Wish-list of Malaysians for 2012

'The times they are a changing', Bob Dylan's classic song of the 60s aptly prophesies the social and political upheavals experienced in Malaysia in 2011.

LOOKING AHEAD 2012

KUALA LUMPUR: To the average Malaysian, it did not matter that in a year when Asia was home to the fastest-growing economies, Malaysia-made financial sector watchers stood up and took notice on several occasions.

It’s perhaps also of little consequence that with many sectors of the economy having done relatively well over the past year, inflation seems to be well contained, foreign direct investments have increased and the financial sector somewhat stoic – for now that is.

It would not be how well the country might be doing economically that jolts the interests of the average Malaysian but what they remember most about the year that was “Bersih 2.0”.

This is of course in reference to the Bersih 2.0 rally on July 9, which drew about 50,000 demonstrators on to the streets of Kuala Lumpur to push for electoral reforms, despite police threats prior to the event and violence during it.

The rally stunned Malaysia and hurt Najib, whose rating slipped to 59% in September, compared to his high of 79% in May, as reported by the Merdeka Center.

Ever the sinewy politician, Najib took on the role of a magnanimous Prime Minister when in August, he gave the green light for the establishment of a parliamentary select committee (PSC) to assess the current electoral laws.

In September, he abolished the 50-year-old Internal Security Act (ISA) and the 40-year-old Emergency Ordinance, which allowed for the indefinite detention of suspects and two years detention without trial, respectively.

It is little secret that both have been used and abused by the state to silence the opposition during the past decades. Najib has also promised to do away with the yearly permit that media companies must obtain, which is seen as one of the reasons for their subservience to the ruling government.

Other laws such as the Sedition Act, the Official Secrets Act and the Criminal Defamation are still in place and are misused to silence dissent and political opposition. On Sept 21, a senior member of an opposition party, Mohamad Sabu, was charged for an allegedly defamatory comment he made about the police that fought against communist rebels in the 1950s. He risks two years in prison.

But the year that was has to make way for the year that will be. And from the opinions of a cross-section of Malaysians, the average Malaysian has a voice that is both loud and clear. Whether it is heard will be something of a milestone in itself what with the next general election expected to take place within the first quarter. But the times, as the song goes, they are a-changing and it looks like 2012 will be quite an adventure.

Below is the wish-list of Malaysians for 2012

Siva Ahnanthan, 55 (software consultant): A transparent government. A fair society where everyone is treated equally, there should not be any concept of race, sex, age at all. We are all, regardless of religion, God’s children, and no one should be treated differently. Zero corruption in the country. Not 0.1% or 0.2%. Right now, we are close to becoming a ‘banana republic’ where everything is all about money. There is no law and order. Its really sad that nobody respects the law.

Pang Khee Teik, LGBT (activist): That we stop making businessmen/women take charge of policy-making. When making money is priority, all we get is inequality.

Anita Menon, 38 (writer): New governance from a new government. The choice of making my own decisions and not be told that 54 years of rule by the same government is the right thing for me and my children.

Ratha Suppiah, 40 (homemaker): Malaysian-born citizens regardless of race and religion be given Bumiputera status. We are an unequal society. We should be treated equally.

Hasril Abu Hassan, 33 (marketing & corporate communications, Universiti Selangor (Unisel): PTPTN dimansuhkan dan ditukar kepada biasiswa untuk rakyat Malaysia.

Rohana Nasrah, 25, (penolong penerbit): Cegah rasuah dan segala program, usaha ataupun pendidikan berkaitan pencegahannya perlu dilaksanakan dengan konsisten agar indeks persepsi rasuah pada tahun seterusnya mampu berada di tahap yang memberangsangkan.

Rachel Desiree Felix, 26 (web content manager): More racial unity, love knows no colour, creed or race.

Wong Pui Yi, 25 (masters student): A change in government, and the new government to be transparent, accountable and uphold justice and fair play.

P Sivakumar (Malaysian Indian Business Association president): Looking forward to a honest and holistic economic programme for the current generation of Indian in business.

Lam Ghooi Ket, 53 (playwright/drama coach): A deeper understanding among ourselves on the important aspects of our lives: cultural, social, political and spiritual.

Wong Pui May, 25 (communications director): Corrupt people be made to pay for all they have stolen from Malaysia, be it money, wildlife, resources or anything else.

Claire Shum, 22 (psychology student): Better education. The poor getting scholarships and not the rich. Less arguments between politicians, and less talk about race.

Lean Arul, 22 (law student): Freedom of speech.The government should be ready to discuss issues of concern and not shun the people like S Ambiga. If people want to protest, they should be allowed to. I would also like to see a fair electoral system and a better education system.

Ee Ying Jie, 22 (graphic designer): That Malaysia won’t go bust. Retain BN but with stronger Pakatan voice in Parliament. Be rid of corruption.

Ang Woei Han, 35 (executive): Be rid of corruption.

Geethashankaran Lam, 42 (professional dancer): For Malaysia to be an example to the world on harmony in diversity, as it was once before.

U Malar, 27 (computer specialist): Malaysia to be more industrious compared to Singapore.

C Siva, 21 (student): Prices of goods and taxation reduced so as not to burden the poor. Students get 40% discount on all items purchased. Monthly allowance for student from government.

R Mallika, 30 (studio operator): Equal rights for all Malaysians.

Norasikhin Ariff, 25 (planner): Tol dimansuhkan. Supaya kerajaan memberikan lebih banyak subsidi kepada minyak petrol. Kurangkan pengambilan pekerja asing kerana memberi lebih banyak kesan negatif.

Khairul Anwar Abu Mansor, 25 (pelajar tahun akhir UiTM): Ekonomi bertambah baik. Perpaduan antara kaum semakin erat, isu perkauman dalam berita dikurangkan. Perkhidmatan pengangkutan awam dapat diperbaiki terutamanya dari segi pengurusan masa supaya orang awam dapat menguruskan waktu seharian dengan lebih baik.

Tang Chun Cheah, 28 (copywriter): I’d like to see more places where indie bands, singer-songwriters can showcase their work. I like to see the local art scene progress.

Dia Wardiah, 26, (network scheduler): Saya mahukan golongan orang kurang upaya (OKU) mendapat peluang bekerja dan dibimbing agar berjaya dalam kerjaya. Juga diberi peluang untuk hidup lebih senang seperti insan sempurna yang lain.

Kahar Saidun, 36 (automotive industry): I’d like to see all my friends and family having a greater year than this.

Lu Jian Lien, 28 (graduate student): I want to see more equality in universities where the quota system is scraped and admittance is based on meritocracy.

Chelliah Nathan, 50 (business owner): I would like to see the MACC grow a backbone and stop being so afraid of the government.

Hj Awang Abdal Jeh, 61 (retiree): To see the mainstream media stand on their own feet and begin demonstrating some bona fide journalism without having to hide behind Barisan Nasional.

Laura Lee Lan, 32 (designer): To see a more compassionate, fair, efficient and honest police force.

Kokila Vaani Vadiveloo, 27 (lawyer): For Malaysia to remain beautiful in her splendour, to continue to be rich in her culture and most of all to stay diverse and yet united as one.

Maryam Mokhtar, 41 (volunteer social worker): Malaysia earning the kind of respect that comes with achieving greatness and not about making news because of the Obedient Wives Club. And also an end to police brutality.

Johan Salleh, 54 (business owner): More rights for animals, and people showing compassion and tolerance for cats, dogs especially, and that the Malay community will see that all are God’s creatures.

Shabina Seekhar-Liew, 40s (entrepreneur): The same kind of racial unity at we had in the era of Tunku Abdul Rahman. I want to see a leader like him lead my country.

Norasikhin Ariff, 25 (perancang): Tol dimansuhkan. Supaya kerajaan memberikan lebih banyak subsidi kepada minyak petrol. Kurangkan pengambilan pekerja asing kerana memberi lebih banyak kesan negatif.

Fikri Az-Zahabi, 23 (pelajar): Media lebih adil dan lebih telus. Setiap gambaran mengenai sesuatu isu perlu disiarkan secara adil oleh media tanpa berat sebelah.

Hashim Harun, 61 (retiree): Next year hopefully the economy becomes more stable, with the transformation in place. The country is prosperous as of now. We are living very peacefully now. I hope they, the politicians, would settle their political problems. But aside from that, we got not much problems actually. We don’t suffer as much as the other major countries. Compared to other third world countries, we are very much better, compared to Indonesia, Philippines or Thailand, we don’t have any massive disasters, no havoc, there is a bit of unhappiness here and there. But overall I think we’re okay.”

Abdul Muez Sabri, 22 (penuntut IPTS): Saya rakyat Kelantan yang inginkan kemakmuran serta keadilan. Kalau boleh duit royalti dikembalikan kepada rakyat Kelantan yang selama ini menuntut hak daripada kerajaan persekutuan.

Norseha Ishak, 25 (kerani am): Semoga Malaysia mampu tersenarai carta top10 Sukan Olimpik 2012 terutamanya pasukan bola sepak. Tarif elektrik dikurangkan. Telus dalam pemberian bajet 2012 kerana masih ada sekolah yang masih mengenakan yuran tambahan walaupun Najib kata yuran sekolah dihapuskan. Harga barangan runcit terlalu mahal

Hijrah Ahmad, 25 (jurutera elektrik): Mengharapkan kerajaan lebih adil. Kebebasan rakyat untuk berhimpun. Peluang pekerjaan yang lebih banyak dan sama rata untuk rakyat tempatan. Segera laksanakan akta gaji minima.

Farid Afzal Abdul Mutalib, 20 (pelajar Politeknik Sultan Idris Shah): Mengharapkan satu sistem politik yang berlandaskan hukum-hukum Islam yang mengharamkan rasuah dan lebih mengutamakan rakyat daripada kepentingan diri dan kroni.