LETTER | The Orang Asli residents at Kampung Sungai Teras are reported to be the first group of locals to benefit from the latest by-election campaigning in progress. On the record, after five decades, an electricity supply is finally being installed to houses.

The reality check is, it took the government some 63 years after gaining independence to bring a fundamentally basic amenity to a village of natives totalling 226 citizens.

For a nation that never fails to mesmerise its citizenry with the bloated accolades of progress and development often mirrored by superstructures of mortar and trumpeted GDP growth figures, we actually needed six decades to bring electricity to villagers.

A country with a tiny population of only 30 million by comparison with a majority of our immediate neighbours, we needed such a long time to ensure that the benefits of national progress and governmental efficiency could be shared with 226 citizens.

In all likelihood, are there many more such episodes of failure to share the wealth of the nation across the 329,847 sq km of land that we call 'our' Malaysia?

This year, as the nation marks its 63rd year of independence, our politicians and leaders must search their conscience before God, the King and the citizens.

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