Saturday, August 30, 2008

Perpaduan Teras Kejayaan

51 years ago, Malaysia gained her Independence from her colonial masters. In a few hours time, Malaysia will celebrate her Independence day to mark our freedom, our sovereignty and our success as a strong and independent nation.

I totally agree with Rockybru with his post (Merdeka!). It is indeed a very "quiet" Merdeka. This is because everyone has their eyes focused on September 16th. We all want to know if Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is merely throwing smoke bombs or will we really see a shift of power from Barisan Nasional to Pakatan Rakyat.

Malaysia is divided. Malaysia is not a war zone, not a war torn country and Malaysia is certainly not a poor or bankrupt country. Our country is classified as a Upper Middle Income Economies country and we have good Real GDP per capita as well. But I stress and underline the fact that Malaysia is divided because of politics.

Walk to the warung. Go to the community halls. Listen to the people. Everyone has their opinions on politics and everyone is taking sides be it Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Rakyat. Are we to succumb to pressure one day and follow the footsteps of Thailand and Indonesian politics where street demonstrations are more powerful than the police and the army?

I pray and hope that my country will not fall under pressure. I pray and hope that my country's politicians will be mature and serve for the best interest of the country. Let us all remain united and strong, no matter how we differ with political opinions. Malaysia ku mesti terus Merdeka kerana memang benar - Perpaduan Teras Kejayaan.

I do not want to give any Merdeka lessons on history or the meaning of being independent today. But allow me to share what I have been going through this week. Yes, two people talked to me about what they think of Malaysia and I am totally impressed with the two of them. Very passionate people about Malaysia and I know one day, they will make our country proud and fight to improve Malaysia.

Let me share a part of the chat that I had with one of them, a very close friend of mine reading Medicine in Australia. Promised her to keep her identity anonymous.


once i get home.. im gonna work on improving the hospitals...

well.. thats what most ppl who wanna stay on in aus wat.. money.. and a better life.. i dont see why we shud abandon our home ocuntry.. ther are refugees here from wartorn countries like sudan and all tryin2 protect their families here...

we on the other hand... malaysians.. not from a wartorn zone..just political issues.not even political riots like other places... and all we want is better life and money...

its not like we dont have a good life in msia.. we just want more...

and when i compare our greed to those running away from their homeland... its disappointing..

this is what happens when ur at a public childrens hospital.. :L

you see the ppl who cant afford private care.. i.e. u see the refugees, sudanese, africans, vietnamese etc...

it was actually my professors words that made me realise that... coz he was saying how alog of his patients.. are refugees.. and stuff like that.. and he only sees critical cases.. and he was sayin y ppl come 2 australia... you wanna run away as far as you can from the place thats torturing you and your family... the place most isolated etc.. australia.. :L

and i was like.. we're not being tortured.. we're not being controlled by the military etc.. all we want is money.. its good to get experience from developed countries.. coz it just makes you better... but it doesnt make sense to abandon your country.. just for better money... i dont see myself needing to support a family other than my parents.. so its not an issue...



For sure, I hope the country knows there are still people out there who are skilful and willing to help to build a better future. The country shall appreciate professionals and passionate people like her and a few of my other friends who are going back not for the power and not to exploit the riches of the country. These people are sincere and honest future experts who want to make Malaysia their dream home.

Malaysia is 51 years old. We are divided not only racially. But this time, an even bigger problem. Politically. It is politics that divide and crush a country's growth and stability, not race. And politics in this new era can either be Malaysia's pillar of strength or bitter pill.

Whatever it is, we shall spare politics for a day on 31st August. It is after all a sacred day. Malaysia ku Merdeka. Perpaduan Teras Kejayaan.

Merdeka ! Merdeka ! Merdeka !

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Notwithstanding the fact that 31st Aug is the day Malaya won independence, it is worth remembering that we are living in Malaysia and we owe it to HER to celebrate and honour 16th of Sept. It is afterall her birthday. Now, isnt that more sacred?