Agenda for a Sustainable Malaysia

I particioated in the Workshop on 'Melayu & Gejala Rasuah' held on March 12, 2009 organised by Kumpulan Melayu Serdang & YAB Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad (TDM)at Perdana Leadership Foundation.

2. The Workshop was a follow-up of two earlier dialogues made up of a smaller group of representatives largely composed of ex-students of UPM, with TDM who were concerned of the political, economic and social scenario of the country arising from weak political leadership and the widespread and pervasive corruption. Dialogue 1 was held on October 14, 2008 at 86th Floor of Petronas Twin Towers and Dialogue 2 was on November 3, 2008 at Perdana Leadership Foundation.

3. The Workshop was held with the objective of identifying issues related to the practice of CORRUPTION in the country and formulate strategies and plan of actions that will be forwarded to Malay leaders in the Government for appropriate action.

4. The Workshop was participated by around 50 individuals who represent a wider spectrum of background - corporate leaders & businessmen, lecturers at universities, professionals, politicians and a few wellknown bloggers - Ahiruddin and A. Kadir Yassin.

5. The Workshop was divided into four discussion groups - Group A covered Education, Economy & Socio-culture which was led by Dr. Mohd Nor Ismail; Group B focussed on National Unity & Racial Integration chaired by Dr. Kamaruddin Kachar; Group C discussed Sustainable Development and Agriculture chaired by me; and Group D covered Malay Leadership and Thinking led by Syed Barkat Syed Ali.

6. A summary of the discussion papers are as follows:
6.1 Politic and Corruption - Corruption is defined as to give or receive money
or in kind to solicit favour for self gain. The cash and non-cash
payments are for the purpose of, among them, getting projects, to expedite
approval, to get land or residential units, to seek aquittal from
legal proceedings, to get elected in party positions, to get
promotions, to get awards, to be able to get appointments with
leaders of influence. In a political party, money has been passed
around among Branch and Divisional leaders as they need fund
to finance the maintenance of their offices and related costs
such as refreshments, entertainment.

6.2 National Unity and Integration - National unity and integrity is
critical in a multiracial society in Malaysia. Efforts to bring
this about have to start from primary schools right to the
universities. In a society such as ours, economic,educational
disparity can bring dissatisfaction and to forge unity can be
difficult, furthermore when political parties exist on the basis
of religion. Strategies for national unity and integration at the
racial, school, uniiversity and national levels have identified.
A strategy to enhance the thinking capability of the Malays has also
suggested.

6.3 Agenda for a Sustainable Malaysia - in this paper of mine, global warming
caused by excessive emission of gases, is identified as the most critical
challenge facing mankind. It is contributed by high population causing depletion of non-renewable resources, pollution of the
ecosystems and accummulaation of wastes. It is important
that Malaysia formulates an Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Corruption has contributed to indiscriminate deforetation, loss of
biodiversity, pollution of the terrestrial and marine ecosystems and a
great threat to Sustainable Development.
Different strategies to meet the various goals of Sustainable Development.

a. Manage Population Growth and Physical Development
Strategies include family planning, population distribution from
high to population areas, promote development of small towns and rural
communities.

b. Restore, Conserve and Protect Biodiversity
Among the strategies are establishment of nature and
marine parks, sustainable forest management, tree plan-
ting, conserve heritage tree, establish natural history
museums and botanical gardens in each state and biosafety.

c. Food and Fibre Security
Farming systems, organic farming, soil amelioration
and conservation, integrated pest management and wastes
management are among the strategies listed

d. Sutainable Business & Economic
Strategies include low pollution economy, trade practices, CSR, carbon
emission trading scheme, parks and wildlife sanctuaries
as ecotourism destinations and sustainable harvesting of forest
products for pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries

e. Develop Clean Power and Energy Efficient Technologies
Among the strategies are improve public transport system, look at
alternative energy sources, research into energy efficient technologies

f. Promote Social Equity and Social Spirituality
Strategies include developing location specific curricula, encourage
people to be more active and lead a healthier life

g. Restore and Improve Clean Ecosystems
Ban the development of mangrove and steep hill areas, manage wastes and
strict enforcement of laws on banning the use of chemicals and bombs
in harvessting of marine fishes are among the straategies proposed

6.4 Education and Malay Thinking
Conflicting views on national issues that cover politic, religion, language,
constitution, legal and the Royalty institution have divided the Malays.
Corruption is pervasive - corruption of the mind, corruption of the systems,
corruption of the people and society. The root causes are many - low mental
quality, love for material world, weakness in moral and character, non-
creative mind, egoistic and arrogant, lack of enforcement.

7. Among the resolutions that were adopted are to reduce and eradicate corruption by rejecting corrupt leaders, include a curriculum in schools on corruption, the internalisation of the Islamic teachings that forbid corruption among its ummah.