;;::::~::::~:::::::-~~=::=::::::::::":::::=;;:::;::;::=:::;:. 1 has been affected by a 2 tQ 3 per

1 cent depreciation against the US The recent currency crisis has joltedASEAN out dollar. of their smug confidence. In this first of a two­ part article, DR SUBRAMANIAM PILLAY ex­ The reaction to Southea..:;t ASia !:: amines the underlying causes for the fall in the currency crisis from the regt n value of the ringgit. politicians and bankers h o very predictable in bl, mun~ eigners. Currency spe\,; pecially the (in ,fa Soros, are bei.:• g villains. Dr M

a bit more polue, tbey to be equally upset \\ ith gn currenc} speculators.

But more seriously the PM is quoted in the same report hav­ ing said ''We have worked 30 40 ) ears to develop this econo } and here comes someone \\ th few billio n dollars and. in 1\\ o weeks. he has undone most four " ork:' This together wtth the dire n the past 2 to 3 weeks. per cent. The Indonesian rupiah's predictions that have appeared in there has been much fall bas beenless severe during this the local media may gJ\e crure g volatility in the value of period partly because it has been of doom and gloom of eco- the frve main Southeast allowed to depreciate in a more nomic future. To better under's and Asian currencies. All of them have gradual and gentle manner against the currency crisis and tts pact depreciated against the US dollar. the dollar since m.id- 1996. In the on the economy. this am... e at­ The most severely affected cur- case of our own ringgit, it has de­ tempts to answer some frcq1 ;;:mly rency is the Thai baht which has preciated about 5 per cent jo the asked questions on thi~ depreciated by 20 per cent. The past 2-3 weeks. Even the u uall) ' Filipino peso is down by about 15 stable and strong Singapore dollar Before we begin, we mns

Ali ran Momhly 1997: 17(6) Pag~ 2 Bank Negara's Speculation

M)npic and Per.onal

Civilisations Course

17

lhinking Allo"l-d 19

Current Concerns 28

A Day of Shame 22 Prinll!d by RP f'rinler!l ~nd. llhd. Seven Richest Could End World Poverty 30 66. 68 & 70 Jalan Air haotl :\lcmorandum to ACA .36 1().160 l'ulau l'lnang. \lllla~,;-. Td:~·ZW~ Corruption and Political Will 38 Fu: 6114. 227111>1

Aliran is a Malaysian non-governmental organisation listed on the roster ol the Econom1c and Social Council of the United Nations. Guided by univel"\al '>ptritual value.,, AHran strives for genuine unity hy promoting Published by Aliran Kesedaran ~cgara (AURAN) social justice and human dignity. Memhcrsh•p is open to 1.2, .I alan Pantai Azb lbruhim, all Malaysians uhovc 21. If you are interested injoimng 11900 l'uluu Pinang. \lalaysla. li'OO.tal.\ddress: I' 0 Bo• 1().111, Aliran, please contact the Hon Secretary at the addre~s lotl'U Pulau Pirumg• .,1ala)•ia.J ~ho\\ n in this page. Tell fa' : 604 • 641!\7115

,\limn Mmllhly IW7: I 7(fi) l'al(t' 3 stand that the value of the ringgit not intervene. the value of the protected. In this case. the "crimi~ is a relative concept depending on ringgit will decline a~ it has hap­ nal" label is more appropriah!. a-; the currency we are comparing it pened this July. Many speculators it directly impoverished the lheli­ with. It is measured by the num­ even borrow ringgit from commer­ hoods of thousands of workers in ber of ringgit that we pay to huy cial banks and sell it first for CS the tin mining industry here and in one unit of a foreign currenc}. dollars. When the ringgit depreci­ other poor countries such as Bo­ Thus it is not strictly accurate to ates, they can then buy back the lh·ia and Thailand! say Lhatourringgil has depreciated ringgit for fewer US dollars and without mentioning the currency return the loan. As long as their In the long run. the ringgit's value that we are comparing it with. For profit on the deal exceeds the in­ depends on economic fundamen­ example, while it has depreciated terest they have to pay on their tals. According to most economists, against the US dollar. the Malay­ short-term loan, they will make higha economic growth rates. sian ringgit has in fact appreciated money. higher economic pmductidty and against the baht during the past higher exports tend to increase the three weeks. However. most glo­ It is important to note that specu­ value of a country·s currency while bal trade is conducted in US dol­ lators do not always make profits. higher inflation rate, higher im­ lars and the US is one of Sometimes they can make colos­ ports and larger increases ilz money Malaysia's most important inves­ sal mistakes a!> had happened to supply tend to lower the value or tors and trading partners. There­ our own Bank Negara in the early a currency. Thi!> can be illustrated fore, the ringgit's value against the 1990s when it was speculating in with an example. During the past US dollar plays a signilicant role foreign currency markets. (See the 50 years, Japan has performed bet­ in our economy. accompanying extracts from ear­ ter on almost all the above factors lier articles in theA/iran Momhly). when compared to, say. the Coiled ~AT DETE~INES Thus, if George Soros. a <;elf-con­ States. Thus it is not surprbing that THE VALUE OF fessed speculator. is labelled a the Japanese Yen appreciated from OUR RINGGIT? "criminal", so must be those who 360 Yen to one US dollar in the The factors that influence the value were responsible for this fiasco at 1960s to about 80 Yen per dollar a of a currency depends on the time our own Bank Negara during that couple of years ago. HO\\e\eT. the frame that we are looking at. time. recent strength of the US economy coupled with the su~tained reces­ ln the short run. i.e. for periods It is also useful to remind our read­ sion in Japan has weai.~ned the Yen of up to a year, a currency's value ers about the Maminco incident in to the current level of 1 18 Yeo per can be influenced by speculative which our own government specu­ US dollar. activities. interest rates and short lated in tin futures in the London term inflow and outflow or funds. Metal Exchange in the early 1980s HOW HAS For example, if foreign money 1s with the help of another infamous MALAYSIA PlltFOIUUD attracted by our relatively higher speculator called March Rich. The ON THESE camaJA? interest rates. foreigners may con­ government unsuccessfully tried to Since our mdepcn~ f~ ~ears vert their dollars, sterling etc. to comer the tin market which led to ago, we ha\e - v.ben compared ringgit fixed deposits; this action the dramatic collapse of the tin with many other countnes - per­ will increase the demand for price in October 1985. The lin mar­ formed very \\ell on most of the ringgit and thus raise the value of ket has still not recovered from the criteria ( espedall} on ecorn •rnic the ringgit. shock and this is one of the main growth rate .. md inflation)- For ex­ factors for the rapid demise of our ample, the British pound v."as"' '1rth Similarly. if currency speculators own local tin industry. The direct RM8.67 in 1957andtoda~ u1- less feel that our ringgit is overvalued losses incurred in tin speculation than half that \"lllue. This ts be.:ause they will sell the ringgit that they was borne by taxpayers. Those re­ during the<:e fort) ~e.an our are holding for dollars. In such a sponsible who also ought to be la­ economy has been Otitperfonning situation, if the central bank does belled as "criminals", were aU well the Brit1~h econom) lhougb on ab-

A/iran Momhly 1997: 17(6) Pagl' 4 solute terms Britain's economic Jar or other currencies. Thi.o; is lar. output per capita is still higher than known in lhe jargon of economists ours; however, the gap is narrow­ as a fixed exchange rate regime. A While our Bank Negara officially ing. Of course a few countries like good example of this is Hong Kong follows a floating rate regime. it Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong and which has fixed the value of the was well known among currency Singapore have done even bener HK dollar at HK$7 .80 per US dol­ traders that it did not want to sec than us and their currencies have lar. The H K Monetary Authority lhe value of our ringgit weaken become stronger against the Ma­ (HKMA) then uses its foreign ex­ beyond RM2.5250 per US dollar. laysian ringgil. change reserves and its control As explained earlier, given our over interest rates to ensure that the slightly deteriorating economic Having said this, il is also useful HK dollar does not deviate from fundamentals, this position was not to note lhat over the past 2 to 3 the given exchange rate. This im­ tenable and it became a target for years. our economic performance plies a stable exchange rate but a speculators. After losing a large on money supply and current ac­ very volatile interest rate environ­ amount (reported to be between count (i.e. exports of goods and ment Some years ago when specu­ RM2 - 9 billion) in a few days fol­ services minus imports) has not lators were betting that the HK dol­ lowing a futile attempt in defend­ been all that good. Our imports lar was undervalued, the HKMA ing our ringgit, Bank Negara very have grown faster than our ex­ even imposed negative interest wisely gave up and allowed the ports. Our money supply, espe­ rates to discourage them from con­ ringgit to depreciate by about 5 per cially loans given out by banks, verting their currencies into HK cent to RM2.62 per US dollar. has been also increasing at an dollars. unsustainable pace. IS THIS DIPRECIAIION Some countries have a lloaling mte OF THE RINGGIT BAD FOR THE At lhe same time. the US economy regime where they allow their cur­ MALAYSIAN ECONOMY? has been performing extremely rencies to vary in value according well during lhe past 4 years or so. to market forces (at least in theory). Yes and No. Yes, because it in­ It has enjoyed very low inflation, In practice, most countries engage creases the cost of our imports high growth in productivity and in what is known as the managed which may bring about an increase reasonable economic growth rates. lloating rate regime. Under this in inflation. However, it also makes Thus. the US dollar bas been scheme, the currency is allowed to our exports cheaper in overseas strengthening against most other depreciate or appreciate over the markets thus increasing the de­ currencies. As we noted earlier, lhe longrun but its value is "managed'' mand for our exports which may US dollar which was worth 80 Yen in the short run by the central bank. lead to more jobs and better eco­ a couple of years ago is now worth Some countries "float" more than nomic performance in the future. 11 8 Yen and its appreciation they "manage", while others against the German Mark has been "manage" more than they ..float". In the next issue of the A/iran even more dramatic. Thus it is not Monthly, we will address these is­ surprising that speculators were of Thailand pegged its baht at be­ sues and also discuss what policy the opinion that our ringgit (which tween 25 to 26 bahts per US dollar changes ought to be carried out to was unofficially pegged to the US for quite a long while. The Thai overcome the negative effects of dollar at RM2.5250 per dollar) economy has not been performing this currency crisis. 0 was overvalued. too well in the past two to three years and this tends to weaken its WHAT IS MEANT currency. When the Thai central Nt*: AM wUl et1n1 Pt11t 2 of BY PEGGING bank tried to defend its obviously diU tll'lick ;,· ~~~e ""' iu•e. AND FLOAnNG Dr Sab,.,...•ill• PillaJ i& overvalued baht, it lost billions of Alinur 'Dwuruw 11114 ke- EXCHANGE RATES? 11 dollars of its foreign reserves. It lriNI'Ia./flu»rullfa1Dc811Ufi· Some countries tie or peg their cur­ then gave up and the baht has now Hl'ril1· rency exchange rate to the US dol- descended to 30 bahts per US dol- ll.l.';;;;l======;;;;.a

AlirCUJ Montltly 1997· 17(6) Page 5 BLAMING SOROS IS NO SOLUTION 10 CURRENCY WOES Mahathir cannot cry foul when the speculative game is not going his way

economics of Southeast Asian coun­ But if Mahathir thought that Soros tries by dcf.tabilising their currencies. would spare poor economies from He did not name Soro-.. But it was his foray<>. he wa., dead wrong. Cur­ clear that he was referring to him. rency speculation is never a chari­ table activity - not even for a phi­ Blaming Soros whenever a currency lanthropist. It does not profe,., any is being raided is not new. What is political agenda. nor does it differ­ new, however, is Mahathir's asser­ entiate the poor from the rich. tion that the cu-rrent bear run on Southeast Asian currencies is part of Mahathir's outburst, howe\er. j, a a conspiracy by Soros to punish case of sour grapes. It is l;noun that Asean for embracing Burma. Bank Negara, Malay ...ia', central Geof8e Soms: A conspiracy 10 punish bank. often dabbled in currency Asewz? There is no doubt that Soros was one speculation. A few years ago. it hac.l illionaire speculator and of the key speculators against the its hand badly burm u hen it u as quaint pro-capitalist de­ baht, an attack "'hicb has since caught short while spnulatingon the g mocracy supporter spilled over to other currencies in the US dollar, resulting lflii)S;)..""Srunning George Soros does sec eye region. But while Soros may have into billions. to eye with Malaysian Prime Min­ led the foray, the real push came ister Mohathir Mohamad on one from other speculators - institu­ Surely, Mahathir cannot cry foul particular issue. tional investors such as mutual and when the speculative game is not insurance funds, and non-financial going his way. For years, Mahathir has been a corporations. Some of these specu­ staunch supporter of the besieged lators arc Southeast Asians. To blame Soros for the crises weep­ Muslims in Bosnia - a country ing through the currency lll.l!tet.s of which Soros has aided with his own That's not surprising. For once there Southeast Asia is not addressing the money from philanthropic founda­ is a profit to be made. despite fer­ real issue. tions. And for that, Mahathir had vent calls for patriotism, few specu­ lauded Soros 's magnanimous ef­ lators would think twice in partak­ When Southea..-.tA..;iaJumpedon the forts. ing in the run on their own country's global bandwagon, It bould have currency. prepared for the downs as wdl as the Not anymore. ups. Instead. man~ ~e ~the In this country. we have seen Thais region's spectacular ero"omic On returning from his two-month so­ reaping enormous profits from the growth to lull them imo a flCSe sen ...c journ in Europe, Mahathir spoke recem attacks on the baht, and the of invincibilit) and secu!l..") darkly of a certain "Amencan finan­ same is likely to be true for other cier'' who was undermining the Southeast Asian countries. Continued on page 9

A/iran Mornhly 1997: 17(6) Pagt 6 BANK NIGARA'S SPICULAIIONS

• Remember Bank Negara's involvement in tbe for­ shouldn't worry about the RM billions of paper eign exchange (forex) market which resulted in the losses? accumulation of a RM12 billion loss in I 992, (re­ vised upwards in 1993 from the RM9 .3 billion esti­ AM carried the story "Forays into Forex'' in the AM mated in 1992-amounting to more than one--third 1993: 13(4) expo_siog how our own Bank Negaro~. of the nation's foreign exchange and gold reserves not so long ago, like George Soros also specu1ared then)? in tbe forex market. In fact, its RM 12 billion loss in 1992 could only have been accumulated because it • Remember how Dr Mahathir first denied that Bank was one of ''the most aggressive speculators in in­ Negara went into the forex market to make profits? ternational forex markets such as New Yodt. Lon­ don and Tokyo." • Then acknowledged the Bank's forays into the forex market - nor only to protc<.1 the ringgit but Below we carry extracts from that original story and also to make profits'? another story ..Why Has the Ringgit Weakened?'' in AM 1994: 14(3) which elaborates on tbe workings • And complained that no one complimented the of the foreign exchange market and wby tbe value Bank when il made profits in the past •.. heuce of the ringgit fluctuates.

[~ouys JN70 FOR~!' I

U ExtractedfromAM 1993: 13(4) 11 1

foreign exchange and gold reserves? necessary for lhe Bank to be so shy in revealing it and so cagey in ex­ Questioned about the loss, Bank plaining it? .... Negara issued a three-point expla­ nation on April I. The central bank The KLSE had earlier been excited confirmed and explained it as the by talk chat the Auditor-General, Tan result of cbe ringgit's appreciation Sri Ishak Tadin, apparently refused against major foreign currencies. It to approve Bank Negara's original n March 30. Bank Negara all seemed very proper, for Bank accoums until some changes had released iLc; Annual Report Negara seemed motivated by a need been made - presumably to render for 1992. Was it an April 'lo defend the nnggit'' and '"to keep the accounL'> more transparenL Fool's Day joke. some sharp-eyed down inflation". reporters wondered, when they de­ And. the Finance Minister himself tected thatcbeBank had lo~t RM9.3 Tf the losses were made despite all did not appear to take the three-point billion or one-third of the nation's prudence and propriety, why was it explanation seriously, telling rep01t-

Aliran Mfmtlzly /997: 17(6) Page 7 ers on April 13 that Bank Negara Financial analysts who had exam­ ing on foreign exchange mo\'e­ should be given a chance to investi­ ined the accounts and the three­ ments''. gate and explain. point statement concluded that Bank Negara was guilty of VI hat There is more. Mone) rna.rket ana­ The result was thallhc BankNegara Anwar Ibrahim had so recently lysts mamtained that ghen our Governor made hi::. lengl.hy state­ and so earnestly warned Malay­ healthy economy, and given that the ment on 19 April, three weeks after sian stock market investors against ringgit was not under attack. the cost the "Bank Negara affair" had graced -wild speculation anc.l gross im­ of keeping down inflation and the the front pages of the Singapore prudence. appreciation of the ringgit would Business 1ime~ and the Asian Wall have accounted for uboutRM3.5 bil­ SJreet Joumal, and four days after On 2 April 1993, the Singapore lion. The remaining RM6 billion loss iL appeared in Lhe Far Eastern Eco­ Business Times reported that "in cannot be accounted for in Lhis man­ nomic Review, Jaffar Hussein's 19 recent years. Bank Negara has ner. Such a mas!>i\ c Jo,~. according April statement strenuously de­ earned itself a reputation as one of to the money market analy!>l<;. could fended his stewardship of the Bani-. Lhe most aggressive speculators in only be due to speculation in the for­ but elaborately avoided several ba­ international forex markets such as eign exchange market - that larg­ sic issues. New York, London and Tokyo". est and wildest casino where hun­ The Far Eastern Economic Review dreds of millions can be. and are. He also said he had forwarded a of Apri I 15 stated mauer-of-factly made or lost in mere minutes. complete report to Finance Minis­ that "Bunk Negara has long been ter Anwar l brahim, who declared known to do more than merely Last year. that ca'Sino evidenlly be­ bimsel r "satisfied wilh it. ... stabilise its currency, by speculat- came too wild for Bank Negara ...

ALI RAN WHY HAS THE l\10'\iTIII.\' Why has the ringgit RINGGIT WEAKENED? weakaned? ll (Extrt~etedfromAM 1994: 14(3)

Negara is thus able to make its fi­ the currency in the fJISt fe" days of nancial position (foreign reserves 1994 that saVI the ringgit recover translated into ringgit terms) look abour hair ofitslos..,cs.Intemational better. Some believe that the central currency speculator.... spotting that bank needed to make theo;c cosmetic the ringgit had fallen but not due to adjus[IDents to offset mas..,ivc losses any substantial change in economic t appears that in the last in foreign exchange (forex). In 1992. fundamenlals, appear to have come g week of 1993, Bank Bank Negara lost RM 12 bn (includ­ in to bu) Lhe ringgit in anticipation Negara sold quite large ing positions that had not been of a recovery in the currency. amounts of ringgit to commercial cleared out). The central bank should banks. This pushed the currency to have learnt tts lesson and ceao;cd However. rhey were in for a shod. a low at year-end when the central dabblling in forex. Instead. some Beginning January and until Feb­ bank revalues its currency positions. believe that Bank Negara 's bigger ruary. Bank Negara announced a A lower ringgit means that foreign losses in 1993 were comparable to series of measures to reduce specu­ currencies held by Bank Ncgara 1992 ... lation in the ringgll In effect. Bunk translate to higher ringgit amounts. Negara made thc'e speculators After the ringgit fell ar the end of lose out on inrerc~t "hen they lBy pushing the ringgit down, Bank last year, there was an initial rally in bought the ringgit.

A/iran Monthly 1997: 17(6} Pos:e lJ Currency players who buy a cur­ ing ringgit from the commercial speculators who then try to play with ·1 rency would in general expect some banks. But the central bank has to the local currency may have given interest payment in holding that cur­ pay interest on these borrowings and Bank Negara officials added moti­ rency. through parking the funds the cost to Bank Negara is thought vation to get even with these inter­ with local banks. One of the advan­ to total up to more than afew billion national players ... 0 tage of holding ringgit was that it ringgiL offered relatively high interest rates. A currency player could borrow US Thus, one way of dealing with the dollar:-. and pay an annual imcrcst problem of declining interest rates 'I rates of about 3 per cent while con­ is simply to make il difflcult for for­ Continued from page 6 verting it into ringgit be would earn eigners to buy ringgit and put in our aboutS per cent through keeping the banks. funds with local banks. Thus he By pegging its currencies. could potentially male double­ Apart from the economically legiti­ Southeast Asian economies barelled profits - from the interest mate concern for inflation. Banl have ensured a certain de­ rate differential a~ well as potential Ncgara's measures may have been gree of stability to help lure exchange rate appreciation of the intended partly to teach a lesson to foreign funds. local currency ... currency speculators. Like many other central banks, Bank Ncgara But such easy money is too Why should Bank Negara be so con­ may well have the view that these oflell splurged on non-pro­ cerned about foreign speculation in speculators, who play in the billions. ductive property markets and the ringgit? After all, most of the for­ often posh a currency way off what wasteful mega-projects. To eignen. arc buying ringgit. showing it is really worth ... add to lbe woes. billions are faith in the currency and, thus indi­ squandered through unmiti­ rectly. our economy. One investor who is thought to have gated conuption. Such ex­ lost sizeably in the last couple of cesses are now being ruth­ However, by buying ringgit and months because of the measures in­ lessly punished by the cur­ keeping the funds in Malaysian troduced by Bank Negara is George rency market. banks, these speculators add liquid­ Soros of the US. Soros is believed ity to the banking system. Local to have bought over a billion ringgit Mahathir is known for his banks get excess funds through for­ early in the year anticipating lhatthc feisty and virulent attacks on eign speculators converting their weakness of the ringgit was only the West on everything from currencic:-. into ringgit and parking temporary. incest to human rights. There this ringgit with our banks ... is a ring of truth to some of It is the same Soros who a year and bis remarks. But often his The net effect of lower interest rates a half back sold the British pound criticisms are no more than i~ to increase both consumption and very heavily and then added to the fig-leaves to deflect detrac­ investment expenditure. And when crisis of the pound by making pub­ tors. One such diversionary spending goes up generally so docs lic st.atemcnLc;. which were carried by remark was his accusatioo inflation. Prices get marked up ow­ the international media, that the that the West was jealous of ing to increased demand. pound was over-valued and would Malaysia's economic suc­ fall below its exchange rate band cess. especially when Ma­ Thus, foreigners buying ma.-;sive against the other European curren­ laysian companies were amounts of ringgit and parking it cies. Soros was right and made a cbided for d1eir cavaliec at­ with local banks put downward huge profit. titude in olber Third World pressure on interest rutes and could oountrica. spark higher inflation. lt is believed that, at that time, Bank Negara had a large position in ster­ The Nation (Bangkok) To offset this, Bank Negara has ling and thus took a massive loss .Editorial withdrawn funds from the domestic when the pound was devalued. Be­ Saturday. 26 July 1997 banking system, through borrow- ing burned abroad by currency

A/iran Monthly 1997: 17(6) Page 9 SOCIAL ILLS

In Aliran Monthly 1997: 17(2), we published an ar­ ticle by Dr P Ramawny 'Villtlbu.-or Wdims?' on the fratricidal violence among the Indian com­ munity. sa keen reader of A/iran are the result of the pro­ Monthly 1 must say the bumiputra policies of the Govern­ In this Issue, we look g article aucmpting to ex- ment is. 1 am afraid. to absolve deeper at tbe social iUs plain '·11ociologically"' fracticide gangsters of their crime by plaguing Malaysian soci­ among Indians in Malaysia etbnicising gangsterism. A cur­ ety. We also carry several (Aliran Monrlzly 1997: 17(2), pp sory glance of the popular Malay articles and responses 6-10) was disappointing. In par- Mail and Harian Metro would from some of our readers. ticular, it is its tendency to at- show a very high incidence of tribute gangsterism to "a search gangsterism among Chinese and We start off with V for identity'' among Indians is Malay ~1alaysians -lhose 'ec­ most discomforting. to say the I lions of the communi() who. ac­ BALASUBKAMANIAM's least. cording to the writer. have ben- article which responds efited from the Government's criticaUy to Dr Rama­ ll is interesting to note that the pro-bumiputra policy. How samy's article, accasiDg writer after pointing to the drop would the writer's elhnicbed ··so­ him of ethniclsina the in the number of crimes commit- ciological" perspective explain problem of gangsterism. ted by Indian Malaysians never- this? theless continues to paint a pic- ture of a community plagued by To say gangsterh.m 'terns from a This Is followed by DR genocide. What J found particu- "search for identi[) .. is to wrongly RAMASAMY's reply larJy disconcerting is his attempt interpret the attempts of individu­ wbicb rebuts Balasubra· to explain the phenomenon of als who seek po,,er and ''eallh manlam's views which, gangsterism theoretically: he, in by threatening th~.: lhelihood of according to Dr Rama­ fact, vindicates the acts of gang- the common people. That these samy, are "myopic" and sters and turns out in defence of individuals ha' c re,orted to "penoaaF'. criminals. gangsterism ac; a mean to this end is a clear indtcation that tl is First, the Indian Malaysian com- indeed a means to an end To Next, Aliraa member, munity is not killing itself: what therefore argue a-. the'' riter docs mOMAS LEE exam­ crimes that occur are committed that "the search for ideoricy set:ms ines tbe Identity crisis by gangsters and •·tumpen'' ele- to be lhe most important unpera­ among tbe youth today. ments. as the writer has correctly live ... " is to absohe the acttons pointed out. Bur to go on and ar- of individuals who ha' e resoned gue that these acts of gangsters to crime and to lhc 'ictimi'-ation

Aliran !tlrmJIJly 1997: 17(6) Pagt' /0 of people for selfish individual ety is economically differentiated We should not confuse interests realised through sado- and this ensures that the princi­ gangsterism and the role played masochistic means. In this sense pal beneficiaries of the pro-mar­ in it by Indian Malaysians with films, not only Tamil ones, could ket policies (as capitalist policies the other current subject of social have played an important role in are popularly referred to these ills. What is defined as social ills supporting thuggery by enlight- days) of the Government are is very often socially constructed ening tlmgs with new criminal membersofthedominantclasses. and, to a large degree, culturally tactics to commit crimes. Yet, it In this sense, the writer's sugges­ determined. And since the latter is only thugs, real and potential, tionthatlhecountry's communal is not static but constantly chang­ who would find such tactics, dis- political parties such as the MJC ing, whatis defmed as a social ill played in films, appealing. Here, actively serve the interests of at a particular historical juncture one finds the desire by the Ma- their respective communities is may not be so in another - for laysian Indian Congress (MlC) populist and reflects the failure example, the attitude towards gays and lesbians, the pressure to legalise marijuana and state­ sponsored regulations prohibiting What is defined as social ills is very smoking. Very often only when often socially constructed and, to a the powers-that-be (the authori­ ties) define a phenomenon as a large degree, culturaUy determined. "social ill" and when the media subsequently highlights it does it come to be seen as such. The role to meet the gangsters to be naive to understand the country's un­ played by these individuals, the -for it is an attempt to solicit derlying political-economic real­ interests they represent, and the excuses and justification for their ity. selective role of the media are crimes. What, 1 wonder, could therefore important consider­ follow from such discussions. Economic growth, among other ations. things, has also helped to in­ There are just as many Indian crease the wealth in society and The first step therefore is to de­ Malaysians who are embar- contributed to the kind of so­ fine what a social ill is, why it is rassed with Kalimuthu and who cialmobilily which has seen an such, and for whom. Likewise to would not in anyway sanction increase in the ranks of the regard gangsterism as a social ill the actions of his gang or look middle class, urbanisation, ru­ can be seen as wittingly or unwit­ upon his acts as heroic. In this ral-urban migration and tingly serving a particular politi­ context, it is thugs and those gangsterism. This has seen cal agenda whereby individuals indulging in gangsterism or in Malaysians corning to live in are projected as spokespersons wanting to choose this option prison-like houses with grilles, for the community and sectional who would see him as a hero and to seek protection from law inLerests. When this happens the and role-model. enforcers (the police) and law role of a social critic becomes breakers (gangsters). Here, highly questionable. But debate The MaJaysian model of devel­ gangsters play the role of ful­ as we must on "social ills" and opment leaves much to be de­ filling the agendas of those with gangsters, Aliran, in playing the sired from the socio-economic a gangsterism mentality. lf there important role of a social criltic, and environmental standpoint is anything 1ike a search for iden­ must ensure it does not become a but to analyse it communally and tity here, it is nothing more than forum for individuals to advance attribute it as the source of a desire to assert individual posi­ populist ends and private politi­ gangsterism is simplistic. Soci- tions and interests. cal agendas. 0

Alirafl Monlhly J997: 17(6) Page 11 In the beginning, the writer has precisely criticized me for tak­ ing the sociological method as MYOPIC AND method that serves the interests of the criminals. Later he aban­ PERSONAL dons the formal-legalistic per­ spective and adopts the popular Dr P Ranzas{uny post-modernist perspective (which argues that it is difficult) to define criminality of a priori Balasubramaniam's readers so that I could embark because constructs and concepts g reply to my article on on a more definite piece of re­ that abstract reality are socially social problems search soon. and culturally constructed. (Ali ran Monthly 1997: 17(2) seems to be very myopic in na­ To this date, I have received While the post-modernist "so­ ture. Rather than pursuing an many comments, praising as cial construction" perspective is intellectual and stimulating ar­ well criticizing my article. interesting, it offers practically gument on the subject of social While T thank those who have nothing in terms of social jus­ ills, he actually succumbs to the praised me, the constructive tice or programmes to alleviate mischevious temptation of per­ criticisms of the others were problems. In many ways. this sonal attack. T really wonder most helpful. But unfortunately methodology has become a con­ what was the real motive be­ the response from V venient tool for many intellec­ hind his response. Balasubramaniam is not some­ tuals to justify their non-in­ thing that I or my friends think volvement in the struggle for To put it in a nutshell, he says is intellectually honest. Tt is pre­ justice and democracy. How­ that my sociological approach cisely because of this factor that ever, this is not to say, that some is nothing but a defence for T am undertaking this exercise leading post-modernists such as criminals and gangsters, that I in refutation. Michel Foucault felt strongly communalize social problems that the local resistance and amongst the Indians, and not First, the real question is: struggle must be pursued relent­ the least, that I have a certain What exactly is the writer's lessly by the poor and under­ hidden political and ideological theoretical stand on the sub­ privileged to break the pov.er agenda in the discussion of so­ ject matter of criminality/so­ centers. cial problems. cial ill? If we accept his ini­ tial formal-legal perspective, For him. my social e~planation Before I can refute his criti­ then we simply follow the dic­ is nol only unacceptable but cisms of my article, let me say tates of the state. how dare I mention that this. The article that appeared Kalimutbu was a role model for inAliran was basically a think­ Implicit in this discourse is that many Indians. 'When I men­ piece on social problems criminals are criminals to be tioned the word Indian in my amongst urban working class locked up and put away from article, it referred to the \YOrk­ Indians. It is not a definitive society. Any approach that goes ing class. It did not refer to the piece of work on social prob­ beyond the state's conception of middle and upper clas!)e!). lems. In fact, it was written to criminality tantamounts to the elicit positive criticisms from defence of criminals. If the writer can .)peak Tami.l

A/iran Momhly I 997: 17(6) Page 12 the articulation of some hidden agenda. A/iran Monthly, an in­ When a person is hungry, exploited dependent publication, is actu­ and denied opportunities on the ba­ ally a forum for Malaysians and non-Malaysians to articulate sis of ethnicity, an inner rebeUion is 11 views and ideas that arc progres­ fermented. sive and democratic.

"------:=------~~---' 11 I don't think Aliran will or perhaps he should take some acknowledging class exploita- should publish materials that are time to mingle with the Indian tion renders one a communist! not in line with the objectives working class to ascertain their There are many good things of social justice and human dig­ true feelings of Kalimuthu. going for Malaysia; but it must nity. Since my article was pub­ While the members of the In­ be admitted that there are seri- lished, I think the editors have dian middle class might take a ous problems. The poor of all recognized its worth from the formal-legalistic perspective on races continue to suffer in si- standpoint of social justice and Kalimuthu, the majority of the lence as the benefits of devel- human dignity although they Indian working class, being vic­ opment seem to be unevenly might not necessarily agree with tims of exploitation and ethnic distributed. Jobs, licences, con- my particular views. Therefore, discrimination, do not have the tracts, tenders and others seem I think it is rather immature for luxury of this approach. to be based on both ethnic and him to warn Aliran. In fact, the class considerations. Unless an reverse should be the case. When a person is hungry, ex­ Indian has the connections and ploited and denied opportuni­ capital. it is quite difficult to The legal-positivistic approach ties on the ba<>is of ethnicity, an make in-roads in the private uncritically adopted by inner rebellion is fermented. An sector. Balasubramaniam should be a anti-establishment view be­ cause of concern because it comes more readily accepted Of course, as the writer himself serves to justify ideologically and condoned rather than the says, the Malaysian model the actions of the Malaysian propaganda unleashed by the Leaves much to be desired but state vis-a-vis the society. At the state and the mass media it con­ unfortunately be does not expli­ same lime, his flirtation with the trols and manipulates. It is cate in what ways this is so. I post-modernistic perspective, rather sad that the writer has would like to argue that unless seems to be a convenient at­ failed to understand this even we in Malaysia seriously con­ tempt to shirk social responsi­ though be labels himself a so­ front and debate issues of racial bility.O ciologist. discrimination and class exploi­ tation, we will have no choice The second and very irrespon­ but to blindly adhere to the dic­ sible accusation is that I com­ tates of the state's agenda on de­ NOTE: munalize the whole issue of velopment. AM wiU nol carry any social problems amongst the further correspon­ Indians. As the writer himself And finally, it is rather amus­ dence on this contro- is well aware, pointing out in­ ing to note the warning toAiiran stances of racism does not to beware of persons like me versy- Ed. I make one a racist. Neither does trying to use its publication for

A/iran Monthly 1997: 17(6) l'ogt> 13 SOCIAL ILLS

which society- including the home, the school and the cultural Many views have been expressed on the current prob­ and religious community - has mem­ lem of social iUs among Malaysian youths. AUran on a person. ber moMAS S H LEE, a father of two, takes a look at this issue. He argues that the root cause of the wide­ The crisis in identity is therefore spread problem, especiaUy among the urban youths, is simply the problem of people an identity crisis, caused largely by the lack of proper striving to understand lhemselves emotional inteUectuaJ, social, and spiritual development and their world. and to seek to to face contemporary chaUenges. control or co-operate with its forces to attain a meaningful and enjoyable life. he Malaysian youths' mately the problem of self per­ constant struggle to un­ ception. This is one reality, at Therefore, when we discuss lhe g problem of social ills among our derstand themselves least, which all people are seized and to relate to the current swift­ from within, by intuition and not youths, we should be looking at moving and fast-changing tech­ by simple analysis. This is be­ the malleability as they strive to nological world prompts them cause God created humans in His penetrate nature's secrets and har­ ever and again to articulate both own image, which means each ness them for their self­ their identity and their role. Ma­ person has his or her own iden­ fulfilment. laysian youths are caught in a di­ tity and personality. lemma because the perception of Today·s Malaysian youths are values has changed and there re­ However, the self is not some­ caught in a dilemma in their ef­ mains the need to reconcile the thing that is static. lt is something forts at seeking self-realization problem of identity and the ques­ which develops, grows and ma­ and self-fulfilmem. Hence. the tion of relevance. tures with time, in the process of current widespread problem of social experience and activity. social ills among young Malay­ Increasing modernization and That is, it develops in the indi­ sians, particularly in the country's rapid urbanization, both of which vidual as a result ofhis or her re- urban centres. are a worldwide phenomenon, lations to that process as a whole, have forced today's Malaysian and to other individuals within Why are Malaysian youths in youths into seeking refuge in ei­ that process. such a dilemma? Wh~ are they ther anonymity or the other ex­ facing an identil) crisis? treme of constant mobility. So then, the problem of identity must necessarily involve the fun­ There are many factors leading to Their crisis of identity is ulti- damental and formative influence this crisis in identily among our

Aliran Morultly 1997: 17(6) Page 14 r-:=-people. However, four work-places today, where many constantly exposed to the mate­ I ~~aJ~; ~auses should be high­ so-called university graduates, rial is tic vall ues their parents lighted. some with advanced degrees, are come to signify. The time­ just blending into the stereotype honoured precepts of parental re­ ROTE LEARNING straightjacket stratum of their sponsibilities, mutual family as­ A major cause of this identity cri­ simplistic sinecure in their com­ sistance, community life, filial sis among our youths, triggering pany, making no attempt to con­ care of the aged. and so on are widespread social ills, is our edu­ tribute towards improving the slowly being destabilised by the cation system with its emphasis on company's vision and mission. modem impersonal nuclear fam­ examination and the rote-learning Their main interest is the pay ily unit. A generation of insecure, system. Learning is merely packet and the perks. And most lonely and confused youths have through repeating and reproducing end up as deadwood in the com­ emerged. Hence, we see the wide­ data fed to them by their teachers. pany, retarding its progress and spread social ills among our Our young people accept what is profitability. young people today. taught to them imitatively and uncritically. There is no creative VALUES ERODED MEDIA INFLUENCE process in the learning experience. Another major cause of the A third major cause for the cur­ Passing examinations is the goal. youths' identity crisis today is rent identity crisis among young not the acquiring of "knowledge­ the erosion of traditional values Malaysians is the widespread in­ able knowledge." and ethical practices in our in­ fluence of the modern creasingly secularised world, westemised mass media in our The rote education system, from where anything goes and there is country. pre-school to university level. no moral yardstick of measure­ has produced a generation of un­ ment to give direction in living. Tbe modem media have assumed creative, unthinking and uncer­ The rat race for economic sur­ a major role in communicating tain youths, who are incapable of vival among the poor, and for views and ideas. They do a great raising original ideas and devis­ luxury and material comfort deaJ to regulate our Jives and at­ ing analytical methods, indepen­ among the well-to-do has re­ titudes. The media, according to dent of current stereotypes. sulted in fragmented families, in the guru of mass communication, which parents are busy earning Prof. Marshall McLuhan, mould The legal restrictions and social money and their children are left and shape our lives more than we restraints that young people face to the care of grandparents, rela­ imagine. Being intimately in­ in local educational institutions tives or domestic helpers. volved in the communication prevent them from questioning business for more than twenty and debating, participating and Comtempary child-rearing is years myself, 1 cannot agree more being involved in the nation's definitely far from satisfactory. with McLunan, although contro­ socio-economic and political af­ compared to the traditional versy rages over whether the fairs. lt has also contributed in model where the family unit is good professor exaggerates the retarding and curbing their intel­ the source of guidance, protec­ situation or whether he is the first lectual and social development. tion and care. Today, childcare to discern and openly discuss the has become big business. subtle subversion of our minds by The youths are, therefore, not the media and to forewarn us of adequately prepared for life in a Comtemporary young Malay­ the danger. competive. complex and even sians. growing up in present rna- confusing world. terialistic-minded families are Right or wrong. McLuhan has deprived of the closeness and certainly pointed out the confu- I We see the sad results in various _ c_o_n_tr_o_l_o_f their parents. They_ar_e_s_io_n_ in people's minds over the

Aliran Momlr/y /997: 17(6) Page /5 media. and the type of .. global other extreme. there is the trend creasing. We see counterfeit village" our world has become towards counterfeit superstitious cultic movements. with their sub­ since the advent of instant com­ and pietistic religious experience. jective emotional religious expe­ munications through satellite whose hallmarks arc the mysti­ riences no different from psyche­ television. cal and subjective. delic drug trips, flourishing among the youths. Such practices Now. what has this communica­ These two problems - psyche­ have also penetrated the estab­ tion explosion to do with the cri­ delic dmgs and emotional reli­ lished religious communities sis in identity among the Malay­ gious experience- highlight the where even howling. hissing and sian youths? Plenty. For one spiritual starvation contemporary hilarious hysteria are the common thing, a situation exits today in Malaysian youths arc suffering practices during so-called wor­ which the popular media are ex­ today. ship services, which are no dif­ tolling the virtues of a trendy and ferent from goings-on in a circus! materialistic life-style. The con­ This loss of spiritual sense, stam exposure of today's young caused largely by the failure of Much of today's debate on the Malaysians to the juxtaposed ar­ established religions to commu­ issue of social problems among tificial status and the meaning of nicate meaningfully and rel­ contempontry Malaysian youths "a good life'' has resulted in a evantly to today's young people. appears to stem from confusion deep-seated discontentment has had soul-shattering implica­ and ambiguity about what ulti­ among them with their lot in their tions for them. A distasteful. mately is the purpose of life. We own community. The result is a senseless, comica1 waiting for the need some hard and clear think­ restless generation of youths in infinity through the usc of drugs ing on this question. The solution constant mobility, searching for or subjective religious experi­ is not to deal with the symptoms the ·'good life'' - a search ence, result-;. but to examine the '>yndrome. which, in most cases, ends in Work to remove the stumbling frustration and deep resentment; Hence. we see the number or block to a more enriching and en­ hence, the social ills scourge drug users among the young in- during Life. 0 spreading among young Malay­ sians today. SPIRITUAL VACUUM LOVI Of POIIIIIIONI The fourth, and perhaps most important, cause of the current It was our belief that the love of posses.'\ions is a weakness to be overcome. Its appeal is to the material part, and if allowed its way, identity crisis among Malaysian it will in time disturb one's spiritual balance. Therefore. children youths today is the loss of spiri­ must learn the beauty of generosity. They are taught to give wbat tual values and human dignity. they prize most. that they may taste the happiness of givmg.

A vacuum exisLc; today in a mod­ Ifa child is inclined to be gra.~ping, or to cling to any of his or her ern culture increasingly little possessions, legends are related about the COIIIallpl and dis­ characterised by relativism grace falling upon the ungenerous and mean persoa -· where all values are shifting opinion and there is no truth or The lndian.c; in their simplicity literally give away an dial IIIey have right. This sense of metaphysi­ - to relatives, to guests of other tribes or clans. but above all to the poor and the aged, from whom they can hope for no n:tura. cal anguish among contemporary Malaysian youths is clearly re­ Oti.Jaa S..Sioux flected in the widespread resort to psychedelic infinity. At the

A/iran Monthly 1997: 17(6) Page /fJ crete step to participate actively to ,. right the wrong. The Editot a Loyal Malaysian 'ALlRAN MON1'~\.'t Penang P.O. BOX 10c\9 ·UIPIIUP

A/iran Monthly has been doing a wonderful job and is worthy of sup­ We welcome letters From readers These may be edited for purposes of space and port nationally and internationa11y. clarity The views may not be those of AliRAN MONTHLY Pseudonyms ore Articles written in A/iran Monthly accepted but oil letters should include the writer's nome and address. letters are well researched and impartial should preferably be typewritten with double spacing; If handwritten they should be legible. letters should be addressed to the Editor, AURAN MONTHLY. and written without fear or favour.

If not for Aliran Monthly, critical views and news adverse to the au­ would have been greater if the thorities genemlly will not be avail­ sponsors and government had able to members of the public. II_-== ·=~=~=n=~:::::,...=:..:=::-u~''";:;::;:;:= pledged a ringgit for ringgit con­ Aliran is a good watch-dog. Keep it tribution towards both the Everest up. particularly when more and more Congratulations to Lhe Everest project and some social work up­ Malaysians seem to be against cor­ team on its success. National pride Lifting the poor, etc. ruption in our national life. welled up in me as I watched the live telecast on TV. Is the extra expenditure incurred in Lee SiewJoo securing the live telecast from Kuala Lumpur But after the initial euphoria, my Everest necessary'? initial misgivings resurfaced and . IU..CONCIIVID, some of the questions bugging me Why arc we so concerned about ILLOGICAL AND with regards to the expedition still being the first nation to do the live OfniiiiYE beg for an answer. telecast?

I do not wish to appear like a wet Can't this money be put to better I was both sad and annoyed to see blanket. neither do I wish to be­ use? the normally ltigh journalistic stan­ little the courage and sacrifice of dards ofAliran Monthly plunge by the members of the expedition but Perhaps the situation is symtomatic the profiling or hysterical igno­ I can't help asking if it was really of what is happening in our society rance masquerading a<> a sensible worthwhile spending around at large. A lot of lip-service is paid article on Britain's debate on moral RM20 million to achieve this feat? without realising the contradictions. standards. I refer to Hugh Will­ We build the huge Bakun Dam iams' arlicle'Britain 's Moral Cri­ How many unfortunate and disad­ while promoting our country as a sis· (AM 17:3). This kind of arrant. vantaged citizens of this beloved good example or forest conserva­ disjointed nonsense demands a re­ country would have bencf1tted if tion; (you can add the Highlands sponse. the money had gone towards some highway project a<; well); we raise sort of social work like building Tenaga electricity tariffs while pro­ Williams· argument that ethics and low cost houses etc. moting zero inflation: ordinary citi­ principles arc at limes hotly de­ zens seemingly appear to be so­ batedinBritain is used as evidence Maybe the pride of all Malaysians cially concerned yet take no con- of declining moral standards.

Alira11 Momlrly 1997: 17(6) Pag~ 17 Surely a more logical conclusion Just as WiiJiams demonstrates that divklual as a moral agent acting ac­ to be drawn from this is that moral his position is racist, he also shows cording to his or her ideals and con­ issues continue to inform and be that he is fundamentally sexist as science. relevant to the lives of contempo­ well. He preaches about being rary people and not relegated to a 'locked into a culture of blame' Sara Ashencaen Crabtree mummified deontology which de­ whilst wheeling out that old chest­ Kuching velopment and change through tlle nut 'the permissive society'. Not generations may render" obsolete. surprisingly it is women who arc COBUPIIOII targeted as promiscuous because -INIOMIIUONS The debate about plural values in tbey are now able to control their AND IIIWOIIS a multicultural society expresses fertility if they wish through use that the right<; of minority groups of contraceptives, albeit apparently and their experiences must be ad­ aided and abetted by academic re­ I fully agree with the proposal of dressed in modem Britain. This ports promoting 'deviant sexual Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) di­ very pluralism is enriching as well acts·. One simply dare not ask Wil­ rector-general Datuk Shafee Yahya as challenging. Ouu·agcously, Wi 1- liams what he would consider an to increase the maximum fine and liams appears to criticise the very acceptable sexual act for fear that the maximum imprisonment for attempt to engage with the multi­ he might actually tell us! corruption offences. plicity of cultural values as an ex­ ample of declining moral stan­ I am amused to be able to concur However, 1 beg to disagree with dards. I wonder if he is aware of with Wi IIiams on his distaste of po­ Datuk Shafee about the details. In­ the intolerance and racism inher­ litical sleaze typified by certain stead of merely a ten-fold increase ent in his so-called critique. members of the Conservative of the maximum fine to Party. It should be noted how RM I 00,000, it should be that or ten Williams continues to weave an er­ dearly they paid for their past mis­ times the amount of the sum of ratic path by using a few isolated conduct and mismanagement in money involved in the corrupt incidents of violence to generaliM.: th~ lcc.L t:lection. Such retribution, transaction, whichever is more. to a nation, whilst bemoaning the I believe, speaks for it<;elf as evi­ lack of uni versa! standards. It is as dence of the British public's con­ This additional provision is neces­ futile to pursue a universal stan­ cern for standard<>. sary because these days corrupt dard applicable to all people as it transactions often invohe tens or used to be for philosophers to Williams seems to inhabit a topsy­ hundreds of milhons, and some­ agonise over what constituted the turvy world of moral confusion times even billions. of ringgit. A ultimate truth. Universal standards and internal inconsistencies as evi­ mere RMlOO,OO is peanuts to the are a notoriously dillicult area to denced by the condemnation of the big fishes. work upon and tbe state of the principle, brilliantly expounded by world, not merely of one country, the philosopher John Sruart Mill. The maximum imprisonment for shows this to be tbe ca<;e. I t.hinJ.... it that those acts alone which harm corruption should be life. is exceedingly unlikely that any others should be controlled. Quite such agreement will ever be rightly too! Williams goes on to Only such severe deterrents can reached and anyone who has been deplore the moral stance of judg­ help reduce, if not eradicate, cor­ exposed to another culture for any ing oneself by one's own ideals and ruption from our 'ociery. length of time may agree. I would then, true to form. concludes his indeed be interested to know of a absurd article by proposing that the Another point is no registered or­ nation that has yet to experience individual should set moral stan­ ganization, company or establish­ the horrors of murder, child abuse dards by starting with oneself? Ill­ ment-including government de- and AIDS; sadly neither Britain conceived, illogiccal and offen­ partments- ,hould ~ ~ nor Malaysia could be counted in sive, this article above all goes a such company. long way towards degrading the in-

Aliran Munthh 1997: 17(6) Pag~ 18 J business.And what's wrong with having TingPek Khiing as one's role model? Better him than Eric Cbia, some might say. What better role model than Ting who is smart, roll­ ing in cash and building one of the I biggest dams in the region? Besides, Ting is so brave. He's not afraid of anyone, not even the deputy prime minister as evident by the way be vinually thumbed his nose at Anwar Ibrahim for daring to suggest that there was trouble up at Baknn. Now, that's what I call guts!

And what's this nonsense demand- I ing that Ling Liong Sik explain his opposition leader Lim Kit Siang who role in his son's corporate acquisi­ simply could not believe that some- tions amounting to no less than one so young and inexperienced RML2 billion in three months! "He controls ll listed companies could be so wealthy. Aiyah! Why so What's there to explain? It's one of spanning Asia. Those companies jealous? Cannot stand other people those things to be expected in Ma­ have 44 offices worldwide. The more successful and richer than you- laysian life and politics. That Liong combined assets of his flagship ab? Sik's son should be sitting on so huge company, Berjaya Industrial a pile of wealth at so tender an age is Berhad, are valued at more than Lim Kit Siang gripes about how Hee I no stranger than lhe former Selangor RM3 billion." (Journal One, April, Leong says that, "I think every fa- MB 's brothers being made chairman 1977) ther tries to open doors for his son, and directors of some of the most whoever the father may be. If be rapidly-growing companies in the The above person is: knows a few more friends, he is in a country. No more stranger than the A. A Hong Kong tycoon. position to open a few more doors." fact that the list of companies on I B. One ofSuharto 's children. What's the point of having a bigs hot whose boards Mabathir's sons sit C. One ofMahathir 's sons. for a father if he cannot open doors would allegedly stretch into three D. One of those "Peremba boys." for you? C'mon, berealistic-/ah, Mr pages if printed out in double spac- E. One ofAnwar's boys. Lim! That's the Asian way of doing ing. Nor is it any stranger than the F. One of those thin-skinned busi- things. Connections; you scratch my fact that a relative of a former Deputy nessmen about whom only good back; 1 scratch yours; guanxi, what- Home Minister reportedly holds the things must be said or else it's ever they call it. Moreover, what's licence to one of the biggest foreign "See you in court. " wrong with Hee Leong learning labour agencies in the country. Or "from many of the old masters like that the father of the DPM suppos­ Tbe answer is none of the above. , Tan Sri Ting Pek Khiing, Tan Sri edly chairs one of the biggest devel­ This fantastically rich and success- Lim Yan Hai and Tan Sri Lin See opment companies in Selangor. It is fuJ person interviewed by Journal Yan and a lot of my father's friends;• a fact of (Malaysian) life that the Op­ Oneis only 27, a University of Lon- as reported in the magazine. Isn't position Leader for all his years of don graduate who made his foray that another Asian tradition? Doesn' t experience seems yetto get the hang into the Malaysian corporate scene it show that Hee Leong respects the of! just a couple of years back. He is knowledge of those of his father's Ling Hee Leong, son of Transport generation? Minister Dr Ling Liong Sik. The young man's amazing wealth has I Lim Kit Siang seems rather blur They are talking of cleaning up the come under the supercilious gaze of about our great Asian way of doing I Malacca River. By next year, in fact.

Aliran Momlrly 1997: 17(6) Page /9 But will this be yet another of those I museums is certainly too many a I backwards for tourists while citizens projects which arc announced with number to take. arc supposed to bow to the wishes great fanfare before it peters out into of the government. It was based on an inconsequential nop after con­ I this very same perverse logic of suming voluminous amounts of MIC' pleasing tourists that the Flora Fest public money. Remember car-pool­ SUPREME L was organised. ing? Or take the environment. We ~.:======.I·=·==· =:. arc constantly reminded by the gov­ Samy Vcllu has been returned as The Flora Fest is basically a copycat ernment about our role in safeguard­ president of the MlC for yet another of the famed Pasadena Rose Parade, ing the environment. Billboards ex­ term. And man, was he happy be­ but like all copycats, it is but a pale hort us to keep our surroundings causephotographs showed him grin­ shade of tl1e real thing. While the clean, songs blare from TV and ra­ ning from one large ear to another. Pasadena parade draws dozens of dio about the virtues of preserving Some say he was returned uncon­ floats, Malaysia's entries have barely the environment, and endless semi­ tested because the party really loved attracted more than 10 or so noats; nars are held to discuss environmen­ him for his sense of dressing, his this year saw only six entries. And, tal issues. Yet, even while the gov­ namboyant way of speaking and his sadly too, the tourists it attracted ernment is preaching the green mes­ stylish hairdo, some of his most evi­ were also a shadow of the crowds sage, it is planning to go ahead with dent achievements. Others say party that flock to line the route of the yet another environmental disaster members were too terrified to nomi­ Pasadena parade. And this is prob­ - a highway linking our highlands. nate anyone else for the top post ably where it rankled most because It's enough to make most of us see much less go for it. Perhaps the most the event was afler all, organised for red. revealing clue of the extent to which tourists. And there was none as Samy has "managed" the party's peeved as the Arts and Tourism Min­ Still, one can only hope that the forthcoming election is the way his ister who is thinking of scraping the clean-the-Malacca-River-Project No 2 thanked him before thanking event. Never mind that a 10,000 will turn out well because Malacca the delegates for returning him un­ crowd of mostly locals turned up for town really needs it. The river, opposed! Nevertheless, he must be the event. Well, everyone knows that which meanders through some of the envy ofleaders of the other com­ copycat and imitation goods rarely the most historical parts of the town, ponent parties. notably Dr Mahathir, last as long as the original thing. is nothing less than a filthy, stink­ who has been president of Umno for ing drain which docs not speak well only slightly less years than his MTC of Malaccans. They may lay claim counterpart and who shows few IRMtiiftf.i '1£1 f.ii·W»I to having a rich history, being a fas­ signs of calling it a day. From the cinating cultural melting pot, but looks of things Malaysians may soon In the midst of the controversy over one thing which they cannot claim have their own Supreme Leader. beauty contests, Sanusi Junid has is being civic-minded. And it ap­ come up with the idea of an animal pears that the state government has beauty contest to be held in Pokok 0 BE BORN abandoned that rather ridiculous Sena. Apart from physical appear­ TOURIST idea of having "101 museums.'' Its ance, the contestants will be judged I on how good they are at obeying the new chief minister says that about 20 to 30 museums would do. Thank If only we could all be classified as command of their owners. In other heavens for small mercies. Imagine tourist, how much more pleasant life words, the judges, I ike our local po­ taking a break in Malacca and run­ would be. Public toilets cleaned up litical parties. are looking for "yes­ ning across a museum at every cor­ for our sake, taxi drivers told to dress men." Sanusi has quite sensibly left ner! It's not that we have anything neatly and smile to impress us, roads out controversial contestants and against museums. But given the way landscaped for our pleasure, flat stuck to the usual beefcakes like museums are put up in this country, dwellers told to hang their undies cattle, goats and chickens and ducks one can only expect one dull and indoors so as not to offend our deli- in order to avoid attracting the atten­ dreary display of artefacts after an­ cate senses, and special festivals lion of the religious authorities. other. One can only take so many of organised to entertain us. Yes, our I Imagine the mooing. bleating, such types of museums and 10 I government is prepared to bend over quacking and chirping if the authori

Aliran Momhly 1997: 17(6) Page 20 ties were to stage a high-profile ar- The first is probably sending chills its Independent Commission Against restsimilarto t:heone that took place down the spine of many politicians I Corruption lives up to its name- it is during the controversial beauty con- and civil servants who are so obvi- a genuinely independent body. test. One word of advice though: 1 ously living beyond their means. The could the contestants please ensure second proposed amendment on the Perhaps the ACA should also look that they are properly covered up so I other hand, is being regarded with I into instances whereby children and as not to offend our heaven-high apprehension by members of the relatives of political big-guns have sense of morality. public. After all, there have been so grown immensely rich over a short many instances of reports being time. Ling Hee Leong is one glaring J lodged against allegedly corrupt per I example. In Hong Kong, that alone I ] I sons on reasonably strong grounds would have got the ICAC sniffing I~..:======but with no action taken. The rea- around. But around here, one would Penang people are still reeling from son is best explained by the fact that probably find the investigative of­ the shock of losing the international the discretion to prosecute lies with I ficer shaking his head in admiration airport on the island to another is- !:he Attorney General. on reading of Hee Leong's weallh land in Kedah. The more melodra- 1 and saying something inane like: matic claim the decision, which Worse yet, ifsuch complaints are not "Amboi! Tuahnya!'. And how about seems to be another one of those prosecuted, does it mean that there- ~ an Umoo Minister whose son owns one-man type of decisions, is akin port lodged may eventually be an astounding fleet of expensive cars to losing the free port in the 1960s. 1 deemed to be false and the complain- which are all parked outside the Basically, the relocation decision ant charged instead. Analogies can Minister's house? How is it that sud­ shows bow little clout the Gerakan- ~ be found in the case of irene den and ostentatious wealth such as led state government has when it Fernandez and Lim Guan Eng. It is these do not seem to invoke the co­ comes to crucial decisions. To rub enough to make Malaysians mind 1 riosity of the ACA? salt into injury, Langkawi is now en- their own business instead of stick- joying the free port stams which ing their necks out for the public In fact, according to some, theACA Penang lost. In the past, guests of I good. Certainly, very few will be should be curious about government the government would be ushered prepared to report any member of the officials going on "study tours" spon­ to Penang to be shown the sights and police for corruption given t:hc way sored by private companies which feted. Today, they are nown to the police respond to any form of have business dealings with theirde­ Langkawi. And, perhaps, to make up criticism. And this in spite of the I parlment. Such sponsorship only for the sense ofloss, Penang's chief police beading the ACA's list of top casts aspersions on the people who minister announced that Penang lO most corrupt government agen- accept them. Likewise, public offi- would have a second bridge by cies and departments. cials including Ministers, should dis- 2001. Fantastic news except that it's courage companies and individuals small compensation for the loss of It is understood that the amendments from taking out fancy, full-page ad­ an international airport. are modelled largely on Hong Kong vertisements in the newspapers con- laws. The Hong Kong Independent gramlating them each time they get Commission Against Corruption a title. It is fine to congratulate the CORRUPTIO (ICAC) has a superb track record king or sultans on their official birth­ I that hao; been largely credited for days, but the endless strings of ad- A bill to amend the Prevention of turning the former British colony I vertisements that clog up the pages Corruption Act is now the subject into one of the most competitive of newspapers each time someone of much public interest. lt has sev- places in the world to do business. important is awarded a title is plain eral controversial clauses, one of But it must be remembered that the disgusting. Unfortunately it is be­ wbich is that the person accused will laws have worked so well for Hong corning a culture that only goes to be required to prove his innocence- ~ Kong because of certain condition reflect bow shallow and superficial that his wealth is legal and above- including an Attorney-General who we have become in our quest to be board. Equally controversial is an is accountable to the people and a recognised. amendmenr making it a crime to judiciary that is independent and lodge a false or malicious report. 1 quite beyond reproach. And besides, 1 - by NNP-

A/iran Monthly 1997: 17(6} Page 21 REGIONAL AFFAIRS

obscenity. ing peaceful and legitimate activities are similar to those being enforced Asean's refusal to dialogue with the in Burma and other parts of South­ government-elect of Burma is fur­ east Asia. ther proof of its poor commitment to the peace, justice. ruJe of law and Therefore, we call on the member social progress espoused in the states ofASEAN to confirm that they Bangkok Declaration of 1967, which do value peace, democracy, justice established Asean. and human rights as expressed in a range of ASEAN declarations. We Asean 's choice to welcome SLORC urge them to prove respect for their and therefore squander its leverage citizens by ensuring positive reforms to ensure genuine reform in Burma to develop a civil society. We urge is a sell-out o f our 48 million them to prove that the content and neighbours in Bunna. The proposed spirit of these declarations go beyond oday's welcoming cer­ ASEAN Vision 2020 which is sup­ mere lip service. emony for the admission posedly aimed at achieving peace, ofBunna's State Law and freedom, prosperity and neutrality is Further, we strongly urge member Order Restoration Council therefore more of a hallucination. states of ASEAN and its dialogue (SLORC) as a full member of the partners to prioritise on its agenda, Association of Southeast Asian N a­ We bold this silent protest in soli­ the deteriorating situation in Burma lions (ASEAN) is a mark of shame darity with the peoples of Burma and during the next few days. We to peoples of the region who value other parts of Southeast Asia who strongly urge the A SEAN Regional human rights, justice, democracy continue to be killed, jailed, tortured, Forum to formulate and implement and peace. harassed and deprived of education, with determination and firmness, a health services and food. We stand coordinated and comprehensive This act of recognising the infamous in solidarity with them because we, strategy to ensure a prompt cessation regime as the government of Burma too, are subject to oppression. In the of human rights violations and a res­ is a direct, oppressive interference past few days, several activists in toration of democracy in Burma.O in Burma's affairs. To deny the KualaLumpurhavebeensummoned people's vote in 1990 that granted by the authorities and warned not to Debbie Stothard 82 per cent of parliamentary seats participate in any protest actions. We ALTSEAN-BURMA to the National League for Democ- have been sternly reminded that a Fan Yew Teng racy (NLD) and instead recognize gathering of 5 or more people con­ Burma Solidarity Group Malaysia the brutal junta, which won only 5 I stitute an "i llegal assembly''. This 23 July 1997 per cent of the seats, amounts to an law and other unjust laws prohibit- Kuala Lumpur

A/iran Momhly 1997: 17(6) Page 22 who consider themselves to have the Mentri Besars are multi-mil­ Continued from page I B been libelled or defamed? lionaires or at the leac;t millionaires. The only exception would be Nik from the purview and jurisdiction How do you draw the line between Aziz of Kelantan, to be sure! of the ACA under the gui&e of"in­ false or malicious allegations and temal matter". This includes cor­ rec;ponsible calls or reports re­ What about the Cabinet Ministers? rupt practices in political parties: questing investigation into cases of otherwise. money politics wi II corruption. especiaJly where only Small wonder why many aspire to never be defeated. little evidence is available? If the be politicians in Malaysia. They Government wants to enact this are the same leaders who speak Last but not least, it is high time amendment to the Act, then it has highly of good morals. religious the ACA be made a fully and truly to be more transparent. The Offi­ upbringing and values to the independent investigative and cial Secrets Act (OSA) should be youths. prosecuting body, equipped with done away with. so that respon­ at least ten time:. the number of sible politicians. journalists and The recent appointment of the new officers and budget that it now has. members of the public can gain Chief Minister of Malacca raises access to "secret" information on many questions about corruption. It Fan Yew Teng corrupt pr:1ctices and are able to appears that he was selected as the Kuala Lumpur use them ac; evidence, without ex­ CM because he was. according to posing themselves to possible reports. the le~t corrupt of them all. mandatory jail sentence as pro­ vided for by the law. This situation puts every Exco member in every state under sus­ PRM fears that the proposed picion. They are supposed to be the amendment would be used to 'drivers· of the state economy. It now appears more and more that quash investigations into some of the Government does not really the ''big sharks" already facing al­ Now I know why our land, have the political will to fight legations of practising corruption. rainforest<;, hills and mangroves are against corruption.Much heat has Together with the OSA the Print­ plundered in the name of develop­ been generated but with little light; ing Presses an

A/iran Monthly 1997: 17(6) Pag~ 23 [ You won't believe it. because it's utes before this, during the open­ rious conflict of interest. among the well-informed about ing niceties when the state Direc­ • In the NUTP of today. one set of democracy, among those who tor of Education was the guest of favoured candidates (by virtue of teach our children democrdtic val- honour, both the Chairman and the being incumbent office bearers) ues, among those who have been President had spoken about how conduct the election. Imagine all praised as 'models' by Lhe Trade democratic the NUTP was: how it the country's ruling party's can­ Unions Department! observed rules and regulations in didates being appointed election its affairs; how transparent it had commissioners and returning of­ Stlll blinking? Well, the NUTP of been; how members should help ficers! God forbid. you 'II sigh. course, i.e. the NUTP of the late preserve these values .... 1990s, under the 'vibrant' leader­ So much for the democracy the ship of President En. Abu Bakar While talking about democracy chairman and the presidem fooled b. ShawkatAii and Secretary Gen­ and transparency, consider the fol- the members about. eral En. S. Siva Subramaniam (the lowing episodes in the NUTP elec- latter, while having the body in the tions: In the 1960s. 70s and 80s the then NUTP, has one leg in CUEPACS NUTP leaders conducted elections and anolher in MTUC - talk • The committee members who under the same rules. However. about loyalties!) were "supervising·· the counting they had the moral stature to see in the locked and guarded rooms the conflict of interest between There was this candidate present were themselves candidates in their di!Ierent roles as candidates at the biennial general meeting of the election. Don't forget they and persons responsible for con­ the N UTP Kedah branch on had vested interests in the out­ ducting the elections. They there­ 26.5.1997 at the Nagoya City Ho­ come of the election. fore had scrutineers (provJded for tel. Pulau Langkawi. When the in the rules) handling the whole time came for the counting of bal­ • The branch secretary is also the process. never themselves keeping lots, and the scrutineers had been one-man election commission of the keys to the ballot boxes and so elected, this member asked if he the branch who calls for nomi­ on. could observe the counting pro­ nations, vets through the nomi­ cess (which incidentally was held nations, has ballots printed and To quote Parliamentary Secretary behind locked and guarded doors sent to members, receives in the PM's Department, Datuk barring anyone but some members marked ballots and keeps them Muhamad Abdull~ speaking in of the committee from overseeing in a box over which he has com­ the Dewan Negara in May on the counting). plete control (be alone keeps the people living in sin. be was re­ key). He himself is a candidate ported (NSf30.5.97) to have said: At once the branch Chairman En. in the election and if returned he as shame was the greatest deter­ Abdul Manap b. Hj. Ahmad re­ becomes custodian of the elec­ rem to humans committing unac­ torted "NO''. The candidate then tion documents for the next six ceptable acts, they would begin to asked if the President, present months as required by the Jaw, accept anything when they were no throughout the meeting, cou1d give exactly as required after the gen­ longer capable offeeling .shame. his view. To this the Chairman re­ eral elections-but with a world plied that the President was only a of a difference! The difference Shame. Shame, NUTP guest of the Kedab branch and is that the branch secretary Lim Pulau l.Angkawi therefore it was not proper to ask. Cheng Uo was not an impartial him about branch matters. And party. He was a candidate in the what did the President do? Well, election. What democracy where he nodded his tacit agreement with a candidate is also the Return­ the Chairman's ruling. ing Officer! Unthinkable, you will say. but today's NUTP offi­ And you know what? Only min- cials do not see that as a very se-

A/iran Montltly 1997: 17(6) Page 24 EDUCATION

THE ISLAMIC AND ASIAN ~ CIVILISATIONS COURSE , ~

Much Thought and Expertise, Goodwill and Openness and Time Needed

liran welcomes the an­ ister in the Prime Minister's CIVILI%ATIONAL STUDIES nouncement on July 9 Department, on June 24 1997. g OR RELIGIOUS 1997 by the Education An unnecessarily but poten­ INSTRUCTION? Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun tially sensitive situation has Razak that tbe proposed compul­ been effectively defused. Firstly, it should be clarified sory course required of all stu­ whether the focus will be on the dents in public institutions of More generally. at a time when tenets and beliefs of the different higher learning would be ex­ so much emphasis is being religions or on the evolution and panded to include other major given to material development development of states and soci­ Asian civilisations (Malay, Chi­ and the applied sciences and eties, including the religjous and nese, Jndian and Japanese), and technology in Malaysian uni­ cultural aspects, of the different aspects of "nationhood". We be­ versities and society writ large, civilisations. It would be impos­ lieve that this more inclusive such a course which promotes sible to discuss civilisations wifu­ course "Islamic and Asian reflection on our traditions, his­ out reference to religious beliefs Civilisations", rather than the tory and identity is most appro­ and practices. But it would be more exclusive course "Islamic priate and timely. Tt should be possible to discuss tenets and be­ Ci vilisaLion" would bener facili­ used to help Malaysians regain liefs of particular religions with tate religious understanding their cultural, and hopefully little reference to the history and among Muslims and non-Mus­ spiritual moorings as well, in development of states and soci­ lims and foster unity, if tbat be this era of rapid change and eties. We propose the latter rather lhe purpose. globalism. · than the former approach.

It is commendable that the Having said that, however, sev­ The only reservation about such educational aulhorities have eral important issues related to an approach would be a tendency responded positively and the mounting of such a compul­ towards great civilisation "chau­ quickly to the objections of sory course, which is unprec­ vinism" and "triumpba-lism" i.e non-Muslims to the Islamic edented at the varsity level, must that it would exclude the various Civilisation course being be addressed. This is especially national minorities which have made compulsory for all as so if the noble goal of fostering not yet developed Lheir own initially announced by Dr understanding and unity is to be states, evolved complex econo­ Abdul Hamid Othman, Min- achieved. mies and societies, and often

Alira11 Monlhly /997.- 17(6) Page 25 Jacking even a literary tradition. Hopefully, these experts will be in our midst generally. They must Yet these are the communities drawn from all the institutions be involved - not some petty bu­ which are perhaps most ne­ which will be involved in teach­ reaucrats- in the planning of the glected, exploited and discrimi­ ing such a course. In religious­ course curriculum from the very nated against today. Addition­ sensitive Malaysia, some if not beginning. ally, because the focus is on Is­ mostMalaysians, would suggest lam and Asia, the beliefs and that these experts should be TIME TO PLAN practices of Christians who form drawn from the different reli­ & PREPARE important minorities in Malaysia gions. This would be preferable Thirdly, time is needed to plan and throughout Asia, will prob­ but probably impracticaL We be­ and prepare for the course and to ably not be considered. lieve that it is more important to identify the open-minded experts. have open-minded and objective The experts will have to decide GOODWILL & experts of civilisational studies whether the focus will be on the OPENNESS, THOUGHT & EXPERTISE NEEDED who can put aside classical era, the period of de­ "triumphalism" and "chauvin­ cline, the more recent late L9th Secondly, mounting such a ism" in their treatment of the sub­ and 20th century renaissance, or comprehensive course requires ject matter. For after all, in the some combination of all three. much goodwill and openness, universities, experts do conduct Whichever the case, the classical past should not be glamourised and inaccurately glorified. Weak­ nesses in our traditions which contributed towards their decline deserve as much attention and discussion as the strong points. In line with the goal of fostering unity, common spiritual values should be highlighted, but differ­ ences should not be glossed over. The scholarly interpretations of such a wide-ranging and complex topic are bound to be controver­ Hmv will Universiti Putra Malaysin teach thi1· compt1Lwry C(Jurse to tlte 9,535 students sial, and should be encouraged. it accepted this year? Tt would be a grave error and in­ let alone much thought and ex­ research and teach about other justice to try to impose upon the pertise. Aliran recommends traditions, civilisations even re­ students a singular interpretation that a panel of experts, presum­ ligions, wi'thout partaking of of these civilisations. ably those very individuals them. The emphasis then is on who will be involved in the experts who are sincere and Locating the reading materials for teaching of such a course, be open-minded, and who will be in­ such an approach to the course appointed. And here, that dis­ volved in the teaching of the wi11 be time-consuming. Much tinction between experts of re­ course. It is important that such more time wi II be needed if read­ ligious beliefs and practices, open-minded experts be identi­ ing materials need to be written and the experts of the evolution fied, nurtured and encouraged. up or translated into Bahasa Ma­ and development of states and Malaysia needs them just like laysia. societies, including religious Malaysia must believe that they matters, becomes critical. are there in our universities and Rushing through implementation

A/iran Momh/y 1997: 17(6) Page 26 of the course with a closed mind, The recent sharp increases in stu- conducted? Unfortunately many incompetent teachers and poorly dent enrolment-; over the past few of the first year and Tamaddun Is­ prepared reading materials will years have already caused undue lam courses are already being ex­ make a mess of this wonderful difficulties for first year courses amined by objective-style exami­ opportunity, thereby confinning in the various faculties, and for nations due to the sheer size of the fears and prejudices of those the existing Tamaddun Islam course enrolments. Will this Malaysians opposed to such a course which is currently com- course, therefore, also resort to comprehensive course in the ftrst pulsory for all students in three objective-style examinations ? place. Unfortunately, the minis­ universities. Even at this point, That would be ashame. But even ter has declared that the course lecture balls are crammed to their if only one of the questions is an will be taught beginning from the limits. Do we therefore have the essay, marking the essays of sev­ next academic year, less than a necessary PWTC-size lecture eral thousand students would be year away. halls to teach in ? a test of endurance.

ENROLMENT FIGURES Moreover, with such large enrol­ Some might argue that the Min­ & FACILITIES ments for the course and in re­ istry of Education has already ac­ Fourthly, there is also the ques­ gard of such a wide-ranging cumulated vast experience in tion of logistics in mounting a course, it is especially important marking hundreds of thousands compulsory course such as this to break up the thousands of stu­ of examination papers at the vari­ one. In 1997. a record number dents into small tutorials (say, ous secondary school levels. But of 47,733 students gained entry comprising 20-40 students) every marking examinations the sec­ into the local universities: 29,575 week, so that there's time for ondary school way. just like for the first degree programme clarification, reflection and dis­ teaching the secondary school and another 18,158 for the pre­ cussion. way, should not be 1·esorted to in university programme. This is the mounting of this important an increase of39%, compared to This personal touch, pedagogi­ course. the previous year. (It is expected cally speaking, is important for that even more students will be any course. More so for such a Hence while fully supporting the accepted into local universities huge course like this one. Indeed, launching of such a course and its next year, the more established it is only at the tutorial level that intention to foster unity and un­ of which are expected to enroll the instructors will be able to derstanding of one another's cul­ some 20,000 each by the year gauge whether they are commu­ ture and beliefs, we remain wary 2000). nicating with their students and that we might be rushing into it whether the noble goal of foster­ without fully considering the How will Universiti Putra Ma­ ing understanding and unity is various implications involved. laysia teach this compulsory being achieved. But this also So many changes have already course to the 9,535 students it ac­ means many more classrooms, been proposed in the educational cepted this year? How wi11 many more tutors, and many sphere in just the past few years. U niversiti Kebangsaan Malaysia teaching hours to complement Many unforseen probJems have teach its 7,832 students, the impersonal lectures. cropped up. It will be foolhardy Universiti Teknologi Malaysia to rush in when we are ill-pre­ OBJECTIVE its 7,211 students, U niversiti pared. That would be a definite EXAMINATIONS? Sains Malaysia its 5,447 stu­ recipe for disaster. D dents, Universiti Malaya its The Minister has also stated that 5,281 students, Universiti Utara students will be examined and all Dr Francis Loh Malaysia its 5,002 students, and are required to pass the course. Hon. Secretary so on? So how will examinations be 18July 1997

A/iran Monthly 1997: 17(6) Page 27 Razak of a new salary structure as part of a fully corporatised Universiti Malaya that is scheduled to take place by early 1998, must be wel­ comed with great caution so that other and outstanding issues do not get marginaliscd.

While it is true that the existing sal­ ary structure has caused much dis­ satisfaction among the academic staff, particularly the young lectur­ ers, it is nonetheless not the only fac­ tor that has made teaching and schol­ arship less attractive and which con­ sequently has caused a brain-drain.

Aliran Executive Conunittee The manner in which Universiti DR SYID HUSIN AND 9May 1997 Malaya is to be corporarised. high­ SABARIAH DEPORTED lights perhaps the most serious prob­ FROM INDONISIA lem of all, i.e. clearly reflects a lack of transparency and participation by Aliran protests the deportation ofDr academic staff in decision-making. Syed Husin Ali and his wife, lL is significant that whereas the Uni­ Sabariah Abdullah, from Tndonesia AI iran mengucapkan tahniah kepada versity of Malaya Vice Chancellor on 4 May 1997. Harakah atas ulangtahun ke-l Onya. and rhe Minister of Education were lni adalah satu pencapaian yang claiming that the new salary scheme They were on rheir way to Jakarta boleb dibanggakankerana Harakah was welcomed by the university's to attend rhe United Nations Semi­ telab memain peranan yang penting staff, both the academic staff union nar and NGO Symposium on rhe dalam usaba kita memperkukubkan and the general staff union of UM Question of Palestine on 4-7 May. satu dcmok.rasi di tanahair yang expressed surprise for there had been sering menghadapi cabaran. no prior consultation. Dr Syed Husin was invited by the UN.Palestine Division through rhe Dengan kata lain, Harakah, seperti Monetary rewar

Aliran Monthly 1997: 17(6) Page 28 Corporatisation of universities has done in the past - the local univer­ lure on the part of individuals and Hlso upset many local Hcademks be­ sities adopt a University Charter. organisations whose intention was to cause of the emphasis on the new This Charter should lay down Lhe seek solutions to problems faced by role the universities will nave to ac;­ general principles regarding the victims of domestic violence. Over sume in making money. This means university's role in Malaysian soci­ the last few days, a number of people that the course that promtscs big ety and its autonomy as an institu­ have been called in for questioning numbers of students and arc fine­ tion in pursuit of knowledge and and we have been made to feel as if runed to Lhe needs of the market will truth. we have commined a crime. be promoted and popularised. Many courses in the arts and pure sciences, A/iran Execu/ive Commillee Malaysians have a responsibility to particularly those that cannot gen­ 9 ]uly 1997 bring to the attention of the authori­ erate income or attract in terms of ties problems that are fl'lcccl by those large numbers of srudents might be seeking redress under the law. 1n or­ cancelled in future. WI AB COIICHII. der to facilitate this, the public must AND .AI.AIIM•• be assured that their concerns shall In addition, the nature of research I receive due consideration through will subsequently be determined by It is with grave concern that were­ open dialogue. We are of the opin­ the industries, thereby reducing the fer to recent statements in the press ion that these investigations should universities to the role of an append­ on lbe issue of domestic violence. be called off and, in the interest of age to the market - and not pro­ Among the issues raised were prob­ genuine concern, be replaced with moting its traditional role of assess­ lems faced by victims of violence in dialogue. We believe that we can ing society and offering possible al­ making police reports. Since then only minimise the violence if there ternatives as a way of making them­ several disrurbing events have oc­ is understanding and cooperation selves socially responsible and rel­ curred. from all sectors, particularly from evant. enforcement agencies. Tn response to an article entitled Corporatisation also bnngs forth ..Make Sure Woman Are Pro­ We are also alarmed Lhat groups and some apprehension among academ­ tected Under The DVA ", by individuals are being asked to breach ics and parents regarding possible ShareemAmry which was pub­ confidentiality between themselves future hikes in fees for students. lished in the New Sn·airs Times and victims of domestic violence, While the UM administration and on 2 July 1997, the PQiice have which in our view is completely un­ Najib have assured that this would lodged a report against the ar­ ethical. Violence within a family not happen nellt year, nonetheless ticle, alleging "malicious pub­ happens within an intimate relation­ one is left to wonder when the hikes lication of false news". This has ship in marriage. It takes a lot of ef­ ..., ill come. For come !bey will cer­ led to police investigation un­ fort and confidence building for tainly. der Section 8(A) of the Print­ women to take steps in order to stop ing Presses and Publications the violence. This confidentiality is The vigour to corporatise universi­ Act, 1984 under the Criminal paramount and cannot be compro­ ttes ts indeed born in the context of Procedure Code. mised. a political leadership thal favours Representatives of NGOs and privatisation and economic de-regu­ political parties have since been There are a number of possible con­ lation, a phenomenon that is quite questioned by the police, in sequences resulting from such police international. Tt i!. Lhis paradigm shift some cases, for hours at a time. action: that urgently needs to be checked, about purported false allega­ in particular by concerned academ­ tions against the police. We are Responsible citizens will in the ics. very concerned that the police future be reluctant to mise issues will also want to question vic­ of public concern and contrib­ Given lbe problems associated with tims of violence. ute towards the creation of a lbe corporatisation of the local uni­ civil society; versities, we would like to suggest We are concerned with police re­ Victims of domestic violence - as many other academics had sponse to what was a sincere ges- will be even more reluctant to

A/iran Monthly 1997· 17(6) Page 29 seek counselling and reveal de­ tails of t:beir abuse; SEVEN RICHEST COULD The good working relationship t:bat the NGOs have enjoyed END WORLD POVERTY with a number of police agen­ hy Lan:r 1:'1/iottand l 'ictoria Brittain cies will be adversely jeopardised in t:be future; • rr the victim~ or violence are be combined wealth of the time since 1990, in the last year 30 called up for questioning, they g world's seven richest men countries have shown a decline in the will be subjected to further could wipe out poverty Human Development Index (HOI) trauma. and provide access to basic social -the report's key measure of pov­ services for the quarter of the world erty. Representatives from the women's who live in severe need, according groups will be calling for a dialogue lo a United Nations study publiBhed The HOI is measured by literacy, life with the Acting Prime Minister. last week. expectancy, and access to health ser­ vices, safe water and adequate food. YAB Datuk Sri Anwar Ibrahirn. the In a call for urgent action to attack Minister of National Unity and So­ global deprivation, the report called The UN said recent setbacks were all cial Development, YB Datin Paduka for a new Marshall plan to rid the tbe more startling against a back­ Zaleha Ismail and the Inspector world of extreme poveny by early ground of dramatic successes in pov­ General of Police. Yg Bhg Tan Sri in tbe next century. erty reduction in the COUDbies as var­ Rahim Nor. ied as China. Chile. Ttmisia. Indo­ The annual United Nations Human nesia. Singapore. Morocco, Malay­ Maria Chin bt Abdullah Development Report indicated the sia, Mauritius and India Acting President growing disparity between rich and All Women 's Action Society poor around tbe world- with the net "Extreme poverty could be banished 11 July 1997 wealth of 10 billionaires worth 1.5 from the globe within one or two times the combined national income decades," Dr Jolly said ...More Endorsed by: of the 48 least developed countries. progress bas been made in tbe last SO years than in tbe previous SOO." l.AJaigal 2.Aiiran 3.AII Women's The UN report said that an $80 bil­ Action Society 4. Centre for Orang lion anti-poverty programme-pro­ Dr Jolly said tbat in developing coun­ Asli Concerns 5. Democratic Ac­ viding aca:Ss to basic SOcial services. uies overall, child mortality has been tion Party Socialist 6. Democratic and income transfers to the poverty­ reduced by ha1f. However, there are Action Party Women Youth 7. Fed­ stricken-would be le~~-11 than the net still 93 countries which. by the end eration

A/iran Momlzly /997· 17(6) PaJie 30 THE WAY FORWARD continuedtrompage4o

LEGAL & INSTITUTIONAL The ACA should have the power to 2. Business REFORMS commence legal proceedings against Before we suggest some measures that any public official, elected or ap­ the business sector could adopt to 1. Politics and Administration pointed, (this would include civil ser­ combat corruption. it is necessary to Prohlbil through law businesses and vants) who appears to be living be­ refute the view expressed in certain business people from making dona­ yond 1lis means.lt would be up ·to the circles that there is not much corrup­ tions to political parties and politi­ official concerned to prove in a court tion in the business or private sector. cians. Businesses that want to do­ oflaw that he is in a position to sus­ In Malaysia, as in other countries, the nate to public charities or social tain his current lifestyle. Hong Kong private sector can be as, if not more, causes can do so by contributing to has had such provisions in its ami corrupt than the public sector. We have a Community Chest whlch will be corruption law for sometime now. come across countless instances of administered by an Independent com1ption in the supply of goods and Board of Trustees answerable to the Whenever a person is convicted in a services within the private sector; in Minister of National Unity and So­ court of law for corruption his ill­ the award ofcontracts; in the approval cial Development. Political parties gotten gains should be confiscated of bank loans; in the allocation of will receive fmanciaJ assistance for and placed in a special fund to be shares and in the appointment of di­ election campaign purposes from a administered by the state. Confisca­ rectors and consultants. fund to be managed by the Election tion is a much more effective deter­ Commission. All bonafide election rent than a custodial sentence. To check corruption in the business candidates contesting in general world it is important to fonnulatc elections and by-elections will be Decision-making in relation to tbe laws which wi II ensure greater trans­ entitled to apply for assistance from privatisation programme, the opera­ parency in the award of contracts, in lhls fund. This is one way of reduc­ tion of tenders, the award of con­ approvals, in allocations, and in ap­ ing corruption in the electoral pro­ tracts, licences and franchises, the pointments within the private sector. cess and money politics. Financing allocation of shares and other such elections through a central fund con­ activities should be much more Establish a 'Board of Ethlcal Busi­ trolled by the body overseeing the trc1nsparent than it is today. Public ness Practices' comprising private election is an arrangement that ex­ accountability should be the funda­ sector personalities, Ministry of Do­ ists in certain European countries. mental guiding principle. mestic Trade and Consumer Affairs officials and representatives or Con­ As soon as they are elected, all The government should wherever sumer Associations which will, members of Parliament and State possible reduce excessive licensing through advice and guidance, en­ Assemblies would declare their and minimise lengthy approval pro­ courage businesses to adhere strictly assets and liabilities in a register cedures. They tend to breed corrup­ to ethlcal standards from the stage accessible to the public.The reg­ tion. of production to the level of sales. isrer would be updated every year. The role of the Board, as it is envis­ The financial records of members The ACA should be reconstituted aged here, will be complementary to of Parliament and State Assem­ and restructured as an autonomous that of the Ministry of Domestic blies would be scrutinised from body, independent of Executive con­ Trade and Consumer Affairs whlch time to Lime by the Anti-Corrup­ trol. It should be directly responsible wi II remain the sole agency in charge tion Agency (ACA) guided by to Parliament. Consistent with its of enforcing rules and regulations. their declarations of assets and I i­ independent status, the head of rhe abilities. The declaration of the as­ ACA and all its principal officers Give consumer associations and sets and liabilities of elected officials would have their salaries paid from other citizens groups concerned with in a public register is an established a special consolidated fund. Their trade and business the legal powers practice in countries such as New terms of service would be similar to to access information held by private Zealand, Holland, Norway and Swe­ that of judges - which means that companies and to monitor their ac­ den. These are also countries where their positions would be protected tivities so that the former can play a corruption is minimal. through Constitutional guarantees. more effective role as watchdogs

Aliran Mo11thly 1997: /7(6) Page 31 protecting the public good. ing viable communities that integrate and private sectors. To have an effi­ home and work, reduce stress and cient social order, we should reward Incorporate various proposals made strain and provide for leisure and those with the 'know-how' and under 'Politics mrd AdministraJwn· recreation.ln this regard. both policy 'know-why' and not those who including the 'living beyond one's planners and private entrepreneurs 'know-wlzo'.lnefficiency, it is well­ means' Law and the 'confiscarion of should work toward., developing co­ kno\\n. conduces towards corrup­ i/1-gollen gains' law. The 'dedara­ hesive communities within our cit­ tion. Bureaucratic bottlenecks and rion of assets and liabiliries' law ies. The ·conununity within a city' inordinate delays in processing ap­ could also be adapted with some concept visualise:. each individual plications encourage the 'greasing of modifications. While the staff of a living, working, studying and relax­ palms'. It is not a coincidence that company would make the declara­ ing within the boundaries of his own eflicicntly managed societies are tion to their Chairman or Chief Ex­ community -without having to spend generally far les), corrupt than inef­ ecutive Officer (CEO) all Chairmen hours every day on the road. ficient ones. and CEOs of companies could de­ clare their as ..<;cts and liabilities to the Initiate 'social impact assessmen( Organise effective public campaign., Board of Ethical Busines<, Prcu:ticcs. (STA) studies which will evaluate that seek to instil positi\e values in As in the case of politicians and ad­ each and every development the populace. All sectors of society ministrators, the ACA should play project-whether it i!> a factory or a should be mobilised for these cam­ a more active role in scrutinising the golf resort- on the basis of its im­ paigns. 1\vo areas that deserve spe­ financial records of corporate per­ pact upon family life, community cial attention are 'the proper main­ sonalities and key personnel in pri­ cohesiveness, community health. tenance and utilisation of public vate companies. transportation pattern, etc. Similar to amenities' and 'courtesy on our environment impact assessment roads'. Before we launch these two 3. Media studies, the STA study could be made campaigns, we should find out why Amend and modify the Publications a pre-requisite for the approval of most of our public campaign..., so far Act in particular to enable the me­ any development project. have been notoriously unsuccessful. dia ro practise investigative journal­ AWARINISS BUILDING ism in the real sense of the term es­ Raise the incomes of the bottom 40 & CONSCIOUSNESS pecially in relation to allegations of per cent of society so that low wages RAISING REFORMS corruption and abuse of power in will not be an excu::.e to indulge in high places. corrupt practices. At the same time, This leads us to the crucial question with a better income, a working par­ of how we can create public aware­ 4. General ent wil I not be forced to do two jobs ness and foster social consctousness Abrogate thelSA and repeal aspects and. consequently, neglect family in order to check the moral slide in of the Sedition Act in order to elimi­ life. Of course wage increases will our society. nate the climate of fear created by have to commensumte with produc­ these two laws. especially the TSA. tivity. Wbile we rai-;e income!-. of the Though a number of in-.titlllion~ are Once the climate of fear is elimi­ bottom 40 per cent. we should also responsible, directly or indirectly, for nated, tbe public may be more in­ curb the excessive incrcao;c in in­ shaping the moral and ethical tone clined to insist that elites uphold comes of the top 2 per cent whose and tenor of a soctety. \ve have cho­ moral and ethical standards. sometimes protligate lifestyles have sen to discuss briefly the role of four an adverse impact upon the moral of these institutions. SOCIAL & ECONOMIC values of the rest of society. REFORMS 1. The Famil) Rethink development policy with Ensure greater efficiency in the man­ Tf some of the changes under 'legal the aim of formulating more holis­ agement of the economy and soci­ and institutional rcfonns· and 'social tic development programmes with ety as a whole. Rules and procedures and economic reforms· can be the well-being of the human person should be followed faithfully. Oean, implemented. the family will emerge as the principal concern. The over­ capable and conscientious individu­ as a more stable institution with par­ all goal should be the strengthening als should be recruited and promoted ents able to play their rightful role of family and community by creat- to important positions in the public as the main <;hapers of their

Aliran Monthly 1997· 17(6) Page 32 children's values and worldviews. lifestyles? parts of the world today. The school Parents (and here we must empha­ has become a mere facrory for sise that the father is as important This is why the key to the growth of a churning out the hundreds of thou­ as the mother) should not jw;t taJk new generation imbued with values sands of units of labour that market about values such as justice or com­ and virtues lies in parents who are and machine demand. pa<>sion or kindness or love. Chil­ deeply conscious of moral standards dren should be able ' to feel' these and who are capable of setting a good But if we want to check the erosion values in the lives of their parents. example for the young to follow. of moral and ethical values, the cur­ A daughter will not k:nowwbat riculum, teaching methods, ex­ love is if the mother does not tra-curricular activities, sports demonstrate that love in her re­ M.T. (EMPTY) programmes and indeed. each lationship with her child or with NURSERY RHYMES and every facet of the school sys­ other family members. tem should be geared towards "Strange, the way truth is revealed, producing young people who are Parental responsibility does not wbat we whisper in closets, not only knowledgeable and end with translating lofty spiri­ God shouts from the roof-tops." skilled but also of high moral tual and moral ideals into liv­ calibre. Increasing the number ing values and virtues. Both fa­ At Brisbane Airport, Baa, Baa, of hours for Islamic Studjes and ther and mother should also be black sheep had 3 laundry bags full Moral studies is not the solution. acutely aware of the type of at­ of detergently cleaned money belonging Tinkering with the syllabi of titudes and habits that will erode to little boys who lived in our lane. these subjects will not help either. the moral and ethical values of Instead of confming ethics to lc;­ their sons and daughters. Ifchil­ Old King Cole was a merry old soul lam or Moral Studies, issues of dren get 'booked up' on brand who ruled over Sovereign Islands, right and wrong, of good and evil names in clothes and shoes, if his queen of heart$ made tart.<~" which may present themselves in they become obsessed with in a palace built with other subjects such as History, passing fads and fashions, if Malaysian ringgit & foreign sense. Language, Literature and even they develop a taste for extrava­ Science should be explored and gance and opulence in their ado­ Humpty Dumpty fell from the wall analysed in depth by both student lescence. it may not be possible &all the King's men and teacher. This way students to inculcate values of modesty & all the IGng 's horses chorused will begin to realise that ethics and moderation, of restraint and (like parrots after their master), and values suffuse all disciplines simplicity in them. This is one '1..et Jack fall down & break his crown, and indeed all a<;pects of life. of the gravest challenges facing but Jill mtL~t not rome tumbling after!" middle and upper class families To develop their understanding in the nineties. So the~ had a supreme council meeting further students should be made 1 & wondered who killed Cock Robin! aware that the values they are Are parents capable of warding taught are crucial to life and off the threat of excessive ma­ Jaya should therefore be translated terialism, of .irrational consum­ Kuala Lumpur into reality. What this means is erism - a threat whose full that if students learn about the force we are yet to see? Or, are virtue of cleanliness in islamic or middle and upper class parent.<> Moral Studies, they should realise themselves to blame since many of 2. The School how important it is to keep their them are also blind devotees of Like the family, the school, ideally school toilets clean. ln a good edu­ brand names, of the latest fad and speaking, should have as its primary cation system. cleaning toilets would fashion from some Western capital? purpose the inculcation of values be an integral part of the learning How can we expect the young to among the young, the moulding of process. Likewise if students learn develop the wholesome values em­ the character of the student. And yet about 'responsibility' they should bodied in our religions when adult.'> this is not the main aim of the school be encouraged to put into practice themselves are trapped in decadent system inMalaysiaand in most other this value by taking up positions in

A/iran Monthly 1997: 17(6) /'age 33 school clubs and societies that readers. One day, the focus may be found in various cultures. would require lhem to shoulder re­ on urban squauers and poverty; a sponsibilities. To instil the ethic of week later the same newspaper could A conscious atrempt to highlight cooperation, collecli ve school be waxing eloquent about the paJa­ those values which will reinforce the projects that bring students together tial mansions of the rich and famous. ethical foundations of society should for a common purpose should be henceforth be an urgent. important given priority. There is an explanation for these ilem on the media's agenda. The contradictions. They reflect social media should attend to this item with The school, in other words, can reality. The media have to cater for creativity and intelligence- and with serve as an effective conduit for the different and diverse tastes of its aprofoundconurutment to the spiri­ socialising the young into 'other­ viewing, listening or readingpublics. tual worldview and mor.U values em­ serving' as opposed to 'self-serving· If the media fail to take these reali­ bodied in religion. Jt is an enormous values. As our analysis bas shown ties into account. they will Jose their challenge but it is a challenge tbat it is a massive transfusion of other­ audiences. And. in the ultimate the media must be prepared to em­ serving values - vaJues of service analysis, if they do not sell they do brace if they are really determined and sacrifice- that Malaysia needs not survive. to arrest the moral decline of the na­ at this point in time, as the selfish tion. pursuit of wealth, power and plea­ While not ignoring these realities the sure threaten to destroy the moral media, both electronic and print. can 4. Religion and spiritual roots of our society. certainly play much more effective More than the media. Il is perhaps re­ However, for the Malaysian school roles in disseminating moral and ligion which is facing the greatest chal­ to play iL<> role a<; a counterforce to ethical values to all sections of soci­ lenge of all. For religion. as we have this trend, it has to undergo funda­ ety. This does not mean inviting observed, is confronred wuh a para­ mental reforms. preacher after preacher to pontificate doxical situation. On the one han~ on the importance of piety in dull, there is increased devotion to tbe 3.Media dry. lengthy television programmes. forms and rituals of religion: on the Among the institutions which com­ Neither does it require filling pages other hand. there is significant ero~;on plicates the role of the school as a after pages of our dailies with fire of the moral values and principles as­ transmitter of values today is tele­ and brimstone imageries of Hell and sociated with religion. This is espe­ vision in particular and the media the Hereafter. cially true of Muslims and Islam. in general. What we arc suggesting is that theTe What this implies is that for many Malaysian television stations, could be regular films showing the Malaysians tbe forms and rituals of whether state-owned or private, of­ struggle of men and women in dif­ religion are separate from, and un­ ten convey contradictory messages ferent cultures and civilisations related to. the values and principles to the viewing public. A religious against corruption and abuse of of religion. In their minds there is a programme that preaches strict sepa­ power. Dramas could be produced dichotomy between religion and life, ration of the sexes is followed by a that depict the valiant efforts of or­ faith and society. This explains wby local drama where there is uore­ dinary people to lead clean. honest they can faithfully observe the daily strained mingling of the sexes. A fo­ lives. Even comedies could serve as prayers and the annual fast and yet rum that discusses the virtue of sac­ channels for raising awareness of the side-step moral values in politics, ad­ rifice is followed by a film that wit­ importance of values such as cour­ ministration, business and in their so­ nesses the triumph of selfishness. A tesy, kindness and hospitality. By the cial life. talk show that bemoans the break­ same token, there is no reason why down of the famiJy system is fol­ a newspaper feature on fashion can­ It is not surprising. tberefore. tbat lowed by a comedy that centres not convey a sub! imina! message on when they are asked why they bad around rude dialogue between par­ the virtue of modest attire or why a behaved in an unethical manner in ent and child. The contradictions are series on the cuisine of different politics or business, they would sim­ perhaps less obvious in the ca-;e of countries cannot choose to empha­ ply say, "Ah. that's politics. Politics State Radio. Malaysian newspapers sise the principle of moderation in is politics" or "That's business. Busi­ also send confusing signals to their consumption - which is a value ness is different." It is as if moral

Alira11 Momhly 1997: 17(6) Page 34 values such as integrity and honesty fore the secularisation of life was a rimals which encompasses life in its cannot be applied to politics and total. comprehensive way of life totality - that religion has not been business. Politics and business have whose ethics and values permeated able to check the growing spiritual their own axioms which, in their all spheres of human endeavour. and moral malaise in our society? thinking, have little to do with eth­ Contrary to what some people be­ This is why it may not be wrong to ics or morality. lieve, this notion of religion as a way suggest that before religion can act of life is to be found in aU religions. as an antidote to the iUs of our soci­ lr would be difficult to convince ety, one must first try to reform rhe most politicians and business people Restoring religion as a way of life is religionists themselves. that it should be otherwise. Politics fundamental to our national effort to CONCLUSION and business as we know them to­ develop a fully moral and ethical day had developed and acquired society. But before religion can be­ Our reflections on establishing a their present characteristics outside come a way of life again, our under­ moral and ethical society show that religion and its value system. The standing of, and approach to, reli­ in overcoming the challenges that legirimisation of power as the pri­ gion will have to undergo a massive confront us, all of us have roles to mary preoccupation of politics and transformation. play. As is to be expected, the role of the sanctification of the the government is more crucial than maximisation of profits as the over­ If religion is equated with forms and that of other actors. The government ridingobjectiveofbusiness are both rituals and nothing more, religion 'as will not only have to provide lead­ secular goals which have no support a way of life' will he a sham. All re­ ership in formulating laws, policies in religion. ligious communities will have to and programmes aimed at checking develop a more profound, a more the moral decline of society but will Politicians and business people in holistic understanding of religion - also have to ensure that they are ef­ Malaysia, as in other parts of the of the universal, perennial values of fectively implemented and enforced. world, are therefore merely play­ justice, compassion and love that In fact, poor implementation and en­ ing the game according to rules undergird religion. The humanity in forcement have been the bane of which have already been set And religion rather than its legal strictures· many a good Jaw and policy. these rules may sometimes be moral. should emerge as the quintessence are often immoral but are always of faith. It would be a pity if because of poor amoml. Besides, for politicians who implementation or a lack of political are in the power game and business Equally important, if religion is to will, we fail to achieve our goal of establishing a fully moral and ethi­ people who are in the money game be accepted as a way of life today, cal society by 2020. There is no need what really matters are their inter­ on the eve of the twenty-first cen­ ests defined in terms of power and tury, its advocates should demon­ to emphasise that of all the chal­ money respectively. Ethics and val­ strate that they possess deep knowl­ lenges ouUined in Vision 2020, it is ues, to which they may pay lip-ser­ edge of the contemporary world, perhaps this goal which is the most vice, are secondary. both its strengths and its weaknesses. important. For if 2020 is our desti­ and are capable of appJying moral nation, the Malaysian ship needs a While it may not be possible to make and ethical principles to various as­ compass to reach that destination. politics or business ethical through pects ofmodern life in a manner that And, if there is any one compass that religion in the foreseeable future, will ensure the triumphant regenera­ is indispensable for a nation on a there is no reason why those who tion of human civilisation. voyage into the future, it is the moral are devoted to £slam or other faiths compass. 0 should not continue to implore poli­ ln this regard we may now ask: Is it ticians and business people to ob­ because religious elites in Malaysia T(lk,•n {rt~m u />aper t're!.eNJed at I he11sivn za:O National Congr~'¥S wuler the au .pice,, serve moral principles. Indeed, reli­ have failed in these three areas- to ofrh~ .M(liuyljun B.uunt'!>> Cmmdf and rl~ gionists should demand that not just understand the complexities of ~e JDrnt .IJHJllSt>rsiiipcaf ISIS,. A$1 J. 1'lw &:r>­ nvmit Plunnii!JI Unir and til~ Coottiinarfon politics and business but each and contemporary world: to bring forth ami lmpl.:mt!'lltll(ion llnit af the Prime every segment and sector of society the humanity, compassion and jus­ Mmi

Aliran Monthly 1997: 17(n) Page 35 CORRUPTION

QUICK AND FIRM ACTION AGAINST

CORRUPTION NEEDED I=

Memorandum To Director General ofACA

e, the un. dersigned Ma­ a) The Perwaja Case: As we are Rohani, buill a house valued at laysians, warmly wel­ aware, the Deputy Prime Minis- RMl million on a piece of land come the many state­ tcr and Minister of Finance in- of the same value. Later. the same ment;; and declarations made by formed Parliament that Perwaja press exposed that Muhammad government leaders following bad incurred an accumulate.d debt Taib and his wife purchased a meetings that have been of RM2.985 million and bank piece of agricultural land, 4,500 organised by different people in loans to the tune of about hectares in an area in Curajong connection with the problem of RM7.000 million. Parliament Park, West Queensland. aL the corrupt practices. It is clear that was also informed that a contract price of RM5 million. Harian this problem is getting more se­ worth RM975 million was Watan (7 July 1997) quoted the rious now. Probably this is the awarded to companies connected Sunday Star-Times of Auckland reason why the new Anti-Cor­ with Datuk KokMan Shoon and that Muhammad Taib bad also ruption Act has been introduced. Ng Kim Lin even before the ten- bought six properties around der was approved. Further, an Auckland, New Zealand, for At the same time, we are of the amount of RM76.4 million was RM6.5 million under his wife's view that enough statements and paid to NKK Corporation name. declarations have already been through Frisham Enterprises lnc made, and the time bas now in Hong Kong, a company which The Perwaja scandal was first come for the authorities to act did not exisL. exposed abom two years ago. We speedily and firmly to conclude have been informed that there is investigations into all reports and b) The Tan Sri Muhammad delay owing to difficulties in get­ allegations that have been made Muhammad Taib Case: It is ting information overseas. on corrupt practices and to insti­ well-known that on 22 Decem­ tute speedily legal actions against ber 1996, this former Menteri Wbatis the likelihood oftheACA all those concerned, without fear Besar of Selangor - arrested at finally acquiring all the necessary or favour. the Brisbane airport with curren­ infornaation?VVhatwillhappenif cies worthRM2.4 million-will it fails to gather them? We are disturbed and dissatisfied be tried in August 1997. On 29 thaL the ACA bas taken a long March 1997, the Brisbane Curier The Prime Minister bas instructed time to complete investigations Mail reported that Muhammad that further investigation should on the following cases: Taib and his wife, Puan Sri Asbi be carried out. How long more

A limn Momhly 7997: 17(6) Page 36 must we wait? Has the former cerned. Tf they are, then a com- many companies. Executive Head of Perwaja, Tan prehensive investigation must Sri Eric Chia been called for in- take place. In the last analysis, ethically vestigation? ls there no possibil­ speaking. the Prime Minister ity of instituting legal actions on The Malaysian public would like must assume responsibility over the basis of the information to know how they have been able all the ca.,es presented above. At available now? As for the to become directors of so many the same time, the ACA and the Muhammad Taib's case. how far companies. Have these positions AG's office are responsible to in­ have investigations been carried been acquired by virtue of their vestigate and take appropriate le­ out on the allegations made close relationship to the Prime gal action quickly and fmnly as openly by the Australian and Minister? soon as the evidences are avail­ New Zealand press? able. The Prime Minister is respon­ We earnestly hope that all inves­ sible for the conduct of the To fight against corruption, there tigations will be concluded very ACA and the Attorney General. must be the political will, particu­ soon on these two well-known He is the one who appointed larly among our national leaders. figures and appropriate legal ac­ Eric Chia as Executive Head of As such we sincerely hope that tions instituted against them. lf Perwaja and Muhammad Taib the Prime Minister would set the these cases are further delayed, as Selangor Menteri Besar. He exarnpJe by making sure thal the suspicion might arise or even be is also obliged to explain how ACA and AG will act speedily strengthened among the publlic his children have come to oc­ and firmly on the three cases that the ACA is neither free nor cupy important positions in so raised in this memorandum. 0 able to act against those who are powerful or c1osely-tin.ked to the powers-that-be. ~·

FanYewTeng Sivarasa Rasiah We are also enclosing herewith Dr Syed Husin Ali a document that is now being widely circulated. As noted, it Endorsed by: claims to contain (translated 1. ALIRAN 2. AWAM 3. CDC 4. COAC 5. ER.A. 6. FOMCA from Malay): ''lists of private 7. JSPB 8. JUST 9. PAS 10. PERAKCONSUMERSASSOCIATJON limited companies where three 11. PRM 12. SOCIETY FOR CHRISTIAN REFLECTION children ofthe Prime Minister- 13. SUARAM 14. SWP 15. TENAGANfTA Mirzan, Mokbzani and Mukhriz and 75 individuals as ofAugust 6, 1997. Mahatb.ir-act as directors, ac­ cording to searches made at the Registry of Companies at the end of 1994 ..... Mirzan has interests in 98 companies, Mokhzani in 48 companies and Mukbriz in 67 companies.··

We urge the ACA to investigate quickly to verify whether tht- list~ are true or not. Tf they arc not, then it is necessary to clear the good name of the persons con-

A/iran Monthly 1997: 17(6) Pa!(e 37 CORRUPTION

OF CORRUPTION AND POLITICAL WILL

The time to express concerns about corruption has passed. It's time to act positively '

liran is heartened that po­ 1961 to "impose a penalty against Neither does the Malaysian media g litical parties of various those who maliciously or falsely ac­ provide any insight through investi­ ideological persuasions, cuse a person of being corrupt with­ gative journalism regarding specific non-governmental organizations, out corroborating fact,.<;." corrupt practices in our society. academics and captains of indus­ Needless to say, the war against cor­ tries, among others, are coming to­ Firstly, if such a punitive amendment ruption can be all the more effective gether to address the problem of is to be included it is very important with a freer press that is uncompro­ corruption in our society. that a clear distinction be made be­ misingly probinginlts investigation tween the concerned citizen who sin­ and reporting. For instance. such a The initiative to hold a meeting, en­ cerely wishes to report a case of cor­ press can ensure more transparency titled Consensus Against Corrup­ ruption but lacks comprehensive in the awarding of privatisation con­ tion on 19 July is a step in the tight t:v iut:m;t: to :;ubstautialt: his claim trac.;ts, !bt: mt:c.;haoi~m of which has direction and should be congratu­ and some other person making a ma­ always been shrouded in secrecy. lated. licious report simply to get even with his enemy. Unless this distinction is The new provision to the Anti-Cor­ The Round Table on Corruption - made clear the proposed provision ruption Bill is another point of con­ An Assembly of Voices organized will, in effect, discow·agehonestciti­ cern. Here the Attorney-General - ;by the Opposition Leader on 13 zens from actively participating in instead of the ACA Director-General July 1997 involving concerned Ma­ this war against corruption. - would have the extra authority laysians should also be applauded. which in essence would enable him In a society where access to official to decide to what extent the extra This enthusiasm, besides reflecting information is denied through the powers provided for in the Bill would the dctem1ination of many Malay­ Official Secrets Act, a concerned be employed. This is of course rela­ sians to fight this social ill also in­ citizen is often unable to have ac­ tively risky given the past actions of dicates the gravity of the problem. cess to much information regarding the Attorney-General which suggest the inner workings of government that he had been more sympathetic It is against this background that we especially pertaining to the issuance with the Government over a substan­ want to express our deep concern of contracts and licences, conversion tial number of legal cases. and reservation regarding Acting of land, approval of projects, etc. Prime Minister Datu.k Seri Anwar In order to facilitate this war against Ibrahim's recent statement that a The citizen bas even less informa­ corruption, and make it a meaning­ provision would be incorporated to tion about the assets of the public ful endeavour, the government the Prevention of Corruption Act officials and political figures. should immediately amend the vari-

A/iran Monthly 1997: 17(6) Page 38 * Mab tbe A.CA: more ~ indepondenl and ansWerable ontyw~ * Repeal tbe Ofliclal Secrets Aet and rephwe it with a '1tigbt to InfonnationAct"' so tbatthegov~ If the govenmiellt is ernment becomes more ll'llllspat'­ sincere abolrtfighUng ent and acoountable (as it so of· c~nruption all the ten claims itself to be); way. it bas no choice * Requite all public officials and but to act uqently and all elected politicians. especially wage a total war to rid members of the Cabinet and us of this menace. :---:...... : _ __.. , State Executive Councils. to de~ The time tO e)tpreSS clare their assets. in a register concerns about cor­ made available to the public; and ruption bas passed. * Abrogate the Printing Presses It's time to act posi­ and Publications Act to encour­ tively. 0 age the Malaysian media to high­ light and investigate cases ofcor ­ AUrem Executive ruption in Malaysian society Committee without fear or favour. JOJuly 1997

There have been much expressions of concern about the scourge of cor­ ruption in our midst by all sectors of society in recent months. The "All forms of corr.up­ ACA seems to have been very ac­ tive too during this period although tion. lzowever. small, we still await their final reports with must be reported at once regards to the Maika-Telecoms because it could bring shares scandal and the Perwaja Steel financial fiasco, to name just two ruin and destruction. It cases. will also taint the good

It can hardly be emphasised here name of the govenlmellt I that the ACA must be made truly in- and the nation. As the dependent so alii to enable it to probe head of governmellf I unusually wealthy politicians, shady shall not protect and 1 business tycoons, unethical civ.il ser­ vants, and dishonest company ex- forgive a11yone who ecutives. commits any such oj~ Tun Hussein Onn No less important a factor is the Prime Minister ofMalay­ fence. Let the Court de­ centralisation of power and the lack sia in his New Year cide on its offence and of democratic space in Malaysia, an message for 1978 environment which has encouraged let the laws mete out the further corruption as well as abuse punishment." of power. Transparency on the part of the powers that be must prevail

A/iran Monthly 1997: 17(6) Page 39 be government's reluc­ taace to fight elite corrup­ '----' tion vigorously aggravated by the lack of a sense of moml out­ rage against corruption within the Malaysian public may give the erro­ neous impression that the situation is irredeemably hopeless. Because the government remains deeply con­ cerned about the spread of corrup­ tion and the public has not ceased to express its alarm over the increasing number ofcouuption scandals, lhere is still hope for reform and change. Indeed, ifthere is one area where the Malaysian nation as a whole, both the government and people. should demonstrate their dctetmination to overcomt every hurdle and obstacle, it is in the fight against corruption. In the struggle to eliminate corrup­ tion we should prove to the world that 'Malaysia Boleh'.

Towards this end, we are proposing the following reform measures. 1 Prove to the world that 'Malaysia Boleh' 1 These proposals are not confined to

I fighting corruption alone; they also We have come across countless instances of seek to raise the overall ethical and moral standards of Malaysian soci­ corruptioll in the supply of goods aJld ser­ ety. They can be grouped under three vices within the pril•ate sector; in the award headings -- I) Legal and Institutional lowzs; Reforms 2) Social and Economic Re­ ofcontracts: in the approval ofbank forms and 3) Awareness Building in tile al/at:ation of shares and in tlze ap­ and Consciousness Raising Reforms. pointmet~t of directors and consultants. - Dr Chandra Muzaffar CONTINUED L~~~~~~# ON PAGE •••

Aliran Monthly 1997: 17(6) Page 40