Meritocracy Alone will breed mediocrity says PM

Prime Minister Najib Razak delivered a rousing speech today at Universiti Teknologi Mara.

Though undoubtedly the tone and nature of the speech is for the Malay/Bumi audience I am sure that the BN Gomen aim has always been to help the poor and disadvantaged,  just so happens that as the majority in Malaysia, the poor and disadvantaged group are mostly made up of Malays and Bumis.

One thing I agree is that Malaysia with its multi racial and multi religious population cannot afford to practice full meritocracy just yet, as if it is done now, the gap between the rich and the poor will grow larger causing economic disparity and then social instability that could erupt in violence we do not want to happen in this blessed country.

However, after the infamous MAS-AA share swap deal making the well connected rich much richer, I am a bit skeptical, lets see whether this Najib Gomen walks its talk or just giving out mere rhetorics because the general election is coming nearer and nearer.

The speech delivered by our YAB Prime Minister today:

Najib says meritocracy alone will breed ‘mediocrity’
UPDATED @ 02:59:29 PM 19-08-2011
By Clara Chooi (TMI)
August 19, 2011

SHAH ALAM, Aug 19 — Datuk Seri Najib Razak sought today to justify his administration’s apparent return to affirmative action policies to boost the Bumiputera economy, saying a system based 100 per cent on meritocracy would only breed “a nation of mediocrity”.

"We must have a blend of meritocracy and social justice and social justice. If there is only meritocracy, there will be nothing. What will happen to our country? We will be a nation of mediocrity," the prime minister said today.

The prime minister told a convention here that the government’s “new system” was to use meritocracy among Bumiputeras by identifying and rewarding sincere and deserving Malay businesses while at the same time creating a more competitive environment to enhance the Malay economy.

He said focussing entirely on meritocracy would not be fair to individuals living in rural and suburban areas, claiming they would not be able to compete on a level playing field with those living in urban centres.

“Yes, some have said that the time has arrived that we no longer need affirmative action, some say we can scrap the quota system, we do not need this and that... and that we should practise full meritocracy.

“This is not coming from the non-Malays alone but the Malays themselves, the so-called liberal Malays,” Najib said in his keynote address at the opening of the “Strengthening the New Economic Model — 1 Jihad Bumiputera Economy” convention at Universiti Teknologi Mara here.

“I say that it is true that the non-Malays became rich because of hard work but it is no less important to note that they became rich also because of our country’s stability and a sound administration... because when they needed money, we gave it to them, even from before,” he said.

Najib said Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) should be credited for being “considerate” and “fair” to the non-Malays, resulting in an environment that enabled their businesses to thrive.

Najib said Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) should be partly credited for being “considerate” and “fair” to the non-Malays, resulting in an environment that enabled their businesses to thrive.

“But do not now fail to be considerate to the Malays as well... they (non-Malays) should also be fair because Malays are presently at a disadvantage.

Read in full here.