COMMENT | Two recent news items reveal the enormity of the policy challenges that the country faces in dealing with not only domestic issues but also in keeping up with a rapidly transforming region and world.

The first is Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s disclosure on our education. According to Anwar, “If we look at the bare facts, some of these are concerning. Let us refer to the latest Pisa report, which is a compelling case (of the country's) level of success.

"Out of 81 countries selected in the analysis, we are number 51, particularly in Science, Mathematics and English. Even among seven Asean countries, we are the worst of all."

The second is by the World Bank which, in its most recent report, stated what has been evident but which the politically correct institution for the longest time has refrained from emphasising in its reports during the previous decades.

"Malaysia is another country which has underachieved. It has tremendous potential and should not be...