When we have our nimble steps into a new year, and jubilantly countdown its coming by congregating in few identified spots, let's have a sobering and pensively thought for a moment with all the happenings around us in the year of 2003.

The most delighting event will be a smooth transition of PM position in Malaysia, which symbolises an epitome of a "muhibah" society. There is no friction and no querrel among our Malaysians. We, who borned in this god-blessed land, are always grateful and complacent to live in this multi-racial society with cuddling mood and in harmony. In the sports field, the excellent performance of Wong Choon Hann to garner his second championship title in Copenhagen after his first at Taiwanese Open Badminton Match was exquisitely a pride of Malaysian. Nazmizan's prestigious title as South-East Asia top sprinter was also so memorable as this Terengganu "kampung" boy successfully ended the drought in 100m and 200m since 30 years ago. Our economy registered an upswing by the growth at 5.4% and recorded a dizzle of bullish stock market, giving a rosy and optimic outlook to local investors. Meanwhile, in the era of world insights, the capture of Iraqi tyrant Saddam Hussein pronounced a marvellous relief to all Iraqis which indicating the end of the dictator's kingdom.

But, we are also confronted with sorrows which were happened arround us, either locally or globally. The collision between two buses near Kuala Lipis-Merapoh which causing death to 14 passengers will never be forgotten by citizens. Likewise an errorant lorry driver rammed into 4 motorcyclists who hailed below flyover from the downpour of rain, and none of them was survived. In the global picture, the year started with SARS cases which sickening more than 8,000 people in Asia and Canada, and it was followed by the explosive Iraq war, making hundred of thousands Iraqis homeless, dead, and were enveloped with sorrows. The recent devastating earthquake which demolished Bam, Iran had killed 28,000 Iranians below the ruins of flatten building. In Hong Kong yesterday, again we were stunned with Anita Mui's death of cervical cancer at her 40 after Leslia Cheung's tragic suicide on April Fool Day this year.

The new year always spells fresh hopes and dreams. According to Chinese calendar, the year of 2004 will be the "Monkey Year", and it just gives an undescriptable mood to me to have my second cycle of Monkey Year. Thus, I resolve for a good health and happy family, well brought-up and decent, delivery of passionate love, smooth starting of career after graduation, healthy social lifestyle, wholesome and courteous, steady yet significiant personal improvement, prudent and sensible with any unwanted events.

With a rosy outlook, I optimisically expect a good year for all citizens. It is not necessary a prosperous year, but I pray for a peace, happiness and good health, free of natural and man-made disaster or serious diseases, balanced and criminal-free society for Malaysians and all people around the world.