In many ways, 2008 marked the beginning of the end of an era of irresponsibility.
After closing our eyes to the many ills that plagued the Malaysian social and political sphere, we decided to take the plunge and vote for change, as risky and imperfect as that change may be.
We all had our reservations, but we also understood that the greater risk was to keep more of the same.
But this awakening isn't limited to Malaysia alone.
After over a decade of living as if there are no consequences, there is a sense that the world is beginning to turn a corner.
The "greed is good, regulation is bad" free-market ethos that was so dominant since the '80s is finally coming to an end. Global warming deniers are finally relegated to the margins where they belong. The Bush administration, with its lies, belligerence and incompetence is days away from coming to a pathetic end.
There is no doubt that the world is in a state of crisis. A cursory glance at the headlines reveal as much. But we are also witnessing the start of an era of transformation, the true beginning of the 21st century.
Amidst the greatest economic crisis since the 1920s, a generational and cultural shift is taking place all over the world.
The media industry is in tumult, with major media outlets across the world facing difficulty as the Internet and the economic crisis strikes it from both directions. The automotive industry too, is in a state of turmoil, facing heavy losses while having to transition to alternative energy vehicles.
In other words, if change was considered optional before, a luxury the young call for, it no longer is. The choice facing us today isn't between change and more of the same, but rather what form the change will take.
The future is undoubtedly very uncertain. Uncertainty is not something people look forward to, but the many crises facing the world also gives us the opportunity to significantly alter the way we live.
As the world turns, so does Malaysia. We can take this opportunity to take bold steps to transform Malaysia into a 21st century nation, or we can continue to be alienated by progress.
Where Malaysia ends up with depends not only on leadership, but also how involved Malaysians are in the process.
The true story of the March 8 elections is not only the Opposition victory, but the political awakening of the entire nation. In many respects, this awakening has encouragingly translated to action.
With an impending change in leadership amidst such global uncertainty, it is more crucial than ever that more Malaysians continue to be involved.
It is how we stopped the privatisation of IJN. It is how we have turned the ISA from an instrument of fear to symbol of oppression.
It is how, after years of quiet subservience, Umno's coalition partners have discovered some sense of a spine.
In such a crucial time, the direction of the country is too important to be left to self-serving politicians from either sides of the aisle. Journalists and bloggers need to continue writing critically about those in power, be they political leaders, other media, or corporations.
This is not the time to be timid nor quiet.
Because like it or not, the end of 2009 will be vastly different from its beginning. Whether it's a better Malaysia or a far worse one, is up to us.
Brian Yap
The Malaysian Insider
16/01/09
After closing our eyes to the many ills that plagued the Malaysian social and political sphere, we decided to take the plunge and vote for change, as risky and imperfect as that change may be.
We all had our reservations, but we also understood that the greater risk was to keep more of the same.
But this awakening isn't limited to Malaysia alone.
After over a decade of living as if there are no consequences, there is a sense that the world is beginning to turn a corner.
The "greed is good, regulation is bad" free-market ethos that was so dominant since the '80s is finally coming to an end. Global warming deniers are finally relegated to the margins where they belong. The Bush administration, with its lies, belligerence and incompetence is days away from coming to a pathetic end.
There is no doubt that the world is in a state of crisis. A cursory glance at the headlines reveal as much. But we are also witnessing the start of an era of transformation, the true beginning of the 21st century.
Amidst the greatest economic crisis since the 1920s, a generational and cultural shift is taking place all over the world.
The media industry is in tumult, with major media outlets across the world facing difficulty as the Internet and the economic crisis strikes it from both directions. The automotive industry too, is in a state of turmoil, facing heavy losses while having to transition to alternative energy vehicles.
In other words, if change was considered optional before, a luxury the young call for, it no longer is. The choice facing us today isn't between change and more of the same, but rather what form the change will take.
The future is undoubtedly very uncertain. Uncertainty is not something people look forward to, but the many crises facing the world also gives us the opportunity to significantly alter the way we live.
As the world turns, so does Malaysia. We can take this opportunity to take bold steps to transform Malaysia into a 21st century nation, or we can continue to be alienated by progress.
Where Malaysia ends up with depends not only on leadership, but also how involved Malaysians are in the process.
The true story of the March 8 elections is not only the Opposition victory, but the political awakening of the entire nation. In many respects, this awakening has encouragingly translated to action.
With an impending change in leadership amidst such global uncertainty, it is more crucial than ever that more Malaysians continue to be involved.
It is how we stopped the privatisation of IJN. It is how we have turned the ISA from an instrument of fear to symbol of oppression.
It is how, after years of quiet subservience, Umno's coalition partners have discovered some sense of a spine.
In such a crucial time, the direction of the country is too important to be left to self-serving politicians from either sides of the aisle. Journalists and bloggers need to continue writing critically about those in power, be they political leaders, other media, or corporations.
This is not the time to be timid nor quiet.
Because like it or not, the end of 2009 will be vastly different from its beginning. Whether it's a better Malaysia or a far worse one, is up to us.
Brian Yap
The Malaysian Insider
16/01/09
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