On Saturday, most of the 21 million Malaysians who are eligible to vote will make one of their most important decisions in life. Which candidate? Which political party?
While those in the uniformed forces and have to work on that day have exercised their right through postal voting earlier, the rest will do a lot of soul-searching, especially those who're still undecided, before marking "X" on ballot papers.
In the last few weeks, we've been courted, wooed, pursued and charmed by political hopefuls who have been promising how they can make our country and lives better over the next five years.
Some of the things that were uttered even bordered on "tak masuk akal" or incomprehensible.
Have you ever thought that their destiny is in our hands? That we should now exercise our right and wisdom to determine who should represent us?
And who would really have the integrity, acumen, astuteness, sensitivity and level-headedness to make good leaders?
Would it be too much to expect the political aspirants to undertake selfless service as exemplified by a few notables in the past by putting the people's welfare first before their own?
For many of us, it may be another piece of paper to mark an "X". But for the candidates, it means a lifetime's destiny of untold possibilities if they were to win.
Imagine the passport to fame and fortune if they played their cards right by aligning themselves with the right alliances.
And we've not been short of stories of how much politicians have been earning by being in positions of power. No need to name them here. They're already household names.
And to some, even the lucrative and legitimately official salaries, allowances and perks along with revered positions are not enough. They've resorted to rewarding themselves through shady means.
Unwittingly, these politicians may contribute to perpetuating more expansive ecosystems of fraud, pay-offs, bribery and extortion by not being honest.
Compliance with accountability is thrown out of the window, especially when you have like-minded people who become complicit in questionable pursuits.
We sorely need competent politicians who are forward-looking and can take Malaysia to greater heights in areas that we've lagged behind.
Like having ministers who know what they're talking about and be exemplary to the people they lead in their workplace.
Ministers who can trailblaze and not be misled by government mandarins as illustrated in Yes Minister, the famous political satire that followed the career of a British minister who struggled to formulate and enact policies or effect changes because they were constantly thwarted by senior government servants looking after their own interests.
Putting aside the euphoria of the cut-throat election campaigning and the accompanying "entertainment" at times, the bread-and-butter, nasi lemak or mee hoon issues affecting Malaysians are aplenty.
Going by the constant airing of grievances in the mainstream and social media or in everyday conversations, several fundamental issues need serious attention by the new governing administration.
Chief among these are access to quality education, better public amenities, improved pay and job opportunities, more attractive investment policies and a conducive business climate.
And not forgetting attaining lower costs of living and improved food security, helping "landless" farmers, and effecting more desirable ethnic policies for better harmony and cohesion among the people.
We need a more potent education curriculum that can make Malaysians more employable, either locally and abroad.
What's the use of having graduates or school leavers who can't be absorbed into the high-paying job market?
How long can the government afford to give hand-outs to soothe their pains while we wallow in an environment of too few good jobs caused by investors who're reticent about doing business in Malaysia because of opaque operating procedures?
If only these issues can be tackled head on while less time is spent on politicking, like guessing "who's supporting us, who isn't and how can me make a fast buck", Malaysians can look forward to a better future. Let's choose wisely on Nov 19, 2022.
The writer is a former Bernama chief executive officer and editor-in-chief
