We entered the year 2009 with great hopes after the historic 12 ^th general election of 2008 when Malaysians rose above all racial divides to vote for change, a change they hoped would bring greater accountability and transparency in governance. With a stronger and more formidable opposition, there were hopes for the first time for the evolution of a two-coalition system for a better check and balance.

There were hopes for the dismantling of racial politics whereby all citizens will be considered as Malaysians without any racial prejudice. These were the hopes of the people that were carried into 2009, many of which still remain to be fulfilled. Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak took over the reins of power at a time of great political and economical uncertainties. Despite the adverse environment, he did not let the people down.

His economic liberalisation policies, attempts to get closer to the people and his ‘1Malaysia’ policy for the first time in decades raised the hopes of the people for a fair, just and progressive Malaysia. While there are still many who are yet to be convinced of his sincerity in wanting changes and his capability to take them through, nevertheless his initiatives are commendable.

Ethnic relations continue to be thorny issue that are threatening the peace, stability and progress of the nation.

They appears to be the underlying cause of the numerous problems that were encountered in 2009 and may be the ones we continue to face this year and for some years to come. Despite all the hype of ‘1Malaysia’, the eradication of race-based politics and the adoption of meritocracy, no concrete results have come about. The only encouraging fact is that there is general awareness among the people of all races for the need to eradicate race-based policies for the long-term well- being of the country.

The opposition seems to be consistent with its multiracial platform and so is Najib with his ‘1Malaysia’ policy which pledges to accord equal treatment to all races. Although more and more people are in support of a multiracial approach, yet there are still many who prefer to stick to the racial politics of the past.

The race-based policies in education, job opportunities and economy over the last four decades have resulted in a severe ‘brain drain’ that is affecting the quality of our services and competitiveness in the global world where pure merit is what is relevant. We cannot afford to be continuously losing our best talent to others because of some unfair and obsolete policies based on ethnicity. The world is a totally different playground today where inclusion of only the best from all races will stand a chance to win.

It is time for the people to reject racist policies and those who perpetrate them. In promoting the ‘1Malaysia’ policy, the government must act tough against those who show racial or religious extremism in any form regardless who they are. The quicker we get over racial and religious bigotry the better for the nation as a whole. Corruption, too, continues to be a major problem despite the many promises and attempts by the government to eradicate it. The establishment of the MACC with more powers to fight corruption was well -received by the people.

However this anti-graft body has yet to convince the people of its will and commitment to combat corruption. It seems to have been bogged down by one controversy after another and has been straddled with credibility problems especially the death of Teoh Beng Hock. The people at large are yet to be convinced of its political impartiality and real commitment to fight graft.

With a new chief of MACC, Malaysians hope that the agency will be able to demonstrate a new zeal in fighting graft at the highest level without any fear or favor.

The people are watching to see whether under the new chief, the MACC will be able to affect major breakthroughs in its investigations of mega-corruption scandals that have rocked the nation. In this fight, the people, too, have an important role. There is the need for the people to reflect on their own attitude regarding corruption. I am afraid they may be accepting it as a norm in politics and business, which is indeed a sad development.

Meanwhile the nation is going more and more towards becoming a state of lawlessness and chaos. There is no respect for law and order. The federal constitution is being blatantly trampled upon with little consideration for the consequences. The police, judiciary and the civil service as a whole are clearly seen to be on the side of the ruling party. This was clearly shown in the constitutional crisis in Perak.

This lawlessness is reflected in the high crime rate that is escalating at an unbelievable pace so much so people are fearful of going about their chores in peace. Even staying at home behind heavily fortified walls does not seem to guarantee their safety. The traffic accident rate, too, is increasing at a pace and our roads have become major killing fields. Thousands of lives are lost every year in road accidents. Inconsiderate drivers and road bullies appear to have taken control of our roads where the innocent and law-abiding citizens become victims.

Immoral behavior, especially among the young, is threatening to disrupt the value system that we hold so dearly to. The family unit is under threat of disintegration where respect for elders is fast declining. We seem to be taken in by a new culture of accumulating wealth at any cost, without respect to established and cherished value systems of the past.

We look around and see many of our friends whom we lived and played together with as children, leaving in despair for greener pastures. They see no brighter future in the land that they had slogged to build their homes all these years, the land that had made them what they are now. Yes, many are leaving reluctantly with heavy hearts - not for their future but for the future of the children and grandchildren.

There is mounting pressure on us to do the same but something deep in our hearts tell us that we must not give up but stay and battle on to make our nation great again as it used to be. We may be too small to change things in a big way but at least we must try in our own little way with the power we have - our vote. Deep in our hearts, we know there can be no better place for our children than this land which the people of all races toiled to build together.

Despite this gloom we are stepping foot into the second decade of the new millennium with hope that change will come soon to our beloved land. The only reassurance we carry into 2010 is this hope for change. We hope for the increasing maturity and wisdom of the people to reject racism in all its forms. We hope the political landscape will change for the better for a two-coalition multiracial system.

Only with these two fundamental changes can we break loose from the chains that restrain us from moving forward to build a united and progressive nation where every citizen will be proud to call himself a Malaysian. This change can only be brought about by us alone and nobody else.

Like Martin Luther King, let us all cherish a dream that the day will soon come when all Malaysians can live together once again in peace and harmony without suspicion of one another despite all our differences.

As we gather in mosques, temples and churches on this New Year let us pray that God will help us realise this dream in the not-to-distant future. A Happy and Hopeful New Year.