Economy Will Not Be At Risk From a Weak Election Result
The prime minister, who is also the finance minister, Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman and Umno president Datuk Najib Razak had issued a drastic warning that a reduced parliamentary majority for the BN could weaken his government's drive for the nation's economy, citing that the economy would be at risk if this happens in the next general elections (GE13).
We would say his warning is based on political perception, as for more than 55 years of BN's ruling over the nation, the economic structure has became part of politics. Why do we say that? It is because during the BN's reign in our nation, corruption has been on the rise, so does cronyism where businesses or contracts are awarded not based on merit or track records but merely on political or the ruling elites' family relationship.
Apart from this, within the government machinery itself, there are also full of mismanagement of public funds as well as expenditures for the administration. Just look at the government tenders and procurements, are there any open concept being practically carried out for such exercise in order to obtain the most cost effective, good quality and efficient services? No, all these merits are simply ignored but instead they were all awarded based on political affiliation or some other relationship from within the establishment itself.
The other case is, currently, there are too many government-linked-companies (GLCs) in this country, where their business interests and monopolies in many areas are systematically protected by the government from any competition within the market. These GLCs were in fact being pampered, subsidies and covered of any business losses in order to ensure their survival without having to face the market share and competitiveness.
So, if these GLCs are being protected continuously, will they be able to prove their worth in the market, or to prove that their products or services are competitive and well received in the market or by the consumers at large? They will not feel this because they do not have to because of the protectorate policies for these GLCs under the current government's economic structure.
In the event of BN obtaining only a simple majority in the parliament after GE13, where the Opposition parties would obtain a fair and equally divided seats in the parliament, an effective check and balance would take place, more parliamentary select committees (PSC) will be established in order to oversee the ministries' portfolios and other major government departments or agencies performances, in order to promote good governance and reduce all sorts of negative elements within the administration.
What is the big concern from Najib here by saying our nation's economy will be at risk? His words are simply political motivated at large without looking at the larger part of our nation's economy. He is merely looking after all the stakeholders within his ruling elites, party and business supporters out there instead of the majority of our our people's economic well being and our nation entirely.
Under the BN, the dominant component party called Umno runs almost (should we say?) about 80% of the economic interests in our nation, be it directly or indirectly, we can name as many as we saw and you can deny it, but there are always a link all the time.
In this case, is this what BN and Najib's concern, all their business interests would be at risk if there is a presence of a stronger Opposition in the parliament or possibility of a new government being voted in? Yes, what BN and Najib means are political, which means his entire politically-linked business empire would definitely be affected if BN were to have a reduced majority in the parliament or possibility of losing power after GE13.
As for the other part of the economy which has been in the competitive market and professionally managed, sitting out of the political-business segment, there will be no effect at all in their daily routines as this part is carrying out their daily business affairs professionally, result or merit driven and had proven their market, service and product competitiveness. Therefore, the question of which political party will govern this country would not cause any much concern to them, as long as the nation's policies are intact.
Just look at some of these countries with fair and equal share of seats between the government and oppositons in their parliaments or national assemblies, but their countries' economy remain stable and strong because the economic segment are being professionally managed completely separated from the political side: Japan - LDP (294), Democrats (57), Restoration (54) and Komeito (31) ; Taiwan - Kuomintang (64) and DPP (40) ; South Korea - Saenuri Party (152) and Democratic United (127) ; New Zealand - Nationals (59), Labour (34) and Greens (14) ; Australia - Labour (71), Liberals (66) and Nationals (6) ; United Kingdom - Conservatives (306), Labour (257) and Liberals (57) ; and finally in the United States of America - Democrats (200) and Republicans (233) in their House of Representatives while in the Senate, Democrats (53) and Republicans (45).
These countries change their ruling parties very often but the economies and business segment of these nations are not affected at all, none at all, instead growing continuously and aggressively in the market worldwide.
BN has been ruling this nation for almost 55 years now, so does the New Economic Policy (NEP) which has been in place for more than 55 years as well. So, why are the Bumiputras, the Malays and Natives in this country still underdeveloped, poor and weak both socially and economically? Why blame the Opposition parties for all these shortcomings? Who are the ones who has been taking charge of the NEP for more than 55 years? Ask them, why are the communities which they claim to be representing are still in such a dire situation?
It is because NEP under BN is not result driven. It does not serve the Bumiputra, Malay and Native communities entirely at all. The NEP was in fact has been politicized, monopolized and controlled by members of the ruling elites in order to enrich their own circles continuously for decades.
As such, our people and voters need to be brave and to move forward in order to bring our nation's economy and business establishments completely out of the political segment. Only this, the economy would then be able to move our nation forward in terms of competitiveness via results or merits driven and professionalism.
Let our nation's economy be driven on its own, instead of being politically influenced, motivated and monopolized with full of corruptions, power abuse, mismanagement and discriminations.
We would say his warning is based on political perception, as for more than 55 years of BN's ruling over the nation, the economic structure has became part of politics. Why do we say that? It is because during the BN's reign in our nation, corruption has been on the rise, so does cronyism where businesses or contracts are awarded not based on merit or track records but merely on political or the ruling elites' family relationship.
Apart from this, within the government machinery itself, there are also full of mismanagement of public funds as well as expenditures for the administration. Just look at the government tenders and procurements, are there any open concept being practically carried out for such exercise in order to obtain the most cost effective, good quality and efficient services? No, all these merits are simply ignored but instead they were all awarded based on political affiliation or some other relationship from within the establishment itself.
The other case is, currently, there are too many government-linked-companies (GLCs) in this country, where their business interests and monopolies in many areas are systematically protected by the government from any competition within the market. These GLCs were in fact being pampered, subsidies and covered of any business losses in order to ensure their survival without having to face the market share and competitiveness.
So, if these GLCs are being protected continuously, will they be able to prove their worth in the market, or to prove that their products or services are competitive and well received in the market or by the consumers at large? They will not feel this because they do not have to because of the protectorate policies for these GLCs under the current government's economic structure.
In the event of BN obtaining only a simple majority in the parliament after GE13, where the Opposition parties would obtain a fair and equally divided seats in the parliament, an effective check and balance would take place, more parliamentary select committees (PSC) will be established in order to oversee the ministries' portfolios and other major government departments or agencies performances, in order to promote good governance and reduce all sorts of negative elements within the administration.
What is the big concern from Najib here by saying our nation's economy will be at risk? His words are simply political motivated at large without looking at the larger part of our nation's economy. He is merely looking after all the stakeholders within his ruling elites, party and business supporters out there instead of the majority of our our people's economic well being and our nation entirely.
Under the BN, the dominant component party called Umno runs almost (should we say?) about 80% of the economic interests in our nation, be it directly or indirectly, we can name as many as we saw and you can deny it, but there are always a link all the time.
In this case, is this what BN and Najib's concern, all their business interests would be at risk if there is a presence of a stronger Opposition in the parliament or possibility of a new government being voted in? Yes, what BN and Najib means are political, which means his entire politically-linked business empire would definitely be affected if BN were to have a reduced majority in the parliament or possibility of losing power after GE13.
As for the other part of the economy which has been in the competitive market and professionally managed, sitting out of the political-business segment, there will be no effect at all in their daily routines as this part is carrying out their daily business affairs professionally, result or merit driven and had proven their market, service and product competitiveness. Therefore, the question of which political party will govern this country would not cause any much concern to them, as long as the nation's policies are intact.
Just look at some of these countries with fair and equal share of seats between the government and oppositons in their parliaments or national assemblies, but their countries' economy remain stable and strong because the economic segment are being professionally managed completely separated from the political side: Japan - LDP (294), Democrats (57), Restoration (54) and Komeito (31) ; Taiwan - Kuomintang (64) and DPP (40) ; South Korea - Saenuri Party (152) and Democratic United (127) ; New Zealand - Nationals (59), Labour (34) and Greens (14) ; Australia - Labour (71), Liberals (66) and Nationals (6) ; United Kingdom - Conservatives (306), Labour (257) and Liberals (57) ; and finally in the United States of America - Democrats (200) and Republicans (233) in their House of Representatives while in the Senate, Democrats (53) and Republicans (45).
These countries change their ruling parties very often but the economies and business segment of these nations are not affected at all, none at all, instead growing continuously and aggressively in the market worldwide.
BN has been ruling this nation for almost 55 years now, so does the New Economic Policy (NEP) which has been in place for more than 55 years as well. So, why are the Bumiputras, the Malays and Natives in this country still underdeveloped, poor and weak both socially and economically? Why blame the Opposition parties for all these shortcomings? Who are the ones who has been taking charge of the NEP for more than 55 years? Ask them, why are the communities which they claim to be representing are still in such a dire situation?
It is because NEP under BN is not result driven. It does not serve the Bumiputra, Malay and Native communities entirely at all. The NEP was in fact has been politicized, monopolized and controlled by members of the ruling elites in order to enrich their own circles continuously for decades.
As such, our people and voters need to be brave and to move forward in order to bring our nation's economy and business establishments completely out of the political segment. Only this, the economy would then be able to move our nation forward in terms of competitiveness via results or merits driven and professionalism.
Let our nation's economy be driven on its own, instead of being politically influenced, motivated and monopolized with full of corruptions, power abuse, mismanagement and discriminations.
