JULY 2024

By Sarawakian

One wonders how time passes so fast. We have gone past 6 months of the year 2024 and it seemed like just a short while ago we celebrated the New Year followed by Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Aidilfitri and the Kaamatan and Gawai festivals. We now head into the last half of the year with Christmas and the New Year’s Eve being the focal points.

Every year seems to be the same. It passes ever so quickly when you have got things to do. We savour the moment of things completed and begin again with more things to plan. Nevertheless, we are kept rather occupied.

We have seen by-elections yet again and the results seemed to show the same trend or in some instances, a shift. Yet, some tread on rather thin lines of extremism occasionally. It is rather amusing that such behaviour can even exist. This is a far cry to when Covid -19 showed us unity within chaos bordering tragic catastrophe. When we are without this, we seem to go against each other with our own set beliefs. Peace is an option less preferred, strangely.

This is the reason why political awareness should never end with the generation of the past. Those who in the past went on the streets, united in pushing for reforms and change have succeeded. Many of them are faceless and those who led them have been forgotten. Most did not clamour for fame. Merely to rally and lead. The indelible ink during voting, automatic registration as voters and the eligibility to vote at 18 years old are proof of the efforts.

Today, we sit in a country with a political climate unheard of before. A unity government in name to conveniently satisfy the creation of a stable government. This heralded a new focus where efforts can be heard and seen through acts of the majority within. Sarawak and Sabah finally got to be recognized as equal partners with Malaya in the formation of Malaysia post Singapore’s exit. Both regions have shown their own ability to govern with their local parties. This is evident in Sarawak’s GPS government.

Will Sarawak lead the way? It depends on your perception. Sarawak understandably had forged through their own plans. They managed to get their own financial road map set out. Tourism and direct investments have been their focus in the past few years. If the capital of Indonesia has indeed shifted to Nusantara in Kalimantan next door, then the island of Borneo along with Brunei, Sabah and Sarawak would surely look forward to an economic boom.

The Rainforest World Music Festival would have ended by the time you read this article. It was held from the 28th till the 30th of June to cap off the Gawai celebrations after the Niti Daun parade. Very soon, Sarawak would host SUKMA from 17th to 24th August and the Borneo Sonic Music Festival from 11th to 12th October 2024. The Borneo Sonic Music Fest had its debut last year and it was the 1st time that the 40,000 capacity Sarawak Stadium was used for large concerts.

Over here in the Peninsula, we would surely welcome the idea of more concerts as Coldplay garnered a huge crowd. Bruno Mars will headline the 17th of September 2024 at the near 100,000 seat capacity National Stadium in Bukit Jalil. Of course, the number would be smaller for concerts.

Costs have increased but so far, the Government seemed to be doing a solid strategy in targeting the needs. Gone were the days of heavy rhetoric. Nowadays we get to see more attention to getting things done with well planned communications made. We cannot deny that there are bound to be sour grapes around who continually try to make themselves seen and heard. But that is normal. Not just in politics but in everyday relationships.

We are living in a multi ethnic and multi faith country where diversity should be celebrated in the goal of unity in diversity. Not, diversity in unity. We should continue our teaching to ensure the generations of the future respect and understand each other rather than tolerate each other. Only with respect and understanding would the society progress forward.

But we cannot be complacent. We must not stay too long in power. Politicians should know this. The longer you stay in power, you would likely be tempted to become the devil you despise. This is where the people of Malaysia must take heed of political awareness. Voting is your right. One vote does make that difference. Vote for those who you believe would be steadfast in pushing the positive agenda forward. Remove those who continually spit divisiveness in their campaigns and acts whilst in office before. We do not need disturbed clowns in government.

Sarawak will celebrate the 61st Sarawak Day / Independence Day on 22nd July this year. This date is important as it forms the basis in which Malaysia was later formed on the 16th of September 1963. Let us celebrate as we head into the last half of the year 2024. As we tread through the months ahead, we should restart our political awareness in preparation for any elections that would come. We should want more and improve upon what we had done. We should seek inclusivity rather than a stratified society.

We should get the rats out of Taipan, SS14 and SS15. This is something Subang Jaya had failed to address since the change in 2008. It is near 16 years now. It is time we make those elected and nominated work for Subang Jaya.