2020: the year that pushed us to be better – Terence Fernandez

LOOKING back at 2020, it was one of those years many would rather forget.

Like the narrator in the Netflix documentary “Death to 2020” remarked “a year so bad, they had to say it twice”.

An unprecedented pandemic that turned the whole world on its head and back home, the loss of a democratically elected government that saw the term “backdoor government” being added into our vocabulary, along with “new norm” and “MCO”.

However, for us at The Vibes, it was a year of new opportunities to change the media landscape with a platform that is truly #fromeveryside. One that seeks to represent all views, groups and inclinations that represent this melting pot we call Malaysia.

Which is why, while we learn from the harsh lessons that 2020 taught us – disappointment; fear; taking things for granted and loss of friends, loved ones and trust; we also embrace the good that comes with these lessons: perseverance, reassessment of priorities and, perhaps, the temerity and courage not to take things lying down.

As the saying goes, what does not kill you makes you stronger and fellow Malaysians have shown in this past year that, when faced with adversity, they rise to the challenge.

While our front-line heroes were risking their lives to bring the pandemic under control, others were doing their best to keep the country and each other going.

#kitajagakita was trending as Malaysians from all walks of life came together for their less fortunate countrymen and women who were suffering from the economic consequences of the restricted movement order.

However, the black sheep among us brought disgrace as the treatment of some of our foreign labourers by individuals in government agencies, as well as corporations, made international headlines.

The pandemic also saw a class distinction as a line was drawn in the sand between the powerful and the ordinary citizen. Ministers who flouted SOPs during the EMCO got off with hardly a slap on the wrist while ordinary folk ended in jail.

Another virus called corruption continues to haunt us such as, among others, allegations of conflict of interest surfaced involving the health minister in a contract to supply pandemic fighting equipment.

The strength of the people, however, was evident during the feeble attempt at declaring a nationwide emergency.

The rakyat from all walks of life appealed to our royal institution to not allow our constitution to be hijacked by an unelected government.

Today, the calls from the rakyat are again being heard to resolve the uncertainty in Parliament, where the current administration has a razor-thin majority of just two (for now).

The uncertainty in who has the majority support in the Dewan Rakyat can be easily resolved through a motion of confidence or, like His Majesty did in February of last year, have a conversation with the remaining 220 living MPs on who should lead this country.

Perhaps 2021 will be the year that sees clarity, either through a show of hands or, God forbid, an election in the time of a pandemic.

One thing for certain is that the uncertainty will see our financial ratings continue on its downward spiral.

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who is blessed with long life, is still around to reap what he has sown.

2020 was to be the year Malaysia became a high-income, developed nation.

Instead, according to the Khazanah Research Institute, 1.2 million Malaysians live just above the poverty level while 5.6% of our 32 million population live in poverty.

Instead of flying cars, which he had envisioned 40 years ago, our roads are clogged with delivery riders eking out a living in a less that conducive environment.

With new ways of working, studying and communicating, 2021 is expected to be the year of innovation. Malaysians are an enterprising lot and, given the opportunity and avenues, shine as they often do.

However, 2021 will also see a rise of conservatism and chauvinism as those in power attempt to hold on to the reins, not by winning hearts and minds, but through fear-mongering and making bogeymen of their fellow men.

When “Merry Christmas” written on a cake, instead of the scandalous halal certification incident that saw unclean meat being certified halal gets the attention of religious authorities, you know we have a situation where the fox is in charge of the chicken coop.

Fortunately, the voices of reason of late have become louder and Malaysians from all walks are less tolerant of those who want to divide.

At the end of the day, as has been proven time and again in the past, good will always prevail. Getting there will be wracked with pain and loss but we will get there. Perhaps we will get there this year.

Have a safe, prosperous and happy 2021 everyone. – The Vibes, January 1, 2021
 
Terence Fernandez is managing editor of The Vibes and editor-in-chief of Petra News Group. He can be reached at [email protected]