Clash of ideas in peaceful Bali

In July 2001, after I had left Sin Chew Jit Poh and joined Strategic Analysis Malaysia, I was invited to participate in the 4th Informal ASEM (Asia-Europe Meeting) Seminar on Human Rights. It was held in Indonesia's Bali on 12 and 13. The invitation was extended to me by the French Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

There in Bali, I particpated actively in the discussions and debates on 'Asian Values' and the universal standard of human rights. I clashed with some of the government officials representing certain Southeast Asian countries. Of course, I was also supported by their counterparts from other Southeast Asian countries such as the post-Suharto Indonesia.