IT is sad to say but admittedly so that the Baby Boom generation is responsible for the country’s predicament.

Regrettably, that generation didn’t hang in there.

Baby Boomers were the first generation to experience policies that silently divided the races and marginalise those on the fringe, while preferring those well-heeled and connected. 

Arising from this, Baby Boomers began to silently encourage following generations to seek a better life – if there is so – out of the country.

Malaysia is now in a situation where Baby Boomers are leaving behind a country in real trouble.

When they joined the workforce and became voters, the country then was led and governed by the silent generation.

Then, things began to fall apart. To date, we have the silent generation, Baby Boomers, generation X, millennials and generation Z.

The silent generation and the Baby Boomers are still monopolising most of the power, even when they have not been performing as well as we might have hoped. There have been many disappointments.

The biggest problem is the toxic political style, which has dealt little with political change or shaping the future, and has been more focused on the status quo.

The country was once touted as a tiger and to become developed by 2020, but it has slipped from that.

Now, we are so divided as a country. However, the hopes for rebuilding rest not only on the younger generations, Baby Boomers and generation X have a responsibility too.

If the prosperity of our country 20 years ago had continued, it would probably be the greatest legacy that Baby Boomers would have passed down.

Unfortunately, few provisions were made for the future and we are now paying the price for the missed opportunity.

To ensure we don’t continue to deplete our resources, we need a clear plan that takes into consideration the effects of our actions.

Priority should be given to sustainable development of the millennials and gen Z, meaning empowering them to form their own opinions and encouraging them to act sustainably.

Otherwise, we’ll leave our future generations with more — possibly even more serious — problems than those we have presently.

Those who focus only on specific voter groups are putting the future of our country at risk in favour of short-term electoral success.

For the millennials and gen Z, it is not about just having ideas, but about collaborating for a shared future.

New forms of solidarity seem to be developing based on common interests shared between the young.

These new solidarities may seem to be reinforced by the use of social media, which allows for a great degree of interaction and an intensive degree of shared opinions and information.

Baby Boomers can still be helpful by supporting younger people and offering counsel, but fresh energy is solely needed in this country.

We need fresh leadership, leaders who understand the little guy, gender and minority discrimination, East Malaysia, LBGTQ, and others who have been marginalised.

Most Baby Boomers will be retiring soon and the generation outnumbered soon.

Let’s stop talking about what’s gone wrong or what’s going wrong.

Baby Boomers, please help out. Be like the auntie and uncle brigade, a group of mothers, fathers, grandparents.

Collectively, we can do it and we are capable of doing that, but we have to get on with it.

Stop complaining about the rot only among yourselves.

Help to reach out to those in the rural and far off areas and help put the truth out there.

Ultimately, it will help future generations and the whole country.

We have to stop the rot in its tracks and do it now because lasting peace between us all is the most basic of prerequisites for taking on the many challenges ahead and finding solutions for tomorrow.

Can the generation of Baby Boomers rise up to do this?

Your children and grandchildren might have settled down somewhere else but highly likely your life will end and you will be buried in this country where you are born.

Regardless of race and religion, as with every race and culture, you do also wish for your children and grandchildren to return to a peaceful and prosperous country at least once a year to pay respects to you at your resting place.

Even though they might call another country their home now, your final legacy is for them to return and pay their respects to you in peace.

The country has gone from good to mediocre. It is now compared to countries in the African continent.

Or do we want to go from mediocre now to great? A hope that was brandished to the early generation of Baby Boomers before ethnically divisive policies came into dominance. – October 2, 2022.

* FLK reads The Malaysian Insight.

* 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.