Can the Malays and Malaysia progress?

Comment on "Can the Malays change? Will the others at least try? Will you be coming home?"

Wan Azam Hamzah MC64

Thanks, Bro HH for your thought-provoking article.

Every nation wants itself to progress. That’s basic. Can we Malays n Malaysia progress? After Merdeka, we did well, economically n socially. Even in sports, we used to beat Japan, and South Korea at football.

These early years saw the Chinese to be economically more advanced than the Malays. To correct this, a new economic policy was set up, a policy with noble aims. The education n training of Malays was successful. In this group, many benefited, including me. Scholarships were given for studying in prestigious foreign universities. Many here did well, acquired postgraduate degrees n became leaders in government agencies, or set up their own successful businesses. Before this, it was difficult for Malays to pass the medical or engineering course at the local Malayan university

The new economic policy also had venues for setting up businesses. It was here that abuse n later major corruption occurred. Politically connected people acquired licenses to do business n able to take bank loans. They rent out their licenses. Genuine Malay businessmen had difficulty getting the business. Politicians saw an easy way to make money. Corrupted politicians gave rise to corrupted civil servants. From here it spread to all levels of society.

One other reason for corruption was because the principle of the separation of powers was undone

In a real democracy, power is separated into the legislative, executive n judiciary. They are independent of one another. In this way, there is balance n control of each of the powers

The legislative enact laws. They decide what law is suitable for our present situation n make amendments. Members are elected by the people. This is what we do when we go to vote

The executive is elected from the voted members of the legislative. They are the prime minister n cabinet. Their function is to see the laws are followed, to manage the routine of government

The judiciary interprets the laws. Judge when there is a dispute between the members of society. They have the final word in judgment, no other body can interfere

It was Mahathir who as PM influenced the legislature to enact laws as to what he wanted. He interfered in the judgment of the judiciary and controlled it by having the power to appoint judges. This was the biggest harm done to Malaysia.

4 of his children are US$ billionaires. Very few other fathers in history had this. Whatever, the harm done to the separation of powers was greater

Pas still has influence over some sections of society. Their forte is that ultimately, Muslims must choose Islam over any other. Pas may have deficiencies like no development in kltn. Not providing potable water. Kota Bharu is not clean. But they say the people must vote for the ultimate, that is Islam is the final choice

More people are seeing that Pas is just a political party like any other. There is no wahyu that it is God’s party

It’s advantage is the word Islam in its name

Now we have the Unity government under DSAI. A unity government has advantages n disadvantages. Consideration has to be made to other members of the collision. But this also provides control. Whatever is and to be done has to be carefully thought out

It’s v difficult to have another person like PMX. He is honest, not interested in enriching himself or his family. Willing to face the many difficulties to reform Malaysia. As we had seen his is v knowledgeable. Also knowledgeable in Islam, something important for a Malaysian leader. We put our hope in him

What is important for reform to happen is that we the people will have to support him

Wan Azam Hamzah.

MC64