Malaysia’s nation-building is doomed, not even China can help

Share to help stimulate good governance, ensure future of people & M’sia

No News Is Bad News

For image info, go to https://www.isis.org.my/book-journal/multiculturalism-and-nation-building-in-a-plural-and-divided-society-the-case-of-malaysia/ 

Malaysia’s nation-building is doomed, not even China can help

KUALA LUMPUR, July 26, 2024: Universiti Malaya’s Institute of China Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Associate Researcher Dr Michael Tai says China’s investment will not cure the cancer that plagues Malaysia’s economy.

He described Malaysia as being in a dire situation for failing to end pro-Bumiputera policies and rampant corruption.

But will the current so-called Madani Unity Government listen and implement remedial measures?

No News Is Bad News reproduces below a news article on what Tai has to say:

China is unable to save Malaysia which is corrupt and pro-Bumiputera - UM Researcher

 By Editor 07/21/2024

KUALA LUMPUR: An Associate Researcher at the Institute of China Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Universiti Malaya described Malaysia as being in a dire situation for failing to end pro-Bumiputera policies and rampant corruption.

Writing in the South China Morning Post in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of China-Malaysia relations, Dr Michael Tai described China's investment will not cure the cancer that plagues Malaysia's economy.

"Malaysia's problems stem from corruption and poor governance, which are closely related to race-based privilege. Outsiders are in no position to fix it.

"Malaysia's progress continues to be hindered by affirmative action programs that give priority to the Malay majority over the Chinese and Indian minorities," added the Universiti Malaya Associate Researcher.

"This policy was supposed to end after 20 years but was replaced by the National Development Policy, which maintains the privileges of the bumiputra; the Malays regard it as a right," added Tai.

According to Tai, the pro-Bumiputera policy has also created an extreme state of corruption.

"Systemic corruption is so entrenched, that it is almost impossible to eradicate it without eradicating race-based privilege. In the last five years, the government has lost approximately US$59 billion to corruption, which Anwar considers a "major cancer" that weakens the economy, erodes morale, and reduce confidence," Tai wrote again.

He also cited former Minister's view Trade and Industry (MITI), Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz who expressed regret at the "puzzling" loss of integrity so that no sector of society was spared from the "toxic abuse of power."

Tai also questioned the dependence on China which may not be as good as expected.

"Malaysia strives to capture that part of the supply chain is said to have left China due to the trade war. But that hope may be in vain. Although China has moved up the value chain, it remains competitive in low-value sectors. It enjoys many advantages in terms of size, productivity, infrastructure quality, and industrial ecosystem.

According to Tai again, it is very difficult to compete with Chinese factories in terms of speed, cost, or quality, and it does not make sense for them to outsource or move to countries that lack skilled manpower. Chinese entrepreneurs go where they can make a reasonable profit.

For Tai, the problem of Malaysia's nation building stems from poor governance and outsiders are not in a position to improve it.