Malaysian politicians can be a gullible lot. The Americans throw a few crumbs at them and they’re happy. A few soothing words here and there and they’re anybody’s. Earlier this year, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton told Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin that the US regarded Malaysia as a model nation.
Apart from being pleased by what Clinton had to say, the whole trip had been a waste of taxpayer’s money. We funded Muhyiddin’s non-event with the USA Secretary of State, and gave him a chance to grab a photo-opportunity with Clinton.
According to Muhyiddin, Clinton said that Malaysia should be emulated by other developing nations because Malaysia was democratic, effectively governed and economically sound.
“Hilary said that some developing nations have only one or two of these characteristics while Malaysia have them all.”
Muhyiddin strongly believed that the US wanted to support the country in both its domestic and international initiatives because of Malaysia’s achievements.
He said, “Although Malaysia is a small country, we can see that the message from the Prime Minister (for closer relations) has reached the American administration and this can help in the development of our country.”
The US is the largest foreign investor (in excess of $10 billion) in Malaysia. American companies are active in the energy, electronics and manufacturing sectors. The United States is Malaysia's largest trading partner and Malaysia is the tenth-largest trading partner of the U.S. Annual two-way trade amounts to $49 billion
Does Muhyiddin really believe that Prime minister Najib Abdul Razak was able to influence Obama?
A US official confirmed that they valued our relationship with Iran: "This is important because if the current worrisome trend continues, we are going to find ourselves with many nuclear powers in the world.”
The official said that the likelihood of terrorists getting their hands on nuclear weapon would be much greater.
When asked about Malaysia’s role, he said: "Let's take the question of Iran, the Obama administration believes very much in engagement."
Thus, the USA humours us because of our relationship with Iran and because we are very influential in the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, Asean and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). On the other hand, the USA has serious differences with Iran.
Do BN politicians not realise that the USA will use nations when it suits them? The Americans are backing our government only because they are afraid Iran will use ‘the bomb’, and also because we are good friends with Iran, and can speak to them.
But the cozy relationship with Clinton might not last.
Only yesterday, Clinton said the arrest of defeated Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo sends a message to dictators that they cannot disregard the verdict of free elections.
The United States had strongly backed the internationally-recognized winner of last year’s election, Alassane Ouattara.
Clinton said, “This transition sends a strong signal to dictators and tyrants throughout the region and around the worlds. They may not disregard the voice of their own people in free and fair elections, and there will be consequences for those who cling to power.”
Let this be a warning to those leaders who have every intention of defying the results of the Sarawak state election. - Malaysia Chronicle
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