In just a couple of weeks it will be the new year. Yes, 2012. Another year. But as with every new year for the past decade, I would say we Malaysians step rather tentatively into the next 365-day period.

For those of us who are parents, we shall spend some time empathising with what our children will face as they enter another school year in an education system that a lot of us have little confidence in.

As ordinary Malaysians, we shall contemplate some of the usual things as we enter a new year. Stuff like new clothes, school uniforms, books… and how much money will be left over after “essentials” to buy little presents for the family for Christmas or to wrap up in the ang pows for Chinese New Year. And yes, CNY comes early this time.

But as Malaysian rakyat, we also have lots of other stuff to think about and decide on as we step into 2012. Will the General Election  be in March or later? This question will be on our minds as we watch the fireworks and make a toast accompanied with a silent prayer that our beloved country will survive another year.

The other question is, surely, who to vote for in the next General Election – or if you have decided, then you might ponder if the government is changed, will the new flers do things any better?

Of late, we have been listening to and reading about a lot of things. Both from our government and also the opposition. But after a while, all the speeches seem to sound the same.

At his party’s conference, our prime minister repeated the fear about losing  this right and that right and having the fear of one  community lording it over another. Ya, of late there has been a lot of race-baiting and hate politics. I also don’t know why there has to all this “goreng” to win confidence and votes.

As an average taxpaying Malaysian who didn’t go to university, I think it is very simple what. Malaysia is our country. Malays, Chinese, Indian and everybody else who was born and raised here. Its future is our collective responsibility.

You mean one community will screw it up just to spite the other? Think about it la. If I was the prime minister or any politician running for election, my whole emphasis would be on Malaysia and how WE all play a part in her progress and prosperity. I am Chinese, you are Malay, but I will defend with my blood your rights as a Malaysian. I am Malay and I will give my life to protect your well-being as a fellow citizen.

If I am rich and you are poor, I will make sure you get the kind of assistance that will make you realise your full potential as a citizen of this abundantly blessed country.

We all subscribe to different religions and beliefs. And I will defend to my last breath your right to worship whichever God you choose. No meh? Very simple only ma. If Najib says that and Anwar says that and Kit Siang and Nik say that, then it will be great. Imagine the fun our General Election will be then. Everybody saying the same thing. Promising the same deals. For ALL Malaysians across the board. Then it is just up to us, the electorate to watch, listen and decide which one we believe la.

BN will say that they are doing good and have done good for 50-plus years. PR will say they are doing damn good since 2008. Then we, as the people who are at the receiving end of all this good, decide la whether true or not. And then vote accordingly. Simple isn’t it?

Then why isn’t it like that one? Now, after 54 years of independence, we are still listening to politicians who want to protect their own communities only ah? Waffor? We are all Malaysians and we all know damn well that none of us can exist and prosper without the other.

Actually, when did we all start thinking like we are all separate people sharing the same room and not co-owners of the housing estate ah? Very funny isn’t it? We seem to be always talking about which piece of the cake belongs to whom. That one bigger, so it’s mine. No la it’s mine. And so on and so forth.

Then with so many mouths to feed, we start cutting the cake into smaller and smaller slices. Then somebody asks, “So why don’t we build a bigger bakery ah?” Eh! You shaddup ah! I give you small slice of the cake you just eat quietly and be happy ok? After all, we only let you into the bakery ma.

Hiyoh! If like this sure one day we all tak cukup makan one. Then how? I osso donch know la.

Happy New Year my fellow Malaysians. I know it’s a bit in advance la. But I wish you now because not sure la whether when the real time comes it will still be happy or not.