Translate the Momentum of Bersih 4 into a Wave of National Building: A Bersih+ Illusion

The Bersih 4 Rally has taken a bow. Its cumulated momentum is evidentially overwhelming. Without taking into account of the ethnicity composite, if such a big momentum could be translated into a wave of national building with consistent amplification, the outcome would be profound and tremendous.

National building, by its very virtue, goes beyond a narrowly defined political reformation and corruption extinguishment. Public sentiments could be easily arisen and manipulated by skilled politicians in their favours and advantages. Hence, I rule out political wills of stakeholders in this context of national building, and urge to redirect our thoughts towards a more viable, secure and economical avenue.

The rise of China as a strong power in just 30 years is undeniable. China is very good in formulating propagandas and injecting contextual discourse into them. Among other, I vividly recall one is “Rescue Country Using Technology” （科技救国 in Chinese language）and this propaganda subsequently was translated into a series of real actions and supported by whole citizens of China.

Today, the 4^th wave of Industrial Revolution, which generally termed Industry 4.0, is emerging at its infancy stage. The fast-moving countries have formulated a series of policies and technological preparations to confront the advent of the 4^th wave of Industrial Revolution. To name a few:

• Industry 4.0 - (Germany)
• Smart Manufacturing Leadership Coalition - (U.S.A)
• China Manufacturing 2025 - (China)
• Industrial Value Chain Initiative – (Japan)
• Manufacturing Innovation 3.0 – (South Korea)
• Smart Industry – (Dutch)
• Industry+Education+Society 4.0 – (Mexico)
• Industria 4.0 – (Spain)
• Smart Production / Service 4.0 – (Austria)
• New Industrial France – (France)

To make a drastic improvement and to regain a pride of being called Malaysian, Malaysia must not lag behind again in the race of the 4^th wave of Industrial Revolution, no matter what political atmosphere and inefficiencies of government machineries for both BN and PR. It is simply an act of lacking self-motivation to advance our footprints, regardless of whatsoever obstacles and barriers, if we easily accuse to others in various cheap ways. The prerequisite for a country to be strong, the Rakyat must be strong in the first place, but not strong in accusing others cheaply. But, too often, our Rakyat exhibits Notorious Trait in the Name of Smartness, and I hope our Rakyat could remove such notorious traits soonest possible and replace with proactiveness and self-enhancement.

A clean politic (I doubt if a clean politic subsists in any human society, past, present and future.) does not automatically envision and naturally enable a strong country. A strong country is largely driven by how well the technological adoption and deployment could align with socioeconomic development and transformation, and thus generate prosperity along a complex nexus of value chain.

Technology can better political atmosphere and industrial performance. Instead of adopting old-fashion demands through rallies, why don’t we deliberate and endeavour technological innovation to pursue our aspiration of similar objectives?

During the 1^st and 2^nd Industrial Revolution, we were at Dutch and British colonies era respectively. When it came to the 3^rd Industrial Revolution, although Malaysia has made significant progress, its sustainability of competitiveness remains to be questionable, doubtful and a drop of confidence to move forward to confront the advent of the 4^th wave of Industrial Revolution.

Now that, Malaysia has come to a T-junction of “Making a Quantum Leap” or “Business As Usual”. Whether one likes it or otherwise, the 4^th wave of Industrial Revolution, commonly known as Industry 4.0, is in progress of making its reality. I invite those who wish to see a strong Malaysia, regardless taking part in Bersih 4 or otherwise, to join me endeavoring towards a better and stronger Malaysia.

In the era of Industry 4.0, one fashionable term is called Internet+, which carries the meaning of the application of Internet plus a specific economic sector such as Banking/Finance, Law, Logistic/Transportation, Manufacturing, Education, Leisure/Hospitality, Politic/Administrative, Medicine, Construction, Sport, and the like. To this end, I borrow without obtaining permission to use the word Bersih and repackage it into Bersih+ as an aspiration to translate the momentum of Bersih 4 into a wave of national building.