In the News

Pirate Haven Singapore (ST Mar 28). The 3rd part of the Pirates of the Carribean movie has a scarred Chow Yun Fat in a Singapore from an indeterminate past. It was a more interesting Singapore with stilt houses, back alleys, and I gather, an overall seedy atmosphere that makes it perfect as a pirates stomping ground. Most Singaporeans took the depiction of Singapore in their stride, and Chow's depiction of a Chinese pirate as a role.

Chinese (as in from China) response however, has been more... emotional, calling the role demeaning and insulting.

Excuse me. He's playing a pirate. So even Chinese pirates must be shown to be virtuous, upright, and honourable men in touch with the grand and glorious history of the greatest civilisation in the world?

Me thinks, perhaps the protesters doth protests too much.

Fearful Mahathir (29 & 30 Mar, ST). Over the last two days, the press have been reporting Mahathir's speech on Thursday where he criticised the plans for the Iskandar Development Region in South Johor. The plans include opening up investment to foreigners and lifting ownership quotas for businesses in the region. Dr M claimed that this would lead once again the the Malays being enslaved by foreigners.

"Enslaved Again?" Didn't know they were ever enslaved. British colonial rule? Oh that enslavement. Right. A bit of hyperbole there. Good for public speeches.

Well, Dr M, there was that New Economic Plan that was in place since 1969 to level up Malay's ability and share of the economic pie. That was 35 years ago, and 22 of those years were under under your leadership. And you still say that you believe in Malay ability, but that as of now they are not able to compete internationally? Perhaps the problem is that protection, means never needing to compete on equal footing?

If you want to improve your tennis game, you got to play with better players. Perhaps Mr Abdullah understands that a little better than you.

F1
So while we have been dreaming about Ferraris zipping past the Esplanade, M'sia has been worried about what it would mean for their F1 spot. Okay, it was only their Youth and Sports Minister who said she was worried. She even said that Singapore shouldn't compete with Malaysia. One Malaysian said it was strange that Malaysia would feel this way given the previous challenge from the Johor ports to try to wrest business away from Singapore ports. Oh wait, the Youth and Sports Minister is only 44. That means for most of her formative years, she has experienced the New Economic Policy that has protect Malays from competition. Too bad it doesn't extend to Singapore, eh?

Not to worry, Malaysia has come back with an answer. They can also host a night race to boost TV audiences! Nice one Sepang! :-) (Hmmm "see pang" in Hokkien means square right?)

Bullet Train To Singapore.
As predicted, Singapore went, "Huh?". But it was the Malaysia Minister who shot down the story. (Mar 28) New Straits Times, your bad.