Level of Mistrust

I was in Bangkok for a transit to London the other day. Two friends, one a lecturer from a local university and the other a pharmacist, were there to join me together to London for thalassaemia workshop. I was supposed to attend the Thalssaemia International Federation's board meeting. We were having coffee at a hotel in the new Suvarnabhumi International Airport, maybe twice bigger than KLIA, which replaced the old Don Maung International Airport.

We normally talk about thalassaemia when we met. The usual issues would be children in Asean countries not getting proper and adequate management protocol of thalassaemia patients. The issues of compliance of treatment amongst patients and the role of NGOs in Asean countries, with regards to thalassaemia. Since Malaysia is the only country besides Singapore which has embarked on the Thalassaemia Prevention Programmes, I used to get the most `questions' and participated the most. Though very proud of this `circumstances', this time around, the topic was more about politics and our countries, Malaysia and Thailand. We talked about `leadership', politics and yes..petrol. Thalassaemia was mentioned only as `greeting gestures'.

This junior professor of medicine was never a political party member nor a supporter of any kind. He is a perfect educationist of the medical fraternity. The other, is also a `hundred percent lay man', in his own words. They seldom talk about politics when we used to meet and it is never their cup of tea. But that day, they were presenting themselves as though they are MPs, and mind you, the opposing one too. They talked about PM Samak Sundaravej and PM Abdullah Badawi. They talked about petrol's price hike and leadership qualities in both nations. They grumbled about political crisis and mass protesters. It circulated around political divisions in Thailand but stop short of mentioning our country, Malaysia. A very diplomatic move!!

The topic was about a statement by Thailand's former Primer Minsiter, Mr Anand Panyarachun, a very influential figure and one of the four former PMs suggested by some political critics to mediate and to talk to the People's Alliance for Democracy- PAD about ending the political crisis in Thailand. The others were Banharn Silparcha, Chuan Leek Pai and General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh. Samak rejected the idea as he was confident that his government could handle the situation. The PAD was adamant to keep up their protests until Samak and his cabinet resign. Some familiar `situation' back home, though may not be that tense.

Mr Anand was speaking during a speech on the `role of the media' in Navy auditorium in Bangkok. He admitted he was worried that the political crisis pitting the government against the protesters may be beyond compromise, the political division were hard to heal. He said the present impasse was hard to overcome because of the level of mistrust between the two political camps. Parliament has failed to function properly, as a venue for resolving differences, which forced conflicts on to the streets, according to Mr Anand. I did not say yes or no, it is their nation, they are talking about and I have to stomach the same in my own political backyard, back home. My two friends were very excited to hear about PM Abdullah in Malaysia. One of them knows UMNO quite well too!!

Life were getting more difficult, according to them. They were very frustrated. I chose to `participate' less, mainly because, I have lost `interest' in that particular topic, secondly, I was not in the political mood. I was just hours away from my own country, Malaysia and basically, we were having more or less the same situation. I was too..frustrated, but I kept my cool. There were not much the three of us could do, maintaining who we are, though I did not tell them that. It is not the right time, and the right place. I was just being polite!!

I am just wondering whether we accept that it is the same situation back in Malaysia. Political leaderships, Government qualities and nation building are the subjects that are being discussed and talked around towns and villages. It is not only the issues of the political elites and party members but also to every sector of the communities and every component of public heirachy.
It is an issue of the nation and the the people. It concerned the masses. Like my two friends, I have the same feeling too, veru frustrated, at times. There were not much that I could do. I pray and hope that the present leadership would be kind enough to `stomach' them too!!.