cheahsoonhai

Gerakan hopes Malaysia could embrace the right mindset to become a developed nation

Cheah Soon Hai: Malaysia must adopt a progressive mentality to solve problems

 
 

 
 

Press statement by

Gerakan Deputy President

Dr Cheah Soon Hai

 
 

 
 

18 November 2013

 
 

 
 

Regarding numerous incidents that happened recently such as the abduction of the Taiwanese female tourist in Sabah and also the murals in Johor Baru has brought Gerakan Deputy President, Dr Cheah Soon Hai to urge the government to adopt a First-World mentality in handling matters to push the country into a developed nation instead of retreating to the old ways of handling matters.

 

 
 

"The abduction of the female Taiwanese tourist has brought international attention; the local authorities should not only adopt a First-World mentality to conduct a swift investigation but at the same time offer its apology to the victim's family such as giving compensation to the family of the gunned down male tourist. We must not follow the bus hostage incident in the Philippines few years back where the government refused to apologise to the Hong Kong government which is not right. If we can adopt a First-World approach, this will not only restore Malaysia's image as a tourist destination but also increase confidence among foreign investors and tourists."

 
 

 

Dr Cheah also commented on the mural incident in Johor Baru where the MBJB (Johor Baru City Council) was overly sensitive in handling the mural which depicts a Lego woman carrying a Chanel bag being preyed by a robber. He said that murals can be an excellent method to express the city's art and humanities together with the people's thinking. Therefore it is unnecessary for the city council to be over sensitive; instead more communications with the public should be established to explore an appropriate method to handle this incident to go in line with the First-World mentality.

 
 

 

He also pointed out that Malaysia should transform and cannot afford to be stuck in the past. In order to be a real developed nation, a country must be ready to adopt a First- World mentality and manner in handling problems.