Malaysia retains its position (ranked No.43) in the Legatum Prosperity index.
In South east Asia, it is behind Singapore which is ranked 17. Other Asian countries such as Japan is ranked 18, HOng Kong at 20, Taiwan 22, South Korea at 27.
Being ranked No. 43 is not so bad actually. We can perhaps say that it is near the top of middle ranked countries. But while Taiwan , South Korea, Singapore and Hong Kong has moved from “division 2 ‘ to “Division one”, we are still at Division 2. It is of course better than those in Division 3 , but looking at the subindex, the picture is not so rosy. In the categories of social capital and personal freedom, it was ranked 90 (weak).
Being weak in social capital means that our human resource development is weak.
If a soccer team wants to move from Division 2 to Divison 1, you need to have a pool of good players. It is useles to have a big group of players who cannot play well; it would be much better if you have a pool of good players .To do that, you need good coaches, you need to reward for excellence, you need good training technique.
Looking at our universities in specific and education system in general, unless drastic changes are adopted to overhaul the whole system, it is difficult to see how we can move from Division two to Division one. Here are the links for the indices for 2010 and 2009:
http://www.prosperity.com/rankings.aspx
http://www.prosperity.com/index2009.aspx (2009 compared)
Dr. Hsu's forum 
Oct 28, 2010 @ 14:47:30
Our BN politicians are the least interested in all these world rankings, surveys and etc. They are fearful of comparisons because they don’t believe in competitions. Competitions are not fair as Dr.M said. Other nations have advantages (centuries of history, wealth by colonisations, victories in wars etc) over M’sia , thus we need handicaps like in golf to compete fairly in these gobal surveys.
What crap!
In true, they (BN/UMNO) want M’sia to progress at their (Malay’s) pace and all the slogan like “Wawasan 2020” is just that i.e. empty slogan. Shoik sendiri. All these comparisons only causes mental tensions to UMNO politicians which they cannot handle. Why would they care if ours Universities ranking drop like stones from the sky or corruption and crime index raising like a teenager’s erection in the gobal survey. That’s not important, the priorities are to ensure theirs bank accounts filled with billions and their future generations can live in luxury.
These survey results have no effect on BN’s behaviour like water on a duck’s back. In one ear ,out the other.
What division 1 or 2? They want a special division – negara-negara hak istimeiwa.
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Oct 28, 2010 @ 15:27:26
This is another sign of mediocrity. It is consistent with our own experience. If it is not meritocratic, it is mediocre.
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Oct 28, 2010 @ 15:49:46
Ya, we are in “negara (1 and only) hak istimewa” division. We will be looking for donors very soon. BTN will override insubordinate WeeKaSiong with the introduction of Article 153 as the main chapter of History subject. All signs point towards south and that is our destination.
Dr Hsu, where is Gerakan’s representative in National Economic Council ? Is KTK a real KPI commando or an entertaining waiter ?
When the Chinese youth are ready to even dispute the holy authority of DongJiaoZong, what will Gerakan or MCA be in their mind ? CSL and KTK are both disconnected with generation Y. The youth are no more interested in division 1 or 2, they want to be in premier league !
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Oct 28, 2010 @ 16:24:47
Seriously, if you look around us, you don’t find any capable , caring and rich people around. Our culture and society has changed. The rich will be richer and the powerful mens wish to be more powerful and influential, and all these powerful and rich people has forgotten they have their roles to play and pay back to the society who got them rich and powerful. What they knows is they will migrate when there is nothing to gain in this country while their children all taken care off. Look around us…..what the rich and powerful men do to our society….Nothing. They appears on the paper and talk as if they have all the wisdom and know how. When come to action, nothing. I hate those super filthy rich who act as if they care for the economy and the poor society but deep down, they are the one who bring our economy down. How to play as a football team? As everyone is trying to shoot their own goal to fame while ignoring teamwork ? pls bear in mind I am saying this cos not only chinese rich people do that. Even the malays, indian or the government all have their selfish way in this country and that is the reason we cannot excel
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Oct 28, 2010 @ 17:03:43
vsvsv,
Dun despair, it only reflects that you still lives in the REAL world. It is therefore I predicted Socialism may return as an alternative to democracy in the near future (20 to 30 yrs) when income disparity reaches a non tolerable level and relative poverty becomes a norm in most countries.
Human beings goes round the chain of life and death according to my religion (non believers are free to reject this) and one shall reaps what one sowed. The concept of fair or unfair does not arise as there will no one to determine the rewards or punishment except yourself. Therefore we are also partly responsible for the current state of our country. Be diligent in pursuing your goal of change and it shall bear fruits if the aggregate effort is in congruence with yours.
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Oct 28, 2010 @ 22:34:09
I don’t know, maybe I am wrong but I am doubtful about these world ranking and the criterion. What is so big deal about prosperity? It is the poor and poverty that matters more. Millions died of hunger and not even a decent roof over their heads.
What prosperity? The indecent way and vulgar way of wastage will even worn down a golden mountain. The destiny is not fated but will by those in power.
Somehow, some people, the rich, powerful and cruelly selfish just do not evolve.
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Oct 29, 2010 @ 01:09:37
Implement a MAXIMUM WAGE based on GDP applicable to private sector with a excesses going to wealth distribution and social welfare.
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Oct 29, 2010 @ 11:35:24
This is yet another slap on the face of Malaysia:
http://the-diplomat.com/
The 10 safest place in Asia Pacific:
1. Singapore
2. New Zealand
3. Taiwan
4. Japan
5. Australia
6. HK
7. South Korea
8. Mongolia
9. Vietnam
10. Kazakhstan
No wonder, we don not feel safe. Malaysia is not on the list.
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Oct 29, 2010 @ 16:59:42
Snatch thieves, houses burglary, waiting-parking cars hijacked with children inside, C4, high profiled murder cases, and even tax-payers monies wasted on irregularities (AG’s Report), are we safe? With or without money.
Well, a BN minister did say we are very safe (public safety). Someone commented that he should try walking alone in the city in the wee hours of the morning (without his body guard and driver).
Of course, public safety is probably NOT national security and stability in the eyes of the authority. Because to them, the written words are more dangerous, including cartoons. Do you believe the government is sane now?
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Oct 30, 2010 @ 09:45:26
Dr Hsu,
Sorry for being rude last time. This analysis and comment is much much fairer and i totally agreed with u tis time.
Some area we are good or quite ok but some areas we really need much improvement!
people like u really helps to educate layman like us in many things but one principle i hold is that if either govt or opposition does something good, i will say good and show my support but if either side did something bad i will definately say bad.
Now not all what BN gov does is bad and not all what RP does is good. I believe u and ur readers would agree with me.
I think what i would like to say is that BN under Najib has initiate a lot of good measure and implement some quite sucessfully and some not so. And so are PR rules states. Many still remain a promise.
I just hope and urge readers to judge objectively what BN and PR does or promise to do and not be driven by emotion or sentiment or perception. Let’s us judge objectively.
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