Date: Tue, 20 Oct 2009 23:51:19 +1100
Local: Tues, Oct 20 2009 8:51 pm
Subject: Digest this Malaysian politicians and citizens
BY * AHMAD MUSTAPHA
*The writer is a nephew of Dr Mahathir..
Singapore's Minister Mentor, Lee Kuan Yew, who was Singapore 's founding
father, has always been very direct in his comments. This was the man who
outsmarted the communists in Singapore (with the innocent help of Malaya
then and the willing help of the British) and who later outwitted the
British and outpaced Malaysia in all spheres.
Singapore practices corrupt-free meritocracy and Malaysia affirmative
action. The former attracted all the best brains and the latter chased out
all the brains. The Singapore cabinet consists of dedicated and intelligent
technocrats whereas Malaysia has one of the most unwieldy cabinets. Not only
that, brain wise it was below par not even good for the kampong.
With that kind of composition, one that is very brainy, naturally Singapore
, with no natural resources could outstrip Malaysia in every aspect of
development. Malaysia , on the other hand, was too much preoccupied with its
Malayness and the illusory 'Ketuanan Melayu' and was also more interested in
useless mega iconic development rather than real social and economic
development.
Whenever Kuan Yew utters anything that deemed to be a slight on Malaysia ,
voices were raised admonishing him. Malaysia would never dare to face
reality. That Singapore had shown that it could survive was a slap on those
who believed that Singapore would fold up once it left Malaysia . Therefore
it was natural that these doomsayers would try to rationalise their
utterances to be in their favour to combat on whatever Kuan Yew commented.
Its political jealousy.
Singapore achieved its development status without any fanfare. But here in
Malaysia , a development that was deceptive was proclaimed as having
achieved development status. It was trumpeted as an achievement that befits
first world status. This was self delusion. Malaysians are led to believe
into a make believe world, a dream world. The leaders who themselves tend to
believe in their own fabricated world did not realise the people were not
taken in by this kind of illusion.
Lee Kuan Yew believed in calling a spade a spade. I was there in Singapore
when the People's A ction Party won the elections in 1959. He was forthright
in his briefing to party members as to what was expected of them and what
Singapore would face in the future. Ideologically, I did not agree with him.
We in the University of Malaya Socialist Club had a different interpretation
of socialist reconstruction. But he was a pragmatist and wanted to bring
development and welfare to the Singaporeans. Well! He succeeded.
Malaysia was so much embroiled in racial politics and due to the fear of
losing political power, all actions taken by the main party in power was
never targeted towards bringing wealth to all. Wealth was distributed to the
chosen few only. They were the cronies and the backers of the party
leadership to perpetuate their own selfish ends.
Seeing the efficiency and the progress achieved by Singapore caused the
Malaysian leadership to suffer from an inferiority complex.. That Malaysia
should suffer from this complex was of its own making.
In a recent interview, Kuan Yew said that Malaysia could have done better if
only it treated its minority Chinese and Indian population fairly. Instead
they were completely marginalised and many of the best brains left the
country in drove. He added that Singapore was a standing indictment to what
Malaysia could have done differently. He just hit the nail right there on
the head.
Malaysia recently celebrated its 50th year of independence with a bagful of
uncertainties. The racial divide has become more acute. The number of Malay
graduates unemployed is on the increase. And this aspect can be very
explosive.. But sad to see that no positive actions have been taken to
address these social ills.
Various excuses were given by Malaysian leaders why Singapore had far
outstripped Malaysia in all aspects of social and economic advancement.
Singapore was small, they rationalised and therefore easy to manage.
Singapore was not a state but merely an island.
There was one other aspect that Malaysia practises and that is to politicise
all aspects of life. A ll government organs and machinery were 'UMNO-ised'.
This was to ensure that the party will remain in power. Thus there was this
misconception by the instruments of government as to what national interest
is and what UMNO vested interest is.
UMNO vested interest only benefited a few and not the whole nation. But due
to the UMNO-isation of the various instruments of government, the country
under the present administration had equated UMNO vested interest as being
that of national interest. Thus development became an avenue of making money
and not for the benefit of the people. The fight against corruption took a
back seat. Transparency was put on hold. A nd the instruments of government
took it to be of national interest to cater to the vested interest of UMNO.
Enforcement of various enactments and laws was selective... Thus a 'palace'
in Kelang, A Ps cronies and close-one-eye umno MPs could exist without
proper procedure. Corruption infested all govt departments, the worse is the
police and lately even in the judiciary.
Singapore did not politicise its instruments of government. If ever
politicisation took place, it is guided by national interest. To be
efficient and to be the best in the region was of paramount importance. Thus
all the elements like corruption, lackadaisical attitude towards work and
other black elements, which would retard such an aim, were eliminated.
Singapore naturally had placed the right priority in it's pursuit to achieve
what is best for its people. This is the major difference between these two
independent countries.
Malaysia in its various attempts to cover up its failures embarked on
several diversions. It wanted its citizens to be proud that the country had
the tallest twin-tower in the world, although the structure was designed and
built by foreigners. Its now a white-elephant wasting away. It achieved in
sending a man into space at an exorbitant price. For what purpose? These are
what the Malays of old would say "menang sorak" (hollow victories).
It should be realised that administering a country can be likened to
managing a corporate entity. If the management is efficient and dedicated
and know what they are doing, the company will prosper.. The reverse will be
if the management is poor and bad. The company will go bust.
There are five countries around this region. There is Malaysia , and then
Indonesia . To the east there is the Philippines and then there is that
small enclave called the Sultanate of Brunei . A ll these four countries
have abundance of natural resources but none can lay claim to have used all
these resources to benefit the people. Poverty was rampant and independence
had not brought in any significant benefits to the people.
But tiny Singapore without any resources at all managed to bring development
to its citizens. It had one of the best public MRT transport systems and
airlines in the world and it is a very clean city state. Their universities,
health care, ports are among the best in the world.
It is impossible to compare what Singapore has achieved to what all these
four countries had so far achieved. It was actually poor management and
corruption, and nothing more. Everything is done for the vested interest of
the few.
Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines and the Sultanate of Brunei need
good management teams. They would not be able to do this on their own steam.
I would advise that they call on Kuan Yew to show them what good governance
is. Why look East to Japan when it is just next door across the causeway.
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