AS Malaysians rejoice on Merdeka Day, we must be proud of our nation's progress since its independence in 1957. I am part of the first generation of citizens born after Malaysia's independence.
Without a doubt, our homeland has so far progressed impressively since then. In 1957, the nation's per capita income was RM788. Last year, it was RM45,212.
Despite this, there are notable disparities. Last year, the nation's Gini coefficient of disposable income was 0.393. The gap of mean income between the Top 20 and Bottom 40 income groups is RM15,354. Although income does not fully explain a nation's socioeconomic wellbeing, it is a reliable metric in examining the challenges concerning the betterment of, at least, material prosperity.
Globalisation has narrowed the gap of individual and public health, life expectancy and physical human connectivity between countries. It, however, does not equate to genuine improvement in terms of a nation's wellbeing.
The Covid-19 pandemic demonstrates the inconvenient truth of enhanced cross border movement of people that triggered widespread transmission of the virus in the last eight months.
This resulted in many people losing their jobs and access to better socioeconomic opportunities. The nation's immediate concern is to restore its citizens' livelihoods to the pre-pandemic level. This is especially crucial for those in the lower-income group.
Once recovery is achieved, income growth will become the key to long-term material progress. Although fair competitions produce disparity, a society where everyone is equitable in income distribution without competition is not ideal. Likewise, a society where winners take all is neither acceptable.
There are many tragedies and miseries in authoritarian states. They do not incentivise competitions. A democratic society must guarantee freedom of choice, association and expression.
These are the foundations for encouraging fair competitions that bring about equitable outcomes with minimal disparities between different income groups. In retrospect, we could have done better.
Malaysia, which is a multiracial country, has 32 million citizens. Our pluralism must be inclusive, morally and socially just, and the rakyat must have access to equal opportunities and rights to serve as the foundation to incentivise fair competitions and equitable outcomes, which can promote upward social mobility.
A majority of our elected legislators will not disagree with my suggestion. A democratic society ought to respect minorities who disagree. This way, citizens can reap the fruits of sustained social economic wellbeing.
In retrospect, our society has been working hard since 1957. The nation's "sail" occasionally encounters high tides and strong winds. Despite the "unpredictable weather and sea conditions", Malaysia continues on its long journey to its "destiny". Its "captain, crew and passengers" must remain resilient and endure the sporadic bad weathers in the sail. We must strive to complete the journey.
The Rukun Negara, which was introduced on Aug 31, 1970, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Every citizen has been pursuing the ambitions inscribed in it: "Fostering unity in society, preserving a democratic way of life, creating a just society where national prosperity can be enjoyed equitably, building a liberal attitude towards the nation's rich and diverse cultures, and building a progressive society that will make use of science and modern technology."
These are the "North Stars" that guide all of us to the land created from the Five Principles of the Rukun Negara: "Belief in God, loyalty to the king and country, supremacy of the constitution, rule of law, and courtesy and morality."
Japanese reformist Fukuzawa Yukichi said: "The independence of a nation springs from the independent spirit of its citizens. Our nation cannot hold its own if the old slavish spirit is so manifest among the people."
The writer is a professor at Reitaku University, Tokyo, and has been teaching Southeast Asia studies, international economics, integration, development economics and Asian economy since 1983
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times