DEC 26 — It is a little less than a week to 2012. 

As many of you know, the Mayan civilization had many theories about the world ending on December 21, 2012. Some also spoke about the return of Planet X with six orbiting satellites displacing our solar system causing... well, the apocalypse that will be the end of planet Earth as we know it.

While the scholars and the astrologists debate about this, Malaysians have much to look forward to in 2012. 

The police and armed forces, for instance, can look forward to a better year ahead, with better equipment and whatnot.

Those who earn less than RM25,000 a year can also look forward to cheaper or more affordable housing under the People’s Housing Project, and more shelters will be built for the homeless under the Anjung Singgah initiative.

Anjung Singgah, apparently, will also provide food and welfare aid to those in need.

Taxi drivers can also look forward to a better year with tax exemptions on locally-made taxis, and compensation should they want to dispose of their old ride. This piece of news is, I suppose, the closest our taxi drivers will get to “Pimp my ride.”

Just read the “Budget for the people 2012” and I’m sure you will find something in there for you. 

In case the Mayans are right, I am look for something bigger this new year. I am looking for something that cannot be bought, exchanged or traded for. As such, I wish this for all Malaysians, of all walks of life.

I wish Malaysians have better work ethics and take pride in what they do, especially those contractors who build sub-standard roads that become a minefield of potholes after a few weeks, or those who build stadia that last only a few years. 

I wish that Malaysians will stop littering everywhere and I wish that we are allowed to throw water balloons at smokers who light up near us. 

I want our public toilets to emulate those of the PLUS R&R’s, and I wish the urinals would stop breaking down and the cleaners have better standards of cleanliness when cleaning the toilets.

I also wish that Malaysians have more courtesy. Don’t fart, dig your nose and scratch your front and behind in public, please. Give up your seat to the elderly and expectant mothers in the trains and buses without people asking and hinting for it. Everyone has a handphone so no need to show off by talking loudly on it, especially in cinemas unless you want popcorn emptied over your head.

I wish Malaysians would drive better, and abide by the signboards instead of treating them as part of the scenery. Slow drivers shouldn’t keep to the fast lane and those who speed, please do not use the emergency lane. It may be a good idea to have stickers for the elderly, women, pregnant mothers and those who enjoy the scenery by driving at 35km/h.

I’ve held, and watched, accident victims as they died by the road side while waiting for the ambulance. So maybe, just maybe we should start clearing up the dedicated lanes meant for emergency vehicles please? And if possible have the ambulances on standby at strategic locations instead of lumping all of them in the hospital?

I want to have more halal versions of Chinese cuisine around, i.e. “bak kua” substituted with beef, and let us have more of the chicken and beef floss, please?

On a similar note, but on a different level, I wish our leaders will make smarter statements, and that Santa would bring them more books to read. I also wish that they would stop bickering about Omega watches, porn stars, skin colour, the banning of books, politician’s version of Hudud, and instead put Malaysians’ welfare and progress where it matters most — in their hearts. We are losing FDI to our neighbours, and even sliding by Transparency International’s standards. 

By the way, I am still waiting to hear whether or not Limbang is ours, or if it has been sold for some RM300 billion worth of oil to Brunei.

I have not given up on our MACC, and I wish them the best of luck reducing the outflow of illicit money that came close to RM1 trillion in the past 10 years. I wish that they will act without fear or prejudice for the sake of the people and country they swore to protect. RM1 trillion would have allowed us to have a few successful GTPs, catapulting us many times into the league of the developed world. 

Of course, it goes without saying that I hope there won’t be any more “suicides” within MACC compounds nationwide.

To our men in blue, please look after us and not those who abuse us. Please help us keep the streets safe for the next generation and in turn you will get the respect that you so deserve. Tell your colleagues to dress smartly on patrols, and do not try making a quick buck, tarnishing the entire force’s integrity in the process. Remember this old adage, respect has to be earned and not demanded. 

As for our students, I wish you all the best in your endeavours as our revered leaders decide on a lasting, education policy. Master English and learn another language or two from your friends. We are after all a nation of colourful fabric.

To all Malaysians, let’s look forward by learning from the past. Let the politicians bicker while we hold steadfast to our principles and not let skin-deep arguments tear us asunder. We as a nation, are more mature, and are definitely more grown up today than before. 

Together we rise, and divided we fall. Let’s all make this wish list come true, say before December 21, 2012?

From the bottom of my heart: Happy New Year, Malaysia.

* The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the columnist.