The Malaysian mindset: No money, no talk

Despite the many places of worship that we never stop building; despite the many seemingly ethical-sounding slogans we adopt perennially; despite the many social change campaigns that we profess to support; despite the religious events and festivals that we partake as well as parade to the world that we are a unique experience that is ‘Truly Asia’; despite all these, Malaysians appear to have become anchored in a credo that is hard to shake.

This permeating credo is that believe in money - a credo of ‘money talk first’. In fact, it is no surprise to hear from almost most Malaysians the common adage: No money, no talk.

Money has become the central ‘god’ or ‘goddess’ for many. They will fight to prove to you that without money you can do nothing. Yes, without the currency of the times, we cannot purchase. We use money to exchange for the goods and services we need to live and even survive in this contemporary world. That is not the problem.

The problem is we have reached a point of no return where we keep placing money before everything else. We place money before values, ethics, justice, honor and humanity. This is the real liability we are concerned here.

Take the case of the announced Bersih 2.0 rally. The first objection was ‘our business will be affected’. Never mind about your higher ideals for the nation’s progress. “I need to find my money” is the argument that gets the protection and support instantly.

The same goes for a political rally that BN organizes. If there is no money in the offing, you can be rest assured the turnout will be only those who are supposed to be on duty for the event. The money can come in the form of a free makan-makan, free T-shirts, a small ‘ang pow’ or whatever. But it translates to some gains that can be accounted as monetary incentive. It is plainly, ‘no money, no go’.

You set up a professional organization. And the first thing on those who clamor to hold office in that institution is, ‘how much extra can I make’ or ‘what added mileage is there for me’.

Money, money and more money. No one wants to look at the higher ideals of existence. Forget about the values, the ethical dimension, noble intentions. The question that matters is, “how do I survive mate?” Or “everybody is making money, why can’t I”.

Whether it is the trader, the office bearer at a place of worship, the office boy on errands, the manager at his high desk, the professional, the politicians – whoever; they have all through their conduct that most of us are familiar with, have proven time and time again that money comes first.

Today we know that people are prepared to kill for no reason whatsoever but for so long as there is money. Remember the guy who C4-ed the Mongolian national? He said in court that he was promised RM100,000 for a clean job.

The case against a former chieftain which also raises eyebrows is yet another example what money can do. Properties are grossly undervalued and sold to someone only because the subsequent business (money) opportunities are not crippled.

If you search the annals and recent history pages from the courts, the Parliament, and national archives, we will be inundated with examples that attest to this fact that Malaysians will do anything and everything for money. If there is no money, but mere ideals and principles, ethics and justice, they will tell you they are “busy-lah, sorry eh, maybe next time”.

This trend is not only dangerous but compounds all future generations of this nation. For as long as man has lost his dreams, visions and hopes for a future built on justice, honor, ethics and principles, that nation of people will remain robbed to the raw bones for eternity.

For a nation of people who eagerly put money before business, money before service, money before their very existence, money before their beingness – they are ruined.

Strangely, we never were like this in the yester-years especially during the times of Bapa Malaysia. Thank God that are there a few in between who are still willing to give their time, energy, and even money to stand up for the higher and nobler ideals of humanity and nation.

But when the larger nation of people put money before all else, we must take inventory. We therefore need to re-orientate. We need to understand, appreciate and endorse that money is only a result of what we do. Money should never be the determinant of what we are willing to do.

Now who do we blame for this national malaise that is affecting all Malaysians like a cancer? Your take, please.

J. D. Lovrenciear is a reader and contributor to Malaysia Chronicle