THE Equalizer is full of dead people. Robert McCall, the character played by actor Denzel Washington, an ex-lieutenant colonel in the Green Beret, takes on the bad guys without remorse. The few scenes between him and the teenage girl dragged into prostitution, Terri (Chloe Grace Moretz), at their favourite restaurant are emotionally illuminating. The final scene when they met was framed with poise and style, and despite little being said between them, is heart-wrenching to say the least, in fact, one of the highlights of the movie.
Moments like these changed us, make us aware of the meaning of compassion and reminding us of our humanity. We are painfully aware that despite being a human living in a pressure-cooker atmosphere with insurmountable challenges, we are still touched by little things, by emotions, by our feelings.
Ten years ago, yesterday, one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history struck. It caused the death of 230,000 people in at least 14 countries. Aceh was badly hit.
To quote the American general, Colin Powel, “I have fought wars, seen many natural disasters, but I have never seen anything like the devastation that has hit Aceh”.
Understandably, we are shaken to the core. We are reminded of the power of Mother Nature. We are merely mortals despite our knowledge and technology. The stories that came out of those severely affected places were ones of perseverance and submission to Almighty. And, more importantly, bringing the best out of people. They helped each other, they got help and help came in many forms. Humanity is at its best in times of adversity. Goodness prevails.
To say that 2014 is an exceptional year is an understatement. It is one of the most challenging in recent memory. It is a year of turmoil, turbulence and uncertainty.
Conflicts erupted in many places. Many have died and those who survived suffer. The Syrian conflict is not abating, in fact, it is taking a more dangerous form. Palestinians are far from seeing peace, in fact many more were killed this year than the last five years by Israeli soldiers.
This is also the year of living dangerously for journalists, at least 204 of them were killed in their line of duty. Syria was the bloodiest conflict for journalists, 17 deaths so far, and counting. In total, 79 journalists have been killed in the country since 2011. Half of the journalists killed were in various conflicts in the Middle East.
There is a new element emerging as the result of the turmoil in the Middle East: the rise of Islamic State (IS). The gruesome killings of journalists by IS operatives are shocking. More worrying is the fact that IS is recruiting cadres in many Muslim countries, including Malaysia. We ought to be concerned.
What happened in a Sydney café last month was another reminder of an act by a lone wolf believing he was speaking on behalf of his faith. My worry is how many more “lone wolves” out there are waiting for the time and opportunity to pounce on innocent people.
It is worrying that religion is being hijacked by the noisy few. And racism is rearing its ugly head. Ironically, as we are more wired and connected, we are more divided. What used to be diversity which was the key to our strength is now becoming a liability.
We should remind ourselves of the complexity of a nation like ours. We can’t move forward with confidence and vigour unless we speak and think as one. Unity is key to our future. But politics divides, so too race and religion, if we use them as tools for our own ends.
The voice of reason must prevail. The national agenda must not be hijacked by anyone. The spirit enshrined in our Constitution must be protected at all cost. We are a nation built on tolerance and comradeship. That must not change.
We support the prime minister in his pursuit for the middle path. It is not an easy route to choose. But we have no choice. It has not been an easy year politically, too, for the ruling party, but that must not derail them from their mission to bring peace, harmony and prosperity to all Malaysians.
We have seen how Malaysians mourned the death of the passengers and crew of MH17. We condemned the shooting of the passenger plane. We shed tears together — as one. And we sent messages by the millions hoping for the best to happen to MH370.
We are united in grief. Let us be united in ensuring a better future.
Time magazine’s Person of the Year 2014 are the Ebola fighters. I concur with that choice. I salute the men and women who are facing death themselves in helping the victims. I have no choice of my person of the year this time, though I have in mind those who speak the language of moderation.
Yesterday, those professing Christianity celebrated Christmas. I wish them Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
I have been doing that every year and no one shall stop me from doing that, ever.
Twitter @Johan_Jaaffar)