Human rights group Amnesty International’s recent report seemed to paint the Malaysian government as having failed to fulfil their 2022 general election promises concerning freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, refugee and migrant rights, the death penalty, torture and ill-treatment, indigenous peoples’ rights, and the right to a healthy environment.
Amnesty International Malaysia executive director Katrina Jorene Maliamauv gave many examples of how those categories were violated, all of which are available in the report that I don’t wish to elaborate on as they are sickening to the general public.
Malaysia cannot and must not ignore the report, or accuse it of being biased or prejudicial against the nation’s sovereignty, as Amnesty International is a reputable organisation that many countries and investors would refer to before making serious decisions.
First-world countries, along with other reputable international organisations, can influence the image of Malaysia on the global stage.
We may form social, economic, religious, racial, and political narratives to counter domestic problems by paying public relations firms, but the world trusts neutral reputable bodies to make informed decisions.
We just heard from Economic Minister Rafizi Ramli with his vision of economic prosperity at the KL20 summit. We also heard from our education minister about forming a utopia in our Malaysian education system. But it all boils down to the ratings by international agencies, not from well-prepared rhetorics and blueprints.
The advent of Al and other smart technologies can separate truth from fiction very easily. The brain drain from Malaysia to neighbouring countries, the fall of the ringgit, the disunity among races, and many more, are sufficient yardsticks to indicate that our leaders are not doing and saying the right things with the right words that can either inspire or destroy the psyche of the nation.
Please don’t ignore global agency ratings and act macho, thinking of countering with narratives hoping to influence success. Only tangible and visible statistical data from reputable international agencies tell the truth.
K.T. Maran Social, environmental & Animal Activist
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