will easily be influenced by any idea, regardless of its validity, purely because it is against the mainstream. This is not healthy. We need to liberalise intellectual discussions and arguments. The marginalised and the oppressed should be given room for dialogue and debate. Ideas should be contested in the public sphere.
Evidence has shown that liberalising ideas and thoughts sparked Britain’ s Industrial Revolution. Malaysia, too, should embrace“ Enlightenment” beyond superficial prosperity, through critical thinking. The industrial revolution and the great age of invention could only have happened when people were given the freedom to think for themselves. Only then can humans achieve the impossible where even the sky was no limit and even the moon was within reach.
We need to liberalise intellectual discussions and arguments
A STORY OF SOCIAL MOBILITY THROUGH EDUCATION My grandfather was a testimony to how education can uplift generational social mobility. He hailed from Telok Panglima Garang, located far from the bustling city of Kuala Lumpur. In his formative years, he did best in his school and was offered a scholarship by the British Resident at that time. He completed his studies then with the Victoria Institution, and became a journalist working with the newspaper Majlis.
Growing up, I always remember how he emphasised education and awareness as key for a great human civilisation. He worked hard and made sure all his children and by extent, his grandchildren, managed to complete tertiary education. I remember how he told me he had no regrets as all his grandchildren are well educated.
Many have written on how Malaysia should escape the clutch and trap of the middle income. We have been stuck as a middle income nation since 1996. The only way forward is through education. The history of First World nations have time and time again shown us how powerful education is in founding civilisations and uplifting societies’ quality of life.
An inclusive educational system helps in bringing about inclusive socioeconomic results
HONOURING ATOK When I embarked on my doctorate journey, it was my hope that I could create awareness and contribute to society through my thesis and articles. The first piece of article produced during research became part of a book entitled“ Rich Malaysia, Poor Malaysians”.
The book provided the public with insight into the day-to-day operations of Petronas as the country’ s largest cash cow and how Petronas contributed to Malaysia’ s growth. I then continued to write on the socio-economic realities of Malaysia, particularly education and volunteering. I tried to spell out benefits accrued from education; the dangers of the middle income trap; widening income inequality and the ensuing social upheaval. Most importantly, I wanted to stress how an inclusive educational system helps in bringing about inclusive socio-economic results, thereby helping to alleviate poverty and increase the nation’ s well-being. The argument is finalised with the call for policy makers to adopt a“ One Graduate One Household” target.
In sum, education is one of, if not the only, most important solution to all the problems that we are facing today. My war will not be against a thousand bayonets. My war will be against the lack of education and awareness. I strongly believe that only through education will Malaysia prosper. I strongly believe that education is an enabler to solving if not all, most of our socio-economic woes in the country. True education teaches us to think, not to blindly obey.
CREATING AWARENESS TOGETHER One can only do so much yet here I am, with my ideas. However, this will only gather steam if many individuals group together for all Malaysians.
If we allow thinking to flourish, it will turn into dividends for our small sovereign nation, still grappling to understand the true meaning of growth, modernity and human development. If we keep suppressing opinions and fail to encourage thought, Malaysians will be left divided and haphazardly finding meaning amidst
If we allow thinking to flourish, it will turn into dividends for our small sovereign nation
global external influences. Thoughts have not only fuelled revolutions and counter-establishment movements, but have also shaped academia, society and influenced leadership, policy-making, and ultimately mankind’ s general livelihood.
As a developing nation, Malaysia is approaching the last but toughest hurdle in achieving wealth and prosperity: becoming a knowledge-based society, driven by intellectuals and thinkers. Read, understand, think and take action!
Let’ s inculcate a reading and critical thinking culture among Malaysians, promote a love for knowledge, and strive for a better, prosperous Malaysia.
ANAS ALAM FAIZLI holds a doctorate in Business Administration. He is an oil and gas professional, a concerned Malaysian and is the author of Rich Malaysia, Poor Malaysians. He tweets at @ aafaizli
PERDANA MAGAZINE 2016 27