MALAYSIA today is unique country where the culture of privilege exists. Race and religion predominate even a professional endeavour, such as budget allocations.

The government tends to cater for the continuous needs of privileged corporate and religious elites, with civil servants being pampered with allocations, without much consideration for merit.

If you put things in perspective, Malaysia has become a nation where a people think they are entitled to privileges just because they come from an ethnic or religious community without much thought for the common good.

The disease of seeking privileges is also obvious in the public-private setting.

With a background in the hospitality industry, I have come across various types of people who seek certain privileges at the expense of others.

For an example, I wonder why it is necessary to block a hotel lift for cabinet member to attend a meeting when the lifts are not busy?

Why is it difficult for the minister or government official concerned to mingle with in ordinary people in a common hotel lift?

Why is it necessary for the elites to be seated in front rows during a concert or a public function? Does the ability to pay makes one entitle to hijack common areas?

Is there a need for an entourage of police personnel, to escort a privilege top government servant to a hotel, creating unnecessary noise and distraction on the roads, and in front of hotels?

I have also witnessed how a particular business elite jerked his car in front of a Nepali security guard, just because the guard was guiding the person concern to park the car in a proper way so that others would be able to park their car with ease.

Looking at Malaysia as a nation of elites seeking privileges, it has become imperative for Malaysian youths, to work hard to build an egalitarian society that values humility, decency and equity in public life.

The youths of Malaysia should inspire an idealism that does away with elitism and privileges that creates and enhances the power distance between ordinary Malaysians and chosen elites.

We have to do away with a government that thrives on ethnic and religious privileges. – November 6, 2021.

* Ronald Benjamin is secretary for the Association for Community and Dialogue.