BY: HAFEZ SAIDIN

From the corridors of power in Putrajaya, right down to the man on the street, Malaysians are besieged by paranoia and this has become more apparent and noticeable since the Covid 19 pandemic.

Is this what the new normal is supposed to mean? If this is the case then the people in this country are in deep trouble and in dire need of much counsel and therapy to help them overcome living in fear, anxiety and nervousness.

The reason why many people in this country are not their normal selves and are actually beside themselves is simply because they are caught up in too much hype, too many activities and attractions promising easy wealth, pleasure and heavenly sensations.

Malaysians are constantly looking over their shoulder to see if some power or authority is on their tail and if they have done something wrong, thus causing them to live in much distrust and suspicion of everyone and everything.

This is where authority figures in this country are to be blamed for cracking the whip on Malaysians for petty, trivial faults and bullying and cowering them into fear and submission by over punishing the people which is the cause for them to become paranoid.

If life is therefore miserable for many Malaysians as they rush from pillar to post for fear of being left behind, the question to ask is whether the pursuit of wealth and greatness is worth the toll it is wrecking on our lives?

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE

** The views expressed on this opinion is of the writer and not the publisher