The reason why Malaysia is so fooked-up
Yes, Malaysia is fooked-up. But then so are 194 other countries — some fooked-up even worse. And the fooked-up government was chosen by 30% of Malaysians who are eligible to vote — or only 16% of 32 million Malaysian citizens. And the reason why Malaysia is fooked-up is because DEMOCRACY is fooked-up. But how many Malaysians understand this? And I am one of the few who are clever enough to know this.
NO HOLDS BARRED
Raja Petra Kamarudin
First read the opinion-piece (BELOW) written by an ex-Malaysian, W. Long, who migrated and took up citizenship of another country in search of a better life.
Just for the record, Parliament was told that about one million Malaysians now live overseas (not all who have given up Malaysian citizenship, though). Unofficial records place the figure at 1.8 million Malaysians living, studying, or working overseas (an estimated one million who have given up their Malaysian citizenship).
I personally have friends who gave up their Malaysian citizenship and having been ‘foreigners’ since the 1970s and 1980s. So this is not a recent phenomenon but has been happening for 40 or 50 years.
In fact, many Malays have been living, for example, in Liverpool, since the 1940s (which is already 80 years now). So the Liverpudlian Malays are now third generation — and some do not even speak Malay or practice Malay culture anymore and have married Mat Salleh and have become Mat Salleh.
Anyway, the point is, Malaysians, even Malays, have been migrating since before Merdeka, since before ‘May 13’, since before the NEP, and so on. I mean, my mother, a Malaysian citizen, came home to the UK not long after my father died in the 1970s — and it was not for the reasons W. Long mentioned in that article below.
My mum was Malaysian but was born and died in London
My two sisters followed my mother and have been living in London since the 1970s — but my brother and I chose to remain in Malaysia for the meantime. I promised my mother I would return to England once I retire, say in the year 2010 or so when I reach 60. And I did as I had promised my mother — and since 2009 have been living in the UK.
If you think another country can offer you what you cannot get in Malaysia, then migrate. I have done that since as a bankrupt I cannot cari makan in Malaysia till the day I die. But I still consider myself Malaysian (even though I was not born in Malaysia). I do not condemn Malaysia. If I think there are shortcomings in Malaysia, I speak out.
Once you have washed your hands off Malaysia, you lose the right and privilege to condemn Malaysia. I may not live in Malaysia, but I have NOT washed my hands off Malaysia.
My daughters are in Malaysia and Raja Sara, my youngest, is with Puteri Umno and is actively campaigning in Melaka. My brother, Raja Datuk Idris, is with PAS. And I support Bersatu and Muhyiddin Yassin, as well as PAS and (now Tan Sri) Tok Guru Abdul Hadi Awang.
These people are the reason why Malaysia is so fooked-up
Is Malaysia perfect? Of course not! But neither is the UK, Greece, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Iran, China, India, and 194 other countries. You will only find perfection when you die. No more money worries. No more aches and pains in your back and neck (like I have been suffering daily for the last 20 years). So long as you are still alive, nowhere in the world will you find perfection.
Okay, granted, many things are wrong with Malaysia. But whose fault is this? In the last general election only 12 million Malaysians came out to vote. That’s only about 60% of Malaysians who are eligible to vote. So another 40% of Malaysians could not care two fooks about the country.
Then 45% voted for Pakatan Harapan (who formed the government with only 45% of the votes but claimed they had a majority, which is supposed to mean more than 51%). Hence Pakatan Harapan formed the government with only 30% of the votes of Malaysians who were eligible to vote (but the mother-fookers screamed they had the ‘Mandat Rakyat’, kononnya).
Yes, Malaysia is fooked-up. But then so are 194 other countries — some fooked-up even worse. And the fooked-up government was chosen by 30% of Malaysians who are eligible to vote — or only 16% of 32 million Malaysian citizens. And the reason why Malaysia is fooked-up is because DEMOCRACY is fooked-up. But how many Malaysians understand this? And I am one of the few who are clever enough to know this.
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Malaysia: Beyond Repair or Salvation
(Eurasia Review) – Malaysia is beyond saving. The country has 4 destructive elements that no other country has — some countries may have 1, 2 or even 3 of the factors but not all 4.
1. Racial Discrimination
Racial divide encompasses all economic and cultural activities and is deeply ingrained in the people’s consciousness. The country is sadly divided along racial lines. This is the work of extremists in UMNO and PAS who deliberately push forward the economically false idea of ‘catching up’. Mahathir at the helm for 22 years has done the country tremendous harm with his racial bigoty and he himself is predominantly responsible for the ills the country is facing. Government agencies, civil service, education institutions, GLCs, bank and finance, and even the private sector are overwhelmingly staffed by one race. The ‘affirmative action’ policy benefits only entrenched elites, not the ordinary poor Malays who are left behind.
2. Religious Intolerance
In the past, the races mingled together, in festivals and other occasions. Now, simple social events do not see much in terms of people from different races getting together. Even food and other product names have been distorted for political ends, to stirring up unnecessary uneasiness.
3. Rampant Corruption
Rampant corruption is at all levels, from the very top to the bottom, and is causing an irreparable economic toll on the country. Malaysia is among the top most corrupt countries in the world. The rule of law can be bent for corruption. Tokenism and make believe realities remain.
4. Feudalism
Malaysia’s political legacy is that of a king, and sultans in 9 states. This is fine if the king and sultans strictly adhere to their duties, and do not actively take part in business. The real fallout is that titles are given by the royalty at various levels to ordinary people, for recognition of work or position, or for gratuity — the Tan Sri, Dato, Datuk, Datuk Seri, and the like. The people conferred with these titles often abuse their position and titles to leverage on, and get away with excesses. It is alright for historical and legacy reasons to keep the system of a king and state Sultans, but the conferring of such titles should end, putting an end to extended feudalism.
The Chinese will never be happy until they do to Malaysia but they did to Taiwan (or the whites did to America, Australia and New Zealand)
Most countries have corruption in one form or another at various degrees. Some Middle East countries are religiously intolerant (of other religions), but their people are homogeneous, not multi racial. Thus, Malaysia has the distinction of having 4 imponderables.
Malaysia can only be saved by a no-nonsense strong leader. He or she has to come from the Malay rank. The leader should address 2 of the 4 factors — rampant corruption, racial divide and mitigate the other 2 — religious intolerance and feudalism.
Rampant Corruption
Punish corruption at all levels. As the saying goes “justice must not only be done, but seen to be done”. No compromise for political position, friends or relatives. Remuneration for work, especially for the lower levels, needs to be adequate, as a deterrent against corruption. But in Malaysia it is not an inadequate level for the higher rank, rather greed is the issue. The rule of law must be applied equally across society.
Racial Discrimination
Racial diversity is a strength, not a weakness. Malaysia is blessed with a different racial mix. They bring their time-tested values to the economy. Chinese are by nature hard working, industrial, and incline towards commerce and business. Indians are more intellectually inclined, tending to law and organizational matters. The other races, the Ibans, other natives, Eurasians, have their own inherent positives to contribute. It is a fallacy to think that Chinese and Indians will only employ their own. Common sense and business reality will dictate employee mix.
Countries with a homogeneous population, with no race divide, if not properly managed are just as well in a rut. Diversity is not an issue if well managed.
Leadership is everything. Many countries sadly lack good leadership. Malaysia is one of these, lacking good far sighted strong leadership.
The Future
Malaysia has blown past the crossroad. It is very late but not impossible if only ….. If not corrected, the country is sliding fast towards 3rd world status.
Either the country goes down the drain and falls behind the fast-catching up African countries, or finds the will and courage to right itself.
Young people nowadays grow up thinking that South Korea, China (including Hong Kong and Taiwan), Singapore are always advancing and more prosperous. Not too long ago, in the 1970s Malaysia was among this group. It is time to catch up.
*W. Long was born and grew up in Malaysia, but saw the light at the tunnel in the 1980s and switched citizenship. Still, like many ex-Malaysians, Long still has feelings towards the country, with many friends and relatives living there, and only hopes for the best for the country.
