Disclaimer : This is a rant, which voices out lots of my frustration with the pandemic management in Malaysia – so you might not end reading this feeling better than when you started.

July last year had The Mister and I cancelling our engagement ceremony. To be honest, it wasn’t all misery because we understood how serious the pandemic situation was. People were facing far bigger problems than rescheduling an event.

Since then, I had sent both invitation+cancellation cards twice for our wedding (once in Dec 2020 and another time in June 2021). Even then, I was not really bummed by the situation. It was, yes, a pandemic. People had it worse, losing their family members, jobs. I felt for those who have not been able to travel to meet their families and loved ones for a year. Many basically have put their life on hold.

When nations worldwide ramped up their vaccinations, all we received were statements of ‘what we expect’ rather than ‘what we are doing’. The vaccination rate, while recently is commendable, was far too low from February to about mid-June. We’re basically the sloth in the vaccine race globally. Registration had Malaysians going on what felt like Hunger Games, only to be frustrated at how poorly the website works.

These past month, however, has been absolutely exhausting and dreary. One cannot plan beyond the weekend. Personally and professionally, I felt as I was stucked in what seemed like an unending tunnel. All thanks to the incompetent, overpaid idiots in a very large, yet most useless cabinet worldwide.

Our Prime Minister (and his advisors) think it’s imperative to change his official name AND let the rakyat know of his diarrhoea situation in so much detail BUT refuses to resume Parliament sessions. Meetings about pandemic management often has to wait for tomorrow or the day after; but 1 am gatherings can happen when a supporting party of coalition withdraws. Power crazed old men, who care about nothing but staying in power.

Senior politicians and political appointees (poor old high risk, privileged clowns) go on to make fool of themselves. From suggestions to drink warm water as cure to COVID-19, to high-school like bickering and blame games of what industries can operate during lockdown. Number of cases keep increasing, and the man who has failed to manage the situation gets promotion and clocks in with a shameless, guilt-free smile on his first day as a Deputy Prime Minister.

I am not usually very opinionated about politics in general – but these past year has triggered a very bitter-youth in me, who’s appalled at the state of her nation. What’s more frustrating is that those are supposed to care and resolve the matter are playing deaf and dumb. Even if the PN coalition were to lose majority, there isn’t much hope our PH took over – because the race sentiment always will triumph competency.

Some glimmer of hope, we see, when Young MPs are doing more good for the rakyat in their constituents than the ‘seasoned’ bunch. Commoners have gone all out to lend a helping hand in whichever way possible. Rakyat are more vocal these days when it comes to calling out any failures (read: stupidity) of the governing gang of politicians.

But…. I find it difficult to wholeheartedly believe that Malaysia will heal, and regain her former glory. The future does seem bleak, in all areas, be it politics, economy, education, unity or development. It’s like we have literally gone backwards. It’s very difficult to feel patriotic about a nation that’s broken the mandate of its people.

To not end this so bleakly (just like my future is, oops), I should say – hang in there! Like really, talk to your loved ones, find a hobby, and try to keep your spirits up. The ride might be rough, and a little longer than we would have expected.