SO WHAT will the new year that starts tomorrow bring forth for us?
An economy that continues to contract? Politicians that continue to demonstrate their impotency in caring for us – deliberately or through sheer inability? A civil service that finally breaks down from under its own weight of overstaffing and overspending?
More racial division in the name of political expediency?
A country that continues to face political tumult with a fragile government whose members have formed a marriage of convenience, yet are still willing to jump into bed with another party at the first sign of trouble or convenience?
The final throes of 2021 have frighteningly exposed this administration’s ineptness, with the devastating floods that have killed 48 people and affected hundreds of thousands – at least 100,000 in the Klang Valley alone.
The slow response, the blame game, and the shambolic PR stunts by ministers have put us at the mercy of probably the most incompetent government in recent memory.
Not so much that it is the sole fault of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob – but the very fact that he is constrained by the political fragility of his government has probably resulted in the type of response that we experienced on December 16 when the waters rose.
The hashtag #kerajaangagal was trending, and for good reason too, with the rakyat venting their rage on social media.
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Ismail Sabri at least did not look for excuses and admitted that the response was slow.
All that is left for him to do is to capitalise on his general likeability and apologise – and perhaps revise downward the 90% success rate that his administration received in the first 100 days.
Meanwhile, the divisive racial and religious rhetoric of late does not seem to be consistent with his Keluarga Malaysia (Malaysian Family) philosophy.
Religious scholars linked to the ruling government admonishing Muslims for helping clean up flood-hit temples, restricting alcohol sales, and a wanted foreign fugitive given PR status telling Muslim brethren in my country not to wish me Merry Christmas are just some of the examples of the intolerance and extremism that are now being espoused more brazenly.
That after 64 years of independence the status of vernacular schools had to be protected and confirmed by the high court is a sad state of affairs with where we are headed as a nation.
A party like PAS that is complicit in these attempts at division and demonising minorities has proven that it is useless in governing.
Religious affairs, environment and water, and energy and natural resources are the portfolios it holds, and one can conclude PAS’ performance in these areas from recent events.
The upside is that many fellow Malaysian Muslims have now come forward to defend our way of life and the social fabric that is Malaysia.
That the people took care of each other without any concern for colour or creed is testament to the resilience and heart of the Malaysian people. An example to those who want to lead us but who have let us down.
Perhaps the performance of this government and the individual political parties during the crisis will allow the electorate to make more informed choices when the time comes up again – notwithstanding that less than two years ago, the people’s mandate was robbed through political villainy and trickery.
But are we more optimistic going into 2022 than we were going into 2021?
Last year at this time, the coronavirus pandemic was worsening, and we faced another lockdown.
This was after the government botched what was initially a very successful response action that even received the approval and praise of the World Health Organisation.
Politics got in the way again and the Sabah election saw us taking several steps back as political expediency took precedence over lives and livelihoods.
Two state elections in the midst of the pandemic in Melaka and Sarawak again show us where the priorities of some are.
Should we brace ourselves for more elections or perhaps even a general one? Perhaps not the latter.
At the moment people want some form of normalcy and stability. Jobs and livelihoods first. Schools reopening and the healthcare system back in the blue.
With more sectors opening up – and if the prime minister’s word is gold – that 500,000 jobs were snapped up during a three-day Keluarga Malaysia fiesta (that almost became a Covid-19 cluster on its own with the poor management) – we could be on the path to recovery.
Just maybe, as we are yet to find a vaccine for incompetence, corruption and selfishness – all traits unfortunately of some of those who wish to lead. – The Vibes, December 31, 2021
Terence is editor-in-chief of PETRA News and managing editor at The Vibes. He wishes all Malaysians a kinder 2022
