I just read Minister Idris Jala's prediction that Malaysia will be bankrupt in nine years. She will be a net oil importer in 2011. These are ominous signs that, with or without the political tsunami as we witnessed in 2008, we are going downhill.

Since the next general election will be in 2012 or 2013, it will mean that the new federal government (be it BN or Pakatan Rakyat) will be going round the world begging for rescue plans like Greece did this year.

Why has our nation come to such a stage? Is it because of poor, financial management? Is it wastage of funds? Is it freeloading by those in power? What are the reasons? The citizens cry for an honest answer from the government.

The Alliance then and the BN now have been governing the nation for well over 50 years. Instead of a surplus, it is running into deficit. Strange indeed and inexplicable. How is it that the ‘red dot’ (as stated by one Malaysian PM and one Indonesian president ) could become a developed nation?

Does it have rubber? Does it have tin? Does it have palm oil? Does it have petroleum? It doesn't. Yet despite of the lack of such resources, it is rich. Its dollar value vis-a-vis is 2.4 times the Malaysian ringgit. How is it?

Surely there is some magic formula the Singaporean leaders possess and our Malaysian counterparts do not have. Probably the best solution is to pick their brains. Go down to Singapore and humbly learn at the knees of the leaders there. Be humble.

Humility will help our leaders learn something from the master. Now is not the time to show arrogance. Now is the time to learn from others who are wiser than us. So, southward ho! (Instead of westward ho).

Go, go, go! Unless we learn quickly, we will indeed go ‘southwards’ in our economy and we will be insolvent - bankrupt as Idris Jala warned.

May our leaders grow up. Learn to treat all states, whether under BN or Pakatan, with the same respect and give all the aid that they need. After all, they are also part of Malaysia. You gain nothing by treating Kelantan, Kedah, Penang, Selangor as 'step-children'. They form part of the 'family' .

Don't say 'wang ehsan ' to Kelantan. What is due to Kelantan is due to Kelantan. Penang tourism is also Malaysian tourism. The sooner leaders behave like gentlemen the better the nation will benefit.

Development in tourism will bring foreign revenue to the nation. High standard of education will make the nation the central hub for educational excellence; and it will attract students from overseas. This will mean additional foreign revenue.

Justice in the courts will mean investors dare have contracts cemented here; and disputes in our courts will be fairly tried. Police protection of the weak, the injured and the victims will mean that the police takes care of all; and tourists will feel safe travelling here. Again, this will mean foreign revenue.

All people want to have a fair deal. The nation has to pull up its socks. Otherwise, the future is very bleak. Will the leaders see the big picture ? Or will it be very narrow-minded in their outlook?