Malaysians ridiculed Zainuddin for bashing Singapore while local netizens sniggered
From our Correspondent
While many Singapore netizens were nonchalant about Utusan Melayu columnist Zainuddin’s criticisms of Singapore as a “third world democracy” a few days ago with some even corroborating his claims, Malaysian netizens poured scorn on Zainuddin for bashing Singapore.
Mr Zainuddin had said that although Singapore is more advanced than Malaysia, the Republic does not enjoy the same freedom: “Singapore sticks to a Third World democracy despite having a developed world mentality, while Malaysia has a Third World mentality but a developed world democracy.” (read report here)
The response from Singaporeans over this perceived snide from their neighbors up north was surprisingly mute both in cyberspace and reality. Only one letter was sent to the Straits Times Forum by a Jeffrey Law on Saturday criticizing Zainuddin. (though we will probably see more letters from ghost writers writing in support of Singapore next week.)
At the popular Sammyboy Forum, few forumers have jumped to the defence of Singapore.
Wrote JinGanKor:
“Say us 3rd world democracy hohoho, is the old man going to sue them?….If he dare not sue, means Mr Zainuddin is right.”
Nice-Gook supported Zainuddin’s views of Singapore:
“Absolutely true. Their politicians were detained under ISD too, but are still in politics after their stint. Lim Kit Siang and his son Lim Guan Eng the current CM of Penang are good examples. Even Mahathir did his time under ISD. Can anyone cite any politicians in Singapore back in politics after their term of service under ISA?”
Teekee added that Singapore is ranked 82th on the World’s Democracy Index: “Even Albania is better than us….I feel so ashamed!” (read all comments here)
On the other hand, the Malaysian netizens are strongly critical of Zainuddin’s outburst against Singapore.
Belachan57, who started the discussion on the internet edition of Malaysian paper “The Star” wrote:
“I could help but be amused by another one of those politicians bashing our neighbor from across the causeway in the unreliable Utusan paper. Envious because they are far better then us or a case of diversion over our own intolerance.Let’s be realistic. Our neighbor broke off from us with nothing but a port to it’s name whilst we are left with an abundance of natural resources!”
Victorchew46 added:
“The bigger joke is we are bashing a neighbour that does us no harm except to show us that they can utilize limited resources better and that they accept our “rejects” (highly intelligent people with great skills). Whereas, another neighbour is throwing rotten eggs at our embassy, protesting and planning to go to ‘war’ with us by asking for volunteers to sign up (reminds me of Confrontation days) over a song and a dance and they are not even scorned at!”
woody_invisible was sure who is the better country:
“That ‘Not-So-Trustable’ daily, don’t even read from the paper, let alone believe in them. And there still are stupid dogs who keep on harping on our neighbouring country, while many of our Malaysians HAVE to go down south to ‘EARN BETTER WAGES’. If we are better than the neighbours, why can’t it be the other way round?”
Though most comments are in support of Singapore, there was one netizen with the moniker “frodonet” who posted numerous comments to disparage Singapore.
He was scathing in his criticism of Singapore:
“If you say Singapore is a first world nation, i tell u this :
1) A first world nation will have a freedom of speech which Singapore has none like ROTI NAN!
2) A first world nation will have a pension system which Singapore has NONE but instead CPF is like you won’t be getting it at all.
3) A first world nation would have free universal healthcare service which Singapore has NONE
4) A first world nation will have free/affordable cheap education but Singapore it is SO EXPENSIVE!
5) A first world nation, would take care of it old citizens, in Singapore they want to build a hospice in jb just to cut cost..funny ?
6) A first world nation is where its’ leaders would not declare or raise their own pay until become the world’s highest.
7) A first world nation is where employees are protected but in Sg employees are exploited.
A first world nation is where it’s sportsmen are of it’s own breed..singapore only good at hiring foreigners and change their citizenship…tak malu! u may win the game but never win the respect..
Singapore is NOT A FIRST WORLD NATION. It is self declared.”
[Source: The Star]
It won’t be a surprise at all if frodonet turns out to be a Singaporean.
Related articles:
>> MM Lee accused of “sowing poison” by Malaysian paper
>> Performance of Malaysian opposition states repudiates scarce tactics of MM Lee by Fang Zhi Yuan and Lim Siow Kuan
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Anonymous on Sun, 6th Sep 2009 11:28 pm
All these criticism against UM is ochestrated by the local laison of the brotherhood. It is well known to all of us the have a vested interest to protect not only the image of Singapore but also their new economic interest in Malaysia, they have been hammering UM left, right, middle and underneath. By the time they have finished, there will be no more UM.
Anonymous on Sun, 6th Sep 2009 11:53 pm
These are paranoid ppl. They will do anything to protect their new gaming enterprises. Rumor has it they have signed a multi dollar agreement with a Saudi group to establish one of the biggest gaming hubs to serve the gulf region.
I count at least 3 laisons, there could be more. There always is. And by the looks of it, they seem to be swinging it. I have to give it to these people, they can really make head way.
For some strange reason even the webmasters of these blogs seem to welcome their presence with selamat datang red carpets along with kompangs, jogets and loads of bunga wangi. I dont discount some horse trading may even be going on somewhere back stage. But whatever it is, one thing is very clear, they are definitely here to stay.
As for this saga forwarded by Zainuddin, it is one big ikan merah, the truth of the matter is UM is out to distract attention from what is really pressing and urgent in Malaysia. The rot that is.
Ella on Mon, 7th Sep 2009 4:11 am
How on earth could the prime minister of singapore who governs an area so tiny be paid $3m per year. It is so so outrageous because the position he holds is public office. We also do no need relatives to cotninue to rule Singapore. Elections should be held and the person selected by the people of Singapore should govern. No more nepotism, ok.
Ella on Mon, 7th Sep 2009 4:18 am
We need more people like Dr Kong Kum Leng. I still cannot believe that the prime minister of singapore would pay himself $3m a year. His pay needs a huge huge cut says $2.8m, and he shoud do it now retroactive to when he started receiving the $3m pay.
Neil Bishop on Mon, 7th Sep 2009 9:44 am
The biggest problem is not that the PAP is so entrenched, per se, but that parliament and other institutions have no power to scrutinise the performance of the Lee Family/the Government and so everyone simply blindly accepts the propaganda that all is well.
Yes, Singapore does have a third world democracy and other trappings of the third world: a basic lack of manners, a lack of basic respect for others and a need to always follow a/the leader with blind obedience.
After ten years of living there, I don’t have much hope for Singapore. It was said of Nero that he fiddled while Rome burned; Singaporeans are slumbering while their government raids the coffers of public funds to create an illusion of growth and success.
Singaporeans are also pricing themselves out of the employment market. Why accept a lower standard of English, low productivity, high absenteeism, lack of flexibility and lack of initiative in exchange for a higher salary when an employer can hire a cheaper foreigner who wants to work and isn’t going to resign after a single performance review?
Wake up, Singapore!
kee siong on Mon, 7th Sep 2009 3:33 pm
frodonet got some good points, but these are already things Singaporeans know… CPF is not ours. work until die. say anything critical abt govt or if you’re an opposition member, you’ll be sued or made bankrupt. thats just how big brother does it.
meanwhile our MPs get paid a million dollars for dunno do what liao. country so small, need so many MP? please lah
frodonet on Tue, 8th Sep 2009 2:17 pm
i guess the editor of this website misunderstood my statement.
Every country no matter what perfect they seem, there’s always a downturn on certain aspect.
And I was just pointing out on the areas where Singapore can improve especially on terms of taking care of their less fortunates, senior citizens or even the cost of living.
Singaporeans are fearful of falling sick or even losing their job. The question is why?
While there was an article long time back by the Star that the gap between the rich and poor in Sg is widening, now that’s something to worry about.
Singaporeans can either look at the comments in a constructive way or negative way, but all I hope to say that there’s NO really a very green pasture that we can live on.
Malaysians meanwhile must focus entirely on our nation, instead of comparing to the island Sg, why don’t we compare to countries like Canada or US or even Europe, we have the same land size, opportunities, prospect just like they are.
We must developed and move forward on our own, and not to rely on Singapore.
It’s funny how the editor, just assume this and that, whereseas I was the pioneer in Citizen’s Blog in defending Singapore and blogging how Malaysia could learn about Singapore last time.
The editor of that website should focus on the good point I’m trying to potray, after all who am I to say.
I’m more bothered about my own nation Malaysia at least.
Look at these blogs which i wrote long time back. Guess you didn’t see how exactly respectful and hopeful I am towards Singapore..
Building MRT Connecting Singapore and JB — Why Not?
http://blog.thestar.com.my/permalink.asp?id=13865
I Guess it’s TIme that Malaysia Learns From Singapore
http://blog.thestar.com.my/permalink.asp?id=23230
j0lie26 on Tue, 8th Sep 2009 8:57 pm
I am apalled at how people generate criticisms without reflecting on who and where they are.Of course we are always welcomed to speak our mind, but the satirical comment from frodonet seem to be rebutting Singapore in a very unfavourable position, even after EXPLAINING on why he can concur such fodder, it doesn’t matter anymore.
I would strongly suggest, before commenting on touchy political issues, one should reflect on whether it is appropriate especially if for instance you are working in Singapore.If Singapore is that bad a country, why in the first place you are workin here and snatching another countryman’s ricebowl, it doesnt bring justification to such satirical rebuttal.
I am a Singaporean and I am proud to be one because our forefathers have found this nation , and even despite being out of Malaysia, we still preservere till this very day. Although times are hard now, it is only temporary and I am certain we will be out from this recession.
Kudos to all those staying quitters..
DarK SeeR on Tue, 22nd Sep 2009 12:34 am
hmm…u mean singaporeans actually bother to reply to some article written by some journalist from the malaysian local newspaper which has often been described by malaysian netizens as “toilet paper”? oh c’mon, show some class pls. this is the same newspaper in which one of its journalist was recently quoted in a court case as stating that the meaning of the word “ultra vires” is “to insult”.
well, if i’m a singaporean, i won’t even be bothered about such an article from such a junk~