Comments

I am mildly disturbed by the amount of comments here that speak with such pride about their decision to leave the country. Is that really something to be proud off?

Some talk about patriotism and how they were forced to leave in disgust. But i wonder, these people were patriotic only as long as they blindly believed that government would care for them? Once they found out the harsh truth that the government doesn’t give a hoot about them, they suddenly lost their patriotism? Is this real patriotism?

If all right thinking citizens left Malaysia, then who will be left to oppose the tyranny and oppression of the ruling elites? Will there ever be hope for Malaysia then? If there is enough good people in Malaysia, surely the tyranny of the evil and greedy few can be stopped.

If you still love Malaysia, then please help those of us still here to save Malaysia and bring an end to the tyranny, oppression and injustice in the nation.

I really value all the input Malaysians have shared on the topic, whether it be negative or positive feelings towards Malaysia. Anger is better than indifference.

There seems to be a general consensus that things are not going to get any better unless someone new does something about it – the question is, who? It’s easier to place blame than to work for solutions.

I see a hope in the growing civic consciousness of Malaysians. March 8 was the first time Malaysians in a decisive manner, displayed their displeasure at the ruling government. But will it happen again? And what else can we do besides voting, for those who have not turned their back on Malaysia? I believe this is something we can, and must, find out if there is to be a future for Malaysia.

I was suspicious that the Nation’s retraction was to stop Thaksin suing them.

IMO I think any news outlet that went along with Bangkokbiz’s reporting on CTX without checking their source deserve to be sued.

Anyway, lets see what we are going to see in other cable, so far we know who the US manipulate Thailand’s foreign policy and how things were discuss behind the scene. Would be interesting to see what is inside the other leaks, we still have about 3,000 more documents to go.

Not sure if I’m alone thinking this, but didn’t Prem and Anand come out of the leaks so far looking rather reasonable?

Their opinions were very ordinary elite class piece of mind, whether it is reasonable or not is up for interpretation, but Anand suggestion that “anything can happen” if the certain who died is not very encouraging consider that Thailand establishment is relying on an individual to survive.

How about Jim Taylor’s comment number 41 Tarrin? Could you go along with that piece of Stalinist rewriting of history? Or are you more of a “they all corrupt so why pick on Thaksin” believer?

Let me clear up a bit, first I’m not sure what do you mean by whether I believe in “go along with that piece of Stalinist rewriting history” since I felt like right now its the establishment that is the one who is rewriting history. I was just advising a law student from Ramkumhang University (I’m not a teacher btw), she was studying Thailand modern history, period from 1973 to today, which is odd since the modern Thai political development was actually initiate in 1932. Anyhow, to my surprise, I didn’t see any reference to 1976 massacre, or the fall of communist in the early 80s. All that was mention was the 1973 and the 1992 massacre. Should I believe in this history book? I might, but I really have to take it with a grain of salt.

Second, I’m not old enough to remember what was happening during Prem premiership, but I remember well enough what happened during Chuan I, Banharn, Chuvalit, Chuan II, and Thaksin. I still recalled how Sor-Por-Gor 4-01 corruption scandal made the Chuan I collapse. I still remembered how Banharn’s Pak Panang Reservoir project (in corroboration with unmentionable institution) destroy a large part Pak Panang’s mangroves forest in the south (with it an enormous damage in range of billion of Baht) . I recalled that during Chuan II the amphetamine was as easy to find as a candy. Certainly Thaksin did not invent corruption and I felt that the allegation against him was blown out of proportion and very misleading, take CTX for example. If Thaksin was to be jail for 2 years for the ambiguous Ratchada land deal then Suthep deserve a 50 years jail term for this Sor Por Gor 4-01 or the Kor Samui land scandal.

Whether or not I am the believer of “they all corrupt so why pick on Thaksin” or ” Could you go along with that piece of Stalinist rewriting of history”, well, I can be all of that depending on what context we are discussing. Its not that simple to categorized people to just one or another.

Several of Jim’s points are valid in term if explaining why we are here today (whether the charge against Thaksin is valid is up for debate). If we get the 1997 constitution drafted in 1982 and then Thaksin was running the country in 1988 in stead of Chartchai then we might see what happened in 2010 actually happened in 2000. My point is, what we see today is inevitable, its ought to happen sooner or later. Jim’s points about Thaksin were just the catalyst.

Christoffer Larsson – 44

It’s because they have more effective control systems in place that are preventing them from becoming corrupt.

Christoffer, I would actually argue that many Western governments are as corrupt as Thailand’s, it’s just that it’s better hidden.

Again though if we argue that Thaksin, or others, are only corrupt because of the lack of control systems we will end up going down a strange road of logic. Will we argue that murderers are really innocent because it was a lack of control systems to stop them murdering? There must be personal responsibility. This belief of responsibility explains why there have been UN sponsored trials in Cambodia.

Anonymous – 4

A pleasant man he certainly is (or so it seemed on the basis of 2 hours chatting), but an impressive thinker he is not.

I have no idea whether Anonymous is correct or not but a number of years ago at a book launch I do remember Mechai Viravaidya, who I have a lot of respect for, singing the praises of Anand. He said that the only reason he had accepted being made a senator was because Anand, who he had the utmost respect for, had asked him.

Streckfuss’ continued residence in Thailand post-publication may be the most significant barometer of change or resistance, considering how ABC abandoned its Bangkok offices after April’s documentary on the king, and how Dan Rivers and Jonathan Head were both threatened while doing their jobs. I assume Paul Handley is on some Foreign Ministry blacklist.

Yet Streckfuss will remain, after writing critically of LM laws, Thai exceptionalism, and Theraveda Buddhism, as well as suggesting that the monarchy is assuring its own republican end with historical examples? Wow.

(Camera cuts to Harry Nicolaides, slapping his forehead in disbelief.)

It’s as if he’s the farang version of Sulak, the man who gets away with saying what lands others in jail.

I’d call it a ray of hope, except that Sulak’s work has yet to generate a stampede of imitators. But we have to start somewhere, and I look forward to reading the book.

On a related issue, an important seminar on the topic, “The Monarchy, the Constitution, and Democracy”, was held by the “Nitirat” group on 10 December.

In the seminar Somsak Jeamteerasakul presents the case for the need to reform the monarchy in the most direct fashion that I have ever heard. I think it is a major step forward in critical public discussion of the monarchy. I also think that his argument for why the monarchy needs to be discussed – quite apart from the abstract principle of freedom of speech – is compelling.

You can view his presentation here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSuS2YT_TF4&feature=player_embedded#!

Other presenters were Sutthachai Yimprasert, Worajet Phakhirat, and Natthaphon Jaijing. Their presentations can be viewed at: http://www.thaienews.blogspot.com/2010/12/р╕Зр╕▓р╕Щр╣Ар╕кр╕зр╕Щр╕▓р╕зр╕Кр╕▓р╕Бр╕▓р╕г-р╕кр╕Цр╕▓р╕Ър╕Щр╕Бр╕йр╕Хр╕гр╕в-р╕гр╕Рр╕Шр╕гр╕гр╕бр╕Щр╕Н.html

I left Malaysia 4 yrs ago. Back then I command a salary of RM5K. I now command a salary more than triple of that. The govt of the country i am living in kep the country safe, advanced and clean. The political situation was never in question, most of the people believed the government did most of the right things and I think they did and still am doing. The country isnt ranked as one of the more corrupted countries in the world, there are hardly any news at all of corrupted politicians. The steps the government take are always after much consideration and always have the right and logical reason. Above that, they are transparent on their decision and how they arrive at it, challenging the people to disagree. Dont even think of trying to bribe the police here. They dont even looked fat or have that gangster look. During the last 2007 crisis, the country survived and thrived instead of declining and I found the pressure of losing my job almost to nil. The basic necessaties here are affordable and the transportation goes where you want them and located at strategic location. I dont have a car but then I dont think i need one until my children reach a certain age. The taxis dont overchrge you or attempt to rape or rob you. The food is not as good as Malaysia but I think thats a small price to pay for everything else.

I used to be patriotic, I even joined MCA thinking I can make a difference. I left feeling disgusted. I argued with my wife when she wanted to leave the country for a better future. Now I totally agreed with her and regret we did not left earlier before I see all the growing shi* in the political arena.

I am just one person but almost every other Malaysians I met in a foreign land agrees with me. Leaving Malaysia was one of the best decisions they ever made… Sad but true.

Many months ago when this issue was raised, I did a calculation based on an average of 20 years of consistent migration and an average reproductive rate that 1st generation born in Malaysia who migrated and their 2nd generation overseas born who would have been Malaysians if they were born in Malaysia number close to 4.5million. What set me off doing this calculation is both my and my close relatives’ experience. This is quite startling and has a significant effect in the brain drain debate and the dilution of intellectual capability as the majority of those who migrated are university graduates and a portion consist of PhDs.

Just to relate the experience of a close friend who went overseas to study, did his PhD and returned to work in Malaysia. He left after 2 years as he found he was required to sign off on projects which did not meet his professional standards of integrity just because they were the requirement of a former PM. Many of the former class and university mates who left live and work a fulfilled life based on merit and achievement, the sense of self worth, worthy contribution to their society and achieving a level of professionalism that they can be proud of, something many tried but faced barriers when they were in Malaysia. Some tried to return but eventually left as they faced the same barriers that they had hoped were history but had become unfortunately entrenched in Malaysia.

As a country, we have lost significant talent and capability and many HR professionals lament on the significantly poor quality of professionals they have to deal with and recruit in this current era with no signs of improvement in the near horizon given the state of the education system. So much for 1Malaysia. No future, no hope and no FDIs.