Do You Love Your Country?

Brian brought up an issue that is really telling. I don't think his parents are among the minority who are advising their children to go abroad and adding, "never come back"! Most parents are giving their children the same advice.

But these parents are NOT mostly Malays; they are mostly non-Malay parents, the first, second or third generation Malaysians of immigrants. They look at what is going in the country and they do not see a future for their children. And their advice is to jump the ship! The grass is greener elsewhere. And, it might be.

On the other hand, Malay parents are not giving their children similar advice. If they do, they form only a negligible minority. The majority of Malay parents want their children to seize all the opportunities that come their way and make the best of it. Of course, things are easier for them because of affirmative action in their favour.

But, even among them, the competition is stiff. The struggle is equally intense for the quota of opportunities allocated to Malays. Yet, their parents do not tell their children to jump ship. Why?
I think the answer will reveal just how "Malaysian" we are. If we were true-blue Malaysians, no matter how bad the situation is in the country, we would not have an exit strategy. At the back of our mind, we would not be saying, "Well, if we are not treated well here, we'll just leave!"

We won't jump ship, simply because we would be so deeply emotionally bonded with this soil that there would be no other country that can take her place. Malaysia is home. That bond would be so deeply etched in our psyche that the thought wouldn't even cross our minds. Instead, the question would be: Where would we go? This is our home!

But, how many of us non-Malays really feel this way about Malaysia? The non-Malay Malaysian truly has an immigrant mentality: when things get rough, hop onto the next plane and fly out! And, we live here without putting out deep roots that settles us. Instead, we try to make as much money as we can, putting aside money so that at any time we can always pack our bags, and buy a ticket to fly us out!

Why don't we stay put and fight for what is legitimately our citizenship rights? Why don't we drive an immovable stake in this country and make it truly ours? Yes, no doubt, it is tough. At every turn, we are curbed and intimidated. But, why don't we say, "This is my country. I am going to fight for what is rightfully mine. I am going to stand up and be counted. I am going to insist that I get what I need to be an equal in this country. And, I am going to do it without violence but by simply using my vote!"

Why don't we play an active part in the electoral process so that our requests are heard and answers delivered. Why don't we fight to be recognised as equal Malaysians, walking shoulder to shoulder with everyone without the spectre of racial discrimination? Why don't we invest in this country and develop it as our own beloved home?

Why don't we?

When more and more non-Malay Malaysians feel this way, I think it will eventually erode the racial divide. We will begin to think Malaysian, not Malay or non-Malay. Then, perhaps, this country will be able to harness the strengths inherent in our multi-cultural society and build a truly united and progressive society that will be the envy of all!

Now, wouldn't that be something to work towards?