What can we conclude about the current standard and quality of governance, administration, management, planning, enforcement, public service delivery, maintenance, accountability, integrity, transparency, decision making, human and manpower, resource utilisation, etc., etc. in the country?

There is something intrinsically and organically wrong with certain parts or the whole system of governance and administration when so many problems and situations are recurring and repeating themselves.

The failure of the administration becomes manifest when matters which should have been resolved and considered fully overcome and settled rear their ugly heads again. Natural calamities and disasters aside.

Malaysia is a land endowed with rich natural resources and a pool of multi-talented, creative and capable people of multicultural and multi-ethnic origins. Thanks to history.

It is sad that because of not-so-intelligent policies, misconceptions, communal strife, political miscalculations, parochial mindsets, abuse of power and positions, corruption, cronyism, greed, wastages, attitude problems, special privileges, religious and social posturing, misguided quotas and subsidy allocations, etc., etc., the nation’s resources and talents could not, were not and are still not being utilised to their full and proper potentials.

Indeed the first world infrastructures which mushroomed over the past twenty years belie the third class mentality of the people.

One does not have to go far to witness proofs unfolding right before our very eyes, unless one chooses to turn a blind eye.

Poorly maintained roads which are riddled with potholes and broken patches continue to endanger road users. Only loss of lives or broken limbs would arouse and awaken the authorities to do the needful. Close shaves do not count! I am sure many could attest to that.

Drains, rivers and waterways which are clogged or polluted with every imaginable or unimaginable items become breeding grounds for dreaded disease-bearing mosquitoes or they are condemned to a state not able to support any lives other than germs and viruses. And blame it on climate change!

Rubbish-strewn roads and parks and filthy public toilets are a common sight. Hold your pee and pooh, if you have to!

Although some government offices and departments did provide satisfactory services, it cannot be said of the remaining many.

Polarisation and communal distrust are the products of policies and social, religious and ethnic posturing rather than by the type of school one chooses to attend. For manners, courtesies and attitudes towards others could be nurtured and developed. Vernacular schools with disciplined and dedicated teachers could only be positive assets to the country.

Local authorities which are run by “little napoleons”, “warlords”, “political masters” and cronies are the norms rather than exceptions. Helpless traders, such as those in the morning and night markets, and small time businessmen are targets of enforcement officers. Instead of being lent a helping hand, they are compounded and sometimes have their goods confiscated, whose only crime is to toil to put some food on their tables or to raise their underprivileged children. When the rich and well-connected could get away with wrongdoings and offences without eyebrows raised and went unpunished.

Approvals to the rich and well-connected could be obtained with ease and favour without stringent vetting or scrutiny. Perhaps leading to such occurrence such as the recent landslip which claimed lives and damaged properties. And the fingers start pointing everywhere to look for scapegoats and excuses, when it is the policies and administration which are to blame.

University education and standards are on the decline. What is the explanation? When there are universities in this multicultural and multi-ethnic nation which are reserved only for only a particular race, what can you make out of it? Polarisation, parochialism, intolerance and ethnic strife would the natural end results. So much for promoting racial integrity and harmony. Hypocrisy, perhaps?

The list is unending. Perhaps you would wish to fill in the rest, as I am already tired now.

The government has to wake up and rekindle the spirit of Malaysia when the country prepared for nationhood in the years leading to Merdeka in 1957. Guys, please read The Sunday Star November 9 2008 on ” Delving into ‘social contract’ ” in an interview with Tan Sri Dr Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman. It is really an eye opener.

Good night!