Not a failed state, but certainly not doing well

[superadmin]

There’s been a lot of debate recently on this topic of a failed state. Of course, things have got political, too, like any good Malaysian debate. Why should a good debate go to waste?

Are we a failed state then? Are we in the ranks of Haiti or Lebanon or some African or South American countries which often hog the headlines for the wrong reasons?

Lots have been written about what defines a failed state. Most focus on the criterion that a failed state is a nation that has become ungovernable, with the mobs in the streets looting the nation as enthusiastically, if less elegantly, as its own leaders have done.

Are we such a nation? Of course not. Apart from political party general assemblies, the thieves are generally few and far between. While some parts of the nation can be a pretty hairy place to find yourself in (including said general assemblies), most of Malaysia is pretty safe, boring even.

Is there a hidden agenda behind the recent Bloomberg article? Political motives meant to destabilize the country so the Jews, Orientalists, or Western Capitalists will come in and colonise us again?

You’d never know. Being hidden, it’s quite difficult to see, but as we are so good at seeing hidden things, we see them everywhere.

To me, it’s just the opinion of one journalist, but man, does it strike a chord in Malaysia! The anger and support it received were dialled up to 11. You’re either for it or against it – there’s no common ground.

Then a minister stepped in with rebuttals. And if it wasn’t political to start off with, it’s definitely political now!

Much of the debate seems to focus on how Malaysia doesn’t meet the strict definition of a failed state. It’s almost like saying we may not have passed with a distinction or even a credit, but we didn’t get an F!

- More -