in 2000s; Kuantan, Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh, Penang, the story is different....there is sign of distinct and separate. I still remember of an advertisement of two young teenagers,of different races, using the modern hand phone sitting next to each others. When the fathers can talk and be close to each others, the youngster despite sitting side by side, dressed with the same branded clothing, having the same culture from the popular culture. But cannot communicate....
I do not expect them to be like us in the 60s,70s; or even earlier; when we can communicate much better, when we can eat together, laugh together; without restrictions...yes, there may be some, but declining trends...
Someone said the best way to communicate is when you are eating together....in warong, in mamak stall, in kopitiam.....just look at the places today, are the crowds and patrons different now?.....
Still remember P Ramli's movie, if you are as old as me, you will understand why P Ramli is our idol, regardless of races. Look at the background of the movie in the 60s...you will understand the time, and what happening....
Politician will not talk about the truth, that may be the result of their policy; and it is taboo in our society to talk about racial relationship in open.....hide in the carpet and pretend nothing happen....
I still remember one day in Penang hill during 60s. Two students from different states; one student from Chinese school in Penang and the other from Malay school from Kedah, two strangers having a rest in the same place. They met in Penang hill. They are not good in English, but still they can communicate and talk a lot in Penang Hill, they try their broken English, Pasar Malay, some Chinese... they can communicate. There is common value, friendliness and open communication without restriction of racial background, religion, political ideology...they talk about schools, talk about family, talk about activities.....Today, even with hand phone, i-phone, i-pad; the young people still have difficulties in communication between two races......
we can communicate with foreigner when touring in oversea countries, why can't we communicate with our fellow Malaysian?.....
MM Lee said some truth, but he make a mistake. He should not tell people how to integrate and touch on sensitive religion baseline. "Be less strict on Islamic observances and say, 'Okay, I'll eat with you.'" is not wise word from a wise man, but we can understand as Lee is not a religious man. You do not tell people to be less strict in religion observances. He do not understand the feeling...
But we can understand his concern..... it happen in Malaysia too...
We communicate less now....
Something wrong some where, I cannot tell you why, it is taboo...
One Malaysia, Malaysian Malaysia; I said unity in diversity......
Related articles:
1. Dr Mahathir: MM Lee does not respect religion, by Angela Lim, Yahoo News dated January 31st, 2011, http://sg.yfittopostblog.com/2011/01/31/dr-mahathir-mm-lee-does-not-respect-religion/
2. MM Lee’s comments on Muslims draw criticism, by Ewen Boey, Yahoo News dated January 26th, 2011, http://sg.yfittopostblog.com/2011/01/26/mm-lees-comments-on-muslims-draw-criticism/
3. Uproar In Singapore Over Lee's Remarks, http://www.malaysianmirror.com/media-buzz-detail/216-singapore/51831-uproar-in-singapore-over-lees-remarks
4. MM Lee’s comments on Muslims draw criticism , The Temasek Review, http://www.temasekreview.com/2011/02/01/mm-lee%E2%80%99s-comments-on-muslims-draw-criticism/
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