Three tasks for the government…

Is the nation in a state of decadence? Are we lost?

COMMENT

There are still three outstanding issues that are affecting the image of the nation, specifically: -

1. The missing plane MH370: no results for more than 3 months (plane has been missing since March 8);

2. The Chinese national fish farm manager who was kidnapped off the coast of Sabah, who is yet to be rescued as at time of writing; and

3. The snatch thief who bludgeoned an elderly lady to death in a church compound in Seremban is still at large.

As long as these problems have yet to be solved, the government’s credibility is at stake, far more in the case of the missing plane when it was revealed that two passengers had boarded the flight with stolen passports.

All the above three cases highlighted concern the issues of crime and the nation’s security. And for sure foreign investors will take note of that.

Though the first case is unprecedented, the government should have been more forthcoming in revealing information to the public and next of kin of those on board the ill fated plane.

As for issues two and three, if not solved in a timely manner then it only goes on to indicate that the management of the nation is inefficient.

Nevertheless, another major issue that is hogging the headlines these days is none other than controversies surrounding religious matters.

A disrupted wedding in Selangor and the body snatching incident during a funeral in Penang have certainly put the nation in bad light recently.

Compounding these are the ongoing controversies on the seized Bibles and the child custody battles. These can only mean that Malaysia is heading towards a slippery slope wherein religious harmony is concerned.

Common sense will tell that all disputes must be settled amicably but the practice of moderation in all these situations seem missing.

Certainly Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, the father of Transformation and Moderation must not remain silent.

He should weigh in with his views on these matters and give good suggestions on how to solve these disputes.

The first half of 2014 has been eventful. There has never been a dull moment on the political front though the 13th General Election is long over.

Ordinary folk have to grapple with the constant price hikes and ever-increasing cost of living throughout their daily lives.

The impending implementation of the Goods & Services Tax (GST) on April 1 next year has cast a pall on the lives of the low-wage earners.

Friends of this columnist who are earning RM2,000 and below are going around with gloomy expressions as they face long grocery bills.

Although the stock market is doing well, one of this columnist’s friends who works in a bank mentioned that this particular bank is now a bit more tight-fisted and not easily granting loans as before for fear of non-performing loans (NPLs).

Another friend who works in a law firm revealed to this columnist that they have been sending out more than a hundred Letters Of Demand requesting people to settle their debts on a daily basis.

Whilst a businessman relative said that an impending global economic slump will occur next year, though we do not know whether Malaysia will be affected.

It is a game of shadows as far as economic statistics are concerned.

Data can be manipulated to portray certain results. It can be difficult to differentiate between truth and falsehood.

The management of the country seems to be at a standstill. There is no ‘oomph’ and zest. The ‘Endless Possibilities’ slogan mooted by our Prime Minister does not seem to catch on with the public.

Issues of illegal immigrants, high crime rate, drug trafficking, prostitution, baby-dumping and corruption still plague the nation.

There seem to be no improvement and society in general is stressed out.

Is the nation in a state of decadence? Are we lost?

“Don’t worry, we will get there soon enough,” commented Khalid Samad, the PAS Shah Alam MP candidly.

Selena Tay is an FMT columnist