In a thought-provoking analysis, Wee Kek Koon explores the contrasting narratives surrounding border walls, focusing on China's Great Wall and the recent proposal by Kelantan, Malaysia, to construct a 99-kilometre wall along its border with Thailand's Narathiwat province. This initiative is aimed at combating smuggling and addressing flooding issues that have plagued the region. The backdrop of this proposal is the long-standing governance of Kelantan by the conservative Parti Islam Se-Malaysia, which has enforced strict Islamic laws for over three decades [e3d944bd].
The Great Wall of China, an iconic structure approximately 21,200 kilometres long, was initially built over 2,500 years ago for defense purposes and later unified under the Qin dynasty in 221 BC. Today, it stands as a symbol of national pride for China, representing resilience and historical significance. In contrast, the wall proposed by Kelantan reflects contemporary concerns about security and environmental challenges, echoing a similar sentiment to Donald Trump's presidency, which was marked by the promise to 'build the wall' along the 3,145-kilometre US-Mexico border [e3d944bd].
While the Great Wall has become a cultural icon, representing the strength and unity of the Chinese nation, the proposed wall in Kelantan raises questions about identity, governance, and the implications of such structures in a modern context. The comparison highlights how walls can symbolize different values and serve various purposes, from defense and national pride to addressing local issues like smuggling and environmental concerns [e3d944bd].
As the world grapples with immigration, security, and cultural identity, the narratives surrounding these walls reflect broader societal attitudes and the complexities of governance in different regions. The potential cultural significance of Kelantan's wall may evolve, much like the Great Wall of China, but it remains to be seen how it will be perceived in the future [e3d944bd].