LETTER | Sri Lanka's woes, Malaysia beware too
LETTER | Today, Sri Lanka is in a deep state of crisis. While the nation’s economy has crashed, civil strife has burst onto the streets.
Trapped in a web of economic, social and political crises, the emerging truth about the perils in Sri Lanka should be warning bells for wayward politics in the region.
The three roots of a failed state are obviously, as seen in Sri Lanka, authoritarianism, nepotism, and corruption.
In Malaysia, we are battling with our own versions of authoritarianism, nepotism, and corruption.
The 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal steals the cake and cream, and no one can guess the eventual outcome of ongoing court cases as a convicted felon and an unpinnable fugitive continue to relish their freedoms.
The racially anchored political mantras that never fail to needle their way into every political campaign continue to spike and dangerously divide the people.
Religion is being weaponised, including in defending a religion against imagined enemies.
The GLCs and GLICs are open books showcasing how nepotism, cronyism and rewards for blind loyalty are endorsed, nurtured and well-protected for political appointees.
Business above service has become the preferential SOP in the country as we witness even as recently as in our battle against the Covid-19 pandemic.
From vaccines to hospital supplies to test kits to even the national big data of MySejahtera thunders with loads of “What is in there for me” contamination, allegations and speculations.
We cannot also dismiss the fact that probably we are most likely the one nation making the highest number of police reports per population ratio encircling politics, economy, social and environmental issues and concerns.
Meanwhile the silent, coup-styled Sheraton Move continues its journey to this day as planned while the results of the 14th general election remain willfully buried.
The number of bankruptcies and multi-billion ringgit bailouts has been consistently growing. Hyperinflation has already set in though we may pretend that all is well under the sun.
Let us not forget the widely acknowledged truth that in Malaysia “what you know” is secondary to the vital “who you know” in order to clinch anything ranging from lucrative deals to even landing a job.
The way bills are amended and passed in Parliament and the speed at which these are sealed pales the very strength of a working democracy.
Are we as a nation growing our roots of authoritarianism, nepotism and corruption without any restraint or worry?
If we are unable to uproot these and reset the nation, then what is happening in Sri Lanka would have failed to educate us too.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.
