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The new year and decade is an opportunity to bring about change for the better, not only in the economy but also in social development.

A DECADE into the noughties, much has changed in Malaysia. The imbalanced drive for economic development of the nineties eventually gave way to significant milestones within the sphere of social development in the new millennia, from within the organic field of civil liberties to the birth of new media, and the increased awareness of having a progressive arts and culture environment.

The next decade will likely build on these advancements and the hard economic lessons of the nineties.

We can’t have one without the other and the question of this country’s drive to developed nation status becomes more acute with that “vision”.

Yes, Vision 2020, which is but a mere 10 years away.

My hope, and I can’t speak for everyone, is that 2010 and the decade onwards will be one of balanced growth in both economic and social development.

Both are critical if Malaysia intends to forge ahead with its perhaps forgotten promise of Vision 2020 – the year this nation is to become fully developed.

Greater discourse in the public sphere on vital issues relating to religious matters, sexual rights, child rights, local government, access to justice, among others, still has not seen these issues fully resolved.

The picture becomes even more stark when viewed against the current state of the economy.

Despite not returning to pre-1998 levels of economic health, and barely surviving the American sub-prime debacle, we remain unfocused on what needs to be done for us to move on.

We have for some reason become less competitive and carry on with an inflation rate that has caused the Government to come out praying its citizens would forgive and forget when it comes to cutting back on subsidies on essential items.

According to a recent Wikipedia entry on the topic of Vision 2020, our current Prime Minister had in August 2009 stated that this target would be impossible to meet due to the “recent global conditions”.

It went on further to add that, with adjustments, it was likely that Malaysia would attain developed nation status only by 2030.

Again, I fail to understand how it is simply about that spoilt brat they call the economy. And again, I ask what about social development?

If Malaysia sees it as all being about the economy, I suggest it takes a long hard look at our neighbour to the south.

I can understand that the government of the day still prefers to look at development in economic terms, but that is so eighties.

The next decade will hopefully see this nation finally mature with an even handed temperament that will on the one hand respect our diverse cultures and, on the other make us aware of the prospect that despite our differences we are the same, be it our needs or our aspirations.

We are all intertwined and none distinct from the other within.

If we cannot galvanise ourselves to understand what is crucial to this nation, then we truly are not competitive and can only wonder why foreign investments are not what they used to be, or why investors are uprooting their manufacturing bases in this country for other pastures.

For law enforcement, to simply dump funds to increase the personnel within the police force is simply not good enough, because more police personnel do not equate to better aptitude and acumen, it could on the contrary mean a dilution and a drop in standards.

Training in crime prevention will be futile if there is no understanding of it.

There has also got to be a better conviction rate for crime against persons, and a better success rate with our prosecution service.

Simply being able to charge someone in court and making headlines for it will not pass muster.

Yes, I want it all for us.

Why should anybody accept less?

It is still an acceptable notion that we are all in it for an honest pay for an honest job well done.

So, why are we not pushing hard for changes that matter – it is something all of us have to think, or even blog, about for an answer.

The following are some of the wishes of the members and leaders of the National Young Lawyers Committee of the Bar Council:

“My wish for 2010 is that we will all learn to speak less, listen more, consider others as better than ourselves and treat each life as a precious gift from God.” – Ng Kong Peng

“I wish that there will be stricter laws to curb rising crime, enabling the citizens of Malaysia to live without constant fear of snatch thieves, robbery or road violence.” – Fam Yu Min

“I wish that our Government will no longer take the rakyat for granted, and to stop assuming that we will turn a blind eye to blatant corruption and cronyism.” – Donovan Cheah

“Crossing over is never easy. It needs courage and determination, which I hope to see this year.” – Andrew Yeap

“I wish the public and my fellow members of the Bar understand the inherent role of lawyers, that is, to promote not only territorial, but also personal democracy, by providing insights and initiating law reforms to enhance individual rights and open representative government.” – Noor Arianti Osman

“I wish that all Malaysians will be able to freely discuss and talk about issues that are on their mind without any opposing party resorting to draconian laws, violent intimidation and threats. I also wish that Malaysians will be kinder to all animals and be more responsible to the environment and nature.” – HR Dipendra

“Wishing for a Malaysia that recognises the importance of the rule of law, to embrace that rule of law and to implement a rule of law that is just, equal and right!” – Richard Wee.

So to 2010, let’s all be mindful of each other and take it somewhere forward.

The writer is a young lawyer. Putik Lada, or pepper buds in Malay, captures the spirit and intention of this column – a platform for young lawyers to articulate their views and aspirations about the law, justice and a civil society. For more information about the young lawyers, visit www.malaysianbar.org.my/nylc.