Despite Ruffled Feathers, Analysts Advise Caution over Chinese Envoy’s Comment on Racism

Malay Mail Online

29 September 2015

Malaysian leaders and opinion makers angered by Dr Huang Huikang’s criticism of alleged racism in the country should seek an amicable resolution instead of pressing for the Chinese ambassador’s expulsion, political analysts said.

The diplomatic faux pas may have struck a nerve among some groups in the aftermath of the red-shirted pro-Malay rally earlier this month, but the pundits believe Southeast Asia’s third largest economy should weigh its options carefully in dealing with its biggest trade partner, which is also the world’s second largest economy.

“China is such an important country in the region and the world, so you don’t want to jeopardise our good relations just over this,” Dr Faisal Hazis told Malay Mail Online when contacted.

… Dr Oh Ei Sun, senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, also voiced similar views, saying it is quite common for countries with good relations to have occasional misunderstandings.

“In which case, they must clear it up fast so as not to affect the overall bilateral relations.

“I think this episode actually deepens the understanding of the social and cultural nuances between the two countries, hopefully lay stronger foundations for even better bilateral relations,” he said.

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Last updated on 13/11/2015