IF Latin is too esoteric for you, then Sun Tzu might be more to your taste: “In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.”

Indeed, the Chinese turn of phrase is apropos of the moment, as the source of this chaos is the West. The US stock market is in free fall, the government is in shutdown and the president is unhinged. Talk-show pundits are howling in unison for the next global crisis.

When you look at global risks for doing business, we can go through the checklist and see that uncertainty is ticking up down the line: failure of the global leadership (check), energy price volatility (check), fiscal crises, cyberattacks, social instability, financial institutions, infrastructure, good governance, terrorism (check, check, check) and widespread unemployment of unskilled workers.

The biggest clandestine threat is the evaporation of the middle class across the developed world. In the past, the very definition of a banana republic has been the subjugation of society by a select and corrupt elite. This no longer applies only to the so-called Third World, but also global economic giants.

This is not the result of chance or free market forces, but rather, the consequence of assertive policies designed to keep benefiting the super rich, so that the disparity between haves and have-nots has increased to the point where we have, today, two vastly different human experiences on the planet – that of the cocooned bubble of wealth, and the day-to-day grind of the rest of society.

Half of Malaysians live on less than RM2,000 a month, with rural Malaysians earning up to 40% less. Compare this to the billions squandered by Barisan Nasional/Umno leaders and their lackeys in the 1Malaysia Development Bhd scandal alone. To make matters worse, food and fuel price increases, the goods and services tax and a 40% hit to the ringgit over the last five years have contributed to cost-of-living increases affecting the middle class.

From the day of the elections, we highlighted that the first priority of the new Pakatan Harapan government must be to support the ringgit by increasing investor confidence while concurrently reducing our debt. We have aggressively pursued this policy with allies like Japan, in particular, even securing a RM7.6 billion 10-year samurai bond at an attractive 0.65% interest rate to pay down our sovereign debt that has high interest rates.

The smooth transition of power and immediate action to call to account corrupt actors from the previous administration, right up to the former prime minister, should be confidence boosters for investors, domestic and foreign alike. And, the recall of our capital home from outbound investments in Manhattan, Mayfair and Beverly Hills should help stem the tide of pressure on the ringgit.

Still, while the rest of the world frets about a free fall in 2019, we have reason for hope.

Malaysians score high on comparative quality-of-life indices, taking into account factors such as purchasing power, safety, healthcare, pollution and climate. While the G7 struggles with economic and social challenges, we can “Look East” to trade with Asean – 550 million people growing at 5% annually.

And although mainland Chinese investment in mega infrastructure projects may take a breather, countries such as Japan and Germany are eager to step in to offer us world-beating technology, combined with efficient capital and reliable execution, to help us achieve the targets of Vision 2025.

In many ways, we have a lucky country “problem” – large land mass but low population, rich in natural resources, such as oil and gas and palm oil, hard currency-earning sectors such as tourism, harmonious diversity among communities and a working democracy. All we have to do is govern the country honestly, administrate justice fairly and legislate for the good of all citizens. Though we have failed on these counts in the past, it is PH’s intention to now work to rectify these deficiencies.

I started my journey in politics on the day Muhyiddin Yassin was sacked for speaking the truth against corruption, malfeasance and the massive abuse of power. I fought a valiant battle, fearlessly, against the kleptomaniacs, and was arrested, interrogated (albeit in a friendly manner) and out on police bail. I was involved deeply in the formation of Bersatu and worked tirelessly with many to form PH against all odds.

I was never a politician, not even a reluctant one. I took this challenge as I honoured and respected immensely the sacrifice made by many, especially Muhyiddin on his pedestal of power. Every beginning has its rightful end. I would like to wish all Malaysians a big thank you for allowing the latitude that granted PH a chance to govern and resuscitate Malaysia. May the new year be a different and better year for all. Happy New Year! – December 31, 2018.

* Dr Rais Hussin Mohamed Arif is Bersatu strategist.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.