AN authoritarian but tolerant leader could purge the country of Islamist conservatives and hardliners who threaten an open society, said former World Bank economist Lim Teck Ghee.

As the country’s leadership flirts with the idea of a theocratic state and with a sizable Malay-Muslim populace that does not seem to oppose such a shift, Lim painted a bleak future for the nation. 

“My major concern is that the gravy train is long and loaded,” Lim said during the launch of his book, ‘Challenging Malaysia’s Status Quo’, a 500-page collection of essays published by Strategic Research and Information Centre in Kuala Lumpur today. 

“The system is pervasive. It is churning out hardliners, conservatives and less open Malays and Muslims,” said Lim, who is director of the Centre for Policy Initiatives at UCSI University.

“The numbers are so overwhelming they dominate the bureaucracy and the commanding height of our economy and society, media and social media. 

“Not only are we being outnumbered but we are outfought and it is a long battle.

“You need someone at the top as happened in Saudi Arabia who takes down very large parts of the leadership of Utusan (Malaysia), TV3, BTN (National Civics Bureau), the universities across the country, religious institutions and replaces them with reformers.”

Last week, Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, 32-year-old Mohammed Salman ordered the arrests of 11 princes, along with dozens of other officials and businessmen on charges of corruption. 

Among those arrested include prominent billionaire investor Prince Alwaleed Talal.

Lim said such a situation would not likely happen in Malaysia.

“So the concern is the PAS-Umno alliance will get deeper and stronger and the forces out there are for the 3Ks: Ketuanan Umno, Ketuanan Islam, Ketuanan Melayu.

“These forces are going to get stronger.”

Lim said much of the country’s future will be decided by the Malays, who with the natives in the Bornean states, are projected by the government to constitute 85% of the population by 2040. 

“Our role is much more important than some of the pessimists among us make it out to be. 

“I believe there are moderates, liberals, fair-minded multi-racially minded Malays and they’re in large numbers but for various reasons, they’re quieter than they should be. 

“It is on all of us to keep telling young people to never give up. We’ve been on a long road and it’s going to be a long haul but we’ll get there,” Lim said. 

Present during the launch were Malaysiakini columnist S. Thayaparan, Malaya University law professor Azmi Sharom and former Treasury secretary-general Mohd Sheriff Mohd Kassim.

When speaking about the non-existent chance of having a non-Malay prime minister, Azmi said it was important to “recognise the political reality of the situation.”

“I’m so sick and tired of talking about race. We can live with having an aspirational idea of where we are heading,” he said. 

“Our education system from Standard One to university is designed to ensure that young people do not question anything. To change things, there has to be a certain degree of confidence. 

“Our government loves nothing more than to undermine Malay confidence.

“This would not last much longer. I teach younger people all the time, and I can see the changes. 

“When I started teaching decades ago, it was quite rare for students to express an alternative view. But now they know about humans rights and how to live in a society which is open.” – November 8, 2017.