Prepared by Azwan Bin Omar, MYP
As a recognition and gratitude to our former Prime Minister, the Federal Government, by tradition endorse the 'Tun'ship to them.
Hence, we have Tun Hussein Onn, Tun Mahathir and Tun Abdullah. (Tun Razak was given the title during his premiership due to his contribution for Independence and formation of Malaysia)
I believe that the evolution of a nation or a civilisation must be analyse on two area; Physical and Mentality.
Nations like England and the USA took hundred of years so that both Physical development and mentality development run concurrently and supporting each other to produce a matured and great nation.
Tun Mahathir is a great statesman. None couldn't deny our 'Ayahanda' contributions and efforts to put Malaysia on the position of today. I believe most of Gen-Y youth owe to Tun Mahathir ability to propel an agriculture nation into a manufacturing powerhouse. The economy grew rapidly and now we enjoy most of his 'spark of genius' like KLIA, Petronas Twin Tower, PROTON, PUTRAJAYA, and many others.
I think, Tun Mahathir has taken a big decision and carefully calculated the risk of pursuing the 'grand ideas' above. He gave us a 'PHYSICAL' development that none of our PMs and Politician could match or even dream to match. HOWEVER, Tun Mahathir, for me somehow, relaxed a bit on 'MENTALITY' development.
The Rakyat's MENTALITY somehow couldn't catch up with Tun Mahathir's rapid 'hardware' successes. The proofs of this lagging are showing today, such as racial/ethnic disparity, income & wealth distribution and perception of low level Rule of Laws and Corruption.
But I don't blame Tun Mahathir, I believe Tun has made the calculated risk and took a strong stand on his decision. I believe he decided all that knowing the fact that the country's PHYSICAL development is paramount for us to become COMPETITIVE and RELEVANT at global stage (wooing investor and create wealth for all)
Let us talk about Tun Abdullah Badawi (Pak Lah). Tun Pak Lah is a nice person. Loved by all during his ascendency to the top post and continue to drive the nation into a better future. We had a great 50 years Independence Celebration during his premiership and his notion on 'Modal Insan' is greatly applauded and supported.
I believe, when Tun Mahathir decided to name Tun Pak Lah as his successor, Tun Mahathir requested Tun Pak Lah to catching up his lagging on 'MENTALITY' aspect of the Rakyat.
Remember what Tun Pak Lah said during his earlier premiership "Tun Mahathir has left us with 1st World facilities, he has left us with great 'HARDWARE', and now I will focus on developing the 'SOFTWARE'". From that we could see that one of Tun Pak Lah primary objective of premiership is develop the Rakyat's Mentality in order to catch up with Physical.
Hence, Tun Pak Lah has spearheaded the 'Islam Hadhari' and 'Modal Insan' taglines and programs to lift the Mentality of the Rakyat into 1st World Mentality.
Tun Pak Lah has also gave us things Insititut Integriti Malaysia (IIM), that aimed to push Malaysian people into a high accountability and integrity society.
It seems like the understanding between the two Tuns is commendable and forward looking. It is acceptable that the 'gentlemen's agreement' between two giants really can add values and ensure the well being of the Rakyat.
Then, came the unthinkable. Issues like incompetence, poor performance and others have stop dynamic. A spark of disagreement between the two Tuns has became a big fire that none couldn't control nor ignore.
Tun Pak Lah's role in ensuring the 'SOFTWARE' deliverable had somehow fade away and lost in translation.
The much needed 'COMBO' of Physical and Mentality has stopped and until this very moment, none the politicians now wanted to re-ignite it.
The Physical development such as Internet penetration and cheap & affordable smartphones have change the dynamic of the Rakyat contribute to a larger 'trust deficit' among the Rakyat especially along the 'ethnic' and 'racial' line.
Now is the time we should re-look at the 'COMBO' seriously and sincerely. We still have time to achieve the much awaited 'Wawasan 2020' with each details of it materialised as we envisioned when we small and naive.
Wawasan 2020 shouldn't be look and chase based on the economic metrics entirely i.e Income per capita, real GDP growth and others. Wawasan 2020 vision is a single comprehensive and inclusive destination beyond the economic indicator. Wawasan 2020 is an identity, a compass of all Malaysian.
Let us relive the dedication and determination of the two Tuns. We can do this. We will do this, and We will succeed
