A NEW year has dawned upon us, and for Malaysians who have been wanting better governance, 2018 will be happily etched into the memories of many people and for those who resisted change and wanted status quo.

I recall writing in this column sometime after May 9 that I didn’t think I would live to see this day when Malaysians could peacefully change a regime, but it did happen. For me, 2018 has been a memorable year.

The underlying message since the euphoria of GE14 settled down is quite clear. Malaysians did not just vote to change a government, but we voted to change our lives – we wanted not just new ways but different ways of doing things. Many people still have a nostalgia for the Malaysia of the 1960s, but it is apparent those days are not coming back, just like the music of the 1960s.

However, even in this New Malaysia, it is visible even to the untrained eye that the old ways continue to linger, to the disgust of many people.

It is never easy to teach old dogs new tricks, and it will probably take a bit of time for things to actually change.

The problem with most of us is that we want change to take effect within our lifetime… I don’t blame anyone for it and I plead guilty, too. In this post-GE14 era, we have heard it being said on countless occasions (maybe even tired of hearing it) that “Rome wasn’t built in a day” and that is true – it took decades and if you go to Rome today, it is still being built.

As we enter 2019, perhaps there will be more things to look forward to that will offer us hope, the same hope that dawned in the early hours of May 10. Yesterday, we read about some of the positive reforms by Pakatan since GE14 despite the current rough seas that Pakatan is trying to navigate. This made me realise that in this short span of seven months, quite a lot has been happening.

The reason why it took an article such as this to make me realise is probably because very few of it impacted my everyday life and possibly the same for many others. This lack of impact on ordinary lives is perhaps the reason for the disgruntled voices.

A recent survey showed that the popularity ratings for this new government has not changed even after seven months being in power and this could be a cause for concern in the years to come. The lack of positive actions to improve ordinary lives can cause the downfall of even the greatest.

There is no doubt that there are many macro issues that need the attention of this new government. But for the ordinary Malaysian, it is the micro issues that matter – issues that affect us directly and even daily. Only when we see that our lives are better than before, then the disgruntled voices will become softer and eventually be drowned out.

So, what do I hope for in this new year from this new government? Concurrently with structural reforms, show me and other ordinary Malaysians signs of hope that our lives will be better. Seven months down, ordinary people aren’t even speaking of how their lives have gotten better since May 9.

Give us reasons to speak proudly that our lives are now better post GE14. Prior to GE14, the man at the coffee shop and mamak stall was speaking of how much more difficult life is going to be if we did not vote for change. But that same man isn’t speaking how much better his life has become post-GE14. Even though those changes maybe small, like crumbs falling off the table, something is better than nothing.

At the moment there aren’t enough crumbs falling off the table to make me and even others to feel or see that we voted to change our lives and not just for a new government. 

Hoping for a better year in 2019. Happy New Year, everyone. – January 1, 2019.

* Dr Clarence Devadass is a Catholic priest and director of the Catholic Research Centre in Kuala Lumpur. Moral education is an issue close to his heart. He focuses on paving resourceful ways to promote virtues for living in a multireligious society, for a significant life together.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.