So we have reached the big 50...half a century old and our nation is still growing on strong-er? I'm not sure what it means to be independent because I was not part of the generation that grew up to feel the sense of being colonized. All those thoughts about us being ruled by the British and how the British treated us Asians in the most humiliating way was edged right into our minds since we took up history.
But, looking back, did the British actually left all those unhappy memories? Yes, the Caucasians always think that Asians are either stupid or lazy and that the only way to control them was to patronize them and give them the feeling of goodwill, then they will expect the Asians to kowtow to them as masters.
However, I look at the positive side of what the British left us. They gave us a inedible part of our life...education. They introduced us common laws, the magistrate and the bureaucracy. Although I'm not really a fan of the last part, but it showed us how systematic they were. Although they were not a fan to set up schools, it was the missionaries who did that enduring task of educating the local children. A good command of the English language enabled those who were proficient in them to work in prestigious levels for the British Government or the Malaya Government at that time. And, the best of all, you carried a British passport and you were considered as British subjects.
I'm sure that the call for Independence by the early forefathers were even more prevalent at that time because they felt injustice being thrust upon them. And, the group that felt the most were the Malay people as they felt that their own land was being taken over by these "orang putehs". Hence, the word MERDEKA means more to them as this showed that they had the ability of self-governing.
Fast forward to the year 2007, and looking how much this nation has progressed, one would feel that yes, we have indeed progressed well. We have nice tall buildings, modern amenities and also transit transportation available. However, these are just facades of what we see. How about the day to day interaction between the races?
We have become very polarized. The races stick to their own and view each other with suspicion. Race, Religion and Rights - the 3 Rs have became very evident in our daily lives. Each race is racing to defend its own territory but to which level would one succeed?
The post era of 9-11 has mushroomed a huge part of the radicalism factions that are so evident and prevalent. We view each other with suspicious motives and brand certain people of being terrorists. On top of that, we have a bunch of Ministers and Member of Parliaments who are still living in the past era. Instead of being national leaders, they have become more racial in their assertions. Religion has become the cornerstone of what is to determine the compass of this nation. Despite the Constitution which is also our Social Contract stating that this country is a parliamentary democracy (secular) and that Islam is the official religion (in ceremonial status), our leaders declare that we are an Islamic state. However, to live in an Islamic state means, we live by a council of Ulamaks who will determine the course of the country just like Iran. We will have Ayatollahs who will lead the country and the non-Muslims will have no say in an Islamic country. Their freedom to express themselves and also the right to belief will be further curtailed. In this course, non-Muslims who are also known as Infidels will be asked to convert to Islam, and if you don't, you will be subjected to a special tax. This tax declares that you are paying the conquerors and that you are the conquered subjects which is meaning to say, being a 2nd class citizen.
Although, the respect of religion should be uplifted at all times, its only these irresponsible aspirants would be national leaders who want to play to their gallery, will raise such uncouth statements. Its really demeaning to see that after half a century, we are not progressing forward but moving backwards to the draconian age old ways!
Again, one of the things that we definitely have left out is the other minority group in our nation. Although the Government wants to sideline us and deny our existence, there is indeed a huge group (and growing) Lesbians and Gays in this country. Do we have the same rights as what our Constitution enshrine to each citizen? Malays have a special position given in the Constitution and they are named "Bumiputeras" or sons of the soil....how about the other races who were born here? Don't we get that title too? Nope, its good that you are known as Malaysians because citizenship is a privilege, not a favor. And note, how many Indonesians have become PRs or even attain citizenship status by only staying in this country for a short while; as compared to those who have stayed here for years and fulfilled the Immigration ruling of 5 years, yet still do not get theirs?
The role of meritocracy doesn't really goes in sync with our present rulers because if they were to open up this all, it will mean that only a certain race will succeed. To me, in my opinion, its a farce to say that the indigenous people will fail because its only slapping upon their own face to look down on their people. Have faith in them, I'm sure that there are many of them succeeding even without the help of the Government. And, every situation will need a bitter pill, if one does not take it, then how is one going to progress further? Will it always be status quo?
Look at Singapore. They were expelled from the Federation because they were accused of being a danger to the harmony of this country. However, the road that they took brought them eventual success. From a 3rd world country to a 1st world and let it be known, they are younger than us in terms of Independence age. Its because they have a dedicated Government and for all their misgivings, things actually work in Singapore. Like a clockwise precision, everything is on time...but to us laid back people, I'm thinking that this might not work.
So, my intention of writing this is not to incite any hatred nor any violent uprisings or even to the extend of belittling my own country. Its because I care and love this nation of ours, I do not want us to regress further. I want our nation to progress faster, do away all of the unnecessary ways, be more pragmatic, don't have selfish leaders who only want to take it all for them and their relatives, and best of all, serve justice to all. We are not racist, we embrace all and remember this, we are all born from one parent, the first parents on earth, Adam and Eve.
Our blood is the same color, we have the same set of organs in our bodies and though our skin color is different, we are humans. Ponder on this and pray that our nation will have sensible leaders who will lead us to greater heights not pull us down further. We need new impetus to go on...for if we do not do so, we would eventually lose out and the next 50 years will see this nation going nowhere.
So, this is my wish, let's banish our hatred and misgivings. Live as one people, voice out if we do not feel comfortable with it, but use sensible language. We need to live as one people, and remember always that we are humans first and last. We all have feelings and we are all equal before the Almighty, as He has created us all and made us into so many nations...therefore, will we want to destroy what He has laid before us?
** this blog is not intended to step down on anyone's belief or value, its my own personal opinon on what I see around me, and if I have indeed offended anyone because of my forthright writing, I do offer my sincere apologies**
my wish for Malaysia is to be open and progressive, catering justice and equality to all without looking at race, religion or creed....
I'm flying high...
