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ments amid the turbulence. “I do believe Malaysia is a good country, and we’ll educate people and increase knowledge either through the Malaysian education system or self-learning. We have already improved the business ethics that companies practise in Malaysia.”The problem, she said, is that the government hides work procedures and policies, making it difficult to change bad government systems and behaviour. “In the last two elections in Malaysia, the opposition won many parliamentary seats; we know people want to vote for better and more talented and capable people who represent society and can make positive contributions to civilization – instead of blindly following incapable politicians.”The political uncertainty comes at a difficult time. A slowdown in China, a major export market, weak oil pricesand the selling of emerging-market stocks have combined to hurt Malaysia’s economy, while the cost of living is rising. The Malaysian ringgit is Asia’s worst performing currency in 2015, losing a third of its value against the US dollar in a year, and is now trading at levels not seen since the Asian financial crisis almost 20 years ago.Add political turmoil to the business mood, and Malaysia’s economic prospects at the start of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), which involves greater regional integration from the end of the year, are bleak. And Thailand, mired in its own economic and political doldrums, will not be able to help ease the transition for other members.Thailand’s political woes have been particularly intense since 2006, with rallies and counter ralliesseeming to become an annual tradition. The current military govern- ment has been able to put a hold on these only through draconian authoritarian policies. Without democratic reforms, increased transparency and strengthening of the independence of the judiciary and other institutions, the discontent can only be postponed.24 Elite+Malaysia finds itself in a similar situation, with dissatisfaction taking on ethnic and class factors that point to more fundamental problems in society. Even the colours on opposite sides of the divide are eerily reminis- cent, with supporters wearing yellow or red T-shirts to show their affiliation.Mei Ching Chong, 24, a school teacher in far-flung Sarawak, however, says that many of the problems of the peninsula seem more distant in Borneo.“No matter whose house we enter, we are treated like family, as equals,