An eye-opening conversation with Wong Nai Chee ( PM Political Secretary)

Today is one of the most memorable days in my life. I was invited for futsal game by Mr Wong. What didnt cross my mind is that Mr Wong Nai Chee, the newly appointed Political Secretary for Prime Minister come along for the games. We chatted for over 40 minutes after the game. Frankly speaking, even though he is not superbly good at the games, he definitely has some very interesting political perspectives. Below is the summary for the conversation. ( Tan - Me, Mr Wong ( lawyer) , W.N.C ( Wong Nai Chee)

Tan : Hi, nice to meet you today. Quite a good games.

Mr Wong : Haha... i wish to introduced this young man to you. He is an aspiring politician, currently studying law in australia under jpa scolarship ....

Tan :....... ( a bit flattered and flustered)

W.N.C : good for you...you definitely has an impressive track record

Tan : Thank you..( fly up the roof d...haha)

Tan: So ...( hesitate a bit)..how life in putrajaya as PM's political secretary....

W.N.C : Its good...in terms of race relation, the malay people in putrajaya is quite amicable..They are open to suggestion and willing to listen...

Tan ( thinking ) :...( LOL)...: (i didnt ask about race relation leh....)....( maybe he manage to guess what i am goign to ask later)...haha

Tan : Good to hear that...i tend to agree that malay people are nice and easy -going...

W.N.C : ya...Except that there are some extremist and ultra-nationalists..this is what dragging the Prime Minister from going all the way for reformation..But we cannot deny that among chinese and Indian , there are also extremist.

Tan : But there are certainly many pressing issue that has been affecting the chinese for over 40 years..such as the lack of teacher in chinese primary school and not recognising independent chinese school...

W.N.C : Sometime i pity the prime minister...he seems to be getting criticism for whatever he had done. The Malay are conplaining that he has gone too far with the reformation at the expense of Malay's right while the chinese are complaining that he has not done enough. It is never an easy job...the higher you climb up the ladder of governance, the more constraints you will feel.

Tan : But the issue still remain unresolved...

W.N.C : Yes..sometimes our officer has mis-perception about the issue plaguing the chinese ...They seems to think that chinese school need more donation from the government whereas the real is more fundamental- recognition for chinese education system and independent chinese school...

Tan : is this what we called small Napoleon ?

W.N.C : YES...it is never the policy of the government to have discrimination against other races...it is the problem with the implementation and delivery process

Tan : BUt ...how do you explain the propagation of racial hatred in BTN camps ( birotatanegara camp)..that happens since the reign of Mahathir...isn't that evidently show that government intentionally trying to infuse racial sentiments and create gap among races?



W.N.C : I have heard of that ..but the government have changed the BTN policy and now focusing on racial harmony ..And it is impractical to have the government to monitor every of the speaker..

Tan : But isnt it a form of discrimination that chinese independent school is not recognised ?

W.N.C : Actually the government has taken a lot of steps to help students form Chinese independent school..such as the 1 malaysia scholarship for the top 50 students in the National Chinese Independent school examination ...

Tan : But is that enough ? How about the rest of the students who did not score well in the exam..where are they going to further their study?

W.N.V : well, they can apply for PTPTN Loan...

Tan : BUt the fact remains that they cannot enter local university

W.N.C : It is hard for the government to go to far as to fully recognise the Chinese independent school.....It wills stir the hornet nest and rish infuriating the conservative and ultra-nationalist..but we can see that the government has taken concrete step to address this issue..for example, government is in the process of recognising taiwan university and Ching Hwa University, one of the world top university situated in china is planning to have its branch in malaysia....and malaysia government will approve it soon..this show that the government has done much ....

Tan (Thinking) : ( sien..i have heard this kind of thing from mca for the past few years....haizzzzzzzzz)

W.N.C : It is never easy to manage the demand from each of the races in malaysia. We have to be sensitive and make sure no one is left behind...there will always be criticism from the people..For example, the Bersih Issue, the demonsrator want freedom of expression without thinking of the consequences such as burglary of the shops and chaotic situation....there is one person who run away from police and die of heart attack..and then they blame the police....

Tan : But if the police did not go against the demonstrator in the first place and shoot water cannon and tear gases, he will not have to run for his life and will not die of heart attack...why cant the government allow peaceful demonstration .....

W.N.C : previously people have to apply for permit to demonstrate....but now we have the peaceful assembly act....we allow peacful demonstration...

Tan : But dont you think some of the sections in the peacful assembly act is unreasonable...for example confining demonstration in stadium ...where got shock.? no oomph ad lo....hahaha


Mr Wong : laugh...haha

W.N.C:.......haha...this is to ensure that chaos will not happen...

Tan: what about the 30 days application period....isnt that a but draconian? Myanmar only need 5 days leh...

W.N.C ....(confess) ...sometimes there lack proper consultation with the Bar council and the people....

Tan : how about the cow's issue?

W.N.C : This is clearly a scandal..i believe the PM will make a decision very soon...

Tan : our country's deficit now is over 4000 billion.isn't this a worrying sign ?

W.N.C..i think the public misunderstood what Idris jala said...he mentioned that if our income did not increase in proportion to our expenses, our country will go bankrupt...and our country's income has increased by around 15 % .....The opposition only highlight the bankruptcy issue without referring to the possibility of increase in income....

Tan : do you heard about the race relation act proposed by the government?

W.N.C ...yes...in UK there is also a race relation act...there are generally two form of racial relation act : educational and penalising...and i think that educational form of legislation is more viable...Race issue is a very contentious issue...we have to respect other's races just like how we expect them to respect us....for example, NAMEWEE's song negarakuku has gone too far in demonising other races and religion....we should be respectful....i have interviewed two group of people..the younger and older generation....The older generation is more cautious when come to race issue while the younger generation is more daring ..perhaps this is because the older generation has gone through MAy 13 race riots....

W.N.C : it is always easier for the opposition to criticise....anyone can do so..we have to come up with solution to the problem..not just pointing fingers....

Tan ( Thinking).........( silent is the best defence...i better diam diam....haha)....

W.N.C then take his bag and signalling that he is going back...on his way to the carpark...i suggest that he tried his best to convey message of the rakyat...particularly the chinese's sentiments to the prime minister........he said he will try his best....i wish him all the best and he said : " all the best to you too..young man..take care..."..............