OCT 4 — How does one redefine the Malay middle class? To identify social class by material gain, specifically the “new” middle class put forth by Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Abdul Aziz Kaprawi may just open up a Pandora’s box.

Abdul Aziz in an interview with Utusan Malaysia yesterday said his aim was for more Malays and bumiputra folk to be part of the middle class. Statistics provided by Media Insight on the middle class in Malaysia define the middle class as those earning RM2,000 to RM7,000.

Based on 6.6 million members of the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) in 2013 thus far, 14.4 per cent belong to this group. A whopping 81.2 per cent earn less than RM2,000, putting them in the lower-income group.

By Abdul Aziz’s definition, the whole social structure would be thrown out of balance should his dream become a reality. The middle class will no longer be made up of those who earn RM2,000 to RM7,000.

What would happen to the 81.2 per cent in the lower-income group?

To widen the wealth gap would be akin to playing the popular game “Spirit of the Coin”, for the pointless purpose of finding out what a ghost looks like. It is a ridiculous endeavour akin to asking for unnecessary trouble.

In Canada, there is an ongoing debate on inequitable income. A report in The Globe and Mail newspaper states that although median family income in the country has increased since 1998, it is masking the shifts occurring in and among people in different income ranges.

While one strata of people may see an increase in living standards, it is covering up the problems of people in the other strata. What should be highlighted is not to aim for material gain, but to go to the root of the problem, instead of aiming for surface solutions.

What Abdul Aziz is advocating is another form of surface solution that ignores what lurks beneath. 

For the middle class to be able to own what he has suggested would mean the lower-income group will become the poor, and the impoverished will become dirt poor, for want of a better description.

In its analysis on income inequality, The Globe and Mail accepts there is no easy solution. 

It suggests that investment in education will offer the optimum potential payback, along with increased access to jobs.

What the Malays need is not a redefinition of the middle class but a better solution to bring themselves to a higher level, not just in material terms but intellectually as well.

To indicate that one must aim to own a Mercedes-Benz (or its equivalent) and a bungalow in order to be labelled successful will not only increase the wealth gap, but will also breed corruption.

Not to mention, discrimination will become more widespread.

Abdul Aziz probably did not realise that his ambitious target would entail a restructuring of social class and raise other problems that will damage the delicate fabric of society.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malay Mail Online.