WHAT steps do we take to retain some control over the process                                                                                         
of globalisation in as much as it negatively affects Malaysia?                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                      
The answer lies with you, and not the government, at least not                                                                                        
just the government. This is where we must stop whining to the                                                                                        
Government and acknowledge that it is time to be weaned from                                                                                          
its succour.                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                                      
I do not pose this challenge frivolously-there are innumerable                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                      
examples in history that illustrate that it is not the                                                                                                
business of politics, but the politics of business that is the                                                                                        
locomotive of economic growth. A case in point is the original                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                      
East India Company, which went forth and opened new markets                                                                                           
until, finally, it is said that 10,000 Englishmen managed 100                                                                                         
million Indians.                                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                                      
In the Malaysian case, the Government has opened numerous                                                                                             
doors, particularly abroad. I would strongly urge you to forge                                                                                        
strategic alliances and go to areas where we share an                                                                                                 
affiliation: the Far East, Middle East, Africa and Central                                                                                            
Asia would offer ample opportunities for business.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                                      
In the management of people, products and profits, I am                                                                                               
confident of the Malaysian ability to compete and, ultimately,                                                                                        
conquer.                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                      
What does all this entail? I believe that the time for                                                                                                
fault-finding and finger-pointing is over unless you are                                                                                              
advocating introspection. Upon reflection, it would appear                                                                                            
that some house-cleaning and home-improvement measures must be                                                                                        
undertaken to regain our strengths in the global village:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                                      
One, pursue productivity-driven growth with a vengeance. We                                                                                           
must regain lost ground, our comparative advantage through the                                                                                        
more efficient allocation of resources to the higher growth                                                                                           
segments of our businesses, outsourcing materials and                                                                                                 
activities according to core competencies, as well as                                                                                                 
restructuring to workflow to increase momentum.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                                      
Two, ascend the technological ladder and develop indigenous                                                                                           
research and development (R&D). In line with the national                                                                                         
effort to attract world-class companies, we should redouble                                                                                           
efforts to develop a high-technology, high value-added                                                                                                
environment, including upgrading the skills of our workforce.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                                      
Three, ensure the development and production of world-class                                                                                           
products and brands, as well as the provision of excellent                                                                                            
services. On the last point, it is my opinion that we have                                                                                            
acres of room to improve. The establishment of a reputation                                                                                           
for excellence would place us at an advantage against the "big                                                                                   
boys."                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                      
Four, to meet the globalisation challenge head-on, it is                                                                                              
imperative that companies develop a strong team of                                                                                                    
highly-skilled and trained managers. This will allow a                                                                                                
company to shift towards a more flexible management structure                                                                                         
which can anticipate and accommodate change.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                                      
You will also have to use attraction rather than coercion to                                                                                          
achieve desired objectives. The question may be asked, how                                                                                            
many skilled and technologically honed Malaysians are working                                                                                         
abroad because the home country for this or that reason cannot                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                      
attract them home?                                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                                      
Five, be willing to take long-term risks and seek partnerships                                                                                        
with foreign companies and venture into new, emerging markets.                                                                                        
Company strength and resilience can be developed based on                                                                                             
lower operating costs, mobility, market diversity and                                                                                                 
segmentation, production of specialty and quality goods, and                                                                                          
more importantly, establishing strategic alliances.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                      
Six, be mindful of social responsibilities and the                                                                                                    
environment. Time and time again, we have seen in Malaysia                                                                                            
and countries around us that the costs of sacrificing                                                                                                 
environmental concerns for profit are too costly, in terms of                                                                                         
time, money and, more importantly, at the risk of innocent                                                                                            
lives. Business decisions should, therefore, incorporate                                                                                              
ecological concerns to ensure long-term sustainability of the                                                                                         
organisation.                                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                                      
This is a particularly big point for me. I discover                                                                                                   
effervescent thinking and special talents in Malaysia. Mimos,                                                                                         
for example, is a fertile incubator of necessary ideas, steps                                                                                         
and actions the country must take to anticipate and                                                                                                   
participate in globalisation.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                                      
In the old days, the chief clerk was the absolute authority in                                                                                        
all matters within his jurisdiction. Even officers had to                                                                                             
communicate with the CC with respect and decorum. If you lose                                                                                         
the support of the CC, nothing can get done.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                                      
Today, you realise that even the chief clerk cannot be of much                                                                                        
help. If you ask him why such and such a regulation is there,                                                                                         
even he does not know why, he only knows what it is and how it                                                                                        
is applied.                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                      
The same is true of most other so-called "experts in                                                                                             
authority." Their best response is "that is the way it has                                                                                  
always been done." The only way out of this quagmire seems to                                                                                    
be to revert to the benefit of group wisdom.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                                      
Whereas in the older model, efficiency and survival meant                                                                                             
individual skills and knowledge, today it appears that                                                                                                
teamwork seems the only alternative for achieving high                                                                                                
performance. Therefore, brainstorming a problem and getting                                                                                           
multiple perspectives seems the order of the day.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                                      
It is one thing to say that the markets of the world are                                                                                              
coming together. But are global markets creating                                                                                                      
globally-minded companies?  Are we seeing the emergence of                                                                                            
rootless corporations guided only by market opportunities, not                                                                                        
by allegiance to their home countries? In the political realm,                                                                                        
are global companies overwhelming the efforts of nations to                                                                                           
preserve their distinctive identities?                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                                      
It is perhaps reassuring to note that, according to The Myth                                                                                          
of the Global Corporation by Doremus, Keller, Pauly and Reich,                                                                                        
the answer is no. The authors see enormous differences among                                                                                          
multinational companies, which they trace to the unique                                                                                               
political and economic characteristics of their home                                                                                                  
countries.                                                                                                                                            
	                                                                                                                                                     
Therein lies hope for Malaysian companies that venture abroad:                                                                                        
globalisation can actually strengthen national differences,                                                                                           
not erode them. This means that Malaysian corporations could                                                                                          
locate strategic business units in areas to capitalise on the                                                                                         
indigenous advantages.                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                                      
Which brings to mind the oftquoted phrase: "Think global, act                                                                                    
local." I would like to propose a slight amendment so that it                                                                                    
reads: "Think local, act global."                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                      
What's reassuring is that the phenomenon of globalisation need                                                                                        
not be demonised; instead it can be localised as is apparent                                                                                          
from the hybrid word, glocalisation, a melange for the global                                                                                         
and the local.                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                      
In this era of globalisation and rapid social and economic                                                                                            
changes, no country can attain economic well-being by closing                                                                                         
its borders and restricting the flow of goods, capital,                                                                                               
technology and people.                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                                      
The choice of a suitable business the right partners, and                                                                                             
prudent capital management is all that is needed to assure                                                                                            
good returns.                                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                                      
With a strong entrepreneurial spirit, good work ethics,                                                                                               
perseverance and extensive networking, Malaysian managers and                                                                                         
entrepreneurs would be able to venture and establish                                                                                                  
themselves successfully in any country.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                                      
Within the framework of a highly competitive and challenging                                                                                          
environment in the next millennium, only those who heed the                                                                                           
call-and measure up-will be assured of a place in the winners'                                                                                        
circle.