Mearsheimer And Walt Take Malaysia

Beware the Israel Chinese Lobby in Malaysia:

A senior official will be punished for his racist outburst warning Malaysia's ethnic Chinese minority not to become greedy for political and economic power, the prime minister said Tuesday.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad said the coalition leaders unanimously rejected Ahmad Ismail's remarks and that leaders of the 14-party ruling National Front coalition "want swift and firm action to be taken" against him.

Ahmad, a district chief in the United Malays National Organization ruling party, claimed that the Malay majority was losing patience with minorities, particularly ethnic Chinese politicians.

"I urge the Chinese not to become like the Jewish in America, where it is not enough that they control the economy, but they also want to dominate politics," Ahmad told a news conference late Monday in northern Penang state.

"Consider this a warning from the Malays," Ahmad said. "The patience of the Malays has a limit. Do not push us against the wall, for we will be forced to turn back and push the Chinese for our own survival."

Of course, there is a subtle difference between what the Jews in the US and the Chinese in Malaysia have to put up with. In the US, Jews are accused of being wealthy, powerful and influential beyond their numbers--pushing the interests of Israel.

Not so the Chinese:

In a country where racial tensions are palpable but never discussed publicly, Ahmad dropped a bombshell last month by describing the Chinese and Indians as "squatters" and "immigrants." The uproar over his comments had barely subsided when he gave a news conference on Monday.

But give them time. No doubt the Chinese will consider their contributions to Malaysia as giving them carte blanche to express their opinions.

But Ismail has learned his lesson well from the likes of Mearsheimer and Walt. There is no better way to keep people in their place and prevent them from expressing their opinion than by portraying them as acting in a way inimical to the State.

Hat Tip: Media Backspin

Technorati Tag: Malaysia.