Go Blog - Harryzal

The Star

The public should be wise in identifying the websites of goblok (Indonesian slang for “stupid”) bloggers, who are willing to be tools of others to destroy the nation, said Information Minister Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin.

“These writers do not have an Asian mentality but lean towards a Western thinking because they were educated overseas.

“Thus they assume that the Western style of democratic freedom is better. The goblok writers only have their own interests at heart and should be ignored,” he said after launching the Jalur Gemilang Convoy 2007 at Bandar Hilir here yesterday.

Earlier, in his speech Zainuddin said the convoy of 50 four-wheel drive vehicles that would travel throughout Malaysia was important to re-instil the spirit of Merdeka in the people.

He said the participants would be able to see the country’s development throughout their journey.

There was a time in our nation’s history when a company was made a tool of colonization. It was a time when companies are sent far from their homeland in a mission to bring back wealth. It was a time when companies were commissioned by government to promote overseas trading in hopes of of finding undiscovered wealth. Some may argue that these trade envoys does add value to our nation. At the very least, it provides job opportunities. However, like all good things, there is always a catch.
The first threat that the citizens of Malaysia should consider is the suppression of local talents. It is understood that foreign trade that come to Malaysia could benefit the locals in providing job opportunities. Thus providing an indirect transfer of technology and knowledge. It is hoped that someday the locals could grow to become leaders in their own rights and merits. On the other hand history have shown that most foreign companies are more interested in our natural resources and cheap labor. These holier than thou streak have in the past reduced us to mere slaves. Have we not learned?
The second threat we must consider is the influx of ideology and beliefs. We have to take note that these foreign companies have in the past came with religious missionaries. Today they came as corporate entities with a set of practice and conduct repackaged as corporate policy. In the name of transparency and corporate governance today, could we as a nation interfere with company policies even if it is not serving the best interest of the nation.
The third threat that we must consider is the sovereignty of our beloved nation. The mere size of some foreign companies today are sometimes larger than our government. This is a cause of concern because sheer size alone can intimidate nation’s leaders into submitting to their demands. Such submission would eventually cause us to lose sovereignty. A friend once asked me why is sovereignty so important. It is for the same reason we put gates around our house. It provides a sense of security.
In conclusion, i would like to direct the nation’s focus on Temasek Holdings. It is in my sincere opinion that Khazanah and the citizens who cares should be very wary of their intentions. We should learn from the unrest that is happening in Thailand. Maybe Temasek is here with some ulterior motives. Having a Ceo that is the wife of the Prime Minister is also a cause of concern. Meritocracy at its finest i might add.