‘Merdeka’ from fear and the courage to move forward together

Every year, Malaysians celebrate Merdeka Day and Malaysia Day with pride for the founders of their nation. However, these anniversaries must also prompt a deeper reflection on what kind of Malaysia they wish to build. Over the past seven and six decades, Malaysia has transformed into an industrialised, trading nation with millions of professionals. Today, nearly six million university graduates are part of the 34-million-strong population.

Progress is evident in the falling graduate unemployment rate, reaching around 3.2 per cent in 2024. The nation's institutions, universities, and industries have opened doors of opportunity that previous generations could not have imagined. Yet, despite this remarkable development, politics remains trapped in the anxieties of the past.

Fear plays a powerful role in politics, often used as a convenient tool to fuel insecurities and identity-based politics. Politicians exploit this fear to manufacture insecurities rather than focus on creating better job opportunities, boosting productivity, and boosting confidence in the future.

Younger Malaysians, especially those from diverse backgrounds, must resist succumbing to the temptation of stress over the past. It is essential for all Malaysians, irrespective of their ethnicity, to understand that the progress made is not a threat to their identity. Embracing the progress made by other communities and recognising one's own capabilities will contribute to building an inclusive Malaysia.

The future challenges facing the next generation are colour-blind, encompassing AI, climate change, and the energy transition. The real challenge is to create sufficiently productive, skilled, and well-paid jobs for the next generation. The median wage of Malaysian formal-sector employees is just over RM3,000 a month, indicating the need for better economic growth.

Government priorities should focus on raising wages, distributing wealth more equitably, and reforming schools and universities' curriculums to suit the rapidly changing labour market. Education must be revamped so that graduates can obtain jobs that match their skills and avoid the low-income cycle. The government must also boost productivity in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and foster internationally competitive companies.

By addressing these issues, Malaysians can secure upward social mobility and expand the middle class. All Malaysians must work together, leveraging the nation's diversity as an advantage, as Southeast Asia becomes increasingly fragmented. The real resource is the Malaysians themselves, and they must harness their talent to build a better future.