The Signs of Downfall

There are mornings when I wake up, believing that this country will not make it, in the long run. This is one of those mornings.

In my younger days, I used to believe that we could change this country. That the best and brightest have an obligation to change and return, so that we could make the next leap. To become the Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Finland or Germany of this world a force to be reckoned with. Or at least, heading towards it.

I knew that the centre of all change in Malaysia, is politics. Nothing moves in this country, without politics directing it there, first. But I found the values of the political system in Malaysia, contradictory to my values. To succeed in this political system, means selling out, both on my principles and the people. I found the people in Parliament, or at least the bulk of them, to be mere rubber stamps - endorsing the ruling party and the Executive on all counts.

So, I made a choice. Until the political system changes, I will try to make change via alternative means perhaps on a smaller cause. An NGO that works for a specific community appealed to me - it had a specific cause, there was not much money involved in the system and leaders, mainly do still get elected on merit. And we could push for more effective change, perhaps on a narrower basis, but certainly much more in depth.

I was lucky. The NGO I'm in right now, are full of people that I'm proud to call Malaysians. People who are dedicated to their cause, selfless, with a strong set of principled values. Sometimes, they wade in the murky waters that political Malaysia is, but have managed to stay above water, without being forced to swallow anything toxic to their way of life.

But then, I found that the scenario in other NGO's were not as good. Some would deliberately defeat the national agenda, even if it meant distorting data and statistics. Some would work at fulfilling what's good only for themselves, but not for the community they represent, or for the big picture. Some are just as bad and corrupt, as the politicians in the ruling parties.

I found that even though consultation was done on a frequent basis with NGOs and the Government and civil servants constantly tap our ideas and efforts, but they seemed less than sincere in pushing what's important for the national agenda - than what is important to the Minister, or Prime Minister.

Much publicity, expenditure and fanfare is based on what they think, would please the Prime Minister - so much effort goes to "kow-tow"ing the leader - and making the leader look good. And sometimes, most of the GLCs behave the same way, too.

They forget the people they represent, they forget the customers they serve, they forget the trust that has been given to them - be it as leaders of the political or corporate world. Almost always, the substance of the intended effort, gets sacrificed for political expediency and the benefits of continued patronage.


I found that, even playing in a smaller, more focused and narrower space, may not in reality, ensure effectiveness in Malaysia. Because the system is SO political, even things done at the fringe (and are not considered political) will be affected. Governance does not get done properly, unless a Minister looks at the issues. And in some worst cases, unless the Prime Minister looks at the issues.

And now, after almost 4 years of being in the NGO scene - after some spectacular successes and equally spectacular failures - I've come to conclude that it is impossible to change this country. You may make some cosmetic and surface changes, but there are not enough good, willing and capable people in the system to fundamentally change it, for the better.

Despite all the good efforts of the gallant few, the inertia is fighting back. Sometimes, the inertia is supported by a younger generation that have inherited some of the decadent values, of our elder generation.

We are suffering from the hangover of the excesses and deficiencies of the Mahathir era. And things are coming out from under the carpet - things which have the Abdullah administration floored and their hands tied. The implementation system does not work and where it works, it works badly.

And with trade barriers coming down all around us and an educated, globally mobile Malaysian workforce where personal choice, meaning, happiness and economic imperatives, overrides blind patriotism, we are running out of time, to make this country viable, in the long run. The best are leaving us, all the time. And at the current pace, more will continue to do so.

At times like this, I ask myself: What am I fighting for? The small guys in the street? But with no political power, can I protect them in the long run? Will the changes last? Or am I just as vulnerable, as they are?

If I can't make effective change - then why am I staying? My loyalty is to this country, but truth be told, I can be happy in a dozen other countries, with a wife and a few children.

The signs of downfall are all there, for all to see. If Malaysia keeps on this track, it will crash and become a laggard in Asia in a few years. Inevitably. God will not be protecting a nation, full of weak leaders, sycophantic followers and silenced dissidents.

Just go through your history books. You'll see.