After a fantastic take-off on 9 May 2018, the new Malaysia aircraft had
failed to effect new policies and ideas. Its central theme was reform and
recovery of the losses incurred by 1MDB and a whole host of UMNO-related
companies. That song “Getaran Jiwa” has been sung by many others in Government.
For a while, it was lovely to hear. But now we need a new song – perhaps one
from Taylor Swift or Adele (“Rolling in the Deep”)?
Mariam Mokhtar in FMT (Jan 2019) predicted the following (and I
paraphrase somewhat):
·
Racism will live on – see the Cameron elections;
· The
kleptocrats may get away scot-free. Why? The cases will drag on for years! And
then there is the royal pardon!; and
·
Institutional reforms will remain on the shelves for
further study.
Beyond the politics of it, we have the economics:
·
Palm oil price remains low;
· Oil price
is below forecasts for 2018/19;
· Property
overhang and prospects remain dismal. RPGT is a bane for future property transactions;
· All major
BN projects have been reviewed or cancelled;
· Banking
sector is cautious;
· Wages have
stagnated with slower growth;
· Consumption
expenditure is curtailed; and
·
Private investment remains subdued
That sounds like a “gloom and doom” scenario. Not so, if PH changes tact
for the “Year of the Brown Pig”.
To be fair PH has introduced the Industry 4.0; set-up funds for
sustainable development and digitalisation; supported B40 group with subsidies
and the like; and focused on renewable energy as a way forward. But more needs
to be done. Some may include political in nature:
·
After 61 years of independence, we must get over race
and religion. Otherwise we are doomed. So it is best to ban race-based and
religion-based parties. Will PH have the gumption to do that?;
· Subsidy and
support must be needs-based and Ministers must look from that lens whether it
is Orang Asli, Malay, Indian, Chinese, Iban, Dayak, Murut, Kadazan and every
other “suku kaum”;
· Implement
policies that change the landscape especially in education and employability.
Why focus on shoes, shorts and socks? What about English? What about
technology? What about reducing administrative workload for teachers? What
about having schools that are comparable to the best in the world? And that
goes for universities as well. Why not have role models? Why can’t the best be
available to lead? And that goes for every Ministry in Government!;
· Establish a
Royal Commission on resolving previous misdeeds – Teoh Beng Hock, Kugan and
others; and
·
Support NGOs financially that assist the homeless, the
poor, the orphans, the seniors in old age homes and the refugees.
On economics, we could be more egalitarian or responsive:
·
Reduce inequalities by taxing the rich and companies with
exceptionally high profits – forget the arguments on “free markets”. (There is
no market that is free);
· Support
renewables with both residential and industry having subsidised solar energy
panels. Electric cars should be tax exempt;
· Provide 4%
of GDP for research based initiatives at key universities and technology-based
clusters; and
·
Integrity has to be a lifestyle and practised
religiously. The National Anti-Corruption Plan (2019-2023) is a good start but
its implementation is crucial. Give whistleblowers (corporate or government)
incentives and protection. Implement a Truth, Transparency and Reconciliation
Commission on misdeeds of the past and put to closure previous corrupt acts.
(We were number three in the world in illicit financial outflows at USD33.7
billion (IMF estimate) in 2015 – source: Global Financial Integrity, 2019;
Malaysiakini 29 Jan 2019).
Even if we move on some of the above, we have a better chance of creating
a solid Hope for the future and that’s what Harapan is all about!
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