Faith and the Nation: Why the Malaysian Project Needs Rescuing
By Farish A. Noor ~ December 2nd, 2009. Filed under: TOM_Main, The Other Malaysia.
Reading the comments that we received after the posting of the note ‘Migration as Protest’, we were somewhat dismayed at the overall negative tone of so many who wrote in to say that they were despondent and had given up with the Malaysian project itself, to the point where many Malaysians were contemplating of leaving the country for good. That this can come at a time when the Malaysian project is still being debated and contested in the public domain does not bode well for a country that is, after all, only half a century old. Have we, as a nation, grown so jaded and pessimistic already?
Let us remember the crucial fact that all nations are imagined entities that are composite and put together via the collective aspirations of its members. And let us remember that nations only exist as long as we believe in them. To paraphrase Nietzsche: Once we begin to doubt and question the existence of God, then God is, in a sense, already dead to us. Likewise nations are sustained by faith and belief, and faith that is translated into action and commitment.
Malaysia is not made up of the buildings, towers, shopping malls and highways that dot our urban landscape. Those edifices do not even know that they are part of the Malaysian landscape, in fact they dont know anything at all.
But we - citizens - are the building blocks of the nation and we constitute Malaysia and Malaysian identity. We also hold the key to Malaysia’s future and we are responsible for the twists and turns the country had made in the past. To determine how and where this country heads in the future is therefore the collective responsibility of all Malaysians and those who recognise themselves as such; and our agency and responsibility implicates all of us in the grand project that is called nation-building.
While working and living abroad may be an option for some who cannot find a better means of earning a living at home, it would be wrong to say that that is the only way that one can get one’s voice heard in the country. In any case, one can remain a member of a virtual national community even when abroad, and many of us have done so for decades now. Let us remember that when Malaysia’s independence was being fought for, the proto-nationalists of the past were not only struggling in Malaysia but many of them were also carrying out the struggle in neighbouring Indonesia, India, England and in other parts of the world. What unites us is not geographical proximity but rather a proximity of commitment and aspirations; the yearning for a Malaysia that is home to all.
It is that longing for a Malaysia that is home to all that is under threat at present, and as I mentioned in the earlier abovementioned article, Malaysia is most in danger not when it is under attack, but rather when we stop believing in a Malaysian project. At that point there is nothing that can sustain a national narrative and all the shopping malls and super-highways cannot put the national imaginary together again.
How then are we to salvage the Malaysian project? Faith is required and we need to believe in the power of individual human agency and its transformative potential as a tool for politics and nation-building. Malaysia, like all nation-states in the postcolonial era, is an abstract concept that is non-essentialist and certainly not historically determined. The country could have evolved in a million ways, and that potential for change remains there. But change can only happen if and when we believe in it, and that it is worthwhile and necessary. At a time when Malaysian politics is characterised by the worst and narrowest forms of provincial sectarian and communitarian thinking; with groups calling for narrow ethnic-linguistic ghettos and enclaves; when communitarian distrust leads to repugnant expressions of ethnic and racial supremacy and bigotry; this is when rational human agency is needed more than ever.
Yet the catalyst and prime mover of this rational agency is something subjective that cannot be qualified or determined by technocrats or politicians; and yet is so vital: Faith. Believe, my friends. Now more than ever we need to believe that Malaysia and the Malaysian project can be rescued and is worth rescuing. Failure to do so leads us down the path of defeatism and fatalism. That would be the cultural suicide of a nation, and the biggest betrayal of Malaysia yet.
December 2nd, 2009 at 23:18
Faith requires bravery.
Bravery is not in strong supply when cowardice is rewarded, time and time again, not only from the top, but from all layers of society.
After all, it’s money and opportunity that matters, not identity and principle. Who cares if there are still people who have no voice and no recourse to leave? After all, the difference between the days of the Devarajah and today are better border controls today — in short, if you want to leave today, you need money.
All that matters is you get your way, you get your money, you get your opportunity, nobody oppresses you. Who cares if you have to scoop out your soul, uproot yourself, and leave your problems behind, to face the same damn problems abroad? You’ve got what you want, right? You’ve got yours.
It is very easy to be cynical — all you need is the bare minimum in pattern-matching, a lack of motivation to do some pretty damn hard soul-searching, an over-inflated sense of your own self-importance, and cowardice.
Malaysia has hard, horrible, difficult problems. The bravest people I know, the ones I have my utmost respect for, know these problems and have done something about it, in Malaysia and outside. They didn’t decide to go hide under the guise of the Good Little Hardworking Immigrant and pretend that their problems were over.
December 3rd, 2009 at 04:12
A lot on faith etc etc and none on reality. The Malaysia project has been on for 50 years….I still remember the days when (Yes !!) Lee Kuan Yew talked about it in parliament and got kicked out…..then it was Lim Kit Siang’s turn…much success he had !!
Talking as an immigrant…yes I am now residing in New Zealand !!
Do you really expect me to sacrifice my life and my children’s future for some “Idealised nation “…when for 50 years or more it has proven a failure ?? I keep reminding people who talked of “Malaysia Project” that the country goes to election every 5 years…and most of the election was deemed free and fair (and yes I participated in it as often as I can) and yet we keep electing a corrupt goverment (and most people agree, including goverment supporters that it is a corrupt goverment) into office everytime.
What does this show ? THAT THE PEOPLE OF MALAYSIA SUPPORTS CORRUPT GOVERMENTS AND POLITICIANS…maybe there is a growing minority that no longer tolerate this state of affairs…but it took 50 years to reach this level of intolerance…and maybe even a few more years before it becomes the majority..
Do you really expect me to waste my life and my children’s life for this ??
I left Malaysia in the early 80’s and started my own business in Singapore….by the time I returned to Malaysia in late 90’s the currency alone has more than doubled….my income was 5 times that of my Malaysian counterpart. I then immigrated to NZ to retire after giving up trying to start a business in Malaysia (the corruption was unbelievable)
If I am to be a supporter of a “Malaysia Project” now, do you think I could help more or less now than if I had not immigrated ??
December 3rd, 2009 at 08:14
Defeatism only serves to stifle progress. To succeed in a country whose denizens have grown bitterly pessimistic, optimism and faith is needed more than ever. A passive reception to the problems being faced today only courts a sense of helplessness, which will be the last thing this country needs.
Everyone in their individual capacities have the power to be proactive. We seem to be forgetting the importance of the power of a collective faith in the betterment of this country. That choice is down to us.
December 3rd, 2009 at 10:55
I agree with you that the Malaysian project can and should be rescued. Perhaps the authorities concerned should carry out a detailed and unbiased study as to why Malaysians migrate and even give up their citizenship and if possible make the findings public so that we can know where we have gone wrong and do our bit to rectify the problem.
As for me, at the moment I need to work on the faith aspect.
December 3rd, 2009 at 11:10
I am n o wordsmith so bear with me.
Life is too short. And there is a big world out there. For those of us who think beyond the precept of what a nation is, are the hard working and smart ones. We are no politicians or popularity seekers. We are just plain normal people who want a plain normal life is that too much to ask?
Hey T-Boy/Kamal(whatever you call yourself today)
If you want to be brave and fight the righteous fight well by all means go ahead but what gives you the right to criticize those who want to leave. Yeah people vent when frustrated don’t you? So are you any different from the rest of us?
You equate migration to cowardice but do you really think emigrating is easy? Have you done it before?
Let me never fall into the vulgar mistake of dreaming that I am persecuted whenever I am contradicted.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson.
December 3rd, 2009 at 11:11
great articles… there so much information and i really hope our nation can go through this.
December 3rd, 2009 at 11:45
Ahem… T-boy, on the subject of bravery:
1. Brave people would sign off their letters/comments with their real names and not pseudonyms no?
2. Leaving a country for whatever reason also requires some degree of agency and is likewise a rational and wilfull act. Malaysia is also a country of migrants and my ancestors came from Java, Europe, India and Arabia. That required some effort and determination on their part and I doubt that they left because they were ‘cowards’ who could not stand living in their respective countries as well. Emigration involves both push and pull factors, and as in the case of refugees one does not always do it simply on a whim or to have a good life abroad.
While I do believe that Malaysians ought to come back to Malaysia and contribute to the development of the nation, I will not stand in the way of those who choose to leave either. Our nationalities are not essentially part of who we are and we can change them in the same way that one can change one’s religion or even one’s gender. Surely that has to be the basis of human agency as well.
December 3rd, 2009 at 11:46
I can empathise with the many who despair and feel that they have to abandon their tanah air.
Just like how I sigh, and empathise with the many who have done so, including a large number of my own relatives and friends,
Just like how I have thought about the possibility that my own child may one day decide that leaving is the only reasonable course of action left.
But for my own destiny, I have decided that I will stay unless it becomes outrageously impossible for me to stay.
Our fore-fathers, and they are of all races, “sweated blood” to make Malaysia what she is today. Many died. Jointly too, they fought for independence.
This is our tanah air, we all have a right to be here.
Whatever certain racist folks may try to say, however twisted policies have eroded our rights and however much corrupt actions have robbed the people, this is our nation.
Yes, there are grounds to despair, and the grass is indeed greener in some other lands.
But for me, I shall try my darnest to stay, and hold on to the heritage which is the fruit of my foreefathers’ sacrificies.
I shall do what I can to defend that heritage, and to contribute towards turning the tide against the wrongs and excesses of those who are tearing the nation apart.
Again I say, I empathise with those who left or feel they have to do so, but every one who leaves makes it harder for those who seek to stay and fight to Malaysia to become a good place for her rakyat.
Every one who leaves is another small but significant victory for those whose actions are ruining the country.
December 3rd, 2009 at 15:13
I came back to Malaysia not too long ago after undertaking a postgraduate degree overseas, with the hope that I could contribute whatever skills I’ve managed to acquire to help the country in whatever little way that I can. I applied to work in the civil service, despite being fully aware of the potential difficulties I would face and against the constant dissuasion by family and friends.
So I received a phone call from the director of the government department I applied to, telling me that they had a place for me on contract basis. I asked about when I should go to the office to get the paperwork sorted out, and was told that they would get back to me. This was many months ago, and I have tried on several occassions to call and check back with them but all I’ve gotten in return as a reply was “we’ll look into it.”
Since then, I’ve gotten an offer to head south of the border to work at a regional NGO in my field of work. In light of how things had developed (or in this case, didn’t develop) with the position with the government, I decided it would make sense to go ahead with the one opportunity that I -do- have.
I have tried, as much as I could, to keep the faith. But unfortunately circumstances have taken things out of my hands. The one comfort I still have, I suppose, is that the NGO does activities in Malaysia as well so at least I will be able to help a little, even if it is from afar. Yet, it seems completely incredible that one has to struggle so hard just to try to help. Nevertheless, I still consider myself lucky to be in a position to do so.
There are many other young Malaysians, I believe, who probably feel very strongly about finding ways to make our country better but often are just not given any realistic opportunities to do so at all. And though sometimes you try to preservere in your ideals, sooner or later you will become emotionally exhausted.
And if one is still expected, after leaving its shores, to care as fervently about nation building for a nation that on too many occassion has only tried to exclude you rather than treat you as one of its own, emotionally-speaking, you will go insane! I think giving up on the country once you’ve left it is mostly to protect one’s own mental health, rather than because you really don’t care anymore.
Perhaps, if one day there are people who are in the position to make a difference, and who do so not merely through strong words but with tangible actions, there might be people willing to return to save the Malaysia project. But apart from that actually happening, blind faith will only get you so far before reality kicks in.
December 3rd, 2009 at 17:22
When I was growing up, I had no idea that my country was falling apart because we always had friends of all ethnicities coming over to visit and have meals (yes, they ate our food! cooked in a non-halal kitchen!)
When I left to work in a foreign country, I discovered a side to my country that I had not known, a story only found in foreign media because the local media had neither space nor courage for it. Malaysia looks very different from a non-Malaysian perspective, in fact, it looks very very small and insignificant. And so I tried to tell my foreign friends about my country, but the more I tried the less I could defend some of the policies of the ruling government.
When I returned several years ago, I tried to tell my fellow Malaysians that they had been deceived, that they should see for themselves what it was like to live in a real democracy where a citizen had rights and his vote mattered, and was not made to feel that he should be grateful simply for the streetlight (which may or may not work) in front of his (double-locked and grilled) house. Many were cynical, saying that things would never change, that I had been westernised and that other countries were different. Why? They simply shrugged and said that that was the way it was.
But my question remains - why does it have to be the way it is? Why do we have to accept this? Many have left because they gave up on things ever changing, many also because they simply do not care anymore. But why can’t it change? Because we say so, or worse, because we believe so?
Let’s not judge those who have left, nor those who have stayed. People leave and stay for their own reasons, but patriotism or lack thereof should not be inferred merely from those actions. Wherever we are, in or outside Malaysia, if you feel that you can do something, then just do it. Tell your friends, spread the word, dispel the myth of a “we are so harmonious” country, form a virtual community, COME BACK TO VOTE!!
I left, returned and may leave again, but I will do what I can wherever I am. I may not possess great oratory skills, or the temerity to run for politics, but if I can influence just one person, then I will have done one more thing.
I’m very proud of my Malaysian heritage. Malaysia will always be my homeland, and I want to have hope that my children can one day see her as I once did, beautiful, warm and friendly.
December 3rd, 2009 at 17:53
Its not all about money for some of us. I started out with nothing more than an open mind and some faith in myself. Glad I took this off-the beaten- track path, learned a new language, a whole new way of looking at life. Of course I had my ups and downs but it has been a real joy all along.
Dr. Farish, I sure would like to go back and share but I do not see a separation of religion and politics in Msian politics happening anytime soon, no matter how we try to be optimistic about it. This is when I remember why I left in the first place.
December 3rd, 2009 at 18:07
I used to be proud of being a Malaysian. Proud of my nation and heritage. That seems a life time ago. I remember my family toiling and hoping that i would be able to enter into our local university for in my parents’ time, our universities were of standards and source of pride.
I watched in sadness as our standards eroded and fought with my father over wishing to attending secondary and tertiary education in Singapore whereas my dad still firmly believed in Malaysia.
I observed his joy and pride as i was admitted into local university and subsequently his disappointment when he realized how far our standards of education has fallen behind. How a majority of our undergraduates could not even speak proper English as an international medium of communication let alone understand reading materials in the language. How our lecturers produces short notes derived from the original English text books and translated into our national language, mostly filled with numerous glaring errors which suggests the materials were never even proof-read and forces students to buy them for extra profit. How the students were spoon-fed to parrot whatever they were taught.
The disappointment finally opened my father’s eyes to reality and my sister received her Diploma in Singapore Poly. I was more proud of her having attained a Diploma in a foreign country than i was of obtaining my Hons Degree locally. She is earning more and having a better life quality than the rest of us who stayed behind. I’m happy for her.
In the five years since i graduated, i see Malaysia deteriorating even more, socially, politically and economically. I’m beyond disgust for the politicians running the country to ground through ignorance, greed, corruption etc. I have seen enough.
Now that the last of my siblings has establish himself abroad, i too am leaving Malaysia to seek greener pastures. I’ve already tendered my resignation and will be emigrating to Singapore come January 2010. We all wish to have better lives. I lost faith for Malaysia a long time ago.
December 3rd, 2009 at 18:13
It’s not the Malaysian Project that needs saving. It’s Malaysians that do. I have a friend who is strongly anti-government, but provides us with a sad irony of the current state of matters:
Me: “Awak pernah bagi duit kopi ker?”
Him: “Pernah…”
Me: “Habis, duit kopi yang hang bagi tu bukan rasuah ker?”
Him: “Rasuah… tapi tak seteruk apa yang menteri menteri buat!”
People get the government they deserve indeed. We’re stuck between a rock and a hard place, politically speaking.
Boy, do I want to laugh and I want to cry at the same time.
December 4th, 2009 at 02:17
Sharing my thoughts again if anyone cares…..Just thinking and figuring out events in our beloved country !..MALAYSIA..
We are in the same boat-lah O.K. fellow Malaysian ?.
,,,Just thinking out loud as to Why and Where and When events happened and What we all have to be aware of from PAST, PRESENT and hopefully for the FUTURE of our beloved country, beautiful & wonderful Malaysia !.
,,,By nature, I seek clarity first b4 we would move forward together to find possible solution, as such pls read on if you are interested-lah,,,,,,,,,,!!
,,,Mind you, this world has NEVER been at peace since time memorial. Too many great wars have indeed shaken nations and perhaps some lesser conflicts that have afflicted the world at large have indeed sometimes subsided BUT again and again flared up with MONSTROUS conflagration….Wars have never ceased ever yaa !!. Unfortunately bitter animosities between countries still persist and blindly or cunningly or silently frantically or even unknowly preparing for new war !!.
,,,More than 40 odd countries presently in the world are in the unshaking grip of war, rebellion, foreign infiltation, terrorism or endemic banditry. Great many are just holding on or just maintaining a fragile peace that could/would shatter at any moment in time. Timing is the only factor holding things together or perhaps apart !.
,,,The bloodiest of the most recent conflicts on the civilian population must be the foreign infiltation in Iraq, now followed closely in Alghanistan, next in line Pakistan. (Lets just skip the Middle East for a break !!….never ending human tragedy) So far NOTHING decisive been accomplished, at enormous cost for almost NOTHING. Both the political or military solutions are not working and problems remain unsolved, in fact increasing by the hour. NIL lessons learnt to-date from past experience - rather frustrating plus unfortunate but that’s the reality in humanity….perhaps even God forbids peace for human beings ?….only God knows !.
,,,Mind you, there have been at least 90 wars since 1945 only if you care to count. Resulting in the deaths of between 20 to 40 million people according to UN Count alone, guess in reality the numbers can be anywhere higher ?. Tens of millions been driven from their dear homes and homeland. Apparently there are well over 40 millions more refugees in the world today at this very moment in time !. The UN again estimated that about 20 millions of internal refugees in foreign lands and about 20 millions of internal refugees - that is people having to fled their homes to escape danger or even death and in some cases extreme poverty just for basic survival needs.
,,,YET, again most UNFORTUNATELY from data gathered, most of the conflicts in the world today are between PEOPLE and RACES as compared between nations and even fewer are ideological. If anything, the world has become more violent, indeed with each succeeding decade since World War 2 onwards until today in real time.
,,,HUMANITY is still adapting to the DISAPPEARANCE of the empires that kept the so called peace before the Second World War - a tranquility imposed at the point of a bayonet, intended to prevent the EXPLOITATION of brown, black and yellow people by white man !!. As so being claimed by the then master race or victors of other nations. Such were the glories of victory to satisfy one’s ego or to justify one’s misdeeds, in actual fact an act of piracy, seconded by greed to rob, plunder the world for their selfish hidden agenda.
,,,The eventual decline of the empires was inevitable !. It just only required a small or tiny class of people in any of these colony to ask itself, as to WHY it should be governed by foreigners, and that the advance of education that produced that challenging class everywhere. An educated class can act as an hazard at the right time and place, anytime, anywhere too. (Should I remind the POWERS in high offices here that we now have great numbers of such class too ?.)
,,,Wars between nations are generally caused by territorial disputes, ideological rivalry, a strong lust for conquest by their swell headed leaders, and occasionally by just plain stupidity plus diplomatic imcompetence by those in position. There have been indeed wars of all these kinds since the Second World War but unfortunately the threat of more hangs over a good part of the globe today. Indeed, again humanity has not changed its ways in the art of wars and killings.
,,,FORTUNATELY as for ideological war, they have very much diminished in recent years. What changed is the new term called “TERRORISM” has taken centre stage and a new role in war.
Terrorism is indeed the cancer of our modern world using primitive methods to instill fear to everyone. No state is immune to it. Similarly like cancer, unless properly treated drastically, its growth is inexorable, until it poison and engulfs the whole society on which it feeds and drags it together to final destruction. “Terrorism is said to be the deliberate and systematic murder, maiming and mancing of the innocent to inspire fear for political ends”. The usual apologia for terrorism is that “one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter”, which is perfectly true and perfectly irrelevant ; I would say, “MURDER is not justified by sticking a different label on it yaa !!”
,,,The political justification - the claim that the end justiflies the means - is a debate crucial for fighting terrorism, and unfortunately it has not been resolved as yet to-date.
,,,Also there are many differences between terrorist groups. Some seek out what they would consider as “enemy targets”, usually military/police. A few take great pains to avoid killing innocent people but others deliberately choose civilians as their primary targets. By all counts, they are all terrorists, however many might misconstrue the situation. The very word terrorist itself comes from “TERROR” - shall I need to further explain ?. (o.k. lets dig deeper into these new hazards or what some calls war against terrorism b4 it spread its wings into our society at large).
,,,There are three basic broad bands or categories (in fact more so-lah) of independent terrorist movements in the world as it is ; those inspired by Political fervour or even Fascistism movements; those inspired by Nationalism or Ethnic grivances and finally those inspired by Religion or in most case so identified or called/termed by the existing western culture, i.e. Islamic Jihadist. Maybe, If i can add the fourth category is terrorism directed/supported by Governments in the latest term it justifies itself as WAR AGAINST TERRORISM by invading other nation or state !. Geeee.
AND finally but not the end as yet, a new treat from individual lunatics or self proclaimed revolutionist and they are by far worse than the other types of terrorists as mentioned above. A growing numbers, if you care to read some of their crazy/lunatic comments in the internet nowadays. The authorities should rightfully vet them and sent them for proper medical treatment for their own good as well for sane reading peace for the rest of us. !!.
,,,O.K.-lah, lets just get back into our country’s brief and short history within the last century only. The last traces of the communist insurgency warfare sputtered along the jungles at the Thai/Malaysian border area or frontier and the final communist party signing of a treaty just in 1989 to end their bloody arm struggle with the Malaysian government. The “Confrontation” with Indonesia that subsided, very much ended before it really started into a full blown war, however both countries are now allied in ASEAN. There were serious Racial riots in Kuala Lumpur in particular in May 1969, in which unfortunately hundreds of innocent people from all sides of society were killed or injured, but then the 3 main so called malaysian communities have worked pretty hard to reduce social inequities plus racial tensions which were fueled by opportunists, taken advantage of by the communist party of Malaya, gangsters/thugs and indeed by racist politicians of the worst order. Also, not to forget that during the Malayan emergency period that the Dayaks Trackers from Sarawak/Borneo then helped to battle the communist insurgency with the British forces in peninsula Malaya.
,,,FORTUNATELY we all Malaysian have been notably more successful than for example the people of Sri Lanker with their on-going war with the Tamil Tigers. At this moment in time, Malaysia is still in a bastion of stability and that ethnic harmony in a dangerous world….but will it last forever ?. Malaysia has a special role in an account of comtemporary conflicts. The only country in the world to withstand or defeat an communist insurgency. Indeed the Malaysian experience is truely unique. The essential or main difference with the Malaysian experience was that the majority of the Chinese did not actively support the communist terrorists and were just trying their level best to survive in their new adopted land and were proactively separated from them terrorists in their “New Villages”, while the majority of the population Malays, actively opposed the communists as anti-Islamic. Generally the Malays were the bulk of the military personnel plus in the Police or as government servants, they formed the “Home Guards” and defended their villages/kampungs and with help from the Dayak Trackers plus the British Forces drove the communists by the time of Independence, the communist terrorists were driven across the border into Southern Thailand as their safe heaven. The majority of the communist terrorists were generally Chinese but there were also Malay too in their party’s armed struggle which unfortunately until today our local Malaysian are not really fully aware of or just in the state of denial. To be fair and honest, the Malaysian government has always treated the various separatists movement in Southern Thailand and closer to Sabah, the Phillipine separatist, more so bandit elements very cautiously and kept an arm length away from direct involvement, in fact playing a Moderator role as and when requested to do so. Rumours have it that certain politicians then, were directly involved but apparently it was on a private agenda that the Malaysian government would like not to get involved with or perhaps kept an blind eye on ?. Politics being politics, I have much reasons not to trust any of them as such would remain apolitical.
,,,As in many anti-terrorist campaigns, the Malaysian Armed Forces and Police are faced with a real dilemma, in-order to combat terrorism effectively and “restore law and order”, they have to resort to measures in winning “Hearts and Minds” of the local people plus the chinese workers of the plantations and tin mines into “new villages”. All the squatters along the jungle fringes plus plantations/mines provided the “SEA” in which the CTs “FISH” would/could swim un-noticed and by relocating them into new villages, securely under government control would eventually deplete the waters for the fishes. Indeed, technically very sound manner or smart strategy to starve off the enemy and keep their supply chain away since in the CTs warfare, its the hidden enemy which makes it very difficult to war on. The Malayan Emergency began in 1948, when the communist terrorists first victims were the European plantation managers and which later spread to government posts, police and military patrols in the rubber plantations and mining areas. In actual fact, it was really the “Hearts and Minds” that won the fight against the communist terrorists. It was never the the bullets or weapons that killed the spirit of the enemy, they were indeed a dedicated bunch of characters whom believed in their struggle and were also willing to sacrifice their freedom and life in the jungle where food and shelter plus medical facilities are on bare survival state at most. Unfortunately there were some that were conned into their fruitless struggle started off with the chinese fighting against the Japanese due to the continuation of animosities stirred up by the Japanese in main land China and after which after the Second World War, the Communist Party was banned by the British and Malayan Government as a political party. Before which, the British were actually arming/training these jungle fighters against the Japanese forces as their common enemy !.
,,,Very similar to terrorism but not so correct is the act of PIRACY !. Again its showing its ugly head in the Gulf of Aden plus not so frequently nowadays in the Straits of Malacca and South China Seas after the Tsunami in 2004 since the pirates lost most of their boats to mother nature herself !.
,,,HUMANITY’s capacity for hartred/violence/murder/killings, not really plots of foreigners, will still ensure that the blood of the innocents will continue to flow. Hatred is not new !!.Hatred can be manifested in many different ways/means and many different places too.
,,,To all the POWERS ABOVE in name of politics/politicians, may I remind you guys that when the ordinary but educated citizens suddenly realised that they do not have to put up with it anymore, and that the government discovers that it no longer has the nerve and authority to impose it will. We might just end up with some major changes/reforms for better or for worse with or without the government direct control and it can be bloody dangerous if not realised or corrected immediately.
,,,Domestic political oppression cannot be maintained indefinitely……even the Soviet Union’s collapse is perhaps inevitable just like the British Empire before it !!.
I would like to rest my case,,,,,,thanks for reading, am now able to put to rest this subject issue and hope that the people of our beautiful country, Malaysia will again stand united and work together for the future generation and STOP this stupid political game of self interest and selfishness b4 its too late. The individual self too has a role to play in fairness, determination, perseverance and single-minded pursuit combined with focus, job-loving, spiritual flow, dedication, industriousness and the going for the extra miles.
,,,A life based on good attitude, discipline, religion, morals and righteousness is the basic foundation for love, peace, grace, gratitude, contentment, fulfilment, joy and lasting success.
,,,Finally, VALUES are equally commanding, cos what you value is what you think about, what you think about is what you become !.
… my fellow Malaysian brothers/sisters, we are in the same boat….YES indeed, same team same crew sailing across for new adventures together finally ?. Don’t blame anyone else if we can’t do it together this time round. We have had our fair share of troubles and ‘over come’ them successfully in the past.
December 4th, 2009 at 10:53
Dear Farish,
You are right in that it is depressing to read the comments from your (two) postings on the subject.
I can certainly relate to the sense of helplessness that seems to run across the core of the comments posted by your readers.
Its the same defeatist sense that I have everytime I read news/gossip of the “slack” (for want of a better word) happening in the country.
These are unfortunately far too numerous and are starting to come out in torrents these days of far freer media courtesy of the internet.
And just like the proverbial torrential rains that is typical of the country, there is every chance of inundation - flash flood.
I have a deep fear of this becoming a reality because the houseowner and/or tenant of this abode does not seem to want to do anything to tide the rain.
Proverbially speaking that is.
Like the many who has responded to your posting, I too, yearn to be elsewhere these days.
I am persisting only because I am still rooted to this place where I was born and bred, and memories of how it was before still fresh in my mind.
Somewhere along the way, something went wrong for this young country.
Perhaps it is because we have stopped dreaming.
December 5th, 2009 at 00:50
“While working and living abroad may be an option for some who cannot find a better means of earning a living at home, it would be wrong to say that that is the only way that one can get one’s voice heard in the country.”
I would go even further and say that moving abroad is a guaranteed way to NOT get one’s voice heard in the country. The goverment is only interested in the influence of overseas Malaysians if they’re glamourous (and politically non-threatening) like Michelle Yeoh and Jimmy Choo, or small fry local celebrities like boutique owners, restauranteurs, etc. You never see stuff in the local papers about scientists or other scholars let alone the average professional office-worker. Once you leave you have no say in how things are run since the SPR doesn’t allow postal voting. You think Najib is going to read your emails to your grandma about how much better life is in Australia?
All those people who cabut and say “I’ll come back when things are better” are too dumb to get it or too chicken to acknowledge their responsibility. If you don’t come back things won’t get better. We can try to resuscitate the patient or leave a corpse for the vultures.
December 5th, 2009 at 18:45
,,,to be born is a chance in a couple of millions !,,,so better make full use of yr life n living !!. Blaming the world is not worth living, if you don’t mind me saying, you have to make the best of it as a challenge too. Unless you are born with a silver/golden spoon ?.
,,,i know what being poor is all about, the struggle/pain/frustration etc but never be a pessimist n be miserable, full of sad stories, wrecks and ruins, fear failure and dell on it so much n become nervous/phobic and neurotic !!. that is why almost half of the world’s illnesses are now psychosomatic !!…where the mind expects, helps or generates the sickness !!!.
,,,While there is life, there’s hope and where one door shuts another opens ??. In fact there are no hopeless situations just only men who have grown hopeless about themselves !. An optimist laughs to forget, the pessimist forgets to laugh….haha an pessimist has no starter an optimist has no brakes yaa.
,,,alwys take a fresh look on today’s opportunities, not yesterday’s blunders,,,look forward for a smashing future. live life…relax be cool.
December 7th, 2009 at 09:00
Dear Farish,
Guess you have to also study plus master the art of an “therapist” to manage and appreciate the feedback responses from some of these individuals (as patients) as well as grouping them accordingly ?.
Yes indeed, PERHAPS, you may want to look into briefly on the various options available too before your response back !.
*Behavior therapy aims to help the patient eliminate undesirable habits or irrational fears through conditioning. Techniques include systematic desensitization, particularly for the treatment of clients with irrational anxieties or fears, and aversive conditioning, which uses negative stimuli to end bad habits.
*Humanistic therapy tends to be more optimistic, basing its treatment on the theory that individuals have a natural inclination to strive toward self-fulfillment. Therapists at times uses a highly interactive client-therapist relationship, compelling clients to realize exactly what they are saying or how they are behaving, in order to foster a sense of self-awareness.
*Cognitive therapies try to show the client that certain, usually negative, thoughts are irrational, with the goal of restructuring such thoughts into positive, constructive ideas. Such methods include Albert Ellis’s rational-emotive therapy, where the therapist argues with the client about his negative ideas;
*and Aaron Beck’s cognitive restructuring therapy, in which the therapist works with the client to set attainable goals.
*Other forms of therapy stress helping patients to examine their own ideas about themselves.
Psychotherapy may be brief, lasting just a few sessions, or it may extend over many years. More than one client may be involved, as in marriage or family counseling, or a number of individuals, as in group psychotherapy group psychotherapy, a means of changing behavior and emotional patterns, based on the premise that much of human behavior and feeling involves the individual’s adaptation and response to other people.
*Group psychotherapy, a means of changing behavior and emotional patterns, based on the premise that much of human behavior and feeling involves the individual’s adaptation and response to other people. It is a process carried out in formally organized groups of three or more individuals who seek change, in this specific case of “poor social skills”. The composition of a group may be heterogenous or homogeneous with reference to the age of the members or the type of problem. The therapist may be directive or nondirective, allowing the group to set their own agenda for discussion. The group becomes a “sample” of the outside world, reproducing conditions of interpersonal relationships; its members jointly participate in observing personal motivation and styles of interaction. They also participate in attempting new behaviors and dealing with the consequences of such behaviors, with the intended result that they will eventually be able to employ these behavior patterns outside the group. In observing the totality of the events that take place in group therapy, the process by which elements of personality are developed in each member is also studied.
December 7th, 2009 at 12:57
,,,The reality of my simple life and living in Malaysia i.e. from the color blind eyes of an apolitical guy plus a firm believer of that all religions do spreads kindness, forgiveness and peace, which the world needs badly. And not naive, to be aware that politically-made laws and wishes can occasionally turn society upside down as they have done so in history. Just again get the politics of our politicians out of the equation, just turn to God, Culture and Humanity for all perpetuators of wars and bloodshed have clearly turned their backs to God.
,,,Indeed now back to our main subject issue, Malaysia is a melting pot of people from all walks of life, various races and origins. A “rojak” bunch if you don’t mind me saying i.e. “mixed salad”. Her population consists of an interesting mix of Malays, Chinese, Indians, Eurasian, Sikh, Iban, Kadazan, Dayaks i.e. all natives tribes combined together, Orang aslis or Aboriginies in Malaya and others of many other uncountable/unknown/yet un-name ethnic communities. !!.
,,,Despite of all of these plus melange of cultures and unique traditions, mutual respect and tolerance are the special qualities that bind all Malaysian together as one.
,,,These diversity of cultures in Malaysia is evident in the colourful spectrum of traditions, festivals and most interestingly cuisines for all to taste and enjoy. Due to population density plus her historical background, Islam is the official religion, however, other religions are being practised freely. Malaysian from various races and cultural backgrounds practise Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Sikhism and other faiths. A belief in God makes society more wholesome. God’s teaching and grace makes the world a better place too.
,,,This multiracial population has given rise to many beautiful and charming places of worship. One can appreciate the beauty of the various Mosques, Buddhist and Taoist, Indian and Sikh temples, Thai wats and Churches of different denominations dotting the streets and country sites of Malaysia. It is not impossible to actually find within the same places where mosque, temples, church co-exist along the same street, if not even side by side too. Just stroll along such places at Jalan Masjid Kapitan Kling in Penang, Jalan Tokong in Malacca or Brickfields in Kuala Lumpur plus many locations in Ipoh.
,,,Indeed, with so many interesting cultures co-existing in harmony within her shores, Malaysia and Malaysian naturally boasts a myriad of festivals celebrated throughout the year. The major festivals are Aidilfitri (Eid-ur-Fitr), Chinese New Year, Deepavali, Christmas, Vasakhi, Gawai Dayak and Tadau Ka’amatan.
,,,Its during these colourful fastivals, Malaysians practice a special local concept called “open-house”, an occasion to receive well-wishes and much feasting plus merry-making, as everyone partakes in the gaiety of the occasion. Indeed, all Malaysians of all races, colours and religions join together in the festivities as almost as family members, if not more so.
,,,Such is the “cultures in harmony” in Malaysia and lets work on it to our strategic advantage plus for the future generation to enjoy life and living in Malaysia.
December 11th, 2009 at 19:22
“Malaysia looks very different from a non-Malaysian perspective” … how very true this is.
So many of my Malaysian good friends have discovered this on living abroad.
December 12th, 2009 at 11:47
The very problem facing the “Malaysia Project” is the government that we have today which also means that the problem is exclusively Malay. The only group of people that can actually do anything are the Malays. The Chinese or the Indians are not able to vote the present government out. So why all this appeal to all Malaysians to care about Malaysia, to do something about Malaysia? Only when the Malays change, then can Malaysia change. But then what are the chances of that happening? Every single Malay that has commented on this article is definitely someone who has been overseas for some time whether for work or study. What chances do the Malays have of changing their perspective when they are fed all kinds of garbage everyday by the present government? The sheer racism in Malaysia has gone on to different levels, example has anyone seen the Milo billboard where 4 tall Malay boys are standing next to a much shorter Chinese boy and the caption is “Bolekah Saya Setaraf? Well well when Nestle deems fit that such ads are ok, then what else is there to say about Malaysia? Malaysia is only possible because of the effort and the work done by the Chinese in the past. Without the Chines, Malaysia will degenerate to the level of Indonesia or the Philippines. Malaysia has the second highest ratio of Chinese per capita in this region. And hey unsurprisingly the second highest GDP per capita too. Guess whose first, Singapore (Highest ratio, highest gdp per capita) and third is Thailand (3rd highest ratio , 3rd highest gdp per capita). So as the ratio becomes less and less in this country, once it reaches the level of Indonesia or Phillipines, then we will also have drifted to their level of development. Another way of looking at it is, lets take Vietnam. Vietnamese culture is another form of Chinese culture, and look at them now. Look at the current SEA games, deduct the gold medals from Chinese Malaysians, the total medals will be at the level of Myanmar or Cambodia. So lastly the Malays have taken for granted that the development of Malaysia has been due to their effort, but reality says otherwise.
December 15th, 2009 at 02:47
Ive through all the comments send..but to me who have studied abroad and had my share of making my living abroad..Malaysia is and always will be my HOME..no matter what..if you are tired of being Malaysian so be it..go on your way..dont bite the hands that fed you..if you want to change whatever it is that you want to be changed then stay here and do your part..where else in this world can you use a men’s room without ever checking whether its for whites or coloured..where else can you get on the bus from the front and not from the back because you skin is of different hue..where on this earth can you sit down having tea or beer or whatever without being asked to leave just because you dont belong there due to your ethnicity..shut up and ship out if you think you will be treated like a king somewhere else..Ive served my country in the military and Ive served with my fellow brothers of different creeds..they gave their blood to this country and what have you done..what have most of you here done..besides saying that you cant get it right..I was never given a scholarship..I was never given a place in the local universities..I had to sacrificed alot to get where I am today..but..once you cant get what you want..the blame is on the government..the said ‘corrupt goverment’ that had given you education..had fed you and your family..so if you think that you dont owe this country anything..then just get away..be gone with you..My dad is a muslim Iban..my mum is a malay..so what am I..I AM PROUD TO SAY..I AM A MALAYSIAN..MALAYSIA IS MY COUNTRY and I WILL SHED MY BLOOD FOR THIS MALAYSIA..TANAH AIR KU..Im not patriotic but I am perplexed with the attitudes and animosity shown here..where ever you may be..here in Malaysia or else where..if you want to succeed in life then you have to give your all..success comes to those who dares..not those who whimpers and call out for ‘mummy’ each time you are being ‘victimised’..I got 5 kids and I am supporting them through their college..without any support from the government..but do I run off somewhere with my children..do I say that this government is being unfair..IF YOU TALK THE TALK..THEN YOU SHOULD WALK THE WALK..
December 21st, 2009 at 11:00
,,,to all my fair weather friends !. May I ?.
,,,if one were to see or realise that life & living in Malaysia as a marriage, it would indeed not need to be such a struggle. By continuing to recognize and explore our differences we will discover many new ways to improve all our relationships. You will be amazed to learn that the differences were not only normal but were to be expected. One only need to fell in love again with her. This relationship can miraculously changed. No longer heading for a DIVORCE, you will look forward to sharing the rest of your lives together. This is the greatest gift both can ever receive. To love each other again !. Between you and the nation/state… yaa ??.
,,,many important advances have been made, many books/comments are one-sided and unfortunately reinforce mistrust and resentment towards each other. One side is generally viewed as being victimized by the other. Indeed, a definitive guide was needed for understanding/appreciating how healthy for both to be different.
,,,to improve relationship between you and others it is necessary to creat an understanding of our differences that raises self-esteem and personal dignity while inspiring mutual trust, personal responsibility, increased cooperation and indeed GREATER love.
,,,YES, by just opening the heart results in greater forgiveness and increased motivation to give and receive love and support.
,,,Just with this simple awareness, you will, I sincerely hope and pray, you will go beyond it and continue to develop ways in which you can relate lovingly to be a Malaysian in Malaysia or where/whatever!!….sure, and certainly the journey of creating a loving relationship can be rocky at times. BUT remember “Problems” are inevitable !!..but these problems either can be sources of resentment and rejection or can be OPPORTUNITIES for deepening intimacy and increasing love, caring and TRUST.
,,,however please be aware too, for the need for therapy and professional counseling for troubled relationships or survivors of a dysfunctional family. Even healthy individuals may need therapy or counseling at challenging times.
,,,Its such a CHALLENGING time globally right now too, yaa !!. So my fair weather friends lets fly in all weathers and ride the storms to return safely back to main land fall.
December 25th, 2009 at 00:52
I have a confession to make: I am a student and will be for perhaps the next 4 years. Thus, I neither am nor presume to be as experienced as the other commentators in the great rat race of life.
This discussion on cynicism and the individual’s potential to affect change on a national level resonates or, at least, echoes the inner conflict that I’ve felt the past few years. Maybe I am not acquainted with the complexities of making a living or feeding a family vis-a-vis the framework of economics and government that is 21st century Malaysia. But, let me share what I’ve learnt as a leader of a student organization in my former educational institution.
I have had ideals and aspirations, yes. But, I also have had them dashed upon the rocks by seemingly immense opposition.
Upon a platform promising change and improvement to student welfare, I was popularly elected, yes. But, I also have felt crushing disappointment when such improvement called for, and failed to attain individual action, beyond just voting, by each student.
I have worked hard, sometimes forgoing my meals, to attempt to fulfill my election promises. But, I also have felt the tension between my responsibilities to the electorate and my obligations to friends and family, the strain when you expect more of your friends than just being party animals.
I have struggled to forge myself into a source of inspiration for the other students, hoping that they too believe in student democracy and, by extension, believe in themselves. But, I also have wondered, many times, if my existence was being consumed by my cause, if people were starting to call me “Mr. President” because I was nothing else but Mr. President.
I have believed in the individual’s potential for action, most of all perhaps, in the members of my team. But, I also have had my very own direct deputy resign and another explicitly tell me that the ideals of the organization were a lost cause, all these evoking a sense of my failure as a motivator and leader.
I have sacrificed much for my organization. But, I also have had to persuade my successors to abolish it, out of fear that it would hinder, not facilitate, further attempts to promote student democracy.
I have reversed an initial decision to drop out of leadership elections, out of doubts concerning my organization’s institutional effectiveness and also out of worry for my academic performance in my finals. But, I have also had the despair of realizing, towards the end of my tenure, that all my early misgivings were true.
After all this, I wondered: are there limits to human potential in affecting change, given certain circumstantial factors? If there are, what are they?
This seems to be the crux of the debate concerning this issue of emigration.
Perhaps, my answer is: I don’t really know. I can’t really know. I don’t begrudge my team members for losing faith in our Project. Similarly, I don’t bear ill-feelings for those Malaysians who say that the Malaysian Project is a failed one. The unfortunate fact of life is that our ideals,hopes and aspirations are intertwined with the challenges of the real world. Concerning this, only ourselves can know the extent of the real world’s limitations. Therefore, just as I cannot know the entirety of your life and its constraints, I cannot impose a moral obligation for you to rise above the apathetic masses. In other words, I cannot judge you as wrong if you do exactly what every other hypocritical, disillusioned Malaysian does. A ’should’ implies a ‘can’. And I don’t necessarily know what’s ‘can’ for you.
After all, in absence of a purely objective calculus to determine the extent of human potential, what else do we have as a standard but that of the majority?
Depressing as this may seem, I think my view paradoxically emphasizes our own moral agency. Sure, we should not apply such a high moral standard to others. But, what of the moral law in ourselves? Kant considered it to be one of two things most worthy of awe in the universe. And one outstanding aspect of Malaysian morality is that we always conflate and confuse our moral expectations for others and that for ourselves, forgetting the crucial separation between the two. We do know our own limitations. It logically follows that the moral standard for ourselves can and should be higher than that for everyone else. In other words, we can and should expect more of ourselves when it comes to building the Malaysian dream.
After all, who else do we turn to to push the definitions of the human ‘can’, but ourselves?
Perhaps, we are not striving for a perfect Malaysia because a perfect Malaysia is possible. But, rather, a perfect Malaysia is possible, because we strive for it.
I think I could have done more for those I represented. Perhaps I can do more for Malaysia. It’s up to you to decide what you can and should do for your country.
December 25th, 2009 at 14:03
Shaun,
,,,just to add, remember that honesty is not only imperative but bloody noble in life and living. Indeed, it shall beautifies one’s charecter, glorifies your life and later helps keep you in shape in whatever your profession be. The basic lacking in integrity has ruined many careers, just go forward in gaining respect and trust instead always 24/7. Sincerity plus genuine dedication are vital, and remember this that none of the falsehood and apple-polishing can ever culminate in ever lasting success.
,,,”Well done is better than well said !!”….but never forget your parents and the rest who in their ways were holding the ladder while you were climbing up to the fruits of life & living.
,,,One’s character, abilities and accomplishments must shine consistently,,,,,and you shall be recognised, no worries trust me !!.
December 26th, 2009 at 21:11
So what’s new ??!! We all live on God’s earth, and it’s a matter of choice where we want to live our lives ! This life you have is all you will ever have on this earth. So seek your happiness wherever you may find it, be it in the Tundra or the Savannah or Sahara…wholly your choice to take according to the values and ideals you hold dear to your heart and mind. Go find your Utophia if there be one. Face life’s tribulations and enjoy the rewards you get by with, wherever you are, and be thankful to HIM. No one owes you anything ! Don’t whimper and blame others when things don’t work out for you.
God in HIS wisdom created races…Chinese in China, Indians in India, Arabs in the Middle East, Negroids in Africa, the whites in Europe etc ….the root of premordial conflicts in the history of mankind. We never asked to be born Chinese or Indian or Malay…blacks or whites…reds or greens, and we live by with all the differences amongst us that we shall have to endure. HE gave us the brain to think and seek knowledge for our betterment and human civilisation. And God gave us religions for our own salvation. He gave us the good and the bad…he gave us Napoleon, Hitler and Churchill, Ghandi, Nehru, Mao, Ho Chin Minh, Mandela, Bush and Sadam… whichever category we want to place them… and in the Malaysian context… he gave us Tengku, Razak , Hussin, Mahathir, Anwar and Lim Kit Siang and Karpal Singh.. and they have the parts they played, good and bad, all debatable ! Life is but a play ..we strut and fret on stage and then are heard no more! We come, we go ! Have faith in ourselves as we seek what is best for our own. As Malaysians, have faith in what we seek to achieve for a better Malaysia ! Live and let live, epicurean, rational and moral !