Sending New Year greetings in hard times… again

Around the same time last year, in a piece in The Edge weekly, I asked readers to help me frame the right New Year greeting to usher in 2014. Reason being, the forecast then was that we were in for a bad time – economically, in particular. And it turned out to be true towards the year-end.

Most readers who responded suggested the New Year message must sound hopeful instead of a mere “Happy New Year”. I agreed.

I said that it was not easy or “right” to wish loved ones, friends and everybody a “Happy New Year” when what in store was anything but happy.

And I’m saying it again this year because, as I write, share prices on Bursa Malaysia are falling, although some analysts are insisting we are not in a bear market… yet. And there have been reports saying that the weaker ringgit (and it is weak) may not boost exports. Oil prices are down, which is bad for oil-producing countries, even a minor producer such as Malaysia.

But low oil prices ought to be good for us simple consumers. Agree? No?

Well, anyway, we are warned also of high medical and ubat-ubatan costs when the goods and services tax (GST) debuts next year. There are other things that will be pricey, surely In short, many are predicting a challenging economy in 2015. But will it reach a crisis level?

And it’s disturbing, to say the least, to learn from the Malaysia Human Development Report 2013 that the majority of Malaysians will struggle during emergencies as they lack financial assets and many have no banking or financial accounts. Meaning, many Malaysians have zero savings.

Add that to the emergence of people who seem bent on driving a wedge between our communities. You know whom I mean. Not to mention the overzealous and holier-than-thou religious groups.

So, against such a backdrop, how can I wish everybody a happy 2015?

Tan Sri Tony Fernandes was reported to have said 2015 will be good for AirAsia and AirAsia X as far as profits go. Hope Fernandes is not the only Malaysian with high spirits.

Anyway, this time, I will not be asking readers for help. After taking last year’s readers’ responses and making minor adjustments, I think I have come up with the right formula.

And that is? Say the New Year greetings in Malay or Bahasa Malaysia, the national language. Instead of saying “Happy New Year, everybody”, I will say “Selamat New Year” or “Selamat 2015, everybody”.

“Selamat” in Bahasa Malaysia means “safe”. And it can also mean “welcome” and “good”. More importantly, “selamat” connotes hope and optimism.

Hence, my New Year greetings should bring hope of good things and prayers that we will survive whatever ordeal that is coming.

Selamat 2015, everybody. – December 27, 2014. 

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.