Malaysia And America

It is no secret that the American government has somewhat unconventional torture methods when dealing with potential or suspected terrorists.

Guantanamo Bay is probably the most famous holding centre.

But what is truly surprising, is the Malaysian government's involvement in detaining suspects in collaboration with the CIA.

The BN government has always been very vocal in opposing Washington, mostly in attempts to posture before the predominantly Muslim public.

Every time there is an issue regarding Palestine in particular or Islam in general, there is a public demonstration (this time, without the tear-gassing and chemical-laced water being sprayed all over the participants) outside the American Embassy.

It is no secret that the average Malay Muslim does not like the US and is not keen on cooperating with the Americans.

In fact, the most common (and possibly effective) form of smear campaigns in Malaysia is to associate any organisation or person with the Americans.

Anwar Ibrahim was accused of being an American spy, when he met William Cohen (U.S. Secretary of Defense). Subsequently the accusation was toned down to being just a "tool of America to gain control over Malaysia".

Anwar did get to turn the tables when he linked APCO to Najib's 1Malaysia slogan. Which goes to show that America and its support of Israel is a rather sensitive topic in Malaysia.

More recently is the accusation of Suaram, Lawyers for Liberty (LFL), the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) as well as news portal Malaysiakini as being tools for foreign hands to destabilise the Malaysian government.

This came about because the US-based National Endowment for Democracy (NED) has provided funds for those NGOs.

The allegations are ludicrous, but they are useful as smear campaigns, especially for those who don't bother to check the facts.

So for all the smearing that the BN government of Malaysia does against the USA, it is actually in cahoots with them.

The irony.