Malaysian dilemma: Urgent need for new mindset

We are suffering from a serious mindset problem.

Many in Malaysia remain trapped in outmoded ways of thinking, failing to move with the times. Albert Einstein aptly observed: “The problems of today cannot be solved at the same level of thinking at which they were created.”

A new mindset is needed, for otherwise we do not deal with root issues but put a balm to satisfy immediate pain.

The “New Economic Policy” and Rukun Negara (National Principles), were nation-building initiatives. Introduced in 1971, the 20-year NEP was repeatedly extended. But it failed to realise its goal of building genuine national unity. Nor did it achieve widespread distributive justice for the people of Malaysia as a whole.

Instead, the repeated extensions polarised Malaysian society so badly that ethnicity remains a divisive factor. We may have moved on from ‘Persekutuan Tanah Melayu’ to Malaysia. Yet, we see an ethnic ‘Malay’ mindset being politically promoted – a mindset that lies to others and to itself that the Malays are insecure, exploited and in need of special assistance after 54 years of the NEP.

There are few, if any, examples globally of a majority community using positive discrimination polices to achieve social justice. Yes, this was needed back then.

But it has now become an eternal policy despite the Malays enjoying superiority in numbers in most fields. From promotions to positions of high office to the Armed Forces, the other communities today face structural disadvantages.

This continues till today. The civil service has over 80% Malays and government-linked companies over 95% – both at the management level and in the lower ranks.

Yet, the narrative of insecurity persists, sustained by politicians who thrive on fearmongering.

Fear and identity issues are short-term goals, and the lie behind these have to be exposed.

The Malay polity is in disarray. We see rising political bankruptcy among Malays leaders who sing this tune.

Banding together gives some of them a sense of security, perhaps from the fear of being exposed or caught. This is not an example of unity in diversity but disunity despite commonality.

My own understanding of the details of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 has evolved over time. For this, I am grateful to friends in Sabah and Sarawak who have stood up to the colonial mentality of the federation.

The realisation that both Sabah and Sarawak went into MA63 with their own conditions has opened my eyes to fresh realities. We appreciate the present government’s initiative to recognise the details of MA63 and to acknowledge that both Sabah and Sarawak were equal partners with the peninsula when the Federation of Malaysia was created.

This acknowledgment has far-reaching implications than not many realise. It holds the hope for a Malaysia that is truly Asia.

As equal partners, Sarawak and Sabah have an opportunity to shape Malaysia anew. They will have to grasp this opportunity and spell out their vision for Malaysia.

They are not states but equal partners in this tripartite agreement following the departure of Singapore. It was the politics of statistics that led to that departure – because the ethnic ratios were too close to claim ethnic supremacy.

The coining of the term bumiputera resulted in the inclusion of the indigenous people of Sabah and Sarawak alongside the Malays, putting them in a majority compared to the ethnic Indians and Chinese.

But sadly, despite the establishment of Malaysia, we have had few political leaders with a Malaysian mindset.

With race-based parties dominating peninsular politics, the appeal to ethnic ghetto politics continued. Many champion their ethnic cause. The result: we have lost our sense of being Malaysian despite grandiose slogans like “Vision 2020” or “1Malaysia”.

Of late, Dr Mahathir Mohamad has once again exemplified his Malay mindset. But who will believe him when he says the Malays are losing their rights? Look at his own wealth and that of his family – not to mention his cronies, like Daim Zainuddin, who exploited the NEP and enriched themselves. Fifty-five years since 1970 and the wail continues.

They are among many in the Barisan Nasional (BN) leadership who enriched themselves. Likewise, we have witnessed others in similar positions enriching themselves. “It’s OK, everyone does it!” then becomes the culture.

Today, we see the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) arresting a number of Malay and other bumiputera leaders who have thrived through this self-righteous exploitation.

What is most depressing is that many politicians are unable to see the writing on the wall. The days of racial politics are over as, this only divides and divides, undercutting the Malaysian spirit.

The present ruling coalition is an indication of new possibilities. While the tension between reform and conditioning remains, this needs to be managed as we consider the future.

If BN does not morph into a coalition addressing the needs of everyone in Malaysia, they have no future in the Malaysia of tomorrow. You do not need to be a rocket scientist or an astrologer to visualise this reality. The BN’s performance in the 2022 general election should have been a lesson. But it has done nothing since then to warrant a bigger mandate at the next election.

Then, we have another ex-leader who aims to form a new party to fight for the rights of another community. Highly educated, he once held a senior position in a state. But he now carries this grudge. Politicians are amazing in that very few have the capacity to look at themselves.

Nevertheless, they give us all an opportunity to see them for who they are. Very few have any sense of self-awareness. Many lack credibility. They champion ethnic minority issues but are not able to articulate these in the context of the people of Malaysia as a whole.

Today’s realities must be addressed in the light of present-day challenges. Only politicians who are motivated to enter politics to ensure justice for all and equality before the law can appeal to the masses with a sense of humanity.

This is what is presently needed – a common cause to champion fairness and justice for all in Malaysia. Continued failure in this regard only perpetuates injustice.

We have to treat one another with fairness and equality.

Shortcomings in this regard will only bounce back at those who promote injustice. A negative cause cannot promote a positive result.

The Malay polity has not yet learnt this lesson. Where are the leaders with a vision for a Malaysia that is inclusive and fair? We do not hear any voice from within BN.

Evolution is needed and if the Independence of Malaya party (IMP) of Onn Jaafar was ahead of its time in the 1950s, then the time has now come.

As a worst-case scenario, our collective future lies in the hands of the people of Sabah and Sarawak. Their empowerment and initiative will pave the way. Unless leaders in the peninsula grasp this opportunity, they will remain imprisoned by their ethnic mindset.

Yes, there will be some parties like Pas and other breakaway race-based parties. But the Malay political landscape is so fragmented that these parties will continue to create more divisions within themselves.

It is time for Malay-based parties to realise this, as the evidence is stark and clear for all to see. Race in itself is not a cause that is big enough to unite divided groups.

Spewing hatred, bitterness and jealousy about others helps no one. In fact, promoters of such mindsets hurt themselves deeply. Hurts not transformed will be transferred. The same resentments will plague their own relationships, as is so evident in the fissures within the Malay polity.

A United Malaysian National Organisation is needed, one that can take on the cause of addressing issues that plague the lives of all in Malaysia. A new level of inclusion, a greater sense of respect for the other, and an attitude to ‘prosper thy neighbour’ are causes that would inspire many in Malaysia.

BN and Umno have a future only in this context. Yet they lack the leadership to frame new possibilities for Malaysia. You may have studied at Oxford but if you do not have a vision nor the courage to chart a new path for Malaysia, you will remain imprisoned and blinded by your narrow ethnic mindset.

You cannot do wrong towards another and then hope to prosper. The Golden Rule is universal and those who breach such universal principles break themselves.

To my friends in Sabah and Sarawak, we place our hopes in your hands.