In KL, As Buildings Grow Taller, Our Hearts Grow A Little Emptier

When I saw the news of that new tower that's going to be taller than KLCC, all I could think of was a single figure on a bicycle struggling to pedal uphill that I saw on my way to work a few days ago. 

As we all zoomed past him on our fancy cars, intent on our morning commutes, there he was, out in the heat, pedalling away to his next job (based on the equipment he had with him, he was on his way to cut grass).

Now I've no way of knowing his lifestyle, but I'm assuming it's simple. Perhaps, for us wrapped up in our technological bubble, even remote. 

And then contrast that to the glitzy new tower being built.

Image taken from here.

In our push towards a “modern” and “first-class” society and its fancy trappings, why aren't the social equalities being addressed to match? 

The rural-city gap here remains. Those with the right knowledge, exposure and drive, thrive. Those without…? They make do.

I can't see ourselves as a first class society where we still have so many social ills and inequalities that remain unaddressed. 

Just follow local activist Syed Azmi for a week or so, and you'll only be too aware of so many terrible circumstances not too far from where we live. 

The way things seem to be going, a lucky and privileged few are going to get to enjoy the comfort and convenience of modern tech. And we'll even get to ignore everyone else outside of that, if we want to. 

The rest of Malaysia? Well, they'll be struggling to pedal uphill.