Ambassador-at-large cum current S R Nathan Fellow Bilahari Kausikan and former permanent secretary for foreign affairs has made two Malaysian opposition politicians very angry.

How angry? Check out how the two Democratic Action Party (DAP) politicians described the Ambassador and Singapore:

1. Mercenary Prick of Southeast Asia! "He did Singapore no favour by cementing the perception of his country as the mercenary prick of Southeast Asia.And they wonder why they have no friends" Tony Pua, DAP MP for Petaling Jaya Utara, Tony Pua Facebook page.

2. Selfish and arrogant: "Bilahari’s unapologetically selfish and arrogant views only cements the perception of Singapore as the contemptible Shylock of Southeast Asia", Tony Pua, DAP MP for Petaling Jaya Utara, The Malaysian Insider.

3. Selfish considerations (he didn't exactly say that): "[O]ne cannot help but wonder if his fears about a possible transition in power in Malaysia, especially one that is peaceful and well-ordered, is driven more by his fears of such a possibility in Singapore in the distant but foreseeable future than by his concern of what might happen in Malaysia.", Ong Kian Ming, DAP MP for Serdang.

4. Narrow lens (maybe accusing the Ambassador of being short-sighted?): "I was surprised by his choice to interpret the political events in Malaysia through this narrow lens, especially given his diplomatic experience, rather than to examine the political forces in Malaysia as part of a larger global trend, where regimes that were once seen as impregnable were brought down through a peaceful electoral route." Ong Kian Ming, DAP MP for Serdang.

5. (Singapore) completely lacks a moral compass: "Clearly as the ambassador-at-large, Bilahari’s views demonstrate how Singapore as a country, despite its enormous wealth and developed nation status, completely lacks a moral compass." Tony Pua, DAP MP for Petaling Jaya Utara, The Malaysian Insider.

A bit of context: Three days ago, Ambassador-at-large cum current S R Nathan Fellow Bilahari Kausikan and former permanent secretary for foreign affairs, delivered some "hard truths" about Malaysia's political system in a Straits Times commentary ('Singapore is not an island'). He argued that Malaysia's political system is experiencing severe stress and Singaporeans should be more concerned about the developments across the Causeway.

There is this line which particularly stung the Malaysian Chinese Opposition, prompting only the DAP (for now) to react:

"It is my impression that many young Malaysian Chinese have forgotten the lessons of May 13, 1969. They naively believe that the system built around the principle of Malay dominance can be changed. That may be why they abandoned MCA for the DAP. They are delusional. Malay dominance will be defended by any means."

And Ambassador-at-large Bilahari Kausikan's response?

"I can understand their hopes, but hopes are not reality.

The emotions on display prove my point and serve as a useful reminder to Singaporeans that the social cohesion that we currently enjoy is not to be taken for granted. I wish all the peoples of Malaysia well, but my concern is Singapore"

The DAP politicians made some valid points beyond those hand-wringing.

Pua argued that the anti-government rallies were not about race.

"They (those who attended the anti-government Bersih 2.0 rally) were angry, frustrated and galvanised to act in the light of the tens of billions of ringgit embezzled and misappropriated by 1MDB (1Malaysia Development Berhad), as well as the obscene RM2.6 billion (S$869 million) donation deposited into the Prime Minister's personal bank account."

Ong said the ambassador should examine political forces in Malaysia as part of a larger global trend where regimes that were once seen as impregnable were brought down through peaceful electoral routes.

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