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Lee Kuan Yew is anti-Malays, anti-Indians and anti-Islam. In fact, when he succeeded in separating Singapore from Malaysia in 1965, there was a secret plan to flush out the Malays and Indians out of the Republic. However, due to his 'good-on-the-surface' relation with the Malaysian Malay leaders, he jettisoned it.
And about 45 years later, he could not hide his disgust at the Malays and Islam in his newly-launched book 'Hard Truths to keep Singapore Going'. Of course, the Singapore Malays got insulted and are suing him, the government and Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS) for playing puppet to the govt.
LKY wrote in his book, among other things: "...we were progressing very nicely until the surge of Islam came. The other communities have easier integration … than Muslims... and today, we can integrate all religions and races, except Islam.... Muslims socially do not cause any trouble, but they are distinct and separate."
In order to facilitate integration in Singapore with its predominantly Chinese population and minority races including Malays and Indians, he urged Muslims to ‘be less strict on Islamic observances.’
His comments annoyed Muslims, prompting some strong reactions in local internet forums. "Who you or your family prays and what you eat, drink and do is your business. We Muslims don’t give a hoot," said one comment, telling Lee to "mind your own business."
Although his PM son Lee Hsien Loong was trying hard to calm down the situation by saying he didnt share his father's view, the Malays got more igitated as the contents of the book seemed to be 'fully'accepted' by his govt.
Former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who exchanged verbal blows with Lee over several issues during his administration, slammed the minister mentor over his comments.
"I am not surprised by his statement because to him religion is not important. For him the end justifies the means, so if he wants racial integration in Singapore, he won’t let Islam stand in the way of his goals.
"The Malays over there (in Singapore) are actually afraid of the government," he claimed, adding that Muslims were under a constant siege from the authorities and had no choice but to compromise their Islamic belief.
LKY is lucky, and so is Singapore. The Malays in the Republic did not react like how the Malaysian Indians had over a novel by Abdullah Hussain, Interlok. The Malaysian Government and the Malay largest party Umno had finally agreed to erase of amend the word 'pariah' in it before it can be used as a literature reference in secondary schools.
Read the comments for my posting 'Getting rid of all the KELINGs' and you will understand the issue better.
As for the Singapore Malays, we cant interfere but the balls are at their feet. At 87, LKY is getting senile, I guess. Tapi, takkan nak maafkan dia macam tu je kot? Mungkin tengah buang tabiat....
Bujai
*The author blogs at http://justread-whatever.blogspot.sg/