The struggle to revive multi-culturalism: the lost Malaysian dream

The Malay language has been “Arabized,” Rukun Negara has all but disappeared from official functions, non-Malays have been alienated by institutionalized discrimination, and Malays have been told that Malaysia is their land by numerous opinion leaders.

Multi-culturalism has died. The Malay polity are bickering and fighting not for the country, not for an ideology, but simply about who should rule. Although the Ismail Sabri Barisan Nasional government is trying to return to the old multi-racial coalition with the MCA and MIC playing a larger role than before, policy actions are still very much based on the Ketuanan Melayu ideology.

Malaysia is very much a divided nation after nearly 70 years of statehood, and the shackles of state intervention upon the economy, rampant crony capitalism, corruption, and discriminatory policies are now showing many undesirable residual effects.

National creativity and innovation are stifled by discriminatory regulation. This is not only perpetuating a brain drain, but a flight of success businesses, and business ideas. Just look at the Grab start-up by Malaysian entrepreneurs in Singapore, to get an indication on what is happening. Business is hindered by unjust regulation and rules that denies equality of entrepreneurial opportunity. Some of these pro-Bumiputera policies are actually disguised advantages for crony capitalists, who have the capital to take advantage of a market due to skewed rules. Ordinary Malays don’t, therefore don’t benefit. Thus, the orientation is very much towards rent-seeking rather than taking risks with innovation.

Malaysia is facing an innovation gap. This is leaving Malaysia with few potential sunrise industries to rebuild the economy and compete on a regional basis. Malaysia risks falling relatively behind other Asian economies within the region, before the decade is out.

Freedom of religion is restricted in Malaysia. This is especially the case for Muslims, who are restricted in the way they can practice Islam. Poverty is growing once again, which is dividing society even more. The different ethnic communities in Malaysia have become estranged from each other due to the divisive social engineering undertaken by governments over the last decades.

Social integration has been blocked. Orang Asli, Dayaks, Kadazans and the Orang Asal have been encouraged to assimilate with Malays or face marginalization. Many Malays today, mimic the Arabs, being shy of their own colourful culture, which is widening the divide with others.

Malaysia today has a suspect education system which borders on indoctrination. Islamization has destroyed secularism in government. Meritocracy has flown out the window. With the loss of multi-culturalism and rise in Islam within government, there has been a correlated rise in the level of corruption. This has created strange paradoxes where even the halal integrity of food is at risk because of the greed of a few.

The short lived Pakatan Harapan government did very little to re-establish and promote the concept of multi-culturalism. Rukun Negara wasn’t brought back. The ICERD Convention wasn’t ratified. Education minister Maszlee Malik Islamized the education system more, further than any Barisan Nasional government did. The Religious minister Mujahid Yusof Rawa and deputy minister Fuziah Salleh both defended JAKIM over allegations of corruption. The PH government even bailed out a crony company, injecting RM2.7 billion funds into Sapura, turning it into a GLC.

Which political parties are committed to creating a society based upon rebuilding meritocracy, a safety-net for the needy and vulnerable, and true multi-culturalism, in accordance with Malaysia’s heritage? Which party is really committed to stamping out corruption? Which party is committed to creating equality of entrepreneurial opportunity in the economy? Which party will wind down the influence of GLCs and crony conglomerates, so there is a level playing field?

Where is the party that believes in a single tier of citizenship, where all Malaysians are seen as equals? Where is the party that is prepared to work hard to eliminate poverty?

The symbolism of convicted felons running free is not a healthy precedent for the nation. This shows that Malaysia is in a moral quagmire. Malaysia needs a political grouping with a real dream for Malaysia. A dream to pursue a path that will not see the country decline even more.

This needs a true commitment to multi-culturalism. Is there any party willing to do this?