A Tale of Two Countries

FMT columnist, Adzhar Ibrahim (right) penned this intriguing piece “Losing the plot: Malaysia and UK edition” and which appeared in the news online portal today. I’m sharing it here because I reckon he’s pretty much spot on! 

“There’s a smallish country, once much respected and admired by its peers and held up as an example for others, but now facing hard times. 

Prices of its bonds and stocks are plummeting, its politics is in an uproar, its citizens are disenchanted, and many are leaving its shores for greener pastures. 

In many ways, it’s living on its past glory, indulging in pomp and pageantry and glossy media and entertainment that’s supposed to help rouse the soul. But these aren’t working, and the country is in a downward spiral. 

Its currency, once strong and respected, is now almost in freefall. The only good thing is it has a lot of oil, and the petro-money helps a bit. But oil, being priced in US dollars, also means more expensive fuel at the petrol pump, requiring ever higher amounts of subsidies. 

The country is being led by a bunch of leaders who’d do anything to cling to power, high on rhetoric and ideologies and low on real-world skills, empathy and competence. 

I’m of course talking about the UK. A country much in the news lately for its monarch’s death and for its increasingly chaotic political state. 

I’m of course not talking about Malaysia. It’s different here, because… Well, it’s not the same, because… And we really must draw a distinction, because… 

Okay, okay, I guess the above also applies to Malaysia too”. 

I think Malaysia is a wee bit better off.