Letter to Santa

Dear Santa,

I think I have been relatively good this year in light of the tough circumstances. Petrol prices have gone up and toll charges are GOING up soon. I know there is no way you can bring them down. Although we keep criticizing our neighbours from the south, it looks like we are slowly adopting their ‘kiasu’ culture which we so vehemently condemn.
All I want for X-Mas isn’t too much. I would like:

a) Our government to practice good governance. I’m talking about a cleaner and transparent government. Frankly, I’m sick to the bones with just being paid lip service. All these racial politics is not helping either. They, the politicians, seem to be shortsighted to the potential dangers of their antics. When others talk about peaceful forums, our leaders immediately bring up how sensitive the issue is. Usually when the word ‘sensitive’ is invoked publicly, another step from the people would result in them enjoying their new uniforms of black and white stripes. Our local authority is a source of constant shame. Those in Klang build illegal structures without approval whereas those in Melaka try their best to destroy priceless national heritage to build revolving towers and shopping malls. Now we even have the local council in Kota Bharu introducing dress codes for the public. It is no wonder that we keep voting for the present government all these while. It is the lesser of 2 evil isn’t it? Or would you rather cover yourself from head to toe in our beautiful hot scorching tropical weather?

b) Cultivate better driving practices among our road users. First, the Mat Rempit menace has become cancerous. They are now so bold that they even attack the police. Looks like any talk of rehabilitating them would be pointless. Secondly, the crazy drivers we have on the streets. It would seem that it is the norm for drivers here to have some sort of driving anomaly either he/she would persistently ignore red lights, tailgate, or speed along narrow and winding roads. The accidents along the LDP are always a daily affair. The only thing I can’t understand is why the police are not doing anything to curb the illegal parking along major roads like around Sunway Pyramid. These irresponsible people are making driving extremely hazardous just because they don’t give a crap about where they park their vehicles.

c) Malaysians to be more polite. We keep bragging to others about how warm and polite people we are. Firstly, bragging in itself is poor manners. As a matter of fact, despite our chest thumping ‘Malaysia Boleh’, not many others think we are as polite as who we think we are (Anyone remember the result of a survey not too long ago?). When I was traveling in Europe, I remembered feeling very happy in some places as you can start a pleasant conversation with a lot of people on the streets itself. I remembered going up a bus in Edinburgh and asking directions to my bed ‘n’ breakfast on Willowbrae Road and the driver answered me in the most polite way he could or talking to the janitor in a tube station in London where even then we could strike some quite enjoyable common banter. Here, just the other day I accidentally called a wrong number and this is what was spewed by the other person on the line:

“Siapa ni? Saya orang Melayu! Saya tak tahu cakap English. Salah nombor la!”

With the risk that some people here would become SENSITIVE, I have to say, I felt angry after having that exchange of conversations however brief, but I finally comforted myself by telling myself that the other on the line was having a horrible day (probably because he is did not listen to his teacher during English classes and is now a drug addict) or he just got back from (another failed) job interview.

I think that is it for now. On a personal note I would also hope that you would somehow help me in giving me a pass in my CLP. It is already one of the toughest examinations in Malaysia and there’s no way to ascertain where I went wrong if I did (knock on wood zealously) fail to pass my exams. Again a lack of transparency which seemingly to me is also a Malaysian way of life.

Thanks for listening to my bitter worries. I’m sure you will make it better.

-Innerflame, your friendly nextdoor ‘kid’-