As far as I could remember, people around me were always talking about migrating, acquiring their PR (Permanent Residence), leaving Malaysia for some other 'better' nation for the better life! Australia is better, UK has a better education system and the USA, a land of opportunities! These influences put a desire in my heart that perhaps one day I would leave my tanah-air (homeland) and find the better life elsewhere far away from Malaysia!
Better Quality of Life… Really?
Well the opportunity did come for my husband and I. We were offered to work overseas and to have the 'better' quality of life about 12 years ago. And just about seven years ago my husband was offered again to take up another position in another country where things were more progressive than ours. On both accounts we prayed and knew that our place was here in Malaysia, no matter what sort of 'pot of gold' was waiting at the other side of the rainbow.
I am a thoroughbred Kuala Lumpur city girl and have lived here all my life! I’ve had the opportunity to travel with my husband to many nations over the last 13 years of our married life and have enjoyed the various experiences of international cultures, cuisines and even made good friends along the way! The classic novels set in England or America just came alive when I visited these countries! But as I have come to discover in these 13 years, I love my home, Malaysia, and look forward each time to come home to do life and to see what else I can contribute to building this nation and make it a 'must' visit country on the world map.
I don’t deny that there are many things we can be unhappy or complain about but this is home! Sure there are loads of systems that do not seem to work smoothly, but still this is our tanah air! Unless the Lord wants us to settle elsewhere for His work, I believe we must make it happen here and see change in various aspects of this nation for the better!
Almost every person or family I know have the same reasons why they have either migrated, wanting to migrate or have applied for their PR (Permanent Residence) status – “we want a better quality of life/my children will have a better education/there is security, politically stable, etc”. Nothing wrong in any of these reasons and everyone is entitled to make their choices, but seldom do I hear that they had heard from the Lord to actually make that move. Some even snigger at those who want to return home after their stint of studies or work experience, almost condemning this nation to hopeless-ness!!
Lift Up the Standard
While acknowledging there are real and genuine cases for migration and so forth, my cause is to say that we have been given this nation to do life in and to prosper it. The recent general elections really showed the Malaysian public has finally come of age - she took the responsibility and voted!! That’s what I mean by maturity and exercising the right as a citizen of Malaysia to participate in making our vote count! No use murmuring and cursing our nation while we do not even take the stand to put the people we want in running the nation, why grumble when you can do something about it.
If the general public has so much to complain about the slack in our governmental system, then why don’t we get employment in the government offices and add our fantastic ideas so that it doesn’t slack anymore. If we continue to complain how bad our schools are, then why don’t we encourage our children to take up education and work for government schools so that we can better raise the standard of education and pedagogy. I’ve decided to stop speaking badly about my country and it’s systems until I have a solution and can add positive influence even if it’s a small one. It’s a tough journey but if we claim defeat then it is us to be blamed not just the governmental authorities.
If we want to rid this nation of corruption, stop settling your summonses by paying a bribe out of convenience! If you did the wrong thing, admit it, take the fine, and settle it! If you are genuinely right then take it up with the right authorities. If everyone wants a fair play then stop “pulling-strings” with so and so to get things done.
Stop getting your driving licenses by settling with an ‘extra’ fee, just take the test again and keep your conscience clear! Corruption kills a nation, we have to raise the standard of integrity! If we want a clean city, then stop throwing your rubbish anyhow and anywhere! If you were in some other nation you would have practiced consideration and care. We have to start somewhere I guess. Do you and I care enough to make Malaysia a better place?
I know there are many bigger 'issues' but that is why we need caring citizens, businessmen, fathers, mothers, teachers, children, investors, people who will speak up and want to see positive change to build the nation and invest in the country! It does take faith and belief that this country can prosper economically and socially! Those who have had the option of leaving the country, often make it sound so bleak for those 'left behind'. Hey, the grass is not much greener on the other side; let us focus on what is 'greening' here and take the opportunity to build a positive and better Malaysia for us and the generations to come.
Making it Work
Where are the freedom fighters? Save the whales? Save the rhino? Save the trees? How about save our nation? Instead of just eating the good of the land, how about investing in the future of the land. There are several practical things we can do to bring change or champion the cause for a 'better’ life:
- know your politics, care enough to follow what is happening to the Government
- don’t be complacent, exercise your right to vote at the general elections, your vote counts
- don’t be party to corruption
- practice punctuality, don’t practice 'rubber time'
- bless your nation, don’t put her down by condemning everything around you
- appreciate the richness of diverse races and customs, that make Malaysia who she is
- be involved in something that is nation building, whether small or big
- make the 'better quality of life' happen, by living out your integress convictions, contribute your expertise to building the nation
- change our attitude towards our local performing arts scene; we’ve got good stuff, you just have not been exposed to it
- if you are a parent don’t just complain about the education system, join the PTA/PIBG(Parent/Teacher Association)
- stop buying pirated goods
- be willing to have a change of mentality and attitude by looking at what is good around us and how we can help this nation transform to a first world nation
- let us get famous for all the right reasons
Lifestyle or Legacy, Your Choice
Migrating/obtaining a PR may be the thing for some people but what about you? I hope it isn’t stoked by just the need for a better pay package or just dissatisfaction where this nation is heading. That perhaps you would first put in effort to contribute to a better Malaysia through whatever means that is available to you before you even throw in the ‘I give up’ card. There’s so much that is good in this nation. We are all talking about the new Malaysia currently, which we shall see how far we will progress. Call me a dreamer but I only have one life to live, I may as well live it with conviction and fight for a cause that will give a future to the next generation in this nation. |
