Speech by Anwar Ibrahim at the Economist's CEO Lunch meet, APRIL 19, 2012 at the KL Hilton
In a collection of Greek and Latin proverbs compiled by the Renaissance humanist and philosopher Erasmus, known as Adagia, we are told: Multa cadunt inter calicem supremaque labra.
Not to worry, because for the life of me, I too haven't the foggiest idea what it means.
But after doing some checking, this is just the Latin version of an old English proverb many of us are familiar with. It goes like this: "There's many a slip between the cup and the lip". In other words, even when the outcome of an event looks certain, things can and do go wrong.
That proverb could also be a convenient excuse when we don't fulfill our promises, especially if we have made grand pronouncements about great changes to come. Well, I think you know where I'm heading here but just to add on to the drama, let me throw in another quote. For this, T.S. Eliot is the master:
Between the idea
And the reality
Between the motion
And the act
Falls the Shadow…
Now, this is no ordinary shadow but a long drawn veil of different shades of darkness.
But seriously, I am saying this because today more than ever before we are living in a world dominated by sense perception. A world where sound bites, boiler plate pronouncements and state-of-the-art mass media image-building take the place of sincere and straightforward expressions of truth.
In this regard, we have been treated to a barrage of promising reforms, which look very good on paper and even more impressive through media campaigns which cost millions of ringgit of the tax payers' money. And this is money spent without any regard to accountability.
Indeed when it comes to promises, we have an embarrassment of riches. Firstly there is the overkill of sound bites such as the NEM, the GTP, the ETP, and the list goes on. They may all sound different but as you know, they are essentially cosmetic variations of the same stale approach to economic management.
But first let us look at the political and legal reforms which have been touted to have ushered in a new era of freedom and democracy for the nation.
To begin with, as you know the ISA is supposed to have been abolished just over the weekend. But even before we could give it a decent burial, the powers that be have already resurrected it from the grave. They've given it a different name of course, but we know that a bad law by any other name will still smell as bad.
Much has already been said by all concerned parties about the erosion of our fundamental rights and freedom, and that this new law is akin to taking away the powers of the police from their right pocket only to put it back into their left pocket. Suffice it to add that with the passing of this new repressive law, the stench of oppression still permeates the air and the Sword of Damocles still hangs over our heads.
Let me now share some thoughts with you on our social and economic policy road map which is encapsulated in the Pakatan Rakyat's Orange Book. Firstly, this policy is founded on a new social contract between the government and the people. In the event of a transition to power, we pledge to introduce sweeping reforms.
We want to establish a real democracy to reflect and empower the supremacy of the people. We want to build a dynamic and sustainable economy to provide prosperity to all. The drivers for growth will be essentially led by the private sector. But this will not be crony capitalism driven by a philosophy of greed. It will be free market capitalism with a humane face. This is not an ideal in the clouds but a reality that can be achieved because we will be guided by the principles of social justice.
We will continue the practice of transparent and responsible government as currently done by Pakatan Rakyat states. We will free the nation's institutions from the undue influence of politics and restore them to their past glory. The Judiciary has been savaged by the UMNO/BN Executive. We pledge to stop the political meddling in judicial proceedings and restore its independence and competency.
Other national institutions of government must be reformed: the Election Commission, the MACC, the AG's Chambers and the Police – these are essential institutions to ensure the rule of law. They work for the people, not the political masters. They must be transparent and accountable.
In the coming years, we will enhance our pro-rakyat approach while pursuing the best practices in governance. Specific growth oriented and pro-rakyat steps will be introduced at state and national levels. Among others, the areas which will be given particular emphasis are as follows:
There will be complete reformulation of our national policies with regard to key economic, political and social challenges. To ensure a proper check and balance mechanism, there will be full implementation of the Freedom of Information Enactments already introduced in Pakatan Rakyat states.
Another top priority is to establish a quality education system. Funding will be given for educational institutions at all levels and for academic, technical and vocational streams. We need this in order to expand access to effective education for Malaysians of all walks of life. Free education is a fundamental liberty.
Now, as for subsidies, let us put the whole thing into proper perspective. Contrary to what the propaganda tells us, we are not out to create a society that will end up relying on them like crutches. We want a fair and equitable system of wealth distribution. To this end, we will overhaul the current structure of national subsidies. Corporate sector subsidies must be reduced, for example, the gas subsidies of RM19 billion to independent power producers. We then pass on these savings toward subsidies for the rakyat.
To further promote a pro-Rakyat administration, we will fix a time line for government bodies that own highway concessions to transfer them to the government so that tolls will be abolished. Similarly, all private water concessions will be restored to the government. Water is a public asset of the rakyat, not the private money machine for the corporate big wigs.
Do all these measures and reforms make us anti-business? Certainly not. Can we seriously say that rakyat friendly policies coupled with an administration that is fully transparent and accountable will not be conducive to business?
In a matter of four years, we have shown how Selangor and Penang have been able to increase the state revenues through business friendly policies and proper governance. And this is in spite of Selangor and Penang getting a raw deal from the Federal government in terms of funding. And speaking of raw deals, we know how Kelantan has been victimized all these years by the vindictive and completely unreasonable policies of the UMNO/BN government.
So, the answer is a clear 'no'. We are totally committed to bringing economic prosperity to Malaysia. Unlike what has been going on all these years, we will not allow the nation's wealth to be pillaged and plundered by the few.
Before I conclude, let me take a moment to address you directly in your capacity as CEOs. Occupy Wall Street has given a clear signal. In this free market capitalism, the dignity of the person should never be played down. Apart from being the chief drivers of business expansion and hence the creation of value added employment, you are also the custodians of Corporate Social Responsibility.
Now, we know that is easier said than done. Historically, corporations, being largely driven by profits, have been good on the promise about CSR but unfortunately end up rather short on the delivery. Profit is fine but profiteering contributes to the gross inequities of the free market. The philosophy of greed is not cast in stone. You have the power to implement CSR according to the principles of justice and fairness in dealings. This is where CSR and social justice meet and flow into the mainstream of corporate governance.
In tandem with ensuring the fulfillment of CSR, an even greater more profound duty beckons. And that involves you being part of the paradigm change that is going to happen to this nation.
In this imminent transformation, I am optimistic and confident that you do not want to remain as mere passengers but, as CEOs, you should be at the driver's seat to help bring about the change.
Thank you.
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Shaking the hands of the stateless Indian Malaysians present, Anwar, who is also PKR de factor leader and Permatang Pauh MP, promised to raise the matter with the government.
As a result, they have been denied benefits from the Social Security Organisation (Socso) and the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), among other things.
Several other PKR leaders from Parliament also visited the gathering outside, including party vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar and MP for Subang R Sivarasa.
Surendran gave the government 48 hours to settle the citizenship problems of the Indian Malaysians present, as their details were attached to the memorandum that was passed on.