I am happier. I feel like a weight has been lifted. And, it will and has to be better because it couldn’t get any worse than it was.  I am a happy and proud again Malaysian.

I no longer feel shy or fudge my nationality when I am overseas. Yes, I did it. Not from lack of loyalty or patriotism to my country but by the sheer shame and embarrassment caused by the very people who were elected and promised to lead, nurture and grow Malaysia.

For far too many years, we have had to battle kleptocracy and corruption at levels, too much to bear even for us Malaysians, who are pretty much accustomed to the coffee money culture that abound. Hopefully, not for too much longer.

I have expectations from our new leaders and new government. But not too much.  No one can please everyone. And, no policy or legislation can take into account everyone’s interest. I know that and I accept it. I know there will be stumbles and even huge mistakes now and along the way. I have more faith and confidence in some of our ministers.  Others, a little less.  But, the collective whole will do a decent job of running this country because, I believe, they genuinely care for the well-being of the people of Malaysia.

My hope is for our new leaders to stand-by their manifesto, implement what they fought for and work in the people’s interests. No chop and change to the manifesto when it suits us, the citizens. There was a call for Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, our seventh Prime Minister to be Education minister although according to the Pakatan Harapan’s manifesto, the PM ‘‘will not hold other ministerial posts, especially the post of Minister of Finance.’ Some of us used our new-found freedom to encourage change through mainstream and social media and petitions but wise thinking and democracy prevailed.  Isn’t that what we voted for? Democracy.

No special treatments even for our newly appointed Finance Minister, Saudara Lim Guan Eng, who has a pending corruption case to deal with.  As there should be no obstructions and interference, my hope is justice will be served to the innocent. The rule of law must apply to everyone – by the book or get the book thrown at you. It is the same rule of law that is being applied judiciously to collate evidence before the innocent until proven guilty find their new homes behind bars.

Review projects and programs. Make sure they are economically and financially viable.

Limit the leakages and make sure they contribute towards the country’s coffers and benefit the people. It’s never a good idea to sell your backyard while you are still living in your house.

Freedom of the press to report without fear or favour. Of course, there will be a certain degree of bias. There are bosses to answer to and as humans we have inherent discriminatory bones in our beings. That said, freedom of the press means media has the right and choice to report all news, accurately, without sanction and sedition charges levelled at them. And, there is plenty to report. I have never consumed local news as ferociously as I have done these past weeks.

Transparency and accountability – so that we don’t find ourselves in the same mess that we are in now. I’d rather my government told me the truth. No blatant lies (that we cannot question) and willful deceit (that we cannot verify) by poker-faced ministers and government officers. While I wish it wasn’t so, I’d rather my government told me we are in debt up to our gills and explained what measures are needed towards repaying what is owed. I don’t want to be saddled with a burden, caused by a select group of people’s flabbergasting greed; but a debt is a debt and it must be repaid to protect Malaysia’s credibility, and credit rating.

I am a tax paying citizen who is willing to do what it takes to put the country back on the right track again. I will help, support, be patient (plans take time to execute) and cheer on this government as long as it stays true to its words and actions as promised in the manifesto.

I want to be kept informed. I want to be involved.  I want to know the truthful account of what my government is doing and how it is doing it to manage, grow and prosper the people and the country.

A friendly reminder:

If the government of the day doesn’t or conveniently forgets to share information after a while in office, I will ask and demand an explanation and appropriate action, as should every citizen, who elected this government into office.

We now have freedom of thought, speech and action after too many years of oppression and corruption. Freedom feels too good to lose, and it is our right to keep.