My Malaysia

In China I was constantly asked who do I say I am. Am I a Chinese? Am I a Malaysian? Where do I call home? China? Malaysia?

I would reply i'm a 3rd Generation Malaysian Chinese. I have no thoughts of 'returning to China' as my country is Malaysia. Some would stop there, others would go on asking what's so great about Malaysia. This is where I start telling them of Malaysia, or at least my 'ideal' Malaysia.

Being away from home does make me appreciate my country, and believe me, meeting a fellow Malaysian overseas regardless of race or religion just gives you a strong 'kaki lang' feeling especially when you're abroad alone. I also see the benefits of being brought up in Malaysia while I was in China. Growing up in multicultural Malaysia enabled me to speak at least 3 different languages, it gave me a broader view and understanding of other cultures and so much more.

Despite this 'new-found' pride in my country, I can't help but have an increasing awareness in the 'uglier' side of it. Increasing Crime rates, and the highly controversial 'religious freedom' are just part of it. I'm not going to get into detail on these issues, so for a better inside visit my friend Tim's blog - http://fromthe-insideout.blogspot.com/
he's not political, just analytical and really insideful :)

I love my country but I don't stand by everything the government says or does. There's much weaknesses and mistakes that we need to acknowledge and rectify in order to really progress as a nation.

I read a statement made by a political party candidate claiming that slogan 'The Birth of a Nation' used to promote the Visit Malaysia 2007 campaign is inapropriate. He claims that the natives were here long before our independence and that slogan is an insult to their status and sovereignty before the colonial times. I say the slogan is correct. Malaysia would not be the nation it is today without the inclusion of 'foreign races'.

Malaysia belongs to Malaysians. Its time we stop having the mentality that it belongs to the Malays or that the Chinese and Indians are merely settlers and are stealing resources away from the natives. Malaysia would NOT be Malaysia without the Malays, Chinese, Indians or ever the minority races. Its sad to see that the strong bond and unity among experienced among Malaysias out of Malaysia do not exist in Malaysia itself.

When can we learn to accept our neighbours as our countrymen? When can we experience true freedom in religion? I don't care how technologically advance a country progresses, or how economically prosperous it gets, without the basic foundations of unity, trust and respect among its people it all counts to nothing.

Its not like me to rant so much on something like this. But I guess its because I have a new-found love for my country i'd rather have my say on it instead of leaving it the way it is. Grousing about these wont change Malaysia but praying does. Malaysia is blessed enough to have a strong and growing Christian community who prays for its nation.

Malaysia is not perfect, but Malaysia is Home.