LETTER | The prime minister's cash gift to various segments of citizens is highly questionable.

The RM100, RM200 and RM300 announced by Anwar Ibrahim may seem like a caring government responding to the financial difficulties faced by millions of citizens.

But honestly, how much of relief is RM100, or RM300 worthy of bringing to every home, really?

It is no wonder that some sharp politicians are already alleging whether this announcement of parachute cash aid is tantamount to giving dedak.

We need to grapple with the roots of the sweeping financial difficulties faced by citizens.

Beneath the rising tides of economic and financial constraints lie two misalignments.

One is the cascading effects of corruption afflicting business practices. We are paying the price for the entrenched corrupt culture we have been schooled in.

Today, the cost of doing business in the country is unreasonably higher owing to decades of rent-seeking, kick-backs and political funding, to name a few.

Two is the country's over-reliance on cheap, foreign labour in all sectors.

This has robbed Malaysians of work opportunities as much as it has made us less productive (hard-working).

Before we blame the working class we must take cognisance of the fact that the government's inability to structure and enforce the minimum or compassionate wages in the various sectors is the culprit.

In view of the above two realities, the Madani ang pows will not be appreciated by the hard-pressed as it fails to bring life-changing benefits.

It is akin to giving a fish for a day instead of building the means to fish better for a lifetime.

The unity government could have done better.

Firstly, reinvent the job market. Enforce a business culture that is more compassionate and caring.

Expiring mantra

Profiteering, making ugly profits in quick time, enriching shareholders, and sprinting to be public-listed at the expense of workers and consumers is an expiring mantra of the 90s.

Secondly, enough of the drummed-up justifications that Malaysians are unwilling to take up the 3-D (dirty, dangerous, and demeaning) jobs.

Pay the minimum wages and share reasonable portions of profits with employees thereby ensuring a hopeful future for us; such an action will surely fizzle out the migrant workforce dependency, too.

In short, let us get honest about our imperative and collaborative role in nation-building.

Making millionaires (which was the propaganda of the Mahathir era) is outdated and not value-enriching.

Thirdly, the unity government would have done better by willfully collaborating, partnering, and empowering NGOs in the fight against corruption.

That could have given the leadership the packed ammunition to combat this cancerous culture from all angles.

Political spark

Let us admit with courage that the fight against corruption is not convincing as of to date.

Hence, the giving of ang pow like cash is a political spark that will fail to ignite a much-needed transformation and bring containment of the effects of the global economic challenges.

We need a recalibration of systems from various paradigms.

Start with addressing the corruption endemic swiftly. Arrest the recalcitrant robber barons. Punish the givers and takers. Do not excuse yourself with sermons on the need for new laws or dishing out warnings after warnings.

We need to push through a corporate business culture that thrives by nurturing a productive, happy, willing workforce.

Hiding behind an expiring Adam Smith economics that believes capital gets directed to where the most profit can be made must go.

Likewise, rather than fortifying our Keynesian economic model, we should transit to one that is value-centric where care, compassion, trust, patriotism, and a shared sense of wealth are the focus.

Please stop reinventing the 'cash is king' mantra in differing shades.

Let us revolutionise our road map.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.