By William Pesek, Bloomberg columnist
If Malaysian leader Najib Razak thought he already had
problems at home, now he also needs to worry about a “Jokowi effect” spreading
from neighboring Indonesia.
On Monday, fresh-faced Joko "Jokowi" Widodo
took the helm of the world’s fourth-most-populous nation. Throughout Southeast
Asia, young voters have been gripped by the rise of this small businessman --
effectively a nobody -- to his nation’s highest office. Jokowi isn't the scion
of any political dynasty or wealthy family, the normal routes to power in
Southeast Asia. He’s a self-made outsider known for hands-on solutions and personal
incorruptibility.
Voters have to ask themselves why Jokowi’s story can’t be
replicated in their own countries, many of which are crying out for more
credible, effective leaders. Najib has particular reason to be concerned. His
personal background -- as the son of Malaysia's 1970s Prime Minister Abdul
Razak Hussein -- is one of privilege. More importantly, even as hopes rise that
Indonesia might finally achieve its true growth potential, Malaysia seems
consumed by petty political infighting and religious small-mindedness.
Najib is hardly alone here. If anything, next-door
Thailand seems even more paralyzed by political divisions. But Malaysia’s
failings are especially frustrating because they are so unnecessary.
Consider this: Jokowi is Indonesia's fifth president
since dictator Suharto was ousted in 1998, and the second to be elected
directly by the nation's 250 million people. In contrast, the political
establishment that's controlled Malaysia for six decades is still trying to
silence opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim. Since 1998, Anwar has faced many
questionable trials and prison sentences on charges ranging from corruption to
sodomy. The latest verdict is due this week -- just days after Jokowi publicly
buried the hatchet with his political opponents, who pledged to work with him
to move Indonesia forward.
Malaysians are understandably angry about surging living
costs. Meanwhile, earlier this month, local politicians from Najib’s United
Malays National Organisation raised a stink about provocative posters for
Oktoberfest, which some Muslim groups tried to ban. There’s even a debate among
some UMNO members about whether Muslims should be allowed to touch dogs.
Even though Malaysia's government is technically secular,
religion is increasingly being wielded as a political weapon. This week, a
delegation of opposition lawmakers visiting Canberra urged Australia to speak
out against creeping Islamization in Malaysia. "In an environment where
the state subtly and indirectly endorses criticisms and intimidation against a
minority, it is easier for the messages of radical groups like ISIS to take
hold," delegation leader Rafizi Ramli told reporters.
Malaysia cannot afford to get bogged down in such side
issues. To increase the country’s competitiveness, Najib should have begun
scaling back the four-decade-old affirmation action program that favors the
ethnic Malay majority; instead, he’s expanded it. Malaysian leaders should be
striving to improve the investment climate through stronger corporate
governance, and expanding education and training to raise productivity. Subsidies
for state-connected companies need to be scaled back and eventually eliminated.
No one’s saying that Indonesia doesn’t face immense
hurdles, too. As skilled and well-meaning as he may be, Jokowi can’t
single-handedly eradicate the endemic corruption and dysfunction that has
relegated millions of Indonesians to poverty. Despite the current bonhomie in
Jakarta, he still confronts a determined and well-financed opposition keen on
protecting vested interests.
But Malaysians should remember that globalization enables
all economies to grow quickly. If their country refuses to open up and become a
true meritocracy -- the kind of place where a figure like Jokowi could come to
power through the ballot box -- neighbors like Indonesia and the Philippines will
steal away investment and industries. Then the problems they're focusing on
today won't seem so large.- Oct 23, 2014
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