luxury or right?
I read with interest Charlotte's comment on my previous post; she said:
"Capable leaders don't become politicians in malaysia. No one's ever taught us that maybe we should give back to society when we are in the position to. No, we grumble about the apathetic situation and then leave the country... for good. Leaves us with nitwits for wakil rakyats - people who want power and respect but can't earn it."
It's an obivious fact that the level of competency of most of our local politicians leaves much to be desired. But Charlotte raises a good point when she said that most of the people who are capable leaders do not become politicians in Malaysia.
Therefore, the pressing question now is where do these people go to? If they left the country, why? Is there any way to woo them back?
I think the prime reason which causes capable and talented Malaysians to leave the country in droves is the uneven playing field in our country; as if the Malaysian political, economic and social system is not saturated enough with the affirmative actions inherently enshrined in the Constitution to help the Bumiputras, it is also plagued by rampant corruption and nepotism (which now goes by the euphemism of 'money politics') which indirectly causes it to reek with bueracratic hassles and widespread inefficiencies.
"Capable leaders don't become politicians in malaysia. No one's ever taught us that maybe we should give back to society when we are in the position to. No, we grumble about the apathetic situation and then leave the country... for good. Leaves us with nitwits for wakil rakyats - people who want power and respect but can't earn it."
It's an obivious fact that the level of competency of most of our local politicians leaves much to be desired. But Charlotte raises a good point when she said that most of the people who are capable leaders do not become politicians in Malaysia.
Therefore, the pressing question now is where do these people go to? If they left the country, why? Is there any way to woo them back?
I think the prime reason which causes capable and talented Malaysians to leave the country in droves is the uneven playing field in our country; as if the Malaysian political, economic and social system is not saturated enough with the affirmative actions inherently enshrined in the Constitution to help the Bumiputras, it is also plagued by rampant corruption and nepotism (which now goes by the euphemism of 'money politics') which indirectly causes it to reek with bueracratic hassles and widespread inefficiencies.
Malaysians have to live with the mind-boggling reality that even by working hard, dilligenty and honestly, being adaptable, humble and resourceful, success and opportunities will not necessarily come one's way. The sense of equal opportunities are sorely lacking in Malaysia.
Openness, transparency and integrity are alien notions in Malaysia and among Malaysian politicians; the mere mention of these words are frowned upon and the words themselves are a taboo among Malaysians.
I think in Malaysia, transparency, accountability and integrity are not viewed as a right but rather as a luxury; something that are accorded to the public when conditions are favourable, only when its purpose paralles those of the politicians.
Ideally, transparency, accountability and integrity begets prosperity; but in Malaysia, we are taught that only with prosperity, transparency, accountability and integrity could be gained.
UPDATE! An excellent and illuminating quote from Yuen Ai: "And I guess some people are leaving, because they dont think they have the time to wait for Malaysia to catch up with them."
Openness, transparency and integrity are alien notions in Malaysia and among Malaysian politicians; the mere mention of these words are frowned upon and the words themselves are a taboo among Malaysians.
I think in Malaysia, transparency, accountability and integrity are not viewed as a right but rather as a luxury; something that are accorded to the public when conditions are favourable, only when its purpose paralles those of the politicians.
Ideally, transparency, accountability and integrity begets prosperity; but in Malaysia, we are taught that only with prosperity, transparency, accountability and integrity could be gained.
UPDATE! An excellent and illuminating quote from Yuen Ai: "And I guess some people are leaving, because they dont think they have the time to wait for Malaysia to catch up with them."
posted by wanaimran at
2:19 PM
2 Comments:
I'm afraid I have to say that the lack of transparency and the lack of a level playing field might be the reason people are being driven away. However, there are many other reasons. Our country sadly is not the best at a lot of sectors. And apart from that, our culture here needs some improving. We have the most loving and warm people in the world. But there are some holes in the fabric. And I guess some people are leaving, because they dont think they have the time to wait for Malaysia to catch up with them.
Maybe its not just about why all our talents are leaving the country, but what is there to hold them back? The great weather? The good food? The cheap housing? None of these really help in putting food on your plate, or in giving you due recognition.
If there is one thing the government has got right is that the level of patriotism has dwindled. People no longer want to join the civil service and serve the nation. If you can make loads of money in white collar jobs and you are comfortable, why even try to promote the cause for meritocracy, social justice, etc. You know you will never win anyway. So it isn't really a matter of people leaving the country - (the more pressing matter as a result of that is the brain drain)... but rather it is the lack of foresight of a government that didn't plan properly for the future of the nation. That didn't try to raise the standards of the civil servant position, that didn't try to put politics in a good light. Being a politician has such a stain to it, who would really want to take up the position of an MP anymore?
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home