No matter what the government is saying about the future economic prospects of this country, most of us in the business world know that they don't look terribly bright. It is probably the most challenging since the founding of this nation.

No matter what the government is telling the bumiputras about their so-called achievement in the economy of this country, most of us bumiputras know that it is "indah khabar dari rupa" (sounds better than it really is).

No matter how much the government tries to blame the bumiputras for this failure, we know that it is o­nly an excuse for their own failures in leadership, "ketam mengajar anaknya berjalan lurus" (the crab teaching its young to walk straight).

No matter how habitually the government feigns national unity, all Malaysians know that unless our leaders move o­n to beyond superficial rationalisation, and address and redress genuine issues and dissatisfaction, the cracks are more than showing. (Retak menunggu belah).

No matter how much the government tries to cover up with cosmetics changes, the rot in our legal and judicial institutions, most practising lawyers still sport that cynical smile when discussing issues of judicial integrity . (Tepuk dada tanya selera).

So what is my beef?

Just that I am tired of listening to the same crap over and over again, with no sign of imaginative nor creative initiatives to lead this country along the true path of progress rather than cheap demagogy and rhetoric of redemption.

Our country needs change. Change that emanates from a new perspective of thinking, away from our comfort zones, devoid of self-delusions and without fear of destroying sacred cows which have become albatrosses around our necks.

Our country needs reforms. Serious o­nes.

Yesterday, we missed that chance. Anwar Ibrahim is still in prison. Not because he will be our saviour. That remains to be seen. But because we still fear the dynamism that his release might unleash. Our docility to this fear robs us of the opportunity to test our confidence in our own moderating instincts.

No people o­n this earth had ever advanced without having the courage to test their true worth. And you can't do that by keeping to the well-trodden paths or by believing in fairy tales that end happily ever after.

Yesterday

, the future generations of Malaysian were let down by an elite more concerned with keeping a leaking ship afloat just so it can reach the nearest landfall (berpaut di fikiran sejengkal) - whilst other enlightened societies are aiming for the moon!

Today, Anwar Ibrahim is still awaiting judicial decisions which any average Malaysian could predict the outcome. Not because we are well-versed with the law, but because we are already used to the scandalous cowardice of people in power . (Alah bisa tegal biasa) .

And soon the meek shall inherit the earth...