Danger of New Age doctrine in 'business course' guise

Utusan Malaysia sounds a strong alarm regarding the insidious influence of the New Age Movement (NAM) and toxic positivity within Malaysia's business motivation industry. The recent arrest of a motivational platform founder serves as a stark warning about how these potentially harmful doctrines are corrupting legitimate self-improvement and business training programs.

The article details how NAM, often masked by modern jargon like 'energy cleansing' and 'quantum manifestation,' promotes a dangerous ideology where individuals are taught to believe they are 'gods' of their own reality. This narrative dangerously shifts focus away from divine reliance, replacing it with an overemphasis on self-power or even the worship of charismatic 'gurus.' Utusan Malaysia views this as a significant threat to the nation's spiritual and cultural fabric, particularly its Islamic foundations.

Furthermore, the piece critically examines the phenomenon of toxic positivity, where participants are pressured to maintain constant happiness, suppressing any doubts or criticisms as 'negative energy.' This creates an environment where victims of exploitation—be it financial or sexual—are silenced, fearing they will be perceived as 'unpositive' or obstacles to success. Utusan Malaysia calls for stringent guidelines and oversight from religious authorities and professional bodies to prevent the motivational industry from becoming a breeding ground for spiritual and psychological manipulation, emphasizing that true business success is built on integrity and hard work, not mystical rituals.