SHINTARO Ishihara first wrote a book in 1989 entitled, “The Japan that can say, No!” The author, a leading Japanese statesman, asserts in his book that the practical balance of power had shifted and Japan would no longer assume a polite sister-role to the US in world affairs.

He hypothesised that Japan could instantly overturn US military superiority by simply selling crucial computer missile chips to the USSR, to shift international balance of power!  The subtitle of the book told even more: Why Japan will be first among equals!  I called that my dignity thesis in my dissertation.

Then, in 1995, both Ishihara and Dr Mahathir Mohamad co-wrote a chapter in another book entitled, “An Asia that can say No!” Armando S Malay Jr also further wrote an expanded chapter entitled, The Voice of Asia (translated by Frank Baldwin), pp 159.  The full PDF version is available on the net.

My question to all readers of The Malaysian Insight is:  Have you personally learned to say no, without ever saying “NO” publicly?  Have you learnt the subtle but Malay art form style of communication?   It says NO without actually saying it? But then, does your ‘no’ actually also mean only a maybe? 

Or, is yours from another of the Asian cultures?  What and how does your culture and community say no, privately but not publicly?  All Asian cultures have a way of doing this?  Do you know yours?

I have had classmates and former colleagues who often say no, but never use the word, “No!”  Instead, they usually say, “Insyallah!”  But then my greater concern is: are they inevitably assigning blame to God Almighty instead of assuming personal responsibility and becoming fully accountable for either their yes, or even a no? 

If one does not mean no, but it appears like a “yes in some other implicit but unknown way”, but which sounds also like a maybe, or even a yes, then when then does it become a real NO?  How else can I or anyone else understand all this?  Today, it is far worse; this is no more only a Malay-Muslim trait, but is fast becoming a Malaysian cultural trait of all types of people and ethnicities!

Words define dignity and integrity

Only humans speak applying logic and reason; all the rest are animals!  Instinct is usually animal driven and not humanly conducted as a matter of choice. Popular culture is ordinary and simple human conduct with simple words and normal meanings! But, unlike animal behaviour; human conduct is always and remains intentional!

Therefore too, if we do not or cannot learn to agree to disagree, within our cultural context, then how do we know that we have really learned to say no as a culture? If, at any time, our yes may either mean a maybe or even a no; then is it not fair to assume that we have no agreeable way to say NO?

To me, and for all human beings, it is a matter of integrity and dignity to make sure we say and speak as word mean exactly what they say, and then we need to follow through with what we mean!  One cannot say something one day, and then assume that tomorrow we can change the meaning of the same word!

Speaking, meaning, purpose, significance and relevance are all inter-related words!  Only humans speak with such intentional meanings as defined by commonly understood words!

Donald Trump as the President of the United States (or POTUS) of America cannot assume that the world can accept his personal culture and lifestyle of the rich and famous, one would assume, which speaks one day and ignores the meaning on another day! All the world only remains a stage!

Malaysians say NO!

This article is simply my public statement about one Malaysian and my protest against the official meeting and courtesy call on POTUS by their own labelled MO1. In Malaysia we label that same person as a thief and it was done by none other than Dr Mahathir Mohamad, our former PM of 22 years!”

Mr POTUS, does not the thief and MO1 mean the same thing, for Malaysians? – September 18, 2017.

* KJ John worked in public service for 32 years, retired, and started a civil group for which he is chairman of the board. He writes to inform and educate, arguing for integration with integrity in Malaysia. He believes such a transformation has to start with the mind before it sinks into the heart!

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.