Most of the questions put to the prime minister during the Oxford Union event yesterday were anticipated.
Some took the form of recycled perennials pumped with new eloquence.
It is true that conversations on tree cover, anti-Semitism, Internal Security Act arrests and affirmative action might still spark haughty headlines. “Haughty” in the estimation of the delicate mind of a former colony.
The thunder of a question Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was asked, as it turned out, concerned history.
Intriguingly so as it coincided with Malaysia and Singapore navigating fresh issues.
Now that we are into history; when Malaya gained independence in 1957, Singapore, which may or may not have been on some kind of a “loan” arrangement, was not “returned” to the motherland in the manner Hong Kong reunited with China in 1997. Dr Mahathir alluded to this at Oxford.
By 1959, Singapore had endured a fractious election that established the Left as a political force.
The late Tan Sri A. Samad Ismail was one of the founders of Parti Tindakan Rakyat, or the People’s Action Party (PAP), which won the 1959 election that coincidentally installed Lee Kuan Yew as chief minister.
This reporter had let his profession down for failing to do an audio recording of Samad Ismail singing in his later years, on impassioned request, Chinese patriotic songs. Samad Ismail was regarded as an organiser of Singapore’s Chinese-educated in the post-war years.
Singapore-born Samad Ismail ultimately was made Tokoh Wartawan Negara (Malaysia) and for spells, editorial adviser of this newspaper, because the island-state became part of an expanded Malaysia in 1963.
Two years later, Singapore was handed a rare red-card. Tunku Abdul Rahman, then prime minister, told Singapore to leave!
Was this the right decision? In 1965, Dr Mahathir was the member of parliament for Kota Star Selatan.
Some 54 years later, he is asked this question at the Oxford Union, something that would stir the interest of many students of history and politics.
Dr Mahathir described the Tunku’s call as “wise”.
“That happened a long time ago — we cannot do anything about it.
“But the fact is that Singapore was a part of Malaysia before. It was our country. Normally, when a country decides to decolonise, the land goes back to the owner of that land, to the country which owns that land like Hong Kong, Macau.
“With Malaysia and Singapore, we find that we are not compatible. We have different viewpoints and ideas on how the country should be ruled. For that reason, they were asked to leave Malaysia. And I think it was a wise decision at that time.”
Malaysia and Singapore feature at a high-profile event in Oxford at a time when Britain is grappling with the protracted question of Brexit.
It is a tale of three countries, of three democracies that for centuries were one. Policy thinking during British Malaya was directed from Whitehall. How have the three democracies fared since? Dr Mahathir is accustomed to being grilled whenever he appears on BBC’s Hard Talk or any other interviews.
The same questions get asked repeatedly. On ISA arrests, Tun Hanif Omar, who was a high-profile inspector-general of police, had argued that the high-profile arrests in his time were made on the recommendations of the police. A major documentary or paper on those spate of arrests may prove useful for posterity. A nation need not apologise for its actions, especially when the ISA is a legacy of the British. Still, when the same issue is tossed in our direction endlessly, we may have to deliver a clincher content.
As for Singapore, we will do well to sell treated water to it. Details of the water deal should also be made known to families and children in order to build the collective self-esteem.
As for the democratic process, Malaysia has opened a new chapter with the victory in the May 9, 2018 general election of a new coalition. Singapore has remained loyal to the PAP.
Britain on its part has been ambivalent about Europe for decades, forcing the previous prime minister David Cameron to promise a referendum that eventually took place in June 2016. The Leave campaign won 52 per cent to 48 per cent partly due to the clarity of the strategies conceived by key campaigners such as Boris Johnson.
Theresa May succeeded Cameron who campaigned for Remain. Ahead of the March 29 deadline for Britain to leave the European Union, the House of Commons has yet to agree on a deal. The one presented to MPs on Tuesday was defeated by a majority of 230, the most devastating loss since the setback suffered by the minority Labour government in 1924. May subsequently survived a motion of no-confidence against her government. Various scenarios have been put forth, including a one-year extension. A no-deal Brexit is likened to a disaster. Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader, has pointedly demanded that May rule out a no-deal Brexit before he agrees to enter into a discussion with her and leaders of other parties.
In the absence of the usual 3.40am (Malaysian time) European football kick-off or Monday night of English Premier League matches, some of us Malaysians have been watching, at times, with admiration, trepidation and undeniably doses of glee the scenes in the House of Commons. The British MPs, many of whom being the products of Oxford and Cambridge, argue with such poise and polish.
The issue at hand has not gone away. This newspaper is not about to offer any suggestions. If we are pressed to come up with an idea, maybe we shall say this — go for a second referendum. A majority of MPs are Remainers. Instead of trying to convert fellow MPs who have held the same views for a generation, convince the British voters that Remain is the better option. Businesses and jobs are at stake.
Meanwhile, do visit us more often. We are big admirers. London is virtually a must-visit destination. The well-heeled seek to send their children to be bestowed with a world-class education in Britain. Some despatch their young kids to attend schooling in Britain.
One major contribution Britain could offer us is in the teaching of the English language which is a major ticket to success. That is the only means of equaliser for the children in economically depressed areas. It is a win-win equation. Malaysians are big travellers. The potential is limitless.
The writer is NST group editor