It would seem the people who want to preserve the Penans' way of life are condemning them to a life full of diseases and a shorter life span.
Interpretation
A critique of well-meaning efforts that may inadvertently harm the very communities they aim to protect.
In this quote, Mahathir Mohamad highlights the paradox faced by those who wish to preserve indigenous cultures, such as that of the Penans. While the intent is to protect their traditional way of life, the consequences of such preservation efforts may lead to health issues and a reduced lifespan, prompting a broader discussion about the complexities of cultural preservation and its impact on well-being.
In practice
In a discussion about conservation efforts in indigenous communities.
I believe that every leader has a right to implement his own policy. But when I see things that are done that are not right - abuse of power, wrong approaches, wrong strategies, making use of foreign consultants, including those discarded by other countries - I feel that I have to have my say.
If you want to be honest with yourself, you have to take criticism, even if you attract adverse comments from others.
There are certain things that we can deal with by following the rules. But at times, we find the rules restrict you from doing the right things. On such occasions, we have to rethink - either you change the rules or break the rules.
In my years, I had the opportunity to observe peoples and countries. I see some countries doing well, others failing, and my analysis of things is that whether you fail or succeed is a function of your value system.
Free press is not absolute. In this country, we say clearly if you start stirring up racial hatred, then we will put a stop to it. We might even close down your paper, because these things can only lead to a lot of riots and bloodshed.
Independence means we enjoy freedom. We are not colonised by people. And we can govern our own country and develop it independently so that our people can live a better life.
One day some as yet unborn scholar will recognize in the clock the machine that has tamed the wilds.
Our visit to this planet is short, so we should use our time meaningfully, which we can do by helping others wherever possible. And if we cannot help others, at least we should try not to create pain and suffering for them.
What would be the use of immortality to a person who cannot use well a half an hour?
When I speak of poetry I am not thinking of it as a genre. Poetry is an awareness of the world, a particular way of relating to reality. So poetry becomes a philosophy to guide a man throughout his life.
The Court is most vulnerable and comes nearest to illegitimacy when it deals with judge-made constitutional law having little or no cognizable roots in the language or design of the Constitution.
It is easier to sail many thousand miles through cold and storm and cannibals, ina government ship, with five hundred men and boys to assist one, than it is to explore the private sea, the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean of one's being alone.
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