APRIL 16 — It is amusing whenever government slogans are trotted out because, really, the Malaysian catchphrase should be “tidak apa” (never mind).
For the umpteenth year, wastages are reported in government spending. Tidak apa.
Our toll prices go up, petrol prices go up and... so do the wages of our politicians while the average stiff is still struggling to make a living. Tidak apa.
We continue to waste public funds on the circus we call Anwar's sodomy case. In the meantime, crime is still a problem. Tidak apa.
The world could end today and probably in some corner, there'll be a Malaysian saying “tidak apa” while sipping teh tarik on his tea break.
But I feel for you, average Malaysian. With all our problems, it is far easier to take the government-endorsed line: there is nothing wrong with our country! All the issues are just being fabricated by the Opposition-controlled alternative media, after all.
Tidak apa. Biarlah. (Never mind. Let it be).
We as Malaysians really don't care about national issues until they become personal issues. An ex-boyfriend texted me just to complain about the Touch N Go not working properly, with the toll gate barrier not lifting the first time. Only after using his card a second time, could he pass.
His complaint to the toll worker on duty only got a shrug. No apologies. No recourse. Just “Nothing we can do. It's like that-lah.”
As long as we're getting paid, as long as we don't rock the boat, we'll get by. That is the true Malaysian way.
The thing about this country is there is this learned helplessness. The government will provide, the government will look after us, the government knows what it's doing.
Last time I checked, we're not all children and the government isn't our parents.
This is a country where business success is not about who innovates, but who can be the “winner takes all.” Why have competition when you can instead lobby the government into giving you a monopoly?
We embrace monopoly. Encourage subservience. Frown on individual thought and independence.
We really, really dislike confrontation. How rude, how unruly these Opposition supporters are for clogging our roads with protests! It makes it so difficult for me to travel with this jam solely for the sake of something as unimportant as freedom of expression!
I'm sorry, Malaysians. I wish you would have your own aspirations separate from whatever our government decides for us.
Our standards are too low.
Our dreams too small.
When you ask for too little, you end up getting nothing.
So please, stop making mediocrity a Malaysian trait. We need to be known for more than a capacity for eating so long as there are eateries open and being constantly creative in finding excuses for bigotry.
* This is the personal opinion of the columnist.
