Mission 2057 in Malaysia?

First we have the Vision 2020, which was Malaysia's fourth Prime Minister's (Dr. Mahathir Mohamad) idea. Not long after taking over the PM's position in 2003, Abdullah Badawi's office has issued the Mission 2057 as stated below:-

Mission 2057 Will Be Formulated As Continuation Of Vision 2020
Kuala Lumpur, March 12 2007 (Bernama)

The Barisan Nasional (BN) Supreme Council agreed that the country embark on a new challenge, "Mission 2057", to ensure continued development in all aspects since independence and after Vision 2020 had been achieved. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said "Mission 2057" (Misi 2057) would become the development guideline for another 50 years.

"We discussed what we need to do until 2057, some 50 years from now. Those who fought for independence in 1957 but have had lots of things to achieve for the future generation." Similarly, as a strong and influential government we have to seize the opportunity to look forward to 50 years from now," he told reporters after chairing the BN Supreme Council meeting here today.

The BN Chairman stressed that in formulating "Mission 2057", the government would not sideline Vision 2020. "We are clear about Vision 2020 and it is included in the book on the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP). It will be implemented but after that what hopes can we harbour," he added. Abdullah said the government hoped to formulate a mission taking into account current changes so that younger generation to play a role in spurring national development to a higher plane.

The government would continue to ensure that culture, harmony, unity, cooperation and tolerance in religion be continued as value-added to the country's achievement. "Attention will also be on human capital development and ensure that the development will not leave out culture and arts as this is what makes the people. This is a reminder to future generations," he added.

Abdullah added in formulating the long-term mission, the government wanted the people including opposition parties, women, youths, professionals and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to discuss and provide views for the country's future.

"Fifty years is not that far off that we cannot see things ahead. The mission will continue from where Vision 2020 left off. That is the development process in Malaysia since the Alliance Party and BN ruled." He urged the people including party members to assist by giving their views and aspirations for the future. (source: Office of Prime Minister/Bernama)

After reading the above, I have to grapple with the meaning of Vision and Mission. From the Oxford Dictionary, the definitions are stated as:-
* Vision - the ability to think about or plan the future with imagination or wisdom. A mental image of what the future will or could be like.
* Mission - an organization or institution involved in a long-term assignment

So, in this case, before an imagination could be realised, we will start long-term planning for things beyond that imagination. Wow! 50 years from today - hmmmm....interesting plans.
Tags: Vision 2020, Mission 2057, Misi 2057, Malaysia, Barisan Nasional Supreme Council