For some it's a joyous wait for the New Year after a merry Christmas. It's time to close the 2011 chapter of your book of life and look forward to a bright 2012.
For others there are many sad things to recall and it's time to pray that those things will not recur. These include all the victims of war and socio-political uprisings in many Muslim countries causing deaths and destruction by the hands of foreign interventionists or by one's own countrymen. The trouble is not over although many heads of local leaders had rolled and new ones are taking over, without any convincing sign of getting the full support of the entire population. It would appear that once a country is divided, so many factors will come in to make sure that it will remain that way. Especially when the so-called "liberation from autocratic rule" and the "freedom" gained, is brought in with the help of a foreign power. It's more than nine years since Iraq is liberated and the new government which took over can in no way be described as truly democratic and popular. Afghanistan and Libya are in no better position after the the change of leadership and government. And so is Egypt....
Of course no government is really stable for long when the people become fully conscious of their rights, are completely free to express their views and begin to make uncompromising demands on the government.. What makes the difference is whether people move for a change in government in an orderly and lawful manner or take to the streets in anger and frustration. When the government is flexible enough to allow for a change without using its might and military power on the people, the chances for a peaceful transition is greater. Otherwise every change is forced through with bloodshed and followed by more bloodshed. Developing countries would do well to recognize this fact and develop greater flexibility for change without depending on outside powers to help prevent the change or force it through.
Malaysia has been and is still one of the most stable governments in Asia. But like all governments the forces of change are never absent. It is how the government adjusts to and accommodates changes that will determine whether we will continue to enjoy peace and harmony in the near future or be sucked in by the forces of internal conflict and enmity. God forbids but it's the people who cause it to happen and only the people in the country can prevent or stop it from happening. You cannot expect to have peace and harmony in your country if you're more adept at creating conflicts and disagreement rather than solving them.This is more so if interracial matters are highlighted or blown up more than efforts to resolve the differences amicably.
As 2011 draws to a close the importance of the the forthcoming GE13 becomes more obvious. Barisan National owes it to the Malays to see that all the sentiments and allegations directed at UMNO are cleared up and popular new faces are lined up for the leadership rather than maintaining the veterans whose accumulated wealth is a matter of great concern. Unless the trust and confidence of the grassroots is regained, all the efforts made to show that government cares for the welfare of the people might not bring them then necessary votes to stay in power, Especially since the MCA and MIC are showing a renewed vigor in bringing up partisan interest. The loose Pakatan which captured five States in the last election but lost one to Batisan later, may appear to be in a bit of a disarray. But it has much to say against Barisan and a dissatisfied public can be easily swayed by the negative views expressed.
In any case the last few days of 2011 allow us to take stock of what has transpired this year and decide on what is possible in 2012. That would tell us how we should prepare ourselves, so that we wouldn't be taken by surprise. Common sense, right? But that is what we sometimes lack in facing the deluge of unexpected development around us, especially political moves that presage the coming of a general election. Brick walls of resistant to some public demand can suddenly collapse and hangouts undreamt of in the past come rolling in together with improvements in the remuneration scheme for workers.
Well, the New Year is at our doorstep no matter what. Happy new year and be prepared for the consequences of the sudden liberal year-end spending at both the national and personal level.
4 comments:
Akhi Norzah,
I for one anticipate a lot surprises. The FIRST Round by way of handouts has been done. It is damage control on a big scale. It's a matter of survival leading to GE13 for both sides. It's going to be painful to be accomplished and with such vehemence and hopefully with precision. The SECOND Round started a week ago with the verdict on Selangor's ex-MB. The Pandora's Box is opened next with the Johore Iskandar scandal. In the pipeline are those of the opposition arising from the TBHock SC findings. Come January we'll be served the biggie, culmination of the liwat verdict (the reactions of their supporters which would have its own brand of surprises which I'm sure the Police would already know about) The THIRD Round would be the clowning of infighting among those vying for positions in the GE13. The FOURTH Round would be the ultimate, the aftermath of the GE13 itself. PutraJaya at stake, State govts retaken from the opposition or new ones fall. Certainly lots of surprises in store for the silent majority next year!
Hank
Thanks for spelling out some if the forthcoming surprises in no uncertain terms, Akhi. They are big and the result could be astounding. We are still reeling from some of the High Court decisions like the one on the ex-MB of Selangor. They show that justice is still firm and unbiased in Malaysia but we have not come to the final conclusion yet. There certaily could be bigger surprises in store.
For a small and developing country our people have tried to emulate the glorified catchwords of the big ones, freedom, democracy,etc etc. Many young ones have gone overseas for high education, cxoming back with ideas seen successful elsewhere in a society unlike ours. We can list all these down, as seen from a wider perspective, because many of us, in the autumn of our lives, having seen many fallen leaves, can claim to say 'saya dah dulu makan garam'.
I for one am stepping into the new year with some concern and worry of my own over the well-being of MY people because, against what we have been taught, we seem to have neglected the necessity and value of unity.
I hope ansd pray the new year wll bring you and family prosperity and peace of mind.
Thank you very much for the well wishes, Akhi Pakcik Al-Manar and i wish you and family the blessings of Allah and a prosperous new year. There's much to be concerned about this coming year with father Christmas dishing out money like confetti while the prices of things are skyrocketing in both the urban and rural areas. Foreign capitals and foreigners are pouring into the country while liberalization has left many weak spots in our society open to exploitation and abuse. Our own life is somewhat stable at the end of a long journey but for the young, the challenges ahead is mind boggling.
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