DURING Merdeka month last year, Malaysia was going through its recovery movement control order, businesses were allowed to operate, students attended schools, universities were open and Covid-19 cases were well below 10,000.

A year later, as the country celebrates its 64th Independence Day, things are not looking too rosy.

Malaysia is recording a minimum of 20,000 infections daily, schools and universities are shut, businesses are allowed to operate but at a minimum capacity and many have gone out of business.

There is also an increase in suicide and domestic violence cases as people continue to lose their jobs and source of income

There was also a political crisis which was only recently resolved with Ismail Sabri Yaakob picked as the country’s 9th prime minister. His cabinet was sworn in yesterday.

The Malaysian Insight spoke to university students on what they hoped for the country in the midst of all the political turbulence and crises it has gone through since the onset of the epidemic.

Saw Li Ying, 25, from Penang, hoped Malaysia would have a better overall system for healthcare, education and all other important sectors.

She said she is both happy and sad at how things are right now.

“I am happy that we have communities coming together to help those in need, for example, the Kita Jaga Kita movement and civil society groups but I am saddened that instead of more help coming from the government, the needy have to rely on civil society groups,” she said.

As for opportunities for the young, she said: “We may have seen vast improvements compared to the past but I hope our government can support our local talents better.”

Saw, who is currently pursuing her masters in professional counselling, said many are now looking at opportunities overseas and have made up their minds not to come back to contribute to the nation.

She hoped that after all these years, Malaysians will be able to better understand each other while the government allows “our voices and plight” to be heard.

Zedrene Zuhairah, 20, said during her schooldays, Merdeka was the day students proudly raised flags and sang the national anthem and “Keranamu” during the morning assembly.

The Bachelor of Speech Science student said her only hope as a Malaysian is that she will grow up into a person who is able to contribute to the nation.

In the past year, the country also witnessed the #Lawan rally which saw peaceful demonstrations by youths calling for transparency, fair and good governance.

Then there was the #BenderaPutih movement where those affected by the epidemic raised a white flag when they are in desperate need of help, especially food.

These movements saw Malaysians from all walks of life come forward to help each other while demanding justice and fairness from the government.

Mechanical engineering student Samuel Roy Koshy, 24, from Subang Jaya hoped that in the future, Malaysia would be known its good morals, politics and economics.

“I want Malaysia to be known for the right reasons and not for the wrong reasons, which seems to be happening quite frequently of late,” Samuel said.

“I want to be in a country where people do not advise each other to leave for a better future.”

Samuel said there is still hope for Malaysians even if unity is not as strong as it was in the past.

“I remember learning patriotic songs, decorating the classroom, putting up our Jalur Gemilang and learning the meaning of the flag. It was the beginning of my patriotism and I was proud of my country, Malaysia.”

Laavanya Shwetha, 21, from Gombak, hoped that Malaysia would continue its modernisation efforts.

“I hope for the continuous growth of the country and for it to be competitive,” said the Bachelor in Accountancy student.

Sh also hoped there would be more equal rights among all the races as every Malaysian worked equally hard in achieving independence.

“I remember learning in school about how Malaysian got its independence and how united all the races were. Can we go back to that?” Laavanya said.

Nur Iffah Aina, 21, from Ipoh, hoped the coming year would see less political turmoil and more leaders who were sincere and dedicated.

“Upholding a high standard of leaders for the nation is key to making Malaysia a better place,” said Nur Iffah, who is pursuing a degree in psychology.

“We learnt in school that all the races stood united for the nation to achieve independence. That is why we should reduce prejudice among the races today.” – August 31, 2021.