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Ushering in the Year of the Horse, we wish people of the world happy new year.

The Year of the Serpent saw economic slowdown and the destruction of the World Trade Centre, New York, on September 11. Then, America and her allies defeat the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.

Pax Americana has become more evident. America is exerting more power and she has sworn to eradicate terrorism such as Al Qaeda.

September 11 has changed international and national politics. Using the
pretext of fighting terrorism, governments tend to become more
authoritarian. They enforce more draconian laws such as the Internal
Security Act, ISA, in Malaysia.

Barisan Nasional says that Malaysia is an Islamic State whereas PAS insists on establishing such a state. However, in our multi-religious country, most Malaysians are opposed to Islamic State. They are also against any form of terrorism.

The economy is not good. Malaysia still has to improve her competitiveness. The depreciation of the Yen and the accession of China to the World Trade Organization make her sweat. We must get rid of the quota system and replace it with merits and needs.

For over 20 years, hundreds of thousands of legal and illegal workers have changed the social, economic and health atmosphere of the country. We require a royal commission to inquire into the complicated issue of immigrants.

Our education system has to adapt to the modern world like raising the
standard and allowing the types of schools to be built according to the
wishes of the communities. We have to train over 6 million students from
kindergartens to universities each year. But, the feudal mentality,
mediocrity and bloody-mindedness in some areas aggravate the situation. We also need a royal commission to overcome all the obstacles in education.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw