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Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam
Chairman ASLI Center for Public Policy
Chairman ASLI Center for Public Policy
There are many ways that can be taken
to achieve unity among the Malaysians.
Sports, Political power sharing, Democracy to choosing government, Allocation of the economic, National
Principle, New Economic Policy (NEP), The National Education Policy, Formation
of a national culture, National language and Barisan
Nasional (BN)
Sports. It is because, children who play together and
eventually will stand together as a nation when they become adults. On the
other hand, government policies on national unity is the nature of integration,
namely through the adjustment with a variety of cultural and social
characteristics that can be accepted by all ethnic groups in our country.
Political power sharing also can create the unity between the
Malaysians. Before our country got the independence, the leader of the three
main races which are Malay, Chinese and Indian have realized that political
compromise and power sharing is essential in the guard and conducted fairly to
avoid power misconduct and divisions. The important positions in government,
the seats in the election and the candidates contesting must be ensuring not
only dominated by one ethnic.
Democracy to choosing the government. We must ensure that all citizens are eligible
and do not violate state law, can voice their opinions, criticisms, and choose
a candidate in the elections freely and fairly. Who would win the election with
a majority of votes entitled to be elected representatives can voice their
aspirations through established channels such as the Dewan Rakyat or Dewan
Negara…read more>>
The Star/Views/7 August 2016
IT’S a breath of fresh air and a
source of much pride to me that a former PTD (Pegawai Pentadbiran Diplomatic)
colleague, Tan Sri Alwi Jantan, has come out strongly to support our cherished
national values of secularism, liberalism and pluralism, “Torchbearers for
founding fathers” (Sunday Star, Sept 4). In short, he urges for greater
national unity and good governance, which have been sadly declining.
As a leading member of the Group of 25 (G25) comprising eminent former senior Malay civil servants and
intellectuals, Alwi (and the G25 as well) is indeed a torchbearer for our
founding forefathers. He and G25 are therefore fully worthy of the whole-hearted
support of all true Malaysians!
The G25 handicap may, however, be
that it is preaching to the converted, especially those Malaysians in the more
sophisticated urban areas. Currently, the G25 has a limited number of members
(about 40) and has thus to expand its membership and also now consider being
more inclusive. The G25 has to include leaders in the rural areas and also
non-Malays and those leading moderates in Sabah and Sarawak.
There has been a worldwide tendency
for politicians to look towards the next general election to preserve their
privileged vested interests. Their vision is therefore limited to the short
term. They tend to pursue the dubious doctrine of state capture in order to
prolong and perpetuate their political dominance and power often for self gain.
In direct contrast, the independent
and experienced thinkers and patriots in the G25 are committed to the long-term
national interests and national unity, modernity and sustainability of our
country. And that is why we all must rally around the G25 to strengthen it and
to develop a kind of “G25 Movement” that stands for moderation, integrity,
equity, fairness and unity in diversity.
As Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai wrote in
his column, “We should not provide a platform for extremists like (academic)
Ridhuan (Tee Abdullah) to spew hatred and disunity. It’s like providing oxygen
for his fanaticism”, “Unite, not divide, the people” (Sunday Star, Sept 4).
This begs the worrisome question in
the public mind: Why is justice not being done or seen to be done? Are some types
of people less susceptible to allegations of sedition? Surely, the authorities
don’t want to give the impression that we have selective justice or bad
governance in our country? What if others follow Tee’s terrible example? There
could be chaos, as Alwi has rightly suggested. We all don’t want any of that
possibility, do we?
In fact, any politician or individual
who promotes hate, racial and religious bigotry and supremacy of any kind must
be isolated and alienated politically and even socially. Most politicians find
it difficult to isolate bigots because they have to fight for or even buy the
votes of bigots.
Hence, it is welcome news to hear
that the G25 will be going beyond their current critical concerns “to find
solutions to the overlap of civilian and syariah laws” to also delve into the
vital question of good governance. This new emphasis is fundamental as, without
or even with less good governance, all the progress we have proudly achieved
since Merdeka will dissipate.
We are all deeply anxious about what
my civil service brother Alwi boldly states, namely that “good governance has
been eroded at an alarming rate”.
The G25 Report on Political Financing
Reforms that was submitted to the Prime Minister and Paul Low, Minister in the
PM’s Department, has thus to be seriously discussed in Cabinet and even in
Parliament. Hopefully, the G25 Report’s recommendations will be adopted by the
Government well before the coming general election in the interest of good
governance.
All the rakyat really
want is a fairer, more reasonable and equitable Government and greater national
unity with good governance. That is the natural aspiration of the rakyat,
especially the bottom 40%, regardless of race and religion. At present, they
could be and are feeling marginalised! They may even experience a sense of
alienation from mainstream development, and feel a reduced sense of belonging
and low level of patriotism.
We have therefore to go back to the
basics and follow the principles of good governance set by our wise and honest
founding fathers. Otherwise, as the G25 clearly suggests, we could fail badly
and fade away.
So, let’s all rally around the G25,
form a “G25 Movement” and appeal for more good governance from our political
leaders of all shades to pass on a better Malaysia.
This is what all true Malaysians want
and fully deserve.
And as we approach Malaysia Day on
Sept 16, we, the rakyat, believe that we will win if we are
united against all abuses from any and all quarters!
Selamat Hari Malaysia and may God
bless our beloved country!
Take Note:
The Group of 25
Take Note:
The Group of 25
JUST over a year and a half ago, 25
former top Malay civil servants came out of retirement “to band together as
social activists”.
G25 has also expanded its scope to
include good governance and tackling corruption. As not only the former head of
the PSD but also former secretary-general in the Local Government and Federal
Territory Ministry, Health Ministry and Agriculture Ministry, Alwi has focused
on good governance, which he calls the precondition for a constitutional
democracy: “Those in power must be made accountable for their actions and
conduct.”
G25 also contributed
suggestions to the National Consultative Committee on Political Financing set
up by Najib last year and headed by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department
Datuk Paul Low. The committee has since prepared a proposal to regulate political
funding, incorporating ideas from G25 and other groups.
And G25 has consulted the private sector for their views, giving their input to University of Malaya Faculty of Economics and Administration professor Dr Terence Gomez, who has drafted a detailed proposal titled “Political Financing Reforms for Transparent and Accountable Political Funding in Malaysia”.
And G25 has consulted the private sector for their views, giving their input to University of Malaya Faculty of Economics and Administration professor Dr Terence Gomez, who has drafted a detailed proposal titled “Political Financing Reforms for Transparent and Accountable Political Funding in Malaysia”.
Read more...
Monday, August 15, 2016
Tunku Munawirah Putra, The Edge
The Malaysia Education Blueprint
2013-2025 (MEB) mentions that the curriculum and assessments must be aligned
with international benchmarks to ensure that Malaysian students are acquiring
the knowledge and skills necessary for their success in the 21st century and beyo...
Monday, August 1,
2016
Tan Sri Mohd
Sheriff Mohd Kassim
CONGRATULATIONS,
Tan Sri Abdul Wahid Omar on your appointment as chairman of Permodalan Nasional
Bhd, a key agency for the promotion of Bumiputera development in the modern
sectors of the economy, in terms of employment, management and ownership of
corporate wealth.
Friday, August 19,
2016
Tan Sri Mohd
Sheriff Mohd Kassim
I JOIN the many
writers in your column who call for all Malaysians to show their loyalty to the
nation by flying the Jalur Gemilang to mark the celebration of our independence
day on Aug 31 and to show our pride as a country which has changed so much over
a relatively...
In the news...
In the news...
There is nothing wrong in showing our
patriotism and love for the nation by flying the national flag but surely this is not the only manner of doing ...
Dealing with a looming crisis. The Star Malaysia - 2016-09-08 - VIEWS - CHANG KIM LOONG
Secretary-general, National House Buyers Association. WE refer ...
It happens regularly and will
continue to do so as long as no far-reaching and radical solution is taken to solve the problem at source…
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