2020 was that much anticipated threshold that was supposed to see Malaysia as a developed nation.
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s vision will remain a pipe dream for now. This is devastating because Wawasan 2020 was not merely an economic roadmap, but a roadmap towards a united society through these challenges:
ESTABLISHING a united Malaysian nation made up of a Bangsa Malaysia;
CREATING a psychologically- liberated, secure and developed society;
FOSTERING and developing a mature democratic society;
ESTABLISHING a moral and ethical society;
ESTABLISHING a mature, liberal and tolerant society;
ESTABLISHING a scientific and progressive society;
ESTABLISHING a caring society;
ENSURING an economically-just society in which there is fair and equitable distribution of the wealth of the nation; and,
ESTABLISHING a prosperous society with an economy that is competitive, dynamic, robust and resilient.
I wish to remind Malaysians that none of the challenges set by Dr Mahathir has been met.
While it is true that the leader is reflective of the people who voted him in, the question remains whether the people in turn mirror the tenacity and discipline of the leader?
It has been 62 years since Malaya freed ourselves from colonial masters.
Yet Malaysians have not overcome their instinct to view anything and everything through a racial lens.
Despite New Malaysia being intended to usher in a new era of leadership, Malaysians react to extremes over anything and everything that does not conform to certain values.
This is what Malaysians are witnessing today — the rise of ultras.
The late Tun Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman, in his capacity as home minister, had said: “These ultras believe in the wild and fantastic theory of absolute dominion by one race over the other communities, regardless of the Constitution.”
Somehow though, deep within this disdain for the other’s culture, is an opportunity for leaders to unite the people.
In this context, Dr Mahathir proposes that a united Malay race could generate economic prosperity, which could lead to that shared prosperity for all.
However, to some, this gesture of reconciliation is racist. How is reconciling Malays racist?
Economic unfreedom inevitably breeds social unfreedom, and vice versa.
The success of socioeconomic development depends on the relationships between economic opportunities, political freedoms, social facilities, transparency guarantees and protective security.
It requires the removal of unfreedoms that leave people with little choice and little opportunity to exercise their rights.
These include poverty, tyranny, poor economic opportunities, social deprivation, public facility neglect and intolerance.
Politicians need to empower and emancipate Malaysians by returning to fundamentals.
Our economic model must go back to basics. We have to relook at where we are today and realign every plan we have to that one shared vision.
TARIQ ISMAIL MUSTAFA
Supreme Council member, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia