What is inequality? Many people have different
perceptions about it but still leading to same definition which is equal rights
for all human beings in terms of opportunities where is no one left behind. According
to the Cambridge Dictionary, inequality means the unfair situation in society
when some people have more opportunities, money and etc. than other people. The
10th Sustainable Development Goal is to reduced inequalities within
and between countries which are based on gender, income, disabilities, sexual
orientation, class, race, ethnicity, religion and opportunity. Inequality is global fundamental issue where
is not only happen in Malaysia, but all over the world. Therefore, a lot of
discussions and speeches have been delivered to spread the awareness among
community about inequalities that happen nowadays. Not forget to mention that,
inequalities also indicate that discriminations and racism actually happen in
our society. Well to be precise, it is happening in worldwide society. Some
countries are facing gender inequality, religion inequality, race inequality
and many more. While Malaysia itself also facing inequality problem which is
income inequality. Since Malaysia is multi-racial country which consist of
three main races like Malays, Chinese, and Indians. There is a huge gap in
terms of income between these ethnics where Chinese is the one who mostly
monopolizing the wealth in market-economics while most of Malays have low
average income compared to Chinese and Indians according to some analysis that
have be done around 2002 until 2014, even though we all knew that Malay is the son
of the land. In United States of America(USA), the biggest inequalities issues
that happen there are inequalities in terms of race and religion. “Black Lives
Matter” also racism and discrimination over Muslims are inequalities issues
that happen in USA recently. As I can see that, a lot people suffered because
of inequality that happen from each corner of the world. Hence, in conjunction
with the trademark “towards better future”, sustainable development truly
crucial in order to create opportunity for everyone can have better life.
Therefore, by solving inequality issues, peace can be attained and everyone can
be treated fair and square.
Even in Islam, especially in Maqasid Al-Shariah is prioritizing
each of human life is matter and should be given opportunity to life properly
without disadvantaging their human rights. Besides, concept of Maqasid Al-Shariah
is compatible with 5ps’ concept in Sustainable Development which peace can be achieved
through life. Which means, Islam is a religion that focus to bring peaceful
life to everyone without being threatened by terrorism, violation of humans
right and that includes inequality as well. Because everybody has right to have
a good life and shouldn’t left behind.
Based on my experience, I have read about income
inequality that happen in Malaysia in term of gender and race which I have
mentioned before. So the government has provided and encourage society to
pursue themselves in higher education in their life to compete within the job
market especially for Malays and Bumiputera such as Sabah and Sarawak to
overcome the income inequalities at the same time closing the wage’s gap that
lead to inequality between ethnics.
So far as I concern, one of my friend had already
entered world of job and share one of his story when he was working at one KFC
branch in Kota Kinabalu. Since he only had SPM as his education background, so
he started to work there as an ordinary staff. Usually, as a newcomer he would
do works like customer services such as cleaning, delivering order to customer
table and so on in his training even after he work there as official staff. In spite
of that, one of newcomers also working there and have a degree as his education
background and was offered to become general manager and of course he still has
to do same works as ordinary staff as part of his training. But, what makes it
different is his position will be general manager when his training afterwards.
Based on his story, what I want to highlight is the importance
to have a good educations background. Because it can change people and their
perceptions about coming from different ethnics does not determine your
complexity and capability either in work and your life. If everyone has a good
education and manage to perform well in works, so why would inequalities
happen? As a result, nobody should suffer from income inequality because they
have proven through their work performance that even you are Malays or Chinese
or Indians, your ethnicity should not become a limits for yourself to be successful.
It was kind of relatable with quote from famous anime series named Black Clover
that created by Yuki Tabata which is “it doesn’t matter if you are peasant or
an orphan! Everyone can shine.”
Thus, government
is fully aware about inequalities that happens in our society especially when
it comes to ethnicity background. So, by providing the access to higher
education for society, income or wage inequality can be reduced unconsciously
by society itself by slowly changing their mindset through proper education.
In conclusion, I can simplify that reducing inequality
is not as simple as a piece of cake. It will take time because inequality has
already embedded as an old norm and mindset in our society unconsciously. In order
to put an end to inequality, it is our responsible to spread the awareness
about inequalities issues that happen in our community and as together we
overcome it through realization of Sustainable Development Goals towards
building a better future for our own generation and the next generation. In shaa
Allah….
