The chain effect : Malaysian Version

Written by Rockettan “Keep your face to the sunlight and you will never see the shadow”. This is one of my favourite quote and reminded me the need to focus on good things around me and remain positive in the face of any adverse situation.

However, every morning, browsing through the websites that feature Malaysian news, I could not help but wonder whether I can still remain positive and overlook the negativities portrayed.

Besides petty and dirty politics, the recurring theme of the news revolve around crimes , some too horrendous that took me awhile to regain my composure. I ask myself and try to convince myself that no matter how bad things are, there is still a better future for Malaysia. No matter how hard I try, pessimism always seeps in. I could not overlook the fact that snatch theft, rape cases, murder and all sorts or crimes are so rampant in Malaysia.

Contrary to the claim by the authority that crime rates are reducing, the general sentiments are clouded by fear and worry. As if it is not bad enough, high crime rates is just one of the multifaceted and multifarious problems that are facing Malaysia. Further compounding my worry are the entrenched problems of corruption, inflation, bad public transport, high debt amounting to 53% of GDP, failing education, gutter politics, racial and religious polarisation…

Against these backdrops, the critical question is how did we arrive at the dire state that we are now? Trailing down the memory lane, Malaysia used to me more developed than other Asia countries such and we are even ahead of South Korea and Japan. We used to have the most robust economy, world class University and even our football team can compete on international level. We are endowed with rich natural resources from palm oil, rubber tree, god to petroleum. Put it simply: What went wrong in the past and what continue to go wrong in the present?

Some will point out that high rate of corruption and inefficiency is the real cause. Others will argue that the main reason is our racial policies than shun meritocracy and stymied the economic and social progress of our nation. Even though these are good reasons that shed the light on our predicament; the root of the problem, in my opinion, is the lack of check and balances on the system of governance. This can be gleaned from institutional and normative perspectives and the chain effects that subsequently follow.

The chain effect theory is first propounded from an observation that the tiny swing of the wing by a butterfly may cause a hurricane in faraway place. I will try to illustrate the chain effect of the lack of check and balances from institutional and normative perspective. From the institutional perspective, due to weak opposition, the government in the past can decide and implement any policies at its whims and fancies. Further, there is a lack of independence among many institutions that are supposed to function to check on the government. The Anti-Corruption agency, Attorney General Chambers and the police force are perceived to be dictated by the executive and engaged in selective prosecution. The judiciary system was weakened in the 1988 judicial crisis which ended in sacking of five judges and since then is seen as paying deference to the executive. As a result, corruption is rampant.

In addition, the media are controlled by the government. From a normative perspective, this resulted in low level of civic consciousness among the public. In short, the public did not dare to rise up and voice their opposition on many government policies. Apathetic and inaction become the prevailing norm of the society

Correspondingly, much government’s action such as bringing in foreign workers, white elephant project, and race-based policies went unopposed.As a result, economic progress stalled.80% of Malaysian households live below RM 4000 per month and 30% live below RM 1500. Many felt the heat of rising cost of living and the difficulty to make ends meet. Coupled with the rise in number of foreign worker, is there any surprise that many will resort to committing crime to make a living? Due to the lack of effective opposition against the failing education system and policies, many younger generations lack the moral guidance and hence stumble into seedy underworld or vice. As a staunch Buddhist, I believe in the concept of cause and effect. We only reap what we sow.

However, all is not lost .There are now signs that things are beginning to improve. This started with the political tsunami in previous election which saw the opposition rose to power in five states and portrayed itself as a rivalry to the federal government. This provides much needed checks and balances on government policies. Alternative policies as evidenced by Buku Jingga have been provided by the opposition. This spurs the government to initiate the transformation program (even though it yields minimal effects). The judiciary system starts to regain its rightful role and assert its independence. This can be demonstrated by the ruling by the court that the University and University College act that prohibited students from involving in politics is unconstitutional followed by the dismissal of sodomy charges brought against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the de facto leader of the opposition.

The rise in alternative media has spurred a new level of civic consciousness.The people are no longer solely relying on government controlled media for information. The public now dare to rise up against any injustice and bad policies as evidenced by the success of Bersih demonstration and the mass opposition against Lynas .Many youngsters also involve themselves in politics such as Ong Kian Ming , Aspan Alias and many more.

I find myself titillating between pessimism and optimism at times. I now realise that this is not the right thing to do. I guess the right mind-set for me is to be mindful of the problems facing our countries but at the same time remain optimistic that things are getting better. For my own good and the well-being of many around me, I chose to be positive and believe that there is a better future for Malaysia. Let’s hope that I am right. Finger crossed for the next election.