1Malaysia: "Walk the Talk"

A Kadir Jasin

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THE STAR newspaper yesterday (July 25) reported my presentation at the at the International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies Malaysia (IAIS) public forum on 1Malaysia under the headline “Kadir: It’s not just a slogan -- IMalaysia is of greater importance”.

Its brief report said:

“The 1Malaysia concept must not be a mere slogan as the implementation is of greater importance, said Datuk A. Kadir Jasin.

“The Berita Publishing Sdn Bhd editor-in-chief said the people wanted to see the Government making changes such as good economic management, guaranteeing law and order, as well as tackling corruption.

“He said if the results of last year’s general election were to be an indication, it was clear the people were rejecting political slogans put forward by the ruling party.

“Bear in mind that people are becoming sceptical and cynical of slogans. They (slogans) are cliches,” said Kadir.

“He was one of the four speakers at a public forum entitled “1Malaysia Concept” at the International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies Malaysia here yesterday.”

Yes, I did, more or less, said all that. On the panel with me were Mohamad Dahan Abdul Latif, Executive Director, Tabung Amanah Muhibah (Tamu), Dr Chandra Muzaffar, Chairman, Yayasan 1Malaysia, Dr K J John, Executive Director, Oriental Hearts & Minds Study Institute and Dr Asma Abdullah, Specialist, Intercultural & Cross Cultural Matters.

To put The Star report in perspective, allow me to publish in full the text of my speech at the July 24 forum.

“Ladies and gentlemen, with your indulgence, allow me to be the devil’s advocate – if not the devil himself – figuratively speaking of course – and look at the subject at hand from the public relations and propaganda point of view.

“The opening statement in the flyer announcing this afternoon’s forum issued by this institute says, and I quote:

“The 1Malaysia concept has been a favourite topic of discussion among Malaysians ……..”

“In the journalism parlance, something which is a favourite or is popular is not necessarily of high quality. Thus a favourite or a popular newspaper is not necessarily a high quality newspaper. The opposite is often the case.

“So let me start by asking:

“(1). Do we need another slogan or branding? We’re, as it is, already replete with slogans;

“(2). Or are we saying, yes we have slogans, so we need another slogan to lead all other slogans – like mother ship or a mother of all slogans.

“(3). Bear in mind that the people are becoming skeptical and cynical of slogans and sloganeering. They are clichés.

“(4) If the results of the 2008 general election were any indication, it is clear that the people are rejecting political slogans put forward by the ruling party – remember Sejahtera, Aman dan Makmur?

“I dare not say that the opposite is true in the 16 months after last year’s general election.

“(5). Therefore, is 1Malaysia, people first, performance now slogan a re-branding exercise or is it an altogether new concept and direction?

“Even if it’s not a cosmetic job, the majority of the people will, at least in the initial stages, think it is. We can’t blame them.

“The last few years had seen so many slogans, brands and mantras being spun by the media – the likes of openness, transparency, accountability, the level playing field, liberalisation, meritocracy, towering Malays and so on. So to the masses, this is another slogan.

“(6). Having said that, we now ask the question “what can be done to enhance the understanding and acceptance of the slogan?

“Maybe nothing. Just do nothing. Instead go ahead and do what the people expect from the Government of Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Abdul Razak.

“What are they?

(i). Good economic management;
(ii). Guaranteeing law and order;
(iii). Fight corruption and all forms of power abuse; and
(iv). To borrow a mantra made famous during the last administration, walk the talk. Kota apa yang dikata!

Thank you.”

Then, in responding to my fellow speakers and the floor, I made the following points:

1. That there cannot be genuine unity if economic growth is not accompanied by fair distribution;

2. That some components of the economy were already exclusively franchised to the non-Muslims long before the New Economic Policy was implemented. These included gambling, alcoholic beverages and other non-halal and non-Syariah compliance businesses;

3. That deaths in custody received different public and official treatment when members of the different races were involved. But I must explain that I put forward this last point in a sarcastic and cynical tone.

I think my fellow panel members made many very good points that should draw the attention of the government and those tasked with promoting 1Malaysia.