It seems that the Malaysian media, both mainstream and alternative, has picked up on Lee Kuan Yew's recent comments without giving a balanced view surrounding the 'marginalisation' of Chinese Malaysians.

While many Chinese Malaysians may feel aggrieved at their lack of opportunities in the Malaysian civil service and at the various bumiputera economic advantages, it would seem that the Malays in Singapore have even less opportunities to climb up the social ladder.

I refer to the article written by Professor Michael D Barr in the Far Eastern Economic Review from which Malaysians may be surprised to know that of the various forms of discrimination in the island republic. It is also common knowledge that Chinese Malaysians hold positions of importance in much greater proportion to Malay Singaporeans.

It seems to me therein lies the crux of racial relations between the Malays and the Chinese. It is not that either ethnicity truly desires equality and a level playing field, but rather they use the issue of discrimination for their own political gains by playing to their respective power bases.

And more worryingly, this is set against the backdrop of intense global and regional economic competition. They should realise mutual antagonism does not serve either side's best interests.

Regarding the dynamism of Chinese Malaysian politics, it would seem that the Chinese choose to look away when it comes to 'internal' politics vis-a-vis Singapore where one party controls the flow of information and chooses to sue opposition into bankruptcy rather than to engage it in honest debate and competition.