Ban Hong, Tiong Meng and their friend and I were exchanging opinions about the DPM's recent call to make history compulsory in schools. Tiong Meng's friend said there's no need for it. Study medicine or such useful knowledge instead, he said. Tiong Meng and I almost simultaneously responded that history is important lest we repeat the mistakes of the past, and I added that history happens, even as we sat there. I know the background for the negative reaction - because of the recent cultural clash about "immigrants" and "sons of the soil." A working formula that allows a viable and stable coexistence in our multiracial society must be found.
For whatever it's worth, the "Barisan National" formula has worked before. It's human nature, unfortunately, to become bored with the familiar, and the face of BN has been around long enough to become boring and ripe for blame.
I read the NST column by my old classmate, Gnanalingam ( Tan Sri, of West Port and now Maika fame ) about what he termed as significant improvements in the workings of the courts of law in the country. I agree with him regarding the changes. But I don't agree that it's because of one man. That's too much praise for too little evidence. But what is more incredible is the denominator quoted for the judges and the number of cases. Surely these figures are available to the government of the day. If so, what is being done about it ?
The answer obviously is to increase the number of judges at all levels. Tap the brightest brains at school, train the young lawyers to fill up the judicial service, pick the best graduates for post-graduate studies and so on.
Malaysia does not have unlimited resources. All the more reason for wise spending by the government. The infrastructure can always be improved. City and rural folks deserve these improvements, and the contrasting standards because of geography must be reduced. So why did we spend 4 billions on the two submarines ?
Remember, once in service, these vessels have to be maintained. Are we going to wage war on Singapore ? Because we're certainly not going to war with Indonesia or Thailand or Vietnam or China. How many roads can be built with the 4 billions ?
The US State Secretary's 54-hour stop-over has come and gone and there are serious articles being churned out about it. What's the big deal ? The US is no longer the centre of the universe in spite of its own opinion. We don't even measure up to the importance given to Singapore. The US Government (not the people) befriends and make enemies as they see fit. Look at what they have done in pretty much everywhere in the world. The US Government answers to no one, not even the UN.
In our recent case Secretary Clinton only just in the nick of time avoided thumbing her nose at her hosts by meeting with Brother Anwar Bin Ibrahim, leaving nonetheless the signal that the man must be given a fair trial. Better than what she's giving those still uncharged in Guantanamo, perhaps.
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