Mahathir's outdated vision

Mahathir Mohamad still does not get it. After 30 years of investment and haemorrhaging money, to the detriment of the general public, he still believes propping up the so-called national auto industry is the way forward.

When he launched the Look East Policy with the aim of emulating from Japan and, to a lesser extent, South Korea, on heavy industries, Mahathir had hoped he could transform Malaysia into a developed nation within his stint as prime minister. He knew that time was running against him, for he was already past his mid fifties when he ascended to the highest office in the country.

Mahathir was no doubt driven by a strong conviction that technological advancement was a national destiny. In this regard, seeing more cars on the road satisfied, and continues to satisfy him, tremendously.

The price for Mahathir’s ‘vision’, as many have experienced it, has been more than hefty. Today, young graduates are burdened by car loans due to the severe lack of investment in public transportation especially in the urban areas. More cars - and often substandard cars at that - on the road also means more accidents, leading to unnecessary deaths year and year after.

As a pragmatist disdainful of polemics and detailed policy studies, Mahathir focused almost solely on the material elements of social development. If he had cared to observe in a more thoroughly manner, he would know that both Japan and Germany as the two giants in the global auto industry have not failed to ensure an efficient and affordable public transport is in place to serve the needs of those who cannot own a car (or simply do not want to).

In every Japanese and German city, buses come regularly and trains are almost always on time, resulting in few cars on the road and with it far lower accident rates. By contrast, Malaysians are yet to show any civility when driving a car.

I once watched an elderly Japanese lady walking down a narrow lane just in front of the famous Kiyozumi-dera Temple in Kyoto, carrying a piece of luggage with her. There were at least five cars behind her, but none of the drivers dared honk at her. This is what I regard as civilisation, which Mahathir has not bothered to transplant to Malaysia.

Mahathir is apparently interested only in the form rather than the substance. If the late Deng Xiaoping (right) of China is renowned for his ‘to get rich is glorious’ motto which has now produced arguably the most consumerist and soulless era in Chinese history, Mahathir may want to be remembered as the man who brought every Malaysian a car.

Mahathir clearly takes pride in it, for he was once allegedly snubbed by a Chinese taxi driver who refused to drive him right to the door of his girlfriend while he was a poor student in Singapore. Years later, Mahathir became allegedly the first person to own a car in Langkawi when he was posted as a government doctor on the island.

A reflection of social status

But what is sauce for the goose is not necessarily sauce for the gander. Mahathir continues to consider car ownership as a reflection of social status, again misinformed by his own experience. It does not dawn on him that Malaysia is now one of the most car-dependent countries in the world, and more and more young Malaysians are straddled with debts thanks to the materialistic pursuit which Mahathir had encouraged and cultivated for over two decades.

By contrast, both Japan and Germany have seen a steady decline in recent years in terms of car ownership among the young populations. For them, owning a car is a burden that they can do without rather than a source of pride or a symbol of quality of life. Instead, their standards of living are improved by comprehensive transport systems, health care, good education, galleries, museums and libraries.

Malaysia has wasted too much time, money and resources on a vainglorious and fanciful national auto industry. Contrary to what Mahathir has persistently argued, we do not need to have a car brand of our own to acquire the necessary technology.

Thailand has the largest car industry in South-East Asia, while Indonesia is fast catching up. In forging partnerships with foreign brands such as Honda, Toyota, Ford, Mercedes-Benz and General Motors, these two countries have successfully ensured car prices remain comparatively affordable, although I would argue the best policy for the two governments to adopt would be to develop a sustainable and comprehensive public transportation.

When Mahathir rolled out his pet project in 1983, the world had had more than enough car-producers. Three decades later, Malaysia is still seeking to gain a foothold in the world’s car market against the odds. Perhaps Musa Hitam, Mahathir’s erstwhile deputy, has been right to say that, while Mahathir’s visions were initially noble, they only turned out to be outdated in the end.

Yes, I tend still to believe Mahathir meant well when he launched whatever programme that he saw fit for the country, but remain acutely mindful that the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

JOSH HONG studied politics at London Metropolitan University and the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. A keen watcher of domestic and international politics, he longs for a day when Malaysians will learn and master the art of self-mockery, and enjoy life to the full in spite of politicians.