Correcting Malaysia’s Many Missteps…

Many would agree that the current misstep is on data centres. Our push to become the regional hub for data centres and eagerness to attract foreign direct investments (FDI), called for governmentbacked incentives, or should I say, over-incentivised. Government officials are now publicly saying a rethink or reprice is in order due to massive strains on utilities without creating enough high-wage local jobs. 

Meanwhile, subsidies for the rakyat are being pulled back. 

Let us visit a few more.

Economic crises, shifts in government policies and failure to escape the middle-income trap contributed to non-achievement of Vision 2020. We did not move from growth driven by capital and labour towards growth driven by productivity and innovation. The strategy till this day is to attract FDI, build infrastructure, employ cheap foreign labour, manufacture and export. 

We were on track to become an “Asian Tiger” but we failed to use our abilities and resources to achieve what we are capable of. Several structural, economic, and political missteps slowed the progress. We used economic “shortcuts” such as the present-day data centres over long-term structural reforms instead of investing in homegrown research and innovation.

Crisis management is next. Malaysia Airlines and the government faced criticism for the way they dealt with missing flight MH370. It revealed critical lessons in communication failures, delayed responses and structural mismanagement. Today, it is Felda and padi fertilizer mismanagement – governance and logistical delays in distributing agricultural subsidies and managing institutional debts.

Malaysia celebrated the change in government in 2018. However, the struggle for power (intense political infighting and shifting alliances) ensued. At this juncture, the unity government looks fragile. This ‘musical chairs’ game comes at the expense of blurry direction and political instability.

Today, despite strong headline economic growth numbers, ordinary citizens don’t seem to enjoy the ‘fruits’ in their daily life. Wage increase is slower than the rising cost of living and many have to opt for second jobs.

Systemic corruption and abuse of power have severely tarnished our reputation, left the country with high debt and higher interest costs at the expense of development expenditure. 

Sweeping major scandals under the carpet (Tabung Haji and Felda) is another misstep. The Tabung Haji Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report was kept under wraps for nearly four years to prevent a loss of public confidence that could result in mass fund withdrawals. But the deposits and financial obligations are guaranteed under the Tabung Haji Act 1995 and very unlikely will expose the government to sudden withdrawals of over RM74.5 billion.

The actions now on politicians and management staff on mismanagement is a little too late in the day. Investigations should have started earlier and justice delayed is justice denied or is it condoning? This also led to trust deficit.

We must also do away with double standards and selective law enforcement. 

Comments on the 3R (race, religion, and royalty) have been aggressively removed and labelled as sensitive issues, avoiding mature discussions. Censorship powers are expanded and the use of broad and vaguely worded laws to criminalise free speech. The Federal Constitution guaranteed freedom of speech and expression under Article 10(1)(a).

We are urged to uphold every principle of the Rukun Negara (that include the 3R) and to practise it as a guiding framework in our daily life but are prevented to discuss it. Even the six core values of the MADANI framework have elements of the 3R. The Agong said, any individual who rejects the principles of the Rukun Negara is not worthy of being regarded as a Malaysian citizen.

To correct these missteps, we must move away from artificial economic props, do away with quick fixes and seriously address governance, economic issues and policies, educational and institutional reforms. 

Strict enforcement of anti-corruption laws is meaningless if normalisation of financial settlements in lieu of charges are practiced. Seriously, there must be accountability and credible actions taken and no impunity for corruption. 

Power-hungry politicians must by now realise the damage done to the country and have laws enacted to stop ‘horse-trading’.

By the way, can we ask the politicians to solve the above issues for us? Just watch the parliament sessions, they try to pick fights with each other more often than solving problems. And by convention, most times it will be “what’s in it for me” which comes with empty sweet promises.

We need ‘movers’ to come forward and arrange discourses such as the 3R at the highest possible public forum followed with a referendum. 

We had ‘Sheraton Move’ and now we need a ‘Rakyat Move’. 

We don’t need chauvinists. Diversity is a powerful engine for success. It combines different minds, backgrounds, experiences and skills, producing better ideas and smarter solutions. 

Let us do some self-reflection, examine our biases and turn differences into understanding and stress equity over equality.

Old politics must go. Do we want to live separate lives or welcome tolerance and understanding?

Let us emulate the Pancasila as a basis for integration where everybody speaks one language and one mind for a better Malaysia. 

Selamat Hari Malaysia.

What say you… 

 

Saleh Mohammed