Once More with More Feeling

Today’s NST talks about the revival of the Rukunegara, the 5 principles that were to be the mainstay of Malaysia’s progress in the aftermath of the May 13 incidents.

In theory, no loyal citizen can find anything wrong with the 5 principles. However, we have so many shortcomings in the implementation of the principles that many have become cynical of whatever the government does.

We appear to have a combination of bird flu and dengue as a nation and need massive dosage of Tamiflu and clean blood transfusions.

What has gone wrong?
I would venture to suggest that government involvement in business combined with the corrupting influence of the NEP has created a monster that feeds on the nation’s economy and in turn has spawned money politics.

The Rukunegara is no magical mantra. Merely repeating it everyday will not bring us back from the brink of national disaster. We need to see it in action in government policies and actions by the top leaders.