LEE KUAN YEW REMARKS ABOUT MALAYSIAN CHINESE BEEN MARGINALISED.

Singapore's Minister Mentor, Lee Kuan Yew in his recent statement have given the chinese community in Malaysia a wake-up call that they should not keep quiet but to demand for their rights to enjoy the wealth of the country as a equal partner in every field. Lee Kuan Yew had expressed that the chinese community in Malaysia(and also in Indonesia) have been successful because they are hard-working but have been systemically marginalised in every area, even in education. The chinese communities comprise about more than one-third of the population of Malaysia and have since 1969 up to now, have been sympathetic to the calls of the bumiputras, especially the malays, so that their community could be uplifted to a reasonable level of progress (30% as targetted) so that every races will be able to enjoy the richness of the country together. Since 1969, with the implementation of the New Economic Policy (NEP), the bumiputras have had enjoyed privileges in every field and some of them have now become very successful with a few being millionaires too. In the education sector, the intake of bumiputra students in local tertiary education is more than 75 percent of the places available, sometime depriving the really bright student from the non-bumiputra (chinese, indian and others) communities. This is the reason why most of these non-bumiputras pursue their further education overseas and had caused a brain-drain to be caused since these countries offer them better living conditions and life. Recently, our prime minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had been appealing to Malaysians aboard, mostly non-bumiputras to return home once they have received their education, so that our country could progress rapidly with this elite peoples contributions to the Malaysian society. Furthermore, it was reported by our former premier, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad that the chinese communities are the biggest contributors of income tax, through which various development projects are undertaken. Taking these factors into consideration, the statement made by Lee Kuan Yew could be justified. Many Malaysian leaders have been expressing ill-feelings towards Lee Kuan Yew, but will have to face up to reality. Recently, it was also reported that the NEP had outlived its purpose since the 30 percentage bumiputra corporate equity target had long been reached athough the government figures speak otherwise.

Do you feel that the non-bumiputras, especially the chinese are going to be sympathetic any longer, with various conflicting reports been circulated.