But if you love longer grandma story, do read on. Hehe!
I believe that we are born Malaysians for a reason, and each of us has a part to play in our nation, whether it is big or small. For this reason, after a few years abroad, I decided to come back to Malaysia to serve my country, however small my contribution could be. Back then, joining politics has never crossed my mind.
It was until my company volunteer to run a project for Democratic Action Party (DAP) that I was exposed first hand to what a political party could do for the nation. Through several conversations with Tony Pua, the Member of Parliament of Petaling Jaya Utara, I understood how much impact politics could make in Malaysian lives, for better or worse. Even then, I was still struggling to put my feet into politics. I knew that since I’d chosen to come back to Malaysia despite better opportunities overseas, one of the best ways to ‘maximize the return’ of the lost opportunities is through politics. But I was struggling to step out of my comfort zone. As my mom so rightly put it, "you can have a decent and comfortable life now already, why choose such a hard life?" However, what my mom did not know was my love for this nation and my desire to see a better Malaysia.
Malaysia is corrupted, our environment and natural resources are mismanaged and the young voices are not heard. I have met just so many young and bright Malaysians who left home for better opportunities abroad. If all of these continue, we’ll soon reach a point of no return. Therefore I decided to join politics and committed to make a change.
I do not want to be a bystander as my country is going through one of the most important turning points of history, either for the better or worse future.
I do not want to regret at the latter part of my life, seeing my country at peril, just because people of my generation have not done enough and have chosen comfort over sacrifice.
To quote Edmund Burke,
“all that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing”
I believe that young people can make a difference. I am always encouraged by this line of Apostle Paul in one of his letters to his spiritual son, Timothy,
“Let no one despise you for your youth, but set an example in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, faith and purity.”
Although we are young, we are not inferior, we are just different. Yes, we are on Facebook (and Twitter for some of you) most of the time and we do watch YouTube videos quite ‘a bit’ but we too concern about our environment, the injustice that's happening, the welfare of fellow Malaysians and the future of our children. We have different opinions on how our country should be governed.
Therefore I am in politics and committed to make young voices heard. I hope that more young Malaysians can join us or at their respective positions do their parts, to make Malaysia a country that is free from corruption, united regardless of race and religion as well as competitive in the global economy.
