The results of the 14th General Election have been nothing short of phenomenal …. placing Malaysia in the spotlight for all the right reasons.
In the past, I have not written any articles related to politics across my blogs. But this time, I am so happy that I cannot help but to express my heartfelt congratulations.
I would never thought that I would be able to see the day where Opposition finally wins the election and we are able to look forward to a new Malaysia. It places a warmth feelings in our hearts that everything is possible and allow us to witness the touching power of forgiveness.
I am so touched seeing Dr M standing alongside with Anwar Ibrahim, Wan Azizah, Nurul Izzah, Lim Kit Siang and Lim Guan Eng in friendly terms. That the Opposition could forgive someone who have once made their life miserable and place them or their family in jail. Most of us would not be capable being able to forgive for misdeeds much lesser than that. It tells a lot about the nobility and the values that Pakatan stood for… that they place the country above their personal feelings.
Proud to be a Malaysian
When I was 9 years old, my mom had seriously considered to migrate to another country. My mom was a staffnurse with a qualification that was recognized across all Commonwealth countries. The plan was that she goes to the country and work for a few years till she is stable and then she would bring the family over.
I begged and pleaded with her not to go even as a 9 year old. In the end, she did not go through with the plan and stayed behind to work till retirement.
All along, my community would speak about inequality. However I did not think it is an issue as I believe in making my own luck. I work and studied hard and fortunately got accepted into public university as my parents could not afford to send me to study in a private college and overseas. I knew I needed education if I wish to escape poverty.
During my time, there was no availability of degree programs that you can obtain privately without going overseas. If I am not able to get into a public university it would mean no degree. However, the scenario have changed a few years after I graduated.
If we are not accorded with certain privileges then we just work harder to make our lives better. We just learn to be more resilient. When we developed the skill it is lifelong and would enable us to survive anywhere we go and in whatever we do.
Throughout the years, some of my friends have sought greener pastures elsewhere and have migrated. However, I have never been tempted to migrate to so call seek a better life. I felt at home in Malaysia, among my Malay, Indian, Kadazan, Dusun and fellow Chinese friends.
There is no place in the world that is like Malaysia. It is not how much you earn but how contented you are with what you have.
Puan Noraini, my standard six Malay language teacher who went above her work and gave us daily homework because she wanted us to excel in the Bahasa paper. Being a poor student who could not afford tuition, her homework helped me and she motivated me to study hard and excel because someone cared. I scored straight As in my UPSR when previously in the class I was one of the bottom students (I believe I had ADHD which made me learn differently from other students).
A boss that I would gladly follow and work hard for….is an Indian boss called Annie. I have worked for so many bosses during my tenor in the corporate world but there is no boss like Annie who have taught me values, fairness, hardwork and integrity.
And only my Malay friends would smile in understanding when during tough times at work and I quote “sesungguhnya saat yang terindah hanyalah sementara” and “ramalan ku benar belaka“…. they immediately knew those were from songs. They also knew that “Umbrella” and “Fotograf” were not noun but popular Malay band groups even though some of them grew up after the popularity of the bands.
But there have been grouses and a lot of undercurrent running especially at the political situation in the country. Yet everyone only complained and expressed their feelings. No one thought that it is possible.
As the GE 14 neared, my Facebook feed were filled with posts, mostly from non Muslim friends who openly show their unwavering support for Pakatan Harapan. They did it during the previous election as well.
Whereas my Malay friends were a little quiet. They posed a couple of posts about going to vote and showed the evidence of voting (by the permanent ink on their finger) but nothing much. Nothing about a new country or to bring about change. I had assumed they have voted to BN.
When the GE results were out where Pakatan Harapan led by Tun Mahathir won and that the Opposition would soon be able to form the government, many of my Malay friends started expressing their happiness and supporting the new government. I then realized that most of them in fact had voted for Pakatan Harapan- I know them well enough to know that they would only say what their heart meant else they would say nothing at all.
I am so proud because in this election, due to the Malaysian tsunami…. where the Malay, Chinese, Indian and other races come together that made the change possible. That finally everyone opened their eyes.
It had been said in the past that the Chinese were an ungrateful lot, that we constantly sat at the fence and were not patriotic. In fact, it is not the case….. it is just that many have felt helpless.
But what I witnessed when during pre election, while waiting for results and post election- the patriotism displayed by Malaysians have been amazing. Malaysians of all races, united and cheering outside Istana Negara with Pakatan Harapan flags as Tun Mahathir took his oath to be the 7th Prime Minister of Malaysia.
I look forward to seeing a new Malaysia where all races genuinely live in harmony with no undercurrents.
Malaysia Tanahairku Yang Tercinta.
