As we count down towards the peninsula’s independence (Merdeka) on 31 August and Malaysia Day on 16 September, many may be feeling some form of despair.
All we can do is perhaps to hope and pray for our beloved country.
Our country’s birthday should be a joyful occasion, uniting us in pride over what we have achieved since 1957 and 1963.
Instead, its politicians endlessly engage in petty power struggles whilst entrenched corruption continues to plague the nation from within. These alone have dampened our hopes for a truly progressive Malaysia.
When some of our uniformed personnel and civil servants, who have been entrusted to uphold and maintain laws, steal, cheat and profit, we have every reason to worry.
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How can we continue to believe in a better future?
When national defence is riddled with compromises, lack of accountability, and unchecked theft for years, we too must share the blame for turning a blind eye.
From submarines that cannot dive, to fighter jets stripped for parts, to poor-quality food rations, we cannot help but suspect that the ‘close one eye’ culture is ruining our national strength.
Even the national flag has been exploited by certain politicians.
Where have we gone wrong? Let’s look at some of these things that are going wrong.
We have complained endlessly about our education system, yet we continue to be stuck without any real solutions on the horizon.
We focus a lot on religion, and so many religious schools have mushroomed. Yet, our schools are failing to prepare a new generation with the skills they will need for the future.
Despite the outward emphasis on religion, we are unable to showcase to the world high standards for integrity and corruption-free leadership.
We appear to defend affirmative policies, but we also see a society deeply divided by class and ethnicity.
Relative poverty persists. Our skyline is dotted tall buildings of glass and steel, yet on our streets we are seeing so many homeless people.
Have we truly progressed? Despite some bright spots, our list of failures appears long. Six decades on, are we moving forward – or stumbling at every turn? We may not have the answers today.
But we are heartened to see civil society groups, activists and ordinary people on the ground pursuing the reform agenda or trying to make a difference in everyday life.
Let’s hope and pray that, through such efforts, new pathways will open – to unite the people, and to serve, protect and sustain a more just Malaysia.
May God bless Malaysia.
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
