A trigonometric problem
Translated by DOMINIC LOH
Najib has a trigonometric problem and he needs to find out the solution to handle the relationships between Malaysia with the US, China and Singapore.
No one can overlook the influences of these three countries on Malaysia in the future. If Najib can get the solution to the problem, Malaysia is well on the way to success.
When Najib met up with Singapore prime minister Lee Hsien Loong last week, the tacky land issue saw some progress, and before long, Mat Selamat was handed over to Singapore.
Singapore was severely bruised by the Mat Selamat escape, and with the good gesture from Malaysia now, Singapore's attitude towards the country will change.
At the same time, our Bank Negara is doing China a big favour by grabbing yuan-denominated bonds.
The Chinese authorities have always wanted to internationalise the trading of renminbi. With the rapid rise in the Chinese economy, it is natural that the renminbi should play an enlarged role in this world.
Many countries have been sitting on the fence after Beijing has issued yuan-denominated bonds. Their response has been lacklustre. Like a new shop sitting at a busy street corner but with few willing to step in to patronise.
Bank Negara Malaysia held out its hands to become China's first customers. To Beijing, even though that was only a small step, it was nevertheless a major breakthrough as other countries would soon follow suit.
It was therefore natural for China to feel greatly indebted to Malaysia.
Even though it was only an economic activity, it did haves some very obvious political connotations.
Next, Najib flew to the States to meet up with President Barack Obama for a second time.
To a country just suffering a heavy blow from a lunatic pastor in the south, Najib expressed his willingness to help America overcome Islamophobia, indirectly hinting that Malaysia was practising moderate Islam and was a trustworthy friend.
Compared to other leaders of Islamic states, Obama found Najib someone he could communicate amicably and cooperate.
The awkward diplomatic tactics during Mahathir's time--having little troubles with the West, keeping a lukewarm relationship with China, and digging up the old sores with Singapore every now and then--did not do Malaysia any good other than satisfying Mahathir's own ego as the self-proclaimed "Third World leader."
A simple trigonometric problem, but he messed up sine with cosine, and tangent with cotangent, and of course, with the trigo functions all jumbled up, little wonder that we were led to a dead end.
It is imperative now that we get the concept clear and correct before we can solve the problem correctly.
In the intricate international scenario with entangled interests, we need to find the right positioning to garner the biggest ever benefits.
As a member of the international community, Malaysia must not be jostled out of the international economic chain or be surpassed by one after another emerging countries.
The most pressing task for Najib now is to revitalise the national economy and seek the RM1 trillion fund needed by the economic transformation programme and double the per capita income in a decade.
US, China and Singapore offer a solution to our trigo problem.
Sin Chew Daily
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