In less than 70 hours, 2014 would be officially over and everyone would welcome the coming of 2015, although this year it is likely that Malaysians will invite 2015 with grim and probably absence of warmth and excitement.
2014 has been a tragic year for the world, particularly Malaysia.
Early March this year the nation was shaken when MH370 was reported missing en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. Malaysia Airlines has an impressive safety record, with only one fatality accident since its establishment back in 1960s. Understandably the incident shook the nation and the nation watched the investigation unfolded with shock. The remains of the plane remain largely unknown, not a single debris, victim or any traces could be found. It remains one of the greatest aviation mysteries to date.
Mid July 2014, 17/7/2014 night 11pm, Facebook was suddenly filled with news that Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, another Boeing 777, was shot down in eastern Ukraine. The news was a double blow to Malaysians, particularly MAS, as it is the second deadly incident involving MAS in less than a year for an airline relatively safe for 40+ years. The world, this time, was perplexed, angry, and extremely shocked, because this time it was clearly established that the plane was brought down by human. A barbaric act that snatched away almost 300 lives who have no involvement in whatever interests they had. The culprits, to date, remain unknown.
Just yesterday, Malaysia-based Indonesian AirAsia lost a plane in the vicinity of Jawa Sea, en route from Surubaya to Singapore. Until the moment of writing, the aeroplane remains unaccounted for. The lives of those on board are presumed dead, and the authorities are preparing for the worst.
Three aviation accidents, extremely deadly and earth-gripping, happened to Malaysia-linked airlines. Although the AirAsia case is an Indonesian aircraft, carrying Indonesian flag and bearing Indonesian name, it is still based in Malaysia, and the link certainly wasn't nice.
Besides aviation incidents, racist views that are uncalled-for are frequently made the headlines. The calling for the burning of bible by Ibrahim Ali angered Malaysians but he was let away scot-free for "defending the sanctity of Islam", according to the Attorney-General. What an excuse! Then ISMA, Perkasa and UMNO have frequently voiced out racist views and controversial comments like Muslims are not allowed to wish Christians Merry Christmas and these views, understandably, are simply preposterous. Extremists getting loud are, to some, a sign of desperation that those in power realise they could no longer cling on their position long, and thus resort to irrational, desperate measures to attempt to remain seated by making unfounded threats on issues never raised and claimed by keeping them in power, those issues would not be an issue anymore. What a laughing stock.
Then we have the worst flood to hit Malaysia in more than 30 years. Kelantan, the worst hit state, was inundated with water 2 floors high, and the people are trapped in some building completely in darkness with no electrical and water supplies and are sustaining their lives with whatever food they could scavenge before aids could reach them via air or boat. Hundreds of thousands are forced to evacuate and towns are literally paralysed and rendered inoperable. Lives have lost, but our Prime Minister was still playing golf in Hawaii and was "summoned" to come back due to terrible disaster. Another laughing stock. Let's just hope the water recede soon, it would be sad to see more lives are lost due to the monsoon season which is exceptionally terrible this year.
Outside Malaysia, we see Russia and Ukraine beginning to create tension and eventually we witness what the West called an intrusion. It is the tension between this two countries that brought down MH17. Then in Korea, a ferry sank and lives are lost, majority are high school student. Preliminary investigation showed sailor's negligence was part to be blamed, and the people are enraged because lives are disregarded to gain business.
In Taiwan a plane, ATR-72, crashed due to harsh weather. Again, lives are lost. In Africa, Air Algerie too lost a plane because of harsh weather and the plane broke into pieces on impact. In US, race relation gained some friction when a white policeman shot dead a black boy who witnesses saw unarmed and has his both hands raised went away scot-free, and then similar events broke out in other states. African-American have been, according to certain media, constantly discriminated against and this issue certainly hit the boiling point.
In Syria and Iraq, religious extremists ISIS expanded their territories and invaded Iraq, took control of Mosul, the second largest Iraq city and the site where Christians thrived, and declared a caliphate. Christians and Yazidi are slaughtered simply because of their religion and race. They are forced to either convert, pay taxes, or die. It is reported that those who opted for paid taxes are robbed of everything and was later told they have to either flee or convert. They face discrimination, and worse, genocide, for not professing Islam. ISIS also began recruiting people from various countries and threatened to obliterate the West. Kobane became the highlight when ISIS attempted to seize the control, but was stalled when US and other countries intervened.
Sydney Siege was partly inspired by ISIS. A lone gunman of unsound mind stormed into a Sydney cafe, held everyone in there hostage and forced them to stand against the window and hold a flag bearing Islamic symbols. After almost one day standoff, it ended with three dead.
US proposes to bring North Korea human right issues to International Criminal Court, but faces challenges from China, North Korea's ally, and to date is unable to make further movements.
There are more events that have happened in 2014. So many dark moments.
It ends in two days. Can 2014 end with no more sufferings and instead bring closure to all sad events that have yet to be closed?
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