Singapore, Malaysia ...

Singapore and Malaysia are so much alike .... and yet very different. Perhaps I can safely comment that we WERE both started from the same source, but yet ended rather differently, NOT completely opposite, but RATHER DIFFERENTLY.

Have just watched The History of Singapore from Discovery channel. There were a few key messages left with me:

1. After abandon by Malaysia, Singapore survived by inviting electronic manufacturing, which at that time was considered an 'evil' industry by other countires. Such moves were followed quickly by Malaysia.

2. When Lee Kuan Yew stepped down, the 'new' PM changed style into a totally FREEDOM countries which has encouraged many opposition party to rise in appearance. However, when an American is guilty of vendalism, Singapore went ahead to cane the American regardless pressure from Clinton. This showed as 'soft' as the new PM was, he was 'hard' too.

3. Singapore followed Britain to take care of welfare of the people by building many homes. However, Singapore decided to sell the homes instead of renting it like it was in Britain. Soon, British followed the strategy.

4. After 40 years of carefully controlled economy by the goverment, it is really questionable if the same method can be continued. And Singpaore goverment knows very well of this situation. They said, "The new economy is about idea" and started BioTech city. Which eventually encourage the citizen to start thinking for themselves after so many years of pampering by the goverment.

How about Malaysia ? Well, lets see ...

1. We followed quickly setting up FREE industrial zones in Penang, Selangor etc. Copying is better than ignorant the trend, I guess.

2. We had Pak Lah, who were well known as 'soft' too. But unfortunately there isn't any 'hard' legacy did he leave us.

3. Here, anyone can build, anyone can buy. But its never about 'home', its just houses we built.

4. We also have BioTech City but it isn't apparent that is our future. We are still playing games of "sue first, care later", "racism", "use public news channel to communicate internal party conversations" etc.

After living here in Malaysia for more than half life, I don't really know where we were and where we are heading to. I must be very stupid ...