Public share aspirations for year ahead, from walkable cities and safer roads to fair taxes and better workplaces
PETALING JAYA: As the nation steps into 2026, Malaysians say their hopes for the new year centre on a country that is fairer, kinder and built more thoughtfully around the needs of its people.
Across age groups and backgrounds, citizens shared their hopes for the year ahead – from walkable cities and safer roads to fairer taxes, better workplace practices and a more compassionate society.
Shazleen Azmi, 27, from Kuala Lumpur, called for an end to the relentless construction of shopping malls, urging urban planners to prioritise walkability and people-centric design.
“It would be great to have parks, bike lanes and pedestrian-friendly streets so we can move around without relying on vehicles all the time,” she said.
From Ipoh, Erriena Sari, 27, highlighted the frustration of motorists dealing with poorly maintained roads, calling for permanent solutions rather than repeated temporary repairs.
“It’s tiring to constantly avoid the same damaged spots, only for them to be patched temporarily and break again. A long-term solution would make daily commutes so much safer and easier.”
In Penang, Nafisah Hamdan took aim at the practice of rounding off prices despite the growing shift towards cashless payments, stressing that consumers should be charged the exact amount.
“No more rounding off payments now that we’re moving toward cashless transactions.
“If something costs RM5.53, just charge RM5.53. There’s no need to round it up to RM5.55. It may seem small, but it makes a difference when you’re paying for things every day.”
A Perak resident who wished to be known as Arena, currently working and living in Ipoh, urged the government to step up long-term support for the B40 and M40 groups amid rising living costs.
She said assistance should go beyond one-off cash handouts and focus on sustainable measures such as affordable healthcare, accessible childcare and upskilling or reskilling programmes to improve employability and income stability.
“If I had a magic wand for 2026, my main focus would be on making everyday life more manageable for ordinary working Malaysians. I am also calling for a more practical approach to tax relief and suggest targeted support for medical expenses, insurance, care for elderly parents and education to help ease financial pressure.”
On the political front, Arena expressed concern over ongoing instability, urging national and Perak state leaders to focus on effective governance and the delivery of promised initiatives.
She warned that prolonged political distractions could undermine public confidence, affect households and businesses, and hinder economic stability and sustainable growth.
Another Malaysian, Qistina Rashidi, 23, from Shah Alam, said she hoped 2026 would be marked by greater kindness and empathy, with less bullying, hate and racial slurs.
“I do not want to see cruelty normalised in 2026, including bullying, discrimination or people being silenced simply for existing,” she said, adding that society must become a safer space where individuals can be themselves without fear of judgment.
Meanwhile, Puteri Aina Farhanis from Kuala Lumpur called for improvements to workplace culture in both the public and private sectors, particularly in terms of flexibility.
“Employees should have the option to manage their schedules more effectively, whether through remote work, flexible hours or hybrid arrangements.”
She also stressed the need for fair compensation for extra work hours.
“Overtime pay should be compulsory, no matter how much someone earns. Just because a salary is high doesn’t mean employees shouldn’t be fairly compensated for extra hours. It’s about respecting workers and ensuring a healthy work-life balance.”
From walkable cities and fairer economic policies to kinder social values and better workplaces, Malaysians are clear about what they want in 2026 – a country that works better for its people.
