Lee Kuan Yew in Malaysia

[Apologies for being lazy with my postings in the past few weeks. No excuses. But suddenlly I was provided some interesting food for thoughts. It was none other than MM Lee Kuan Yew's 8 day visit through West Malaysia between 8 June and 15 June. I find the whole thing extremely interesting.]

Firstly, as The Star newspaper admitted, this was no trip down memory lane as initially branded. No, Lee Kuan Yew does not do such things. In fact, it was a highly astute and in-depth fact-finding mission to learn about the Malaysian political landscape post 8 March 2008.

As usual, Singapore is shrewedly looking and planning ahead. Singapore is also extremely lucky in having Lee Kuan Yew, for he has few equal when come to experience, knowledge and track record in making astute assessment of people and the political situation. His is a gut-feel for Malaysia that few outsiders have and plus he has the historical perspective. On the other hand, in making the trip, he is also acknowledging that many of the players in the opposition are not yet well-understood - even to the most seasoned observers. At 85, Lee Kuan Yew no longer travel too much so having him on a 8 day trek through Malaysia is a significant move. No stranger to controversy across the causeway, his trip would not be risk free. And yet, Malaysia is so important to Singapore that the prospect of dealing with a change in the Malaysian government could not be left to chance or to anyone less than the master himself. I deeply admire this practical far-sightedness on the part of the Singaporeans.

It was no coincidence that his trip took him through KL (Selangor), Perak, Peneng, Kelantan and Pahang, i.e. almost all the states under opposition. It was no coincidence that he wanted to learn more about the realities, personalities and directions of the PRM leaderships, especially those in the state governments. Those states are real life laboratories of how the opposition will operate if given the chance to seize power nationally. After all, it is not enough just flying in to meet with Dato' Seri Anwar. He understood that in dealing with a coalition, he needed to know all the different forces and personalities so as to understand how the different permutations might play out. By all accounts, he arrived extremely well-briefed (as befitting a top lawyer) about the issues and personalities but he really wanted to size them up first hand. It would be interesting to hear what he says after his visit.

Quite interestingly, his fact finding was not limited to the opposition because BN itself is undergoing a lot of changes with the ups-and-downs of MCA, MIC and Gerakan and the East Malaysian parties becoming more influential. Below the usual cast of characters at the top are many who are jostling for position. It would be negligence to focus on knowing the opposition camp when the ruling camp itself is in a flux.

In this context, it is intriuging that he made a point to meet seperately with Najib's wife. I find that a fascinating decision - both for Singapore to request and for Najib to agree to such an overt meeting - because it certainly gave credence to the suspicion that she is the power behind the throne. It is more telling that Lee Kuan Yew openly explained the reason for the meeting is that Najib and his wife work (govern?) as a team. I wonder what Najib's adviser feel about the publicity.

Quite unusually, his visit was not greeted by the usual grandstanding and chest-beating by UMNO Youths or other anti-Singapore sentiments - although for many Malaysians cynicism remains a common reaction to Singapore. What more a visit that is an undisguised attempt at understanding Malaysian internal politics. This shows the growing maturity of Malaysia-Singapore relations. But more importantly, this shows the pragmatism of all parties in Malaysia that everyone - in power or out of it - that Singapore could be a useful friend and ally in whatever they aim to achieve. Even his old nemesis in DAP and non-bed-fellows like PAS were wiling to be open to him. After all, when one is in government even if its Peneng State or Kelantan State, one has to deliver to the people. And being friends with Singapore has its benefits.