There’s little doubt China's time has come after centuries of suffering and humiliation. The hope of all now is that its leaders and people will find a peaceful way to relate to the rest of the world. 

On August 8, 2008, the People’s Republic of China taught the world about Stalinism.

During the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, Yang Peiyi, the voice of "Ode to my Motherland" was literally relegated to the background for having bad teeth, whilst the more telegenic Lin Miaoke took center-stage.

Long ago, when Gerakan was considered the ‘conscience’ of Malaysia, the party had leaders who spoke up on issues that were regarded fundamental to democratic life in Malaysia.

Party leaders like Dr Lim Chong Eu, the late Dr Tan Chee Koon and the late Professor Syed Hussien Alatas did not bat an eyelid when raising the party flag against the ISA or when speaking up against race politics.

The different China-related democracy issues need to be integrated through a broad overarching theme and coordinated from closer in Asia.

A Bernama news report dated June 27 quoted Chief Justice Tun Abdul Hamid Mohamad as saying that the move by the government to amend Article 121 (1) of the Federal Constitution, restoring power to the judiciary, which was taken away in 1988, was an "interesting development". I agree.

He further added that, "It shows that an amendment made in anger as a reaction to a decision of the court can last (only) for one generation." He also remarked that just as water tends to find "its own level", the country is now finding its way back "to the original provision".

Whilst it is not my intention to question what the learned Chief Justice said last week, I am still wondering "whose anger" led to the amendment of Article 121(1) two decades ago?