The T15 are not your enemies, Mr Prime Minister

A Plea from a Friend

As a friend who struggled for you during the time of Reformasi, as a friend who defended you during all the allegations against you, as a friend who fought tooth and nail to bring down the greatest kleptocrat the world has ever known, I am writing this piece to you, Mr. Prime Minister, as a friend.

A Misplaced Sense of Priority

Unfortunately, as leader of the country, your priorities seem misplaced. Instead of training your guns against the kleptocrats, you are making an enemy out of us, the so-called T15. You have disdainfully tagged us as the “Mahakaya”, as if we are sucking the wealth of this country for our own benefit. You have berated us, almost every day, for allegedly benefiting from government subsidies.

We are Not the Parasites you Think We Are

According to statistics, in 2022 alone, the T15 contributed almost 80% of income taxes. Yet, you castigate us as if we are the parasites and blood-suckers of the community. Many of us were not born with a silver spoon in our mouth. We worked very hard for many years to reach our position in society. We burnt the midnight oil and excelled academically to attain this status. We led a life full of sacrifice and self-immolation. Yet, in your war against corruption, you have directed your guns against us.

A Narrative of Envy

You have made an enemy out of us. In your dreams, you imagine us gobbling up the benefits meant for the poor and the needy, the B40 of the community. But maybe you didn’t realize, or maybe it was in fact part of the economy minister’s strategy to rationalise (read: cut) subsidies, such that you have to build a narrative that lures people into believing there is one segment of the community which is selfishly and shamelessly reaping their benefit.

We are Not the Ones Who Consume Subsidised Items

You built a perfect narrative so that people will naively accept the rationalisation of subsidies. But in reality, we are not the ones who consume subsidised cooking oil, eggs, or rice. Instead, we purchase premium cooking oil, grade A fortified eggs, and Basmati rice. Not because we want to show off our wealth, but simply because we can afford them. The narrative that we grab subsidised items meant for the B40 is entirely false.

We Use RON97 Petrol, Not RON95

Similarly, many of us in the T15 use RON97 petrol, not the subsidised RON95. Simply because we drive continental cars. Not to flaunt our wealth, but simply because these continental cars are much safer on our roads. Just imagine spending many years training as a surgeon only to be killed in a mere road traffic accident. Wouldn’t that be a loss, not only to the family, but also to the community and country?

The Real Plunderers Go Unpunished

Furthermore, you have made it so difficult for those who deserve to get back their money – the diesel cash subsidy – from the Budi Madani scheme that many have simply given up. Until today, no one knows the rationale behind that central database hub (Padu), which was suggested and proactively promoted by your economy minister. Touted as a comprehensive system that would supposedly assist the government in targeting subsidies, it has ended up as a white elephant. How much money has been wasted in building that database? Let’s not downplay it: the development of Padu has drained a whopping RM85.27 million from the national coffers. That’s not a small amount for an unproven database. Until today, we have yet to see how this database will benefit the people.

The Neoliberal Agenda

In fact, prime minister, this so-called rationalisation of subsidy and all the economic policies of your economy minister is straight from the textbooks of the neoliberal economic system – an economic philosophy that emphasises free trade, deregulation and a reduction in government spending. It is a laissez-faire system that advocates minimal government interference in the economic issues of the people in an attempt to purportedly stimulate economic growth.

We are Not the Ones Who Contribute the Most

We have seen the negative impact of this neoliberal agenda on our health sector. Apart from education, the health sector is supposed to be a top priority for any government. The free market approach to public services such as health and education is fundamentally misguided. Indeed, unlike other industries, public services are not meant to be profitable sectors. We feel that your neoliberal strategy will exacerbate inequality, such that the poor will never get medical treatment and education on par with the rich.

Why We, the T15, Care

Admittedly, we can afford the best medical care and also fund our children’s education in private institutions. The answer is simple: we, the T15, care for society. We contribute 26% of our yearly salaries to income tax. We want this money to be spent wisely for the rakyat, for better healthcare and education. We don’t mind if the B40 does not even contribute a single sen to the coffers of the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN); we know the B40 are poor and do not reach the threshold to pay any taxes.

A Plea for Reconciliation

We are sorry if all these words sound very harsh. However, we hope you, Mr. Prime Minister, realise that the derogatory term “Mahakaya” used against us has indeed been very bitter and painful to swallow. We want you and your arrogant and self-obsessed economy minister to understand that we contribute the most financially to the country. Additionally, many of us in the T15 have given back to society in terms of our expertise, which is intangible. Hence, do not make enemies out of us. Don’t forget that we were your staunch supporters in the reform agenda for the betterment of the country, although many of us are now left disillusioned.

Conclusion

As a friend, I implore you, Mr. Prime Minister, to reconsider your priorities and your policies. Let us work together to build a better future for all Malaysians.

FAQs

Q: What is the T15?
A: The T15 refers to the top 15% of income earners in Malaysia.

Q: What is the Mahakaya?
A: Mahakaya is a derogatory term used by the Prime Minister to describe the T15 as sucking the wealth of the country for their own benefit.

Q: What is the Padu?
A: Padu is a central database hub suggested and proactively promoted by the economy minister to supposedly assist the government in targeting subsidies.

Q: What is the Budi Madani scheme?
A: The Budi Madani scheme is a diesel cash subsidy scheme that was introduced to help the poor and needy.

Q: What is the neoliberal agenda?
A: The neoliberal agenda is an economic philosophy that emphasizes free trade, deregulation, and a reduction in government spending.