Why Malays Must Change: Embracing Critical Thinking and Proactivity

Every policy, including the Matrix System and backdoor strategies, was seen as appropriate for its time, situation, and place. However, the world is dynamic, and time, environment, and challenges are constantly evolving. To thrive in such a world, two key elements are essential:

1. Critical Constructive Analysis
2. Continuous Improvement

Even in my post-professional career, I’ve realised there’s no retirement from economic competition. Continuous improvement is necessary to stay ahead. Unfortunately, this mindset is lacking among Malays and is often rejected by political minds. Such attitudes are labeled as:

• Criticising Malays
• Being ungrateful for what we have

As a result, we see:

• Well-planned policies and acts, but failures in implementation and outcomes

Three Examples:

1. KEB 65
2. Felda
3. MARA, which has failed in its second phase concerning Bumiputra economic development. Even education relies heavily on government funds instead of generating its own, which should be around RM3 billion—a modest amount considering Public Bank’s profit of RM8 billion. Without clear targets, there is no effort or initiative. If MARA focused on:

• Generating its own funds
• Recruiting the best students from primary levels
  The rating and effectiveness would significantly improve. Currently, there is no critical analysis of costs and spending, with 50% of expenditures potentially being saved while achieving the same results. A 30% minimum savings is guaranteed. When success is measured by the amount spent rather than self-generated income, it breeds wastage and overspending.

Another Example:

Majlis Agama Islam succeeds in its first phase but fails in the second, particularly regarding the economic affairs of Muslims.

This reflects the consequences of cultivating a closed political mindset, viewing opponents negatively, and hiding one’s weaknesses. It builds a closed-minded mentality that cannot accept criticism.

Characteristics of Open-Minded Individuals:

• Welcoming of criticism
• Quick to forgive others’ mistakes, recognizing that seeking Allah’s forgiveness for their own sins is a far greater act. Why be stingy in forgiving others’ minor mistakes compared to seeking boundless forgiveness from God?

When someone raises a problem, they should preferably propose a solution. This should apply to everyone, avoiding the addition of more problems, making things bigger and more complex. The political mindset often lacks solutions, reveling in criticizing others and amplifying issues. Such a mindset gains support by shifting responsibility onto others.

Negative Mindsets in Malay Politics:

• Not developing solution-oriented and action-driven approaches.
  Chinese communities, for example, avoid discussing issues without solutions or actions, valuing practical survival strategies over emotional responses. This practical mindset explains why Malays often fail politically despite being 70% of the population and dominating the government economically.

Three Types of Perspectives:

1. Supporters of Party or Leader A
2. Supporters of Party or Leader B
   These political groups prefer finding external factors, weaknesses in opponents, and criticizing others’ successes, possibly due to their lack of achievements and fear of reciprocal criticism.
3. Supporters of the Agenda Ahead, focusing on internal factors, their own failures, and weaknesses to find solutions. Within this group, experienced and successful individuals can guide others, serving as examples. However, such a mindset is often rejected in politics, viewed as self-promotional.

Balancing and considering these perspectives is the best way forward. Personally, I always seek to be in the second group, adopting an open and honest approach. Sometimes, informal discussions after official meetings, relaxed and over a cup of coffee, can serve as an effective booster for ideas and solutions.