Source: Esmonde Young (Unsplash)

The Malaysian government is asking for everyone’s views and opinions on how to grow the economy.

If you are interested, you can do so through their online feedback channel called “Suarakan Pendapat Anda” here.

Since they ask, here are my 5 opinions!

#1 Increase Focus on Vocational Skills

Growing up, vocational skills have always been looked down upon by the public.

Working with your hands is not smart. You are like a Kuli. Those were what I was told. Study hard, study science and business and you will have a good and stable job.

Looking back, I feel it’s so misguided. It hit me when I was trying to buy rattan furniture. They cost an arm and a leg, while they were so common during my parents’ time.

There is a shortage of vocational talents and workers. Many shunned such jobs as they were viewed as unglamorous and not part of the “professional” or “digital” economy.

I had to wait 2 weeks for a technician to come to install my air-conditioner because he had too many clients. It’s time we embrace vocational skills. I want to learn woodwork now but have no idea how to start.

#2 For the Love of God, Please Stop Cutting Down Trees for Palm Oil

Unpopular opinion, I know but I don’t care. I felt this when I was driving up the highway to Kuantan. Scores of palm oil trees litter both sides of the road.

A sense of sadness welled up inside of me. I know the context of palm oil in Malaysia. They were utilised as a means to lift rural folks out of poverty. I get that but large corporations reap most of the profits in this industry.

Do we still want to line the pockets of these people and destroy our forests at the same time?

I can’t help but think. Do we still need to cut down our remaining rainforests to plant forests of palm oil? Do we really want this?

I know it’s important for many food products but I really don’t care at this point for large corporations. Please shift away from the palm oil industry.

#3 Time to Fully Commit to Building Local Technological Capabilities

Let’s not rely on foreign direct investment to drive our technology sectors. We have relied on that model since the 1980s, and even then, it has not been that successful.

Recent drives to attract Chinese investments have good intentions but do not address our long-term problem – the lack of a local technology sector.

While we can argue that countries such as South Korea, Taiwan, and Japan, built their own national champions, they also had stringent requirements for these companies to export and build their own technological capabilities.

I don’t see that discipline in Malaysia.

#4 Introduce Incentives for Self-Sufficiency

I know, I know. We should always let the most efficient players do certain things. That applies to food production also.

In Malaysia, most of the food produced is done by the big players as they are the most efficient.

However, the recent rise in food especially chicken prices, have alerted Malaysians to the need to be self-sufficient.

But alas, most of the people in KL and Selangor, live in condominiums and are ill-equipped to plant their own things.

I am thinking of subsidies for DIY agriculture equipment like hydroponics or even tax reliefs.

#5 Open Up Government Institutions for External Private Auditors

Most of the government institutions are audited by the National Audit Department. Why not open them up to external private auditors?

This will be a great way to instill higher confidence in our institutions. We won’t have a repeat of the 1MDB fiasco.

I am not saying the National Audit Department is not good enough but it is good governance to also have external private auditors to do their checks.

Conclusion

These 5 suggestions are by no means exhaustive. There are many more things that I think Malaysia could improve on.

Hopefully, these could be useful for the government to consider.