Of M'sian transformation : Rulers, soldiers, teachers, corporates and ...

1. History are written by victors whilst the vanquished can only tell of what it should have been. To be victorious is to have position, influence and power. That, in the nutshell, is what this posting is all about.

2. Since Ptolemy called the Malay archipelago as Avrea Chesoneve (the golden peninsular), pockets of settlement along the rivers and the beaches are ruled by brawn. These brawny people with his sets of followers command fear and respect from the masses. Over time, these brawny people installed themselves as rulers.

3. With time, these rulers evolved into Sultans, Rajas, Yang di Pertuans and what nots but all represent the supreme head of states. As rulers, they have a set of palace officials ranging from the Bendaharas. Temenggongs, Laksamanas who are dutybound to check and ensure the wellbeing of the state. Along the way, some of these palace officials took over the state and send the Sultans packing and they in turn called themselves Sultans. You see, it is not that difficult to change from a commoner to a Tengku or Raja. If that is done before, it can also be done today and there are quite a few Tengkus or Teukus who are not really Tengkus or Teukus. They say that one of the famous Tengku who used to be an official of high standing is not a Tengku at all. True, false?

4. And some were appointed Sultans, not by direct lineage but due to interference from the British advisers or British resident.

5. When Malaysia were formed in 1963, internal and external forces tried to muscle the young nation of Malaysia either through different ideaology like that of Communism or by territorial disputes. During those trying times, soldiers became an essential part of Malaysian lives.

6. It is common then to see and hear soldiers being much sought after as the favourite son in laws. It is an honour to have members of family as soldiers. With the presence of soldiers to gurd Malaysian territory and patrolling the jungles, the sense of security prevail in the society and with peace, the process of education and development comes along.

7. Post 1957 to the early 1980's, teachers and educationalists took the centre stage. The teachers viz a viz the educationalists close rapport with their society enables them to lead the society through various social and development projects, heading co-operatives as well as contesting and winning in elections.

8. With their combined forces and influences, the Government placed special emphasize to the educationalist and rewarding teachers in terms of better pay and perks. The society, by and large, now focussed to teachers and educationalist as their one stop centre to solve their problems.

9. The combined roles and separation of power between the rulers, peacekeeping forces and educationalists enable the country to surge forward, paving the way for more development and to give equal chance in education up to tertiary levels.

10. With more and more educated people joining the working force, more chances were created thus giving birth to another force, that of corporates. Wily and cunning, the corporates brings Malaysia to new heights. Abundance of natural products and stability provided the right ambience for the corporates to leapfrog the educationalist.

11. With newfound economic wealth, the corporates used money and influence as leverage to but themselves into lofty political positions as well as acting as patrons to others. The corporates, with their monies and influence, becomes warlords in their own rights and charted new course for the nation.

12. The combined money, influence and political influence placed the corporates high in the society hierachy. The emergence of the corporates is also closely linked to money politics which rear its ugly head around the same time the corporates makes its mark on the society.

13. From mid 1980's to Y2k's, the corporates reaps full rewards, sidelining the rulers, dispensing the educationalist into has beens. They bulldoze everything that cross their path, controlling the media, and stiffling dissenting voices with laws, regulations and judiciary system.

14. For a fleeting moment, all seem lost. Modern inventions, rightly or wrongly, came in time to give birth to a new breed - that of the technocrats.

15. The technocrats rely heavily on modern invention, making use of internets and electronic gadgets to reach the masses. Scandals, conspiracies, briberies are exposed. With continuous exposures, the technocrats inched their way into society with Jeff Ooi, Hannah Yeof, Tony Phua, Khir Toyo, using the technology to spread their thoughts and ideas. Along the way, some are even elected as Members of Parliament or ADUNs'.

16. Looking back, different grioup plays different role in transforming Malaysia. From the brawn of rulers and soldiers, to the educationalist to money spinning corporates to techno savvy technocrats, all play vital role in shaping Malaysia.

17. The corporate dilute the powers of rulers whilst the technocrats are teh watchdogs of the corporates. In future, maybe more technocrats will be appointed as elected reps to public offices.

18. Netizens like Zahid Ibrahim, Raja Petra, Rockybru, Sakmongkol, WJ Khairy, Kickdefella may find themselves sitting in parliament, comes GE 13.

Till then...G'nite M'sia...wherever u are...