YOURSAY | ‘Hew may be wrong, but that does not mean that he is not correct.’

'Superman' quits DAP over South China Sea row

Hopeful123: Hew Kuan Yau, you have proved that you are a ‘superman gentleman’ by resigning from DAP.

While it may be your opinion, many may not agree with what you had said. It may not go down well with many Malaysians as it can be misconstrued as being disloyal and even supporting China against Malaysian interests.

Not to worry, you have done the right thing to avoid further damage to the party. Given time, I am sure you will be welcomed back to the party.

HaveAGreatDay: Hew, all reports on you have shown that you are a 'loose cannon'. But your action of resigning from the DAP shows you are also a man of honour.

In the politics of the moment, even if your personal views have historical basis, your pound of flesh must be sacrificed - after all, you are not an Umnoputra, there is no sarong for you to hide under.

Notsoshiningarmour: I think Hew’s decision was in the best interest of all.

China's claim is baseless. It is akin to India making a claim on Kedah and the northern states of Malaysia based on the records of the Chola kings.

China has shown disrespect to international tribunals and it may even claim Tioman as it is in the South China Sea.

Salahudin Aminur: We may not agree with Hew’s views but the vitriol against him was sickening.

If we cannot learn to accept different views without descending into racism, threats, etc, then democracy in Malaysia will remain a faraway dream.

Justice Pao: Can I make a 'nine-dash line' claim across the road in front of my house as I have parked my car there first? I even have photos with timestamp to back up my claims.

Hew is blind to the fact that the 'nine-dash line' claims by China extends beyond 3,000km from its borders.

Can the Sulu sultanate claim Sabah or the whole of Borneo by producing questionable historical records of its ancestors being there first?

Or can Indonesia claim Malaysia and Singapore just because Parameswara was an Indonesian - if Indonesia really existed then - when he fled to what is now Malacca?

What is there to prevent any of these superpowers such as China from imposing their claims beyond South China Sea just by showing that thousands of years ago they were there first even though there were already natives living there?

Boonpou: As someone who work in academia, I am in complete agreement with Hew that a narrow, if not a hijacked sense of patriotism, has no place in our perspectives.

However, as a politician, that is something else. The kind of fiery speeches, if not polemical but also bordering on diatribe, that Hew has shown a propensity to engage in did no good to garner more support against the BN status quo.

He might think of himself as a good academic and speaker, but I doubt he is a good tactician. I think his resignation from DAP is his best conscientious move.

Perhaps someday, when justice finally arrives in Malaysia, you could, once again, find yourself in the position to speak supermanly against any kind of injustice. That time has not arrived.

Proarte: Hew’s departure is a positive development for the DAP. How do you convince people that DAP is not filled which Chinese racists when you have the likes of Hew representing it?

He exemplifies the crude and loud mouth 'ugly Chinaman' which sadly defines a disproportionate number of Chinese. If he had stayed, it would have confirmed allegations that DAP is a racist and supremacist organisation since he is their 'star' speaker on the DAP campaign trail.

He should have been sacked immediately for voicing his opinion, which goes against the international court ruling.

How then do we expect DAP to have any clue as to how to rehabilitate our judiciary when we support a communist dictatorship making irrational imperial claims which are against the international court's judgment?

Ghostwhowalks: While I do not agree with Hew's views on the South China Sea, nevertheless I will defend his right of free speech and opinion.

Wira: History is written by the victors. If the Mongolians were still as powerful today as they were 800 years ago, they would have held on to those territories they have conquered.

China now has the military and economic might to claim back what were theirs before. The same thing is happening in Bolehland.

As a historian, Hew is correct in his viewpoint. I wish him all the best.

Fair Play: The reality of the situation is this. Hew, because of his 'uncompromising' stand, became the convenient scapegoat.

The Hague court’s decision might have settled the matter in accordance with the law. But as the spokesperson for the Philippines (the beneficiary) went on record to ask, “Can we enforce it?”

It’s better to enter into bilateral negotiation with China. ‘Superman’ might have his last laugh.

Nil: Hew should now support his views that the South China Sea belongs to China with more information and argument.

Being a historian with a PhD, he knows much more than the man in the street. Hew may be wrong, but that does not mean that he is not correct nor inaccurate. Context can change lots of things.

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