the chinese dilemma
Two years ago ST gave me The Chinese Dilemma by Ye Lin-Sheng as a Xmas pressie.
It was one of the most difficult books I’ve had to read. Not just because the writer had to be slightly delicate when it comes to ’sensitive’ issues (hence some ’roundabouts’), but he also had some illuminating points that made me look hard within myself as a Malaysian of Chinese origin. The plot being that reverse racism (or affirmative action) is not as bad as portrayed, but understand that crutches must be released some day so one could walk properly on one’s two feet.
But like Vincent and S-Kay observed here, the Chinese is not always right. Crying foul whenever opportunity arises without really understanding why — well no doubt a lot of it is due to our shared history and to this, nevertheless we are no angels. Our culture maketh us, our culture breaketh us.
I found a review of the book at Aliran Monthly, Khoo Boo Teik has this to say about Ye Lin-Sheng:
Born of immigrant parents, Ye lived the transition from British to Malay rule, a kind transition in Ye’s experience of race relations. In the 1960s, he left the civil service for the private sector. It was a successful switch way ahead of Mahathirist privatization.Now an international investor, he makes hardnosed comparisons of the costs and benefits of living in different places. He’s loyal to home but not uncritical of domestic defects. He’s global but not seduced by western hypocrisies.
Surely this is the profile of a growing Chinese social type who pragmatically and sincerely rejects any suggestion that the grass is greener on many other sides.
If I’m correct, Ye’s (Chinese) readers, even if they’re stung by his strictures, will find The Chinese Dilemma to be confirmatory of the times in which they live.
More…
Ye isn’t timid or blindly partisan. He tackles what others shun as sensitive issues. At heart, he’s aware of a pervasive Chinese sense of hurt. Still, he refuses to excuse the crassness, dirtiness and corruption of the ‘Ugly Chinaman’, or, more apropos, his tendency to belittle Malay capability and achievement.He praises Malay leadership. Yet he scorns the antics of the ‘Ugly Malay’ who threatens politicians and officials, thumping tables to make Bumiputera claims on contracts, licences, concessions and land or wish[es] to be seen as being tough on the Chinese in order to gain a Malay following.
Read the full review here.
I’d recommend this book to every Malaysian, especially Malaysian Chinese who love to moan and whine about the ’sad’ state of affairs in this country 
Available at your local bookstores.
Hm…sounds interesting. *goes to buy*
Eh, how come you (ok..ST) can lay his hand on a copy of this book but I search high and low also cannot find wan? Come let me photostate! J/K. I shall go search again this weekend. Maybe they didn’t put many at the shelf or something.
But I remember writing an entry along the line of what Ye wrote before (on your second quote). Too bad, would have to search my archive. Heh.
What, the Chinese are not always right? Not even me? You’re joking, right? You’re not? Oh horrors! Life is a biatch…and then you die. Isn’t there a possibility that there is one Chinese, just one…..me for instance…..who is always right? I mean, what’s the point of living if one cannot be always right. Kanineh! Now that you’ve made me see the light, I hope you’re satisfied!
Mei: it’s a good read except for the occasional roundabouts.
S-Kay: Dunno.. lol but I see it at Midvalley MPH whenever I pass by. More info on Amazon.com here.
viewtru: bah
Chinese speaking Chinese or non-Chinese speaking Chinese? These 2 groups of Chinese have very different mentality and attitude.
Suanie:
In the book? Both are covered. In real life? Both are not right all the time.
Hmmm, Chinese always right … did they become Americans???
[More specifically the US Government, most American people are normally fine ... as long as you don't mention their foreign policy]
Suanie is smart and pretty, and according to someone, she totally deserve a boyfriend.
So, why wait? DATE HER, GO!!!
SK - who are you talking to?
That’s like TWO times you’ve said that!
Why don’t YOU date her?????
Suanie:
he’s just pimping me, he’s got a gf
Already.
You ask Suanie. :p
[Why do I feel like I am in Taxi Driver?]
SK - You talking to me???
Is your ‘Suanie is smart and pretty, and according to someone, she totally deserve a boyfriend.
So, why wait? DATE HER, GO!!! ‘
Directed to everyone at large, or just to me … cause the …
‘Already.
You ask Suanie. :p’
Sounds like it’s directed specifically at me …
If you already dated her, then why aren’t you dating her now?
What was so wrong that you broke up?
thanks for the highlighting this book. lets see if i can find it.
Dabido, you think too much.
Just get your ass over here in Malaysia and date her.
Whoever she dated or whatever happened, the past is the past.
Suanie:
Can you like, stop passing me around
I don’t need a book. I figured it all by myself already and then I told everybody already. That’s cuz I was born a genius.
Bah, ok ok. I ll get the book.
fuck to you..
Suanie:
? nothing constructive to say is it?
go ahead punk, fuk me lame, make my day.
in the kicthen i do it, living room, in the dvd,, everywhere,, she is boring
mine’s into cold steel, kitchen utensils, guns.
I LOVE ALL OF THE RACES!
I dated a chinese girl n i appreciate it.
Our families r very CLOSE n RESPECT each other n friendlyness.
My indian friends keeps invite me to their homes for lunch or dinner, n lepaking.
After all, all of my friends(malay, chinese n indian) seems to be the bestest i ever had n they’re close each other n very open-minded.
Friendshipness n Respect each other.
Peace Love Unity n Respect.
Yep, ah bad,
They are all the bestest…as long as you discuss only how nice the rendang is and nothing else. Now that’s Malaysian open mindedness and respect.
Chinese are not always right but they are just selfish. If not ar, those Kung Fu masters would have documented all the kung fus and I wouldn’t be wasting my money to buy car and petrol. Provided enough ‘mana’… I’ll be flying/windwalk to work right now. Darn those Chinese…
vOices - the past is the past? Those who don’t learn from the past are doom to repeat it.
‘Just get your ass over here in Malaysia and date her.’
Why ME out of all people on the planet?
Why not someone already in Malaysia … it’s less distance for them to swim.
Hmmm…I’m broke. Maybe bookswap next time?
Suanie:
Sure can
I think Chinese girls definitely have a dilemma because they have to spend so much money dying their hair. I was also thinking of dying my hair but then I don’t have the money (sigh).
Suanie:
erm in my case, not like I can help it if my hair wants to go all white… hereditary lah, boh pian
“I think Chinese girls definitely have a dilemma because they have to spend so much money dying their hair. I was also thinking of dying my hair but then I don’t have the money (sigh)”
Hmmm… I can’t say I’ve noticed, not here in England anyway. They have the typical lustrous black/ dark brown locks you’d expect, or am I mistaken and Chinese girls dye it that way because they’re naturally purple headed or something???
Malaysian Chinese are wasting their time dreaming things will get better. They are already subject to what is effectively a Muslim “TAX” on non-Muslims viz the National Economic Policy favouring (Muslim) Malays which UMNO says will now be the ‘Never Ending Policy’. Migrate, if you can and let the Malays alone. Things are not going to get better when the oil runs out and the jobs all go to China (and India).