Uncertainty and hope for Malaysia as the Year of the Snake begins

Today is the second day of the Chinese New Year. Are you surprised that our country, our society and even the whole world has actually encountered so many incidents? In any case, however, perhaps we should be grateful that despite the fear, anger and unfairness over the past year, we are still looking forward to peace, fairness, democracy, freedom and happiness in the brand new year.

The Year of the Dragon was a year of power shifting or renewing. The Americans have once again sent Barack Obama to the White House, allowing him to start another four-year term as the US President. While the 18th Chinese Communist Party Congress elected Xi Jinping as the party's new General Secretary, so that he can succeed the leadership of the ancient civilisation's legendary rise.

Japan had also held its general election while South Korea completed its presidential election recently. The conservative Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) led by Shinzō Abe has become more and more radical and demonstrated a series of fierce and aggressive postures and actions in military diplomatic affairs. It has not only intensified the dispute over the sovereignty of Senkaku or Diaoyu Islands, but also made it difficult to calm the whole Asia.

Meanwhile, South Koreans have opened a new page in history by electing Park Geun-hye, daughter of former dictator Park Chung-hee, as the country's first female President. However, the relationship between South Korea and North Korea has not been improved and the Korean Peninsular remains an arsenal filled with unrest under the US intervention.

It can be expected that the political game involving China, the US, Japan and South Korea will be an interactive competition which might also bring the world new disputes. With the cooperation of Japan, the Philippines and other allies, the US will continue its Asia-Pacific strategy policy and lock China as its target. In other words, the unrest will continue in the South China Sea and East China Sea. The sovereignty disputes over the Spratly Islands and Diaoyu Islands will continue to grab the world's attention.

Democracy, freedom, peace and stability are extremely precious

Looking at our own country, after a year filled with rallies and petition movements, the long-awaited general election has finally entered the countdown stage and the confrontation between the ruling BN and alternative Pakatan Rakyat has come to a close combat. The political situation is also going to fluctuate accordingly. With hopes and disappointments, we are going to hear about exciting good and frustrating bad news.

From now on until the polling day, it will be the political gaming season of Malaysia, as well as the time for the people to carefully ponder over the choices they are going to make soon. Democracy, freedom, peace and stability are extremely precious faith. Whether the country is going to sink or rise, forward or backward, it requires our rational and profound thinking.

We were historical witnesses in the past year and we will be historical creators in the new year. Although the future is full of uncertainties, it is also full of hope. In the Year of the Snake, we hope that it is going to be a fair election and the society will be rational.

-Sin Chew Daily