Sarawak 10th State Election: a Reflection

Sarawakians have decided on April 16th that Barisan Nasional (BN) again shall rule the State with 2/3 majority. BN seized 55 seats and receives 54.53% popularity votes (PV), seconded by Democratic Action Party (DAP) 12 seats with 19.75% PV, People's Justice Party (PKR) 3 seats with 17.15% PV, and Independent 1 seat with 2.94% PV. Sarawak National Party (SNAP), Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) and Parti Cinta Malaysia (PCM) appropriated no seats from the fray. Percentage of voter turnout is 70% which is among the highest in Sarawak state election history. Many might be puzzled and even disappointed because the 2008 12th General Election political tsunami did not reach East Malaysia's shore. While a tsunami did not happen, a wind of change is certainly blowing fresh in Sarawak politics.

Sarawak, despite being the largest and a major entity-component of Malaysia, is arguably among the least known in terms of its religious, ethnic, social, and cultural dynamics that influence its voting pattern. Sarawak is connoted by some as BN's "safe deposit" - a blanket term to label the State and her voters as docile followers of BN. While Sarawakians usually show strong support towards BN, this is not without reasons. In this election, the trend continues with a significant exception - the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) and the Independent reaped sixteen for the opposition chairs with sound legitimacy, consent and will of general Sarawakians.

THE FEDERAL AID

It is no surprise BN is utilizing each and every government machinery possible. This time, this force is multiplied with direct intervention from Putrajaya, Malaysia's federal government, to insure BN's victory. The Prime Minister himself camped for six days in Sarawak to campaign for BN along with his deputy, key ministers, and UMNO campaign workers imported from the Peninsula. Institutions such as KEMAS and JASA are used by BN ant armies to penetrate deep into Sarawak grassroot voters especially in the rural areas. Liquid and capital assets such as cash money and cars (read: Chevrolet SUV with "G1M XXXX/G1M XXX plate number") are flushed in to ensure the mobility of these machineries. Promises of new projects, instant and long term, are made right before and during the election campaigns. These are just few open secrets of BN well known to Sarawakians.

MONEY POLITICS

Some claim money politics in terms of vote buying one of the defining factors that determine the outcome of Sarawakian elections. While this may be true to some extent, especially when the amount is large relative to basic income of the receivers, there is a larger issue at hand. The receivers, usually from targeted specific groups of urban and rural poors in hotly contested constituencies, are cogitating more than which-candidate-to-vote factors when they receive their money.

Based on ground interviews, these receivers attribute the money acquired from political parties, or candidates and representatives of political parties, are simply compensation for their absence in their daily work. Others treat it as the matter of goodwill from a patron: a gesture similar to saying "how are you" and "thank you." Little is this act attributed to moral reasoning that lead to "wrongness" and "unfairness" among the receivers. Still, the receivers reserve their rights to vote whoever they want: receiving (or not) the money is an entire different question altogether, leaving the effect of "money politics" an interesting factor to be explored in Sarawakian elections.

DEVELOPMENT! DEVELOPMENT!

Development is perhaps the cardinal factor that determine the voting factor of Sarawakians. The context of development can be understood in different ways depending on specific needs of each constituency. In rural area, "development" means catering to basic needs such as constant clean access to water, electricity, school, medical center, roads and jetty. In urban area, "development" means catering the wants of a metropolitan society such shrewd town planning, more job opportunity for skilled labors, and infrastructure building. In this election, BN is able to convince the voters it is the capable force of propeling development in the rural areas and some parts of the urban areas.

Instant handouts of water tanks and concrete jetty constructions are examples of immediate goodies received by rural folks as preliminary proofs that BN is able to do more. The long term ones are delivered in terms of pork-barrel projects by means of promises made by key leaders of BN. The execution of those projects in time or as promised is an entirely different question.

As for the urban areas, the Malay-Melanau community is buying the development promises wholesale. SCORE, GTP and ETP (1 MALAYSIA) viewed as the way forward towards advancing Sarawakian economic growth. This is also the group that had benefitted most from Sarawak's urban development from the past fifty years many among the urban Malay-Melanau voters would attribute to the contributions of BN. This is also true for the urban Chinese community for a long time, until recently.

PRIME MINISTER NAJIB AND 1MALAYSIA

The Prime Minister himself seem to be an icon in this general election especially among the rural voters. Where public images and repertoire of state BN leaders fail, Najib seem to fill the void with his constant chant of 1MALAYSIA: a concept he himself learn and believe is rooted deep within the Sarawakian society. He creates an image of being 'on the ground' Prime Minister, willing to traverse the wilderness of Ba'Kelalan and meet the people there to address their concerns especially on development, had won the heart of rural Sarawakians. The core principle of 1MALAYSIA - unity, is his image label.

THE CHURCH AND THE STATE

The Bible in Malay (and "Allah") issue does not seem to translate in votes for most Sarawakian Christians and Muslims. While the churches are implicitly calling for the 'righteous government,' nowhere is the Bible issue hold ground in any major political rallies and manifestos in contending parties. Perhaps it is shrewd for the Chief Minister and Prime Minister to visit Sarawakian Christian leaders for the first time in history, but the visits draw very little (or quiet?) attention from the mass voters. Even the Malay-Melanaus, whom are the Muslim majority in the State, are not responding to the issue. No rally at the mosque, no heated Friday Islamic sermons whatsoever.

"ANASIR LUAR" A.K.A "OUTSIDE INFLUENCE"

The "anasir luar" sentiment are played by at least three (major) sides among the contenders: BN, PR and SNAP. SNAP is suggesting "anasir luar" is the "orang Malaya, their associates and parties" altogether and focusing on the appeal of Dayakism. BN is suggesting the VALUES brought by (i.e. fiery campaign speeches, character attacks, and "violent acts") "orang luar [= orang Malaya of the oppositions?]" is the "anasir luar." PR is pinpointing "anasir luar" directly to the Chief Minister's wife and associating it with ultra-expensive wedding jewelry! All are expressed in terms of negative campaigns to discredit the oppositions but none seemed have real active and explicit influence on the votes, save maybe the BN versions in campaign banners and posters in the Chinese area (and also on vandalized campaign billboard) sort of saying "we reject the Islamic State."

THE ROCKET FLEW HIGH, SOUPING SUPP

DAP won 12 out of 15 seats and blasted off SUPP's Prime at his own ground. This is clearly the urban Chinese factor, combined with effective DAP campaign machineries, availability of resources, and decades of experience in serving the needs of the Sarawakians, especially in Chinese majority area. Campaign posters, banners and billboards are well worded and presented in sassy, Hong Kong style artist promotions. The cute rhinocerous hornbill mascot and t-shirt, UBAH, sold out in minutes, in the festive-like gatherings that draws thousands and tens of thousands crowd strong. DAP sentiment is clear and attuned to the Chinese community: "Pek Moh," which is a call for a change in the highest strata of Sarawakian administration. There is also elements of protest votes due to non-performance of SUPP to represent the Chinese community in the government.

ONE EYE ONLY FOR THE ONE-EYED

PKR, despite its ambition for 49 seats, seized only three. Despite the presence of its big guns such as Anwar, Nurul Izzah, Azmin Ali, Saifudin Nasution, Tian Chua and Wan Azizah, they carry little weight when it comes to vote counts. Their winning in three seats are exceptional: in N.11 Batu Lintang and N.34 Krian mainly because of the Chinese momentum borrowed from PKR's association with DAP. In N.70 Ba'Kelalan, its candidate is a well known long time activist and lawyer to the locals against an unknown BN candidate. In other words, N.70 is the Baru Bian factor, not the PKR factor.

Perhaps PKR's biggest flop is that it was unable to capture the local sentiment and woes of the voters. PKR's campaign machineries and ant armies are poorly trained and equipped.They scare the folks away (who wants to talk to you when the first question you asked is asking for their IC?) instead of making the folks listen to them. Their posters, banners, and campaign rallies reflect little with the sentiment on the ground. Some of the glossy handouts even speak about PKR's ambition to Putrajaya with all its Federal manifestos - which the rural folks couldn't care less. It is true that Anwar is PKR's campaign icon where he attracts crowds whenever he goes, but his charisma alone is far from sufficient when it comes to winning Sarawak. This lack of attention to local sentiment costs PKR dearly both in terms of its material cost and votes - only an eye Sarawakian attention for the one-eyed insensitive party.

SNAP SNAPPED

SNAP, one of Sarawak's oldest and once most influential party, suffers a major defeat in this election - it wins none from 26 contested seats and reaps only a total of 15 663 votes. Its ambition to be Sarawak's kingmaker (or the King?) is buried when its investment for Dayakism, a sort of Sarawak land for the native Dayaks, does not pay well in this election. Its former strength is much diluted - its splinter such as SPDP is doing well in BN. SNAP loses and turned against its PR alliance in this election. How will SNAP rejevunate is all for us to see.

THE IRRELEVANT THIRD FORCE, SAVE THE MINOR INDEPENDENT

PCM contested in 6 seats, lost all seats, and garnered only a total 2895 votes, wiping away the possibility of breeding a viable third faction in the near future. However, independents are exceptions to be pondered: 41 of them contested in the election. Although some 26 of them lost their deposit money, the fact that they are willing to enter the election nonetheless without the direct umbrella of BN, PR, and SNAP is something for all to reflect - are there noteworthy political issues missing in the mainstream debate? The fact that the total of 20 064 for the independents, some twofold more than PAS, speak something of their presence. The independent even seized N.54 Pelagus.

PAS PASSED OUT

At first, there seemed to be hope for PAS with its carefully selected 5 seats it contested. Among them, N.24 Beting Maro was the most promising. Hoping to gain Malay-Muslim majority with significant Iban minority presence, PAS played the usual card: the "Islamic" card, which does not bode very well among Sarawakian voters, even among Sarawakian Muslims.

The exception is in Beting Maro where even the non-Muslim Ibans are joining the 'selawat' rally towards the 'penamaan calon session,' not because they are now subscribing to PAS' Islamic ideology. Rather, it is a march of discontent to the non-performing incumbent BN YB over there who is not addressing to the rural Beting Maro Ibans' (and Malays') economic needs. There is also a general rejection over PAS' notion (or popular perception) of Islamic state (read: NOT the rejection of Islam the religion because Sarawak has its own Muslim dwellers for centuries). This fear of state-ideology-induced brand of "Islamization" prevents PAS from entering the shores of Borneo.

But to PAS' credit, despite its very limited resource availability, PAS goes rustic by moving house to house to preach their messages. Unlike PKR campaign machineries, PAS workers are seen as "people-friendly" where they have sleepovers in the rural villages they are contesting (imagine the likes of Nik Aziz 'menumpang bermalam' at your house, 'insufficient,' even the basic needs, i.e. water... how would you feel?). Alas, the people is not ready yet for PAS. PAS must also learn to understand the local culture - thinking that organizing a karaoke competition as 'berdosa' that requires 'sembahyang taubat' certainly does not help with the campaign.

THE UNEVEN PLAYING FIELD

Not even BN claims it is playing fair in the election. This is pretty obvious where the blatant use of government machineries, resources, and media are thinly veiled behind 1MALAYSIA and is then directly attributed to BN. Some claim BN's total expenditure of RM500 million just for this election, dwarwing its opponents altogether. But perhaps BN's cardinal advantage is decades of experience and deep understanding of the local context had made it a successful party that continues to govern Sarawak until today. Sarawak BN's rhetorics on development and harmonious community are not without basis. Some would say the Sarawakians are naturally so. If this is true, then Sarawak BN leaders must be credited for utilizing and taking time to understand the fine niches within Sarawak's diverse ethnicity, geography and demography.

Of course this had been an uphill battle for the rest. Yet, the fact that there are now 15 opposition seats and 1 independent seat proves that winning is not impossible. Furthermore, no Sarawakian disputes the legitimacy and credibility of the opposition's victory, especially that of DAP. They are hard earned, well strategized and appeal to Sarawakian voters. Certainly there are concerns of vote rigging, phantom voters and other irregularities, but these are far overshadowed by a strong majority given by Sarawakians to most candidates of BN and DAP. Both fought hard and won in their own terms.

THE ZEPHYR OF CHANGE?

Indeed change is coming in Sarawak political landscape, but not as a tsunami or as a hurricane some quarters might expect. People are subtly calling for new faces to propel the higher echelon of Sarawak leadership. Pakatan Rakyat, led by DAP, is making their inroads as the alternative to Sarawak politics. A sudden shoot in voter turnout (70%) suggests a renewed interest among Sarawakians to be involved in politics. The presence of the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, key Federal ministers, the Head of Opposition, and key Federal opposition leaders prove Sarawak is something too precious to lose.

Perhaps they may learn from their brief visits in and around Sarawak's flourishing urban area such as Kuching and Miri, and the rural, almost inacessible, poverty stricken rumah panjangs and kampongs in Ba'Kelalan, Belaga, and Beting Maro, will bring them lessons in devising government and opposition policies in the system of check and balance. Sarawakians themselves must now learn to engage in politics and participate in development.

BN must realize that Sarawakians no longer tolerate a sitting duck. Already the Rockets are hitting hard in town areas. BN is now relying on the rural seats to maintain its cracking shell of political invincibility, and its 10% decline in popularity votes since previous election is the harbinger not to be ignored. Pakatan Rakyat must put faith in Sarawak's polity - forcing a change not well grounded and contextualized on local concerns and understanding will only spell a blind, empty hope of victory.

But in the end, it is not about which party that wins in the election. It is more about the party and the system that can best serve needs of the Sarawakians and sustain its commodious harmony enjoyed from generations upon generations. It takes something special to govern a State about the size of Peninsular Malaysia with 27 different race and ethnicities with various religious beliefs, cultures, and social norms. By choosing to become partner in forming Malaysia, Sarawak expects to give and at the same time enjoy what it means to be part of the Federation. This can only be fulfilled with a working government that serves the people.

As for now, Sarawak had spoken... so let it be.

Kisah Hawa Dijadikan daripada Tulang Rusuk Adam

The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."

Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field.

But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.

The man said,

"This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman,' for she was taken out of man."

For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.

(Genesis 2:18-25, The Bible New International Version)

Nota: Di dalam al-Quran, tidak terdapat ayat yang nyata merujuk kepada Hawa dijadikan daripada tulang rusuk Adam, tidak seperti di dalam Kitab Bible.

Adalah menjadi sesuatu yang menarik kerana banyak puisi dan nukilan cinta 'Islamik' yang berkitar di Facebook dan laman-laman web pada masa kini adalah berkisar pada pemahaman ini.

Ini boleh dilihat daripada beberapa sudut. Pertama, mungkin ada yang melihat kisah ini bertepatan, atau sekurang-kurangnya tidak bertentangan, dengan pandangan kisah kejadian Adam dan Hawa di dalam al-Quran. Kedua, kisah ini telah diterima sebagai hujah atau penyokong hujah yang digunakan untuk menjelaskan ayat-ayat al-Quran tertentu di dalam konteks dan pemahaman tertentu. Akhir sekali, mungkin ada yang berfikir bahawa kisah Hawa dijadikan daripada tulang rusuk Adam ini datang daripada al-Quran itu sendiri.

Krisis Keyakinan Intelek

Sejak kebelakangan ini, kita sering mendengar rungutan daripada banyak pihak: kerajaan, badan-badan bukan kerajaan, parti-parti politik, para cendekiawan, para mahasiswa, pihak media dan rakyat jelata tentang betapa cabaran demi cabaran, daripada berita kenaikan harga minyak sehinggalah kepada isu mazhab yang dilempar di dada-dada akhbar, blog-blog, ceramah-ceramah dan status-status di Facebook yang seperti tiada penyelesaiannya.

Komentar-komentar yang diberi oleh orang-orang tertentu pada isu-isu nasional ini pula tidak jauh lari daripada retorik politik; lebih malang lagi adalah apabila persepsi pembaca terhadap apa yang dibaca dan dihidang di dalam media massa dan media baru semuanya bermotif politik, sehingga ada ada yang mengaku ‘neutral’ dengan harapan mereka sememangnya neutral secara politiknya! Alahai, apakah yang sudah terjadi kepada dunia ilmu dan kesarjanaan kita yang kian kering dan lesu, sehingga tradisi ilmu yang berteras pada kekuatan hujah, daya fikir dan kemampuan menyelesaikan masalah, boleh disamakan dengan pula dengan persepsi politik perdana yang rata-rata berkisar pada engkau kerajaan dan aku pembangkang (atau sebaliknya)?

Perkara ini haruslah dibedah dan diteliti dalam-dalam bagi mencari pokok pangkal penyakitnya. Mungkin saspek utama kepada kemiskinan intelek yang kita hadapi pada hari ini ialah krisis kemelaratan melahirkan ide-ide baru dan segar daripada gedung-gedung ilmu seperti di universiti-universiti, sekolah-sekolah, perpustakaan-perpustakaan, dan tempat seumpamanya. Benarkah gred ‘A’ dan PNGK 4.00 dan segulung ijazah dengan Kepujian kelas sekian-sekian itu benar-benar memberi makna kepada kemampuan intelek seseorang itu yang boleh menjadi kayu ukur kepada nilai sumbangannya terhadap masyarakat, atau sekadar cantik dipandang mata semata-mata tanpa nilai intrinsik yang sebenarnya jauh lebih utama di dalam dunia ilmu dan kesarjanaan?

Adakah kita sedang mengalami kemelesatan peradaban masyarakat di mana antara salah satu tandanya ialah kurangnya minat kita untuk meneroka dan menggali ilmu, akan tetapi suka pula mendengar khabar-khabar angin dan konspirasi itu dan ini, tanpa menaakul dalam-dalam intipati dan asas kepada ilmu-ilmu tersebut yang kita makan dan hadam hari demi hari? Sedang kitab al-Quran menyuruh kita menyelidik berita dan cerita yang sampai kepada kita terlebih dahulu(Qur’an 49:6), namun apakah yang menyebabkan kita suka untuk mempercayai sesuatu kerana ia selalu diuar-uar, tanpa menyelidik punca, dan menganalisa kekuatan hujah dan kebenaran berita dan cerita itu terlebih dahulu?

Jika mahu menuduh, maka antara mangsa-mangsa yang paling senang untuk dituduh adalah seperti berikut: 1) Iblis dan Syaitan, 2) pihak kerajaan, 3) ahli-ahli politik, 4) nasib badan dan takdir, 5) penyanyi dan penghibur, 6) media massa, 7) masalah sosial. Senang bukan untuk menuding jari pada orang, entiti, dan faktor luaran lain yang selalu digenang di dalam kotak pemikiran kita bahawa mereka inilah sebenar-benar masalahnya; tanpa pula mendasari tuduhan-tuduhan tersebut dengan bukti-bukti dan jika disabit benar, menyertakan usaha dan cadangan untuk menjatuhkan hukum dan penyelesaian terhadap pertuduhan tersebut.

Kita selalu disuruh membaca, malah kita sering kali diingat oleh guru-guru agama untuk meneliti surah al-‘Alaq ayat 1-5 dan mengamalkannya di dalam kehidupan seharian. Tetapi pernahkah kita mempersoal kualiti dan kebenaran tentang apa yang kita baca itu? Sedang kita tahu membaca itu kepada gerbang ilmu, kita juga harus tahu membezakan jenis-jenis bahan bacaan yang benar-benar menjana dan mengembangkan daya fikir dengan bahan-bahan picisan dan bahan-bahan pseudo-intelek. Perumpamaannya mudah: sama baikkah air minuman perisa tiruan itu dengan air jus perahan buah asli? Kedua-duanya melunaskan dahaga tetapi berbeza khasiat, malah yang satu memudaratkan dan yang satu lagi menyihatkan.

Demikianlah juga makanan kepada akal. Jika banyak akal ‘memakan’ bahan-bahan yang berkhasiat, maka banyaklah akal-akal yang sasa yang menganggotai bala tentera intelek yang mampu mempertahan serangan-serangan intelek dengan hujah-hujah yang disusun rapi dan kemas; dengan adanya akal-akal yang sasa ini juga boleh melahirkan ide-ide baru yang ampuh lagi segar dalam menyelesaikan isu-isu semasa tanpa asyik bergantung kepada pandangan-pandangan cendekiawan yang telah lama meninggalkan kita, seolah-olah kita tidak yakin dengan kemampuan diri sendiri untuk menyelesaikan masalah hari-hari.

Perlukah suara dan getusan ilmu dirantai dan dibisu kerana takutkan perubahan? Sesungguhnya perubahan itu sentiasa berlaku selama mana jam dan waktu itu berdetik; bezanya adakah kita akan mendokong arus perubahan itu, atau kita terus hanyut dibawa arus, mengangguk sahaja setiap watak yang diberi hatta menjadi seekor lemming pun. Ayuh, bangunlah minda-minda yang lena. Musuh kebodohan sedang mencandu kita: bukan bodoh tidak mengerti membaca, menulis, dan mengira, tetapi bodoh tidak mahu menggunakan akal itu sendiri di dalam melihat, menelaah, mentafsir, menaakul, mencerna, dan merasional tentang hakikat Kebenaran itu sendiri telah menyebabkan hati itu buta melihat ayat-ayat Tuhan sehingga yang bukan Tuhan pun dipertuhankan; mintalah dijauhkan.

Penjenamaan “Islamik” Malaysia akan Terjejas Sekiranya Industri Pelancongan Berasaskan “Urban Entertainment” Diberi Penekanan

Terdapat ura-ura yang mengatakan akan lebih banyak kelab malam terkemuka serta syarat mengendalikan konsert hiburan antarabangsa yang lebih longgar merupakan sebahagian daripada strategi baru di dalam usaha negara untuk menarik lebih ramai pelancong luar (sila baca habis: http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/146435 “ETP: Lebih banyak kelab malam, spa akan dibina”).

Jika dakwaan-dakwaan tersebut benar, negara akan mengalami implikasi negatif di dalam strategi penjenamaan negara di dalam usahanya untuk menarik pelabur-pelabur dan pelanggan-pelanggan asing dan dalam negara, terutamanya daripada negara-negara Islam dan mereka yang beragama Islam.Di kalangan negara-negara bukan Islam dan mereka yang bukan Islam pula, Malaysia berpotensi dilihat sebagai sebuah ekonomi yang mempunyai "split-personality," yakni ekonomi yang berasaskan nilai moral-agama dan nilai 'sekular' serentak! Malaysia sebelum ini mencanang dirinya sebagai hab perbankan dan kewangan Islam se-dunia yang berasaskan ekonomi Islam serta hab makanan halal se-dunia.

Keadaan ini berpotensi memberikan imej yang mengelirukan terhadap bidang pengkhususan ekonomi negara yang juga melibatkan imej kelebihan kompetitif (competitive advantage) yang dibina negara selama ini. Dari sudut imej, adakah negara sedang beralih daripada penjenamaan “Islamik” kepada penjenamaan “hab hiburan” seranta? Dari sudut pelancongan pula, negara pernah menekankan aspek sosial, budaya, dan keindahan semula-jadi sebagai aset utama menarik pelancong-pelancong luar. Adakah aspek-aspek tersebut akan ditukar ganti dengan konsep"urban entertainment"?

Tambahan pula, kesan-kesan terhadap strategi pembangunan seperti ini perlu dilihat kesannya kepada strata sosial dan nilai moral masyarakat. Bayangkan jenis peluang pekerjaan apakah yang akan dihasilkan hasil daripada pembinaan lebih banyak kelab malam eksklusif dibina. Bagaimanakah dengan terbinanya tempat-tempat tersebut boleh mengubah persepsi masyarakat terhadap nilai-nilai moral yang selama ini disandarkan kepada kepercayaan agama, terutamanya Islam, dan nilai-nilai keTimuran?

Adakah ini menandakan negara sedang menghadapi suatu kekeliruan ideologi mencorak wacana ekonomi negara? Jika benar pihak berwajib serius mahu terus mempromosi negara sebagai hab “aktiviti ekonomi Islam,” maka pemikir-pemikir di kalangan pihak berwajib ini haruslah mengambil kira sudut pandangan Islam terhadap aktiviti pembangunan ekonomi negara. Mengejar kemajuan ekonomi semestinya penting kepada sesebuah negara, tetapi apalah kemajuan itu jika ia dilihat daripada lensa yang pincang menilai dirinya sendiri?

Perceiving Wealth and Its Players

We are often taught by our elders the value of saving what little we have. Sikit-sikit, lama-lama jadi bukit is the credo, suggesting the virtue of patience, discipline, and consistency in building wealth. This credo is then strengthened with various mathematical formulas and indices, showing how our money will grow and eventually reaches the coveted one million amount and hence, counting ourselves among the millionaires.

The credo maybe true, but is only limited to personal finance of the ‘commoners’ and many millionaires. But, as for multi-millions and billions of Ringgit/Dollars transactions, which is the event reserved almost exclusively in macroeconomic situation, we need a whole different mindset to grasp what it means to achieve a financial goal.

In endeavoring billions-worth economic project, the consideration lies not only in financial profitability of the project. Many other factors are also considered such as the impact on the national economy as a whole, acceptance from the public, environmental and ecological changes that may occur, potential political adversities, intra and inter-level competition of participating economic players, international influences, and not the least, the legacy (or notoriety) forever attached to the project and its builders.

Therefore, it is fallacious to measure the weight of such project solely with fiscal measures. Other forms of measurement, tangible and intangible must be taken into the calculations as well.These other forms of measurement can be as cryptic as Adam Smith’s invisible hand: unseen yet consequential. Power in political, social, and economic form may be a reliable measure to evaluate the outcome of such project.

By knowing who is who: motivations, academic, professional and family background, net assets, and networks of these economic players, both individuals and institutions can determine how powerful these players are and their potential impacts on the project. Ideals and ideologies behind the tangible art of building may become next that may describe from what philosophies, doctrines and beliefs regarding the value of a material the project is based on. This will open visions towards the type of civilization taking shape in light of such endeavors.

Unlike in personal finance where individuals may be squarely blamed and punished for their financial mismanagement and infidelity, in national (or macro-) finance, it is harder to do so. Often, the economic players are guised behind the institutions they serve as the institutions act as their persona to decide and act, and hence taking responsibilities to all those decisions and actions. It is true in some cases where the topmost leader of an institution may be held accountable for their deeds and misdeeds. But often, external inquisition will be diluted with institutional forces, vertical and/or horizontal that save the players from blames and punishment.

Orthodox logic on savings, investments, borrowing, lending, and spending is at best referential to making economic decisions in such grand project. The decision is no longer based on what the economy has and what it is able to do. Instead, the decision is based on what the economy may have and what rewards the project may bring, assessed as current worth of the endeavor. This leads to handsome borrowing practice, a practice assuming current debts will be compensated with potential multiplicity in volume of future rewards assessed in current paradigm.

Borrowing has become a spree, not a necessity, which results in the justification of profiteering in capital and its representative by institutional and omnipresent lenders, presented as prodigies of wealth. Savings is collectively and detachedly treated in this economic decision, by taking account more the unit-number of currency (-ies) gained instead of the savers and their purposes of savings.

As a result, a notion of healthy economy is depicted when savings reaches a certain level and not more or less than a certain level with less consideration on what is healthy of the savers’ purposes. Notions of guaranteed and hefty returns are promoted, while the mechanistic workings of the systems are obscured with jargon known only to the initiated, leaving the blithe mass nodding in their whims.

In the frame of something mega, the margin is of little concern. Hence, the delicate intricacies of decisions derived from households of the micro-level economic are either modified, ignored, or lead to affirm the macro-interest. Suddenly, the private household must prioritize their economic motivations and preferences according to need of such grand project. Marketable talents with qualifications become tags to simplify those choices among the many discounted niches.

What then is perceptible to decipher what it means to be cognizant of the workings of wealth? Perhaps it is the more judicious pondering of the passing hours and real labors that breed real, not personified, wealth for deserving hands. Yet, for all their fleshly desires many men brood for wealth. But as for many beautiful things it seems, wealth will cloak itself in many forms of veils hidden in plain sight.