25
MALAY MAIL
●
FRIDAY AUGUST 8, 2008
Opinion
Chinese whispers, Hungry Ghosts STRANGE spirits stalk the world during this month of the Hungry Ghosts. On this auspicious day of the Double Eighth – the eighth day of the eighth month, not to mention the eighth year of the third millennium – China rides its luck with the opening of the 29th Olympic Games in Beijing at precisely 8.08pm. To this clutch of lucky eights, China will be further hedging its bets by crossing its fingers, lighting a joss stick or two and collectively holding the breaths of its 1.3 billion people. Spectral hordes have been swirling around these Games for months. These are the nay-sayers who talk about Tiananmen Square, Tibet, child labour, political repression, religious intolerance, population control methods, air pollution and forced relocations, whether to enable dams or the ‘Birds Nest’ Olympic Stadium to be built, all with a view to casting doubt on the suitability of China as the Games host. Even China’s relations with Myanmar and Sudan, and its resource-driven investment in Africa and elsewhere are grist for this particular mill. For some, there were grim but barely concealed nods of understanding at the
Second Sight Cheryl Dorall loss of life in the Szechuan earthquake, the Shanghai bus explosions, the terrorist attack in Kashgar and the recent outbreak of enterovirus 71, the hand, foot and mouth disease. As if some Divine One was also making a point. There is derision elsewhere. This week, Sky News berated China for going to ‘ridiculous’ lengths by teaching taxi drivers to speak English and the women carrying the medals’ trays to practise smiling by gripping chopsticks between their teeth. China certainly has much to answer for politically and socially – and it needs to take on the mantle of political and social maturity to complement its growing economic clout – but it surely cannot be faulted for wanting to greet visitors warmly. It is, however, not the only victim of the Chinese whispers going around in a modern multipolar world with new players, ambi-
tions and the muscle to back these. Previously, developed countries had tried to steamroll over others. In 1995, for example, the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the rich country club, began secret negotiations on a Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI) which sought to establish a new body of universal investment laws that would guarantee corporations unconditional rights to buy, sell and conduct financial operations all over the world without any regard for national laws or citizens’ rights. It would have given corporations the right to sue governments if national health, labour or environment legislation threatened their interests (read ‘profits’). Fortunately, this noxious plan was leaked to a Canadian citizens’ group and the ensuing global uproar killed it off in 1998 though rich governments have tried to
push similar provisions in regional trade agreements and at the World Trade Organisation (WTO). It was US efforts to continue to support its own farm subsidies, while demanding the reduction or abolition of subsidies in developing countries, which led to the collapse of the WTO Doha development round of talks in last month when China and India stood firm. Both these countries are now being blamed. Even Venezuela has become an international player to the fury of the US. Flush with oil money, it has used the PetroCaribe scheme to sell oil cheaply to Caribbean countries on conditions of preferential payment, with some payment in kind bananas, rice, sugar being accepted. More than one Caribbean diplomat has admitted that with international oil prices skyrocketing, this has saved the economies of their countries. Indeed, Venezuela even struck a deal to sell cheap oil to London, enabling bus fares to be slashed and the poor to ride half-fare – a contract that is unfortunately being scrapped by the new mayor on the grounds that this is somehow cheating the poor of
NO SPITTING: A man walks past a poster put up for the Olympics good manners campaign. AP Pic
Venezuela. It need not be said that the poor of London are not amused. There are others waiting to walk on the world stage, among them Brazil, Nigeria and at some point South Africa. And Russia is on the up again. They are the true Hungry Ghosts in a world where the whispers
are driven by fear of loss of international muscle. What a banquet awaits. ● Cheryl Dorall (cheryldorall@yahoo.co.uk) was a senior journalist and newspaper editor in Malaysia before falling victim to Operasi Lalang in 1987. She is now based in London.
Making your wish come true Old Mother Hubbard Went to the cupboard, To fetch her poor dog a bone. But when she got there, The cupboard was bare, And so the poor dog had none. WHAT’s as empty as Old Mother Hubbard’s cupboard but is full of promises nonetheless? It’s the parliamentary seat left vacant sometime last week. For politicians and their supporters from both sides of the fence, the imminent Permatang Pauh by-election will be some sort of a battle-royale. Pilihanraya Kecil it may be but by no means is it going to be a small affair. Dubbed as the ‘ultimate’ tussle judging by the political landscaping, digging
Unbound Ahmad Daniel Sharani and dirt that has been flying around since March’s general election, Permatang Pauh will once again turn into a boxing ring, hosting two coalition representatives slugging it out at each other for that one glorious moment and a season’s pass to the Parliament. For the folks residing in and around the vicinity, however, it’s a windfall. The next time you see a rainbow, my bet is that the trail ends in Permatang Pauh.
Whether apartisan or otherwise, nothing beats taking this rare opportunity to seek aid, and one can bet his life savings that the request will most definitely be fulfilled. This is not to advocate the power of suggestion that residents’ request for a Benz or something ridiculous of that sort; it is but a mere reminder for them to exercise their rights as citizens. Woes not seriously looked into such as the lack of basic necessities and
infrastructure as well as promises made in March but not kept, should be brought to the fore. From the disabled person’s point of view, this is a bonanza the community must not let slip away. It is a known fact that free fundamental material assistance from the Welfare Department is hard to come by. With ministers and other political bigwigs almost certain to make their appearances on the streets or even at the front door, they are a ‘captive audience’ to speed up on your impending request. It is not an every day thing that one gets to be in such a position. A situation where one can directly channel his grouses to those who possess the power of making decisions
and changes by a simple order to his or her staff. It may not be easy to fish for votes but leaders of certain communities are duty bound to assist in the welfare of those in need, whether in their own backyards or otherwise. Taking congnisance of delivering the goods may well do the trick in winning over the voters’ hearts. Ultimately, they might enjoy the catch of the day. Anything, and I mean anything at all, especially for the benefit of the needy. By-elections are not easy to come by. In most cases, it happens when an incumbent dies. And odds are we may never see anyone doing a Wan Azizah again. My point is, carpe diem. Seize this moment of opportunity. Make the best of
this rare occasion. If your rightful needs have been neglected, oh, go ahead and milk it; push your luck and your agenda. Whatever. What matters most is that your due rights are recognised and are taken care of while the political carnival is in town. You might even hit the jackpot. Every dog has its day, the saying goes, so hopefully someone will stock good old Mother Hubbard’s cupboard this time. ● Ahmad Daniel Sharani (kerplunk94@gmail.com) is a committee member of Perwira K9, a support group for people with spinal cord injuries. K9 is the designated ward at Hospital Kuala Lumpur to treat and assist patients in rehabilitation.