The Impact of Social Behavior on the Election of Ineffective Leaders Among Malays By Prof Yukiko UCHIDA, University of Kyoto

 

OutSyed The Box

Sunday, August 6, 2023

The Impact of Social Behavior on the Election of Ineffective Leaders Among Malays By Prof Yukiko UCHIDA, University of Kyoto

 

A friend sent me the following short article. It says that it was written by a Prof Yukiko Uchida. I hope this is correct. I Googled and there is a professor by that name:

Prof Yukiko UCHIDA is Professor of Social and Cultural Psychology at the Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University.

So I am running this article in good faith. As usual my comments in blue.

*The Impact of Social Behavior on the Election of Ineffective Leaders Among Malays*

By Prof UCHIDA, Yukiko
University of Kyoto
 

*Introduction*

The social behavior of Malays in Malaysia plays a significant role in shaping their mindset when it comes to electing leaders. 

This essay will delve into the influence of short-sightedness on the decision-making process, shedding light on the reasons behind the re-election of ineffective leaders and its consequences on the country's progress and development.
 

The Cycle of Electing Ineffective Leaders

Malaysians of Malay descent have been observed to display a trend of being easily swayed and lacking discernment when it comes to their political choices.

They often engage in a cycle of switching allegiance between political parties without thoroughly evaluating their options. 

This behavior demonstrates a short-sighted mindset, as decisions are made based on temporary factors rather than considering the long-term implications. 

Consequently, this behavior perpetuates a cycle that hampers the progress and development of the nation.

OSTB : Democracy is still new in Malaysia. Many Malays of my age (born 1960) were first generation literate, meaning their parents did not know how to read and write.  Hence literacy, appreciation of books and book knowledge, appreciating the value (and obligations) of putting things down on paper was still new in society. I believe they still are. This is not the most suitable crucible to nurture democracy which depends so much on the rule of law, the written word and institutions established by laws. Instead the spoken word (or oratory), physical appearances (form over substance), religion and black magic (the realm of the inexplicable) still hold sway over the Malay psyche instead of rational analysis of a situation.

Forgetting the Failures of Past Leaders

A noteworthy aspect of the short-sightedness observed among Malays is their tendency to forget about the failures of past leaders. 

This propensity may stem from a desire for change and a reluctance to dwell on the past.

However, failing to critically address the mistakes and shortcomings of previous leaders can inadvertently enable ineffective governance and create obstacles to the country's growth.

OSTB :  What Dr Mahathir once termed 'Melayu mudah pelupa'. The Malays really do not wish to dwell on their mistakes or weaknesses. Who does. But the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew's observation of the Malays (about 60 years ago) is also pertinent. Mr Lee said the Malays do not like confrontations and answering tough issues. Given a choice they rather postpone talking about difficult subjects. Maybe the difficult questions will magically go away. 

There is also the propensity of underachieving societies to shift the blame onto others. Why are we poor? Because the 'others' undercut, cheat and deny us our opportunities. Basic ingredients like hard work, integrity and dependability being absent is cleverly swept under the rug - especially by the politicians. The religious fellows have different boogeyman - the zionists, the west, the disbelievers, the christians are all out to get us. Its their fault. 

Manipulability through Appeals to Religion and Race

Another factor contributing to the short-sighted mindset among Malays is their vulnerability to appeals based on religion and race. Malays often prioritize these factors over assessing the capabilities and competence of potential leaders. This susceptibility allows leaders to manipulate Malays' sense of identity and emotions, effectively extracting political gain by leveraging their faith and heritage. Consequently, Malays may unknowingly overlook crucial evaluations of leaders based on their track records and abilities.

OSTB :  I attribute this to a lack of knowledge of what is the meaning of good and what is the meaning of what is not good and (not) being able to discern between the two. Lack of knowledge is also a result of poor mixing with society, ie not mixing enough with other races who have diverse social and economic aptitudes. This lack of mixing is also exacerbated through weak language skills especially the English language. Malay is the lingua franca on the street level but it is not the language of business, commerce, of learning or of the Internet. All that is still the domain of English and now increasingly Mandarin. 

The still new fangled focus on acquiring Arabic skills not only wastes more time for the Malays but pushes them deeper inside the racial and religious cocoon. They become more removed from real society.

Contrast with Chinese Malaysians

Contrasting the aforementioned behavior, Chinese Malaysians approach politics differently. They tend to exhibit a more reserved nature when it comes to publicly displaying support for particular leaders or parties. Instead, they rely on existing clan associations and business connections to negotiate privately with political parties, demanding policies and favors that align with their interests. This approach empowers the Chinese community to prioritize their own concerns and maximize desired outcomes, rather than solely relying on the re-election cycle.

Conclusion

The short-sightedness of Malays in re-electing ineffective leaders and disregarding past failures has a detrimental impact on progress and development within Malaysia. 

To ensure sustainable growth, it is crucial for Malays to engage in a thorough evaluation of leaders, considering their capabilities, competence, and track record, rather than being swayed by appeals to religion and race. 

By learning from past experiences and making informed choices, Malaysians can collectively work towards effective governance and national development.

Prof UCHIDA, Yukiko
University of Kyoto
26 Jul 2023 Kuala Lumpur