“ Apa lagi orang Malaysia mahu? ” That could be the basis
for discussion with various interest groups, communities and religious leaders.
We have a myriad of issues running from a macro level on economics or politics
to micro level on lack of response from local councils to cost of living or
unemployment.
Expectations and reality are too wide to bridge and what are some of these? An
informal survey of the “common man on the street” suggests the following:
Expectation
|
Reality
|
Possible Remedy
|
High-growth economy
|
- Slow growth (4.5 - 4.7%)
- Every sector seems impacted by tariffs, prices or business outlook.
|
- FDI and / or private sector initiative.
- Government needs feedback from top 200 companies, and small
businesses to formulate new strategies.
|
Wages Rising
|
- Statement (flat) for over 10 years.
- Minimum wage below RM 1,500.
|
- Institute fair minimum wage.
(RM1,500)
|
Unemployment lowered
|
- Graduates and youths find difficulty in getting jobs.
- Skill sets not suitable.
|
Use HRDF or other funds to improve skill sets for employment.
|
Cost of Living Reduced
|
- Retail price of petrol lowered but not low enough ( RM1.50?)
- Toll rates still not abolished.
- PTPTN loans not waived.
- Price of essentials on the rise?
|
The NEAC may have fresh ideas but essentially, transport, food and
shelter costs need focus.
|
Corruption zerorised (?)
|
- A new plan to eradicate corruption was launched.
- Many previous politicians have been charged.
- Many more to go (?)
|
- A Truth, Transparency and Reconciliation Commission to close all
previous corrupt practices (?).
- RCI for the judiciary (?)
|
Education – Quality Now?
|
No real changes except for black shoes, socks and shorts.
|
- Listen to parents, former students, teachers to set short and long
term steps.
- Give autonomy to schools and PTAs to pursue curriculum within a
broad framework.
|
Religious Harmony
|
- Unnecessary conflict creation with intolerance
|
- Harmony Act (?)
- Use existing laws for “troublemakers”
|
Political Landscape Changed
|
- Not significantly different.
-Race and religious issues remain key divisive topics.
- Political leaders of previous regime seem to be “footloose and
fancy free”.
- Integrity issues
- Missing persons: Pastor Raymond Koh and others. -Deaths in custody: Teoh Beng Hock, Kugan and others. |
- Pakatan Harapan has to be clear on what is acceptable or not.
- Previous leaders need to be detained under “ house arrest” ,
otherwise they are changing the narrative.
- No compromise on integrity.
- Resolution on their status. - Closure by RCI on these cases. |
Maybe, we need a permanent body with a “revolving” set of
commissioners to secure feedback, facilitate and act. There is an existing Public
Complaints Bureau of the civil service. This needs to be restructured into a
“Commission” that could call on various groups / individuals for open or closed
door sessions.
Malaysians need an outlet to express their grievances, perspectives
and hopes. Yes, there are other feedback loops including social media,
agency-related bodies, committees and so forth but a “visible” Commission is
helpful to the common man.
As listed above, issues range from rising cost of living,
urbanisation, unemployment, religious sermons, discrimination of minorities, or
new affirmation policies for the majority, and perhaps direction for business
to pursue.
Output of this Commission could be useful for the new National
Economic Action Council (NEAC) 2.0 and others for long-range planning.
In the end, will our gross national happiness be improved? Please vote below!
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