My Anthem

Monday, December 31, 2007

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.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear Desi,

I must admit that there is such uncertainty within asmuchas I wanted to think otherwise. At the moment such dark cloud is heavy to bear and I don't wish to burden myself anymore.

I just want to wish all of us, men and women of goodwill, the joy and pleasure of Huckleberry Finn down the mighty Missisippi, enjoying the carefreeness of woods, forests, fishes, the great outdoor and a moment of nonetocareabout to preserve our sanity, even if it means just a moment of madness.

Thereafter, as we or me, come about to our reality, with the guidance of the Great Spirit, or however you may want to conceive it, see how we can see beyond the dark for silver lining or waiting for the dawn to break.

Happy New Year to you Desi and friends of Desi.

sweetspirits said...

Where would i begin the ending of 2007 .
For the pleasures and highs and lows .
Where would i be without my friend Desi .
Whos midnight voice keeps me company in thy darkest hours.
Be it the good or bad that we share
life is easier knowing you care.
Friendship is the most special gift one can give to another .
As true friendship cannot be bought, sold , stolen only given.
Thank you for your frienship from days n nights gone by .
It's the time you put in to making sure we keep in ouch and keeping me in your prayers , i could never thank you enough.

Happy New Year Desi , yes i'm a little early but hey , you get that.
God Bless tcz

Anonymous said...

2007 and the year before and....in each of them a continuos feeling of gloom. But yet we are able to find light to brigthen up our lives. We will not only survive another year but grow stronger in our spirit. For this is our strenght.

Maverick SM said...

We don't have leakages; the system design it with holes so that it flows out like a stream, to places where it was intended! So, no leakages.

Wastage? No wastage. The system design and budget have allowed for contingency sums and management reserves to cater for cost of poor quality. No, no wastages also.

Corruption? No corruption. Najib said it's "Give-and-Take". Someone gives, the other take; offer and acceptance, with sufficient consideration; a contract done!!!

Demonstration? Yes! That's illegal! No permit granted. That's against the law, the law that was enacted by parliament by representatives elected by the people of the nation, to do what they did; and they did it exactly as was to be.

So, everything is ok. Semua OK!

Vote BN - barang naik.

Anonymous said...

ERADICATION OF CORRUPTION.
IS THE KEY TO A BETTER MALAYSIA.
CORRUPTION IS THE ROOT CAUSE OF MOST, IF NOT ALL, OF THE PROBLEMS MALAYSIA FACES TODAY.
LET'S WISH FOR A CLEANER AND MORE TRANSPARENT FORM OF GOVERNAMCE IN 2008.
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO THE GOOD PEOPLE OF MALAYSIA.

Anonymous said...

nice to catch up with ya, Desi.
And good to see SSSspirits here!!

I agree with you, and in fact I've stated the pessimism yrs ago.. but some ppl did not believe me.
In fact, I must say that the only way to bring down the system is to have a "V" uprise...
But, dont think ppl will want to sacrifice such lengths

Anyhow, have a Happy new Year to you.. and continue to have those burgeoise lunches!

SSSpirits... contact me! :)

chong y l said...

Dear EsteemdReaders wit' SteamedUP chicken and dear Pu-erh tea in dainty cups,it's now 11.20pm, 40 minutes away before VVVVVVVe awe ring in anew year.

Let 2008 be a more HOPEful one becos we will it and stand up to be counted!
May the GOoD Lord bless the good people of Malaysia and Vanquish the Greedy because it is the Right Thing to Happen, we don't ask for more.
Cheer,s Yam tehtari! OR Pu-erh tea dear
That you enjoy Good Health and G'Bless:)

chong y l said...

mosesfoo:

ah my huckelebery friend
waiting round the bend
moon ribber and Furong men
wit' lasses doin' the can-can

VVe Believe, VVe Think, VVe Do,VVe Can.
"V"eni, "V"idi, "V"ici:)
VVe Came, VVe Saw, VVe Conquered!

chong y l said...

sweets:

the ribber furonmg flows
into the south china sea
the waves of energy touch foreign shores
meeting oz mateys at swan River,
or a' redhead, or singin' macquairie
there will be a libbie lassie
and a dizzy desi, making merry
tehtari', rut bir'y, maltilda waltzie
remember YOU arn't alone
there's aweways YOUR friends like Kyels n Sabbie
and Me

chong y l said...

klsparrow:

You bring on the smile
Then springtime is no longer shy
We will overcome the doom and gloom
Cos strong men and sainty women
maketh a heady up combination
VVe will triumph
Wit' more happy swallows
Wishing well for all the morrows:)

chong y l said...

Maverick:

Yes, everything will be okay
when the Oligarchs be KO-ed
and wise men rule the day
VVe have it the reformist way
Come 2008
Reformasi willed be gr8!

chong y l said...

welcome to the CleanUp Crew
here hear
a new year is near
down wi't Humpty Dumpty
And all the blardy Oligrachy
On Malaysia land
Into the south china sea-SI!

chong y l said...

sabrina,pavlova
back in PP or south of Down Under
always keeping a close eye on dear Malaysia
Cos the Young&Articulates care
If only more concerned brethren
rise to speak their mind
VVe may yet stand tall with our fellow kind

chong y l said...

to someMalaysians feelin' a li'l LOST n ALone, here's an assurance from Desi:

"When you walk through a storm
Hold your head up high"
Yes, an assurance reprised from
You'll Never Walk Alone

for like-minded malaysians like desi
and you
and he
and she

Will Walk Arm-in-Arm in harmony
Cos that's the Malaysian way
VVe lament, VVe voice at midnight
Cos VVe care for our country
And VVe know theAlmighty above
Will surely shine alight on Thee
and me. ~~ Amen/Amin