As we settle into another new year, a crucial question emerges: will this year be a turning point for Malaysia?
Just a week ago, most of us shared New Year greetings of hope with our friends and family. This came amid the challenges that inundated us in 2024.
Will politicians continue to sling venomous rhetoric into people’s hearts as they persist with their personal political battles?
Last year, some businesses reaped huge profits from unjustified price hikes. This left many consumers struggling with inflation – from buying a cup of coffee and breakfast at roadside stalls to managing mortgages and education costs.
Rising healthcare costs and concerns about service quality in some facilities have added to public concerns.
- Sign up for Aliran's free daily email updates or weekly newsletters or both
- Make a one-off donation to Persatuan Aliran Kesedaran Negara, CIMB a/c 8004240948
- Make a pledge or schedule an auto donation to Aliran every month or every quarter
- Become an Aliran member
Even Petronas is reviewing its own productivity after a report suggested its revenue might drop if the distribution of Sarawak natural gas is revised.
The education system too appears to be too disabled to be restructured quickly after decades of suboptimal choices, human resources inefficiencies and poor leadership.
Meanwhile, corrupt business deals and practices and cronyism have become the norm.
The political landscape is marred by intense feuds and disunity.
As if that’s not enough, a huge albatross is hanging over the land, given the convoluted attempts at seeking a pardon or house arrest for Najib Razak and the U-turns in certain criminal cases.
All this has cast a shadow on the new year. Simply calling for optimism is not enough, as the issues demand quick attention.
Left with little hope, policymakers might use the excuse of failing global economic trends while ordinary people turn to God for a remedy.
Unfortunately, religious extremism appears to be gaining traction with some manipulating religion as a tool of control.
With this air of pessimism hanging over the land, how will the “Madani” (civil and compassionate) promises become a reality? Will we be able to see some transformation this year?
All eyes are now on Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, as this year will test his leadership mettle.
But all that the PM keeps saying is his team needs more time to build a united, progressively hopeful, multi-religious, multicultural nation.
If the country is to achieve anything this year, people have to work together instead of blaming each other.
The government under Anwar’s leadership and opposition politicians must also collaborate to resolve the nation’s many problems.
The alternative could be deeper uncertainty.
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
