Thursday 28 Mar 2024
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This article first appeared in Capital, The Edge Malaysia Weekly on October 22, 2018 - October 28, 2018

In the next 20 years or so, Malaysia will not need another Robert Kuok, Chef Wan, Siti Nurhaliza or Nicol David.

What the country will need is more doctors and medical specialists, particularly in amnesia and memory loss.

Like it or not, forgetfulness is part of the normal ageing process. According to the US National Institute on Aging, changes occur in all parts of the body, including the brain, as people get older.

However, a quick check on the official website of hospital operator KPJ Healthcare Bhd reveals that amnesia is loss of memory, but it is not exactly the same as simple forgetfulness.

A type of amnesia called transient global amnesia is caused by decreased blood flow in the brain. It can last anywhere from 1 to 24 hours.

So, why do we need more amnesia specialists in Malaysia?

The ageing population is probably a big reason, but allow me to explain.

More Malaysians, particularly the rich, powerful or well connected, appear to be suffering from amnesia or temporary memory loss.

Whenever they get into a fight or an argument, they have a tendency to ask the other party:

“Do you know who I am?”

“Do you know who my father is?”

“Do you know where I work?”

“Do you know who I know?”

You see, these kinds of situations are usually very tense but, at the same time, extremely awkward.

That is because most of the time, an average guy like me (sweet, loving and caring) simply would not know how to react.

I mean, I wish I could help. But how am I supposed to know who you are, or who your father is?

I would feel as if I am in the TV game show, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? or something like that. Is there a time limit on each question? Can I call my dad or ask my friends?

But that guy over there is staring at me, awaiting my answer.

Since I am totally clueless, can I just say, “I don’t have a clue?”

Psychiatrists and neurologists are the specialists one is often referred to for memory loss treatments. My channel checks with the healthcare experts reveal that Malaysia has fewer than 100 specialists in these two fields.

Fortuitously, some of the mysterious amnesia sufferers are able to regain their faculties fairly quickly as they will usually point out:

“I am Datuk xx.”

“My father is a high-ranking officer at xx.”

“I am a manager of company xx.”

“I am close to Minister xx.”

Recently, a Datuk was seen hitting and berating a carpark attendant in a viral video. The victim had refused to raise the boom gate because the Datuk did not pay the RM3 parking fee.

And last year, three Rela men were assaulted after asking a Datuk Seri to move his car, which was obstructing traffic at the compound of a temple in Ampang.

In an attempt to intimidate others, these Datuk and Datuk Seri strut about and flout the law while mouthing off about their status and rank. But the truth is, they are the ones who are insecure.

Next time, before you decide to pull the classic “Do you know who I am?” stunt, remember — you will only elicit feelings of disgust, distaste and disrespect.

Don’t get me wrong. Not all dignitaries are arrogant. As a business journalist of nine years, I have met many Datuk and Datin who are among the kindest, gentlest and humblest people in the world.

The respect they receive from others has been earned by them, and not gained by throwing their weight or money around.

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