The Economist wrote a damning article on Malaysia's politics and governance on the eve of our 50th Independence day entitled "Tall Buildings, Narrow Minds".
Ouch. Truth hurts.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Friday, September 14, 2007
Singapore - Widening inequality between Malays and other races (2)
This is my response to an Insight article in Singapore's Straits Times article entitled "Malays' Progress: Why is Good Not Good Enough?"
It's a big problem with no easy, short term solutions. But I feel strongly that education is at the core of all solutions:
Education suggestion 1:
Allow Malays to choose Mandarin as a second language at primary and secondary schools instead or in addition to Malay. Education Ministry should not force Malays to choose Malay as a second language at school.
Rationale: The nexus of global economic growth is likely to remain oriented towards North Asia. Do not handicap Malays by disallowing them to pick up a language best positions them for professional advancement.
From a personal point of view, I remember Malay parents being envious at those Malay parents who managed to beat the system and get their children to learn Mandarin at primary school - it's sad that one has to "beat the system" to do this.
2. Education suggestion 2
Sex education for Malays. Throw out our religion's bias in this area. I like the way one how one Straits TImes forum contributor puts it - say no to pre-marital sex, but if you must, please use a condom. Make condoms easily accessible in toilets of popular malls.
Unfortunately, the moment religion gets put into the educational mix, there's no discussion about contraceptives, with attendant consequences for teenage pregnancy, young marriages etc. and 2 generations of social and economic problems.
Anecdotally, teenage Malays are more sexually mature and aware than their Chinese counterparts. Let's be pragmatic and deal with the issue.
3. Education suggestion 3
Whilst we can and should encourage more participation in the secondary and tertiary sectors, I think there's scope for natural competence for Malays in certain sectors, e.g. hospitality, military, sports, music and media. Encourage further skills advancement in all these areas.
IRs are coming up and higher skill sets in the hospitality will be demanded (with higher remuneration prospects). Again, do not let religion get in the way (I can just hear parents saying "haram, tak boleh"). Working in the gaming industry does not make you a bad person, just a pragmatic one. What's wrong with putting food on the table and earning extra to educate our children as far as we can?
4. Don't leave Malays to figure out all the solutions by ourselves.
We need the contribution of the best Singapore brains and pragmatists to help reduce the widening inequality (imagine Philip Yeo on the job) . Comments on policies should not just come from representatives of Mendaki or Association of Muslim Professionals, we also need external feedback. And for our part, do not be sensitive if comments are not sugar-coated. We are now at the stage when Malays can look back on good progress, and be self-confident that all comments are for purposes of improvement and advancement, and not snide criticism v
It's a big problem with no easy, short term solutions. But I feel strongly that education is at the core of all solutions:
Education suggestion 1:
Allow Malays to choose Mandarin as a second language at primary and secondary schools instead or in addition to Malay. Education Ministry should not force Malays to choose Malay as a second language at school.
Rationale: The nexus of global economic growth is likely to remain oriented towards North Asia. Do not handicap Malays by disallowing them to pick up a language best positions them for professional advancement.
From a personal point of view, I remember Malay parents being envious at those Malay parents who managed to beat the system and get their children to learn Mandarin at primary school - it's sad that one has to "beat the system" to do this.
2. Education suggestion 2
Sex education for Malays. Throw out our religion's bias in this area. I like the way one how one Straits TImes forum contributor puts it - say no to pre-marital sex, but if you must, please use a condom. Make condoms easily accessible in toilets of popular malls.
Unfortunately, the moment religion gets put into the educational mix, there's no discussion about contraceptives, with attendant consequences for teenage pregnancy, young marriages etc. and 2 generations of social and economic problems.
Anecdotally, teenage Malays are more sexually mature and aware than their Chinese counterparts. Let's be pragmatic and deal with the issue.
3. Education suggestion 3
Whilst we can and should encourage more participation in the secondary and tertiary sectors, I think there's scope for natural competence for Malays in certain sectors, e.g. hospitality, military, sports, music and media. Encourage further skills advancement in all these areas.
IRs are coming up and higher skill sets in the hospitality will be demanded (with higher remuneration prospects). Again, do not let religion get in the way (I can just hear parents saying "haram, tak boleh"). Working in the gaming industry does not make you a bad person, just a pragmatic one. What's wrong with putting food on the table and earning extra to educate our children as far as we can?
4. Don't leave Malays to figure out all the solutions by ourselves.
We need the contribution of the best Singapore brains and pragmatists to help reduce the widening inequality (imagine Philip Yeo on the job) . Comments on policies should not just come from representatives of Mendaki or Association of Muslim Professionals, we also need external feedback. And for our part, do not be sensitive if comments are not sugar-coated. We are now at the stage when Malays can look back on good progress, and be self-confident that all comments are for purposes of improvement and advancement, and not snide criticism v
Singapore - Widening inequality between Malays and other races (1)
Here's an article in the Singapore's Straits Times on Tuesday on the progress of Malay community in Singapore. The full report can be found at :
http://www.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/pdf/20070903/Progress%20of%20Malay%20Community.pdf
My personal take? I think Malays in Singapore have set themselves a reasonably good foundation for future economic advancement. But unfortunately it's not enough. Other Singaporeans have progressed much quicker through Singapore's meritocratic (but rather unforgiving) system.
I believe the way forward is a continued and relentless focus on education of Malays. And some bold strokes at the root causes of the community's current areas of dysfunctionality - teenage pregnancy, consequently early (forced) marriages, consequent high divorce rates, consequent single parent families, consequent child discipline problems, consequent truancy, consequent teenage pregnancy - the cycle continues...
Report card on Malay community out
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (above) gave an update on the Malay community's progress at the Mendaki 25th anniversary dinner and awards presentation ceremony on Sunday. -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND LIM
THE Government has released a report showing the progress of the Malay community since 1980.
More Malays are in school and getting better educated. They are also holding higher-skilled, better-paying jobs.
In 2005, 70 per cent of working Malays had secondary or higher qualifications, compared to just 19 per cent in 1980.
But at the same time, social problems remain, noted the report released at Malay-Muslim self-help group Mendaki's 25th anniversary celebrations on Sunday.
Divorce rates have risen, and the number of early marriages and births to teenage mums remains high.
In 2005, 16 Malay women out of every 1,000 married resident women divorced, whereas in 1980, only seven Malay women out of every 1,000 married women did.
http://www.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/pdf/20070903/Progress%20of%20Malay%20Community.pdf
My personal take? I think Malays in Singapore have set themselves a reasonably good foundation for future economic advancement. But unfortunately it's not enough. Other Singaporeans have progressed much quicker through Singapore's meritocratic (but rather unforgiving) system.
I believe the way forward is a continued and relentless focus on education of Malays. And some bold strokes at the root causes of the community's current areas of dysfunctionality - teenage pregnancy, consequently early (forced) marriages, consequent high divorce rates, consequent single parent families, consequent child discipline problems, consequent truancy, consequent teenage pregnancy - the cycle continues...
Report card on Malay community out
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (above) gave an update on the Malay community's progress at the Mendaki 25th anniversary dinner and awards presentation ceremony on Sunday. -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND LIM
THE Government has released a report showing the progress of the Malay community since 1980.
More Malays are in school and getting better educated. They are also holding higher-skilled, better-paying jobs.
In 2005, 70 per cent of working Malays had secondary or higher qualifications, compared to just 19 per cent in 1980.
But at the same time, social problems remain, noted the report released at Malay-Muslim self-help group Mendaki's 25th anniversary celebrations on Sunday.
Divorce rates have risen, and the number of early marriages and births to teenage mums remains high.
In 2005, 16 Malay women out of every 1,000 married resident women divorced, whereas in 1980, only seven Malay women out of every 1,000 married women did.
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