Why Malaysia is still a third world country

Despite boasting world-class airports, super smooth highways, Multimedia super corridors, Formula 1 racing circuit, the tallest twin structures, super tall buildings almost everywhere, Malaysia is still a third world country by any standards. I don't think we are in the developed status category yet. Not for a long shot. These are some of the reasons as to why we are still a third world country:

1) We still have a third class mentality. This is clearly reflected by the mentality of the top guns. Our so-called high ranking officials still have the upper hands in terms of deciding when to resign or stay on. They are immuned to pressure from the public or from the pressure groups. One classic example is the SPBA fiasco. We could not forget how those in the Premier group rewarded themselves handsomely with allowances and backdated salaries and letting those in the lower categorizes bone dry with a pittance of ringgit of increment to survive in these financially challenging times. One thing is clear is that the public seems to blame the KSN and the KPPA for the blunder. Do you know what their reaction is?. Nothing. There are still there in their present positions running the public administration as if nothing had happened. In Japan, the leaders would have immediately resigned. In the States as well, the accused personality would have resigned. These thick skin guys just smirk and continue with their daily chores. Talk about the mentality of our leaders. Mind you these are PTD officials.

2) We don't have much freedom. I believe if we want to be in the premier league of nations we have to give our people some freedom. The government must loosen up its strangulation of freedom and rights. The bureaucrats must be made aware that this freedom is our right as a human being. We have to move on and let go of the status quo. The Arab spring has clearly demonstrated how the lack of freedom has resulted in the worst tragedies. I know we can't be compared to those countries in the Middle East in terms of the democracy but we must be better than then them in the freedom index if we want to be in the first tier nations category.

3) The perceived high corruption level among the government agencies and their enforcement officers. We still feel that the government is still beset by corrupt mentality and attitude. One good example is the police force. Have you come across situations whereby cops stopping suspected vehicles at the road shoulder and negotiating for something at the side of the vehicle. I don't understand why they have to hide from the view of the people. An honest cop would not discuss at a place that is questionable by the public. This kind of thing leads to nothing good.

4) We have leaders who would enrich themselves. Nowadays, it's very difficult to get a true leader. A leader who is not selfish and who would work for the people. We don't want leaders with a 24 million ringgit bungalow built with Bali motives. We don't a leader whose wife showing off her 24 million dollar diamond ring. We don't want a leader who won an election thru the use of money politics and spending close to 20 million ringgit. We don't want a leader with 600 million ringgit in bank accounts in Singapore and Israel.  We don't want a leader who swindles the people close to 1 billion ringgit. We don's want a leader who spent close to 5 million ringgit on a daughter's wedding in a posh hotel at a nice island.

Without a doubt, Malaysia is still a third world country. A developed country would need physical and mental changes before it can become a highly developed country.