An eventful 2010 would probably be an under-statement, as far as I am concerned. Being granted the Aussie permanent-residency was really the highlight and having survived the rest of the year, finding our footing in a foreign land, is probably the icing. What probably kept us sane and strong during the highs and the lows was the fact that we faced every situation as a family.
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We came back to KL to celebrate the end of 2010, with renewed and energised hopes for the future of our beloved country. But when a friend recently asked how it felt to be back, I was surprised that I wasn’t quite sure. I wish I could say that it was all awesome and great but it’s not that way at all. To be honest, I’m quite mixed about how I feel to be back.
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Obviously, I’m ecstatic about being back with my family. My sisters and I were always the bestest of friends and I truly missed our chats and meet-ups. And don’t even get me started on the adoring crew of nephews and nieces.
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But other than family and of course retail therapy, it’s quite depressing to see how little our political situation has improved or how the general Malaysian society has progressed.
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Malaysian driving habits have probably gotten from bad to worst. In fact, there just doesn’t seem to be any rules to be observed anymore on the roads. Where roads used to be reduced to single lanes due to double parking, they’re now half-lane wide, due to triple parking!! Keep to your side of the road when turning into a junction? Are you crazy!!!?? Ever wondered why they even bothered with indication lights?
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And then, there is of course the infamous litter-bugs………there’s just no sense of pride in keeping our streets clean!!?? Is it the fault of the council for not providing enough bins? But is it really that difficult to hang on to one’s rubbish until one comes across a bin? Seriously, why is it so hard to be taught that “RUBBISH BELONGS TO BINS”!!??
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They say crime rate has been greatly reduced. That’s what the government, with their statistics and data, insists. But ask the ordinary man on the street and they’ll paint a completely different picture. Women still hang on to their bags while constantly looking around to spot a potential thief. Parents are still reminded to hang on to their kids for dear life and schools, if possible, have stationed security guards at entrances. Homes still get broken into, theft victims still get stabbed for not carrying enough money, cars still get hijacked………..
Trust the cops?? Seriously!!??
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Politically, it’s pretty obvious the government of the day is desperately clinging onto power, “…..at all cost“, so declared the Prime Minister. We’re seeing record number of attempts to sabotage the good works of the Pakatan Rakyat state government and endless spins from the main stream media. And how can one not be alarmed when the Election Committee is looking into introducing voter-proxies, when they have yet to solve the riddles of phantom voters of previous elections!!?? Defend Putrajaya at all costs?? I reckon so.
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The education system here is in shambles…..in fact it’s gotten worst. Many family and friends are at their wit’s end, trying to figure out the best solution for the future of their children. The ministry in charge only seem to be interested in pleasing their political masters, while playing with our children’s future.
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Public transport? Unreliable and quite often dangerous to one’s mortality!!!
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Cost of Living? Rising at alarming rates, while salaries remain very much the same, if not for the 3-4% annual increment. The rich becomes richer, while the middle class and poor becomes poorer. With most families being forced to become 2-income families, the children are left to grow up with little opportunities to bond with their parents. Wonder how our future generation will turn out to be?
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So, while my heart will always be with this country where my roots belong, I just don’t see myself and my family coming back……or at least, not in the near future while the current corrupted and greedy government is in power.
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Malaysia is a gorgeous nation with so much potential to be more than what she is now but her people really need to come out of their self-centered mindset and grow up!! If corruption, racism, extremism and stupidity is continually tolerated, all for the sake of keeping the peace, then it’s only a matter of time before this nation faces economic and social disasters.
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