Friday 20 June 2008

Meritocracy

I've been busy in the past few weeks finishing the final chapter of my dissertation. Alhamdulillah...it's done. But work is not over for me. I need to revise my earlier work. Time flies fast. It's almost 4 years. I can't wait to get to the end. Insya Allah, I will get to the end.

My husband has also finished his course which means it's just another step for him to become a fully qualified international architect. I'm sure he will.

Anyway, both of us believe that education is a lifetime investment (and equally, a lifetime pursuit). Admittedly, it is tough and not easy. There are also times when we question ourselves whether it's worth it. The time and the money we spent - We could have bought a BMW or a Mercedes (that's what I always said to my husband, haha). But most of all, we wonder whether or not we can use what we have learnt to contribute to the development of Brunei?

I'm sorry but Brunei has yet to prove that it's a nation of meritocracy, where people are rewarded for their contribution (regardless of the age) and not for their length of service or worse, for certain 'birthrights'. If Brunei wants to change, it needs to accept and adapt new ideas and new technologies that Bruneians have acquired abroad or even within the country. It needs to listen and encourage its people to question, to debate and to offer solutions. There should also be a two-way communication. Only then Brunei can breed intellectuals and thinkers among the entrepreneurs, the professionals and the policy-makers, who I believe will help create a much diversified Brunei, a dynamic Brunei.

Salaam
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3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Agreed.

I think the question also needs to point to the mentality of most of its citizens. Are they willing to accpet new ideas and change?

Aft studying with a couple of Bruneian scholars(even my gf is one), i was shocked to learn that, despite being smart etc, the Bruneians i know, dont really care about competition, debatable issues and question. Most are still trapped in a cocoon of home comfort. All they want is a job,no stress, 9-5 job, go home, good pay, and thats it. Who dosent want?, but its not possible to develop with that mentality. They reject playing a part or leading role in diversification saying "the govt will do something,im sure they will". Again, high dependence on the govt. And dream job? With the govt of course. The high dependency should really stop. Mayb the older generation sees the need for change, cause i realise this when i visited Brunei and chatted with the older people. But alarmingly, its the younger generation i see that is complacent.

IMHO, to start a change, it has to start with its citizens, especially the younger generation. As pointed out by the ministers, they should stop being too dependent on the govt. A leader, without motivated soldiers, no matter how much the number, will never win a war.

I love to look at Malaysia as an example. I am malay, but i respect the non-bumiputeras(chinese n indians) work ethic and low dependency on the govt, by constantly crossing the causeway, south everyday by the thousands, to work study and give the best they could to the family, and the $ brought home, of course has a contribution to the development of southern state of johore.

I feel(sorry if it offends anyone), Brunei should follow(it is trying to follow) the footsteps of what my country did with the civil service employment scheme.They used to employ civil servants for life, but due to high competition and slacking workers, it is now on a contract basis(5-10year), where if you dont perform, out you go. This has made the civil service much better over the past decade. And due to this, the dependency of govt jobs decrease, with people seeking private companies job at the same time. Working in the private sector and civil service under contract scheme, will generate hard working and thinking professionals who give their best, as they demand more from their employees or risk being replaced. This did contribute to the growth etc etc.

Though people may frown at high competition, its the only way to go if a country virtually has no natural resources, which for Brunei, will eventually be dry. Its not only about attracting companies or businesses. Companies will run to other country if they make a loss or have unmotivated workers. We have to change the mindset, or else risk being very hungry.


Js my view =)

20 June 2008 at 09:17
Anonymous said...

Absolutely spot on. Brunei is still 'immature' with regards to issues of meritocracy, debating, and discussion. We go into any form of discussion as if we are going into a personal argument, and get extremely defensive. Many Bruneians like yourself and your husband - highly educated individuals who have good patriotic intentions eventually get disillusioned about Brunei simply because we're never truly allowed to contribute to our country. We're sent overseas to learn the best practices and the newest theories, but as soon as we step foot into Brunei, we're constantly told 'This is Brunei - what you learn doesn't work here - you must follow our existing system '. Unfortunately we all know this system is unsustainable and unfortunate as it may be, is a very fatalistic cultural norm which have to be addressed.

20 June 2008 at 20:13
Anonymous said...

I am one of uneducated Bruneian Malays "Rakyat Jati" who had earlier in working life opted to get out of the fully 'comfy-cushioned cocoon' of the Civil Service. And I had also tasted the comfort zone of working for the second-biggest employer (after His Majesty's Government) for some good years. Yet I opted out, too.

Now, I am one of those Bruneians who are facing a 'mid-life' crisis of being neither here nor there in their career. Still I continue to strive to contribute to nation-building in whatever small ways.

I have a couple of growing up kids who I always pray for their bright future. I always encourage them to do good unto others and to contribute to society when they become successful in life... Amin!

I am worried about my 20ish nieces and nephews and most young friends and relatives, though, who seem to be aimlessly hopeless. My peers (in our 40s) are more pragmatic and positive in our attitudes.

I am glad that some of the youngsters I have worked with in professional and social circles benefited a lot from my direct interaction with them i.e. in their outlook and adventurism. I wish I could spend more time in helping to develop the many more youths who feel being alienated.

Well, John F Kennedy had always been wise to have been quoted: "Don't ask what the country can do for you but rather ask yourself what you can do for your country..." Que, Sera, Sera...

21 June 2008 at 13:30

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