Good commentary from NYT:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/21/opinion/21iht-edbowring.html?_r=2
I guess Bowring, a long-time Asian hand, meant 'the blessed country', rather than just 'lucky country'.
(That's why I made it my adopted country, ler).
Among his views:
- ...the opposition reflects extremes of the racial and religious spectrum while the governing coalition, with all of its problems, still holds much of the middle ground.
- Najib is taking a liberal stance on economic issues and willing to reduce some privileges for Malays, but he shares former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad’s authoritarian instincts.
- The (BN) coalition, however corrupted, is still seen by many as representing moderation and stability. UMNO may have pandered to Islamist demands, but few would accuse its leaders of piety or puritanism.
- Widespread public perceptions of rot within the system do not easily translate into confidence that the opposition provides a viable alternative. Anwar is widely admired for his eloquence but has been unable to shake off the perception that he is an opportunist telling different groups what they want to hear.
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