57 Years of Glory (Malaysia, Where Love Grows)

The writer believes that a beautiful camaraderie makes life a wonderful journey.

Malaysia is celebrating its 57^th Independence Day this year and it is special in its own way especially when the number 57 coincides with the year the country was declared free which was 1957. With the theme ‘Disini Lahirnya Sebuah Cinta’ (Malaysia, Where Love Grows), it lifts up the patriotic spirit among the citizens from all walks of life. The theme is meaningful, significant and most importantly close to the heart and it is undoubtedly perfect to promote love between the people and for the country.

For a long stretch of time, Malaysia has been praised and remembered for its beauty and the people are described as friendly, polite and helpful. The unique and colourful culture has attracted tourists from many countries and continents to choose Malaysia as their destination for holiday trips. The picturesque views of beaches, islands and mountains have made avid travelers leave the country with unforgettable experiences and happy memories. Our high profile landmarks too have become our signatures that are among the best in the world.  We even have world class athletes that make us feel prouder to be Malaysian.

Everything sounds wonderful but have we ever asked ourselves what we are still lacking? 2020 is just six years away and Malaysians need to be well prepared to face the long-awaited moment so that the plan our dearly former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad tabled during the 6^th Malaysia Plan in 1991 will result in great success. Thus, we need to start reflecting ourselves when there is still time.  The 20 aspects highlighted below hopefully would open our eyes and help us answer the rhetorical question. Let us all be smart Malaysians in making the country a place with beauty and brains. After all, isn’t it what everyone votes for?

1)      ATTITUDES:

With right attitudes, Malaysia would be pollution-free and discrimination-free.

2)      MINDSET:

Malaysians should develop some maturity in setting minds because a mindset could affect the whole country and the entire generation.

3)      CONTRIBUTION:

Ask ourselves about our contribution for the country or haven’t we done something to correct what is wrong and to improvise what is satisfactory?

4)      ACHIEVEMENT:

Achievement is not something to brag, it’s something for the citizens to remember, be grateful of and be positively proud of.

5)      UNITY

Every Malaysian is a family member of another Malaysian. Thus, the unity should remain as one happy family through support, tolerance, patience and various cultural celebrations.

6)      DEVELOPMENT:

Being a developing country is good but being a forever developing country is bad. It shows how effortless Malaysians are in working just a little bit harder.

7)      SOLUTION:

Malaysia is quite famous for searching for a new problem for an existing problem. It’s not about pointing fingers to individuals. It’s about coming up with a mutual agreement as a solution.

8)      EDUCATION:

Education is a general term that enables one to think about what is right and what is not. Educated people give judgment in a form of either excuses or reasons, and sadly more Malaysians fall on the former than the latter form.

9)      HAPPINESS:

Being free is about being happy and many of us smile cynically than making it sincerely.

10)   CHARITY:

Charity always begins at home and Malaysia is our home for all of us to help the needy. That’s how we become an effective solution for their problem.

11)   BRIBERY:

When we develop our country based on bribery, it will work but only temporarily. Always remember that nothing is as easy and please don’t take things easily.

12)   COURAGE:

Courage is what makes both the country and the people in it, strong. Confidence is crucial to develop our determination and risks are to be taken in producing a nation with quality.

13)   MANNERS:

Manners are seen in behaviours and they are what everyone sees and notices. Now, look back and think on how well we have done in our manners subject. Is it an “A”, a “B”, a “C”, or worse?

14)   RESPECT:

Respect is not only paid during funerals. More importantly, it is needed when somebody is still alive. So, do we practice enough respect?

15)   RESPONSIBILITY:

No one lives without responsibilities. Carry ours well and we’ll have nothing to worry about for we know that we’ve done our portion.

16)   GAME:

We love to play safe. Yes, we won’t lose but we won’t win either. So, stop being afraid about losing and start planning on strategies to be the real champion because we’d love to drop happy tears for our victory.

17)   LOVE :

Love is not individual but mutual. It is to be shared and to be spread, not to be kept in a dusty box that you’ve even lost the key to unlock it. Hatred is unfortunately better loved by us.

18)   SENSITIVITY:

Sensitivity is a feeling that Malaysians lack. It happens when we include others in our own world to be considered and thought of. It’s important giving our country two words all countries around the globe always want; PEACE and HARMONY.

19)   CIVILIZATION:

It’s quite a frustrating fact that the old generation seems to be more civilized than the one living today. There might be the Age of Modernization but Civilization, never ages.

20)   PUNCTUALITY:

Malaysians have been left million miles behind for hardly being punctual in life, and we ‘manage' to uphold that ‘tradition’ until now. Think about it. Please.