ALL time has two, if not three, dimensions. The root words for “time” in Greek are “kronos” and “kairos”. But these ideas do not completely capture what I call “maturity time”. Kairos is “wisdom-time”, and kronos, “chronological time”. Neither of these notions captures what I label “durian time”!

Durian time is biological time, or maturity time – a different dimension of time. Durian does not ripen like other fruits because it does not “masak”. Durian “runtuh”! It ripens according to its own biological time, and cannot be harvested like other fruits.

Today, our understanding and appreciation of “time-based but science-linked” agriculture has greatly improved. Today, there are so many different varieties and grades of durian. And, almost all Malaysians love durian!

Outputs, outcomes, final impact

Many years ago, in 1986, when some of us at Intan, or the National Institute of Public Administration, were trying to develop an organisational performance evaluation concept, we created what I now label the “three dimensions” of any performance evaluation system.

All outputs are designed for a larger purpose or outcome, and can, thereby, be measured for an impact. Within any system or process workflow logic, there are at least three levels of productivity indicators – outputs, long-term outcomes and the final impact.

A simple example: if we look at training as the outputs, the application of knowledge, information and skill sets helps solve real problems. Policy resolutions are the real outcomes if they address the gaps defined as the people’s problems in the first place.

So, when we make an argument about so and so vehicles being the best performers in an F1 race, when they are still just cars running on petrol with energy-inefficient engines, the superior alternative can and must be solar power, which is readily available and environmentally friendly.

Our very own electric car?

While the ambition to produce a “green” car is now a global agenda, if and when we roll out the new national car, is it going to be really green? This is an important question. Why so?

I recently had the privilege of acquiring the publication and distribution rights of one simple yet excellent book, Man and nature: The spiritual crisis of modern man. The author is a professor of Islam, Dr S.H. Nasr, at the George Washington University.

My dream is to get our beloved prime minister to launch the book and declare a green agenda for Malaysia. Here is my argument to the PM:

Sir, in 2018, at 93, you became PM for the second time. You have full knowledge of all three dimensions of time, and especially full, mature knowledge about rights, wrongs and all our misdirection. Therefore, you can help Malaysia understand the correct premises of May 13, 1969, our sad page in history half a century ago.

Mature Malaysia 2.0

Therefore, while I support the Malaysia Airlines name, or the Proton name, or any such brand name that belongs to all Malaysians, I cannot and will not support any more “national projects” that define “cheating, stealing and lying” as our way of life.

Yes, both MAS and Proton became misdirected national policy agenda projects, benefiting selected individuals through active policy interventions. Such a model is never sustainable.

Wealth created and owned without high risk, hard work and the requisite intelligence cannot be sustained within similar ownership structures, without the diligence and hard work of the original creators. In most societies, 70% of the trusteeship of such wealth is transferred to others by the third generation. These truths are quoted in Nasdaq:

“The generation that earns the wealth is the generation that worked and experienced hardships to make sure they achieve something better for themselves. They work hard and diligently save to achieve their goals. Their efforts pay off, and by the time they are ready to retire and live comfortably, with assets to pass on.

“The next generation, while growing up, sees their parents’ struggles and have a good understanding of the value of sacrifice and hard work. While they may be more comfortable as adults, they can still remember the frugal aspects of their lives growing up. Since they are aware, they make better decisions surrounding education and financial choices, enabling them to build on the foundation given to them by their parents.

“The third generation never realises the struggles and sacrifices the previous generations endured. The only thing they know is a life of plenty, and they have a real lack of understanding of what is needed to create and maintain the lifestyle they have grown accustomed to.”

I rest my case! – July 28, 2019.

* KJ John worked in public service for 32 years, retired, and started a civil group for which he is chairman of the board. He writes to inform and educate, arguing for integration with integrity in Malaysia. He believes such a transformation has to start with the mind before it sinks into the heart!

* 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.