One of the hotest topic among the chinese netizens is about the new American Ambassador to China, Gary Locke, or Luo Jia Hui.
No, he is not the ambassador fromChina to US, but US ambassador to China.
Locke is a third generation Chinese American and he rose to become the governor of the State of Washington as well as the Secretary of Commerce in Obama’s cabinet.
What surprises the Chinese people is the unpretentious way he travelled with his family to China, as the top representative from a super-power to another super-power.
The photos shows how Locke and his family travelled.
It is just like any middle class family coming back from a holiday. Nothing pretentious, without the trappings of power.
Compare it to just any county official. A county official would have people carrying his bag, and people besides and behind him.
Locke and his family carried their own backpacks/bags. He understands the real meaning of democracy. He understands that he works for his government , which is elected by the people, and thus, he is a worker for his people, and he owes his positions to his people.
I think the Chinese people have a lot to learn from this.
Not to mention our Malaysian politicians( and their wives) and high officials..Perhaps they can take a page from Locke.
Dr. Hsu's forum 
Aug 18, 2011 @ 14:53:12
An our F.L.O.M Rosmah has her own entourage to serve her, when she is not even elected by the people and serve no function when the true First Lady is the Permaisuri Agong.
Furthermore, what about the RM24+mil diamond bracelet she bought, and it is TAX FREE !!!
Not much difference from Khir Toyol and the previous Zakaria and his “istana”.
LikeLike
Aug 18, 2011 @ 15:21:09
This is quite normal in America. If it is otherwise, Gary Locke will be in big problem with the American public. China has not learned this thing called egality (egality – social and political equality). This is one obstacle that will hinder China from becoming a great nation. This is one obstacle that is hindering Malaysia from becoming a progressive nation.
LikeLike
Aug 18, 2011 @ 15:28:05
The Chinese officials and especially the Malaysian government officials need to learn from him.
Gary Locke is also a testament of meritocracy. Not some some earthprince policy that some people are so accustomed to.
LikeLike
Aug 18, 2011 @ 15:33:36
I have been told by a former deputy minister who lost power that he could not forget about the trappings associated with his positions. He had a SUS, SUSK, a bodygurad, a driver and a office to support him. then there are members who would accompany him anywhere, always walking one or 2 steps behind him. And his bags are always carried by others.
This is true and this person is still trying to make a comeback in politics. That is how addictive all these trappings can be.
Any wonder why so many people try to outdo each other and kill off one another to try to ascend the ladder of power.
Even the wives of some of the so-called big shots throw their weight around!
When will these people learn the meaning of true democracy? That the government is by the people, for the people and of the people.
LikeLike
Aug 18, 2011 @ 20:49:56
Most politicians are fantastic actor, that said, i agree that Western values is less patriarchy and appear easy going. However if anyone is interested, you could check with some hotel staff that had serve any America high ranking minister and officer, the bodyguard and worker that come along is awfully arrogance and rude, you may thought that they already bought over the hotel.
LikeLike
Aug 19, 2011 @ 00:51:18
I sense our govt. leaders have so much inferiority complexes…stole billions…have false titles….for decades and travel like Kings and Queens…never once needed to carry their luggage bags at all.
The inferiority complexes have turned to be superiority ones…with no reasons…no shame at all..feeling so proud…they have the blessings of one race…the majority Malays …supporting them to be like that…like their earthly God…the Savior..the Defender of their Rights.
12th GE have exposed them and the “N” of RAHMAN will end it soon.
Razak ended Tunku’s leadership.
Tunku will end his son illegitimate leadership for good.
LikeLike
Aug 19, 2011 @ 02:12:25
I am writing from USA. As a US official, if Locke travels like the Malaysian minister, he will not last in his job for more than a day. He will be fired. So, this is not about the individual, it is about the enforcement of the requirement as a public servant in USA. They may be provided with security details, but no people to carry bag for him.
Actually I do not have respect for this Locke also. Why he needs to change is name to Locke from Luo to please the white man, to sound like one of them. This is being pretentious. If u read the name Gary Locke, and not knowing his appearance, you may think he is a Ang Mo.
A better example is Secretary of Energy, Dr. Steven Cho who is a highly respected scientist and physicist previously in charge of the infamous weapon and technology lab, the Livermore Lab. Dr Cho does not need to change his name to some Americanish sounding name to stand tall.
Malaysia is 200 years behind on this, so be patient.
LikeLike
Aug 19, 2011 @ 09:48:42
Changing his name from Luo to Locke is just political expediency to be more acceptable to the public. Luo is foreign sounding and difficult to pronounce. In politics perception counts a lot. Even having a tattoo or a strange haircut can hobble your chances. Of course if elections are not free and fair, all sorts of weird people can get elected.
LikeLike
Aug 19, 2011 @ 10:02:00
BeWildered…You are entitled to respect or not respect anyone….but make sure your disrespectful reasons are logical and not sound like a sour grape.talking.
Firstly…Luo Jia Hui wishes to be known as Gary Locke is his own business…..not yours at all.
I don’t think he cares a damn if you respect him or not.
I don’t think Gary is trying to have a name that sound like a Ang Mo at all.
I think it sounds more a Chinese covert to be a Christian.
And you must somehow end your message by saying Malaysia is 200 years behind science and technology.
China was far behind America…what is China now?
Think before you open your big mouth and don’t let everyone know… what an ill mannered idiot you are.
You know what?? You are a real gas ..badly brought up with no manners or respect for others at all.
In China….they have a word for your kind…. Barbarian.
I don’t know you what you are…global chinese..or born American with British blood…or something else.
Reveal more of your self….and then we can talk better.
I am a Malaysian.
LikeLike
Aug 19, 2011 @ 11:07:24
When a foreigner insults Malaysia…it is sad…to see not one dare to confront him…Kenny in his own cultured ways.
Malaysians deserves to be looked down upon…if they keep being so selfish.
LikeLike
Aug 19, 2011 @ 11:54:02
“In politics perception counts a lot.”
Is this an imply that American is actually quite racist and nationalist (of cource they call it patriotic in US)?
Talking about changing name, it doesn’t in anyway reveal a person true character by doing that, and I think most Chinese don’t mind having a non-Chinese name because our values are relatively diverse, inclusive and less rigid. Just like I think “monsterball” is a great name to depict a person courageous and fearless character, hence I personally am okay with it. But I think this Locke fella talk/stress too much that he is an American giving an impression that he is not comfortable when people perceive him as Chinese, when any right minded person shall acknowledge the term ‘Chinese’ here is referred to race.
My point is, there is nothing wrong to claim that I am a Malaysian and I am ‘Chinese’, to do otherwise would only defy the reality and fact. Our action and thinking determine who we are, and racism or not. Rhetoric such as I am Malaysian or Bangsa Malaysia would not change how others look at us.
LikeLike
Aug 19, 2011 @ 12:30:53
“if elections are not free and fair, all sorts of weird people can get elected.”
Even if election is clean and free, it must be fair.
My one vote carries much less weight-age than one vote in Putrajaya. I stay in PJ utara, which has more than 76000 voters in 2008. In Putrajaya, there are only 5000 odd.
Their one vote is equal to at least 15 votes in PJ utara.
Bearing in mind that Putrajaya cannot be classfied as a rural seat.
In the 60s, there were laws depicting that the most populous urban seat and the least populous rural seat must not differ by 50% in terms of number of voters. It was changed during the Old Horse Time.
Even if It is not possible to have completely equal number of voters between seats, the difference must not be more than 15%, now that transport system has greatly been improved.
LikeLike
Aug 19, 2011 @ 13:58:19
Monster ball, I am an expat Malaysian working as an executive staff in an multi billion dollar US public company. I hv few hundred staffs under me, majority are Ang Mo. Am proud to be a Malaysian. I live among the White people and I know these White people look down on Asain because many Asian change they names to english sounding names. I keep my full Chinese name and reject anyone trying to make an convenience with my name. My Chinese name is my identity in the society. No mater how much u want to insult me and derate me, it is doing of urs, not mine. I just comment on an American Chinese changing his name to something far from his ancestrial heritage n I hv no respect for that. I am entitle to my opinion, so is u to urs. I respect ur posting even sometimes I find it disgusting, I don’t come and attack ur posting. u can find me on the web site of National Semiconductor Corporation n look into the Board of Directors and Executive Management Staffs section. There is only one Malaysian there. U see, I respect u,u ask to reveal myself, I do.
LikeLike
Aug 19, 2011 @ 15:14:44
I think we should all respect the opinions of others even if we do not agree with them. We can be civil even in disagreeing, just state your case without having to resort to personal attack.
I think BeWildered has a very valid point here.
LikeLike
Aug 19, 2011 @ 16:57:43
It does not make one great…..being employed and manage all Ang Mo…nowadays.
Semiconductor business is a rat race business.
Today you are great..tomorrow you fall.
Good luck to your sleepless nights.
When one insults another…why can’t a third party like me insult him back..Dr, Hsu?
Naturally one can say…everyone is entitled to it’s own opinions.
There are other reasons for that man ..changing his name.
Why must it always be trying to copy Ang Mo?..just because “BeWildered” kept his Chinese name…and so..he does not carry Ang Mo balls…to be what he is today?
And saying Malaysia is 200 years behind USA in Science & Technology…is indirectly saying our Malaysian brains are 200 years behind USA buggers.
So happen …Malaysia is suffering from a corrupted govt.
Once we get rid of that….we can but Science and Technology and be at par with USA …..if that’s what Malaysia wants to be.
But we are a small country and have different priorities….and let the rat race be from India..China…USA..Russia on so call..Science and Tech greatness.
Consider this is my warm up debate with “BeWildered” Doc.
I am sure…you allow debates ..don’t you?
Now let see….Semiconductor….rat race.
Doc..respect for other’s opinion does not mean we must respect one concluding this..concluding that…insulting others?
And to me…saying Malaysia is 200 years behind USA in anything is insulting Malaysians too.
For “Bewildered” information…being a CEO and manage 101& Ang Mo….nothing special.
I know few very lowly educated Malaysians are managing all types of White skins in Europe.
There is nothing to be arrogant and proud for anyone…who is still an employee…no matter what position he holds.
And as for…Gary Locke….he is the Ambassador to China…so much to be proud about….a position…no Semiconductor CEO can get it ..no way.
LikeLike
Aug 19, 2011 @ 17:13:13
Doc hitting on a person’s name…accusing him to carry Ang Mo balls can only come from one who is jealous of that person.
I don’t know Gary Locke…and I am sure that man who deals with country to country affairs…concerning human beings…and not diots…bytes and chips..GB..HP..what ever you call them… he has no time for idiots to insult him.
Indirectly…”BeWildered” is also insulting US Government.. sending a wrong man to China as USA Ambassador.
LikeLike
Aug 19, 2011 @ 17:24:53
And some people wish to be only Malaysians….and forget the roots.
And so Gary Locke chooses to forget being a Chinese immigrant.
That is his rights and if his relatives wife and children do not complaint…..who is “BeWildered” to complaint and judge him?
By the way….Doc…not all Malaysians working overseas are great minds lost from motherland.
There are some arrogant bastards that cannot get a job back home.
Semiconductor factories….plenty in Malaysia…Indonesia…China…Thailand…employing thousands of workers and most are owned by USA companies…where they export back to USA..for final assembling.
hi “BeWildered”…are you a CEO for an Semiconductor company..for final assembling plant?
LikeLike
Aug 19, 2011 @ 17:42:44
Hundreds of millions of Chinese immigrants.. in Indonesia were forced to give up Chinese names and talk Chinese dialects…50 years ago.
Just 10 years ago..some proven to be unpatriotic…were killed and told to leave the country…but only few left…almost all stayed back as they know…they were wrong…making a living in Indonesia and behaving like Chinese…and never help the poor at all…..so selfish.
Today….almost all so call Chinese are proud or being Indonesians and their Indonesia names.
I think Gary Locke is wise and far sighted.
However…in Malaysia…it is the only country in the world….where Oversea Chinese holds a huge population and as such…no way can anyone force us to change our name for Nation building.
And concerning Nation building…the Oversea Chinese have done much more than expected…to bring Malaysian be what is today.
LikeLike
Aug 19, 2011 @ 17:50:23
Like it or not, in a highly systematic discriminatory society like Malaysia, identity of each ethnic group of its people become more apparent than any country of the world.
Take for example, Thailand. I learned from a documentary that Thailand has the most ‘overseas Chinese’ than any other countries like Malaysia or even Singapore. But, their identity as ‘Chinese’ are not so apparent because of the absence of Thai government doesn’t discriminates their people into bumiputra and non-bumiputra, resulting in assimiliation process happened naturally without force. That’s why the Chinese ethnic there proudly called themselves Thai with Thai names. Even then, people know their original ethnic.
Unlike here in Malaysia, we can never be assimiliated the same way due to reasons know best to us. As a result, we hold dearly to our ethnic values and names.
But, we have to acknowledge that we human beings can be biased even to our own people, what more to expect the Ang Moh look down on ethnic Chinese like what relate by BeWildered. I see this as quite natural. But, the fact that BeWildered, being a Chinese, able to be such high position among the Ang Moh proved that meritocracy (not discrimination) still thrive in USA. That maybe the reason why Gary Locke, being the third generation Chinese there, just like the Thai Chinese, has no qualm to adopt his way in American style. If the Americans are discriminatory like Umno Malays, fat hope that he can be like what he is now. But, again, you know their nature. They can still justify that they are ‘fair’ since we have KTK, LGE as the CM of Penang.
This kind of people can argue things out of nothing. In fact, many non-Malay in BN are like ‘this kind of people’, not because of assimiliation, but all because of ‘khang dao’.
LikeLike
Aug 19, 2011 @ 18:02:40
“BeWildered”….you are welcome to attack me anytime.
Don’t be too nice too me.
I am sure readers like to read how different minds work.. and learn.
By the way…it is “monsterball.”…..not “monster ball” or “monster-ball”
Have a nice early morning….take your breakfast.. and enjoy the weekend.
Just learn not to jump to conclusions..insulting others.
LikeLike
Aug 19, 2011 @ 18:13:42
Ambassador to China..is US President’s right hand man ….and US President knows what he is doing.
One fault of Gary Locke……he will not be chosen.
He must be absolutely 100% right for the job….amongst great brains to be singled out.
But in commercial firms…you choose the best…even the best is not good enough.but short listed…is still the best…and give him a chance to prove his worth.
LikeLike
Aug 19, 2011 @ 21:05:28
This is ridiculous and getting out of hand. Please use another platform to settle your disagreement. Though everybody is entitled to one’s opinion, please be discreet about it. I believe the current CM of Penang sets a good example for prudent and responsible spending befitting a person holding public office in Malaysia. Sadly in feudalistic society some of these excesses are revered.
LikeLike
Aug 20, 2011 @ 01:22:07
I was asked to reveal myself, I did it in good faith. More attacks and insults with that information, Wow!! it is OK. No harm done.
My original intent is to contribute the diversity of views on articles by Dr Hsu. it is hard to find Blogs with good quality from Malaysia, and that is why I spend my lunch time every day reading Dr Hsu Forum. I have a lot of respect for Dr Hsu for his dedication to Malaysian social political concerns. And he is a gentleman.
American are very shrew people, they borrow tons of money from China (China also does not have a choice), then US does this thing call quantitative easing, means printing a lot of money and devalue the US dollar, this means the value of their debts decreases. This makes China very furious but China also cannot do anything. Americans have upper hand for now. since the last ambassador to China just quited his post to run for president in 2012 against Obama. Obama send a Chinese American to China to get whacked by the Chinese government. You want to get upset with US, fine, we send one of your kind to let you kick ass. So, this is the real politics in US/China diplomacy.
Dr Hsu’s article is on reflecting the difference between how US and Malaysian officials handle their travel. I tried to point out that it is the US system and requirements, and not necessary the personal style of Locke.
I said Malaysia is 200 years behind in this because it will take 200 years, approximately 3 generations to evolve to the level where all the excessive privileges of officials travels are stripped away. Malaysia is now moving in the wrong direction, we have this thing called First Lady for the PM wife, which we did not have before. It is worrying that the PM title may change to Emperor as the next move.
A developing country has two destinies. One is like Singapore which developed from a developing country to a developed country. Or one like Zimbawi, which becomes a total chaos and civil war. Which way is Malaysia progressing? What are the signs?
If any one disagree with the views above, it is OK, say ur minds but try not to insult me because it reveals a lot about yourself, not me.
Have a good day, my break time is over.
We are all Malaysia. We all love Malaysia. And we show the world the real Malaysia boleh.
LikeLike
Aug 20, 2011 @ 03:18:21
I quote..”Actually I do not have respect for this Locke also. Why he needs to change is name to Locke from Luo to please the white man…”
How do you know he did that to please the white man?
You mean everything you conclude must be right?
You mean that comment is not an insult to Locke?
“Malaysia is 200 years behind on this….so be patient”…unquote.
To be at par.with USA..in everything…we need 200 years?
Is this not an insult to Malaysians?
Contribute in diplomatic ways…not running down on others.
Read the post carefully!!
“Servant of the people” and if I read it and view the photos correctly…Dr.Shu was pointing out how humble Locke is and wish our corrupted sickening UMNO B crooks…be more like him.
I fully agree Americans are very shrewd and cunning.
They are the masters in making fools of others.
An for the rest of your latest comment……..nothing to disagree about…but out of point to what we are arguing and debating.
LikeLike
Aug 20, 2011 @ 03:21:33
One moment..you say Malaysians tak boleh…will take 200 years to catch up.
Next moment…you said..Malaysians boleh.
Are you married with children?
LikeLike
Aug 20, 2011 @ 03:29:28
We all respect Dr.Hsu in our own different ways…and no doubt Doc is a real gentleman…..but he can be nasty if he chooses to be.
Come on…why read everyday only.
Put out your comments and support his blog and make it a lively one.
Don’t let anyone scare you away.
We are all humans.
LikeLike
Aug 20, 2011 @ 03:46:51
“BeWildered”..to let you know something about me….I am married…3 times over and one soul mate..with 5 children.
I have been doing my own business ..partnering Americans…Australians and Koreans …visiting these countries…2 times per year..for 20 years..and “electronic” products was my main money maker.
Suddenly I recalled one said how much he respected Dr,Hsu…few months ago and read Doc’s blog and another everyday……YET..never put out another comment…when he was revealed being totally insincere.
LikeLike
Aug 20, 2011 @ 07:47:48
i think this has gone overboard. pls refrain from attacking another person even i you do not like his views.
I am putting this on moderation mode for awhile.
LikeLike
Aug 20, 2011 @ 11:20:21
To clarify some point.
1. Gary Locke father’s name is James Locke, his Chinese name is 駱家輝.
2. Chinese ambassador to US may do the same, nothing to brag. And we may not see the full picture yet when there could be 20 bodyguards and staffs that trail Locke when he walk into a McDonald or having a bowl of soy sauce noodles. Bruce Springsteen wrote song about the poor and working class in his USD 20 million mansion, this is American, but good thing is nobody get jealous.
3. I think 200 years is just figure of speech.
4. US can print money, true, but economies policy is often a two edge sword, and unlike Japan, China security and defense doesn’t count on US. Come to think of it, Chinese shall be thankful to Mao in this aspect, like what Gary Locke and Elaine Chao did when keep rambling how they thankful to America and how great is America.
5. “Obama send a Chinese American to China to get whacked by the Chinese government. You want to get upset with US, fine, we send one of your kind to let you kick ass. So, this is the real politics in US/China diplomacy.” I think Bewildered claim on this is absurd or one sided, just my opinion.
6. Thailand successful integration has everything to do with 1) force assimilation and 2) share a same religion, Buddhist.
7. Bewildered holding of high position in US with American as subordinate is indication of meritocracy, so how his holding of the same position with Malaysian as subordinate in Malaysia is not meritocracy?
8. Democracy is to let the people judge and choose, LGE and KTK is there not because they are smart, this has nothing to do with meritocracy but people choose them. LGE is now given a chance to implement his policy that shall base on merit, and under him, seem like many Chinese contractor lack competency and merit.
LikeLike
Dec 07, 2011 @ 00:13:19
Re: Locke’s name. I think when immigrants came to the United States, they had to stop at Angel Island, where oftentimes the officials there did not know how to pronounce or spell foreign names, so they ended up romanizing them into names that sounded European for the official documents. So I don’t think Locke changed his name – most likely his grandfather’s name was changed by immigration officials when he immigrated to the U.S.
LikeLike
Dec 07, 2011 @ 10:51:10
Evitable,
That is most probable.
In Malaysia in the old days, not many people especially those in rural area understood English. So the officials registering birth had to spell for them based on their own perception of how the name sounded.
So I have come across many in the same family with different spelling of the surname(family name). In one family, the sister is Wu, brother is Fu, and another brother is Po. Common ones are Lui, Looi, Loi. Another one is Lum and Lam..
LikeLike