Is there a future for us in Malaysia?

Let me start off by saying that I love Malaysia. I love Malaysia for its food, or more precisely, its cheap food. Unhealthy it may be, nothing beats a cuppa of teh tarik with a crispy roti canai to start your day off. The variety of food, the fusion of tastes, is simply amazing.

I love Malaysia for its tranquility and peace. Compared to our other South East Asian neighbours, we have had an almost uninterrupted era of harmony among the major races since Independence. Our Prime Ministers, from the princely Tunku Abdul Rahman to the eloquent Dr. Mahathir, has done a commendable job in building this nation into a economic powerhouse with a strong middle class.

I love Malaysia because I am Malaysian. I was born here, bred here and definitely will be buried here when I leave this world. Whislt I was pursuing my education overseas, not a day goes by where I do not miss home. Malaysia is my home.

Yet I an distressed at all the opportunities foregone to make Malaysia a truly developed nation. The Malaysia that I love is increasingly being tainted by a bunch of inept people whom we know as politicians. A bunch of politicians who cannot debate a proper motion in Parliament without uttering sexist remarks. A bunch of politicians who should be strategizing on how to counter the might of China and India, whom is threatening our traditional manufacturing base, but instead spend their time ridiculing divorcees and single mums. A bunch of politicians who are bickering over scraps of the national pie where over the straits our neighbour is concentrating on enlarging the pie. This bunch of politicians is dividing Malaysians by projecting the notion that we are unable to prosper unless at another person's expense, when they should be uniting Malaysians to compete and win against other countries with vastly inferior economic well-being.

We are a nation with immense potential. However, the air is filled with too much negativity, fuelling an undercurrent of disatisfaction and discontent. We are made to believe we are living in good times, yet petty crime appears to be rising. And winning. The interpretation of what constitutes religious freedom is not allowed to be debated openly. Politicians are flouting the rules blatantly and allowed to go scot-free. Corruption, abuse of power, unjust judicial process - are painting a bleak picture of where Malaysia is heading. This discontent is causing many Malaysians to rethink Malaysia as their home. In an era where might is represented not by the nation's weapon of mass destruction but by its people intelectual prowess, Malaysia is suffering from an acute people flight. Maybe not now, but if I read the sentiments right, many young professional parents are looking to uproot so their their children can have a fairer playing field.

When our natural resources run dry (which they will); when our financial resources run dry (which it will); our politicians will come to realize that they have neglected to energize a resource that never runs dry, the People. Once thing is for sure, we sure will never run out of incompetent politicians.