• What Is Political Economy?

    Aristotle believes that government, Society and Economy are one entity of the nation. Politic and economy cannot be separated.

  • Social Democracy

    The reform does not have to be coercive revolution and allow the democracy assimilate with Marxism and lead the form of Social Democratic parties...

  • What Is Marxism?

    Capitalist is a class that is according to Marx exploiting the proletariat which is the workers and continues until today.

  • Should We Support GST?

    Some said GST should be implemented to cater the welfare needs and to support the aspiration to become a first world country.

  • What Is Keynesian Economics?

    t emphasizes on the role of government in helping people make a rational choice. The Keynes believes that people is not always rational in certain condition.

Showing posts with label Political Economy Issues. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Political Economy Issues. Show all posts

Stop the Lies about Malaysia and PM Najib!

20 June 2014 0 comments






You know there is anarchy in cyberspace when a former editor has the cheek to suggest that “Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak should step down from his finance portfolio for his questionable management of the country’s finances.
To add salt to the wound, Malaysiakini had to feature Kadir’s article with a mischievous article headlined 'Cabinet reshuffle, PM drops Najib' (http://tinyurl.com/nzwtdo7
Why is it NOW that people are complaining about the absence of a process of separation of power between the premiership and the finance portfolio when this has been a practice from 1969-1970, 1998-1999 and 2001 to the present?
( Check Image )
Personally, I believe PM Najib is right on track in his efforts to spur economic growth for our country.
Here’s a summary of his record of achievements. Kudos to PM Najib and his team.
1. First Quarter of 2014 = 6.2% growth
According to the latest report from the Ministry of Finance (http://tinyurl.com/nwpbwtq), growth of the Malaysian economy gained traction to record 6.2% during the first quarter of 2014 (Q4 2013: 5.1%) amid improving global economic conditions and strong domestic activity. This was the highest growth since the fourth quarter of 2012.
2. The Economist Business Environment Rankings
Malaysia has been ranked among the top 20 investor-friendly countries for the period between 2014 and 2018, according to The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)’s latest Business Environment Rankings (BER).
The report, released in May, ranked Malaysia 19th out of 82 countries as the best places to do business in.
Malaysia came in ahead of countries like the United Kingdom, France, South Korea, and Japan, showing an improvement of five places after ranking 24th for the 2009-2013 period
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The country’s regional ranking was unchanged at sixth place, out of 17 countries measured.
(The Star, June 17th 2014)
3. Even the World Bank has acknowledged Malaysia’s economic growth so why do some claim that Malaysia’s economic growth has stagnated around 8%?
Malaysia is an upper-middle income, highly open economy. Malaysia was one of 13 countries identified by the Commission on Growth and Development in its 2008 Growth Report to have recorded average growth of more than 7 percent per year for 25 years or more. Malaysia achieved this spectacular performance from 1967 to 1997. Malaysia has also succeeded in reducing poverty: the share of households living below the national poverty line (USD 8.50 per day in 2012) fell from over 50 percent in the 1960s to less than 2 percent currently. (World Bank :http://tinyurl.com/nfqm7yk )
4. Federal Government’s Financial Position has been improving steadily.
You can access the data AT THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (http://tinyurl.com/otqhoyp)
5. Our key economic indicators have healthy figures.
Gross Domestic Product 6.2% chenge in 1st quarter of 2014
Unemployment Rate 3.2% change (February 2014)
Exports 8.4% change in March 2014
Balance of Trade 96.8% in March 2014
Consumer Price Index 3.4% in March 2014
Industrial Production Index 4.3% in March 2014
Production Price Index 3.6% in March 2014





6. Malaysia's FDI is improving steadily.
( Check Image )
7. Critics are unfair in criticizing PM. Two days ago, Treasury secretary-general Tan Sri Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah (http://tinyurl.com/nbg37mw) said Malaysia is on track to trim its fiscal deficit to 3.5% this year. These are the achievements so far:
Malaysia trimmed its fiscal deficit to 3.9% of GDP last year.
The country was also on track to hit a 4.5-5.5% GDP growth this year.
Private investments were showing a record double-digit growth with robust movement in construction Exports are also improving.
8. While it is true that Malaysia has run a fiscal deficit since 1998, critics refuse to recognize that it reduced the shortfall to 3.9% of gross domestic product last year, the least since 2007. This is according to the central bank’s annual report on March 19. The government aims to cut the gap to 3.5% this year, Bank Negara said in the report which you can read at this link in the website (http://tinyurl.com/pk7wb2h)
Besides, the report also said Malaysia’s economy expanded at the fastest pace in four quarters in the three months ended December as a recovery in advanced nations including the U.S. boosted demand for the country’s goods. GDP climbed 5.1 percent in the period from a year earlier.
The Executive Summary for Bank Negara’s 2013 report on Malaysia can be accessed HERE (http://tinyurl.com/qblflg4)
The financial position of Bank Negara Malaysia, as audited and certified by the Auditor General, remained strong in 2013. The total assets of Bank Negara Malaysia amounted to RM474.2 billion, with a net profit of RM5.5 billion for the financial year ending 31 December 2013. Bank Negara Malaysia declared a dividend of RM1.5 billion to the Government for the year 2013.
“The timely implementation of fiscal and structural reforms will boost investors’ confidence and enhance private-sector investment,” Lee Heng Guie, an economist at CIMB Group Holdings Bhd., said in a report today. “We believe the government is on track to meet its fiscal-deficit targets.” (Bloomberg : http://tinyurl.com/kfjhum7 )
Malaysians must test for themselves what critics say or write about the government. Why are they portraying the PM and the country so negatively? What is their real motive and that of news portals that seem to be on a secret mission to put the country in bad light? Is this true patriotism?
If those critics cannot come up with concrete solutions or proposals to counter their perceived weaknesses of the economy, they should just ZIP UP!
No sane father would shame his own children publicly. The same goes for citizens. It is time Malaysians learn to have more wisdom and discernment in what they choose to read, write or remember. In the mean time, I salute PM Najib and his staff for their perseverance in standing up against the flak and steering the country in the right direction. Syabas!

Written By Datuk Huan Cheng Guan 

Best political ideology Malaysia should apply

17 June 2014 0 comments




Some ask me, what my ideology is. In simple word, I should say I am centre left.  First and foremost, I want a stable country. Anything or anyone that a threatening the stability of this country should be rejected.

Unfortunately, there is no one single answer for this. It is a combination between democracies, state control economy (without destroying the capitalist system), at the same time provides welfare to the people. It is a combination of social democracy, welfare and conservatism in social politic. However, before all this can be applied, the people inside the government must have pre established with INTEGRITY and a system to check Transparency.

Welfare

In my view, the most important aspect of all in the country is welfare. The government should know how to manage people welfare and find sources and income to deliver it to the people. To maximize welfare for the people, the country must have good economic growth. Today, government that is not able to provide welfare will be considered as unpopular. In a democratic system, the unpopular government will be changed.  The motto of “government knows best is over” is a myth. The government SHOULD know better. They should know best all the time. If they fail to know better, why should we elect them anyway? Good government is the governments that have the best political economic policy and grew their country richer.

Reject free market

Because of the above stance, I reject free market in most of the area but not all areas. Peoples are not rational all the time. Governments have to know best. We know that market is an imperfect system. Not all aspects can be left to the market. Any aspect, such as transportation, water supply, education, cannot be left to the market alone. The public good must under the control of government. It is okay to give tender directly without having open tender first, but with the condition that the one that they choose to have a good track record. Still, as I stated before, the integrity and transparency must be preserved.

The abuse of right

You may disagree with me, but in my opinion, some right and freedom are not important. For example, freedom of speech in my opinion is bringing more harm than good. People did not know how to use this freedom and they abuse it instead. More people are abusing it, especially in the upcoming social media, especially Facebook and tweeter. It is better off to restrict their freedom. Freedom of speech contains a seed of instability.

Sustain Political Culture

The best political economic system in Malaysia today is a system that sustains political culture, religion and values. In other words, maintaining the right of Malay, Islam and religious freedom and language. The government should enforce the law for those who challenge this value .It doesn’t mean that, this gives only right to certain ethnic. As stated in the constitution, the right of Malay and other will be protected. It is totally wrong to say , “Cina balik cina, or India balik india” because it is their right also as citizens of Malaysia to stay and live here. It is as wrong as saying that “Malaysian Malaysia” which to promote equality in every aspect. Both of these “popular” slogans are threatening each other right, Malays and Non-Malays.

Mix and Match

We should not stick to only one system because the system invented by the scholars are not necessary perfectly fit to one particular country. We will have to mix and match to get the perfect system. The perfect one will emerge in the continuous process of synthesis. I also believe that the perfect system in Malaysia is in the growing stages, it will evolve until everyone is having the same right as others regardless of what races, skin colours and gender. However, it might take at least another five decades from now. We have to realize that even, some might call “perfect system” such as the United States or Sweden also take a few hundred years before they abolished the apartheid policy. Swedish only give right for Muslims to Azan a few months ago. But in Malaysia, the Christian can ring their bell and Hindus can build their temple anywhere as approve by authority. In certain aspect, we are more advanced in protecting the right of another religion to practice there believes. This is the value that most of us less appreciate.

Respect to democracy

 I believe that we are evolving into a better system with a good check and balance in parliament. What I mean is a peaceful debate, not hatred speech, neither on the street. We change nothing by going down the street except leaving some rubbish behind and forced other shop on the street to close. People cannot go out because of these irresponsible demonstrators. They claim they have right to assemble, but also infringe the right of other people to  go to work, to do business or just to have family time on that particular area. This is another example of abusing the right. That’s why I considered these human right actually is not as important as economy because is a threat to national stability. To change the government, use vote instead of the road.

Solidarity of rakyat

The perfect system won’t come itself except by the solidarity of the people. Each of us has to be responsible not to ruin the system that has been established by our founding fathers and we our self must respect it. We must give something to get something. Example, if you wanted a free education, we must be willing to pay a high tax. If you want a national unity, we have to speak the same language. The perfect system forced us to wait and act accordingly within the rule of law. Trust me; our political economic system is evolving to a greater high.



Najib Confident on Momentum Second Quarter Will Continue : Malaysia Reclaim its glory of Asian Tiger Economy!

13 June 2014 0 comments

In parliament today (12 June 2014)  Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is confident the nation’s economic growth will be maintained in the second quarter of the year driven by political stability and investors’ confidence towards government policies.

 Two keyword highlighted by NaJib is Political Stability and how Investors Confidence towards government policy. In my view it is a  gentle reminder for the rakyat to together not to threats the stability that we have been build for so long. It is a reward for Malaysian beside of political differences, we still choose democracy instead of street to change the government.

He said the momentum would also be spurred by vibrant domestic activities coupled with a competitive export sector in the first quarter.
                             
“Godwilling, this encouraging development will help the economy reach the target growth of more than five per cent this year.

“This target is in tandem with the 5.2 per cent forecast by the International Monetary Fund for 2014,” he said in Parliament today.

Najib was replying to a question from Datuk Shamsul Anuar Nasarah (BN-Lenggong) who asked about Malaysia’s current economic performance and how the country was fairing against its neighbours.

Malaysia also become favoured country among ASEAN to get FDI might because of conflict that occurs in Thailand. The potential investors that initially wanted to invest there might shift their intention to Malaysia Instead. This is again to stress how important of political stability contribute to Malaysia Economic Growth.


Najib, who is also Finance Minister, said the economy showed an encouraging trend in the first quarter with real Gross Domestic Product registering a growth of 6.2 per cent. He said this was the highest GDP growth recorded since the fourth quarter of 2012.

In fact, this growth was better than that recorded by the Philippines (5.7 per cent), Indonesia (5.2 per cent), Singapore (5.1 per cent) and Thailand (-0.6 per cent).

 Even strong economic country such as Singapore cannot compete with Malaysia GDP growth. This is something that rarely happen and Malaysian should be proud of. 

“This performance was supported by robust domestic activities and favourable external factors,” he added.
Najib also said the sterling performance was a result of the Government Transformation Programme, high level of domestic savings, strong international reserves, resilient banking system, low unemployment and inflow of rapid foreign investments.

With Malaysia effort to lead the market and protecting Industry with GTP,it really shows that the economy need a Big push from the state to boost. Malaysia indeed stil The Asian TIGER!

Should Malaysian support Good Service Tax (GST) ?

12 June 2014 0 comments

Photos From Government Campaign



In about 9 Months from now, Good and Service Tax (GST) will be implemented for the first time in Malaysia. If there are no heavy objections from the rakyat (Malaysia have some sort of policy that if something that are unpopular, the government might delay the implementation) it will be implemented. All of the company that has sales in more than RM500,000 must register for the implementation of the new form of tax. In other countries, GST was known as Value added Tax (VAT) . It is simply for the government to generate more money for public spending.a   In my opinion, GST should be implemented to cater the welfare needs and to support the aspiration to become a first world country.However, the government must improve transparency and reduce corruption perception of the people.

Why Should We Support GST?

Too Increase Welfare allocation
According to World Bank, Our GDP value is USD $ 305 Billion in 2013 .Malaysia has allocated around 6.2% the on welfare spending includes housing, education and health.  Most of developed country especially from Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD, just in case you forgot, it is the group of most developed country in the world) , they spend around 18% to 35 % for their welfare spending.[1]


However,  they have one of the highest tax percentages in the world. For example in Sweden, the taxes might go up to 60% of the individual total income but the citizens are fairly happy with it[2]. My experience talking to some Swedish people, they said that, “we might have the highest tax in the world, but we are willing to pay more! “. For sure, it is not sarcastic. This is the real example of how people are happy to pay taxes.
In Health sector, Malaysia on it was less than 3% which is lower than the recommendation of WHO which is at least 5 % . [3]  It is hard to digest that even less developing country like Namibia and Nicaragua are spending more than 7% compare to us. Just to compare among developed nation (eg. France and Netherland) they spend around  11%  just for health service itself.   It Seem that we are quite far under the Par of the world in term of education expenditure.
In Education Sector, Malaysia spend 5.9 % of total GDP it was actually quite low to compare 10 years ago where we spend around 8.1% in 2002. [4]  However, to compare with other developed nation, Malaysia against among the lowest allocator in term of education development.  

GST as tools to support the needs of the Rakyat

From my observation, its looks like total expenditure on welfare in Malaysia are fairly decreasing. However, on the other hand,the Rakyat are asking for more welfare aid from the government. Some people through political party and NGO demand salary increment, subsidies in gross product and petrol, free education, free toll and free health service.  Therefore, Good Service Tax is one of the solutions to support these demands.

In 2013, government total income from tax was RM 213 Billion with increase more than double from the last ten years[5].  However, from the fact that I have presented before, it is still not enough. Consequently, we wanted to become developed country, but that is much work to do. To do more, we have to have more income. GST is one of the solutions to fulfil this aim.
   
However, in my opinion, Malaysian should support GST for this to boost its income and welfare to become a developed country.  We may survive without GST. That’s guaranteed. But, bear in mind that, how long do we want to stick in the middle income country? Put politics aside, we see how important the GST. Even opposition leaders once mention that he supports the implementation of GST conditionally[6]. In short, GST will be implemented anyway, anyhow. If not now, when?

But why people choose disagree? Only two reasons…

The absent sense Economic Solidarity feel

What we need is Economic Solidarity. Everyone in this country should be responsible to contribute something to the government. In Malaysia, it is quite common for people not paying their income taxes. Especially for those who are self-employed.  Let’s start giving. By paying a certain amount to the government  will allows them to make space for welfare and try to satisfy the majority of those in needs. What we need is that to have solidarity in each of us to believe in the system and intuitions we are living now. Sounds simple, but this is the hardest part. No matter how the authority tries to explain to these people, they will disagree. The solidarity for them is not there anymore.

People did not trust the government
In my opinion, some of the people refuse to agree with GST is just as simple as they distrust the government. Despite of the government crusades to fight corruption in this country, the rank still going up. It became worse when Wall Street’s Journal report Malaysia having among the highest level of corruption[7]. We have to know, this comes from PERCEPTIONS.  Can you believe that we are more corrupt that Rwanda? [8]This is so unfair. Perception does not necessarily true. I think something is not right here. It is very hard to change peoples perception if we include all political parties, NGOs, civil servant does not work together. We do not have to deny corruption happen did not happen at all, but please be fair in describing it.






[1] http://www.oecd.org/social/expenditure.htm
[2] http://www.theguardian.com/money/2008/nov/16/sweden-tax-burden-welfare
[3] http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.XPD.TOTL.ZS
[4] http://www.nationmaster.com/country-info/stats/Education/Education-spending/%25-of-GDP
[5] http://www.treasury.gov.my/pdf/ekonomi/dataekonomi/2014/FGR1970_2014.pdf
[6] https://my.news.yahoo.com/opposition-implement-gst-power-says-anwar-bernama-155933426.html
[7] No matter how the authority tries to explain to these people, they will disagree. The solidarity for them is not there anymore.
[8] http://www.worldaudit.org/corruption.htm

Where are Steve Job, Bill Gate and Einstein Has Gone? : Analysis on Core Periphery and Malaysia Thailand Political Economy with Triplex Helix Notion.

2 comments




OVERVIEW
The innovation and creativity is the essence of survival in this century and will become the matter of life and dead of the nation especially Malaysia and Thailand if the natural resources and raw material has been depleted or substituted. The dependency of technology between the core and the developing state can be seen as the big clog that arrest the birth national talent and innovation to achieve knowledge base economy that potentially shift the regional to the next stage. University should be the heart or the engine that could accelerate the birth of the new “Einstein” of the east. However, many years have gone and university not very successful in producing the inventors, and to make things worst most of the University is producing the “consumer” and “workers” that trap in the game of Core-periphery. There are a few reason on why the creation of new investors and innovators cannot cope with developed nation. 1) Core Dependency of Malaysia and Thailand  in Technology and innovation,  (2) The barriers of Political economy in Malaysia and Thailand) 3) The Triple Helix as tools to Enhanced the knowledge based society.

Introduction
Mahathir once mention that we as  the developing country are comfortable to become the consumer of whatever product that are coming from the west. The developing country like Malaysia and Thailand especially had become the loyal customer of western product and even in the smallest and simple things like mineral water and beef. Some of the item that we are using is actually we can made it by ourselves. Is Malaysian people are lazy that we import even the simplest thing that we might can produce by our self? There are a series of attempt that made by state to ensure that this phenomena of dependency toward western product seems to be not going to the right direction and in fact, it burden more to the citizens itself. For example as we all know that the effort of government to create our own car like Proton is example of result to the heavy taxation toward imported car in Malaysia. Approximately each Malaysian has to pay double of what other consumer in other countries to have our own car. The policy of government to protect Proton for 14 years and it seems to sustained for quite a long time in the future. This is due to the technology and quality of the Proton car cannot compete with other car producer such as Toyota, Nissan, Ford and others. In ensure the company or industry survive, government have to do something.
 However, on the other side it affects the people. Therefore we can see that the dilemma that we are facing  is that, if we become consumer, we are dependent of the western product forever and trap in the core dependencies game. If we initiate the industry in the technology or advancement, we trap in the protection policy that burden the people. Is there any way to get out of this class struggle?

1.0 Core Dependency of Malaysia and Thailand in Knowledge and Technology.
As developing country such as Malaysia and Thailand we cannot escape from the core dependency trap that known as The World System Theory that in Immanuel Wallerstein understanding on capitalism and how the core treat the periphery. In this theory, the developed the understanding of Marxist capitalism idea into the monopoly capitalism where its created the two-tier structure  and the developed country dominated and exploiting  the less developed periphery. Wallenstein proposed the notion of cyclical rhythm that mention the tendency of the capitalist periods and their expansion will go through the recurrent period. It is not easy to change the structure of the core periphery. In other words, Wallenstein says that we as developing country will become the consumer and periphery forever and ever.  (Wallerstein Cited By Stephen Hobden & Richard Wyn Jones pg. 244-256) .However this idea not goes without critics. Some of the famous critics is Andre Gunder Frank, he mention that actually the World System Theory had already begin thousand years ago actually  not started in Europe. He describe that hoe the core and periphery change from Mesapotamia where the raw materials and knowledge came from Anatolia, Iran and Egypt. The centre of the world are changing from Indus in certain period and its located between Central Asia and southwestern Asia. When the Indus faded away and the decline of Harappan cities,  it links with Mediteranean Italy, Central Europe and Nubia to the South of Egypt become stronger.(Andre Gunder Frank pp.5) . Western countries was a periphery of Asia in the early time. Frank argues that the origin of the core is Middle East and Asia. However the advance of civilization of Europe with knowledge that make this shift happen. Therefore we can make assumption that the relation of core periphery relations is actually not that stagnant. But it is dynamic and can be change?  Whatever it is, it is not an easy task.
David Ricardo is equal to eternal dependency
Sepcialization theory of David Ricardo Theory will only lead the developing country depend on the core forever.The situation that a countries like Malaysia and Thailand facing right now can be describe from what Samir Amin  (1973)  has describe as the monopoly of capitalism in every aspect of less developed life. He puts in that the process of specialization of production of state led to the dependencies of state towards developed nation. This is because they are some product that are more valuable than others .It is also some product that are more profit to trade compare to other production. (Samir Amin pp.133-136).  For example, a cost of time to produce grain is 500 hour, and the cost of time to produce flour is about  an hour. The countries that are specialize in producing flour have more advantages. Despite of have an opportunity to save time, they also have change to sale the flour to the producer of the grain. Usually, the one that producing less technology is less developed country and, developed country will be producing more complex and added value item. The one that have knowledge have this advantage. As most of us concern,  we are actually  buying back the item that originally the raw materials comes from our  own land.  This is what being mention by Samir Amin as five biggest monopoly sector by the Captalist which is  ; ( 1) The monopoly of technology, supported by military expenditures of the dominant nations. (2) the monopoly of control over global finances and a strong position in the hierarchy of current account balances. (3) the monopoly of access to natural resources.(4) the monopoly over international communication and the media.(5) the monopoly of the military means of mass destruction.
 Therefore,  as what being mention by Mahathir, a resistance to change what we are producing, what he called as “mind set” , will led our way become the consumer of developed country forever. Syed Farid Alatas (2003) have accumulated all of the literature of social science that mentions the problem of dependency of the west for the last 50 years that keeping the Third World left behind. He cited various problem form various scholar such as critique of colonialism (Cessaire,1955 ;Memmi 1957), academic imperialism (Alatas,S.H.,1969, 2000) , decolonization (of knowledge) (Fanon, 1961), critical pedagogy (Freire ,1970), imitation and captive mind (Alatas,S.H.1972,1974), deschooling (Illich , 1973), academic dependency (Altbach , 1977; Garreau, 1985; Altas, S.F.,1999,2000a), Orientalism (Said,1979,1993) and Eurocentrism (Amin, 1979; Wallerstein ,1996). (Syed Farid Alatas .2003.pp.599 ).  All of these concepts were related to the concept of core dependency theory and how we are become peripherilizing by the west in this context United States, Britain and France that once colonized us.
Sometimes in my opinion we forget to look at ourselves. The reason Asian developing region does not prosper actually not merely on the western capitalism or because of the core capitalism.People sometimes put to much hope for the state to handle the business and enshrined innovative capability. However, the law of nature that might considered as half true is that, State cannot involve in business. If this law is break, the illness of nation such as nepotism, cronyism, patronage, rent seeking will prosper and become the poison to the innovation of the nation.   It is partly because of our own actions that keep as behind the core. As what Gordon Tullock put in, one of the pioneers of the public choice economy, suggested that the rent seeking “is one of the basic reason for Asia’s backwardness. Asian Countries have been doing this for a very long time. (Tullock 1980 :25 cited by Richard F.Donner and Ansil Ramsay 2000:145). This is also true as  what the famous singer Maher Zain, in his song title Awaken, inspired by the Egypt revolution, he mentions that “yes it easy to blame everything is on the west, when  in fact all the focus should be on ourselves”. 
2.0 What is the obstacle in realizing the knowledge based society in Malaysia and Thailand?
Brain Drain
One of the major problem haunting especially of developing country like Malaysia and Thailand is the phenomena of brain drain. For example in Malaysia, since 1957 there are more than two millions some of our best brain has flew or migrated to other countries because the unsatisfaction of compensation and underemployment that they receive. World bank have reported that Malaysia are the  top nine country that are facing this  problem after  Ethiopia, Nigeria, Kenya,South Africa, Iran, China, Mexico, Jamaica and Malaysia. The brain drain phenomena in Malaysia are steadily getting worse and will intensify in the next few years. Currently, there are two out of every ten Malaysians with higher education refuse to work in Malaysia and prefer another country and about 305,000 of them in 2009. Some of the factors that contribute to this illness are job opportunities, political corruption and lack of religious freedom. (Fintan Ng,P.Gunasegaram in The star Online, 30 April  2011) .
Some of the middle class find out that the income they wanted is not as good as they can get abroad.  The dependencies towards the core let us poorer. As being put by Mitchell A. Seligson (2008) “the richer get richer but the poorer get poorer”. She mentions that income gap between the poor and rich are wider .Most of us believed that the underdeveloped is only a process of becoming developed country. However according to the data that she finds out cited from W.W  Rostow,  for example, average per capita income (in 1980 US Dollar) of low income countries was $ 164, whereas the per capita income of the industrialized countries average $3,841. The gaps is $ 3,677. After thirty years income of the poor country has arise to $245 but the income of industrialized country had increase to $ 9,648.
            In United States for example, peoples only need to pay for approximately 4 years of their life time saving to buy a house. Compare with Malaysian, we have to pay off the loan for  about 28 years. Same goes to automobile. We are paying double of what United State have paid to buy the car. Without much of us might notice actually because of this dependency, the facts show that the national income of the developed countries increase. To make things worst according to Fund For Peace, Malaysia is ranked as 112 of warning failed state and Thailand is 100 out 177. On other word, we might be able to interpret that we are half way there. We are selling the raw materials to developed nation,  and they sale it back to us as added value item and we pay hundreds of times of the price of what we sold to them before. We might notice all of these consequences all along. However, it is a phenomenon that seems hard to be change. Do we have a chance to closer the gap? According to John Passe’ Smith, taking example of developing country,  he  puts in  even  for Pakistan , it would take 152 million people and 1,152 years to close the gap. He also took example even though for a “miracle countries” like China, it would take them 64 years to close the gap within the current situation.( John Passe’ Smith ,pp.11) .
Malaysia Dilemma in Ali-Baba Capitalism
            Malaysia has its own unique way in managing economic security and prosperity among multiracial society that emerges after her independent in 1957. The effect coloniliazation  in the implementation or “Divide and Rule” cause government to apply and affirmative action to help the indigenous or Bumiputera in order to ensure their survival in Malaysia. New Economic Policy (NEP) are use as a tool to restructure the society and to avoid economic identification on the races basis.  There are some controversial act are implemented like Industrial Coordination Act (ICA) are protested by Chinese Malaysia. In the year of 1947 government has passed the Oil development Act and that can control others oil foreign companies under the control of PETRONAS. This act was also protested by many foreign oil companies because it reduces their corporate benefit (Gomez and Jomo K.S 1997.41-42). According to Jomo is his other writing mention that huge multinational company like PETRONAS have a great reputation in international credit rating in 1980s.
However because of state intervention, Petronas has been forced by federal government executive to support the property development of the states. Some of the gigantic projects are overpriced Dayabumi projects in mid 1980s and the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) as the tallest twin tower in the world. Beside projects, PETRONAS also been used to financially rescue Bank Bumiputra twice in the 1980s and 1990s. (Jomo K.S & E.T Gomez.2000.p.280) . However we can see how the state backup company or state capitalism now failed to maintain the well run of the company their because of government intervention that might open space for corruption or what mention by Jomo remind as rent seeking or in other words Alibaba Capitalism. Ali baba capitalism as usually existed when the government gave right to the Malays or the son of the soil to have a special privileges in doing business, includes licensing, easy loan and subsidizes to help the them in the name of  eradication of poverty and restructure of society.

This effort seems to gradually increase after the May 1969 in order transformed the class of Malay Bumiputera from the activities of peasantry to middle class. In the issues of logging, the authorities actually did not strictly enforce the taxes on the real cost of logging from the company. He added that as the federal and state government is below what it suppose to be ,they will raised the tax but this will led to further tax evasion by the company. The inefficient of system discover by Jomo and Gomez really effect the charisma and credibility of a state as economic decision maker because the mistake affect nation in long term period. Therefore we can see that how state runs a bad business in achieving national agenda. The “unique” agendas are not to have maximizes profit but for political (unity, restructuring society and many more) and sometimes for the sake of group interest. State sometimes inconsistence of providing economic development because of the constraint that had been discussed. States roles are to govern and to protect the interest of its people. State roles are not for making businesses.

Furthermore, by allowing state to involve in the business of innovation and creativity, it is not possible that the “baggage” of Alibaba Capitalism still will bring. Just taking example of how governments have to deal with the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement. Governments still have to protect Proton as the GLC because it affects national interest as Malaysia definition. (Charles W.L.Hill.2010.pp.286)

Chinese Capitalism Success
Despite the failure of State capitalism, the private capitalism that are run by mostly Chinese achieved great success. Most of the successful business in south East Asia is Chinese. Determining who is Chinese are one question that need to be go deeper because there are Chinese that was born in their country and have a status as a residence. Malaysia Forbes has discovered much of the Billionaire in Malaysia is Chinese, and most probably does not benefitted in affirmative action made by the government. Ironically, without the special aid from government Chinese private capitalist success and but, with help of government Bumiputera capitalism does not shine. For example the between ten top richest man in Malaysia, eight of the person are Chinese ethnics. Namely , Robert Kuok with worth of USD 9 billion with multi business ,  Lee Shin Cheng Property worth USD 3.2 bill invested in palm oil, Lee Kim Hua property worth  USD 2.5 billion in business of Gaming, 80, Teh Hong Piow USD 2.4 billion, in Banking, Quek Leng Chan USD 2.3 billion invested in many sectors ,Yeoh Tiong Lay USD 1.8 billion, also have diversified business,  Tiong Hiew King USD 1 billion, business in timber , and the last Vincent Tan property worth  USD 750 million, invested in diversified capital. Many of this private capitalism successfully maintain their wealth and property without major government intervention or government aid. In this battle private capitalism won against state capitalist.

Thailand with The Dilemma Of “Royal Capitalism”

Thailand is facing quite the same unique condition on deciding how to manage their money internally. According to Mauro cited by Richard and F. Doner recent empirical studies find corruption and rent seeking to be extremely widespread in Thailand (Richard & Ansil.2000.p.146) . This part will examine how success Thaksin Shinawatra regenerate economic growth which is in serious corruption and stagnant to the stage where the country successfully increase the GDP and create a hundred thousand of job for the people,  but in the end, the administration had been toppled by the “voice of democracy” in the conspiracy involve to “Royal Capitalism” and Military Institution that clearly have their own interest. This becomes one of the major constraints on why states like Thailand are incapable to involve in building knowledge based economic society and with innovation. According to the report by Nicholas Farelly , extracted from the book “Who Wants to be a Trillionaire?” written by Stephen Simpson, he wrote that ,current Thai King (Bhumipol Adulyadej) have reported to have at least $30 billion USD net worth in the royal investment in Thai business such as Siam Cement, Christiani & Nielsen and Shin corps. He did mention that the possibility that the Bhumipol not might not able to reach  $1 trillion in his life (due to his age which is 89 years old)  however,  their heir (most probably 59-years old Prince Vajiralongkom) could eventually reach that point (Stephen Simpson,2011).

 Another report by Forbes also admit the same where King Bumiphol is one of the richest king that are defeat the wealth of Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah the oil-rich Brunei that before was on the top of the list. Some of the people mention that the monarch wealth is to help the people, which is many other people doubts, the country that already have 27 Prime Minister struggle to have a transparent and free corruption economic development. Even thought Thaksin have involve in may “political crisis” ,in my opinion the strongest reason of Coup de Tat in Thailand was because the dissatisfaction of how the government would reduces the power of “royal” capitalism and military institution in the effort of Thaksin to promote democracy. Thaksin are to popular and with the winning of general election in 2005 and 2006 where the first time one party rule become a government it because of this according to junta gave reason to coup that Thaksin had “caused an unprecedented rift in society” which mean that extension of the gap between the middle class and rural base are seriously in jeopardy.(Pasuk.P & Baker.C.2008.p.62) That is how Military and Royal Justify the act of the undemocratic coup. Even though they are strong empirical proves that Thaksin have “privatize” Thailand and turn the country into rapid development growth. In Thailand Royal are the most powerful institution and whatever effort of the Prime Minister must have the “ratification” of the king. In Thailand, king is like god or demi-god to the people. For the people Thailand, Kings are beyond politics. Whoever insult the king is a serious offence and will be charge. Just like happen to Darunee Charnchoengsilpakul the red shirt and pro Thaksin supporters. She has been sentence 18 years in prison for insulting the monarchy . ( Dailymail,28th August,2009)
In my perception, King in  Thailand is nothing more than “Royal Capitalism” that manipulate military institution to confront “Thaksin Corporation”.  Even though Thaksin is implementing the poor pro policies but some people argue that he is authoritarian because of his populism. Some people also mention that  because of him,the democracy of Thailand have less quality. Just like written by Michael K.Connors in his paper saying that, Royal Thai is actually the Royal Liberalism that to ensure the democracy are in place and it is their responsibility to support the people coup. (M.K.Connors.2008.143-165). However we can see that, Thailand had been coup for about 19 times and somehow that become the standard democracy of the region and yet in Democrat party , Seni Pramoj said that “ The constitutional monarchy offers us an effective tool in defense again dictatorship  “ . So long as the supreme powers remains with the monarch...there will not be a desire among politicians to become a dictator” (cited by Kobkua, 1996 in M.K Connors.2008.145). 

Thailand also have their unique character that justify states are not capable for it to involve in Business and a matters of creating competition and innovation in business because of the constraint of the “Royal” Capitalism. If government of the states like Thailand involve in business involving industrial that demand knowledge based economy, the “Royal” Capitalism might interrupt to ensure their dominant and to protect their own industries and wealth.

3.0 Solution to core dependency and political economy challenge Malaysia and Thailand: The Triple Helix Solution.
Core dependencies and domestic political economy problem is some of the biggest obstacle that we have to face. Furthermore added with the incapability of states of handling business, in what way we should go?  Do we need to create more Proton to ensure that we are not depending to the core countries?
In my opinion, the key on opening the door to close the gap between the developing country and developed country is the “Triple Helixing” of the industrial-government-university in Malaysia and Thailand. Triple Helix is a concept that are long time discuss and it is a model of a knowledge based regional development incorporated between three important element which is University, State and Industry.
The Triple Helix will be more effective if it is combined with the classical ideology of economic liberalism that tells governments to “hands off” of the business. Adam Smith was write the importance of competition that regulates economic activities and will benefit the customer. The entrepreneurs or the enterprise will make themselves as attractive as possible in order for them to survive, or else they will shutdown. The classical liberal understanding of economy is a good way to disciplines the industry. State intervention will only disturb the free market.
Henry Etzkowitz (2002) mention the importance of cooperation and synchronization of University –Industry –Government relation is in the process of knowledge capitalizations. The first transformation that important according to him is ;  the transformation of each helix element such as the development of lateral ties through mechanism such as strategic alliance or an assumption of an economic development mission by university. (Henry Etzkowitz 2002 pp.2). According to WTO regulation that state is forbidden from making its own company and they must encouraged the free market. The problem of lack of innovation and technology product lies between this three elements of relation. The innovation is increasingly came from outside industrial and firm and sometimes from other institutional such as University that have focus on this task. Innovation can come from anywhere and across boundaries disregard which areas it is. The typical model of State industrial and academia picture by Henry taking example of developing country can be exemplifies in the Figure 1. It shows that States are Predominant between these three element.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
Figure 1


.
In this model States control the relationship on industry with it regulatory, tax and other mechanism which clearly unfavoured by the business. Because of the relation control by the state, the industries are discourage to compete and might somehow affect the innovation capabilities. University that suppose to provide this knowledge might find their discovery are less useful and the findings hard to be utilizes in optimum way.  The model of Triple Helix that state should apply with a little bit of modification of neo liberal approach might look like the
Figure 2.




The implementation of this model will ensure that government must enhance privatization of its state owned company and abolish the Ali-baba capitalism policy in case of Malaysia and Royal Capitalism policy in Thailand. The relationship between State Business which involves state owned or state cronyism is forbidden. However the industrial and business sector can contribute to the government to in the form of taxes and other legal ways such as exercising Corporate Social Responsibility. State is responsible to invest in the University to made research and the outcome of it can be used by state itself or industrial sector to promote innovation and technology.
Some of the successful project that apparently is an effort of Sweden government is called VINNOVA. The function of the institutions is to promote the innovation and technology among researcher and companies. It is a place where all research and innovation gather and companies, industrial and government can access and utilizes it. The institution as being mention by Charlotte Brogen the Director General of VINNOVA, Swedish Governmental Agency for Innovation Systems, is a place where responsible  for innovation and sustainable growth of Sweden and she hope VINNOVA become the interest to innovation actors around the world. Some of the interesting innovation that found out in their free e magazine describe on how the future boats imitates dolphin Flipper that expected to reduce noise and faster that ordinary boat. The Dolprop Industries that made it research grand under VINNOVA are expected to launch its first product to the market at 2012. ( VINNOVA Cutting Edge pp.2).Henry Etzkowitz and Magnus Klofsten (2005)  have develop a wide range of strategy and method in creating the dimension of learning towards the Innovating region by introducing a model that for a developing country can follow. Other scholars that related to this study is Loet Leydesdorff (2001)  by discussing further of the complex and dynamic of innovation and cultural evolution.
Pre Condition of Triple Helix in State.
In ensure the triple helix strategy to workout they are few precondition that developing state have to overcome first. Some of the key is state must ensure that the firm can keep what they already earn. State cannot take over the wealth that the company already earn that usually done by heavy taxation, inflationary financing and interference of government in the company. Richard F. Doner and Ansil Ramsay (2000) mention that lacking such commitment , firm will fail to invest ex ante because of their knowledge that the insecure environment reduces the benefits they accrue from investments ex post. Further another thing that is important which is state must convince the industry and private sector that they will not save the fail company that unable to operate efficiently. All of the factor of interference of government will result the Triple Helix strategy might not be working. This is because any effort that will disturb the process of competitiveness will result in competiveness among industry and cause of lack of commitment to do innovation. In short, cooperation is needed to ensure competitiveness.

Conclusion
The disappearance of innovators and Einstein from developing country in this case Malaysia and Thailand could be analyzes in different level such as global level , interstate level and domestic political economy of the nation itself.  This phenomenon is a loophole that contains us in the low income or moderate income class of state for more than a decade. The dependence of the core is something that developing country cannot avoid but to escape from the chain is a choice that the people, government and the institution of the state can decide. The only way to escape from being peripherilized  is transparency and competitiveness. This could only be achieved by allowing business sector to prosper with the stimulant from the academia and the encouragement from the government. University should play more role that what we are doing now. Knowledge is power.



                                          

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