Come 2020, we will join the fully-develop nations. Aren't we proud of such an achievement, rubbing shoulders with the high society?
However, are we ready? We want everything to be in place, all sectors of the economy running well, infrastructures all over the country, the people enjoying higher income and IT becoming a boost to massive development.
IT? Oopppsss.... I guess this is the only sector that could dampen our march. Just look and study the chart below.
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Gosh! We are much lowly rated than Cambodia and Vietnam, two countries that 20 years ago were far behind us.
Even Myanmar is closest to us.
Of course, we can give reasons and excuses that our country is big; its topography not that easy to manage, and logistical problem is slowing down the effort to wire it up.
Can 'pakai' such excuses?
NO! What about Cambodia, Vietnam and Myanmar? You think Myanmar is smaller than us or politically stable?
Answer - they don't politicise development matters, and they don't bargain or haggle when it comes to providing such infrastructures for the people.
They issued directives, and the providers have to follow and implement it.
Here? Politics above all, bureaucratic discrepancies and red tapes all around. If you have a better package to offer, they will not entertain you unless a 'good deal' is agreed on.
Worst is our protectionism policy for GLC Telekom Malaysia. While we encourage local entrepreneurs to participate in our telecommunications sector, we apply some brakes as not to 'hurt' the GLC and other existing providers.
Just like managing imported items - food especially. We keep spending billions of ringgit every year on imported food items when some of the money can in fact be channeled to local entrepreneurs like planters, farmers, breeders and fishermen.
Why? 'Inside people' always have their 'portions' dealing with things like these.
Whether telecommunications, food supply or other industries, you cannot simply accept good 'home grown' idea to complement the growth and progress.
However, we must learn accepting one true fact here - high dependence on imports is one key criteria of a fully-develop nation. If you can always manufacture toothpick in Kepong, you won't...importing it is much better!
However, are we ready? We want everything to be in place, all sectors of the economy running well, infrastructures all over the country, the people enjoying higher income and IT becoming a boost to massive development.
IT? Oopppsss.... I guess this is the only sector that could dampen our march. Just look and study the chart below.
Even Myanmar is closest to us.
Of course, we can give reasons and excuses that our country is big; its topography not that easy to manage, and logistical problem is slowing down the effort to wire it up.
Can 'pakai' such excuses?
NO! What about Cambodia, Vietnam and Myanmar? You think Myanmar is smaller than us or politically stable?
Answer - they don't politicise development matters, and they don't bargain or haggle when it comes to providing such infrastructures for the people.
They issued directives, and the providers have to follow and implement it.
Here? Politics above all, bureaucratic discrepancies and red tapes all around. If you have a better package to offer, they will not entertain you unless a 'good deal' is agreed on.
Worst is our protectionism policy for GLC Telekom Malaysia. While we encourage local entrepreneurs to participate in our telecommunications sector, we apply some brakes as not to 'hurt' the GLC and other existing providers.
Just like managing imported items - food especially. We keep spending billions of ringgit every year on imported food items when some of the money can in fact be channeled to local entrepreneurs like planters, farmers, breeders and fishermen.
Why? 'Inside people' always have their 'portions' dealing with things like these.
Whether telecommunications, food supply or other industries, you cannot simply accept good 'home grown' idea to complement the growth and progress.
However, we must learn accepting one true fact here - high dependence on imports is one key criteria of a fully-develop nation. If you can always manufacture toothpick in Kepong, you won't...importing it is much better!