Globalisation and mediocrity

Globalisation in today's context means a dramatic shift from protectionist policies to free trade and local competition to global competitiveness. It is an evolution that's unstoppable as our world grows smaller and interwovenly integrated.

So what's the problem?

On a micro level, the problem lies within ourselves and our unwillingness to accept change and challenge. As a country, we're refusing the realities of a new world that's constantly undergoing evolutionary change.

So what do we do?

We call others names. We lower the bar of excellence for ourselves and pat ourselves on the back for having done so. We become mediocre just to deal with not being able to "hack-it" on an international level. We compare ourselves to our home-made lowered standards instead of challenging ourselves against the world.

Not true?

Why do you think we have the "Malaysia Book of Records", "Brand Laurette", "Superbrands" and dozens of other locally-concocted or modified awards that we give ourselves? Why do you think we now have only Malaysian teams in the Malaysia Cup when it used to include other neighbouring countries?

Why? Because we've regressed, lowered our standards and in the course of its all, pat ourselves on the back for "a job well done".

Hmm... once again, "Malaysia boleh!"