2021 gave us a multitude of challenges. We faced one crisis after another from health to natural disasters with words such as pandemic, lockdown, flood and landslide constantly on social media.
So, what will 2022 bring?
Malaysians have proved that together, we are stronger. We take care of each other as a family without prejudice. No matter what comes our way, we persevere, ready to achieve greatness in solidarity.
To begin with, we achieved success in fully vaccinating 98 per cent of adults and 79 per cent of the total population.
This is quite a feat considering only 43 per cent of the world's population have been fully vaccinated, based on the World Health Organisation database.
While working towards the endemic stage of Covid-19, we also witnessed a natural disaster late last year.
Although floods and landslides are not foreign to us, we were caught by surprise when massive floods and multiple landslides occurred across the country.
Some have claimed that the losses from the floods could amount to billions of ringgit, based on estimates of damage to households, private properties, businesses and industries.
In the aftermath, the nation needs to work together to rebuild the affected communities. Better public infrastructure has to be put in place for them.
The rebuilding must be done with higher safety standards to reduce disaster risks, and to minimise human and economic losses in future.
It's not merely about infrastructure, but also more inclusive and comprehensive economic development that will leave no one behind.
The government has announced a RM1.4 billion aid package for flood victims, which includes financing for businesses, cash aid of RM1,000 for each head of household, RM10,000 for the next of kin of deceased flood victims, and vouchers worth RM500 to buy new electrical goods and RM1,000 for vehicle repairs.
In addition, the government will provide RM2,500 to each family to purchase essential goods and cash assistance of up to RM5,000 for home improvement.
The private sector has also stepped up. Among others, Tenaga Nasional Bhd is offering flood victims a full rebate for December 2021 bills, and Perodua is providing a free towing service to its service centres with a 50 per cent discount on spare parts, free labour charges and related services.
The third sector, which involves civil society and non-governmental organisations, has actively mobilised to assist flood victims, including providing necessities, medicine and cleaning services.
Not to forget, individuals have also contributed in terms of money, time and effort to assist the flood victims.
In addition to the aid, we need to ensure that proper investment is made in disaster prevention and preparedness. According to a World Bank report, the benefits of investing in measures to manage disaster risks can significantly outweigh the costs.
As we recover from the pandemic and natural disasters, 2022 provides us with an opportunity to adopt a sustainable and inclusive development path by strengthening social protection, boosting investment in risk reduction and enhancing institutional preparedness.
Although Malaysia's economy saw a contraction of 5.6 per cent in 2020, it rebounded 7.1 per cent in the first half of last year.
The 2022 Budget has projected that the economy will expand between 5.5 and 6.5 per cent based on strong fundamentals and a diversified economic base.
The speed and quality of public service delivery will be key to bringing back the people's hope for a greater Malaysia in 2022.
The writer is head of cluster for economics and public finance, National Institute of Public Administration
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times
