Monday, September 21, 2009

1MMalaysian

Someone asked me what I thought of 1Malaysia concept a couple of weeks back. I didn't answer him immediately as my mind was thinking of something else. So he stated that Malaysia has always been 1 before, why bother bringing up the 1Malaysia issue. He went on and on about a whole lot of other issue regarding Malaysia and the direction we are heading if leadership does not take heed of the warning signs.

There are certain points that I agree and of course, there are those that I disagree. So I quickly cut this conversation short by shouting (not that loud) 1MMalaysian with the emphasis on the MM. All he said was ' Tak boleh nak sebut betul betul ke?'

I smiled and answered, 1MMalaysian is I am Malaysian. What I love about Malaysia is our cultures and great respect we all had for each other when I was growing up. I am lucky because I grew up in the midst of two main cultures - Malay and Chinese. My exposure to the Indian culture came through my dad's friends and again it is the same as everyone respected each other's preference whether it is religion, type of food, beliefs etc etc. That's what I could recall about 25 - 30 years ago that people put collective feeling ahead rather that individual feelings.

Today the word "I" has infiltrated into most minds and therefore modified how the best and not so best minds in Malaysia. We are adopting the Mat Salleh mentality of grooming self confidence: To be good or respected one must have great self confidence. Slowly, we teach our young that individualistic is the only way to become successful.

Now. self confidence is important especially when it comes to your own capability but it should not be confused with self centered mindset. We all know that the planets revolve around the one sun we see up in the sky but why some individuals think that just because they are someone high / smart / rich / powerful, the world must revolve around them?

I digress ... 1Malaysia concept is to encourage Malaysians to be United (MU) once again. Hey, no wonder many Malaysias follow Manchester United (MU). But as long as every person / political party in Malaysia forms individual opinions of how Malaysia should be ... it will be difficult. Malaysia is not about Malays, Chinese and Indians. What about the Penans, the Ibans, the Jakuns, the Negritos, the Kadazans etc? It is also not about those in BN or PR!! What about those who do not belong to either affiliation?

If we want Malaysia to be better ... everyone must try to put others first before own interest. Easier said that done ... damage has been done because every kid I see nowadays like to shout "Mine". The toy / drink / food is mine! Concept of sharing only exists in our minds now as it slowly exits our heart and soul.

And all I could do is sigh ......

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Dali, we grew up in a time when we didn't need anyone to tell us to be collective and united.

But sadly it was in the time that we were growing up that politicians took to pointing out how different we are and how some must have more than others ... they created a generation of self-centered and a generation of never having a piece of the pie.

As much as we have more inter-racial marriages, but all amount to dictated conversions and people unsure of what and where they are heading to.

It worrying and it is sad. But if there are still folks like you and me and we can teach our kids to see beyond what the blinkered suspicious lot preach and that Malaysia is for all of us and we a handful who have survived the battering of the politicians propaganda still are truly 1 in heart spirit and soul ...

Malaysia we believe in exists in us and we can transfer this Malaysia to our young one to carry forward.

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