For the next few articles, beginning with this one, I want to see if I can write a series of fictional short stories that illustrate different views of economic development. This is Part I.
All in Economics
For the next few articles, beginning with this one, I want to see if I can write a series of fictional short stories that illustrate different views of economic development. This is Part I.
Does it really matter if Malaysia — or any developing country — hits some arbitrary threshold of “high-income”? Or is it more important that we maintain steady, sustainable economic growth and economic development?
We need to reckon with power dynamics and decades of cultural evolution which led us to the “equilibrium” in which we find ourselves today. But there is hope, of course, by being adaptive and open in our paradigms of the world
But the point of the devolution of power is to ultimately build a more extremophile political economy that can then serve to ensure a more resilient Malaysia amid greater volatility globally
But if we can hold off zombie interest groups for public policy, learn not to put human beings on pedestals, but simply take what their best and wisest decisions are for ourselves, while respecting our own mental health and that of everyone around us, maybe we’ll get through 2025 alright.
in reality, Malaysia’s main problem is not so much that costs are getting higher — this is true everywhere. Our main problem is that incomes are not rising as quickly and this is where the bulk of our attention should be
Taking the position as chair of Asean in 2025 requires some prioritisation of what is a national issue versus what is a regional or even global issue. Climate, electrification, food, regional geopolitical security, may be some of these issues, but what else?
Therefore, it isn’t that less bureaucracy is a good thing; we just need a high-performing bureaucracy. We really need to quit sabotaging our organisations, public and private.
The best part about reading stuff is learning new ideas and seeing how they might connect to other ideas or be applicable to certain situations or circumstances. So with that in mind, I thought I would just share four of the most interesting ideas I learnt in 2023, be it from books or articles.
humankind is imperfect in the first place — and try to see that, rather than get worked up over performative displays of purity, we should instead channel our efforts towards resolving real issues, helping others rather than judging them.
That said, as mentioned, cash transfers to compensate for subsidy rationalisation address symptoms, not causes. The key challenge we need to tackle remains a cost-effective, reliable and well-connected inter- and intra-city public transport system.
As such, while I had to watch on in semi-disappointment as The Dark Knight Rises failed to stick its landing, we are not just passive observers watching a movie unfold. The economic vision the prime minister has laid out is a strong start, but it needs to stick its landing.