Malaysians must change, not just the government
It is high time the people become more aware of the ongoing baloney around them and be more assertive of their demands for good governance.
By TK Chua
It is common to blame politicians for causing disunity among us. They “divide and rule”, so to speak.
But have we ever asked why Malaysians are so susceptible to being divided and exploited?
Malaysians must first ask why politicians and political parties have repeatedly used race, religion and economic insecurity as bait and with such great success.
Are Malaysians ignorant, insular, chauvinistic, insecure and fanatical to begin with? Otherwise, how is it possible for us to be so easily hoodwinked and diverted?
We have heard about 1MDB, the Tun Razak Exchange, Bandar Malaysia, the ECRL, the HSR, numerous gateways, cities on man-made islands, investments in Mongolia and the Virgin Islands, massive borrowing and loans, but somehow we cannot relate all this to our plight in terms of poor housing, flash floods, potholed roads, disruption in water supply, deplorable public hygiene, poor quality water, expensive medicines, fewer overseas scholarships and massive budget cuts for universities.
Have we ever asked what the primary function of the government is – a mega developer, an international deal maker, a service provider or a benefactor of the common people?
Many of us have received BR1M. And government servants and pensioners may soon get another round of bonuses. Many government consultants and contractors will continue receiving lucrative fees and payments.
Members of administrations, senior government officials and MPs will continue getting their above average salaries and perks including the use of their official cars, housing allowances, free petrol and APs to buy luxurious marques.
Have we ever asked how all this has been paid for? Have we ever asked why we are so burdened with the GST, subsidy cuts, low wages, high tolls, a depreciating ringgit and escalating prices?
Many of us are “religious”. We listen to and follow our religious leaders diligently, sometimes mesmerised by their ever eloquent sermons and decrees.
But have we ever asked whether any of these leaders are able to put food on our table, to secure us a better paying job, or make us more socially and economically mobile.
More than that, have we ever heard them telling us to be more compassionate, harmonious, and sensitive to the needs of others? When are we going to wise up and be more critical of the rhetoric shoved down our throats?
We are also constantly told to be conscious of our race – the Malays must maintain political power, the Chinese economic clout and the Indians whatever they still own. This is the only assurance of “our future” against the onslaught of “other races”.
But have we ever looked around to see the real beneficiaries of any race-based policy? Trust me, it is not race per se; it is always the well-connected within our race working, colluding and conspiring with the well-connected of other races.
Is Jho Low a Malay-Muslim? Are Goldman Sachs and all the convicted bankers in Singapore Malay-Muslims?
Crony capitalism, an economic system characterised by close, mutually advantageous relationships between business leaders and government officials, is by definition not race-based.
I think it is time Malaysians change.
We must be more aware of the ongoing baloney and be more assertive of our demands for priority and good governance.
Chauvinism, racism and bigotry will not get us anywhere – they are red herrings that divert our attention. Seriously, our wellbeing does not depend on them.
TK Chua is an FMT reader.
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