Wawasan 2020, also known as Vision 2020 is a phrase which most if not all Malaysians are well acquainted with. The fourth and seventh Prime Minister of Malaysia, Mahathir Mohamad envisioned Malaysia to be a technologically advanced and psychologically liberated society, in other words, a fully developed country by the year 2020 during the Sixth Malaysia Tabling plan in 1991. Despite being classified as an emerging country by the World Bank, the country has undergone rapid economic development over the past five decades, from relying primarily on raw natural resources to a leading exporter of petroleum, natural gas and electrical appliances to developed countries (Investopedia, 2019). The growth of the country is attributed to the efforts of the people of the country, everyone plays a vital role in Malaysia's journey towards becoming a developed country.
Good Leaders Recognize People; Great Leaders Appreciate Them
In conjunction with the anticipated milestone of 2020, it would be the nice time to remind the people to appreciate the "ordinary" people, including themselves who makes extraordinary difference in their own way. Dato’ Jimmy Choo, the internationally known luxury fashion designer, Dato' Nicol David, the number one professional female squash player, Dato' Lee Chong Wei, the world ranking professional badminton player, Dato’ Michelle Yeoh, an internationally known actress whose most notable films including Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon , The Mummy and the recent Crazy Rich Asian... While these names are included in textbooks as an appreciation for putting Malaysia on the map, people seem to disregard the influence of other Malaysians who contribute to the country through different platforms. The unknown heroine who secretly supplied medicine and medical aid to resistance fighters during world war II, the man who helped clean the streets of the city, the female student who immediately perform CPR on an unconscious man, the teachers who educate the youth of the country, these people while promoting positive change through their own platforms go unnoticed, overlooked, forgotten or taken for granted.
"Monument 2020" will be a monumental project for appreciating the people in the country, people like you and me, regardless of their background, showing their appreciation to someone whom they are grateful to by sharing their stories out loud. For decades Malaysia have only been celebrating Merdeka, the independence day on 31st of August, which often includes parades that displays the cultural diversity of the country. However, "Monument 2020" is more about the stories of the people who grew with the country and contributed to it, it would relate more to the formation of the country as compared to the celebration of freedom from colonialism. Therefore, the program will begin this year, 2019 on Malaysia day, the day commemorating the establishment of the Malaysian federation on September 16 and concluding on the same day in 2020.
The project will be held on virtual platforms as it reflects the technological advancement that the country aimed to achieve when the vision was first launched. An official page will be created where people can upload the photos and stories of people whom they would like to thank. The images will be compiled into a large interactive photo collage, which upon clicking reveals the great deeds they have done. Malaysians can also share their stories on social media using the hashtag #rakyat2020 (rakyat means the people or citizens of a country) , a meaningful movement which everyone can easily take part in. It would be great to have the support of the local media, everyday radio stations will randomly pick a few stories in the language of the station and contacting the writer to send a message to the person whom they are referring to. Those who would like to share through videos might stand a chance to be featured on local television in advertising slots. There will not be a voting system for a chance to be featured as the whole point of the program is not to have people valued differently based on their popularity or success. It would be quite an interesting year of positive appreciation for Malaysians who made a difference, regardless how small, if it was economically, professionally or socially.
The program will be carried for a year on different media platforms. At the same time, it would be ideal to have local artists create a work based on the social contribution of images or on the concept of the movement. On September 16th, a public event where the artwork will be showcased will be held in Putrajaya, the city envisioned as a garden city and intelligent city, the symbolism of Malaysia as a developing country. As 2020 will also be a Visit Malaysia Year, it would be great to work hand in hand with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture to have this event as part of their plan in promoting the country.
"Monument 2020" not only exist to acknowledge the people but also hope to change the public's attitude towards others regardless of their economic status, show mutual respect. With better civic mind and manners, Malaysian will be able to soar further as a modern nation.
References
egov. (2006) 'Malaysia Vision 2020: Roadmap for a tech-enabled government', April 26. Available at: http://kamalharmoni.com/uum/IT_Policy/assignemnt-1/journal/Malaysia%20vision%202020%20
reod%20map.pdf (Accessed: 30 March 2019 )
Jeshurun, C. (1993). 'MALAYSIA: The Mahathir Supremacy and Vision 2020.', Southeast Asian Affairs, 203-223. Available at: https://www.jstor.org/stable/27912076 (Accessed: 30 March 2019 )
Yusof, Z.A. and Bhattasali, D. (2008) 'Economic Growth and Development in Malaysia: Policy Making and Leadership', Commission on Growth and Development, Working Paper No. 27. Available at: https://documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/documents-reports/documentdetail/18311146805
0085348/economic-growth-and-development-in-malaysia-policy-making-and-leadership (Accessed: 30 March 2019 )
Malaysian : The Way Forward, Vision2020. Available at: https://www.pmo.gov.my/vision-2020/the-way-forward/ (Accessed: 30 March 2019 )
Malaysia As A Fully Developed Country - One Definition. Available at: http://www.wawasan
2020.com/ (Accessed: 30 March 2019 )
Vision 2020. Available at: https://www.mtholyoke.edu/~teh20y/classweb/worldpolitics/Vision
2020.html (Accessed: 30 March 2019 )
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