Living in hope but fearing the worst in the future

ON May 9, 2018, after the 14th General Election, I slept with a clean conscience knowing that my vote made a difference in the creation of our new Malaysia.

Upon returning from college about a month ago, I saw my 63yearold father sitting by himself, looking forlorn and helpless. As I sat next to him, I could see the veins pumping on his neck and forehead. He seemed to have aged suddenly.

I was terrified at seeing him like that, and when I asked him what was wrong, he said he may not have a job any more. My father, the family’s sole breadwinner, sup plied hardware to a contractor who was involved in a big project.

I remember the proud moment two years ago when my father came home to tell us of his biggest achievement – winning a contract for a small portion of a pipelaying project.

I also remember the day when our new government announced plans to cancel a number of big projects. We huddled together and I told my father Malaysia Baru knows what it is doing. We should hope for better days ahead of us, I said. But my father knew better and shook his head vehemently.

I have since taken on a parttime job while my father waits, hoping that I may be proven right. But after seeing the headlines in the newspapers about projects being cancelled or scaled down, I am beginning to worry and fear for the future. How many families like mine would now lose their means of earning an income? Every time a project gets cancelled or postponed, the effect is farreaching.

So, for the first time since the 14th General Election, I am questioning the wisdom of Malaysia Baru and wondering if our new leaders truly have the welfare of the rakyat at heart. The Council of Eminent Persons and the team of ministers are there because we, the rakyat, wanted better days ahead.

I am being reminded that politicians will always be politicians. All I see now is a lot of disorientation on the ground. Business, both big and small, are reeling from the lack of opportunities. People are out of jobs. All we hear daily is that the government does not have enough money.

I am still a student but in a year’s time, I will be out in the job market. But I don’t know what Malaysia holds for me anymore. JE LIM Sungai Buloh