Happy New Year ? (2)

It was exactly a year ago that I wrote in this blog with the same title. The question mark represented the uncertainties that 2009 would bring. The world then was at the brink of a Great Depression and politically our country was in a transition period. Someone who has no moral authority was going to take over the leadership of the country.

Looking back, the only bright spot was the world didn't sink into a Great Depression. In fact, the recovery was amazing but it has yet to be seen whether it's sustainable. Even our stock market considered to be the regional laggard gained more that 45% this year. Although I'm not a chartist, I can't help but notice from the trading patterns that the local bourse is being artificially propped up.

On the socio-political front 2009 was a disaster for Malaysia. After the euphoria of 2008, the Pakatan Rakyat found governing not as easy as being in the opposition. It doesn't help when the institutions and some people in the country which were supposed to remain neutral conspired to sabotage their work. This led to the downfall of the Perak State Govt and eventually caused the death of a political aide of a Selangor exco member.

The racial and religious tension remain and even became worse with the cow-head incident and the exposure of the indoctrination of young undergraduates by the BTN. These young people from one race and religion were taught to hate people from other race and religion.

I wrote about how unsafe we are from crime in that same post. I didn't know after 10 months my family and I were to become the victims of an attempted car jack. I was beaten up by iron rods. Thank God apart from some bruises and cuts, I didn't suffer any serious injuries. However, my two young daughters were much traumatized having witnessed the whole incident. Even now we are afraid to go out too late at night.

Less than 10 minutes, another year, another decade will come to an end. Even as I type, I could hear the sound of fireworks. As depressed as I was last year, something I read just before writing this post, makes me want to believe that there is yet hope for our nation. Thank you, Candy. I pray that there will be more like you. I'm sure there are many who have not bow down to Baal.

The question mark may remain. But it doesn't matter anymore because in my own insignificant way, I will endeavour to make this country a place where my two daughters will be proud to grow up in.

Semoga Allah mencurahkan rahmatNya ke atas negara tercinta ini.

(Yes, we have won round one. It will take a miracle to win the subsequent rounds)