DECEMBER 23 ― I very often stumble upon write-ups on mainstream and e-media wondering if there will ever be a better Malaysia. It is a question I often ask myself as well. 

Most writers speak about the unruly behaviour of politicians and indirectly sum ideas up by insinuating that if politicians in the country are proper, honest, and sensitive, we will have a better Malaysia. 

Reflecting on this notion deeper, is that the only change we need for a better Malaysia? I seriously do not think so.

It always takes two hands to clap. Politicians are just one component of a successful nation. The more important component is the people. Hypothetically speaking, if we change all politicians in the country, will we have a perfect Malaysia? Let us remove politics from the picture and look at everything else within the frame.

Take any facility that requires lining up and have a look yourself. Malaysians generally do not understand the fundamental basics of standing in a line. Whether it is at the traffic light, train station, bus stand, bank, or hypermarket, 99 per cent of people are constantly figuring out how to outsmart the person in front and cut the line. 

People will put on a stone-face and resort to anything just to be in front irrespective of  the mess that ensues. Malaysians have become selfish. We react in ways that benefit us and not think about consequences to others. Does a basic moral value of waiting for your turn have anything to do with politics?

When Malaysians are stopped on the road by any authority for wrong-doing, the first two things on most people’s mind are "how much do I have to pay to get away" and "what excuse do I cook up to escape a fine"?

I have seen people who are clearly at fault heatedly arguing with the police and lying. Worse still, when they lie and ask the police to prove they are lying. I have gone up to such individuals twice and saying I am an eye-witness to the wrongdoing and requested the police to issue a summon to that person, for which I got verbal abuse. Is this behaviour acceptable in any way?

Go to the centre of any city and observe the drivers. Nobody gives way to another, people change lanes without signal, yellow traffic light means drive faster, red light is visualised as green if one is driving a large vehicle, traffic signals are not meant for motorcyclists, and three lane roads can be made five causing a massive bottleneck. These are all because of inbuilt errors within us and have nothing to do with external factors.

When we apply for something and the outcome does not favour us, immediately our brain cells start thinking who to call and try to "pull strings." Not many people say "let's work harder and try again next time."

People are always looking for short-cuts. The most unacceptable reason they give to such behaviour is "when others do it why not me." If that is the case, then do not blame politicians because when there are other corrupt people, why can't politicians be corrupt as well?

Malaysians also have a false sense that everything is their right. Medical doctors always complain how patients go to the hospital, outpatient departments, and clinics demanding a medical certificate (MC) because he/she has a headache or flu. 

When the doctor deems the patient fit to work and does not issue a MC, people throw a fit. Most say MC is their right. The only right we have here is to see a doctor and receive treatment. 

It is the prerogative of the doctor to decide if we are fit to work or not. Imagine if doctors start taking MCs for stupid reasons people ask for MCs. There will always be a lack of doctors in hospitals then.

Speaking about work, people often post on social media saying Malaysia is becoming the next Bangladesh. Do we have any idea why so many foreigners are brought into Malaysia? Where do they work? Bangladeshis commonly work in restaurants and plantations, Nepalese as security guards, and Vietnamese and Indonesians in construction sites. 

We complain about them flocking into the country but no Malaysian wants to do the jobs they do. Where do we go then? Perhaps the government should put a stop to bringing in foreigners and make a rule that all fresh graduates for a year have to work in either restaurants, plantations or construction sites. Will we agree to this? Obviously not, right? 

Therefore, we are the main reason foreigners are brought into the country. These foreigners are smart and hardworking enough to later expand and do other retail businesses. Why do they eventually monopolise and become successful? Because Malaysians do not want to work after office hours. 

We invest, set a business up, and hire foreigners to work. People complain that Masjid India and Petaling Street are infested with foreign traders. Yes, true but do the foreigners own all those businesses? Malaysians own the majority of them but hire foreigners to work. So whose fault is it that they flock into such places in huge numbers?

KTV lounges with illicit activities are sprouting in every corner of the country. Why is that the case? It is because there is a huge demand for such things. Do politicians visit such places often?

It is the common Malaysian who screams for a better Malaysia who visits such places. It is because of the common man that the business of promiscuity is striving. It is these same people who then say Malaysia is unsafe for their daughters.

This brings me back to my initial question. Is a better Malaysia only achievable with the change of politicians? With politicians, we Malaysians have to change as well. The law of karma says they what goes around comes around. You get what you deserve. 

Maybe we are feeling the heat in this era today because we deserve it. Maybe what we are undergoing today is indeed our karma. Perhaps a change within would yield a better Malaysia. At this current rate, we can change all politicians multiple times, but as long as we don't change, Malaysia will always remain the same.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail Online.