Situation in Lebanon Worsening, Malaysians Must Observe Closely.

This is taken from the Middle East Forum. Do read my conclusion.

Lebanon Protests Fueled by "Endemic Corruption" of Political Class

ongoing mass protests in Lebanon

protests fueled by "major economic mismanagement, impending collapse of Lebanese economic and financial system

in turn caused by "endemic corruption of Lebanese political class" 

political class, the families and figures that constitute it

have been ruling Lebanon since 1970s civil war 

this is a long-standing elite

protest in Lebanon not along sectarian lines

not driven by sectarian parties

it is against sectarian parties 

against them all across the board and regions of Lebanon

Also unique is absence of any prominent leadership in protest movement

really no visible leaders

There are organizers talking through social media but "widely diffused"

"elephant in the room is Hezbollah" 

Iranian-backed Shi'a 

manipulated sectarian system to build militia that dominates Lebanon

Hezbollah strongest defender of sectarian based system and status quo

now sectarian system works to their advantage 

they are its strongest defendant

Hezbollah's defense of status quo not well received by many 

Shi'a protestors openly attacked "Hezbollah MPs" by name

Hezbollah and Amal unleashed goons to beat them up 

"barrier of fear has been broken" 

disconcerting for Hezbollah to see Shias, Sunnis and Christians protest

sectarian parties are target of protests

fundamental difference to be kept in mind

protest leaders not centralized, little connection to politics

Lebanese govt immense difficulty negotiating stand-down

no trust between protesters and political class

protesters don't want govt or political system where same people are in power

those in power not going to give up power, so that's the impasse.

Adding to government's difficulties is severe cash crunch

brazenness of elite to raise revenue from anywhere they can possibly think of 

without any structural reforms and letting go of their profits

system runs on equivalent of Ponzi scheme through Lebanese banks

government very much in debt

one of the most indebted govts on planet

depend on inflow of US dollars from abroad

need fresh money constantly like Ponzi scheme

sanctions by West and Arab Gulf states against Hezbollah

affected cash inflow leading to this crisis 

economy is teetering on the edge 

My conclusion. 

The Lebanese Civil War lasted from 1975 until 1990.  It destroyed Beirut.  In the university in the 1980s I knew people who were involved in the fighting in Lebanon and others who had escaped from the Civil War.

Beirut 1982

Since the end of the Civil War in 1990,   Lebanon recovered and this is Beirut today :

But obviously all the wealth that is in Beirut and Lebanon is not enjoyed by the people equally. 

First the big opportunities are restricted (just like here in Malaysia).

Then the big outcomes are decided by non economic and non market forces (just like here in Malaysia). 

So Malaysia better watch out.

When the peoples' opportunities are restricted and worse when economic outcomes are decided by other than economic factors then that is fertile ground for corruption, cronyism, bias, prejudice, religious sectarianism, racism etc.

All this has happened in Lebanon. Malaysia better watch out.

It is not true that the Lebanese politicians do not know what to do. 

It is not true that the Malaysian politicians do not know what to do.

They all know what is the correct thing to do.

But the politicians want to hold on to their power and all the trimmings that come with it.

Because of their politics, their own vested interests, their pandering to ignorant populist policies etc they fail to do what is right and instead do all the wrong things.

The net result is after 15 years, 20 years, 30 years the people end up protesting in the streets. Then they will start blaming the jews, global warming, too much rain in Victoria, the Christians, anything but themselves.