Fifty-seven years...wow.
Are we approaching vision 2020? Not quite. 59th on GDP per capita don't even bring us in sniffing distance with the world's economic elites. Protectionist policies coupled with race based state benefits to the majority of the populace pours cold water on the hope for prosperity. The constant comparisons with Singapore only makes us more envious as a people. Entertaining the idea that one day the possibility of Indonesian hiring our kinsman as servants makes me sick( nothing against Indonesians ). Businesses failing to attract foreign investors and ideas. Could go on and on.
How about our journey towards being a more democratic society? Religious intolerance still consuming large segments of our major media sources. Ignorance clouds the nation. Ethnic friction still, very depressingly, exist. You'd think 57 years of cultural assimilation would move us away from the damnation that is May 13. Liberalism is thoroughly rejected by many in the nation, but somehow they still believe that Malaysia can achieve modern political atmosphere without a fundamental understanding of rights without it. Talks of an Islamic theocracy even surfaces from time to time. Could go on and on.
But lets clear the elephant in the room. Race is the biggest locus of Malaysian conversation. Implicitly in hiring jobs, whether one acknowledges it, race is a influential factor. When dealing with business partners, many would engineer their actions based on the stereotypes that they perceive for the other races. Interracial marriage, though legal, still causes an undesirable amount of tension in families. Cliques in government schools are still bordered by race. School canteens can often be divided into three- Malay, Indian, and Chinese. Not the case for all schools, some will cry, but the fact that they exist prevalently bugs me infinitely. So the alpha question to ask is: " Why is a country, so preoccupied with racial integration ala 1Malaysia, failing so miserably to achieve is goals? ". The answer is very simple. Multiculturalism when understood properly, intends to tell the sub-concious mind, that race is important. In fact, so important that it could be utilized as a life defining entity. If you accept my mundane hypothesis, then it is easy to explain why races still clash swords. If you believe that you are defined by your race, then any threat to your racehood will give you an unearned sense of moral superiority over the critic. Giving unconcerned politicians leverage for more than decent polling results during elections. This, ladies and gentlemen, is Malaysia's biggest problem- the notion that ones race and culture is of great importance. In a free society, blood/race is not essential, merit is. The greatest obstacle to progress is what we believe to be pure and tranquil--Multiculturalism.
But hey! For all Malaysia's shortcomings, we still have awesome food and natural habitats right? Laid back lifestyles and cultural heritage will always be an attraction. But all of this comes at a cost. Stay put with current methods, fear is the only emotion that be can associated with the predictions one makes for the next 57 years. Happy Independence Day all Malaysians.
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