Step out of your home and it almost appears as though we are at war. Outside, whether in the cities or smaller towns, epic battles of the poster kind have begun. The real battle, however, is trying to decide my vote.

It is a decision that frequently occupies my thoughts. And so today, as I stood on the platform awaiting the KTM Komuter train that would whiz me to work (or ‘wheeze me’ as the case may be), I considered my options.

Unfortunately my thoughts were drowned by a familiar voice on the loudspeaker with a familiar refrain: Tren komuter ke Rawang yang seterusnya telah dibatalkan .

The platform is a sea of confused, annoyed and frustrated Malaysians. You know, the ones who were hopeful when they heard the promises of millions of dollars being budgeted for a better public transportation system. The same Malaysians who would have been content if the trains would simply keep to their schedules. Never mind the exciting prospect of more transportation options at additional frequency - just get the current frequency correct first.

As the next train finally arrives, half an hour late that is, I squeeze and wrestle my way in. Thanks to the delay, the panicky, bustling crowd is inevitable. It is a little hard to think with sweaty someones pressed up against you and an unbelievably rude umbrella prodding your side at every bump in the track. Nevertheless, my thoughts are now back on the issue on hand.

Is hoping for a fulfilment of promises made a sign of being ungrateful? If I wanted, if all those people on that platform today wanted, a reliable train service – does that mean we don’t appreciate what we have?

I am appreciative of the progress that we have made in our country. I am grateful that the obnoxious pink minibuses of yesteryear are a thing of the past. I believe, however, that looking back to see what we have accomplished has to be coupled with an effort to continuously improve and enhance our civil services and our way of life.

Of course, there is much more to consider in placing that all important vote. Regardless of which poster picture smiles its way to the national podiums, I hope that at the very least, they deliver on existing infrastructure and services.