MAY 24 — Only those countries considered as the best friends of China will receive the rare Pandas on loan as Special Gifts, and  we Malaysia have just received 2 such Gifts, Feng Yi and Fu Wa a few days ago. Our DPM and the Chinese Ambassador have also cut the Cake celebrating the 40th Anniversary of  Establishment of Diplomatic ties which were initiated by none other than our PM’s father, the late Tun Razak on May 31st 1974.

In the meantime, China has also officially declared to the whole world that in the search for missing MH370, Malaysia will never be alone. China will be with us all the way, providing unlimited resources and assets for the task despite the fact that most number of unfortunate victims on that flight were Chinese nationals.

Despite the missing MH370 and the kidnapping incident which also happened in Malaysia’s Sabah, involving a Chinese woman tourist, China remains loyal to, and walks hand in hand with Malaysia. To further cement the diplomatic relation and in consideration of all these gestures of friendship from the World’s 2nd largest economy and our Biggest Trading partner, how do we reciprocate? Do we send a pair of Orang Utans from my home state Sarawak to the Chinese Zoo?

No, we can do better than that; we can fulfil our long delayed promise to China by compensating  them with  the remaining part of that double track electric rail project which former PM Dr. Mahathir promised, in fact awarded the total project to China, but was cancelled by Pak Lah, promised again by PM Najib, and dragged on till today. Along the years, we  have learned that the rail project has been dissected into a few parcels and awarded to Indian company and our Gamuda, but nothing yet to China. The remaining part, “the last missing link” from Gemas to Johor Bahru is what we have left to award to China, a country with a long history and also long memory of what we have promised to them.

Since PM Najib is going to China on the 27th May, it should give him the opportunity to demonstrate Malaysia’s earnest desire to cherish and hold our friendship together by keeping to our promise made by Dr. Mahahthir and later endorsed by present Prime Minister Najib himself. Also, this is the best trade-off Malaysia has to offer to China immediately to reinforce our friendship after a rough start year.

Back home, I am inclined to believe that the State of Johor, being the premier state, the bastion and stronghold of Umno has been somewhat neglected by lack of action on” the missing rail link” while all the northern areas of Peninsula Malaysia have been enjoying (or will soon enjoy)? the pleasure of riding in the modern electric train. It is to be noted that Umno was founded in 1946 in Johor, and His Highness the Sultan of Johor is a keen train enthusiast having driven the train many times within Johor State to visit his subjects, not forgetting the Sultan also drove the last train out of Tanjong Pagar Singapore. 

 Johor, the Gateway to Malaysia for Singapore tourists has been overlooked and not accorded  some priority where the double track rail electric train is concerned. Johoreans still ride in the old rickety choo-choo train while commuters to-and-fro KL-Ipoh ride in smooth silent comfortable coaches running on electricity, rather unfair to the people of the birthplace of Umno.

Friendship is a two-way bilateral thing; what better Gift can PM Najib offer to China than to give China  the “missing link” as part of their larger Dream of the Trans-Asian rail link between Singapore and China. Look around us; China is building Railways everywhere in the world, but nothing yet in Malaysia.

While celebrating the 40th anniversary of ties between our two countries and with timely arrival of the Pandas signifying enhancement of special bond of friendship between Malaysia and China, DPM Muhyiddin, a Johorean, in his statement captured in NST during the ceremony, emphasized that the coming PM Najib’s trip to China is to intensify higher economic exchanges between Malaysia and China. The economic ball is at PM Najib’s foot; he can score a goal, or pass it on.

* Andy anak Sebastian aka Bird Nest reads The Malay Mail Online

** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malay Mail Online.