Grey NRIC Leader Visit A Trip Down Memory Lane?

[fivestars]

Kuan Yew Visit A Trip Down Memory Lane?

By Alan Ting

KUALA LUMPUR, June 6 (Bernama) -- Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, the first prime minister and father of modern Singapore, is to visit Malaysia next week to tour several states and meet with a number of Malaysian leaders, businessmen, opinion leaders and senior journalists.

His eight-day visit, from June 8 to 15, starts with a meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak as well as with several high-level officials, top editors and politicians.

Officials from both countries say the 85-year-old Lee is also scheduled to meet Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as well as Umno politicians and old friends in what some regard as a trip down memory lane.

It is learnt that the Singapore media will be sending a big group of journalists to cover Lee's visit, which will take in Perak, Penang, Kelantan and Pahang.

Lee is scheduled to visit Ipoh and have an audience with the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah, and call on Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir.

He will then travel to Penang where he will call on Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and then cross over to Kelantan in the east cost.

Lee is scheduled to have an audience with the Regent of Kelantan, Tengku Muhammad Faris Petra, and call on Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat in what is believed to be their first face-to-face meeting. Nik Aziz, the PAS spiritual leader, has been menteri besar of Kelantan for the past 19 years.

Lee will then proceed south to Pahang where he will have an audience with Sultan Ahmad Shah and call on Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob.

Lee's son, Hsien Loong, the current prime minister of Singapore, is expected to visit Kuala Lumpur soon.

Political analysts believe the elder Lee's visit to Malaysia will be more than just "a trip down memory lane" as he is known to be a person who always keeps abreast of developments, particularly in gauging the scenario of the place which shares its history with Singapore.

As Prof Datuk Dr Shamsul Amri Baharuddin points out, Lee is a person who understands very well the relationship between the two countries, as he had a part in the history of the formation of Malaysia and the separation of Singapore from Malaysia.

"The visit can be viewed as an endorsement for (Prime Minister) Najib as Lee is known as a person who deeply believes that if Malaysia is not stable, it will affect Singapore," he says.

"Najib is the son of (Malaysia's second prime minister) Tun Abdul Razak while Lee and Tun Abdul Razak were peers, having done law together in London ... another layer of relationship.

"I know Lee is very concerned with what is happening in Malaysia as anything that happens here will affect Singapore. Things that shape Malaysia will shape Singapore," says Prof Shamsul Amri, who will be among those Lee is expected to meet during his visit.

He says Lee has likened situations in Malaysia and Singapore to the "umbilical cord" which connects the two countries.

Prof Shamsul Amri says that before Lee makes any statement, he will have given it deep thought as he is not the kind of leader who likes to make popular statements.

"If you look at his speeches, you know that he has a lot of information at his disposal," he adds.

Another political analyst, Dr Oh Ei Sun, believes that Lee will be taking stock of the latest developments in Malaysia during the visit besides looking at ways to improve bilateral relations, something which he often does when he travels abroad.

"He will be meeting different strata of society. He is more or less advisor to the government. He not only advises the Singapore government. Sometimes he also offers his advice to the country he visits," he says.

Malaysia and Singapore had a difficult relationship when Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was the Malaysian prime minister while during the era of his successor, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the relationship grew a bit warmer, he says.

"Now Najib has taken over. Kuan Yew is an old acquaintance of Najib's father (Tun Abdul Razak). Perhaps he will take this opportunity to look into ways to improve the relationship. I think this trip will bring the relationship closer," he adds.

 

[fivestars]

Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew to visit Malaysia


KUALA LUMPUR: Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore's first Prime Minister, is to visit Malaysia next week to tour several states and meet with a number of Malaysian leaders, businessmen, opinion leaders and senior journalists.

His eight-day visit,starting from Monday until June 15, starts with a meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak as well as with several high-level officials, top editors and politicians.

Officials from both countries say the 85-year-old Lee is also scheduled to meet Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as well as Umno politicians and old friends in what some regard as a trip down memory lane.

It is learnt that the Singaporean media will be sending a big group of journalists to cover Lee's visit, which will take him to Perak, Penang, Kelantan and Pahang.

Lee is scheduled to visit Ipoh and have an audience with the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah, and call on Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir.


Recent picture of Singaporean Minister Mentor Lee Kwan Yew shows him reacting during a dialogue with Japan Foundation President Kazuo Ogoura, unseen, at the 15th International Conference on "The Future of Asia" in Tokyo Friday, May 22. - AP Photo/Katsumi Kasahara

He will then travel to Penang where he will call on Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and then cross over to Kelantan in the east coast.

Lee is scheduled to have an audience with the Regent of Kelantan, Tengku Muhammad Faris Petra, and call on Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat in what is believed to be their first face-to-face meeting.

Lee will then proceed south to Pahang where he will have an audience with Sultan Ahmad Shah and call on Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob.

Lee's son, Hsien Loong, the current prime minister of Singapore, is expected to visit Kuala Lumpur soon.

Political analysts believe the elder Lee's visit to Malaysia will be more than just "a trip down memory lane" as he is known to be a person who always keeps abreast of developments, particularly in gauging the scenario of the place which shares its history with Singapore. As Prof Datuk Dr Shamsul Amri Baharuddin points out, Lee is a person who understands very well the relationship between the two countries, as he had a part in the history of the formation of Malaysia and the separation of Singapore from Malaysia.

"The visit can be viewed as an endorsement for (Prime Minister) Najib as Lee is known as a person who deeply believes that if Malaysia is not stable, it will affect Singapore," he says.

"Najib is the son of (Malaysia's second Prime Minister) Tun Abdul Razak while Lee and Tun Abdul Razak were peers, having done law together in London ... another layer of relationship.

"I know Lee is very concerned with what is happening in Malaysia as anything that happens here will affect Singapore. Things that shape Malaysia will shape Singapore," says Prof

Shamsul Amri, who will be among those Lee is expected to meet during his visit.

He says Lee has likened situations in Malaysia and Singapore to the "umbilical cord" which connects the two countries.

Prof Shamsul Amri says that before Lee makes any statement, he will have given it deep thought as he is not the kind of leader who likes to make popular statements.

"If you look at his speeches, you know that he has a lot of information at his disposal," he adds.

Another political analyst, Dr Oh Ei Sun, believes that Lee will be taking stock of the latest developments in Malaysia during the visit besides looking at ways to improve bilateral relations, something which he often does when he travels abroad.

"He will be meeting different strata of society. He is more or less advisor to the government. He not only advises the Singapore government. Sometimes he also offers his advice to the country he visits," he says.

Malaysia and Singapore had a difficult relationship when Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was the Malaysian prime minister while during the era of his successor, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the relationship grew a bit warmer, he says.

"Now Najib has taken over. Kuan Yew is an old acquaintance of Najib's father (Tun Abdul Razak). Perhaps he will take this opportunity to look into ways to improve the relationship. I think this trip will bring the relationship closer," he adds. - Bernama

 

[fivestars]

KUALA LUMPUR, June 6 (Bernama) -- The 1Malaysia concept does not deviate from the essence of the Federal Constitution, expressed or implied, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Saturday.

He said it was not a new concept or formula but its ultimate objective was national unity, which was the primary vision of previous administrators translated into various forms over the last five decades or so.

Najib said that looking back at history, since the time that the patriots fought for independence up to the present time, efforts to achieve national unity were given priority because all quarters realised that without unity it would be difficult to achieve the objectives of the national vision.

"What has changed is the approach and methodology, to suit the era and generation," he said in his congratulatory speech on behalf of the government, civil servants and the people in conjunction with the birthday of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, at the Istana Negara, here.

Najib said the late Tunku Abdul Rahman founded the Alliance Party as the first concrete step in the nation's history to forge unity in the political arena.

He said the people of all races were united in whatever they did and this was evident when the nation achieved independence on Aug 31, 1957 and when Malaysia was formed on Sept 16, 1963.

Najib said that following the May 13 incident, second prime minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein expanded the concept of racial cooperation by setting up the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition and formulating the New Economic Policy and the national ideology, Rukun Negara.

He said these efforts were carried forward by (third prime minister) Tun Hussein Onn, taken to new heights by (fourth prime minister) Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad through the concept of "Bangsa Malaysia" (Malaysian race) and Vision 2020 and extended by (fifth prime minister) Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi through the National Mission.

The government would continue to uphold the Federal Constitution, he said, and allayed any fear that the 1Malaysia concept would deviate from what had been agreed to by the country's forefathers.

Najib said the government considered the 1Malaysia concept as the axis of administration supported by several pillars, among them the migration of unity based on tolerance to that based on acceptance, social justice and shared values which took into account the realities of history based on upholding the constitution and the principles of the Rukun Negara.

The prime minister said national unity could not be attained if the approach was not based on reality and was merely a utopian ideal and did not take into account contemporary sensitivities and realities.

This was all the more so in the context of cosmopolitan Malaysia which demanded a high level of care and prudence, he said.

"Unless caution is exercised, there will emerge a situation of racism where the minority will be exploited by the majority or a situation of apartheid where the minority will exploit the majority," he said.

Najib said the government would undertake a comprehensive renewal and structural change of the national economy based on a new economic model, adding that this measure was aimed at achieving the country's objective of progressing from a mid high-income to a high-income nation.

He said the government would also consider non-conventional and out-of-the-box options.

-- MORE

 

[fivestars]

KUALA LUMPUR: The 1Malaysia concept does not deviate from the essence of the Federal Constitution, expressed or implied, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Saturday.

He said it was not a new concept or formula but its ultimate objective was national unity, which was the primary vision of previous administrators translated into various forms over the last five decades or so.

Najib said that looking back at history, since the time the patriots fought for independence up to the present time, efforts to achieve national unity were given priority because all quarters realised that without unity it would be difficult to achieve the objectives of the national vision.

"What has changed is the approach and methodology, to suit the era and generation," he said in his congratulatory speech on behalf of the government, civil servants and the people in conjunction with the birthday of the Yang diPertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, at the Istana Negara, here.

Najib said the late Tunku Abdul Rahman founded the Alliance Party as the first concrete step in the nation's history to forge unity in the political arena.

He said the people of all races were united in whatever they did and this was evident when the nation achieved independence on Aug 31, 1957 and when Malaysia was formed on Sept 16, 1963.

Najib said that following the May 13 incident, second prime minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein expanded the concept of racial cooperation by setting up the Barisan Nasional coalition and formulating the New Economic Policy and the national ideology, Rukun Negara.

He said these efforts were carried forward by (third prime minister) Tun Hussein Onn, taken to new heights by (fourth prime minister) Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad through the concept of "Bangsa Malaysia" (Malaysian race) and Vision 2020 and extended by (fifth prime minister) Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi through the National Mission.

The government would continue to uphold the Federal Constitution, he said, and allayed any fear that the 1Malaysia concept would deviate from what had been agreed to by the country's forefathers.

Najib said the government considered the 1Malaysia concept as the axis of administration supported by several pillars, among them were unity based on tolerance based on acceptance, social justice and shared values which took into account the realities of history based on upholding the constitution and the principles of the Rukun Negara.

"This new economic model would leverage on creativity, innovation and high values. In this connection, an economic advisory council has been set up to realise this new economic model," he said.

Najib said the government would also streamline and formulate policies to face the global economic downturn.

The priority is to ensure that the country faced the least impact from the global economic downturn, secondly to emerge from the economic downturn as fast as possible and thirdly help the people tide over the difficult period, he said.

"One of the main pillars of unity is social justice based on fair distribution of wealth. For this, the country needs dynamic economic growth.

“Furthermore, the wealth cannot be distributed if the economic cake does not grow," he said.

The prime minister said the government also took steps to relook the national education system to incorporate elements of innovation, creativity, entrepreneurship and high cultural values.

It was hoped that this would help produce manpower capable of facing the challenges and competition of the new economic era, he said.

Najib said the government would also review existing policies, laws and regulations to provide a more conducive investment atmosphere to stimulate foreign direct investment to help realise the new economic model. - Bernama

 

[fivestars]

Najib Calls For Racial Acceptance




KUALA LUMPUR, June 6 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak tonight called on all Malaysians to shift from racial tolerance to acceptance because it can bring strength to the country.

He said the paradigm shift was necessary so that no race would feel they only need to be tolerant with others when they also need to accept other races to form a plural society in Malaysia.

"To be tolerant alone, some may not like it but if the attitude is changed to acceptance, the plural society concept will be seen not just unique but also brings strength to our country," he said at the SPM 2008 Excellent Student Award ceremony here.

He said the concept was in line with 1Malaysia and if fully understood, it also could bring the country to greater success.

The Prime Minister said that for the government, it was important to identify the needs of each ethnic groups in the country and formulate policies based on the needs of each community.

He said the needs of all races had to be taken into account because that way, the government would be seen as fair and just to all races.

He also reminded the people of the importance of education because education could ensure big changes not only to individuals and their families but also the country.

He said the government placed human capital development as a main strategy to achieve the national objective of ensuring the people earn high income and this aim could only be achieved through mastering knowledge.

"Nothing else is more important than to develop the right people with the right skills, right mindset... those will determine whether we can achieve our goals," he said.

On the achievement of Indian students, Najib hoped the Indian community could work harder to boost the performance of their children.

"I want to see Indian children in the country achieve more excellent results in the future," he said.

He said the government had approved additional allocations for the development of the Indians in education including to build more Tamil schools.

This showed the government's commitment and message to develop Malaysia based on the principle and spirit of 1Malaysia, he said.

The SPM 2008 Excellent Student Award ceremony was organised by the Malaysia Nanban newspaper for 172 Indian students who excelled in SPM examinations last year.