Brace for bumpy 2024 - Analyst
SHARIFAH SHAHIRAH
SHAH ALAM - With 2024 looming on the horizon, IDEAS' Democracy and Governance Unit Senior Manager Aira Azhari paints a picture of a complex and challenging year, both domestically and internationally.
Increasing uncertainty, fueled by global events like presidential elections in Indonesia, India, and the United States, adds another layer of complexity to the equation.
Aira warned that these global events may potentially worsen economic conditions for people worldwide, urging the Malaysian government to consider these external factors when planning for the year ahead.
"The public needs to understand. Whatever crisis or hardship that we are facing now, some of it is just beyond our control," Aira said when met at Karangkraf Complex here recently.
Beyond economic concerns, Aira also pointed out the rising trends of populism and authoritarianism across the globe, highlighting the emergence of leaders who want a lot of power or who listen mainly to what most people want.
She expressed concern that this shift could lead to "less freedom" and warned against its potential dangers.
She highlighted the interconnectedness of our world, urging the the government to carefully consider these factors, taking into account the broader global landscape.
"Developments in other countries inevitably impact Malaysia, irrespective of our preferences.
"We need to recognise this reality, realising that not everything is shaped by political factors and some things are just how the world works," she added.
