For better or worse, Malaysia will always be home

FMT:

For better or worse, Malaysia will always be home


Let’s believe that, in our own small way, each of us can help make Malaysia a better country for all

What a busy August for independence celebrations. First there was Singapore (Happy 60th, Singapore!), then it was Indonesia turning a sprightly 80. And now it’s Malaysia’s turn.

From somebody who at 68 is as old as Merdeka, Happy National Day, Malaysia.

I’m celebrating with a Malaysian flag, a nice big one that I fly in the privacy of my study. No pictures – in case some politician catches rabies and starts foaming at the mouth about it.

Such rabid creatures shouldn’t be allowed to roam freely in our country, but then, what do I know about rabies.


In September we’ll be celebrating the 62nd Malaysia Day. Our East Malaysian brothers and sisters will join in then, with at least a smidgen more enthusiasm than what they’ve shown for Hari Merdeka. But who can blame them?

The three parts of Malaysia do have different days for their Merdeka after all.

I’m not a political commentator. I’m not privy to secrets of what’s happening behind closed doors – whether of parliament or ministerial offices or some seedy hotel room.

Take any political comments I make with a huge dose of vinegar. In other words, I’m as reliable as the next idiot writing about Malaysian politics. But I’m a Malaysian who cares about this country we call home. And I’m sure you are one, too. So, hear me out.


Going south

I read recently that we lost a hundred thousand citizens to Singapore in the last decade. That’s a pretty big number – and big in quality as well, because Singapore is picky in giving out its passports.

They are certainly a loss for Malaysia. Many went there because of higher salaries, especially if earned in Singapore and spent in Malaysia. But we all know that’s not the only reason. Our politics play a huge part in this loss too.

Have things become better in Malaysia? Not much. The same political parasites are still there. They’re still spewing hateful rhetoric and creating racial division – profitable for their political career and, no doubt, for their bank accounts too.


But have things got worse? I actually don’t think so. Better or worse are obviously very subjective and relative. In spite of everything, Malaysia is still a great place for hardworking people to build a good life in spite of its often corrupt and larcenous leaders.

That’s the thing about Malaysia. We are swimming in political toxins produced by racist politicians, especially the many in the Malay political parties that have always been in control.

Yet we’re still here; kicking and screaming perhaps, but still here.

We often hear of ex-Malaysians who wax lyrical about their wonder new life in a new land. Good for them, and long may that last. But I don’t think we give enough credit for how resilient and resourceful are the Malaysians who stay back.

Greener grass?

The reality is there are also many who come to appreciate Malaysia better only after cutting ties. As it is said, sometimes the grass is greener on the other side of the fence because it’s growing over a septic tank, and it’s only when you step on the grass do you notice the sewage.

How should us “loyal” Malaysians feel about those who left for another country? Are they traitors, turncoats? Should we redouble our efforts to show how great Malaysia is, to counter those who claim it isn’t?

I’m quite sanguine about this. In spite of borders and walls – including, and perhaps especially, those of the so-called advanced countries – we’re all citizens of the world. We all belong on this God’s earth, even if in reality politics and xenophobia makes belonging sometimes difficult.

I have three children who live abroad. One even has the coveted permanent residence in one of those highly sought-after western countries. A niece is not far from being added to the hundred thousand “new” Singaporeans.

My other two children are completing their advanced studies far from home. In all likelihood, given the nature of their specialism, their future would be best served by staying abroad.

They certainly love Malaysia. That’ll continue no matter what choices they make over the coming years. They adore Malaysia, and I say that fully acknowledging the “privilege” they had being born Malays and …ahem ahem…having me as such a wonderful father!

So now my wife and I are empty nesters. We fill our time with the child who remains in Malaysia and with his new family; a few pets, our love of durians and miscellaneous Malaysian foods, friends old and new, and lots of travels, sometimes together, sometimes separately.

Getting away

The thing about travelling is that, if you’re open-minded, you’ll learn a lot about the lands you visit, also about aspects of your own land you usually take for granted, and of course about yourself too.

When I’ve been in Malaysia for too long, I get wound up about the stupidity and at times pure depravity of many of our fellow Malaysians, especially the political class that knows being racists pay good dividends.

Then I’d travel abroad, often for months at a time. But soon enough I’d get to my “Malaysia Not So Bad Lah” stage and can’t wait to come home to the sun and rain and food and people and the sense of familiarity and belonging.

I won’t belittle anybody’s struggles against whatever aspects of Malaysia that have not treated them well. But I’d urge them, if not in their mind than at least in their heart, to separate the country and people of Malaysia from the politicians.

We’re one of the luckiest countries on earth. While we may not be as rich as some – such as our neighbour down south whose name I won’t mention because they’ll just get big-headed – we’re also so much better off than many others, including in many aspects even that southerly neighbour too.

While many want to leave for personal or professional reasons, many others also want to come to Malaysia, whether to visit or even to live. We’re one of the best-kept secrets in the region, though one that more and more non-Malaysians are discovering every day.

The truth is, much of our happiness is in our hands. Happiness lies in our family and friends and those who share our struggles and our way of seeing the world. If we let bitterness sour our souls, we may never find happiness anywhere, regardless of how “perfect” those new places are.

Asia’s turn

Having retired, I’m beyond having to make major life decisions. I can go and live abroad, but I won’t. I just won’t find a similar quality of life as I have here. And it helps that – as a wise friend has advised – I keep my expectations low and my tolerance high.

Furthermore, I believe this century is Asia’s century. This is where the action is. I love the vitality and the optimism we see around us. Sure, we whine a lot – seems like it’s an Asian thing – but we also do believe our future will be better than our past.

Many of the usual western bastions that for decades have been seen as superior to poor little Malaysia aren’t quite humming along lately, faced with the economic and social issues of countries that have peaked and are now sliding downwards.

Many of their people are in full, arrogant denial. Some are drifting into scary directions. I nowadays often see their countries as selfish, mean, sclerotic and often bereft of compassion and conscience.

Let’s make it better

Now, if you have lots of money, life anywhere can be good. But that means it can be good in Malaysia too. If you’re still here, be the force that works to make things better.

You don’t have to do this by going into politics and passing laws and legislation, or going into business and making a lot of money for yourself.

You just have to be nice, decent people and reduce the ranks of rascals in Malaysia by at least one.

You can help to free Malaysia from a culture that allows those political parasites to profit off us. Let’s work to make things better, one neighbour, one friend, one student, one employee, one stranger at a time.

The world now is a much crazier place, such that Malaysia doesn’t seem that crazy after all. We don’t have to be a shining beacon for all to aspire to. It’s enough to just be an under-stated, under-rated hidden gem where the positives trump the negatives.

Let’s care enough to help Malaysia put some distance between herself and the rest of the world, especially as much of the rest of the world seems to be regressing.

Let’s free ourselves from the self-sabotaging thoughts and actions. Let’s “Merdeka” ourselves from constantly putting ourselves down. Let’s believe that in our own small way, each of us can help make Malaysia a better country for all.

Happy Merdeka, Malaysia.