A Tribute To Zainal Aznam

The nation suffered a great loss on 30 April 2011 when Dato’ Dr. Zainal Aznam Yusof, a Malaysian economist (a member of the National Economic Advisory Council) passed away suddenly due to a massive heart attack. King Chai reflec

Dr. Zainal revealed that the proposed Equal Opportunity Commission (intended to correct inequality of opportunity due to racial discrimination or mistakes of the system) in Part 1 of the NEM, that was eventually abolished and the idea thrown out of Part 2 of the NEM.

He was unhappy that there wasn’t clear commitment or intention to fully carry out the implementation of the Equal Opportunity Commission from Part 1 of the NEM. He sincerely believe could mean equal opportunity for all Malaysians, regardless of race, religion or creed to pursue happiness and economic prosperity in this country, filled with multitudes of opportunity.

When Part 1 of the NEM was announced by the Prime Minister, Dato’ Seri Najib Tun Razak in March 2010, there was a clear deafening silence from the proposal with regards to the 30% equity of economic ownership of the Bumiputera (a legacy from the New Economic Policy 1971-1990) and a daring move towards the establishment of an Equal Opportunity Commission.

The reason why the EOC stood out is because it was a deliberate shift of affirmative action from being a hard-quota race-based policy towards focusing the bottom 40% of society. EOC is crucial in promoting a need-based affirmative action policy which aims to increase the chances or opportunities for those sidelined by the NEP to be able to compete on equal grounds to achieve higher economic or social standings in the society.

Dr. Zainal’s steadfast commitment and ability to propose a practical framework of application through the EOC have managed to raise even more awareness amongst Malaysians regarding the importance of putting the nation’s interest above everything else.

Below is an interesting article with a quote from Dr. Zainal, published in The Edge:

"After more than 50 years of independent growth, we are no closer to being racially blind… Current and future conflicts in Malaysia will be fuelled more by an outraged sense of inequality and unfairness in economic opportunities, and by dangerous politicians on both sides of the political divide."

We pray for you.
Rest in peace.