Great achievement is usually born of great sacrifice, and is never the result of selfishness.
— Napoleon Hill, American author
I don’t like the way the nation is heading.
That’s the general sentiment of most Malaysians who are kept abreast with the current development that is happening nationwide.
This, though, is for very different reasons.
For some, they don’t like how political bigwigs and other big names only managed to get a slap on the wrist for something, in their view, is unforgivable.
For some, it may be the never-ending corruption and malpractices that is happening just about everywhere in the country.
Some though, might not be happy that the interest of their ethnic or religious group is maligned by those walking the corridors of power.
Some, like me, are displeased that despite the promises of New Malaysia or Malaysia Baharu, if you like, several years ago remains a promise.
To sum it up, we are an unhappy and miserable bunch.
Be it our insatiable desire to see people get what is coming to them or rather just burn everything to the ground, and as I write this, I start to question what is it that we really want.
We want results — that’s a very vague way of saying things, I admit.
I will also admit that I could not care less about the media circus that is happening nationwide — you know the one, where high-profile individuals get under the microscope and we read with fury of whatever revelation that comes out of it.
The most recent one was about how Tun Abdullah Badawi or affectionately known as Pak Lah allegedly was awarded a plot of land worth millions for his services to the government.
This came after his predecessor, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, claimed that Pak Lah received “gifts” after his retirement.
Of course, many would read this in “horror” and “trepidation” as they usually would, but to me, I couldn’t care less. For what it’s worth, probably all prime ministers receive retirement gifts — as does every retiree.
I also share the same view when it comes to revelations of alleged malpractices, especially following a court hearing.
You know the type where a certain Datuk has been “in talks” with some individuals about a contract of some sort.
For all we know, all Datuks or people in high position discuss about contracts or business deals all the time — all this serves to do is to draw the ire of those who are not in business or those who live from paycheque to paycheque.
It is nonsensical to be frank, and more importantly does not concern anyone, me and you included.
To be upset about it is merely self-serving. I know some are, for reasons best known to themselves.
I am not saying I condone malpractices, but what I am saying is that we have bigger issues at hand.
When we talked about the New Malaysia on the back of the 14th general election (GE14) and some four years after that, are our lives improved?
All those talk of bringing down a “dictatorial and tyrant regime”, what benefit has it brought us? Are we better off? No.
Let’s talk about the bread-and-butter issues. Have we truly ever solved poverty and unemployment? What about rising living costs to living wage? Have we solved the long-standing issue of heavy textbooks which our children carry to schools?
No, we haven’t because apparently after GE14, in the winning party, no one was ever interested in getting things done — those who did before in the old government were brought down unceremoniously by some clowns who think they know better.
All this while it has never been the politics of results — it was the politics of perception and defamation.
Apparently, it blinded everyone and as we sit in this sea of horror where revelations come one after another during the reign of Pakatan Harapan (PH), not much was done in the time being to resolve the long-standing issues.
Make no mistake, I think the current government — led by Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob — is taking immediate steps to resolve some of the issues, the effectiveness of such due to the current political environment is up for debate.
In short, I think that the newer generation leaders, supporters and observers have to take heed.
Politics of perception, defamation and vengeance which have been the rule all this while has to end.
We want to see results and we must keep good leaders — those who have the people’s interest at heart in power, at all costs.
