Just not the ASEAN Way: Dictator Lee Kuan Yew insulted Cambodia

4/5/2011
Op-Ed by Kok Sap
Originally posted at: http://khamerlogue.wordpress.com/

The ASEAN old member, Lee Kuan Yew-Dictator of Singapore

Cambodia should stop selling its sand and everything else to Singapore. After more than a decade later, Singapore's oldest dictator Lee Kuan Yew talked down on Cambodia affiliation with the ASEAN. At his old age the man showed no wisdom. This may be why in 2008, Singapore's foreign minister George Yeo arrogantly ignored Cambodia complaint against the truculent Siam in its encroachment on Cambodia sovereignty that triggered the deadly fire fights at the ASEAN Summit.

While Cambodia struggles to catch up with the world economic development and world community, the oldest dictator has the audacity to insult Cambodia people in the worst way. It's understood that he has had bad blood with former King Sihanouk then. Both never saw each other eyes to eyes in bloc's politics. But it's absurd that he forgot during the war against Viet occupation, it was Singapore that made a bundle of profits out of arms conduits and money laundering on Cambodia's back. Until now, Singapore uses sand from Cambodia to build its mega-structures.

What an ingrate hand biter!

Lee said: "Cambodia should not have been accepted into ASEAN due to its lack of shared values with the bloc's founding members", according to a secret diplomatic cable released last year by the website WikiLeaks.

"The older members of ASEAN shared common values and an antipathy to communism," the cable states, describing Lee's views. "Those values had been `muddied' by the new members, and their economic and social problems made it doubtful they would ever behave like the older ASEAN members."

It's understood in 1967, dictatorial leaders from Siam, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and renegade Singapore struck a deal to create ASEAN backed by US. Of course they shared the same values and master. Then Cambodia was a lightning rod to the US hegemony and imperialistic view on Asian nations.

The gang of dictators called themselves the ASEAN old dogs. Indeed, for old dog is either too blind or no good to new trick. Lee lamented his old days in glory as the anti- Communist agent for US. Now China is too powerful and probably too rich to buy the entire Singapore isle out. He fears China long arms in economic monopoly. So Lee played Viet to keep his own game against China.

Lee meant that only dictators can understand one another. Based on WikiLeaks, Cambodia younger dictator Hun Sen did not earn Lee approval. Though, Hun Sen is Hanoi apprentice in dictatorship and shun by China then. Yet Lee contradicts himself that Hun Sen was not a fast learner and was not a communist.

Regardless, Singapore's long-serving dictator went on to say that he was most optimistic about the Viet, also a new member, describing them as "bright, fast learners" who would contribute to ASEAN's development. He also said Hanoi did not wish to see China's influence in the region become too great.

Well, it's given.

Not only Hanoi but Bangkok and particularly Singapore would not want China to take away its loan sharking profits from poor countries like Cambodia, Laos or Burma. Old Lee profanely feared his ancestral country, China. But to opportune his unscrupulous nature, he is to snake dance to Viet Nam that is already seen as an archenemy of China economic expansion. Also he seems forgetting that China is one of the plus 3 states sit with ASEAN, yet why would he accused Cambodia in reporting everything that ASEAN discussed in meetings to China?

It makes no sense, old man.

The website WikiLeaks has released the first document relating to Cambodia in its cache of American diplomatic cables, in which eminent Singaporean dictator Lee Kuan Yew discusses the Kingdom's close relations with China.

In a diplomatic cable labelled "secret" and sent in May last year by the American embassy in Singapore, Lee comments on China's increasing global economic and diplomatic reach, briefly mentioning Cambodia. He called Cambodia a snitch, "Within hours, everything that is discussed in ASEAN meetings is known in Beijing, given China's close ties with Laos, Cambodia and Burma."

In light of Preah Vihear and border row with Siam, Singapore has already lobbied other state members in Siam behalf that Cambodia complaint needed not to be discussed during this week end Summit. Singapore did it before and will do it again to hinder Cambodia goodwill and rights of sovereignty.

Birds of the same feather flock together as Singapore spilled beans for Bangkok advantage.

To date the press in Bangkok started speculating that Bangkok will have the upper hand in ASEAN Summit if Hun Sen insisting on raising matters involved Siam aggression against Cambodia. PM Abhisit already said there was no meeting scheduled with Hun Sen at the Summit. Meanwhile not many people are aware of young dictators Lee and Vejjajiva share the same ethnic identity, the Hakka of China. They both grew up in the wealthy profiteer families and did what it took to become top leaders in the host countries.

In traditional culture, among ethnics from China no matter where they were from, business as usual and profiteering from the hosts were their birthmarks. A nationality is a matter of market convenience for them as not important as the politic of ethnicity. Abhisit and Lee Hsien Loong speak the same mother tongue and bears Britain citizenry privilege. There it is not a so surprise that Bangkok principal elitist Abhisit Vejjajiva intended not to talk to Hun Sen of Cambodia at the Summit. It is about old members take side with one another.

History shows Indonesia has been one of the co-chairs backed by UN resolution in efforts to end Cambodia war with Viet Nam and ensure peaceful transition in 1991 Paris Peace Accord.

Again, UN has asked Indonesia to intervene and arbitre the border row that started by Siam in 2008 in protest over the UNSECO recognition and registration Cambodia's Preah Vihear as one of the world heritage sites. In spite of UN Court known as International Court of Justice decision in 1962, Siam bullied and fought Cambodia over its temple, Preah Vihear. Next week end it's Indonesia turn as Chairman of the ASEAN plus 6 to hold the summit,yet Siam still plays Indonesia, as one of the original founders, like a violin.

The world knows that Cambodia has suffered for decades in facing own internal issues. Yet the ASEAN is still insincere to find petit excuse not to resolving the problems. With the support of Singapore and US, Siam continuously bullies and threatens Cambodia with full scale war.

The secret deal was made among old dogs to down play Cambodia justice. The alliance with new member states like Laos, Burma, and possibly a potential member, East Timor, seems fitting Cambodia needs in voting. As for China, Cambodia remains its partner and possibly its most loyal friend in SE Asia.

By now Cambodia has to stop thinking that Singapore is the only market in the world. And especially Singapore is not the ASEAN.

Remember Singapore needs Cambodia soils, literally, to build its infrastructures. It is Cambodia duty to remind Singapore own mannerism which does not sit well with the human rights watch group.The goose should not criticize the gander,not too long ago beside the WikiLeaks release,ASEAN Old Dog was flown in to Washington DC to cry on President Obama and asked US to spread its wing over ASEAN like before. Then he was given a Congressional medal of honor by the current US President as an old(snitch)who used to reap benefit from US foreign policy back in the 70's.

Also because of being the father of Singapore current prime minister that does not give the oldest dictator Lee rights and be allowed to use his personal grudges to insult Cambodia, as a country.

That's just not the way, ASEAN old dog!