As we enter 2010, the world is finding a way out of this global financial crises and ways to boost economy and trade. There are issues of climate change affecting the international community.  

There is also the issue of competitiveness and foreign investments in the region. There is also the constant threat of terrorism and its effect on the economy and our daily lives.  

 

Malaysia, on the other hand, is preoccupied with the use of the word ‘Allah’ by infidels or non- Muslims.  The unity of Malaysians is once again tested as the nation splits hairs about whether Muslims in Malaysia have the sole right to use the word ‘Allah’ in Malaysia.  

The state of the nation as of now, going into 2010, is one of a horribly bleak picture. Due to political instability and poor government policies in place, Malaysia only attracted RM4.2 billion in foreign direct investments in the first half of 2009.   

From April 2008 to August 2009 a staggering total of 305,000 Malaysians left our shores for a better life elsewhere. That’s an average of 19,000 people per month.

Despite all government propaganda and spin on a ‘1Malaysia’,  the state of national unity is perhaps as bad as it was 10 years ago or worse. Apart from the strong cash reserves by many Malaysians, the national economy is floundering.  

Speak to any contractor or developer and he will tell you how difficult things are. Our crime rate is at an all-time high with more and more neighbourhoods desperately fencing themselves up.  

Many have also lost faith with the education system which is contributing to the migration statistics and others who are stuck here scrambling for alternatives.

 

There is indeed many things that divide us and that could divide us but if we were to concentrate on these things it will be to our detriment. The politicians and leaders have a personal agenda to further their political parties. They are not interested in what is truly good for Malaysia.

If we were to allow ourselves to be divided along race and religion, then it destroys all that our founding fathers fought for. It is time to reclaim Malaysia from those who have hijacked the country for their own political agenda.  

 

To do that, we have to focus on our shared destiny. We have to realise that if we do not live together by putting down our tinted glasses and religious intolerance, we will have no future at all.  

If there is a future at all, tt would be one that is bleak and we would be like some of our neighbouring countries whic have to send out their young as maids and foreign labour. This is not far from becoming a reality for us.   

It is time we put aside jealousy and the desire to sabotage one another. We are all a part of this nation and if there is anything that history has taught us it is that the sweat and blood of our fathers made Malaysia successful.   

Let’s continue their legacy by focusing on our shared destiny.