THERE is probably no doubt that if we were to look at Malaysia’s progress since we freed ourselves from colonial rule in 1957, that we have failed to live up to our potential.
There is also no dispute that Malaysia is blessed with riches of various kinds. She has an abundance of natural resources, a diverse population that largely peacefully coexisted, and is also located strategically from a geographic standpoint.
We ought to have been the powerhouse in Southeast Asia, with an educated population that could serve as the central point for foreign trade and investment.
What has happened though is that politics in Malaysia assumed the legacy and Machiavellian instincts of the colonialists.
The divisions based on race and religion have not only been maintained but deepened for political convenience.
The protagonist-in-chief, who can count himself as the father of Malaysia’s division, is two-time prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad. He ascended to Malaysia’s highest office through propagating a misguided and mischievous account of race and religious dynamics, eugenics, and in constantly altering the events of history.
His latest diatribe, which involved comments about Chinese and Indians and their place as Malaysians, is another attempt to leave a trail of destruction.
In order to stay in power and then keep himself in public view, he throws up theories of race which are capitalised on by politicians who are equally opportunistic and who, like him, do not care for the progress of Malaysians or Malaysia.
That a multi-racial and multi-religious country with a large proportion of minorities, probably more than most countries in the world, would throw up conflagrations from time to time must be expected.
We could have worked through them and come out stronger had the divisions not been institutionalised and entrenched by the likes of Dr Mahathir.
We could not have modelled ourselves like Singapore did, who despite claims of success of managing a plural society, is actually largely homogenous.
Malaysia could have found her own way and formula to thrive on its diversity, which it did not.
The division sown has not brought any benefit to Malaysia or Malaysians, of all ilks and persuasions.
As hard and as politically inconvenient as it may be, the leaders of the country today have to focus on what matters – economic and social progress.
We live in times where every nation has to find its own competitive niche, and to paraphrase a former US president, the politicians of today should look for what they can do for Malaysia and Malaysians and not for what they can secure for themselves. – January 14, 2024
Callistus Antony D’Angelus is the International Labour advisor for Social Protection Contributor Advisory Association Malaysia (SPCAAM)