Administration that practises fairness, justice and integrity.

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw reminds the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak that besides cashing on our diversity, the administration must strive to establish fairness, justice and integrity in the public and the private sectors..

The Prime MInister has a point when, on 5.10.2009, he said in Paris that Malaysia could leverage on its diversity to bring economic benefits to the people, fitting into his 1Malaysia concept. True, we should always make the best of the country’s multi-racial, multi-cultural and multi-religious population which bore elements of Asian civilisations.

He said throughout history, civilisations that prospered were inclusive and open while those which were closed and resistant to ideas and free movement of people withered away.

U.S.A. is an example of diversity. Those who are good can rise to the top as shown by President Barack Obama. Just look at the number of Nobel Prize winners from the country. Many originate from other nations such as Albert Eistein. She has her peculiarities like being the biggest debtor nation in the world. As the largest economy on earth, the bankrupcy of such banks as the Lehman Brothers contribute to the global recession. The former chairman of the New York Stock Exchange Bernard Maadorf has gone to jail for gigantic fraud. We do not want to immitate the greed of these captains of the financial world.

Encouraging people to capitalize on diversity, Najib may want to examine hindrances in the public and the private sectors. For example, despite his emphasis on Key Performance Indices (KPIs) and Key Product Areas (KPAs), he would have to review the practice in all government departments and agencies. How many have accepted the concept of 1Malaysia, giving priority to the people? How is it that government departments tend to become monoethnic? On the other hand, the private sector may show this trend in certain aspects. Then, there are irregularities including corruption.

If government departments show that they truly imbue fairness, justice and integrity, it will be easier for Malaysians to exploit the diversity. We still have a long way.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw