An honorable member of the Coffee Shop Has Just Posted the Following:
I might get flamed for this. But having spent nearly four scores on both sides of the causeway, I must admit that Chinese in Malaysia remain Chinese whereas those that are under the pap (especially the younger Chinese) are less Chinese.
Unsure of what they have really become. They have lost their mother tongue --- here I am referring literally to the tongue spoken by their mothers ... Cantonese, Hokien, Teochew, etc. Unable to be respected by those they interact in South or South East China, where their forefathers hailed from. The Singapore Mandarin language is not really Putonghua used in business China either. So sad.
LKY also exterminated Chinese Literature from Singapore schools so these young Chinese are more familiar with Charles Dickens, Shakespear, George Orwell, etc instead of greats like Li Bai, Shi NaiAn, Luo Guangzhong, Cao Xueqin, etc. Likewise, Chinese history, politics, economy, etc.
Chinese in Malaysia are happier, practice their culture freely more vibrant, identified with the mother-country through their daily language and extensive active links with their ancestral towns or villages back in China.
Chinese New Year is round the corner. Just visit KL or Ipoh. Visit Singapore. The difference will enlighten you and validate the above opinion.
Grateful that some members of my family remained as SPR to maintain legal roots on both sides of the causeway. Was a wise move.Lots of material benefits too.
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