The Malaysian Malaise: Corrupt Leadership, Failing Institutions, And Intolerant Islamism

  

The Malaysian Malaise:  Corrupt Leadership; Failing Institutions; And Intolerant Islamism

M. Bakri Musa

 

[Nine States Press, Morgan Hill, Ca 95037  US$ 14.90 352pp; Indexed. 2023. ISBN 9798391353430

Available on all major online outlets including Amazon worldwide and Barnes and Nobel]

 

 

 

 

Today’s Malaysia is blighted with corrupt incompetent leadership, weak failing institutions, and rising intolerant Islamism. Mahathir Mohamad, Prime Minister (1981-2003), and again from May 2018 to February 2020, is most responsible for this great degradation. Reflecting his failed leadership, Malaysia had an unprecedented five Prime Ministers from January 2018 to December 2022. 

 

            Following the 15th General Elections of November 2022, Anwar Ibrahim, Mahathir’s deputy in the 1990s until their falling out, became Prime Minister. Every indication is that he will remain in office until the next scheduled general elections no later than February 17, 2028.

 

            Mahathir’s protégé Najib Razak, Prime Minister from 2008-2013, is now jailed for his massive pilfering of One Malaysia Berhad (1MDB), the largest such heist, monetary-wise as well as global reach. Mahathir was also responsible for Najib to prematurely dislodge Mahathir’s immediate successor Abdullah Badawi. Not satisfied with that, Mahathir in his second reincarnation bequeathed Malaysia with Muhyiddin Yassin as Prime Minister. He too was arrested for corruption and now awaiting trials.

 

            Anwar’s top priority must be to fight corruption. Beyond that, his religious credentials as well as earlier leadership of the Muslim Youth Movement would equip him well in tackling Malaysia’s rising Islamism as well as the nation’s failing institutions. Failure in any would doom Malaysia to perpetual Third World status.

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

The Malaysian Timeline

 

People, Places, Events, And Acronyms

 

Prologue

 

I:          Malaysia’s 15^th General Elections 

            

II:        On Exemplary Leadership

 

III:       Our Malaysian Heroes

 

IV:       Corrupt, Pathetic, And Incompetent Malay Leadership

 

V:        Pristine Islam

 

VI:       The  Pernicious Rise Of Malay Islamism

 

VII:      The Appalling State O Malaysian Education

 

VIII:    Malaysia And The World

 

IX:       The Challenges Of The Covid-19 Pandemic

 

X:        Virtua Conferences

 

            A:  Does The Malay Mind Need To Be Liberated? (January 10, 2021)

            B: Promises and Challenges Of Digital Technology In Distant Learning (Original In Malay–                         Isu Dan Cabaran ke Arah Kesetaraan Dalam Pendidikan) (January 30, 2021)

            C:  Is Malaysia Becoming ‘The Sick Man Of Southeast Asia’? (March 20, 2021) 

            D:  Do Our Universities Need A Revamp? (October 18, 2021)

            

 

Next: Excerpt #1:  Prologue