It may seem counterproductive to be discussing China, Malaysia; China and Malaysia; and China in Malaysia at a time where the populace is suffering and coloured flags are flown to broadcast precarity, anger and discontent. The question of China and Malaysia, then, is too important to be left to political and administrative elites to answer. This dramatic swing is an example of what can happen when the national conversation becomes one-sided and public opinion swings dramatically in response to a handful of events, and precipitously narrowing options for policymakers. We need a sophisticated national conversation that eschews such stark approaches. But we can shape how we will respond, especially if the rivalry takes a more dangerous course — and that is a national conversation that is worth having.

Source: The Edge Markets August 01, 2021 03:22 UTC