Nick is an absolute stickler for facts even when he might find them uncomfortable.
I’m struggling to think what “facts” Nick would find “uncomfortable”. My experience of his published work is that he straightforwardly reports what he finds. His “facts” are checked before before being presented as such – and his impressions/reactions are clearly identified as such. That he troubles to go looking in places which most Thai media and much of the non-Thai media see fit to ignore seems enough for some to brand him as having a partisan agenda. If it’s “zealotry” (c27) to report those otherwise largely overlooked aspects, then – plainly – I’ve been using the wrong kind of dictionary.
How ironic that Nick is backed up by the other guy who’s always on the cusp of publishing a piece of great import but can never seem to get it out of the door! Yes, Reuters make mistakes, as I think you’re fond of pointing out – they made a very topical one, saying that the visit was “Thaksin’s closest to Thailand” – after he had just flown in from Vientiane!
> “Most of the time, the wire agencies go with a very rough guesstimate.”
Indeed AFP did – they simply offered: “appeared closer to 10,000”.
> “he is scrupulously honest and never allows assumptions or prejudices to get in the way of his reporting.”
But what about his commenting? Unfortunately we have no reporting to discuss. Your comment was written before mine appeared so you’ll now know for sure that I think your “assumptions and prejudices” take is laughable … oh but you’re just talking about his reports right?
Now Andrew, allow me to take you back to the beginning of the thread. At issue is whether Thaksin, at 19:20 on Sat the 14th April, was standing in front of 30,000 Red Shirts. Nobody has provided such an estimate. Nick has added his own conjecture as to how many people, in total, were at a rally at an unstated time. AFP have somewhat emphatically, and in a very timely manner, contradicted the 30,000 figure. Even Bun Tarith estimated up to 30,000!
Andrew, you might enjoy reading Nick’s answers to his own questions, wherever they might be published. I’m sure he’s written some great stuff (but alas, nothing on Siem Reap). But providing answers to other people’s questions is a completely different kettle of fish. So many talented people fail at comprehension – especially when they’re politically or emotionally involved. It’s quite obvious in this thread that Nick’s zealotry and defensiveness cloud his judgement – as the reply I posted while you were writing yours, and the one before that make clear. Being on the scene can count for little when you’re compromised.
In the end, Abhisit did not turn up, because he had to be in parliament to debate the constitutional amendments, thus forcing the organizers on very short notice to reorganized the entire one-day conference. The audience was treated to a single key note address by a foreign professor, who delivered an hour-long sermon about how humankind had devised a way of life that was not environmentally sustainable. There was no trace of an analysis of this situation, i.e. no attempt at understanding/explaining it (mentioning Beck’s book on risk society did not help). Instead, he seemed to put his hope into a broad and global value change…
Nick is an absolute stickler for facts even when he might find them uncomfortable. This is hard wired into his being… He is obsessively meticulous. I have no problem with someone taking issue with some of his conclusions. I do myself… but he doesn’t mess about with facts. He gets as close to them as he can, at some personal risk to himself on occasion. Just the way he is.
Over the past couple of years many people attempted to discredit my work about the sociopolitical strife that Thailand is facing – some were anonymous, others no-names, and some big names as well (mostly they slag me off behind my back, but one way or the other, sooner or later – i always get to hear of this).
What is quite similar in each of these attempts that it came from people that rarely are seen in the field, generally use personal insults instead of factual arguments, and when put under scrutiny are themselves rather liberal with facts and/or have little access to facts about the topic they have strong opinions about.
I usually offer then the same – please prove me wrong, and i will incorporate this criticism in my work, as constructive criticism only improves my work. This generally though is either answered with silence, or with further personal attacks. Most of these people soon disappear, as i am sure you will as well.
As annoying it is, it is also very boring, and you are just another one in a long line of such predecessors.
Actually, 92 per cent of those waiting in Malaysia are from Myanmar (Burma). Many belong to the minority Rohingyas, Muslims from the west who are particularly vulnerable as they are not recognised as citizens, and are therefore stateless. Rita Camilleri
As a former wire service reporter (I spent 17 years with Reuters) I can confirm that AFP’s estimate of crowd size should be treated with great caution. All the wire agencies employ staff and stringers of widely varying degrees of competence, and to estimate crowd size properly is a very difficult task. Most of the time, the wire agencies go with a very rough guesstimate.
Those of us familiar with Nick Nostitz’s work also know that one of the main reasons he is such an excellent journalist is that he is scrupulously honest and never allows assumptions or prejudices to get in the way of his reporting. He reports what he sees and hears, and takes great care to verify what he writes. He is a very credible source indeed. AFP takes far less care than Nick to verify facts.
It’s staggering to me that anyone with any knowledge of Thailand, or of how journalists work, would seriously claim that AFP (or Reuters, AP, Bloomberg etc) are a more reliable source than Nick Nostitz about an event where Nick was personally on the scene.
Nick: It’s all about balance. I’m not obsessed with any particular country or topic and I’m on no mission to represent AFP as perfect – why would I want to do that? Oh just to illustrate the headlong abandon with which you’ve sidetracked yourself on this ‘primary source’ thing I’ll divulge one little fact – it wasn’t me who made that choice!
Yes Nick of course I’ll continue to doubt your estimate. You’ve shown yourself as lacking balance, displaying an un-becoming zealotry.
The Straits Times (where has the reference from your earlier post gone?) might feel the same as they used the AFP story and the “closer to 10,000” quote. Quite comical that.
The first is about Burmese-nization process that going on for decades in Burma.
According to my experiences, Burmese central government had sent thousands of homeless, begger, prisoner, people who deem trouble maker and others to the states and divisions to set up new villages. Locals were forced to help and built those villages. In long term, the residents of those villages forgotten their past and become bastions for central government which they identified as culture and religious brethrens.
About 20 years or so, there was almost no Burmese in Loi-Kaw, the capital of Kayah (Karenni) State. Few officials from central low land were presented and every new officials even became talks of the town. Nowaday, the present of Burmese and exploitations of every aspects of local lives become common.
Aslo, the majority of Kayah (Karenni) are speaking a branch of Karen dialect and they identify themselve as part of Karen ethnic. This was ignored and Kayahs were promoted in country’s only availible media sources as a seperate entity all along.
The second is about religion, especially the Buddhist.
There has been a simmering religious affairs going on for a period of time, as long as I could remember. We were doctrinated since our childhood that we, Burmese nationals, are living in one of the most culturally, ethnically and religously tolerant society and are proud of this. I accepted these assertions until a certain age when different kinds of literatures were availible to me.
Buddhist religion, while generally peaceful when staying alone by itself, becomes lethal force when combined with nationalism and ignorance. In my opinion, ignorance of Burmese people partly came from lack of interaction with other societies and understanding of others which originated in the absence of higher education and freely availble knowledge.
Most Buddhists in Burma feel proud for Lord Buddha’s syatria cast background and utter the name of king “Asoka” many times in a day but many of them do not have any idea what they are talking about. They are speaking frequently about Indian history, cutlture and other things while a lot of them hate Indians (Kalar). (I’m just trying to give an example out of a complex situation and this might hurts some conservative Buddhists although that’s not my intention).
However, I do not have intention to advocate for the ethnic minorities as a totally right side of history. I just hope that my information will fill a few tiny gaps in Burma’s situation. I might add up few more things later when chances arised.
The PAD is dead just waiting to be buried and done with. Even the die-hard Thaksinites journalists (like Spooner) are getting impatient reduced to bickering about ‘sizes’ of Thaksin groupies . . . .
I am baffled and amazed by Thaksin’s cowardice. His people is waiting for him to start personally dancing in Bangkok streets.
“My participation in this thread has nothing to do with ‘opinion’ – it’s to do with facts.”
Such as the fact that for someone who hasn’t been at the event in Cambodia, “can’t offer you much on AFP Cambodia”, yet still seem to have a need to dispute my estimate here reasoning that “AFP are credible” and that you “use AFP as the primary source”, but at the same time point out their “main mess-up lately”…?
Thank you again for “participation in this thread” – it brought some much needed comic relief.
superanonymous: probably the same force that motivates every other person who posts comments on blogs like this. Asking question and criticising is hardly to be deplored, most especially not on this thread.
I also wrote a very positive review of this book for the Journal of Asian Studies (May, 2012 issue). I did not, however, have as many words to work with as Keith.
What Kchin Highlander wrote are true. In fact it has been the characteristic of of the “Tribal” people that the British and Americans noticed and valued and exploited to levy for their formidable fighting forces. Yet it is also true character that the urban students on the flee from the Burmese military were welcome and looked after in 1988 by both Karen and Kachin although there crept in suspicions and relationship issues inevitably later.
In one comment in an article in the Irrawaddy someone asked whether there is fault on the people’s side they were stuck with Ne Win. By asking the question and finding it, one has opportunity to correct it if so desired.
For practitioners of Buddhism, there is discernible element of chauvinism and domineering attitude in a lot of Burmese. By and large independent minded, a lot of them have to have blind faith like like cult as well, showing innate insecurity.
Fact is no one is superior or inferior to the other. That is not a social or democratic statement. Simple biological fact.
But there surely are good traits and bad traits in all. And if one can find out about oneself, one has opportunity to correct it if so desired.
The leadership can lead by example. But no one can or should change the personality or conviction of any other by force. Even one’s own child.
What is most important and lacking in Burma now is true and accurate information and investigative mind to find that out. Immediately launching into emotional crusade on rumour tends to destroy life and properties through out the history of Burma. Restraint, finding the facts and thought would have been helpful and they will be in the future.
Whether Kachin should or should not secede or Lisu should then secede from Jinpho etc, are in fact immaterial.
Important thing is not to have coveting or domineering attitude and be truly kind to one another.
Because squabbling makes easy prey.
Coming back down to earth, Shleby Tucker noted when he walked across from China to India followings Bertil Litner’s footsteps before the fall of CBP, Kachin told him they hated Aung San because of the incident of burning down Karen Christian families in Church in Myaung Mya. Regardless of the degree of truth in that affair and apportioning of blame for it, Kachin literally put out red carpet for Aung San Suu Kyi when she went there before Deparin. There is great deal of good will in both sides already. But it has to be followed up by treating fairly and empathizing with people who are in trouble.
Unlike the Karen who are regarded by the British then and today as subordinates to look after at their pleasure, Kachin has been American Baptist for so long before the levy, people on both sides would have feeling of “family-ness” as opposed to obligation.
They are also not divided between the Christian and Buddhist, a fact irreverently exploited by Khin Nyunt and since been promoted among the ranks of the soldiers. And Kchin are not exposed to the degree of opulence daily unlike Karen crossing the border inciting envy and greed.
So, while it is easy to see why the Karen would take money and forget the federal state, the Kachin struggle is just starting and would have the ability to last to the last man.
Didn’t know NM was strictly academic. Our Hla Oo had a good run. And I for one appreciate infotainment. Hla Oo was good fun though biased as hell.
Remarkable but not surprising I’m sure that list of those 50 odd men – disposable income and shared interest. Only 17, not younger? Was it a syndicate? Freemasons maybe.
Wouldn’t be surprised either if Prof Lim ‘s proposal attracts some favourite labels such as Keynesian and social engineering, pretty much four letter words these days.
The commute in Singapore must now be nearly as much fun as in London where they have a captive market of passengers paying through the nose for the privilege of travelling in trains standing up and packed like sardines, not just the frequent treats of delays and cancellations.
Let’s hope plan B stops whining like a broken record when the ‘useless careless west’ lifts the sanctions or the mosquito net and jump into the bed with our govt; they are just contemplating on ‘health & safety’ precautions, and who can blame them?
Has not the atrocious behavior towards the Buddhist Monks during the ‘Safron revolution’, a shameful testimonial to this regime intolerance for even Buddhist that challenge it rule?
By the existing # of Churches and Mosques in cities and the respective attendances, your vain attempt to divide a citizenry belong religious line might just play into the hands of some westerners.
What has happened is that Malaysia’s spectacular growth has reduced absolute poverty but increased inequality.
What is worrying is that the ratio of the top 20 to the bottom 40 had only reduced marginally, from approximately 10:1 in 1970 to 7:1 in 2009 despite extensive income distribution and redistribution programmes.
This is ironic because Malaysia has the most extensive affirmative action policy in the world. Despite that, income inequality among the Malays – the group that was the reason for affirmative action have the highest income inequality (intra-race).
An intelligent person would decide that the facts suggests that these policies do not work. Yet, the government’s response is , “Let’s have more of these policies.”
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When Thaksin comes home
Dan (c30)
Nick is an absolute stickler for facts even when he might find them uncomfortable.
I’m struggling to think what “facts” Nick would find “uncomfortable”. My experience of his published work is that he straightforwardly reports what he finds. His “facts” are checked before before being presented as such – and his impressions/reactions are clearly identified as such. That he troubles to go looking in places which most Thai media and much of the non-Thai media see fit to ignore seems enough for some to brand him as having a partisan agenda. If it’s “zealotry” (c27) to report those otherwise largely overlooked aspects, then – plainly – I’ve been using the wrong kind of dictionary.
When Thaksin comes home
How ironic that Nick is backed up by the other guy who’s always on the cusp of publishing a piece of great import but can never seem to get it out of the door! Yes, Reuters make mistakes, as I think you’re fond of pointing out – they made a very topical one, saying that the visit was “Thaksin’s closest to Thailand” – after he had just flown in from Vientiane!
> “Most of the time, the wire agencies go with a very rough guesstimate.”
Indeed AFP did – they simply offered: “appeared closer to 10,000”.
> “he is scrupulously honest and never allows assumptions or prejudices to get in the way of his reporting.”
But what about his commenting? Unfortunately we have no reporting to discuss. Your comment was written before mine appeared so you’ll now know for sure that I think your “assumptions and prejudices” take is laughable … oh but you’re just talking about his reports right?
Now Andrew, allow me to take you back to the beginning of the thread. At issue is whether Thaksin, at 19:20 on Sat the 14th April, was standing in front of 30,000 Red Shirts. Nobody has provided such an estimate. Nick has added his own conjecture as to how many people, in total, were at a rally at an unstated time. AFP have somewhat emphatically, and in a very timely manner, contradicted the 30,000 figure. Even Bun Tarith estimated up to 30,000!
Andrew, you might enjoy reading Nick’s answers to his own questions, wherever they might be published. I’m sure he’s written some great stuff (but alas, nothing on Siem Reap). But providing answers to other people’s questions is a completely different kettle of fish. So many talented people fail at comprehension – especially when they’re politically or emotionally involved. It’s quite obvious in this thread that Nick’s zealotry and defensiveness cloud his judgement – as the reply I posted while you were writing yours, and the one before that make clear. Being on the scene can count for little when you’re compromised.
Questions for Abhisit Vejjajiva
#57
In the end, Abhisit did not turn up, because he had to be in parliament to debate the constitutional amendments, thus forcing the organizers on very short notice to reorganized the entire one-day conference. The audience was treated to a single key note address by a foreign professor, who delivered an hour-long sermon about how humankind had devised a way of life that was not environmentally sustainable. There was no trace of an analysis of this situation, i.e. no attempt at understanding/explaining it (mentioning Beck’s book on risk society did not help). Instead, he seemed to put his hope into a broad and global value change…
When Thaksin comes home
Nick is an absolute stickler for facts even when he might find them uncomfortable. This is hard wired into his being… He is obsessively meticulous. I have no problem with someone taking issue with some of his conclusions. I do myself… but he doesn’t mess about with facts. He gets as close to them as he can, at some personal risk to himself on occasion. Just the way he is.
University rankings from Chula’s perspective
#43
Guess the department head already had somebody from her phak phuak in mind for the position…
When Thaksin comes home
“Jon Wright”:
Over the past couple of years many people attempted to discredit my work about the sociopolitical strife that Thailand is facing – some were anonymous, others no-names, and some big names as well (mostly they slag me off behind my back, but one way or the other, sooner or later – i always get to hear of this).
What is quite similar in each of these attempts that it came from people that rarely are seen in the field, generally use personal insults instead of factual arguments, and when put under scrutiny are themselves rather liberal with facts and/or have little access to facts about the topic they have strong opinions about.
I usually offer then the same – please prove me wrong, and i will incorporate this criticism in my work, as constructive criticism only improves my work. This generally though is either answered with silence, or with further personal attacks. Most of these people soon disappear, as i am sure you will as well.
As annoying it is, it is also very boring, and you are just another one in a long line of such predecessors.
Evidence of racism in Malaysia?
No matter how you people argue and articulate the fact remains that, ” Evidence of racism in Malaysia?” exist and remain as it is ever since.
Malaysian media perspectives on the “Malaysia Solution”
Actually, 92 per cent of those waiting in Malaysia are from Myanmar (Burma). Many belong to the minority Rohingyas, Muslims from the west who are particularly vulnerable as they are not recognised as citizens, and are therefore stateless. Rita Camilleri
When Thaksin comes home
As a former wire service reporter (I spent 17 years with Reuters) I can confirm that AFP’s estimate of crowd size should be treated with great caution. All the wire agencies employ staff and stringers of widely varying degrees of competence, and to estimate crowd size properly is a very difficult task. Most of the time, the wire agencies go with a very rough guesstimate.
Those of us familiar with Nick Nostitz’s work also know that one of the main reasons he is such an excellent journalist is that he is scrupulously honest and never allows assumptions or prejudices to get in the way of his reporting. He reports what he sees and hears, and takes great care to verify what he writes. He is a very credible source indeed. AFP takes far less care than Nick to verify facts.
It’s staggering to me that anyone with any knowledge of Thailand, or of how journalists work, would seriously claim that AFP (or Reuters, AP, Bloomberg etc) are a more reliable source than Nick Nostitz about an event where Nick was personally on the scene.
When Thaksin comes home
Nick: It’s all about balance. I’m not obsessed with any particular country or topic and I’m on no mission to represent AFP as perfect – why would I want to do that? Oh just to illustrate the headlong abandon with which you’ve sidetracked yourself on this ‘primary source’ thing I’ll divulge one little fact – it wasn’t me who made that choice!
Yes Nick of course I’ll continue to doubt your estimate. You’ve shown yourself as lacking balance, displaying an un-becoming zealotry.
The Straits Times (where has the reference from your earlier post gone?) might feel the same as they used the AFP story and the “closer to 10,000” quote. Quite comical that.
Kachin State: Don’t mention the war
I have two things to present.
The first is about Burmese-nization process that going on for decades in Burma.
According to my experiences, Burmese central government had sent thousands of homeless, begger, prisoner, people who deem trouble maker and others to the states and divisions to set up new villages. Locals were forced to help and built those villages. In long term, the residents of those villages forgotten their past and become bastions for central government which they identified as culture and religious brethrens.
About 20 years or so, there was almost no Burmese in Loi-Kaw, the capital of Kayah (Karenni) State. Few officials from central low land were presented and every new officials even became talks of the town. Nowaday, the present of Burmese and exploitations of every aspects of local lives become common.
Aslo, the majority of Kayah (Karenni) are speaking a branch of Karen dialect and they identify themselve as part of Karen ethnic. This was ignored and Kayahs were promoted in country’s only availible media sources as a seperate entity all along.
The second is about religion, especially the Buddhist.
There has been a simmering religious affairs going on for a period of time, as long as I could remember. We were doctrinated since our childhood that we, Burmese nationals, are living in one of the most culturally, ethnically and religously tolerant society and are proud of this. I accepted these assertions until a certain age when different kinds of literatures were availible to me.
Buddhist religion, while generally peaceful when staying alone by itself, becomes lethal force when combined with nationalism and ignorance. In my opinion, ignorance of Burmese people partly came from lack of interaction with other societies and understanding of others which originated in the absence of higher education and freely availble knowledge.
Most Buddhists in Burma feel proud for Lord Buddha’s syatria cast background and utter the name of king “Asoka” many times in a day but many of them do not have any idea what they are talking about. They are speaking frequently about Indian history, cutlture and other things while a lot of them hate Indians (Kalar). (I’m just trying to give an example out of a complex situation and this might hurts some conservative Buddhists although that’s not my intention).
However, I do not have intention to advocate for the ethnic minorities as a totally right side of history. I just hope that my information will fill a few tiny gaps in Burma’s situation. I might add up few more things later when chances arised.
When Thaksin comes home
So When then?
The PAD is dead just waiting to be buried and done with. Even the die-hard Thaksinites journalists (like Spooner) are getting impatient reduced to bickering about ‘sizes’ of Thaksin groupies . . . .
I am baffled and amazed by Thaksin’s cowardice. His people is waiting for him to start personally dancing in Bangkok streets.
When Thaksin comes home
“Jon Wright”:
“My participation in this thread has nothing to do with ‘opinion’ – it’s to do with facts.”
Such as the fact that for someone who hasn’t been at the event in Cambodia, “can’t offer you much on AFP Cambodia”, yet still seem to have a need to dispute my estimate here reasoning that “AFP are credible” and that you “use AFP as the primary source”, but at the same time point out their “main mess-up lately”…?
Thank you again for “participation in this thread” – it brought some much needed comic relief.
Double, double toil and trouble…
superanonymous: probably the same force that motivates every other person who posts comments on blogs like this. Asking question and criticising is hardly to be deplored, most especially not on this thread.
Review of Powers of Exclusion
I also wrote a very positive review of this book for the Journal of Asian Studies (May, 2012 issue). I did not, however, have as many words to work with as Keith.
Kachin State: Don’t mention the war
What Kchin Highlander wrote are true. In fact it has been the characteristic of of the “Tribal” people that the British and Americans noticed and valued and exploited to levy for their formidable fighting forces. Yet it is also true character that the urban students on the flee from the Burmese military were welcome and looked after in 1988 by both Karen and Kachin although there crept in suspicions and relationship issues inevitably later.
In one comment in an article in the Irrawaddy someone asked whether there is fault on the people’s side they were stuck with Ne Win. By asking the question and finding it, one has opportunity to correct it if so desired.
For practitioners of Buddhism, there is discernible element of chauvinism and domineering attitude in a lot of Burmese. By and large independent minded, a lot of them have to have blind faith like like cult as well, showing innate insecurity.
Fact is no one is superior or inferior to the other. That is not a social or democratic statement. Simple biological fact.
But there surely are good traits and bad traits in all. And if one can find out about oneself, one has opportunity to correct it if so desired.
The leadership can lead by example. But no one can or should change the personality or conviction of any other by force. Even one’s own child.
What is most important and lacking in Burma now is true and accurate information and investigative mind to find that out. Immediately launching into emotional crusade on rumour tends to destroy life and properties through out the history of Burma. Restraint, finding the facts and thought would have been helpful and they will be in the future.
Whether Kachin should or should not secede or Lisu should then secede from Jinpho etc, are in fact immaterial.
Important thing is not to have coveting or domineering attitude and be truly kind to one another.
Because squabbling makes easy prey.
Coming back down to earth, Shleby Tucker noted when he walked across from China to India followings Bertil Litner’s footsteps before the fall of CBP, Kachin told him they hated Aung San because of the incident of burning down Karen Christian families in Church in Myaung Mya. Regardless of the degree of truth in that affair and apportioning of blame for it, Kachin literally put out red carpet for Aung San Suu Kyi when she went there before Deparin. There is great deal of good will in both sides already. But it has to be followed up by treating fairly and empathizing with people who are in trouble.
Unlike the Karen who are regarded by the British then and today as subordinates to look after at their pleasure, Kachin has been American Baptist for so long before the levy, people on both sides would have feeling of “family-ness” as opposed to obligation.
They are also not divided between the Christian and Buddhist, a fact irreverently exploited by Khin Nyunt and since been promoted among the ranks of the soldiers. And Kchin are not exposed to the degree of opulence daily unlike Karen crossing the border inciting envy and greed.
So, while it is easy to see why the Karen would take money and forget the federal state, the Kachin struggle is just starting and would have the ability to last to the last man.
Three issues for Singapore
Didn’t know NM was strictly academic. Our Hla Oo had a good run. And I for one appreciate infotainment. Hla Oo was good fun though biased as hell.
Remarkable but not surprising I’m sure that list of those 50 odd men – disposable income and shared interest. Only 17, not younger? Was it a syndicate? Freemasons maybe.
Wouldn’t be surprised either if Prof Lim ‘s proposal attracts some favourite labels such as Keynesian and social engineering, pretty much four letter words these days.
The commute in Singapore must now be nearly as much fun as in London where they have a captive market of passengers paying through the nose for the privilege of travelling in trains standing up and packed like sardines, not just the frequent treats of delays and cancellations.
Internationalising the Kachin war
Let’s hope plan B stops whining like a broken record when the ‘useless careless west’ lifts the sanctions or the mosquito net and jump into the bed with our govt; they are just contemplating on ‘health & safety’ precautions, and who can blame them?
Kachin State: Don’t mention the war
Kachin Highlander
Has not the atrocious behavior towards the Buddhist Monks during the ‘Safron revolution’, a shameful testimonial to this regime intolerance for even Buddhist that challenge it rule?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJLr6lPH9mI&feature=related
By the existing # of Churches and Mosques in cities and the respective attendances, your vain attempt to divide a citizenry belong religious line might just play into the hands of some westerners.
Class war in Malaysia – Going the Thai way?
@ DC #4.
Very relevant observation.
What has happened is that Malaysia’s spectacular growth has reduced absolute poverty but increased inequality.
What is worrying is that the ratio of the top 20 to the bottom 40 had only reduced marginally, from approximately 10:1 in 1970 to 7:1 in 2009 despite extensive income distribution and redistribution programmes.
This is ironic because Malaysia has the most extensive affirmative action policy in the world. Despite that, income inequality among the Malays – the group that was the reason for affirmative action have the highest income inequality (intra-race).
An intelligent person would decide that the facts suggests that these policies do not work. Yet, the government’s response is , “Let’s have more of these policies.”