COMMENT | It is safe to say that 2020 did not turn out the way Dr Mahathir Mohamad wanted it.

Instead of achieving greater health, we were hit with a once-in-a-century pandemic that threatens the health of millions.

Instead of achieving greater economic prosperity, we have one of the worst years for businesses, with high unemployment and tens of thousands of companies shutting down.

Instead of achieving political stability, we had a series of unholy coup d’etats at the federal and state level.

The year 2020 consists mainly of two events – the pandemic and political instability – and one common theme – people following rules and politicians breaking them.

Once-in-a-century pandemic and how it got worse

From the day the virus got terrible, we have played our part. When the prime minister announced a nationwide lockdown, the number of...