No ‘Al Gore special’, I’m afraid
Lee Yew Meng, Malay Mail Online
A political hero of mine, Kim Young-sam (KS), the seventh president of South Korea (1993-98) passed away Nov 22, a month shy of 88. He fought valiantly against the oppressive military regimes of Park Chung-hee and Chun Doo-hwan and underwent various persecutions, to eventually become a popularly elected civilian president after over 30 years.
There were light moments, too. I was told of this true incident last Thursday by a senior diplomat and corroborated instantly by a contemporary.
KS was to meet United States president Bill Clinton (1993-01). KS does not speak English and his foreign affairs officers thought it nice if he were to greet Clinton in English. So, they coached him (with single syllable words I suppose) to say, “Hello, I am Kim Young-sam. How are you?” while extending his hand. Then, after Clinton responds, continues with “Me, too”. Simple, isn’t it, because Clinton would have said, “Hello, I am Bill Clinton. I am fine. How are you?”
Well, this happened. KS extended his hand and said, “Hi, I am Kim Young-sam. Who are you?” Clinton replied, “Hi, I am the husband of Hillary Clinton” (later confiding that he merely continued with KS’ “repartee”). On cue, KS responded, “Me, too.”
Guilt by association easily avoided
Nurul Izzah Anwar and Tian Chua have been banned from entering Sabah through a motion tabled in their state legislative assembly. Earlier, Nurul Izzah had her statement recorded at Bukit Aman. Tian Chua is next. Tomorrow, a motion to censure her is to be debated in Parliament.
This is in regard to her and Tian Chua being part of a dinner gathering where Sulu “princess” Jacel was also present. Her father is the late self-styled Sulu “sultan”, the mastermind of the dastardly Lahad Datu invasion. She has in her defence claimed she was a mere dinner guest, implying she had no idea of the guest list.
Naturally, her political opponents tore into her with a barrage of “treasonous-type” accusations. The one who gained notoriety from the red-shirt rally even intimated the two PKR MPs could have been “sponsors” of the invasion. Idiocy really knows no bounds!
My take ― Nurul may be only 35-years-old and MP for seven years but she has been in the thick of the rough and tumbles of politics her whole adult life (beginning with her father’s incarceration in 1998 through the second jail term this February), and should have been acutely aware of the “guilt by association” pitfall.
She and Tian Chua could as easily got up and bided goodnight to all on seeing Jacel, and do not even shake her hand. What social grace would they have failed in? In fact, the dinner hosts were the ones at fault. Party strategists could even choose to exploit the duo’s “power” snub as political capital. I think the duo failed themselves and provided political fodder for their opponents. Nurul Izzah should have just apologised for the “slip”, rather than using the “ignorant guest” as a defence. She has unwittingly allowed the issue to fester.
Obama in Kuala Lumpur
The leaders of civil society got their wish, with President Barack Obama, at the Ritz Carlton, Kuala Lumpur. Looking at the list of invitees i.e. Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan, Bar Council’s Steven Thiru, Maria Chin Abdullah, Nisha Ayub of Justice for Sisters, Dr Farouk Musa of Islamic Renaissance Front, Cynthia Gabriel and others, it is abundantly clear the Obama administration was serious and sincere.
The fact that he decided on a roundtable to hear directly is a message in itself. And he did stress these were courageous people. Obama’s opening remarks was that in his foreign trips, besides government leaders, he will meet up with civil society leaders to hear directly about the kinds of issues and challenges that they faced. He stressed that his administration, as a matter of policy, believes in the promotion of civil society. The ideas and views of a diverse set of citizens will lead to a government that is more accountable.
Later, he conveyed to Datuk Seri Najib Razak that Georgetown University has offered to treat Anwar’s ailment, after which a top teaching post awaits (if Anwar could be released). Najib said it was out of his hands, as it was the courts, which sentenced Anwar. If anyone had expected Obama to make some strong comments following the civil society meet, that person is indeed a dreamer. How would Obama take it if a state guest does that during a visit to Washington? He already went as far as diplomatic norms allowed. No Al Gore spectacle, I’m afraid.
Both nations, through government-to-government, and varied commercial activities have a multitude of engagements; hence, there will be plentiful occasions in which their state department can apply gentle nudges on areas of governance, to accelerate negotiations.
The US embassy officials’ astute input (especially on the roundtable list) in their supporting and lead roles where required, was key to Obama’s successful visit. Malaysia by all counts was an exemplary host, too.
Postscript
According to various international news reports, the Daesh (Islamic State) agenda will continue for some time. The dual motivation of eternal paradise from martyrdom and instant beheadings for belligerence seem to be working.
The self-proclaimed caliph Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi isn’t going away and large-scale terrorist attacks outside their region are going to be a mainstay. Yes, these acts of barbarism are committed using the name of Islam. Hence the label, “Islamic terrorists/terrorism”. I have got a beef with this term. Many Muslim personages have condemned their actions and said carnage and mayhem have nothing to do with Islam.
I think it is more appropriately described as “Wayward Jihad-ism”. Although Muslims are involved but it is not an Islamic sanctioned act! I only wish Saudi Arabia were more visible in addressing wayward jihad-ism.
