Faithful readers of and audience to the mainstream as well as the alternative media are finding themselves becoming cynical by the day in response to the current political scene in the nation. People are tired and fearful of the politicking, bickering and scandals.
As citizens who struggle daily to make ends meet in the midst of the rising cost of living, many of us find it mind-boggling and are anxious about our future and our children’s. It’s frightening to think that the life of the majority men in the street is held in the hands of the minority, who try to out-scheme each other for personal gains at the expense of the nation’s wellbeing.
Others simply cannot afford to be bothered by the political and scandalous nonsense because life is tough, trouble is enough for the day, and feeding families is the priority.
Meanwhile, circumstances appear bad enough to set off the idea of deploying the army to maintain public order. This has triggered rumours of an impending emergency rule. Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Abdullah Badawi brushed off the rumours, telling the people not to be deceived and assuring us that “the government is stable” and “the administration is moving”.
Our peace and security are not at risk,” he said (NST, 7 July). Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan told the public not to be “unduly worried” as the joint exercise of the police and the armed forces “was a normal exercise in accordance with the public order manual” (Malaysiakini.com, 5 July). Despite their “assurances”, the thought of army soldiers patrolling the streets sends shivers down our spine.
The rakyat, even those deemed non-thinkers and less educated, are watching. Deep thinking and an analytical ability are not required for what is obvious. A street vendor remarked, “The government is like kongsi gelap lah” (underword gang). He, like many of us – the average Joes and Janes – cannot tell the difference between the government and the unbecoming politicians. An old man at a mamak eatery opined matter-of-factly, “I tell you, all politicians are corrupt!” A thinking person said, “Chaos is being stirred up intentionally to punish the people who did not vote for the ruling coalition.”
In the midst of the ugly politicking, the middle class has become poor and the poor has become poorer. Poverty rate has shot up alarmingly due to inflation. Daily items, including basic necessities, have become more expensive as the salaried man’s earning remain status quo.
Though weary, the rakyat continues to expect and hope for a just government and good governance that is rakyat-centered, so that peace and good quality of life can be realised.
We pray for God’s power to break the pride and scourge of powergrabbing among those bent on personal gains.
For, “Whoever among you would love life and see good days must keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil” (1 Peter 3:10-12, cf. Psalm 34).
We continue to pray for:
- truth, justice and peace to prevail;
- good and just government to become a reality; and
- God’s will to be done and His kingdom expanded.
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