53rd Independence Day

Today Malaysia celebrates its 53rd National Day. The Prime Minister called on Malaysians to contribute to the development of the nation. He also said that Malaysia should nurture an environment that would encourage its citizens to use their talents to help their country progress and to reduce the brain drain that has been occurring for many years.

It is ironic that our country educates the young and among these talented youth, many who go abroad to study do not return home to serve their country. Today I learned that someone we know is emigrating with his young family. Many young families have migrated in search of greener pastures and these are the crème de la crème of the nation.

The government has tried to woo those working abroad to return by giving them incentives but there have been few takers. I find it strange that many of my former students, when they happen to meet me on the street always tell me that they thought I had migrated to another country. My answer has always been the same: “Why should I? Malaysia is my home and this is a great country with fabulous food and friendly people.” The only thing that I don’t like is the hot weather. Sometimes it gets so hot that it becomes unbearable to be out in the open.

I was there in the Selangor Padang ( now known as Dataran Merdeka ) when the Union Jack was lowered and our Jalur Gemilang was raised. I was a pre-teen then and my dad had taken three of us there to witness the historical declaration of independence. Crowds of proud Malayans thronged the field and at the stroke of midnight, an independent Malaya came into existence.

Then in 1963, Malaysia was born when Malaya, Sarawak, Sabah and Singapore agreed to its formation. Today Malaysia consists of the Federation of Malaya, Sarawak and Sabah, 13 states in all. Singapore left to make her own way.
Today the current Prime Minister is urging all Malaysians to unite under the slogan “1Malaysia”. As far as I can remember, we have always been very united. In the schools that I attended, we never thought of ourselves as ethnic Chinese, Malays or Indians. We were simply young Malayans.

We schooled together, played together, argued together, ate together. I remember sharing meals in primary school. Not all of us had pocket money to buy food. Some of us brought food from home while the poorer friends had nothing. We did not think twice about sharing what we had. We used our hands to eat together. Drinks were just putting our mouths to the tap and drinking the water that flowed from it.

Come festive time, be it Hari Raya Puasa, Chinese New Year or Deepavali, we would visit one another in groups, going from one house to another and enjoying the food in the “open house” concept. One did not need any invitation and everyone was welcome. Such was the hospitality of those days. I believe that these days, one often has to be invited before one would go visiting. Somehow there is this shyness, a reluctance to visit when there hasn’t been an invitation. Something from the yesteryears has been lost along the way.

I think the “1Malaysia” and the constant reminders that we are all Malaysians are one way of rekindling the old spirit. The adults can take a leaf from the children’s book. Children do not differentiate skin colors and are very happy to play together, learn together and grow together, sharing and giving. Children have a lot to teach us adults. “The child is father of the man.” Happy Independence Day to all Malaysians!

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A Senseless Act

Another innocent pedestrian became the victim of a snatch theft and she was fatally stabbed while fighting her assailant, who eye witnesses described as a young man.

Why did he have to kill her? Being young, he could have earned a decent living instead of preying on women, especially those who are middle-aged and more vulnerable. If one is willing to work, one will not starve. The point here is the willingness to do an honest day’s work instead of looking for the easy way out, such as snatching handbags, holding up students with a knife or abducting children for ransom.

Now he has robbed a family of a mother, a wife and sister. What sent this person into such depravity, to kill someone when she refused to give up her possession, most likely her bag? Now the police have revealed that they will have him soon, thanks to surveillance cameras and statements from eye witnesses. The only punishment for this dastardly act is the death penalty. He has taken an innocent life, now he has to pay with his own.

But for the grieving family, will this make a difference? Justice will be meted out but nothing can compensate for their loss, the shock of learning that a loved one has been snuffed out, just like that. No chance to say good bye, no chance to do the things together that have yet to be done.

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armless guitarist

Another example of a person who turned his disadvantage into a talent and inspires others.

God will help those who help themselves.

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Whatever you set your mind to, you can do it!

This is an illustration of what I wrote in my blog a couple of weeks ago. If you find yourself in an untenable situation, there are two things you can do. Wallow in self pity and give up or reframe the situation and find how you can turn it to good use. It won't be easy but if you are determined you can achieve what you set out to do.

This young Chinese did that and you can see the video to realise how hard the journey was for him after he lost both his arms in a freak accident.You know how hard it is to wriggle your toes to pick up something but to play the piano?? Using your fingers to play the piano is hard enough but using your toes?

Watch Lui Wei and share his triumph over the odds. Let him be an inspiration to all of us. All is definitely not lost. May he go forward and achieve more.

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