Category: Idiot Overlords

As much as some quarters would like to blame our country’s ills on Tun Dr Mahathir, I do not subscribe to this view. In fact, I think that our dear old Tun is merely the product of his time and circumstance. If I were to assign blame for all our woes, I would assign it to an entire generation of Malaysians, those above the age of 50.

This was the generation that put Mahathir into power almost 30 years ago. This was the generation that was entrusted with building a lasting legacy on top of the solid foundation laid by our grandparents, but stood by and did nothing as our country was raped and plundered instead. They squandered the wealth of their parents and now leave a mountain of debt for their children.

As I read Barry Wain’s book, this was the thought that kept popping into my head. I just did not understand how an entire generation could have allowed such things to happen on their watch. How they turned a blind eye to all that was happening around them as long as it did not affect them. They are complicit of the crime, if not implicit.

So, if I was asked to direct my dissatisfaction somewhere, I would direct it at a bunch of geriatrics instead of our dearest Tun.

Our parents’ generation has failed us thoroughly. As children of the Mahathir era, it is now up to us to pick up the pieces and fix this. If all the children of Mahathir put our resources together and work collectively, we can hopefully still save our country before it is lost forever. I do see positive signs in some of our political leaders like Izzah, who gives me hope that all is not lost.

However, people like her cannot do it alone. The rest of us will need to do our parts as well. We need to be the change that we want to see. We need to lead by example. We need to walk the talk. If we want to see racial unity, let us start by making friends. If we want to stop corruption, let us stop greasing the wheels. If we want to change the system, let us stop towing the line.

Change is difficult, but it is necessary.

There was a dream once, of our grandparents, called Malaysia. Let it not end in nightmare.

Our government has recently been trumpeting Talent Corp, an organisation dedicated with the task to head-hunt Malaysians working and residing overseas and enticing them to return to Malaysia to contribute to nation building. While I do appreciate the whole idea of fishing our people back home, I am highly skeptical of the success of such a programme for one reason as identified by TheStar:

True meritocracy has to be practised in every sphere of activity, with transparency in every stage of discussion and negotiation. These would range from open tenders for public projects to full accountability for a range of activities, including government departments and agencies as well as the selection process of student scholarships for families.

There should be no favouritism on any basis other than material need. Where such things as academic achievement and promise are equal, any advantage or preference accorded to individuals must be founded only on personal need and family capacity.

Our government has had similar programmes in the past but they all focused on money – through the offer of APs and other incentives. However, the harsh reality is that things are more than just about money. Focusing on monetary incentives only delay the inevitable as these expertise will quickly grow jaded with the local work culture and decide to return to foreign shores.

Also, while bringing home talent from overseas is important, I hope that the government does not neglect those talents who are already at home. There are a lot of skilled people in Malaysia who are also being subjected to the inane local work culture and grow jaded by the day. It becomes harder and harder for such talent to justify staying home and they will leave after a while.

To succeed in luring them home for good requires Malaysia to replicate the same kind of standards all-round. Recognising the importance of the contributions of these Malaysians and their spouses, regardless of race, religion and nationality, is an important step forward.

I honestly hope that this proves to be a catalyst in improving our local work culture. If it does, we will be able to exploit both sets of talents – those returning from overseas and those whom are already here. We need to be ready to cast aside a lot of our perceived Asian values if we are to succeed in this.

Ageism, racism, and xenophobia must all GO.

“I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.” — Stephen F Roberts.

Very compelling explanation. I’ve got it as my wallpaper now.