WHEN living in a community, an African proverb that comes to mind: If you want to go far, go together,”. It also highlights the need for a mutually beneficial support system to help one endure and stay resilient in life.

Sharing a goal makes trustworthiness an important aspect of society. It is possible to deny the Darwinian principle of survival of the fittest in today’s more equitable world. Kingdoms and governments around the world need to redefine their commitment to the people, balancing fiscal responsibility and political accountability. Freedom and socioeconomic mobility remain ongoing case studies on the right playbook to govern a nation.

In respect of today’s socioeconomic challenges, there is a pressing need for a non-apologetic leader to restore his nation by navigating through uncertainty with firm action. These actions must, however, be derived from deliberation with professionals in every field and bureaucrats to balance progressive views and traditional concerns.

It is important to distinguish statistical significance from economic significance. Statistics are like a bikini; what they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital. By that, economist Aaron Levenstein meant that statistics could be used to confuse and mislead the reader. Let us not look at the average Malaysian household income as a benchmark; instead, reach out to others outside your comfort zone.

The ethnic breakdown of Malaysia three years ago was 62.5% Bumiputera (Malays and indigenous people), 20.6% Chinese, 6.2% Indian, and 0.9% others. Non-citizens made up 9.8%. How well do you understand the psyche of the individual ethnic struggles and hope for the country? To borrow the words of Brian O’Driscoll, “Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad.”

Nationalism is not exclusive to a single ethnicity. A restored belief in togetherness will elevate the baseline in society, coinciding with socioeconomic benefits to the nation at large. We can begin by having local community leaders from resident associations, registered clubs, and non-governmental organisations take affirmative action.

The Maharishi effect theory says that 1% of a population practicing meditation will produce measurable improvements in the quality of life for the whole population through coherent belief. Approaching the nation from the bottom up, with a problem-solving mindset within a community, will teach political leaders not to form coalitions of bad taste and intent. – July 23, 2024.

* Aidi Amin Yazid reads The Malaysian Insight.

* 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.