Exodus
In Malaysiakini’s Vox Populi section, a response from a reader to this article (registration needed):
Dr Mahathir has argued that Chinese Malaysians could move elsewhere given the lackluster economy in Malaysia. He is right, many Malaysian ethnic minorities are moving - some to China, some to Australia, some to Canada or some to New Zealand. The reason however is fundamentally rooted in the bigotry and racism which has been wildly fanned by none other than ruling party Umno and its youth wing.
When a large sum of money from the government coffers are blatantly dispensed only to bumiputera contractors and when Umno leaders boldly declare that the “pendatang†or “immigrants†can go back to their home countries (as if there is any) then it is time to look for a safe haven for the future generations.
There are systematic courses organised by Biro Tatanegara that teach bigotry and racism. This is further fuelled by the leaders from Umno Youth who make racist remarks and wave the keris for their own selfish political gains. You see, Dr Mahathir, it is not that we don’t love Malaysia, but that Malaysia loves us not.
In The Economist, a summary of what is getting from bad to worse.
Sometimes, I feel that I have no right to complain.
I’ve left. Jumped ship, so to speak.
I should be home, joining like-minded Malaysians to fight for our rights.
And yet, I cannot help but think, much as the Malaysiakini reader did.
What’s in it for me?
What’s in it for my family?
What if these rights never existed?
What if they never will?
A friend tells me that it doesn’t seem as bad when one is home. People are still going on with their lives. Driving their new Mitsubishis. Going for rides on a brand new 60m tall observation wheel.
Another tells me angrily that if these people want what they think is theirs so badly, we should just give it back to them. See what they do with it.
What will happen to our beloved tanahair when we are gone?
What will happen to those who are not able to leave?
Who will be left to fight for them?
Posted in Imperfect Malaysia
April 1st, 2007 at 9:33 pm
Who says you need to be ‘home’ to do something? Home is where the heart is, and for as long as we care, there is still hope for change.
As for me, I’m exercising my right to vote this year (I have the luxury of crossing the causeway to go home, and will force Fische to take leave to babysit Idris). And I’m going to campaign to my family to vote with their conscience, and not be duped by the whole propaganda machine. There will be hope for Johor yet!
April 1st, 2007 at 11:27 pm
You are so right Najah. Can one vote overseas gah?
April 2nd, 2007 at 8:13 pm
Can… I think Pokku has a brief guide here, his daughters are mostly overseas: http://bustamann.blogspot.com/2007/03/undilah-tuan-dan-puan.html
August 9th, 2007 at 8:43 am
My country? My beloved tanahair? Since when?
Do I feel that I belong here? no.
Does this county treat me as a citizen? no. instead, they throw hurdles at me and try to obstruct me from success just because that Dr. M (monyet) thinks that “the other races should be held back for the Malays to catch up”. Oh really? Well, here’s news: you’ll never catch up with me. Never. Even with a thousand NEPs. I’m way too talented and intelligent for that. It’ll take you several more millenia of evolution for a decent chance of competing with me. Seriously.
And you know what? You like the tanah and the air so much, you can keep it. It’s all yours. Have it. I won’t fight for it. It’s not mine anyway. I can go find nicer tanah and air elsewhere. Where the more intelligent people are. Those who are intelligent enough to recognize talent and work to make it theirs. I don’t want you to benefit from my talents and intelligence and tax money. No way.
Dr. Monyet dared say that the West should be charged for “stealing our bright sparks”? What have you done to keep the bright sparks? All you’ve done is try to quench them. To discourage them from shining. To make them more mediocre so that you don’t look so stupid and dull in comparison.
The bright sparks VOLUNTARILY leave. And so shall Malaysia trun into a mediocre and lousy little backwater. A byword among nations.