THE WAR THAT CANNOT BE WON Bilainkin (September 18), after
too many Savoy strawberries, is making intestinal complaints. He doesn't like Tunku Abdul Rahman's `petty little kingdom.' OK—but the electorate do. They actually Voted for him.
He complains of the 'Abdul Rahman scheme' for democracy in the Borneo territories: Marx Brothers stuff he calls it. Why?, Because all democracy is ridiculous? Or because it's ridiculous to make the attempt with retired head-hunters? Better to leave them in their holy simplicity perhaps. Beyond the ballot box, the bra.
He complains, on behalf of the Singapore Chinese, of their political emasculation. But, then, they're rather an unstable lot according to him: oscillating on alternate days between Mao Tse-tung and Chiang Kai-shek. (Chiang, Mr. B? When were you last in Singapore?) Of course, they also vote—and not only in referendums. But when they do, the only result is Lee Kuan Yew, the running dog. And what is said and done by him, poor fellow, is of 'little importance or relevance in the context of Asian politics'
But enough of the fooling, Mr. B. I know you're only kidding with your figures: a hundred lives a week—and 140,000' prisoners when Singapore sur- rendered! Not in front of the London natives, though: they might not know any better. So let's have the real charges., We oughtn't to be playing democracy? We have suppressed the real leaders— like Chin Peng? We rig our elections like we blind- fold the UN teams?. We use black troops (well. Maoris) and mercenaries? We invade Indonesia?
By all means be friends with Indonesia—if you can. Most Malaysians were before confrontation. Applaud the dynamism of guided democracy and, even though it's a bit dated, thrill to 'Living Dan- Ferously' Year. But do it at a distance. And if you can spare the time, remember that you do have friends in Malaysia. They're watching closely to see Whether the greatest friendship of the greatest num- ber was a policy that ended at Munich.
Kuala Lumpur
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