By Anthony Dylan
The past year of 2022 has been a rather exciting year. This is especially so when it comes to the 2nd half of 2022. We have witnessed Jibby being convicted and sent to jail, saw a new Federal Government formed with BN, GPS and PH forming the core. Once political enemies, they have come together to form a Unity Government. This is surprising and unheard of in my whole lifetime. The General Election 2022 was held on 19th November 2022. They also had the vote of confidence as the order of the 1st Parliament sitting on 19th December 2022. The cabinet has only 28 members inclusive of the 10th Prime Minister and 2 Deputy Prime Ministers. It also saw, for the first time, a Deputy Prime Minister elected from Sarawak. It also added the first woman Deputy Speaker for the Dewan Rakyat from Sarawak. It seems that this action, for the first time has seen recognition for the people of Sabah and Sarawak.
Subang Jaya folk and also in Segambut are thrilled to see the return of Hannah Yeoh in Parliament. This time, as a full Minister in 2022 as she helms the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Her career is nothing but remarkable beginning from 2008 when she won against all odds in Subang Jaya. She was elected as the first woman Speaker in Malaysia’s assembly in 2013 when she was named the 10th Speaker in the Selangor State Assembly.
We have also witnessed the World Cup Final being played on 18th December 2022 to the maximum length inclusive of a penalty shoot-out in Qatar 2022. This was played between Argentina and France with the score tied at 2-2 in the normal 90 minutes and then 3-3 after the 30-minute extra time. Argentina won 4-2 on penalties when France failed to convert two of the 5 kicks whilst Argentina converted 4 of 5 kicks. The 5th kick was never taken as the lead was unassailable.
Lionel Andres Messi scored two goals whilst Angel Di Maria scored 1 goal. Angel and Lionel are both from the town of Rosario in Argentina. Lionel Messi has led Argentina in winning the Copa America beating Brazil 1-0 on 10th July 2021 and the CONMEBOL-UEFA Cup of Champions Finallisima beating Italy 3-0 on 1st June 2022. The World Cup 2022 win was definitely the cream on top of a delightful cake.
The last time Argentina won the World Cup was in 1986. That team was led by Diego Armando Maradona. They beat West Germany in dramatic fashion 3-2 in the final played in Mexico. The final in 1986 and 2022 were full of drama and action and arguably the two most exciting finals since the 1980s to date.
The next edition of the World Cup would be played in Canada, Mexico and USA with an expanded format of 48 teams (previously only 32). This would provide more chances for teams from Asia and Africa to participate. Would this be an incentive for Southeast Asian teams to start thinking about the World Cup participation? This is for sure. Will Malaysia make it? Why not? We have the facilities, but we need better grass root effort and recognition in education. We would need to have more fields in schools instead of cementing them up. We cannot rely on naturalization of players to play for you. Size matters? Look at Lionel Messi and Luka Modric. They have shown you that this is not so. It is about passion and skills and good management.
We hope that the new Youth and Sports Minister looks at this positively. Football, Rugby, Badminton, Basketball, Hockey, Volleyball, Squash, Tennis, Bowling and Diving are all worth the trouble. Olympic sports like Diving and racket sports remain the best bet along with martial arts. We also have good teams for non-physical sports like e-sports too.
The youth need to socialize more, and it is important for the new Government to not work in silos. Having an active community would help with future health care. This involves the Ministry of Health. Having a close knit, discrimination free society starts with youths. Playing fields and facilities for sports in taman perumahan would need coordination with the Ministry of Local Government Development.
The new beginning looks good. Let us have this new Unity Government run its full 5 years. It is time to focus on changes beneficial to the people. We must remember that the frontline needs attention. We cannot again be caught off guard against a pandemic and without enough physical facilities and talent resources. We cannot just rely on vaccinations like before to stem the insufficiencies of before. The vaccinations were a solution to a problem created by lack of facilities and manpower. We cannot just forget and not place more effort to improve this. A new pandemic can happen anytime and anywhere.
We will be celebrating the Year of the Rabbit this Chinese New Year when it comes on 22nd January 2023. As the 1st day falls on a Sunday and the 2nd day on a Monday, the replacement would be on the Tuesday of 24th January 2023. It would another long weekend and some who work in Kuala Lumpur would surely take a longer break as the 1st of February 2023 is also a public holiday for them.
There is a new airline called MYAirline which would provide an option for those travelling domestically from KLIA2. So, it is no longer just AirAsia. Malindo Air is now Batik Air and flies from KLIA just like MAS to domestic routes. Firefly now flies jets and would likely add KLIA soon as they fly mostly from Penang. For those who are not familiar, do note that that upon arrival at KLIA and KLIA2, you need to go to the taxi or bus area to catch your e-hailing ride. It is no longer from the main arrival doors. Do keep an eye on the signage.
Let us wish for a Huat Chinese New Year 2023.
To everyone for reading, here is wishing you GONG XI FA CAI! Xin Nian Kuai Le!
