MALAYSIAN exporters and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) should stop asking for subsidies and other forms of monetary assistance from the government because the money can be better utilised elsewhere ("Exporters: Help us to remain competitive" -- NST, Aug 25).

Taxpayers' money must be used for the benefit of all citizens and the progress of the country as a whole. Improving public transport, strengthening the primary and secondary education system, providing infrastructure such as community halls, libraries and theatres where people meet and grow relationships, are just three of the many projects that benefit everyone.

Giving benefits, monetary incentives, and access to cheap and plentiful labour are simply other forms of trade barriers and market manipulation. Once loan money is used up without the company having made a reasonable profit, the situation will be worse than before.

Incentives, when they come only in the form of cash, stop people from making their best effort at tapping deep into their innermost resources to face crises and overcome them. Equally, cheap labour is more a handicap than an asset, since such labour is usually unskilled and needs constant supervision, thus adding to cost rather than furthering profit.

SMEs who cry to be given facilities to produce more and export more should invest time and money in the local market before venturing overseas.
SMEs must focus on the local market and create value and wealth for their own countrymen before aiming at the world scene.

Value includes the impeccable quality of the product itself, the adequate reward of the workforce that helped in creating the product and the pursuit of marketing and promotion strategies where the public is not only expected to buy but also educated in discerning value and its singular role in the creation of wealth.

The government must be firm in setting goals and establishing priorities for the country. Priorities must be those that lead to the development of every individual rather than selected few giants. By according respect to individuality and nurturing it, leaders can in fact develop the country much more quickly and effectively.

This, however, does not mean giving in to everyone's requests like the father who constantly appeases all his children by doing what they want, only to find his fortune dissipated and the children ungrateful. Likewise, the government will not be acknowledged and will not receive any gratitude for having been weak.

And indeed, to be able to distinguish between weakness and firmness is probably the most challenging prospect governments have to face.