Looking forward with new hope in Malaysia

“I can’t wait for this to be over!” is the standard reply from those going through a rough patch.

Some laugh it off by saying: “Nothing much lah!” and leave it at that. Others mull over the query to share a fully formed socially acceptable response.

Recently, one social media junkie complained: “I’d like everyone to please go back to sharing pictures of food instead of pseudo-political expertise!”

High-resolution photos of chicken wings are clearly more palatable than the preaching of political zealots.

A past experience as an education-fair helper taught me that not everyone knows what he or she wants. By the time the young ones reach the booth, most are carrying a forest’s worth of brochures from educational or vocational institutes. Ask them: “What do you want to do?” and the old blank stare usually comes out.

But that’s okay. It’s better to realise that you don’t really know what you want, rather than blindly going along with what others expect of you.

It is the hope that we hold onto that remains most important.

What is clear now is that Malaysia’s youth are getting more comfortable with vocalising their aspirations. And it is something that goes beyond paper qualifications and their own rice bowls.

Among their many wants are:

For elected representatives to pick up the phone or reply to them on social media if a pertinent issue is raised. Don’t disappear on your constituents. Their well-being should be your priority and responsibility. Which scenario do you prefer: squaring your shoulders and solving relevant problems, or ignoring them and facing the music later on?

The freedom to exercise their own judgements. Limiting access to something will only spur more interest. Take books, for instance: instead of banning “subversive” material, trust readers to decide whether the writing is found worthy or wanting. Anything that challenges us to refine or reassess our views can only be good for our convictions. Of course, hate speech is another issue altogether.

Safer streets. And car parks. And neighbourhoods. Constant vigilance can involve anything from carrying pepper spray or keeping out of dark alleys, but the threats no longer wait for night to fall. Remember the viral video of a woman struggling with snatch thieves in broad daylight while security personnel merely looked on? It was a perfect storm of vice and apathy. We need our police and those employed for our protection to help us stay safe.

An end to racism. Can we move on? So much else needs our attention! The skin you’re born in should be a blank slate. What you make of yourself should be all that matters. The key to changing this has to be our political and education systems. No more politics of division with race, religion and region-based parties. Let’s look at our national and vernacular systems and combine the best of all worlds before Malaysia finds itself eternally divided.

Quality of life. It begins with a good education: Is enough being done to ensure our system is on par with the world’s best curriculums? Are we challenging ourselves or merely content with being big fish in a small pond?

Walk a mile in the people’s shoes. Imagine if, for one term, the transport minister could only take public transport, the education minister had to send his children to public schools and universities, the health minister’s family members could only use government clinics and hospitals, and so on. Think we’d see an improvement then?

Free stuff. Less noble perhaps, but it’s true. Have you seen the snaking lines at fast-fashion store entrances when there are gift voucher giveaways? As a mitigating factor, this desire extends to other major entities, such as the clamour for a free and fair press, freedom of speech, and a faultless electoral process.

Before stating your needs, consider: What is needed of you to move forward?

Whatever your cause, rope in some like-minded friends. It only takes one to start laughing at a setback before it seems a little sillier and a lot less insurmountable.

Asking others – and yourself – the right questions can elicit the answers and action you seek. Take up the challenge of being the change you want to see, even if it takes a sun-beaten back and sweat-glistened brow.

 

Michelle Tam is a journalist with The Star who voted for the first time on May 5.