Malaysia S Achievements In 20 Years A Sobering Reflection

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 A recent conversation with a friend from China gave me much to ponder about Malaysia’s journey over the past two decades.
His observations, as a frequent visitor, offer a sobering perspective on the state of our nation.
He first visited Malaysia in the year 2000, a young man in his 20s. At that time, Kuala Lumpur left a strong impression on him. The iconic Petronas Twin Towers stood tall as a symbol of Malaysia’s ambition, surrounded by modern infrastructure and high-rise buildings.
Back then, China was only beginning its journey of economic transformation, having joined the World Trade Organisation in 2001.
In his eyes, Malaysia was a highly developed country. Many families owned one or two cars, highways were well-maintained, and the nation appeared modern and progressive. Yet, as he pointed out during our recent discussion, after more than 20 years of visiting Malaysia frequently, very little seems to have changed.
According to him, Kuala Lumpur’s once-impressive buildings now appear aged and poorly maintained. Cities on the outskirts of the capital remain underdeveloped, and the vibrancy that once defined Malaysia has stagnated.
On the other hand, the transformation in his homeland, China, has been nothing short of extraordinary, with rapid development turning it into a global economic powerhouse.
His sentiments were echoed by another Chinese friend who highlighted the frustrations of Chinese investors who initially saw Malaysia as an attractive destination for investment. Malaysia’s advantages - language compatibility, cultural familiarity, advanced infrastructure, and openness to innovation - were compelling.
Pendulum swing
Yet, these potential investors ultimately abandoned Malaysia in favour of Indonesia.
The reasons were disheartening: projects in Malaysia faced interminable delays, even after bribes were reportedly paid.
JakartaSimilar ventures were approved swiftly in Indonesia. Beyond bureaucratic inefficiencies, these investors were also deterred by Malaysia’s political instability and increasing racial and religious tensions, which they feared could spiral out of control.
According to him, though I cannot independently verify this claim, the situation has not improved and appears to be worsening over time, even under the coalition government. Investors reportedly have to pay even larger sums to politicians acting as “facilitators” or intermediaries to ensure their projects proceed smoothly.
Their concerns are deeply troubling. Questions about the longevity of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s government, fears of PAS gaining power, and uncertainties about policy shifts regarding China cast doubt on Malaysia’s reliability as an investment destination.
The memory of the Pakatan Harapan 1.0 government under Dr Mahathir Mohamad cancelling key China projects in 2018 continues to haunt them.
Difficult truth
While I am no admirer of certain aspects of China’s political system, their perspective forces us to confront a difficult truth: what has Malaysia truly achieved in the past 20 years?
As we engage in endless politicking, we are falling behind on the global stage. More tragically, we are losing the very essence of what once made Malaysia unique - our racial harmony, tolerance, and pride in a multicultural, multiracial society.
The world is moving forward at breakneck speed. Nations like Indonesia are capitalising on opportunities that we are letting slip through our fingers.
If we do not reflect on and address these challenges, we risk being left behind - not just in economic development, but in the unity and identity that once defined us as Malaysians.
It is time to ask ourselves: where do we go from here? How do we recapture the spirit of progress, unity, and ambition that once set Malaysia apart? - Mkini
NG LING FONG is Malaysiakini managing editor.

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