Source:
https://aseanup.com
Several issues are cited by Murray. Of these, I have selected the top five factors (The excerpts below are from Murray’s article with some paraphrasing and comments by yours truly):
1. Population Change
In 1970, Malaysia’s population was 53% Bumiputera, 35.5% Chinese and 10.6% of Indian origin. By 2019, this has changed to 62.5% Bumiputera (of which 51% is of Malay origin), 20.6% Chinese and 6.2% of Indian origin. How did this happen? Migration of Indonesians and Mindanao Muslims, higher Malay fertility rate, and emigration of Chinese are largely responsible for the demographic change. Over 1.8 million Malaysians have left our shores.
The above demographic changes have had a massive influence on the national mindset and outpouring narratives. One can observe the decrease of liberalism within society. Now everyone can be sensitive. There is an increasing censorship within the entertainment industry (local film and drama production). The local news media practices self-censorship out of fear of displeasing the government. Investigative journalism inside Malaysia has all but disappeared. Timah whiskey is the new benchmark for sensitivity.
2. The New Economic Policy
The New Economic Policy (NEP) was designed in 1970 to increase Bumiputera participation in the economy. Equity rather than income was chosen as the measure, shaping both economic and social policy since. Most economists look at Gini coefficient and income disparity. But not Malaysia, we look at wealth! The NEP gave birth to GLCs, corruption and kleptocracy.
3. Islamization
JAKIM is expected to receive RM1.4 billion from the 2022 budget. Islamization has greatly weakened secularism in government. An almost complete dropping of the RUKUN NEGARA or national principles.
The Parti Islam Se-Malaysia or PAS has played a key role in influencing the direction of politics and society in Malaysia. The platform of PAS has always been to develop Malaysia into an Islamic state. The PAS ideology has gone from Malay nationalism to Islamic, inspired by the Iranian revolution, Erdoganism, and the Muslim Brotherhood.
PAS is staunchly pro-Palestinian, and strongly supports Hudud laws. The PAS state government in Kelantan bans traditional Malay dance theatres, advertising depicting women not fully clothed, enforces women wearing headscarves, and segregates check-out aisles in supermarkets. The Taliban were congratulated recently by PAS for their takeover of Kabul.
4. The Civil Service
The civil service is one of the most powerful influences upon Malaysian society. It is primarily mono-ethnic and does not represent the ethnic diversity of the nation. About two million employee apparatus is one-dimensional in its corporate culture.
During the 18 months Pakatan Harapan rule, some ministers found it extremely difficult to assert their will over their assigned ministries. Over time, due to the cornerstone NEP, a ‘Malay agenda’ culture has developed. This is designed to cater to ethnic-Malays and little else. Corruption is not seriously frowned upon with numerous methods employed to profit from public funds.
5. The Education System
The emphasis on Islamic education over the last three generations has shaped the Malay psyche. Islam has become the central pillar of Malay life. This influence has become so strong, the rest of the community feels obligated to conform.
Institutions of public higher public education have become Malay bastions. They are managed by Malay top and middle management, with primarily Malay academics, for primarily Malay students. These institutions see the imposition of the ‘Malay agenda’ part and parcel of education. Just like the civil service, public education has been Islamized. So, the Nons send their children to Chinese schools or private schools. Hence the polarised views in society. Standards have dropped from the 70s with elite schools made equivalent to kampong schools. A socialist concept that “all are equal”. How will society progress? Meanwhile, the Malay elite send their children overseas.
On a related but separate note, household income inequality has widened with the Gini coefficient index anchored at 40 or thereabouts. Poverty is on the increase. Malay culture is under constant attack by cultural vandals. Malays are getting sick of being told they need assistance. These types of narratives are destructive to the Malay psyche.
In the above landscape, one may lose all hope. Murray is right in one sense that we have the potential to be an Argentina or a Zimbabwe. But just reflect on other nations. The U.S. is divided. Trump has helped this division. Then again, the U.S. was in a costly civil war to end slavery in the 1860s. The U.K. has its divisions – Brexiteers or not. It took Britain over 800 years to build its shape today. And it still has the leftover misgivings of the dark days of the Empire – the East India Company provided enough fodder. So, it is with Australia, Canada or my personal favourite – France.
We have had 64 years of history as a nation. People are reasonable and responsible. Remember “Kita Jaga Kita” during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. We have inherent “belongingness” to this land and will try our best to make it work. For a while that seemed possible with PH victory on May 9, 2018. The people will rise again to restore this nation from Machiavellian ideas of “divide and rule” A new, better elite will surface. May we prayerfully seek the redemption of our land from the forces of darkness.
Reference:
The dark forces changing Malaysian society, Murray Hunter, (https://murrayhunter.substack.com)
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