I wish for a resilient and just nation

New year — a new chapter, new verse, or just the same old story? Ultimately, we write it. The choice is ours.

— Alex Morritt, author, poet, lyricist and travel writer

My aspirations for 2024 encompass a wide range of hopes and desires, focusing on progress, harmony, unity, and accountability. Here’s a compilation of my wishes; the details will follow after the compilation:

Family health and happiness — I pray for the good health, happiness, and well-being of my family members who mean a lot to me.

Continued leadership and well-being of my Premier — my wish is for Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg to continue leading the state toward progress, peace, and prosperity while maintaining good health and being guided by the Almighty to continuing making wise decisions for the betterment of the state and its people.

National unity and understanding — I know this is wishful thinking but I pray Malaysian leaders will prioritise unity over divisive tactics, especially at the federal level, and promote understanding among the diverse communities rather than resort to extremism or bigotry for political gain.

Members of Parliament (MPs) giving priority to national unity — I wish to see MPs dedicating greater efforts to unite Malaysians, and stress the importance of their role in fostering a cohesive society.

Inclusive economic growth — my wish involves an improved economy that provides opportunities for all, not just a select few, and I wish to see fairer distribution of resources and opportunities across society.

Addressing extremism and bigotry — there is a need to address religious and racial extremism before they become unmanageable.

Fulfilment of election promises — leaders should be serious and fulfil election promises and pledges without waiting until the next election cycle.

Curbing corruption — another wishful thinking and unlikely to happen in my lifetime, perhaps! Our leaders should adopt concrete measures against corruption, and not merely pay lip service but to sincerely zoom in to the root cause of corrupt practices. Sorry lah, the corrupt should be exterminated or terminated, whatever!

Accountability and prosecution — this should be given priority too; accountability in governance, fair and non-selective prosecution of corrupt individuals, regardless of race, and ensuring justice is upheld.

My wishes above underscore the importance of responsible and accountable governance, unity and inclusivity within Malaysia, stressing the role of leaders in shaping the nation’s future and urging them to prioritise the well-being and unity of all citizens.

As we step into a new year today, it is customary to reflect on our aspirations and hopes for the months ahead.

At the heart of our wishes lies the desire to see our beloved Sarawak flourish under the guidance of our Premier. Our hope is not solely for economic growth but also for a state where peace, progress, and harmony prevail. We all wish for our esteemed leader Abang Johari to be blessed with continued good health and the wisdom to steer our state towards greater prosperity.

However, our aspirations extend beyond state borders. National unity stands paramount and we yearn for leaders, both at the state and federal levels, who prioritise unity over divisive strategies. Extremism and bigotry should find no shelter in the halls of governance. Let 2024 be the year when leaders set aside personal agendas and work tirelessly to bridge divides and fostering understanding among the multiracial and multireligious communities.

MPs hold a pivotal role in shaping our national discourse. We wish for greater efforts from our MPs in uniting Malaysians. It’s not just about political affiliations; it’s about the collective prosperity of every citizen regardless of background or belief. Let’s get our leaders to prioritise the welfare of the people above partisan interests.

Economic growth should be inclusive and benefit all strata of society. Our wish is for an economy that opens doors to opportunities for every Malaysian, not just a privileged few. The development roadmap must be crafted to ensure equitable distribution of resources, uplifting the marginalised and empowering every citizen to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s progress.

Corruption remains a cancer eating away at our nation’s potential. Mere lip service isn’t enough. It’s important for our leaders to demonstrate unwavering commitment to weed out corruption from its roots. We wish for proactive measures and stringent actions against corrupt practices, regardless of position or influence.

Extremism in any form poses a grave threat to the fabric of our society. Religious and racial harmony must be nurtured and protected. Let 2024 be the year we tackle these issues head-on, learning from the painful lessons of nations where extremism tore apart the social fabric. Let us address these concerns before they become insurmountable challenges. We just have to look at the experiences of Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Bosnia and Herzegovina etc where ethnic conflicts took heavy tolls on them.

Accountability is non-negotiable. Leaders must honour the promises made to the people during election campaigns. It’s not merely about delivering on these commitments when the elections loom closer; it is about consistent dedication to the welfare of the nation throughout their tenure.

Fair and unbiased prosecution is the cornerstone of justice. No one, regardless of race or status, should be above the law. Let’s empower our authorities to act with impartiality, ensuring that justice prevails irrespective of societal influence.

As enter the New Year, let us remind ourselves that the future of our nation lies in our collective hands. Our leaders are not merely representatives but stewards entrusted with the responsibility of safeguarding and nurturing the nation’s potential.

Let us look at 2024 with optimism, determination, and a collective resolve to transform our wishes into tangible actions. May Malaysia be a beacon of unity, progress, and prosperity in the year ahead.

Happy New Year!
 
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.