Philip Khor

Last weekend, I had the privilege to witness some great inspirational leaders on stage at Nikko Hotel, KL. It was part of the Malaysian Student Leaders Summit organised by the UK students. Below are some of the notes I scribbled down. I hope that you can learn a thing or two and understand more about what’s happening in our country and why things in our country are they way they are.

08 Aug 2009, 5:25pm
*Disclaimer: The personal notes may not be accurate and might be misconstrued. Do not quote nor use in legal and political arguments.

1. After Tun stepped down in 2003, the country remained relatively stable. We are “the developed of the developing countries”. The congress has not done well after independence. There was no objective where the people are able to identify.

2. Fighters of Independence suddenly disappear AFTER independence. They lose their popularity and is rejected by people. Not relevant anymore now that the objectives are met.

3. What did the leaders do wrong to lose popularity? Self aggrandizement . Holding top posts, and of course, corruption.

4. They were too focus on getting position, returns, comfort and luxury of leaders. The rakyat lose respect while the leaders are still disillutioned. The regime may decline / disappear.

5. They lose focus / direction. You cease to become popular leaders. Aspirations of people who follow them.

6. Leaders must see the future. Population when he was PM: 5 mil / 6.5 mil (incl foreigner) – independence. People are getting richer and richer. Think of needs of bigger population. Prepared for plague / epidemic / war. Need to build for the future / plan ahead.

7. When people become rich, they have different needs. GDP per capita 1957 ($350), 2009 ($9,000)

8. Airport. Moved from Sg. Besi -> Subang (which was built for 35 mil air passengers). When we move to Subang, whoops, we are already at 25 million, and AirAsia starts to bring in 10 million more (a few years later).

9. Growth (trend). Wealth give rise to different needs. In 2020, we hope to be developed. Therefore we must have schools for the developed starting now.

10. Need to spend money to upgrade human resources. Grow exponentially.

11. Look at Japan / Korea / Taiwan / China, not West in terms of:
- Business management
- Work ethics
- Discipline in workspace
- Kampung vs city

12. Carpentry in Alor Setar
- workers leave their mess
- treat customers well
- punctual

13. Don’t want for Foreign Direct investment
- WE acquire foreign technology
- Grow faster

14. Vision 2020
- Owning, operating, investing in own capacity
- Cannot use low cost model when promoting Malaysia. We sure lose to India, Viet, China
- Better wages, more spending power, growth (Medium cost model)

15. Be prepared to spend more when earn more.
- Money to invest comes from you.
- Re-invest. Attract FDI
- Local investment is better

16. So many holidays!
- 5 day week
- Not working hard enough
- When ONLY we rich, we can relax
- Hard work is what delivers (automation)

17. Work culture, suitable for growth

18. Q&A session, Assessment 2003 (step down)
- Strong leadership (authoritarian leader)
- Capacity to lead
- Authoritarian don’t have capacity to use FORCE.

19. Issue of “Detain for his safety for 3 days”
- Necessary to curb racial politics
- Multiracial countries no stablility
- People brilliant but unstable country.
- ISA maintain stability
- Minority may play race game, not popular approach

20. Can still function without good leader. High skills enable individuals to succeed. Need to ensure continuity.

21. Port Klang
- Every society has a degree of corruption.
- 2 stages: under the table, above the table. Everybody accepts that fact. Its difficult to turn back. Malaysia is at the “borderline”, which is dangerous.

22. People have money
- Improve position in opportunity.
- It is an investment
- Culture regards as crime & duty / unworthy. Rejected.
- Don’t take drugs because its bad. We just know it.

23. Bring up children well – teach that corruption is sin. The law doesn’t work well. Top man corrupt, ABOVE table.

24. Deprivation of youth of freedom of speech. The media, always write good things for the people in power although they contributed nothing. (jibe at Pak Lah?)
“Don’t throw the stone, you might hit a Tun!”

25. Racial Hatred
- Freedom of speech
- Chinese papers have lots of freedom to write what they want
- Lambasted government

26. Youth of Malaysia are full of energy
- Constitution contradict
- Need government help
- Money spent on youth
- Show interest with country’s happenings.
- British don’t allow free speech

27. Subsidy
- PLUS had cheap land, but the 800km long highway costed tens of billions
- Subsidy is necessary in some cases

28. Rural development
- Limited Resources. Can’t spend ALL on building roads. Must be balanced.
- Everybody benefits when Government spends money.

29. Tax the rich give to poor
-Fair rate

30. Media is power
- Peoplei in authority use media
- Distinguish facts vs fiction
- Press = fiction
(that’s why when emergent web technologies and social media became out of control, Tun stepped down… cannot compete against TRUE free speech and easy availability of information; whether fact or fiction)

31. Concluding words
- Image of Anwar (put in jail). Was system undermined?
- done in accordance with law
- Tun admits people makes mistakes
- Judges do make mistakes
- Some things about Malaysia not true, must got proof before accuse.
- People who can do it Don’t Last Long (ISA, Dictatorship, etc)
- Mustn’t be arrogant and oppressive.

32. UMNO 2/3 majority, stupid? “Even through you do stupid, stupid people know.”
- Send message to UMNO that Badawi not popular
- Corrupt image needs fixing
- Money politics

Advise: Build strong work ethics.

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