15/09/2025

MONDAY | SEPT 15, 2025

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COMMENT by Assoc Prof Dr Zuraini Md Ali and Dr Nurshafarina Jasme

Uplifting the nation, hand in hand E VERY August and extending on to Sept 16, we typically pause to ask: What does Merdeka truly mean? that nurtured it – bagai sirih pulang ke gagang . Each homecoming was more than a personal triumph. It was a gift to the community, a repayment of debts to the parents and villages that had carried them through.

Beyond the colourful displays, it is not merely an anniversary marked on calendars; it is a personal story – one of sacrifice, struggle and determination passed down by generations. Merdeka is a living testament to the resilience of the human spirit. For many Malaysians, that story began in humble villages where life was simple, yet demanding. Parents worked the fields or small trades, stretching every ringgit to feed their families. They placed their hopes in one powerful truth: education was the only key to freedom. It was the torch that could light the way out of poverty. Many gave up personal comforts – postponing medical care, wearing worn-out clothes and walking miles to work – so their children could afford school uniforms, textbooks and bus fares. Every report card brought home was not just a slip of paper; it was proof that their sacrifices were not in vain. For them, Merdeka meant giving the next generation a chance to rise above hardship. Those children, carrying their parents’ unspoken prayers, travelled far and wide. Some entered local universities – the menara gading of our land – while others crossed oceans to seek knowledge abroad. Yet, no matter how far they ventured, their hearts never left home. Coming back was never really a choice; it was a responsibility. Knowledge, after all, is not meant to be hoarded. It must return to the soil Jokes aside, the recently introduced 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) offers all the right solutions for the country as we navigate through these choppy waters. In identifying the plan’s key objectives, choosing the word resilience is an apt one. It implies sustainability for any state that can be economically agile, able to adapt quickly and effectively to a fast changing environment, and is likely to outlast those that are not. Likewise, a country that emphasises upward social mobility for all and the well-being of its people will foster the loyalty needed to go the distance as time progresses. These would not be possible if the public service proves to be a hindrance than a facilitator; hence the need to push through its reform. Nothing elicits trust more than an organisation that works for the people it is designed to serve. And trust is important especially when facing challenges that require collective perseverance. The selection of the 27 priority areas reflects a well-balanced mix of current and future concerns. The plan aims to

Today, as educators at Universiti Malaya – the nation’s oldest university and a living witness to independence – we are reminded of how far Malaysia has come. Thousands of graduates have left these halls to shape the nation in every imaginable field: medicine, law, education, business and public service. Their impact is visible in policies written, hospitals built, companies founded and classrooms filled with young minds. Yet, the challenges of today are different from those faced by the generations before us. The struggle is no longer against colonial powers, with guns and chains. Instead, it is against the colonisation of the mind. This new colonisation is subtle but powerful. It comes in the form of unchecked consumerism that makes us believe worth is measured by what we own. It arrives through endless streams of social media that can distort truth and erode confidence in our culture. It creeps in when global trends are blindly followed at the expense of local wisdom. Left unchecked, it can blur our identity, weaken our values and leave us rootless. That is why education matters more than ever. True Merdeka is not just the freedom to speak or act; it is the freedom to think critically, to filter noise from knowledge and to make choices grounded in wisdom. It is about giving the next generation the courage to chart their

True Merdeka is about giving the next generation the courage to chart their own path while holding firmly to

the roots that anchor them. –

BERNAMAPIC

the heritage they preserve. Academic brilliance without empathy or values is hollow. True success is measured not by accolades but by service. Independence is not only a celebration of the past; it is a call to action for the future. It is the legacy of sacrifice, the inheritance of wisdom and the hope of a nation determined to thrive. Each generation must add its verse to the Merdeka story – one of courage, compassion and contribution. Assoc Prof Dr Zuraini Md Ali and Dr Nurshafarina Jasme are from the Department of Building Surveying, Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Malaya. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com

leave behind. Merdeka has never been a solo journey; it is a collective responsibility – berat sama dipikul, ringan sama dijinjing . This sense of shared duty is what strengthens Malaysia in times of crisis, whether facing economic downturns, pandemics or environmental challenges. Each citizen has a part to play, no matter how small, in lifting the nation. As educators, our role is to remind students that the knowledge they acquire is not only for personal advancement; it must also be channelled towards the betterment of Malaysia – through the communities they uplift, the policies they shape, the cities they build and

own path while holding firmly to the roots that anchor them. The beauty of Merdeka lies in its ability to bridge contrasts. A child from a wooden house in a rural village can grow into a professional, a minister or an entrepreneur. A city child raised among skyscrapers can return to villages to bring development, compassion and progress. Our towering buildings reflect economic growth but our true soul lives on in kampung mosques, suraus , wooden homes and traditions that endure – t ak lapuk dek hujan, tak lekang dek panas . The measure of progress is not how fast we run ahead but how well we preserve the dignity of what we

COMMENT by Dr Peter Brian M. Wang

Building a resilient ship: Turning 13MP vision into tangible results CONSIDERING the challenging times we live in, a superstitious person would have probably suggested numbering the coming Malaysia Plan as 12a, just to avoid attracting bad luck. disparities that exist between its citizens, the government will also continue to ensure no region gets left behind.

boost growth in high-growth high-value (HGHV) industries and high-impact strategic sectors while also emphasising sustainability by strengthening and empowering the blue and green economies. This cannot be achieved without strengthening the R&D&C&I (research, development, commercialisation and innovation) ecosystem. While the devil is in the details, the plan clearly reflects the government’s commitment to restructuring the economy towards a more advanced and greener model, in line with its promises under the Madani Economic Framework. Holistic approaches have been identified to facilitate the transition towards greener and cleaner energy, including the possible use of nuclear energy. But there is also no doubt that these measures, particularly in relation to developing HGHV sectors and strengthening the R&D&C&I ecosystem, are responses to possible global disruption, brought about by ongoing dynamic geopolitical and geoeconomic developments. The 13MP’s focus on strengthening Malaysia’s digital ecosystem as well as in AI, blockchain and robotics technology must be viewed in this light. We are in another industrial

revolution, and as history has often taught us, those that can compete – if not lead – are likely to have a front row seat in the new world that emerges. It is high time for countries like Malaysia to be technology creators not just consumers. To support this, at least in the context of AI, the government will develop an AI driven ecosystem through the National AI Action Plan 2030. According to the plan, this will drive talent development and R&D&C&I to accelerate the adoption of AI. The plan also addresses many of the concerns facing Malaysians today such as food security, public transport, quality of education, healthcare, availability of housing and employment. This is not only the case of providing quality living for the present but also for the future, especially as we shift towards an ageing society – and bringing with it its own set of problems. With 12 states now categorised as ageing, plans to introduce legislation to regulate long term care services as well as establish a one-stop centre to develop tech-based solutions for the elderly will certainly be welcomed. Staying true to the spirit of Malaysia Madani, inclusiveness continues to be emphasised in the 13MP. In attempting not only to address the socioeconomic

“Nothing elicits trust more than an organisation that works for the people it is designed to serve. And trust is important especially when facing challenges that require collective perseverance.

With the proposed star rating system in place to promote and sustain women’s participation in the workforce, the empowerment of women takes a positive step forward. Public sector reform continues to be the focus of the current administration. Among the measures identified to further achieve this goal is to accelerate the digitisation of services and work processes through AI adoption. Keeping its commitments to reform projects and fiscal reform, a new mechanism to manage development expenditure will be introduced under the plan. 13MP has received positive feedback from many quarters. It is now up to the government machinery to see to its implementation. As it is often said, a plan however brilliant can be ruined by poor execution but an average plan executed well can succeed. Dr Peter Brian M. Wang is the deputy head of the Centre of Economics and Public Finance at the National Institute of Public Administration. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com