The Lesson For Malaysia
The Lesson For Malaysia
[Note: The original version was posted on Malaysia-Today.net on December 17, 2006. I have expanded on that piece.]
The office of the President of the United States is the most powerful. The power, prestige, and influence wielded by its occupant are unmatched. Yet there was the remarkable event recently of a bipartisan committee of ten distinguished Americans publicly telling their President in no uncertain terms that his policy in Iraq was fatally flawed.
To me, this again demonstrates the beauty and genius of the American system. It is remarkable that rest of the world (except for Iraq, of course) does not appreciate the significance of this singular event. While Malaysian media covered in some details the recent American midterm elections, they hardly had a word on the Iraq Study Group and its Report.
Yet there is an important lesson or two here for Malaysia. One, even the most powerful leader can be subjected to scrutiny by the citizens at any time, not just at elections. Two, such criticisms even during times of war do not in any way undermine the power or prestige of that office. No American, not even the President who is the prime target of the criticism, is accusing the committee of undermining the war efforts in Iraq by their criticisms. Nor Bush did question the loyalty of the committee members or his other critics.
In mark contrast, there was Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi in his usual self-righteousness manner accusing those who criticized him as engaging in fitnah. This is an especially sinister exercise as that derogatory term is replete with profound religious implications. It is particularly offensive coming as it was from a self-professed “religious scholar” and “ulama.”
There was another remarkable aspect to the Iraq Study Group. It presented its report directly to President Bush in a face-to-face meeting on December 6, 2006 at 7AM. Rest assured that everyone was wide eyed and awake, especially the President, at that early morning meeting. Please take note of this, Mr. Prime Minister!
Before submitting its unanimous report, the Group had earlier “interviewed” (grilled is the more accurate word) the President and senior members of his team. The Group released its full report to the public on the day it was presented to the President. There was no hiding behind concerns on “national security” or “sensitive issue.”
The Relevant Lessons
Like many, I feel strongly that Malaysia is headed in the wrong direction. Our society is increasingly fragmented along racial, religious, and regional lines while our institutions are losing their integrity and effectiveness through the twin blights of corruption and incompetence.
Malaysians increasingly view themselves as “us” versus “them.” The “us” could be Malays and the “them,” non-Malays. For Malays, the “us” could be those who subscribe to the “pure” form of Islam, and the “them,” the misled. For the Chinese, the “us” could be those who have adapted to the Malaysian reality and proudly display their Tan Sris and Datuks, while the “them” are those who feel that the very survival of the great Chinese culture and language rests on their shoulders. For the Indians, the “us” could be those who have forsaken their “anak lelaki” or “anak perempuan” of their birth certificates for a “bin” or “binte” respectively, acquire an affected Kedah accent, and voila, suddenly become ardent defenders of Malay special privileges! The “them” are the rest.
Our national schools no longer attract a significant portion of our citizens, and our universities have failed to provide the necessary skilled manpower. Thousands of our graduates are unemployed, or more correctly, unemployable.
Economically, Malaysia no longer attracts foreign investments. Investors, local and foreign, perceive the nation as being increasingly corrupt. The recent demands by civil servants for a 40 percent pay hike reflect the increasing cost and declining standard of living.
Instead of being the engine that would propel our progress, the civil service is a major impediment. The only difference between lawbreakers and law enforcers is that the latter is on the government payroll. Otherwise they both extort and terrorize the public. As these public institutions are essentially Malay, they also bring shame and dishonor to our race.
Those are the realities, but we would not know that from the official pronouncements. That is to be expected; those in power do not willingly expose their mistakes and inadequacies.
The Surprising Elegant Silence of Many
What is surprising is the “elegant silence” of others. As I look at the roster of distinguished Malaysians now retired from academia, the professions, and public service, I am humbled by their integrity, intelligence, and contributions. I wonder how they feel seeing their fine legacies now being dismantled, and in many cases defiled.
Their silence is puzzling. If they feel that the nation is headed in the right direction and their legacies in good hands, they should voice their support. That would encourage the leaders to do more of the same. If they disagree, then they owe it to their fellow citizens to voice those concerns.
The only luminary who has spoken out is Tun Mahathir. The way the establishment has been treating him reveals volumes of its rigid “group think” and insular mindset. That Mahathir was defeated as a party delegate from his old constituency was a humiliation not for him but for those party members. If pearls had been cast unto them, they would have paved them onto their driveway of their palatial mansions, unable to discern those pearls from pebbles.
Regardless of the ultimate consequence of his criticisms, Mahathir has already made a seminal contribution. He effectively shattered the Malaysian taboo of criticizing the leaders. That can only be good for the nation. I am on record as being one of Mahathir’s severest critics even at the height of his popularity, but I salute him for this singular contribution. It is even more significant that he made it after he retired. For many, retirement means no longer contributing.
Loyalty means loyalty to the rule of law and to our institutions, not to individuals, no matter how high a position they occupy. Those ten distinguished Americans of the Iraq Study Group epitomize this fine tradition. Its Report is widely discussed and President Bush has already taking steps to respond on those recommendations.
The chief architect of the flawed Iraq policy has already resigned. We may disagree with Secretary Rumsfeld’s policies but there is no denying his personal integrity in resigning and taking responsibility. Contrast that to the behaviors of his Malaysian counterparts. Rafidah Aziz is still holding tight despite the Approved Permits scandal; like wise Sammy Vellu with the Highway Bypass collapse, and Syed Hamid over the imbroglio of the crooked bridge.
I look forward to similar contributions from our own corp of distinguished retired Malaysians along the lines of the Iraq Study Group. I am of course counting on the few who are not consumed with indulging their grandchildren, idling their time on the golf courses, or regaling their fellow mosque attendees.
December 17th, 2006 at 5:41 pm
I have also wondered what happened to the good men & women, who should have stood up & be counted when the country is in dire straits.
For whatever reason they may have, I do hope that at least some will find the strength to do something positive before all is lost.
For me, at least for now, my only route is through the ballot box. When the time comes, we have to campaign for a “No to BN” vote.
A bloody nose is the minimum BN deserves. The obscenity, the greed for wealth & power & their false patriotism is just too much to stomach.
December 17th, 2006 at 7:55 pm
Is the Malaysian reality one that requires the non Malays to forever kowtow to the Malays? If it is, there is no need for any rational discussion.
December 17th, 2006 at 8:48 pm
Once many years ago at a social event in KL, a current affairs discussion was going on amongst some doctors, specialists most of them. Most had strong opinions about corruption and other common Malaysian socio-political ills that have infested the country.
One of the doctors, sighing after listening to this line of talk, finally came up with the greatest conversation stopper I’ve ever heard amongst what should have been the best educated folks of the land; “Aaaah, just leave politics to the politicians - I want to get on with my work”
Well, that about sums it up.
Mahathir, now out of power, was the MAIN reason for my migrating from Malaysia and I suspect Dr. Bakri he may have been yours too had you spent a significant time actually living under his repressive regime for all those years. Now he bleats freedom of speech. I don’t know if I want to laugh or cry hearing his current crap!!
December 18th, 2006 at 12:11 am
Bakri:
You asked why those that had distinguished careers etc are not speaking up. Their silence, to you, is puzzling.
The answer is simply that even though they may have strong opinions on many issues, they do not have the medium to air them. The truth is that many of that generation are computer illiterate, and the internet is something that they do not subscribe to.
I have friends, even in their early 50’s who do not check their emails,and instead have their secretaries do it for them. They simply do not know how.
What more, for those that have retired. If only these people have blogs, we can learn so much from them. Names that come to mind are the late TanSri Ahmad Nordin, TanSri Ghazali Shafei, TanSri Ramon Navaratnam, Datuk Lim Ah Lek, Tunku Razaleigh and many others.
If we hope for our press to publish any dissenting views, it is merely wishful thinking, and even if at all it is published, it will be heavily “edited”.
If Tun Mahathir, Anwar Ibrahim and many others were demonised by the editors, then the others may just not speak at all.
LJ
December 18th, 2006 at 2:04 am
Malaysia is definitely going the way of Myammar and Fiji in due course.
No hunger pang, no urgency to excel and no willingness to open up culturally and politically on the part of Malays, Malaysia I reckon may take many generations to wear out like Burmese, who is very much the same as the Malay culturally and genetically.
Good luck all Malaysians!
December 18th, 2006 at 4:35 am
Between the ruling BN and the combined opposition (CO) the latter seems to be the lesser of the two evils. Hence the electorate should seriously consider throwing out the BN and electing the CO to form the govt. The CO’s manifesto should carry this lightning rod: (Upon getting the people’s mandate, investigations on the wrong doings and corrupt acts of the ruling politicians from PM to the cabinet minister -and others down the line- will be undertaken immediately to ensure that each and every one among those found guilty, will be put behind bars and their ill-gotten wealth confiscated).The majority of the ruling clique is obscenely corrupt. The leopard will not change its spots. PAS and DAP should narrow their differences and agree to a minimum programme as the priority concern is to unseat the BN. CO stalwarts should start working the ground from now onwards by approaching the silent elegant individuals (the good politicians, academics, retired sr civil servants, professionals and the likes that Dr Bakri is referring to) to articulate their considered views on what is ailing the country and what can be done to bring about better governance. There ought to be good people among the leadership cadre even in UMNO, MCA, MIC, Gerakan and other outfits within the BN. Work on them too silently (how this strategy should be played out for maximum impact at the appropriate time will be the subject of another posting by this blogger - again at the appropriate time!!)
December 18th, 2006 at 7:00 am
Dear Dr. Bakri,
Well, written piece with paragraph 8 taking centrestage.
Even so, in relation to your musings regarding the “silence” of the distinguished Malaysians, I believe Sdr. longjaafar almost hits the nail on its head via his commentary. I say almost since there is another possibility for that silence i.e. fear of upsetting their turn on the “gravy train”. Mind you, I said possibility not probability but there is still that deafening silence …
December 18th, 2006 at 7:20 am
[...] [Note: The original version was posted on Malaysia-Today.net on December 17, 2006. … Yet there is an important lesson or two here for Malaysia. … Like many, I feel strongly that Malaysia is headed in the wrong direction. … – more – [...]
December 18th, 2006 at 9:22 pm
Dear Bakri,
Excerpt by former Guthrie boss ,now Keadilan treasure Tan Sri Khalid ,me quoting loosely:
” The Malay always support the winner,its immaterial how he got it in the first place,the act of killing, motive and eventual place where the criminal act was performed bear no consequence to their loyalty to the winner”
This must be in similar echo written by Munshi Abdullah more than 100 years ago …in short the mindset never change after more than century.The education system we have were created to perpetuate the same mentality ,thus the absence of dissenting views and ideas.
Send them (malays esp)to faraway land to study and learn,they congregate to form kg.Kedah,Kg Kelantan and Kg Trg in the middle of USA.The Chinese do have chinese town all over the world too.It was formed for economic reasons,but the malay do that to feel the safety within their own cocoon.They wouldnt dare to venture.
Now they are supporting the winner, AAB can do what he likes ,likes the Sultan of old there would be many Hang Tuahs that would come to protect him.Unlike the old Tuah who did it as a selfless acts,the present Tuahs are deceitful bunch who only seek personal glory.
December 18th, 2006 at 10:44 pm
The present Tuahs are only interested in filling their pockets so they will do whatever their leaders dictate. Seeing these hangers-on and ahli bodeks moving around with their masters is indeed a specatacle. They will laugh and clap as if on cue. Their masters can do no wrong and in time the leaders will feel that they are invincible. The Jebats, on the other hand, are made to be the evil and the source of all problems. This mindset has been with the Malays a long long time ago. Removing it is not something easy. Abroad they will group together for no other reason other than security and to keep their Melayuness intact.
December 19th, 2006 at 1:03 am
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December 19th, 2006 at 2:28 am
Doc, an impactful posting as usual. My wife who does not go into the computer told me the other day, “The postings in theblogs are valid, but they do not reach the hardcore supporters of UMNO.” True definitely. To my mind, the only way to give the BN a bloody nose is to do it leagally, thru the polls. In the meantime we need to act proactively, otherwise our vision of a new Malaysia, without action, will continue to be just a dream.
December 19th, 2006 at 2:29 am
Doc, y the hardcore I mean the kumpung folks.
December 19th, 2006 at 7:10 am
“As these public institutions are essentially Malay, they also bring shame and dishonor to our race.”
Much as I would like to refrain from saying this but it’s a fact that the Malays are viewed in “poor light” ( to put it mildly) by the general Non-Malay population.
The behaviour of the civil servants and their politcal masters gives credence to this view.
How sad, the race that claims to own this land, the race that claims to be defenders of its religion, is contributing immensely to its degeneration and eventual destruction.
December 19th, 2006 at 10:39 am
The Malays are viewed in a poor light not only by the non-Malays but by the Malays themselves. And this is a fact. See how cocky and arrogant the MP from Jerai is. He talks as if he owns the country when in fact he is just a water boy running errands for his Umno masters. Most of them cannot argue their points and when push comes to shove would draw their keris or parang for effect. How naive.
December 19th, 2006 at 11:34 am
Well said Al Jihad, can’t agree more. I am enjoying what I just read! …LOL
December 19th, 2006 at 11:50 am
It’s season of giving, and I am in the mood for laughs, maybe I’ll send a keris each to Jerai MP and another to the PPP tin-pot president!
December 19th, 2006 at 12:01 pm
It’s season for giving, maybe I’ll send a keris each to that Jerai MP and the other to the tin-pot president of PPP. That guy’s in the mood for fight these days - a desperado nut. He may draw it for christmas entertaining with Lim Keng Yaik !
December 20th, 2006 at 2:51 am
Dear Friends, Romans, countrymen,
Dr. Bakri, how right you are!!
We in Malaysia are too proud to learn from the good policies, practices and experiences of others. In this regard, we don’t have to go very far., Just look at Singapore, across Selat Tebrau, where “philosopher-king” and “mandarin” types administer the country. They are well paid no doubt but much is expected of them in terms of performance, integrity, and accountability. But then the very mention of Singapore turns our politicians and civil servants off.
We are even too arrogant to learn from Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the Emirates, where their leaders are making economic use of their oil resources and preparing for the day their petrodollars run out. There is a Malay term for this complex—”Bodoh Sombong”.
Now to be more specific. Compare our GLCs with Temasek, Malaysia Airlines with Singapore Airlines, or Kuala Lumpur International Airport with Changi International, or the Port of Singapore Authority and Kelang NorthPort and WestPort.
The rest of our GLCs have one problem or another; in stead of maximizing shareholder value, our GLCs tend to be value destroyers. Focus on personal KPIs, asset stripping and creative accounting seem to be their common practice. At this rate, even the Blue, Green or Red book won’t help. What is required is great strategic thinking and brilliant execution to enhance productivity and competitiveness.
Why? Firstly, there is too much political inteference at the execution level in pursuit of the so-called Social Responsibility Agenda. Secondly, top positions (at Board level especially) are given to ex-Civil Servants as reward for past services to their political masters. Such personalities have no basic understanding of the business world. It is no wonder that we have “mini sultans”, “little Napoleons” and “ahli bodeks” in our system.
If we want things to change we have to vote corrupt and incompetent politicians out of office. In this case, we should be reassessing our support for the BN. After 50 years at the helm of our country, the UMNO-led Barisan Nasional should now experience the ire of voters for spinning and empty promises. Let us give them a thumping in the coming elections.
Next. we have to close down non-performing GLCs in stead of bailing them out using scarce tax dollars. We were recently told that some rm11 billion have been spent on bailing out failed GLCs. Then, we must engage the best people irrespective of race, colour or religion to lead of GLCs and make that directors enforce good corporate governance.
Unfortunately, if we can go by past experiences, this will not happen in Malaysia because every one wants to become popular like a politician, and irresponsibly benevolent in the use of taxpayers’ money. Furthermore, there is a prevailing attitude, or standard operating procedure (SOP), that the Government will always restructure, maybe by way of huge mergers, restructuring schemes, or cash injections.
If we cannot make money as in the case of our toll roads, concessionaries can arrange for sweetheart deals with the Government so that the Government underwrites commercial risks by way of subsidies. When such such subsidies are not given, they can ask the Cabinet on the advice of Works Minister Samy Velu for substantial increases in toll rates.
In Malaysia, it is easy to be a businessman, if one has the right connections. Overnight, two ringgit paid-up capital company, usually if it is shadowed by an UMNO politician, or iit is sponsored someone’s son-in-law, can be multi-million dollar business with an early public listing potential.
So welcome to business ala Malaysia. Where do we go from here? What is the fate of genuine businessmen and entrepreneurs?
December 20th, 2006 at 5:25 pm
why the supposed learned and good men and women do not stand and be counted? because malaysians are selfish. patrick teoh in his blog sometime ago summed it up:
i quote”malays hanging on nep, chinese-still can make money maaa..by the way my family in perth, yours? and indians..we only go to them for medical and legal advice, right?”
i am a young professional, not unlike Ajay. despite my burning desire to see a better malaysia, i would not give up everything and spearhead changes ala reformasi. say what you may, but that’s what it takes.
chances are i’ll lose everything i’ve worked for and love doing. i know i’ll never win, because malaysians are not really concerned that our country is “not heading in the right direction”. the recent outburst is related to the lack of wealth, money, comfort etc along those lines.
During Tun’s time, the same (crap) happened, but nobody really cared, because they were speculating at the markets in comfort. now the econony isn’t doing so well..and we get the same (bullshit) comments. if you were listening, these were the same comments made during the economic slump in the early 80s.
since then, nothing’s changed.
in summary, malaysians don’t really care..so long as their coffers are full. if we really cared, Dr Bakri would have been back to contest in the next GE. but we malaysians are not worth the sacrifice. that’s why the good men and women will never stand and be counted.
December 20th, 2006 at 7:04 pm
Thousands expected at anti-toll hike demo
Bede Hong
Dec 19, 06 12:28pm Adjust font size:
Opposition parties and consumer groups are planning a mammoth
protest against the increase in toll hikes for five major highways
in the Klang Valley.
It is learnt that thousands are expected to turn up at the protest
which will be held along the Lebuhraya Damansara-Puchong (LDP)
highway on Jan 7.
PAS Youth chief Salahuddin Ayub said the Islamic opposition party
alone will bring between 5,000 and 10,000 protestors.
“We are sad that the government is not considerate towards the
people, especially those with low incomes,” he said when met after a
closed-door discussion in Kuala Lumpur last night.
The hour-long discussion at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese
Assembly Hall was attended by DAP Seputeh MP Teresa Kok, Parti
Sosialis Malaysia secretary-general S Arutchelvan, PAS treasurer
Hatta Ramli, Parti Keadilan Rakyat information chief Tian Chua and
Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) president Syed Shahrir Syed
Mohammad.
A `Protes Kenaikan Tol’ committee has been set up and will be helmed
by Syed Shahrir.
Last week, the government announced that the toll rates for the five
highways will rise between 20 to 60 percent effective Jan 1. LDP
will see its toll rise from RM1 to RM1.60.
Tian said the Jan 7 protest will not only see the participation of
party members. “Local residents who are unhappy with the toll hike
will also participate, ” he added when met at the same venue.
Syed Shahrir said the committee has yet to decide on the exact
location to hold the protest.
“It would likely be somewhere where there are parking spaces for the
protestors. We would not be blocking traffic. However, we would be
visible to road users.
“It’s a big mobilisation. I don’t think it would be solely because
of the toll hikes. The public is very angry at a combination of
things that happened this year, including the fuel hikes,” he added.
Buy back highways
The committee will also submit a memorandum to the Prime Minister’s
Department on Dec 27 denouncing the toll hikes.
The memorandum will call on the government to make public the
clauses in the concessionaire agreements and to buy back the
concessions.
Works Minister S Samy Vellu disclosed that it cost RM4.13 billion to
construct the five highways: LDP, Shah Alam Highway, Cheras-Kajang
Highway, Kuala Lumpur-Karak Highway and the Guthrie Corridor
Expressway.
The minister also revealed that a RM2.589 billion compensation
package for the five concessionaires was to be incurred from Jan 1,
2007 when the new toll rates take effect to the next review in toll
rates, which is between 2010 and 2012.
Samy Vellu also said the government had to compensate a total of
RM2.275 billion to the operators of four of the five highways, not
including Guthrie Corridor, which is a new highway.
However, while he gave a breakdown of this figure, he did not
specify over what period of time this amount was paid.
But going by this, the government could be paying as much as RM4.9
billion in compensation alone for the highways.
Opposition party DAP has urged the government to buy up the five
highways by paying the concessionaires RM4.13 billion for the total
construction cost.
In a related development, DAP will proceed with the Dec 31 protest
at the Grand Saga toll plaza along the Cheras highway. The protest
is jointly organised by the Bandar Mahkota Cheras Open Access Road
Action Committee (BMC-OARAC).
On Sunday, a protest organised by DAP and BMC-OARAC saw some 800
people taking to the streets in Cheras to vent their frustration
against the toll hike.
December 22nd, 2006 at 3:01 pm
So welcome to business ala Malaysia. Where do we go from here? What is the fate of genuine businessmen and entrepreneurs?
I know where I have gone. I have migrated. Good riddance to bad rubbish.
December 23rd, 2006 at 12:31 am
Where you have gone, migrated, we are not bothered.
If Malaysia is bad rubbish to you, why bother to know our fate if you have nothing to help contribute. Shame on you, selfish brat!