Tun Dr. Mahathir, I beg to differ in giving Agriculture the priority!

By pat on July 4, 2008 1:54 AM


Dear Tun,


I, on the other hand, think that investing in or developing agriculture has its merit. Our country is resourceful, unlike Singapore, Hong Kong, and others. However, there is still room for improvement in the way we produce our crops. By enhancing agricutural productivity and efficiency, we are better guarded against external supply shocks. At the same time, we also increase our competitiveness in international food supply markets which attractiveness has never been more apparent against a backdrop of looming food crisis. What is more important is, before a nation is asked to toil for a better future, the nation shall be assured of food security first.


Also, we shall not let our economy go heavily lopsided. We need a balanced economy so that everyone, regardless of education level and background, has the oppportunity to claim a stake in our economy. Agriculture provides ample opportunity for many disadvantaged groups to practise entrepreneurship, whereas these people may only be able to qualify themselves as a factory worker, if we only have manufacturing jobs. Besides, every field/industry has a place for high-tech, but having an assortment of career choices is just as important.


It is rather premature to dismiss the present government efforts to encourage economic growth as ineffective or inefficient as the effects may probably be seen after several years. However, insufficient is probably a description everyone would agree with. Having to embroil itself in the current political turmoil, I seriously doubt the present administration can still keep the economy in perspective. Election results and party/racial interests seem to dominate or take precedence over the more important national well-being.


In this unprecedented trying situation, we need a great leader more than ever. There would be little contention to say that Tun's leadership skills are more superior than those of your hand-picked successor, our PM. But again, who do you think, among UMNO leaders, has better leadership than Tun? It is not easy to find one. Therefore, we shall not discount Pak Lah on the basis of lack of show of leadership and shall let his actions speak for him. For instance, his campaign to promote greater transparency and efficiency had exhibited just another side of great leadership and had won the hearts of many. Unfortunately, allegations of his putting in place a family-run government has ripped the very trust we placed in him in the 2004GE.

The people of Malaysia are crying for a leader who is competent, visionary, fair, and having high integrity. At present, who, within UMNO or the bumiputra oppositions, has such qualities? The DPM hasn't cleared his name of homicide or connection to it, at least in the public eyes. The advisor to PKR hasn't cleared his name of sodomy, punishable by law. And, our PM has almost lost his grip on politics and people's confidence in his stewardship. The people's confidence in the government must be restored following a change of leadership. If a change of leadership is not expected to restore public confidence, why change? If we ourselves are not even confident of our own country, what can be expected of foreign investors?



Tun, we are only slightly more than 2 terms away from the year 2020. Our dream will be in jeopardy if we have a wrong leader for the 1st term; and doomed if we have another wrong leader for the 2nd term. I hope Tun can continue to help the people of Malaysia in your capacity. You will be dearly loved and remembered as the nation's HERO.


Best regards.