DOCSLIB.ORG

'MALAYSIA INCORPORATED' POLICY TURNS SOUR Robert Nash

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
'MALAYSIA INCORPORATED' POLICY TURNS SOUR Robert Nash I THE ECONOMY 'MALAYSIA INCORPORATED' POLICY TURNS SOUR Robert Nash A series of scandals have raised debate about the role of politicians with big business backgrounds in or around the Cabinet. It also puts into question Dr. Mahathir's 'Look East' policy. he image of 'Malay.sia l.ncor­ porated," one ma1or rngre­ dient of Prime M1nister Mahathir Mohamad's "Look T East" policy, has recently turned sour. It was caused by the collapse of the country's first sogoshosha (a general trading agency modelled on the Japanese). Malaysian Overseas Investment Corpo­ ration (MOIC) with debts of M$143 million (US$59 million) and the arrest of its former managing director, Mohammed Abdullah Ang, on criminal breach of trust charges. Enamoured of the Japanese and South Korean model of economic development and business success, Dr. Mahathir had introduced the "Look East" policy when he came into office in 1981. Malaysia Incorporated is a trans­ planting of the "Japan Incorporated" economic experience. It means "Malaysia should be viewed as a company where the Government and the private sector are both owners and workers together in this company," said the business­ minded Prime Minister in an official memorandum to confused civi l servants. This concept formed the linchpin of his "Look East" policy in which other ideas like sogoshoshas, in-house un ·ons, quality control circles and Japanese management techniques also became publicised and avidly aped in the country by lesser politicians, government bureau­ crats and busiresses. Although MOl C was legally a private company, its favoured status - always present with Dr. Mahathlr on his overseas Langkawi: Promet's $billion development plan fell through Aliren Monthly Merch/April1987 2 Abdullah Ang of MOIC: arrest- Ibrahim Mohamad of Promet: Alex lee of D & C Bank: Tan Sri Aziz Taha. formerly ed on CBT charges. "higt.-flier". tarnished image. of Central Bank: opposed the new stock market policies~. trips -left little doubt it had government tribute their adv1ce and entrepreneurial (the state owned Heavy Industries Cor­ support. In fact, it was viewed unofficially skill towards reviving a sluggish public poration of Malaysia). as a government trading arrn. sector, their involvements have given In return Mitsubishi got favourable This close connect1on and blurring of a "sleeze" image to the Mahathir terms for natural resource exploitation distinction between the Prime Minister's administration. projects like the LNG {liquefied natural business ideas and his privileged coterie Much criticism is also levelled against gas) complex in Bintulu and the rolling of big business friends (among whom were Daim Zainuddin, the Finance Minister steel mills in Terengganu. The foreign Abdullah Ang and Ibrahim Mohamad, handpicked by Dr. Mahathir to replace exchange loss was so lopsided between former chairman of Promet. a publicly Tengku Razaleigh who lost to former Japan and Malaysia it caused the Central listed stock market "high flier") was Deputy Prime Minister Musa Hitam in Bank to warn about the services deficit. to become a source of contention among the UMNO general elections. Japan is now the largest foreign the opposition and even within the The preoccupation of Minister Da1m investor in Malaysia and controls sizable United Malay National Organisation Zainuddin with reviving the stock market segments of the domestic market, parti­ (UMNO). Dr. Mahathir's own party has come in for speculation. He owns cularly timber. copper, electrical products Promet, for example, had impressed many public companies through his and motor vehicle assembly. "Looking Dr. Mahathir enough to obtain spec1al nominees; before his political appoint­ East" has stifled local industries and government support for a M$1 billion ment he was one of the fastest rising there is little technology transfer, various (US$400 million) condominium cum Malay millionaires in the country. economist-critics have said. tourist hotel protect on the resort island His stocks at one time, included, But Dr. Mahathir Mohamad remains of Langkawi off the Kedah coast. The United Malayan Banking Corporation unfaled. His policies were an issue during project included building an airport, Berhad, the th•rd largest commercial bank :he August general elections. But the upgrading port tacit ities and granting in the country and many property and government control of the mass media, the island free port status. But a recession manufactu ring companies. Under pressure esoecially over much of the critical and housing slump have caused work to from within he is only recently looking debates, blocked these issues from come to a standstill and Promet is facing for state-owned compan ies to dispose of reaching the rural Malays who make up receivershiP on its debts. his stocks. UMNO's electoral strength. The result Mr. Ang's arrest came just after the Market brokers are generally worried WCIS the coalition's landslide victory when convict1on of Tan Koon Swan, president that Minister Da1m's consistent state it swept 148 of 177 parliamentary seats. of the MCA {Malaysian Chinese Asso· intervention has slowly eroded freedom The ruling coalition panies in the ciation), the coalition government's of movement m the market, creating urban areas (especially the MCA), how­ second largest rnember after UMNO, in a situation where price values may not ever, took a beating. One loser was Singapore of abetment in a criminal reflect reality. former Deputy Minister of Trade and breach of trust case involving the island Since his appointment, Minister Daim Industry Kee Yong Wee, a big business republic's biggest financial scandal. has pushed to revive the stock market political appointee who reportedly spent The default of Mr Tan's Pan-Electric through the corporatisation of brokmg millions in h1s election contest but still lndustnes company was so severe it firms, inviting foreign banks to invest lost. caused the closing of the Kuala Lumpur up to 30 percent equity in stockbrokers, The big Chinese business vacuum is and Singapore stock exchanges for three setting up a M$1 billion investment now replaced by Alex Lee, son of the big days and seriously hurt the island's fund and urging banks to lend more for business Lee clan and close friend of financial centre standing. share purchases. One senior official who Minister Daim, who has been appointed Although Mr. Tan is not part of Dr. disagreed with these policies, former Deputy Minister of Agriculture. The new Mahathir's close c rcle of business friends Central Bank of Malaysia Governor minister though has a tarnished image. he represented the thrust of modern big Tan Sri Aziz Taha, fmally resigned. As general manager of the Development Chinese capital into politics. His holding Malaysia Incorporated thus brought and Commercial Bank, the country's company had gone into a huge housing windfall not only to ·the few big business fifth largest bank in which his family development project with UMNO's groups but also opened the door (often has a 33 percent stake, he had been cooperative. through regotiated instead of open forced to resign by the Central Bank These series of events have raised tenders) to Japanese and South Korean for improper management. e debate about the role of politicians with construction and other joint ventures big business backgrounds in or around like the "national car" (Proton Saga) Reproduced [rom the Cabinet. Supposedly tapped to con- project between Mitsubishi and Hicom Depthnews Asia 3 Aliran Monthly March/April 1987 PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY A Citizen's Dilemma live in a democratic country. Basically, that means I have the right to determine who should run the country and what course it will take. IIn order to choose my representatives I need to know who the available candi· dates are. (This is particularly relevant in the context of the upcoming UMNO Supreme Council elections). If I were to live in a very small kampung I would be able to know each and every member of the community. I would be able to know who are trustworthy and who are wicked. Unfortunately, times have changed. "De· velopment" with its elements of urbani­ zation and industrial technology has resulted in disrupting the traditional way of kampung life. Now, I hear of people but I do not really know them. I hear of some of them through various channels - word of mouth or the media (newspapers, television, radio and magazine, among others). I said "some" because not everyone has access to the government-owned electronic media or ruling elites' newspapers, espe­ cially those outside the coalition in power. It was interesting to note that recently, Tengku Ahmad Rithauddeen, the Minister of Information, made a statement that RTM was not biased in its Slogan after slogan: do we know if their originators match word with deed? coverage of the various canditlates for the forthcoming UMNO elections (Utusan Malaysia, March 3, 1987, p. 2). This was in answer to allegations from the Johor as finding out facts for oneself. regarding better-styled cars but I don't Selatan branch representatives that RTM Undoubtedly, press releases make the read stories about the day·to·day trials was not giving "satisfactory" coverage to journalists' lives easier. However, through and tribulations of those who have been JohorUMNO. press releases the candidates are able to retrenched. Those who feature in word-of-mouth determine what issues to highlight and If the candidate's picture accompanies communication (or gossip, if you like) are what to play down. Normally, candidates the report I will be able to see what he is usually those who have been covered try to project a "good image" through wearing - whether a sarong-songkok extensively by the media. the press releases. The not·so·good is ensemble, a casual sports-shirt-golf­ What exactly do we hear of the never ever mentioned.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Executive Survey General Information and Guidelines
    The Executive Survey General Information and Guidelines Dear Country Expert, In this section, we distinguish between the head of state (HOS) and the head of government (HOG). • The Head of State (HOS) is an individual or collective body that serves as the chief public representative of the country; his or her function could be purely ceremonial. • The Head of Government (HOG) is the chief officer(s) of the executive branch of government; the HOG may also be HOS, in which case the executive survey only pertains to the HOS. • The executive survey applies to the person who effectively holds these positions in practice. • The HOS/HOG pair will always include the effective ruler of the country, even if for a period this is the commander of foreign occupying forces. • The HOS and/or HOG must rule over a significant part of the country’s territory. • The HOS and/or HOG must be a resident of the country — governments in exile are not listed. • By implication, if you are considering a semi-sovereign territory, such as a colony or an annexed territory, the HOS and/or HOG will be a person located in the territory in question, not in the capital of the colonizing/annexing country. • Only HOSs and/or HOGs who stay in power for 100 consecutive days or more will be included in the surveys. • A country may go without a HOG but there will be no period listed with only a HOG and no HOS. • If a HOG also becomes HOS (interim or full), s/he is moved to the HOS list and removed from the HOG list for the duration of their tenure.
    [Show full text]
  • 24 Mac 1986 1488
    Jilid IV fi Hari Isnin Bit, 10 ' 24hb Mac, 1986 MALAYSIA PENYATA RASMI PARLIMEN PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES DEWAN RAKYAT HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PARLIMEN KEENAM Sixth Parliament PENGGAL KEEMPAT Fourth Session KANDUNGANNYA JAWAPAN-JAWAPAN MULUT BAGI PERTANYAAN-PERTANYAAN [Ruangan 1501] USUL: Rancangan Malaysia Kelima 1986-1990 [Ruangan 1552] DICETAK OLEH JABATAN PERCETAKAN NEGARA, KUALA LUMPUR HAJI MOKHTAR SHAMSUDDIN , J.S.D., S.M.T., S.M.S., K.M.N., P.I.S. KETUA PENGARAH 1986 MALAYSIA DEWAN RAKYAT YANG KEENAM Penyata Rasmi Parlimen PENGGAL YANG KEEMPAT AHLI-AHLI DEWAN RAKYAT Yang Berhormat Tuan Yang di-Pertua, TAN SRI DATO' MOHAMED ZAHIR BIN HAJI ISMAIL, P.M.N., S.P.M.K., D.S.D.K., J.M.N. Yang Amat Berhormat Perdana Menteri dan Menteri Pertahanan, DATO' SERI DR MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD, S.S.D.K., S.S.A.P ., S.P.M.S ., S.P.M.J., D.P., D.U.P.N., S.P.N.S., S.P.D.K., S.P.C. M., S.S.M .T., D.U.N.M. (Kubang Pasu). Yang Berhormat Menteri Kerjaraya, DATO' S. SAMY VELLU, S.P.M.J ., D.P.M.S., P.C.M., A.M.N. (Sungei Siput). „ Menteri Luar Negeri, Y.B.M. TENGKU DATO' AHMAD RITHAUDDEEN AL-HAJ BIN TENGKU ISMAIL, S.P.M.P., S.S.A.P., P.M.K. (Kota Bharu). „ Menteri Perdagangan dan Perindustrian, Y.B.M. TENGKU TAN SRI RAZALEIGH HAMZAH, D.K., P.S. M., S.P.M . K., S.S.A . P., S.P.M.S. (Ulu Kelantan). „ Menteri Perusahaan Utama, DATO' PAUL LEONG KHEE SEONG, D.P.C.M.
    [Show full text]
  • High Conservation Value Forest (HCVF) Toolkit for Malaysia
    High Conservation Value Forest (HCVF) Toolkit for Malaysia: A national guide for identifying, managing and monitoring High Conservation Value Forests © WWF-Malaysia / Nik Maseri First Edition October 2009 WWF-Malaysia High Conservation Value Forest (HCVF) Toolkit for Malaysia October 2009 Published October 2009 by WWF-Malaysia. Any reproduction in full or in part of this publication must mention the title and credit of the above-mentioned publisher as the copyright owner. © 2009 WWFM. All rights reserved. Contents Abbreviations ii Introduction 1 1.1 Objective 1 1.2 Background 1 1.3 Overview of HCVF 1 1.4 What is this toolkit? 3 1.5 How to use this toolkit 3 1.6 Other potential uses of the toolkit 4 2 Toolkit Proper: Interpretation of HCVF in Malaysia 5 HCV 1 Biodiversity Values 5 HCV1.1 Protected Areas 5 HCV1.2 Threatened and Endangered Species 6 HCV1.3 Endemism 7 HCV1.4 Critical Temporal Use 8 HCV 2 Landscape-level Forest 9 HCV 3 Ecosystems 10 HCV 4 Services of Nature 12 HCV 4.1 Watershed Protection 12 HCV 4.2 Erosion Control 13 HCV 4.3 Barriers to Destructive Fire 14 HCV 5 Basic Needs of Local Communities 15 HCV 6 Cultural Identity of Local Communities 16 3 References 18 Appendix 1. Threatened & endangered species of large mammal in Malaysia. Appendix 2. Selected localities with endemic tree or mammal species. Appendix 3. Management of HCV1 (Biodiversity Values - Wildlife). Appendix 4. List of Important Bird Areas (IBAs) for Malaysia. Appendix 5. Habitat preferences of Malaysian mammals by related groups. Appendix 6.
    [Show full text]
  • Proceedings of the 1St Symposium of the ICTM Study Group on Performing Arts of Southeast Asia
    PROCEEDINGS 1st SYMPOSIUM SINGAPORE: ICTM STUDY GROUP ON PERFORMING ARTS OF SOUTHEAST ASIA HYBRIDITY IN THE PERFORMING ARTS OF SOUTHEAST ASIA SILAT (MARTIAL ARTS) OF SOUTHEAST ASIA CULTURAL STUDIES IN MUSIC AND DANCE ARCHIVING AND DOCUMENTATION NEW RESEARCH Proceedings of the 1st Symposium of the ICTM Study Group on Performing Arts of Southeast Asia Editors Mohd Anis Md Nor, Patricia Matusky, Tan Sooi Beng, Jacqueline-Pugh Kitingan and Felicidad Prudente Assisted by Hanafi Hussin Nusantara Performing Arts Research Centre (NusPARC) Department of Southeast Asian Studies, University of Malaya Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Symposium 2010 International Council for Traditional Music Study Group on Performing Arts of Southeast Asia i PROCEEDINGS 1st SYMPOSIUM SINGAPORE: ICTM STUDY GROUP ON PERFORMING ARTS OF SOUTHEAST ASIA Organizational Committee Joyce Teo, Tania Goh of Saltshaker Productions Pte. Ltd, the staff and students in the Technology and Arts Management Program of the Republic Polytechnic of Singapore Program Committee Patricia Matusky, Mohd. Anis Md. Nor, Tan Sooi Beng, Made Mantle Hood, Joyce Teo, Gisa Jaehnichen In Singapore the 1st Symposium was sponsored by the School of Technology for the Arts, Republic Polytechnic Proceedings of the 1st Symposium is sponsored by Nusantara Performing Arts Research Centre (NusPARC) Department of Southeast Asian Studies, University of Malaya The publication was edited by a group effort with volunteers from the ICTM Study Group on Performing Arts of Southeast Asia Editors: Mohd Anis Md Nor, Patricia Matusky,
    [Show full text]
  • Directory of Advocates & Solicitors
    Provided without any warranty nor representation on accuracy– data for information only and not for advertisement. *********************************************************************************************************************************************** DIRECTORY OF ADVOCATES & SOLICITORS – SABAH AS AT 5 th JANUARY 2009 NO. NAME & ADDRESS NO: LAWYERS TEL/FAX (A) KOTA KINABALU (088) 1 ALAMIN IDRIS & ASSOCIATES 180-Noraini Idris 317169 Unit 9.1, 9 th Floor, Wisma Perkasa 318169 88000 Kota Kinabalu P O Box 11011, 88826 Kota Kinabalu Fax-319169 2. ALEX PANG & CO 13 - Alex Pang Hock Foh 218100 8th Floor, Wisma Yakim 60 - Dr David Fung Yin Kee Tower Block, 88000 Kota Kinabalu 284 - Olivia Chen Mui Lin P O Box 14819 252 - Nicholas Pang Su Hiung Fax-219097 88855 Kota Kinabalu 273- Mary Anne Poh Ching Ching [email protected] 373 - Tiong Jia Yi 428 - Chung Yaw Vui 3. ALEX SIEW & CO 333-Alex H.W. Siew 262288 Unit A812, 8 th Floor, Wisma Merdeka Phase 1, Jalan Tun Razak, 88000 K.K. P O Box 14448, 88850 Kota Kinabalu Fax-280333 [email protected] 4. ALLION KITINGAN & PARTNERS 122-Peter Jino Allion 267869 Lot No. 87, 3 rd Floor, Block I, 125-Sonny Durai 268869 Asia City, 88000 Kota Kinabalu 385 - Alexander Kitingan 243868 P O Box 10283, 88803 Kota Kinabalu 265868 [email protected] Fax-247868 5. ALUDAH & CO 347- Damianus George Aludah 250051 Lot 27-2, Lorong Lintas Plaza 425-Evelyn John Gajos 246052 Lintas Plaza, Off Jalan Lintas 229051 P O Box 21598 88773 Luyang, Kota Kinabalu Fax-246050 [email protected] 6. AMIRDAD & CO Nur Elahi B. Hj. Amirdad 438886 Lot 12-1, Block B, Lorong Plaza Kingfisher 2 Plaza Kingfisher, 88450 Kota Kinabalu Fax: 438887 7.
    [Show full text]
  • Tun Mustapha: His Role and Contributions to the Development in Sabah, Malaysia
    TAWARIKH: International Journal for Historical Studies, 3(2) 2012 Tun Mustapha: His Role and Contributions to the Development in Sabah, Malaysia Mat Zin Mat Kib ABSTRACT: Tun Mustapha is a renowned ϔigure in the history of Sabah, Malaysia. Having held the posts of Head of State or the TYT (Tuan Yang Terutama), Chief Minister, Minister at the Federal level, and a political leader involved in social, economic, and political developments, his role and contributions are of great signiϔicance. This paper discusses his role and contributions to the development of Sabah. Hailing from a poor family background and with little formal education, his rise to the much respected status as the “Father of Independence for Sabah” is a success story in its own right. This study has also been based on the write ups on his speeches in local newspapers of the 1960s and 1970s, as well as those found in annual reports. Nevertheless, Tun Mustapha realized the complexity and difϔiculty of the endeavor. Besides promoting Islam, as the Father of Sabah Independence, he struggled to unite its people who hailed from numerous ethnic backgrounds and religions for the sake of enjoying the fruit of his labor for an independent Sabah. He wanted his people to have freedom, peace, harmony, and happiness. KEY WORDS: Tun Mustapha, development, education, politics, economy, USNO, USIA, and Sabahan society. INTRODUCTION Sabah gained independence through Malaysia in 1963. After 49 years in the Federation of Malaysia (1963-2012), Sabah has experienced its own colorful share of the political and administrative antics. It has experienced many notable changes.
    [Show full text]