GIVEN the state of affairs in our country, I was compelled to blog this article out of overwhelming frustration and anger. Angry because I am an ordinary Malaysian who is “helpless” in fixing the political mess (though I wished my vote on March 8 last year would have made a difference), and frustrated because even after a year, the politicians have so far been somewhat irresponsible in tackling the fundamental issues that plague our society.

Politicians have failed to realise that the people are fed up with their politicking and expect some significant changes to our society and hopefully those changes are in line with our country’s goal of achieving vision 2020.

I watch everything from the sidelines hoping that this unnecessary mess will stop and that Malaysians will once again be proud to call themselves Malaysians.

I have come up with a list of essential things which have either been ignored or left un-addressed. I hope politicians will look at these points which in my view are essential for us to achieve Vision 2020.

» Good roads are mandatory.

» Good manners are paramount.

» When an accident takes place you find yourself asking how is the person doing, rather than whether he is Chinese, Malay or Indian.

» When you board a commuter train, people don’t rush into the train but behave in a civilised manner. People readily give up their seats for the elderly, disabled or pregnant.

» People stop saying that they can’t rely on the police force and that they are corrupt.

» Our leaders speak directly to us instead of using the papers or any other media.

» A non-Muslim is given the chance to lead.

» What we read in the papers reflects what is happening instead of what was supposed to happen.

» People realise smoking and drinking are bad for health.

» The day the government realises that the people are whom they answer to and that they are responsible for putting them there.

» When the day comes you see a trader or whoever it is that you come into contact with who smiles at you and gives you the service that you deserve.

» There are no more beggars on the street, the ones that exist are taken care of by the government

» There is no more prostitution.

» The Federal Constitution forms the basis of governance in the country and shall not be questioned.

» Every human being is treated the same, no one is brown, black or white.

» No special privileges for the select few, you have the same basic profile like the others, use it and develop yourself.

» Illegal immigrants are deported immediately.

» Sports is given pride of place and we are able to produce world beaters.

» Public service is commendable, people should say that the government service is better than the private sector.

» What you see advertised in the newspaper is actually what you get. No more gimmicks.

» Everyone is allowed the space and time to worship and practise their religion.

» We are all Malaysians, anyone who doubts that should be questioned in court.

» You go to the mall and you see all the races.

» During festivities, we visit each other because we want to and not because we have to.

» Traffic accidents are kept to a minimum.

» Results and entrance requirements into public institutions are made public.

» No more race-based politics.

» Political parties should be based on ideologies.

» The people should be allowed to scrutinise everything their prime minister does or says.

» Elected leaders should take part in open debates. If you can’t talk to your own people, how are you going to talk to the world?

» When you go as a tourist overseas, people envy you for being a citizen of Malaysia.

» A Malaysian wins the Nobel Prize.

» We qualify for the World Cup.

» We win a gold medal at the Olympics.

» People worship our ministers as if they were Obama.

» Health care is affordable and available to all.

» The ratio of police officers to civilians is acceptable and thus every corner you look there would be at least one policeman.

» You feel safe to take a stroll down the park.

» The judiciary functions as an independent unit.

» Every single sen that is spent by the government is available for public purview.

» Every district and state functions on its own without much aid from the federal government.

» Every single citizen fulfils his responsibility to vote.

We should live by example and be happy with what we have but continuously strive for what we don’t have. Please give me something to shout about as a Malaysian.