Thursday, May 17 2012
Things to grapple with in 2009
Thursday, 01 January 2009 07:24

WHILE 2008 was a year of great shifts for Penang and Malaysia, 2009 promises to be one when reality, a very grim one some predict, sets in.

It has been nine months since we had a change in state government, the first in 40 years; half a year since George Town was inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. As we embraced renewed hope for positive change, a financial crisis not seen since the Great Depression unfolded across the globe. The overall changes in 2008 in Malaysia have been well reported, for example, here and here. And economists the likes of Paul Krugman are talking about depression economics. Read here.

2009 will be the year we feel the impact of these changes. Read, for example, here. The seeds of these global changes have sprouted with a vengeance and they will give rise to their own dynamics. Indeed, the repercussions have hit our shores. Read here. It is, of course, continuing to take its toll in the US and elsewhere. Read here and here. 

In view of these serious developments, there are a number of issues that the state has to grapple with:

Improving quality of leadership
In 2009, more than ever, Penangites will be looking for quality leadership at state and national levels. So far, due to various reasons like politicking and being bogged down by inertia, negativity and bureaucracy, there has been much dissatisfaction over governance. Read, for example, here on the chief minister’s frustration, here on a royal call to stop political bickering, here on unfulfilled potentials post-March 8, 2008, here on the need to be adept and realistic, and here on our leaders’ inability to comprehend what is happening.

Right policies could make the difference between suffering a severe setback and coming out of this impending slump relatively unscathed. America, for example, has been warned that if they lacked good policy, they could be headed, like Japan did in the 1990s, for a “lost decade”. Read here. Right policies could also ensure that Penang’s hard-won successes, like George Town’s World Heritage Site status, are maintained and allowed to flourish.

Sustaining an engaged society
Public space has opened significantly since the current Prime Minister took over and has opened further post March 8, 2008. One of the critical tests of our democracy is our ability to keep this space open. This will continue to allow people to be more and more engaged in society. Read, for example, here for an opinion on this.

Ensuring moderation
There had been instances in 2008 when peace in the state and nation was under threat. Luckily, nothing seriously untoward happened. Now, with increasing numbers of people feeling the effects of recession, we need more than ever to guard against such threats.

With hindsight, we know that most of the socio-political unrest in the country occurred during or followed episodes of global economic downturns, viz, 1969-71 (May 13), 1973-74 (Baling), and mid-1980s (Operation Lallang in 1987).  Read here. 1997 was more an Asian phenomenon which nevertheless also led to socio-political instability. In the socio-economic climate of 2009, Malaysians would have to be more vigilant than ever against any form of extremism.

On the positive side, there are various moves to ensure greater accountability and, institutional checks and balances. However, there is still much to be desired. Read here, here and here. Overall, however, there is still space for people to continue to redefine a better future for the state and country.

Preparing for safety
Safety first appears to be a major call of the day. This applies not only to personal and property security from crime but also some sort of overall insurance against the vagaries of negative economic developments. Recently businesses have resorted to many ways to moderate the effects of the economic downturn via flexi hours, enforced leave, etc. The MTUC has in turn called for minimum wages. What’s important is that the government, business and the unions come together to prepare a societal safety net. Read, for example, here and here.

All in all, 2009 is going to be a year we, as a state and nation, will be tested. The question at the back of most people’s minds is: “When are we going to get down wholeheartedly to prepare for it?”

 

 

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