Our past and current politicians do not bat an eyelid each time they preach to the populace of their so-called progress and development proclamations that they have chalked up for the nation and the people.

Such ‘loud-hailing' about the 'Malaysia Boleh' progress is tweaked many notches up especially when voters queue for the ballot box.

The sprawling Putrajaya; the ghostly Cyberjaya; the lonely and towering sparsely-populated Twin Towers to the much politicised crooked bridge and hollow, new sea ports plus many, many more government-initiated projects all have become the yardstick for proclaiming Malaysia's prestigious position in the region as a fast developing country.

But the truth is, what we witness as progress is not accompanied by social and spiritual relief. On the contrary, a quick inventory of the ground reality will indicate several concerns that are increasingly yoking the ordinary rakyat.

Higher education is costing many families huge sacrifices and making many parents debtors in their mid-forties. Even normal schooling is a costly affair these days what with new textbooks every year and the must-have tuition classes to pass exams.

Taking on part-time jobs, or moonlighting if you will, is increasingly a necessity for many citizens as they struggle to make ends meet owing to skyrocketing prices amidst the sinking quality and value of goods.

Compare Malaysia with the neighboring countries or those in the region. Even in Sri Lanka, people, clock off at 5 pm and return home for restful bliss.

But here in Malaysia, even till past midnight the people have job commitments or are chasing after that extra ringgit or a promising contract.

And do not forget, employees who clock out on time are deemed as ‘not committed' to business goals, right?

We are super at launches and initiating ‘miracle projects'. But hardly two years down the road, it is all conveniently forgotten until a minister is making a rush visit to the area.

What about all the adverts and the street posters of proclaiming 'Bank Lelong' and 'Pinjaman Berlesen'? In which other country do you witness such aggressive advertising, pray tell?

Even billboards that have withstood the test of time featuring Pak Lah as the prime minister are not spared from these stickers for easy money or desperate sales of this day.
And the list is just too long to be itemised.

So what is this development and progress if it is not commensurate with better quality time and healthier lifestyles?

What is this progress all about if it means paying more and gaining less?

What is this progress when you remain a debtor even way past into your pensioned life?

Maybe some frenzied political master can help explain and throw a more reliable light on this path that we citizens have been forced to take these past two-over decades.