What Filipinos can learn from Malaysians

Today is the last day of the president's visit to the constitutional federal parliamentary state of Malaysia. It is important that we derive some important learnings from our more economically strong and the more politically stable fellow member of ASEAN. It has better economic development, higher per-capita income, better quality of life, longer life expectancy, better environment, lower crime rates, lesser graft and corruption, and more inclusive, more democratic politics and wealth.

The British who colonized Malaysia must have done a better job than the Spanish who controlled and dominated us for 377 years. Britain must have done much better than America which colonized us from 1900 to 1946. Today, the Worlddata.info rates political stability in Malaysia at 73 with 100 being the highest. The Philippines is only rated 54. Civil Rights Index gives Malaysia a score of 56, ours is a miserable 38. Our health index is rated 40 while Malaysia has 58. The Philippines is number seven among ASEAN nation in terms of per capita while Malaysia is number 3, following Singapore and Brunei.

We are losing to Malaysia on the following criteria: economic development, industry, trade, balance of budget, inclusiveness in education and health, democratic system of decision-making, inclusivity and assimilation, racial integration and multicultural cohesiveness. The Malaysian system of government is federal and parliamentary. Ours is unitary and presidential. The Philippines has a president who is both head of state and head of government. Malaysia has an elected king who is head of state, while the prime minister is the head of government.

The Filipinos pay taxes 14.3% higher than Malaysians. That means the Philippine government gets more money from its taxpayers than Malaysia. Filipinos have a 3.0% higher probability to live below the poverty line than Malaysians. That means Filipinos are poorer. Filipinos are 3.3% more likely to be unemployed than Malaysians. Only 50% of the 114 million Filipinos have internet access, while more than 90% of Malaysians have access to the internet. The cost of quality education in Malaysia is 23.80% less than that of the Philippines.

Malaysia is home to a multicultural and diverse people with eclectic traditions, arts, music, and festivals. Malaysians place a huge emphasis on family, honor, self-respect, and dignity. Raising voices in public places is a big no because Malaysians value their serenity and harmony. Public display of affections is taboo because Malaysia is a traditional, conservative, and largely Islamic country. Touching the head during conversations is considered rude. The use of the right hand in giving and taking things is preferred. To use the left hand is an insult. It is recommended to bring a gift when meeting a local for the first time.

Malaysia is populated by three main ethnic groups; the Malays who run and control the government, the Chinese who manage and operate the business establishments, and the Indians who dominate the professions as lawyers, doctors, accountants, engineers and nurses. They have excellent teamwork and they cooperate in almost flawless synergy and coopetition or cooperation with friendly competitions.

I lived in Malaysia from 2005 to 2008. I have many Malaysian friends who are either Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, or Christians. I studied in the university and worked closely with Malays, Chinese, and Indians. They are truly amazing people. No wonder Malaysia is miles ahead of us. We have got a lot to learn from Malaysians. The president should come home with a package of learnings from the great nation of Malaysia.