For whatever its worth (33)

In this globalised world of ours today, friendly and even diplomatic gestures would have to come in the form of dollars and cents. At least that is what our government is trying to imply.

From Davos in Switzerland our big and kind hearted PM was reported to have directed our Foreign Minister to arrange for US$1 million (RM3.5 million) in aid from Malaysia to help in the rebuilding of war torn Lebanon. The PM acknowledge that back in Malaysia we are occupied in rebuilding our flood infested states, many of which are still in serious problem, but as Dollah puts it, the government needed to also consider the request for aid from the war-torn country.

Here we are urging donors to chip in and assist our fellow Malaysians who are badly hit by the recent floods (with a 3rd wave looming in the sky) and yet we have US$1 million to please Lebanon.

Not that I am against the aid to Beirut but we have to put our priorities right. With damage figures approaching RM1 billion I believe we should pool whatever resources we have to help ourselves first.

We symphatise with our brothers in Lebanon but I am sure they are matured enough to understand that we ourselves are confronted with our own problems. Already we have sent troops to Lebanon to maintain peace and stability there, I believe we have done enough for a state whose hands are full with their own domestic matters.

In times such as this it is essential for the PM to ponder the Malay saying:

Kera di hutan disusukan, anak di rumah mati kelaparan!