DR MOHD SAFAR HASIM

The term "Vision 2020" has created something not really intended in the actual plan. To be sure, the figure 2020 is a play of words, a pun. However, many thought it was the year Malaysia would achieve a developed nation status. For instance, Edaris Abbu Bakri in his book Pengurusan Strategik: Konsep dan Aplikasi untuk Pendidikan , published by Utusan Publications and Distributors Sdn Berhad, 2004, took the year to be part of a vision. On page 22, he described a vision as brief, compact, to the point and not more than 25 words. Additionally, he wrote, a good vision must answer questions such as WHAT, FOR WHOM, and WHEN. He made reference to Vision 2020 "which stated the year 2020 as the year to determine the success of the national vision." The other meaning, a perfect sight, is more credible. Vision 2020 is a long-term target for Malaysia to achieve developed nation status. If it can be achieved in the year 2020, well and good, but under the current ec...