Ramon's Resolutions for 2014
by Tan Sri (Dr.) Ramon Navaratnam, Chairman, ASLI Centre of Public Policy Studies
WE
are relieved that major elections at national and party levels are
over. Thankfully they were conducted under peaceful conditions, although
many would have preferred more “free and fair” elections.
We
have passed the stage of politicking and rhetoric and should seek to
implement all the election promises and deliver beneficial outcomes to
the rakyat.Thus, it would be useful for us to review the past,
examine our present concerns and needs and to propose inter alia, the
following eight resolutions, for the adoption by our leaders and people.
We should resolve as follows:
- Peace and national unity must be strengthened. We should all refrain from hurtful and divisive comments and actions that will cause disunity. We should isolate all those who indulge in extremist remarks and actions that erode our peace and national unity.
The
Government should come down hard on all persons who pose a threat to
peace and unity in a fair and equitable manner that is accepted by all;
- Security standards have to be enhanced by greatly improving the crime index with more urgency.
The
Police could use their new laws to go all out to break up the crime
syndicates and get the kingpins, as they promised they would do, in
order to get public support for the introduction of the new Crime
Prevention Act;
- Corruption is still high and despite all government initiatives, it has hardly improved. New laws need to be introduced and the MACC has to show that it is more effective by reducing the TI Index considerably and more significantly;
- Inflation is a growing threat to our well-being. The poor and lower income groups are now burdened with rising prices.
Despite
the BR1M, they find it difficult to cope with daily living costs. The
recent reduction in subsidies and the increase in toll, electricity and
property rates are not the only cases of rising prices. There has to be
an anti-inflation strategy to combat inflation.
The
Government has to remove or reduce monopolies, closed and negotiated
tendering practices and liberalise the economy much more. We have to
adopt principles of the New Economic Model and phase out the abusive
practices of the protective policies;
- Social stability has to be buttressed by basic needs policies that have to replace race-based policies and practices.
Race
economics have also undermined national unity.Some even claim that
there is political and economic apartheid, which is quite
ridiculous.However, these issues have to be boldly addressed and
overcome, to give greater priority to the poor of all races;
- Unemployment is looming as a serious problem and must be curbed quickly.
Graduate
unemployment is a rising social threat. Can the Government seek faster
ways of improving our education system by introducing more technical
teaching to make our school graduates more productive and thus
employable. We might also be able to reduce drug consumption and
gangsterism;
- Religious bigotry and religious intolerance have to be clamped down more strenuously before we have more disharmony and less religious appreciation and understanding of each other in our multiracial society.
Can
a National Interfaith Council under the Prime Minister or his Deputy be
formed next year to promote more religious goodwill?; and
- Malaysia’s Human Rights record has to be improved as a matter of high priority.
We
have not signed and ratified all the Core Human Rights
Conventions.Malaysia has now to respond to 232 recommendations before
the Human Rights Council in March 2014.
Surely, we can show the world that we are far better disposed to the promotion and protection of human rights in our country?
In
conclusion, I believe that if we can sincerely adopt and implement the
above eight New Year Resolutions, we would make a big leap forward in
ensuring for ourselves - a more Happy and Prosperous and United Malaysia
in 2014 and beyond!
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