Editor’s Note: IT IS always healthy to have different views. The following contrast of view about Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh’s recent success at the 95th Academy Awards as the best actress in a leading role in the comedy-drama film “Everything Everywhere All at Once” is testament that Malaysians are a critical lot who see things through different lenses.

Well, every Malaysian is entitled to their personal belief whether they would agree with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that the Ipoh-born international actress has created history by being “not just the first Malaysian but the very first Asian actress to win in this category” or otherwise.
Well, we shall pit two contrasting views – as verbatim as possible from the Facebook – of two renowned personalities on Yeoh’s latest achievement.

We start the ball rolling with the views of Kee Thuan Chye, a Malaysian actor, dramatist, poet, writer and former journalist. In the realm of social activism, Kee, 69, has authored numerous books like “No More Bullshit, Please, We’re All Malaysians” and the book’s sequel “Ask for No Bullshit, Get Some More!”.

Interestingly, Kee’s critique of Yeoh has been ‘harshly’ rebutted by Tan Sri Vincent Lee Fook Long who is the group executive chairman of Foetus International Sdn Bhd, a one-stop centre for advertising, marketing communications, public relations and event management. Lee is also the founder of Naga DDB, an advertising agency that has been around for more than 30 years.

I DON’T see why Malaysians are so ecstatic about Michelle Yeoh winning the Oscar.

What is so Malaysian about her? She went off to Hong Kong to start her acting career, then moved on to Hollywood. She presumably comes back to Malaysia for holidays.

Has she done anything for Malaysia? Has she even helped the Malaysian film industry in any way? Does she invest the millions she makes in Malaysian films? Not as far as I know.

She got a few titles from Datuk to Datuk Seri to Tan Sri (in 2013 – note the year). Was that just for achieving the honour then of being chosen as a James Bond girl and becoming successful in Hollywood?

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JOHOR BARU – Malaysians have every right to be proud of Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh winning an Oscar, said Ho Ching, wife of Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

Ho added that Malaysia has long since recognised Yeoh’s success, pointing to the Tan Sri title bestowed on her years before her Best Actress win.

The pride, she said, extends to women and Asians, who “all feel proud of her”.

She went on to say Yeoh is successful as a performing artist and has contributed to society in other ways.

“She is a UNDP goodwill ambassador working to raise awareness and mobilise support for the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

“She has been generous in lending her presence and voice to other good causes as well.

“She has given hope and confidence to many through her own personal example of remaining grounded amid success,” Ho said on her Facebook page, in response to a tweet saying Malaysia should not “tumpang” (hitch a ride) and claim her achievement.

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