Malaysia heading towards being a failed state, says columnist

[superadmin]

PETALING JAYA: Beset by social, economic and political crises, Malaysia may be on its way towards becoming a failed state, says a columnist for Bloomberg.

“What started as a cry for help by Malaysians during rolling lockdowns and galloping Covid-19 infections has come to epitomise the descent of their once-proud nation,” wrote Daniel Moss.

He said the white flag movement was more of a “shorthand for discontent at the atrophying state and troubled economy”.
The people have no hope and desire to overthrow the government, although it is unclear that there is one to topple these days, he added.

While the country’s prime ministers were once credited for stable leadership despite authoritarian traits, he noted that lawmakers have been unable to guide Malaysia through its current plight.

Following Umno’s announcement to withdraw support for Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and infighting within the party, Moss said no leader appeared to have sufficient support in Parliament or among the 32 million population to replace the country’s leadership.


He also pointed out that it was unclear when the general elections will be held, while the monarchy was “being forced to leave the ceremonial shadows to referee”.

“So, the surrender flag captures the end of a strutting, can-do mentality, or ‘boleh’. Citizens are stepping in where authorities have failed as the pandemic has delivered seemingly endless misery.”


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