05-02-2021, 10:10 AM
![[Image: K-Parkaran-Columnist-2.jpg]](https://s3media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/K-Parkaran-Columnist-2.jpg)
A failed state is defined as a nation in which the government has lost political authority and control, resulting in being unable to fulfil the basic responsibilities of a sovereign state.
Among some of the causes are economic collapse, breakdown of governance, corrupt and ineffective security forces, absence of a level playing field for citizens, those in power are kleptocrats and a weak, corrupt government.
Based on this, most would agree that Malaysia is not a failed state as some appear to be claiming. Not yet at least. On the surface, everything appears to be pretty normal.
Most people have enough food on the table and earning a living is not impossible although the wages are a bare minimum in many cases. It appears that only the B40 workers and their families, who comprise 50% of the population, are struggling.
However, this is not a benchmark one should use to claim that we are doing okay and headed for recovery as some leaders seem to be crowing. Honestly, we are in a very fragile situation, with many issues threatening to be the tipping point.
Though many issues began a decade ago, all the current failings could have been corrected by the Pakatan Harapan government when it took over in 2018. But the coalition failed for many reasons.
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