Socio-economic jam!

Yesterday,  Malaysian Insider carried an article ” NEP, Brain drain holding back Malaysia”.

This blog has been saying the same thing since 2006. For the past 5 years, in my many articles and comments, I have been saying this,  which has  now been confirmed by an expert from World Bank.

I have often compared us with South Korea, Taiwan, HK and the red Dot down south. When the British left, we were ahead of South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and were similar to the ‘Red Dot’.

In fact, I have spoken many times that in the 60s, our economic cake was 4 times that of South Korea . By early 80s, South Korea has caught up and our economic cakes were of similar sizes. By mid-2000s, South Korea has moved ahead so much, that their cake is 4 times our size. ( Our football standard more or less mirrors this: in the 80s, we were South Korea’s nemesis, and we used to beat them on and off. Now, even their 3rd team can beat us easily).

Had we not been dragged down by race, we would have achieved much better growth than now, and even if we have not expanded as much as SOuth Korea ( 4 times better it is now), we would at least be twice better.

Our wages would have been higher, and our purchasing power would have been better.

No one country can expect to move really forward, economically or culturally, without an inclusive policy.

Affirmative policies need not exclude anyone. We can still help the poor, and yet we can still go forward.

Malaysia cannot change without the majority race realising this. If we have a better economic growth rate, everyone , including the biggest ethnic group, would have benefited, and we would have higher living standard. Every Malaysian would be living better.

By higher living standard, I do not just mean income, but many other things too. More civil-mindedness, more politeness on the roads, better infrastructures, better transport system and  better education policies.

As it is , we are perpetually caught in  jams, not just on our roads, but on our socio-economic path as well.