WESTERN media always wants a sensational headline, that’s a fact, it’s always: ‘Heads they win, tails we lose’.

However, the majority of us (not all) would also respond or react in a similar manner, if not worse.

Coins have two sides, heads and tails. Then again, due to personal gain, targeted agenda or profit oriented goals, sensational news sells, truth takes a back seat, that’s a fact too.

Let the facts and figures speak, and then you can make your own conclusion. In order for us to progress, to be better off, we need to admit the shortcomings, the failures and the weaknesses. Then only is it possible for us to move forward.

Fact number 1:

We are in an unprecedented situation, an unwanted perfect storm. What started off as a health crisis, blossomed into an economic crisis, worsened by a political crisis.

Fact number 2:

The numbers of new Covid-19 patients and number of deaths due to Covid-19 are worrying.

It is disturbing that hospitals are facing both space and personnel constraints, we are not able to flatten the curve (yet), the enhanced movement control order (EMCO) in certain regions has been re-introduced, and economic sectors are closed down, especially in the heartbeat of Malaysia (Klang Valley).

Fact number 3:

The political situation does not seems to cool off or show signs of stabilisation, resulting in co-ordination efforts in disarray, thus not maximising the socio-economic impact intended.

Yet, are we anywhere near a failed state? The sovereign government is still functioning properly, the legitimacy of the government is still intact; effectiveness, though not maximised, is still visible.

Law and enforcement are still properly functioning and we are not in chaos.

In fact, the United States has experienced ‘failure’ in some of its states over the past 12 months, with riots, looting and chaotic situations, but nobody branded the country a failed state. Why and why double standard?

Now let us look at more facts and figures.

Fact number 4:

The government of Malaysia, has allocated, spent or will be spending assistance packages and stimulus packages totalling more than RM600 billion, twice its most generous annual budget of RM322.5 billion.

Fact number 5:

Malaysia, though starting on a slow footing, has now have administered more than 10.5 million Covid-19 vaccination doses, vaccinating 3.5 million people or slightly more than 10% of the population.

This rate is higher than neighbouring countries such as Indonesia and Thailand, even higher than Australia, and we are catching up to New Zealand.

In fact, Malaysia is one of the fastest growing in terms of vaccination rate, in the world.

Fact number 6:

New vaccination centres are being set up, and have started operating, and by July 10 the daily vaccination rate has exceeded 320,000 doses. It is also six continuous days we have vaccinated more than 300,000 people a day.

Fact number 7:

Though unemployment rate has marginally increased, we are still with a single digit unemployment, same goes for inflation, a single digit inflation.

Fact number 8:

Malaysia is still able to bring in foreign direct investment. In fact, states like Kedah – which is less developed – is able to attract huge new investments, from countries like Austria, one of Europe’s fastest growing economies. The cherry on top is it is in high valued technology based investment.

Fact number 9:

The stock market is still doing well. Ups and downs are part and parcel, but Bursa Malaysia still above 1,500 and the national reserves look solid at US$111 billion (RM465 billion)

Now, where is the logic of painting Malaysia as a failed state? We are facing problems, I’m not denying that, but failed state? That is too much, it is cruel, unethical and not justified at all. – July 11, 2021.

* Assoc Prof Dr Baharom Abdul Hamid is an economic analyst at the International Centre for Education in Islamic Finance.

* 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.