When All Sides Look The Same
A friend pointed out the other day that there is no difference between the political parties in Malaysia - be it on the Government or the Opposition side.
They carry different labels and claim to sell different "products" - but they all seem to show the same capacity for blatant economic and business corruption, once in power.
Principles is something they hold up for the public to see - but at the end of the day, it's the pragmatism that brings them to power, that makes them indeliberately united and consistent in method, intent and outcome.
And far worse, he noted that even the current generation has been co-opted into the system - no one fights the necessary fight anymore - many are content to play on the fringe and leave the larger problem for someone else to solve.
The question is: when even the best in one's generation shies away from the necessary fight, who else is left to fight the rot that we inherit, from the sins of our elders?
Having been on both sides of the political fence before, he seemed distressed that Malaysia not only lacks an alternative side, but also a generation with an alternative behavioural alignment that could usher in a new age of politics in Malaysia - everyone's stuck in the entrenched mould that has been built for this country, either racially, historically, socially or culturally.
Everywhere he turns, the political leaders of all colours, all look and act the same.
I had no answers to his ponderings.
I began to question whether the expectations that we once had in our youth, we're too unrealistic in the world of Malaysian realpolitik. Malaysia seems like a house infested with termites - the stucture is quietly being eroded and eaten away, without anyone noticing - and it will lead to a surprisingly quiet collapse.
Will we end up a basketcase country one day, because everyone has kept silent and done nothing to stop the rot?
As the old saying goes: "For evil to win, good men only have to do nothing".
It's not enough for us, to do no evil to hurt others. Evil has to be fought, even when they hurt others, other than ourselves. And it is common sense, that if corruption is allowed to fester within one's society - sooner or later, you will find it visiting your doorstep. Even when you leave it alone - it may not leave you alone.
And if you see that there is no other in your generation that is leading the charge against evil - it may be because it is your place and responsibility to be leading the charge.
The mantle of responsibility falls not sometimes, on those who are most willing and capable amongst us - but the reluctant ones with the most courage and determination to fight the good fight. Those who are not afraid to lose everything, for the sake of something that's right.
God knows better, I guess.
But do we have a choice but to fight, no matter how small and outnumbered the number of good incorruptible people, within the system?
As life is not eternal, why bother, some of us, say? But to answer it, you have to know and understand the importance of the question, I think.
They carry different labels and claim to sell different "products" - but they all seem to show the same capacity for blatant economic and business corruption, once in power.
Principles is something they hold up for the public to see - but at the end of the day, it's the pragmatism that brings them to power, that makes them indeliberately united and consistent in method, intent and outcome.
And far worse, he noted that even the current generation has been co-opted into the system - no one fights the necessary fight anymore - many are content to play on the fringe and leave the larger problem for someone else to solve.
The question is: when even the best in one's generation shies away from the necessary fight, who else is left to fight the rot that we inherit, from the sins of our elders?
Having been on both sides of the political fence before, he seemed distressed that Malaysia not only lacks an alternative side, but also a generation with an alternative behavioural alignment that could usher in a new age of politics in Malaysia - everyone's stuck in the entrenched mould that has been built for this country, either racially, historically, socially or culturally.
Everywhere he turns, the political leaders of all colours, all look and act the same.
I had no answers to his ponderings.
I began to question whether the expectations that we once had in our youth, we're too unrealistic in the world of Malaysian realpolitik. Malaysia seems like a house infested with termites - the stucture is quietly being eroded and eaten away, without anyone noticing - and it will lead to a surprisingly quiet collapse.
Will we end up a basketcase country one day, because everyone has kept silent and done nothing to stop the rot?
As the old saying goes: "For evil to win, good men only have to do nothing".
It's not enough for us, to do no evil to hurt others. Evil has to be fought, even when they hurt others, other than ourselves. And it is common sense, that if corruption is allowed to fester within one's society - sooner or later, you will find it visiting your doorstep. Even when you leave it alone - it may not leave you alone.
And if you see that there is no other in your generation that is leading the charge against evil - it may be because it is your place and responsibility to be leading the charge.
The mantle of responsibility falls not sometimes, on those who are most willing and capable amongst us - but the reluctant ones with the most courage and determination to fight the good fight. Those who are not afraid to lose everything, for the sake of something that's right.
God knows better, I guess.
But do we have a choice but to fight, no matter how small and outnumbered the number of good incorruptible people, within the system?
As life is not eternal, why bother, some of us, say? But to answer it, you have to know and understand the importance of the question, I think.
posted by Stingrayz | 8:51 PM
7 Comments:
Well, in Malaysia, people choose you not for your ideas but choose you based on popularity.
The bigger the number of supporters you have, the easier for you to go up the ladder.
That's why we see, even if the leader do wrong, we still see his supporters still supporting him...
Like what he told us, how do you change an unchangeable system?
Ervan:
Yes, you're right on the popularity point and almost always support is based on an underlying economic and financial patronage given by political leaders.
Try imagining UMNO divisional elections without the use of money or promises of future contracts. Seems like a taller tale than most fairy tales.
How do you change an unchangeable system? You start with the values of the people.
It's the values and social environment in our society that accepts and tolerates the cancer of corruption.
Corruption cannot grow in a society which does not accept it - which detests people who get rich quickly by selling contracts to others.
This is similar to the premise of some of the writers (made up of young intellectuals and also UMNO Youth leaders in early 1970) of the book "Revolusi Mental".
There was a realization that the Malays are a young and only a very recently modernizing race - at least, from a post-colonial perspective.
They argued that the key to the economic emancipation of the Malays is in changing the way they think and act - to having values that that equally emphasizes intellectual, material and spiritual progress.
But they were not unrealistic in their expectations of how long a "mental revolution" within the Malays would take - they expected that it would take time, perhaps over several generations.
The system is "unchangeable" if one takes a 10-year timespan as a measure, perhaps - but it may be "changeable", if the projected timespan is over 50-100 years, with continued focus on inculcating such values.
Assuming that we accept that - the only conundrum that we are faced with is this - in a intensely competitive globalized world, do you HAVE 50-100 years to wait for your people (and indirectly, your country) to gradually change and improve in their attitudes and values?
Probably not.
The probable conclusion is this: a small group of Malaysians will have to begin the process of turning this country around at the PEOPLE level.
And to keep pushing for that ship to U-turn, knowing full well that it's not enough for us to avoid the impending "perfect storm".
And to help future generations complete that U-turn, for the efforts to continue even after we're gone.
We need to plant the seed of the tree, the fruits of which, we know we will never have an opportunity to enjoy.
Hmm, I see what you mean.
Btw, I read Tun Mail's book recently, and it was an interesting read. Believe it or not, it made me realise why we had the NEP in the first place, and why Singapore seceded from Malaysia.
Tun Mail did mention that in order for the NEP be dismantled is when the Malays themselves ask for it.
But today, we are not seeing it, where the Malays especially the rich ones, dengan tak malunya took advantage of the NEP.
Perhaps we can do it slowly. The Malays who already realised this, and want it out. After all, that's the reason why I left a Bumiputera Company to swim in the big ocean...
Yes bro, we do, and can make the difference...
Ervan:
Man, I must be the only person left that has not read the Tun Ismail book. must pick it up soon.
But for different alternative viewpoints of Singapore's secession from Malaysia - try reading "Ousted" by Patrick Keith, the former Deputy Director of External Information within the Malaysian Government, at that time.
It makes for very interesting reading - although the truth is probably somewhere in between the biases involved, on both sides.
As for the NEP being dismantled - I think the moment will only come when the Malay masses realize how far the good intentions behind it has been abused, to benefit mostly and mainly UMNO members, rather than Malays in general.
When distinctions of class, becomes far more important than distinctions on race - the gradual dismantling of the NEP will begin.
(Although this process is slowed down by the sharing of the proceeds of short cuts and corruption, at all levels of Malay society)
But even without dismantling the NEP, you can choose to stop relying on it, on an individual level.
You can stop taking advantage of the privileges extended to you by virtue of race - the Bumiputra home discounts, the preferential race-based loans, the politically-based networking or when you can send your children for an overseas education on your own money, instead of on Government scholarship.
Nothing stops you from being an equal to others, if you choose to treat yourself like one - and to compete openly and fairly, without fear.
And nothing encourages more emulation in others, than a correct example of success, arising from the different path that you've charted.
And if you have the time - teach and share what you've learnt with the younger ones.
That's how we can make a difference, even at the individual/people level - even if it be one person at a time.
It's not so much how far we succeed in effecting societal change, eventually - it's about how hard we've tried in our own personal domain to make that change happen.
It's about doing our part, in leaving the next generation with a better future.
Nope you are not the only person! The book has been on my To Buy list since it came out. (Jom gi MPH ... :-))
BTW, have changed my opinion. Corruption happens everywhere in all societies and ALL political parties. The difference is how pervasive it is. What diff does it make if it is transparent? It still does not make it right, right? That is like saying, I steal but you all know I am stealing and I am also giving you the chance to criticise me for it ...
Even the best of intentions can turn out wrong when greed and lust are involved. This is probably why people who are capable shy away from entering politics.
My son didn't do well in his SPM, so even though we could have applied for a scholarship, we didn't because it wouldn't be fair to other bumis who did better than him. In my daughter's case, being a very hard-working student, when she was given a scholarship, we took it. I think in this case, she deserved this reward.
Changing people's values is difficult. They have to change it on their own accord. Unless they are children.
Xena:
Books are an addiction to you, my dear. :) Unlike what it is to me. Hehe. ;)
Yes, corruption happens everywhere where there are human beings involved, in the process of payer, payee and undue influence caused by the payment.
But transparency does make a major difference, because it provides an avenue for corrupt people to be overthrown and for citizens to assess whether the undue influence and corruption, actually happened.
Every political party (or politician) needs contributions and campaign funding - there's no escaping that.
But if the process of what and how they obtained the funds are transparent to the people (for instance, they don't steal directly from Goverment funds) - it will go a long way in boosting the people's confidence in the Government (or more in the process of governance).
It's not about the nature of man or faith in people, really.
It's about processes that ensure that the potential for corruption is limited, because the transparency allows the concerned citizens to closely monitor their elected representatives.
It's about ensuring that independent enforcement happens on anti-corruption laws and people do get charged and prosecuted, where they should - without fear or favour.
Societies which have these entrenched values and mechanisms will tend to improve, with better governance for its people.
All societies have bad men in them, but the worst of societies, are those that allow these men much power in destroying the values and the process of integrity, within society.
Intan:
First, welcome to the blog.
Thanks for sharing the stories on your children.
I think the effort that your family made in trying to be fair to the system, is highly commendable. There should be more Malaysians like you people. :)
Yes, changing people's values are difficult - but sometimes, they are not only not impossible, but also necessary.
Yes, it comes from their own accord, of course - but there is nothing wrong in opening their minds, awakening and arousing their awareness and intelligence and their sense of responsibility, integrity and fairness.
No, people are not children - but the process of learning (both formal and informal), reflection and self-correction never stops, even when you're an adult.
That's why God sends us divine prophets and revelations, holy books/verses and larger than life examplary leaders of integrity, sometimes - because human values are capable of change, if they were inspired to do so.
It would be quite sad, if the only capacity we hold as adults, is to regress, wouldn't it?
I think we have to believe in the capacity of change for the better for Malaysia.
Otherwise, we might as well give up right now - because with the current corrupt values our society holds dear or tolerate - the road ahead for this county, is an uphill one.
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