Lee Kuan Yew: an apology
MANY politicians agree with John Wayne's cowboy: “Never apologise and never explain--it's a sign of weakness.” Conversely, accepting an apology can be a sign of strength as well as magnanimity. All the better if the relationship is fraught with repressed resentment and rivalry. So Malaysia's cabinet must have relished its meeting on March 19th, when it accepted an apology and retraction from Singapore's senior minister, Lee Kuan Yew, for disparaging comments about a Malaysian state.
This article appeared in the Asia section of the print edition under the headline “Lee Kuan Yew: an apology”
From the March 22nd 1997 edition
Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents
Explore the editionMore from Asia
Can Donald Trump maintain Joe Biden’s network of Asian alliances?
Discipline and creativity will help, but so will China’s actions
What North Korea gains by sending troops to fight for Russia
Resources, technology, experience and a blood-soaked IOU
Is Arkadag the world’s greatest football team?
What could possibly explain the success of a club founded by Turkmenistan’s dictator
After the president’s arrest, what next for South Korea?
Some 3,000 police breached his compound. The country is dangerously divided
India’s Faustian pact with Russia is strengthening
The gamble behind $17bn of fresh deals with the Kremlin on oil and arms
AUKUS enters its fifth year. How is the pact faring?
It has weathered two big political changes. What about Donald Trump’s return?