The Malaysian Insider

Malaysian are accomodative yet dynamic. We know the world is changing. We will change for better. conservative and foundamentalists are the miinority but watch out, they may resort to stupidities.

syuk... you are young but the polling is targeting prof, dont simply shoot the media
"polling outfit shows that 92 per cent of Malay professionals aged between 21 and 41 support the liberalisation"
... seem not really a general representative also

After eating free for so long who want to pay? Can old habits die?...just continue to be a parasite of society....afterall it pays to be one! hahaha!

BN's hoping for winning a landslide victory singing the opposition's tunes. We can't trust them to deliver any of their promises after destroying this country for 52 years.

A comprehensive survey commissioned by a non-governmental organisation and carried out by international polling outfit

Come on, please state the name of NGO and the international polling outfit. Otherwise, this article is just a propaganda without merit. Show the proof please.

@syuk
Note to self: If you want to impersonate a few people anonymously online, remember to change names so you don't look like a dummy!

Signed with love,
Anonymous

Malays have dignity too , of course those who are embarrassed to be free-loaders and those who have actually gained little or nothing from UMNO's policy of Bumiputra first for everything. anyway, isn't that the way to go? Don't have to worry anyway, as many Chinese are looking beyond Malaysia to cari makan and maybe migrate for good. So, you will need only to compete among yourselves in 50-100 years' time where the Chinese will only be 15% of the total population.

I believe it was Tun Dr Mahathir who said that 90% of income taxes are paid by the Chinese. I'm not sure if that figure still holds true, but for want of the latest data, let us assume 90% is an indicative figure.

The country's oil revenue will run out in a few years...perhaps a decade? What is our government going to do to make up this huge shortfall? Sell timber? Then what? How is the government going to fund the projects for the 40,000 or so Bumi companies? Raise taxes? Print more money?

We need meritocracy in this beautiful country. The winds of globalization have been sweeping across the world. We need to be able to compete with the other countries - not keep thinking this oil wealth will last forever. Perhaps there was a time for the NEP, but we need to phase this out - quickly.

did the survey included undergraduates at UITM?

Can one survive on I M concept? The concept was just plucked out from the thin air. Nobody including himself know what the concept is. It is just 1 carrot dangling infront. Everyday or every now and then he will move the goal post to score goals.
The cabinet does not know, the ministers do not know, the administration does not know, the lap dogs does not know, even god does not know so don't expect you and I will know.

here...here no more race-based policies please. i believe if you work hard then you will be successful. simple maths it is.

Meritocracy by itself means little. The country has been damaged by corruption at all levels. As long as the corruption is not eradicated, meritocracy has little hope of improving conditions.

Under the existing conditions, the need to accomodate the wishes of political masters means that many good ideas end up looking like hare-brained ideas with unwieldy conditions attached along the way.

It is corruption that needs to be eradicated before we can only talk of implementing a meritocracy system.

The young Malaysians (all races) know full well that competition in this world is not about race. It is about competency and capability. It is time the apatheid policy be done with. We are the only country in this world practices apartheid. What a big shame for UMNO !

I do not know whether this study was made under standard statistical procedure and the outcome can be statistically significant.From general observation we can see the general trend of thinking among the young educated group of Malaysian.Let us not forget that they were all given to become what they are now from the education agenda of the present government.
But it would be interesting to know how many of these young professionals are politically inclined.In other words how many of them belong to any particular party?
Political party viz UMNO must take this cue if they are serious about improving their ratings for the next GE13.We can see that those strategist in the PR has got young, talented and strategic thinking groups whereas UMNO has been branded as anti intellectuals as many in their Youth wings were either contractors or those who were only willing to be in their bosses good books.
Take for example the last Umno General Assembly,we hardly hear speches discussing about good strategies and people friendly or voter friendly arguments being put forth by the speakers representing various states and wings.
The 1Malaysia concept brought about by our PM cannot and will not achieve its target if, firstly' those in UMNO does not understand or have the slightest idea and faith in its concept.UMNO cannot rely on old school strategies.In order to be smarter than those smart-alec UMNO must go on a soul searching mission on their status and out-of-the box strategies must be installed fast.
The concept of meritocracy must start and be proven within UMNO itselfs.They must be able to lure back those professionals whom were once either in UMNO or supporters of its struggle.If not the PR will beat them for their support in the next GE13.There will be no two ways about it.
UMNO must take this survey findings seriously and take steps to correct those grave mistakes or they will regret it for the rest of their lives.

Topic : Why is meritocracy a must in Malaysia ????

In this modern world, whether you like it or not, meritocracy is a must for the development of a country. Let's analyse Singapore, how this little country without natural resources like tin, oil, rubber, palm oil, development land , emerged as developed country. We need to learn from them.

Let's look at the Singapore Cabinet :

PM Lee Hsien Loong
Cambridge University - First Class Honours (1974)
Harvard University - Masters (1980)

SM Goh Chok Tong
University of Singapore - First Class Honours (1964)
Williams College , USA - Masters (1967)

MM Lee Kuan Yew
Cambridge University - First Class Honours (1949)

Minister for Law Prof. S Jayakumar
University of Singapore - Bachelor of Law Honours (1963)
Yale Univerity - Masters (1966)

Minister for Home Affairs Wong Kan Seng
University of Singapore - Bachelor of Arts & Business Admin (1977)
London Business School - Masters (1979)

Minister for Foreign Affairs BG George Yeo
Cambridge University - Double First Class Honours (1976)
Harvard Business School - MBA w/ Distinction (1985)

Minister for Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang
Cambridge University - First Class Honours w/ Distinction (1976)
Harvard University - Masters (1986)

Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean
University of Manchester - First Class Honours (1976)
Imperial College, London - Masters w/ Distinction (1977)

Minister for Education Tharman Shanmugaratnam
London School of Economics - Bachelor of Arts
Cambridge University - Masters
Harvard University - Masters

The above information is for reference only and not to be used as basis of comparison.. Whereas many of our ministers, deputy ministers, party leaders are only Bachelor of Art , diploma holders, Form 6 and Form 5 levels or lower , and some even failed English. Of cource we do have highly qualified and outstanding ministers in the country. It is very obvious that it is the human resources that develop the country.

Some of our party leaders have Form 6 or Form 5 or less qualification whereas their party members are highly qualified. These party leaders refused to let go their positions to the younger generation due to selfishness. They always have the impression that they are the best, no one can perform better than them. It doesn't mean that those old and long serving party leaders cannot perform any more, they must know that no one is indispensable, they must retire and give chance to those young professionals to lead the party or country with new concept. The young professionals are deprived of the chance to perform.

We have a lot of young professionals in the country. The PM's 1Malaysia policy should be AMM - All Malaysians' Malaysia, regardless of the race. Give the chance to all the young professionals, regardless of race, to work towards the development of the country. Honestly, all Malaysians are living in harmony with the respective races. It's the politicians that instigate their race to go against another race just for their political mileage.

Malaysians want good, genuine and competent leaders regardless of race instead of the hit and run CARI MAKAN racial heros.

For Najib to overhaul the economic system of the country which he reportedly intends to do, it is important for him to realize that despite its noble aim to restructure society, NEP is a bad economic policy and a failing one too. The policy has created not only a severe dislocation in the economy but also a divisive society through racial polarization within it; and the power abuse and monetary corruption among the governmental authorities. Besides, it has crept into UMNO/BN and its component parties in the form of money politics. Worse still, it has corrupted the whole Malaysian society as it has come to accept corruption as a Malaysian 'way of life.'

It is most heartening to note that a majority of young Malays for whom the NEP was introduced, can see the negative side of the policy and opt for meritocracy as a better form of social engineering based on equality, competitive, productivity, innovation and enterprise.

With the advent of globalization, the various races in the country are no longer competing with themselves but the competitive forces from outside the country. Those who cannot compete effectively will be left behind. Even the strict communist China can see it and adopt market economy 30 years ago. We can all see the tremendous economic advancement of the Chinese.

It is nothing political about it, it is a matter of sound economic model to adopt.

IF (& this is an important IF) the survey is statistically accurate, it means an overwhelming of Malay professionals between 21 and 41 support the liberalisation of the economy and prefer the country’s policies to be anchored on meritocracy.
Another way to put this into perspective: "9 out of 10 of Malay professionals and EVERY of Indian & Chinese professionals between 21 and 41 support the liberalisation of the economy and prefer the country’s policies to be anchored on meritocracy." This high commonality in their views on such an important and central issue augurs well for the future social, economic and political well-being of this nation. At least, this is a foundation upon which "enlightened' politicians and leaders can break down the walls put up by the entrenched political warlords who have presided over the old and outdated policies that even today continue to weaken the capability and competitiveness of of our nation. If this is the BIG WAVE of the day, then you either join it or get swept away. In this instance, I hope MALAYSIA TRULY BOLIH!
Then the question will be "who will provide the political vehicle on which these young people will choose to ride?" Before you know it, GE13 will be upon us.

People like syuk and akem (supposing they aren't paid to troll the comment section here) are in effect saying they don't want fairness and that they are weak and can't compete with others. They want to step on others and get help all their lives. For such people, there's nothing much we can do or say. Let's leave them behind and do what we have to do to make this beloved nation a success story.

correct,correct,correct.... people like mukriz sld take along his father go fly kite

While others nation progress tremendously, we are still "Hijack" by Religion Fanatics and Racial Extremist to hinder us from movinfg forward. This binding factor if not remove earlier , Wawasan 2020 is a mere Dream which can never be achieve. This 'Loading Effect" has make us loose out in many field to nation like India, Vietnam , China etc....

Kopitiam Chat is absolutely right - Human resources is our nation greatest asset, if the current BN adminstration keep using Race & Religion to screen and reject the way BN goverment is practicing, Malaysia doom days is not far. Many of our Minister talk nonsense by twisting tongue without logic and commonc sense just thinking Malaysian today still live in the Sixties.

I have heard so many cases about failed SPM Bumi were enrolled for Matriculation One year short term course prior to enter local University because he/she belong to certain race with certain religion. If this is the criteria , then what is the point encouraging our kids to study hard for excellence result with promising future.

How are we going to tell our kids this is so call "Fairness" happening in Malaysia ?

NEP is a policy stopping Bumi from growing not helping them to progress.

Only UMNOPutra Malay need NEP not PAS Malay or PKR Malay.

If after so long the PM still cannot explain what is 1Malaysia, how can he blame the people for suspecting that he does not know what the heck it is in the 1stPlace?

We need meritocracy to produce and retain the best brains and compete globally in this present borderless world. The best brains have all this while migrated beyond our shores or even siphoned off by our great neighbour right under our nose!
We have been living in a world of "make believe" so much so standards have fallen drastically. Look at our local universities' world rankings - we cannot even make it to the top 100.
We need to have merit-based policies for the betterment of the nation. We need to come out of our cocoon and look at how progressive the rest of the world is. We cannot afford to be "Jaguh Kampung" all the time and imagine that the whole world owes us a living!

The rural Malays should realise that being spoon-fed and protected is only going to make them weaker in the long-term. After 40 years of the NEP we are already seeing this. The Malays have become less competitive, and utterly dependent on the government for handouts. We should be able to stand on our own two feet by now.

It can be said that UMNO is actually marginalizing them in this way (not economically, but by not letting them face reality - thus not giving them to chance to compete). Maybe it is more correct to say that they have been cheated.

UMNO is putting them at a huge disadvantage by giving them too many privileges, making them less and less competitive. There is nothing wrong with affirmative action, but it has been done the worst way. They have been told that they are weak and that they should accept that. Then they are told, "don't worry, we will protect you" instead of motivating them to become better and catch up with the rest.

I've never had the privilege to go to any of Pakatan's ceramahs. I hope they are letting the rural Malays know how they've been let down in this way.

Meritocracy and competition is the only way to success and improvement.

Rakyat of all races have to be very careful !!!!!.
Politicians from BN govt r already well fed and super rich and their decendents have no problem to live comfortably & lavishly for the next 50 years or so. Overseas education & holidays is anytime and anywhere.
Whether this country of ours is progressing ahead or otherwise is not really matter to these BN politicians much. Their children do not have to face competition and hardship to cari makan like other ordinary Malay, Chinese, Indian, Iban, Kadazan etc.
Telling super rich BN politicians how much hardship & sufferings average rakyat face everyday in terms of high cost of living, rampant crime, unemployment, traffic jam, underperformed govt office is of little use as they r living in another world altogether (big house(s), expensive cars, trophy wife/ves, branded bags/shoes/watches/clothings, pay no toll, electricity) from the average rakyat.
Only way to have hope is to elect a new set of people to run this country. Not placing any hope for the existing set of BN super rich politicians to take care of us the ordinary Msians.

Which Malaysian would that be? How about those from estates and ulu's?
So its not really malaysian lah.... some minority lah

Wait for next election lah... then we all know

In the meantime, go play gasing...oops, spin gasing

They have an entire 400+ word article on a survey without naming it or the people conducting it. Is this some kind of a joke?

A comprehensive survey commissioned by a non-governmental organisation and carried out by international polling outfit shows that 92 per cent of Malay professionals aged between 21 and 41 support the liberalisation of the economy and prefer the country’s policies to be anchored on meritocracy.
---

The name of the non-governmental organisation???
International polling???
International and NGO - what lah???

100% Chinese and Indians support meritocracy - why not???
Under the quota system, they are not given equal chance and equal opportunity.
Public service and promotion,
Educational opportunities and scholarships,
Licensing and permits for business or trade -
They are sidelined most of the time.

92% of Malays support meritocracy.
Aiyaa, who you talked to???
What about those living in kampongs???

What about Sabahans and Sarawakians?
Did you lump them among the percentage of Malays???
The Ibans, Kadazans, Muruts, Penans, etc
They still need special help to be successful.

NEP - affirmative action to help the Malays and other Bumiputras.
Malays benefit more than those living in the jungles of Borneo.
40 years have passed by and still fall short of target...
It means the government has failed to implement the project successfully.
They should be sacked for failure - only a few Malays are helped so much while most still trying to survice...Policies are flawed, leadership is weak...

30% --- what is that and how do you quantify???
Did you know One Malay can have all 30% and NEP is achieved???
It is not how many Malays...it is simply 30% - that is what is wrong in the first place.

100% of chinese support meritocracy.
100% of indian support meritocracy.
92% of the malay support meritocracy.
okay exclude the UMNO's malay.
100% of the malay (exclude UMNO's malay) support meritocracy.

Nawawimohamad, just explain why after 35 years of NEP the Malays still cry foul of being left behind in the economy and can't compete with other races? When Singapore left Malaysia it is just a small island with no natural resources but in 20 years its foreign reserve is that of five time of Malaysia. Besides, does the BN govenment really take care of the poor Sabahans or Sarawakian staying in the jungle?

Saudara nawawimohamad, I'm rather "underwhelmed" (to coin a phrase)by your rant: Definition of fascism "a political system in which all industrial activity is controlled by the state. no political activity is allowed, military might is paramount,support of one's own race is encouraged" .... It's useful to be precise with labels no? Believing in the virtues of meritocracy makes one a fascist?
BTW, just because you say professionals will not be affected by an economic downturn does not necessarily make it true. This is what is commonly referredtoas generalization.
In our Malaysian society, there have been surveys and reports pointing out sadly that the gap between the haves and the have nots has grown even greater since independence and in spite of the undeniable economic growth during the early70s through the early 90s. There are many remedies to be applied to uplift the downtrodden and the marginalized and to reinin those who are pillaging our fair nation... however it is doubtful if the answer is to reject meritocracy to pull everyone down to the lowest common denominatior i.e. if that is the crux of your argument. Still, I respect your right to free speech.

yes all malaysians malays, chinese, indians want meritocracy. only BN wants NEP because it want to feed it's cronies with buta money from the rakyat!
SAY NO TO CORRUPTION! SAY NO TO BN!

Wake-up. The statistics are realistic. Everyone wants fair competitions and able to standby on their very own feet. Wonder why AMNO worry about this? Element of corruption and force will be tremendously reduce. Especially, "Makan budi" things will be gone forever.
Recently, AMNO still trying to woo others races to join them. Just wonder if those join, are they going to get bumiputra status? Why MCAS and MICS did not do the same? Probably they do not the bullet such as bumiputra status to offer. Will they still be relevant?

Maybe the government should call for a referendum on meritocracy and the dismantling of the NEP. Alternatively the EPU can get a opinion survey done that is statistically acceptable. The NEP objectives as a policy cannot be faulted. It is the implementation policies that has brought it into disrepute. The politicians and the civil servants brought in their own agendas to the NEP's implementation that nullified its good intentions.

The 'rakyat' have spoken loud and clear of the liberalisation of the economy and policies based on meritocracy.

Will our PM heeds the 'rakyat's aspiration ? Will meritocracy and liberalisation of economy be incorporated into the foundation of 1Malaysia, Mr Prime Minister ?

Meritocracy? NEP? This will never be realised for all I know and I don't care because I can't. Achieve 30% and call it quits? How? All 30% equity of the country and 30% of what you and I have?

Survey results of such surprise me not because humans speak but think and act incoherently.

Ask any social savvy person if it is right to take advantage of other people and the answer will be a definite "NO".

But the empirical evidence of one people group taking advantage of another people group and even people of their own people group taking advantage or their own kind? Well, plenty and we don't have to look beyond the shores; its well within in our midst!

Yes,, high time..where in the world u find the right road to be an arm chair ride. Also give a wrong impression to other countries in the world that we practise apartheid here in Malaysia, when everywhere else is implementing affirmative action. The most glaring area is in government service when we should be pushing for dissociating economic activity with ethnicity. The Government is not practising what it preaches. It sounds hollow and only tarnish the Government's image. Must make a decision here,,,, stay or change,,, cant have it both ways,,, split personality,,, eventually need to see a psychiatrist to get healed