“MERDEKA*, MERDEKA, MERDEKA!”

… these are the lingering words that are looping in my head as I went to sleep after witnessing yet another firework spectacular across the sky line of KLCC from far, the comfort of my own apartment, as the midnight strikes to mark the arrival of yet another 31^st August, the 49^th to be precise, since Malaysia becomes an independent nation in 1957…

As usual, I woke up early to tune on the TV set … yes the national TV that I have not been tuning in for some time (thanks to the satellite TV network, DVD and internet!). It’s just come natural that this is my early morning ritual on this auspicious National Day of Malaysia every year. I have never failed since I can remember (unless I’m in overseas). It amazed me that I can actually wake up earlier than my working day.

It’s also natural that the program of the National Day parade remains unchanged for many years since I can remember. Last time, I used to look forward to new slogan and new logo as it changes every year (thanks to the most imaginative “Keranamu Malaysia**” that is flexible to mean from nothing to everything under the Malaysian’s sun); and now the few things that changes are the venue (good to spread patriotism around), our beloved DYMM for every five years (Daulat Tuanku!) and the new faces in the ever-expanding cabinet that are adding their weights on the main stage.

My thrills this morning were to identify their portfolio correctly to ensure my comfort that I knew my leaders and how big the government machinery has grown, this is besides the usual colourful display of unity, sleek uniform with weapon (that make their only effective appearance on a yearly basis), weird-looking costume, brass bands and some pride of the nations – national cars etc (although you have that parade everyday on the streets and car parks of Malaysia).

After my inspired and renewed patriotism, I went online and found my good friend in Sydney. He is a Malaysian graduated in Australia and has since setting up his family in Melbourne then Sydney now. We chat a little on Merdeka and Malaysia. I thought it would be good to share with you the following:

SF says: Merdeka!

Chris says: working? Everything well and good for the family?

SF says: yeah, no Merdeka here mate

Chris says: hey, I have a new "baby"...

SF says: and whats that

Chris says: please check out www.yourmoneyotherwise.com and let me have your comments... of course, when you are free... by the way, that's the title of my book, hopefully by 1 Jan 2008

SF says: looks beautiful, CHUR Associates looks young and fresh, that is basically your target audience isn't it

Chris says: rather people with a younger mind set… open mind

SF says: abd what is that New Zealand thing doing there?

SF says: did you have a branch there?

Chris says: It's my official liasion office... more like rep office strategic alliance..

SF says: Oh, good stuff. well done matey

Chris says: easiest way to go international

SF says: i'm still stuck at this cubicle

Chris says: our objectives are different ...

Chris says: If I have a job that keeps me comfortable, i'll be in the cubicle too...

Chris says: any lawyer friends in Sydney...?

SF says: yes i do, but i think she is more on managing the sales contracts, house/flat

Chris says: Ok, is she on her own?

SF says: nah, works for a company, law firm

Chris says: I'm looking for someone to do similar tie up like the one I have in NZ. I'm in negotiation with Vietnam and Singapore now...

Chris says: targeting the East Asia 10 + 6, that include ANZ as well...

SF says: ambitious fellow. but well done mate.

Chris says: thanks.. that's the way to move forward...

Chris says: I cannot be contented, not in Malaysia... really bad down here...

SF says: yeh i heard

Chris says: need new ideas to sell

SF says: each time i call mum, she has something bleak to tell me

SF says: i gave up asking how everyone's doing.

Chris says: not really hopeless, but we need to buck up...

Chris says: as a nation, a collective effort...

Chris says: it's because we are not acting as a nation and not collective...

Chris says: ppl like me are doing things on their own, wasting a lot of resources instead of pooling them together...

SF says: but one thing i noticed when talking with people back home

SF says: I have seen some very genuine entrepeuneurs (how do you spell it)

SF says: much more than i see here (in Australia)

Chris says: of course, we have no choice...

Chris says: we are not paid enough, virtually no disposable income

Chris says: yet we are no longer cheap enough like Vietnam and China...

Chris says: we are not paid well enough because we are not good enough like Singapore...

Chris says: simply, we are neither here nor there...

Chris says: Malaysia is in a cross road as we celebrate our 49th year as a nation

Chris says: We need to decide....

Chris says: NOW

SF says: it is rather bad

Chris says: our government still practices affirmative actions and protective policies

Chris says: we have no place for that TODAY

Chris says: certainly, not Malaysia...

Chris says: I see opportunities wasted by the day

Chris says: We are the best to take over from Singapore as the center of action as they are getting expensive

Chris says: in the center of ASEAN, the East Asia 10+6

Chris says: we are neutral and friendly to all our neighbors; and a gateway to the Middle East

Chris says: why? it is all wasted at the moment. If there is no result, it requires changes

Chris says: we talk about globalisation now, commercially it recognises no colour, no race, no religion

Chris says: it is plainly survival of the fittest... we must be lean and mean and prepare to battle when called upon...

SF says: yah. i agree the policy is hurting

SF says: hows corruption status

SF says: better or worse?

SF says: this is the thing that needs change first

Chris says: actually, there is no priority now, every changes count... since no one is putting their act together, we are doing everything we can..

Chris says: remember the Star Fish story..

SF says: what is the Star Fish story?

Chris says: The old man that picked up the star fishes at the beach every morning and throws it back to the sea.....

Chris says: it means survival for every star fish that he pick and throw back..

Chris says: it makes a difference to that star fish... remember?

SF says: i dont think i ever heard that story, but i see the point

SF says: yeh agreed, but yet, i am not doing anything in return

SF says: in fact i am part of the problem.

SF says: coz if everyone in CHS works in M'sia instead of overseas, it probably wouldn't helped

Chris says: You can't be blamed, It's your life... You have made your choice....

Chris says: we love our "tanah air***” but "tanah air" don't love us.. we just can't call ourselves Malaysians and a full stop right there...

SF says: thats right”

Well, that is a chat between two generation X that are born in the 70’s and did under graduate study oversea not by choice; who are deeply in love with the nation and proudly sing the national anthem by heart. Yet, they are reluctant by circumstances. We have all the answers but is anyone asking the right questions.

In summary, Malaysians are enterprising enough to compete in the free market. Affirmative actions and protective policies only weaken us rather than making us stronger.

Just ponder why the Korean and the Thai economy perform better than ours now even though they were badly hit by the last economic crisis compared to us. It is the survival instincts that spur them on.

Just imagine if there is another crisis, what is the consequence if our policy maker is not protecting us with measures that go against capitalism? Can we now accept it? Rights given cannot be taken away and people become complacent when placed under the green house – false security.

Similarly, Malaysia is now ranked 140 something in world football while we were once giant in the Asian football qualifying for Olympic and out playing the likes of Korea and Japan. And yet, we are one of the earliest Asian countries that have a professional football league. What’s wrong?

As the nation is marching towards the half century now, I sincerely invite all Malaysians to equip ourselves with all the necessary with an open mind. We must be humble enough to acknowledge our short-comings and ready to learn it all over again.

Our forefathers have fought hard for our independence that creates this beautiful multi-cultural society of Malaysia, it is now our duty to maintain that vision of our forefathers as a going concern under a real sovereign nation. These include a review of some aging fundamentals against the prevailing philosophies of today especially in giving a real meaning and instill dignity to the word “Malaysian”.

The truth remains that “Merdeka” means something to me as a true Malaysian. My forefathers have adopted this nation and I have never leaved my root in this adopted nation of theirs.

This is my nation.

< Prev		Next >