Enough with blame shifting, one-upmanship

THERE is a growing sense of lethargy. Perhaps one does not see it in the halls and streets of rowdy Perak, or on the tongues of politicians and activists. Perhaps one cannot sense it from the exhortations of rage online and on the streets, from those who have been detained both physically and mentally. Perhaps one is blind to it in the marches, the gatherings and the speeches that exclaim "we shall overcome", whatever the partisan inclination. But it does not take an analyst or psychologist to examine and dissect what everyone has been saying for months, from the warung to the boardrooms.

By Koh Lay Chin (NST)

"When is this going to end?", "Oh my God, not again?" or "This is too much". It is a lethargy that says "Enough".

It was Ralph Waldo Emerson who said "For every minute you are angry, you lose sixty seconds of happiness".

Following that, Malaysia seems to have lost months of happiness in what was supposed to be a year of difference. However, and whatever your political inclination (or apathy), 2009 is the year we are supposed to pull up our sleeves, face the economic downturn, and see what Malaysia's 6th prime minister has in store for the nation. Even the most cynical of creatures thought they'd give a new era and year a chance. Unfortunately anything that is good is being drowned out by the colossal bedlam that is the silver state.

It is now the second week of the fifth month of a "new year". In a blink of an eye, midyear has come. Every week, everyone hopes to have things resolved. However, every week, the layers of disappointment add on.

Some people argue that if chaos comes with the democratic and legal process, then so be it. Some say the processes are unsound. Others just roll their eyes and utter expletives in a variety of languages.

But what does this stretched-out fiasco mean for the country? We have barely heard anything new or strong coming out from the federal and state governments as things seem to have drowned out by Perak, or the deafening problem that is the Mat Rempit. Other than that, what else?

Yes, the new cabinet ministers are still getting warmed up with their portfolios, and likewise ministry officials and staff are probably still in the midst of briefing, de-briefing and getting to know their new chief.

It should be remembered though, that administrative inertia and sluggishness hit more than half a year ago. Ministries and departments were in a wait-and-see mode then, knowing there would be new leaders coming in, with the high probability of policy changes. Understanding that this is the way of Malaysian politics and administration is one thing, being really unhappy about it is another thing altogether.

Education, health and money are the three key things Malaysians get truly worked up about. If you think politics get people riled up, try dealing with an angry mother, a family of a sick child or a person who got laid off.

Last week, I dealt with an angry reader from Malacca on the phone who screamed with anger about the lack of information on bacterial meningitis, slamming the phone down before I could reply.

Over the years, this paper has seen countless of concerned parents writing in, making complaints and offering suggestions about the education system. It seems that Malaysians will make allowances for a certain amount of politicking, but mess with education or health, and there'll be hell to pay. Thus, even if one detects a certain lassitude that typically comes from post-anger weariness and strain, it would be foolish not to get the ball rolling on important policies and directions that are crucial now.

What are we going to do about Science and Mathematics in English? What are we going to do about the mastering of English itself? Are we staying put with things because they are good and sound, or are we changing things because they aren't working? And if so, where's the research? What are we going to do about rising crime and improving healthcare?

On both sides of the divide we must disentangle politics from issues like education and health, and that means enough with the blame shifting, exaggerations and one-upmanship.

Malaysia's problems are not so deeply entrenched and complicated, like the never-ending Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Anyone who has ever wondered how that Middle Eastern problem will be resolved inevitably gets into a lethargic, head-shaking sigh. It is the quintessential state that repeatedly begs for an "enough".

But do you remember the beautiful respite of Sept 13, 1993? I remember the date clearly, watching television with someone explaining its significance to me. PLO leader Yasser Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin were shaking hands, and the crowds burst into joyful cheers. I didn't know it then, but it was the first ever public handshake between the two, and it was the mark of hope for peace between the Arabs and Israelis.

The jubilant cheers were a reflection of the hope of that day. Rabin said: "We, who have fought against you, the Palestinians, we say to you today in a loud and clear voice, enough of blood and tears, enough."

Arafat also addressed the crowd, saying "The difficult decision we reached together was one that required great courage." 

Of course, we are nowhere near the strife and suffering of the Middle East. But it is always nice to have or encounter hope. It is the best relief to lethargy. Is it really that close to midyear already?