MALAYSIA’s governance is characterised by flexibility and accommodativeness, which allow for maximum manoeuvrability in handling problems. If a particular directive is unpalatable and causes concern among its citizens, the authorities will try to convince them of its veracity and significance. And, if it is still unacceptable, the authorities will abandon it and either introduce it later in another format or find a new one.
It is never confrontational. It will always err on the side of caution. We are a plural society of diverse ethnicity, which requires an accommodative attitude in handling problems and requests, however chauvinistic or sectarian. We accommodate all and sundry.
Consider Malaysia’s second home programme, which attracts foreigners to relocate here. We are also home to hundreds of thousands of foreigners, mainly migrant workers and refugees, both legal and illegal. In this context, our Immigration departments are most accommodative in allowing both kinds of workers and refugees into this country.
Even our police force have a built-in flexibility enabling them to address similar crimes differently, depending on circumstances that factor in a host of societal and personal accoutrement. Detractors blame the police for discrimination and practising double standards, which is not true because the police, like all other civil servants are humans and must abide by directives.
The people are quick to cast doubt on them. Let us be fair; the police alone cannot manage all crime, security incursions, political transgressions and misdemeanours which are rampant in this country. They need the cooperation of citizens to report on such crimes as well as all other activities that contravene the laws of this country.
As in the case of the paedophile Richard Huckle, who operated in our midst without the knowledge of the police, the police cannot be everywhere at the same time. Without supporting intelligence from the people, it would be most difficult for them to detect this type of hideous activity.
Nevertheless, the operation to apprehend Huckle was undertaken by the British police. Our police now are seeking permission to interrogate this criminal. What is important is not the means but the ends. In this case, the criminal has been arrested and sentenced, irrespective of which police force took the initiative.
Another element of governance that is most flexible and accommodating is our education system. For example, we changed the medium of instruction from English to Malay in the early 1970s. Then, in the 90s, we thought it would be wise to teach Science and Mathematics in English, bearing in mind that most medical schools in this country maintain English as the medium of instruction. Then, we changed our minds and right now, we are searching for a flexible and accommodative solution to this problem.
In the spirit of accommodation, the authorities are open to any and all suggestions, such as including new subjects in the school and university curriculum.
Recently, there was a suggestion by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to introduce corruption studies in school and university to combat corrupt practices. Then, another one foisted the need for unity studies to foster integration.
As a consequence of the Huckle case, the Education Ministry is toying with the idea of introducing sex studies in preschools to safeguard children.
It speaks volumes of our education system, in terms of being receptive to expanding our school and university curriculum to accommodate subjects that would address social problems as and when they arise.
Another hallmark of our education system is seen in the upgrading of institutions of higher learning. The normal practice in such cases is to first ensure that the institution meets all the requirements of the proposed elevated position as in a university.
When they could show that they have matured in terms of staff, facilities and student intake,
only then they are deemed capable of handling a university education.
But the above process may take too long and many may not even be able to aspire to that position. Therefore, another method of upgrading an institution to a university level is to declare it a university upfront in the hope that it will be motivated and spur to become a full-fledged university.
Some may say that this method of motivating the institution is putting the cart before the horse, but desperate times require desperate measures.
To be flexible and accommodative allow us the freedom to make mistakes and engage in experiments to resolve the issues. To be flexible and accommodative at least ensures our survival in a world that is obsessed with pursuing excellence and success and wanting to move ahead at all costs.
Mohamed Ghouse Nasuruddin, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang