Abdullah Ahmad
And his KL-Jakarta merger threat
Few youngsters remember how this firebrand Malaysian figure, just sacked as chief editor of New Straits Times, had warned Chinese Singaporeans 17 years ago.
September 1, 1986

(Excerpts of Kelantan politician Abdullah Ahmad's speech in a forum organised by the Singapore Institute of International Affairs in Singapore on "Issues of Malaysian politics." The main theme was it was founded on Malay dominance, and that the other races had to accept it. Then came the reference to Singapore. He was then preparing to take over as editor of the Malay-language Utusan Melayu.)

"Neighbouring states such as Singapore, with its intertwined history, have an important role to play in moderating Chinese assertion.

Singapore must not put itself up as the alternative and viable Chinese-dominant system in the Malay sea through formal or informal and individual channels.

Singapore must make it clear that the present Malaysian political system is the only system there can be. Instead of allowing Malaysian Chinese to hold out for the hope of something else, as was campaigned for when Singapore was part of Malaysia. Singapore can do a lot more to lay off that ghost.

The Malay obsession with political dominance is conditioned in no small measure by what has happened to the Malay minority in Singapore.

Malaysia will not now interfere in the internal affairs of Singapore to give hope to the Malays. At the same time, Singapore must not hold out any hope to the Chinese for a different system in Malaysia.

The position Singapore takes will affect us, and if the Malays further feel further threatened, they might even consider a merger with Indonesia.

Many Malays have been telling me they would rather share power with Indonesia than see their political position eroded. If that happened, we would have a different ball game again in the regional politics of South-east Asia.
(End excerpts)

In reaction, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said it was Abdullah's personal view. He described the fear of UMNO in certain Chinese circles as baseless, according to The Straits Times.

"On the contrary, it was the Malays who should be worried because there was an inclination among the Chinese to united to challenge multi-racialism," he added.

Straits Times reporter Ismail Kassim added: "When Abdullah came here, it was obviously an opportune time for him to echo the thinking of UMNO leaders on race relations and how they affect the ties between two historically close neighbours."

(Far East Economic Review described Abdullah as a controversial politician even before this startling speech, having been detained under the Internal Security Act in 1976 for allege communist leanings. He was released in 1981 after a TV confession that "he had once worked with the Russians because, as Malay nationalist, he feared the threat from China and possible domination of Malaysia by Chinese.")
By Seah Chiang Nee