Happy new year, Mr Prime Minister and all Malaysians.

Foremost, I must congratulate you as the prime minister in steering our beloved country to continuously enjoy positive economic growth in an environment of global economic slowdown and also on the official launch of Phase One of the KVMRT SBK Line.

Like everyone else, since small I was taught to have a new year resolution. In some years I had a few and the rest it was a solitary resolve. This year, there is only one and this is it ie to write and make a plea to you for your understanding and wish you could respond.

Lately, I can understand your frustrations that led you to criticise the opposition for deliberately comparing you with past leaders. To a certain extent, I agree they are narrow-minded and ignorant.

The year 2016 was not the best for Malaysians. We experienced the down-to-earth Chickaboo right up to the extraterrestrial super-moon and water cuts, too.

Be that as it may, I trust you could help all Malaysians on the following for a better 2017.

High cost of living

My personal experience is comparing the amount of money needed to buy dinner at the ‘pasar malam’ near my house. Before the Goods and Services Tax (GST) was implemented, I could buy dinner for five persons for around RM25, but now for the same kind of food for four persons (one of my daughters got married), it is more than RM25.

Effectively, Malaysians’ standard of living has dropped.

In early January 2016, the government’s high-level committee met to tackle cost of living issues. It was supposed to to assist the people, not just cut prices of goods here and there, said the minister. He also said the integrated meeting with non-governmental organisations, relevant ministries, as well as stakeholders is part of the government’s effort to tackle the issues of the people from all levels.

Fast forward to November, the deputy prime minister said the government would consider a proposal to establish a cooking oil pricing mechanism and the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry must look into the proposal. He also suggested for the ministry to look into suggestions from NGOs, the media and the public.

What happened at the meeting in January 2016, did they not discuss these issues with the various stakeholders? Or is the committee still functioning?

Declining productivity

Malaysia’s economic growth for the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP) showed an average growth of 5.2 percent. Employment growth was 3.4 percent but the labour productivity growth is only 1.82 percent. It proved that economic growth during the period was primarily contributed by employment rather than labour productivity

Labour productivity growth in the 9th Malaysia Plan was better at 2.67 percent. Before the Asian financial crisis, Malaysia was leading the region in labour productivity growth. It has since lost the pole position.

Both in the New Economic Model (NEM) and the Transformation programmes, productivity was emphasised. For the 11th Malaysia Plan the target is doubled to 3.7 percent annual growth.

For as long as the administration bow to the cries for unskilled foreign labour, the target will not be achievable. There are other reasons or justifications for the reduced productivity. Nowadays, one thing that strikes me is the small talks and social media exchanges on issues like the cost of living, the weakening ringgit, 1MDB, the state of the economy, racial polarisation, etc. These unproductive exchanges must surely have taken a lot of time if added up together.

You could whisper a few words to Pemudah and the Malaysia Productivity Corporation.

Lack of transparency

In the NEM paper, unveiled on March 30, 2010, one of the policy measures was to be transparent.

The recent success in attracting investments totaling RM144 billion from China is extraordinary. But the of lack of transparency in arriving at the numbers need to be tackled. Statements were issued to rebut but producing hard facts and figures would have easily shot down criticisms.

This couple of weeks saw exchanges on the cost of the KVMRT Line 1. Since this massive project is under the PM’s Department, I think it would have saved everybody’s time if you had instructed MRT Corp to issue a press statement detailing the total cost. It is strange that the Project Delivery Partner had to clarify the fees they will receive from the project when the project owner is MRT Corp.

I would hazard a guess that highest in people’s mind now is the Auditor-General’s Report on 1MDB. Making it public would surely eliminate a great deal of uncertainties, half-truths and lies in social media. Further, appropriate actions must be taken on the recommendations made in the Public Accounts Committee Report.

Respect for each other

Somehow, some sections of Malaysians seem to have lost good mannerism, politeness or courteousness. The show of respect is hard to come by and sometimes will act not too kindly in certain situations.

A simple thing like wishing Merry Christmas seems to be a big deal. Actually, there is a difference of opinion among the four great imams and should not be an issue. Part of the problem lies in bigots who believe in the superiority of one's ‘tok guru’, who may not have read all the relevant texts.

Then too, the red-shirts may have a good excuse for their existence but seem to have shown some disrespect for the law of the land - the end doesn’t justify the means.

Even politicians are guilty of this. They appear to have inculcated a sense that they are somehow untouchable.

It also makes a mockery of the ‘Malaysia Truly Asia’ campaign and 1Malaysia, People First, Performance Now concept.

You may want to advise the Islamic Development Department of Malaysia (Jakim), the Home Ministry and other relevant parties to step up and do the necessary. But then, credit should be given to the police force for their actions against Islamic State (IS) activists.

Promote competition

In your speech espousing the NEM, you had emphasised on competition. You also could no longer tolerate rent-seeking and patronage, urging inclusiveness, where all Malaysians contribute and benefit from economic growth .

Of late, there are lots of projects given to companies from China. The idiom “don’t put all your eggs in one basket” has to be seriously considered. I guess you must also have heard of there ain’t no such thing as a free lunch .

Corruption

We are one of the wealthiest nations in South-East Asia but several major and high-level corruption scandals will deal a crippling blow towards our march to developed nation status.

I need not say more on this because you are fully aware of the situation and I firmly believe you are the best person to give instructions to put pressure and curb these dishonest and sinful practices. They could be termed as modern-day thieves who steal with permission.

Taqi ad-Din A mad ibn Taymiyyah (Ibn Taymiyyah) said, “If I remained silent and you remained silent, then who will teach the ignorant? When people help one another in sin and transgression, they finish by hating each other”.

Earth will still take 365 days to make one revolution around the sun and I sincerely wish and pray that this year will be filled with better vibes, abundant peace, bliss prosperity and good happenings.

Thank you for your time, Mr Prime Minister.