In a political and social landscape that is geared towards maximising profit and prioritising individualism and competition, what does a fair and dignified life look like? Jeyakumar Devaraj takes an incisive look at the factors that shape our daily existence. What we take for granted as “the way things are” does not have to be this way. Health care, free trade agreements, land distribution, the right to housing, migrant workers’ wellbeing, the discrepancy between the ringgit and the almighty dollar, and the imbalance of power and wealth pervading society—these are topics he carefully dissects in direct, accessible language.
Another way is possible! But it will require political will and our commitment to see each and every person as our equal. Let Notes on the Way Forward be the first draft in writing the story of a more egalitarian and just society in Malaysia.
About the Author
Dr. Jeyakumar Devaraj is a medical doctor who graduated in 1981 from University Malaya. He worked in the Ministry of Health for 19 years, serving in Penang, Sarawak and Perak. In 1999 he left government service to contest the Sg Siput Parliamentary seat and was the MP for Sg Siput from 2008 till 2018. Jeyakumar is the current Chairperson of the Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM), a party he co-founded in 1998 with several other social activists. He is an author of several books including Logging Against the Natives of Sarawak; Othukkapadum Samuthayam (Marginalised Society); Maaf Tuan Speaker, Saya Tidak Dapat Menyokong; An Alternative Vision for Malaysia; and Building Back Better, among others.
Contents
List of Abbreviations
Preface
Note to the Reader
1. ‘Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka!’ But Are We in Control of Our
Destiny?
2. Private Wings in Public Hospitals—A Pathetic Knee-Jerk Response
3.The Health White Paper-There are Reasons to be Alarmed
4. PMX’s Lopsided Defence of the Urban Renewal Bill
5. Bring Back GST? Perish the Thought!
6. Inheritance Tax Idea Just a Red Herring
7. Mismanagement of Agricultural Land in Perak
8. 28-Year Assault’ on Padang Meha Estate Ex-workers
9. Letter to Bumiputra Economic Congress Delegates
10. From Ethnic Silos to Empathy for the ‘Other’
11. Why So Mean to Stateless Malaysians?
12. Missing: Our Moral Compass on Migrant Workers
13. A Wish List for Asean
14. Covid-19 Teaches a Lesson on Global Power Realities
15. Enough of Lip Service on Food Security—Time for a Rethink
Acknowledgements
Glossary
