2022 is definitely a year I cannot forget. It was truly a memorable year, a year that reflected Charles Dickens’ writing.
In his reflection, the Engish writer once wrote, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light and it was season of darkness…” That was exactly how I felt.
2022 was the year I lost my wife for 50 years and a friend for 55 years. I suffered an unimaginable loss and I experienced unbelievable sadness.
However, I have remained true to my inner belief that one must live for the living, not for the dead. Eight months later, I decided to remarry for sake of continuing with my life and for those living that I hold dear.
For the most part of 2022, I created much impact on my political career as a politician and as a minister.
As minister to the government, I cleaned a city of bauxite dust, I cleaned the Malaysian sky of haze, I made the Federation into a reality and on the whole, it was no mean task. I believe that I have served the nation well.
In 2022, I proved to myself that I had the strength to overcome common weaknesses and in order to remain true to my belief that a politician or leader must not overstay his welcome, I decided to leave the Santubong state seat which I had held for nearly 16 years since 2004. I was for all intent and purpose saying goodbye to politics which I practised for 40 years.
Yes, 2022 was a memorable year! The year of great losses, the year of great achievements and year of holding on to my beliefs.
To prove that not all politicians are power crazy and not all players of politics are self-centred, I left the arena when I was still successful and popular.
