Malaysia at 50: My Three Wishes

Malaysia is 50 today!

I have three wishes for Malaysia:

ONE. I wish that Malaysians be wiser and socially mature. Let us not be driven fear or anger that blinds from that fact that Malaysia as a nation is constantly evolving and changing. Slow as it maybe sometimes, we need to be led by facts and knowledge.  Let us not be swayed by the different agendas, ego and emptions of others. Let us not be afraid to seek for knowledge and continue doing it through question, discussions, dialogues and even debates.

My hope is that in time we will be able to go beyond persons and personalities. A mature society arises when the people seek for knowledge and elected leaders be accountable for providing these knowledge truthfully and with integrity. It is  not about who is right but more of doing what's right. 

TWO. I wish that Malaysians be better friends with one another. There is so much division and separation. Many did not make enough efforts to emphase on unity and integration in a deep and holistic manner. We must make the effort to be colour-blind and to learn to appreciate one another.

There is so much we can learn from one another.

THERE. I wish we do not give up but continue to be patient. Democracy is not dead, it is a process. We must continue to endeavour with patience, compassion and peace in our hearts.

Let the future of our country be driven by such positive energies.

Happy Malaysia Day, 2013 everyone!

PEACE.

Happy Merdeka: Celebration of Hope for the future!

What do you feel when the police jumps in super swift action for wearing black, holding up a candle to state you stand on the principles of freedom and human rights while the police stand by entertained by a group of people hurling insults, holding up a cow's head inciting racial tensions and threatening bloodshed over the building of a Hindu temple in a majority Islamic community?

How do you feel when you see legitimately elected state governments being forced out of power - disregarding (almost every) the rule of law? What went through our minds as we see the Speaker of the Perak Assembly being dragged out by a group people reported to be the police like bouncers throwing out unruly customers from a night-joint?

What was the feeling when the saw the Hindraf protests, BERSIH rally and the latest anti-ISA movement quelled by the might of the police, while we see crime rate continues to rise and the often lament they there are not enough resources?

What goes through our minds as we see the continuous decline of the standard of English language and the apparent flip-flopping of education policies driven by political motivation? What do business people here feel as we continue to experience economic decline with no clear strategy moving forward? What about Beng Hock and the hundreds who have died in custody? The list goes on from death relation to H1N1 to road congestions.....

The feeling is of ANGER, FRUSTRATION and a sense of HOPELESSNESS to a certain extent. I bet there are more people thinking of migration now than before. Perhaps that's why migration services continues to be advertised on the front pages of Malaysiakini!

So, what does this all mean for Merdeka (Independence) Celebration on August 31st?

As a nation going beyond 50 years, we need to go beyond anger and frustration. Malaysians of all races needs to respond not react to situation. We need to be level-headed, calm and to respect one another - as this is the place we call our home. Let this Merdeka be a great start to the appreciation of one another and to acknowledge that we all had a role to play in building this nation of ours - no matter how small orbig a role.

Merdeka is also a reminder that we, Malaysians, must transcend beyond politics, political, parties and individuals. Merdeka is a reminder that we can make changes because we are empowered to. It is not just about wearing black, holding candlelight vigil and voice dissatisfaction. It also not mere parades and slogan designs. Merdeka should a celebration of the opportunities.

We must find a way and to go beyond the negativity and look forward to the future - forward to an opportunity for change.

Merdeka is about the celebration of hope. The hope for a better future for our country still exists.

Happy Merdeka everyone!

(2009)