‘Business leaders must speak up or watch Malaysia fall’

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s business leaders must stand up and voice out against the wrongs in the country if they want to see changes from the administration, said industrialist and philanthropist Datuk (Dr) Vinod Sekhar.

The PETRA Group chairman and chief executive made the clarion call as business leaders have strong influence over the country’s direction, and can greatly help resolve its current predicament if they make their thoughts known.

Vinod said economic leaders should be forthcoming with the nation’s politicians to correct the latter’s missteps in running the country.

“Imagine them (business leaders) putting some energy into fixing society and dealing with societal development issues, then taking it one step further and having them stand up for, speaking up for what is right.

“Imagine if all of us stood up and took a position, and not worry about not getting government contracts or having an issue with their businesses; it’s a tough thing to do as I have taken that position for a very long time as my father had taught me that good guys win in the end.”

Vinod said this during an online talk titled “Nationalism and Patriotism in the Times of Covid-19: Are Malaysia’s Economic Leaders Doing Enough to Save the Country?” last night. 

The talk was held in conjunction with a joint meeting between the Rotary Clubs of Greater Kuala Lumpur and Paranaque San Dionisio, Philippines.

Vinod – who is an advocate of social capitalism – said that there are some economic leaders who are indeed outspoken, but they are scarce.

“If we all stood up and said ‘no, this is wrong and quite frankly, this shouldn’t happen’, remember: businesses control the economy of any country and, therefore, the voice of business leaders are very powerful.

“If you can, use it for the right cause and collectively to lift our nation. If we can, use it to help our politicians find their way. If you can use it to help our government, perhaps, realise the errors in certain things they do, imagine what’s possible.

“But to do that, we all must stand up and speak. And that’s something missing in Malaysian society. Not enough of us that can make that stand, and we have to.”

Vinod said while change takes time and comes at a price, it would benefit all parties if business leaders remained true to their principles.

“It hurts a lot sometimes but in the end; if you can remain the good guy, you will win. So, the question is, can you remain the good guy as you are pulled and pushed, and as your soul is trying to be bought?

“Our time is now: we’re being called to action and we’re not standing up. We’re (currently) not speaking out, we’re keeping quiet.

“We talk behind closed doors and say ‘that’s wrong, stupid or ridiculous, they should not be doing that’. But why are we not saying that out loud?” 

Malaysia at a crossroads 

Vinod said he fears the country is reaching a crossroads as it has long taken the “easy” route as those in the country fear “shaking things up” or “causing a ruckus” to change the situation, adding that it is time to take the road less travelled.

He added that the current economic downturn brought about by the coronavirus pandemic is unlike anything the country has ever experienced, with the situation mostly affecting the lower income group.

“All other economic downturns affected the rich, the middle class and, to a certain extent, some professionals, but they never really impacted the poor B40 or the M20.

“This downturn, for the first time, is bottom-up. This pandemic, and the economic sorrow it has brought, affects the poorest among us the worst and it affects them first as they lose jobs and daily income.

“Our government has been too busy worrying about everything else except the most critical parts about what our society needs. Perhaps their priorities are different, but I believe we have to remind them what their priorities should be.

It’s time that business leaders get involved because we cannot let our brothers and sisters in the country fall.” 

He said since independence, Malaysia had grown to become a beautiful nation, likening it to a house that is fit for all inhabitants, but certain problems are ignored. 

“Over the years, we kept expanding and repainting, but we didn’t pay attention to the rot, or the termites eating away at the core structure. We just kept repainting and making the outside prettier but ignoring the rot at the very foundation.

“We have reached a point where the house is going to fall. We have a choice to keep standing inside there pretending that nothing is going to happen.”

He also said that the country’s resources, such as rubber, palm oil, silver, gold and petroleum, and its diverse society makes it unique.

“We are God’s country, how dare we fail?

“My challenge to all of you is that, will you stand and speak? Because this is when your nation needs you to stand up and rise to make a difference.” – The Vibes, July 13, 2021