Comments on: A Message to the young Malaysian: you too can aspire…

By: Glenda Larke

Glenda Larke — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 07:37:00 +0000

Actually Paulina, campaigning for a post like this, when the candidate is not from a rich nation with money to burn, can mostly done by the various ambassadors of the candidate’s country without much extra cost.

However, you are right. There is not much benefit to the country concerned. People in UN posts, after all, are supposed to be neutral. They aren’t supposed to favour their own nation’s interest. They are supposed to make the world a better – or safer – place.

My husband feels that he could do that.

And it is very, very difficult to know just who has a chance of winning until the first votes are cast. In the past, for this particular post, there was not a winner in the voting. In the end, twice, a compromise candidate was found after voting had failed to reach a 2/3rds majority. I have no doubt that most of the people standing thought they had a good chance of winning – yet none of them did!

By: Paulina

Paulina — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 07:22:00 +0000

I have been reading with great interest about your husband’s desire to head a United Nations Organisation. I also have great admiration for you as a good wife. However, what crosses my mind and I am sure would have also been deliberated by the powers that be is to assess your good husband’s prospects of getting elected.

I agree with you that your husband should have a chance but only if his chances of getting elected are indeed bright. If his chances are doubtful I do not see why taxpayers’ money should be spent just to let your husband “try” his chance.

This does not, by any stretch of imagination, mean that I am against anyone striving to aim higher in life. It is in fact a good and commendable trait in anyone.

By: flexnib

flexnib — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 19:51:00 +0000

Congratulations!

And does this mean you are going to have to move to Vienna??

By: Satima Flavell

Satima Flavell — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 19:10:00 +0000

Some cultures seem to have a “you must not lose face” attitude, which discourages people from trying too hard. Others, Oz included, have the “tall poppy” mentality – “don’t try to improve yourself: we’ll cut you down to size if you do”. Either way, it’s a great shame for young people to feel that it’s not Ok to aim high. I dips me lid to your husband and others like him, Malaysian or otherwise. He is obviously the Renaissance man for the new millenium!

By: glenda larke

glenda larke — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 04:28:00 +0000

I am immensely proud of him. It is tragic that there are some who believe that Malaysians should not aspire to anything in case they fail.

They are working hard to make sure he doesn’t get a chance.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 04:21:00 +0000

Hear, hear! I also admire him for his varied interests in the natural world – birds, beetles, ginger etc etc
Regards to him too. Long time no see.
Smathi

By: bibliobibuli

bibliobibuli — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:34:00 +0000

told my husband Abu about him and he said “oh yes” and remembered him from school days! i’m so happy to read all this, and still remember the loyal husband who goes to readings to support his wife.

By: Jo

Jo — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 18:54:00 +0000

Re the Olympic comment, the Brits did that with Eddie Albert who was a ski jumper and stole the hearts of the Canadians, he didn’t win a damn thing, but he tried. I agree with you, strive even if you don’t arrive. I am so glad your husband decided to do so and to set an excellent example to the youngsters of his country, you must be very proud of your husband.

Thanks for the explanation of Malaysian names.