Najib’s 100 Day “Blitz”

By Dr. Collin Abraham

The response of most thinking Malaysians to the ‘blitz´ appears to be a resounding “Not good enough” It would be tedious to elaborate on reasons given as to why the changes have short fallen short of meeting the aspirations and expectations of the people, so perhaps I might be allowed to present a theoretical position and look at the “100 Day Blitz” within the framework of a “Bangsawan/Elitist/ Bourgeois Ideology” 

Put simply, the analysis will encompass essentially the social impact of dealing with the changes from a pragmatic view-point and ‘top-bottom’ perspective. 
 

PRAGMATISM 

This means introducing changes in a practical way. By definition, the approach to changes would necessarily be ad hoc and devoid of theoretical underpinnings. Essentially, this is a case-by-case scenario, based mainly on common sense and ‘top-of-the-hat’ suggestions for solutions.  

It is clear that by adopting a pragmatic approach, Najib’s changes have failed to present a coherent comprehensive spectrum of reforms re-enforcing each other for building and strengthening the social structure of the entire society towards nation-building. 

This is because more specifically, in the absence of clearly stipulated ground rules, pragmatism can open the door to policy formulation and implementation being influenced by vested interests and could thereby easily breed “cronyism”. Najib has in fact inherited pragmatically-oriented mechanisms and institutions of government that have enabled politicians and bureaucrats to create an institutional network that acts as a façade to what is in fact really happening in society. 

Therefore YAB needs to reject and eject such an institutional structure in his “First 100 Days” for the simple reason that it acts as a constraint to focus on the real and underlying fundamental issues and problems facing the nation. More importantly, in the context of a multi-cultural society, Najib has failed to “explore meaningful socio-political changes to help steer the society towards a less racial and polarized future for Malaysia” 
 

“TOP-BOTTOM PERSPECTIVE” 

The historical record will show that this approach was also a legacy of the colonial period and I do not intend to go into details here. What needs to be emphasized is that ever since independence, the “ruling class” has consolidated and reinforced this model to the extent that it has almost totally obliterated the active involvement and participation of stakeholders across the board in the pivotal process of policy formulation and implementation. In other words, this approach has worked towards the detriment of the interests of the people ‘at the bottom’ of the social institutions as well as the agencies and statutory bodies of government. 

Perhaps the best way therefore is to briefly project the implications of this approach by looking at the proposed expansion plans for Felda and the appointment of local experts to the NEAC. 

FELDA 

The unprecedented ‘global’ expansion plans of Felda encapsulates almost an ‘ideal-typical’ construct of what a ‘top-bottom’ strategy ought NOT to be. A UNDP study (2002), clearly identified an institutional structure where the original goals and objectives had been almost totally compromised by a class of bureaucrats who had set themselves up as the management and functioned effectively as shareholders. Repeated requests by Tun Abdullah Badawi, when Prime Minister, and even by Najib as Deputy therefore understandably failed to get the settlers listed on the stock exchange. 

As a consequence, the management had single-handedly embarked on a massive programme of ‘Empire Building’ and facilitated the introduction of a vast array of new investment subsidiaries the proceeds of which are unlikely to be shared by settlers.

Indeed, it would be tedious to list the “blow-by blow’ grievances of settlers against these programmes but considering that they had won a legal case for damages against the management for cheating, and that there is yet another similar legal case pending, speaks for itself! 
 

LOCAL EXPERTS TO NEAC 

This would have been an excellent opportunity for highly academically qualified Malaysian doctorate professionals with hands on exposure and experiences to advise Najib to “reset” the agenda for a ‘bottom-top’ perspective. Indeed, the need for such a policy reversal has recently been amply vindicated in the election of President Obama when he called for a bottom-top change in the US because “change can only come from the bottom” 

In view of the well-known complexities involved in the politico-economic and social scenarios that need constant research and deliberations needed, to understand and to formulate policies and programmes to address and hopefully overcome some of the issues and problems confronted, it was hoped that Najib would have appointed a panel of local experts also drawing on the expertise of senior retired professionals who have been associated with development plans and programmes for decades since their inception. 

As it is the foreign experts would also be much dependent on the ‘locals’ for guidance (as was clearly seen in the Johor/Pahang Regional Master Plans) and unfortunately this will not be much forthcoming in the absence of nominees who have ‘hands on’ exposure. Therefore sociologists (which Najib earlier promised) and other social scientists (apart from economists) should also have been appointed to such a panel. 
 

CONCLUDING COMMENT 

Najib has the opportunity and the mandate to introduce and to re-set the agenda before it is too late. The changes and reforms introduced should be seen as essential for the continued development and stability of Malaysia despite whichever political party is in power. After all Najib must remember that it was his father who managed to forge the Barisan National from a range of conflicting political parties to secure the peace and ethnic/racial harmony we enjoy today.