2007 In Review: Pessimism Rules

As a writer, and to some extent as a political activist in my own ways, 2007 is best summed up in one sentence -- Pessimism Over-rides the Malaysian Landscape of Doom and Gloom, but there are some whispers of optimism here and there. How I wished it was the other way round, but our leaders -- both of the Government and Opposition ranks -- disappoint.

So Malaysia, NegaraKu, Quo Vadis?

Just as one indvidual out of some 26million Malaysians, I try to recap some key issues and events that enveloped the Malaysian consciouness the past 365 days, and I hope my EsteemedReaders will join me in pondering the fate of the nation, and where we are headed.I hope my ER will paint MORE POCKETS OF RAINBOW onto the landscape to help Desiderata-YL Chong balance the picture geenerally more grim than hopeful, but this newshound-writer may be off-track. As individuals, we bring along urprejudice, and sometimes "clouded" lenses, so I hope to hear soeopinions from some of you -- just make it the first time for those "silent" ones who happen on my blog, could have read, but did not leave their footprints before. Can you spare a moment of your time, and pen me your innermost thoughts on this last day of the yaer?

CORRUPTION

My key lament for 2007 is that despite all the announcements, pronouncements and fanfar campaigns on the fight against Corruption,promotion of noble values like Integrity, Good Governance and Transparency, I believe the nation's leaders, especially the Prime Minister and his Cabinet members, have failed us miserably in delverance of the substance to the many messages. It was mainly pronouncment of good intentions, hardly any commitment and implementation of promises.

I think there is a message implicit in the saying: "The pathway to Hell is paved with many good intentions."

Notable sorethumbs that need to be excised (by "chief surgeon" Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullaah Ahmad Badawi!) are:

* State Assemblyman for Port Klang Zakaria Mad Deros' RM7-10million "small house" -- nothing less than complete demolition of thismansion will lend any meaning to the PM's fight against corruption. Here's the clearest and most blatant show of law-breaking by a BN law-enforcer/Policy maker,and instead of punishing him, the State government further compounded the issue by "gifting" to the idiot/moron/robber baron's wife an adjoining piece of land recently.

Is the Stae anticipating Zak would be building an air-raid shelter costig another RM10million to be financed by the State government. Is the MB Khir Toyol under the sore thumb's control of a super-Little Napoleon?

** Oh, Port Klang agin! -- this royal city to be included under a special category in that stupid Buku of Rekod-rekod MalaySIA-sia.
RM4.5billion bailout of the PORT KLANG FREE ZONE.

Yet, up to date, NOT A SINGLE DELINQUENT OFFICIAL INVOLVED IN THE PROJECT (whose initial costs were less than RM1.5billion) HAD BEEN ASKED TO ACCOUNT FOR THE INHERENT CORRUPT ACTS THAT LED TO THISMESSY STATE OF AFFAIRS.

Hey, Mr PM, did the money fall out fom the kind Klang Valley sky?
OR was Petronas' almost RM50-billion net profits being channelled again for such charitable acts -- when will the blardy BN Cabinet ever learn?
THAT THE RAKYAT ARE NO MORE IN THE MOOD TO BE BLARDY-FOOLED!

*** Dear ER, you add on to this list of pure and blatant Corrupt acts witnessed in NegaraKu, in hapless bewilderment by an audience of some 26milllion (minus the 'hole sleeping Pak Lah XLL-sized Kabinet!).

DESIDERATA: I am pretty tired, so I shalt stop here. Because should I go on with my LAMENTS of the sorry events in 2007, I may run out of Gigabyte space! And my weak-hearted and angrified (is dare such a word?) EsteamedReadersmight suffer a mild heart attack,and swell the beds at IJN, and VVe citizens wouldn't want that happen, yes! Our tax-dollars can be put to "badder" use!

At the end of the ay, if the blardy leaders don't really give substance (over form) to the fight of the country's NUMBER ONE SCOURGE, Malaysia cannot hope to join the ranks of the Developed Nations alongside Singapore and Taiwan, Southeast Asian countries with whom Malaysia at one stage was at par in economic standing.

Tomy mind, if we tamed the curse of CORRPTION probem in NegaraKu, all the other problems would consequently be overcome, for they are just wagons in along train, headed by the Engine of Corruptionplus the driver, who is the nation's CEO-cum-locomotive engoneer-cum-PM, except someone seems to be playing Rip van Winkle!

At one conversation two years ago, I asked of my buddy Sdr DIN MERICAN: What do you estimate as the leakage and wastage of funds from the federal Budget?

Din's quick reply: 50 percent! (Desi was more kind, he had ventured a guess of 30 percent...)

My dear ER, what are your year-end charitable/most unkindest estmates?

PS: UPDATEd @6.06pm:

After a hearty "long" lunch followed by bourgeosie Hi-Tea with two politically-informed but could not jaundiced (like Desi-lah) and every other Malaysian becoming more aware and increasing very vocal nowadays, a good result of BERSIH and Hindraf demos?:) and Anwar Ibrahim-cum-Reformasi revival??:) cum the growing influence of the Bloggers???:).Okay, drop the question marks, and the undoubted rocketing influence of the Bloggers!:):):)See, I have done my byte in promoting Blogging among Malaysians, can you write Desi a check?

Now, as I was saying, one of my lunch conversationists just returned from Ozland; followed by a short ketchUP with returning for Christmas holiday in PP of a Young&Articulate, Desi has his worst fears confirmed. The senior conVersationist says he has advised two gals who had studied and graduated in Australia, and are now handsomely working Down Under, NOT TO RETURN TO Malaysia. What's there to welcome them back, and his conclusion -- returned three years back just as I started this Blogger's journey -- that Malaysia is sliding more and more every year, and The Abyss is staring at us maybe a short 10 years away.

The short-time returnee,now professonally trying to prevent Seniors from need ing to extract their wisdom tooth/teeth in LOTR country, says she's doing fine inher adopted land. I forsee many of her contemporaries -- just started work abroad where they studied to become professionals like dentist, pharmer, scientist (No, not astronu!) would NOT BE COMING BACK TO MALAYSIA. Not because they don'tlove Malaysia-- it's just they don't see having a bright future in a declining system called Bolehland.

I agree. we are "boleh" in the wrong departments. Re-inventing the wheels and patting ourselves and blowing the trumpets ourselves as if Malaysians hadve achieved a breakthrough.Riding as a passenger in a foreign space-craft and we trumpeted for weeks that we have entered the Space Age. My foot! It's not able to do Michael Jackson's moonwalk! I am Too Young, so who am I to return such a Verdict that it's all gloom and doom on the horizon.

As a blardy half-past-six writer, desi tries to check and balnce the colours of Malaysia's landscape,add some rainbow colours here and there. Maybe, just perhaps, okay, Mayhaps, IF WE INDIVIDUALS ALLL WAKE UP ON TIME
to realise that the past decade's economy had mainly been buttressed by PETRONAS oil dolars,
WE MSAY MAY A GENUINE FIRST EFOORT TO TRULY NEHAVE LIKE A FIRST WORLD ECONOMY.

About a decade ago, as a business journalist, I witnessed the financial systemic breakdown.
Today, I see a moral systemic breakdown when GREED rules over every blardy damned thing the nation's leaders, especially political heads, engage in.
Even Desi's mildly affected,he's asking for 20million for his 3-year-old Blue Haven. Any takers, of some 25million suckers out there? (Minus one million who are in the top 5 percent who make up what mGf Maverick SM calls endearingly, Bloodsuckling Oligarchs.