Towards A Merdeka From This National Culture Of Corruption


 

On this 65th anniversary of Merdeka, let’s reflect about how the country has changed. Let’s focus particularly on one aspect of change, that of our national culture.
But first, let’s look at another national culture. I once worked with some Nordic people as bosses, peers and even subordinates. They’re very direct (though that’s not the same as being open), and easy to get along with.
When new arrivals come to Malaysia, within a short while I’d hear them returning from a holiday, or even just a weekend, in Sipadan, Taman Negara, Gunung Kinabalu, Pulau Redang etc.
-ADVERTISEMENT-Ads by 
I’ve been to those places myself, but it took me years to check them off my list. There are many Malaysians who’ve been to London, Paris or New York, but not to these places.
One time, in a group climb up Gunung Kinabalu, a seemingly unathletic Norseman easily made it to the top while some of our locals failed. He had a deceptively large reservoir of stamina and fitness in him.
Many have identified the Nordic peoples – Norwegians, Swedes, Danes, Finns etc – as being outdoorsy and nature lovers. We’re even trying to learn how to walk their way – the Nordic Walk!
Is that due to the cold and their rugged landscapes? But Americans, Canadians, Russians and many Europeans have those too, yet aren’t generally associated with fitness and love of the outdoors.
So, it’s not really a winter thing, a northern latitude thing, or even a “gwailo” thing that explains this lifestyle and culture.
This culture is actually a relatively recent phenomenon. Of course, life there has always been harsh, and you can’t help but be tough and be outdoors a lot in your daily life.
But over time this love of the outdoors has been rebranded as a unique part of their culture and traditions. Every Nordic person now feels it’s a natural part of their life, and it’s their duty to cherish this “heritage”.
If something that’s already there, albeit not in an organised way, can be sold and deeply acculturated into society within a few generations, can other aspects of life be transformed that way too?
Yes, it can, both for better but also for worse.
However, to change or create a new culture, all the “signals” must be right so they reinforce each other. By “right”, I also mean “wrong”, as the opposite signals can produce the opposite results.
Changes happen without there ever being a mastermind or evil genius driving it, whether on something as simple as following traffic rules or keeping litter off the streets, to something as momentous as corruption and abuse of power.
Malaysia certainly had corruption earlier on, but the corrupt ones then were called “Mr. 10%” on account of the size of their take, which shows things weren’t that bad.
Back then, while palms sometimes needed to be greased, stuff got done. There were some leakages but roads and airports and bridges still got built.
Things started to go south in the ‘80s, however, even if economy-wise things looked up and we were then one of the Asian Tigers well on track to become a developed nation.
Unfortunately, in our quest to speed things up, corners were cut, one or both eyes were closed, and the ends dictated the means. The powerful got away with grabbing huge chunks of the economic cake.
While the cake itself was growing, it certainly wasn’t growing as fast as it could have, or as fast as the other Asian Tigers’ cakes. But the corruption grew even faster – by then you’d be a joke if you were only Mr. 10%.
You didn’t have to deliver either, whether ships or submarines or sovereign funds or the environment. Let the hills crumble, let phantom ships be launched, let villagers die – you just sapu, sweep up everything.
How did we get here, where corruption has become normalised in our everyday life?
We were never a nation to respect principles, but rather one that respects relationships and feudal loyalty. Democracy became a convenient beauty pageant to reach the top of society, where winners act like monarchs or autocrats and take all before them.
When our leaders indulged in corruption, we didn’t question them. We condoned it, and after a while, even partook in it, with gusto.
You’d have thought with the increasing entry of religion into society, and into politics, we’d have become more honest and faithful, both to principles and to God. That didn’t quite happen.
Religious observances are showy and ostentatious acts of piety that mask our fears and insecurity. The rituals help us to ignore the rot. Being repeatedly told we’re easily confused and under attack actually made us confused and paranoid.
In the end, culture can indeed change if the appropriate drivers are applied. In our case, there’s easy power and wealth if you weaken the checks and balances and rule of law of democracy, ironically enough using the political powers obtained through democracy itself.
Just like the Nordic people of today who think being outdoorsy and in love with nature as a natural part of their life, so, too, we Malaysians of today accept corruption as being a natural part of our own life.
The young people don’t see corruption as wrong, as many surveys have shown. The religious establishments perform acrobatics so as not to have to confront it. Many unquestioningly enjoy the fruits of corruption and see it as their entitlement.
How would the coming generation fare? Unfortunately, there’ll come a generation that pays the price for all of our malfeasances. There’ll be a hard landing then, and they’ll suffer for the culture of corruption encouraged and perpetuated by their forebears – us.
It’ll be as cold and dark a day then as that of the Norwegian midwinter’s night, and our descendants won’t enjoy it the least bit.
On that sobering thought, let’s hope and pray we can be free and independent from this horrible culture too! - FMT
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.


Artikel ini hanyalah simpanan cache dari url asal penulis yang berkebarangkalian sudah terlalu lama atau sudah dibuang :

http://malaysiansmustknowthetruth.blogspot.com/2022/08/towards-merdeka-from-this-national.html

Kempen Promosi dan Iklan
Kami memerlukan jasa baik anda untuk menyokong kempen pengiklanan dalam website kami. Serba sedikit anda telah membantu kami untuk mengekalkan servis percuma aggregating ini kepada semua.

Anda juga boleh memberikan sumbangan anda kepada kami dengan menghubungi kami di sini
Celebrate Malaysia With Fave Nine Things To Do This Merdeka

Celebrate Malaysia With Fave Nine Things To Do This Merdeka

papar berkaitan - pada 31/8/2022 - jumlah : 312 hits
The 65th Merdeka day is around the corner and it is time to rekindle the patriotism spirit After two years of celebrating Malaysia in the lockdown it is a relief that we get to celebrate this moment with our beloved community in person The ...
Pm Absent From Umno Urgent Meeting Leaders To Reconvene This Evening

Pm Absent From Umno Urgent Meeting Leaders To Reconvene This Evening

papar berkaitan - pada 22/8/2022 - jumlah : 158 hits
Umno Sungai Besar chief Jamal Md Yunos today said a call from the party s headquarters last night for an urgent meeting came as a shock amid mounting speculations on the 15th general election According to Jamal many division leaders heeded ...
At Dataran Merdeka Malaysians Turn Out In Droves To Celebrate National Day

At Dataran Merdeka Malaysians Turn Out In Droves To Celebrate National Day

papar berkaitan - pada 31/8/2022 - jumlah : 138 hits
Malaysians converge on Dataran Merdeka to celebrate National Day in Kuala Lumpur August 31 2022 Picture by Hari AnggaraKUALA LUMPUR Aug 31 The harmony of the Malaysian Family and excitement was evident on the faces of thousands of people fr...
Cops Rescue 6 Indonesian Women From Human Trafficking

Cops Rescue 6 Indonesian Women From Human Trafficking

papar berkaitan - pada 7/9/2022 - jumlah : 266 hits
Muar district acting police chief Aidil Roneh Abdullah said this followed the arrest of two local men and a woman yesterday MUAR Police rescued six Indonesian women aged 20 to 35 from becoming victims of human trafficking in Jalan Abdul Rah...
Sarawak Deputy Minister Wants Hadi Sacked Barred For Life From Entering State After Roots Of Corruption Remark

Sarawak Deputy Minister Wants Hadi Sacked Barred For Life From Entering State After Roots Of Corruption Remark

papar berkaitan - pada 23/8/2022 - jumlah : 227 hits
On August 20 Hadi claimed that non Muslims and non Bumiputera made up the majority of those who formed the roots of corruption even as he called for it to be stamped out Picture by Ahmad ZamzahuriKUCHING Aug 23 PAS president Tan Sri Abdul H...
Subang Parade Holds Merdeka Fiesta To Celebrate National Day

Subang Parade Holds Merdeka Fiesta To Celebrate National Day

papar berkaitan - pada 25/8/2022 - jumlah : 210 hits
Batik Tenun and Songket Fashion Show Bazaar and Petting Zoo among events held over 27 31 Aug 2022 Sharing sessions and cooking demonstrations among line up of activities over the Merdeka week A host of family friendly activities is being ro...
This Merdeka Let S Remind Umno That Rakyat Are Kingmakers

This Merdeka Let S Remind Umno That Rakyat Are Kingmakers

papar berkaitan - pada 30/8/2022 - jumlah : 357 hits
MP SPEAKS Is Hari Merdeka a joyous occasion because justice was seen to be done at the Federal Court Or should I be furious at the two men for holding the country hostage to remain free with impunity I mean what is Umno president Ahmad Zahi...
Court Rejects Rosmah S Fresh Bid To Remove Sri Ram From Corruption Case

Court Rejects Rosmah S Fresh Bid To Remove Sri Ram From Corruption Case

papar berkaitan - pada 31/8/2022 - jumlah : 211 hits
The High Court dismissed Rosmah Mansor s application for leave to commence judicial review to challenge Gopal Sri Ram s appointment KUALA LUMPUR The High Court has turned down a fresh bid by Rosmah Mansor to disqualify Gopal Sri Ram from le...
There Is No Merdeka From The 1mdb Scandal

There Is No Merdeka From The 1mdb Scandal

papar berkaitan - pada 31/8/2022 - jumlah : 208 hits
From Zaid IbrahimThe Federal Court decision that saw the incarceration of Najib Razak last week is possibly the most talked about judicial event in Malaysia s legal history To me especially the former prime minister s jailing was a signific...
Rasa Masakan Korea Soondubu Jigae Beef Di Dubuyo

China S President To Host Official Dinner For Anwar

Drama One Cent Thief 2 Lakonan Syafiq Kyle Azira Shafinaz

I Bought A Toy Like Vape Online Mp Tells Dewan Chamber

Unlocking Savings Expert Tips For Finding Discounted Cigarettes In Australia

Kips Bay Decorator Show House Dallas 2024 An Exquisite Showcase Of Design

India Secebis Kenangan Di India Random Photos

Anwar Slams Hypocritical Criticism Over His Response To Najib S Apology


echo '';
Biodata Terkini Penyanyi Illa Sabry Peserta Gegar Vaganza 2024 Musim 11 GV11

Info Dan Sinopsis Drama Berepisod Senyawa iQIYI Malaysia

Info Dan Sinopsis Drama Berepisod Project Projek Exit Astro Originals

Pelajari Asal Usul Nama Makhluk Seram Kisah Fiksyen Barat Yang Terkenal

10 Fakta Filem Kahar Kapla High Council Yang Ramai Tak Tahu Prekuel Drama Project Projek High Council


Sayonara Iza Arina

Build A Strong Team For A Startups

Simple Menu Untuk Dinner

Lirik Lagu Pendam Rasa Evanatie

Kolaborasi Skin Hero Mobile Legend X Naruto Spipudden

Filem Babah