For many of us, a New Year is akin to having a clean slate. Although it’s merely symbolic, the New year signifies a new start and with it the chance to make changes that hopefully will result in a better year for ourselves.
We can’t control the circumstances around us and we don’t know if the pandemic will be better or worse, but we can to a large extent control how we want our lives to be like: Less hectic, maybe. Less stressed, definitely. More meaningful, perhaps. And happy, always.
While not everyone buys into the practice of setting New Year’s resolutions at the start of every calendar year, many view resolutions as a motivation to try and start something new: a new hobby, an improved diet, more time with family or friends, more books to get through or simple, more time for ourselves.
Recent psychological research suggests that there are many good reasons to begin a new regime in the new year. When people want to change something in their lives, they often start at a temporal milestone, such as the beginning of a new year, say researchers from Sweden and the United Kingdom who conducted a large-scale “experiment” on New Year’s resolutions. This, they say, is the “fresh start effect”.
Resolutions that are more likely to be kept, they found, were those that were “approach oriented” (such as starting a new hobby or habit) compared to those that were “avoidance oriented” (quitting something like smoking, sweets or social media).
On average, the participants were about 25% more likely to meet their approach goals than the avoidance goals. “Instead of stopping things, you should start doing things,” said researcher Per Carlbring from Stockholm University in Sweden.
We can, however, turn an avoidance goal into an approach goal to maximise our chances of success, Carlbring said.For example, if the resolution was to lose weight, instead of saying that you would stop eating chocolates every day, you could instead resolve to start eating fruits or carrots instead, he proposed.
While some of us may have already made our resolutions, it’s still early in the year for the rest of us who are lagging behind or skeptical of resolutions to reconsider setting ourselves some goals or resolutions to achieve.
We speak to Malaysians from all walks of life, including leaders from NGOs and other organisations, about what their hopes for 2022 are, and their plans for the coming year.
Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) Deputy executive director
My hope for 2022 is for us – as a country – to be better prepared and more responsive, especially during challenges and disasters like the flood and the pandemic. There needs to be more foresight, accountability, and empathy – especially from our leaders, and there needs to be a flood post-mortem.
We need to remove double standards in enforcement and resources must be allocated fairly and adequately. Our response needs to be more inclusive.
As an NGO advancing gender equality, our goal for 2022 is to continue to serve women facing discrimination and abuse. Events like natural disasters often lead to an increase in gender based violence. So we must be prepared for a potential increase in violence following the floods as well. WAO is committed to do our part – providing free and confidential crisis services including consultations, case management, and shelter. We’re also committed to continue working with policymakers to improve overall policy response relating to gender-based discrimination and violence.
Head of Shelter, Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO)
I hope the universe will be kind to all human beings in 2022. 2021 was a tough year for all, and NGO service providers have not been exempt. It’s my hope that funding will be better in 2022, so that NGOs like WAO can continue to provide services for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. We want to see more women’s shelters and safe places in Malaysia. Another thing we hope to see is the Social Workers Profession Bill finally being made into law, so that social work will be a recognised profession.
On a personal basis, I also want to be kind to myself in 2022, and to continue advocating for the importance of mental health and gender equality in my own circles. As Head of Shelter at WAO, it’s my goal to help every woman and child who comes to the WAO Shelter feel empowered and better resourced to continue their journey in healing. It’s also my goal to help ensure that all women and children that WAO serve, will receive the assistance they need – not just from WAO, but from any relevant agency/organisation.
Executive director, Sisters in Islam (SIS)
Malaysians are still not out of the woods where the effects of the pandemic are concerned, especially in terms of their livelihoods. And now, with the added effects of the flood, many Malaysians have to deal with that while struggling to rebuild their lives.
So it is my hope is that we, the people, will be louder and more assertive in the call for accountability of our government. Many rakyat, civil servants and contract workers have gone above and beyond their call of duty, especially in the health and education sector, and it is my hope that they will receive the recognition they deserve.
I hope to see more Malaysians take their cue from others who have been helping those in need – #kitajagakita #benderaputih #daruratbanjir – the people who do this, they are the examples to follow and live by.
I believe that youth in action should be given the recognition to lead because they are more in touch with understanding and serving in a democracy.
For 2022, our work continues with regards to upholding and advancing women’s and children’s rights, alongside other civil society organisations, NGOs and individuals. The Malaysian government holds a seat in the UN Human Rights Council and needs to be held accountable where human rights is concerned.
Convener, Women’s Tribunal Malaysia
My hope is for Malaysia to rise, that we the rakyat will choose to move forward as Malaysians regardless of race, religion, belief and sexual orientation.
My resolution at the political level is to advocate for the recommendations from the Women’s Tribunal be realised.
At a personal level, my goal for 2022 is to improve my body and mind, to walk three million steps and to read at least 30 books.
Director, Childline Foundation, Child Rights Coalition Malaysia, Toy Libraries
My hope for Malaysia is to see a government that really believes and practises its slogan which is “Keluarga Malaysia” – prioritising Malaysia through its families because unfortunately, we don’t see this in the current flood situation.
As an NGO for children, we’d like to see a change in child rights and child protection in Malaysia so that the whole system will be effective.
The Child Rights Coalition Malaysia recently launched the 12 position papers on child rights and it’s our hope for the new year that the government, particularly the Ministry of Women, Family & Community Development, will engage with the NGOs with regards to the report that was submitted to Child Rights Coalition in Geneva.
One of the challenges NGOs face is trying to raise funds to run the NGO. So, I would like to see a charities commission be set up where funds are channeled to NGOs. Currently, most NGOs are “fighting for the same funds” from funders.
My goal for 2022 is that we - Childline Foundation Malaysia and Toy Libraries Malaysia – work towards sustainability, namely be able to generate income so that we can continue helping the community.
It is our hope that people will recognise that, just like adults, children have rights – to be safe, to education, healthcare, and others - and this applies to undocumented and stateless children, all long as they are in Malaysia.
On a personal level, I would like to enable more children to have play in their lives through the setting up of Toy Libraries and safe community spaces where children and their families can come together to interact and build community, and also borrow toys.
Founder and advisor, Jungle School Gombak Malaysia (social enterprise)
It is my hope in 2022 to generate more global awareness and expand the knowledge of Orang Asli cultural heritage for the continuous and sustainable well-being of the indigenous people. Their natural habitat, namely jungles, rivers and coastal areas should be preserved to ensure the balance of biodiversity in our environment and ecosystem.
Our 2022 goal for the Jungle School Gombak Malaysia is to have more collaborations and support from government agencies, NGOs, and other institutions to implement sustainable Orang Asli projects with sufficient funds.
We aim to help Orang Asli start ups and mentor them to maintain a balanced livelihood and improve their socio economic status, through eco-and-edu tourism activities at grassroot levels.
Co-founder and chief executive officer, Jungle School Gombak Malaysia (social enterprise), Licenced Orang Asli nature guide
I hope the whole world will realise that they cannot take the environment for granted after the Covid-19 pandemic followed by the floods. The Orang Asli communities need to rise up to spearhead efforts in sustaining the jungle and their livelihoods and this, in turn will have a positive impact on climate change.
For 2022, we aim to have more collaborations with many more indigenous communities to set up their own jungle schools at their own territories. This will enable them to teach local and international visitors about the Orang Asli way of life, bush crafts and jungle survival skills.
Chief executive officer, Make It Right Movement (MIRM), PWD (person with disability)
I look forward to more engagement with the OKU community and creating new possibilities for them in 2022. We’re looking at creating a PWD training module and having at least 25 PWDs join the training every quarter to prepare them and get them ready for office work.
As a mobility-impaired person (I have a partially-amputated foot), I would like to see more OKU-friendly walkways and buildings. Many places have staircases but they also need to have handrails at the side for those who walk with the aid of walking apparatus. Also, OKU toilets should not be used by the non-OKU and definitely not as places to smoke.
Community development manager, Make It Right Movement (MIRM), PWD
For 2022, I hope that accessibility barriers for PWDs to be removed in areas like education, employment, healthcare, and information, in order to ensure full and equal participation and integration of PWDs in society. I hope to inspire more community advocates for PWDs to be the voice of the community.
As a visually-impaired person (I was born blind due to congenital glaucoma) who is also currently heading the Bar Council Human Rights Committee on PWDs, I believe the rights of PWDs should be promoted and upheld by pushing for the amendment of the Persons with Disabilities Act 2008 to reflect Malaysia’s obligation under the Convention on the Rights of Disabilities.
It is also my aim to help create community awareness and remove stigma in the society against PWDs, through diversity and inclusion training, and also for corporates to open more doors for PWDs.
It’s time for society to change its perception, and move towards a rights-based approach by empowering PWDs rather than seeing them as welfare or charity cases.
Wellness coach. founder of Pendulums of the Universe (platform for the small enterprises of single mothers)
After surviving two years of the pandemic, I hope that 2022 will bring better and brighter prospects for everyone. I hope to see the recovery of the economy and our nation as a whole. I’m hoping that the floods will be the last of the catastrophes and that 2022 will be a better year for all. I hope that what has happened will bring the nation together to help one another and that 2022 will be a year with more caring, empathy and support all around.
My goal is to educate people how important it is during these times to stay healthy, and maintain their fitness and relaxation routines. I believe that wellness is not just on the outside (body) but it is also inside (mind and emotions).
It’s also my goal to give back to the community and help those who are less fortunate, and those who have been struggling, such as those whose livelihoods have been impacted by the pandemic and floods.
University of the Third Age vice president, Seniors Aloud founder
I wish for life to return to as near normal as possible to pre-Covid days, and for the people to continue upholding the true spirit of “Keluarga Malaysia”. We have seen so many excellent examples of this during the recent flood disaster where the rakyat came forward to help one another without hesitation.
It is my hope that in 2022, we’ll see less ageism towards older people especially in employment and upskilling opportunities. Leave no senior citizen behind in this digital era. Empower them so they can work longer if they need to, and save more for their retirement.
Personally, I intend to continue with efforts to amplify the voices of seniors so that their needs and rights will be heard by the government and the private sector. Removing the negative stereotyping of older persons will go a long way towards accepting them as valued members of society who can still contribute their experience and knowledge to the economy and nation-building.
As for SeniorsAloud and our warga emas in general, my message to them is: “Let’s be more proactive in taking care of ourselves. Let’s be responsible for our health and our welfare. Do not assume others will look after us in our old age. As we have seen in the past two years, life is unpredictable, so let’s be prepared for anything that may happen.”
Vanguards4Change founder, Childline Foundation senior child advocate
It hasn’t felt like new year yet. I guess with the prolonged dread of Covid-19, the floods and other crises, that excitement and sense of renewal is hard to find.
My hope for this year is to be the best version of myself, to be kind, to have love for myself and for all around me and to grow with all that the pandemic has given me. My 21st birthday was just last month, and I hope that for this new year, I’ll finally get to exercise my right to vote. I hope Malaysia, with the love of her people, heals herself. I hope that in this new year, we see justice, even if it’s a glimpse, it will be a fresh start to a just nation. I hope that in this new year, we see more love, beyond #KitaJagaKita, that we love one another regardless of the politics of race, religion or gender; I hope in this new year, we see prosperity - and that maybe, just maybe, we can breathe again.
In terms of my work in child rights advocacy, one of my goals is to work with my city council on implementing the Child Friendly Cities Initiative as a step towards a safer and friendlier city for children, both in terms of infrastructure and also socially.
As for Vanguards4Change, we may or may not have physical outreach sessions like before, but we are definitely looking to #Accompany2Empower more children and youth in championing child rights and digital resilience. With online learning and increased screen time, Internet access is as necessary as clean water for today’s generation. Digital resilience for children is needed now more than ever, and we hope that we can play a part in accompanying children to be informed, responsible and resilient digital users.
Student, /#MakeSchoolsASaferPlace founder
What I hope for the new year is for more opportunities of growth and learning to develop myself more as a person. Since this year I’ll be having my SPM too, I hope all will go well and I’ll be able to achieve my goals.
Other than that, I can’t wait to be able to vote and have #MakeSchoolASaferPlace go to even greater heights and impact as we get closer to the court proceedings as this could set a precedence for the sexual harassment issue in Malaysia.
Some of the personal resolutions I have set for myself are good marks for SPM and also to be healthier physically. Some of the backlash I’ve received from my activism has affected me negatively mentally and I want to have more confidence in myself so that I can move on with my goals despite any such pushback.
I’m also planning to write a book sometime next year and I also have a very big dream to one day have my own foundation to help young children and tackle sexual harassment issues.
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