By Ooi Kee Beng, Commentator, The Malaysian Insider
September 10, 2008
Crises and opportunities are two sides of the same ringgit. Given the stream of critical moments flowing so steadily in recent Malaysian history, the opportunities available to Malaysians must be quite endless.
When new crises become the daily bread in politics, the system must be out of sync with the times.
Racist remarks dropped by community leaders who then turn their bad judgment into race-championing claims; members of Parliament going overseas on trips that are suspiciously well-timed; leaders apologising for followers who are not sorry, and party and coalition loyalties under great strain; all these tell us one important thing.
LAST week, in the middle of yoga class, our petite instructor interrupted our asanas to tell us she’d heard there was trouble on the streets. “Go home straightaway after class. Don’t stay out tonight,??? she warned, adding something or other about those who lived in Chinese neighbourhoods.