COMMENT With 2016 just two days away, we reflect on the year which has just passed us by, and wonder: what we have achieved and what lies ahead?

When you are young, say in the 20s, you would probably think about your own future, notably on career and relationship.

But when you have children, nephews and nieces, you are more likely to be worried about their future, about what are in store for them and what you are willing to do to make sure they live a better life.

Recently, I went to watch the movie Star Wars with my 10-year-old daughter. She is about the same age as I was when I watched the first edition of the movie in 1977.

Not surprisingly, my daughter enjoyed the movie, probably as much as I did as an 11-year-old. Some things never change.

As the force awakened, it gave me the opportunity to reflect on not just what happened during the past year, but the whole of the last four decades (almost). As I recall, there were many defining moments to cherish and countless disappointments.

It is amazing what a movie can do to you.

When I saw how old Han Solo, (played by Harrison Ford) looked like, I realised that I, too, am 38 years older.

Naturally, my thoughts took me back to 1977.

It was a time, far, far away - in fact, a pre-Mahathir era.

The country was ruled by our third prime minister, the late Hussein Onn, a man about whom, until now, I hardly hear bad things being said.

I asked myself: As a nation, economically, are we better off now than in 1977? Politically, are we more stable?

I thought, as far as modernisation is concerned, yes, we certainly can’t deny some of our achievements.

But when it comes to race relations, sad to say, the answer is a "no!"

As a boy growing up in a small town in Perak, the experiences I went through were somewhat different.

I felt like I was living in another planet then. We came a long way since the racial riots in 1969, an incident I was too young to remember.

Now, the relationships among the different races that make up our country are so dicey and fragile, it pains me to even write about it.

So, yes, I am very worried for the next generation - my daughter, her cousins, her friends and others in her age group. What kind of nation we may turn out to be in the next 38 years?

Cost of living and general elections

Apart from race, another issue that will continue to affect most Malaysians is the cost of living.

The people I know and the strangers I meet have similar stories to tell. And the stories are not pleasant.

That day Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said the government is constantly trying to find ways to decrease the cost of living for the people.

With due respect, Mr Prime Minister, you have to do much better.

For a start, send your people to the ground – to the coffeeshops, wet markets, petrol stations, hospitals, railway stations, places of worship, shopping centres, cash counters, beaches and even bus stops.

Ask your people to mingle, talk and listen to Malaysians who are trying to make ends meet. They will find plenty of people who are willing to share their thoughts.

Your people will also find them pleading for you to do more.

Even those who don’t support you are counting on you. You are, after all, the prime minister for all Malaysians.

I believe the year 2016 will be an important year as we get closer to the next general election that is due in 2018.

The fight to win the hearts of voters will intensify.

The RM2.6 billion donation, 1MDB and the tussle between Najib and former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad will continue to hog the limelight, but at the end of the day, most families are more concerned about putting food on the table.

Tough times are ahead. But no matter who you blame or praise, never forget, that the future of this nation still lies in your hands.

Things are not all gloomy. When you have good people around, there is always hope.

These people are doing all they can to make this country better, for now and for the future generations.

We all know who they are and this is my New Year wish for them: May the truth be with you!

G JEGATHESAN is a member of the Malaysiakini Team.