All citizens must do their bit

I SHALL not beat about the bush. The euphoria of having the elections go the way the victors wanted is over. It’s the hard work now of rebuilding the country. We cannot sit back and watch the Pakatan Harapan government roll up their sleeves and start the rejuvenation of our country. It’s no more a matter of them, you or me. It’s a matter of we and us.

We cannot allow the country to bleed any more. We, and I mean every one of us, have a part to play in this cleansing process of restoring Malaysia to her former glory of being united and less debt-ridden.

The Cabinet has taken a pay cut of 10%. So do we sit back and say, “Ah, they can afford it. Let them. They will be able to get alternative returns anyway?”

What nonsense! What are we going to do about it? How are we playing a role in this restoration period? Please let me forward some suggestions in my humble opinion. I know one or two will definitely get the flak but remember, we are all in this together.

1. We have a population of about 31 million. If everyone were to con- tribute just ONE ringgit, we would be able to gather RM31mil in just one day! It’s simple but workable. I am sure there will be others who will be willing to fork out even more. Malaysians are known to be generous. At least we can fill up the coffers of the nation to a certain extent. We have to help the government; after all, the end clientele will be the citizens, us.

2. Although it would be fantastic to abolish tolls, perhaps a second look at this is advisable. Yes, this is going to get me some flak but would it not be better to reduce the toll rates to amounts that are more affordable? In this way, at least the toll collections can be used to rebuild the nation and help perhaps in sectors which need a financial boost, such as healthcare. Just check out the government hospitals and you will see what I mean. With budgets cut by the previous government, fewer medicines are being dispensed and pensioners cannot claim for many medicines.

3. We are all Malaysians! We need to be united and think of ways, no matter how small, to make the atmosphere more conducive and harmonious for peaceful yet aggressive development. Our schools should be national schools where trust and respect should be the order of the day. Children of different races mingling with each other in these schools would be able to cast aside their preconceptions about others.

4. It is time to tighten our belts. Don’t expect bonuses for one or two years. Let’s consider these bonuses to be a little financial contribution to our nation.

Our country is bleeding. Let us all help to stem the bleeding.

Would it not be better to reduce the toll rates to amounts that are more affordable?

SHOBHA Kuala Lumpur