Place: Near Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur
Now you’re
“Standing In The Eyes Of The World”
Only moments away from what can be
There’s a passion in the hearts of a few
ever waiting inside to be set free
When the time comes and your spirit
takes flight and you reach into
your soul and live it with all of your might
And there’s no surprise that you’re
(And everyone tries when you’re)
“Standing In The Eyes Of The World”
So goes Ella, her recorded voice blasting over the PA system from the direction of Dataran Merdeka. A check on my watch indicates 8:05 am. A quick look out of my office window shows traffic on Jln Kinabalu at a standstill. On Jln Sultan Hishamuddin a convoy of millitary vehicles is waiting for orders to move. Ahead, men and women in colorful dresses are just about to march on. Oh yeah, the Merdeka day rehearsal is back in town. I can only imagine the ripple effects on traffic going into the city. Merdeka Day rehearsal, on top of the morning rush hours – talk about a double whammy.
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- Jln Duta near Stadium Hoki Tun Razak, heading into KL @ 09:32 hrs (Courtesy: Itis)
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- Jln Raja Laut/Jln Sultan Ismail junction @ 09:55 hrs (Courtesy: DBKL)
Make no mistake, I’m not being unpatriotic. I salute those men, women, and school children on the streets who brave the cold early morning drizzle to be in the parade rehearsal. These are people who asked nothing in return from their government for them to join the procession.
At the same time, let us be pragmatic. Can the organizing committee help shed some light on these questions:
- Why do you decide to do the Merdeka parade smack in downtown KL when Putrajaya would have been a better option? I thought several years ago Putrajaya was the preferred location. For goodness’ sake, we the masses have to get to work on time to earn a living.
- Have you any inkling how much productive time is lost because people are stuck in traffic? They can’t get to work on time. Some may even have to miss their appointments.
- Why the heck was there no announcement on prime time TV that a rehearsal was going to take place these few days? This would have helped people plan their trips into town accordingly. Instead, most drivers were caught fuming in their vehicles.
- Why you, servants of the public, keep doing things that inconvenience the masses over and over again. You appear to be making decisions without regard to the consequence they may have on the public, as if you took pleasure in doing so.
Under the current political climate, we are indeed “Standing in the Eyes of the World”, but alas, for the wrong reasons.
Most Malaysians, though, would rather see the country stand in the eyes of the world for the efficiency of its government and public servants and for the productivity of its people (just to name two.)
As we celebrate 51 years of independence, I wonder, when we will ever change for the better. It only takes a bit of mindset change from the powers that be and the political will to ensure it happens. Is that too much to ask for by the public?
